Explore every episode of the podcast Mostly Film

🎙️ Cruise Vs. DiCaprio

This week on Cruise Vs. DiCaprio, we’re diving into two powerhouse performances that redefined their stars in completely different ways: Tom Cruise in The Firm (1993) and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby (2013).

📚 Tom Cruise in The Firm
Before Ethan Hunt ran across rooftops, Cruise sprinted barefoot through Memphis as Mitch McDeere — a young lawyer caught between a corrupt firm and the FBI. We break down:

• Why John Grisham didn’t want Cruise at first

• How Cruise’s star power changed the film’s ending

• That legendary chase scene (yes, he did his own stunts again)

• The performance that helped elevate legal thrillers to box-office gold

🎩 Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby
Ten years after Titanic, DiCaprio stepped into a role of obsessive love and shimmering illusion as the mysterious Jay Gatsby. We talk through:

• His deep connection to Gatsby and collaboration with Baz Luhrmann

• Filming back-to-back with Django Unchained

• The emotional weight of Gatsby’s hope — and that unforgettable “old sport”

• DiCaprio’s ability to balance myth, tragedy, and pure charisma

We also compare how these roles shaped Cruise and DiCaprio’s legacies:

• Who had the more transformative role?

• Which performance holds up best today?

• And whose film better captured the tension between ambition and illusion?

Whether you’re into courtroom drama or champagne-soaked heartbreak, this episode brings the heat. Hit play and join the debate — it’s Cruise vs. DiCaprio like you’ve never heard them before.

🎙️ Mostly Film – New Trailers, Killer Surfers, and Star Wars Surprises

In this episode of Mostly Film, we're back with a packed lineup of hot takes, streaming recaps, and industry news fresh off the wire. Here's what's on the reel:

🎞️ LIST IT or NIX IT
We break down the latest batch of trailers and decide what’s hitting our Letterboxd watchlists — and what’s getting the hard pass. This week’s trailer gauntlet includes:

• The Pickup

• The Lost Bus

• Animal Farm

• The Man in My Basement

• Wicked for Good

• Kiss of the Spider-Woman

• A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
  (List or nix? We’re saying it up top and defending the call.)

👀 What We've Been Watching
From high-concept sci-fi to sweaty summer comedies, we cover the films and shows that stuck with us this week:

• Predator: Killer of Killers — does it earn that subtitle?

• The Surfer — sand, sweat, and existential dread

• The Accountant 2 — Ben’s back to balance more than books

• Minecraft: The Movie — yes, it’s real, and yes, we watched it

• Captain America: Brave New World — early impressions
  Plus: our Summer of Comedy rewatch rolls on with Tropic Thunder and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

📺 TV Corner
Quick hits on Dept. Q and other small-screen standouts we’ve been diving into (or avoiding).

📰 The News
Movie news gets spicy this week:

• Texas Chainsaw Massacre sparks a studio bidding war

• Warner Bros. Discovery breakup talk — what it means

• Mass Effect goes live-action

• Mia Goth joins Ryan Gosling in a Star Wars mystery project

• Samuel L. Jackson speaks on awards, legacy, and doing it his way

• Oh yeah… Draco Malfoy has thoughts on J.K. Rowling 👀

All this, plus some irreverent takes and friendly fights. Hit play and let’s roll.

🎙️ Cruise vs. DiCaprio

This week, we’re taking a cinematic deep dive into two stars going big with historical drama, emotional grit, and dual swords (and roles).

