Shows
Cup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhat makes comedies like Office Space and Bad Boys rewatchable?Do you still find My Cousin Vinny funny? Let’s go back even further. Do you still laugh when watching Beverly Hills Cop? How is it that some comedies are ephemeral, but others can be rewatched decades later and still have you falling on the floor laughing? “Shirley,” it is a combination of elements and not just the jokes or timing. What is the secret sauce to a comedy’s longevity? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we take a deep dive into rewatchable comedies. Send us a comment to let us know some rewa...
2026-04-2846 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastProject Hail Mary and Other Space MoviesThe release of Project Hail Mary and near simultaneous launch of Artemis II make this an opportune time to explore space movies. For some of us, the term space movies is a misnomer, since they often encompass movies where the alien activity is earthbound. Think Predator, Independence Day, and The Day the Earth Stood Still. What is your favorite “space” movie and how do you define this subgenre? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we talk about the appeal of celestial cinema. Send us a comment to let us know your favorite space movie...
2026-04-1534 min
Cup of Traverse CityCOTC 1 Apr 2026 - Proposed Gondola project for Traverse CityProposed Gondola Could Connect Downtown Traverse City to Old Mission Peninsula• A new proposal would install a scenic gondola running from downtown Traverse City across West Grand Traverse Bay to Old Mission Peninsula• Plans include stops near several wineries, plus a mid-bay “sunset viewing station” for riders• Officials say the goal is to reduce summer traffic while creating a unique tourism experience — with rides taking just under 8 minutesSourceCOTC News: https://www.cupoftraversecity.com/blog/proposed-gondola-could-connect-downtown-traverse-city-to-old-mission-peninsula/TodayCloudy...
2026-04-0102 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastThe Infamous Game of Thrones Starbucks Cup and Other Gaffes in Film and TelevisionSome mistakes in movies and television, like the infamous Starbucks cup in the Game of Thrones scene or the fifty-star flags in Oppenheimer (set before Alaska and Hawaii achieved statehood), are just gaffes that make you shake your head or shrug your shoulders. Others, though, enhance the scene. Take Leonardo DiCaprio slicing his hand in Django Unchained. The actor used the painful snafu to lean into the depravity of his character by smearing blood on Django’s wife, played by Kerry Washington (not sure how this landed with her!). Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast where we...
2026-03-3143 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastAre Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Hangover, and The Matrix Epic Films or Just Good Movies? Epic Films. Even the label sounds lofty, doesn’t it? Webster has interesting synonyms for “epic”: majestic, monumental, magnificent, impressive. Collins views it in terms of time and scale: long, extended, classic, grandiose. On this podcast, we talk about epic films and learn that both our ideas about them and our affinity for them vary. Where one of us thinks epic is related to the feelings the story leaves them with, another thinks of the movie in terms of its duration. Where one thinks of an epic film as a battle between good and evil, another says an epic...
2026-03-1848 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastFrom The Sandlot to Moneyball: Peanuts, Cracker Jacks, and Baseball MoviesWhen pitchers and catchers report for spring training, our antennas are raised in anticipation of the upcoming baseball season. A recent article published in the Philly Front Office hints that some of us prime ourselves for Opening Day by watching 5–10 of our favorite baseball movies like Field of Dreams, Major League, Little Big League, and Trouble with the Curve. Arguably, more than any other subgenre about sport, baseball movies stir feelings of romanticism and nostalgia, taking former players back to their heydays when they played catch with a parent, competed on freshly cut fields, got their first hit, and ca...
2026-03-0339 min
CEOs You Should Know ColumbusCEO's You Should Know-Ohio State Newark and COTC: Central Ohio Technical CollegeOn this episode of CEOYSK, Boxer sits down with Dr. Matthew J. Smith, PhD, Dean of OSU-Newark, and Dr. John Berry, PhD, President of COTC(Central Ohio Technical College). and explore the current state of higher education, the cost, the demand in the workforce, and what our future workforce looks like with AI. Matthew J. Smith, PhD assumed the role of dean and director of Ohio State Newark on Aug. 1, 2024. With his appointment, Smith will spearhead efforts at Ohio State Newark to align campus priorities and further strengthen the university’s commitment to student success, innovation in teaching and l...
