Tubi or Not Tubi

In this ever-present, culturally prescient episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we evaluate mob mentality in the 1956 film, Storm Center, written and directed by Daniel Taradash and starring Bette Davis. Tubi has a pesky habit of preseving fascinating cinematic works of the past, and on this show, Bette Davis always draws a crowd. But does the message of Storm Center hold up to this day? Does the gut punch taste the same? Stick around and find out...

In this historical, touchingly innocent episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we bend as no one has bent before with the 2007 film, Ballet Shoes, directed by Sandra Goldbacher and starring Emma Watson. One of the frequent coming-of-age genres that can be found in abundance on Tubi is "Orphan Girls Learn Ballet." What happens when Emma Watson is said orphan girl? Is it as predictable a result as one would imagine?

In this new-agey, aimless episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we wander around the desert pretending we're cute in the 2019 film, Tyger Tyger, directed by Kerry Mondragón and starring Dylan Sprouse. What happens when one accidentally strays from the Official Unofficial Sprouse Twins Ritualisitic At Least Once A Year Ceremony? Tyger Tyger. That's what happens. This movie happened to us.

In this investigatively journalistic episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we take a hard long look at the 2006 film, Inspector Mom, directed by Brad Keller. Often times one comes across a film description on Tubi that is irresistable to resist. In this case there is both a soccer mom and a murder described as "brutal" all in one package... So of course it warranted investigation!

For our season 6 premiere, we are returning to, unveiling, and dissecting the hidden wonders of a film that will forever shake our mental foundations for all time. That film is the 1995 cinematic force known as The Passion of Darkly Noon, written and directed by Phillip Ridley... starring Brendan Fraser, Ashley Judd, and Viggo Mortensen. This episode is a deepm dive, and that is a severe understatement, so it is highly reccommended for the viewer to listen having seen - scratch that, having EXPERIENCED The Passion of Darkly Noon.*   *(Well, there IS self harm with sharp objects but Brendan Fraser is weird about it and it's suppposed to be artsy not shocky but it's still grotesque I dunno it's rated R okay? The dog does die too. And old lady offs herself but she's weird about that too?? Again, discretion, use it.)

In celebration of our fifth anniversary, Tubi or Not Tubi will be reviewing Tár, written and directed by Todd Field and starring Cate Blanchett. When we consider the state of society in 2025, this film becomes even more prescient as a thesis on power, privelege, and cultural ignorance as predicated by the value systems of the fine art insititutional structures we often overlook. Tár is a film so journalistically prescient that we are publishing our review of Tár on April 1st, a day of festive note that singlehandedly impacts the experience we at Tubi or Not Tubi are presenting to you today... 

In this rapid-fire, spookalicious episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we tackle the listener-suggested wonder that is the 2023 film, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, written, directed, and starring Andrew Bowser. Tubi is a powerful entity, that happily absorbs many a passion project: and this one is no exception. But does that passion show on the screen? Let's investigate!

In this hardcore, blazing episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we lazily lounge at the honky tonk that characterizes the 1977 film, Punk Rock, directed by Carter Stevens. Tubi has an interesting track record when it comes to radical radicalism, in fact it is so interesting that said record is impossible to track. What even is Punk Rock? It's still a mystery.

In this brisk, hardened episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we mosey on down into the 2024 Tubi Original film, The Thicket, directed by Elliott Lester and starring Peter Dinklage.   When one examines the state of cinema in modern times, they cannot avoid the inevitability of Tubi. How come? Tubi is where passion projects go to be their unapologetic selves, and this film is no exception. But will that passion rub off on us?  

CW: Ableist Tomfoolery In this edgy, crime-ridden episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we plan to rob as many stores as possible in the 2015 film, Stealing Sunrise, written and directed by Michael Jason Allen. Some heists are not meant to happen, and others are. Other times heists are too sad. Tubi heists are often strange. But are they dangerous and thrilling? Sometimes. How does one steal sunrise anyways.

In this forward-looking, frightful epsiode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we are catching a glimpse of potential terrors in the 2021 film, Future Fear, directed by Ken May. Tubi often loves to surpise us these days. It did it again here, to widely varying effectiveness. But will it be enough to make us fear for our future? Who knows.

Are we kicking off the year with a round of Tubi Twofers? Yes... Okay, okay hear me out. Tubi started being utterly relentless in its assault on the senses and frankly we needed a chance to trauma dump a little bit. You know. For our health. Anyways! It's Tubi Twofers! Buyer Beware!

