Explore every episode of the podcast The Next Reel Film Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Bucket of Blood • Member Bonus | 31 Oct 2024 | 00:13:21 | |
“It’s called ‘Murdered Man’.” In the late 1950s, American International Pictures approached Roger Corman to create a low-budget horror film in just five days, using sets from another project. Corman, along with screenwriter Charles B. Griffith, decided to take a satirical approach, crafting a black comedy that poked fun at the beatnik culture of the era. The result was A Bucket of Blood, a quirky and entertaining film that showcases Corman's ability to deliver a memorable movie on a shoestring budget. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the member bonus Roger Corman series with a conversation about A Bucket of Blood. Sculpting a Masterpiece of Macabre Humor In our discussion of A Bucket of Blood, we delve into the film's clever satirical elements and its comical take on the horror genre. We explore how the movie lampoons both the beatnik scene and the pretentiousness of the art world, with Corman and Griffith drawing from their own experiences and observations. The film's lead actor, Dick Miller, delivers a standout performance as the lovable yet misguided busboy-turned-artist Walter Paisley, whose quest for fame and acceptance takes a dark and murderous turn. Corman's Signature Style and Social Commentary Throughout our conversation, we touch upon various aspects of the film that showcase Roger Corman's signature style and his ability to infuse social commentary into his low-budget productions. We examine how A Bucket of Blood addresses themes of social mobility, the search for identity, and the folly of pursuing success at any cost. Additionally, we discuss how the film fits into the broader context of 1950s cinema, drawing comparisons to other notable works of the era, such as Rebel Without a Cause and film noir. Other points covered in our discussion include:
A Timeless Tale of Ambition and Morality A Bucket of Blood may be a product of its time, but its themes and humor remain relatable and entertaining decades later. Corman's ability to craft a compelling and thought-provoking story within the constraints of a tight budget and schedule is a testament to his skill as a filmmaker. While the film's low-budget origins are evident, its clever writing, memorable performances, and biting satire more than compensate for any technical limitations. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Film Sundries
This is a member bonus episode. We'd love it if you became a member to support our show, but you’d love it because of everything you get. We have monthly member bonus episodes that only members can access. You also get other monthly member bonus episodes, access to members-only Discord channels, and early releases for every episode. Plus, no ads! And you get to vote on the movies we discuss in our members only episodes! What can we say? It pays to be a member. Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM. | |||
| La Llorona | 31 Oct 2024 | 00:59:40 | |
“Did someone hear a woman cry?” In 2019, Guatemalan filmmaker Jayro Bustamante released his third feature film, La Llorona, a haunting ghost story that explores the aftermath of the Guatemalan genocide. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was selected as the Guatemalan entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the Ghost Stories series with a conversation about La Llorona. Women Confronting the Horrors of the Past In our discussion of La Llorona, we focus on how the film centers around the women in a retired general's family as they grapple with the accusations of genocide against him. Through the mysterious presence of their new housekeeper, Alma, and the visions she induces, the general's wife, daughter, and granddaughter are forced to confront the truth about his actions and their own complicity in the horrors of the past. As the story unfolds, the general becomes an increasingly antagonistic figure, unable to face the consequences of his past deeds. Blending the Ghost Story Genre with the La Llorona Myth La Llorona effectively combines elements of the traditional ghost story genre with the well-known Latin American folktale of La Llorona, the weeping woman. Bustamante skillfully weaves these two narrative threads together, creating a haunting and atmospheric tale that slowly reveals the truth behind Alma's presence and her connection to the general's victims. The film's use of water imagery and the unsettling presence of ghostly figures further enhances the eerie and unsettling tone. Other topics covered in our conversation include:
A Thought-Provoking and Haunting Film La Llorona is a powerful and thought-provoking film that uses the ghost story genre and the La Llorona myth to shed light on the horrors of the Guatemalan genocide. Through its haunting atmosphere, strong performances, and exploration of intergenerational trauma, the film leaves a lasting impact on its viewers. La Llorona is a compelling and important work that deserves to be seen and discussed. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Film Sundries
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| The Way of the Dragon | 05 Sep 2024 | 01:09:42 | |
