Always the Critic: A Movie Podcast

On Episode 216 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we’re back in Middle Earth to review the first two episodes of the Amazon Prime show Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Rico and Jess discuss the plot, the complaints from the worst corners of the Internet, the cinematography and CGI, the differences in the portrayals of Galadriel and Elrond in the show versus Peter Jackson’s movies, the charact...

On Episode 215 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we do something completely out of character and review the first two episodes of the Disney+ Marvel show She-Hulk. Rico and Jess discuss the plot beats of the show, the complaints from the worst corners of the Internet, the CGI, Captain America’s virginity, the interesting topics and concepts the show is commenting on, and what they’re looking forwa...

On Episode 214 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we complete our quest and vanquish evil in part 2 of our quick series covering each Lord of the Rings film leading up to Amazon’s Rings of Power , finishing up with The Return of the King . Rico , Jess , and Jess’s sister Rebecca discuss the experience of watching the final film in theaters, the false endings, fun facts, their favorite lines, sequen...

On Episode 213 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we go on a quest in part 1 of our quick series covering each Lord of the Rings film leading up to Amazon’s Rings of Power , starting with Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers . Rico , Jess , and first-time guest Jess’s sister Rebecca discuss their personal experience with the franchise, the legacy of the work, fun facts, how it was made, their...

On Episode 211 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we look back at the movies that we saw in August that we haven't had a chance to discuss. Rico and Jess talk about the disappointing Netflix action flick The Gray Man (03:18) , the fast-moving Bullet Train with its stacked cast (15:04) , and then finish up by discussing the surprisingly great Predator prequel-sequel Prey (30:32). For episodes with s...

On Episode 211 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we can’t look away on our review of Nope, starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun. Rico and Jess take a deep dive into the latest thriller from the twisted mind of Jordan Peele, including the performances, the most horrifying sequences, multiple interpretations of what Peele’s underlying messages could be, critiques on the final act, a...

On Episode 210 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we hit pause on reviewing a new movie and look back at the year 2022 so far, ranking our top 5 movies. Rico and Jess examine the 2022 movie outlook, comparing it to the previous pandemic years and discussing what we can expect heading into the latter half of the year, rank their top 5 movies of 2022, and touch on how their lists of most anticipated...

On Episode 209 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we blast Guns N’ Roses on our review of Thor: Love & Thunder, starring Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Natalie Portman, and Christian Bale. Rico and Jess discuss the latest MCU entry from director Taika Waititi, including if Natalie Portman belongs in the MCU, Christian Bale’s villain, the funniest moments (like Russell Crowe effectively steali...

On the Episode 208 of Always the Critic podcast, we try to avert an ecological disaster on our review of Jurassic World: Dominion , starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Neil, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum. Rico and Jess head back into director Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World, discussing their general thoughts, the critical reception versus the audience reaction, a laundry list of nitpic...

On the Episode 207 of Always the Critic podcast, we gear up for Jurassic World: Dominion by taking a look back at the Jurassic franchise as a whole. We ponder the state of this five-film franchise, talking through our own relationship with the franchise, the unassailable first Jurassic Park film, our favorite moments and characters, the worst parts of the sequels, and what we’re looking forward to...

On Episode 206 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we feel the need, the need to review Top Gun: Maverick, starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, and Jennifer Connelly. Rico and Jess launch headlong back into the danger zone, discussing their general thoughts, some miscellaneous qualms, the new movie’s themes, the gorgeous cinematography, Tom Cruise as an action hero, the new Top Gun crew, favorite sequ...

On Episode 205 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we venture into the multiverse on our review of Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen. Rico and Jess give interesting stories about how their parents reacted to the movie and discuss their general thoughts, including their biggest qualms, the portrayal of Wanda Maximoff, and Sam Raimi back in...

On the Episode 204 of Always the Critic podcast, we celebrate Star Wars Day with a special May 4th episode of our own. We ponder the state of the galaxy far, far away, talking through our own relationship with the franchise, favorite movies and characters, discuss the upcoming offerings in Star Wars movies and TV, and even share what fantasy Star Wars story we would want to see! For episodes with...

On Episode 203 of the Always the Critic Podcast, it’s a double feature as we review viking revenge story The Northman and action-comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, starring Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal. Rico and Jess first talk about the Ringer’s rom-com coverage and J.Lo’s quietly prolific rom-com career. Turning toward Iceland, the duo express how strange and wonderful Robert Egger...

On Episode 202 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we face a choice—hunt and consume blood, or watch this movie—on our review of Morbius , starring Jared Leto. Rico and Jess wade through the quagmire that is this new superhero movie, discussing the awful critical reception, the unusually bad performance from Leto, the wasted supporting cast, the bizarre pacing and storytelling, worst scenes, and mor...

On Episode 201 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we stick googly eyes on our foreheads and strap in for our review of Everything Everywhere All at Once , starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Rico and Jess verse-jump into a robust multiverse, discussing the film’s Asian representation, the unassailable Michelle Yeoh, the triumphant return of Ke Huy Quan to the s...

On Episode 199 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we recap the 94th Oscars and review The Lost City, starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. Rico and Jess talk through the ridiculously disappointing Academy Awards ceremony, including the un-televised awards, the Encanto song, and the Slap®. Then the crew discusses the new romantic action-comedy, including the chemistry between the leads, funnie...

On Episode 198 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we are joined by special guest Jake Christie for our review of Deep Water , starring Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas. Rico , Jess , and Jake talk through the newest movie from veteran filmmaker Adrian Lyne, discussing the chemistry between the leads, sex in movies, qualms with the plot development, comparisons to other Lyne-directed films, SNAILS, and...

On Episode 197 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we hit up Toronto Chinatown for our review of Turning Red , starring Rosalie Chiang and Sandra Oh. Rico and Jess talk through the newest Pixar movie, discussing the fun Asian representation, general audience complaints, how this time period is almost never depicted in movies, the symbolism of the red panda, funniest scenes, and more! For episodes wi...

On Episode 196 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we solve riddles with the bat and the cat on our review of The Batman , starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Colin Farrell, Andy Serkis, and Paul Dano. Rico and Jess talk through the latest iteration of the caped crusader, talking through director Matt Reeves’s vision, the deep and affecting themes, the best sequences, Kravitz’s Catwoman, compari...

On Episode 195 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we go on an introspective journey in 12 chapters on our review of The Worst Person in the World , starring Renate Reinsve. Rico and Jess first touch on the SAG Awards and how it might affect the Oscars before discussing the indie drama, talking through Renate Reinsve’s acting performance, the deep and affecting themes, the best and most memorable mo...

On Episode 194 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we find ourselves on a quest for treasure on our review of Uncharted , starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg. Rico , Jess , and guest Miguel Albarracin discuss the video game adaptation, talking through the action and the suspension of disbelief, the female characters, comparisons to the video game franchise, and the possibility of a sequel. For ep...

On Episode 193 of the Always the Critic Podcast, it’s a double feature as we review murder-mystery Death on the Nile and rom-com Marry Me, starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. Rico and Jess first talk about the Academy Awards and how they refuse to nominate blockbusters or crowd-favorite movies, and then comment on the Super Bowl trailer drops. Turning toward Africa, the duo express how disapp...

Rico is joined by Chipper Beal as they head back to Westboro to talk about Scream (2022). They first discuss the upcoming Oscar nominations and what would surprise from the announcement. They then discuss the mixing of new characters with legacy characters in Scream ( 14:10 ) and the meta nature of the franchise. Later in the show, Rico and Chipper discuss The Tender Bar , ( 37:29 ) with a wonderf...

On Episode 191 of the Always the Critic Podcast, we queue up our list of most anticipated 2022 movies! Rico and Jess take turns listing 2022 release movies they’re excited to see, citing movies like The Batman , Knives Out 2 , Don’t Worry Darling , Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , and more! For episodes with similar movies, click below Variety Shows Follow us! Patreon Instagram   Twitter...