Cube Critics

Dec 06 2024 60 ep. 4 mins 111
Cube Critics Podcast artwork

From Minnesota Public Radio News, MPR News producers Samantha Matsumoto and Aron Woldeslassie share a passion for movies. Each week, they take a break from their day jobs to talk about what they've seen lately.

  TV & Film
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Cube Critics discuss ‘Maria’ and ‘Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary’

Dec 06 2024 4 mins  
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a a movie about an opera soprano at the end of her life and a movie about an entire genre of music at the end of its life.‘Maria’Angelina Jolie delivers a compelling performance in “Maria,” a biopic about legendary soprano Maria Callas. The film centers on the final week of her life, framed as an imagined documentary crew capt

Cube Critics get Glicked, seeing both ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’

Nov 29 2024 4 mins  
Cube Critics got Glicked this week, catching “Wicked” and “Gladiator II.”“Wicked” is the winter blockbuster everyone’s been anticipating. It’s a vibrant adaptation of the Broadway musical (itself loosely based on a book), telling the story of a young witch finding herself in the Land of Oz. The film is led by the incredible Cynthia Erivo, who carries the movie with

Cube Critics discuss ‘Emilia Pérez’

Nov 22 2024 4 mins  
“Emilia Pérez” is a French film set in Mexico, shot largely on soundstages in France, blending elements of noir, musicals and occasional winking comedy.The story follows a Mexican cartel boss (Karla Sofía Gascón) who transitions to living as a woman, with Zoe Saldaña playing the lawyer who helps her navigate the dangerous logistics of the operation and its aftermath. Gascó

Cube Critics discuss ‘Conclave’

Nov 15 2024 3 mins  
“Conclave” is a gripping political thriller set in the Vatican, centered on the high-stakes election of a new pope. Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, the meticulous and morally driven Dean of the College of Cardinals, overseeing a process where ambition and ideology collide. As factions clash — ranging from hardline traditionalists to liberal reformists — performanc

Cube Critics discuss the final season of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’

Nov 08 2024 4 mins  
“What We Do in the Shadows” is a vampire mockumentary series airing on FX, based on the 2014 film of the same name by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. The show hilariously explores the mundane and supernatural challenges faced by a group of vampire roommates living in Staten Island.The ensemble cast delivers standout performances, including:Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak

Cube Critics discuss the latest season of 'Slow Horses'

Nov 01 2024 4 mins  
“Slow Horses” returns with a fourth season that intertwines espionage thrills with sharp British humor. The series continues to follow a team of disgraced British spies relegated to Slough House, a dumping ground for MI5’s misfits.Leading this motley crew is Jackson Lamb, portrayed with remarkable flair by Gary Oldman. Oldman’s depiction of Lamb as a brilliant yet dishevele

Cube Critics discuss ‘Rumours’

Oct 25 2024 4 mins  
Click here.“Rumours” is a Canadian dark comedy horror film directed by Guy Maddin, alongside frequent collaborators Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson. Set during the G7 Summit in Germany, the film satirizes political incompetence as leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the UK and the U.S. convene in a gazebo to draft a provisional statement. What ensues is a descent

Cube Critics discuss ‘Heartstopper’ season three

Oct 11 2024 7 mins  
Adapted from the beloved graphic novel series of the same name by Alice Oseman, “Heartstopper” follows British high schoolers Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring on their journey of self-discovery and young love. The show also features the lives of their friend group as the young adults seek to find their place in the world. MPR News arts reporter Jacob Aloi and digital editor Kaila

Cube Critics discuss ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’

Oct 04 2024 3 mins  
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle share insights on “Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story,” the latest addition to Ryan Murphy’s anthology series exploring notorious criminal cases.Click here. Jacob Aloi:Jacob introduces the series as part of Ryan Murphy’s extensive catalog that delves into the minds of men who have committed heinous acts, referencing previo

Cube Critics discuss ‘Agatha All Along’ and ‘The Penguin’

Sep 27 2024 3 mins  
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Aron Woldeslassie watch a spin-off from a Marvel television series and a spin-off of a DC film.Click here. ‘Agatha All Along’“Agatha All Along” is a spin-off from the Marvel Cinematic Universe's TV series “WandaVision.” It follows Kathryn Hahn playing Agatha Harkness, a witch who has had her power stolen and is now on a quest to reclaim t