In this episode of Cinema D’Amore, Chuck and Justin break down Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Life of Chuck, unpacking its reverse structure, standout performances from Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mia Sara, and Benjamin Pajak, and the film’s meditation on memory, mortality, and the quiet power of everyday joy. They dig into Flanagan’s direction, Nick Offerman’s measured narration, the use of visual callbacks, and how the film translates King’s short story to the screen. It’s a film for fans of thoughtful, character-driven adaptations that linger long after the credits roll. Hosted by Charles PhillipsCo-hosted by Justin MorganMixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms. Please subscribe, rate, and review. We appreciate the support!

Cinema D’Amore hosts Justin and Chuck dig into Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, a bittersweet, Christmas-set drama about an isolated teacher, a troubled student, and a lunchroom companion who come together as an unlikely family over winter break. The episode unpacks the film’s mix of dark humor and quiet melancholy, its deliberately retro 1970s vibe, and standout performances from Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, while exploring themes of grief, loneliness, and the strange comfort of unexpected connection. Merry Christmas to anyone spending the holidays alone, this one’s for you. Hosted by Justin MorganCo-hosted by Charles PhillipsMixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms. Please subscribe, rate, and review. We appreciate the support!

Hosts Chuck and Justin break down Warfare, the A24 war film from Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza starring Cosmo Jarvis and Will Poulter. They dig into its boots-on-the-ground intensity, the decision to favor raw experience over traditional character arcs, and how the film turns a single day of combat into a brutally immersive experience. The episode places Warfare within the modern war-film landscape, touches on Black Hawk Down parallels, and critiques the movie’s pacing and structure. Chuck and Justin spotlight the performances that anchor the chaos and take a close look at A24’s stripped-back production approach, closing with their take on the film’s ending and box-office run. Hosted by Charles PhillipsCo-hosted by Justin MorganMixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms. Please subscribe, rate, and review. We appreciate the support!

Hosts Justin Morgan and Chuck Phillips dive into Zach Cregger’s Weapons, exploring its blend of horror, dark comedy, and a non-linear structure that gradually links its characters and events. They spotlight the strong ensemble cast, including Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Benedict Wong, and look at how Cregger balances shifting tones without losing tension. The conversation then delves into the film’s standout moments, its sharp practical effects, and how its fractured narrative ultimately snaps together. Justin and Chuck unpack the choices that make Weapons one of the year’s most talked-about genre films, offering insights and connections that deepen the experience for anyone who’s seen it and anyone planning to. Hosted by Justin MorganCo-hosted by Charles PhillipsMixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms. Please subscribe, rate, and review. We appreciate the support!

Hosts Chuck and Justin dig into Andrew DeYoung’s Friendship, starring Tim Robinson, using its strange and chaotic look at relationships to explore how messy real-life friendships can be. They break down standout scenes, the improv-heavy style, and its ties to The Chair Company, along with a few thoughts on improv culture, SNL careers, and Paul Rudd’s role. The episode plays like group therapy for anyone who has felt desperate to belong, highlighting the film’s looping gags, social discomfort, and sharp comedic payoffs for fans of odd, character-driven comedy. Hosted by Charles PhillipsCo-hosted by Justin MorganMixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms. Please subscribe, rate, and review. We appreciate the support!

Cinema D’Amore celebrates eight years on the mic with a brand-new season and a haunting start. The hosts dive into Jayro Bustamante’s La Llorona, a Guatemalan ghost story that mixes political horror, folklore, and slow-burn dread. They dig into the film’s deliberate pacing, eerie atmosphere, and its echoes of Pan’s Labyrinth and Stalker. The conversation flows through themes of guilt, justice, and revenge, with plenty of appreciation for the film’s striking visuals, long takes, and unforgettable performances. La Llorona’s curse lingers through history like a whisper in the dark, making this 95-minute gem a perfect, spine-tingling way to kick off Season 5. Hosted by Justin Morgan and Charles PhillipsMixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates, behind-the-scenes posts, and upcoming episodes. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and pretty much anywhere you get your shows. Subscribe, rate, and review. It really helps us grow, and we’re grateful for every listener who’s been with us on this ride.

In the Season 4 finale, Justin and Chuck trek deep into the Zone to take on Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker, a haunting masterpiece that bends time, faith, and reason. They dig into the film’s hypnotic rhythm, its shifts from grime to transcendence, and the strange pull of the Room at its center. Along the way, they draw eerie parallels to Annihilation (both book and film), debate the motives of the Stalker, the Writer, and the Professor, and swap stories from the film’s grueling production. It’s a journey through mud, miracles, and meaning, with a few laughs to keep you from losing your mind in the Zone. Hosted by Justin MorganCo-hosted by Charles PhillipsMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!

Chuck and Justin take on Alex Garland’s Annihilation, a film that’s as haunting as it is hard to pin down. They dig into how it compares to Jeff VanderMeer’s novel, what Garland nailed, and where it falls short. From the nightmare bear to the lighthouse and those uncanny doppelgängers, they break down the movie’s wild mix of beauty, horror, and existential dread, and ask whether it ever truly captures the book’s strange, Lovecraftian soul. Hosted by Charles PhillipsCo-hosted by Justin MorganMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review. We appreciate the support!

Justin and Chuck dive into The Substance, examining Demi Moore’s career-reviving turn and Margaret Qualley’s striking counterpart. They unpack the film’s grotesque, synth-scored body horror and how it skewers fame, the male gaze, and the relentless cost of youth. The hosts celebrate the inventive practical effects, and the chaotic final act while critiquing the two-and-a-half-hour runtime and surface-level character development. They also discuss the film’s Cannes acclaim and Oscar win for makeup, highlighting what makes this daring thriller both captivating and challenging. Hosted by Justin MorganCo-hosted by Charles PhillipsMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic from the Substance Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!

Cinema D’Amore ventures into the shadows of Alien: Romulus, where survival is forged from coal dust and blood. Chuck and Justin unravel the film’s desperate human drama, its unsettling bond between flesh and machine, and the relentless swarm of xenomorph terror. From facehugger nightmares to jaw-dropping practical effects, they trace how the movie both honors the franchise’s legacy and mutates it into something startlingly new. Hosted by Charles PhillipsCo-hosted by Justin MorganMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic from Alien: Romulus Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!

Justin and Chuck dive into Sean Baker’s Anora, tracing its journey from fairytale romance to dark, slapstick chaos. Along the way, they explore the wild Vegas marriage plot, the tonal whiplash between comedy and despair, and Baker’s distinctive filmmaking style. The conversation highlights Annie and Vanya’s tragicomic turns, as well as Igor’s unsettling loyalty. It all builds to a bittersweet finale that pulls the comedy back down to earth. Hosted by Justin MorganCo-hosted by Charles PhillipsMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic from AnoraFollow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!  

Chuck and Justin explore Nagisa Oshima’s Empire of Passion, a late-19th-century Japanese drama where a married woman and her lover murder her husband and hide his body in a village well. When the villagers begin seeing the husband’s ghost, suspicion spreads, exposing erotic obsession, guilt, and complicity. Oshima crafts a haunting, atmospheric ghost story. In this episode, we also connect it to Decision to Leave, examining desire, moral choice, and the consequences of crossing societal and personal boundaries. Hosted by Charles PhillipsCo-hosted by Justin MorganMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!

Join hosts Justin Morgan and Chuck Phillips as they dive into the alluring depths of Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave. This South Korean mystery masterfully weaves themes of obsession, longing, and moral ambiguity into a slow-burn tale of love and betrayal. In this episode, the hosts unpack the film’s Hitchcockian echoes, its hypnotic visual style, and the poetic ambiguity of its unforgettable ending. From character motivations to narrative misdirection, this discussion is an essential listen for cinephiles and fans of moody, intricate storytelling. Hosted by Justin MorganCo-hosted by Charles PhillipsMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic by Song Chang-sik Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!

Welcome back to Cinema D'Amore, hosted by Chuck and Justin. In this episode, the duo dives into the high-octane world of The City of Violence, a South Korean action film brimming with bizarre gangs—from hockey players to yo-yo enthusiasts. Drawing unexpected parallels to the surreal and psychological Beau Is Afraid, they unpack how the film layers chaos over an initially straightforward narrative, creating a dynamic and unpredictable cinematic experience. Chuck and Justin break down the film’s fusion of stylized action and offbeat comedy, comparing its outrageous fight choreography and urban battlegrounds to cult favorites like The Warriors. They explore how the story of a man returning to a crime-infested hometown transforms into an increasingly surreal journey. With sharp commentary on everything from cultural symbolism—like snake-in-a-bottle imagery—to the film’s kinetic energy, this episode offers a deep dive into how The City of Violence channels both Korean cultural flair and over-the-top genre filmmaking. Hosted by Charles PhillipsCo-hosted by Justin MorganMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!

