Across the Movie Aisle

On this week’s episode, we have some light and cheery conversation about livestreaming executions. Then we review The Social Reckoning , Aaron Sorkin’s follow up to The Social Network . Make sure to swing by this here website on Thursday for our bonus episode: The Trial of Aaron Sorkin. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

On this week’s episode, the gang offers up their services in Pope Leo’s Butlerian Jihad, a sentence that makes total sense in context. Then they review Digger , a movie that sparked one of the fiercest conversations we’ve ever had. It’s a bonkers, divisive provocation, and we responded in kind. Make sure to swing by Thursday for our Tom Cruise bonus episode. And if you want to nominate something f...

On this week’s episode, we broke down the Paramount-Skydance/Warner Bros. Discovery merger, which seems to have cleared its final hurdle following the settling of the state AGs’ antitrust lawsuit. Then we reviewed Primetime , Lance Oppenheim’s riveting look at the rise and fall of Chris Hansen and his pervert-hunting news program. Make sure to swing by on Thursday for our bonus episode, where we’r...

On this week’s episode, we discussed whether or not the decision to make Aslan a David Bowie-influenced lion voiced by Meryl Streep in a musical based on The Magician’s Nephew was a controversy or a nontroversy. Then we reviewed Resident Evil , which overperformed at the box office and earned raves from critics. It’s a movie made for gamers, which has its pluses … and its minuses.  If you disagree...

We’ve got a real treat for you today, folks: Richard Kelly—the director of Donnie Darko , Southland Tales , and The Box —joined us to discuss Donnie Darko ’s 25th anniversary rerelease by Fathom Entertainment and Saga Arts. And, as a bonus, we got a bunch of insights into his sequel novel , which is coming out on December 15. Plus: some Southland Tales chat! First things first: Get your tickets fo...

On this week’s episode, we discussed David Ellison’s threat to flee California if Rob Bonta doesn’t wrap up his antitrust suit and the effort to secure federal production subsidies for movie studios. Then we reviewed Practical Magic 2 , a terrible film. You guys are going to love this week’s bonus episode! Make sure to sign up now so you can get it delivered right to your inbox!

On this week’s episode, we debate this essay by Alison Pill on the perils of child acting. Is it possible to do professionally in an ethical way? Then we review Mayday , the new film from the guys who made the recent Dungeons and Dragons movie that everyone loved. Is this any good? Does it have just a tad too much Ryan Reynolds? We discuss! Make sure to swing by Thursday for our bonus episode on C...

Hey, before we get started, a technical note: Due to a weird recording hiccup, Alyssa’s voice is slightly out of sync. I’ve gotten it as close as I can, but it’s … still not right. Sorry! Maybe just minimize the window and listen to this one. Or subscribe to your private ad-free RSS feed and get it straight to your favorite podcast app!  The episode itself is pretty good, though! We discussed why...

On this week’s episode, we discuss the crazy lengths Warner Bros. is going to to keep spoilers for the new show Lanterns under wraps. Then we review Tony , the new biopic about Anthony Bourdain! Is it as good as Kitchen Confidential … or maybe better? Make sure to swing by on Thursday for our bonus episode on memoirs. Our next book club is, hopefully, starting this weekend; we’re discussing A Sudd...

On this week’s episode we ask if dog peril should join the ranks of considerations for a Restricted rating from the MPA. Then we review The End of Oak Street , a movie with some dog peril that nevertheless earned a PG-13 rating. Make sure to swing by on Thursday for our bonus episode on Anne Hathaway. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

This week we reviewed One Night Only (elevator pitch: What if extramarital sex were only legal for one night?), a movie that has been somewhat unfairly maligned by film critics, and discussed director Will Gluck’s feelings about audience discomfort with nudity. It’s a brave new world, folks, we’re just living in it. 

Hey, Sonny here: many thanks to Peter and Alyssa for banging this out without me. I’m on vacation this week, and despite planning to tape from my hotel room, things just didn’t quite work out. (Hotel wifi: Not always the most reliable!) But I’ve listened to the whole thing and edited it and they did a very nice job! I probably liked Spider-Man: Brand New Day a bit more than either of them (it’s un...

