Mostly Film

In this week’s Mostly Film, we're pitting two Hollywood heavyweights against each other in a cinematic showdown: Tom Cruise in Legend (1985) vs. Leonardo DiCaprio in Body of Lies (2008).

First up, we go deep into The Casting of Legend—a pre-Top Gun Cruise donning long locks and fairy-tale armor in Ridley Scott’s surreal fantasy epic. We’ll talk about how he nearly passed on the role, the version of the film he actually preferred, and how Legend gave us a rare look at Cruise in the fantasy genre—though Tim Curry’s devilish performance may have stolen the spotlight.

Then we shift gears into the gritty world of Body of Lies, where DiCaprio goes full-on CIA in Ridley Scott’s modern spy thriller. From gaining 25 pounds to demanding on-location shooting in Morocco, Leo’s dedication was real—and so was the intensity. We’ll cover how this film fits into his “gritty realism” era and why his performance is considered one of his most underrated.

Plus, we’re breaking down The Performances, The Direction, and The Critical Reception—how both actors were shaped (or overshadowed) by their directors, the worlds they stepped into, and the legacies these films left behind.

Is Cruise’s ethereal Jack a forgotten fantasy prince? Does DiCaprio’s Roger Ferris deserve more love in the spy thriller pantheon? You decide.

It’s fairytale forests vs. Middle Eastern war zones. Light vs. Lies. Cruise vs. DiCaprio.

🎬 LeBron Barbie, Matrix Reboots & Chicken Jockey Chaos 🎬

This week on Mostly Film, we’re diving into the wild, weird, and wonderful corners of the movie world—starting with the freshest trailer drops and ending with the hottest headlines shaking up Hollywood.

First up, it’s LIST IT or NIX IT, where we check out the new trailer for Eddington and decide whether it’s making it to our Letterboxd watchlists or getting the boot.

Then, in What We’ve Been Watching, Jonathan shares thoughts on Warfare, Drop, Gunslingers, and The King of Kings, while JP revisits The Life Aquatic. Plus, we both check in on our latest TV obsessions, including The Studio, The Bondsman, and The Pitt.

Finally, in The News, we’re covering all the big stories—from Sinners scoring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and Cate Blanchett maybe quitting acting (say it ain't so!), to Drew Goddard taking the reins on a new Matrix movie. Also in the mix: a Bodyguard remake, a Star Wars horror project, the long-awaited Best Stunts Oscar category, and yes... the LeBron James Barbie doll and Hawk Tuah Girl’s actual casting as herself.

Hollywood is getting weirder, and we’re here for it. Tap in.

Two legendary actors. Two iconic performances. One showdown.

In this week’s episode, we’re diving deep into the worlds of Jerry Maguire and The Wolf of Wall Street to unpack what makes these roles career-defining turns for Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio.

We kick things off with The Casting, where we break down the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped each performance—from Cruise shadowing real sports agents and helping write iconic scenes, to DiCaprio fighting for years to get Wolf made and throwing himself (literally) into the chaos of Jordan Belfort’s world.

Then we dig into The Films themselves—Jerry Maguire’s heart, romance, and redemption versus Wolf of Wall Street’s debauchery, ambition, and downfall. We’ll explore how both films use charisma and collapse to tell two wildly different American dream stories.

And of course, we bring in The Critics—what did the biggest voices in film say about Cruise’s emotionally layered performance and DiCaprio’s unhinged, fearless energy? From Oscar nods to iconic scenes, we look at how both roles helped reshape the legacies of two of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

So, who wins the title of best performance? Is it Cruise’s “You complete me” or Leo’s lewd, lude-fueled spiral? Tap in for the debate, the deep dive, and maybe… a little yelling of “Show me the money!”

🎙️ 🎙️

This week’s episode is packed tighter than a movie theater on opening night.

