Apocalypse Mal
@theladystranger.bsky.social
NH person. Host of Cinema 5000 podcast.
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Cinema 5000 · Episode
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My one-woman podcast is available most places. Just me, talkin’ movies, trying to figure out how I feel. Over 100 episodes so far! Check it out. open.spotify.com/episode/4yeO...
15. The Wife (1995) - The wackiness of Wallace Shawn barging in to his therapist on a chilly Vermont winter night, sounds like a punchline. His wife Karen Young dials up the intensity with her demands and paranoia. The beginning is very hard to enjoy. Its last act is great but it feels a little late
February 1, 2026 at 12:15 AM
15. The Wife (1995) - The wackiness of Wallace Shawn barging in to his therapist on a chilly Vermont winter night, sounds like a punchline. His wife Karen Young dials up the intensity with her demands and paranoia. The beginning is very hard to enjoy. Its last act is great but it feels a little late
14. Peter Hujar’s Day - a hangout picture like no other. A bit too limited for general audiences, yet the stillness in conversation and thoughts is a world all its own. Nice film. Killer apartment.
February 1, 2026 at 12:12 AM
14. Peter Hujar’s Day - a hangout picture like no other. A bit too limited for general audiences, yet the stillness in conversation and thoughts is a world all its own. Nice film. Killer apartment.
13. Together (2025) - almost worked for me, but I’m left with a nagging feeling like the tone could have been sharper and the writing stronger. Nevertheless, it made me howl a couple times. Thats a good thing.
January 28, 2026 at 5:58 PM
13. Together (2025) - almost worked for me, but I’m left with a nagging feeling like the tone could have been sharper and the writing stronger. Nevertheless, it made me howl a couple times. Thats a good thing.
12. Diane Warren: Relentless - Give Diane the Oscar!!! You know what, she’s a wacky, talented person and I give her props. Fluff but good fluff.
January 23, 2026 at 2:07 AM
12. Diane Warren: Relentless - Give Diane the Oscar!!! You know what, she’s a wacky, talented person and I give her props. Fluff but good fluff.
11. Dead Man’s Wire - this is a solid production, good performance by Bill Skarsgard. Very strong period details. The editing kinda drags near the final act but I had a good time. A great time for January.
January 23, 2026 at 2:05 AM
11. Dead Man’s Wire - this is a solid production, good performance by Bill Skarsgard. Very strong period details. The editing kinda drags near the final act but I had a good time. A great time for January.
No phones in Sinners, but good films are good!
It’s here! Ten of my favorite films I saw all year in 2025! Episode now available for your ears
January 21, 2026 at 9:04 PM
No phones in Sinners, but good films are good!
10. No Other Choice - guess you have no other choice than to see this one, har har. Sharp, playful commentary on employment and hardship, family and culture. A stronger entry from Park Chan-Wook, with dazzling photography, staging, and performances. I’d watch this one again.
January 17, 2026 at 2:55 AM
10. No Other Choice - guess you have no other choice than to see this one, har har. Sharp, playful commentary on employment and hardship, family and culture. A stronger entry from Park Chan-Wook, with dazzling photography, staging, and performances. I’d watch this one again.
9. Zootopia 2 - I find a lot of the detail annoying. There’s just too much here for my brain. Why are there so many goddamn references in this movie for adults? I dunno. I didn’t hate it, its fun, I bet it totally rules if you’re five years old, but why so much?!!
January 15, 2026 at 4:05 AM
9. Zootopia 2 - I find a lot of the detail annoying. There’s just too much here for my brain. Why are there so many goddamn references in this movie for adults? I dunno. I didn’t hate it, its fun, I bet it totally rules if you’re five years old, but why so much?!!
8. Naked in New York - Terrible. Apparently most folks who have watched/logged this on letterboxd only checked it out because Ralph Macchio plays a character that is bisexual. I hope they enjoyed his one scene because this is a vapid, uninteresting waste of time otherwise.
January 11, 2026 at 5:01 AM
8. Naked in New York - Terrible. Apparently most folks who have watched/logged this on letterboxd only checked it out because Ralph Macchio plays a character that is bisexual. I hope they enjoyed his one scene because this is a vapid, uninteresting waste of time otherwise.
7. Heaven Knows What - the slice-of-life junkie in NY picture has been done many times before. The Safdie’s take on the subject here is very raw and troubling, though all together feels like their own distinct take. Arielle Holmes is very good.
January 10, 2026 at 4:44 AM
7. Heaven Knows What - the slice-of-life junkie in NY picture has been done many times before. The Safdie’s take on the subject here is very raw and troubling, though all together feels like their own distinct take. Arielle Holmes is very good.
6. Bugonia - I told myself I would not watch this but curiosity got me. How are his movies getting worse? Badly scripted. Empty film with shock value that bores. I’m done. At least it looked good.
January 10, 2026 at 1:05 AM
6. Bugonia - I told myself I would not watch this but curiosity got me. How are his movies getting worse? Badly scripted. Empty film with shock value that bores. I’m done. At least it looked good.
5. The Dutchman - An adaptation of Amiri Baraka’s play, this will definitely throw some audiences off. While I wasn’t totally convinced, I found a lot of the editing and production choices fascinating. Andre Holland is great. Kate Mara is messy. Meta for better or worse, I was mixed and entertained.
January 8, 2026 at 3:40 AM
5. The Dutchman - An adaptation of Amiri Baraka’s play, this will definitely throw some audiences off. While I wasn’t totally convinced, I found a lot of the editing and production choices fascinating. Andre Holland is great. Kate Mara is messy. Meta for better or worse, I was mixed and entertained.
