Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast

COTC Team
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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. 

  1. 4D AGO

    Is January Dump Month real or a self-fulfilling prophecy?

    How many times did you go to the theater in January to see a movie? If you responded with a number greater than zero, this would be surprising. Why? January has long been considered “dump month” for movies, since studios typically use this time to schedule theatrical releases that are not expected to perform well at the box office. In January, many people are coming off the winter holiday break, getting back into their routines, and working to rebuild their savings after the season of high spending. As such, movie-going is low on their list of priorities (if it is on their list at all). So, the studios figure: why release a promising film in a month when theater seats are close to empty? It seems like a sound business strategy. But can it also be true that cinephiles don’t go to the theaters in January because of the lackluster releases, thereby creating a self-fulfilling prophecy? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast to figure out where you fall on January dump month. Send us a comment to let us know what side of the January dump month debate you fall on.  For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below: https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe Fink, Richard. “Why January Is Considered a Dump Month for Movies, and Is That Still True?” Movieweb (January 10 2023). https://movieweb.com/january-movies-dump-month/ Laman, Lisa. “How January Became a Dump Month for Cinema - and Why That's Changing.” Collider (January 20 2022). https://collider.com/january-dump-month-changing/. Roberts, Gage. Why January is such a lackluster time for movies?” The Voyager (January 29 2024). https://uwfvoyager.com/4069/features/why-january-is-such-a-lackluster-time-for-movies/.  “Why is January usually a dead month for new releases?” Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/boxoffice/comments/18zl5l0/why_is_january_usually_a_dead_month_for_new/.   #cupofteareviews, #filmreviews, #indiefilm, #cinephilecommunity, #movielover, #instamovies, #ilovecinema, #instafilm, #ilovemovies, #movienight, #movieworld, #moviefan, #moviefans, #filmfan, #filmfans, #instacinema, #movie, #movies, #film, #films, #filmisnotdead, #favoritemovie, #nowwatching, #moviereview, #teatime, #movietime, #january, #january2026, #january2025, #january2024  Send us a text SUBSCRIBE Footer We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed sharing. Join us again for another deep look with a deep brew! Stay in touch on all things COTC by subscribing on our website at cupofteacritiques.com. Follow us on Letterboxd at COTCritiques. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at CUPOFTEACRITIQUES. For comments and questions, email us at hello@cupofteacritiques.com.

    38 min

  2. JAN 20

    Audio Collage: What’s next up for cinema centering Black people?

    How do you remember studying history during Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month? Let me guess, memorizing names and facts. Boring! They can have value, though; so, let me add one more. Did you know that Black History Month began as a one-week nod to Frederick Douglass’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays? In this episode, rather than regurgitating facts, we consider how Martin Luther King Jr.’s assertion that everyone has the right to live with dignity is weaved into contemporary cinema. We also share our own dreams for future stories that normalize the humanity of Black people and continue to push Black representations forward. Send us a comment to let us know how you are planning to celebrate Black history this year.  For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below: https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe   Black Film Wire. https://www.blackfilmwire.com/. “Black Movie Hall of Fame set to open in 2026 at Boone Theater in Kansas City.” FOX4 News Kansas City. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEkQZZyGTxQ. Havens, Rhys. “25 Inspirational Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes.” Unexpected (November 20 2024). https://unexpectedvirtualtours.com/resources/mlk-inspirational-quotes/. Jean-Gilles, Vladimir. “Black Movie Hall of Fame to be Inaugurated in Kansas City in 2026.” Shifter (October 21 2025). https://shiftermagazine.com/film-and-tv/black-movie-hall-of-fame.   #cupofteareviews, #filmreviews, #indiefilm, #cinephilecommunity, #movielover, #instamovies, #ilovecinema, #instafilm, #ilovemovies, #movienight, #movieworld, #moviefan, #moviefans, #filmfan, #filmfans, #instacinema, #movie, #movies, #film, #films, #filmisnotdead, #favoritemovie, #nowwatching, #moviereview, #teatime, #movietime, #mlk, #martinlutherkingjrday, #martinlutherking, #martinlutherkingquotes, #blackhistory, #blackhistorymonth, #blackhistorymatters, #blackpanther, #selma, #boomerang, #superbad  Send us a text SUBSCRIBE Footer We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed sharing. Join us again for another deep look with a deep brew! Stay in touch on all things COTC by subscribing on our website at cupofteacritiques.com. Follow us on Letterboxd at COTCritiques. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at CUPOFTEACRITIQUES. For comments and questions, email us at hello@cupofteacritiques.com.