2026-02-1843 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastFrom The Negotiator to The Rip: Where’s the straight line through crooked cop movies?Surprisingly, The Rip, a box office-worthy movie starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, opened on Netflix in January. Though we are glad about the choice to release a potential box office hit on streaming, the reasons behind it are conversations for another day. In the film, Damon and Affleck lead a small team of cops who stumble upon millions of dollars in cash when they investigate a tip about a home outside of their jurisdiction. The money stirs temptation and distrust among the teammates. Add to this the curious events that begin occurring in the surrounding neighborhood, The Rip...
2026-02-1842 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastIs January Dump Month real or a self-fulfilling prophecy?How many times did you go to the theater in January to see a movie? If you responded with a number greater than zero, this would be surprising. Why? January has long been considered “dump month” for movies, since studios typically use this time to schedule theatrical releases that are not expected to perform well at the box office. In January, many people are coming off the winter holiday break, getting back into their routines, and working to rebuild their savings after the season of high spending. As such, movie-going is low on their list of priorities (if it is o...
2026-02-0338 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastAudio Collage: What’s next up for cinema centering Black people?How do you remember studying history during Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month? Let me guess, memorizing names and facts. Boring! They can have value, though; so, let me add one more. Did you know that Black History Month began as a one-week nod to Frederick Douglass’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays? In this episode, rather than regurgitating facts, we consider how Martin Luther King Jr.’s assertion that everyone has the right to live with dignity is weaved into contemporary cinema. We also share our own dreams for future stories that normalize the hu...
2026-01-2037 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastStreamers vs Box Office: Should awards access be limited?Have you seen a really good streaming movie on Netflix, Apple TV+, or Hulu? I mean a film that was so good, you felt it should have received theatrical release and major award considerations. There are several reasons why this probably didn’t happen, and we talk about some of them on the podcast. But the impetus for “Streamers vs Box Office” is to drill down on a prominent film director’s comments asserting that streaming films should not be considered for major award nominations. During the show, we not only disagree with one another on this, but our feelings...
2026-01-1537 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastYes Repeat No—Wait, What? A Conversation with Filmmaker Michael Moshe DahanWe often think about our identities as multilayered (Black, White, Italian, Mexican, man, woman), but rarely do we think of them as intersectional, or even that others might view them as clashing or contradictory. Imagine, for instance, that you were both Palestinian and Israeli. Michael Moshe Dahan’s film, Yes Repeat No, is based on the experiences of a person who didn’t just imagine this, but who lived it. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we talk to Michael about his motivations for and the challenges he encountered with pulling together Yes Repeat No, whic...
2026-01-0736 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastHome Alone or Die Hard: Just what exactly is a Christmas Movie?It’s that time of year again where we gather the family together and pull out the holiday movies. What are some of your favorites to watch? Home Alone? Jack Frost? Maybe A Charlie Brown Christmas is an absolute must for you. Film professors say we watch Christmas movies because we need to feel close to loved ones this time of year. The romance, predictable stories, and even the bright costumes worn by the characters in most of these movies induce a sense of lightness. But what about movies that only have Christmas as a backdrop (i.e, Die Ha...
2025-12-1741 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastFrom Casino to Forrest Gump to Bad Boys: why do we quote movies?What are some of the funniest movie lines that come to mind for you? Now think of one or two of your favorites that were more serious than funny. There are a host of reasons cinema quotes stay with us for years and sometimes decades after we have seen the movie in theaters. Often, the quotes are sources of humor for us. Other times, they carry a sense of nostalgia or provide a link for forging relationships with new people. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss movie quotes and the varied functions they...
2025-12-0939 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastAvatar in IMAX 3D? Nah, it’s time for 4DX and beyond!Seen a movie on a rooftop? In a park? How about a cemetery? Yes, it is a thing. But hey, they say don’t knock anything until you try it. How we watch movies in theaters has changed over just the last fifty years or so. We have gone from drive-in theaters and walk-in auditorium style venues to advanced ticket purchasing and immersive experiences with 4DX technology and Cosm shared reality. These dramatic changes have undoubtedly enhanced our movie-watching experiences, making them more engaging than we ever could have imagined. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as...
