175 episodes

The Cinematic Schematic is a multi-segment podcast dedicated to thoughtful, analysis-driven conversations on genre, independent and classic films from thecinematropolis.com. Hosted by Caleb Masters, Laron Chapman, and a rotating cast of filmmakers, critics, and special guests, this podcast takes you through some of the most prominent themes and conversations occurring in cinema each month.

The Cinematic Schematic The Cinematropolis

    • TV & Film
    • 4.8 • 42 Ratings

The Cinematic Schematic is a multi-segment podcast dedicated to thoughtful, analysis-driven conversations on genre, independent and classic films from thecinematropolis.com. Hosted by Caleb Masters, Laron Chapman, and a rotating cast of filmmakers, critics, and special guests, this podcast takes you through some of the most prominent themes and conversations occurring in cinema each month.

    Dune: Part Two Review

    Dune: Part Two Review

    In October 2021, The Cinematic Schematic laid the tracks for a prophecy predicting the greatness of Dune Part Two in our review of the first film. Since then, a famine has overtaken Hollywood, due in large part to poor management from the Imperium (cough studio executives) who caused the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes of 2023.



    Only one group of film critic podcasters possesses the unique ability to unite listeners.



    To provide a proper verdict, we reunited our team of reviewers from the 2021 film including The Cinematropolis's Daniel Bokemper, No Film School's Jo Light, and GoodTrash Media's Dalton Stuart. Much like Dune: Part Two's new joiners Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Christopher Walken, Laron Chapman is here for this conversation, and host Caleb Masters claims his position as the prophet destined to deliver a review that will change the fate of the galaxy for generations.



    Does Dune: Part Two deliver the out-of-this-world spectacle promised in the 2021 film, or has the hype been overblown? Listen today for our in-depth analysis.

    • 2 hr 3 min
    The 2024 Oscars Predictions Special

    The 2024 Oscars Predictions Special

    Here are the nominees for Best Oscars Predictions Podcast



    The Cinematic Schematic continues our tradition of anticipating the biggest night in movies of the year (at least for Hollywood) with our 2024 Oscars predictions. Brandy McDonnell, an award-winning arts and entertainment journalist from The Oklahoman and member of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, rejoins hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman for this discussion.



    Who Will Win the Most Gold?



    2023 was an exceptional year for cinema. Perhaps even one of the best years of the last two or so decades. High-quality blockbusters were firing on all cylinders with Oppenheimer, Barbie, Godzilla Minus One Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Smaller films from first-time directors like Past Lives, American Fiction, and Talk to Me were making waves. Even the most iconic auteurs were releasing new movies with Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, and Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers.



    With so many great films to choose from, it’s made for a competitive year at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10th. Who will take home the most awards? Barbie, or Oppenheimer? Is Killers of the Flower Moon destined to leave the big show empty-handed, or will Lily Gladstone walk away with a historic win?



    Take a look at the list of 2024 Oscar nominees here. Need a ballot to complete your 2024 Oscar predictions? Take a look at Letterboxd’s digital version.



    Which of our 2024 Oscars predictions should you put down on your card? Listen to our in-depth discussion breaking down our predictions for each category.

    • 2 hr 42 min
    Madame Web Review

    Madame Web Review

    Sound the alarms because it's webbin' time! The Cinematic Schematic returns with an emergency review of the Sony Spider-Man spin-off, Madame Web, with guests Alexandra Bohannon and Chelsea Ratterman from Geek Girl Features.



    The Winter of Web Is Upon Us



    On April 1st, 2022, Sony released the iconically terrible spin-off of the Spider-Man villain Morbius, starring Jared Leto and Matt Smith. After flopping during its initial run, they later re-released the film in the summer and dubbed that season "The Summer of Morbius." Despite the memes tricking executives into thinking audiences wanted to see the movie for irony, it flopped again.



    On Valentine's Day 2024, Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman aims to replicate the "winning" formula by kicking off "The Winter of Web," starring Dakota Johnson in Madame Web. After witnessing one spidey train crash, why not try again?



    Could It Be So Bad It's Good?



    To evaluate Johnson's turn as the clairvoyant Spider-psychic, hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman are joined by returning guests Bohannon and Ratterman. Is Madame Web a sign of the end times for the superhero genre? Or is there enough fun to justify Sony's indulgence in C-list side characters?



    Check out the show to hear our verdicts!

    • 1 hr 14 min
    The Winter "Dumpuary" 2024 Review Round-Up

    The Winter "Dumpuary" 2024 Review Round-Up

    The Cinematic Schematic podcast returns from its winter slumber with a "Dumpuary" 2024 movie review round-up featuring hosts Caleb Masters, Laron Chapman, and recurring guest, Daniel Bokemper. Has it been a memorable slow season, or have theaters delivered a series of duds?



    The Gems of Dumpuary 2024



    The new releases have not stopped coming over the first six weeks of 2024. In today's first episode of the 2024 season, we review several of the winter's most notable releases including Argyll, The Beekeeper, Origin, Society of the Snow, and Mean Girls (2024).



