The Cinephile's Aisle
Two film haters and a microphone covering cinema classics, box office blockbusters, and everything in between!
Episodes
TCA favorite Ikem Okeke, writer and director of HUSBANDRY (2021), returns to TCA as part of #TCAShorts, a segment where we highlight filmmakers whose works include short films. Okeke talks the artists he is influenced by, the stories he is inspired by, and questions he wishes to ask (or answer) through art. TCA then switches gears into A24's sport odyssey, MARTY SUPREME. Timothée Chalamet, a Safdie divorce, and somehow 2008 NB...
One of the most anticipated film years ahead, buckle up for 2026. We get into this year's most anticipated releases (10:07), starting with Anne Hathaway's massive upcoming slate (10:47) and a debate about whether Greta Gerwig's evolution from indie filmmaker to mainstream director is something to celebrate or question (16:31). We preview the blockbusters everyone's talking about (23:27) and ask if franchise fati...
"If there was a real version of ETERNITY, do you think you've lived your happiest years?"
TCA (with Misgana promoted to co-host!) are not pulling back punches with A24's afterlife romantic comedy centered around life after death. Starting off with this recent wave of 'throuple' films (7:00), you can listen to Steve's fascination with 'yaoi' and 'yuri' before Misgana shares her ...
One of the best movies,If you need a good cry
SPOILER ALERT: Episode contains key plot details from 'Sentimental Value.' Join us as we welcome special guest Ayisha for a deep dive into Trier’s emotionally charged film 'Sentimental Value.' We discuss the absence of Steve (0:10), Aisha’s recent cinephile adventures (1:00), and the struggles with film releases in different countries (06:20). The conversation covers ...
Why Die My Love Left Us Wanting
SPOILER ALERT: Episode contains key plot details from Die My Love.
Join TCA as we dive into Die My Love, a film that reaches for emotional intensity while wrestling with structure and perspective. We start with our immediate reactions to the film and how quickly its tone repositions your expectations (00:00), then move into the visual choices and subliminal cues that shape its atmosphere (19:59). We ex...
SPOILER ALERT: Episode contains key plot details from One Battle After Another.
We dive deep into Paul Thomas Anderson’s most politically urgent film to date. We open with acknowledging our unplanned hiatus and thoughts on the TCA rebrand (2:30), before getting into our initial reactions to the film (8:15), the power of VistaVision and PTA’s visual storytelling (18:40), and DiCaprio’s layered performance as Bob Ferguson (26:05). We ...
Almost a year to the date since our last Comic Book Movie, TCA returns to cover all things SUPERMAN and the verdict: #TheGunnWasLockedAndLoaded. Joined by Kibz (@TheBrothersGeekOutPodcast), they explore the core message of Hope (08:45) and how the film feels in comparison to other Superman movies (13:00), especially THAT red herring. Then they delve into modern audience's perception of the character (23:50) and the difficultie...
"...breaking down today's films with tomorrow's eyes," Ofili has clearly been working on a tagline. Joined by Steve, frequent guest Misgana and new guest Banky from Popcorn for Dinner, they dissect the sophomore feature from Celine Song, MATERIALISTS. They explore the mischaracterization of the film's genre (12:30), comparisons to Song's debut film PAST LIVES (18:45), the lead character's turning ...
SPOILER ALERT: Episode contains key plot details from SINNERS. Jive along with TCA to the tune of Ludwig Göransson's phenomenal score as they delve into "the most talked about movie of 2025." Misgana returns to dissect Ryan Coogler's latest vampire masterpiece set in Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta. They cover the significance of that opening sequence (12:45), their appreciation of the cinematography (20:10), Coo...
Ofili and Steve are joined by Jerry, who’s making his TCA debut, to talk through Mickey 17, Bong Joon-ho’s 2025 sci-fi release. “Dying is just another part of the job” sets the tone for a conversation on identity, memory, and the systems that turn people into tools. They dive into the film’s cold color palette and sound design, discuss the religious and philosophical threads running underneath, and unpack what it means to be dispos...
Ofili and Steve take us back to some of the 2015 releases (8:55) that left a mark on them in this episode of the TCA. The Lobster, Mad Max: Fury Road, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Room, and Focus are some of the classics turning 10 this year that they touch on. They discuss certain films that they will never rewatch (29:40) like Fruitvale Station, before closing off with a celebration of female auteurs (33:00) in honor of Women&ap...
not Denis Villeneuve for DUNE: PART TWO, we'll tell you that much. Awards season wraps up with the 97th Academy Awards and it's been one hell of a ride with films nominated for Best Picture involving the use of AI, not involving an intimacy coordinator, having a cast member doing blackface, and all of these combined do not even live up to Karla Sofia Gascon's now-deleted tweets. But Steve and Ofili are joined by Misg...
It's not everyday you get to see an epic picture so enthralling like THE BRUTALIST, so of course Steve and Ofili had to return to cover all things related to the latest true American classic. Joined by Misgana, the trio discuss the period drama's central themes of immigration and identity (7:15), how the film lives in service of Judaism (19:35), and clashes of sexuality and power (32:25). Finally, looking forward to the O...
Awards season is here, and for this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Irima to kick it off! We discuss the 2025 SAG Awards’ biggest categories: Outstanding Male and Female Leads and their Supporting counterparts. Then, we switch gears to talk about why a Better Man stands out. We had a blast recording this one and we hope you enjoy it too.
Available now, wherever you listen to podcasts!
What makes a movie the Christmas movie? Is it the cozy vibes, holiday spirit, or just a snow-covered backdrop? On this episode, we tackle the big question, share our personal favorite Christmas movies, and even debate the eternal question: is Love Actually really a Christmas movie?
Plus, we take on the challenge of reimagining non-Christmas movies as holiday films! From classics to unexpected picks, this episode is packed with fun, ...
Dive into our latest episode as we unpack Conclave, exploring its twists and the deeper philosophy around the interplay of certainty, doubt, and faith. This was an incredibly engaging discussion, capped off with our takes on potential Best Picture winners—ranging from mainstream favorites to some hipster niche picks. While Steve couldn’t join us this time, we were thrilled to have Misgana back for her second episode and a special g...
The TCA is joined by a special guest to cover Steve's "next Best Picture" and Ofili's "one of the best four movies in 2024." In episode 16 we discuss Sean Baker's filmmaking style, the various on-screen relationship dynamics depicted in Baker's latest independent drama, and that final sequence that has got everyone talking. We also talk about how Baker is doing for sex workers what Scorsese d...
*SPOILER-FREE* Say what you want about Crowley's nonlinear structuring of his 2024 tearjerker, but Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield have just delivered the most grounded performances for an on-screen couple in 2024. Ofili and Steve are back to cover the latest romantic drama from A24, WE LIVE IN TIME, and they discuss how the film tackles grief, the feeling of not being enough, and when not to use non-linearity in storytellin...
"In my opinion, OSCAR-worthy 2025, very easily" is how Ofili starts off talking about the feature directorial debut from Freemont, CA filmmaker Sean Wang, DÌDI (弟弟). Together with Steve, TCA covers the coming-of-ager and how Academy Award nominee Wang draws inspiration from his 2008 California summers showing learning to kiss, the struggle to fit in with your peers, and the importance of learning to love your mothers. TCA...
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