Cinema Psychos Movie Reviews

Cinema Psychos | Movie Podcast
  • 4.0 (25)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the madhouse where film freaks and film fans of all types come to get their fix. The Cinema Psychos Show is hosted by indie filmmakers Brian Cottington and John Wooliscroft. Every week they dig into new movie reviews, cult classics, horror films, bad movies, forgotten gems, and whatever's currently breaking (or disappointing) on streaming; all from the perspective of two guys who actually make films for a living. This isn't a recap show. Expect real film analysis, genuine comedy, deep dives into what makes movies actually work, and plenty of unfiltered opinions on why Hollywood keeps getting it wrong. New releases. Cult horror. 80s classics. Streaming disasters. If it's worth talking about or too insane to ignore; it's fair game.

  1. 1d ago

    We Re-Watched Adaptation…Charlie Kaufman's MENTAL BREAKDOWN Movie

    Charlie Kaufman was hired to adapt a nonfiction book about orchids. Instead, he wrote himself into the script — twice — and made one of the strangest, most self-aware movies ever released by a major studio. Brian and John rewatch Adaptation (2002) and break down Nicolas Cage's dual performance as neurotic screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and his fictional twin brother Donald, Meryl Streep's Susan Orlean and her obsession with "The Orchid Thief," and Brian Cox's scene-stealing turn as real-life screenwriting guru Robert McKee. We also get into a genuinely compelling theory: what if Donald doesn't actually exist? 🎬 WHAT WE COVER • How Charlie Kaufman wrote himself into his own screenplay after struggling to adapt Susan Orlean's "The Orchid Thief" • Nicolas Cage's dual performance as neurotic screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and his fictional twin brother, Donald Kaufman • Meryl Streep as journalist Susan Orlean and her spiraling obsession with orchid poacher John Laroche • Brian Cox as real-life screenwriting guru Robert McKee, and the film's commentary on Hollywood formula • A theory that Donald Kaufman may not be a real character at all • Why the film's chaotic, McKee-mocking third act still works as a genuine ending CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Why Adaptation feels impossible to cover 04:37 A movie that turns Hollywood inside out 06:42 When adapting a book means adapting yourself 11:12 The artist versus the commercial machine 16:57 Donald Kaufman, Charlie's unleashed alter ego 21:01 The Orchid Thief and Florida's strangest obsession 27:50 Writer's block spirals into stalking 36:51 The moment the real movie finally begins 37:41 An ending engineered for total insanity 43:54 What Donald's disappearance reveals 45:15 Can you love a movie this weird? 49:35 The audience weighs in 50:08 1. Two brothers, one Nicholas Cage 51:20 2. A big brain and an even bigger shrug 52:34 3. Brilliant ideas, frustrating distance 55:40 The glorious chaos of Vampire's Kiss 58:04 Final thoughts on Kaufman's strangest journey 01:01:13 Adaptation as a cinematic palate cleanser FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📺 More movie breakdowns every week — hit subscribe + the bell 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76

    We Re-Watched Adaptation…Charlie Kaufman's MENTAL BREAKDOWN Movie

  2. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing The Lindsay Clancy Case, Understanding Postpartum Psychosis from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast The Lindsay Clancy case has captured the nation’s attention, causing heated debate in the national conversation. On January 24, 2023 Lindsay Clancy strangled her three children in her basement and then attempted suicide by jumping from a second-story window in her house. The resulting injuries left her paralyzed from the waist down. After 21 days of testimony from more than 80 witnesses, the jury was not able to reach a unanimous decision. Lindsay Clancy’s defense team has argued that she is not guilty by reason of insanity as she was experiencing postpartum psychosis, while the prosecution argued she committed premeditated first degree murder. Oprah is in Massachusetts for a wide-ranging conversation about the case with an audience including an exclusive interview with Meg Hamp, a nurse who worked alongside Lindsay for 7 years and testified at her trial - plus medical experts, legal scholars and women who have personally experienced postpartum psychosis. Their stories give us a rare, first-hand insight into what it is to experience this challenging mental health issue. Oprah will also talk with social critics who will share their opinions and she will hear speculation on many sides of the case. Oprah has hosted conversations on postpartum depression and psychosis for 40 years with the intention of providing a platform for a mature discussion. This podcast episode contains discussions of murder, suicide, and mental illness that may be upsetting to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

