Cube Critics Minnesota Public Radio

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Aron Woldeslassie talk about a Shakespearean drama at a Renaissance Festival and a pretty good comedy special.

The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.

Click here.


‘Ren Faire’
“Ren Faire” is a three-part documentary series streaming on Max, which delves into the ongoing power struggle at the Texas Renaissance Festival, reputedly the largest in America.

The series focuses on the festival's founder and long-time ruler, George Coulam, as he contemplates retirement after nearly five decades. What sets this documentary apart is its blend of actual documentary footage with staged reenactments and fantasy sequences, enhancing the real-life drama with elements reminiscent of cinema verité and fantasy epics like “Game of Thrones.”

This creative approach not only enriches the narrative but also vividly captures the Shakespearean scope of the intrigues unfolding in Todd Mission, Texas. Highly recommended for its innovative style and engaging storytelling.

— Jacob Aloi




Ren Fair trailer














‘Hannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go’
Hannah Einbinder’s first comedy special, “Everything Must Go,” now streaming on Max, showcases her unique blend of sharp acting and absurd writing.

Known from the series “Hacks,“ Einbinder delivers an hour of comedy that diverges from the typical personal narratives common in debut specials. Instead, she demonstrates a mastery of comedic craft in a performance that feels intimate, like in a black box theater, though it takes place in a regular theater.

The special features moments of technical brilliance, such as sudden lighting changes and segments where she talks over jazz, enhancing the strange and amplified moments she creates.

This isn’t your straightforward, energetic comedy; it’s a bit more niche, coming from a perspective that might not resonate with everyone.

“Everything Must Go” offers unexpected moments and a distinct style that may appeal particularly to those ready for something different in their comedy viewing.

— Aron Woldeslassie




Hannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go trailer

Cube Critics Alex V. Cipolle and Max Sparber discuss a show about women in comedy and a movie about an English coastal town rocked by a string of obscene letters.

The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.

Click here.


‘Hacks, Season 3’
The third season of “Hacks” on HBO Max continues to explore the comedic and sometimes contentious dynamics between different generations, especially highlighting the relationship between a boomer and a millennial. Jean Smart shines as Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian grappling with the threats of becoming irrelevant in the ever-evolving world of comedy.

Paired with her is Ava, a young queer comedy writer portrayed with an awkward aplomb by Hannah Einbinder. Their forced partnership serves as the core of the show, driving much of its humor and heart.

Set against the vivid backdrops of Las Vegas and Los Angeles, which almost become characters in their own right, the series delves into the contrasts between old and new, mainstream and alternative, straight and queer. These juxtapositions not only fuel the series‘ sharp wit but also foster a narrative where friction and differences lead to growth and improvement, albeit with growing pains.

Season three of “Hacks“ particularly excels in showing how Deborah and Ava break yet another glass ceiling for women in comedy, presenting their victories as both monumental and tinged with melancholy. Now streaming on HBO Max.

— Alex V. Cipolle




Hacks Season 3 Trailer














‘Wicked Little Letters’
“Wicked Little Letters“ is a light and foul-mouthed British film now streaming, starring Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman. Set in an English coastal town in the 1920s, the story is loosely based on true events involving a series of obscene letters that disturb the peace of the community.

Colman plays a sweet, somewhat coquettish woman bullied by her father, who is shocked to find herself receiving these crudely written and shockingly rude letters.

The suspicion quickly falls on Colman‘s Irish neighbor, Rose, portrayed by Jessie Buckley in a delightfully chaotic performance. Buckley‘s character, likely innocent, stands out even alongside the formidable talent of Colman. As the mystery unfolds, a group of quirky English women come together to solve the case, adding to the film‘s comedic and light-hearted flair.

“Wicked Little Letters“ coasts on a slight but enjoyable plot, enhanced by the strong chemistry between Buckley and Colman. Their dynamic performances drive the film, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate a good blend of humor and mystery in a quintessentially British setting.

The film, reminiscent of classics like “The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain,“ though more profane, is highly recommended and available for streaming.

— Max Sparber




Wicked Little Letters trailer

Cube Critics talk about “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.”

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Kyra Miles discuss an absurdist cartoon comedy for adults and a Regency simp pretending to be a player.

Cube Critics watch a movie that is a love letter to stunt performers and a film about a kidnapping where — oops, the kidnapped child is a vampire.

Cube Critics Regina Medina and Max Sparber discuss a miniseries about the killing of Lincoln and a psychedelic action film set in India.

The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.

‘Manhunt’
“Manhunt,” streaming on Apple TV+, is an engaging historical drama series that captures the intense pursuit of John Wilkes Booth following his assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

Styled as a 19th century version of the modern thriller “24,” the series substitutes advanced technology with the era’s horses and Morse code, adding a unique twist to the chase narrative.

The series centers on Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, portrayed by Tobias Menzies of “Outlander” fame, who leads the manhunt with a deeply personal vendetta due to his admiration for Lincoln.

Patton Oswalt adds a distinct flavor to the show, playing the head of a federal law enforcement agency and infusing his characteristic vibes into the historical setting.

“Manhunt” employs a series of flashbacks that enrich the storyline by providing historical context and depth to the decisions and strategies employed during the hunt.

— Regina Medina




'Manhunt' trailer








'Manhunt' trailer





‘Monkey Man’
“Monkey Man,” the directorial debut of the charming English actor Dev Patel, who also co-wrote and stars in the film, is a hallucinogenic action thriller set in India.

Patel portrays a young man seeking revenge against the religious extremists and corrupt politicians responsible for destroying his village. The film is heavily inspired by the rise of right-wing ultra-nationalism in India.

“Monkey Man” begins with a gritty portrayal of underground fights where Patel wears a monkey mask, paired with his rise in a flashy yet squalid brothel.

The production, budgeted at about $10 million, punches well above its weight class, presenting street and fight scenes that are both energized and aesthetically pleasing, appearing as if the film cost 10 times as much.

Midway, the film shifts dramatically as Patel’s character finds himself in a temple belonging to Hijra, a community of transsexual, intersex and other third sex individuals that exists in real-life India.

Here, the narrative takes on elements of John Wick and Alejandro Jodorowsky’s “The Holy Mountain.”

After consuming a psychedelic root, Patel’s character transforms into an incarnation of the monkey god Hanuman, redirecting his quest from personal vengeance to fighting for broader justice issues — although against the same villains.

The latter part of the film is both brutal and dazzling, with scenes drenched in shocking gore. The movie’s unique style and narrative shift make it difficult to describe without resorting to invented or old-fashioned words like “psilocybonic” and “cataphysical.”

— Max Sparber




Trailer for "Monkey Man"








Trailer for "Monkey Man"