Deep Dive Movie Reviews
by Steve Hackman
What happens when an American and an Englishman meet up over drinks to discuss movies? Join James Marsh (the Brit) and Steve Hackman (the Yank) as they do deep dive reviews on the latest releases at the box office and streaming services. James is a film critic for the South China Morning Post and Radio Television Hong Kong and Steve, he just knows a bunch of obscure movie trivia that he's never managed to leverage into anything useful...until now!
Episodes
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Every Best Picture - West Side Story (1961) - Academy Award Winners
Film producer Mark Blaney from Footprint Films joins Steve & James to unpack the 1961 musical classic West Side Story. Does this beloved film stand the test of time and deserve it's place in Oscar history? Join us to find out! ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain Spoilers ** Find out more about…
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WAKE UP DEAD MAN | Is this the Best Christian movie of 2025??
#rianjohnson #knivesout #wakeupdeadman Rian Johnson returns as writer and director of the 3rd installment of the "Knives Out" franchise. Along the way Steve reaches into his Evangelical experiences to suggest Johnson may have made the best faith based "Christian" film of the year. ** Deep Dive...
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It Was Just An Accident | JAFAR PANAHI'S SCORES AGAIN
Jafar Panahi's new film centers on a group of people who have to decide how to dispense justice on a former torturer who had abused them under the Iranian regime. ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain SPOILERS **
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One Battle After Another | IS THIS PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON'S MASTERPIECE?
Many are declaring Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" his Magnum Opus but does the Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn led film actually deliver? ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 - Intro 3:48 - The book "One Battle" is based on 5:44 - Leonardo DiCaprio & Paul Thomas...
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WEAPONS | Is Zach Cregger's Horror Hit a New Cult Classic???
Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Amy Madigan star in the eerie tale of a class of missing school children. Part psychological thriller, part pitch black comedy, and all horror, Zach Cregger's latest film "Weapons" might just be a new cult classic? **Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers**
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28 YEARS LATER | SPOILER REVIEW and that Crazy Ending Explained
Steve & James do a Deep Dive into Danny Boyle's much anticipated zombie sequel "28 Years Later" . Along the way James explains why this film is quintessentially British on so many levels including the jaw dropping "Jimmy" ending! #28yearslater #dannyboyle #alexgarland #ralphfiennes...
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JAWS AT 50 | Is Spielberg's Shark Epic Still the Greatest Movie Ever Made?
#jaws #jawsat50 #stevenspielberg Steve & James celebrate the 50th anniversary of the "perfect film" by telling stories and anecdotes about their mutual love for Steven Spielberg's "JAWS". Along the way they explain why the 1970s was the best cinematic decade. 0:00 - Intro 2:34 - How Jaws caused…
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The Old Woman with the Knife | UNPACKED
Lee Hye-young stars as an aging female assassin who is the target of an up and coming competitor who may have other agendas. Min Kyu-dong directs ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers **
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Companion | SPOILER REVIEW
Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid play a couple who gather for a weekend getaway with friends but chaos ensues when one of the guests is revealed to be an AI android. ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers **
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Oscar Nominations 2025 | SNUBS & SURPRISES
James & Steve unpack the recent Oscar nominations for 2025 discussing snubs (Denis Villeneuve, A Real Pain) and surprises (I'm Still here) as well as the love Emilla Perez seems to have received.
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Remembering David Lynch | RETROSPECTIVE
With the passing of acclaimed filmmaker David Lynch, Join us for a retrospective featuring classics like Twin Peaks, Dune, and Mulholland Drive. We share our personal experiences with these films, exploring how Lynch's weird, yet very human, storytelling has touched our lives.
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Wicked
wicked #cynthiaerivo #arianagrande The stage musical "Wicked" makes the leap to the big screen ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 -Introduction 1:25 - Arianna Grande 7:48 - Enjoyably too long?? 13:22 - The political message is underdeveloped? 18:03 - Cynthia Erivo 24:41 - Jeff...
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Anora (2024) | SPOILER REVIEW
Sean Baker's latest film stars Mikey Madison as a street-smart sex worker who falls for and marries the son of a Russian oligarch much to the chagrin of the son's family. Chaos ensues! ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 -Introduction 0:45 - James explains the Cannes Palme d'Or...