  3. Sep 2

    We Re-watched Hellbound: Hellraiser II...It's a PERFECT Horror Sequel! | Ft. Robert Brian Taylor

    Is Hellbound: Hellraiser II the best sequel in horror history? With Hellraiser back in the cultural spotlight this year — Halloween Horror Nights' 2026 and the long-awaited Hellraiser Revival game both dropping this fall — we figured it was the perfect time to revisit the film many fans consider the series' high point. Film critic Robert Brian Taylor (Collider) joins The Cinema Psychos Show to make the case for Hellbound, arguing it does exactly what a horror sequel should: expand Clive Barker's world without breaking its rules. We break down how Hellraiser 2 deepens Julia's transformation into one of horror's most compelling villains, sends Kirsty Cotton into the Leviathan's labyrinth, and expands the mythology around Pinhead and the Cenobites first introduced in the original 1987 Hellraiser. 🩸 WHAT WE COVER • Why Hellbound expands on Clive Barker's world instead of repeating it • Julia's rise as the series' central villain • Kirsty's journey through the Leviathan's labyrinth • Doug Bradley's Pinhead and the Cenobites' expanded role • Ranking Hellbound against the rest of the Hellraiser franchise CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] A birthday descent into Hellbound [01:23] Why the Hellraiser franchise keeps losing its way [03:10] The sterile pleasures of the Hulu reboot [06:45] How Hellbound became a horror obsession [11:09] The sequel that blows open Clive Barker's world [18:22] A perfect recap and Pinhead's human beginning [21:55] Welcome to Channard's nightmare hospital [31:40] Julia rises from the mattress [47:43] Every road leads back to Hell [54:00] Julia claims her place as Hellbound's true queen [57:27] The labyrinth and the many faces of Hell [01:04:07] The Cenobites remember who they were [01:20:50] What Hellraiser lost after Hellbound [01:29:42] Why Hellbound remains a perfect horror sequel [01:33:49] Where to find Robert Brian Taylor [01:37:20] 🎙️ ABOUT OUR GUEST Robert Brian Taylor is a film critic and editor at Collider. Read his writing at https://rbtwrites.com/ FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"  AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887  musicbakery.com

    We Re-watched Hellbound: Hellraiser II...It's a PERFECT Horror Sequel! | Ft. Robert Brian Taylor

  4. Aug 26

    We Re-watched Rocky (1976) and It Was... Weird | Ft. The Silver Linings Playlist Podcast

    Sports Month closes out with the quintessential non-sports sports movie: Rocky (1976). Brian and John are joined by Dustin and Nate from The Silver Linings Playlist Podcast  to break down Stallone's underdog script (allegedly written in three days), the real Chuck Wepner vs. Muhammad Ali fight that inspired it, Carl Weathers' criminally underrated Apollo Creed, and a running theory that Rocky himself reads as autistic-coded — "his special interest is punching." Plus: how this movie beat Taxi Driver, Network, and All the President's Men for Best Picture, whether the Rocky/Adrian romance holds up in 2026, and a Letterboxd reviews segment that gets weird fast. 🎙️ ABOUT OUR GUESTS Dustin & Nate host Silver Linings Playlist — new episodes weekly, plus a Patreon with bonus commentary tracks (their Austin Powers mini-series drops this September). CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] Rocky closes out sports month [01:39] A small-time boxer gets his impossible shot [05:46] The chaotic story behind Rocky [07:25] The myth of the three-and-a-half-day script [09:04] From soft-core scandal to the Italian Stallion [12:47] How Rocky escaped television and found a studio [14:09] Why America needed an underdog in 1976 [16:30] The racial tensions hiding beneath the Americana [20:12] Inside Rocky's grimy Philadelphia world [23:20] A button man drifting through a bleak life [28:56] Adrian and Rocky's deeply uncomfortable romance [34:11] When a date becomes a masterclass in red flags [40:46] Reading Rocky and Adrian through a modern lens [45:45] Why Apollo's gamble changes Rocky's life [47:34] Boxing as spectacle, ego, and empty promotion [48:51] Mickey, mentorship, and an unforgettable breakdown [52:45] The training montage that invented a formula [01:01:04] How Rocky helped revolutionize camera movement [01:03:01] The distance matters more than the victory [01:07:01] A brutal final fight that still feels real [01:10:42] Rocky loses the decision and wins everything else [01:15:37] Letterboxd enters the ring [01:17:22] 1. Raw eggs and the limits of training advice [01:18:35] 2. The romance that makes viewers recoil [01:20:10] 3. Rocky beats his meat [01:26:14] 4. The classic montage cannot save the movie [01:26:40] Loving Rocky while wrestling with Stallone [01:31:20] More movies, more madness, and shameless plugs [01:34:14] Share the episode and keep the spirit alive [01:41:55] FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 GUEST: Dustin & Nate- The Silver Linings Playlist Podcast  — https://tslppodcast.com/ MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"  AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887  musicbakery.com

