This week Megan and Dave talk about director Luca Guadagnino's QUEER (2:28), an adaptation of William S. Burroughs 1985 novel (with a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes). Starring Daniel Craig as William Lee (a Burroughs stand-in), this movie left both Megan and Dave a little bewildered, as there were things they liked (the shooting-up scene, the color palette), and things they didn't like (Drew Starkey's performance as Lee's love interest). Then Evan joins in for FLOW (22:38) an excellent animated film featuring a very cat-like cat and other animals as they survive a catastrophic flood. Finally there's NIGHTBITCH (39:53). Amy Adams becomes a dog (though there's more to it than that) and Scoot McNairy becomes a dope (he's played this part before). What did we think of writer-director Marielle Heller's adaptation of Rachel Yoder's novel? Over on Patreon, we talk about the Christmas horror flick BETTER WATCH OUT.

Evan is off this week (doubtless watching PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES), so Megan and Dave take on KNOW YOUR PLACE (2:19) and THE BLACK SEA (35:29) as a duo. And as with many weeks, the movies we choose are linked thematically (often accidentally). In this case, both films tackle characters with feelings of being outsiders. In KNOW YOUR PLACE, Robel (Joseph Smith) balances being a typical American teenager with the familial demands of being the child of Eritrean immigrants, and he navigates the emotional and physical fallout that comes with feeling stuck between two competing sets of demands. And in THE BLACK SEA, Khalid (co-director Derrick B. Harden) travels to Bulgaria from Brooklyn and finds himself completely out of place - until he discovers he makes the locals happy by opening a cafe that serves Matcha tea. (It's more dramatic - and comedic - than that, and we cover all the ins and outs in our conversation.) Over on Patreon, we watched ON DANGEROUS GROUND, a classic noir film from 1951, to celebrate Noirvember.

With Megan on vacation this week, Evan and Dave take on WILL & HARPER (2:42), the documentary about the friendship between Will Ferrell and writer Harper Steele post-Harper's transition. This funny and tender (and occasionally sad) documentary about long friendships (Ferrell and Steele met at "Saturday Night Live") and the ways they change is the anti-MEGALOLOPIS (22:56), writer-director Francis Ford Coppola's bizarro take on whatever-the-fuck-it-is, with each actor performing in a different movie, a production design from Hades, and a story - or many stories - that add up to absolutely fuck-all. (It's not entirely fair that Dave is doing the write-up this week, as he thought MEGALOPOLIS works in precisely zero ways, whereas Evan found a few things to like about it). In any event, take a listen before you watch. Spoilers in no way actually spoil something that has to be seen to be believed. Trust us. Over on Patreon, we talk about Hitchcock's THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY.

Evan is off this week, so it's the Dave and Megan show. But before the Dave and Megan show, Megan goes solo, covering M3GAN (3:01), the wild killer robot sci-fi horror movie, directed by Gerard Johnstone and starring Allison Williams. And - perfect timing - one of Dave's children interrupts and scares the crap out of him as he and Megan discuss said killer robot movie. Yeesh! Next, Megan and Dave talk about Noah Baumbach's absurdist comedy adaptation of Don DeLillo's unfilmable (question mark?) novel WHITE NOISE (17:41), starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig. They round things out with Scott Cooper's mystery thriller THE PALE BLUE EYE (36:02), starring Christian Bale and featuring Harry Melling as a young Edgar Allan Poe. Don't forget to check out this week's Patreon exclusive audio in which Megan and Dave talk about Nora Ephron's "Sleepless in Seattle."

It's our last episode of the year! So, as usual, we're revealing our BOFCA ballots as we discuss our respective Top 10 Films of 2022! Unfortunately, Dave couldn't make it this week, but we still share his top 10 before digging into each of our own. You can hear Dave's list starting at 2:55, Megan's at 14:36, and Evan's at 47:39. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we're talking about the winner of our NYE movie poll, Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron's 1989 rom-com, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY! 

