Always the Critic: A Movie Podcast

On Episode 267 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we head back to spice world of Arrakis for a review of Dune: Part 2 , starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, and Florence Pugh.  Rico and Jess discuss this masterful sequel from prestige director Denis Villenueve, talking through the haunting anti-hero story, the world building and culture b...

On Episode 266 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we’re back to look at some of the movies we saw over the last few weeks. Rico and Jess take turns talking about movies they have watched recently, including Argylle, Anatomy of a Fall, American Fiction, Bob Marley: One Love and The Beekeeper. For episodes with similar movies, click below Variety Shows Follow us! Patreon Instagram Twitter Facebook Ri...

On Episode 265 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we head to WWII Germany to review The Zone of Interest , starring Sandra Hüller and Christian Friedel.  Rico and Jess discuss this Oscar Best Picture contender from director Jonathan Glazer, talking through the haunting story, the performances and characters, the audacious sound design (also Oscar nominated), the most sickening and impactful scenes,...

On Episode 265 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we’re looking forward to the 2024 movie slate and we chat about 10 movies we're excited to watch. Rico and Jess take turns naming 2024 movies that they want to watch. Although they share a few in common, of course the surprise each other with what they left off the list. They also talk about Ariana Grande. For episodes with similar movies, click...

On Episode 264 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we’re back from our holiday break to look back at the year 2023 and rank our top 10 movies of the year. Rico and Jess take turns naming their top 10 movies of the year. Although they share a few in common, the co-hosts surprise each other with their picks. They also talk about the year 2023 in movies, most memorable scenes/moments in film, the best...

On Episode 263 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we’re back from our Thanksgiving break to review all the in-theater releases we watched recently, including Saltburn , starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, and Rosamund Pike.  Rico and Jess discuss Emerald Fennell's wild dabaucherous romp Saltburn , the latest from Hayao Miyazaki The Boy and the Heron , Dream Scenario with Nic Cage, and the tri...

On Episode 261 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we’re back in the Panem to review The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes , starring Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, and Peter Dinklage.  Rico and Jess discuss this prequel release from Hunger Games franchise director Francis Lawrence, talking through the plot, the performances from Zegler and Blyth, the ~ballad~ singing, some...

On Episode 261 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we’re back in the MCU to review The Marvels , starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani.  Rico and Jess discuss the SAG-AFTRA strike ending, the Mean Girls musical trailer, what they’ve been watching since their last episode before diving into this late 2023 release from director Nia DaCosta, talking through the scattered plot, the fema...

On Episode 260 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we sing our hearts out and discuss Taylor Swift: The Era Tours! Rico  and  Jess  discuss the blockbuster concert film. We chat about our favorite moments, what we wished to have seen in the movie and how it stacks up to concert movies we've seen before. For episodes with similar movies, click below Variety Shows Become a Subscriber! Monthly Subs...

On Episode 259 of the Always the Critic podcast, Jess and Rico continue the mini Spooky SZN with another Daebak K-Rambles Podcast crossover episode to review of Ballerina , starring Jun Jong-Seo and Kim Ji-Hoon. Jess and Rico discuss this Netflix original film from writer-director Lee Chung-Hyun, talking through its derivative nature, the revenge plot and the performances, the action scene editing...

On Episode 258 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we to New Asia to review The Creator , starring John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, and Madeleine Yuna Voyles.  Rico and Jess discuss this 2023 release from director Gareth Edwards, talking through the genre of sci-fi A.I. robot movies, the stunning and impressive visuals, John David Washington’s track record, the performance from chi...

On Episode 257 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we’re finally back in time to review Dumb Money, starring Paul Dano, Shailene Woodley, Pete Davidson, America Ferrera, Seth Rogan, Sebastian Stan, and more. Rico and Jess discuss what they’ve been up to and watching since their last episode before diving into this rare late-2023 release based on a recent true story, talking through the pandemic sett...

