On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Apple’s disastrous new iPad ad. But did people overreact to the image of creative tools being turned into a wafer-thin iPad? And then they reviewed Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes , a movie with lots of ideas, though one that also doesn’t dive into them deeply enough. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode, a tribute to Roger Corman and the world he helped ...
May 14, 2024•38 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed whether or not steamy movie scenes are back ( per the New York Times ) or on their way to extinction ( per the Economist ). Then they reviewed The Fall Guy , an imperfect movie that’s still a perfectly good time to watch. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on the rise of mid-TV . And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!...
May 07, 2024•40 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked if Jerry Seinfeld was right about the state of comedy. (You can read his full interview with David Remnick here .) Then they review Challengers , an erotically charged relationship movie set in the world of professional tennis. Make sure to swing by Friday for a bonus episode on the cinematic soundscapes of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. And if you enjoyed this episode, sh...
Apr 30, 2024•44 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed whether or not the stars of The Blair Witch Project should get back-residuals for services already rendered. (You can read the full story here .) Then they discussed Civil War , Alex Garland’s travelogue through a war-torn America. Is it a treatise on war, politics, or journalism? All of these? None of these? Most importantly: does it work as a tense war drama? (Since ...
Apr 23, 2024•53 min
Very special episode this week, as Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Denis Villeneuve’s 2016 film, Arrival , live from the Alamo Drafthouse in Washington, D.C. This was a very fun episode to tape and I hope everyone who showed up had a good time; we certainly had a great time meeting everyone. No bonus episode this week, as Alyssa is out of the country; we’ll be back next Tuesday with our episode on Civil War . If you enjoyed t...
Apr 16, 2024•45 min
Before we get started: a handful of tickets are left for Across the Movie Aisle live tonight. If you’ve never seen (or, almost as importantly, heard ) Arrival on the big screen, you’re not going to want to miss tonight’s screening on the Dolby Atmos Big Show screen at the Bryant Street Drafthouse in DC . It’s going to be a fun show, I can’t wait to see everyone there. On today ’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Dwayn...
Apr 09, 2024•41 min
Before we get started: you’re running out of time to pick up tickets to the live show at the Bryant Street Alamo Drafthouse in DC. Tuesday, April 9. We’re talking Arrival . It’s gonna be great! Tickets are just seven bucks , you really have no excuse not to be there. Yes, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is dumb. But is it fun dumb or dumb dumb? That’s the question Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) endeavor to answer this week. Before t...
Apr 02, 2024•36 min
Before we get started: make sure to pick up your tickets for Arrival at the DC Bryant Street Drafthouse on Tuesday, April 9. We’re doing a live taping after the movie, so it’s a great chance to come and say hi. Tickets are only $7! For a screening on the Alamo’s Big Show! It’s going to be fun, can’t wait to see you there. On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the use of an AI-generated image in the indie hor...
Mar 26, 2024•46 min
Tickets to our screening of Arrival and live-taping of an episode of the show are going fast! It’s Tuesday, April 9, at 7PM in Washington, D.C., at the Alamo Drafthouse’s Bryant Street location on their Big Show screen. Tickets are just seven bucks! Pick them up now before they’re gone for good. — This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the viewing habits of Kids These Days™ and whether or not the rise of streaming and the...
Mar 19, 2024•35 min
Before we get started, some fun news: Peter, Alyssa, and Sonny are going to be at the DC Bryant Street Drafthouse on Tuesday, April 9 for a screening of Arrival and a live show. Should be a fun time; make sure to get your tickets now , as we sold out the last one of these we did in Crystal City. (If you click above and see “no showtimes available,” make sure to click the “Tuesday 4/9” link.) And now, on to the show! It’s the Oscars episode, so in cons and nons we talk Kimmel vs. Trump before dis...
Mar 12, 2024•38 min
On this week’s episode Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Ian Bogost’s essay at The Atlantic suggesting the 4K revolution is a bit of a scam . Then they review Dune: Part Two , the second half of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic novel. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Vulture’s ranking of the 100 greatest action sequences . And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!...
Mar 05, 2024•42 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Ted Gioia’s breakdown of how the culture has moved from art to entertainment, into a world of distraction, and is now veering toward addiction. (Or, how we moved from Kubrick and Coppola to TikTok and IG Stories in several easy steps.) Then they reviewed Drive-Away Dolls , the new lesbian neo-noir from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke. Is it an instant cult classic or somethi...
Feb 27, 2024•42 min
On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) debated the emergence of AI video and whether it would be a net positive or a net negative for society. Then they reviewed True Detective: Night Country , which just wrapped its season up this weekend. Is it a worthy successor to season one, or something lesser? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Madame Web . (I know, I know: comic ...
Feb 20, 2024•45 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked Super Bowl trailers (which you can watch here ). Then they turned to The Zone of Interest , the last of the best picture nominees they have to review. (If you want to hear their take on every best picture nominee, here’s the lineup in the order we reviewed them, from most recently to least recently: Anatomy of a Fall , The Holdovers , American Fiction , Maestro , Poor Thi...
Feb 13, 2024•41 min
This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked whether Nikki Haley should be persona non grata from Saturday Night Live . Then they reviewed Argylle , which is a strange combination of distressingly empty and absurdly overstuffed. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode, in which we will offer up some suggestions of stuff to see since the multiplex is letting us all down. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it w...
