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PODCAST

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast

A weekly podcast brought by the team that brings you cupofteacritiques.com, the site that encourages critical viewing of film so you can decide for yourself if they’re your "cup of tea." Reading the tea leaves of the film industry is challenging. Each week on the podcast, the team peels back the layers on a movie genre or industry trend to offer aspiring filmmakers some clarity and guidance on what is often rough and indecipherable terrain that is the film and television industry. So, grab a deep

tv & film after shows

All Episodes

43:53

Horror Movies: Why do we like to be scared?

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Are you a fan of horror? Some people watch movies in the genre year-round, others only during holidays like Halloween. Some people avoid the genre altogether. After all, the movies are often dark, ghoulish, and intensely violent in surreal ways. In other words, horror movies are designed to scare us. But why would we want to subject ourselves to feeling scared? We found some research to answer this question. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we peel back the layers on why we like...

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42:32

Changing Lanes: What are the risks and benefits of...

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/10/21

It is fun being in your comfort zone as an actor, you know, when you’re getting roles in your established specialty (i.e. comedy, rom‑com, action). But what if you wanted to break the mold, try something in a different genre or as a different type of character? What are the risks and benefits of making such a bold career move? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss the pros and cons of being typecast. Send us a comment to let us know which actor or actress you would l...

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39:49

Why do we love and hate blaxploitation films?

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/10/14

Despite spanning only five years in the mid‑1970s, the blaxploitation era of filmmaking left an indelible mark on the film industry and in the hearts and minds of many in the Black community. While some insist the movies contributed to what were already entrenched negative views of Black people, others feel they presented some of the freshest, coolest characters onscreen, accompanied by soulful soundtracks from artists like Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes. Despite being fifty years removed fr...

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48:21

What makes a good (or bad) villain? [Replay]

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/10/07

Darth Vader. Thanos. Lucy van Pelt! What are the qualifications for a villain in your story? Does it even need to be human? Maybe your villain is something more abstract. What villains are your cups of tea? Write us a review and share some of your faves! SUBSCRIBE (https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe) Drop us a line and tell us your favorite movie villain and why. For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, s...

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35:28

Horror or Thriller: What's the Difference? [Replay]

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/09/30

Was Heretic more of a thriller than a horror movie? What's the difference? Check out our article on the Cup of Tea Critiques Crumpets page, and join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast for a lively discussion on the distinctions and similarities between horrors and thrillers. Send us a comment to let us know which is your cup of tea: horror or thriller? For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subsc...

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42:37

How does an actor pull off two roles in the same film?

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/09/23

One of many challenges an actor can embrace is playing multiple roles in the same production. But what goes into the preparation and execution? What elements raise or lower the degree of difficulty? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss both recent and long-ago examples of actors playing twins, clones and doppelgangers in film and television. We highlight some of the methods they utilize as well as some of the technical tricks that directors and production teams implement ...

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57:28

Just how important are costumes and props in film?

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/09/16

Have you ever considered how much research is needed to ensure the style and fit of a character’s outfit matches the period of the film? What about something as benign as the badge on a police officer’s uniform, the walker a character uses, or just a clock on a living room wall? Now imagine watching a film from the Capone era where a microwave inadvertently appears in a kitchen scene. Talk about an anachronism! Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into costumes and props use...

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53:14

How do boxing movies stand out from their sports...

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/09/09

There is no doubt that studios produce movies like Rocky, Creed, Cinderella Man, and Ali primarily for entertainment. What boxing movies like these typically have in common, though, is a hyperfocus on flawed characters—individuals struggling with emotional, familial, or social challenges that are visually battled if not pummeled in the boxing ring. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into the distinctiveness of boxing movies and the enduring appeal of this subgenre. Send us...

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51:23

Why are Today's Cartoons More Heavy than Funny? [Replay]

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/09/02

Remember when you watched cartoons as a kid? These times are likely some of your fondest childhood memories; you still recite some of the lines even today. A fair number of shows were centered around animals, and then later with people. Think Looney Tunes, Tiny Toons, Garfield, Heathcliff, Doug, Hey Arnold!, and Charlie Brown. Animals or people, these were engaging, colorful, and hilarious presentations. But the cartoons in recent decades are heavier than the ones that made us fall on t...

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39:56

Creating a Buzz: What are some of the most...

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/08/26

We are familiar with the usual teasers, posters, and trailers that are par for the course in movie promotions. But what about the ad campaigns that go beyond these and show thinking way outside the box, like the one for Smile that sat people in the front row at baseball games showing a creepy smile for nine innings? Or the one for It where advertisers tied red balloons to sewer grates in various cities? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into these creative movie marketing...

