Cinema Spectator

Continuing our October horror series, we're sticking with Sam Raimi and taking a look at Evil Dead II (1987). Starring Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, the film follows a man trapped in a remote cabin as he battles demonic forces unleashed from an ancient book. Evil Dead II has become a cult classic and one of the most influential horror comedies ever made. Join us as we discuss Raimi's unique styl...

We’re kicking off October with Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell (2009). Starring Alison Lohman and Justin Long, the film follows a loan officer who finds herself cursed after denying an elderly woman an extension on her mortgage. Raimi returns to his horror roots with a movie that mixes wacky gross-out comedy, supernatural horror, and his signature style. Enjoy!    Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast h...

This week, we’re taking on two sci-fi classics with Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). We start with Ridley Scott’s original, which follows the crew of the Nostromo as they discover a mysterious and iconic enemy. Then we discuss James Cameron’s sequel Aliens, which takes the ideas of the original in a much more action-heavy direction. Join us as we discuss what makes both films work, how differently...

This week, we’re doing a Resident Evil double feature! We start with the brand-new Resident Evil (2026) directed by Zach Cregger before jumping back to Paul W. S. Anderson’s Resident Evil (2002), starring Milla Jovovich. We discuss the newest attempt to bring the iconic video game series to the big screen, then revisit the movie that kicked off the film franchise more than 20 years ago. Enjoy! Tim...

This week, we continue our return to Billy Wilder with a double feature: Ball of Fire (1941) and Stalag 17 (1953). We start with Ball of Fire, directed by Howard Hawks and co-written by Wilder, starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck in a fast-paced screwball comedy. Then we jump ahead to Stalag 17, with Wilder back in the director’s chair for a much different story about American prisoners of w...

Continuing our return to the films of Billy Wilder, we take a look at A Foreign Affair (1948). Starring Jean Arthur, Marlene Dietrich, and John Lund, the film follows an American congressional delegation investigating the behavior of U.S. troops stationed in postwar Berlin. Filmed partly on location among the ruins of Berlin, Wilder mixes romance and comedy with his familiar cynical observations o...

We’re jumping back into the films of one of Cameron’s favorite directors, Billy Wilder, with The Lost Weekend (1945). Starring Ray Milland, the film follows a struggling writer over the course of a devastating weekend as his alcoholism begins to take over every part of his life. The film was a major success at the Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Sc...

Bonus Episode! Cameron and Juzo discuss Boogie Nights (1997). Starring Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, and an incredible supporting cast, the film follows the rise and fall of a young star in the adult film industry during the 1970s and '80s. Enjoy our final episode wrapping up the legacy of Paul Thomas Anderson. Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hosted by Isaac Ransom, Juzo Greenw...

To close out our series on the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, we take a look at Licorice Pizza (2021). Starring Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman, the film follows two young people navigating their complicated relationship in 1970s Los Angeles. Join us as we discuss Anderson's return to the San Fernando Valley, the film's unconventional romance, and how Licorice Pizza stacks up against the rest of his...

We continue our journey through the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, first with the neo-noir dark comedy Inherent Vice, an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's novel starring Joaquin Phoenix. And then onto the romantic drama (or comedy?) Phantom Thread, Anderson's reunion with Daniel Day-Lewis, also starring Vicky Krieps and featuring a beautiful score by Jonny Greenwood. Juzo and Cameron also briefly dis...

Isaac and Juzo review the latest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in a partly spoiler filled discussion. Will director Destin Daniel Cretton rekindle the magic he had in the days of Short Term 12? Will Tom Holland top his performance in The Odyssey? Will Juzo remain a Grinch about the MCU, or will his heart swell three times bigger (that is what happens in that book, ri...

Continuing our series on the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, we take a look at The Master (2012). Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams, the film follows a troubled World War II veteran who becomes involved with a growing religious movement and its charismatic leader. The Master discussion begins at 44:20. Enjoy!   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hosted by Isaac Ransom...

