Here’s the elevator pitch: It’s “Left, Right, and Center” meets “Siskel and Ebert.” Three friends from different ideological perspectives discuss the movies and controversies (or nontroversies!) swirling around them. You'll have to sign up for the Substack to get bonus episodes and you can do that at movieaisle.substack.com .
Is 'The Odyssey' an Early Best Picture Favorite?
The Odyssey (2026) · Jul 22, 2026
'The Invite': Hilariously Uncomfortable
The Invite (2022) · Jul 15, 2026
The 'Minions' Go to 'Babylon'
Babylon (2022) · Jul 8, 2026
'Supergirl,' a Super-Disaster
Supergirl (2026) · Jul 1, 2026
'Toy Story 5' Asks Why We Need to Play
Toy Story 5 (2026) · Jun 24, 2026
The Disappointment of 'Disclosure Day'
Disclosure Day (2026) · Jun 17, 2026
'Masters of the Universe': Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Fisto
Masters of the Universe (2026) · Jun 10, 2026
Come Explore the 'Backrooms'
Backrooms (2026) · Jun 3, 2026
'The Mandalorian and Grogu': A Star Wars Misadventure?
The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) · May 27, 2026
Is 'The Sheep Detectives' This Year's 'Paddington'?
The Sheep Detectives (2026) · May 13, 2026
'The Devil Wears Prada 2': A Journalism Fable
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) · May 6, 2026
'Michael' Makes The King of Pop Boring
Michael (2026) · Apr 29, 2026
Soderbergh Is Back with 'The Christophers'
The Christophers (2026) · Apr 22, 2026
A Very Unusual 'Outcome.' Plus: Smoking isn't cool, kids. (Or is it?)
Outcome (2026) · Apr 15, 2026
Reveling in 'The Drama'
The Drama (2026) · Apr 8, 2026
Is 'The Housemaid' Good Trash or Just Garbage?
The Housemaid (2025) · Apr 1, 2026
The Preposterously Charming 'Project Hail Mary'
Project Hail Mary (2026) · Mar 25, 2026
Here Comes 'The Bride!'
The Bride! (2026) · Mar 11, 2026
Does 'Scream 7' Make Sense to a Non-'Scream' Fan?
Scream 7 (2026) · Mar 4, 2026
Should You See 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die'?
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2026) · Feb 25, 2026
Emerald Fennell's 'Movie' 'About' 'Wuthering Heights'
"Wuthering Heights" (2026) · Feb 18, 2026
'Send Help' Is Delightful and Mean
Send Help (2026) · Feb 11, 2026
'Marty Supreme' Supremacy
Marty Supreme (2025) · Dec 31, 2025
'Knives Out' Gets a Little Deeper
Knives Out (2019) · Dec 17, 2025
On Netflix's Big Awards Play: 'Jay Kelly'
Jay Kelly (2025) · Dec 10, 2025
Why 'Frankenstein' (2025) Just Doesn't Work
Frankenstein (2025) · Dec 3, 2025
'Wicked: For Good' Is Wicked Bad
Wicked: For Good (2025) · Nov 26, 2025
'The Running Man': Seriously Unsubtle
The Running Man (2025) · Nov 19, 2025
The Ultra-Silliness of 'Predator: Badlands'
Predator: Badlands (2025) · Nov 12, 2025
'Bugonia' and the Movies of Our Moment
Bugonia (2025) · Nov 5, 2025
The Terror of 'A House of Dynamite'
A House of Dynamite (2025) · Oct 29, 2025
'After the Hunt's' Pointed Provocations
After the Hunt (2025) · Oct 22, 2025
Revisiting the Original 'Tron' (Or, 'What the eff, Alyssa?')