“In this world of guns and knives, wherever Tang Lung may go to, he will always travel on his own.” In 1972, Bruce Lee was already a rising star in the martial arts film world, having starred in a handful of successful films. However, he had yet to have the opportunity to fully showcase his unparalleled fighting skills on his own terms. That all changed with The Way of the Dragon, a film that allowed Lee to demonstrate his incredible martial arts prowess while also taking on the roles of writer, director, and producer. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the One-and-Done series with a conversation about The Way of the Dragon. Exploring the Comedic Side of Kung Fu and the Legendary Bruce Lee In our discussion, we delve into the humor infused throughout The Way of the Dragon, from the situational comedy to Bruce Lee's character-driven gags. While the film's comedic elements may not land for everyone, they provide an intriguing glimpse into the lighter side of the kung fu genre. We also examine Bruce Lee's importance to the world of martial arts cinema and how his unique style and charisma helped popularize the genre on a global scale. The Way of the Dragon may not be a perfect film, but it stands as a testament to Bruce Lee's immense talent and enduring legacy. His only directorial effort provides a platform for him to showcase his unrivaled martial arts skills and offers a fascinating glimpse into what could have been had he not tragically passed away at a young age. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Film Sundries
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King • The Next Reel | 04 May 2023 | 01:10:48 | |
“A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we foresake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day!” There and Back Again With the success of Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy in 2003, he proved that epic fantasy storytelling could not only work, but that it could be worth the risk to film them all at once. It could be argued that the biggest downside to this production method – filming all three movies at once then releasing them separately over the course of three years – is that many awards voters didn’t feel each film deserved to be recognized individually. This film won all 11 Oscars for which it was nominated, but should the previous efforts also fared better? Regardless, Jackson delivers an epic trilogy, and this film’s extended edition certainly gives us a lot to enjoy. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our conversations about the Lord of the Rings trilogy with a conversation about Jackson’s 2003 film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
The opening’s fantastic, but why does Smeagol talk the way he does when he’s morphed into Gollum? Andy has a bit of a quibble with that. We look at a number of the added scenes in the extended edition, focusing on the death of Saruman, the mouth of Sauron, and the relationship between Faramir and Eowen. How does the mad steward Denethor work for us? What about the massive armies and the battle at the end? Does it go a bit too far? We talk about a few of our favorite sequences – the lighting of the beacons, Shelob’s lair and Sam rescuing Frodo from the Orc tower, Sam picking Frodo up to carry him up Mount Doom. We continue looking at the roles of women in the films and how Jackson and his writing team handled expanding their roles. And then, of course, we ponder the plight of the cave trolls. The olyphaunts aren’t treated very well either, but we’ve seen cave troll abuse from the start.
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers • The Next Reel | 27 Apr 2023 | 01:31:05 | |
“I told you he was tricksy. I told you he was false.” The Epic Journey Continues With his three epic films of one epic book shot back to back, it’s amazing that Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens found a path through the stories to build a film that works as well as this one does. Sure, it has elements of many famous middle films in trilogies, but it still stands strong. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our journey through Middle Earth with a conversation about Jackson’s 2002 film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Here’s a hint at what we talk about. How well do the extended and new scenes work in this film? We quite like them. Our characters are split so we have a number of story threads to track. Do they all work? Lots of new characters. Gollum is often brought up as the biggest and most important addition to the film because of the process of motion capture with Andy Serkis to bring him to life. He’s astounding and certainly worth a discussion. Does the CGI still generally work? Jackson’s cinematic style comes through a few times. Does it always work? What about his epic battle sequence in Helm’s Deep? There’s plenty to talk about with these films and this franchise. And we talk again about the plight of the cave trolls. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| Bambi • A Conversation with Screenwriter Todd Alcott • Movies We Like | 24 Apr 2023 | 01:04:27 | |
“Your mother can’t be with you anymore.” Talking About Bambi with our Guest Todd Alcott, Screenwriter When released in 1942 during WWII, Walt Disney’s Bambi struggled to find its audience. It still did well enough for itself, but it wasn’t until its subsequent releases over the decades when Disney would bring its classics back to theatres where it really found its audience. Since that time, it’s often cited as one of the best animated films out there. Why does this simple film about a young deer learning about life in the forest work so well? Screenwriter and graphic artist Todd Alcott joins us to talk about Bambi, one of his favorites. But as he says, even that didn’t happen over night. It took decades and multiple viewings to realize what the story was really about and why it clicked so suddenly. And for a film from 1942, there are elements within that make it feel somewhat subversive. It’s a story with little plot about a passive protagonist that doesn’t have any clearly established goal, after all. What screenwriting handbook said that was okay? The film is about life, the mistakes we make, and how we try learning from them. It’s also a reminder that there’s no clear path for life. Just when things make sense, life changes the rules. It’s quite a lot to absorb from what seems like a simple little film. But that’s why we like it, and are thrilled that Todd brought it for us to talk about on Movies We Like. Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries Learn more about supporting The Next Reel’s Movies We Like through your own membership with The Next Reel.