In this Christmasy Christman Christmas of a Christmas Holiday Episode, we Christmas the Christmas all over the Christmas with the 1999 Christmas film, Christmas Classics Series: O'Christmas Tree, directed by Bert Ring and starring Ed Asner.   A Tubi Christmas is often a twister that not only rivals but TOWERS OVER the Hallmark traditions. It is the truth. It simply is. No god-fearing member of the New York Times Cultural Critics Cabal will understand. But they will. You hear me Amanda Hess? You will.

In this disaster-fueled, taciturn episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we're comtemplating the strange futures proposed by the 2015 film, Night Cries, written and directed by Andrew Cymek. The Tubi library is no stranger to the fusion of sci-fi and drama, and said needle is a difficult one to thread... Will the cries in the night time do it? 

Oh my great golly goodness it's a Turkey Surprise! Yes, it's another edition of Tubi Twofers, the minigame in which we unlock the hidden knowledge we do not wish to remember for the elusive Quizmaster Pete... Who will snatch victory this time? Listen to find out!

In this mechanical, abandoned episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we are entering the darkest depths of unknown terrors in the 2009 film, Pandorum, directed by Christian Alvert and starring Dennis Quaid.   2009 is the year before 2010, and when it comes to the science fiction of that time everything seemes to feel like eating at Applebees. So of course one must wonder what happens when you eat Applebees at Tubi.    That made no sense. I'm keeping it in.

In this flighty, whistful episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we once again stop the motion of our emotions for 2006 film, Blood Tea and Red String, written and directed by Christiane Cegavske. Tubi is once again gracing us with fantastical fantasy stop motion! Will it strike at our hearts? Will our heart be cut out off screen somehow? I do not know! Let's find out!

In this memeified, reclining episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we finally get the Tubitunity to witness the 2019 cult classic, Killer Sofa, written and directed by Bernie Rao.  Sofas are genuinely dangerous. Especially those heavy ones that have the recliner with all those bars on the inside that are impossible to carry comfortably. So of course Tubi will understand our plight into the true terror of this grave object! Of course Tubi will understand...

This week on Tubi or Not Tubi, we have an absolute treat! Join us for a delightful conversation with Shengwei Zhou, a self-taught master of stop motion and the mind that generated the recently reviewed Sh(e). We dig deep into not only the process of art-making, but the mysteries that lie under the surface of the compulsion to create itself. It's a wild journey we take as we investigate the inside stories of Sh(e), Art is Dead, and Zhou's currently developing series: Perfect City.

In this unashamed, brazen episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we break the chains of common human decency with the 1983 film, The Wicked Lady, directed by Michael Winner and starring Faye Dunaway. One of the most dangerous versions of a Tubi film one can find is the early 1880's rated R period comedy. But is said danger actually an amusement, or is it just plain dangerous? Let's find out together!

In this peer pressured, ostracizing episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we get a little pep in our assimilating step for the 1976 film, Bernice Bobs Her Hair, directed by Jona Micklin Silver. "Wait, do you mean the early F. Scott Fitzgerald Bernice Bobs Her Hair?" Yes, that one silly! If Agatha Christie is anything to go by, even adaptions aren't immune from the unseen manipulations of Tubi...

In this eternal, brooding episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we travel the timestream in search of the 2020 film, Xane: The Vampire God, directed by Johnny Pendragon. There are many things that exist on Tubi. Some things happen to always exist. Not many MUST always exist. But Jocelyn is there. Existing.  I guess.

CW: Subjugation, in every form In this overworked, deeply wounded episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we wear the clothes of our enemies and sneak into the 2018 film, SHe, written and directed by Shengwei Zhou. Listen. Look... Tubi sometimes does social experiements on you. We didn't see this one comin.

In this rambunctious, frantic episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we do our best to run from the beast who lives in the caves of the Dakotas known as the 2012 movie, Bigfoot, directed by Bruce Davison and starring Danny Bonaduce and Sherilyn Fenn. Tubi has been putting us through the ringer lately, so it is only fitting for us to attempt an emotional reset using the grace of a Bigfoot film. But can Tubi fill the shoes?

In this whistful, nostalgic episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we get on a boat with our father's permission and travel to the quaint island known as the 2016 film, Swallows and Amazons, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe. This episode was supposed to be a walk in the park. This genre is supposed to be a slam dunk. This one was teased for nearly a quarter of an entire year. Now you, yes you, will finally bear witness... For Tubi has fooled us all.

Wait, more Twofers?? Yes, another dose is in order my friends! How come? Because the seas of Tubi are turbulent and demand to be known! So join us again as we face another trial from Quizmaster Pete!

