CRWN Cinema Podcast

CRWN Cinema
  • 4.7 (50)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Just dudes that make movies, breaking down movies, live on a podcast. Hosted by Kade Harvey and Gray Pittman, they analyze and discuss the great movies we all know and love to give the everyday viewer a deeper understanding of the artistry behind what makes them top tier. Thank you to Lane Hunt for "Working Like a Dog" as our show's theme song.

  1. "Leon: The Professional" - Nobody Warned Us About Leon the Professional

    2d ago

    "Leon: The Professional" - Nobody Warned Us About Leon the Professional

    Well… this movie is something, isn't it? Leon: In this episode we break down Leon: The Professional. We talk about Gary Oldman's insane performance and how he created one of the best villians improvising the entire time. We tell the story of how the production smuggled illegal weapons into France and got hit with massive fines when authorities shut it down. We get into why Natalie Portman's parents ever allowed her to be in this movie. And we give our honest reaction to a cult classic that caught us WAY off guard in ways we were not ready for. Chapters: 00:00 Announcements 0:29 Not what we were expecting... 12:43 How Jean Reno helped the problematic story 14:49 The sketchy backstory of the director 19:06 How Natalie Portman's parents kept her safe 25:26 Why is this a cult classic 28:07 Gary Oldman here to save the day 36:12 Keanu Reeves and John Wick 41:10 Jean Reno's method acting & the music 44:14 The most accurate DEA raid in movie history 45:09 Setting up major scenes 49:35 Could've been Man on Fire 53:02 Our final thoughts

    1h 1m
  2. "The Town" - Ben Affleck Wrote, Directed, and Acted His Way Back to Relevance

    Jun 1

    "The Town" - Ben Affleck Wrote, Directed, and Acted His Way Back to Relevance

    Ben Affleck wrote, directed, and starred in The Town coming off one of the worst career stretches in Hollywood… and somehow made one of the best heist movies ever made. We break down the wild fan theory that his character Doug MacRay is actually his Good Will Hunting character who stayed in Boston after Will left. We discuss why this is basically a Batman audition tape. We also break down the most iconic scene in the movie, the deleted ending where Doug doesn't make it to Florida, and how Ben Affleck directed his own performance. Chapters: 00:00 Announcements 0:39 So good it saved a career 3:47 This was just Ben Affleck Batman audition 7:48 Bad movies bring out the best actors 9:54 Ben Affleck has the sad boy look down 14:10 Heat in Boston 23:42 The FBI kinda dumb in this movie 26:34 How the most iconic moment was born 28:08 Just missing Matt Damon 36:35 Blake Lively good at being annoying 40:37 A childhood staple 43:14 The scariest dude in this movie 47:08 Doug almost immediately blew his cover 56:40 Doug character arc shown through woman 1:02:08 The alternate ending 1:04:58 Our final thoughts

    1h 10m
  3. "The Last Samurai" - The Incredibly Badass War Movie Nobody Talks About

    May 25

    "The Last Samurai" - The Incredibly Badass War Movie Nobody Talks About

    In this episode, we break down THE LAST SAMURAI:  the epic historical drama starring Tom Cruise that blends brutal war scenes, emotional storytelling, and themes of honor, redemption, and cultural identity into one of the most unforgettable films of the 2000s. We dive deep into Tom Cruise’s performance as Nathan Algren, discussing why this role feels different from many of his other action characters and how the movie balances Hollywood spectacle with genuine emotional depth. We also debate some of the film’s controversial choices, including the ending, the romance with Taka, and whether Nathan surviving the final battle actually weakens the story’s themes of sacrifice and redemption.The episode also explores the philosophy of the samurai, Katsumoto’s symbolism throughout the film, and how the movie portrays the death of an entire way of life as modernization takes over Japan. We break down the incredible battle scenes, the fog ambush sequence, and the insane amount of practical stunt work that went into making the combat feel grounded and visceral. We also discuss behind-the-scenes details about how Tom Cruise trained throughout production so his swordsmanship would naturally improve alongside his character’s journey, as well as why his commitment to physical performance continues to separate him from almost every other modern movie star. Chapters: 00:00 Announcements 0:29 Intro: We love this movie 5:34 The few flaws in this movie 23:43 How the stunt coordinator trained Tom Cruise 29:57 The historical inaccuracies 38:30 Trying to avoid the "white savior" cliche 41:21 Now trying to defend the corny ending 45:04 The story of how Tom Cruise almost got his head chopped off 48:51 The behind the scenes footage is so funny 52:42 Subtly showing Tom Cruise is one with the Samurai 54:45 Our final thoughts

