Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a a movie about an opera soprano at the end of her life and a movie about an entire genre of music at the end of its life. ‘Maria’ Angelina Jolie delivers a compelling performance in “Maria,” a biopic about legendary soprano Maria Callas. The film centers on the final week of her life, framed as an imagined documentary crew capturing her swan song. As Maria grapples with drug addiction and the loss of her voice — the foundation of her identity — th...
Dec 06, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics got Glicked this week, catching “Wicked” and “Gladiator II.” “Wicked” is the winter blockbuster everyone’s been anticipating. It’s a vibrant adaptation of the Broadway musical (itself loosely based on a book), telling the story of a young witch finding herself in the Land of Oz. The film is led by the incredible Cynthia Erivo, who carries the movie with a stunning performance, and Ariana Grande, whose presence adds sparkle. The supporting cast shines too, with Jonathan Bailey, Miche...
Nov 29, 2024•4 min
“Emilia Pérez” is a French film set in Mexico, shot largely on soundstages in France, blending elements of noir, musicals and occasional winking comedy. The story follows a Mexican cartel boss (Karla Sofía Gascón) who transitions to living as a woman, with Zoe Saldaña playing the lawyer who helps her navigate the dangerous logistics of the operation and its aftermath. Gascón, a trans actress, brings authenticity to a role treated with sincerity and compassion, while the film’s humor adds a cheek...
Nov 22, 2024•4 min
“Conclave” is a gripping political thriller set in the Vatican, centered on the high-stakes election of a new pope. Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, the meticulous and morally driven Dean of the College of Cardinals, overseeing a process where ambition and ideology collide. As factions clash — ranging from hardline traditionalists to liberal reformists — performances by Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and others bring depth to this web of backroom machinations. Less a religious film and mor...
Nov 15, 2024•4 min
“What We Do in the Shadows” is a vampire mockumentary series airing on FX, based on the 2014 film of the same name by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. The show hilariously explores the mundane and supernatural challenges faced by a group of vampire roommates living in Staten Island. The ensemble cast delivers standout performances, including: Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), a former warlord who is less relentless than his name suggests. Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), ...
Nov 08, 2024•4 min
“Slow Horses” returns with a fourth season that intertwines espionage thrills with sharp British humor. The series continues to follow a team of disgraced British spies relegated to Slough House, a dumping ground for MI5’s misfits. Leading this motley crew is Jackson Lamb, portrayed with remarkable flair by Gary Oldman. Oldman’s depiction of Lamb as a brilliant yet disheveled and flatulence-prone former top agent is both hilarious and captivating. However, fans might wish for more screen time be...
Nov 01, 2024•4 min
Click here. “Rumours” is a Canadian dark comedy horror film directed by Guy Maddin, alongside frequent collaborators Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson. Set during the G7 Summit in Germany, the film satirizes political incompetence as leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the UK and the U.S. convene in a gazebo to draft a provisional statement. What ensues is a descent into absurdity and chaos, surrounded by a bog inhabited by resurrected “bog people” — ancient figures preserved in pea...
Oct 25, 2024•4 min
Adapted from the beloved graphic novel series of the same name by Alice Oseman, “Heartstopper” follows British high schoolers Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring on their journey of self-discovery and young love. The show also features the lives of their friend group as the young adults seek to find their place in the world. MPR News arts reporter Jacob Aloi and digital editor Kaila White review season three of “Heartstopper,” which is available now on Netflix. Click here. https://podcasts.apple.com/...
Oct 11, 2024•8 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle share insights on “Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story,” the latest addition to Ryan Murphy’s anthology series exploring notorious criminal cases. Click here. Jacob Aloi: Jacob introduces the series as part of Ryan Murphy’s extensive catalog that delves into the minds of men who have committed heinous acts, referencing previous works like “The People vs. O.J. Simpson” and the series on Andrew Cunanan. He notes that this installment revisits the ...
Oct 04, 2024•3 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Aron Woldeslassie watch a spin-off from a Marvel television series and a spin-off of a DC film. Click here. ‘Agatha All Along’ “Agatha All Along” is a spin-off from the Marvel Cinematic Universe's TV series “WandaVision.” It follows Kathryn Hahn playing Agatha Harkness, a witch who has had her power stolen and is now on a quest to reclaim that power by going down the Witches Road. This is not a superhero series at all; it’s a witch coven — perfect for a Halloween fall...
Sep 27, 2024•3 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss “Shaun of the Dead” at 20, one of the few horror comedies that still works as both a horror movie and a comedy. Click here. ‘Shaun of the Dead’ — Jacob review “Shaun of the Dead” is a romantic comedy set during a zombie apocalypse movie. Watching it now, 20 years later, as somebody who has watched other films by director Edgar Wright, it was crazy to see some of the things that I’ve always associated with Edgar Wright, kind of seeing their prototyp...
Sep 20, 2024•4 min
MPR News Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle both review ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the sequel to the beloved 1988 film by Tim Burton about a troublesome trickster ghost. Click here. ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ — Alex V. Cipolle review “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” brings back several stars, including Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and, of course, Michael Keaton reprising his iconic role as Beetlejuice. Having been obsessed with the original movie since I was a child, I found the film to be a...
Sep 13, 2024•3 min
MPR News Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a biopic about an American president and another horror movie that Max is going to compare to David Lynch. ‘Reagan’ “Reagan,” a biopic about former U.S. President Ronald Reagan starring Dennis Quaid, presents an interesting mix of production values — sometimes it feels like a high-budget biopic from the 2000s, such as “W” or “Vice.” At other times, it resembles a Lifetime movie. Quaid’s performance, while strong, is hindered by slightly di...