    Icebreaker - What career would you choose as a retired spy?



    If there's one theme that's been consistent over the first couple of months at the movies in 2024, it's that subpar spy films aren't dead. Between Argyll and The Beekeeper, the perils of being a retired spy was a theme. To break the ice in today's podcast, we beg the question--What alternate career would you take up as a retired assassin?



    A Good Year For Quiet Times?



    Despite lacking blockbuster releases this winter has had a wide variety of films to pick from. But are they any good?



    Tune in to hear our verdicts on five of Dumpuary 2024's most notable movies.

    ---



    Podcast Discussion Timestamps



    0:15 - Introductions



    4:08 - Ice-Breaker Question - What career would you embrace as a retired assassin/



    8:36 - Argylle Spoiler-Free Review



    19:44 - The Beekeeper Spoiler-Free Review



    33:10 - Origin Spoiler-Free Review



    49:34 - Society of the Snow Spoiler-Free Review



    1:01:36 - Mean Girls (2024) Spoiler-Free Review

    • 1 hr 8 min
    The Top 5 Movies of 2023

    The Top 5 Movies of 2023

    The Cinematic Schematic concludes this podcast season by counting down our top 5 movies of 2023. The year featured an impressive line-up of films across genres and budget tiers. From hit blockbusters like Barbie, John Wick: Chapter 4, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse to outstanding indies including Past Lives, Beau Is Afraid, and Blackberry, there was an exceptional choice for everyone. In such a competitive year, which films rose to the top?







    Meet This Year’s Panelists







    Joining hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman for our second annual top 5 movies countdown are No Film School editor and The Cinematropolis contributor Jo Light and GoodTrash Media’s Dalton Stuart.







    From left to right: Jo Light, Laron Chapman, Dalton Stuart, and Caleb Masters















    The Top News Story of the Year







    Timestamp: 17:00







    2023 was a hugely consequential year in the film and television industry. It will be remembered for The Writers Guild of America strike, which ran from May 2nd to September 27th (148 days), and the SAG-AFTRA strike, which ran from July 14th to November 9th (118 days). 







    Before awarding any movies, the crew discusses what impact the strikes will have on 2024 and beyond before naming each of their own top news of the year.







    2023 was a significant paradigm shift in the industry, both for filmmakers and audiences, marked by several notable headlines, including:









    * “Barbenheimer” was the box office smash hit of the summer







    * Physical media becomes existentially threatened as streaming services remove programming







    * Video game adaptations take off at the box office







    * Everything Everywhere All At Once swept the 2023 Oscars







    * Comic book movies are dethroned as the preferred movie genre by audiences









    2023 Honorary Awards







    Timestamp: 33:55







    There were so many great films this year that we couldn’t fit all of them into our top five. Our honorary awards for often dubious honors return as part of commemorating the year in movies.







    This year’s awards include:

    • 2 hr 49 min
    2024 Sneak Peek: The Most Anticipated Movies of the Year

    2024 Sneak Peek: The Most Anticipated Movies of the Year

    Happy New Year, listeners! The Cinematic Schematic is kicking off this rotation around the sun by playing things differently with a 2024 sneak peek at the most anticipated movies playing in theaters later this year.



    We kick things off with a quick recap of the final films we watched in 2023. We then take a look back at the box office predictions we made in our first episode of last year before hedging our bets on what will be the biggest hit of 2024.



    To raise the stakes of the conversation, we conclude the show with the inaugural edition of "New Year Sneak Peek Movie Trivia." Which host will emerge victorious with bragging rights?



    Celebrating 2024 With Familiar Faces



    Hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman pop the bottle of champagne for our first episode of 2024 with regular guest host and The Cinematropolis contributor, Daniel Bokemper.



    Happy New Year, listeners! The Cinematic Schematic is kicking off this rotation around the sun by playing things differently with a 2024 sneak peek at the most anticipated movies playing in theaters later this year.



    We kick things off with a quick recap of the final films we watched in 2023. We then take a look back at the box office predictions we made in our first episode of last year before hedging our bets on what will be the biggest hit of 2024.



    To raise the stakes of the conversation, we conclude the show with the inaugural edition of "New Year Sneak Peek Movie Trivia." Which host will emerge victorious with bragging rights?



    Celebrating 2024 With Familiar Faces



    Hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman pop the bottle of champagne for our first episode of 2024 with regular guest host and The Cinematropolis contributor, Daniel Bokemper.

    • 1 hr 55 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
42 Ratings

42 Ratings

MTLawyer01 ,

FANTASTIC SHOW!

I love this show! Love the chemistry between the hosts! Fun film selections, thoughtful conversations, great content! Highly recommend for film lovers!

BigChadP ,

Love the Reviews

So refreshing to hear well thought out movie reviews from a bunch of different folks that aren’t just living in NY or LA.

Cshultz81 ,

Excellent film podcast

Informative, funny, and altogether engaging conversations about film. A must listen for cinephiles

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