Hi everyone and welcome to "Movie Files." Elliott here to Review New Movies & TV shows, Host Live Streams & much more! Rotten Tomatoes đ and member of the St. Louis Film Critics Association and love watching and discussing the latest movies and great television shows on a daily basis. I'm here to provide you with my insightful thoughts and opinions but I also want to know what you think as well as I'm wanting to create a positive and fun community. Please follow and join me on this journey!
RSS
Apple
Data updated on 20/09/2026
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
Discover shows related to Movie Files, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
âRESIDENT EVILâ Review Is So Close to Being Great
Thursday, September 17, 2026 ⢠Duration 16:27
In this episode of the Movie Files Podcast, Elliott reviews RESIDENT EVIL (2026), the new survival-horror adaptation from Barbarian and Weapons director Zach Cregger, starring Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser.
For the first 30â40 minutes, Resident Evil had Elliott convinced he might be watching one of his favorite horror movies of the year. The tension is incredible, the atmosphere is suffocating, the scares actually land, and Austin Abrams delivers a fantastic performance as Bryan a character who essentially feels like the PLAYER dropped directly into a Resident Evil game.
I break down why Zach Cregger is so effective at building suspense, how the film captures the feeling of actually playing survival horror, the impressive creature designs, body horror, gore, and why Abrams continues to be one of the most exciting young actors to watch.
But as Resident Evil gets bigger, crazier, campier, and more comedic, does it lose some of the fear and anxiety that made that opening stretch so effective? Elliott discusses the difficult balance between horror and comedy, why some of the humor worked while other moments took him out of the experience, and why the ending ultimately left him wanting more.
So is this the best Resident Evil movie adaptation yet? Does Zach Cregger finally capture what makes the games so terrifying? And why did a movie I really enjoyed still leave him wishing he had loved it?
Find out in this spoiler-free review.
Topics: Resident Evil review, Resident Evil 2026, Zach Cregger, Austin Abrams, Resident Evil movie, survival horror, horror movies 2026, video game adaptations, Resident Evil games, body horror, creature design, horror comedy, Movie Files Podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'LANTERNS' Episode 5 Breakdown | Why John Stewart Walked Away From the Ring
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 ⢠Duration 39:56
John Stewart finally gets the Green Lantern ring in LANTERNS Episode 5, âLights Outâ and then chooses to walk away from the destiny heâs spent his entire life chasing.
Elliott breaks down Zoeâs final plan, the truth about Abin Sur, Rushvilleâs destruction, Hal and Johnâs brutal fallout, and why John rejecting the ring may actually prove heâs finally worthy of it.
Plus, what did Zoe really teach Noah, where does Halâs ring go next, and what happened during the missing ten years before Hal Jordanâs death in 2026?
Follow Movie Files:
YouTube:Â https://www.youtube.com/@MovieFilesTikTok:Â https://www.tiktok.com/@moviefiles_Instagram:Â https://www.instagram.com/moviefilesX / Twitter:Â https://twitter.com/MovieFilesLiveLetterboxd:Â https://letterboxd.com/moviefiles/Facebook:Â https://www.facebook.com/MovieFilesLive
Subscribe to the Movie Files Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and follow for weekly LANTERNS breakdowns, reviews, theories, and Case File updates.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'HOPE' Review | Too Good to Be This Frustrating
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 ⢠Duration 15:05
Ten years after The Wailing, director Na Hong-jin returns with HOPE, an ambitious Korean sci-fi creature feature starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender.
And I genuinely cannot remember the last time a movie left me this conflicted.
There are stretches of HOPE that feel like a near-masterpiece: incredible tension, visceral filmmaking, phenomenal practical stunt work and two absolutely insane car chase sequences. The first half had me completely locked in as the movie slowly builds its creature mystery without showing us too much too soon.
But once those creatures are fully revealedâŚthings changed for me.