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring • The Next Reel | 20 Apr 2023 | 01:43:48 | |
“Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends.” We Finally Talk About Peter Jackson’s Epic Fantasy Trilogy Considering our immense love for this film and the original material, it’s a bit surprising that it’s taken us into our twelfth season to discuss The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Peter Jackson and his amazing team believed in this world and crafted a script, found a cast, built a crew, and gave it their all to deliver a series of films that perfectly told a cinematic version of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books while also creating a model for fantasy filmmaking as well as a model for massive scale film production. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Lord of the Rings series with a conversation about Jackson’s 2001 film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Here’s a hint at what we talk about. It’s a challenge having a conversation about this trilogy as so much has already been said and documented about the production, etc. Still, it gives us a chance to discuss what Jackson brings to the table. How does his production style work in the film? We talk about the cast and many other options that are in the could-have-been version. We certainly prefer this one, but there are interesting actors to discuss. How do the extended and additional scenes work to expand the story for us? We love Howard Shore’s score so of course discuss it, but we are fans of what each department brings to the film as they’re all working on something they clearly were passionate about. There are some dated effects, but barely any and they don’t really bug us much. As for the creatures, they all stand out as impressive but we do have some questions about Jackson going all King Kong on us with the Cave Troll. And lest we forget the Sean Bean memes... We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| John Wick: Chapter 4 • The Next Reel | 13 Apr 2023 | 01:31:06 | |
“Friendship means little when it’s convenient.” Wrapping Up the John Wick Saga Before the pandemic, director Chad Stahelski and team had been planning to film John Wick: Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 back to back. After delays, they ended up dropping the fifth chapter, opting to wrap everything up in the fourth film. So how does Chapter 4 work to continue expanding this world of assassins while also wrapping up John’s story? Do more story threads get dropped? And how do they amp up the stunt sequences throughout the film? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our John Wick series with a conversation about Stahelski’s latest entry, now in theatres, John Wick: Chapter 4. Here’s a hint at what we talk about. John’s back breaking the High Table’s rules, starting off right out of the gate in this film by killing The Elder. But why so little involvement by The Bowery King? His resolution at the end of Chapter 3 seemed to indicate that he was going to go after the High Table with John. Maybe that’s just another in the line of plot threads set up upon which they never execute. Or perhaps it was connected to the whittling down of two films into just this one. Who knows? Regardless, we would have loved more Laurence Fishburne. That being said, we do get the introduction of many great characters in this new film. They’re great, and the actors portraying them are great. Plus, we have some spectacular action set pieces that are incredible. The staircase sequence is one for the ages, particularly the insane fall down its entire length. We discuss some of Stahelski’s influences in the film, as well as several direct homages. And we discuss the impending spinoff film and TV show, while pondering if they’ll find a thread to pick up in order to continue the story again. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum • The Next Reel | 06 Apr 2023 | 01:10:42 | |
“I will serve. I will be of service.” We’re On the Run With John Wick. Picking up right where Chapter 2 ended, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum gives us more of what came before – amazing fight sequences with serious stuntwork, beautiful cinematography, and expanded world-building. While it delivers on all fronts, some people found this one’s expanded universe to be a bit too much. But is it? Or does it work? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our journey through the John Wick series with our conversation about Chad Stahelski’s 2019 film John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.
First off, what’s with the addendum to the title? Did we need “Parabellum” added, even if it fits both in the Latin phrase mentioned as well as the aptly named parabellum Luger cartridge? Title issues aside, we dig into the world-building here and try to sort out how much world-building is too much, and at what point does it feel like the world-building is there just to get John out of and into particular situations.
Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| The Speakeasy Retrofit • Movies We Like | 03 Apr 2023 | 00:04:14 | |
When we started our movie podcast, the original name was Movies We Like. Eventually, as we began talking about some movies we didn't like, we figured we should rebrand. Hence, The Next Reel Film Podcast was born. But we never could let go of the name Movies We Like. We just didn't have a place for it at the time. Then, as we were looking at rebranding this podcast as we worked to bring more guests from the industry to join us in talking about a movie they liked, we realized that this would be the perfect show to use the name Movies We Like! So here we are – a new era of the Speakeasy, now rebranded as Movies We Like. We're looking forward to the future conversations! | |||
| John Wick: Chapter 2 • The Next Reel | 30 Mar 2023 | 01:14:56 | |
“Can a man like you know peace?” We’re Back With John as He Takes on the Italian Mafia John Wick: Chapter 2 starts mid-action sequence as John fights Viggo’s brother to get his car back. It sets up the action for this film, and sets up John’s motivations. He’s a man stuck in the past who clings to his relics. Once he has his car, he even goes so far as to try breaking the rules to stay out of the business. Unfortunately, he’s not allowed, which propels this film. There’s a lot more world-building in this film to set all of this up. How does it work? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our look at the John Wick series with a conversation about Chad Stahelski’s 2017 follow-up John Wick: Chapter 2.