🗡️ Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai
We break down Cruise’s transformation into Nathan Algren — a haunted American soldier drawn into the soul of samurai culture. From nearly a year of Kendo and Japanese language training to producing the film himself, Cruise approached this role with unmatched intensity. We talk:

• Why this film marked a mature turn in his career

• How his performance resonated in Japan

• Whether Ken Watanabe really outshined him — and if that’s a bad thing

👑 Leonardo DiCaprio in The Man in the Iron Mask
Fresh off Titanic, DiCaprio took on not one but two roles: the cruel King Louis XIV and the noble twin Philippe. We get into:

• How fans reacted to his post-Jack beard phase

• Whether his dual performance holds up next to acting legends like Irons and Malkovich

• Why this film feels like the awkward teenage phase of DiCaprio’s career

💥 Cruise vs. DiCaprio Showdown
Who brought more emotional depth? Who felt more out of place? And which film left a lasting mark on their career trajectory?

Tune in for some love, some laughs, and some friendly fire as we revisit these two ambitious, period-piece pivots from two of Hollywood’s biggest names.

In this week’s episode, we’re firing on all cylinders — from fresh trailers to comedy rewatches to the latest movie news making waves.

🎬 LIST IT or NIX IT
We take a first look at six hot-off-the-press trailers and decide: are we adding them to our Letterboxd watchlist or nixing them from existence?
You’ll hear our snap takes on:

• Frankenstein (Guillermo del Toro's bold vision)

• Wake Up Dead Man (hello again, Benoit Blanc)

• The Black Phone 2 (do we really need more ring-ring terror?)

• The Home (thriller or filler?)

• The Thursday Murder Club (boomers solve crime!)

• Good Fortune (comedy redemption or studio misfire?)

🎞️ What We’ve Been Watching
From nostalgic laughs to new indies, we break down the movies and shows that stuck with us this week — without spoiling a thing.
Jonathan dives into the theme of Friendship on-screen and revisits comedy gems like Shanghai Noon, George of the Jungle, and The Full Monty.
JP brings Friendship and Mountainhead into focus, and highlights sharp TV picks like Your Friends and Neighbors, Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney, and Adults.

📰 The News
We talk through what’s new in movie land, including:

• Ryan Coogler officially shutting down any hope for a Sinners sequel

• Our honest reactions to the trailer for Dexter: Resurrection (Are we intrigued or just tired?)

Hit play for quick takes, comedy callbacks, and the cinematic stuff that’s keeping us talking.

🎙️ Cruise vs. DiCaprio
In this episode of Mostly Film, we head back to where it all really started for two of Hollywood’s biggest stars — Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio — in a gritty face-off between All the Right Moves (1983) and The Basketball Diaries (1995).

🏈 Cruise in Steel Town, USA:
We break down Tom Cruise’s early-career standout as Stefan Djordjevic, a high school football player trying to escape a dead-end town. From real football training to shaping his character’s emotional depth, Cruise showed critics he had more than just charm — he had dramatic range. We look at how this under-the-radar performance helped launch his rise into leading-man territory.

🏀 DiCaprio’s Descent into Darkness:
Then, we turn to a young Leonardo DiCaprio’s harrowing performance in The Basketball Diaries, where he went full method to portray poet Jim Carroll’s fall into heroin addiction. From the gut-punch withdrawal scene to Carroll’s own stamp of approval, DiCaprio’s performance cemented him as more than just a teen idol — he was a serious actor with fearless instincts.

💥 Along the way, we compare the raw energy of Cruise’s working-class angst with DiCaprio’s emotional freefall, exploring how both films became turning points — not just in their careers, but in how audiences saw them as actors.

If you love origin stories, underdog energy, and actors pushing past their pretty-boy image — this one’s for you. Hit play.

🎙️ Mostly Film: What’s New, What We Watched & Summer of Comedy
Your weekly watchlist just got a lot weirder (and funnier).

In this episode of Mostly Film, we kick things off with LIST IT or NIX IT, where we give our instant takes on the latest trailers and decide whether they deserve a spot on our Letterboxd watchlists—or straight to the bin.

🍿 Then, we break down what we’ve been watching—from early reactions to the upcoming Lilo & Stitch (2025) to the mysterious fantasy vibes of The Legend of Ochi. JP dives into Fountain of Youth, The Ugly Stepsister, and Warfare, while Jonathan brings his thoughts on The Studio and more.

