I watched Rebel Moon part 2: The Naptaker. It was AGGRESSIVELY mediocre! I never saw part 1 because F that S bruh. Please consider supporting Team Alme on Patreon, where you will find a bunch of bonus content, including all of my film commentaries with the movie uncovered.By Team Alme

I went to see a movie in a theater for the first time in like 7 months! It was exciting, and I saw Late Night with the Devil. I liked it a lot so it was hard to find bad things to say about it, but I tried my best. Please listen! Please consider supporting Team Alme on Patreon, where you will find a bunch of bonus content, including all of my film …

I watched Damsel on Netflix and it wasn't great, which makes me unhappy. But it gave me a lot to complain about in this episode, which makes me happy again. But then I spent 20 minutes talking about Damsel so now I'm back to being unhappy. My mom observed that I say the "F" word a lot of times in this episode, which is due to the effect Damsel's ov…

I saw Oppenheimer once, like 7 months ago. And I was smacked up on shrooms at the time, so let that be known. But I'm bout no shame in my game, so peep this review anyway. I think it will make you giggle. Become a patron of Team Alme! It’s totally worth it.By Team Alme

I watched an hour of Poor Things before recording this, so it is a woefully underinformed review that I nonetheless stand by. (I've seen the rest of the movie now, my review still stands.) This is a salty and profane review of Emma Stone's performance in Poor Things. Please consider supporting Team Alme on Patreon - you will have access to bonus fe…

Joining Jason today is the Angry Dad, who shares his expertise in wildly violent and inappropriate (yet obscure) anime. Together we discuss a film he recommended: Dead Leaves, a hyper-stylized, super-kinetic anime of the mid-00s. It's absolutely worth the watch, and in this episode of Movie Mass, Ben and Jason will share their thoughts and analysis…

After listening to this episode of Movie Mass, you will not be able to deny that Prince Charming is a (mostly) selfless hero (probably). At any rate, I'm certain I make at least one semi-good point that you haven't thought of before. Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme to view all of my live audio commentaries alongside the movie as it p…

In today's extra-long episode , Jason describes the role of music in Kimagure Orange Road. What functions does music serve? How does the music shape our experience of Orange Road? Jason discusses these topics and more - including a countdown of the Top Ten songs in Kimagure Orange Road! Please consider supporting Team Alme on Patreon! We offer a TO…

Join us for a deep analysis of the character of Hikaru-chan. What is her character arc and narrative purpose? Why do people dislike her? Is she low-key the MVP of Orange Road? Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme Studios - we will send you some free swag (all tiers), and you’ll enjoy early releases of episodes like this, as well as exclus…

Jason yaps about John Wick 4 because he managed to see a movie on release day for once and he wants to brag about it. It's a miracle he keeps this to under a half hour. Even still, it's a good review of a brand new movie and there's no spoilers so listen up! Support us on Patreon if you’re cool!By Team Alme

Today Jason discusses the character who puts the Kimagure in Kimagure Orange Road: Ayukawa Madoka. Join us for a deep analysis of the Ayukawa character. Is she just good at everything? What are the forces that pull her in opposing directions? What does she see in that goofball Kasuga? Does she remember meeting him in 1983? Please consider becoming …

Today Jason talks all about our goofball protagonist, Kasuga Kyosuke. Join us for an appraisal of the Kasuga character. How is Kasuga mischaracterized? What is is story arc and how does his character progress? And how the heck did Kasuga get Ayukawa to fall in love with him? Please consider supporting Team Alme podcasts - we send free swag, post ea…

In today’s episode, Jason is analyzing movie 2 - “Shin Kimagure Orange Road: Summer’s Beginning” Is this sequel an unnecessary cash grab? Or is it a meaningful continuation of the Orange Road story? How does this film compare to the body of work preceding it? These topics and more in this double-length episode! Please consider supporting Team Alme …

I’ll tell you all about the time I was WHACKED on pain meds and revisited Brian DePalma’s Scarface only to experience a Zen Awakening: it’s actually a pretty terrible movie! Support Team Alme on Patreon for early releases, exclusive content, and free swag sent to your mailbox! Check out these other fine Team Alme podcasts: Creatures of the Night Ab…

In today's double-length episode, Jason analyzes the first Kimagure Orange Road film: "I Want to Return to That Day." It's an excellent piece of filmmaking that is tonally and narratively inconsistent with the rest of the Orange Road media franchise - ESP and hijinks are exchanged for heartbreak and tears. It's not easy to sit through, but it offer…

Jason & the homie kAZual form a dynamic duo this week to discuss The Batman! We go spoiler-deep on The Batman with a full review. We give commentary on the state of the DCEU and cinematic universes in general. We also rank the actors who have played Batman and the live-action Batman films. Do we get it right or will you vehemently disagree and yell…

