Apocalypse Mal
@theladystranger.bsky.social
NH person. Host of Cinema 5000 podcast.
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Cinema 5000 · Episode
open.spotify.com
My one-woman podcast is available most places. Just me, talkin’ movies, trying to figure out how I feel. Over 100 episodes so far! Check it out. open.spotify.com/episode/4yeO...
179. Miracle on 34th St (1994) - Its alright, a little silly. Court scenes don’t appeal to children, folks, tighten this up. On the positive side, Dylan McDermott total dreamboat, what a handsome man and the lighting on him is INCREDIBLE.
December 25, 2025 at 1:29 AM
179. Miracle on 34th St (1994) - Its alright, a little silly. Court scenes don’t appeal to children, folks, tighten this up. On the positive side, Dylan McDermott total dreamboat, what a handsome man and the lighting on him is INCREDIBLE.
178. Highball - Noah Baumbach disowns this movie, released without his approval. I can’t blame him since it feels like a huge step down from Kicking & Screaming. But its an amusing indie film with lots of personality and some decent jokes. The whole thing is ultimately too casual to work though.
December 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
178. Highball - Noah Baumbach disowns this movie, released without his approval. I can’t blame him since it feels like a huge step down from Kicking & Screaming. But its an amusing indie film with lots of personality and some decent jokes. The whole thing is ultimately too casual to work though.
177. To Sleep with Anger - Danny Glover’s Harry as a presence and devil on the shoulder of those he encounters. A seemingly simple story, as it portrays how one outsider being can fester and poison minds. The disruption and myths of the family is explored well, memorably. Great performances.
December 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
177. To Sleep with Anger - Danny Glover’s Harry as a presence and devil on the shoulder of those he encounters. A seemingly simple story, as it portrays how one outsider being can fester and poison minds. The disruption and myths of the family is explored well, memorably. Great performances.
176. Avatar: Fire and Ash - my favorite of the trilogy. Not a lot of sitting around, real stakes for the Sully family as they fight for survival with familiar and new foes. Beautiful images, a feast for the eyes. Great action, great time at the cinema.
December 20, 2025 at 8:48 PM
176. Avatar: Fire and Ash - my favorite of the trilogy. Not a lot of sitting around, real stakes for the Sully family as they fight for survival with familiar and new foes. Beautiful images, a feast for the eyes. Great action, great time at the cinema.
175. Eve’s Bayou - what seems to be a recollection of youth unfolds to a story of trauma and how family history can shape us. Jurnee Smollett is terrific as the lead Eve. A slow burn that builds to an impactful close.
December 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
175. Eve’s Bayou - what seems to be a recollection of youth unfolds to a story of trauma and how family history can shape us. Jurnee Smollett is terrific as the lead Eve. A slow burn that builds to an impactful close.
174. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) - a hideous perversion. Ron Howard trying to be a creative when he clearly has no taste. I can’t fault Jim Carrey here, he’s ridiculous though in no way the worst part of the film. A wannabe fantasy but its a nightmare. Max and Cindy Lou innocent.
December 17, 2025 at 11:34 PM
174. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) - a hideous perversion. Ron Howard trying to be a creative when he clearly has no taste. I can’t fault Jim Carrey here, he’s ridiculous though in no way the worst part of the film. A wannabe fantasy but its a nightmare. Max and Cindy Lou innocent.
173. Train Dreams - I was into it until I wasn’t. Makes me wanna watch Heaven’s Gate again. William H. Macy as explosives guy easily the best part.
December 13, 2025 at 6:06 PM
173. Train Dreams - I was into it until I wasn’t. Makes me wanna watch Heaven’s Gate again. William H. Macy as explosives guy easily the best part.
172. Jay Kelly - I mostly enjoyed this but it all adds up to not much. Kind of how I feel about Clooney’s career already, whoops. Shades of Paolo Sorrentino here but less oogling. I hate making that association, alas, its what my brain is doing. Sandler really good.
December 12, 2025 at 4:25 AM
172. Jay Kelly - I mostly enjoyed this but it all adds up to not much. Kind of how I feel about Clooney’s career already, whoops. Shades of Paolo Sorrentino here but less oogling. I hate making that association, alas, its what my brain is doing. Sandler really good.
171. Song Sung Blue (2008) - an enjoyable documentary portrait of Wisconsin’s own Lightning and Thunder and their Neil Diamond show. Life at home for the duo is not as bright as the lights they perform under. The struggles and hardships all real, but the love and music kept them together.