4. The Mastermind (2025) - Josh O’Connor is a delightful bum. I’d give him a buck for the bus. Probably dug the ending itself the most as he ran away from his problems, still wanting to be a family man despite all his actions being so destructive. Good film.
January 7, 2026 at 1:25 AM
4. The Mastermind (2025) - Josh O’Connor is a delightful bum. I’d give him a buck for the bus. Probably dug the ending itself the most as he ran away from his problems, still wanting to be a family man despite all his actions being so destructive. Good film.
3. Pop Aye - one man, one elephant, one journey. A modern man reminisces of his youth and acquires his long lost elephant. Story too dry and predictable, looks alright, but you know where this is going at every turn.
January 3, 2026 at 7:15 PM
3. Pop Aye - one man, one elephant, one journey. A modern man reminisces of his youth and acquires his long lost elephant. Story too dry and predictable, looks alright, but you know where this is going at every turn.
2. She’s Having a Baby - Baby imminent though its 90% a film about Kevin Bacon’s Jake being an insecure child. Satire, sure. A bunch of laughs. If someone told me this movie wasn’t funny, I wouldn’t argue. There are glimpses of artistry in the film that I found fascinating.
January 3, 2026 at 11:59 AM
2. She’s Having a Baby - Baby imminent though its 90% a film about Kevin Bacon’s Jake being an insecure child. Satire, sure. A bunch of laughs. If someone told me this movie wasn’t funny, I wouldn’t argue. There are glimpses of artistry in the film that I found fascinating.
Reposted by Apocalypse Mal
Heads up! A Cinema 5000 Patreon is in the works. If you have any ideas for exclusive materials, reply here!
January 2, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Heads up! A Cinema 5000 Patreon is in the works. If you have any ideas for exclusive materials, reply here!
New year! New updates!
January 2, 2026 at 4:58 AM
New year! New updates!
182. The Glass Shield - an entertaining drama about police corruption and those who take on the badge. Solid cast, Bernie Casey is a standout as the attorney with all the guts. Very flawed though I can’t help but recommend it anyway.
January 1, 2026 at 12:29 AM
182. The Glass Shield - an entertaining drama about police corruption and those who take on the badge. Solid cast, Bernie Casey is a standout as the attorney with all the guts. Very flawed though I can’t help but recommend it anyway.
181. Marty Supreme - I think Timmy has been better. Its a very derivative film. The lively Safdie experience may not last much longer. And yet, its expansive cast of characters, swindlers, and showman entertain throughout with ease. Editing this must have been fun and exhausting.
December 28, 2025 at 12:33 AM
181. Marty Supreme - I think Timmy has been better. Its a very derivative film. The lively Safdie experience may not last much longer. And yet, its expansive cast of characters, swindlers, and showman entertain throughout with ease. Editing this must have been fun and exhausting.
180. It Was Just An Accident - Beautifully layered story, moments all memorable and building to unpredictable actions. Excellent ensemble. I’m a fan. Also looks terrific!
December 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
180. It Was Just An Accident - Beautifully layered story, moments all memorable and building to unpredictable actions. Excellent ensemble. I’m a fan. Also looks terrific!
179. Miracle on 34th St (1994) - Its alright, a little silly. Court scenes don’t appeal to children, folks, tighten this up. On the positive side, Dylan McDermott total dreamboat, what a handsome man and the lighting on him is INCREDIBLE.
December 25, 2025 at 1:29 AM
179. Miracle on 34th St (1994) - Its alright, a little silly. Court scenes don’t appeal to children, folks, tighten this up. On the positive side, Dylan McDermott total dreamboat, what a handsome man and the lighting on him is INCREDIBLE.
178. Highball - Noah Baumbach disowns this movie, released without his approval. I can’t blame him since it feels like a huge step down from Kicking & Screaming. But its an amusing indie film with lots of personality and some decent jokes. The whole thing is ultimately too casual to work though.
December 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
178. Highball - Noah Baumbach disowns this movie, released without his approval. I can’t blame him since it feels like a huge step down from Kicking & Screaming. But its an amusing indie film with lots of personality and some decent jokes. The whole thing is ultimately too casual to work though.
177. To Sleep with Anger - Danny Glover’s Harry as a presence and devil on the shoulder of those he encounters. A seemingly simple story, as it portrays how one outsider being can fester and poison minds. The disruption and myths of the family is explored well, memorably. Great performances.
December 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
177. To Sleep with Anger - Danny Glover’s Harry as a presence and devil on the shoulder of those he encounters. A seemingly simple story, as it portrays how one outsider being can fester and poison minds. The disruption and myths of the family is explored well, memorably. Great performances.
176. Avatar: Fire and Ash - my favorite of the trilogy. Not a lot of sitting around, real stakes for the Sully family as they fight for survival with familiar and new foes. Beautiful images, a feast for the eyes. Great action, great time at the cinema.
December 20, 2025 at 8:48 PM
176. Avatar: Fire and Ash - my favorite of the trilogy. Not a lot of sitting around, real stakes for the Sully family as they fight for survival with familiar and new foes. Beautiful images, a feast for the eyes. Great action, great time at the cinema.
175. Eve’s Bayou - what seems to be a recollection of youth unfolds to a story of trauma and how family history can shape us. Jurnee Smollett is terrific as the lead Eve. A slow burn that builds to an impactful close.
December 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
175. Eve’s Bayou - what seems to be a recollection of youth unfolds to a story of trauma and how family history can shape us. Jurnee Smollett is terrific as the lead Eve. A slow burn that builds to an impactful close.