    37 min

  3. JAN 15

    Streamers vs Box Office: Should awards access be limited?

    Have you seen a really good streaming movie on Netflix, Apple TV+, or Hulu? I mean a film that was so good, you felt it should have received theatrical release and major award considerations. There are several reasons why this probably didn’t happen, and we talk about some of them on the podcast. But the impetus for “Streamers vs Box Office” is to drill down on a prominent film director’s comments asserting that streaming films should not be considered for major award nominations. During the show, we not only disagree with one another on this, but our feelings on the subject are quite strong. If you don’t mind us being a little testy, join us on podcast. Maybe our debate will help you think through your own stance on this issue. Send us a comment to let us know if you think streaming movies should be eligible for Oscar nods.  For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below: https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe Ferme, Antonio. “Joel Edgerton Says James Cameron Shouldn’t ‘Be Squabbling’ Over ‘What Has a Right to Be Seen’ After Arguing Netflix Films Don’t Belong at the Oscars.” Variety (December 3 2025). https://variety.com/2025/film/news/joel-edgerton-james-cameron-netflix-oscars-1236597593/. Rizzo, Lillian and Sara Salinas. “Netflix to buy Warner Bros. film and streaming assets in $72 billion deal” CNBC (December 5 2025). https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/05/neflix-warner-bros-discovery-deal.html. “The Town with Matthew Belloni.” The Ringer (November 24 2025). https://www.theringer.com/podcasts/the-town-with-matthew-belloni/2025/11/24/part-2-james-cameron-on-avatar-4-and-5-movie-biz-fears-3d-netflix-and-aliens. #cupofteareviews, #filmreviews, #indiefilm, #cinephilecommunity, #movielover, #instamovies, #ilovecinema, #instafilm, #ilovemovies, #movienight, #movieworld, #moviefan, #moviefans, #filmfan, #filmfans, #instacinema, #movie, #movies, #film, #films, #filmisnotdead, #favoritemovie, #nowwatching, #moviereview, #teatime, #movietime, #avatar, #netflix  Send us a text SUBSCRIBE Footer We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed sharing. Join us again for another deep look with a deep brew! Stay in touch on all things COTC by subscribing on our website at cupofteacritiques.com. Follow us on Letterboxd at COTCritiques. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at CUPOFTEACRITIQUES. For comments and questions, email us at hello@cupofteacritiques.com.

    38 min

  4. JAN 7

    Yes Repeat No—Wait, What? A Conversation with Filmmaker Michael Moshe Dahan

    We often think about our identities as multilayered (Black, White, Italian, Mexican, man, woman), but rarely do we think of them as intersectional, or even that others might view them as clashing or contradictory. Imagine, for instance, that you were both Palestinian and Israeli. Michael Moshe Dahan’s film, Yes Repeat No, is based on the experiences of a person who didn’t just imagine this, but who lived it. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we talk to Michael about his motivations for and the challenges he encountered with pulling together Yes Repeat No, which is now available on Prime Video. Send us a comment letting us know your thoughts on the movie or how you think you would handle such a politicized identity.  For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below: https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe #cupofteareviews, #filmreviews, #indiefilm, #cinephilecommunity, #movielover, #instamovies, #ilovecinema, #instafilm, #ilovemovies, #movienight, #movieworld, #moviefan, #moviefans, #filmfan, #filmfans, #instacinema, #movie, #movies, #film, #films, #filmisnotdead, #favoritemovie, #nowwatching, #moviereview, #teatime, #movietime, #moviewatching, #moviequote, #moviequotes, #prime, #primevideo  Send us a text SUBSCRIBE Footer We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed sharing. Join us again for another deep look with a deep brew! Stay in touch on all things COTC by subscribing on our website at cupofteacritiques.com. Follow us on Letterboxd at COTCritiques. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at CUPOFTEACRITIQUES. For comments and questions, email us at hello@cupofteacritiques.com.

    36 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    Home Alone or Die Hard: Just what exactly is a Christmas Movie?

