88Nine: Cinebuds

In the 40+ years of box-office tracking, the numbers for North America are pretty easy to summarize: up.Almost without exception, the total gross and the number of releases that found their way into theaters rose steadily every year, hitting their peak in 2018 with 993 releases grossing nearly $11.9 billion. The next year saw a slight dip to 910 releases and nearly $11.4 billion — and we know what happened after that.The movie industry, like many others, hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels and may never get there. In 2024, 675 releases hit screens across North America and tallied just shy of $8.6 billion. While those totals are well behind the previous pace, that doesn't necessarily mean the cinema is worse off — perhaps just different.One of the people navigating the new environment is director Danny Villanueva Jr., a Chicago native whose move northward greatly influenced his second feature-length film, What Happened to Dorothy Bell? Since premiering in 2024, the horror movie has been met with positive reviews from audiences, including the ones at this year's Milwaukee Film Festival, where it made its Wisconsin debut.Technically a found-footage paranormal film, What Happened to Dorothy Bell? is also described by its director as “a story about generational trauma and self-discovery.” On top of that, it's a story about Kenosha — or at least starring Kenosha. The city's 125-year-old Gilbert M. Simmons Library, and the ghost tours found therein, stoked Villanueva Jr.'s creative fires and ultimately became the filming location.On this episode of Cinebuds, he joins us to talk about how he gravitated to the horror genre, his path to becoming a “micro-budget” filmmaker and the part our state — and events like the Milwaukee Film Festival — has to play in the wider world of moviemaking.

For a podcast called Cinebuds, reviewing a film called Friendship sounds like a match made in celluloidic heaven. As you'll hear, that depends on your vision of the afterlife.Just to get this out of the way, your beloved hosts Dori and Kpolly have a wonderful bond that would make a … let's say questionably entertaining movie. Fortunately, the duo in Friendship — Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd — are less focused on a seamless relationship and more focused on making a film people actually want to watch.On that last point, how into the movie you are depends greatly on how much you get down with cringey humor that occasionally jumps over the line into downright dark. Also, how you feel about drug-trip fantasies involving a certain nationwide sandwich shop.Check out the full episode to hear everything Dori and Kpolly had to say about Friendship, as well as their top three movies about male friendship (spoiler: one of them features Pee-Wee Herman).

Because everyone loves a double meaning, Milwaukee Film took one look at the month of June, contemplated it being the start of summer as well as Pride Month, and came up with a movie series titled “Summer CAMP!” that covers the latter with just a sprinkling of the former.The 10 films selected for the monthlong run primarily reflect the Merriam-Webster definition of camp as “something so outrageously artificial, affected, inappropriate, or out-of-date as to be considered amusing.” You'll also find a couple movies that head to camp as in cabins and mosquitos and — in one case — slasher horror.Here's the full lineup, all of which unspool at the Oriental Theatre:Death Becomes Her — June 4 at 6:30 p.m.Polyester (in Odorama!) — June 6 at 7:30 p.m.Xanadu — June 7-8 at 3 p.m.Grease 2 — June 12-13 at 9:30 p.m.Showgirls — June 19-21 at 9 p.m.Brokeback Mountain (4K restoration) — June 22 at noon and 6 p.m.; June 24 and 26 at 6 p.m.Moonrise Kingdom — June 21-22 at 3 p.m.D.E.B.S. — June 26-27 at 9 p.m.What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? — June 28-29 at 3:45 p.m.Sleepaway Camp — June 28 at 9:45 p.m.

We're switching things up for this episode of Cinebuds and talking about … the theater!OK, sure, Dori and Kpolly talk about theaters all the time in the context of movies. For this installment, they're talking about live theater being brought to movie theaters to give audiences the chance to experience live theater while sitting in a movie theater.Milwaukee Film has done this in the past and recently resuscitated the practice via National Theatre Live, which for 15+ years has delivered the best of British theatre to movie houses around the world. We're talking instantly recognizable names and faces like Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Sheen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Andrew Scott treading the boards in productions of Hamlet, Frankenstein and Vanya.The brilliant Scott gets the spotlight treatment in this episode of Cinebuds, as our movie-loving duo applies some of that adoration to Scott's astounding performance in Vanya. The stage play sees him take on every character in a way few actors can while utilizing subtle shifts in tone, expression and body language, with a little help from creative propwork.You can hear all about Vanya and Scott's sizable undertaking in the full episode of Cinebuds, and find more information on National Theatre Live at the Oriental via the Milwaukee Film website.Cinebuds is sponsored by Joe Wilde Co.