December 12, 2025 at 1:33 AM
171. Song Sung Blue (2008) - an enjoyable documentary portrait of Wisconsin’s own Lightning and Thunder and their Neil Diamond show. Life at home for the duo is not as bright as the lights they perform under. The struggles and hardships all real, but the love and music kept them together.
170. Hamnet - this desperately needed a crazy benefactor played by Christoph Waltz. Since it doesn’t have that, its a waste of time. Totally bland snooze, making Shakespeare seem insanely uninteresting. I can’t even say the performances are any kind of achievement… extremely not my shit.
December 11, 2025 at 2:45 AM
170. Hamnet - this desperately needed a crazy benefactor played by Christoph Waltz. Since it doesn’t have that, its a waste of time. Totally bland snooze, making Shakespeare seem insanely uninteresting. I can’t even say the performances are any kind of achievement… extremely not my shit.
169. Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair -
I’ve lost count how many time I’ve seen the parts. Knew all the lines these years on, a longgg experience. Still a fun time in the theater, HOWEVER, lesser Tarantino for me. And the Fortnite addition felt unnecessary.
I’ve lost count how many time I’ve seen the parts. Knew all the lines these years on, a longgg experience. Still a fun time in the theater, HOWEVER, lesser Tarantino for me. And the Fortnite addition felt unnecessary.
December 5, 2025 at 10:41 PM
169. Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair -
I’ve lost count how many time I’ve seen the parts. Knew all the lines these years on, a longgg experience. Still a fun time in the theater, HOWEVER, lesser Tarantino for me. And the Fortnite addition felt unnecessary.
I’ve lost count how many time I’ve seen the parts. Knew all the lines these years on, a longgg experience. Still a fun time in the theater, HOWEVER, lesser Tarantino for me. And the Fortnite addition felt unnecessary.
168. Rental Family - Empty mush. I liked the old man, but the rest of this is unconvincing, underwritten, and a huge waste of time. Bernhard Wegner’s comedy Peacock does all this for-hire drama so much better.
December 4, 2025 at 9:33 PM
168. Rental Family - Empty mush. I liked the old man, but the rest of this is unconvincing, underwritten, and a huge waste of time. Bernhard Wegner’s comedy Peacock does all this for-hire drama so much better.
167. Seven Veils - its up its own butt, sure, yet its totally watchable. Seyfried feels a little miscast but she’s trying her damndest to make
me believe she’s into opera. Not for everyone. Capital “A” Art cinema from Egoyan. The kind of movie that would have played on the Bravo network in the 90s.
me believe she’s into opera. Not for everyone. Capital “A” Art cinema from Egoyan. The kind of movie that would have played on the Bravo network in the 90s.
December 2, 2025 at 5:29 AM
167. Seven Veils - its up its own butt, sure, yet its totally watchable. Seyfried feels a little miscast but she’s trying her damndest to make
me believe she’s into opera. Not for everyone. Capital “A” Art cinema from Egoyan. The kind of movie that would have played on the Bravo network in the 90s.
me believe she’s into opera. Not for everyone. Capital “A” Art cinema from Egoyan. The kind of movie that would have played on the Bravo network in the 90s.
166. Up Close & Personal - yes, I finished John Gregory Dunne’s Monster before watching this (incredible shitshow of a book). I did enjoy the movie despite knowing all the revisions and chaos- Pfeiffer and Redford are delightful. Their chemistry overcomes a lot of conventions.
December 1, 2025 at 12:57 PM
166. Up Close & Personal - yes, I finished John Gregory Dunne’s Monster before watching this (incredible shitshow of a book). I did enjoy the movie despite knowing all the revisions and chaos- Pfeiffer and Redford are delightful. Their chemistry overcomes a lot of conventions.
165. Sentimental Value - aka Life As a House. I think there’s a lot of beauty here in exploring this family. And yet the complexities of relationships make it feel rushed. Tremendous performances from the entire cast though, no weak moments, but this should be a longer movie.
November 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
165. Sentimental Value - aka Life As a House. I think there’s a lot of beauty here in exploring this family. And yet the complexities of relationships make it feel rushed. Tremendous performances from the entire cast though, no weak moments, but this should be a longer movie.
164. Megadoc - Mike Figgis, hope you’re doing ok! A nutty compliment to a zany, indulgent motion picture is the documentary where egos go wild and every day FFC faces challenges in production and himself. Probably not as scandalous as other on the set documentaries but its very entertaining.
November 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM
164. Megadoc - Mike Figgis, hope you’re doing ok! A nutty compliment to a zany, indulgent motion picture is the documentary where egos go wild and every day FFC faces challenges in production and himself. Probably not as scandalous as other on the set documentaries but its very entertaining.