😎 Plus, it’s officially Summer of Comedy, and we’re getting nostalgic with a stack of cult classics and stoner legends:

• Mallrats

• Grind

• Dazed and Confused

• Super Troopers

• Airheads

• PCU

• ¡Three Amigos!
  …and yes, Animal House is here too.

🗞️ Finally, we hit the biggest headlines in movie news, including the much-discussed casting for HBO’s Harry Potter reboot and what it could mean for the series’ future.

If you love movies, mess, and mid-'90s madness—this episode’s for you. Hit play.

🎙️ Cruise vs. DiCaprio: A Few Good Men & Titanic
Two stars. Two iconic roles. One epic showdown.

In this episode of Mostly Film, we dive into the dramatic depths and behind-the-scenes brilliance of Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men and Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic — two career-defining roles that helped shape the legacies of two of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

👨‍⚖️ Cruise in Court
We explore how Tom Cruise became the face of Lt. Daniel Kaffee — a cocky Navy lawyer turned righteous courtroom warrior. From Aaron Sorkin’s original vision to Cruise’s intense prep work with real JAG officers, we dig into how A Few Good Men became a turning point in Cruise’s dramatic career.
Highlights include:

• His explosive chemistry with Jack Nicholson

• The legendary “You can’t handle the truth” scene

• How Cruise earned critics’ respect as a serious actor

🚢 DiCaprio on Deck
Then it’s all aboard the Titanic, where a 21-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio transformed Jack Dawson into a timeless romantic hero. We unpack the casting drama, his undeniable chemistry with Kate Winslet, and how this one role launched Leo Mania into full force.
Behind-the-scenes details:

• Why DiCaprio almost didn’t take the role

• How James Cameron fought to get his audition

• The sketchbook scene, the sacrifice, and the Oscar snub that still stings

🎬 Critics Weigh In
We compare how both performances were received — Cruise praised for intensity and growth, DiCaprio adored for charm and sincerity — and ask the big question: Who gave the more iconic performance in their era-defining role?

🔥 It’s charisma vs. heart. Strategy vs. spontaneity. Military courtroom vs. sinking ship.

🎬 Mostly Film —

In this episode of Mostly Film, we're back with a packed lineup of takes, trailers, and twisted movie news.

🍿 LIST IT or NIX IT (2:30)
We dive into the freshest movie trailers and ask the only question that matters: Does it make the Letterboxd watchlist… or get the axe?
This week’s titles:

• Nobody 2

• Americana

• Oh What Fun

• Ballerina

• The Long Walk

• Honey Don’t

• Alpha
  Expect strong opinions, quick judgments, and one or two hot takes you’ll probably argue with in your group chat.

🎥 What We’ve Been Watching (18:30)
We break down the films and TV shows that stuck with us this week—no deep plot dives, just the vibes, performances, and themes that made an impact.
Jonathan’s queue includes Mr. K, The Shrouds, Novocaine, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and a nostalgia trip with The Land Before Time and The Emperor’s New Groove.
JP adds his take on Murderbot and weighs in on crossover watches like Mr. K and FD: Bloodlines.

📰 The News (53:30)
Hollywood’s chaos corner:

• Tom Cruise has his own hot sauce (and will never retire)

• Tony Todd breaks the fourth wall in FD: Bloodlines

• Dakota Johnson critiques risk-averse studios

• Benedict Cumberbatch on Wes Anderson discovering Michael Cera (“like God discovering water”)

• Ralph Fiennes as President Snow

• Cosmo Jarvis as Young Stalin

• Gears of War, Rambo origins, Spider-Noir, and a DHS reality show that’s… real?

From the absurd to the ambitious, we're talking about all of it.

🎧 Mostly Film — where movies are sacred, stupid, or sometimes both. Press play and argue with us later.