2025-12-031h 00
Cup of Traverse CityCOTC - 27 Nov 2025In this episode of "Cup of Traverse City" titled "Subscribe and Follow: Getting the Most from Cup of Traverse City," host Mike Dell begins by greeting Northern Michigan and noting the date, November 27, 2025, which follows Thanksgiving. He describes the episode as a quick test aimed at listener education.Mike encourages listeners to access the podcast through better options than just the website, which he identifies as cupoftraversecity.com, forwarding to podcast.show/cotc. He points out a prominent section where listeners can follow the podcast on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Android...
2025-11-2705 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastDo concert films like Renaissance and The Eras Tour provide a solution to box office woes?Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour were undoubtedly huge successes, and the decision to transform them into concert films was genius. For about forty years, live concerts by superstar artists have been plagued with exorbitant ticket prices. Concert films just might be a solution to this misery, since the cinematized productions remove the ticketing barriers for fans who dream of seeing their favorite artists. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss the growth of concert films.Send us a comment to let us know which music artist y...
2025-11-1830 min
Crimes of the CenturiesThe Monster in Plain Sight: Jimmy SavileHe was the BBC’s quirky golden boy — cigar in hand, tracksuit on, always ready to raise money for charity. Margaret Thatcher lobbied to get him knighted. The Queen pinned the honor on him. And all the while, Jimmy Savile was one of Britain’s most prolific sexual predators."Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes and more over at www.grabbagcollab.comDON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! ...
2025-11-1753 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastSpringsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere and the Recent Biopic CrazeDid you enjoy A Complete Unknown, Fade to Black, and Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere? These and similar productions have enjoyed theatrical releases over the last several years. What do you suppose is motivating the industry to produce biopics of music artists, and what does their continual release suggest about our appetites for cinema on the lives of our favorite musicians. Join us on this week’s Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss the recent phenomenon of movie biopics of music artists. Send us a comment to let us know which music artist you would lik...
2025-11-1124 minWCLT RadioCOTC / OSU-Newark Job FairKelsey talks with Tim Goetz from COTC, Heather Shoemaker from CSI, and two students, Thomas Maul and James Colachis from […]
2025-11-0605 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastThe Inglourious Basterds Experience: Dubbing or Subtitles?Remember the old Godzilla and Gamera movies from the 1970s, where the dialogue you heard was perpetually out of sync with the character’s lips on screen? Or have you watched a French film with English subtitles and the characters appear to say more than the captions suggest? If you said yes to either of these, then you probably appreciate how much your viewing experiences have been enhanced with improved dubbing and subtitling over the last few decades. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast, where we delve into the intricacies of dubbing and subtitling, consider how fa...
2025-11-0444 min
Planet FPL - The Fantasy Football PodcastLiverpool v Aston Villa | CotC with Dan Lord & Lee Jackson | Planet FPL 2025/26On Clash of the Correspondents James is joined by Liverpool fan Dan Lord and Aston Villa fan Lee Jackson their teams and both are in very different form.
When Lee last guested on CotC, Villa were winless. Four consecutive wins have followed including Sunday's victory against Manchester City. In the same period, Liverpool have remarkably lost all of their league games.
What's gone wrong for Liverpool? Is retaining the title already beyond them?
And what's changed at Villa to make them finally discover form?
All the key FPL assets discussed including...
2025-10-2951 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastHorror Movies: Why do we like to be scared?Are you a fan of horror? Some people watch movies in the genre year-round, others only during holidays like Halloween. Some people avoid the genre altogether. After all, the movies are often dark, ghoulish, and intensely violent in surreal ways. In other words, horror movies are designed to scare us. But why would we want to subject ourselves to feeling scared? We found some research to answer this question. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we peel back the layers on why we like to be scared. Send us a comment to let u...
2025-10-2843 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastChanging Lanes: What are the risks and benefits of being typecast in film?It is fun being in your comfort zone as an actor, you know, when you’re getting roles in your established specialty (i.e. comedy, rom‑com, action). But what if you wanted to break the mold, try something in a different genre or as a different type of character? What are the risks and benefits of making such a bold career move? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss the pros and cons of being typecast. Send us a comment to let us know which actor or actress you would like to se...
