Movie Masala

Join us as we review The Seed of the Sacred Fig, the Cannes Special Prize winner and Oscar nominee for Best International Feature. Directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, the film uses the dynamics of an Iranian family to explore themes of religion and societal tension, weaving personal struggles into a larger political metaphor. We break down how its setting shapes the story and how Rasoulof uses family a...

For this episode of Movie Masala, we discuss No Other Land , a powerful Palestinian documentary that sheds light on the illegal occupation of Palestinian land. We dive into how the film explores the contrast between what defines a Palestinian activist versus an Israeli advocate for the same cause, offering a nuanced look at resistance and solidarity. We also discuss its relevance in today’s politi...

In this episode, we dive into the multi-Oscar nominated film, The Brutalist , featuring standout performances from Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones. We discuss the film’s meticulous historical research and how it weaves in themes of race, class, and religion with striking detail. We also get into the controversies surrounding the film and debate whether it’s an over-indulgent art piece...

In our longest episode to date, we talk about Emilia Perez , the film that somehow landed 13 Oscar nominations. We break down the plot, the performances from Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Zoe Saldaña, and the film’s "bold" musical choices. We also dive into the controversy surrounding Gascón and director Jacques Audiard, as well as the depictions of Mexico, Cartel violence and Tr...

In this episode, we talk about Wolf Man , the latest horror film from Leigh Whannell, director of The Invisible Man (2020) . We break down how the film uses its monster to build tension and dread, while also exploring its deeper themes of masculinity. We also discuss if the story's competent execution makes up for the unoriginal story.

In this episode, we dive into Dial H.I.S.T.O.R.Y. , the gripping documentary by Johan Grimonprez, director of the Oscar-nominated Soundtrack to a Coup d'État . Blending archival footage with a hypnotic narrative, the film explores the history of plane hijackings and how media shapes what we remember—and what we forget. It is a fascinating, unsettling watch—definitely not one to queue up before...

In this episode, we discuss The Nickel Boys , the powerful adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, directed by RaMell Ross. The film dives into heavy themes of systemic racism and injustice in the 60s, told through a unique first-person perspective that sets it apart. We talk about how this perspective adds depth to the storytelling and what it reveals about the characters’...

In this episode, we dive into the new Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. With Oscar chatter around it, it's directed by James Mangold and based on the book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald. With Timothée Chalamet leading the cast as Bob Dylan, alongside Edward Norton, Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning, the film explores Dylan's rise as a folk artist and the evolution of his music in th...

In this episode, we talk about Shiva Baby , a hilariously tense indie gem directed by Emma Seligman. Anainah shares her love for Rachel Sennott and how her brilliant performance carries the film through its claustrophobic chaos. We also dive into how Shiva Baby manages to feel so nerve-wracking yet absurdly funny at the same time. Plus, we explore the importance of Jewish representation (and repre...

In this episode, we discuss A Real Pain , the latest film from Jesse Eisenberg. This dark comedy blends humour with heavy themes like the Holocaust and personal loss, offering a compelling character study. We dive into Keiran Culkin’s exceptional performance, Eisenberg’s thoughtful direction, and how the film manages to balance intricate character moments with moments of levity despite its serious...

For this episode, we discuss We Live in Time by John Crowley. The romantic drama stars Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh and goes over terminal illness and relationships in a series of vignettes. We also differ in how we feel about the film's writing and execution and if it succeeds in what it attempts to say.

Join us in this episode with very special guest Dr. Robert JM Dodds as we review Robert Eggers' new horror film: Nosferatu (2024) . We discuss the cinematography, score, and incredible cast, including Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, and more. Dr. Robert also talks about the diagnosis of the characters in the film, how it compares to current psychology, and how it feeds into the film'...

Happy New Year! Join us as we go over the top 9 films we are most hyped for in the coming year. Here are all of the films in order. Mickey 17 (Bong Joon-ho) Rabbit Trap (Bryn Chainey) Superman (James Gunn) Spider-Man: Beyond the SpiderVerse (Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson) Zootopia 2 (Jared Bush, Byron Howard) Jimpa (Sophie Hyde) The Brutalist (Brady Corbet) The Wave (Sebastiá...

Merry Christmas ! In this episode, we review our top and bottom 3 films and discuss what made them memorable for better or worse. We talk about Monkey Man, Megalopolis, The other way around, Madame Web and many more. Tune in for lots of rants and excitement.

In this episode, we review the new biopic about Christopher Reeves, the man who brought Superman to life in Richard Donner's Superman (1978). We discuss how it shows his flaws, his highs, and what truly made him the man of tomorrow.

In this week's episode, we cover 'Saturday Night.' The film covers the 90 mins before the first episode of Saturday Night Live went live on air. We discuss the film's incredible cast and how it builds tension and draws you in.

For episode 11 we go back to 2013, to talk about the Arabic and Hebrew language film, 5 Broken Cameras. Directed by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi, this documentary highlights the resistance inherit in documenting and showcasing collective trauma while keeping in touch with the humanity of the people oppressed. Link to the full documentary on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcTN3g-b0iA&t=...

In this episode, we discuss Moana 2, the sequel to the 2016 film starring Auli'i Cravalho and Dwyane Johnson. We go over how the film is fun and well-made but lacks what made the original so refreshing.

This episode focuses on Blitz, the new film written and directed by Steve McQueen, starring Saoirse Ronan and Elliott Heffernan. We compare its weighty description on paper compared to the execution.

In this episode, we talk about an indie Bengali musical by Amartya Bhattacharyya starring Rupam Islam. We discuss how the film tackles big themes through fantasy and music and how often smaller Indian films go overlooked.

In this episode, we discuss Ridley Scott's new film Gladiator 2. The sequel to the award-winning original stars Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal amongst other returning cast. We talk about its scale, the performances and if it lives up to the original.

For episode 6 of Movie Masala, we dig into Paddington in Peru. The titular Paddington Bear returns with the original cast alongside newcomers Antonio Banderas and Olivia Coleman. However, what doesn't return is the charm and wit of the original.

In this episode of Movie Masala, we discuss indie film director, Sean Baker's new film. The winner of the Palme d'Or Award at Cannes and starring Mickey Madison, we discuss what works and what very much doesn't.

On episode 4 of Movie Masala, we bring you our take on A24's latest horror thriller film Heretic. Starring Hugh Grant in an unexpected role, we talk about the film's treatment of religion and the nuance it brings to those discussions.

In this episode, we discuss the new Pharrell Williams biography, Piece by Piece, which is told entirely within the world of Lego! We also discuss the animation style and the politics of art-artist, as well as what Pharrell's music did and continues to do for the music industry.