We kick things off with LIST IT or NIX IT, where we speed through a fresh crop of trailers—from The Naked Gun reboot to Tron: Ares, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Bears on a Ship, and The Phonecian Scheme. Will they earn a spot on our Letterboxd watchlists… or get the boot?

Then it’s What We’ve Been Watching, as Jonathan and JP break down the films and TV shows that hit (or missed) over the past week. We’re talking Opus, Mickey 17, The Day the Earth Blew Up, Y2K, and the Reacher finale, plus new episodes of The Studio and The Pitt.

And of course, we close things out with The News, covering everything from Minecraft’s massive box office debut, to The Fantastic Four’s ‘60s-era space race vibe, and the wild lineup of upcoming projects: Road House 2, John Wick 5, a Tangled stall, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2, and Peter Jackson buying the actual Iron Throne for nearly $1.5 million.

Oh—and Sydney Sweeney might be piloting a Gundam.

Tap in. We’ve got thoughts

🎬 Cruise vs. DiCaprio: Collateral & The Aviator 🎬

Two of Hollywood’s biggest stars went head-to-head in 2004 with two vastly different films—Michael Mann’s sleek, high-stakes thriller Collateral and Martin Scorsese’s sweeping biopic The Aviator. But who delivered the more unforgettable performance?

In this episode, we break down Tom Cruise’s rare turn as a villain in Collateral—from his meticulous training with real hitmen to the bold casting choices that almost led to a completely different film. Then, we dive into Leonardo DiCaprio’s transformative portrayal of Howard Hughes in The Aviator, exploring his deep-dive method acting and passion for bringing the project to life.

We’ll look at what the critics had to say, the behind-the-scenes stories, and ultimately decide: which 2004 performance left the biggest impact?

🎥🍿 What's New 🎥🍿

Each week, Jonathan and JP break down the latest movie trailers in LIST IT or NIX IT—deciding on the spot whether a film is worth adding to the watchlist or tossing aside. No middle ground, no second-guessing.

Then, we dive into What We’ve Been Watching, covering the movies and TV shows that stuck with us throughout the week—highlighting standout performances, themes, and moments without spoiling the experience.

Finally, we wrap up with The News, bringing you the biggest updates from Hollywood—casting rumors, industry shake-ups, and the wildest headlines you won’t believe.

If you love movies, hot takes, and staying up-to-date with everything happening in film and TV, this is the podcast for you! 🎥🍿

🎬 Director in Review: Quentin Tarantino 🎬

Join us as we dive deep into the films of one of cinema’s most audacious filmmakers—Quentin Tarantino! From the revisionist history of Inglourious Basterds to the blood-soaked vengeance of Django Unchained, the claustrophobic tension of The Hateful Eight, and the nostalgic Hollywood dreamscape of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, we explore Tarantino’s signature style, off-screen movie facts, and behind-the-scenes stories.

We'll break down key scenes, iconic performances, and the bold storytelling that makes his films unforgettable. Whether you’re a die-hard Tarantino fan or a casual movie buff, this podcast is your go-to for deep-dive discussions, fun trivia, and unfiltered takes on the master of cinematic mayhem.

🎬 Mostly Film - Take 154 🎬

In this episode, we dive into the latest in film and TV, breaking down what’s worth watching and what’s better left behind.

🔥 LIST IT or NIX IT – We take a look at the newest movie trailers and decide if they’re making it onto our Letterboxd watchlists or getting the boot. From The Life of Chuck to Freakier Friday, we’re giving our gut reactions—LIST or NIX!

📺 What We’ve Been Watching – A rundown of the films and shows that stood out this week. Expect thoughts on Invincible, Reacher, Shōgun, and more.

📰 The News – The biggest updates in movies, from industry shifts to upcoming releases.

Tune in for all this and more on Mostly Film! 🎥🍿

Take 153: Kill Bill Vol. 2, & Death Proof. Tarantino In Review Pt. 3

Take 152: Mickey 17, Fight or Flight, Captain America: BNW, & the New Snape