Today Jason discusses the ethics on display in Martin Scorsese's recent masterpiece: The Wolf of Wall Street. We all know Jordan Belfort and his crew engage in constant wrongdoing in The Wolf of Wall Street - but why? What ethical mistakes does Jordan make? Does money make Jordan happy, or make him a better person? Or does money simply enable Jorda…

Today Jason analyzes Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 48 - the final tv episode - "I Found Love - and, Repeat From the Beginning" The Orange Road television series caps things off with an episode chock-full of all the things we've come to love: Cute Ayukawa, Delinquent Ayukawa, precocious pre-adolescent Ayukawa, time slipping, alternate dimensions, …

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 47 - "A Presentiment of Farewells - Locate Madoka's First Love" Kasuga gets slapped SO HARD he lands six years in the past! He didn't know his ojiisan had THOSE kinda hands... Today we discuss the use of expressionist visual techniques and time travel! Please support Team Alme Studios on Patr…

Martin Scorsese’s recent comments on superhero films led to a viewing of what I consider to be his seminal work: 1990’s GoodFellas. DJ (from The Untrained Eye podcast) joins me for his first viewing of the film, and we discuss: - What is cinema? - Street cred - Italian American stereotyping - Sausage n peppahs - How did the Sopranos fix the the tel…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road OVA episode 8 - "Message in Rouge" In this important episode, Ayukawa confronts some of her long-held biases and the male sex is redeemed by an unlikely savior: Kasuga Kyosuke! Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme Studios - we will send you free swag and you’ll get access to a library of bonus…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road OVA episode 7 - "An Unexpected Situation" For once it's not Kasuga behaving oafish and stammering out excuses and seeming like a weirdo! Instead, his cousin Akane lets her mouth write a check that her butt can't cash in an effort to conform to heteronormative standards - all to impress a vapid pair of h…

Today Jason is (finally) analyzing Kimagure Orange Road OVA 6 - "Stage of Love = Heart on Fire! A Star is Born" Kasuga is actually kinda cool in this episode! He saves the day in the nick of time, plus Yukari & Shuu get to end their appearances in the series on a hopeful note. Plus, Jason talks about the meaning of all the reflection imagery seen i…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road OVA episode 5 - "Stage of Love = Heart on Fire! Spring is for Idols" Kasuga is a dope, but it seems that even still he's preferable to a shallow womanizing pop idol, even if the latter is tremendously famous and handsome and wealthy... Kasuga & Hayakawa live out their Freaky Friday Fantasy today! Please…

Today Jason analyzes Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 46 - "One Snow-White Night! Two Alone in a Gondola" Kazuya meddles (what's new), Kasuga falls for it, like a bonehead (what's new), and we get a nice example of how editing in film provides the audience with information, builds suspense, and subverts audience expectation for the purpose of comedy…

In today's episode, Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 45 - "Hikaru Passes Away - And Then There Were None" Is this just one great big meaningless fake-out dream episode? Or is his dream an allegory with some meaning relevant to the themes of Orange Road as we draw near the end? Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme Studios…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 44 - "The Taste of Love? Kyosuke's Hellish Valentine" It's a silly confection of an episode, but still a little heartfelt - perfect for Valentine's Day! Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme Studio - we will send you free swag and you’ll have access to an ever-growing library of bonu…

Today Jason analyzes Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 43 - "Heartbroken Hikaru! Follow Her to Winter Beach" If you wanted to know what Orange Road would be like if it were directed by a French New Wave auteur, this episode is the best answer you're gonna get... Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme Studios - we will send you free swag and y…

Today Jason is discussing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 42 - "Such a Popular Madoka! Kyosuke Finally Confesses His Feelings" It's an interesting episode today as Orange Road gets as close as it ever will to exploring themes of gender identity and sexual orientation. And poor Yusaku doesn't even appear - it would have been the perfect episode for …

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 41 - "Immobilized Madoka! Kyosuke's Mysterious Watch" Kasuga “serves” up (tennis episode = tennis pun) some epic blunders in today's episode, which contains themes of the passage of time and clinging to the current moment despite the transient nature of the present... Please consider supporti…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 40 - "First Dream of the New Year! Kaiju Jingoro Strikes Back" In what ways is this narrative a reflection of the way things in the Orange Road narrative are, and a reflection of the way the characters might wish for things to be? This episode presents an experimental narrative that reflects …

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 39 - "Hypnotizing Madoka! Kyosuke's Risky New Year" Kasuga manages to subdue his rapacious impulses and Ayukawa is acting SUPER couple-ish with Kasuga, even before pretending that he successfully hypnotized her! Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme Studios for free merch, bonus cont…

In today's bonus episode Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road OVA 1 - "White Lovers" In what ways is this episode relatively more adult than the tv episodes? Is that why it was released as an OVA? And how quickly would you move past an attempt on your life by a vengeful spirit and get back to your vacation after experiencing paranormal phenomena…

