135: You Should Go See 'Tár.' Plus: lol, Elon.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review one of the best movies of the year that very few of you have gone to see: Tár. It’s a great movie about the ambiguities of our moment with an absolutely wonderful performance by Cate Blanchett at its heart. Go see it! Before that, we had some laughs at Elon’s expense as ...
42m Nov 08, 2022
42m
134: Is Hollywood in a Regressive Moment? Plus: 'Ticket to Paradise,' reviewed!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the New York Times is right (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/24/business/media/hollywood-metoo.html) to wonder if a backlash against diversity and casting and the #MeToo movement is upon us. Then they review Ticket to Paradise, a replacement-level romcom that tries to ge...
38m Nov 01, 2022
38m
133: Is 'Black Adam' a Must-See or a Must-Skip? Plus: Why has Star Wars stagnated at movie theaters?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask how much longer Kathleen Kennedy can stall the Star Wars theatrical slate. Then they discuss Black Adam, aka Murder Superman, and the movie’s interestingly muddled politics. Make sure to tune in on Friday for a House of the Dragon wrap up. How did the first season go? Will ...
38m Oct 25, 2022
38m
132: Why Does Kanye Want Parler? Plus: 'Catherine, Called Birdy' reviewed!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask why one of the world’s most popular musicians wants to buy one of the world’s worst social media apps, Parler, and also delve into the dangers of Elon Musk’s effort to buy Twitter. After that, they review Catherine, Called Birdy, Lena Dunham’s adaptation of a YA novel set d...
42m Oct 18, 2022
42m
131: Is 'Amsterdam' the Flop of the Fall? Plus: RIP, Nikki Finke.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), bid farewell to Nikki Finke, the notoriously nasty maven of Hollywood gossip who revolutionized the trade magazine business at Deadline Hollywood Daily. Then they review Amsterdam, David O. Russell’s big-budget, star-heavy flop (https://deadline.com/2022/10/amsterdam-box-offic...
38m Oct 11, 2022
38m
130: Should Billy Eichner Blame Homophobes for 'Bros' Bombing? Plus: Is 'Blonde' worth your time?
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if it’s a controversy or a nontroversy that Billy Eichner blamed the straights for Bros bombing at the box office. Warning: there is journalist math in this section. And then we review Blonde, a tremendously depressing movie that goes on at great length. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ ...
41m Oct 04, 2022
41m
129: Should You See 'Don't Worry Darling'? Plus: The controversy (or nontroversy!) of 'Jihad Rehab.'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if all the drama swirling about Jihad Rehab—the Sundance-selected documentary that some say never should have been made because the director is white while others say skirted questions of consent—is a controversy or a nontroversy. Then they review Don’t Worry Darling, a mov...
33m Sep 27, 2022
33m
128: Is 'The Rings of Power' Worth Your Time, Precious?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Woody Allen’s not-quite-retirement announcement (https://people.com/movies/woody-allen-plans-retire-from-filmmaking-following-next-movie/) . Or “announcement (https://www.indiewire.com/2022/09/woody-allen-not-retiring-la-despite-vanguardia-report-1234763982/) .” What ar...
37m Sep 20, 2022
37m
127: 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' Versus The Discourse
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the ways in which movie stars benefit from Netflix (huge paychecks!) and also how they’re ill-served by The Service (minimal promotion, which removes stars from the public eye). Is Netflix a boon or a secret curse for Hollywood’s biggest earners? Then the gang reviews ...
40m Sep 13, 2022
40m
126: So, How Was Your Summer? Plus: 'Three Thousand Years of Longing,' reviewed!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss how the movie business fared this summer. It wasn’t terrible … and it could’ve been worse … but it certainly wasn’t great, either. And then the gang reviews Three Thousand Years of Longing, George Miller’s long-awaited follow-up to Mad Max: Fury Road. Make sure to swing...
37m Sep 06, 2022
37m
125: Olivia Wilde's 'Don't Worry Darling' Worries. Plus: 'Samaritan' reviewed!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss some old-fashioned Hollywood gossip. Why is so much drama swirling about Olivia Wilde and her new movie, Don’t Worry Darling? And is it, weirdly or not-so-weirdly, helping the movie increase awareness and sell tickets to viewers? Is it tawdry prattle or classic Hollywoo...
37m Aug 30, 2022
37m
124: 'She-Hulk' vs. 'House of the Dragon.' Plus: Lena Wilson of the NYT vs. Amandla Stenberg of 'Bodies Bodies Bodies.'
On this week’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) break down the remarkably silly fight between NYT film critic Lena Wilson and Bodies Bodies Bodies star Amandla Stenberg, a tiff that feels like it could’ve been ripped from the movie Stenberg starred in and Wilson panned. And then the gang lets you know which new show is worth yo...
42m Aug 23, 2022
42m
123: Is 'Prey' a Good 'Predator' Movie? Plus: Salman Rushdie and the West's Shame
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the shameful stance too many in the west took toward free expression and the ability of artists to do their work free of persecution or threat of violence from thuggish leaders like the Ayatollah of Iran. And then they review Prey, the latest entry in the Predator series now streami...
39m Aug 16, 2022
39m
122: Does the 'Batgirl' Cancellation Make Sense? Plus: 'Bullet Train,' Reviewed!
On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to hash out the business reasons for, uh, throwing a whole movie into the trash can. Will WB ever #ReleaseTheBatgirl? We’ll see! And then they review Bullet Train, a movie that sounds like it should be awesome but is instead just … kind of flabby. ...
36m Aug 09, 2022
36m
121: 'The Gray Man' or the Gray Meh?
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the oncoming movie drought. We’re hitting a period when no big movies are hitting theaters over the next couple of months—but why? Then they review a movie designed to be watched at home while folding your socks: The Gray Man. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
37m Aug 02, 2022
37m
120: Are We a Yes on 'Nope'? Plus: Did Zack Snyder go too far?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about Rolling Stone’s bombshell piece revealing that slightly more social media traffic around the so-called Snyder Cut was generated by bots than on the typical trending topic. And then the gang reviews Nope, Jordan Peele’s sci-fi-western-horror extravaganza. Is it a mess...
35m Jul 26, 2022
35m
119: Is 'Where the Crawdads Sing' Any Good?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review Where the Crawdads Sing, a movie playing exclusively in theaters. But before they do that, they ask if the “exclusively in theaters” part is a little, well, elitist, as suggested by Joe Russo in a recent interview (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/...
38m Jul 19, 2022
38m
118: Should Coders Give Auteurs Notes? Plus: 'Thor: Love and Thunder' reviewed!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) have a little bit of fun with the idea that the folx coding Netflix’s recommendation algo should have any say in what the algo actually delivers to people. (You can read the story they’re discussing here (https://www.theverge.com/23196764/netflix-culture-ted-sarandos-employee-f...
32m Jul 12, 2022
32m
117: Gentleminions: Boon or Curse? Plus: 'Elvis' reviewed!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out if the Gentleminion craze sweeping the nation—in which teens and tweens wear suits to see Minions: The Rise of Gru and get rowdy while doing so—is a controversy or nontroversy. Then they review Elvis! Make sure to swing by Friday for the special bonus episode ...
40m Jul 05, 2022
40m
116: 'Spiderhead' Review
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Netflix’s Spiderhead and the tumult at the world’s largest streamer. How is it that a film from the director of the biggest movie of the summer can release a movie starring a key part of the MCU and the star of one of Netflix’s biggest hits ever can just kind of … show ...
38m Jun 28, 2022
38m
115: Why Did 'Lightyear' Bomb?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out why Lightyear dramatically underperformed projections. Is this a function of new customer behavior, the burgeoning culture war Disney finds itself embroiled in, or both? And then the gang reviews Lightyear, which is at best fine and at worst not fine. Very not...
39m Jun 21, 2022
39m
114: 'Jurassic World Dominion' Review
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the ways in which entertainment companies and the media inadvertently highlight and promote marginalized racists, a phenomenon noted by Kat Rosenfield in this essay for Unherd. And then the gang reviews Jurassic World Dominion, the latest big dumb movie in a series full...
38m Jun 14, 2022
38m
113: 'We Own This City': The Angriest Show on Streaming
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss why Top Gun: Maverick is succeeding and whether or not it codes “conservative,” like American Sniper or The Passion of the Christ. And then they review We Own This City, David Simon and George Pelecanos’s angry look at a real-life police scandal in Baltimore st...
42m Jun 07, 2022
42m
112: Is 'Top Gun: Maverick' The Summer's Best Movie?
On this week’s Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review the biggest hit of the summer (so far!), Top Gun: Maverick. Meanwhile, the gang discusses the pluses and minuses of “militainment,” entertainment in bed with the military-industrial complex. Make sure to head back to Bulwark+ on Friday for our discussion o...