    It’s that time of year again where we gather the family together and pull out the holiday movies. What are some of your favorites to watch? Home Alone? Jack Frost? Maybe A Charlie Brown Christmas is an absolute must for you. Film professors say we watch Christmas movies because we need to feel close to loved ones this time of year. The romance, predictable stories, and even the bright costumes worn by the characters in most of these movies induce a sense of lightness. But what about movies that only have Christmas as a backdrop (i.e, Die Hard, Enemy of the State)? Do they fit the bill for a Christmas movie? Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss Christmas movies and consider what makes a movie fit this subgenre. Send us a comment to let us know some of your favorite Christmas movies.  For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below: https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe Hartman, Steven. “The Psychology Behind Our Obsession with Christmas Movies.” Screencraft (December 20 2023). https://screencraft.org/blog/the-psychology-behind-our-obsession-with-christmas-movies/. Moniuszko, Sara. “A psychologist explains why your brain loves cheesy holiday movies.” CBS News (December 20 2023). https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holiday-movies-psychologist-explains/. Wray, Jeff. “Ask the experts: Why are we drawn to holiday movies?” MSU Today (December 7 2023). https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2023/12/ask-the-expert-why-are-we-drawn-to-holiday-movies. #cupofteareviews, #filmreviews, #indiefilm, #cinephilecommunity, #movielover, #instamovies, #ilovecinema, #instafilm, #ilovemovies, #movienight, #movieworld, #moviefan, #moviefans, #filmfan, #filmfans, #instacinema, #movie, #movies, #film, #films, #filmisnotdead, #favoritemovie, #nowwatching, #moviereview, #teatime, #movietime, #christmasmovies, #christmasmovie, #christmas, #diehard, #enemyofthestate, #homealone, #charliebrownchristmas  Send us a text SUBSCRIBE Footer We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed sharing. Join us again for another deep look with a deep brew! Stay in touch on all things COTC by subscribing on our website at cupofteacritiques.com. Follow us on Letterboxd at COTCritiques. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at CUPOFTEACRITIQUES. For comments and questions, email us at hello@cupofteacritiques.com.

    42 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    From Casino to Forrest Gump to Bad Boys: why do we quote movies?

    What are some of the funniest movie lines that come to mind for you? Now think of one or two of your favorites that were more serious than funny. There are a host of reasons cinema quotes stay with us for years and sometimes decades after we have seen the movie in theaters. Often, the quotes are sources of humor for us. Other times, they carry a sense of nostalgia or provide a link for forging relationships with new people. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss movie quotes and the varied functions they have beyond just serving as sources of entertainment. Send us a comment letting us know your favorite movie quote.  For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below: https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe David. “Popular Movie Quotes Used in Daily Conversation [Updated].” Engoo (March 2 2025). https://engoo.com/blog/travel-fun/popular-movie-quotes-used-in-daily-conversation/. “Movie Quotes — how they influence our lives.” Medium (July 3 2023). https://medium.com/@mwamorton51/movie-quotes-how-they-influence-our-lives-98d7dd2e0ff8. “The 20 Most Misquoted Movie Lines of All Time.” wescreenplay. (January 7 2025). https://www.wescreenplay.com/blog/top-20-misquoted-movie-lines/. Walker, Penny. “That's so fetch: Why we love to use movie quotes to communicate.” ASU News (October 2 2018). https://news.asu.edu/20181002-creativity-asu-professor-why-we-use-movie-quotes-communicate.    #cupofteareviews, #filmreviews, #indiefilm, #cinephilecommunity, #movielover, #instamovies, #ilovecinema, #instafilm, #ilovemovies, #movienight, #movieworld, #moviefan, #moviefans, #filmfan, #filmfans, #instacinema, #movie, #movies, #film, #films, #filmisnotdead, #favoritemovie, #nowwatching, #moviereview, #teatime, #movietime, #moviewatching, #moviequote, #moviequotes, #forrestgump, #badboys, #casino, #afewgoodmen, #meangirls, #boomerang, #nostalgia, #beverlyhillscop, #nostalgic Send us a text SUBSCRIBE Footer We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed sharing. Join us again for another deep look with a deep brew! Stay in touch on all things COTC by subscribing on our website at cupofteacritiques.com. Follow us on Letterboxd at COTCritiques. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at CUPOFTEACRITIQUES. For comments and questions, email us at hello@cupofteacritiques.com.

    39 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    Avatar in IMAX 3D? Nah, it’s time for 4DX and beyond!

