Plotting 'The Phoenician Scheme'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the latest effort by conservatives to break into the world of big-time film production, this effort headed by Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society. Then they review The Phoenician Scheme, a movie some might describe as … conservative? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for...
41m Jun 10, 2025
41m
Why 'Lilo & Stitch' Is a Big Hit
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the fractured media landscape makes it harder to mint movie stars. (You can read the discussed piece by Nicholas Quah here (https://www.vulture.com/article/new-media-circuit-hollywood-publicity.html?_gl=1*er5kq5*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NDc0MDM2NjEuQ2owS0NRand4SnZCQmhEdUFSSXNBR1V...
42m Jun 03, 2025
42m
Finally 'Reckoning' with AI
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed how AI is both helping animators lip sync cartoons (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/business/media/ai-cartoons-animation.html) and also completely inventing books for summer reading lists (https://apnews.com/article/fake-book-list-ai-newspaper-summer-reading-fcdf45...
45m May 27, 2025
45m
A Difficult 'Friendship'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) say goodbye to Max and take a mild victory lap in the process. Then they review Friendship, the new cringe comedy from Tim Robinson and A24. Is it the feel-bad movie of the year or just a feel-bad movie? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our summer preview episode on Friday. A...
40m May 20, 2025
40m
Star Wars Gets Dark with 'Andor'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Spencer Kornhaber’s feature (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/06/american-pop-culture-decline/682578/?gift=w4PTtxWc02_-PLPUpVBLHymFSLn28jRBZaHB2-FeVKw&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share) in The Atlantic asking if this is the worst...
47m May 13, 2025
47m
Why Does Trump Want to Tariff Movies?
On this week’s episode, Peter’s off today, so Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) is joined only by Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) to discuss what, precisely, Donald Trump hopes to accomplish with his movie tariffs. Or what they’d even look like, really. Then they review Thunderbolts*, a well-reviewed standalone Marvel movie. What is this, 2014? Make sure to swing by on Friday for our bonus episo...
35m May 06, 2025
35m
Hanging Out with 'The Accountant 2'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the aging up of our movie star roster (https://puck.news/the-actors-gen-z-and-everyone-else-loves-best/?utm_campaign=What+I%27m+Hearing+-+SUBSCRIBERS+%284%2F24%2F25%29&utm_content=What+I%27m+Hearing+-+SUBSCRIBERS+%284%2F24%2F25%29&utm_medium=email_action&utm_source=cust...
40m Apr 29, 2025
40m
An All-'Sinners' Episode
Alyssa is off this week, so Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) and Peter Suderman (Reason) are joined by Ben Dreyfuss (Calm Down (https://www.calmdownben.com/) ) to discuss all things Sinners. In cons and nons, they ask if Coogler’s unusual deal granting him copyright on the movie 25 years hence will really “destroy the studio system.” And then they review the film, which has done boffo box office and e...
41m Apr 22, 2025
41m
The Gripping Reality of 'Warfare'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the myriad ways in which tariffs could hurt (and maybe in one very minor way help) the entertainment business. Then they review Warfare, the latest film from Alex Garland and co-writer/co-director Ray Mendoza. No bonus episode on Friday, but we’ll be back with a full ep...
46m Apr 15, 2025
46m
Panic! at 'The Studio'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason/Coruscant (https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c2400x1350-w2400-q80/uploads/2017/12/151391173414.jpg.webp) ) ask if the wild behavior of teens and tweens at A Minecraft Movie is good or bad for the moviegoing experience. Then they review The Studio, AppleTV+’s new panic at...
39m Apr 08, 2025
39m
Trump's 'Free Speech Warrior' Goes After Free Speech
Apologies: Due to an audio editing error, Peter Suderman’s track wasn’t audible in the first version of this file that went out. Everyone’s here now! —SB On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) examine how Donald Trump’s “warrior for free speech” at the FCC, Brendan Carr, is using his position to punish companies w...
38m Apr 01, 2025
38m
'Snow White' Is a Disaster
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if Tom Ortenberg and Briarcliff’s mission to distribute contentious movies like The Apprentice and Magazine Dreams is a controversy or a nontroversy. (You can find the Wall Street Journal article referenced in the episode here (https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/canceled...