35m Jun 01, 2022
35m
111: Did Frank Langella Deserve to Be Fired? Plus: 'Men' reviewed!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask whether or not the firing of Frank Langella (background here and here) was a controversy … or a nontroversy. Then they review Men, the new folk-horror flick from Alex Garland. What’s the matter with men—and Men? Make sure to come back for Friday’s bonus episode, in which we...
48m May 24, 2022
48m
110: Should Netflix Have Stood Up to Its Employees? Plus: 'Moon Knight,' reviewed!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out why Netflix had to clarify to their employees that hosting a breadth of content may mean working on something they disagree with ideologically. Doesn’t everyone work at a journal of ideas that tolerates dissenting viewpoints? And then they discuss Moon Knight,...
42m May 17, 2022
42m
109: Should 'Doctor Strange 2' Have Been Rated R?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) consider the bubbling controversy (or nontroversy?) surrounding the PG-13 rating for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Then the gang reviews the new Sam Raimi-directed feature. Is this a bog-standard MCU movie or something more? Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ Fri...
35m May 10, 2022
35m
108: Wes Anderson: Fascist?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), discuss the dumbest cons and nons of all time. Then they review The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, the new meta-movie from Nicolas Cage. Make sure to check out the bonus episode at Bulwark+ (https://atma.thebulwark.com/)  on great movies about movies. And if you liked th...
36m May 03, 2022
36m
107: Is Netflix Doomed?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), look at Netflix’s disastrous quarter and ask how they can right the ship. And they review The Northman, director Robert Eggers’s vision quest to the gates of Valhalla. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on historical epics! And share this episode wi...
43m Apr 26, 2022
43m
106: Gone Fishin'
Hey folks, just dropping in a quick episode to say we're off this week. But we'll be back next week! 
1m Apr 19, 2022
1m
105: 'Everything Everywhere All at Once': Good ... or Great?
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the best movie of the year (so far!): Everything Everywhere All at Once, the trippy new sci-fi action-comedy family-drama multiversal epic from the directing duo known as Daniels. Meanwhile, in cons and nons, the gang revisits “The Slap” for, hopefully, the last time. Make sure t...
42m Apr 12, 2022
42m
104: Is Cancel Culture Canceled?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the near-simultaneous Grammy win by Louis C.K. and delays of Will Smith movies following his attack on Chris Rock at the Oscars. Is cancel culture canceled? Or are these perfectly reasonable actions? Then the gang discusses Apollo 10 1/2, which just showed up on Netflix...
44m Apr 05, 2022
44m
103: 'The Slap': Controversy or Nontroversy?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed the most controversial moment at the Oscars, and no, I’m not referring to Zack Snyder’s sweep of the fan favorite categories. We break down Will Smith’s attack on Chris Rock, using Smith’s recent memoir and his efforts to be less people-pleasing and more true to himse...
41m Mar 29, 2022
41m
102: Why Is YA Fiction So Broken?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to make sense of the latest controversy (or possibly nontroversy!) roiling the waters of YA Twitter. Meanwhile, Peter and Alyssa try to convince Sonny that Drive My Car is better than he thinks it is. Will they succeed? Listen now to find out. And make sure to come back to ...
34m Mar 22, 2022
34m
101: How Should Disney Have Reacted in Florida?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the rock and a hard place Disney CEO Bob Chapek found himself in when he was pressured by employees to respond to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Then the gang reviewed Turning Red, the new Pixar picture sent straight to Disney+. Make sure to head to Bulwark+ ...
40m Mar 15, 2022
40m
100: ATMA Vs. 'The Batman'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) argue the merits and demerits of AMC charging folks more to see The Batman. Then they talk about whether or not you should see The Batman! Is it any good? Is it too long? Is it weirdly empty, politically and aesthetically? They’ll let you know! If you enjoyed this episode, plea...
43m Mar 08, 2022
43m
99: Can 'Coda' Win Best Picture?
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed the efforts of cultural institutions and their response to Russia’s war on Ukraine and reviewed the best picture-nominated Coda, which just won the best ensemble category at the SAG Awards. Full disclosure: We taped this week’s episode Monday afternoon and by Monday evening the gr...
38m Mar 01, 2022
38m
98: Is the Video Game Movie Curse Broken?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the Oscars made a big mistake by allowing a potential Boaty McBoatfacing situation by opening up voting to the Twitter-based masses. And the gang reviewed Uncharted. Is Tom Holland the new Leonardo DiCaprio? Is the video game movie curse dead and buried? Is the movie any...
