The 2003 Broadway musical "Wicked" has been turned into a movie musical, but the cinematic "Wicked" is just Part I and Part II arrives a year from now. Although HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that the 2-hour, 40-minute run time of Part I is excessive and, indeed, Mike grouses about franchise expansion, they also agree during this podcast episode that this movie has crowd-pleasing appeal. Yes, there is special effects-driven spectacle in Oz, but the movie is really driven by the central performances by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Marie and Mike also discuss "Gladiator II," a much-belated sequel to the 2000 "Gladiator." Director Ridley Scott is now 87 and yet he brings a youthful vigor to this immersion in decadent imperial Rome. Although our critics agree that "Gladiator II" has some dramatic shortcomings, they concur that there is much to savor in this sword and sandal epic.

As a papal thriller, "Conclave" is a very entertaining film. HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano talk about it during a podcast episode in which they are careful not to reveal any spoilers in the intrigue-laden plot about cardinals gathering at the Vatican to elect a new pope. There are excellent performances by Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and others; and you can't go visually wrong with all of those red-robed cardinals in the foreground and religious artwork in the background. Although the plot twist-fueled story may be borderline-ridiculous at times and the whole film only plumbs the thematic surface, it sure is fun to watch. Marie and Mike also talk about the weepie "We Live in Time," whose romantic pairing of Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield is nearly ruined by a nonlinear editing strategy that is slightly confusing and, in any event, does not enhance our understanding of their characters. There are other films more deserving of your time.

It's daunting to realize that Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice" was released as long ago as 1988, but he now returns to that ghostly material in the aptly titled "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice." In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that it's nice to have actors including Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder back again, as well as the visual cleverness one expects from this director. Although Mike is not exactly a fan of such creative recycling and also complains about the film often seeming aimless and desperately busy, he did enjoy this Halloween-appropriate experience. Marie and Mike also talk about "The Substance," in which Demi Moore plays an aging actress who takes a mysterious substance that produces a younger version of herself. Our critics really disagree about this film, because Mike thinks that an intriguing premise is squandered by a lack of logical development while Marie thinks the aging metaphor is well-developed here. Well, as Mike would be likely to point out, audiences have a 140-minute running time and plenty of gross out moments in which to contemplate that premise.

On this episode of At the Movies, our hosts Mike and Marie discuss sci-fi franchise thriller, 'Alien: Romulus' and Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut feature film 'Blink Twice'. The two tackle new ideas revolving around AI's role in cinema, discuss whether or not the Alien franchise has lost its once terrifying shock factor it became so popular for back in 1979, and also give their opinions of optimism and critique of a first-time director.

*100% Spoiler Free*

"Deadpool & Wolverine" is an R-rated superhero movie that breaks the fourth wall and makes fun of itself. Although Marie loves it and Mike thinks it quickly wears thin, they agree that "Deadpool & Wolverine" knows how to really please an audience. Marie and Mike also discuss "MaXXXine," which is a sequel to "X" and "Pearl." This grungy installment follows Maxine Minx, an ambitious young porno actor who is trying to achieve mainstream stardom. It's a tough movie to recommend, but Marie and Mike admire how well it captures Hollywood circa 1985. As film geeks, they especially like all of the time spent on the backlot of Universal Studios. Hey, it's the house from "Psycho"!

Audiences sat in rapt silence as aliens attacked humanity in "A Quiet Place" (2018) and its 2021 sequel. HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that the prequel, "A Quiet Place: Day One," is justified and that it is anchored by a strong performance by Lupita Nyong'o as a sick woman trying to survive on the devastated streets of Manhattan. Marie and Mike also discuss Yorgos Lanthimos' "Kinds of Kindness." They really dislike this film, but they do have a few kind words for a cast including Willem Dafoe, Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons.

Considering that this franchise goes all the way back to 1068, the latest installment, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," still remains an interesting sci fi exercise in a near-future world in which the apes are civilized and the humans are, well, rather primitive. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano discuss a movie that will satisfy its fans in both technical and thematic regards. Marie and Mike also discuss "The Fall Guy," which they agree squanders its interesting premise about stunt workers in the film industry. Although there is some worthwhile footage of behind-the-scenes action, too much of this movie is given over to an unconvincing melodramatic storyline. Not even Ryan Gosling can save it from falling down.

Set in the near future, "Civil War" is about a messy conflict in a deeply divided United States. Sound familiar? In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that the film does not fully realize the political potential of its premise, and yet fully realizes the visceral power of accompanying several photojournalists who take a risky road trip from New York to Washington. Strong performances by Kirsten Dunst and Callee Spaeny make us care about a story that does not always hold up to analysis. Marie and Mike also discuss a very different film, "Wicked Little Letters," about a small English village just after World War I. Its colorful characters are mystified by a series of anonymous letters rife with a lot of naughty words. Viewers may find that the salty language wears thin and also may figure out the central mystery long before the characters do, but it's an enjoyable film in large part because of the engaging performances by the likes of Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley and Timothy Spall.