41m Mar 25, 2025
41m
'Black Bag,' the Year's Best Date Movie
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Joe Russo’s war on Harvey Weinstein (https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/interview-russo-brothers-marvel-movies-not-just-for-kids-8mszh8jxv) (but not for the reasons you might think). Then they review Black Bag, a movie that makes marriage look fun. (Kinda. De...
38m Mar 18, 2025
38m
Why 'Mickey 17' Just Doesn't Work
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to fairly adjudicate Kathleen Kennedy’s run at the Disney-owned Lucasfilm. Then they review Mickey 17, a movie that’s more committed to timely satire than big ideas. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for an episode on the new literalism. And if you enjoyed this episo...
40m Mar 11, 2025
40m
'Anora' Sweeps the Oscars
On this episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) said goodby to Gene Hackman, who was found dead at the age of 95 last week. Then they discussed the Oscars, hosted by Oscar O’Brien. How was the show? What about the winners? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode with some reading recom...
41m Mar 04, 2025
41m
Bond's Brave New World
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about Amazon’s newfound ability to greenlight James Bond vehicles without the approval of the Broccoli family or Eon Productions. What does this mean for the British superspy? Then they review the first proper MCU movie in nearly 18 months. Has absence made the heart gro...
42m Feb 25, 2025
42m
The Quiet Terror of 'I'm Still Here'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the blight of the Inappropriate Laughers. (Here’s a gift link to the New York Times piece we reference. (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/style/laughter-movie-theaters-nosferatu-anora-babygirl.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wE4.vcPf.KUk3yHXuo_jJ&smid=url-share) ) Then t...
39m Feb 11, 2025
39m
The Best Movies of 2024
Some websites and podcasts start putting out their best-of lists on December 1. Not Across the Movie Aisle. We want to make sure you had plenty of time to see all the award-season stuff. If it takes until February, well, so be it. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
52m Feb 04, 2025
52m
An Unsettling 'Presence'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the, frankly, bonkers number of nominations received by Emilia Perez. Will the Academy favor it for best picture as a way to stick it to Trump? Then they review Presence, Steven Soderbergh’s new haunted house movie told from the perspective of the ghost. Is it just a fo...
46m Jan 28, 2025
46m
'September 5,' Working Amidst Terror
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask what, precisely, Trump’s “ambassadors to Hollywood (https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/01/17/mel-gibson-trump-special-ambassador/77772649007/) ” are supposed to be doing. Then they review September 5, the harrowing tick-tock examination of how ABC...
53m Jan 21, 2025
53m
'The Brutalist,' a Near Masterpiece
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) broke down why the PVOD window has settled where it settled. Then they review The Brutalist, Brady Corbet’s three-and-a-half hour portrait of artistry and immigration and assimilation in America. (We know this movie isn’t out in most of the country yet, so we tried to keep it p...
42m Jan 14, 2025
42m
Is 'Nosferatu' a Yes from Us?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed the announcement that a Melania Trump documentary is in the works with director Brett Ratner for Prime Video. (No, this is not Mad Libs.) Then they reviewed Nosferatu, Robert Eggers’s remake of the 1922 silent film by F.W. Murnau. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Fri...
41m Jan 07, 2025
41m
The Rise of Bob Dylan
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), discussed Will Tavlin’s n+1 opus on Netflix (https://www.nplusonemag.com/issue-49/essays/casual-viewing/) and the rise—or maybe resurgence—of casual viewing as the primary mode of media engagement. Then they reviewed A Complete Unknown, James Mangold’s movie about Bob Dylan’s ...
43m Dec 31, 2024
43m
The Deranged Exuberance of 'Emilia Pérez'
Merry Christmas Eve! On this week’s supersized episode to get you through the airport, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if it’s a controversy or a controversy that Blake Lively’s costar and director, Justin Baldoni, seems to have orchestrated a virtual sliming of her in response to fears he was going to get called out for harassi...
49m Dec 24, 2024
49m
No One Was Cravin' 'Kraven'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) looked at The Entertainment Strategy Guy’s breakdown (https://entertainment.substack.com/p/this-wasnt-the-podcast-election-joe-rogan-trump-youtube-views-election) of podcast stats and asked if this truly was “the podcast election.” Then they reviewed Kraven the Hunter, a movie ...