Reunited, and it feels so good ...After taking a breather during the Milwaukee Film Festival (more on that in a moment), Dori and Kpolly got back behind the microphone to talk about the latest Marvel movie, Thunderbolts*. Due in part to the break in recording, this might be the first time in Cinebuds history that a film changed its title between its release and getting discussed on the podcast — nice to know the Marvel Cinematic Universe can still keep us on our toes 36 movies in.You'll hear our hosts talk about the focus on mental health that hovers over Thunderbolts*, the ideas about found family (or teammates), David Harbour's welcome heaping helping of comic relief amid many other brooding characters and Florence Pugh's commitment to her role that saw her leap off a 2,000-foot skyscraper.Of course, we couldn't close the episode with getting a quick Milwaukee Film Festival report from Kpolly, who happily notes the event's 47% increase in attendance per theater.

On this episode, Dori welcomes some very special guests to talk about a very important film: Cycle.More than five years in the making, Cycle takes an unflinching look at the patterns behind police violence in America through the story of Ty'rese West, an 18-year-old from Racine who was shot and killed by Mount Pleasant police officer Eric Giese in 2019 after being stopped for riding a bicycle without a headlight.Joining the podcast to talk about their film — and their deep connections to it — are directors Laura Dyan Kezman and William Howell, both of whom are from Racine. Uniquely Milwaukee host Kim Shine also sits in for this one as the quartet talk about:Howell's personal connection to West's family and the Racine community, which helped build trust for the deeply personal footage in the film.The challenging process of obtaining public information from authorities.How the death of George Floyd in 2020 reframed their work.Who holds power in the criminal justice system, particularly the District Attorney.The challenges of and potential for filmmaking in Wisconsin.The hope that "Cycle" serves as a catalyst and inspires viewers to push social justice forward.Cinebuds is sponsored by Joe Wilde Co.

Cinebuds is sponsored by Joe Wilde Co.The Milwaukee Film Festival doesn't stop after week one, so neither do we!We're into the second phase of the annual event, and in the extremely remote chance you thought Dori and Kpolly would run out of films to talk about, rest assured that the folks at Milwaukee Film have provided plenty to cover.Speaking of those folks, programming director Kerstin Larson is back! If you want to get technical about how we record these things, she actually never left … but still. It's great to have an insider like Kerstin helping us sort through the 96(!) features and oodles of short programs across five screens at the Oriental and Downer theaters.On this episode, the trio briefly hit on the unique environment of a film festival, the excitement around seeing these projects that aren't always what you expect, and how going to a theater will always (always!!!) kick the rear end of watching a movie at home.Milwaukee Film Festival picks: Week 2What Happened to Dorothy Bell? After uncovering disturbing revelations from her early childhood involving her late grandmother, Ozzie Gray sets out to investigate her past. Desperate for answers, she attempts to communicate with Dorothy's spirit but unwittingly awakens something malevolent.Midnight ShortsWho doesn't love a little mayhem? Your inner monster will thank you for this night of kooky comedies, hair-raising horror and cRuNCHy sqUISHYyy battles between flesh and … is that Cate Blanchett?! It's a late-night party so unhinged, you can only see it after midnight. OK, it starts at 10 p.m. … but maybe it'll go until midnight?BalomaniaThe culture and work of Brazilian baloeiros — secret groups of men who craft and launch intricate hot-air balloon art — deserve a place on the big screen. This epic portrayal captures the free-spirited artistry and subculture, showcasing a raw, authentic exploration of Brazilian masculinity.HarvestOver seven hallucinatory days, a village with no name, in an undefined time and place, disappears. Tsangari's follow up to 2015's Chevalier, this tragicomic take on a Western follows townsman-turned-farmer Walter Thirsk (Caleb Landry Jones) and befuddled lord of the manor Charles Kent (Harry Melling), childhood friends who are about to face an invasion from the outside world: the trauma of modernity. The Milwaukee Show (One and Two)Each year, The Milwaukee Show is one of the hottest tickets of the festival — a rare chance to see work from our local best and brightest in the gloriously opulent setting of our beloved Oriental Theatre's Abele Cinema. This collection of stunning shorts allows you to watch locally, yet think globally.40 AcresIn a post-apocalyptic future where food is scarce, the last descendants of a Black family of farmers who settled in Canada after the American Civil War must protect their homestead from an organized militia hell-bent on taking their land. Structured like a typical apocalypse film, 40 Acres subverts expectations in ways that will leave you breathless. Magic FarmA film crew working for an edgy media company travels to Argentina to profile a local musician, but their ineptitude leads them into the wrong country. As the crew collaborates with locals to fabricate a trend, unexpected connections blossom while a pervasive health crisis looms unacknowledged in the background.