In this episode of Cinema D’Amore, hosts Justin and Chuck dive deep into the strange, sprawling universe of Beau Is Afraid, the latest mind-bender from Ari Aster (until Eddington's release). They draw unexpected parallels between this surreal journey and Apostle, uncovering a surprising thread that links the two films. Follow Beau Wassermann—played with haunted brilliance by Joaquin Phoenix—on a darkly comic odyssey shaped by anxiety, mother issues, and a world that only gets weirder the farther he travels. Justin and Chuck dissect the film’s offbeat tone, its nightmare logic, and Aster’s bold narrative swings, exploring how discomfort, dread, and absurdity collide to create something oddly mesmerizing. This episode is best enjoyed after watching the film—Beau Is Afraid demands attention, and Justin and Chuck are here to help you make sense of the chaos. Or at least revel in it. Hosted by Justin MorganCo-hosted by Charles PhillipsMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!

In this episode of Cinema D'Amore, hosts Chuck and Justin dive into the eerie world of Apostle, exploring its unsettling atmosphere and supernatural themes. Building on their previous discussion of The Ritual, they uncover surprising connections between the two films, highlighting director Gareth Evans' distinct shift from his action-packed Raid series to a more haunting and visually arresting narrative. The duo breaks down Apostle's chilling story, examining its kinetic camera work, gothic tone, and standout performances, especially Michael Sheen’s commanding presence. With their signature blend of humor and thoughtful analysis, Chuck and Justin untangle the film's mysteries, leaving listeners to ponder the deeper horrors lurking beneath its surface. Hosted by Charles PhillipsCo-hosted by Justin MorganMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!

In this episode of Cinema D’Amore, hosts Justin Morgan and Charles Phillips venture into the haunting wilderness of The Ritual (2017), currently streaming on Netflix. As part of their ongoing series on thematic connections, they draw eerie parallels to last week’s feature, The Descent, examining both films’ focus on grief, male camaraderie, and lurking supernatural threats. The conversation explores Rafe Spall’s standout performance, the film’s uniquely British tone, and its moody atmosphere, from striking cinematography to the bone-chilling creature design. The hosts also critique the film’s pacing, narrative gaps, and its handling of fear and emotional trauma in the face of survival. Is The Ritual a spiritual companion to The Descent—or just another shadowy echo in the woods? Tune in for thoughtful analysis, sharp opinions, and a few unexpected laughs along the way. Hosted by Justin MorganCo-hosted by Charles PhillipsMixing by Scratchin’ MenaceMusic by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for updates.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.Please subscribe, rate, and review—we appreciate the support!

Dive deep into the chilling world of Neil Marshall's 2005 horror classic, "The Descent." This week's episode explores the intricate connections between "The Descent" and "Ex Machina," examining themes of isolation, betrayal, and ambiguous endings. Discover how Neil Marshall crafts a claustrophobic nightmare that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Join us as we discuss the film's memorable moments, directorial insights, and the terrifying creatures lurking in the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains. Hosted by Charles Phillips. Co-hosted by Justin Morgan. Mixing by Scratchin’ Menace with Music by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley. Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for the latest updates. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and a dozen other popular platforms. Please subscribe, rate, and review us. Every little bit helps, and more importantly, thank you for listening!

We connect the film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang to this week’s discussion of Ex Machina (Alex Garland, 2014). Hosted by Justin Morgan. Co-hosted by Charles Phillips. Mixing by Scratchin’ Menace with Music by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley. Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for the latest updates. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and a dozen other popular platforms. Please subscribe, rate, and review us. Every little bit helps, and more importantly, thank you for listening!

We connect the film the Cable Guy to this week’s discussion of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Shane Black, 2005). Hosted by Charles Phillips. Co-hosted by Justin Morgan. Mixing by Scratchin’ Menace with Music by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley. Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky for the latest updates. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and a dozen other popular platforms. Please subscribe, rate, and review us. Every little bit helps, and more importantly, thank you for listening!