2025-10-2142 minCrimes of the CenturiesMurder in the Mews: The Fall of Elvira BarneyLondon in the early 1930s was captivated by the Bright Young Things — aristocratic sons and daughters whose glittering parties and endless scandals filled the tabloids. Among them was Elvira Mullens Barney, a socialite whose beauty and notoriety made her one of the set’s most talked-about figures. But on the morning of May 31, 1932, the headlines turned deadly. Her lover, Michael Scott Stephen, was found shot in her West End flat. Was it murder, a tragic accident, or something in between?"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made...
2025-10-2043 min
The Vibe - A WCLT VibecastCareer Fair at COTC PataskalaWalley attended a recent Career Fair for Business, Engineering and IT students at the Pataskala campus of COTC.He spoke with Tim Goetz about the event and the opportunities for students.Walley also spoke with participating employers and students.
2025-10-1706 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhy do we love and hate blaxploitation films?Despite spanning only five years in the mid‑1970s, the blaxploitation era of filmmaking left an indelible mark on the film industry and in the hearts and minds of many in the Black community. While some insist the movies contributed to what were already entrenched negative views of Black people, others feel they presented some of the freshest, coolest characters onscreen, accompanied by soulful soundtracks from artists like Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes. Despite being fifty years removed from the era, present‑day filmmakers borrow elements from these movies, proving that the films, despite their flaws, had great value then...
2025-10-1439 minCrimes of the CenturiesThe Prophet of Kirtland, Part 2: Blood AtonementDespite police informants thwarting one of his deadly plans, cult leader Jeffrey Lundgren’s appetite for violence couldn’t be satiated. When one target was out of reach, he simply shifted his sights to another — this time, a family who trusted him completely. They had followed him to Ohio believing he was a prophet of God, searching for salvation. What they found instead was a man who believed that some sins could only be cleansed through blood atonement — and a group of followers willing to do his bloody bidding."Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Coll...
2025-10-1350 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhat makes a good (or bad) villain? [Replay]Darth Vader. Thanos. Lucy van Pelt! What are the qualifications for a villain in your story? Does it even need to be human? Maybe your villain is something more abstract. What villains are your cups of tea? Write us a review and share some of your faves! SUBSCRIBE (https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe)Drop us a line and tell us your favorite movie villain and why. For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the li...
2025-10-0748 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastHorror or Thriller: What's the Difference? [Replay]Was Heretic more of a thriller than a horror movie? What's the difference? Check out our article on the Cup of Tea Critiques Crumpets page, and join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast for a lively discussion on the distinctions and similarities between horrors and thrillers. Send us a comment to let us know which is your cup of tea: horror or thriller? For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link belo...
2025-09-3035 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastHow does an actor pull off two roles in the same film?One of many challenges an actor can embrace is playing multiple roles in the same production. But what goes into the preparation and execution? What elements raise or lower the degree of difficulty? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss both recent and long-ago examples of actors playing twins, clones and doppelgangers in film and television. We highlight some of the methods they utilize as well as some of the technical tricks that directors and production teams implement to pull off the illusion of two different people. Lastly, we pick some actors we would...
2025-09-2342 minCrimes of the CenturiesThe Real Goodfellas JobIt was the score of all scores: a $6 million haul in cash and jewels lifted from JFK Airport in 1978. The headlines called it the Lufthansa heist; Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas turned it into legend. But the real story was messier: dozens of suspects, no recovered loot, and a trail of bodies that grew almost as fast as the FBI’s frustration.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page...
2025-09-2248 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastJust how important are costumes and props in film?Have you ever considered how much research is needed to ensure the style and fit of a character’s outfit matches the period of the film? What about something as benign as the badge on a police officer’s uniform, the walker a character uses, or just a clock on a living room wall? Now imagine watching a film from the Capone era where a microwave inadvertently appears in a kitchen scene. Talk about an anachronism! Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into costumes and props used in film, and gain a deep appr...
2025-09-1657 minCrimes of the CenturiesThe Massacre Texas Tried to EraseIn the piney woods of East Texas in 1910, a mob of white men stormed through the Black community of Slocum, murdering dozens — possibly hundreds — of unarmed residents. The killers faced almost no consequences, and the survivors were silenced by fear. Over a century later, even basic recognition of the Slocum Massacre remains a battle. This is the story of the slaughter Texas tried to forget, and the people still fighting to be remembered."Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You...