OMilwaukee Film programming director Kerstin Larson joins Dori and Kpolly to talk about the return of the Milwaukee Film Festival, including some of their favorite selections from the two-week event:Sally, a documentary about Sally Ride, directed by Milwaukee native Christina Constantini, is the opening night film. Christina Costantini also directed Science Fair, which was an opening night film a few years prior.Teaches of Peaches, a documentary about the musician Peaches, will be shown on the first full day of the festival. This film is part of the Sound Vision program and also fits into the genre queer category.Desperately Seeking Susan, starring Madonna, will have a screening with Susan Sidleman in attendance for a book signing and talk. This is the film's 40th anniversary.Boys Go to Jupiter is an animated film described as goofy and cute with a cast of alternative comedy voice actors.Waves is a historical period piece about a rogue radio station in the Czech Republic in the 1960s.Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse, a documentary about the graphic novelist who wrote "Mouse," will be featured.Green Blah, The History of Green Bay Punk Rock is a documentary about the punk rock scene in Green Bay.Pavements is a documentary about the band Pavement with an experimental twist that includes a fictional movie about the band being filmed simultaneously, starring actors like Joe Keery and Jason Schwartzman.For more info on this year's film festival, visit the Milwaukee Film website.Cinebuds is sponsored by Joe Wilde Co.

When you heard the news earlier this month that Val Kilmer died, your mind likely jumped to an image of him from one of his movies. Iceman from Top Gun was no doubt the one that most people conjured. Or was it Doc Holliday from Tombstone? Or Jim Morrison from The Doors? Or Madmartigan from Willow?If you need evidence of Kilmer's lasting impact on the film world, that should be enough. Even the most casual of movie-watchers can easily replay a scene in their head from one of his many memorable roles (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang being a personal favorite … if you haven't seen it, it's well worth your four bucks to rent).On this episode of Cinebuds, Dori and Kpolly take a beautifully heartbreaking trip through Val Kilmer's filmography by sharing their personal connections to his work and delving into his illustrious career — with a slight bias you'd expect from kids of the '80 and '90s, as our hosts are.Was Kilmer the most unsung leading man of his generation? Does that sell him short from a career perspective considering his theater work and Grammy nomination? We start to answer those questions in this episode.

We've got unicorns on the brain!

We're a scant two days into April, and Milwaukee Film has lined up a couple series that will keep your eyes glued to the big screen throughout the month — one of which gets all of our attention on this episode of Cinebuds.Because they're naturally colorful characters, Dori and Kpolly of course wanted to talk about “Animation April,” which will cover nearly 40 years of the art form that brings the fantastic to life at theaters everywhere. The Milwaukee Film series focuses intently on one particular theater: The Oriental, which will roll out nine selections over the next several weeks.“Animation can fascinate audiences both young and old,” Milwaukee Film's Black Lens programmer Ty Williams said in a release. “From painstakingly made claymation to visually mind blowing anime, these films have been made with care from some of the greatest creatives in the industry.”April 3 at 7 p.m. — Ghost in the ShellApril 3-5 at 9 p.m. — Cowboy Bepop: The MovieApril 5-6 at 3 p.m. — The Land Before TimeApril 10-12 at 9 p.m. — MindgameApril 11 at 3 p.m. — FlowApril 12-13 at 3 p.m. — The Prince of EgyptApril 13 at noon and 6 p.m. — FlowApril 17-19 at 9 p.m. — PaprikaApril 18 at 4 p.m. — Memoir of a SnailApril 19-20 at 3 p.m. — The Last UnicornApril 20 at 6 p.m. — Memoir of a Snail

