Episodes

June 10, 2025

Bridging Cultures: The Evolving Legacy of 'The Karate Kid'

In this episode of *Movies First*, Chris & Jessica explore the latest installment in the iconic *Karate Kid* franchise, a film that not only pays homage to its roots but also boldly navigates the complex waters of cultural in...
June 10, 2025

Community in Motion: The Inspiring Journey of 'EL47'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we delve into the inspiring true story depicted in *EL47*, a film that chronicles the life of Manola Vital, a bus driver whose courageous actions transformed Barcelona's public transportatio...
June 9, 2025

Fractured Bonds: The Twisted Family Dynamics in 'Bring Her Back'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we dive into the chilling world of *Bring Her Back*, the latest horror feature from the Philippou brothers, Danny and Michael, who captivated audiences with their debut film, *Talk to Me*. S...
June 3, 2025

Love in the Shadows: Unraveling the Tensions of 'Beating Hearts'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we dissect the gripping film *Beating Hearts*, a bold reimagining of the classic romantic tragedy that intertwines the themes of love, crime, and class struggle. Set against the backdrop of ...
June 1, 2025

Stitching Together Belonging: The Heartfelt Layers of 'Lilo and Stitch'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we delve into the thought-provoking remake of Disney's beloved classic, *Lilo and Stitch*, exploring its deeper themes of grief and the significance of chosen families in contemporary societ...
May 30, 2025

Surfing the Edge of Redemption: Analyzing 'The Surfer'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we explore the intense and thought-provoking Australian psychological thriller, *The Surfer*, featuring a captivating performance by Nicolas Cage as a man seeking to reclaim his past by purc...
May 29, 2025

Navigating Love and Identity: Unpacking 'The Wedding Banquet'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we dive into the transformative narrative of *The Wedding Banquet*, a remake that brilliantly reinterprets Ang Lee's 1993 classic. This film intricately weaves themes of marriage, family, an...
May 22, 2025

The Highs and Lows of Action: Reviewing 'Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we dissect the latest installment of the iconic *Mission Impossible* franchise, *The Final Reckoning* , which has grossed over $4 billion across eight films. Despite the thrilling stunts and...
May 20, 2025

The Hidden Lives of Kitchen Staff: Exploring 'La cocina'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we delve into the gripping world of *La cocina*, a film that exposes the hidden realities behind the kitchen doors of our favorite restaurants. The narrative unfolds in a high-pressure envir...
May 19, 2025

Finding Light in Darkness: Exploring 'The Penguin Lessons'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we explore the heartwarming yet poignant film *The Penguin Lessons*, set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1976 Buenos Aires, where a military coup looms ominously. The narrative follows To...
May 18, 2025

From Despair to Discovery: The Journey of 'The Salt Path'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we delve into the inspiring true story depicted in *The Salt Path*, which follows the extraordinary journey of Rainer and Mothwin as they navigate the depths of despair and emerge with newfo...
May 15, 2025

Mental Health and Superheroes: A Deep Dive into 'Thunderbolts*'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we dive into Marvel's groundbreaking film *Thunderbolts*, which boldly places mental health at the forefront of its superhero narrative. As we explore the character of Yelena, played by Flor...
May 13, 2025

The Rise and Fall of a Showman: Exploring 'Monsieur Aznavour'

In this episode of *Movies First*, Alex delves into the captivating biopic *Monsieur Asnavour*, which chronicles the life of the legendary French-Armenian singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour. With a rich musical backdrop featu...
May 7, 2025

The Cost of Truth: Unpacking Peter Greste's 400 Days of Imprisonment

In this episode of *Movies First*, we explore the gripping thriller *The Correspondent*, which chronicles the harrowing experience of journalist Peter Greste during his 400-day imprisonment in Egypt. What begins as a routine Christmas assignment for...
May 6, 2025

Unraveling 'Misericordia': Secrets and Tensions in a French Village

In this episode of *Movies First*, Alex delves into the hauntingly atmospheric French film *Misericordia*, a psychological drama that unfolds in a quaint village rocked by the death of its beloved baker, Jean Pierre Rigal. This pivotal event sets off...
May 2, 2025

Unpacking 'Hysteria': Provocation and Power in Film

In this episode of *Movies First*, we dive into the provocative German film *Hysteria*, a gripping exploration of historical trauma and cultural identity. Directed by Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay, this film boldly confronts the tragic 1993 arson attacks...
April 26, 2025

The Balancing Act: Humor and Thriller in 'The Accountant 2' - Review

In this episode of *Movies First*, we delve into the intricate layers of *The Accountant 2*, a thrilling sequel that expertly combines high-stakes action with moments of unexpected humor. Ben Affleck returns as Christian Wolf, a neurodivergent...
April 26, 2025

Calculated Chaos: Neurodivergence in 'The Accountant 2'

In this episode of *Movies First*, we take a deep dive into the action-packed film *The Accountant 2*, featuring Ben Affleck as Christian Wolf, a neurodivergent character who redefines the role of an action hero. The discussion focuses on how the...
April 24, 2025

Art as Resistance in 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig'

In this episode, we explore the powerful narrative of the Oscar-nominated film, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig," directed by Mohammad Rasulov. This gripping story reveals how art can become a form of resistance against oppressive regimes, as Rasulov...
April 21, 2025

Shadows of Deception: The Psychological Tension in 'Drop'

In this thrilling episode of *Movies First*, Alex dives into the psychological rollercoaster that is *Drop*, a film that transforms an elegant evening into a nightmare of manipulation and fear. At the heart of the story is Violet, a widowed...
April 19, 2025

Melodies of Darkness: Unveiling the Horror in 'Sinners'

In this captivating episode of *Movies First*, the team delves into the genre-defying film *Sinners*, a masterful blend of period drama, blues music, and Southern Gothic horror. Set in 1932 Mississippi, the narrative follows twin brothers Smoke and...
April 19, 2025

Capturing Truth: The Art of Storytelling in Warfare and The Correspondent

In this gripping episode of First on Film & Entertainment, host Alex First is joined by critics Sandy Kaye, Peter Chris, and Greg King as they dive into two thought-provoking films: *Warfare* and *Drop*. The discussion begins with *Warfare*, a...
April 9, 2025

Unyielding Truths: The Harrowing Realities of 'Warfare'

In this gripping episode of *Movies First*, the team explores Alex Garland's latest film, *Warfare*, a raw and unflinching portrayal of a real military incident that unfolded on November 19, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq. The narrative centers on a group of...
April 7, 2025

Pixelated Dreams: The Ambitious Journey of 'A Minecraft Movie'

In this exciting episode of *Movies First*, the team dives into the ambitious adaptation of the world's best-selling video game, *Minecraft*, featuring the comedic talents of Jack Black and the charismatic Jason Momoa. The film transforms the...