On this week’s episode, we tried to figure out what’s happening next in the P-Sky/WBD deal. Spoiler: No idea! Then we picked our five favorite movies of the first half of 2026. Much to discuss!

The Odyssey is here! One of the most-anticipated films in Across the Movie Aisle history. Spoiler: We all liked it. But did we like it unreservedly enough? That’s the question on this week’s super-sized episode. 

On this week’s episode, we discuss Netflix’s declining engagement stats. Should the streaming giant panic? And then we review The Invite , a movie that asks uncomfortable questions in hilariously provocative ways. Make sure to swing by for our bonus episode on Thursday wrapping up our Odyssey Book Club. (Almost.) And if you have thoughts about Sam Neill, head over to the chat and share them! 

On this week’s episode, we discuss Seth Rogen’s slanderous take on Sylvester Stallone and his thoughts on criticism more broadly. Then we reviewed Minions and Monsters , which is basically “ Babylon with less cocaine and more little yellow guys.” Swing by our Substack on Thursday for a bonus episode on the silent era’s best movies for kids. And if you enjoyed this, please share it with a friend!

On this week’s episode, we discuss A24 and Google’s deal for the major indie to institute AI processes in their filmmaking. Then we review Supergirl , a movie that works on virtually no levels. You are NOT going to want to miss our July 4th bonus episode on Independence Day . And if you enjoyed this episode, we hope you share it with a friend!

On this week’s episode, we discuss the startling news that Amazon-MGM has decided to bail on distributing Luca Guadagnino’s forthcoming film about Sam Altman and OpenAI. Is this simply a matter of reconciling conflicts of interest, or is something more dastardly involved? Then they review Toy Story 5: The One With Screens. Does it live up to its predecessors? Or is it something to be half-watched...

On this week’s episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa debate the ethics of writing bogus reviews to scam the futures markets . Then they review Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day , which is kind of a mess. Make sure to watch Widow’s Bay ; we’re going to be discussing it for a special bonus TV episode later in the week! And we’ll have a bonus episode in which we determine the greatest Spielberg run. So m...

A programming note: As mentioned in this episode, we are going to add a monthly bonus episode for paid members dedicated to TV shows. First up: Widow’s Bay , which wraps up its first season June 17. We’ll talk the whole first season of Apple TV’s buzzy new show for an episode that should post that weekend (the 20th or 21st), depending on our own schedules!  As for this week ’s episode: We discusse...

On this week’s episode, we dive into a VERY exciting week at the box office. What does it mean that Backrooms and Obsession both may well end up outgrossing The Mandalorian and Grogu. Maybe nothing. But maybe a lot! And then we review Backrooms , which is about to become the highest-grossing-film ever released by A24 in just five days. On Thursday we’re going to chat about Tilly Norwood, who promi...

On this week’s episode, we asked what on Earth Paul Schrader is doing getting dumped by an AI girlfriend . Then they reviewed The Mandalorian and Grogu , a movie that is nominally set in the Star Wars universe and has Star Wars-like elements but feels somewhat … lacking … for those of us with a long-term relationship to the series. But did Sonny’s kids love it? And is that all that really matters?...

On this week’s episode, we went long on the silly kerfuffle surrounding the casting of The Odyssey . From Helen to Achilles (or possibly Elpenor, or maybe Tiresias), no casting choice is safe from Elon Musk and his crack investigators. Then we review In the Grey , a movie that’s only really meant for Guy Ritchie completists … and maybe not even most of them . Make sure to swing by Thursday for our...

On this week’s episode, we bid adieu to films for one segment and discussed the least -probable game show of all time: Wordle! It’ll likely raise an ocean of viewers … but will it be great ? Then we talked The Sheep Detectives , a delightful talking animal movie. Sure, it’s nice: but is it any good? We’ll let you know. Make sure to swing by Thursday for our bonus episode on Mortal Kombat II . And...

On this week’s episode, we ask if $50 is a reasonable price to pay for a single 70mm IMAX movie ticket. Then we review The Devil Wears Prada 2 , a rather generic movie about journalism. Make sure to swing by Thursday for our bonus episode previewing the summer releases. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!