36m Dec 17, 2024
36m
Amy Adams's Ode to Motherhood
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed a controversial (or possibly nontroversial?) op-ed in the New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/magazine/diversity-era-movies.html?unlocked_article_code=1.gU4.QCvD.aoDYO9QXAMfr&smid=url-share) asking if “the awkward diversity era” of blockbuster filmmakin...
38m Dec 10, 2024
38m
Does 'Wicked' Defy Critical Gravity?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if it matters that people prefer AI slop (https://maxread.substack.com/p/people-prefer-ai-art-because-people?r=1gn7x&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true) to art produced by real-world hacks. (Kinda?) Then they review Wicked, a movie that’s half a movie despite being 160 minut...
41m Dec 03, 2024
41m
Does 'Gladiator II' Entertain?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) examine a shocking story in Vanity Fair (https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/cormac-mccarthy-secret-muse-exclusive) by Vincenzo Barney about the legendary writer Cormac McCarthy’s “secret muse,” Augusta Britt, whom the 42-year-old writer met when the girl was just 16. Then t...
41m Nov 26, 2024
41m
Probing 'A Real Pain'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the Jake Paul/Mike Tyson “fight” that was “watched” (when they could get the stream to work) by “60 million people” (okay I’ll stop with the scare quotes) represents the future of streaming. Then they reviewed A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg’s new film about a pair of very ...
39m Nov 19, 2024
39m
The Joyful Pain of 'Anora'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked if wall-to-wall celebrity endorsements might have backfired on Kamala Harris. Then they reviewed Anora, a movie fascinating in both its sympathies and its judgments. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for Friday’s bonus episode on the best movies of the decade (so far!). And ...
43m Nov 12, 2024
43m
'Conclave,' a Modern Old-Fashioned Movie
On this Election Day’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Warner Bros. baffling decision to bury Clint Eastwood’s Juror No. 2. Why deprive young fogeys like this trio of a primo legal procedural from an aging master? Then they reviewed Conclave, another movie holding well at the box office designed to appeal to precise...
41m Nov 05, 2024
41m
Hopefully, this is Venom's 'Last Dance'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if comic book legend Alan Moore is right to blame toxic fandom (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/oct/26/fandom-has-toxified-the-world-watchmen-author-alan-moore-on-superheroes-comicsgate-and-trump) and arrested development for the rise of Trump. Then they review Venom...
35m Oct 29, 2024
35m
The Sprawling History of Neal Stephenson's 'Polostan'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss both AI witchhunts (https://www.vg247.com/a24-the-legend-of-ochi-trailer-starts-ai-witch-hunt-debate) and Blumhouse’s decision (https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/meta-movie-gen-blumhouse-casey-affleck-1236180282/) to partner Meta with filmmakers in an effort to brin...
49m Oct 22, 2024
49m
'Saturday Night' and the Excitement of the New
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if social media influencers are the new Hollywood A-Listers. (Spoiler: they’re not. They’re something older and potentially much lamer but also maybe more interesting.) Then they review Saturday Night, a movie that revels in the excitement of The New. Make sure to swing by ...
43m Oct 15, 2024
43m
'Joker' Folly Number Two
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the dread toxic fandom (https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/star-wars-lord-of-the-rings-bridgerton-toxic-fans-hollywood-response-1236166736/) , every executive’s favorite scapegoat for why their product failed to find an audience. Then they review Joker: Folie à Deux, one ...
40m Oct 08, 2024
40m
The Messy 'Megalopolis'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask why so few watch Netflix’s prestige pictures, and if it really matters. Then they discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s long-in-gestation epic fable, Megalopolis. Yes, it’s a mess, but is it a brilliant one? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on the mobile Criter...
47m Oct 01, 2024
47m
Lone 'Wolfs'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the $2.2 billion in improvements to movie theaters, which are looking to add more premium screens and more … ziplines and pickleball courts? What could go wrong! Then they review Wolfs, which hits AppleTV+ on Friday and had a limited run in theaters last weekend. We mos...
38m Sep 24, 2024
38m
'Rebel Ridge,' a Movie with a Message
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s libel suit against Variety, as well as a whacky idea for the theatrical presentation of Megalopolis. Then they review Rebel Ridge, a movie with a message. Were Sonny and Peter suckered in by the film’s message? Make sure to swing by for our bonus ...