Today Jason analyzes Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 38 - "Kyosuke Timetrips! The Third Christmas" This episode beats Groundhog Day to the punch with themes of fate and repeating cycles until you get things right in what amounts to a very solid Christmas entry in the pantheon of 80s television! Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme Studio!…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 37 - "Heroic Orange Legend! Madoka's Duel in a Blizzard" Gender inversions, skateboard duels, and sharpened metal guitar picks in Ayukawa's garter make this one of the most 80s television episodes of all time! Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme Studio - we send free merch to all s…

This week Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 36 - "Adios Kyosuke! Paranormal Powers Caught on Video" This episode contains a very nice moment between Kasuga and Ayukawa, and Kasuga isn't a complete moron in this episode either! Plus a live performance by Wada Kanako, so press play! Please consider becoming a patron of Team Alme Stud…

In today's episode, Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 35 - "Perverted with a Camera! Robot Kyo-chan" Increasingly we are asking ourselves: how is Kasuga getting away with this sh*t?! Flagrant power use in full view of nearly every character, panty thievery, and even borderline assault on his hands this week, and he's gonna try to s…

In today's episode Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 34 - "Roots Panic! Madoka in the Mysterious Homeland" The art is spotty, Kasuga is being a weirdo, how the hell does Yuusaku keep inviting himself to these things, Ayukawa doesn't know what "cute" means, and Jason gives you an Orange Mystery cover so hit play! Please consider bec…

This week Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 33 - "Mystical Madoka! The Mushroom of 120% Truthfulness" Hikaru is becoming consciously aware that there is something between Ayukawa and Kasuga, Ayukawa experiences some residual guilt over her feelings for Kasuga, Kasuga doesn't have a clue, and a horse saves everyone's asses! Press pl…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 32 - "Will My Birthday Come Twice!? Time Runner Kyosuke" In a lot of ways, this is an insane episode that is a little difficult to reconcile with the remainder of the show. But its weirdness isn't all bad - this episode is chock-full of power-related shenanigans after the past few were fairly…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 31 - "Madoka and Yuusaku! The Marching Song of Runaway Youths" They want us to believe that Yuusaku is suddenly after Ayukawa, THEN they want us to believe that Ayukawa is gonna kill herself? This is too crazy to believe, what is even going on here?! Please consider becoming a patron of Team …

In this episode Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 30 - "A Tender Little Story! Kurumi's First Love - Chapter Hell" Kurumi has a crush, and that is somehow more terrifying than her usual demeanor! Kasuga has a stroke during his voiceover, and did Ayukawa really kiss that guy?!? Please consider supporting Team Alme Studios on Patreon…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 29 - "Don't Cry Jingoro! The Heat of Young Love" Is this the craziest mess of an Orange Road episode to date? If you can think of crazier than dedicating an entire episode to a story of the Kasugas' pet cat going though puberty, we're all ears... Please consider supporting Team Alme Studios o…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 28 - "Dangerous Decision! Manami-chan's Big Adventure" Kasuga is simultaneously the world's worst brother AND the world's best brother in the same afternoon, Ayukawa is a supporting character, and Kurumi is still the Devil. Please consider supporting Team Alme on Patreon - we send free merch …

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 27 - "Marked Woman Madoka! Kyosuke Proving He's a Man" Kyosuke is worried that some sukeban are after Ayukawa... Will Kasuga defend her with his life? Or will he outsource his ass-whoopin'? Please support Team Alme on Patreon - we send merch to all tiers and have a ton of bonus content and li…

Today Jason analyzes Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 26 - "Kyosuke's Become a Kid! Getting Super Close to Madoka" Precisely how terrible is Kazuya's advice? (It's pretty bad, even for a 5 year old.) But the real question is "who the hell is gonna listen to his advice?" (Kasuga-kun is.) Play this episode, it's gonna be awesome! Please consider becom…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 25 - "Dangerous Self-Hypnosis! Kasuga-kun Changed" Who enjoys our brash new Kasuga? We learn that Ayukawa doesn't. Also, what does Kasuga's transformation say about his subconscious? Hit play and let me tell you all about it! Thanks to J Pizzle Fo Shizzle for the production assistance! Please…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 24 - "Introducing Kazuya! Be Careful Around the 'Panic Kid'" Why introduce a fairly important character this late in the game? Does Kazuya fulfill a particular purpose that the other secondary characters don't? Also, how does this episode hurt Hikaru's characterization? Press play and find ou…

Today Jason is discussing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 23 - "Kyosuke and Madoka in a Big Fight! A 3-Legged Race of Love" Despite some hyperbolic, unrealistic animation, this is a fairly realistic depiction of a dispute in a relationship. For good measure, the filmmakers sprinkle in a fantasy involving Kasuga abusing his would-be girlfriend! Plea…

Today Jason is analyzing Kimagure Orange Road tv episode 22 - "An Adult Relationship?! Madoka Secretly Returns Home in the Morning" What legendary bop is introduced as an insert song in this episode? Why is everyone keeping a secret from Kasuga? And what bomb will Jason drop on you in today's outro music?! Tune in to find out! Please consider suppo…