In this episode, Iâm breaking down why the CGI became such a major distraction, why some of the comedy and nearly 3-hour runtime started working against the movie, and why the final stretch left me feeling like an entire piece of the story was missing.
And somehow, despite all of those frustrationsâŚI still recommend seeing it on the biggest screen possible.
HOPE is one of the most ambitious, thrilling and frustrating movies Iâve seen in 2026 â and probably the most conflicted 3/5 Iâve ever given.
 Spoiler-Free Review
Topics include:Na Hong-jinâs direction ⢠HOPEâs creature design ⢠CGI vs. practical effects ⢠the car chase sequences ⢠performances ⢠comedy ⢠pacing ⢠IMAX experience ⢠the ending ⢠sequel setup ⢠final rating
If youâve seen HOPE, let me know where you landed on this one â masterpiece, messâŚor somewhere in between?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'LANTERNS' Episode 4 Breakdown | Zoe, the Manhunters & the Guardiansâ Secret
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 ⢠Duration 40:39
LANTERNS Season 1 Episode 4Â pushes John Stewart deeper into the mystery surrounding Zoe, the Manhunters, and the Guardians while raising an even bigger question:Â how much of who we become is actually our own choice?
In this full spoiler breakdown, I discuss Zoeâs true nature and whether she should be viewed as a monster, a victim, or something far more complicated. We also dive into Johnâs growing connection with her, the episodeâs fascinating parallel between Manhunter programming and Johnâs own upbringing, and why John immediately questions whether someone created for a specific purpose can still choose a different path.
Plus, we break down Lianna and the Guardians, whether John should really trust what heâs being told, Hal Jordanâs continued distrust of the Corps, the tension developing between Hal and John, and the larger mystery surrounding what the Guardians may be hiding about the Manhunters.
There are also some major questions still hanging over Rushville, the Benefactor, Abin Sur, and what all of this could mean for John Stewartâs future as Green Lantern.
This is my full SPOILER Review, Discussion, Deep Dive and Scene Breakdown of LANTERNS Episode 4.
What do you think:Â Is Zoe a monster or the real victim? Can John trust the Guardians? And does Zoe actually have a choice?
Topics include:LANTERNS Episode 4, John Stewart, Hal Jordan, Zoe, Manhunters, Lianna, the Guardians, Green Lantern Corps, Rushville, DCU theories, Easter eggs, ending explained, and Episode 4 theories.
Movie Files New episodes covering LANTERNS, DCU theories, movie reviews, TV breakdowns, ending explained videos, and more.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
âLANTERNSâ Episode 3 Breakdown | John Stewartâs Origin, Fear & the Cost of Greatness
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 ⢠Duration 43:44
Lanterns Episode 3, âOutKast,â gives us our deepest look yet at John Stewart and completely reframes his Green Lantern origin.
Elliott breaks down the huge reveal that John Stewart Sr. was originally chosen by a Green Lantern ring before Hal Jordan and how admitting he was afraid ultimately shaped the way John was raised.
We dive into Bernadette Stewart, Black exceptionalism, fear, emotional repression, family expectations and identity, including the pressure placed on John as a child, his growing distance from his brothers, and why his mother taught him to control emotions she was also struggling to suppress herself.
Plus, we explain why the mysterious bird construct from Episode 2 suddenly means so much more, Johnâs military career, his artistic side, the incredibly detailed watch construct and its DC Comics connection, and why John may ultimately become a great Lantern not just because heâs a soldier but because heâs an artist.
And then comes the major reveal: the Guardians donât want John to be Hal Jordanâs backup. They want him to replace Hal.
Which makes Hal telling John heâll get the ring âover my dead bodyâ VERY interesting considering what we already know happens ten years later.
Topics Discussed: John Stewartâs origin ⢠John Sr. and the Green Lantern ring ⢠Bernadette Stewart ⢠Black exceptionalism ⢠Johnâs childhood and brothers ⢠the bird construct ⢠Johnâs military career ⢠his artistic side ⢠Green Lantern comic connections ⢠âOutKastâ meaning ⢠Hal Jordanâs replacement ⢠âover my dead bodyâ foreshadowing
John Stewart wasnât raised to be fearless he was raised to make fear invisible.
