On this episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask whether Dave Chappelle, his new special, and the way Netflix has handled internal and external fallout from its airing, are controversies, or nontroversies. Then the gang reviews The Last Duel, a/k/a Medieval Me Too. (For more on The Last Duel, you can read Sonny here, Alyssa here, and Peter here.) Make sure to listen all the way to end for a special programming note! And check out our bonus episode on our favorite Ridley Scott movies. There are so many to choose from! 

Across the Movie Aisle

80: Is Netflix's Handling of Dave Chappelle a Controversy or a Nontroversy?

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) highlight the IATSE union work stoppage that seems pretty inevitable at this point. What do Hollywood’s trade unions want, in terms of money and work-life balance? Then the gang sets their sights on Bond, James Bond. Did they enjoy Daniel Craig’s final turn as 007? And, in the bonus episode, they discuss whether Craig is their favorite Bond or a mere also-ran. If you enjoyed the show share it with a friend! If they don’t want to sign up via Substack they can get it a day later on Apple. 

79: 'No Time to Die'

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) break down the strange story of Ozy Media, the various scams of which have been chronicled by the NYT’s Ben Smith in recent weeks, and the overall state of media accountability. Then they review The Many Saints of Newark, David Chase and HBO’s new prequel to The Sopranos currently in theaters and on HBO Max. And in the members-only bonus episode, the gang debates the biggest question in the history of prestige TV: What, exactly, happened to Tony Soprano at the end of the series? Sign up now to listen today! 

78: Does 'The Many Saints of Newark' Do 'The Sopranos' Right?

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the legal back and forth between Disney and the estates of Marvel’s most famous creators, including those of Steve Ditko and Stan Lee, as well as fan reactions to the (very slight!) possibility that copyright termination notices will be the death of the MCU as we know it. Is legal wrangling the kryptonite (sorry, mixing universes) that will slay the biggest film franchise in movie history? The gang also reviews The Eyes of Tammy Faye, asking why it feels so slight given the overtly theatrical nature of the subject in question. And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on musical biopics and why the genre feels fairly moribund; if you aren’t a member yet, you have five days left to take advantage of our 30-day free trial offer.  

77: 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post, and Peter Suderman (Reason) take a look at the controversy swirling about CBS’s instantly canceled show, The Activist. What’s so bad about making activists compete for attention dollars? And the gang reviews Cry Macho, the latest from director-star Clint Eastwood. Is he too old for this movie, or is Sonny a despicable ageist. Make sure to check out our bonus episode on our favorite Eastwood-directed movies.  If you’re a Bulwark+ member you can listen to the show on your preferred podcast app today via a personalized RSS feed; this episode will drop on Apple et al. tomorrow if you don’t want to help keep the show sustainable and you can find your preferred service here. If you’re not a Bulwark+ member, sign up today for a 30-day trial that will get you the personalized RSS feed, unlock the bonus episode above, and grant you access to the comments section of this episode.

76: Why Shouldn't Activists Have to Compete?

This week Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), Peter Suderman (Reason), and Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) discuss the pros and cons of advice columns and whether or not it’s okay—or, frankly, just plain hilarious—to lie to advice columnists. And the gang reviews Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter (Sonny’s review here; Peter’s here). Make sure to check out our bonus episode on Oscar Isaac’s great decade of work, and share this episode with friends if you dug it! Our survival depends on listeners like you.

75: 'The Card Counter'

Alyssa (The Washington Post), Peter Suderman (Reason), and Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) know folks are a little tired of MCU-centric episodes, but this week demonstrates why it’s a constant topic of conversation: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings grossed $75 million over its first three-day weekend and almost $95 million once Labor Day was included. Does this prove Disney was correct to keep the film off of home video for at least 45 days? Or are the people complaining about not getting to see the movie at home right? And we review the latest MCU outing. Don’t worry: next week we’ll get to something that fewer people will watch, we promise. And make sure to check out our bonus episode on the tragic death of Michael K. Williams (The Wire). If you enjoyed Shang-Chi or just liked listening to us talk about it, please share the episode with your friends! We’d greatly appreciate it if you did.  

74: Did 'Shang-Chi' Save Movie Theaters?

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the controversy (or possibly the nontroversy?) surrounding Spike Lee’s inclusion of 9/11 Truthers in his new documentary about New York City’s last 20 years. (To get a full sense of the issue, make sure to read this Slate piece by Jeremy Stahl on what Lee included.) Do filmmakers have a conspiracy theory problem? Are they poisoning the minds of their vulnerable listenership? And the gang also discusses Disney+’s What If … ?, the new animated series highlighting alternate universes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Spoiler: It’s not great, Bob. And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on Candyman, a movie Alyssa was too scared to watch but which Sonny and Peter found fascinating; you can sign up here to listen now if you haven’t already. 

