The Cinephile Mind Podcast

Miguel and Spenser review Power Ballad, the latest crowd-pleasing comedy starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas.

From its infectious energy and sharp humor to the chemistry between its leads, Power Ballad won us over with its big heart and undeniable charm. In this review, we discuss what makes the film work, why audiences are likely to embrace it, and how Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas help elevate the movie into one of the most entertaining ...

In Episode 14 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, Spenser sits down with director Eric Appel to discuss his latest film, The Breadwinner, starring comedian Nate Bargatze.

Eric dives into the origins of the project, working with Nate Bargatze in a leading role, balancing comedy with heart, and bringing this unique story to the screen. The conversation also explores the creative process behind the film, the challenges of directing comedy, ...

SPOILER ALERT

In Episode 13 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, Miguel, Nic, and the team dive into OBSESSION, one of the year's most talked-about psychological thrillers.

From Bear's gradual descent into villainy to Nikki's role in the story, we unpack the film's themes of obsession, desire, control, and the fragile male ego. We discuss what makes the film both unsettling and surprisingly funny, explore the performances, and debate one o...

ThisIn Episode 12 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, Spenser sits down with director Sara Robin and writer Jack LeMay to discuss their timely documentary Your Attention Please, which premiered at SXSW and is currently on the festival circuit.

The conversation dives into what inspired the film, why its themes feel especially urgent right now, and the challenges of exploring media, attention, and modern culture through documentary filmmak...

We caught an early screening of Omaha and it’s one of those films that doesn’t hit all at once… it slowly settles in, and then stays with you.

In this episode, we break down:

•  The film’s “show, don’t tell” storytelling 
•  John Magaro’s deeply restrained performance and why it works 
•  The emotional impact of the final act 
•  The realism of the sibling d...

Nearly two decades after The Devil Wears Prada became a cultural phenomenon, the long-awaited sequel has finally arrived. But does The Devil Wears Prada 2 live up to the legacy of the original?

In Episode 10 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, we break down the performances, themes, and creative choices behind the return to Runway Magazine. From the evolution of iconic characters to the pressures of revisiting a beloved story, we dive de...

In Episode 9 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, we take a deep dive into MICHAEL, the long-awaited biopic chronicling the life and legacy of Michael Jackson.

Few artists have shaped music, performance, and pop culture the way Michael Jackson did, and bringing that story to the screen comes with enormous expectations. In this episode, we discuss whether MICHAEL rises to meet that challenge or struggles under the weight of its subject.

We ...

In Episode 8 of The Cinephile Mind Podcast, we take a closer look at I Swear with both a quick review and a director conversation.

Spenser begins the episode with a spoiler-free review of I Swear, highlighting the film’s strengths, tone, and overall impact. Then we sit down with director Kirk Jones to discuss the creative process behind the film, its themes, and what audiences should take away from the story.

Whether you're int...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Cinephile Mind.

In this debut episode, Miguel, Nic, and Spenser introduce themselves, share how their love of movies began, and reveal the films that shaped their taste as cinephiles.

From all-time favorites to unexpected guilty pleasures, this episode sets the tone for the conversations ahead — passionate, thoughtful, and sometimes chaotic in the best way.

Whether you're into prestige ci...

Few filmmakers inspire debate like Paul Thomas Anderson, and in this episode, we dive deep into his legendary filmography.

Miguel, Nic, and Spenser rank every Paul Thomas Anderson film and discuss what makes his storytelling style so distinctive, from intimate character studies to sweeping cinematic epics.

We explore the evolution of his craft, recurring themes, and why his films continue to resonate with audiences and critics alike.

...

Awards season always sparks debate, and this year is no exception.

In this episode, Miguel, Nic, Spenser, Jack, and Hunter rank the 10 Best Picture nominees and break down what makes each film stand out.

From emotional dramas to bold cinematic experiments, we discuss performances, direction, storytelling, and which films deserve the top prize.

Whether you're an Oscars fan or just love film discussions, this episode dives into the hear...

In this episode, we dive into the world of Project Hail Mary, exploring its story, themes, and what makes it such a compelling science fiction narrative.

Miguel, Nic, Hunter, and Jack break down the emotional core of the story, its scientific ideas, and how it fits into the legacy of modern sci-fi storytelling.

We also discuss adaptation potential and what makes great science fiction resonate beyond spectacle.

Topics Include:
• St...

Horror has always been a powerful space for female-led storytelling, and recent films are pushing the genre even further.

In this episode, Miguel and Nic dive into several standout female-driven horror films, discussing their themes, performances, and what makes them resonate with audiences.

Films Discussed:
• They Will Kill You
• Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
• Forbidden Fruits
• Undertone

From psychological terror to g...

In this special interview episode, Spenser and Hunter sit down with screenwriter Colby Day, writer of In the Blink of an Eye, now available on Hulu.

Colby shares insight into the creative process behind the film, the stories that shaped him as a filmmaker, and how his love of cinema influenced his path into screenwriting.

We also discuss filmmaking inspiration, storytelling challenges, and the creative journey behind bringing a scree...

In this episode of The Cinephile Mind, Miguel, Nic, and Jack dive deep into one of the most talked-about films of the year: The Drama.

While reactions to the film have been divided, we make the case that The Drama may be one of the most misunderstood movies in recent memory. From its layered character dynamics to the emotional complexity of its central relationships, this is a film that demands patience and close attention.

We break ...