Crouch Cinema Corner

Join us for a roar-some episode of Crouch Cinema Corner as we dive into Steven Spielberg’s 1993 masterpiece Jurassic Park. This week the conversation is packed with childhood memories of first viewings on the big screen, plenty of debate over the coolest dinosaurs, and some surprising detours into the film’s production history. We marvel at Spielberg’s ability to balance wonder and terror, laugh about hiding in our (read: one of us) shirts during scary scenes, and reflect on how Jurassic Park reshaped our understanding of adventure films. With plenty of Spielberg love, Jurassic nostalgia, and dino fandom on full display, this is an episode that proves life truly does find a way.

This week on Crouch Cinema Corner we dive into Steven Spielberg’s 2005 take on War of the Worlds and its long, strange history from H. G. Wells’ original novel to Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast and even the 1953 sci fi classic that scarred us as kids. We swap childhood trauma stories involving alien invasions, share our favorite Spielberg family dysfunction moments, and geek out over John Williams’ spine tingling score. From Tom Cruise’s surprisingly great performance to Spielberg’s masterclass in blending practical and digital effects, we explore why this dark blockbuster still packs a punch. Along the way there is plenty of brotherly mind reading, some basement scene nostalgia, and a shared realization that Spielberg simply does not let you breathe in this movie.

This week on Crouch Cinema Corner, we’re cashing fraudulent checks and chasing dreams with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in Steven Spielberg’s stylish cat-and-mouse caper Catch Me If You Can! You voted for it in our Summer of Spielberg poll and now we're diving deep into cons, charm, and daddy issues.

We talk about the real-life roots of Frank Abagnale Jr.’s incredible story, Spielberg’s signature themes of broken families and childhood trauma, and the film’s surprisingly emotional heart. There's plenty of praise for Christopher Walken’s dad energy, John Williams' effervescent score (including some mind-meld moments between your podcast hosts), and that unmistakable early-2000s visual style.

From Leo’s glowing “aha” moment to that long airport hallway walk of self-reflection, we break down our favourite shots, music cues, and dysfunctional Spielberg flourishes. So grab your pilot uniform, forge a check or two, and join us for a fun and thoughtful discussion of this charming, jazzy, and surprisingly moving Spielberg gem.

It’s a bike-flying, Reese’s Pieces-eating, tear-jerking kind of week as we beam ourselves back to 1982 for Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial! As part of our Super Summer Spielberg Spectacular, we revisit the beloved sci-fi classic that defined a generation, and sparked some deep childhood trauma for one of us.

We talk all things E.T., from the film’s surprisingly spooky opening, to John Williams’ celestial score, to how Spielberg somehow turned a wrinkly little alien into the ultimate symbol of love and loneliness. There’s behind-the-scenes trivia, some personal horror stories involving hidden plushies and haunted puzzles, and plenty of admiration for the film’s emotional depth, visual magic, and dysfunctional family dynamics.

Grab your red hoodie, phone home, and join us for a heartfelt (and slightly haunted) ride through Spielberg’s timeless tale of friendship, fear, and glowing fingers.

You picked it and we finally listened. This week we’re diving into Steven Spielberg’s 1991 fantasy adventure Hook, where Peter Pan (Robin Williams) has grown up into a grumpy workaholic lawyer who’s forgotten all about Neverland. That is, until Captain Hook (a deliciously theatrical Dustin Hoffman) kidnaps his kids and forces him back into his pixie-dusted past.

We unpack everything from John Williams' soaring score to the film's themes of dysfunctional fatherhood, Spielbergian wonder, and why the pirate stuff is way more fun than anything the Lost Boys are up to. We lovingly roast the film’s bizarre tone swings, weird line deliveries, and attempt to make sense of the film’s wild mythology, including some truly unhinged theories about who actually wrote the Peter Pan play.

Plus: choir moments, Rufio debates, Peter Pan logic spirals, and the shocking reveal that Phil Collins is in this movie.

So join us as we fly, fight, and crow our way through this chaotic, sentimental, very-‘90s trip to Neverland.

Crack that whip and cue the trumpet, we're continuing our Spectacular Spielberg Summer Series with the one that started it all: Raiders of the Lost Ark! You voted, we listened (kind of), and this week we dive deep into the 1981 blockbuster that introduced the world to Indiana Jones and redefined adventure filmmaking. We also shamelessly veer into a few other Indiana Jones films—because once you open the Ark, you can't look away.

