Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast
A podcast brought by the team that brings you cupofteacritiques.com, the site that encourages critical viewing of film so you can decide for yourself if they’re your "cup of tea." Reading the tea leaves of the film industry is challenging. Each week on the podcast, the team peels back the layers on a movie genre or industry trend to offer aspiring filmmakers some clarity and guidance on what is often rough and indecipherable terrain that is the film and television industry. So, grab a deep brew for a deep look and some hilarious moments.
Music by Julian Hartwell (Say No More - Gh3dEJ)
Fair Use Notice: The movies and TV series excerpted and discussed on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast are copyrighted productions. Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast refers to them for the purposes of social commentary and constructive criticism of the productions’ content, which constitutes "fair use" as codified in section 107 of U.S. Copyright law.
Episodes
65 episodes
What Makes a Production a Classic?
Consider for a moment your go-to movies or television shows. You know, the ones you stream decades (or perhaps just a year or two) after their release and they still make you laugh, make you cry, or just stir something inside you. Would you con...
How throwback films take you waayyy back!
Last fall, COTC reviewed the Peacock series, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, starring Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard,...
Where are all the Sports Movies?
Remember movies like Little Big League, Any Given Sunday, Mighty Ducks, Major League, and Sandlot? From the 1990s to the early 2000s, the film industry released about four sports movies like these ev...
Sinners and the Mystique of Vampirism
Ryan Coogler’s recent hit movie, Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, has sparked a lot of buzz. What is the appeal of vampires and what adds credibility to a vampire production? In this episode, we dive into the mystique of this centu...
When the Industry Goes Reel!
In this episode, we delve into cinema on difficult topics and social issues. Be aware that samples of these works and some aspects of our discussion may be triggering for some listeners. Many movies and TV series mirror real‑life circumstances ...
Who the Heck is Alan Smithee — and Why Should You Care?
Have you ever wanted to remove your name from something that turned out badly? Maybe it was a group project, a paper you wrote, or a decision with an undesirable outcome. A little-known pseudonym adopted by the Directors Guild of America has al...
Can Film Thrive without Music?
Music can certainly exist outside of movies, but do you think movies can thrive without music? Have you ever thought about the crucial role that music plays in film? Or is music so integrated into film today that it is tough to think about the ...
Movie Ratings: Are They Meaningful and Relevant Today? (Part 2 of 2)
Do you consider the rating of a film before deciding if you will go to the theater to see it? While they may be useful now, those seemingly benign letters that make up the ratings carry a lot of historical weight. For much of the 20th century, ...
Movie Ratings: Are They Meaningful and Relevant Today? (Part 1 of 2)
Do you consider the rating of a film before deciding if you will go to the theater to see it? While they may be useful now, those seemingly benign letters that make up the ratings carry a lot of historical weight. For much of the 20th century, ...
Public Domain and ... Winnie the Pooh?
In 2023, filmmaker Rhys Frake-Waterfield set off a frenzy when he released his film, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, which presents the iconic cuddly bear as something more repulsive than inviting. His transformation of Pooh was enab...
What makes sequels and serials work?
Can you distinguish between a sequel and a serial? In this episode of the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast, we define and explore the two concepts, with examples of familiar films from past and present. We also delve into the question of whether ou...
Shot on Film or Shot on Digital?
After watching a film, consider for a moment how it looked and just as important, how it made you feel. If you stay past the movie’s credits, you get an indication of just how the filmmakers were able to achieve these effects, because they prov...
What is the Goal of a Short Film?
Many talented filmmakers lack the resources to produce expansive projects that can gain the attention of influential representatives or studios. So, what’s the best use of the underdog’s modest means? Many go the route of what’s known as a “sho...
What Makes a Good (or Bad) Villain?
Darth Vader. Thanos. Lucy van Pelt! What are the qualifications for a villain in your story? Does it even need to be human? Maybe your villain is something more abstract. What villains are your cups of tea? Write us a review and share some of y...