On this episode, we dive into the new concert film Lifers with two of the people who know it best because they lived it: Local H's Scott Lucas and cinematographer Wes Knot.They talk with Radio Milwaukee's Dori Zori about how the idea for Lifers came about during Local H's COVID-delayed tour and how Lucas wanted to create something beyond a typical concert video, drawing inspiration from movies like Goodbye Dragon Inn and Slacker. What they ended up with is a unique blend of live performance footage from their final tour stop at the Metro in Chicago and narrative vignettes featuring both actors and real concertgoers.Cinebuds is sponsored by Joe Wilde Co.

We don't exactly keep rock-solid statistics for this sort of thing, but to the best of our recollection, this episode of Cinebuds sets a new land-speed record for sheer number of movies mentioned in a single episode. Given the topic, that shouldn't come as a surprise.In addition to being a Cinebud, Dori Zori is 88Nine's morning host and — this next one is an unofficial title — queen of the station's International Women's Day programming. She got that particular tradition started a decade ago, putting her passion for female, femme and female-identifying artists on the air for all to hear.So you know we weren't going to let March pass by without a Cinebuds episode devoted to impactful women in the movie industry. Dori and Kpolly name drop more than 30 films during their chat, in addition to giving general co-signs to the work of Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn. They also point out a few individuals who may not be quite as well-known to movie lovers, like film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who has worked alongside director Martin Scorsese for more than five decades.We did our best to collect all the movies they mentioned and sort them in the lists below. Take a look at your options and host your own screening this March and all year round.Women's History Month moviesStarring roles9 to 5, starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane FondaCoffy, starring Pam Grier (showing at the Oriental Theatre from March 20-22)Stormy Weather, starring Lena HorneGaslight, starring Ingrid BergmanA League of Their Own, starring Geena DavisPrivate Benjamin, starring Goldie HawnStar Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, starring Carrie FisherDirector's cutThe Future, directed by Miranda JulyKajillionaire, directed by Miranda JulyMe and You and Everyone We Know, directed by (and starring) Miranda JulyCertain Women, directed by Kelly ReichardtFirst Cow, directed by Kelly ReichardtYou Were Never Really Here, directed by Lynne RamsayLemon, directed by Janicza BravoZola, directed by Janicza BravoThe Hurt Locker, directed by Kathryn BigelowThe Fire Inside, directed by Rachel MorrisonBehind the scenesThe Departed, edited by Thelma Schoonmaker (showing at the Oriental Theatre on March 25)Black Panther, cinematography by Rachel MorrisonFruitvale Station, cinematography by Rachel MorrisonDope, cinematography by Rachel Morrison

CineAre you about to experience the most adorable episode of Cinebuds ever? It's hard to say definitively, but considering the podcast has somehow never reviewed a film from the Paddington Cinematic Universe, the cute factor will be pretty high for this one.The latest entry in the series featuring the duffle-coat-wearing ursine, Paddington in Peru, puts the premise right there in the title. Paddington receives some concerning news about his Aunt Lucy from the Home for Retired Bears in and crosses an ocean — with the Brown family in tow — to learn that she's vanished. So, with help from Antonio Banderas, they set out to find her. And maybe discover an ancient treasure.In a very on brand sort of way, both of our cuddly hosts came into this episode as fans of the previous Paddington movies. One of them even listens to the voice of Ben Wishaw (as Paddington, of course) at bedtime because it's “delightful and gentle and kind.”Not to give too much away, but only two of those adjectives apply to Paddington in Peru. Whether it's because the previous films set a very high bar or the latest entry didn't quite coalesce the way those others did, Dori and Kpolly weren't quite as tickled this time around.Cinebuds is sponsored by Joe Wilde Garage Door Company.

