Send us a text

The Cinetopia Film Festival has hit Ann Arbor and our Saturday pick was 'How To Build a Library'. 2025 Kenyan-American documentary film, directed and produced by Maia Lekow and Christopher King. It follows Shiro Koinange and Angela Wachuka, as they restore McMillan Memorial Library, Nairobi. Kenyan publisher Angela Wachuka and writer Shiro (Wanjiku) Koinange quit their jobs to start a non-profit organisation named "Book Bunk" and, as their third project, to restore the famous, neo-classical McMillian Library. Along the way, they navigate local politics and confront Kenya's colonial past.

This led to a back and forth about the importance of finding a project in life that you can be passionate about and why it's important, especially as you age, to not let go of such a pursuit.

P.S.

Directed by Maia Lekow and Christopher King

P.P.S.

I totally ripped this synopsis from Wikipedia. Sue me - I was pressed for time.

Send us a text

This 1997 action/romance starring Val Kilmer and Elizabeth Shue is one of Jay's personal favorites! This flic has it all! Espionage, disguises, cool tech gear (for the 1990's), chases, and a love story that works between 2 characters who actually have palpable on-screen chemistry. With an absolutely kick-ass soundtrack that reflects the time it was made - heavy on the electronic rock, ambient, alternative flare.

Buckle up as Val takes on a thrill ride across countries from England to Russia where he becomes a multi-persona chameleon to steal technology, highjack a formula for cold fusion, evade the Russian mafia, topel a would-be oligarc, and fall in love, all under the guises of Catholic Saints. Get ready for 'The Saint'!

Send us a text

Rami Melek and Lawrence Fishburn take on the espionage genre in this new spy thriller. Here's the twist, Rami's just a big nerd who happens to work at the CIA. But when his wife is killed, can he leverage his keyboard crypto-jockey talents into a cold-blooded, protein-eating, super assassin to avenge his wife? Especially with both the killers and Langley hot on his trail. Holt McCallany and Rachel Brosnahan support.

Send us a text

Jobs for writers in L.A. for TV shows and original projects took a steep decline. We get into it.

Also, Jay has 'feelings' to say the least about the all-ladies Blue Origin trip. Yes, it's been covered but not yet by the bald honey guy and he has a bit of a meltdown. Worth a listen.

Send us a text

Wes Anderson is back with his latest joint. Benicio del Toro takes center stage as an ailing arms dealer who has to navigate the transition of his empire to his only daughter who just happens to be a holy rolling woman of the cloth (that's a nun for the uninitiated). An all star cast rounds out this ensemble including Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson and Mia Threapleton (as Sister Liesl). All the things that you love about a Wes Anderson movie promise to take centerstage. Unlike prior episodes, we have not yet seen The Phoenician Scheme. We are just talking about it because we like Wes Anderson's movies and he does not disappoint. We are excited for this May release!

We take a closer look at Who is Benicio del Toro is. Jay has once again let you down and avoided giving you a honey based recipe. He is working on it. Keep the faith. He will get to it sooner or later.

Send us a text

A heartfelt goodbye to one of our favorite Hollywood heartthrobs, Val Kilmer with his recent passing we thought that we would take a moment to recap his illustrious career. From Real Genius to Willow to Top Gun to The Doors. Val was a consummate professional and an actor's actor who handled everything from humor to drama. He always left the audience wanting more and left the audience looking forward to his next role.

We started using Notebook LM to give ourselves an edge with creating this show, so part of the episode is an improcess trial run.

The rest is a myriad of Hollywood news and gossip.

Send us a text

Quick viewing for anyone who is sick of paying for content! We checked out three short films available on YouTube for free!

Cautionary Tales - Aaron attends a support group for people with afflictions of urban legends popularized by children and finds out there is someone for everyone.

Room 8 - A prison inmate meets his new bunkmate and his curiosity gets the better of him as it relates to things that don't belong to him.

Exit Strategy - A man stuck in a time loop seeks out his firefighter brother to help him prevent a fire that will have rippling consequences for all.

This might be a new lane for Louisa and I. Lots of content out there and tons of teachable moments. Check them out. Most shorts are produced by fledgling, independent filmmakers who just want their projects seen. Enjoy!

Send us a text

In a somewhat rare occurrence, Louisa takes charge of this episode discussing some of her opinions on some of the current 2025 Oscar nominations. As Jay and Louisa are recording their latest Podcast episode the 2025 Academy Awards are underway in Hollywood, California. Louisa asks the question, what exactly does it mean to be a Best Picture?? How can "you" pick just one movie to win Best Picture each year?? Louisa also discusses her love for the Oscar nominated Shorts categories: animated, live action and documentaries.

Jay is feeling a bit under the weather and we are both tired as it is later than usual for a recording on a Sunday evening ... No recipe or movie critique this time around, but we will definitely work on getting something together for the next episode.

Thank you for listening and we hope that you enjoyed this latest episode of Critiqueopolis.