🎙️ Cruise vs. DiCaprio — Rain Man & What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

This week, we're diving into two powerhouse early performances that helped shape the careers of two of Hollywood’s biggest stars. It’s Tom Cruise in Rain Man vs. Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape — a face-off between emotional arcs, sibling bonds, and breakthrough roles.

We unpack how Cruise turned in one of his most underrated performances as Charlie Babbitt, the selfish younger brother who learns empathy during a cross-country journey with Dustin Hoffman’s Raymond. From casting shakeups to doing his own driving in emotionally charged scenes, Cruise’s transformation helped Rain Man win Best Picture and redefined his career.

Then it’s DiCaprio’s breakout moment as Arnie Grape — the emotionally raw, deeply convincing role that stunned critics and earned him an Oscar nomination at just 19. We look at how DiCaprio beat out 400 actors, built a believable brotherly bond with Johnny Depp, and completely disappeared into the part, fooling audiences into thinking he wasn’t acting at all.

We compare how both actors anchored emotional dramas without the flash, the risks they took, and how these performances helped launch them into superstardom.

Whether you’re here for Cruise’s emotional restraint or DiCaprio’s jaw-dropping intensity, this episode is a must for fans of character-driven performances and turning points in film history.

🎬 Let’s get into it.

🎙️ Mostly Film

This week on Mostly Film, we’re back with another round of sharp opinions, movie news mayhem, and just enough chaos to keep it interesting.

We kick things off with LIST IT or NIX IT, where we run through the freshest trailers and give our snap judgments: are they Letterboxd-worthy or going straight to the bin? This week’s lineup includes Weapons, The Smashing Machine, Highest 2 Lowest, Everything is Going to Be Great, The Unholy Trinity, and Now You See Me Now You Don’t. No plot summaries here—just instinct, vibes, and a little cinematic judgment.

Then it’s on to What We’ve Been Watching, where Jonathan dives into the weird wild ride of Death of a Unicorn and revisits the rebellion in Andor. JP brings Eephus and Drop into the spotlight, plus some TV thoughts on The Rehearsal and The Righteous Gemstones. We skip the spoilers and zero in on what stuck with us—performances, atmosphere, and themes that hit.

Finally, The News segment covers all the latest chaos from Hollywood:

• The Studio is getting a Season 2

• GTA VI trailer fever

• Pleakley’s dress scene cut from the new Lilo & Stitch (seriously?)

• Jenna Ortega and Robert De Niro team up for Shutout

• Kevin Feige says watching Marvel started feeling like homework (we feel you)

• Jeremy Renner says “no thanks” to Hawkeye Season 2

• Harrison Ford learns he almost played Batman

• And yes, Guy Ritchie is directing Road House 2

It’s a packed episode—fun, fast, and full of film. Let’s get into it.

🎙️ Cruise vs. DiCaprio

In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into two early-2000s classics and the powerhouse performances that defined them: Vanilla Sky (2001) starring Tom Cruise and Catch Me If You Can (2002) starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It’s Cruise vs. DiCaprio in a showdown of identity crises, dream logic, and con artistry—with both actors stepping outside their comfort zones in unforgettable ways.

First up: Vanilla Sky. We explore how Tom Cruise championed the surreal remake of Open Your Eyes, reuniting with director Cameron Crowe and casting real-life flame Penélope Cruz to reprise her original role. Cruise pushed himself into darker, more vulnerable territory as David Aames, delivering one of the most emotionally raw—and divisive—performances of his career. From the eerily empty Times Square scene to a dreamlike soundtrack featuring Radiohead and Sigur Rós, we break down how this film tried (and sometimes struggled) to balance introspection and spectacle.

Then, it’s on to the charming, jet-setting world of Catch Me If You Can. We get into Leonardo DiCaprio’s pitch-perfect casting as Frank Abagnale Jr., the teenage con man who flew too close to the sun—with style. Working under Steven Spielberg's improvisation-friendly direction and paired with a grounded Tom Hanks, DiCaprio turned in a performance that helped him leap from heartthrob to serious actor status. We unpack the movie’s slick pacing, surprising emotional core, and the cat-and-mouse chemistry that made it one of the most beloved biopics of the era.

