The Cinephile Mind Podcast

Director Mike P. Nelson joins The Cinephile Mind to talk about his new survival horror film BEWARE BOIÚNA, filming deep in the Amazon, bringing the mythology of the Boiúna to the screen, and creating a creature feature that goes beyond the familiar killer-snake movie. We also get into Nelson’s career in horror, his approach to taking on established genre properties, and what’s next following the n...

For Episode 27 of The Cinephile Mind, I’m joined by filmmaker Mac Eldridge, co-director of Charlie Harper , for a conversation about first love, memory, filmmaking, and the movies that shaped him. This one is also a little personal. Mac and I worked together years ago on commercial and documentary projects, long before Charlie Harper became his first feature film, so it was great getting the chanc...

Welcome to the very first episode of After the Festival , a new interview series from The Cinephile Mind about what happens to independent films after the festival premiere. We spend so much time talking about Sundance, TIFF, Tribeca, SXSW and the films that break out there. But what happens after the reviews are published, the audiences go home and the festival ends? How does a filmmaker take a m...

Episode 24 of The Cinephile Mind is here. Miguel sits down with legendary filmmaker Martin Campbell to talk about his new comedy-mystery thriller Just Play Dead, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green. Campbell also looks back on one of the most remarkable careers in modern action filmmaking, including GoldenEye, Casino Royale, The Mask of Zorro, and what it was like to help resurrect the James...

TIFF 2026 is almost here! In Episode 23 of The Cinephile Mind , Miguel, Marco, and Kaitlyn preview the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival and break down the movies we’re most excited to see at TIFF this year. Kaitlyn, a Toronto local and TIFF connoisseur, joins Miguel and Marco to talk all things TIFF 2026 , including our most anticipated films, potential festival discoveries, buzzy premiere...

In Episode 22, we review Tony , Matt Johnson’s unconventional portrait of Anthony Bourdain starring Dominic Sessa and Antonio Banderas. Instead of delivering a traditional rise-and-fall biopic, Johnson focuses on one unfinished summer in 1976, when a nineteen-year-old Bourdain arrived in Provincetown with no reputation, no clear direction and little idea of the person he would eventually become. W...

Spider-Man: Brand New Day might be our favorite Tom Holland Spider-Man film—and possibly the best live-action Spider-Man movie since Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 . In this review, Miguel breaks down the three biggest reasons the movie works: the mature and emotionally complicated romance between Peter and MJ, Destin Daniel Cretton’s deeply character-driven direction, and Sadie Sink’s incredible perfor...

Our discussion of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey continues. In Part 2, Miguel is joined by Nic, Jack, and Hunter for a deeper conversation about what makes The Odyssey such a remarkable achievement. We explore why Nolan's adaptation isn't defined by how faithfully it recreates Homer, but by how effectively it uncovers the timeless emotional core of the epic. Along the way, we discu...

Christopher Nolan returns with one of the year's biggest cinematic events. In Episode 19, we share review of The Odyssey , discussing its ambitious storytelling, unforgettable performances, breathtaking technical achievements, and why we believe Nolan has once again crafted something truly special. Whether you're a longtime Christopher Nolan fan or simply curious about one of the most an...

Released on Father's Day, we're diving into some of cinema's most complicated fathers and father-child relationships. From the raw emotional wounds of Honey Boy, to the heartbreaking memories of Aftersun, to the quiet devastation of this year's Omaha, we explore how these films portray fathers who love deeply, fail profoundly, and leave lasting impacts on the people closest to...

James Gunn's new DC Universe continues with Supergirl, but did it live up to the hype? In this spoiler discussion, Miguel and Nic break down what worked, what didn't, and why Milly Alcock delivers a genuinely capable performance despite our mixed feelings about the film itself. From the action and visuals to the screenplay, pacing, and emotional core, we discuss where Supergirl succeeds...

Steven Spielberg is back with his latest film, Disclosure Day, and to celebrate the return of one of cinema’s greatest filmmakers, Miguel and Jack from Jack in Frames each rank their Top 10 Steven Spielberg films of all time. From Jaws and Jurassic Park to Schindler’s List, E.T., Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can, Minority Report and more, we dive into the films that shaped our love for mov...