We start by reviewing Steven Spielberg's autobiographical film THE FABELMANS (2:14), which explores his love of filmmaking, his parents' marriage, and the antisemitism he experienced growing up. They're themes we've seen him tackle before in his movies, but we're split on whether there's enough unique value that makes this movie worth watching. Next, we delve into Sarah Polley's WOMEN TALKING (33:34), a compelling chamber piece drama about women from a religious community who have been abused by the men in it, debating whether they should forgive them, stay and fight, or leave. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we discuss a Patron's choice, the Hallmark movie HANUKKAH ON RYE!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

Evan is off this week so Megan and Dave are a duo, and they're a doozy of a duo, because one movie they like, and one movie they really, really don't. They start things off with Nelly & Nadine (3:26), a documentary about an unlikely love story of two women falling in love on Christmas Eve, 1944, in the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Then it's The Apology (27:47), a Christmas-set thriller about a missing child, her coming-to-terms-with-it mother, and the unannounced guest who shows up to pour sugar in everyone's figurative gas tanks. Bonus: Janeane Garofalo is in this one (along with stars Anna Gunn and Linus Roache)! Don't forget to check out this week's Patreon exclusive audio, where Megan and Dave talk about the holiday rom-com Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah.

We start the show this week by reviewing Martin McDonagh's darkly comedic drama THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (1:52) about two lifelong friends (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson) who find themselves at odds when one of them abruptly ends their friendship. Next, we discuss GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO (28:12), a creepy, yet sweet stop-motion animated retelling of the Pinocchio tale. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Steve De Jarnatt's 1988 film MIRACLE MILE, starring Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham. 

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

This week we start by reviewing Nicholas Stoller and Billy Eichner's BROS (2:25), a funny, acerbic queer rom-com where two gay men from very different backgrounds (Eichner and Luke Macfarlane) unexpectedly find love in New York City. Next, we dig into Todd Field's TÁR (24:17), a complex portrait of a problematic character—a world-renowned conductor at the height of her career, Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett), who has done awful things to those around her. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Steven Spielberg's directorial debut, the 1971 thriller DUEL starring Dennis Weaver!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

We start this week by reviewing Tobias Lindholm's true crime drama THE GOOD NURSE (1:54), about an ER nurse (Jessica Chastain) who discovers that her charming colleague (Eddie Redmayne) is secretly murdering their patients. The film misses some areas it could dig deeper into this real-life tragedy, but it's really well-acted and has a strong ensemble. Next, we cover Harry Bradbeer's ENOLA HOLMES 2 (22:17), a plainly named sequel that provides another engaging adventure for Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown). It's a delightful romp that's still a lot of fun even if it's not quite as brisk as the first film. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our Noirvember poll, Jane Campion's 2003 film IN THE CUT, starring Meg Ryan and Mark Ruffalo! For anyone who celebrated, we hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

We start the show this week by reviewing Claire Scanlon's impressively unfunny comedy THE PEOPLE WE HATE AT THE WEDDING (2:30), which is about dysfunctional siblings (Kristen Bell and Ben Platt) who reluctantly travel to the UK with their mom (Allison Janney) for their half-sister's wedding. Next, we delve into Mark Mylod's delicious social satire/horror film THE MENU (18:48), where a hyper-exclusive dining experience turns into a battle of wits between its mastermind chef (Ralph Fiennes) and an unexpected diner (Anya Taylor-Joy). Then we wrap up with Rian Johnson's wildly entertaining whodunnit GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (42:10), the much-anticipated sequel to Johnson's murder mystery hit KNIVES OUT. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about a Patron's choice, Griffin Dunne's 1998 film PRACTICAL MAGIC, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman! 

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

This week we start by reviewing Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead's sci-fi, horror, buddy comedy mashup SOMETHING IN THE DIRT (3:46), which is about two friends (Benson and Moorhead) making a documentary about paranormal phenomenon in their apartment building. We wanted to like it so much more than we actually did, and we're pretty much on the same page about our issues with it. Next, we discuss Ryan Coogler's BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (25:15), the highly-anticipated sequel to 2018's BLACK PANTHER, which mourns and celebrates the late Chadwick Boseman, while attempting to advance with the franchise. We have some disagreement about how well it does that, but we have a spirited and spoiler-filled discussion. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Jonathan Lynn's 1992 legal comedy MY COUSIN VINNY, starring Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei! 

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

This week we start by reviewing the surprising feminist horror film RUN SWEETHEART RUN (2:43), which involves much more than just a woman running for her life from a business dinner turned date that becomes violent. Then we cover Sebastián Lelio's eerie period thriller THE WONDER (25:27), which takes place in 1862, and stars Florence Pugh as an English nurse investigating an Irish girl who has supposedly survived for months without eating. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we honor the late Angela Lansbury by discussing John Frankenheimer's 1962 political thriller THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

This week on the show Megan and Dave talk about REZ BALL (2:20), director Sydney Freedland's drama about a Navajo high school basketball team. After a series of tragedies forces the coach and players to rethink the way they play ball, they adopt a technique they dub "rez ball," which includes fast play and getting the ball to the hoop as quickly as possible - preferably within seven seconds of possession. Then Evan, Megan and Dave talk about writer-director Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio's IN THE SUMMERS (22:29), which follows two sisters from adolescence to adulthood as they navigate their loving but volatile father during yearly summer visits to his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. And over on Patreon, we talk about this month's poll winner, the 1987 comedy BABY BOOM, starring Diane Keaton.

This week we have two movies for you. First, we review V/H/S/99 (1:56), the latest annoyingly mixed bag in the V/H/S horror anthology franchise. Somehow it's Shudder's most streamed movie of all-time?! Next, we delve into Park Chan-wook's intriguing, yet lengthy film noir-inspired romance and slow-burn thriller DECISION TO LEAVE (32:26). And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our zombie movie poll, Bruce McDonald's 2008 movie PONTYPOOL!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

We have two movies on the docket this week. First, we review Michael Grandage's disappointing queer drama MY POLICEMAN (3:26), a story told in flashback about a policeman (Harry Styles) who falls for an art curator (David Dawson) in the 1950s, but marries a woman (Emma Corrin) to conceal his sexuality. Next, we discuss HALLOWEEN ENDS (25:39) the frustrating final film in David Gordon Green's HALLOWEEN trilogy. Since none of us had seen the second film in the series, HALLOWEEN KILLS, we lead with a review it before delving into the final chapter. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Mike Flanagan's 2013 horror film OCULUS! 

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

Dave is under the weather this week, so Evan and Megan fly duo to review the movies. First up is Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's candy coated homage to 90s teen films, DO REVENGE (2:18), which is about two high schoolers (Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke) who team up to get revenge on the classmates who wronged them. Then we discuss Claire Denis's low octane thriller STARS AT NOON (20:33), which is about an American and Brit (Margaret Qualley and Joe Alwyn) in Nicaragua who fall for each other and must immediately flee from the authorities. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about a Patron's choice: Warren Beatty's 1990 comic book film DICK TRACY!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

Hi Spoilerpeeps! Evan is off this week, so Megan and Dave cover the heavy Irish drama GOD'S CREATURES (3:55) (with a superb Emily Watson) and the HELLRAISER (28:16) reboot as a duo. Guess which one of them was on board with both films and guess which one of them wasn't? In fact, there may be enough vitriol surrounding one of this week's movies to fuel the next two episodes. (Hee-ya!) And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the 2013 Daniel Radcliffe/Zoe Kazan rom-com WHAT IF!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

We kick off the show this week by discussing Kristina Buozyte and Bruno Samper's VESPER (2:27), a slow, dense dystopian sci-fi film about a 13-year-old girl trying to survive in world where the Earth's ecosystem has collapsed. Next, we cover SISSY (27:47), Kane Senes and Hannah Barlow's problematic horror movie about a twentysomething who finds herself face-to-face with a childhood bully during a bachelorette weekend. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our true crime poll: David Fincher's 2007 film ZODIAC!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

This week we have two movies on the docket. We start with Gaysorn Thavat's THE JUSTICE OF BUNNY KING (3:53) a complex, emotionally challenging drama about a homeless mother (Essie Davis) struggling against New Zealand's social services system to win back custody of her children. Then we review Andrew Dominik's BLONDE (25:59) a disgusting, exploitative, and misogynist, fictionalized look at the life of Marilyn Monroe (Ana de Armas). We have A LOT to say about this infuriating film that wallows in trauma and insults Monroe's legacy—none of it is good. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Ron Clements and John Musker's 1989 Disney animated classic THE LITTLE MERMAID!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

Dave starts the show by reviewing Ti West's PEARL (2:09), a prequel to his horror film X. It also stars Mia Goth, but is surprisingly different, in a good way. Next, we all discuss Tom George's 1950s whodunnit SEE HOW THEY RUN (11:01), a disappointing meta send-up to Agatha Christie that at least has fun performances by its leads Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan. Then we cover the Julian Higgins slow-burn thriller GOD'S COUNTRY (23:28), a layered, emotionally complex film about a professor (Thandiwe Newton) caught in an escalating battle with hunters who trespass on her property. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Steven Spielberg's 1977 sci-fi film CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND! 