Tron (1982) · Oct 16, 2025
Why 'Tron: Ares' Is a Boring Mess
TRON: Ares (2025) · Oct 14, 2025
The Degrading 'Long Walk'
The Long Walk (2025) · Sep 16, 2025
The Delightfully Cranky 'Highest 2 Lowest'
Highest 2 Lowest (2025) · Sep 9, 2025
'Nobody 2' Is Deadly, Dull
Nobody 2 (2025) · Aug 19, 2025
'Weapons': 2025's Funniest Scary Movie
Weapons (2025) · Aug 12, 2025
Why 'Oz' Is Coming to The Sphere in Vegas
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) · Aug 5, 2025
Does 'Materialists' Work?
Materialists (2025) · Jun 17, 2025
Plotting 'The Phoenician Scheme'
The Phoenician Scheme (2025) · Jun 10, 2025
Why 'Lilo & Stitch' Is a Big Hit
Lilo & Stitch (2002) · Jun 3, 2025
A Difficult 'Friendship'
Friendship (2025) · May 20, 2025
An All-'Sinners' Episode
Sinners (2025) · Apr 22, 2025
The Gripping Reality of 'Warfare'
Warfare (2025) · Apr 15, 2025
'Snow White' Is a Disaster
Snow White (2025) · Mar 25, 2025
'Black Bag,' the Year's Best Date Movie
Black Bag (2025) · Mar 18, 2025
Why 'Mickey 17' Just Doesn't Work
Mickey 17 (2025) · Mar 11, 2025
The Quiet Terror of 'I'm Still Here'
I'm Still Here (2010) · Feb 11, 2025
An Unsettling 'Presence'
PRESENCE (2023) · Jan 28, 2025
'September 5,' Working Amidst Terror
September 5 (2024) · Jan 21, 2025
'The Brutalist,' a Near Masterpiece
The Brutalist (2024) · Jan 14, 2025
Is 'Nosferatu' a Yes from Us?
Nosferatu (2024) · Jan 7, 2025
The Deranged Exuberance of 'Emilia Pérez'
Emilia Pérez (2024) · Dec 24, 2024
Does 'Wicked' Defy Critical Gravity?
Wicked (2024) · Dec 3, 2024
Does 'Gladiator II' Entertain?
Gladiator II (2024) · Nov 26, 2024
Probing 'A Real Pain'
A Real Pain (2024) · Nov 19, 2024
The Joyful Pain of 'Anora'
Anora (2024) · Nov 12, 2024
'Conclave,' a Modern Old-Fashioned Movie
Conclave (2024) · Nov 5, 2024
'Saturday Night' and the Excitement of the New
Saturday Night (2022) · Oct 15, 2024
'Joker' Folly Number Two
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) · Oct 8, 2024
The Messy 'Megalopolis'
Megalopolis (2024) · Oct 1, 2024
'Rebel Ridge,' a Movie with a Message
Rebel Ridge (2024) · Sep 17, 2024
The Messy 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) · Sep 10, 2024
Revisiting 'A Quiet Place: Day One'
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) · Sep 3, 2024
Should You 'Blink Twice'?
Blink Twice (2024) · Aug 27, 2024
How 'Alien: Romulus' Resurrected the Franchise
Alien: Romulus (2024) · Aug 20, 2024
'The Instigators,' a Perfect Streaming Picture
The Instigators (2024) · Aug 13, 2024
'Deadpool & Wolverine' Pulls Audiences Back In
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) · Jul 30, 2024
Is 'Twisters' the Summer's Popcorn Hit?
Twisters (2024) · Jul 23, 2024
'Inside Out 2' and 'The Bikeriders'
Inside Out 2 (2024) · Jun 25, 2024
Is 'Hit Man' a Deeper Romcom?
Hit Man (2024) · Jun 18, 2024
Riding with the 'Bad Boys'
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) · Jun 11, 2024
'The Last Stop in Yuma County's' Nasty Surprises
The Last Stop in Yuma County (2024) · Jun 4, 2024
Why 'The Idea of You' Doesn't Really Work
The Idea of You (2024) · May 21, 2024
The Perfectly Pleasant 'Fall Guy'
Fall Guy (2023) · May 7, 2024
'Challengers' Ignites Audience Desires
Challengers (2024) · Apr 30, 2024
The Chilling, Frustrating 'Civil War'
Civil War (2024) · Apr 23, 2024
Bringing 'Monkey Man' to the Big Screen
Monkey Man (2024) · Apr 9, 2024
How Dumb Is 'Godzilla x Kong'?
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) · Apr 2, 2024
'Road House' Blues
Road House (2024) · Mar 26, 2024
'Dune: Part Two,' a Desert Epic for the Ages
Dune: Part Two (2024) · Mar 5, 2024
Is 'Drive-Away Dolls' an Instant Cult Film?
Drive-Away Dolls (2024) · Feb 27, 2024
'The Zone of Interest's' Immersive Horror
The Zone of Interest (2023) · Feb 13, 2024
'Argylle' and the Unreality of Streaming Blockbusters
Argylle (2024) · Feb 6, 2024
Was 'Barbie' Snubbed in the Oscar Nominations?
Barbie (2023) · Jan 30, 2024
'The Holdovers,' a Very Nice Movie!
The Holdovers (2023) · Jan 23, 2024
The Tricky Lessons of 'American Fiction'
American Fiction (2023) · Jan 9, 2024
A Flattened 'Maestro'
Maestro (2023) · Dec 26, 2023
Is 'Poor Things' Rich with Meaning?
Poor Things (2023) · Dec 19, 2023
Miyazaki's Swan Song: 'The Boy and the Heron'
The Boy and the Heron (2023) · Dec 12, 2023
A 'May December' to Remember?
May December (2023) · Dec 5, 2023
Is 'Napoleon' an Epic Wonder or Blunder?
Napoleon (2023) · Nov 28, 2023
Why 'The Marvels' Crashed and Burned
The Marvels (2023) · Nov 14, 2023
'Priscilla' and Sofia Coppola's Gilded Cages
Priscilla (2023) · Nov 7, 2023
'Five Nights at Freddy's': The Fall's Surprise Hit
Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) · Oct 31, 2023
Is 'Dumb Money' a Smart Movie?
Dumb Money (2023) · Sep 26, 2023
Fraud at the Box Office! Plus: 'Strays' Reviewed.
Strays (2023) · Aug 22, 2023
Are Digital Extras the Future of Movies? Plus: 'They Cloned Tyrone.'
They Cloned Tyrone (2023) · Aug 8, 2023
We're All 'Barbie' Girls, It's a 'Barbie' World
Barbie (2023) · Aug 1, 2023
'Oppenheimer' Is Transcendent Cinema.
Oppenheimer (2023) · Jul 25, 2023
The Subtle Pleasures of 'Past Lives'
Past Lives (2023) · Jul 11, 2023
'Destiny' Comes for Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) · Jul 4, 2023
The Perplexing Confection of 'Asteroid City'
Asteroid City (2023) · Jun 27, 2023
Was the Censorship of 'The French Connection' Inevitable?
The French Connection (1971) · Jun 13, 2023
What Went Wrong with 'The Little Mermaid'?
The Little Mermaid (2023) · May 30, 2023
'Fast X'? More Like Fast Eccchhhs. Plus: Why 'wokeness' doesn't explain Disney's problems.
Fast X (2023) · May 23, 2023
WGA Goes on Strike. What's at Stake? Plus: Guy Ritchie's 'The Covenant,' reviewed!
Guy Ritchie's The Covenant (2023) · May 2, 2023
Why Is 'Murder Mystery 2' So Popular? Plus: ATMA Live Show!
Murder Mystery 2 (2023) · Apr 18, 2023
The Entertaining Agitprop of 'Tetris'
Tetris (2023) · Apr 4, 2023
Are the 'John Wick' Movies Deeper Than They Appear? Plus: What's the matter with Marvel?
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) · Mar 28, 2023
Did the Oscars Get It Right? Plus: '65' Reviewed!
65 (2023) · Mar 14, 2023
Is 'Creed III' a Knockout? Plus: a rant about the state of movie theater exhibition!
Creed III (2023) · Mar 7, 2023
How 'Poker Face' Recaptures that 70s Spirit. Plus: Scott Adams self-immolates.
Poker Face (2022) · Feb 28, 2023
149: Was 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' Mesmerizing?
Magic Mike's Last Dance (2023) · Feb 14, 2023
147: 'All Quiet on the Western Front' Hints that War Is Bad
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) · Jan 31, 2023
146: 'Pale Blue Eye': Worth a Laundry-Folding Watch?
The Pale Blue Eye (2022) · Jan 24, 2023
145: Is 'M3GAN' a Killer Good Time? Plus: will the VFX shops unionize?
M3GAN (2022) · Jan 17, 2023
144: 'Babylon': Big, Messy, and Kinda Fun. Plus: Sports are King in the media landscape.
Babylon (2022) · Jan 10, 2023
141: Does 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Justify a Trip to Theaters?
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) · Dec 20, 2022
140: Are Awards Season Movies Doomed at Theaters? Plus: 'Emancipation' reviewed!
Emancipation (2022) · Dec 13, 2022
139: A New 'Greatest Movie of All Time.' Plus: Plus, Steven Spielberg interrogates his life and his art in 'The Fabelmans.'
The Fabelmans (2022) · Dec 6, 2022
138: Why We Said You Can Skip 'She Said.' Plus: Where does Junot Diaz go to get his reputation back?
She Said (2022) · Nov 29, 2022
137: Why Did Bob (Iger) Push Out Bob (Chapek) at Disney? Plus: 'The Banshees of Inisherin,' reviewed.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) · Nov 22, 2022
136: Should You See or Skip 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) · Nov 15, 2022
135: You Should Go See 'Tár.' Plus: lol, Elon.
TÁR (2022) · Nov 8, 2022
134: Is Hollywood in a Regressive Moment? Plus: 'Ticket to Paradise,' reviewed!
Ticket to Paradise (2022) · Nov 1, 2022
133: Is 'Black Adam' a Must-See or a Must-Skip? Plus: Why has Star Wars stagnated at movie theaters?
Black Adam (2022) · Oct 25, 2022
132: Why Does Kanye Want Parler? Plus: 'Catherine, Called Birdy' reviewed!
Catherine Called Birdy (2022) · Oct 18, 2022
131: Is 'Amsterdam' the Flop of the Fall? Plus: RIP, Nikki Finke.
Amsterdam (2022) · Oct 11, 2022
130: Should Billy Eichner Blame Homophobes for 'Bros' Bombing? Plus: Is 'Blonde' worth your time?
Blonde (2022) · Oct 4, 2022
130: Should Billy Eichner Blame Homophobes for 'Bros' Bombing? Plus: Is 'Blonde' worth your time?
Bros (2022) · Oct 4, 2022
127: 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' Versus The Discourse
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) · Sep 13, 2022
126: So, How Was Your Summer? Plus: 'Three Thousand Years of Longing,' reviewed!
Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022) · Sep 6, 2022
125: Olivia Wilde's 'Don't Worry Darling' Worries. Plus: 'Samaritan' reviewed!
Don't Worry Darling (2022) · Aug 30, 2022
125: Olivia Wilde's 'Don't Worry Darling' Worries. Plus: 'Samaritan' reviewed!
Samaritan (2022) · Aug 30, 2022
124: 'She-Hulk' vs. 'House of the Dragon.' Plus: Lena Wilson of the NYT vs. Amandla Stenberg of 'Bodies Bodies Bodies.'