    1h 3m
  4. "Tropic Thunder" - The Insane Commitment Behind Tropic Thunder

    May 18

    "Tropic Thunder" - The Insane Commitment Behind Tropic Thunder

    In this episode, we break down TROPIC THUNDER — the absolutely insane Hollywood satire from Ben Stiller that somehow blends outrageous comedy with a surprisingly smart parody of war movies, method acting, and the movie industry itself. We dive into why this film still feels so bold, how it perfectly roasts Hollywood egos, and why every performance commits so hard to the bit. We analyze the legendary performances from Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, and especially Tom Cruise as Les Grossman one of the funniest surprise characters ever put in a comedy. We break down the behind-the-scenes story of how Tom Cruise actually helped create the Les Grossman character himself, adding the dancing, oversized hands, and intense studio-executive energy to give the movie a stronger antagonist presence. We also reveal some of the craziest production stories from the making of the film, including Jack Black nearly getting seriously injured during the water buffalo scene, the insane detail put into the Vietnam style sets in Hawaii, and how much effort went into even the fake movie trailers at the start of the film. Beyond the comedy, we talk about how Tropic Thunder cleverly parodies iconic war films like APOCALYPSE NOW, RAMBO, and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN while still feeling like a genuinely well-made war movie underneath all the insanity. This movie is ridiculous, controversial, chaotic, and somehow still brilliantly crafted and we break down exactly why it works so well.

    1h 9m
  5. "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" - Why The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Hits So Deep

    May 11

    "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" - Why The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Hits So Deep

    In this episode, we break down THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY starring Ben Stiller — the visually stunning adventure drama that quietly became one of the most inspiring movies of the 2010s. We dive into how the film balances fantasy and reality, using Walter’s daydreams to explore fear, purpose, loneliness, and the desire to truly live life instead of just watching it pass by. We analyze Ben Stiller’s performance and direction, the breathtaking cinematography, and how the movie’s soundtrack and imagery create such an emotional atmosphere. From Iceland to the Himalayas, the film transforms a simple story into a journey about courage, self-discovery, and stepping outside your comfort zone. We also break down why this movie resonates so deeply with people who feel stuck in routine, and how Walter Mitty slowly evolves from escapism into a story about embracing real life. This is one of those rare feel-good movies that genuinely leaves you wanting to live differently — and we explain exactly why it works so well.

    59 min
  6. "The Place Beyond the Pines" - How One Decision Changes Everything — Explained

    May 4

    "The Place Beyond the Pines" - How One Decision Changes Everything — Explained

    In this episode, we break down THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES — the wild crime drama that tells a generational story about consequences, legacy, and the ripple effect of a single decision. We dive into how the film is structured in distinct chapters, each shifting perspective while staying connected through its characters and themes. We analyze Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper’s performances, the emotional weight behind their choices, and how those decisions shape the lives of the next generation. The film explores fatherhood, identity, and the long-term impact of actions in a way that feels grounded and real. From its unexpected narrative shifts to its heavy emotional payoff, The Place Beyond the Pines is a movie that stays with you long after it ends — and we break down exactly why it works so well. Chapters: 00:00 Announcements 1:37 Kade's first impression 8:51 Ryan Gosling & the bank robbery scenes 17:54 That first watch is unforgiving 21:33 Bradley Cooper  25:28 The worst character in this movie 30:12  "I don't wanna pretend anymore" 32:27 The most intense horrible scene to watch 43:47 Crazy behind the scene stories 50:25 How's this ending feel? 58:11 More crazy stories from on set 59:59 A great detail in this movie & callbacks 1:12:36 Cue the music

    1h 13m
  7. "Remember the Titans" - The Most "Denzel" Denzel Washington Movie of All Time

    Apr 27

    "Remember the Titans" - The Most "Denzel" Denzel Washington Movie of All Time

    In this episode, we break down REMEMBER THE TITANS — the sports drama that goes far beyond football to tell a powerful story about leadership, unity, and growth. We dive into how the film uses the game as a backdrop to explore real human struggles, showing how a divided group can come together through discipline, accountability, and shared purpose. We analyze Denzel Washington’s commanding performance as Coach Boone, the transformation of the team throughout the season, and the emotional moments that make this movie so impactful. From intense practices to unforgettable speeches, Remember the Titans builds a story that resonates long after the final game. This is a movie about trust, respect, and overcoming differences — and we break down exactly why it continues to inspire audiences today. Chapters: 00:00 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 1:37 Gray first time watching this movie 21:06 What's up with the kissing scene? 24:03 A sports movie with GREAT sport scenes 30:37 Ryan Gosling sliding in as a side character 38:32 The origin story of Shane Gillis' funniest skit 43:07 Coach Boone has insane standards 46:31 Sit down Sheryl (but respect) + Coach Yoast divorce 54:46 The trickery they pull on you 56:39 The corny moments in the movie 59:59 Gerry's car wreck 1:09:41 Our official rating & final thoughts

    1h 17m
  8. "Saving Private Ryan" - The Most Insane War Movie They've Ever Made

    Apr 20

    "Saving Private Ryan" - The Most Insane War Movie They've Ever Made

    Go to Shostak.tv to vote for our new comedy show CRWN and help us win full season funding for the show! In this episode, we break down SAVING PRIVATE RYAN: the war film that completely changed how combat is portrayed on screen. We dive into how Steven Spielberg creates an unrelenting sense of realism, especially in the opening D-Day sequence, which remains one of the most intense and immersive scenes ever put in a movie. We analyze how the film captures the chaos, fear, and brotherhood of war, while still telling a deeply human story about sacrifice, duty, and the cost of survival. From Tom Hanks’ grounded performance to the moral weight behind the mission, every moment feels earned and emotionally heavy. We also explore how the film’s realism impacted audiences and influenced an entire generation of war movies, setting a new standard for authenticity. This is more than just a war movie, it’s an experience that forces you to confront the reality of combat, and we break down exactly why it remains one of the most powerful films ever made. Chapters: 00:00 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 1:37 The best WW2 movie ever? 8:35 Creating brutal perfection in the opening 21:27 Is the ending more brutal? 28:25 Why they focus on eyes 30:18 Matt Damon ruined Spielbergs plan for this movie 38:39 The real battle on set with Tom Sizemore 42:04 The surprising budget for this movie 43:26 Tom Hanks is the only man to play Cpt. Miller 49:42 An interesting way they could do a WW2 movie 54:08 The only cheesy part of this movie 57:22 Spielberg really had it out for Matt Damon on this movie 1:01:26 The big controversy with this movie 1:10:33 Our official rating & final thoughts

    1h 22m
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4.7
out of 5
50 Ratings

About

Just dudes that make movies, breaking down movies, live on a podcast. Hosted by Kade Harvey and Gray Pittman, they analyze and discuss the great movies we all know and love to give the everyday viewer a deeper understanding of the artistry behind what makes them top tier. Thank you to Lane Hunt for "Working Like a Dog" as our show's theme song.

Information

  • Creator
    CRWN Cinema
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    166
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © CRWN Cinema
  • Show Website
    CRWN Cinema Podcast

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