Did Johnâs parents prepare him for greatness, or sacrifice too much of his childhood trying?
Lanterns is streaming on HBO Max.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'BUDDY' Review One of the Weirdest Horror Surprises of 2026
Thursday, August 27, 2026 ⢠Duration 14:17
In this episode of the Movie Files Podcast, Elliott reviews BUDDY (2026), the bizarre new horror-comedy from director Casper Kelly starring Keegan-Michael Key, Cristin Milioti, and Delaney Quinn.
Imagine Barney, Pee-weeâs Playhouse, Five Nights at Freddyâs, The Backrooms, and Alice in Wonderland colliding inside one colorful childhood nightmare.
Elliott breaks down why Buddy completely surprised him, including its incredible production design, creepy childrenâs-show aesthetic, awkward humor, strong performances, and the surprisingly interesting themes of childhood innocence, control, and manipulation.
He also discusses where the movie falls short, why he wanted more answers about the mythology and mechanics of Buddyâs world, and why his horror-loving brain wished the kills went just a little harder.
Is BUDDY worth watching? Is this giant orange unicorn basically Barney from Hell? And how did something this strange actually work?
Find out in this spoiler-free review.
Topics:Â Buddy review, Buddy 2026, Buddy movie review, horror movies 2026, horror comedy, Keegan-Michael Key, Cristin Milioti, Casper Kelly, new horror movies, Movie Files Podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'LANTERNS' Episode 2 Breakdown: The Manhunter Mystery, Abin Sur & Rushville Explained
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 ⢠Duration 44:30
The mystery gets even deeper in Lanterns Episode 2, âTrust Fall.â
In this episode of Movie Files, Elliott breaks down everything from Episode 2, including the shocking reveal surrounding the Manhunter, why Antaan and his people are really in Rushville, and what it could mean for Abin Surâs mysterious arrival in Nebraska.
We also dive into the growing tension between John Stewart and Hal Jordan, the meaning behind the episodeâs âTrust Fallâ title, Johnâs relationship with Zoe, the mystery surrounding Will Maconâs Benefactor, and why there may be something much bigger happening underneath Rushville.
Plus, we explore the biggest DC theories coming out of the episode, including possible connections to the Manhunters, Atrocitus, the Red Lanterns, and the larger mythology being built for the DCU.
Topics Discussed:
Lanterns Episode 2 full breakdown
The Manhunter explained
Did the Manhunter kill Abin Sur?
Why Antaan is hunting the Manhunter
John Stewart and Hal Jordanâs trust issues
What makes Rushville so important?
Will Macon and the mysterious Benefactor
Red Lantern and Atrocitus theories
Easter eggs, DC Comics connections & Episode 3 theories
What do you think the Manhunter is really doing in Rushville and do you trust Hal Jordan after Episode 2?
Lanterns is streaming on HBO Max.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'LANTERNS' Episode 1 Breakdown | Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Theories & That Ending
Monday, August 17, 2026 ⢠Duration 35:11
LANTERNS is officially here, and Episode 1 gives us a grounded Green Lantern mystery filled with major questions, character development, DC Comics connections and one shocking ending.
In this episode, I break down the premiere scene by scene while diving deeper into Aaron Pierreâs John Stewart, Kyle Chandlerâs Hal Jordan, their mentor-and-trainee dynamic, the recurring theme of fear, Johnâs mysterious family history, Abin Surâs connection to Nebraska, the Rushville case, the Halogram, Will Macon, Waylon Sanders and the biggest clues the series may be setting up.
We also open the LANTERNS Case File and discuss some of the premiereâs biggest questions and theories:
Who killed Hal Jordan?Who took his ring?Why was Abin Sur really in Nebraska?What are Waylonâs people seeking vengeance for?Who does Will Macon work for?And is Hal Jordan actually gone?