123: Is 'Prey' a Good 'Predator' Movie? Plus: Salman Rushdie and the West's Shame
Prey (2022) · Aug 16, 2022
122: Does the 'Batgirl' Cancellation Make Sense? Plus: 'Bullet Train,' Reviewed!
Bullet Train (2022) · Aug 9, 2022
121: 'The Gray Man' or the Gray Meh?
The Gray Man (2022) · Aug 2, 2022
120: Are We a Yes on 'Nope'? Plus: Did Zack Snyder go too far?
Nope (2022) · Jul 26, 2022
119: Is 'Where the Crawdads Sing' Any Good?
Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) · Jul 19, 2022
118: Should Coders Give Auteurs Notes? Plus: 'Thor: Love and Thunder' reviewed!
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) · Jul 12, 2022
117: Gentleminions: Boon or Curse? Plus: 'Elvis' reviewed!
Elvis (2022) · Jul 5, 2022
116: 'Spiderhead' Review
Spiderhead (2022) · Jun 28, 2022
115: Why Did 'Lightyear' Bomb?
Lightyear (2022) · Jun 21, 2022
114: 'Jurassic World Dominion' Review
Jurassic World Dominion (2022) · Jun 14, 2022
112: Is 'Top Gun: Maverick' The Summer's Best Movie?
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) · Jun 1, 2022
108: Wes Anderson: Fascist?
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) · May 3, 2022
105: 'Everything Everywhere All at Once': Good ... or Great?
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) · Apr 12, 2022
103: 'The Slap': Controversy or Nontroversy?
The Lost City (2022) · Mar 29, 2022
100: ATMA Vs. 'The Batman'
The Batman (2022) · Mar 8, 2022
99: Can 'Coda' Win Best Picture?
CODA (2021) · Mar 1, 2022
90: Should 'The Matrix' Have Been Resurrected?
The Matrix (1999) · Dec 29, 2021
89: Should You See Spider-Man: No Way Home?
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) · Dec 22, 2021
87: 'The Power of the Dog,' Netflix's Awards-Minded Western
The Power of the Dog (2021) · Dec 8, 2021
86: The Fall of the 'House of Gucci'
House of Gucci (2021) · Dec 1, 2021
85: 'King Richard' Kicks Off the Oscar Race
King Richard (2021) · Nov 24, 2021
84: Are NFTs a Scam, the Future, or Both? Plus: 'Belfast' Reviewed!
Belfast (2021) · Nov 17, 2021
79: 'No Time to Die'
No Time to Die (2021) · Oct 13, 2021
78: Does 'The Many Saints of Newark' Do 'The Sopranos' Right?
The Many Saints of Newark (2021) · Oct 6, 2021
77: 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) · Sep 29, 2021
75: 'The Card Counter'
The Card Counter (2021) · Sep 17, 2021
73: Do the Movies Have a Conspiracy Theory Problem? Plus: "What If...?"
What If (2021) · Sep 1, 2021
72: Why Did Jeopardy Lose Its New Host in Record Time? And 'Reminiscence' Reviewed!
Reminiscence (2021) · Aug 25, 2021
70: 'The Suicide Squad'
The Suicide Squad (2021) · Aug 11, 2021
68: 'Pig': The Best Movie of 2021 (So Far!)
Pig (2021) · Jul 28, 2021
67: Anthony Bourdain Documentary 'Roadrunner' Controversy
Roadrunner (2008) · Jul 21, 2021
66: 'Black Widow'
Black Widow (2021) · Jul 14, 2021
65: 'The Tomorrow War'
The Tomorrow War (2021) · Jul 8, 2021
63: 'The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard's' Podcast
The Hitman (1996) · Jun 23, 2021
62: In the Heights
In the Heights (2021) · Jun 16, 2021
61: 'The Woman in the Window' Review
The Woman in the Window (2021) · Jun 10, 2021
60: 'Cruella': Cruelty to Critics
Cruella (2021) · Jun 3, 2021
59: 'Army of the Dead'; MGM & Amazon
Army of the Dead (2021) · May 26, 2021
58: 'Those Who Wish Me Dead' Review
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021) · May 19, 2021
57: 'Wrath of Man' Escapes ATMA's Wrath
Wrath of Man (2021) · May 12, 2021
56: 'Without Remorse' Inspires Viewer Remorse
Without Remorse · May 5, 2021
53: Is Will Smith Right to Bail on Georgia? Plus: 'The Father,' Reviewed!