On Episode 256 of the Always the Critic Podcast, on the eve of Hurricane Idalia, we queue up our list of best storm movies. Rico and Jess take turns listing their top 5 storm movies, producing two vastly different lists based on slightly different criteria, citing movies like Twister , The Wizard of Oz , The Day After Tomorrow , Groundhog Day , and more! For episodes with similar movies, click bel...

On Episode 255 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we each list out favorite movies in ABC order, one movie for each letter of the alphabet. Rico  and  Jess  discuss and list 26 of their favorite movies in ABC order. Rico mentioned movies like The Dark Knight and Moneyball , while Jessica listed out Bridesmaids and The Mummy , among others. For episodes with similar movies, click below Variety Shows...

On Episode 254 of the Always the Critic Podcast, it’s Blindspots: Volume 3, where we discuss some movies (classic or not) that we watched for the first time. Rico  and  Jess  discuss and remove a wide range of movies from their shame lists. Rico got around to movies like Chinatown and The Big Short , while Jessica knocked out Waiting to Exhale and Kick-Ass , among others. Check out the other Blind...

On Episode 253 of the Always the Critic Podcast, it’s a double feature as we review two hotly anticipated movies that won the weekend (possibly the year), Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer .  Rico and Jess first talk about Barbie and how much they connected with the clever, beautiful story and commentary, mentioning the excellent comedy, its celebration of women, the resurg...

On Episode 252 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we survive a car chase through the streets of Rome on our review of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part 1, starring Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and more.  Rico and Jess discuss the 6th MI installment, talking through the plot, the retcons, the practical stunts, Esai Morales’s villain, the excellence of...

On Episode 251 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we hit pause on reviewing a new movie and look back at the year 2023 so far, ranking our top 10 movies. Rico and Jess examine the 2023 movie outlook, comparing it to previous years and discussing what we can expect heading into the latter half of the year, rank their top 10 movies of 2023, and touch on what they’re anticipating most for new releases...

On Episode 250 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we put on our fedora (again) on our review of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, starring Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, and more.  Rico and Jess discuss the 5th Indie installment, talking through the awesome and terrible, uncanny valley CGI, the new themes explored, Mikkelsen’s villain, the best and worst sequences, the th...

On Episode 249 of the Always the Critic Podcast, it’s a double feature as we review the R-rated comedy No Hard Feelings and Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City , before the non-spoiler section of our Daebak K-Rambles Past Lives review.  Rico and Jess first talk about No Hard Feelings and how much they’ve missed Jennifer Lawrence, mentioning the rather tame nature of the movie (despite that ONE scene, you...

On Episode 248 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we suit up and enter a new dimension (again) on our review of The Flash, starring Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle, and more.  Rico and Jess discuss the latest DC movie, talking through the terrible, uncanny valley CGI, the return of Keaton’s Batman, the divisive figure of Ezra Miller, the state of the DCEU, Barry’s now Hispanic background,...

On Episode 247 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we MAXIMIZE on our review of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, starring Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Pete Davidson, and so many more.  Rico and Jess discuss the latest in the Transformers franchise, talking through the cast list, Anthony Ramos and his rising star power, Pete Davidson’s voice acting for Mirage, the...

On Episode 246 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we suit up and enter a new dimension on our review of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, starring Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, and so many more.  Rico and Jess discuss the sequel to 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse , talking through the Hispanic representation, the ethical and moral quandaries along with the emotional touchpoints, the...

On Episode 245 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we swim fathoms below for our review of The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Daveed Diggs, and more.  Rico and Jess discuss the latest Disney live-action remake, talking through how perfect Halle Bailey was as Ariel, the Aquaman-esque approach to the underwater CGI, Melissa McCarthy...

On Episode 244 of the Always the Critic Podcast, it’s all about family on our review of Fast X, starring Vin Diesel, Jason Momoa, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Charlize Theron, John Cena, and so many more.  Rico and Jess discuss the first movie in the possible Fast X trilogy, talking through how stacked the cast is and how the franchise seems to lure in Oscar winners, their favorite...