37m Feb 22, 2022
37m
97: Can Anything Save the Oscars?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss the Oscars nominees, whether or not multiple hosts can save flagging interest, and whether or not a Twitter poll can interest audiences who feel as though the awards show snubs popular pictures. And then the gang reviews Death on the Nile, Kenneth Branagh’s fol...
38m Feb 15, 2022
38m
96: Does Anyone Care About the Winter Olympics?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the myriad reasons no one cares about the Olympics and the shameful acquiescence to Chinese human rights abuses by so many in the sports media. Then the gang reviews Nightmare Alley, which just received four Oscar nominations, including a surprise best picture nod! And ...
43m Feb 09, 2022
43m
95: Neil Young Vs. Joe Rogan
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the raging controversy over Neil Young’s decision to remove his music from Spotify as a result of their partnership with Joe Rogan. From disinformation to audio quality to the sprawling nature of the internet to the limitless nature of boycotting people you disagree wit...
39m Feb 02, 2022
39m
94: Why Does Hate Sell?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss a rather terrible “breaking news” item about West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler in the Daily Beast and the broader trend of using random nobodies on Twitter as a hook for stories designed to gin up hate toward celebrities. Then they review The Lost Daughter, Maggi...
37m Jan 26, 2022
37m
93: How Disastrous Was Joss Whedon's NY Mag Interview?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), try to figure out just how bad this profile (https://www.vulture.com/article/joss-whedon-allegations.html) is for its subject, Joss Whedon. Then they review The Tragedy of Macbeth, Joel Coen’s adaptation of The Bard’s play starring Denzel Washington as the titular tragic figur...
43m Jan 19, 2022
43m
92: The Golden Globes Happened. Did Anyone Know or Care?
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the complete absence of buzz about The Golden Globes and what that means for the state of moviegoing in general. Then the gang reviews Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film, Licorice Pizza. And on a sad bonus episode, they pay tribute to a quartet of major talents who have recently passed...
38m Jan 12, 2022
38m
91: Is Norman Mailer Too Offensive to Be Read Today?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss consolidation in the book industry and whether that contributed to the potential cancellation of a book celebrating Norman Mailer’s centennial. Then the gang reviews Don’t Look Up, Netflix and Adam McKay’s messy satire. And on the bonus episode, our three hosts pick the...
36m Jan 05, 2022
36m
90: Should 'The Matrix' Have Been Resurrected?
This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) unveil their five favorite movies of the year. A surprising amount of unanimity in this year’s lists! The gang reviews The Matrix Resurrections, Warner Bros. and Lana Wachowski’s super-meta reboot of the beloved franchise. And on the bonus episode (http://atma.thebulwark.com/p/wachowski-bonu...
44m Dec 29, 2021
44m
89: Should You See Spider-Man: No Way Home?
On this week’s episode, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter talk about the biggest movie of the year: Spider-Man: No Way Home. Before that, in cons and nons, they ask why Disney released three pickups from Fox—West Side Story, Nightmare Alley, and The King’s Man—in such close proximity not only to each other but also what was likely to be, again, the biggest movie of the year. And on the special bonus epi...
38m Dec 22, 2021
38m
88: Was the New Yorker Too Mean to Jeremy Strong?
On this week’s episode, Alyssa Rosenberg of the Washington Post returns from maternity leave to join Peter Suderman (Reason) and Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) to discuss whether or not the New Yorker was too mean to Succession star Jeremy Strong in their profile of the actor. And the gang reviews Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake: even the notoriously musical-averse Sonny is wowed by it. Ma...
40m Dec 15, 2021
40m
87: 'The Power of the Dog,' Netflix's Awards-Minded Western
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr tackle Jane Campion’s western (or maybe not quite western?) The Power of the Dog. Is this a basic attack on toxic masculinity, or something a little more interesting? On cons and nons, the guys bid a not-so-fond farewell to Chris Cuomo, who has finally been fired from CNN. And the show ends on a slightly sad note, as Sonny pays ...
33m Dec 08, 2021
33m
86: The Fall of the 'House of Gucci'
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr look at the transition of power at Twitter and muse over how to fix the service that has an outsized—and potentially ill—effect on society. And the gang reviews House of Gucci, Ridley Scott and Lady Gaga’s overlong and over-accented look at one absurd Italian family. And on the bonus episode, the guys fete the career of Adam Dri...
40m Dec 01, 2021
40m