The Father (2020) · Apr 14, 2021
52: 'Godzilla vs. Kong' vs. ATMA
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) · Apr 7, 2021
51: 'Nobody' Reviewed! Plus, Plus: Are depictions of Asian-Americans in media a controversy—or a nontroversy?
Nobody (2021) · Mar 31, 2021
49: 'Raya and the Last Dragon' Reviewed!
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) · Mar 17, 2021
48: 'Coming 2 America' Reviewed! Plus: What's the Deal with the Royals?
Coming 2 America (2021) · Mar 10, 2021
47: The Golden Globes Stank. Plus: 'Minari' Reviewed!
Minari (2021) · Mar 2, 2021
46: 'Nomadland' Reviewed! Plus: Are the Golden Globes (and Critics More Generally) Corrupt?
Nomadland (2021) · Feb 23, 2021
45: 'Judas and the Black Messiah' and Gina Carano
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) · Feb 17, 2021
44: Trump v. SAG: Who Ya Got? Plus: 'Malcolm & Marie,' Reviewed!
Malcolm & Marie (2021) · Feb 9, 2021
43: 'The Little Things,' Reviewed. Plus: 'Variety' Betrays Its Critic—and Its Audience
The Little Things (2021) · Feb 2, 2021
42: 'Promising Young Woman' Reviewed! Plus: Seth Rogen v. Ted Cruz.
Promising Young Woman (2020) · Jan 26, 2021
40: QAnon and Conspiracy Media; Plus: 'Lovers Rock,' Reviewed!
Lover's Rock (1964) · Jan 12, 2021
39: 'Soul' Reviewed, Plus: A Special Look at Bruce Willis's Filmography
Soul (2020) · Jan 5, 2021
35: 'Mank' Reviewed, Plus: WB Dumps Its Slate to HBO Max
Mank (2020) · Dec 8, 2020
34: 'Let Him Go' Reviewed, Plus: A Box Office Rebirth?
Let Him Go (2020) · Dec 1, 2020
33: Hillbilly Elegy
Hillbilly Elegy (2020) · Nov 25, 2020
31: The Vast of Night
The Vast of Night (2019) · Jun 1, 2020
26: Mrs. America
The General (1926) · Apr 27, 2020
23: Spenser Confidential
28 Days Later (2002) · Apr 6, 2020
23: Spenser Confidential
Spenser Confidential (2020) · Apr 6, 2020
20: The Way Back
The Way Back (2020) · Mar 9, 2020
19: The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man (2020) · Mar 2, 2020
18: The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild (2020) · Feb 24, 2020
17: Birds of Prey
15: The Gentlemen
The Gentlemen (2020) · Feb 3, 2020
14: Marriage Story
Marriage Story (2019) · Jan 27, 2020
13: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019) · Jan 20, 2020
10: 6 Underground
6 Underground (2019) · Dec 30, 2019
9: Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) · Dec 23, 2019
8: Richard Jewell
Richard Jewell (2019) · Dec 16, 2019
6: The Irishman
The Irishman (2019) · Dec 16, 2019
5: Ford v Ferrari
Ford v Ferrari (2019) · Dec 16, 2019
4: Doctor Sleep
Doctor Sleep (2019) · Dec 16, 2019
3: Terminator Dark Fate
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) · Dec 16, 2019
2: Laundromat
The Laundromat (2019) · Dec 16, 2019