163. Planes, Trains and Automobiles - surprisingly light on narrative but that may also be why its successful. It is just about the journey and encounters of chaos. Wholesome disaster with a smile versus rich guy expectations. Steve Martin and John Candy, haha a pair.
November 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM
163. Planes, Trains and Automobiles - surprisingly light on narrative but that may also be why its successful. It is just about the journey and encounters of chaos. Wholesome disaster with a smile versus rich guy expectations. Steve Martin and John Candy, haha a pair.
162. Frankenstein (2025) - I think I hate Oscar Isaac. A garish disaster, only made tolerable when Jacob Elordi lumbers and broods his pain with such care that he convinced me to finish this mess. This movie does not deserve him.
November 17, 2025 at 6:24 AM
162. Frankenstein (2025) - I think I hate Oscar Isaac. A garish disaster, only made tolerable when Jacob Elordi lumbers and broods his pain with such care that he convinced me to finish this mess. This movie does not deserve him.
161. Nouvelle Vague - Despite some decent casting, cinematography/imitation overall, I’m left feeling very empty. VERY So What, Who Cares at trying to nail down Godard’s origin and late 50s filmmaking through this flat script of declarations. On a positive note, its better than Le Redoubtable.
November 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
161. Nouvelle Vague - Despite some decent casting, cinematography/imitation overall, I’m left feeling very empty. VERY So What, Who Cares at trying to nail down Godard’s origin and late 50s filmmaking through this flat script of declarations. On a positive note, its better than Le Redoubtable.
160. His Girl Friday - not a movie for its story but for its play between characters. She can’t resist a scoop! Although I’m not sure this kind of picture is for me, the language dance and charm from the performers should lead to a successful, satisfying viewing for anyone. Nice.
November 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
160. His Girl Friday - not a movie for its story but for its play between characters. She can’t resist a scoop! Although I’m not sure this kind of picture is for me, the language dance and charm from the performers should lead to a successful, satisfying viewing for anyone. Nice.
159. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You - ah yes thee chaos indie of Sundance 2025. Occasionally amusing. Sadness. Goes too far at times with the chaos that it lost me. Rose Byrne is fine, yet she was always just Rose Byrne to me here.
November 11, 2025 at 4:43 AM
159. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You - ah yes thee chaos indie of Sundance 2025. Occasionally amusing. Sadness. Goes too far at times with the chaos that it lost me. Rose Byrne is fine, yet she was always just Rose Byrne to me here.
158. Die My Love - The Lynne Ramsay experience 101. As predictable as the film is, its boosted by a solid performance by Jennifer Lawrence. Her Grace feels all her own. Its a memorable turn in a movie that is and isn’t so surprising in its assertions.
November 11, 2025 at 4:41 AM
158. Die My Love - The Lynne Ramsay experience 101. As predictable as the film is, its boosted by a solid performance by Jennifer Lawrence. Her Grace feels all her own. Its a memorable turn in a movie that is and isn’t so surprising in its assertions.
157. Passion of Mind - In her mind, Demi Moore lives in both NYC and Provence. She’s in a relationship with two different men and regularly has sex with them. Umm I fail to see the problem here! Light on the drama, altogether slight for such an oddly executed life conundrum.
November 10, 2025 at 6:37 AM
157. Passion of Mind - In her mind, Demi Moore lives in both NYC and Provence. She’s in a relationship with two different men and regularly has sex with them. Umm I fail to see the problem here! Light on the drama, altogether slight for such an oddly executed life conundrum.
156. Mr. Scorsese - Yes, you get to spend five hours with Marty. Great! There’s a severe lack of outer, deep perspective though. Never wanted talking heads more in a documentary, and I’m shocked. SHOCKED by how many voices are not here. If this gets the kids interested in his work, thats good.
October 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
156. Mr. Scorsese - Yes, you get to spend five hours with Marty. Great! There’s a severe lack of outer, deep perspective though. Never wanted talking heads more in a documentary, and I’m shocked. SHOCKED by how many voices are not here. If this gets the kids interested in his work, thats good.
155. Blue Moon (2025) - Ethan Hawke showing all he’s still got it as the lovable loser Lorenz Hart. Its an astounding dance of a performance even when he spends most of the time sat at a bar. A well cast and poignant picture.
October 28, 2025 at 1:48 AM
155. Blue Moon (2025) - Ethan Hawke showing all he’s still got it as the lovable loser Lorenz Hart. Its an astounding dance of a performance even when he spends most of the time sat at a bar. A well cast and poignant picture.