73: Do the Movies Have a Conspiracy Theory Problem? Plus: "What If...?"

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) argue about whether or not the controversy swirling around Jeopardy’s hosting post is a controversy or a nontroversy. Why didn’t Sony do a better job of vetting their host? In the back half of the show, the gang reviews Reminiscence, the neo-noir from Westworld mastermind Lisa Joy starring Hugh Jackman. Is it worth making a trip to the theater or checking out on HBO Max? And make sure to check out the special bonus episode on taking kids to the theater. As one of us mentioned after we wrapped taping, this episode is like the Rosetta Stone to Across the Movie Aisle and its hosts: if you want to understand who we are, you have to understand the cinematic forces that shaped us.

72: Why Did Jeopardy Lose Its New Host in Record Time? And 'Reminiscence' Reviewed!

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) address whether it’s a controversy or a nontroversy that the star of Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is calling out the head of Disney for saying the film’s release—a 45-day theatrical run followed by the film’s release on streaming—is an “experiment.” Is this all a ploy to turn the movie into a righteous cause rather than a popcorn-consumption excuse? Then the gang reviews Free Guy, the new Ryan Reynolds action-romcom. It too is only in theaters: is it worth checking out? And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on Vietnam movies and the ways in which film can serve as a lens for national trauma, a subject that certainly has absolutely nothing to do with the current news cycle.

71: Why Is Shang Chi Going to War with Disney's Chief?

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) all agree that James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is, basically, a nine-figure descendant of The Toxic Avenger. But does that make it good, or expensive, overbearing schlock? And they debate whether or not Johnny Depp should be given the lifetime achievement award at the San Sebastian Film Festival … but they’re not debating the thing you think they might be debating. And make sure to check out the special bonus episode on spoilers and spoiler theory. Unless, of course, you want to watch The Green Knight first. It’ll still be there when you get back from the theater.

70: 'The Suicide Squad'

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) take a hard look at Scarlett Johansson’s suit against Disney alleging that the Mouse House’s dual VOD/theatrical strategy will cost her upwards of $50 million. Is this is a game-changing moment in the relationships between movie stars and studios? Or is she going to get steamrolled? Plus: the gang reviews The Green Knight, an amusingly weird indie flick of the sort that critics love and audiences generally do not. And make sure to check out our special bonus episode, in which Alyssa tries to convince Sonny and Peter to go see Stillwater. If you enjoy the show, please pass it on to a friend! They’ll thank you, and so will we. 

69: Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney: Can She Win?

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the new Nicolas Cage movie, Pig. Why do all three concur that it’s probably the best movie they’ve seen in theaters this year? Plus, Netflix is getting into gaming! What does that mean for the movie streaming service and its customers? Make sure to check out our special bonus episode on our favorite Nic Cage movies. We’ve got a ton to choose from: five distinct decades of Cage! And please, if you love what you’re listening to, share this show with people. They’ll thank you for it, I swear. 

68: 'Pig': The Best Movie of 2021 (So Far!)

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) go deep on the controversies swirling about the new documentary about Anthony Bourdain, Roadrunner. Is it a big deal that the director used an AI program to have Bourdain narrate some of his emails? Is it a much bigger deal that the documentary excludes the point of view of his ex, Asia Argento, despite casting her as the villain of his final few years? And on the back half of the show, the gang discusses Loki, the latest TV show from the MCU which just wrapped up its first season on Disney+. Have they solved the multiverse problem? What *is* the multiverse problem?  Make sure to check out the bonus episode on the Tokyo Olympics and how we’re living with COVID in a post-vaccine age. And if you enjoy this show, please share it with a friend! Sharing this podcast with a friend not only brings them joy, it helps increase our fantastic power over the world of entertainment. 

67: Anthony Bourdain Documentary 'Roadrunner' Controversy

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) assembled for a rare in-person show to discuss the biggest movie of the year (so far!), Black Widow. Is it fine? Okay? Acceptable? Perfectly competent? Listen to find out! Plus, the gang discusses the ethics of using personal histories of non-famous people in response to revelations that parts of the viral New Yorker short story, “Cat Person,” were cribbed from a real person. And on the special bonus episode, we highlight Marvel’s villain problem.  If you enjoy this show, please share it with a friend! It’s the best way to grow podcast audiences: a recommendation from a friend. 

66: 'Black Widow'

Three DC-based journalists (Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, Peter Suderman) who met each other at the movies and forged a friendship despite their ideological differences chat about what’s new at the movies each week, keeping audiences apprised of the latest controversies—and nontroversies—roiling social media.

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Across the Movie Aisle

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