2025-09-1546 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastHow do boxing movies stand out from their sports counterparts?There is no doubt that studios produce movies like Rocky, Creed, Cinderella Man, and Ali primarily for entertainment. What boxing movies like these typically have in common, though, is a hyperfocus on flawed characters—individuals struggling with emotional, familial, or social challenges that are visually battled if not pummeled in the boxing ring. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into the distinctiveness of boxing movies and the enduring appeal of this subgenre.Send us a comment to let us know your favorite boxing movie. For future updates, subscribe to...
2025-09-0953 minCrimes of the CenturiesThe Hitler DiariesWhen a major German magazine announced it had uncovered Adolf Hitler’s long-lost diaries, the world took notice. But what began as a journalistic coup turned into a scandal that rattled media empires — and left a permanent stain on the truth.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
Join us for video versions of the podcast on YouTube, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centu...
2025-09-0852 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhy are Today's Cartoons More Heavy than Funny? [Replay]Remember when you watched cartoons as a kid? These times are likely some of your fondest childhood memories; you still recite some of the lines even today. A fair number of shows were centered around animals, and then later with people. Think Looney Tunes, Tiny Toons, Garfield, Heathcliff, Doug, Hey Arnold!, and Charlie Brown. Animals or people, these were engaging, colorful, and hilarious presentations. But the cartoons in recent decades are heavier than the ones that made us fall on the floor laughing. It's as if the days of mindlessly enjoying light and funny animated television stories have gone b...
2025-09-0251 minCrimes of the CenturiesWho Killed Barbara Hamburg? The True Story Behind El Dorado DriveThe murder of Barbara Hamburg might read like fiction — a bitter divorce, a mysterious pyramid scheme, a family full of secrets — but for her son Madison, it was all too real. In 2010, Barbara was found bludgeoned to death outside her home in the affluent shoreline town of Madison, Connecticut. In this episode, we explore a case that captivated author Megan Abbott, inspired her novel El Dorado Drive, and remains unsolved 15 years later."Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can...
2025-09-0145 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastCreating a Buzz: What are some of the most extraordinary movie marketing campaigns?We are familiar with the usual teasers, posters, and trailers that are par for the course in movie promotions. But what about the ad campaigns that go beyond these and show thinking way outside the box, like the one for Smile that sat people in the front row at baseball games showing a creepy smile for nine innings? Or the one for It where advertisers tied red balloons to sewer grates in various cities? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into these creative movie marketing campaigns and consider just how much they grab...
2025-08-2639 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastThe Countless Menagerie of Doomsday FilmsLet’s say you’re not a vegan and there is suddenly no meat available because the animals were stricken by a virus and died. We recently saw a screening of director R.T. Thorne’s 40 Acres that presents such a scenario and gives us a glimpse of what could happen when we don’t have something we have taken for granted. This got us thinking about how other films have imagined post‑apocalyptic existence and how some of the stories (perhaps many of them) seem quite conceivable. Join us on this week’s episode of the Cup of Tea Critique...
2025-08-1944 minCrimes of the CenturiesMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: Separating Fact from FictionIn 1981, 21-year-old Danny Hansford was shot and killed inside one of Savannah’s grandest mansions. The man who pulled the trigger, antiques dealer Jim Williams, claimed self-defense. What followed was a legal circus resulting in four high-profile trials. Then, less than a year later after the dust settled, Williams was dead. This is the case that inspired Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the bestselling book that turned Savannah into a gothic brand. But the real story is messier than the myth."Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes fr...
2025-08-1848 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastThe Good, Bad, and Ugly of Plot Twists in CinemaHave you ever felt invested in a movie’s characters and had a pretty good idea of the plot’s trajectory less than halfway through the story? How did you feel when things shifted? A main character who had won your heart got whacked; the story suddenly grew darker, leaving you disoriented; or the character you thought you knew well revealed their identity as someone entirely different. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into plot twists and discuss why some work well, some fail miserably, and still others can be quite problematic.Se...
