Cinema D‘Amore

The Holdovers

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
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Warfare

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
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Weapons

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
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Friendship

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
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La Llorona

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
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Tarkovsky’s Stalker

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
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Annihilation

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
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The Substance

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
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