Cinema on Tap

S3E15 Modern Spies: The Bourne Identity

Modern Spies month continues as we go from Ethan Hunt to Jason Bourne. The Bourne Identity was credited with shifting the aesthetics of spy films for the 21st century, not only moving away from gadgets and one-liners but utilizing handheld cinematography and fast editing in its hand-to-hand fight sequences. Christian and Scott will consider whether these innovations still play well over 20 years later.

Plus, some thoughts on the box office success of A Minecraft Movie & the state of movies in 2025 so far.

How do you feel about the Bourne franchise? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E14 Modern Spies: Mission: Impossible

It’s a new month, and our new theme is inspired by a couple of new releases: Modern Spies. In appreciation of Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag and the upcoming The Amateur, our hosts are looking back at some of the most influential spy movies of recent history. First up - Mission: Impossible.

We’ve looked at Fallout and Dead Reckoning on the show, but it’s time to go back to Tom Cruise’s first outing as Ethan Hunt. With a mission gone wrong, hilarious mid-90s internet usage, and exploding chewing gum, the original impossible mission is still a delight. We break down the Langley Heist and discuss the original film in relationship to the rest of the franchise.

Plus, if you dig this movie, stay tuned for a couple suggestions inspired by some narrative connections.

What’s your favorite movie in the Mission: Impossible series? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E13 90s Spielberg: Ranking 90s Spielberg (and Hook + The Lost World: Jurassic Park + Amistad)

This week, we conclude our month long look at Steven Spielberg’s run in the 90s. While he directed some incredible films during these years, he made 3 others with varying reputations: Hook, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Amistad.

Our hosts share their brief thoughts on each film before revealing their ranking of Spielberg’s 90s films. Plus, our Top 5 Spielberg scenes of the 90s!

Stay tuned to hear about our plans for April.

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

S3E12 90s Spielberg: Saving Private Ryan (with Keenan Culler)

This week, we take a look at what could be Steven Spielberg’s third 90s masterpiece as we talk about Saving Private Ryan. Old friend of the show Keenan Culler joins to discuss his favorite movie of all time.

Saving Private Ryan was lauded at the time for its graphic but realistic violence and stirring patriotism. The film marked the first collaboration between Spielberg and Tom Hanks, garnering the director his second Oscar win and the actor his fourth nomination. We discuss the story of how the film was made, its historical significance, and whether or not it holds up (spoiler alert: it does).

That’s three 90s Spielberg movies down. Stay tuned to see how the other three will show up next week.

What’s your favorite Steven Spielberg movie? Let us know at cinemaontapodcast@gmail.com

S3E11 90s Spielberg: Schindler's List

Our look at 90s Spielberg continues as we stay parked in the year 1993. Last week, we talked about his box office behemoth, Jurassic Park. This week, we’re talking about his Best Picture winner: Schindler’s List.

 

The Holocaust drama tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over 1,000 Jewish people by employing them in his factories. While there has been considerable debate over the past 30+ years about the narrative’s use of melodrama, Schindler’s List has generally been acclaimed as not only one of Spielberg’s best films, but one of the best films to ever win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

 

Christian is crossing the film off of his watchlist and Scott revisits it for their conversation. Join us as we break down the performances of Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes, consider the film’s use (or avoidance) of melodrama, and discuss the film’s historical value.

 

What’s your favorite Spielberg decade? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E10 90s Spielberg: Jurassic Park

It’s a new month, and in honor of the Oscars, we’re talking about one of the Academy’s most recognized filmmakers of all time: Steven Spielberg. By the 90s, Spielberg had become one of Hollywood’s preeminent entertainers. He arguably reached his apex in 1993, when he directed the highest-grossing film of all time and a Best Picture winner in the same year. We’re starting with the box office behemoth: Jurassic Park.

Christian and Scott are revisiting this rewatchable classic to talk about dino danger, Spielbergian themes, and how hot Jeff Goldblum is. Plus, we’re still talking about Industrial Light & Magic, whose 1982 output gave us our January theme this year. With ground-breaking effects, Jurassic Park was one of the most influential films of the 90s, but does it hold up? Well, that’s maybe a dumb question. So, how much *does* it hold up?

And, after talking for 3 hours about the our thoughts on the Oscars (whoops), we share our thoughts on Anora’s big night.

What’s your favorite decade of Steven Spielberg’s career? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E9 Oscars Predictions (feat. Max Dominguez)

The 97th Academy Awards are almost here, and once again we are talking for way too long about the Oscars! Max Dominguez returns to the show to break down the show. We cover every category, making our predictions, giving our thoughts on who should win, and who should have been nominated. If you’re looking to win your Oscar party predictions game, we’ve got you covered.

 

Plus, stay tuned to hear what we’re covering on the show in March!

 

Who are you rooting for at the Oscars? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E8 David Lynch: Mulholland Drive

Our look at the films of David Lynch draws to a close as we look at his penultimate feature, Mulholland Drive.

Widely considered to be one of the greatest films of the 2000s — and possibly the 21st century — our hosts are both watching for the first time. Lynch’s style moved even more surrealistic, and Mulholland Drive plays freely with dream logic. After the experimental Eraserhead and more conventional Blue Velvet, what will Scott and Christian think? And most importantly, will Producer Lalo finally give a Lynch film “full banger” status?

What’s your favorite David Lynch film? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com.

Next week, we’re predicting the 97th Academy Awards. Do your Oscars homework and join us then!

S3E7 David Lynch: Blue Velvet

Our look at the career of David Lynch continues with 1986’s Blue Velvet. Made in the wake of his Dune adaptation flopping, Blue Velvet proved divisive with critics and audiences alike, partially due to some shocking sexual and violent content. It got a thumbs up from Siskel, and a thumbs down from Ebert. But, since then, the film has gone on to become a cult classic beloved by cinephiles.

Inspired by film noir, Lynch’s film follows young Jeffery Beaumont, who finds a human ear lying in a field near his parents’ home. This discovery sets him on a path to uncover the dark underbelly of his hometown, involving a lounge singer and an unhinged gangster.

Blue Velvet follows a more conventional narrative than Eraserhead, but still features some surrealistic flourish and experimentation. As our hosts continue to discover his work, stay tuned to hear their thoughts.

What’s your favorite David Lynch film? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E6 David Lynch: Eraserhead

February is officially underway, which means it’s time to kick off a new month. In recognition of the recent passing of David Lynch, we’ll be taking some time to look at three of his most notable films. We’re starting with his surrealistic debut: Eraserhead.

The film that made David Lynch’s name on the midnight movie circuit, Eraserhead’s experimental style made such an impact that Stanley Kubrick called it one of his favorite films of all time. Our hosts attempt to unpack the movie while also discussing Lynch’s career.

Plus, we open the show with a chat about the films (and TV series) that Christian watched virtually at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

What’s your favorite David Lynch film? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com