41m Sep 17, 2024
41m
The Messy 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss why indie studios like Neon can’t really afford great films like Hit Man anymore. Then they review Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a nostalgia play with too many new elements. Thanks again to everyone who showed up for the live show in Dallas and the happy hour in Austin; it w...
42m Sep 10, 2024
42m
Revisiting 'A Quiet Place: Day One'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Bloomberg’s odd decision to bury Olivia Nuzzi’s interview show. (For background, make sure to read Ben Smith’s story on the matter (https://www.semafor.com/newsletter/09/01/2024/six-ideas-for-fall) .) Then they review A Quiet Place: Day One, which hit Paramount+ recentl...
40m Sep 03, 2024
40m
Should You 'Blink Twice'?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the Megalopolis trailer disaster. (Plus: AI ranks the Across the Movie Aisle hosts!) Then they reviewed Blink Twice, a movie that prizes its message over its drama but doesn’t have a good hold on its message either. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus e...
38m Aug 27, 2024
38m
How 'Alien: Romulus' Resurrected the Franchise
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed a strange casting choice in the cons and nons segment before reviewing Alien: Romulus. We also teased this week’s bonus episode about the Alien franchise and its shift from a series about Ellen Ripley’s efforts to survive to a series more explicitly about the Weyland-...
43m Aug 20, 2024
43m
'The Instigators,' a Perfect Streaming Picture
Before we get started: we have a Bulwark Live event in Dallas on September 5 (https://attpac.org/event/an-evening-with-the-bulwark) featuring Sarah, Tim, Bill, and special guest Adam Kinzinger (as well as myself), and then a bunch of us will be down in Austin on September 6 and 7 (https://festival.texastribune.org/event/651560b0-5404-4ea0-b75e-8725c648826d/summary?RefId=MediaPartner_Bulwark) as...
43m Aug 13, 2024
43m
'Deadpool & Wolverine' Pulls Audiences Back In
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review Deadpool & Wolverine, the first $200 million opening movie in two-and-a-half years. It’s definitely a movie! Then they discuss Homicide: Life on the Street, a beloved show that’s finally hitting streaming. But there’s one small problem. Make sure to swing by Friday for o...
40m Jul 30, 2024
40m
Is 'Twisters' the Summer's Popcorn Hit?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if Hollywood is to blame for the rise of J.D. Vance thanks to Netflix’s Oscar-bait biopic, Hillbilly Elegy. Then they review Twisters, the first real popcorn hit of the summer. Make sure to swing by Friday for a bonus episode about Hollywood’s role in propping up, and then ...
36m Jul 23, 2024
36m
Best of 2024 (So Far!)
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the best movies and TV shows from the first half of 2024. It’s been an interesting year so far; what’s on the top of our lists? Then we review Fly Me to the Moon, a movie that asks what if we had to fake the moon landing to sell the moon landing? Is it worth checking ou...
41m Jul 16, 2024
41m
A Cop's Return to 'Beverly Hills'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the merger of Skydance and Paramount and David Ellison’s place in the Hollywood firmament. Then we review Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, a legacyquel of the highest caliber! (It’s fine.) Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Jon Landau and a tribute to produ...
37m Jul 09, 2024
37m
Kevin Costner Goes to the 'Horizon'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) have questions about the Microsoft AI head’s understanding of Fair Use, as it relates to copyright. Then they review Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter One. Does Kevin Costner still have that old western magic? Or is this simply too sprawling and unfocused to work? Make sure t...
45m Jul 02, 2024
45m
'Inside Out 2' and 'The Bikeriders'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss two new movies this week. First up is Inside Out 2, which is smashing box office records for an animated film. But is it any good? And then they discuss The Bikeriders, Jeff Nichols’s new picture that might be described as “Midwestern Motorcycle Club Goodfellas.” On thi...
39m Jun 25, 2024
39m
Is 'Hit Man' a Deeper Romcom?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Sony Pictures Entertainment’s purchase of the Alamo Drafthouse. Then they review Richard Linklater’s Hit Man, the new film starring (and cowritten by) Glen Powell. Is it a frothy romcom filled with sexy, silly fun? Or is there something a bit deeper? Make sure to swing ...
39m Jun 18, 2024
39m