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The Substance (2024) | UNPACKED and SPOILERTASTIC! - Halloween SPOOKtacular Series
Demi Moore & Margaret Qualley star in this satirical horror story of a fading Hollywood diva who makes a Faustian pact to restore her youth with tragic consequences. ** DEEP DIVE MOVIE REVIEWS CONTAIN SPOILERS ** 0:00 -Introduction 1:56 - James makes Steve go see "The Substance" 5:41 - Creativity...
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Every Best Picture - Gladiator (2000) - Academy Award Winners Series
With the release of the long-awaited sequel, Steve & James decide to jump ahead in their Every Best Picture series to unpack the "swords & sandals" Oscar winner "Gladiator" ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 -Introduction 2:10 - Early CGI in "Gladiator" 3:40 - Russell Crowe 8:13…
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Every Best Picture - Marty (1955) - Academy Award Winners Series
Sara Greenfield, host of the "Talk Classic To Me" podcast joins James & Steve as they unpack their mutual love and affection for the 1955 Best Picture, "Marty" More on Sara can be found here:https://www.sara-greenfield.com/talk-... Check out the "Talk Classic To Me" podcast on: Apple:...
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Psycho (1960) - Halloween SPOOKtacular Series
We kick off our 2024 Halloween "SPOOKtacular" series with Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic "Psycho" ** DEEP DIVE MOVIE REVIEWS CONTAIN SPOILERS ** 0:00 -Introduction 0:49 - Steve had NEVER seen "Psycho" 6:15 - Anthony Perkins 11:37 - The real life murder "Psycho" was inspired by 15:57 - Too much...
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Every Best Picture - On the Waterfront (1954) with Mike Hostench - Academy Award Winners Series
Producer, writer and festival impresario Mike Hostench joins us from Madrid as we unpack the 1954 Marlon Brando classic "On the Waterfront" 0:00 - Introduction 1:10 - Getting to know our guest Mike Hostench 4:30 - Why Mike chose "On the Waterfront" to review with us 6:20 - On the Waterfront's...
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Alien: Romulus | SPOILER REVIEW
Steve & James unpack not only the new Alien: Romulus but all this in the long history of the Alien franchise. We get pretty passionate about these films, come join us in on the discussion ** DEEP DIVE MOVIE REVIEWS CONTAIN SPOILERS ** 0:00 - Introduction 0:40 - Alien: Romulus was supposed to go...
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Deadpool & Wolverine | FULL SPOILER REVIEW
Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman return to their iconic characters and team up not only to stop evil but to create the fanboy film of the year! ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 - Introduction 2:02 - A Marvel Disneyland ride "plot" 3:10 - The entire film feels like a "post-credits"...
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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga | SPOILER REVIEW
madmax #furiosa Anya Taylor-Joy assumes the role of Furiosa, a young girl stolen from her family in George Miller's post-apocalyptic Australia. Steve & James not only unpack the new film, but also do a deep dive into the Mad Max franchise as a whole. ** DEEP DIVE MOVIE REVIEWS CONTAIN SPOILERS **...
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Dune: Part Two | SPOILER REVIEW
The long-awaited follow-up sequel to Denis Villeneuve' s take on Frank Herbert's "Dune". We look at whether or not this sprawling epic of geo-political intrigue on the faraway planet Arrakis (Dune) lives up to the hype ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Dune...
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The Zone of Interest - DISTURBINGLY BRILLIANT
thezoneofinterest #holocausteducation Jonathan Glazer wrote and directed the disturbingly brilliant film of a Nazi family building an idyllic home life while the father commands the Auschwitz extermination camp on the other side of the wall. ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 -...
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Top 10 - Best Films of 2023
James & Steve recap the year 2023 with their lists of the Top 10 best movies of the last 12 months. What did they miss? Where are they wrong? Drop a comment in the section below ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 - Introduction 1:34 - 2023 Honorary Mentions 9:06 - Best Film #10...
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Godzilla Minus One | Best Godzilla Film Ever???