When you subtitle your film The Burden of Black Genius, it's clear you're going to venture into heavy territory. That's something Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson hasn't shrunk from since adding the job title of director to his extensive resume, and it serves him well again in Sly Lives!To properly navigate the ins and outs of this complex look at a complex man, Dori and Kpolly call on the services of HYFIN's Anthony Foster — a longtime fan of Sly & The Family Stone whose own family has passed that love from one generation to the next. The trio dig into Sly's musical legacy, his struggles with fame and substance abuse, and what “black genius” even means.

The Captain America wing (heh) of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has carved out a logical space over the course of its four movies. Sure, they have the whiz-bang action sequences and solid acting performances as the other MCU entries — most of them anyway — but they're also palpably political thrillers. The same is true of the latest entry in Cap's corner, Captain America: Brave New World, which marks the first film with Anthony Mackie's Falcon chucking that shield hither and yon. But, without giving too much away, the new movie is kind of like the new Captain America: not as strong as the old one and thus somewhat drained of its impact.Does that make CA:BNW not enjoyable? Far from it. If you're generally pleased by Marvel's output, you'll likely be generally pleased by this one. Dori and Kpolly both count themselves in that camp, and in this episode they throw around such lofty praise as “very acceptable.” They also dig into the performances from a stellar cast that includes Mackie, Harrison Ford, Giancarlo Esposito and a possibly CGI Liv Tyler.You can hear all of their thoughts in this very acceptable episode by using the player at the top of the page or by finding Cinebuds wherever you do your podcast-listening.

Live from Milwaukee ...Too easy? Sure. But appropriate considering the subject of this episode, in which we find out hosts diving into Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music.While not a movie, per se, the documentary does have movie-ish qualities rolled up into its 3-hour runtime --- most prominently in the meticulous approach of its director, Questlove. The co-founder of The Roots has added to his already-good name by establishing himself as a top-notch documentarian, and in this project he uncovers behind-the-scenes stories behind the show's most iconic performance while highlighting its surprising influence on music history.

This year for Black History Month, Milwaukee Film tapped its new Black Lens programmer Ty Williams to curate selections that examine various aspects of the Black experience. We didn't just want to share his picks (although we do that below), so we invited Williams to join this episode of Cinebuds to take us deeper into this month's programming.As is usually the case when we talk with creatively minded folks, the thought process Williams went through when coming up with his list is as interesting as the list itself. You'll hear about his background, which includes graduating from the film department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; how he balances between choosing films he loves and one the public will enjoy; and the personal favorites that didn't make the final cut but are well worth your time.Check out the full lineup of Milwaukee Film's Black History Month programming below (including ones that have already screened in case you want to track them down yourself) and grab tickets on the Milwaukee Film website.Feb. 2 — DrylongsoFeb. 7 — Do the Right ThingFeb. 14 — ObsessedFeb. 15 — Who Killed Captain Alex?Feb. 16 — NationtimeFeb. 19 — Boyz N the HoodFeb. 22 — Get OutFeb. 23 — Malcolm XFeb. 28 — Glory

With some movies, you don't want to know what you're in for. Processing the unexpected is part of the experience, whether it's a great twist (The Usual Suspects). or a jaw-dropping comedic element (Something About Mary). Other films absolutely require some form of preparation. Nickel Boys is one of those.Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, Nickel Boys — as the synopsis states — “chronicles the powerful friendship between two young Black teenagers navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida.” What the synopsis doesn't say is how wrecked the movie will leave you.As Dori and Kpolly make very clear in this episode, the devastation is worth it based on the care and creativity poured into this film by all involved.