Sep 06, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Melissa Olson discuss a movie about a corporation that has taken over the world and a movie from a galaxy, far far away — but in a language much closer to home. ‘Alien: Romlulus’ "Alien: Romulus" marks the latest entry in the "Aliens" franchise. As someone new to the franchise, I approached the film with fresh eyes — it’s like a classic slasher film but with a Xenomorph in place of the traditional masked antagonist. The setup involves young adults being pursued throug...
Aug 30, 2024•3 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Aron Woldeslassie discuss an animated version of the Man of Steel and a new Batman series in a superhero-themed episode of Cube Critics. Up, up and away! ‘My Adventures With Superman’ This week, I dove into the first two episodes of the new season of “My Adventures with Superman,” an animated series that explores Superman’s early days as a budding journalist and an emerging superhero. Season two builds on the foundations laid in the first season, with Clark Kent alrea...
Aug 23, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a mediocre adaptation of a video game and a horror film about aliens who don’t like city noises. They’re just like Max! Click here. ‘Borderlands’ “Borderlands,” adapted from the popular dystopian video game series, transitions to the big screen with mixed results. Cate Blanchett stars as Lilith, delivering a standout performance that showcases her formidable presence and action chops. Blanchett’s portrayal is a high point in the film, offering a re...
Aug 16, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a gay dating show from Japan and a horror film about the trans experience. Click here. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. ‘The Boyfriend’ “The Boyfriend” on Netflix offers a delightful slice of queer joy through its reality TV format, featuring queer, gay and bisexual Japanese men operating a coffee truck while living together in a shared house. “The Boyfriend” shows us the day-to-day dynamics of f...
Aug 09, 2024•5 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Regina Medina discuss a comic book movie that is by fans for fans and super insider and a noir-ish mystery comedy. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. Click here. ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ “Deadpool and Wolverine” marks a notable entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, being both the third installment in the Deadpool series and also its debut within the MCU following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox. This brings...
Aug 02, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Mandy Thalhuber discuss a historical fiction that was confusing and a movie about weather-obsessed individuals doing anything they possibly could to die. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. Click here. ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ “Fly Me to the Moon,” a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of the Apollo 11 mission, stars Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum as a NASA public relations specialist and a scientist. The film ...
Jul 26, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Alex V. Cipolle and Max Sparber discuss two serial killer movies set in the ’80s and ’90s and featuring women haunted by their pasts. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. Click here. ‘MaXXXine’ “MaXXXine” marks the third installment in director Ti West’s X series, following “X” and its prequel “Pearl.” Set in 1980s Los Angeles, the film sees the return of Mia Goth as the ambitious adult film star Maxine Minx, who is on the brink of ma...
Jul 19, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Max Sparber and Aron Woldeslassie discuss a 1996 film shot in California but set in Minnesota and season four of “The Boys.” The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. Click here. ‘Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Anymore’ “Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Anymore,” a poignant film by the late Minnesota filmmaker Sarah Jacobson, is a rare gem from 1996 that occasionally surfaces in screenings. Though shot in California, the film is set in an independent mo...
Jul 12, 2024•3 min
Cube Critics Max Sparber and Matt Mikus discuss a brand new ‘60s outlaw motorcyclist film and a film about really big robot that feels like it was written by a robot. Listen here The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. ‘The Bikeriders’ “The Bikeriders,” directed by arthouse filmmaker Jeff Nichols, follows an outlaw bike gang in mid-60s Chicago. Based on the authentic photographs and recordings by Danny Lyons, the film has an unexpected authenticity, ...
Jul 05, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Kyra Miles discuss a home renovation show with a drag queen and a romance that wasn't very romantic. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. Click here. ‘Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home’ This week, I tuned into “Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home,” featuring the fabulous Ojibwe Midwest drag queen, Trixie Mattel, who gained world fame not just for her drag performances but also as a YouTube star and cosmetics entrepreneur and especially...
Jun 28, 2024•3 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Aron Woldeslassie talk about a Shakespearean drama at a Renaissance Festival and a pretty good comedy special. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. Click here. ‘Ren Faire’ “Ren Faire” is a three-part documentary series streaming on Max, which delves into the ongoing power struggle at the Texas Renaissance Festival, reputedly the largest in America. The series focuses on the festival's founder and long-time ruler, George...
Jun 21, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Alex V. Cipolle and Max Sparber discuss a show about women in comedy and a movie about an English coastal town rocked by a string of obscene letters. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. Click here. ‘Hacks, Season 3’ The third season of “Hacks” on HBO Max continues to explore the comedic and sometimes contentious dynamics between different generations, especially highlighting the relationship between a boomer and a millennial. Jean Sm...
Jun 07, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics talk about “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.”
May 31, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Kyra Miles discuss an absurdist cartoon comedy for adults and a Regency simp pretending to be a player.
May 24, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics watch a movie that is a love letter to stunt performers and a film about a kidnapping where — oops, the kidnapped child is a vampire.
May 17, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Regina Medina and Max Sparber discuss a miniseries about the killing of Lincoln and a psychedelic action film set in India. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. ‘Manhunt’ “Manhunt,” streaming on Apple TV+, is an engaging historical drama series that captures the intense pursuit of John Wilkes Booth following his assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Styled as a 19th century version of the modern thriller “24,” the series substit...
May 10, 2024•4 min
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle discuss dystopian media. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. ‘Fallout’ “Fallout” is a new TV series on Amazon Prime, inspired by the beloved video game series of the same name. While I wasn’t deeply immersed in the Fallout games growing up — mostly watching friends play — I loved this series. “Fallout” unfolds in an alternate universe steeped in retro-futurism, where the narrative begins in the 2070s fo...
May 03, 2024•4 min