Set in the immediate aftermath of World War 2, a devastated Japan has to rally to defend itself yet again from the legendary Godzilla ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 - Introduction 2:12 - Why Godzilla never gets old 3:00 - Godzilla is Japan's "Elvis" 4:20 - Monster Week 7:56 -...
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Wonka - PURE IMAGINATION REVIEW
Timothee Chalamet stars as renowned chocolate maker Willy Wonka in Paul King's origin story musical "Wonka". James & Steve give a full spoiler review and weigh in on whether the new film can stand tall alongside the 1971 classic "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews...
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Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special | REVIEW
David Tennant's return to the TARDIS for three special episodes marking Doctor Who's 60th anniversary has been both hailed as breathing fresh wind into the franchise as well as derided by critics who see changes brought by showrunner Russell T. Davies as being too "woke". James & Steve weigh in…
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The Shift - Movie Review
Angel Studios ventures into sci-fi territory with a unique reimagining of the Book of Job. Does this "faith based" story of a man who loses everything and trying to get back to the woman he loves hit home for its target Evangelical Christian audience? Steve & James weigh in. ** Deep Dive Movie...
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Sound of Freedom - UNPACKED | REVIEW
Based on a true story, Jim Caviezel stars as Tim Ballard, a Homeland Security Officer who, upon discovering a child slavery ring in South America, gathers a group of like-minded allies to see the cabal brought down. The Evangelical community in America came on in force for this film bringing the...
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The Fall of the House of Usher - UNPACKED | EASTER EGGS | REVIEW
Steve & James unpack the latest Mike Flanagan Netflix horror series "The Fall of the House of Usher". **. Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 - Introduction 1:45 - Edgar Allan Poe 4:15 - Is Mike Flanagan the new Stephen King? 8:30 - The casting is GOLD 17:42 - The subtext: choice &...
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Screenshots - The Creator & The Fall of the House of Usher
James liked Gareth Edwards new sci-fi film "The Creator" but Steve found it lacking. Find out why in this episode of ScreenShots. We then move on to Mike Flanagan's new Netflix Halloween release "The Fall of the House of Usher". Along the way we discuss the works of Edgar Allan Poe and launch a…
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A Masterclass of Star Trek SNW, The Exorcist 50th Anniversary, and What We're Watching with Liz Kerr
James gets a Masterclass lesson in all things Star Trek as fellow film critic and Star Trek aficionado Liz Kerr joins Steve as they swoon over the recent season of Strange New Worlds. We then move on to discuss the death of famed director William Friedkin, the 50th Anniversary of his iconic film...
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Oppenheimer Has A Diversity Problem? - Deep Dive Shorts
Steve & James look at NPR's recent critique of "Oppenheimer" which highlighted its overly white cast and lack of gay characters. How should today's films be representative and diverse, yet not be held hostage to unrealistic stories or relationships? We look at some recent summer films and where...
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Summer Blockbusters 2023 Comeback Special: Barbenheimer, Indiana Jones & More
The boys return from a summer hiatus and pour a couple drinks before jumping into a banter on the biggest blockbusters of the season. We unpack the hits (Oppenheimer), the misses (We're looking at you Indy), the insane (Tom Cruise and that train), and of course Pink Patriarchy (Barbie). Along the...
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Black Mirror: Season 6 Review
When Steve learns that James has never seen an episode of "Black Mirror", he goes into action to explain to his friend why he must watch Charlie Brooker's dystopian fuelled anthology series stat! Along the way, Steve reviews the recently dropped Series 6 as well as some of his favorite episodes...
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Hidden Blade - Movie Review
Director Cheng Er's espionage noir film set in Japanese-occupied Shanghai in the 1940s about a group of daring Chinese who set up an underground network to undermine the puppet regime. Starring Tony Leung, Wang Yibo, Zhou Xun, and Huang Lei ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 3:10 -...
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Argentina 1985 - Movie Review
Ricardo Darin heads up this historical courtroom drama of a team of young lawyers who seek to prosecute those responsible for the atrocities committed by the military junta in Argentina from 1976-1983. Also starring Peter Lanzani, Alejandra Flechner and Norman Briski. ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews...