One of the prominent talking points around recent Best Picture nominee The Brutalist is the level of commitment it asks of its audience. Tipping the scales at a hefty 214 minutes, the film is thoughtful enough to include an intermission as it tells a tale about the complexity of creation, collaboration and capitalism.With more than three and a half hours of movie to talk about, our hosts have ample opportunity to share thoughts about the latest from director Brady Corbet — well, one of them does anyway. An unfortunate household appliance situation interrupted Kpolly's attempt to see The Brutalist, leaving Dori as our lone Cinebud with opinions to offer.Fortunately, this just so happens to be a “very special guest” episode featuring not one but TWO podcast debutants: Milwaukee Film's Kelsey Parks and Kevin Rice!We asked the organization's technical manager and technology director to join us because this film is a bit of a technological marvel because of its … film. With an assist from IMDb, here's a quick explainer:The film was shot entirely in VistaVision, a widescreen format that runs 35mm film horizontally through the camera to create eight perforation film frames, twice the size and resolution of standard four perforation 35mm. The film was then released in theaters with 70mm film prints. … This is the first American film in 61 years to be entirely shot in the format, the last being My Six Loves (1963). Director Brady Corbet explained: "It just seemed like the best way to access that period (1950s) was to shoot on something that was engineered in that same decade."It's one thing to read about the unique filming approach and another to actually show it to audiences. Kelsey and Kevin have the insiders' perspectives on what it took to get The Brutalist on the big screen at the Oriental Theatre, which is one of a shrinking number of venues across the country equipped to project 70mm film.Then there's the workout the Oriental Theatre's projectionists get with every screening. Each reel weighs roughly 40 pounds, and they need to be changed every 40 minutes without audiences noticing the transitions. It's a really interesting look behind the curtain (or into the projection booth) that we're proud to provide in this episode.

There are some things that are never a good idea. Eating Tide pods, for instance. Then there are things that deserve selective engagement — facing your fears, if you will.In the movie-watching realm, the horror genre falls into this general area because it's frequently cited as the segment certain people simply will not venture into. Occasionally, however, a film comes along that at the very least merits consideration for taking that spooky road into the woods rather than staying on Rom-Com Boulevard.This episode of Cinebuds takes just such a detour as our hosts discuss the new Robert Eggers film, Nosferatu. Dori and Kpolly are particularly suited for this exercise, with both falling into the “not a big horror fan” camp and thus taking tentative steps into the genre from time to time.Spoiler alert (for the podcast, not the movie): Nosferatu is worth it.Will you need to be OK watching scenes involving thousands of rats? Yes. Does one of the main characters appear to be the physical embodiment of standing in the middle of a garbage dump in the middle of a fetid swamp and taking a big deep breath through your nose only? Sure. But, as Kpolly so eloquently states in the episode, if a film makes you feel strongly one way or the other, it's time well spent.

When filmmaker Wendy Schneider started going to Aztalan Cycle Club in Lake Mills as a curious fan 20 years ago, there was a lot she didn't know.She didn't know she'd be moved by the young girls racing motorcycles on the quarter-mile dirt oval. That she would form a strong connection to one particular racer, Charlotte Kainz, and her family. That a car accident would derail the project and a tragic racing accident would bring Schneider back to it.It's a story that deserves to be heard and seen, which is why we invited Schneider to join this episode and talk about the finished product, as well as the difficult road it traveled, in advance of the Angels of Dirt special screening happening at Times Cinema on Jan. 18.

A familiar face from the Cinebuds crew returns to join Dori Zori and Kristopher Pollard for a lively chat about their favorite films of 2024! Who could it be? Tune in to this episode to uncover the mystery guest and their top movie picks

Adapting a beloved Brodway musical is a road fraught with danger. Just ask Dear Evan Hansen. From box-office receipts alone (more than a half-billion dollars worldwide as of this writing), we know Wicked managed to avoid any sleep-inducing poppies and flying monkeys waiting for it on the path to success. But movie executives and movie audiences have very different definitions of “good,” and we only care about the second one.Dori and Kpolly went into Wicked with fond memories of the classic Judy Garland film, and yet carried a healthy amount of excitement into the theater rather than skepticism. For the most part, that faith was rewarded by a film that managed to balance its two assignments: entertain the audience and set the table for part two.You'll hear all the details about their theater-going adventures (one involved an intrusive singalong, one did not) and their in-depth feelings about Wicked in the full episode.

