The Critic and the Cynic cover art

The Critic and the Cynic

The Critic and the Cynic

Written by: Dave William
Listen for free

About this listen

 Dave is a film critic.
Hilary, his wife, is a cynic.

Together, they have a different approach to movies, and have come together to discuss a wide variety of movies in a whole new way.

Each host has three buttons:
  • THE CRAP BUTTON: they both have only one chance during a marathon to decide right then and there that this movie is going to be worse than anything they will watch.
  • THE UNICORN: A movie so good it's as rare as a unicorn
  • THE NOPE: they have one shot to veto any given movie...but only once. Join them as they go through some of the worlds best and worst movies ever made.
Copyright David Gilleand Art
Episodes
  • Tearjerker Films - Week 2

    Tearjerker Films - Week 2
    Jan 13 2025
    🎙 The Critic and the Cynic: My Girl vs. Seven Pounds

    Dave and Hilary continue their journey through cinematic tearjerkers in this emotional second episode of Season 2! 💧 This week, they revisit two films that tug at the heartstrings in very different ways: the coming-of-age classic My Girl (1991) and the deeply introspective drama Seven Pounds (2008).

    From childhood innocence and heartbreaking loss in My Girl to themes of guilt, sacrifice, and redemption in Seven Pounds, the hosts unpack why these films have left audiences reaching for tissues for years.

    🔥 Highlights include:

    - Hilary’s teary-eyed reflections on My Girl and its unforgettable performances by Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin.
    - Dave’s defense of Seven Pounds as a layered, misunderstood masterpiece.
    - A spirited debate over Will Smith’s dramatic chops and Rosario Dawson’s impactful presence.
    - Musings on whether a sad ending makes or breaks a movie's emotional resonance.

    Laugh, cry, and reminisce as we dive deep into what makes a movie a tearjerker. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments—did these movies make your cry scale?

    🎧 Listen now!
    #TheCriticAndTheCynic #MyGirl #SevenPounds #Tearjerkers #FilmDiscussion #PodcastLife
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Tearjerker Films - Week 1

    Tearjerker Films - Week 1
    Dec 30 2024
    🎙 The Critic and the Cynic: Season 2 Premiere!

    Dave and Hilary are back and diving headfirst into a season dedicated to tearjerkers! 💧 This week, they explore two films with emotional depth and distinct storytelling styles: The Lovely Bones (2010) and The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019).

    From dreamlike visuals and haunting performances in The Lovely Bones to the heartwarming adventure of unlikely friendships in The Peanut Butter Falcon, the hosts reflect on themes of grief, redemption, and the beauty of human connection.

    🔥 Highlights include:

    Hilary's thoughts on why The Lovely Bones gets a "5 on the cry scale."
    Dave's admiration for Shia LaBeouf's transformative performance in The Peanut Butter Falcon.
    Insightful banter on whether emotional punches land differently for the critic vs. the cynic.
    Fun facts about casting decisions, including Ryan Gosling's surprising involvement in The Lovely Bones.
    Join us as we laugh, cry (maybe), and debate what makes a movie a true tearjerker. Next week: more films, more feels! 🎥✨

    🎧 Listen now!
    #TheCriticAndTheCynic #PodcastPremiere #Tearjerkers #TheLovelyBones #ThePeanutButterFalcon #MovieDiscussion #FilmLovers #PodcastLife
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • 2024 Christmas Films - Week 7

    2024 Christmas Films - Week 7
    Dec 23 2024
    Dave (The Critic) and Hilary (The Cynic) wrap up their first season with the final five contenders of their holiday movie marathon. It's a wild ride through festive tropes, unexpected twists, and a few outright duds as they tackle Hallmark and Netflix’s Christmas offerings one last time.

    🎥 Movies Reviewed This Week:
    • Hanukkah on the Rocks – A cocktail-infused journey through Hanukkah traditions and some flat characters.
    • Carry On – Is it Die Hard 2.0 or just an airport thriller in disguise?
    • The Santa Class – A crash course in holiday cheer with a dash of Miracle on 34th Street.
    • Following Yonder Star – Scandals, nativity plays, and a bearded B&B owner in Vermont.
    • Happy Howlidays – Love, dogs, and predictably mismatched sweaters.

    🔍 Highlights Include:
    • Dave’s love for action-packed Carry On versus Hilary’s indifference to "men running around."
    • A toast to accuracy: Hanukkah portrayed authentically in Hanukkah on the Rocks.
    • Motely Santas: The eclectic, endearing crew of The Santa Class.
    • Questionable scandals in Following Yonder Star: How big a meltdown is too big?
    • The "not-so-cute" dogs of Happy Howlidays—and the curious case of Hallmark’s Mr. Christmas.

    📈 Season Takeaways:
    Hallmark's catalog surprised Dave, but did it win Hilary over? Spoiler alert: probably not.

    Grab your cocoa (or something stronger) and join the fun as Dave and Hilary close the book on 40 holiday films. Stick around for a preview of their next cinematic adventure.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins
No reviews yet