Cinema D’Amore hosts Justin and Chuck take on The Adventures of Mark Twain (1985), the claymation cult oddity that blends childlike fantasy with existential dread. They unpack the film’s anthology structure, drawing from Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and the deeply unsettling Mysterious Stranger, featuring one of animation’s most unnerving versions of Satan.

The episode explores the Haley’s Comet framing device, the film’s heavy themes, and its tactile, surreal animation, while also calling out weaker moments, such as the uneven Adam and Eve sequences. The result is a clear-eyed look at a strange, ambitious film that feels made for kids, but lingers with adults.

Hosted by Justin Morgan Co-hosted by Charles Phillips Mixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace

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In this episode of Cinema D’Amore, Chuck and Justin break down Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Life of Chuck, unpacking its reverse structure, standout performances from Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mia Sara, and Benjamin Pajak, and the film’s meditation on memory, mortality, and the quiet power of everyday joy.

They dig into Flanagan’s direction, Nick Offerman’s measured narration, the use of visual callbacks, and how the film translates King’s short story to the screen. It’s a film for fans of thoughtful, character-driven adaptations that linger long after the credits roll.

Hosted by Charles Phillips Co-hosted by Justin Morgan Mixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace

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Cinema D’Amore hosts Justin and Chuck dig into Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, a bittersweet, Christmas-set drama about an isolated teacher, a troubled student, and a lunchroom companion who come together as an unlikely family over winter break.

The episode unpacks the film’s mix of dark humor and quiet melancholy, its deliberately retro 1970s vibe, and standout performances from Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, while exploring themes of grief, loneliness, and the strange comfort of unexpected connection.

Merry Christmas to anyone spending the holidays alone, this one’s for you.

Hosted by Justin Morgan Co-hosted by Charles Phillips Mixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace

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Hosts Chuck and Justin break down Warfare, the A24 war film from Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza starring Cosmo Jarvis and Will Poulter. They dig into its boots-on-the-ground intensity, the decision to favor raw experience over traditional character arcs, and how the film turns a single day of combat into a brutally immersive experience.

The episode places Warfare within the modern war-film landscape, touches on Black Hawk Down parallels, and critiques the movie’s pacing and structure. Chuck and Justin spotlight the performances that anchor the chaos and take a close look at A24’s stripped-back production approach, closing with their take on the film’s ending and box-office run.

Hosted by Charles Phillips Co-hosted by Justin Morgan Mixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace

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Hosts Justin Morgan and Chuck Phillips dive into Zach Cregger’s Weapons, exploring its blend of horror, dark comedy, and a non-linear structure that gradually links its characters and events. They spotlight the strong ensemble cast, including Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Benedict Wong, and look at how Cregger balances shifting tones without losing tension.

The conversation then delves into the film’s standout moments, its sharp practical effects, and how its fractured narrative ultimately snaps together. Justin and Chuck unpack the choices that make Weapons one of the year’s most talked-about genre films, offering insights and connections that deepen the experience for anyone who’s seen it and anyone planning to.

Hosted by Justin Morgan Co-hosted by Charles Phillips Mixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace

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Hosts Chuck and Justin dig into Andrew DeYoung’s Friendship, starring Tim Robinson, using its strange and chaotic look at relationships to explore how messy real-life friendships can be. They break down standout scenes, the improv-heavy style, and its ties to The Chair Company, along with a few thoughts on improv culture, SNL careers, and Paul Rudd’s role.

The episode plays like group therapy for anyone who has felt desperate to belong, highlighting the film’s looping gags, social discomfort, and sharp comedic payoffs for fans of odd, character-driven comedy.

Hosted by Charles Phillips Co-hosted by Justin Morgan Mixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace

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Cinema D’Amore celebrates eight years on the mic with a brand-new season and a haunting start. The hosts dive into Jayro Bustamante’s La Llorona, a Guatemalan ghost story that mixes political horror, folklore, and slow-burn dread. They dig into the film’s deliberate pacing, eerie atmosphere, and its echoes of Pan’s Labyrinth and Stalker.

The conversation flows through themes of guilt, justice, and revenge, with plenty of appreciation for the film’s striking visuals, long takes, and unforgettable performances. La Llorona’s curse lingers through history like a whisper in the dark, making this 95-minute gem a perfect, spine-tingling way to kick off Season 5.

Hosted by Justin Morgan and Charles Phillips Mixing and Music by Scratchin’ Menace

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In the Season 4 finale, Justin and Chuck trek deep into the Zone to take on Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker, a haunting masterpiece that bends time, faith, and reason. They dig into the film’s hypnotic rhythm, its shifts from grime to transcendence, and the strange pull of the Room at its center. Along the way, they draw eerie parallels to Annihilation (both book and film), debate the motives of the Stalker, the Writer, and the Professor, and swap stories from the film’s grueling production. It’s a journey through mud, miracles, and meaning, with a few laughs to keep you from losing your mind in the Zone.

Hosted by Justin Morgan Co-hosted by Charles Phillips Mixing by Scratchin’ Menace Music by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley

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