Even before the casting was announced, we knew the success or failure of this film would hinge on the performance of the actor at its center. Ultimately, that task fell on the physically slight but thespian-ly broad shoulders of Chalamet, who in the past few years has established himself as one of the more reliably solid actors in Hollywood.From a breakout performance in Call Me by Your Name to the excellent Dune movies to the adequate Wonka, Chalamet consistently rises to meet the challenge in front of him.While vastly different films, Dune and A Complete Unknown presented a similar task: Fully embody a character with a rabid fan base ready to tear you apart if you set a foot wrong. As a result, Chalamet finds himself at the center of the critical discussion around the Bob Dylan biopic — as well as the discussion you'll hear in this episode.The movie doesn't come out until Christmas Day, but Dori and Kpolly managed to secure one seat at an advanced screening and — in the spirit of the season — gifted it to someone perfectly suited to cast a critical eye (and ear) toward the screen. Sam Taffel, in addition to earning a master's degree in film, is a huge Dylan fan from a family of Dylan fans who grew up in New York City, the setting for most of A Complete Unknown. You'll hear him lay out his bona fides at the top of the podcast before he launches into his well-informed review of director James Mangold's film.

Traditions make the holiday season what it is. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. A treasured decoration hanging in a place of honor on the tree. The annual viewing of Stanley Kubrick's psycho-sexual thriller Eyes Wide Shut.Maybe you don't venture outside the lines quite that much, but Milwaukee Film's "Season's Screenings" holiday series sure does. In honor of the adventurous range of selections being shown at the Oriental Theatre through Jan. 1, Dori and Kpolly have a spirited conversation about what we watch around this time of year, roast a few and unwrap the ones they might not be quite as familiar with (perhaps Tangerine or Tokyo Godfathers).To see the full lineup of films, along with links to purchase tickets, go to our story on the Radio Milwaukee website.

Our two very definitely not old hosts welcome another very definitely not old guest and first-time Cinebuds visitor: Molly Snyder from OnMilwaukee!!! The young-at-heart trio talk about the newest gem in Aubrey Plaza's acting crown, My Old Ass. In the new movie, an 18th-birthday mushroom trip brings Elliott face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self. When the older Elliott starts handing out warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn't do, she realizes she has to rethink everything about family, love and what's becoming a transformative summer.Hear what Dori, Kpolly and Molly thought about this time-trippy and other-trippy film, and whether they learned a thing or two along the way.

Movie studio A24 gets a lot of credit for injecting new life into the horror genre. Talk to Me, Midsommar, The Witch, Hereditary — whoever's making the decisions over there seems to have their finger firmly on the pulse of what notoriously passionate (and opinionated) fans of the genre are looking for.Most recently, their loving gaze has fallen on Heretic and the familiar face of Hugh Grant playing a role that would've been deeply unfamiliar earlier in his career: unhinged psychopath.Grant brings his unique mix of charm and smarm and menace to the new movie, which shares that complexity by throwing philosophical ingredients into its mix of horror and psychological thriller. In other words, it does what A24 movies have been doing for the last decade or so. But does it connect with everyone?Our focus group of two shares their surprisingly divergent thoughts on this episode of Cinebuds.

When the worlds of music and movies intersect, we tend to think about concert films — gigantic spectacles glamorizing the wonderful side of fame, like Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé or Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour.On some level, we know that we don't really know these artists. Yet it's still jarring every time we get a glimpse at their actual lives, especially when we discover that these larger-than-life individuals often have problems to match.They don't come much bigger than what indie-pop duo Tegan and Sara endured in secret for years while playing some of the biggest stages on the planet. They shared their story with the recent release of Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara — an eye-opening documentary now available on Hulu.Dori and Kpolly provide the two perspectives most people will bring to this film: Tegan and Film superfan (Dori) or total newbie (Kpolly). Fanatical is pretty much guaranteed to connect with the first audience, but what about the second group? The conversation between our cinematic duo answers that question and might just nudge you toward Hulu for a home viewing (and spook you away from social media for a little while).