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

Megan kicks things off this week by going deep into spoiler territory for Olivia Wilde's much-discussed psychological thriller DON'T WORRY DARLING (2:33), which features Florence Pugh's superb performance and striking visuals, but falters in other areas. Next, we all discuss Jean Luc Herbulot's Senegalese horror film SALOUM (15:50), a genre mashup with great acting that's most effective when it leans into its Western elements. Then we cover Christian Tafdrup's Danish horror movie SPEAK NO EVIL (35:40), a disturbing tale about a Danish family and a Dutch family that we have varied reactions to. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Alfred Hitchcock's 1941 psychological thriller SUSPICION, starring Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine!

Join our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

We start this week by reviewing Duncan Birmingham's WHO INVITED THEM (3:32), an unsettling horror movie about a couple (Ryan Hansen and Melissa Tang) whose housewarming party takes an alarming turn after they realize some unexpected guests have crashed it. Then we review Ben Parker's BURIAL (23:45), a surprisingly tense World War II thriller about a group of Russian soldiers tasked with transporting Hitler's remains to Stalin. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we review a Patron's choice, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2004 French romance/mystery/war drama A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT, starring Audrey Tautou!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

Megan kicks things off with a quick review of George Miller's disappointing fantasy THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING (3:23), where a lonely scholar (Tilda Swinton) encounters a Djinn (Idris Elba) who offers to grant her three wishes. Next, we discuss Jeff Baena's zany comedy SPIN ME ROUND (11:43), starring Alison Brie as the manager of an Olive Garden-like restaurant on a company trip to Italy. Then we cover William Brent Bell's ORPHAN: FIRST KILL (30:15), a satisfying, fun prequel to the 2009 horror film ORPHAN, starring Isabelle Fuhrman reprising her role, that truly justifies its existence. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our summer-camp horror movie poll: YOU MIGHT BE THE KILLER!

Join Our Patreon

Buy Spoilerpiece Merch

On this week's show, Megan and Dave watched SPEAK NO EVIL (2:29), writer-director James Watkins' remake of the Danish film from 2022. As with many non-American horror films remade for American audiences, the new SPEAK NO EVIL leaves the original's first two-thirds relatively unchanged and then kicks the last third in the ass, replacing it with a watered down ending that, while not entirely stupid, ain't exactly aces. (That being said, the Danish original is extreme. Take a listen to our reactions to it here.) So while we weren't enamored of this new version, we think leads Mackenzie Davis and James McAvoy (at 100 percent) do excellent work, and the changes do have a few good moments sprinkled in. (And Megan likes Aisling Franciosi's performance, too.) Then we talk about SEEKING MAVIS BEACON, a documentary by director Jazmin Jones about her attempts, along with producer Olivia McKayla Ross, to find Renée L'Esperance, the Haitian (and original) model for the software program Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. We had varied reactions, with Dave being more forgiving (!!) than Megan and Evan, who feel the film is dragged down by its pacing and all the problems that can come with uneven editing. Over on Patreon, we watched another movie that has a big twist: PRIMAL FEAR with Richard Gere, Laura Linney, and Edward Norton. It was a first-time watch for Evan, and we have fun talking about how the ending and wheether it holds up 28 years later.

We kick off this week's show by reviewing Leah Purcell's THE LEGEND OF MOLLY JOHNSON (2:09), a grim feminist Western about a bushwoman (Purcell) in Australia struggling to raise a family in the face of harsh elements and harsh people. We respect what it's going for but have a couple major criticisms of it. Next, we cover Rebekah McKendry's GLORIOUS (26:57), a horror film about a man (Ryan Kwanten) trapped in a rest stop bathroom with a mysterious figure in the stall next to him (J.K. Simmons). We like elements of the movie although we have major critiques of this one too. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we discuss John Carpenter's 1982 sci-fi horror film THE THING! 