Plus, I give my full spoiler review of Episode 1, including thoughts on Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandlerâs performances, their chemistry, the grounded True Detective-inspired tone and whether this approach will work for longtime Green Lantern fans.
Full spoilers ahead.
Follow Movie Files for weekly LANTERNS reviews, breakdowns, theories, DC connections and Case File updates throughout the season.
FOLLOW ME
âş TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@moviefiles_
âş Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/moviefiles
âş Twitter | https://twitter.com/MovieFilesLive
âş Letterboxd | https://letterboxd.com/moviefiles/
âş Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MovieFilesLive
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Christopher Nolan: Is He the Greatest Director of His Generation?
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 ⢠Duration 37:02
Is Christopher Nolan the greatest filmmaker of his generation â and could he be the greatest director working today?
In this episode of the Movie Files Podcast, we take a deep dive into the career, filmmaking style, influence, and legacy of Christopher Nolan.
From Memento and The Dark Knight Trilogy to Inception, Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet, Oppenheimer, and The Odyssey, Nolan has spent nearly three decades accomplishing something increasingly rare in Hollywood: turning ambitious, director-driven filmmaking into genuine blockbuster events.
But what makes Christopher Nolanâs movies feel so different?
We explore Nolanâs evolution as a filmmaker, his obsession with time, memory, identity, guilt, sacrifice, family, and mortality, his commitment to practical filmmaking and IMAX, his ability to consistently attract incredible actors, and why he continues to trust audiences with complicated stories rather than simplifying his ideas.
We also look at the defining moments that transformed Nolan from an independent filmmaker behind Following and Memento into one of the few directors whose name alone can sell a movie.
Topics include:
⢠Why Christopher Nolan has become one of Hollywoodâs last true event filmmakers⢠How Nolan continues to challenge himself with every movie⢠Why practical filmmaking and IMAX remain so important to his work⢠Nolanâs refusal to underestimate his audience⢠Why TIME appears throughout so much of his filmography⢠His collaborations with actors and ability to inspire memorable performances⢠How The Dark Knight, Inception, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer changed his career⢠What The Odyssey represents for the next chapter of Nolanâs filmmaking⢠And the ultimate question: Has Christopher Nolan earned a place among the greatest directors of all time?
Whether youâve followed Nolan since Memento or discovered his work through The Dark Knight, Inception, Interstellar, or Oppenheimer, this is a celebration and examination of one of the defining filmmakers of modern cinema.
đď¸ Let me know: Where does Christopher Nolan rank among your favorite directors â and if you could only keep ONE Christopher Nolan movie, which one would it be?
FOLLOW MOVIE FILES
YouTube: Movie FilesTikTok: @moviefiles_Instagram: @moviefilesTwitter/X: @MovieFilesLiveLetterboxd: MovieFiles
â Follow the Movie Files Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave a rating or review if you enjoyed the episode.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY' Review | Good... But It Could've Been Great
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 ⢠Duration 30:32
Today I'm reviewing Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the latest chapter in Tom Holland's Spider-Man saga and one of the MCU's most anticipated films.
Does Brand New Day finally deliver the grounded, street-level Spider-Man movie fans have been asking for since No Way Home, or does it fall just short of its incredible potential?
In this spoiler-filled review, I break down the story, performances, action, emotional moments, visual effects, standout scenes, what worked, what didn't, and why I ultimately walked away thinking this is a good movie... that could've been great.
About Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Spider-Man: Brand New Day follows Peter Parker as he embraces a new chapter after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. In this episode, I review the film's biggest strengths and weaknesses, discuss its emotional character arc, analyze the ending and post-credit scene, and explain how it sets up the future of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Did you love it, or were you hoping for more? Let me know your thoughts and be sure to follow the podcast for more movie reviews, spoiler discussions, rankings, trailer reactions, and weekly coverage of everything happening in the world of movies and television.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices