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Confessions of a Movie Critic

Confessions of a Movie Critic

By Stephen Aspeling

Confessions of a Movie Critic is a stream of consciousness from the mind of Spling, a film critic who has been in the game for over 10 years. Talking about movie culture, reviewing films and chatting about celebrities is what this podcast is all about!
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The Devil's Advocate - 25 Years Later

Confessions of a Movie CriticOct 03, 2022

00:00
09:47
The Devil's Advocate - 25 Years Later

The Devil's Advocate - 25 Years Later

It's hard to believe it's been a quarter of a century since The Devil's Advocate was released in 1997... having watched the film for the first time, Spling chats about Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron and Al Pacino and how far they've come.
Oct 03, 202209:47
Farewell Barry Ronge

Farewell Barry Ronge

Barry Ronge was a well-loved South African entertainment journalist who inspired and entertained across radio, television, print and online. An iconic media personality who retired in 2014, Spling pays his respects and discusses the magical viral quality he possessed and how he inspired him to pursue film criticism.
Jul 10, 202217:58
I Got My First Real Office Cinema

I Got My First Real Office Cinema

Spling chats about his modest home cinema and how it's dwarfed by a friend's THX-certified set up.
Jun 29, 202209:34
"Film" vs. "Movie"

"Film" vs. "Movie"

Spling tries to differentiate between the words "film" and "movie", and thinks each word has a different aura and frame of reference.
Apr 22, 202212:27
Oscars, Celeb and Consumer Culture

Oscars, Celeb and Consumer Culture

Spling tries to explain why he doesn't watch the Oscars or any awards shows. Gets sidetracked by celebrity culture and today's fragmented media consumption.
Mar 09, 202213:40
"Watching Movies for a Living"

"Watching Movies for a Living"

Being a movie critic may seem like a dream job but...
Feb 10, 202209:27
Red Notice or Red Alert?

Red Notice or Red Alert?

Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot star in Red Notice, a Netflix Original that seems as though it was adapted from a call sheet.
Nov 19, 202112:32
No Time to Die or Catch Up on Old Bond Movies

No Time to Die or Catch Up on Old Bond Movies

Spling chats about the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, the Bond franchise and laments about not having seen all the 007 films.
Oct 01, 202115:10
Matrix: Reeveolutions - The Keanu Reeves Story

Matrix: Reeveolutions - The Keanu Reeves Story

Spling chats about Keanu Reeves, the new Matrix: Resurrections sequel and the actor's career.
Sep 10, 202114:14
Revelations about He-Man

Revelations about He-Man

Spling was a child of the '80s and shares some of his excitement about his anticipation around Kevin Smith's animated revival on Netflix, He-Man: Revelations.
Jul 23, 202110:53
Spling, Review My Script
Jun 17, 202112:44
Monty Python & The Holy Grail is One of My All-time Favourite Films

Monty Python & The Holy Grail is One of My All-time Favourite Films

Spling chats about his favourite three films of all-time, realising it may be high time he added a fourth.
May 28, 202111:27
Emily Blunt and Martin Scorsese Have a Point

Emily Blunt and Martin Scorsese Have a Point

Spling discusses the Marvel superhero and Star Wars craze from the context of recent high profile celebrity comments suggesting it's run its course or lost its sparkle...
May 16, 202111:02
Work Wherever

Work Wherever

Spling talks about taking advantage of your city and technology when it comes to choosing a work space that inspires you.
Apr 28, 202110:51
I Want to Own a David Lynch Original

I Want to Own a David Lynch Original

After watching the creative origin story documentary David Lynch: The Art Life I have realised I want to own one of his pieces. A talk about the artist, director and legacy of David Lynch.
Mar 26, 202111:03
Coarse Language in Hollywood

Coarse Language in Hollywood

Spling chats about bad language in film, referencing Malcolm & Marie, The Wolf of Wall Street and The Big Lebowski... where do you draw the line?
Feb 16, 202109:38
I'm Addicted to Facebook Marketplace

I'm Addicted to Facebook Marketplace

In this podcast, Spling chats about Facebook Marketplace, the new drive-in culture and how to combat cabin fever.
Feb 12, 202109:42
The Unnaturally Slow and Painful Death of DVD

The Unnaturally Slow and Painful Death of DVD

Spling chats about the demise of DVD, his perspective on collecting and why it may just be important to hold onto some of your collection.
Nov 16, 202010:23
Watching Movies Under the Stars

Watching Movies Under the Stars

Spling attended the launch of the Galileo Open Air Cinema at Kirstenbosch in Cape Town to watch Into the Wild... here's a snippet.
Nov 12, 202005:15
Movies That Forced Me to Walk Out....

Movies That Forced Me to Walk Out....

These days people can watch 15 minutes of something and then drop it to move into the next thing. When it comes to cinemas... it's a little trickier. Here are a few movies Spling couldn't endure that forced him to walk out. Find out how Spling deals with a walk out.
Nov 09, 202008:53
Drive Ins and Outs

Drive Ins and Outs

Drive Ins Cinemas are making a comeback. This nostalgic throwback to way back when is making it easier to have a night out and watch movies safely. Spling reports live from the opening of Go Drive In in Cape Town where they're screening the ultimate drive in flick!
Oct 23, 202007:29
Is It Time to Go Back to the Movies?

Is It Time to Go Back to the Movies?

Following the pandemic and lifting of restrictions around public gatherings, cinemas are reopening their doors. It's important to keep movie houses in business and the big screen film industry flourishing... Spling chats about changes over this period, safety protocol and whether he's going back yet or not.
Sep 05, 202011:27
I Want to Be a Movie Critic When I Grow Up...

I Want to Be a Movie Critic When I Grow Up...

Spling chats about some of the things that inspired him to become a movie critic...
Jul 31, 202010:17
I Shook the Hand of an Alien

I Shook the Hand of an Alien

Spling and his buddy Tim bumped into District 9's Sharlto Copley at a mall in Cape Town... here's how it happened.
Jul 23, 202010:47
Chill, Binge or Cringe... Netflix's Greatest Hits

Chill, Binge or Cringe... Netflix's Greatest Hits

Netflix recently released their biggest hits Top 10... detailing their ten most viewed original movies. Spling drops the list with some commentary and speculation.
Jul 17, 202014:11
Never Show Your Monster Before It's Time

Never Show Your Monster Before It's Time

Spling talks about horror films, the timing of the big reveal, the temptation to go visual FX crazy and how it takes good drama to create great horror...
Jul 09, 202009:16
Do Popcorn Like a Film Pro!

Do Popcorn Like a Film Pro!

Spling chats about how he does movie snacks... how much sprinkle, how to shake the popcorn box, why he doesn't take a straw and what he'd be willing to smuggle into a cinema.
Jun 25, 202014:39
10 Things I Hate About Cinemas

10 Things I Hate About Cinemas

Spling discusses his pet hates about cinema-going through his cinema code of conduct... a list of 10 rules he believes should be posted in all theatre and cineplex foyers.
Jun 12, 202012:32
Social Distancing Also Relieves Misophonia

Social Distancing Also Relieves Misophonia

Spling explains how misophonia has affected his life as a film critic to coping with the constant distraction caused by the ongoing condition.
May 29, 202010:01
I Can Confirm Ruby Rose is Real

I Can Confirm Ruby Rose is Real

The Batwoman star announced she's leaving the TV show, which prompted me to think about her and her film career since meeting her on the set of Resident Evil.
May 20, 202010:49
Movie Trailers Ruin Movies...

Movie Trailers Ruin Movies...

Spling talks about watching films free of the marketing clutter, hype, spoilers and expectations that cloud our movie-watching experience.
May 15, 202008:59
The Time We Were Mistaken for Film Producers

The Time We Were Mistaken for Film Producers

My dad and I attended a premiere of a film called Mad Buddies starring local candid comedy mogul, Leon Schuster. He never thought he'd get to have a beer with Schuks himself!
May 05, 202010:41
Cinemas Have Auras

Cinemas Have Auras

Spling talks about watching some of his favourite films at the Odeon Cinema in Grahamstown (now Makhanda) and how cinemas frame films and add magic.
Apr 28, 202010:27
Bingeing with Spling

Bingeing with Spling

Spling chats about a brand new SPL!NG series... hosting pre-screenings and getting your movie game on with a watch party during lockdown.
Apr 20, 202007:35
Milla Jovovich is Really Funny!

Milla Jovovich is Really Funny!

Spling talks about the time he got to interview Milla Jovovich in her trailer during a set visit of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter while shooting at a quarry near Cape Town.
Apr 13, 202010:18
Despite All My Rage...

Despite All My Rage...

Spling talks about what bothers him about the new South African horror, Rage... and about his own Rage experience.
Apr 10, 202009:23
I Am Not Heath Ledger

I Am Not Heath Ledger

Spling discusses the biographical documentary, 'I Am Heath Ledger' and what fresh insights he got from watching this soulful chronicle.
Apr 04, 202007:13
There's Something About Bohemian Rhapsody...

There's Something About Bohemian Rhapsody...

Spling talks about Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek and Queen and what makes it such a magical and rewatchable music biopic.
Apr 03, 202008:31