    Seen a movie on a rooftop? In a park? How about a cemetery? Yes, it is a thing. But hey, they say don’t knock anything until you try it. How we watch movies in theaters has changed over just the last fifty years or so. We have gone from drive-in theaters and walk-in auditorium style venues to advanced ticket purchasing and immersive experiences with 4DX technology and Cosm shared reality. These dramatic changes have undoubtedly enhanced our movie-watching experiences, making them more engaging than we ever could have imagined. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss the different theater experiences and which are best for what genres of movies. Send us a comment letting us know which experience you like best and for what types of films?  For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below: https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe “4DX Cinemas Next Generation - Motion Seats, Wind, Fog, Lighting, Bubbles, Water & Scents.” Wonder World. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN03zZRHSHA. Hellerman, Jason. “What Is IMAX?: Three Examples of the Concert Film.” No Film School (March 19 2024). https://nofilmschool.com/what-is-imax. “IMAX vs Standard Screen: Is the IMAX Experience Truly Worth the Extra Cost?.” HiFi Audios. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bZ_4cpmfQU. “James Cameron’s Theory of 3D Cinema.” Adam Savage’s Tested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoNpFAUo0jo. Martens, Todd. “L.A.’s Sphere-like venue Cosm turns ‘The Matrix’ into an immersive experience.” Los Angeles Times (June 3 2025). https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2025-06-03/cosm-inglewood-the-matrix. Whitten, Sarah. “Shaking seats and piped-in fog: How 4DX is carving out a niche moviegoing market.” CNBC (May 27 2024). https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/27/4dx-movie-experience.html. #cupofteareviews, #filmreviews, #indiefilm, #cinephilecommunity, #movielover, #instamovies, #ilovecinema, #instafilm, #ilovemovies, #movienight, #movieworld, #moviefan, #moviefans, #filmfan, #filmfans, #instacinema, #movie, #movies, #film, #films, #filmisnotdead, #favoritemovie, #nowwatching, #moviereview, #teatime, #movietime, #moviewatching, #movieexperience, #immersiveexperience, #immersive, #imax, #imaxexperience, #imax3d, #imaxexplained, #3d, #4dx  Send us a text SUBSCRIBE Footer We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed sharing. Join us again for another deep look with a deep brew! Stay in touch on all things COTC by subscribing on our website at cupofteacritiques.com. Follow us on Letterboxd at COTCritiques. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at CUPOFTEACRITIQUES. For comments and questions, email us at hello@cupofteacritiques.com.

    1h 1m

  8. 11/18/2025

    Do concert films like Renaissance and The Eras Tour provide a solution to box office woes?

    Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour were undoubtedly huge successes, and the decision to transform them into concert films was genius. For about forty years, live concerts by superstar artists have been plagued with exorbitant ticket prices. Concert films just might be a solution to this misery, since the cinematized productions remove the ticketing barriers for fans who dream of seeing their favorite artists. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we discuss the growth of concert films. Send us a comment to let us know which music artist you would like to see in a concert film! For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below: https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/subscribe Donahue, Tori. “Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and the Soaring Popularity of Concert Films.” (November 28 2023). https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/beyonce-taylor-swift-soaring-popularity-concert-films. Huffman, Levi. “Are You Making A Movie?: Three Examples of the Concert Film.” (July 9 2016). https://thebigwblog.wordpress.com/2016/07/09/are-you-making-a-movie-three-examples-of-the-concert-film/. “The Magic of Music & Movies: Why Film Concerts Are a Must-See Experience.” Alabama Symphony Orchestra. https://alabamasymphony.org/blogs/the-magic-of-music-movies/. “The Rise of Concert Films: How and why concert movies took center stage in 2023.” Leveling Up (March 21 2024). https://alderbrook.substack.com/p/the-rise-of-concert-films. Zaleski, Annie. “Why 2023 becoming the year of the concert film is good news for everyone.” Salon (December 26 2023). https://www.salon.com/2023/12/26/concert-films-year-good/.    #cupofteareviews, #filmreviews, #indiefilm, #cinephilecommunity, #movielover, #instamovies, #ilovecinema, #instafilm, #ilovemovies, #movienight, #movieworld, #moviefan, #moviefans, #filmfan, #filmfans, #instacinema, #movie, #movies, #film, #films, #filmisnotdead, #favoritemovie, #nowwatching, #moviereview, #teatime, #movietime, #beyoncé, #beyonce, #beyoncetour, #beyonceconcert, #renaissance, #concertfilm, #erastour, #erastourtaylorswift, #erastourfilm, #erastourmovie  Send us a text SUBSCRIBE Footer We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed sharing. Join us again for another deep look with a deep brew! Stay in touch on all things COTC by subscribing on our website at cupofteacritiques.com. Follow us on Letterboxd at COTCritiques. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at CUPOFTEACRITIQUES. For comments and questions, email us at hello@cupofteacritiques.com.

    30 min
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About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    COTC Team
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Writing on Mirror LLC
  • Show Website
    Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast