The TCA is joined by a special guest to cover Steve's "next Best Picture" and Ofili's "one of the best four movies in 2024." In episode 16 we discuss Sean Baker's filmmaking style, the various on-screen relationship dynamics depicted in Baker's latest independent drama, and that final sequence that has got everyone talking. We also talk about how Baker is doing for sex workers what Scorsese did for gangsters, and how this feels like it could be 2024's PARASITE. Will ANORA follow suit by winning the coveted Oscar statuette? Leave us a message and let us know!  TCA Verdict: 9.7/10  

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*SPOILER-FREE* Say what you want about Crowley's nonlinear structuring of his 2024 tearjerker, but Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield have just delivered the most grounded performances for an on-screen couple in 2024. Ofili and Steve are back to cover the latest romantic drama from A24, WE LIVE IN TIME, and they discuss how the film tackles grief, the feeling of not being enough, and when not to use non-linearity in storytelling. TCA Verdict: 8/10.

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"In my opinion, OSCAR-worthy 2025, very easily" is how Ofili starts off talking about the feature directorial debut from Freemont, CA filmmaker Sean Wang, DÌDI (弟弟). Together with Steve, TCA covers the coming-of-ager and how Academy Award nominee Wang draws inspiration from his 2008 California summers showing learning to kiss, the struggle to fit in with your peers, and the importance of learning to love your mothers. TCA Verdict: 10/10.

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Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube at @CinephilesAisle.

Ofili and Steve are joined with Nigerian filmmaker, Ikem Okeke, writer and director of the 2021 short film, HUSBANDRY. Okeke takes them behind the scenes (2:55) of what shooting in Lagos was like, the shoestring constraints of a short film, and how thinking on your feet can be the defining factor of any passion project. Okeke also discusses his next film, and how he has grown as a filmmaker since HUSBANDRY.  Ofili and Steve also cover recent blockbusters, including FURIOSA and CHALLENGERS (26:00). Your TCA hosts close off with a preview of Summer 2024 for film (36:30), covering HIT-MAN, THE WATCHERS, and TRAP.

You can watch HUSBANDRY here: Husbandry

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Ofili and Steve are back covering the latest crowd favorite, MONKEY MAN. They share what they loved about Dev Patel's directorial debut, what creative choices rubbed them the wrong way, and how not every film featuring a man wearing a suit while fighting bad guys should be termed a "John Wick Movie."

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"My planet Arrakis is so beautiful when the sun is low."

*SPOILER ALERT: Episode contains key plot details from DUNE: PART TWO* In this Season 1 finale, we discuss all things DUNE. Ofili and Steve give their initial reactions to Denis Villeneuve's epic science-fiction sequel to DUNE (2021), the inspired performances of Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem, the deviations from Frank Herbert's 1965 novel, and what lies in store for MESSIAH. As it was written.

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It's "Bella in Wonderland" at The Cinephile's Aisle as Ofili and Steve return to discuss Yorgos Lanthimos (4:10) and his latest installation in his bizarre filmography, 'Poor Things' (9:00). They also look forward to a few upcoming films (35:10), including 'Dune: Part Two' and 'Madame Web'.

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Ofili and Steve react to the 96th Academy Awards nominations.

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*Contains key spoilers from MAY DECEMBER (15:00), LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND (25:50), and THE CREATOR (42:45)* 

Ofili and Steve say goodbye to 2023 by reliving some of the later releases of the year, including Zack Snyder's first installment of the Rebel Moon franchise (37:10). Happy Holidays from The Cinephile's Aisle! Hope you enjoy, and see you in 2024.

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