Cinema on Tap

S3E26 Superman: Man of Steel (feat. Tailon Russell)

Brace yourselves, everyone. It’s Zack Snyder time. Our Superman retrospective takes us to Man of Steel.

Henry Cavill’s first outing as Superman has proven divisive over the years. Some people criticize it for a gritty, overly serious tone, while others credit it with a challenging but original take on the character, with expanded mythology to boot.

To break it down, we welcome on Tailon Russell of The Comic Panel Podcast to discuss Cavill and Amy Adams, Snyder’s direction, and whether or not they should have destroyed so many buildings.

What do you think about Man of Steel? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E25 Superman: Superman Returns

Our month long look at Superman on screen continues. After the failure of Superman IV: Quest for Peace, Warner Brothers worked with half of Hollywood trying to reboot the franchise throughout the 90s and early 00s. Finally, they turned to X-Men director Bryan Singer, resulting in 2006’s Superman Returns.

Superman Returns introduced the world to Brandon Routh, another newcomer taking on the role of Clark Kent. Pitched as an “homage sequel” to Superman and Superman II, the film begins with Superman returning to Earth after a 5-year long search for any remnant of Krypton. Unfortunately for him, Lex Luthor is cooking up a new evil plan. Even worse? Lois Lane is engaged to someone else!

Singer’s film was both criticized and praised for an approach that gave greater focus to the romantic relationship between Superman & Lois as opposed to frequent action sequences. Our hosts break down whether or not this approach works, discuss Routh’s performance, and consider this film’s place in the superhero canon. Plus, our new social media manager Chelsie Padilla joins at the end of the show to share her thoughts on her favorite Superman film.

Plus, our quick thoughts on F1, Elio, and Karate Kid: Legends!

Who’s your favorite Superman actor? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com!

S3E24 Superman: Superman

Cinema on Tap is BACK! Happy 4th of July to our fellow Americans out there.

In recognition of the holiday (and an upcoming reboot), we’re starting with as iconic an American hero as there is: Superman!

First up is Christopher Reeve. The Richard Donner-directed 1978 film launched Reeve’s career and started a cinematic superhero craze. Our hosts break down Clark Kent’s history on screen before laughing their way through this film’s wild production history. We also give our thoughts on the film and how it holds up almost 50 years later.

Plus, quick thoughts on some June movies we missed and an update on the summer box office game.

What’s your favorite Superman movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E23 Top 5 of the Year so Far

Our summer break is almost here, as we take a few weeks off to rest our vocal cords before the second half of the year. But, before we do that, we’re sharing our Top 5 movies of the year so far!

You may not be surprised to know Sinners is on at least one of our lists, but what else made it? Our hosts only have 1 movie in common, so we get a chance to talk plenty of new releases. After we throw out some honorable mentions from the film festivals we’ve been to so far and a few streaming recommendations, you’ll have plenty of movies to watch before we return in July.

Plus, an update to our summer box office competition and thoughts on…hockey?

What’s your favorite movie of the year so far? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com.

Cinema on Tap is taking a few weeks off and will return on July 4th.

S3E22 Baseball: Moneyball + Top 5 Baseball Movies (feat. Henrique DaMour)

Our baseball month draws to a close as we discuss what may be the best modern baseball movie: Moneyball.

Henrique DaMour returns after his first appearance earlier this month to discuss the Brad Pitt biopic of Billy Beane. Moneyball is a baseball movie that largely takes place off the field. Why is it so good? We break it down. Plus, we share our Top 5 baseball movies, featuring nostalgic classics, recent faves, and a bunch of movies we didn’t discuss on the show this month.

Also: Our initial thoughts on Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, a cameo from a Cinema on Tap family member to discuss Lilo & Stitch, and a short discussion about the end of the Cannes film festival.

What’s your favorite baseball movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E21 Baseball: The Natural

Baseball month continues with a movie The Ringer’s Bill Simmons once said was 1 of only 2 possible options for the top spot on any “Best Sports Movies” list: The Natural.

Barry Levinson’s second film stars Robert Redford as a baseball player who attempts a major league comeback in middle age after a gunshot wound in his youth robbed him of his opportunity to try out for a team. The film is arguably even more fantastical than Field of Dreams, and our hosts break down every crazy turn of the narrative, Redford’s performance, and the great supporting cast.

Plus, our thoughts on Final Destination: Bloodlines!

What’s your favorite baseball movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E20 Baseball: Bull Durham (feat. Ben Zaiser)

Baseball month continues, and we’re sticking with Kevin Costner. We step back in time a year to 1988 to discuss the baseball romantic dreamed Bull Durham!

Crash Davis, Nuke LaLoosh, and Annie Savoy find themselves in a love triangle after Crash is sent down to the Single-A Durham Bulls to mentor Nuke. Bull Durham is widely beloved, considered one of the best sports movies ever made, and was a key moment in the careers of Costner, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, and writer/director Ron Shelton. But, what will our hosts think? We’re joined by new friend of the show Ben Zaiser to break things down.

What’s your favorite baseball movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E19 Baseball: Field of Dreams (feat. Henrique DaMour)

It’s been too long since we had a month dedicated to sports movies here at Cinema on Tap. So, grab a hot dog and a beer, pull out your scorecard, and settle in to the bleachers, because May is Baseball Month!

We’re starting with a classic baseball movie: Field of Dreams. Our hosts break down how weird the movie is, Kevin Costner’s performance, and what Field of Dreams is really about. Plus, we’re bringing in new friend of the show Henrique DaMour, a longtime baseball fan and sports commentator/esports caster.

What’s your favorite baseball movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E18 Bonus: SLOIFF, Summer Box Office, All About Eve, Sing Street

We’re taking a break between monthly themes for a bonus episode! Christian and Lalo tied to win our Oscars prediction game, so we have both of their movie picks: All About Eve and Sing Street! Two wildly different movies, but movies we all recommend.

Before that, we’re kicking off a new game to determine a bonus episode: the Summer Box Office game. The boys take 21 upcoming summer movies and rank them from highest-grossing blockbuster to biggest bomb. Whoever gets the most correct list picks a bonus episode later this year.

Plus, Scott shares his thoughts on the 31st San Luis Obispo International Film Festival! We’ve got a packed show, but a good show.

Got any thoughts on today’s episode? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E17 Modern Spies: Spy Recommendations

Our Modern Spies month concludes as we talk about two new releases and a bunch of streaming recommendations! We’re starting with Black Bag and The Amateur, then moving on to some movies you can watch from the comfort of your own home. We’ve got comedies, action movies, animated spies, and a John le Carre adaptation to recommend, so we’re certain we’ll recommend something that you’ll like!

Plus, our introductory thoughts on Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a movie that will certainly be returning to the show on one of our best of 2025 episodes.

Got a spy movie you’d recommend? Send us an email to cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com