Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a return to a 1980s franchise and an Estonian hard rock martial arts comedy. Click here. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is a vintage continuation of the beloved franchise, directly following the 2021 sequel, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” This installment recaptures the spirit of the original 1980s series, featuring a plot where an ancient god resurfaces in modern times, aiming to conquer the world with an array of ghosts — a true n ..read more

Cube Critics Max Sparber and Alex V. Cipolle discuss documentaries featured at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, “No One Asked You” and “The Fishing Hat Bandit.” Plus a web- and podcast-only extra roundtable of other MSPIFF films, featuring Alex V. Cipolle, Caitlyn Speier and Jacob Aloi. The following are capsule reviews edited from the the audio heard using the player above. Click here. ‘No One Asked You’ “No One Asked You” is a compelling documentary about Minneapolis-born comedian Lizz Winstead — and film captures a quintessentially Minnesotan moment as Winstead visi ..read more

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle review “Dream Scenario” and “Kung Fu Panda 4.” The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity. MPR News senior arts reporter and critic Alex V. Cipolle: “Dream Scenario.” MPR News arts reporter Jacob Aloi: (Simultaneously) “Kung Fu Panda 4.” Both: 3.2.1. Cipolle: Mystic. Aloi: (Simultaneously) Dustin Hoffman? I feel like Nic Cage has been in a movie with Dustin Hoffman. They’ve both been around for so long. Cipolle: But what about panda stuff? Aloi: Nic Cage seems like a guy who woul ..read more

Cube Critics Matt Mikus and Aron Woldeslassie review “Damsel” and “Love Lies Bleeding.” The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity. Click here. MPR News associate producer Aron Woldeslassie: Matt, I gotta ask: How did you end up surviving the two-day snowstorm? MPR News digital producer Matt Mikus: Eating lots of very warm food. Also had to shovel a lot which was kind of a pain. Woldeslassie: I’m Aron Woldeslassie. Mikus: I’m Matt Mikus. Woldeslassie: And this is Cube Critics. Matt, I’m told you watched a new film on Netflix ..read more

Cube Critics Regina Medina and Alex V. Cipolle review “Shōgun” and “The Regime.” The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity. Click here. MPR News senior arts reporter and critic Alex V. Cipolle: Why did you want to watch this show in the first place? Like, what what drew you into it? MPR News correspondent Regina Medina: It wasn’t even the trailer. It was, like, what’s going on here? Cipolle: I’m Alex V. Cipolle. Medina: I’m Regina Medina Cipolle: And this is Cube Critics. Regina, what did you watch this week? Medina: I ..read more

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Kyra Miles disagree about Netflix’s live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity. Click here. MPR News reporter Jacob Aloi: You can say “half-assed,” “you can say “kick-ass,” you can say “worked my ass off,” you just can’t say [BEEP] like, or refer to your [BEEP]. And with that, my name is Jacob Aloi. MPR early education reporter Kyra Miles: And I’m Kyra Miles. Aloi: And this is Cube Critics. So Kyra Miles, thank you for coming back on Cube Critics. This week ..read more

Cube Critics Alex V. Cipolle and Aron Woldeslassie discuss the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and a new comedy special from Jenny Slate. The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cube-critics/id525807831?mt=2 MPR News senior reporter and critic Alex V. Cipolle: Richard Lewis recently passed. And he is, crazy enough, buried in Roseville. MPR associate producer Aron Woldeslassie: Do we know his Minnesota connection? Did he just enjoy the city of Roseville? Cipolle: I would love that ..read more

Cube Critics Max Sparber and Aron Woldeslassie discuss a quirky Ethan Coen film, “Drive-Away Dolls” and a unique adaptation of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” as a series; plus, performer Bill Irwin’s deep dive into Samuel Beckett’s legacy, connecting vaudeville to the playwright’s profound influence. The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or RSS. MPR Arts Editor Max Sparber: Aron, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” the movie, starred Angelina Jolie, didn’t it? MPR Associate Producer ..read more

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Sam Stroozas discuss “Madame Web” and “The Iron Claw.” The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or RSS. MPR News Art Reporter Jacob Aloi: This movie was so horrible, like I can’t even like begin to describe how much I hated this movie, and I paid money to see it. And with that, my name is Jacob Aloi. MPR News Digital Producer Sam Stroozas: And I’m Sam Stroozas. Aloi: And this is the Cube Critics. So. Sam, this week I saw “Madame Web ..read more

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss “Finding Her Beat” and “Marmalade.” Plus a Cube Critics extra: An interview with taiko drummer Jennifer Weir. The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity. MPR News Arts Editor Max Sparber: Jacob, what did you see? MPR News Arts Reporter Jacob Aloi: Okay, hang on, wait! Max Sparber! And with that, I’m Jacob Aloi. Sparber: And I’m Max Sparber. Both: This is Cube Critics! Aloi: So, Max, I watched a documentary this week called “Finding Her Beat,” which was actually filmed largely here ..read more