In this episode, we get into the wild synergy of Spielberg and Lucas at the peak of their powers, how Harrison Ford’s rugged charm became cinematic legend, and why the desert chase scene might be one of the greatest action sequences of all time.

Our trademark Spielberg categories return, we debate star ratings, reveal which of us tried to buy an Indiana Jones leather jacket at Walt Disney World, and confess that we may have rigged our listener poll just a little.

So grab your fedora, mind the snakes, and join us for an episode full of fun, nostalgia, and a whole lot of love for Dr. Jones.

This week on Crouch Cinema Corner, we saddle up for a heartfelt ride through War Horse, Steven Spielberg’s sweeping 2011 tale of friendship, war, and, of course, a very noble steed named Joey. As part of our Summer of Spielberg spectacular, we leave the ocean of Jaws behind and gallop full speed into the muddy trenches of World War I.

Our signature Spielberg categories return, including:

• A Dysfunctional Spielberg Moment involving dueling trench calls and a near-tragic shotgun standoff.

• A Notable Shot that goes full Kaminski with angelic backlighting and field-drenched cavalry charges.

• A John Williams Moment that features both sweeping flute nostalgia and a trumpet cue so solemn it loops all the way back to funny.

We also dig into how War Horse channels the golden age of Technicolor filmmaking, with vintage visual flair and an emotionally earnest score that takes more than a little inspiration from classic English composers.

Join us for this cinematic trot through Spielberg’s ode to animal loyalty, rolling green hills, and the magic of melodrama.

We're gonna need a longer podcast!

This week on Crouch Cinema Corner, we're diving into the deep end with the ultimate summer blockbuster: Jaws! To kick off our Summer of Spielberg series, we revisit the 1975 classic that scared a generation out of the water and changed the movie industry forever.

We skip the behind-the-scenes lore and go straight into the movie itself, starting with our signature Spielberg-themed categories. Peter picks a perfect dysfunctional Spielberg moment inside Quint's shack, we both accidentally choose the same delightfully odd John Williams cue, and we marvel at a brilliantly framed zoom shot that sets up the entire third act.

We also get into what makes Jaws such a masterclass in character-driven storytelling. From Brody’s land-loving anxiety to Hooper’s nerdy confidence to Quint’s sea-shanty bravado, the magic of the film lies in the trio’s chemistry as much as it does in that ominous fin cutting through the surf.

Along the way, we compare Jaws to Jurassic Park, talk about childhood fears of invertebrates, debate the effectiveness of the infamous scar scene, and celebrate the unsung heroes of Spielberg’s early storytelling instincts.

This week on Crouch Cinema Corner, we get introspective with The Life of Chuck (2025), Mike Flanagan’s quietly ambitious, emotionally-layered adaptation of a Stephen King short story from If It Bleeds. Reverse storytelling? Check. Existential dread? Absolutely. Tap dancing in the middle of an apocalypse? Why not!

We dive into the film’s unique structure, and how that bold format either totally works or leaves you craving just one more beat.

Along the way, we celebrate standout performances, plus a beautiful ambient score by The Newton Brothers that made us feel things (especially during that morgue walk-and-talk). We explore how Chuck fits into the King-Flanagan cinematic universe and why this one might not have found its audience yet.

This episode is a heartfelt and hopeful reflection on life, death, and dancing through the weirdness in between. Come for the stars going out, stay for the deep thoughts.✨

This week on Crouch Cinema Corner, we sink our teeth into Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024)—a chilling, beautifully shot reimagining of the silent horror classic. We turned out the lights, turned up the volume, and leaned into the shadows for a film that’s all haunting visuals, gothic romance, and delightfully spooky vibes.

We gush over the film’s masterful use of lighting (yes, you can see what’s happening in the dark!), its eerie square framing, and Eggers’ signature obsession with eyes, thresholds, and creepy folklore. From the fog-drenched streets to a hypnotic castle candlelight scene, the atmosphere is thick and deliciously dreadful.

We also dive into the cast: Nicholas Hoult’s wide-eyed, increasingly doomed performance, Lily-Rose Depp’s unexpectedly riveting possession scene, and the always-welcome Willem Dafoe as a deranged pipe-smoking psychiatrist.

With shadowy hands creeping across cities, occult shrines tucked into every frame, and one of the most unforgettable final scenes we’ve seen this year, Nosferatu might not be subtle—but it sure leaves a mark.