Shows
The Tim Smal ShowStephen ‘Spling’ Aspeling – The Essence of DreamsStephen 'Spling' Aspeling discusses his book, The Essence of Dreams.
• Show notes: go.timsmal.com/spling
2025-11-1725 min
Confessions of a Movie CriticThe Devil's Advocate - 25 Years LaterIt's hard to believe it's been a quarter of a century since The Devil's Advocate was released in 1997... having watched the film for the first time, Spling chats about Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron and Al Pacino and how far they've come.
2022-10-0309 minConfessions of a Movie CriticFarewell Barry RongeBarry Ronge was a well-loved South African entertainment journalist who inspired and entertained across radio, television, print and online. An iconic media personality who retired in 2014, Spling pays his respects and discusses the magical viral quality he possessed and how he inspired him to pursue film criticism.
2022-07-1017 minConfessions of a Movie CriticI Got My First Real Office CinemaSpling chats about his modest home cinema and how it's dwarfed by a friend's THX-certified set up.
2022-06-2909 minConfessions of a Movie Critic"Film" vs. "Movie"Spling tries to differentiate between the words "film" and "movie", and thinks each word has a different aura and frame of reference.
2022-04-2212 minConfessions of a Movie CriticOscars, Celeb and Consumer CultureSpling tries to explain why he doesn't watch the Oscars or any awards shows. Gets sidetracked by celebrity culture and today's fragmented media consumption.
2022-03-0913 minConfessions of a Movie Critic"Watching Movies for a Living"Being a movie critic may seem like a dream job but...
2022-02-1009 minConfessions of a Movie CriticRed Notice or Red Alert?Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot star in Red Notice, a Netflix Original that seems as though it was adapted from a call sheet.
2021-11-1912 minConfessions of a Movie CriticNo Time to Die or Catch Up on Old Bond MoviesSpling chats about the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, the Bond franchise and laments about not having seen all the 007 films.
2021-10-0115 minConfessions of a Movie CriticMatrix: Reeveolutions - The Keanu Reeves StorySpling chats about Keanu Reeves, the new Matrix: Resurrections sequel and the actor's career.
2021-09-1014 minConfessions of a Movie CriticRevelations about He-ManSpling was a child of the '80s and shares some of his excitement about his anticipation around Kevin Smith's animated revival on Netflix, He-Man: Revelations.
2021-07-2310 minConfessions of a Movie CriticSpling, Review My ScriptSpling chats about the many roles of a movie critic, including one that led to reviewmyscript.com.
2021-06-1712 minConfessions of a Movie CriticMonty Python & The Holy Grail is One of My All-time Favourite FilmsSpling chats about his favourite three films of all-time, realising it may be high time he added a fourth.
2021-05-2811 minConfessions of a Movie CriticEmily Blunt and Martin Scorsese Have a PointSpling discusses the Marvel superhero and Star Wars craze from the context of recent high profile celebrity comments suggesting it's run its course or lost its sparkle...
2021-05-1611 minConfessions of a Movie CriticWork WhereverSpling talks about taking advantage of your city and technology when it comes to choosing a work space that inspires you.
2021-04-2810 minConfessions of a Movie CriticI Want to Own a David Lynch OriginalAfter watching the creative origin story documentary David Lynch: The Art Life I have realised I want to own one of his pieces. A talk about the artist, director and legacy of David Lynch.
2021-03-2611 minConfessions of a Movie CriticCoarse Language in HollywoodSpling chats about bad language in film, referencing Malcolm & Marie, The Wolf of Wall Street and The Big Lebowski... where do you draw the line?
2021-02-1609 minConfessions of a Movie CriticI'm Addicted to Facebook MarketplaceIn this podcast, Spling chats about Facebook Marketplace, the new drive-in culture and how to combat cabin fever.
2021-02-1209 minConfessions of a Movie CriticThe Unnaturally Slow and Painful Death of DVDSpling chats about the demise of DVD, his perspective on collecting and why it may just be important to hold onto some of your collection.
2020-11-1610 minConfessions of a Movie CriticWatching Movies Under the StarsSpling attended the launch of the Galileo Open Air Cinema at Kirstenbosch in Cape Town to watch Into the Wild... here's a snippet.
2020-11-1205 minConfessions of a Movie CriticMovies That Forced Me to Walk Out....These days people can watch 15 minutes of something and then drop it to move into the next thing. When it comes to cinemas... it's a little trickier. Here are a few movies Spling couldn't endure that forced him to walk out. Find out how Spling deals with a walk out.
2020-11-0908 minConfessions of a Movie CriticDrive Ins and OutsDrive Ins Cinemas are making a comeback. This nostalgic throwback to way back when is making it easier to have a night out and watch movies safely. Spling reports live from the opening of Go Drive In in Cape Town where they're screening the ultimate drive in flick!
2020-10-2307 minConfessions of a Movie CriticIs It Time to Go Back to the Movies?Following the pandemic and lifting of restrictions around public gatherings, cinemas are reopening their doors. It's important to keep movie houses in business and the big screen film industry flourishing... Spling chats about changes over this period, safety protocol and whether he's going back yet or not.
2020-09-0511 minConfessions of a Movie CriticI Want to Be a Movie Critic When I Grow Up...Spling chats about some of the things that inspired him to become a movie critic...
2020-07-3110 minConfessions of a Movie CriticI Shook the Hand of an AlienSpling and his buddy Tim bumped into District 9's Sharlto Copley at a mall in Cape Town... here's how it happened.
2020-07-2310 minConfessions of a Movie CriticChill, Binge or Cringe... Netflix's Greatest HitsNetflix recently released their biggest hits Top 10... detailing their ten most viewed original movies. Spling drops the list with some commentary and speculation.
2020-07-1714 minConfessions of a Movie CriticNever Show Your Monster Before It's TimeSpling talks about horror films, the timing of the big reveal, the temptation to go visual FX crazy and how it takes good drama to create great horror...
2020-07-0909 minConfessions of a Movie CriticDo Popcorn Like a Film Pro!Spling chats about how he does movie snacks... how much sprinkle, how to shake the popcorn box, why he doesn't take a straw and what he'd be willing to smuggle into a cinema.
2020-06-2514 minConfessions of a Movie Critic10 Things I Hate About CinemasSpling discusses his pet hates about cinema-going through his cinema code of conduct... a list of 10 rules he believes should be posted in all theatre and cineplex foyers.
2020-06-1212 minConfessions of a Movie CriticSocial Distancing Also Relieves MisophoniaSpling explains how misophonia has affected his life as a film critic to coping with the constant distraction caused by the ongoing condition.
2020-05-2910 minConfessions of a Movie CriticI Can Confirm Ruby Rose is RealThe Batwoman star announced she's leaving the TV show, which prompted me to think about her and her film career since meeting her on the set of Resident Evil.
2020-05-2010 minConfessions of a Movie CriticMovie Trailers Ruin Movies...Spling talks about watching films free of the marketing clutter, hype, spoilers and expectations that cloud our movie-watching experience.
2020-05-1508 minConfessions of a Movie CriticThe Time We Were Mistaken for Film ProducersMy dad and I attended a premiere of a film called Mad Buddies starring local candid comedy mogul, Leon Schuster. He never thought he'd get to have a beer with Schuks himself!
2020-05-0510 minConfessions of a Movie CriticCinemas Have AurasSpling talks about watching some of his favourite films at the Odeon Cinema in Grahamstown (now Makhanda) and how cinemas frame films and add magic.
2020-04-2810 minConfessions of a Movie CriticBingeing with SplingSpling chats about a brand new SPL!NG series... hosting pre-screenings and getting your movie game on with a watch party during lockdown.
2020-04-2007 minConfessions of a Movie CriticMilla Jovovich is Really Funny!Spling talks about the time he got to interview Milla Jovovich in her trailer during a set visit of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter while shooting at a quarry near Cape Town.
2020-04-1310 minConfessions of a Movie CriticDespite All My Rage...Spling talks about what bothers him about the new South African horror, Rage... and about his own Rage experience.
2020-04-1009 minConfessions of a Movie CriticI Am Not Heath LedgerSpling discusses the biographical documentary, 'I Am Heath Ledger' and what fresh insights he got from watching this soulful chronicle.
2020-04-0407 minConfessions of a Movie CriticThere's Something About Bohemian Rhapsody...Spling talks about Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek and Queen and what makes it such a magical and rewatchable music biopic.
2020-04-0308 min2020-04-0300 min
Station interviewsMike Vee sits down with movie critic, Stephen AspelingBetter known as "Spling", Mike Vee sits down with the legend himself to learn more about that it takes to be a movie critic and how his honesty has propelled his career.
2020-03-2304 min
The Tim Smal ShowStephen Aspeling – The streaming service revolutionStephen Aspeling, a film critic at Spling Movies, talks about video streaming services.
2020-03-1422 min