Forget the chicken and the egg. Nevermind the sound of one hand clapping. Let's answer something truly difficult:What's your favorite Keanu Reeves movies?That's what Dori and Kpolly bravely take on in this episode of Cinebuds, which takes inspiration from the Keanuthon currently underway at the Oriental Theatre.As you follow along with our duo's typically high-minded conversation, ponder your own preference when it comes to the filmography of Keanu Reeves. Do you go for the clueless comedic version in the Bill & Ted series? The “in over his head” action star of Point Break and The Matrix? The “man of few words but many guns” from the John Wick series?Dori and Kpolly run through all the Keanus in this episode and hopefully discuss why Milwaukee Film didn't include his best role — Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4 — in the Keanuthon that runs through the end of the month.

Dori Zori & Kristopher Pollard interview comedian Eugene Mirman (voice of Gene in Bob's Burgers) and discuss what they've been watching lately.

Dori Zori from 88Nine recently spoke with Micki Seinfeld, Director of Special Events, and Julie Lookatch, Marketing Director, to highlight must-see films at the 27th Annual Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival. The festival will take place from October 27th to 31st. For more information, visit the event website here.

First rule of bite club is to talk about it as much as you can. They talk about the Oriental Theater's upcoming "Bite Club," an exploration of vampire movies of all blood types; from funny to scary they break down their favorites.-Produced & Edited by Guru Amrit Singh

Dori delves into the new documentary 1-800-ON-HER-OWN by talking with its central figure, Ani DiFranco. The film examines DiFranco's balancing act between two passions: creating music, and being a wife and mother. Dori speaks with director Dana Floor and DiFranco herself in this revealing interview.Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

MKE Film is introducing the first edition of its planned annual event: the Dialogues Documentary Festival. Dori and Kpolly chat about the LARP-oriented film "We Can Be Heroes," a doc about kids being kids and the worlds of imagination. Fun stuff! They also touch on documentaries in general and the start of a new thing you might want to try. Produced and Edited by Marcus Doucette

Dori Zori is on a wing of her own with writer, director and star East Forest for a conversation about mental health, magic and mushrooms, as well as the new film Music for Mushrooms.Produced and Edited by Marcus Doucette 

Beetlejuice is back baby! Dori and K-Polly give it the old Cinebuds back rub. The 2024 version is gonna be playing for a bit at the historic Oriental Theater, and the way our cinematic duo tell it, you'll probs want to go see it. They reminisce over the original 1988 film and its more recent tranformation; role reprises, career arcs and even the dope new soundtrack. Plus, they talk about a couple of other films they've been viewing, like The Fall Guy and the documentary Lover of Men.Produced and Edited by Marcus Doucette

Dori Zori of 88Nine x Kristopher Pollard of MKE Film x Tom Crawford of WMSE = wow! Big conversation. Past present and future. Cinema is just the tip of the iceberg, pop your own popcorn.Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

A 93 on Imdb, Sing Sing is a movie about a man falsely accused and Dori and Kristopher have some thoughts. Sounds serious but, in truth, a comedy of sorts.Divine G (Colman Domingo), imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group with other incarcerated men. When a wary outsider joins the group, the men decide to stage their first original comedy, in this stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art, starring an unforgettable ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors.Also, further thoughts on the new Deadpool film and Kristopher revisits all the X-Men movies...-produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

M. Night Shyamalan's latest film is called "Trap," but what do Dori and Kristopher Pollard think about it? Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

“Creepy kids” is practically a movie genre unto itself, especially if you broaden the scope and rightfully include films like Baby Geniuses and characters like Sid from Toy Story. Generally, though, these spooky little squirts are a well-deserved subset of horror that's ripe for conversation — including the one in this episode of Cinebuds.The easy thing to do would be to just jump into examples and rattle off a list, but that isn't their style. Our film-loving duo digs down to the foundation and determines what qualifies as a “creepy kid” movie. What age is prime “creepy kid” territory? What are the tropes that connect these films? How did Martin Short find his way into the subgenre?Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette