Cinema on Tap

S3E32 Paul Thomas Anderson: Boogie Nights

September is here, and it brings one of 2025’s most anticipated films: Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. We’re using his new one as an excuse to take a look back through his filmography. First up: Boogie Nights!

Anderson’s sophomore feature became his breakout, with solid box office returns and three Oscar nominations. Only 27 when the film released, Anderson’s youthful energy caused on-set clashes with star Burt Reynolds, but also led to a film bursting with energy, loaded with great performances, and a kinetic camera.

No surprises here, as our hosts sung this film’s praises years ago during their Top 5 Movies of 1997 episode. On this rewatch, we talk about the movie’s production (there’s a notable casting what-if linking this to One Battle After Another) before discussing the film’s performances, story structure, and enduring appeal.

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

S3E31 Jamie Lee Curtis / Lindsay Lohan: Freaky Friday / Freakier Friday

It’s finally time for Lindsay and Jamie to team up! With Freakier Friday in theaters, it’s time to take a look at their original team-up, 2003’s Freaky Friday remake, and the sequel that reunites the two actors after 22 years.

Nostalgia for the original movie is strong, but does it hold up? And, is the new film a worthy legacy-quel? Stay tuned for our thoughts!

Plus, we rank their performances from this month and discuss some other movies we watched as homework this month.

What’s your favorite Lindsay Lohan or Jamie Lee Curtis movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E30 Jamie Lee Curtis / Lindsay Lohan: True Lies / Mean Girls

It’s probably the best week we’ve got for our Lindsay Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis month, as we dive into two of the biggest hits of their respective careers: True Lies and Mean Girls.

For True Lies, James Cameron re-teamed with Arnold Schwarzenegger to direct the first $100 million movie, casting Arnie as a spy leading a double life and Jamie Lee as his wife who gets involved in a dangerous adventure of her own.

For Mean Girls, Lindsay Lohan broke away from her Disney roots to star in the now iconic high school comedy, co-starring Rachel McAdams as ice queen Regina George.

Our hosts dive deep into each movie (and Christian randomly gives the entire plot of a different Lindsay Lohan movie?) as we consider which is the better film overall, and which was more important for each actor’s career.

What’s your favorite Lindsay Lohan or Jamie Lee Curtis movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E29 Jamie Lee Curtis / Lindsay Lohan: Herbie Fully Loaded / A Fish Called Wanda

Lindsay Lohan & Jamie Lee Curtis month continues as we take a look at two big hits from the primes of their respective careers: Herbie: Fully Loaded and A Fish Called Wanda!

For Herbie, Disney relied on Lindsay to revive a dormant franchise, teaming her up with Michael Keaton, Justin Long, and Matt Dillon. Although it received mixed reviews, the film was a box office success and one of the final hits of Lohan’s career. Our hosts break down whether it’s deserving of Millennial classic status, or if it should be left behind.

For Wanda, Curtis parlayed her BAFTA-winning breakout in Trading Places to a role in the John Cleese-penned crime comedy. The film wasn’t only a smash hit, becoming the 7th highest grossing film of 1988, but received 3 Oscar nominations, with Kevin Kline winning for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. We discuss our favorite scenes and performances of one of the funniest movies we’ve ever covered on the show.

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

S3E28 Jamie Lee Curtis / Lindsay Lohan: Halloween H20: 20 Years Later / The Parent Trap

August is here, and we’re kicking off a new month on the show. In honor of Freakier Friday, we’re taking a month to look at the careers of Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis! While their paths only crossed with their body-swapping comedy, they both starred in plenty of beloved films. This week, we’re talking about Lohan’s debut and Curtis’ return to a beloved franchise.

The Parent Trap introduced the world to Lindsay Lohan and convinced millions of kids that there were actually two of her. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later saw Jamie Lee Curtis return to play Laurie Strode for the first time since Halloween II, and also introduced the world to Josh Hartnett. With a family comedy and a late 90s slasher on the docket today, it’s a bit of a vibes mismatch but still one of our most fun episodes in a while. Stay tuned to hear our reviews of both films, which one was more important for their respective stars, and break down the insane narratives of both.

Do you have a favorite Lindsay Lohan or Jamie Lee Curtis movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E27 Superman: Superman (2025)

Superman month draws to a close as we finally discuss James Gunn’s brand new relaunch of the DCU.

David Corenswet is our new Clark Kent/Superman, and Gunn’s film begins a few years into his superhero (sorry, *Metahuman*) career. Superman goes through an identity crisis while trying to stop a war and manage his relationship with Lois Land. The supporting cast is led by Rachel Brosnahan as Lois and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

How does the new film compare to prior entires? Is it a success like the original film, or is it another misfire? Listen in to found out what our hosts think.

Plus, we grade every Superman movie and make a tier list!

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

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.