    We Re-watched Rocky (1976) and It Was... Weird | Ft. The Silver Linings Playlist Podcast

  5. Aug 19

    I, TONYA: Nobody in This Movie is Telling the Truth (ft. KT Baldassaro)

    Tonya Harding loved skating. The skating world never loved her back — and I, Tonya (2017) is the mockumentary-style biopic that dares to ask: who's actually the villain here? Brian sits down with KT Baldassaro (MovieRunTime & What If I Don't Like It) to break down Margot Robbie's snubbed performance, Allison Janney's Oscar-winning turn as the worst mom in cinema, Sean Eckhardt's delusional hitman fantasy, and why the Academy has a track record of punishing dark comedy. CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] Why I, Tonya makes a surprisingly fun rewatch [02:17] A biopic that refuses to play by the rules [03:52] When every narrator tells their own truth [05:54] The uncomfortable comedy of Tonya's abuse [07:16] How the media rewrote the Nancy Kerrigan attack [09:49] The skating world's perfect underdog villain [12:59] Lavonna Harding and the making of a monster [15:20] The performances that turn cruelty into character [18:56] Jeff's obsession fuels the entire nightmare [21:18] Why leaving an abuser is never simple [23:53] Talent, trauma, and the coach who stays [28:00] When talent loses to image and corruption [30:45] Sean is the movie's most gloriously delusional creation [31:40] How the media turned a young woman into spectacle [36:56] Learning to recognize when the media is selling b******t [39:00] The manufactured rivalry that ruined Tonya's life [42:47] We all helped make Tonya the punchline [44:30] Why dark comedy can lose the awards race [48:01] 1. Margot Robbie's unforgettable transformation [55:22] 2. The makeup scene where madness takes over [57:32] 3. Breaking the fourth wall with devastating precision [59:25] Sean's confidence is built entirely on delusion [01:02:04] The hidden craft behind I, Tonya's skating effects [01:03:47] What's coming next on Movie Runtime [01:07:43] Where to find the show and keep the conversation going [01:14:50] FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 GUEST: KT Baldassaro (MovieRunTime) — Host of "What If I Don't Like It?" https://open.spotify.com/show/2iyYtsB5zeuoCJZ3D3fKJt MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"  AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887  musicbakery.com

    I, TONYA: Nobody in This Movie is Telling the Truth (ft. KT Baldassaro)

  6. Aug 13

    A League of Their Own (1992): Sibling Rivalry, Sexism & the Best Casting in Movie History

    A League of Their Own (1992) is the rare baseball movie that isn't really about baseball — it's a sibling rivalry story, a look at 1940s sexism, and (we'd argue) one of the best examples of age-accurate casting in film history. Brian and John break down Penny Marshall's classic: Tom Hanks' pivot from comedy to the dramatic roles that led to Cast Away and Forrest Gump, the Kit/Dottie rivalry that drives the whole plot, what the film gets right (and skips) on race and sexism in the 1940s, and the ending debate that still splits fans. A movie reaction and deep-dive discussion for baseball fans and non-sports fans alike. 00:00 Introduction — A League of Their Own (1992) Review 03:53 A League of Their Own's Real Story: Sibling Rivalry Between Kit & Dottie 14:54 The Least "Baseball" Baseball Movie Ever Made 17:31 A League of Their Own and 1940s Sexism, Explained 25:05 Tom Hanks: Comedy vs. Drama in A League of Their Own 34:01 Did Dottie Drop the Ball on Purpose? (Ending Debate) 44:12 What A League of Their Own Gets Wrong on Race & Queer Representation 50:19 Every Character's Arc in A League of Their Own 54:52 The Best Age-Accurate Casting in Movie History 58:12 A League of Their Own: Listener Reviews 01:06:10 Final Thoughts on A League of Their Own (1992) FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Follow on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychoshow.com/follow 🚨 Subscribe to our newsletter!- https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"  AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887  musicbakery.com

    A League of Their Own (1992): Sibling Rivalry, Sexism & the Best Casting in Movie History

  7. Aug 8 ·  Bonus

    Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review — The Best MCU Spidey Movie Yet? (Spoiler-Free)

    Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a beautiful mess — and it might be the best MCU Spider-Man movie yet. Both hosts land on 8/10. We weren't planning to cover this one. Then we saw it, and we had to record an emergency bonus episode. Brian and John break down why Destin Daniel Cretton's Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the most grounded, consequence-driven Spidey film Marvel has made — and why it owes more to Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 than to anything in the Home trilogy. Jon Bernthal's Punisher steals the movie. Florence Pugh's "small potatoes" bathhouse scene is already a meme. Sadie Sink shows up as a telepath Marvel is still being coy about. Mark Ruffalo's Hulk is… there. And Peter's new organic webbing sets up the single funniest unintentional metaphor in the MCU. What you'll get out of this episode: Why this Spider-Man finally takes itself seriously — and how it escapes the quip-undercuts-everything problem The specific Spider-Man 2 (2004) DNA running through the whole film Where the Punisher lands after One Last Kill, and whether the chili speech works The six-armed Spider-Man that almost happened, and who killed it What the post-credits scene sets up heading into Avengers: Doomsday Whether Marvel's endless X-Men teasing is finally going somewhere ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro: why this emergency bonus episode exists 1:58 – Taking our kids to see it (and the No Way Home nostalgia) 3:08 – Sadie Sink, Jean Grey rumors, and Marvel's endless X-Men problem 4:41 – Why Brand New Day finally takes Spider-Man seriously 6:08 – Jon Bernthal's Punisher is back, and he's incredible 6:29 – Florence Pugh's "small potatoes" scene (already a meme) 8:32 – How much this borrows from Raimi's Spider-Man 2 10:58 – What does Mark Ruffalo's Hulk actually do in this movie? 12:52 – The Punisher's chili speech (light spoilers start here) 15:02 – The six-armed Spider-Man that almost happened 15:22 – Organic webbing and growing into the powers 19:03 – The post-credits scene and what it teases 19:25 – Final scores: we both land on 8/10 20:24 – Wrap-up & where to find us FOLLOW THE SHOW 🎧 https://cinemapsychoshow.com/follow 🚨 Newsletter: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76   ❓ SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY — QUICK ANSWERS Does Spider-Man: Brand New Day have a post-credits scene? Yes — one, and no mid-credits scene. It plays at the very end, after the studio logos, so it looks like there isn't one. Stay put. It teases what's coming in Avengers: Doomsday. Is Spider-Man: Brand New Day good? Both of us gave it 8/10. It's the first MCU Spider-Man movie that takes itself seriously, with real consequences for Peter and a tone closer to Raimi's Spider-Man 2 than the Home trilogy. The plot logic doesn't survive close inspection. The character work does. Who directed Spider-Man: Brand New Day? Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). It's the first Tom Holland Spider-Man not directed by Jon Watts. Written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Who does Sadie Sink play in Spider-Man: Brand New Day? A powerful telepath Marvel kept under wraps until release, widely connected to Jean Grey. The film stays deliberately vague about the X-Men link — we get into why that's maddening at 3:08. Is Spider-Man: Brand New Day on streaming? Not as of September 2026 — theaters only. Sony hasn't announced a digital date. Based on past Sony windows, digital purchase/rental is expected late October 2026, with 4K/Blu-ray/DVD listed for November 17, 2026. Netflix holds first streaming rights, likely early 2027. Is the Punisher in this movie? Yes. Jon Bernthal is back as Frank Castle after Punisher: One Last Kill, and he's a mentor figure to Peter this time. Weird pivot for a guy who wiped out a whole neighborhood. It works. Does this episode have spoilers? Light ones, starting at 12:52. We cover the Punisher subplot, the organic webbing, and that a post-credits scene exists. We don't touch the ending or the villain's identity.

    Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review — The Best MCU Spidey Movie Yet? (Spoiler-Free)

  8. Aug 8

    The Rutles | The Beatles Parody That Left Paul McCartney PISSED!

    Eric Idle and Lorne Michaels teamed up in 1978 to make the greatest Beatles parody you've probably never seen — and it worked so well that Paul McCartney sent back a real letter saying he didn't find it funny, while John Lennon loved it so much he never returned his copy. This week on Cinema Psycho Show, Brian and John dig into The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash, the SNL-adjacent mockumentary packed with John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Mick Jagger, and even George Harrison himself. We break down the Beatles history it's spoofing, argue about whether you need to be a Beatles fan to get the jokes, compare it to Spinal Tap and Young Frankenstein, and read your listener reviews. CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] The Rutles: A mockumentary history of the Beatles [01:10] The BBC mockumentary behind The Rutles [02:40] The Rutles blends Beatles history with Monty Python humor [03:59] Early SNL stars and the film's celebrity cameos [04:34] Discovering The Rutles as a child and revisiting it as a Beatles fan [07:29] Why The Rutles did not connect with every viewer [10:04] The Beatles' Hamburg years and the importance of context [14:24] The Rutles follows the Beatles' history through parody [17:21] Sight gags, archival footage, and the film's comic style [22:54] The surprisingly strong music of The Rutles [23:30] The Rutles corporation satirizes 1960s idealism [27:42] Why mockumentaries need a recognizable subject [29:04] How The Rutles compares with other mockumentaries [34:10] The Rutles' broadcast history and American reception [37:22] The sequel revisits The Rutles through celebrity commentary [39:08] Listener reviews of The Rutles [41:10] A collection of sketches with a thin plot [41:57] Chastity and the film's most outrageous joke [45:50] The music is excellent, but the parody stays close to the Beatles [51:21] Birthday wishes and final thoughts on The Rutles [56:56] Share the episode and tell us what you think [59:17] FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychoshow.com/follow 🚨 Subscribe to our newsletter!- https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76   CO-HOST: John's Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@JDUBSVIDEONASTIES

    The Rutles | The Beatles Parody That Left Paul McCartney PISSED!
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About

Welcome to the madhouse where film freaks and film fans of all types come to get their fix. The Cinema Psychos Show is hosted by indie filmmakers Brian Cottington and John Wooliscroft. Every week they dig into new movie reviews, cult classics, horror films, bad movies, forgotten gems, and whatever's currently breaking (or disappointing) on streaming; all from the perspective of two guys who actually make films for a living. This isn't a recap show. Expect real film analysis, genuine comedy, deep dives into what makes movies actually work, and plenty of unfiltered opinions on why Hollywood keeps getting it wrong. New releases. Cult horror. 80s classics. Streaming disasters. If it's worth talking about or too insane to ignore; it's fair game.

Information

  • Creator
    Cinema Psychos | Movie Podcast
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    443
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Cinema Psychos Movie Reviews

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