Dave is back from vacation, and he's excited to talk about movies! We start with LUCK (2:17), a poorly thought out Skydance animated film about a young woman (Eva Noblezada) with bad luck trying to turn things around for herself and her young friend with the help of a black cat (Simon Pegg). Next we dig into Jae-rim Han's ambitious Korean disaster movie EMERGENCY DECLARATION (20:40), which is long, yet features a great ensemble, compelling themes, and tense action scenes. We wrap up with Scott Mann's anxiety-inducing thriller FALL (38:23), about two friends trapped at the top of a 2,000-foot radio tower. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the 1989 neo noir GLEAMING THE CUBE, starring Christian Slater as a high school skateboarder investigating his adopted brother's murder.

We take on two movies this week. The first is the Andrew Semans psychological thriller RESURRECTION (3:16), a tense and visually arresting movie featuring a powerhouse performance by Rebecca Hall, and an ambiguous ending that leaves us divided. The second movie we review is Dan Trachtenberg's PREY (25:08), an artful, authentic, and action-packed origin story in the PREDATOR franchise about a Comanche warrior (Amber Midthunder) who takes on a Predator in 1719. And in our Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Nicholas Meyer's 70s sci-film TIME AFTER TIME starring Malcolm McDowell, David Warner, and Mary Steenburgen. 

This week we have two movies on the docket that we have some VERY strong opinions about. First, we cover Anita Rocha da Silveira's MEDUSA (1:57), a compelling neon-soaked feminist allegory about a militant young religious woman who experiences a world-shattering crisis of faith. It's hard to describe succinctly, but the extended summary on IMDb does a good job. Next, we review Quinn Shephard's NOT OKAY (25:56), a satire about a self-involved young woman (Zoey Deutch) who gains followers and fame by posing as the survivor of a terrorist attack, but experiences a spectacular fall from grace when her secret is discovered. Spoiler: It's a film that deeply divided us. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our 1984 movie poll: Wolfgang Peterson's fantasy epic THE NEVERENDING STORY. 

This week, we kick things off with Jordan Peele's latest film NOPE (2:12), delving right into spoiler territory on this intriguing, masterfully-crafted sci-fi horror movie, starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun. Next, we tackle Charlotte Colbert's gorgeous horror film SHE WILL (16:35), which follows an actor (Alice Krige) who gains supernatural powers while recovering from cancer surgery in the Scottish countryside. We wrap up with Billy Porter's directorial debut, ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE (28:12), a joyous and moving rom-com about a trans teen (Eva Reign) navigating her senior year of high school. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the 1997 Robert Zemeckis sci-fi film CONTACT, starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey in honor of its 25th anniversary!

Dave is taking a few weeks off (and we'll miss him), so we're taking on this week's movies as a duo. First, we review Jenna Cato Bass's GOOD MADAM (2:13), a South African horror film on Shudder that we find pretty confusing. But we do think it has some interesting commentary on race and class underneath. Then we cover Hannah Marks's DON'T MAKE ME GO (25:00) an uneven Amazon drama mired by strange narrative choices. However, it features yet another amazing performance by John Cho. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Nathan Greno and Byron Howard's 2010 Disney animated film TANGLED, starring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi!

We have a full slate to discuss this week! Dave starts by offering a brief review of Taika Waititi's THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER (2:40), the latest so-so entry in the MCU. Next, everyone discusses Daniel de la Vega's convoluted and frustratingly dubbed horror movie ON THE 3RD DAY (7:51). After that we cover Mark Meir's clumsy horror film THE SUMMONED (20:17), which involves therapy and contracts with the devil. We wrap up with Le-Van Kiet's delightful Hulu action film THE PRINCESS (35:15), which we all had a blast watching. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio we talk about Michael Anderson's 1976 sci-fi cult classic LOGAN'S RUN!

Before the show this week we offer a PSA about Roe v. Wade being overturned. Then we delve into our first movie THE FORGIVEN (2:36), John Michael McDonagh's drama about a couple (Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain) who deal with the fallout of hitting and killing a young man with their car in Morocco. Next, we tackle Joseph Kosinski's SPIDERHEAD (21:11), a frustrating movie where the only good things we can say about it is that it has a great soundtrack and supporting performance by Chris Hemsworth. After that, we review Magdalena Lauritsch's RUBIKON (39:42), a disappointingly derivative sci-fi film about three astronauts caught in a moral dilemma after a climate disaster strikes Earth. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Michael Crichton's 1973 sci-fi film WESTWORLD! 

Abortion Resources: podvoices.help

We have two movies to discuss this week! First, we cover Bretten Hannam's Two-Spirit Indigenous drama WILDHOOD (2:39), a road trip film coming to Hulu about two brothers, one of whom is searching for his long-lost birth mother. Along the way he finds himself by connecting with his heritage and comes out through a relationship with someone he meets along the way. Next is Phil Tippett's MAD GOD (22:52), an unsettling stop-motion-animated horror film on Shudder that's 30 years in the making. It's easy to describe visually, but hard to describe narratively. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our Pride Month poll, Robin Campillo's drama 120 BPM, which chronicles the work ACT UP Paris did in the early 90s to fight the AIDS epidemic.

We open this week with Amanda Micheli's HALFTIME (2:31), a moving Netflix documentary that follows Jennifer Lopez as she reflects on her career and starts to navigate the second half of it, leading up to her halftime performance at the 2020 Super Bowl. Next, we discuss Sophie Hyde's GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE (22:56), a poignant dramedy about a widow (Emma Thompson) who hires a sex worker (Daryl MacCormack) to help her expand her sexual horizons. We wrap up with Cooper Raiff's CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH (44:11), a charming dramedy about recent college grad who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a mother and her autistic daughter while he's working as a Bar/Bat Mitzvah party starter. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our Studio Ghibli poll, Hayao Miyazaki's 1989 film KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE!

It's a big week! Tim Burton's long-awaited BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (2:08) finally arrives after its thirty-six-year gestation — Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara reprise their roles, and Jenna Ortega co-stars — and does it live up to the praise being heaped upon it? Megan lets you know! Next, we all saw HIS THREE DAUGHTERS (18:42), Azazel Jacobs' family drama about three sisters (Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne) grappling with their father's imminent demise. This flick is getting raves, but not from us. Finally, Megan and Dave watched MERCHANT IVORY (39:31), Stephen Soucy's documentary about the legendary director-producer team of James Ivory, Ismail Merchant, partners in filmmaking and life, and all the people who moved in and out of Merchant/Ivory family in front of the camera (Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant, for two) and behind it (in particular, novelist and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala). We liked it, with reservations (some of them big). And over on Patreon, we Spoilerpiece a movie that needs a spoiler warning: The 1987 Kevin Costner thriller NO WAY OUT!

The pandemic ain't over folks. Dave has COVID and it sucks but he does his best to manage it in this week's episode. Megan's on vacation again, so he and Evan tackle two movies. First up is Lisa Hurwitz's documentary THE AUTOMAT (3:26), a short, but interesting chronicle of the once-popular restaurant chain in New York City and Philadelphia that offered fresh-cooked meals in a commissary-style eatery. Next, they discuss Eskil Vogt's disturbing horror film THE INNOCENTS (19:07), which is about a group of children who develop dark powers that they wield against each other and the adults around them. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, Evan and Dave talk about Elaine May's 1976 crime drama MIKEY AND NICKY, starring Peter Falk and John Cassavetes!

Hi gang! Evan is on vacation so Megan and Dave hold down the fort. They start things off with the Nicolas Cage comedy THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT (2:41), a very silly romp through a weekend in the star's fictionalized life. Then it's THE AVIARY (14:54), a tense psychological drama about two women trying to escape a cult. Finally, they talk about FIREBIRD (30:50), a based-on-a-true-story movie about a young soldier who embarks on a clandestine affair with a charismatic fighter pilot on a Soviet Air Force Base at the height of 1970s Communist rule. Over on the Patreon exclusive audio, Megan and Dave talk about the 1979 Disney cult classic (question mark?) THE BLACK HOLE. It's available for $5-and-above patrons, along with more than 200 other bonus episodes. And just a reminder: There's no April poll, but there will be TWO polls in May. 

Megan and Dave start this week by reviewing the Robert Eggers Viking revenge tale THE NORTHMAN (1:55), which they disagree about in a lot of places. They can at least agree Nicole Kidman is amazing in it. Next everyone discusses Gustavo Hernández's horror film VIRUS: 32 (23:31), which puts a very specific and interesting spin on its zombie narrative. Then we're excited to finally cover Jon Watts's SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (39:38), digging into everything that we love and everything we find annoying about it. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we review the 1992 Penelope Spheeris comedy WAYNE'S WORLD, starring Mike Meyers, Dana Carvey, Tia Carrere, and Rob Lowe.

Evan kicks things off this week by reviewing Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis' THE TALE OF KING CRAB (2:57), an Italian adventure film split in two parts with one that's much more interesting than the other. Next, everyone reviews Sam Jones' HBO documentary TONY HAWK: UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF (11:42), a comprehensive film about the life and career of skateboarder Tony Hawk, which has us split. We wrap up with Jane Schoenbrun's horror film WE'RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD'S FAIR (30:39), a spooky, ambiguous film about a teen who plays an online horror game and documents the strange changes she goes through afterward. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Gareth Evans' 2011 Indonesian action flick THE RAID aka THE RAID: REDEMPTION!

We kick things off this week with Charlie McDowell's slow-burn character study WINDFALL (3:11), which is about a man (Jason Segel) who breaks into a tech billionaire's empty vacation home, but has to radically change his plans when the mogul and his wife (Jesse Plemons and Lily Collins) unexpectedly arrive. Next, we review Eva Husson's MOTHERING SUNDAY (21:31), a decades-spanning drama starring Odessa Young about grief and loss in the wake of WWI, which features a LOT of nude scenes. Then we cover Janus Metz's ALL THE OLD KNIVES (40:54), a messy spy thriller starring Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton whose title also happens to rhyme with a Blink 182 song. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we review Christopher Winterbauer's 2022 HBO Max sci-fi rom-com MOONSHOT! 

It's a 50-50 week on Spoilerpiece, as one of the movies we watch is crap, and one is a joy from start to finish. First, the crap, because we didn't want to end on a sour note: Lee Daniels' THE DELIVERANCE (2:12), a derivative dumpster fire of a possession story cribbed from better possession stories. What makes it so awful, though? Glad you asked! Every character but one in this movie is an asshole. Like, a serious asshole. Andra Day's Ebony? Asshole. Glenn Close as her mother, Alberta? Asshole. Mo'Nique as the world's meanest social worker? Total asshole. We at Spoilerpiece don't usually need to root for a character, but when you're watching a movie and hope the demon wins, something is amiss. But then there's the salve: MOUNTAINS (26:10), director and co-writer Monica Sorelle's drama about a Haitian immigrant demolition worker living in Miami (Atibon Nazaire), his wife (Sheila Anozier), and their very American son (Chris Renois). All the bad vibes from THE DELIVERANCE are instantly erased! Praise Jesus! (If you have the misfortune of seeing THE DELIVERANCE, you'll understand.) And over on Patreon, our August poll winner is NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, the non-Eon Bond film featuring Sean Connery's return as 007.

We start by discussing this year's Oscars, particularly the winners, the snubs, and our overall thoughts on the program. Then Dave and Evan review the Roshan Sethi's rom-com 7 DAYS (11:49), about a mismatched Indian-American couple (Karan Soni and Geraldine Viswanathan) who start out on a traditional pre-arranged date and have to shelter in place together once COVID spreads. Next, we all tackle the latest SCREAM movie (21:55), a meta horror flick that has us split. After that we cover Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of the Agatha Christie murder mystery DEATH ON THE NILE (42:19), another film that has us divided. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our women-directed films poll, Susan Seidelman's 1985 dramedy, DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN, starring Rosanna Arquette and Madonna!

As promised, we're going to start featuring more guests on the show, so this week Jason from Binge Movies joins us! After he briefly shares what his podcast is all about, we all review Ti West's X (7:17), a horror movie about an adult film crew in 1970s rural Texas who are attacked by their elderly hosts, starring Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, and more. A lot of critics have unabashedly praised this film, but we have both compliments and criticism in our robust, nuanced conversation of the well-crafted yet problematic film. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, Jason also joins us to discuss Robert Zemeckis' 2000 thriller WHAT LIES BENEATH starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford!  Get Your Spoilerpiece Merch Join Our Patreon

We're back to business as usual this week, starting with MEASURE OF REVENGE (3:02), an atrocious, amateurish thriller starring Melissa Leo as an unhinged stage actress seeking revenge for her son's murder. Then we review Domee Shi's moving Pixar film TURNING RED (18:49), which uses a Chinese Canadian girl's magical transformation to deftly explore the struggles of puberty. After that we cover Adrian Lyne's disappointing "erotic" thriller DEEP WATER (36:38), starring Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas as a vindictive, dysfunctional couple coming apart at the seams. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about RETURN OF THE JEDI! 

Get Your Spoilerpiece Merch

Join Our Patreon