Does 'Materialists' Work?

Does 'Materialists' Work?

Author: Across the Movie Aisle June 17, 2025 Duration: 46:00
In this episode of Across the Movie Aisle, host Sonny Bunch is joined by Alyssa Rosenberg and Peter Suderman to unpack the outrage over indie film platform MUBI’s investment ties and whether ethical boycotts are even coherent in modern capitalism. Then they dig into Celine Song’s latest film Materialists, a rom-com that tries to be profound—but might just be pretty nonsense.

There’s a familiar rhythm to most movie talk: either a deep dive into technical craft or a quick thumbs-up, thumbs-down reaction. Across the Movie Aisle proposes a different kind of conversation. Each week, the discussion moves past simple recommendations and into the richer territory where personal taste, cultural context, and cinematic history collide. You’ll hear thoughtful reviews of new releases and enduring classics, but the real focus is on the dialogue itself-the disagreements, the discoveries, and the shared enthusiasm that happens when perspectives meet. This isn’t about delivering a unanimous verdict; it’s about exploring why a film works for some and falls flat for others, what a director’s choices reveal, and how the landscape of television and film continues to shift. The tone is more like a spirited, informed chat among friends than a formal lecture, making even the most nuanced analysis feel accessible. Whether it’s breaking down the latest headline-grabbing series or revisiting an overlooked gem, the podcast thrives on that genuine exchange of ideas. It’s for anyone who finds that the most interesting part of watching something is the conversation that follows, where the space between different viewpoints is exactly where the understanding grows. Tune in for a weekly dose of that specific, engaging, and wonderfully contentious dialogue that only movies and TV can inspire.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 317

Across the Movie Aisle
Podcast Episodes
54: Should the Oscars Ditch Political Speeches? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:03
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) asks Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) if a recent report in the New York Times proves once and for all that celebs should ditch…
52: 'Godzilla vs. Kong' vs. ATMA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:51
What did Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) think of Godzilla vs. Kong? And in cons-and-nons, the gang discusses the fact that basically nobody has hear…
50: The Snyder Cut, Reviewed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:39
Finally, it’s here: Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a/k/a, “The Snyder Cut.” Is it everything they hoped it could be…
49: 'Raya and the Last Dragon' Reviewed! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:25
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) review the really-not-great Raya and the Last Dragon. Is it worth your $30 on Disney+’s prem…
47: The Golden Globes Stank. Plus: 'Minari' Reviewed! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:22
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about the incredibly, spectacularly, dreadfully awful (and historically poorly watched) Golden…
45: 'Judas and the Black Messiah' and Gina Carano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:47
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman tackle a surprisingly tricky cons and nons: Gina Carano, who was canceled and un-canceled over the course of last week. And…