Miguel and Spenser review Power Ballad , the latest crowd-pleasing comedy starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. From its infectious energy and sharp humor to the chemistry between its leads, Power Ballad won us over with its big heart and undeniable charm. In this review, we discuss what makes the film work, why audiences are likely to embrace it, and how Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas help elevate the mov...

In Episode 14 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, Spenser sits down with director Eric Appel to discuss his latest film, The Breadwinner , starring comedian Nate Bargatze. Eric dives into the origins of the project, working with Nate Bargatze in a leading role, balancing comedy with heart, and bringing this unique story to the screen. The conversation also explores the creative process behind the film,...

SPOILER ALERT In Episode 13 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, Miguel, Nic, and the team dive into OBSESSION , one of the year's most talked-about psychological thrillers. From Bear's gradual descent into villainy to Nikki's role in the story, we unpack the film's themes of obsession, desire, control, and the fragile male ego. We discuss what makes the film both unsettling and surp...

ThisIn Episode 12 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast , Spenser sits down with director Sara Robin and writer Jack LeMay to discuss their timely documentary Your Attention Please , which premiered at SXSW and is currently on the festival circuit. The conversation dives into what inspired the film, why its themes feel especially urgent right now, and the challenges of exploring media, attention, and mode...

We caught an early screening of Omaha and it’s one of those films that doesn’t hit all at once… it slowly settles in, and then stays with you. In this episode, we break down:  The film’s “show, don’t tell” storytelling   John Magaro’s deeply restrained performance and why it works   The emotional impact of the final act   The realism of the sibling dynamic and child performances  We also sit down...

Nearly two decades after The Devil Wears Prada became a cultural phenomenon, the long-awaited sequel has finally arrived. But does The Devil Wears Prada 2 live up to the legacy of the original? In Episode 10 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast , we break down the performances, themes, and creative choices behind the return to Runway Magazine. From the evolution of iconic characters to the pressures of r...

In Episode 9 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast , we take a deep dive into MICHAEL , the long-awaited biopic chronicling the life and legacy of Michael Jackson . Few artists have shaped music, performance, and pop culture the way Michael Jackson did, and bringing that story to the screen comes with enormous expectations. In this episode, we discuss whether MICHAEL rises to meet that challenge or strugg...

In Episode 8 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, we take a closer look at I Swear with both a quick review and a director conversation. Spenser begins the episode with a spoiler-free review of I Swear , highlighting the film’s strengths, tone, and overall impact. Then we sit down with director Kirk Jones to discuss the creative process behind the film, its themes, and what audiences should take away fr...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Cinephile Mind. In this debut episode, Miguel, Nic, and Spenser introduce themselves, share how their love of movies began, and reveal the films that shaped their taste as cinephiles. From all-time favorites to unexpected guilty pleasures, this episode sets the tone for the conversations ahead — passionate, thoughtful, and sometimes chaotic in the best way....

Few filmmakers inspire debate like Paul Thomas Anderson, and in this episode, we dive deep into his legendary filmography. Miguel, Nic, and Spenser rank every Paul Thomas Anderson film and discuss what makes his storytelling style so distinctive, from intimate character studies to sweeping cinematic epics. We explore the evolution of his craft, recurring themes, and why his films continue to reson...

Awards season always sparks debate, and this year is no exception. In this episode, Miguel, Nic, Spenser, Jack, and Hunter rank the 10 Best Picture nominees and break down what makes each film stand out. From emotional dramas to bold cinematic experiments, we discuss performances, direction, storytelling, and which films deserve the top prize. Whether you're an Oscars fan or just love film di...

In this episode, we dive into the world of Project Hail Mary, exploring its story, themes, and what makes it such a compelling science fiction narrative. Miguel, Nic, Hunter, and Jack break down the emotional core of the story, its scientific ideas, and how it fits into the legacy of modern sci-fi storytelling. We also discuss adaptation potential and what makes great science fiction resonate beyo...

Horror has always been a powerful space for female-led storytelling, and recent films are pushing the genre even further. In this episode, Miguel and Nic dive into several standout female-driven horror films, discussing their themes, performances, and what makes them resonate with audiences. Films Discussed: • They Will Kill You • Ready or Not 2: Here I Come • Forbidden Fruits • Undertone From psy...