Along the way, we compare both stars’ choices, what these roles meant for their careers, and how each film explores the blurry line between reality and illusion—whether you’re living a lucid dream or a million-dollar lie.

Which film holds up better? Which performance hits harder? And what do these two movies say about the movie stars behind them? Tune in for the breakdown.

🎙️

This week on the pod, we dive into the freshest trailers in our LIST IT or NIX IT segment—where we give it to you straight: are these upcoming releases worthy of a coveted spot on our Letterboxd watchlists, or are we hitting the eject button? From the surreal stitching of Sew Torn to the wild desert chaos of Predator: Badlands and the return of a slasher classic in I Know What You Did Last Summer, we make the call upfront—LIST or NIX.

🎞️ Trailers Covered:

• Sew Torn

• Predator: Badlands

• Heads of State

• I Know What You Did Last Summer

• Mountainhead

Next up, in What We’ve Been Watching, we break down what stuck with us this week—Jonathan takes us through gritty action and nostalgic rewatches like Havok, Locked, and Revenge of the Sith, while JP shares his thoughts on The Rehearsal and the continuing brilliance of Havok. We keep it spoiler-free and focused on themes, vibes, and standout performances.

📺 Featured Watches:

• Havok

• Neighborhood Watch

• Locked

• Star Wars: ROTS

• The Studio

• The Last of Us

• The Rehearsal

And finally, in The News, we talk big moves and big opinions. Miami Vice is getting a cinematic reboot with Joseph Kosinski and Dan Gilroy, Dev Patel is going full medieval in The Peasant, and Netflix is throwing shade at theaters again. Plus, updates on Narnia, SISU 2, Split Fiction, and the surprise re-release box office boom of Revenge of the Sith.

🗞️ Headlines We Hit:

• Miami Vice movie reboot

• Dev Patel’s The Peasant

• Isaiah Saxon calls out corporate kids’ movies

• Revenge of the Sith dominates re-release box office

• Emma Mackey joins Greta Gerwig’s Narnia

• Sydney Sweeney in Split Fiction

• Netflix vs. Theaters (again)

• Bill Hader’s upcoming Jonestown series

It’s a packed episode full of sharp takes, new picks, and cinematic chaos—LIST IT and tune in.

🎙️ Cruise vs. DiCaprio: Valkyrie & J. Edgar

This week on the pod, it’s a heavyweight actor showdown as we dive deep into Tom Cruise in Valkyrie and Leonardo DiCaprio in J. Edgar. Two historical dramas. Two mega-stars. Two wildly different approaches to portraying complicated men at the center of power, secrecy, and resistance.

🎖️ The Case for Cruise: Valkyrie
We break down Cruise’s transformation into Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg—the German officer who risked everything to assassinate Hitler. From behind-the-scenes tensions with the German government to Cruise doing his own bomb stunt, we look at how this wasn’t just another action role. Did Cruise’s buttoned-up performance win over critics—or was he too restrained for his own good?

🏛️ The Case for DiCaprio: J. Edgar
Then we pivot to Leo’s turn as J. Edgar Hoover—spanning decades, diving into personal ambiguity, and buried under layers of prosthetics. We unpack why Clint Eastwood saw DiCaprio as the only man for the job, how Leo prepared for the emotional and psychological weight of Hoover’s legacy, and why that Oscar nom never came. Was this peak Leo or prestige overload?

🎭 We Talk:

• Why Cruise’s serious side doesn’t always land

• DiCaprio’s fearless deep-dive into power and repression

• Which film stuck the landing—and which one felt like Oscar bait gone flat

• Historical accuracy, Hollywood polish, and whether star power helps or hurts when portraying real-life figures

Whether you're Team Cruise or Team DiCaprio, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, hot takes, and side-by-side comparisons that make the case for both performances—and maybe even settle the debate.

🎬 Mostly Film: Sinners, Star Wars & the Life of Chuck 🎬

This week on Mostly Film, we’re diving into everything from apocalyptic storytelling to galactic plotting—and yep, there's even a Weezer mockumentary starring Keanu Reeves. It’s that kind of week.

📽️ LIST IT or NIX IT
First up, it’s trailer time. We break down the newest drops—Weapons, HIM, The Roses, and The Life of Chuck—and decide whether they’re getting the Letterboxd LIST IT treatment or getting NIXED without hesitation. Spoiler: we’re divided on more than a few.

👀 What We’ve Been Watching
Jonathan dives into the gritty morality of Sinners and the blue-collar power of A Working Man, while JP catches up with the adrenaline of MI:7 Dead Reckoning. On the TV side, both hosts check in on the emotional wreckage of The Last of Us, with added dispatches from The Studio, Your Friends and Neighbors, and The Agency.

📰 Movie News Breakdown
We’re talking big moves and weird headlines:

• Sinners smashes expectations with a $48M opening—biggest original film debut of the decade.

• Star Wars is stacking talent: Carlton Cuse joins one series, Tony McNamara pens another, and Mikey Madison says “nah” to a third.

• Keanu Reeves is a villain in a Weezer mockumentary. Yes, really.

• Tim Allen spills some Toy Story 5 tea (Jessie fans, rise up).

• Plus: Sam Neill joins Godzilla x Kong, Damian Priest wants Jason Momoa in the WWE, and Chris Evans is playing a shady church leader opposite Margaret Qualley in Ethan Coen’s latest.

🎧 Hit play for hot takes, deadpan headlines, and a little chaos in your movie feed.

In this week’s Mostly Film, we're pitting two Hollywood heavyweights against each other in a cinematic showdown: Tom Cruise in Legend (1985) vs. Leonardo DiCaprio in Body of Lies (2008).

First up, we go deep into The Casting of Legend—a pre-Top Gun Cruise donning long locks and fairy-tale armor in Ridley Scott’s surreal fantasy epic. We’ll talk about how he nearly passed on the role, the version of the film he actually preferred, and how Legend gave us a rare look at Cruise in the fantasy genre—though Tim Curry’s devilish performance may have stolen the spotlight.

Then we shift gears into the gritty world of Body of Lies, where DiCaprio goes full-on CIA in Ridley Scott’s modern spy thriller. From gaining 25 pounds to demanding on-location shooting in Morocco, Leo’s dedication was real—and so was the intensity. We’ll cover how this film fits into his “gritty realism” era and why his performance is considered one of his most underrated.

Plus, we’re breaking down The Performances, The Direction, and The Critical Reception—how both actors were shaped (or overshadowed) by their directors, the worlds they stepped into, and the legacies these films left behind.

Is Cruise’s ethereal Jack a forgotten fantasy prince? Does DiCaprio’s Roger Ferris deserve more love in the spy thriller pantheon? You decide.

It’s fairytale forests vs. Middle Eastern war zones. Light vs. Lies. Cruise vs. DiCaprio.

🎬 LeBron Barbie, Matrix Reboots & Chicken Jockey Chaos 🎬

This week on Mostly Film, we’re diving into the wild, weird, and wonderful corners of the movie world—starting with the freshest trailer drops and ending with the hottest headlines shaking up Hollywood.

First up, it’s LIST IT or NIX IT, where we check out the new trailer for Eddington and decide whether it’s making it to our Letterboxd watchlists or getting the boot.

Then, in What We’ve Been Watching, Jonathan shares thoughts on Warfare, Drop, Gunslingers, and The King of Kings, while JP revisits The Life Aquatic. Plus, we both check in on our latest TV obsessions, including The Studio, The Bondsman, and The Pitt.

Finally, in The News, we’re covering all the big stories—from Sinners scoring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and Cate Blanchett maybe quitting acting (say it ain't so!), to Drew Goddard taking the reins on a new Matrix movie. Also in the mix: a Bodyguard remake, a Star Wars horror project, the long-awaited Best Stunts Oscar category, and yes... the LeBron James Barbie doll and Hawk Tuah Girl’s actual casting as herself.

Hollywood is getting weirder, and we’re here for it. Tap in.

Two legendary actors. Two iconic performances. One showdown.

In this week’s episode, we’re diving deep into the worlds of Jerry Maguire and The Wolf of Wall Street to unpack what makes these roles career-defining turns for Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio.

We kick things off with The Casting, where we break down the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped each performance—from Cruise shadowing real sports agents and helping write iconic scenes, to DiCaprio fighting for years to get Wolf made and throwing himself (literally) into the chaos of Jordan Belfort’s world.

Then we dig into The Films themselves—Jerry Maguire’s heart, romance, and redemption versus Wolf of Wall Street’s debauchery, ambition, and downfall. We’ll explore how both films use charisma and collapse to tell two wildly different American dream stories.

And of course, we bring in The Critics—what did the biggest voices in film say about Cruise’s emotionally layered performance and DiCaprio’s unhinged, fearless energy? From Oscar nods to iconic scenes, we look at how both roles helped reshape the legacies of two of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

So, who wins the title of best performance? Is it Cruise’s “You complete me” or Leo’s lewd, lude-fueled spiral? Tap in for the debate, the deep dive, and maybe… a little yelling of “Show me the money!”

🎙️ 🎙️

This week’s episode is packed tighter than a movie theater on opening night.

We kick things off with LIST IT or NIX IT, where we speed through a fresh crop of trailers—from The Naked Gun reboot to Tron: Ares, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Bears on a Ship, and The Phonecian Scheme. Will they earn a spot on our Letterboxd watchlists… or get the boot?

Then it’s What We’ve Been Watching, as Jonathan and JP break down the films and TV shows that hit (or missed) over the past week. We’re talking Opus, Mickey 17, The Day the Earth Blew Up, Y2K, and the Reacher finale, plus new episodes of The Studio and The Pitt.

And of course, we close things out with The News, covering everything from Minecraft’s massive box office debut, to The Fantastic Four’s ‘60s-era space race vibe, and the wild lineup of upcoming projects: Road House 2, John Wick 5, a Tangled stall, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2, and Peter Jackson buying the actual Iron Throne for nearly $1.5 million.

Oh—and Sydney Sweeney might be piloting a Gundam.

Tap in. We’ve got thoughts

🎬 Cruise vs. DiCaprio: Collateral & The Aviator 🎬

Two of Hollywood’s biggest stars went head-to-head in 2004 with two vastly different films—Michael Mann’s sleek, high-stakes thriller Collateral and Martin Scorsese’s sweeping biopic The Aviator. But who delivered the more unforgettable performance?

In this episode, we break down Tom Cruise’s rare turn as a villain in Collateral—from his meticulous training with real hitmen to the bold casting choices that almost led to a completely different film. Then, we dive into Leonardo DiCaprio’s transformative portrayal of Howard Hughes in The Aviator, exploring his deep-dive method acting and passion for bringing the project to life.

We’ll look at what the critics had to say, the behind-the-scenes stories, and ultimately decide: which 2004 performance left the biggest impact?

🎥🍿 What's New 🎥🍿

Each week, Jonathan and JP break down the latest movie trailers in LIST IT or NIX IT—deciding on the spot whether a film is worth adding to the watchlist or tossing aside. No middle ground, no second-guessing.

Then, we dive into What We’ve Been Watching, covering the movies and TV shows that stuck with us throughout the week—highlighting standout performances, themes, and moments without spoiling the experience.

Finally, we wrap up with The News, bringing you the biggest updates from Hollywood—casting rumors, industry shake-ups, and the wildest headlines you won’t believe.

If you love movies, hot takes, and staying up-to-date with everything happening in film and TV, this is the podcast for you! 🎥🍿

🎬 Director in Review: Quentin Tarantino 🎬

Join us as we dive deep into the films of one of cinema’s most audacious filmmakers—Quentin Tarantino! From the revisionist history of Inglourious Basterds to the blood-soaked vengeance of Django Unchained, the claustrophobic tension of The Hateful Eight, and the nostalgic Hollywood dreamscape of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, we explore Tarantino’s signature style, off-screen movie facts, and behind-the-scenes stories.

We'll break down key scenes, iconic performances, and the bold storytelling that makes his films unforgettable. Whether you’re a die-hard Tarantino fan or a casual movie buff, this podcast is your go-to for deep-dive discussions, fun trivia, and unfiltered takes on the master of cinematic mayhem.

🎬 Mostly Film - Take 154 🎬

In this episode, we dive into the latest in film and TV, breaking down what’s worth watching and what’s better left behind.

🔥 LIST IT or NIX IT – We take a look at the newest movie trailers and decide if they’re making it onto our Letterboxd watchlists or getting the boot. From The Life of Chuck to Freakier Friday, we’re giving our gut reactions—LIST or NIX!

📺 What We’ve Been Watching – A rundown of the films and shows that stood out this week. Expect thoughts on Invincible, Reacher, Shōgun, and more.

📰 The News – The biggest updates in movies, from industry shifts to upcoming releases.

Tune in for all this and more on Mostly Film! 🎥🍿

Take 153: Kill Bill Vol. 2, & Death Proof. Tarantino In Review Pt. 3

Take 152: Mickey 17, Fight or Flight, Captain America: BNW, & the New Snape

Take 151: Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol. 1. Tarantino In Review Pt. 2.

Take 150: Oscar Reactions, Nickel Boys, Emilia Perez, & All Things Dexter.

Take 149: Pulp Fiction & Reservoir Dogs. Tarantino In Review Pt. 1

Take 148: The Brutalist, Companion, Let’s Start a Cult, & Oscar Predictions.

Take 147: Grave of the Fireflies, Perfect Blue, Paprika, & Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind; The Anime Finale.

Take 146: The Gorge, Hitchcock Classics, & SNL’s 50th.

Take 145: A Silent Voice & Your Name- The Essential Anime Series.

Take 144: Babygirl, You’re Cordially Invited, A Complete Unknown, & The Return of Jonathan Majors

Take 143: Ghost in the Shell & Sword of the Stranger-The Essential Anime Series.

Take 142: Remembering David Lynch, Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway, Eraserhead, Twin Peaks & More.

Take 141: Akira & Redline -The Essential Anime Series-

Take 140: Nosferatu, A Real Pain, Gladiator 2, & Golden Globe Surprises.

Take 139: Wicked, Carry-On, Juror #2, LEE, Flow, & The Rise of Sonic

Take 138: Thanksgiving Special: Family Stereotypes & Their Matching Films from 2024

Take 137: Anora, Megalopolis, Saturday Night, & We Live In Time

Take 136: 2025 Roadmap, A “WICKED”

Scandal, & The Legion of Lightyear’s.

Take 135: Horror Icon Showdown, The Halloween Special.

Take 134: They Live, Sharp Objects, Casino, & Disney’s AI Initiative.

Take 133: Woman of the Hour, Terrifier, Army of Darkness, Scream, & The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Take 132: Alien Romulus, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Never Let Go, & It’s What’s Inside.

Take 131: Mega Movie Recap! We have been out for the last couple of months celebrating the arrival of JP’s new little one. So this week we have over 20 movies that we have watched and we will discuss. Plus we bring you our most anticipated trailers that have released over the last couple of months and the new stories that matter. We can’t wait to get back into a weekly habit of bringing new Mostly Film!