It is peak summer season and boy oh boy have we been inundated in Tubi's Turbulent Waters... Indeed it is time to unload the mental cargo for another set of Terrifying Tubi Twofers!

In this meandering gondola boat ride of a Tubi or Not Tubi episode, we repeatedly politely ask permission to gently view the 2009 film, The City of Your Final Destination, directed by James Ivory and starring Anthony Hopkins, Laura Linney, and Hiroyuki Sanada. "Drama-Kinda-Romances where an introvert goes to some random country and asks politley for things for 2 hours" is one of the weirdest genres cinema has to offer. However, with a title like this one, and Anthony Hopkins attached, how could we not check this one out? I mean Tubi surely can't punish us for being curious, right? Right? ... Right? 

CW: Domestic Abuse and its verbal, physical, and sexual horrors. In this harrowing, communal episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we finally unearth the passion project that is the 2023 film, If I Can't. This was written by, directed by, and starring Mena Monroe. If one recalls a certain pleasurable interview we secured last year with one Briyan Keith Montgomery Jr., he recommended we check out this particular film. So it went on the list, and now we have arrived. And boy, was it fascinating!

In this genre-bending, gun-toting episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we put on our suburban spurs and bring our shotguns to the 2024 Tubi Original film, Paradise, directed by Max Isaacson and starring Patricia Allison. The "Tubi Original" has, in a way, become a unique incubator for experimentation in film. (Except when it's not, but it often is!) One must wonder what kind of genre brew this movie is cooking. Either way, the final dish is sure to be something interesting!

In this repetitive, synthetical episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we enter a unique kind of Clone Saga in the 2017 film, Andover, written and directed by Scott Perlman. If a loved one of yours died, would you steal their hair and clone them and try to raise them to be your lover again? Yeah neither would I but the plot of this film seems to have no regard for human morals. Fun!

In this unfathomably fortuitous episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we have the absolute honor of sitting down with three of the minds and movers behind Coherence, a personal podcast favorite film! As we chat with director James Ward Byrkit, co-writer Alex Manugian, and actress Lauren Maher, we get deep in the weeds of how Coherence came to be... But much like the film, as the night goes on, the conversation steers us into a discussion of Shatter Belt, Pirates of the Caribbean, Grey's Anatomy, Rango, Rango the video game for the Nintendo Wii, Mind Forest, A Christmas Wedding at the Bakery 3: Bakers Dozen, Peaceful Tadpoles, and Potato People! This is a 10th Anniversary interview so thorough you'll be checking the color of your glowstick by the end like we were...

Another year has passed by... and goodness what a turbulent and topsy-turvy year it was! We've met so many cool people who did so much cool work! We also survived a dog plague and messed around in the mushroom cave and pulled a weird cocoon out of the ground so there's that. Join us as we review and rank this year's experiences.

In this fantastical, child-like episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we prematurely turn on the Mariah Carey as we sled our way into 1951 film, Santa and the Fairy Snow Queen, directed by Sid Davis. 25 minutes is both an eternity amount of cringe and has to be technologically sound because pestering is not working. Tubi may or may not do that. We'll see...

Surprise! Yes, It's suddenly time for another series of Twofers, and Quizmaster Pete has all the adjudication materials handy for yet another cocktail tray of Tubi goods & services.

In this public service of an afterschool special of a Tubi or Not Tubi episode, we question the meaning of innocence in the 1984 film, The Boy Who Loved Trolls, directed by Harvey S. Laidman and starring William H. Macy and Sam Waterson. Tubi has a wealth of content intended for children. But when it's PBS, you know some form of subliminal attack is going to be involved. We've seen Somnium offscreen. We know. But will The Boy Who Loved Trolls teach us more?

In this incomprehensibly strange happening of a Tubi or Not Tubi episode, we take out our cute little ouija board and spell out the title of the 2012 film, I Am ZoZo, written and directed by Scott Di Lalla.  Movies that involve ouija boards are a dime a dozen, and that meaning is probably literal. But this one was shot on a super 8. Will it help? Can it help? Let's find out.

In this wild and wonderful hundredth episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we celebrate our viewing habits with our eyes wide open in the 2014 film, Don't Blink, written and directed by Travis Oates. Yes, it is a momentous occasion indeed, and when Tubi provides us with a title like Don't Blink, we see it as a challenge not to look away... Happy 100!

Here we are at Episode 99 and after a very eventful, surprisingly consistent year, Quizmaster Pete has emerged once again... for the 9th time! You can't make this stuff up: the Tubi Twofer is back again and man this app is the gift that keeps on giving and giving and giving and giving and giving and giving!

CW: Very bad science conducted on very good animals. In this forlorn, dutiful episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we come face-to-face with an utterly scathing commentary on the scientific torture and exploitation of animals in the 1982 film, written and directed by Martin Rosen and starring John Hurt. If Tubi's got one thing, it's range, and within that range are the kinds of old-school animated films crafted specifically to make necessary statements. You know, the kind that end up scaring the children because they're meant for the adults. It's scary territory indeed, but we are dipping our collective toe in it nonetheless.

In this circular, cosmic episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we somehow take to the stars in the 2013 film, Orbs: They Are Among Us, written and directed by Jesse H. Knight. There have been many fascinating iterations of alien life as depicted by Tubi, but never have we seen it as orbs. What even are orbs? Why are they so spherical? Are they among us? These are important questions to contemplate.

In this wonderfully whimsical episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we are whisked away towards the 2020 film, Emily and the Magical Journey, directed by Marcus Ovnell. The fantasy children's film economy on Tubi seems to be overrun with fascinating entries from European countries, and regardless of their general unusuality, they are almost always a visual sight to behold in some way... Will Emily's magical journey provide this same fantasy effectively? We shall see!

In this fanciful, childish episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we find ourselves witnesses to the 1953 film, The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T, directed by Roy Rowland and written by Dr. Seuss. The ethos of the Tubi musical is a complex tapestry that only becomes even more complex when we throw the ever-amusing mind of Dr. Seuss into the brew. I mean, what could possibly happen? 5,000 fingers is a lot of fingers!

In this moss-covered relic of a Tubi or Not Tubi Episode, we endeavor to save Camelot in the 2009 film, Merlin and the Book of Beasts, directed by Warren P. Sonoda. There are many mythical things that happen in Arthurian legend, and Tubi has the power to absolutley distort what is already distorted to the point of no return. Fortunately, we intend to dive into this Arthurian Tubi... but will it distort us?

In this mystic, sap-covered episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we travel bizarrely long distances in a vehicle towards the 2017 film, Ayla, written and directed by Elias and starring Dee Wallace. This second paragraph is the part where we adequately allude to what Tubi has assigned us to experience. This time, somehow, the words have seemed to escape, and, like Ayla, placing them together is a puzzle in itself.

In this sporty, CapriSun-fueled epsiode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we once again pay our audience toll to Sprouse twins in the 2003 film, Just 4 Kicks, directed by Sydney J. Bartholomew Jr. This podcast has something of a relationship with the Sprouses that has taken us to some strange varandas. When it comes to the little leage soccer comedy cinematic universe, one can be sure Tubi's offerings have an unusual flavor to them...

In this ancient, reverential episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we warily visit a Biblical past in the 2019 film, Mary Magdalene, directed by Garth Davis and starring Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Tubi has quite a plethora of content related to the religion popularly known as Christianity, but what happens when Tubi houses a bible story that was given many millions of dollars in an alleged attempt to reflect the time and place? Let's find out...

In this super special episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we secured time to interview Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. the writer/director of Cinnamon himself!  My goodness, there is so much to discuss surrounding this lovely film: the inspired directorial choices! The captivating performances! The music! The sign language! The pizza shop! Tubi's place in the grand cinematic media landscape as an art provider! We've got something powerful here, and fun! You don't wanna miss it.

This week, we conduct an in-depth interview with the makers of The Other Side of Darkness! We are joined by writer/director Adam Deierling and producer Vinny Sisson in getting to the nitty gritty behind the process of making this film. How does one cast a film in the midst of a pandemic? What were the circumstances behind locating the lush landscapes of the American woods? Why Jeeps? All these pertinent questions: answered here!

In this, ominously wanderlust episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we get in our Jeep and travel to The Other Side of Darkness, the 2022 film, written and directed by Adam Deierling. Tubi has shown us the other side of many things, and we know this app is quite comfortable in the darkness. It is only natural to ask: what is on the other side... Tubi's other other other side? Does Tubi even sides? Is it a sphere?

In this exciting, rambunctious episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we have an extra special treat! We noticed that a certain film has been making fascinating waves and for good reason... Yes, we're reviewing the 2023 Tubi Original, Cinnamon, written and directed by Bryian Keith Mongomery Jr. This inspired film also stars Pam Grier and Damon Wayans. We know Tubi is a vast land of many treasures, but is it also destined tubi an incubator for excellent creativity? Let's find out!