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44:03

The Countless Menagerie of Doomsday Films

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/08/19

Let’s say you’re not a vegan and there is suddenly no meat available because the animals were stricken by a virus and died. We recently saw a screening of director R.T. Thorne’s 40 Acres that presents such a scenario and gives us a glimpse of what could happen when we don’t have something we have taken for granted. This got us thinking about how other films have imagined post‑apocalyptic existence and how some of the stories (perhaps many of them) seem quite conceivable. Join us on this week’...

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34:06

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Plot Twists in Cinema

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/08/12

Have you ever felt invested in a movie’s characters and had a pretty good idea of the plot’s trajectory less than halfway through the story? How did you feel when things shifted? A main character who had won your heart got whacked; the story suddenly grew darker, leaving you disoriented; or the character you thought you knew well revealed their identity as someone entirely different. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into plot twists and discuss why some work well, some f...

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51:23

Why are Today's Cartoons More Heavy than Funny?

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/08/05

Remember when you watched cartoons as a kid? These times are likely some of your fondest childhood memories; you still recite some of the lines even today. A fair number of shows were centered around animals, and then later with people. Think Looney Tunes, Tiny Toons, Garfield, Heathcliff, Doug, Hey Arnold!, and Charlie Brown. Animals or people, these were engaging, colorful, and hilarious presentations. But the cartoons in recent decades are heavier than the ones that made us fall on t...

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43:26

What is the Cultural Impact of Physical Media’s Decline?

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/07/29

The emergence of high-speed internet has led to shrinking DVD and CD sales over the last fifteen years or so. As seen in what we still refer to as our monthly “cable bill,” technological advances have expanded the options for watching movies and television shows and listening to our favorite music. But while the ease and convenience of streaming channels and digitized media add a level of convenience, they quietly and painlessly chip away at values we once held dear. Join us on the Cup of Tea

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46:58

The Short Films that Led to Long Careers

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/07/22

For decades, aspiring filmmakers have used short films as tools for learning their craft. Constrained by tiny budgets, small casts, and limited options for shooting locations, they produce complete stories ranging from five to thirty minutes in length. Visually, the films present like rough cuts. But artistically, they reveal the tendencies of these future auteurs. You might have heard of a few of them: George Lucas, Tim Burton, Quentin Tarantino, Jean‑Luc Goddard. In this episode, we explore...

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47:33

Where’s Hollywood’s Sense of Adventure?

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/07/15

You may remember movies like The Mummy, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. These family‑friendly films incited a sense of adventure and stirred the imagination. So, what happened to them? They seem to have disappeared from the movie landscape over the last generation or so. In this episode of the podcast, we take a deep dive into adventure films and explore the demise of this exciting subgenre on the big screen. Be sure to leave us a comment about your latest adventure! Fo...

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44:03

Post‑Apocalypse Now!

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/07/02

Let’s say you’re not a vegan and there is suddenly no meat available because the animals were stricken by a virus and died. We recently saw a screening of director R.T. Thorne’s 40 Acres that presents such a scenario and gives us a glimpse of what could happen when we don’t have something we have taken for granted. This got us thinking about how other films have imagined post‑apocalyptic existence and how some of the stories (perhaps many of them) seem quite conceivable. Join us on this week’...

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41:59

Happy Anniversary Jaws!

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/06/25

Did it make you afraid to go into the water? Maybe you remember the frenzy around the blockbuster movie, Jaws. This month is the 50th anniversary of its release, and we are celebrating with personal remembrances and our thoughts on Jaws’ contribution to both movie and mainstream culture. Grab and brew and join us. Don’t worry; you won’t have to go into the water! Leave us a comment with the title of your favorite shark movie. For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen. F...

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35:29

The Joy of Hate Watching!

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/06/17

Ever hear of “hate-watching?” It is the tendency to watch movies and television shows that do not appeal to you. Some go beyond lacking appeal to making you cringe every time you see them. Indeed, occasionally you watch the shows just for the sake of mocking them. Psychologists say that this strong negativism makes us happy and even strengthens bonds among friends and community. In this week’s episode of the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast, we take a deep dive into “hate-watching” and passionate...

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35:00

Where are all the Action Movie Heroines?

Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast ·

2025/06/10

Have you seen the new John Wick movie, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina? Ana de Armas plays the lead and she is a badass in the film! It got us thinking how rare it is to see women presented as the lead in action movies. While they are prevalent in ensemble casts of action productions like Fantastic Four, X-Men, Game of Thrones, and name any Avengers feature you like, women are rarely featured as the focal point in these releases. Also, where we brand productions as “the next Tom Cruise...

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35 results

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