2025-08-1234 minCrimes of the CenturiesThe Green Bicycle MysteryBella Wright was a shy, working-class woman whose life was cut short on a summer night in 1919, just short of her 22nd birthday. At first, her death looked like a tragic accident – until a single bullet found lodged in the dirt road changed everything. What followed was a century-long mystery involving an unshaven man on a distinctive green bicycle, a suspiciously dismantled frame dredged from a river, and a murder trial that gripped the nation. With early forensics, conflicting testimony and possible testimony that came too late, this is a case that refuses to rest."Crimes of the Ce...
2025-08-1148 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhy are Today's Cartoons More Heavy than Funny?Remember when you watched cartoons as a kid? These times are likely some of your fondest childhood memories; you still recite some of the lines even today. A fair number of shows were centered around animals, and then later with people. Think Looney Tunes, Tiny Toons, Garfield, Heathcliff, Doug, Hey Arnold!, and Charlie Brown. Animals or people, these were engaging, colorful, and hilarious presentations. But the cartoons in recent decades are heavier than the ones that made us fall on the floor laughing. It's as if the days of mindlessly enjoying light and funny animated television stories have gone b...
2025-08-0551 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhat is the Cultural Impact of Physical Media’s Decline?The emergence of high-speed internet has led to shrinking DVD and CD sales over the last fifteen years or so. As seen in what we still refer to as our monthly “cable bill,” technological advances have expanded the options for watching movies and television shows and listening to our favorite music. But while the ease and convenience of streaming channels and digitized media add a level of convenience, they quietly and painlessly chip away at values we once held dear. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into the decline in physical media and its...
2025-07-2943 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastThe Short Films that Led to Long CareersFor decades, aspiring filmmakers have used short films as tools for learning their craft. Constrained by tiny budgets, small casts, and limited options for shooting locations, they produce complete stories ranging from five to thirty minutes in length. Visually, the films present like rough cuts. But artistically, they reveal the tendencies of these future auteurs. You might have heard of a few of them: George Lucas, Tim Burton, Quentin Tarantino, Jean‑Luc Goddard. In this episode, we explore the short films of famous directors, so you can appreciate the humble beginnings of these filmmaking giants.Have you ma...
2025-07-2246 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhere’s Hollywood’s Sense of Adventure?You may remember movies like The Mummy, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. These family‑friendly films incited a sense of adventure and stirred the imagination. So, what happened to them? They seem to have disappeared from the movie landscape over the last generation or so. In this episode of the podcast, we take a deep dive into adventure films and explore the demise of this exciting subgenre on the big screen.Be sure to leave us a comment about your latest adventure!For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wh...
2025-07-1547 minCrimes of the CenturiesFaith Vs. Flag: How the Gobitis Case Tested the Limits of Religious FreedomIn 1935, 12-year-old Lillian Gobitas and her little brother William were kicked out of their Pennsylvania public school — not for misbehaving, but for quietly refusing to salute the flag, which they believed went against their Jehovah’s Witness faith. Their dad sued, arguing the school had violated their right to religious freedom. But in a sweeping decision, the Supreme Court sided with the school, saying national unity outweighed First Amendment protections. The ruling sparked a wave of violence against Jehovah’s Witnesses across the country, and fueled criticism the Court had abandoned core constitutional rights.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a p...
2025-07-0744 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastPost‑Apocalypse Now!Let’s say you’re not a vegan and there is suddenly no meat available because the animals were stricken by a virus and died. We recently saw a screening of director R.T. Thorne’s 40 Acres that presents such a scenario and gives us a glimpse of what could happen when we don’t have something we have taken for granted. This got us thinking about how other films have imagined post‑apocalyptic existence and how some of the stories (perhaps many of them) seem quite conceivable. Join us on this week’s episode of the Cup of Tea Critique...
2025-07-0244 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastHappy Anniversary Jaws!Did it make you afraid to go into the water? Maybe you remember the frenzy around the blockbuster movie, Jaws. This month is the 50th anniversary of its release, and we are celebrating with personal remembrances and our thoughts on Jaws’ contribution to both movie and mainstream culture. Grab and brew and join us. Don’t worry; you won’t have to go into the water!Leave us a comment with the title of your favorite shark movie.For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen. For email updates on all things Cup of...
2025-06-2541 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastThe Joy of Hate Watching!Ever hear of “hate-watching?” It is the tendency to watch movies and television shows that do not appeal to you. Some go beyond lacking appeal to making you cringe every time you see them. Indeed, occasionally you watch the shows just for the sake of mocking them. Psychologists say that this strong negativism makes us happy and even strengthens bonds among friends and community. In this week’s episode of the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast, we take a deep dive into “hate-watching” and passionately discuss the shows we have a strong disdain for but watch anyway!Leave us a...
2025-06-1735 minCrimes of the CenturiesThe Siege of Sidney StreetIn late 1910 and early 1911, a band of impulsive Latvian radicals fleeing persecution in Russia unleashed a wave of violence in London that left three policemen dead and part of a quiet city block in ruins. The siege that followed would not only transform British law enforcement but also mark a turning point in media history, as cameras captured the chaos in real time. "Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab...
2025-06-1649 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhere are all the Action Movie Heroines?Have you seen the new John Wick movie, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina? Ana de Armas plays the lead and she is a badass in the film! It got us thinking how rare it is to see women presented as the lead in action movies. While they are prevalent in ensemble casts of action productions like Fantastic Four, X-Men, Game of Thrones, and name any Avengers feature you like, women are rarely featured as the focal point in these releases. Also, where we brand productions as “the next Tom Cruise movie,” the new Vin Diesel flick,” or even “...
2025-06-1035 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhat Makes a Production a Classic?Consider for a moment your go-to movies or television shows. You know, the ones you stream decades (or perhaps just a year or two) after their release and they still make you laugh, make you cry, or just stir something inside you. Would you consider these works to be “classics” and, if so, why? The answers often spur intense debate because the subject is personal. In this episode, we discuss what makes a classic and expound on it with plenty of cinema that exemplifies it. So, what are your criteria for a film industry classic? Send us a not...
2025-06-0341 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastHow throwback films take you waayyy back!Last fall, COTC reviewed the Peacock series, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, starring Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Samuel L. Jackson, and Don Cheadle. The series is based on a true story about a robbery that occurred at a party after the Muhammad Ali‑Jerry Quarry fight in Atlanta in 1970. Big afros, platform shoes, and even plaid suits abound in this story. Seeing the eight‑part series took Terry and I back to our days as children, and Brandon and Chris began to reminisce on films that reminded them of their own childhoods. In this episode, we d...
2025-05-2033 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhere are all the Sports Movies?Remember movies like Little Big League, Any Given Sunday, Mighty Ducks, Major League, and Sandlot? From the 1990s to the early 2000s, the film industry released about four sports movies like these every year. But in recent years, we’re lucky to see two such films in theaters. What happened? Why have sports movies all but disappeared from the big screen? Join us as we discuss several contributing factors.For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below:...
2025-05-1544 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastSinners and the Mystique of VampirismRyan Coogler’s recent hit movie, Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, has sparked a lot of buzz. What is the appeal of vampires and what adds credibility to a vampire production? In this episode, we dive into the mystique of this century-long cinematic spectacle. After sharing our thoughts on the new blockbuster, we discuss the classic vampire movies, like Dracula and Nosferatu, as well as the contemporary hit shows, such as Buffy and The Vampire Diaries.Send us a note to let us know your favorite vampire production. Also, if there’s a topic you would like us t...
2025-05-0649 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWhen the Industry Goes Reel!In this episode, we delve into cinema on difficult topics and social issues. Be aware that samples of these works and some aspects of our discussion may be triggering for some listeners. Many movies and TV series mirror real‑life circumstances and experiences. When handled deftly, the works often resonate with us or at minimum inform our perspectives about aspects of life or life encounters that are unfamiliar to us. We hope you find our talk on these issues affirming, comforting, and informative. Below, we have compiled a list of hotlines obtained from endcan.org and psychiatry.org should yo...
2025-04-3057 minCup of Tea Critiques PodcastWho the Heck is Alan Smithee — and Why Should You Care?Have you ever wanted to remove your name from something that turned out badly? Maybe it was a group project, a paper you wrote, or a decision with an undesirable outcome. A little-known pseudonym adopted by the Directors Guild of America has allowed its members to do just that when their films don’t turn out as planned. In this episode, we dive deep into the Alan Smithee moniker, exploring its history and debating its merits. The question at the core of Alan Smithee is ‘should we really disown our mistakes?’ What is your Alan Smithee moment? Text to...
2025-04-2237 min