We’re down a Cinebud this week, but worry not because we called in a couple of Jokers to compensate.

To be more accurate, our very special guests joining us on this episode are two of the people who worked on viral and cinematic sensation The People’s Joker: composers Justin Krol and Quinn Scharber. The Milwaukee-based duo are the driving force behind the film’s score and thus have enjoyed a front-row seat to its tumultuous and controversial existence.

We won’t get too into the legal weeds here, but to summarize: The People’s Joker debuted at the Toronto Film Festival back in 2022, was shelved under the threat of legal action from Warner Bros., snuck in a secret midnight screening at the Milwaukee Film Festival in 2023 and then finally began its proper theatrical run last month.

With Kpolly on the sidelines for this one, Dori uses her finely honed interviewing skills to get Krol and Scharber chatting about their early days as Milwaukee musicians, their connection to the movie’s star/creative force Vera Drew, and the chutzpah required to get into this very competitive field.

Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

Kpolly and Dori discuss the film Sasquatch Sunset, and things gets a little hairy.

Produced & edited by Marcus Doucette

Kristofer Pollard and Dori Zori talk all things Footloose, with a nice little Q&A.


Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

Did you know that over the course of its two weeks, this year’s Milwaukee Film Festival will have screened 131 features and 169 shorts? For the math heads out there, that’s a whopping 300 titles filling the 2024 event’s program. Even for a cinephile with unlimited time and energy reserves, seeing every single one isn’t an option. That’s why we’re here.

"We" is, of course, Kpolly and Dori — AND returning for yet another Milwaukee Filmtastic episode is the organization’s programing director, Kerstin Larson. If you missed our last installment, Kerstin joined our ’Buds to provide the kind of recommendations you might expect from the person responsible for picking the films that show up in the fest. 

But that was just week one. We have a whole second week to tackle, and you can hear the trio’s must-see movies in this episode.

Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

Dori Zori and K-Polly are joined by Kerstin Larson of MKE Film to breakdown some highlights from week one of The Milwaukee Film Festival. Things get pretty Footloose in a hurry ...

Produced by Marcus Doucette

In this episode of Cinebuds, Dori & Kristopher talk about the next installment of the Ghostbusters franchise, Frozen Empire. In this one, the Spengler family returns to the iconic New York City firehouse where the original Ghostbusters have taken ghost-busting to the next level. When the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must unite to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age.

Produced & edited by Kim Shine
Theme music by Newski
Sponsored by Associated Bank

In this episode of Cinebuds, Dori & Kristopher get local! They speak with Wisconsin filmmaker Martin Kaszubowski about his movie, Earlybird. The flick is about a desperate theater owner who resuscitates his struggling business with off-the-wall productions, all the while losing sight of why he chose this life at all.

Produced & edited by Kim Shine
Theme music by Newski
Sponsored by Associated Bank

In this episode of Cinebuds, Dori and Kpolly talk about the George Clooney-directed film 'The Boys in the Boat' — but they don't stay a duo for long. Joining them to provide a unique perspective are two relatives of the movie's main character Joe Rantz: Jennarose (his daughter) and Matt Murdaugh (his grandson).

Synopsis: During the height of the Great Depression, members of the rowing team at the University of Washington get thrust into the spotlight as they compete for gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.


Produced & edited by Kim Shine
Theme music by Newski
Sponsored by Associated Bank

In this episode of Cinebuds, Dori & Kristopher say 'Ooh, la la' for the French film, "The Crime Is Mine."

Set in 1935 Paris, a young actress has just been acquitted of murdering a famous French Producer. However, is she really innocent? Or has she gotten away with murder?

Produced & edited by Kim Shine
Theme music by Newski
Sponsored by Associated Bank

In this episode of Cinebuds, Dori & Kristopher get a little emotional about the 2023 film, "All of Us Strangers". It's about a screenwriter who has a chance encounter with his mysterious neighbor which disrupts his everyday life. As their relationship develops, the screenwriter finds himself drawn back to his childhood home where his parents are living -- although they died 30 years ago.

Produced & edited by Kim Shine
Theme music by Newski
Sponsored by Associated Bank

In this episode of Cinebuds, Dori & Kristopher talk about one of the most impactful movements in music. It's the 2024 film, "The Greatest Night in Pop," a behind-the-scenes look at the 1985 effort that pulled in some of the industry's biggest stars as they recorded "We Are the World" for aid in Africa.

Produced & edited by Kim Shine
Theme music by Newski
Sponsored by Associated Bank