Continuing our series on the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, we take a look at There Will Be Blood (2007). Starring Daniel Day-Lewis in an Academy Award-winning performance, the film follows ambitious oilman Daniel Plainview as he builds his fortune in early 20th-century California. Enjoy our discussion of one of Paul Thomas Anderson's most acclaimed films and whether it deserves its reputation as...

Continuing our series on the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, we take a look at Punch-Drunk Love (2002). Starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, the film follows a lonely businessman whose life changes after falling victim to a blackmailing scheme. Enjoy!   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hosted by Isaac Ransom, Juzo Greenwood, and Cameron Tuttle. The show is executive-p...

This week we review Christopher Nolan's latest film The Odyssey (2026). Be warned that this episode contains spoilers so please go see it before you listen to this episode. Enjoy!   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hosted by Isaac Ransom, Juzo Greenwood, and Cameron Tuttle. The show is executive-produced by Darrin O’Neill and recorded and produced in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. You can supp...

Continuing our series on the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, we take a look at Magnolia (1999). Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, and Jason Robards, the film weaves together multiple interconnected stories dealing with regret, family trauma and forgiveness. Enjoy our discussion of one of PTA's masterpieces!...

Happy Birthday, America! We're taking the week off from recording, but that means we get to talk about two new movies we saw in theaters. Enjoy our spoiler free discussion of two wildly different movies, Toy Story 5 (2026) and Jackass: Best and Last (2026). Enjoy!   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hosted by Isaac Ransom, Juzo Greenwood, and Cameron Tuttle. The show is executive-produced by Dar...

Happy Birthday, USA! Enjoy this bonus episode where special guest Ruth Malen and Juzo talk about the Robert Altman musical comedy Nashville (1975). Enjoy!   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hosted by Isaac Ransom, Juzo Greenwood, and Cameron Tuttle. The show is executive-produced by Darrin O’Neill and recorded and produced in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. You can support the show at patreon.c...

Kicking off our new series on the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, we begin with his feature debut, Hard Eight (1996). Starring Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Samuel L. Jackson, the film follows a seasoned gambler who takes a down-on-his-luck stranger under his wing, setting off a quiet but compelling crime story built on strong performances and sharp dialogue. Join us as we...

Finishing our series on the films of Sidney Lumet, we take a look at Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007). Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney, and Marisa Tomei, the film follows two brothers whose plan to rob their parents' jewelry store quickly spirals out of control. Using a non-linear structure, Lumet gradually reveals how a single bad decision impacts everyone inv...

Today we review the latest Steven Spielberg blockbuster, Disclosure Day (2026). The film was certainly one of our most anticipated movies of the year, and that's all I'll say! Be aware that we do go into full spoilers in this review so if you would like to avoid that, please come back to listen to this episode after you've seen the movie. Enjoy our review!   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hos...

Cameron and Juzo sit down to talk about Backrooms, the feature-film adaptation of Kane Parsons’ viral internet horror series. We discuss if the movie successfully translates an internet sensation into a feature-length film, and we talk about some other films that are currently in theaters. This discussion includes spoilers towards the end so be aware of that!   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast...

Enjoy this special episode featuring guest Ruth Malen! Together, we take a deep dive into the legendary musical The Sound of Music, directed by Robert Wise. We share some hot takes and plenty of differing opinions about how well the film holds up today—and how it was received when it was originally released. This is one you won't want to miss!   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hosted by Isaac...

*Bonus Episode!* Cameron and Juzo take a look at Obsession (2026), the breakout independent horror film from filmmaker and YouTube creator Curry Barker. We do talk spoilers towards the end of the film, so go check it out if it sounds interesting to you and come back for our discussion. Enjoy!   Cinema Spectator is a movie podcast hosted by Isaac Ransom, Juzo Greenwood, and Cameron Tuttle. The show...

Continuing our series on the films of Sidney Lumet, we take a look at Deathtrap (1982). Based on Ira Levin’s hit stage play, the film follows a struggling playwright who becomes obsessed with a script written by one of his students. What follows is a series of twists, double-crosses, and surprises that make Deathtrap feel remarkably modern for a thriller of its era. Anchored by strong performances...