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Triangle of Sadness - Movie Review
Writer - director Ruben Ostlund's satirical comedy skewers the rich & entitled when a luxury yacht goes down at seas marooning its passengers on a deserted Island. Starring Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Dolly de Leon, Zlatko Burić, Henrik Dorsin, Vicki Berlin, and Woody Harrelson. ** Deep Dive...
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The Wandering Earth - Movie Review
Hong Kong's Andy Lau joins Mainland action star Wu Jing in the sequel to 2019's blockbuster "The Wandering Earth". Based on the short story by Chinese novelist Liu Cixin of an ambitious plan to save humanity from our dying sun. Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers 1:50 - The premise of " The...
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Tar - Movie Review
Todd Field wrote and directed this psychological - drama of a famed maestro (Cate Blanchett) whose power plays and sexual manipulations threaten her position as the first female director of a European orchestra. ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** Sight & Sounds Top 100 2022 referenced...
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Citizen Kane - 100th Video Special Episode
To celebrate reaching the milestone of 100 videos here on Deep Dive Movie Reviews, James and Steve have a discussion around one of the most iconic films in cinema history; Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane" ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews Contain Spoilers ** 0:00 - Intro 2:40 - Citizen Kane is not your...
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Sakra - Movie Review
Donnie Yen directs and stars in "Sakra" based on the wuxia novel "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils". Also starring Chen Yuqi, and Cya Liu. ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 0:00 - Intro 1:02 - Synopsis of "Sakra" 3:30 - Talking Wuxia 6:20 - Too much wire work? 11:20 - Is "Sakra" to generic?...
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Rajamouli, "RRR", and Indian Cinema with Josh Hurtado
This episode we are joined by special guest Josh Hurtado. A US-based film critic, festival programmer and authority on Indian cinema, Josh's latest venture Potentate Films is helping coordinate the awards campaign for SS Rajamouli's Telugu-language epic RRR. In our wide ranging discussion, Steve...
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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery - Movie Review
Daniel Craig returns as super sleuth Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson's followup to 2019's much lauded whodunit "Knives Out". In "Glass Onion" billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invites an eclectic group of friends to his private Island for an elaborate murder mystery party only to discover not...
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Top Ten - Best Films of 2022
James & Steve recap the year of 2022 with their lists of the Top 10 best movies of the last 12 months. What did they miss? Where are they wrong? Drop a comment in the section below ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers ** 2:25 - #10 Best Film 5:50 - #9 Best Film 7:58 - #8 Best Film 10:45…
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The Banshees of Inisherin - Movie Review
Martin McDonagh reunites Brendan Gleason & Colin Farrell who play two Irishmen living on a remote Island in 1923 and the ensuing impact on themselves and their small community when one abruptly ends their years long friendship. Also starring Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan ** Deep Dive Movie…
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NOPE - Movie Review
Jordan Peele's new film NOPE is a genre defying sci-fi / neo - western starring Daniel Kaluuya & Keke Palmer as siblings defending their ranch from an extraterrestrial invader. Also starring Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Brandon Perea, and Keith David. ** Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers…
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Avatar: The Way of Water - Movie Review
James Cameron's much anticipated follow up to his 2009 blockbuster, "Avatar: The Way of Water" sees Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family on the run and seeking refuge with a water-borne tribe on the far side of Pandora. Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet also…
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Something in the Dirt - Movie Review
Filmmaking duo Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead's thrilling sci-fi tale of two guys attempting to document a paranormal anomaly in their apartment. Suspicions & paranoia ultimately grow between them which threatens to unravel their relationship and their goal of solving the mystery. ** Deep Dive...
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The Fabelmans - Movie Review
Steven Spielberg's semi-autobiographical film tells the story of 16 yr old Sam Fabelman as he discovers a love of cinema and film making while navigating family trials, anti-semitism, and teenage love. Starring Gabriel Labelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and Judd Hirsch ** Deep…
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About this show
What happens when an American and an Englishman meet up over drinks to discuss movies? Join James Marsh (the Brit) and Steve Hackman (the Yank) as they do deep dive reviews on the latest releases at the box office and streaming services. James is a film critic for the South China Morning Post and Radio Television Hong Kong and Steve, he just knows a bunch of obscure movie trivia that he's never managed to leverage into anything useful...until now!
Hosted by
Steve Hackman