Feb 06, 2024•41 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked the most pressing question in the history of awards season: Was Barbie snubbed? Or was this, in fact, one of the best crops of nominees in decades? Then they reviewed one of the best picture nominees, Anatomy of a Fall . Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about the biggest move Netflix has made in years. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it...
Jan 30, 2024•36 min
A programming note: We tape on Monday afternoons, which means you will have to wait until next week for our Oscar hot takes. I know, you are quivering with anticipation! Quiver a moment or two longer. On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the decline of Pitchfork, which was gutted by Conde Nast and moved under the GQ banner. What happened to the once-storied indie-rock website? Then they review The Holdovers...
Jan 23, 2024•49 min
Apologies, got sent the wrong file this morning, which necessitated me, Sonny, doing an emergency edit to get this to you ASAP. So when you listen to this and you hear how much worse it sounds, know that’s the difference between getting a professional Jonathan Siri edit and a quick-and-dirty Sonny Bunch edit. Sorry for the mixup! On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the NFL’s decision to give the Peacock...
Jan 16, 2024•39 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (the Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about the TikTok-ification of The Sopranos . Clever marketing, or grotesque desecration? Then they reviewed American Fiction , which is going wide this week after a relatively limited run. Does it effectively skewer its targets in the publishing-industrial complex? Or is it simply a satisfying comedy? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on directorial deb...
Jan 09, 2024•40 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Peter Suderman (Reason), and Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) discussed their ten (or so!) favorite movies of the year. You may have already seen Sonny’s list , but who knows how much things have changed in the weeks between its publication and the taping of this episode. One thing that’s definitely true: there’s more divergence this year than in years past. Many different movies get a shoutout and only a few share positions. If you want t...
Jan 03, 2024•44 min
Merry Christmas! Peter, Alyssa, and I hope everyone out there is having a happy holidays. As you try to figure out what to watch with the family in this down week, we took a look at Netflix’s awards season favorite, Maestro . Before that, we dove into Marvel’s Jonathan Majors mess and asked if they made the right call in dropping him following his criminal convictions. Swing back by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about what we’re looking forward to at the multiplex in 2024. Our annual ...
Dec 26, 2023•42 min
On this week’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about Netflix’s big data release . What plays? What doesn’t? What are they trying to signal to talent? Then they reviewed Poor Things , the latest confection from Yorgos Lanthimos. Does this feminist Frankenstein starring Emma Stone have something to teach us about the world? Or is it an amusing trifle? Make sure to swing by for Friday’s bonus episode on studios’ recurrent d...
Dec 19, 2023•41 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the Golden Globes and the odd fact that the same company owns not only the Globes but also the three biggest trade publications in Hollywood, meaning that studios will feel pressured to pay the press that covers them hefty For Your Consideration spots in exchange for awards consideration. Seems bad! Then they review what is, supposedly, Japanese animation giant Hayao Miy...
Dec 12, 2023•37 min
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Bob Iger’s decision to slam Disney’s “messaging” in recent movies. Does he really think the company is going broke because it went woke? Or is he simply trying to distract from the structural problems Disney has made for itself with its streaming service? Then the gang discusses May December , the new Todd Haynes movie starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman that just hit Netflix...
Dec 05, 2023•44 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the removal of Melissa Barrera from the forthcoming Scream sequel in the wake of comments deemed antisemitic by the film’s producers. Then they review Ridley Scott’s epic, comic take on Napoleon, aptly titled Napoleon . Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on great directors who do not consistently make great films. And if you enjoyed this episode please sh...
Nov 28, 2023•39 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about Ridley Scott’s riotous press tour and his disdain for historical nitpicking while also reckoning with the responsibility, if any, popular fiction has to represent the reality of the world. Then they reviewed The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes , the prequel everyone was begging for. No bonus episode this Friday: enjoy your Thanksgiving, everyone. If...
Nov 21, 2023•43 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Warner Bros.’s plan to indefinitely shelve Coyote vs. Acme for tax purposes and what that says about the streaming business writ large. Then they review The Marvels , which recently had the worst opening ever for a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie and continues the studio’s cold streak. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on AI provisions in the new SAG-AFT...
Nov 14, 2023•42 min
On this Tuesday’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) have a fine time highlighting Marvel’s myriad problems , from the serious (a star facing criminal charges) to the hilarious (a version of the character Blade in which Blade is the fourth lead in his own movie, taking a backseat to a quartet of ladies who teach him life lessons). Then they review Priscilla , the new film from Sofia Coppola about Elvis Presley’s wife. Make sure...
Nov 07, 2023•38 min
On this Tuesday’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the fall’s surprise breakout at the box office: Five Nights at Freddy’s , a property you’ve almost certainly never heard of if you’re over the age of 35 but almost certainly love if you’re under the age of 18. How did Universal turn this into a monster hit despite putting it on Peacock and in theaters simultaneously? And then we review The Killer , David Fincher’s latest...
Oct 31, 2023•45 min
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the cancellation of Jon Stewart’s show by Apple. Was it driven by fear of criticizing China, or, possibly, something far more prosaic? Then we set our sights on Killers of the Flower Moon , Martin Scorsese’s new film starring Martin Scorsese and his two most frequent onscreen collaborators, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. There’s much to discuss about Scorsese’s ep...
Oct 24, 2023•42 min
