Cold Open · Essay · sep 25, 2025

One Battle After Another, Yi Yi & Him

Paul Thomas Anderson's $130 million satirical blockbuster might be the film of the year — and Laura Gommans and Elliot Bloom dive into its pleasures while sitting with the discomfort of Leonardo DiCaprio's off-screen conduct. Meanwhile, Yi Yi — Edward Yang's masterpiece, newly restored by Odyssey Classics — returns to exactly the screen it deserves, and they ask why it took this long. The episode rounds out with Jordan Peele-produced thriller Him, which prompts a debate about whether a name can carry a film further than the film itself is willing to go.

By Laura Gommans

Film Journalist · Celebrating Cinema

Paul Thomas Anderson’s $130 million blockbuster might just be the film of the year. In this episode, Laura and Elliot dive into the action-packed, satirical drama while lamenting Leonardo DiCaprio’s phenomenal performance—brilliant on screen, morally dubious off it. They also revel in the timeless elegance of Yi Yi, recently restored and returned to the big screen by Odyssey Classics, and ask why the thriller Him couldn’t live up to the hype, even with Jordan Peele’s name on it.

Get tickets to ⁠CC Film Club: Challengers⁠ @ LAB111

Get tickets to ⁠One Battle After Another ⁠@ LAB111

Get tickets to ⁠Yi Yi⁠ @ LAB111

Get tickets to ⁠Him⁠ @ LAB111

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