This is an R-rated world of violence. What’s interesting is that, given the opportunity to include nudity as well, Stahelski opts to avoid it. That tells us a lot about the specific world-view we’re meant to take away from this movie. It’s one of violence, not sex, even if it’s full of sexy, well-dressed people who know how to fight.
Regardless, it all makes for a fun film. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| John Wick • The Next Reel | 23 Mar 2023 | 01:12:59 | |
“Now that I have found my peace, find yours.” It took some time to get all the right players so the movie John Wick could move forward. Luckily, everything worked out and stunt coordinators Chad Stahelski and David Leitch got the opportunity to direct their first big film. Derek Kolstad’s script had all the right magic and Keanu Reeves reinvented himself yet again with a title that surprised everyone. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson as we kick off our John Wick series where it all started, Stahelski’s 2014 film John Wick.
Pete loves this movie. Andy enjoys it but it’s never excited him as much as other people. That’s a good starting place for the conversation. Why does it work so well for some and others don’t take to it as much? We also talk about the way this got made and how rare something like that happens where all the pieces fall in place just right. How would this have felt if a septuagenerian was playing the lead? We spend a bit of time digging into the stunt work and why it helps the story, but perhaps also leaves it feeling overly clinical through some eyes. The world-building is spectacular though!
Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| T2 Trainspotting • The Next Reel | 16 Mar 2023 | 01:07:33 | |
“So be addicted. Be addicted to something else.” Checking in 20 Years Later with Renton, Spud, Sick Boy, and Begby That’s right, it’s time to talk about Danny Boyle’s legacy sequel T2 Trainspotting. It was a long time coming, and that’s even after author Irvine Welsh wrote a 10-years-later sequel called “Porno” to his original novel “Trainspotting.” Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our conversations about the Trainspotting series with a look at Boyle’s 2017 film T2 Trainspotting.
First off, what’s up with that dumb title? We chat about it a bit and the reasons they named it that, but it doesn’t change our opinions that it doesn’t work that well. We were a little concerned about a return to this world, but in the end, we felt it worked. That’s largely because the people behind it were passionate about it and kept it honest and in line with where the first film ended. That doesn’t mean we don’t have issues with some of the character arcs. Could Begbie perhaps have learned something in prison and not come out 20 years later feeling like the same character? Could we have spent a bit more time dealing with Renton’s health issues? Why did Kelly Macdonald have to be included in what feels just like a cameo?
Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| The Little Shop of Horrors • The Next Reel • Member Bonus | 31 Aug 2024 | 00:11:31 | |
“You didn't mean it. You never mean it. You didn't mean it the time when you put up the bouquet with the 'get well' card in the funeral parlor, and sent the black lilies to the old lady in the hospital, you didn't mean it.” The year was 1960. The American movie landscape was dominated by Westerns, sword-and-sandal epics, and Rock and Roll musicals. But in the underbelly of Hollywood, a different kind of movie was brewing. This was the era of exploitation cinema, and Roger Corman was its undisputed king. With a knack for spotting talent and squeezing every penny out of a budget, Corman churned out low-budget genre films at an astonishing rate. The Little Shop of Horrors was one of them. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Member Bonus Roger Corman series with a conversation about his 1960 film The Little Shop of Horrors. Don't Feed the Jokes In this episode, we dig into the fascinating backstory of how The Little Shop of Horrors came to be, a film shot in just two days on a set borrowed from another Corman production, A Bucket of Blood. We marvel at Corman's legendary efficiency and his ability to create entertaining films on a shoestring budget. We also discuss the film's unique blend of horror and comedy, noting how the comedic elements ultimately overshadow the horror, making for a surprisingly funny viewing experience. We analyze the film's sharp, witty dialogue, packed with puns, wordplay, and topical references that would have resonated with audiences in 1960. Other Buds to Snip From This Conversation
The Little Shop of Horrors is a fascinating time capsule of early 1960s filmmaking and a testament to Roger Corman's ingenuity and talent. It's a fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly funny film that holds up remarkably well today. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Film Sundries
This is a member bonus episode. We'd love it if you became a member to support our show, but you’d love it because of everything you get. We have monthly member bonus episodes that only members can access. You also get other monthly member bonus episodes, access to members-only Discord channels, and early releases for every episode. Plus, no ads! And you get to vote on the movies we discuss in our members only episodes! What can we say? It pays to be a member. Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM. | |||
| Trainspotting • The Next Reel | 09 Mar 2023 | 01:15:26 | |
“Living like this is a full-time business.”
What is it about Boyle’s filmmaking style that captures our attention? What do we think of the key performers in this film – Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Kevin McKidd and Kelly McDonald? The soundtrack is fantastic. How much does that infuse Boyle’s style? Or is it his style infusing his music selection? And editing? Or it it all just part of the way he sees his films? The comedy seems to capture the essence of the the lives of this group of twenty-somethings. It also allows the darker moments to hit that much harder.
Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| Slumber Party Massacre III • The Next Reel | 02 Mar 2023 | 00:57:48 | |
Driller Killer’s Back! But He’s Different... It was inevitable with the successes of The Slumber Party Massacre and Slumber Party Massacre II that Roger Corman would want a third film made. Again, he chose to have a female writer and female director which is a nice change from the norm – particularly for the era. But why does this one feel separate from the first two? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we conclude our Slumber Party Massacre series with a conversation about Sally Mattison’s 1990 film Slumber Party Massacre III.
This film drops any connection to the story and characters from the first two films. Why? Where do we then find connective tissue in this trilogy? Is it just because we have a killer with a drill? It seems thin. And the fact that we have characters named the same from the first film just isn’t enough. We miss the parody elements and feminist approach too. It feels like they decided to just make a straight-up slasher film. They even go so far as to give the killer what feels like tropey psychological damage from sexual abuse suffered as a child at the hands of his uncle. It could’ve been interesting, but they only add just enough to make it feel cliche. It’s fairly disappointing.
Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership. Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here. Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community! Here’s where you can find us around the internet: What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
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| Slumber Party Massacre II | 23 Feb 2023 | 00:56:33 | |
“I didn’t know girls really did this stuff!”
The film feels different right out of the gate. Instead of a killer stalking women around town, we have the killer – now armed with an insane blending of electric guitar and giant power drill – haunting our protagonist’s dreams. The filmmakers don’t give us a kill for nearly an hour, instead spending plenty of time up front with the characters. We get more teen sex romp comedy and we get more psychological breakdown elements as our protagonist works through her dreams and the visions coming from it. We have a great time talking about this film and breaking it down. Check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
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| The Slumber Party Massacre • The Next Reel | 16 Feb 2023 | 01:05:26 | |
“Maybe we should split up.”
What does Jones bring to the screen as a woman director giving us essentially an exploitation slasher film? Does the nudity play as something more than what other slashers (or even sex comedies) of the era were doing? What do we think of our killer and his phallic drill? We talk about the kills, the conflicts, the T&A, and more. It’s an interesting film to discuss because there is a sense it’s doing something a bit more. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
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| Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 • The Next Reel | 09 Feb 2023 | 01:05:44 | |
“Death is certain. If God doesn’t kill me, this neighborhood will.”
There’s a lot going on in this story, but largely this second half of the larger overall story focuses on Faizal Khan as he takes over the family business after the murders of his father and brother, and ends with his murder and a new head of the mafia. We work through a number of the plot points, exploring the various elements that shape the overall story. We discuss brothers. Fathers and sons. The nature of family businesses when in the criminal world. We also talk about husbands and wives, politics, so many elements. They all tie into this massive story. Plus, it’s incredibly violent with a horrific scene early on that we discuss in detail because of how beautifully shot it is.
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| Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1 • The Next Reel | 02 Feb 2023 | 00:57:47 | |
We head to the coal mines in India as we tackle the epic gangster saga Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1. It’s over two-and-a-half hours and is quite a ride. Visceral filmmaking and a tale based on real events as we follow several families and groups vying to rule the area in this wild tale. We have a great time with it so check it out then tune in! “A dog always stays a dog.”
There’s a lot going on in this film with many characters. How well did we track it all? We both rewatched the opening to make sure we knew who was who, and Wikipedia helped as well, but even with many characters over many decades, we both found the story engrossing and loved these characters.
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| Song of the Thin Man • The Next Reel | 26 Jan 2023 | 01:01:42 | |
“Oh boy! Another murder!”
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| The Thin Man Goes Home • The Next Reel | 19 Jan 2023 | 01:02:31 | |
“There’s nothing in the world Nick wants more than a pat on the back from his father. If he got that, I think he’d pop a vest button.”
This takes some time to get set up, but does it work? The comedy feels different. Is that the writing team? The new director? All of the above? How do Loy and Powell do this go-around? Does it bother us that Junior’s nowhere to be seen? How about the mystery? Is it effective? We have a great time talking about it so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
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| Shadow of the Thin Man • The Next Reel | 12 Jan 2023 | 01:03:46 | |
Nick and Norah investigating a murder at the racetracks W.S. Van Dyke’s back to have another good time with Nick and Nora Charles, though this time it’s with different writers. How does that affect things? And is William Powell seeming to be feeling better this time around? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Thin Man series with a conversation about Maj. W.S. Van Dyke II’s Shadow of the Thin Man.
The mystery’s better this time around, though the actual reveal seems a bit tepid. Does that affect our enjoyment of the film? Maybe a little, but it’s still quite fun. Plus, the comedy feels like it’s back on track and Powell seems to be having a great time, even if he doesn’t get to play drunk much. We chat about Nick, Jr. and how that addition to the story works for us. We also talk about the odd undercranked gags they do with Asta that we mostly enjoy. The characters are as fun as ever. We just wish the final reveal felt a bit more interesting.
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| Another Thin Man • The Next Reel | 05 Jan 2023 | 00:59:54 | |
“He says his name is Charles, but he looks to me like a pool parlor dude.”
We dig a bit more into Powell’s history between the last film and this one. We also talk about Van Dyke as we learned he’s actually a II, not a junior. We struggle with the mystery and with the comedy in this one. It’s still fun, but largely is less dynamic than the previous two. Is that because of Powell’s struggles? Or were the writers struggling to come up with as interesting a mystery? Regardless, it didn’t work as well.
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| Johnny Got His Gun • The Next Reel | 29 Aug 2024 | 01:03:43 | |
“How can you tell what’s a dream or what’s real when you can’t even tell when you’re awake or when you’re asleep?” In 1971, blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo adapted his own 1939 anti-war novel Johnny Got His Gun for the big screen. The film marked Trumbo's directorial debut and only feature film as director. Set during World War I, the story follows a young American soldier who becomes a quadruple amputee after being hit by an artillery shell. Trumbo's powerful critique of war and its devastating effects on soldiers resonated strongly in the Vietnam War era. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the One-and-Done series with a conversation about Johnny Got His Gun. Locked-In Horror: A Haunting Tale of War's Casualties We dive deep into the film's harrowing portrayal of Joe Bonham, played by Timothy Bottoms, as he struggles with his horrific injuries and loss of autonomy. The movie's exploration of disability rights and the dehumanization of wounded veterans sparks a thoughtful discussion. We examine how Trumbo's adaptation differs from his novel, particularly in its use of flashbacks and dream sequences to break up the claustrophobic hospital scenes. While we appreciate the film's powerful anti-war message, we debate the effectiveness of some of its more surreal elements. Other points of discussion include: • Timothy Bottoms' compelling performance as Joe Bonham A Thought-Provoking Journey Through War's Aftermath Johnny Got His Gun remains a powerful and disturbing examination of war's human cost. While we found some aspects of the film more effective than others, we agree that it's an important work that continues to resonate decades after its release. Its unflinching look at the physical and psychological toll of combat makes it a challenging but worthwhile viewing experience. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Film Sundries
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| After the Thin Man • The Next Reel | 29 Dec 2022 | 00:58:53 | |
“C’mon, let’s get something to eat. I’m thirsty!”
The Hays Code was in action, so less clear drinking of alcohol by the duo, but that doesn’t mean they’re not drunk. Particularly Charles. We love William Powell and Myrna Loy as these characters. They’re clearly having a great time. What’s with the story of infidelity thrown into Asta’s subplot though?
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| Co-Parenting in the Movies: A Special Holiday Crossover Event with How to Split a Toaster: A Divorce Podcast About Saving Your Relationships | 27 Dec 2022 | 00:33:58 | |
Co-Parenting in the Movies We’re ending the year with a podcast crossover episode. Andy joins Pete on How to Split a Toaster: A Divorce Podcast About Saving Your Relationships. On that show, Pete and his co-host Seth Nelson discuss a variety of divorce-related topics to help those going through the difficult process. Today’s episode is a reprieve from that specific focus. In this episode, everyone’s bringing three movies that feature co-parenting. Here’s a breakdown of what each person talks about: Andy:
Seth:
Pete:
Happy holidays!
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| The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 • The Next Reel | 22 Dec 2022 | 01:16:22 | |
“Jake, you really do stink.”
There’s... a lot... going on with these stories. They’re not great, but strangely, Condon’s film ends up being the most entertaining of the bunch. It’s as if he understood the assignment that they were going for camp. The rules are bonkers. Things are over-the-top. And it’s quite a bit of fun.
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| The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 • The Next Reel | 15 Dec 2022 | 01:13:11 | |
“We must destroy it before it’s born.”
Why did they split Stephenie Meyer’s book into two movies? Does it feel necessary or feel like a studio cash grab? Did we need an entire movie just about the wedding, honeymoon, and baby? To that end, though, the camp works better in this film and actually keeps the film engaging, which is a nice change from the last film. Is that Condon’s doing? Perhaps.
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| The Twilight Saga: Eclipse • The Next Reel | 08 Dec 2022 | 01:11:58 | |
“Let’s face it – I AM hotter than you.”
The romance novel love triangle just keeps happening, even though we feel it’s over. Bella’s already made up her mind – she wants to marry Edward. So why does Jacob keep rearing his ugly head in all of this? And why is Bella interested in either of these guys when they’re both clearly problematic?
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| The Twilight Saga: New Moon • The Next Reel | 01 Dec 2022 | 01:12:24 | |
“I guess the wolf’s out of the bag.”
Kristen Stewart’s acting is tough, but is it her or Stephenie Meyer’s dialogue and romance novel elements? What about Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner? How about the Shakespearean elements? What do we think of the werewolves? And the effects? How is Weitz as the new director for the film? Do we like the romance? Or prefer the expanded lore? And how does Desplat do with the music? And the biggest question of all – are we on Team Jacob or Team Edward?
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| Twilight • The Next Reel | 24 Nov 2022 | 01:06:49 | |
“I’ve never given much thought to how I would die, but dying in place of someone I love seems like a good way to go.”
Hardwicke came from indie films dealing with youth angst. Do her skills translate here? How about her ability to direct action and special effects scenes?
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| The Raid 2 • The Next Reel | 17 Nov 2022 | 01:33:45 | |
“They're not cops anymore. They're in my world now.”
So much action. It’s a thrill ride from start to finish, and Evans proves he doesn’t need to keep it in an enclosed space like he did the first film. We get more with the corrupt cops, more with the gangs, more with Rama as he agrees to step away from his family to help take down the criminal elements in Jakarta. It’s big and it’s operatic in scope. Is the violence too much though? Or is it part of the opera?
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| The Raid • The Next Reel | 10 Nov 2022 | 01:03:42 | |
“Just because you see what I do as wrong doesn’t mean I can’t be good at it.” Gareth Huw Evans wasn’t making headway with his directing career in his home country of Wales, so moving to Indonesia to work in a project there at the suggestion of his wife – who happens to be from Indonesia – seemed like a good idea. It was there he learned more about the Pencak silat style of martial arts and where he met Iko Uwais. Uwais not only performs silat brilliantly, but also looks good and acts well on screen. That’s when they decided to make movies together. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our series looking at Evans Raid films starting with his 2011 film The Raid: Redemption.
If the elements in this film feel like your typical action film, why does this film work so much better than those? Is it Evans’ direction? The performances by Uwais and the rest of the cast? The stunts? The camerawork? To a certain extent, this film feels very much like a video game. That sense of the levels and intensifying action throughout lends to this sensibility. For critics like Roger Ebert, it doesn’t work very well. For us, though, it’s easy to enjoy.
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| Before Midnight • The Next Reel | 03 Nov 2022 | 01:12:45 | |
“Like sunlight, sunset, we appear, we disappear. We are so important to some, but we are just passing through.”
We both like how the film starts. We both like the conversation around the table as four couples talk about love, masculinity/femininity, and sex. It’s the nature of the marriage and Jesse’s and Céline’s conversations together – and arguments later – that lead to our splitting of the minds. Is it a natural conversation flow that leads to the fighting? Or is it crafted in a way that makes Céline seem crazier than she should and makes it feel like they haven’t talked in nine years? Does it all feel unnaturally “written” and not “real?” And did the conversation make sense to begin with?
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| Wanda • The Next Reel | 22 Aug 2024 | 00:53:14 | |
“I don’t have anything. Never did have anything. Never will have anything.” In the late 1960s, actress Barbara Loden came across a newspaper article about a woman on trial for bank robbery who thanked the judge for her sentence. Perplexed by what could drive a woman to such a point, Loden crafted a story that would become her sole feature film, Wanda. Despite being married to acclaimed director Elia Kazan, Loden struggled to get the film made, eventually scraping together a meager budget and shooting on 16mm. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the One-and-Done series with a conversation about Wanda. A Portrait of Aimlessness and Apathy in Rural America On the surface, Wanda may seem like a bleak and meandering character study, but it's precisely those qualities that make it such a fascinating film. We dive into Loden's raw, cinema verité-style approach to storytelling, which eschews traditional Hollywood structure in favor of a more naturalistic portrayal of its titular character's directionless existence. From her passive acceptance of a divorce that leaves her children in the care of their father to her listless drift into a life of crime with a small-time thief, Wanda's journey is one of quiet desperation and longing for purpose. Throughout our discussion, we grapple with the film's deliberate pacing, sparse cinematography, and lack of a traditional character arc. While Pete finds the film's unrelenting bleakness and Wanda's apparent lack of agency challenging, Andy argues that the film's power lies in its unflinching portrayal of a marginalized woman's experience. Wanda may not be an easy watch, but it remains a powerful and uncompromising portrait of a woman adrift in a world that offers her little in the way of hope or purpose. Barbara Loden's singular vision and commitment to telling an untold story make this a film that demands to be seen and discussed. Despite our differing reactions to the film, we both agree that Wanda is a work of undeniable importance and a testament to Loden's talent as a filmmaker. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Film Sundries
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| Before Sunset • The Next Reel | 27 Oct 2022 | 01:01:01 | |
“Why didn’t we just exchange phone numbers and stuff?” Jesse and Céline are a bit more grown up in Before Sunset.
Turns out, the film works better for us than the first film (and Andy loved the first film!). There’s a sense of growth to Jesse and Céline that feels authentic. They’ve experienced life, made hard choices, fallen in and out of love, and find themselves in this point where they meet again. It works for us.
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| Before Sunrise • The Next Reel | 20 Oct 2022 | 01:04:28 | |
“If there’s any kind of magic in this world, it must be in the attempt of understanding someone, sharing something.” There’s often been a sense of the arthouse style of storytelling with Richard Linklater’s films. Even after big Hollywood success, he still returns to his roots. Early in his explorations of minimalist, conversational storytelling, he decided to write a semi-autobiographical story of two people meeting in Europe and talking for 12 or so hours, building a connection, until they have to part with the possibility of never seeing each other again. With co-writer Kim Krizan, along with uncredited help from his stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, he brought Before Sunrise to life. But is this another great My Dinner With André? Or is this too mired in Gen-X sensibilities that keep us from connecting with the characters? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our exploration of Linklater’s Before Trilogy with his 1995 film Before Sunrise.
How does Linkater work for us? Do we connect with his more artsy, indie films or prefer his studio films like School of Rock? Perhaps the bigger question is how much can we – former Gen-Xers – connect with these characters through today’s eyes? Do we feel like we’ve grown past this sort of conversational, stream-of-consciousness exploration they do or does it work for us?
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| Pitch Perfect 3 • The Next Reel | 13 Oct 2022 | 01:26:31 | |
“You’ve been a very naughty girl, Turnip-Top!” The Bellas Are Back, But Should They Have Stayed Away? Making a sequel that’s more successful than its predecessor often means the studio wants to keep the ball rolling to make even more money – even when a third film isn’t needed. With the massive success of Pitch Perfect 2, they jumped at the chance to get #3 off the ground. Does it wrap things up as a trilogy? Yes. Does it do something new and level up from the previous films? To a certain extent. But does it feel necessary to us? Not really. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we conclude our conversation in our Pitch Perfect trilogy with Trish Sie’s 2017 film Pitch Perfect 3. Here’s a hint at what we talk about. It’s clear this movie – and the franchise, really – is not for us. That’s strange, because the first film certainly made it feel like it was. But it’s clear with each passing film that Executive Producer Elizabeth Banks preferred the goofy comedy direction for the franchise instead of the great a cappella focus. It’s frustrating, because the actors making up the Bellas clearly can sing, but the story doesn’t seem to want to be about that. It wants to be about wacky character turned up to 12. So while we can appreciate the singing and the performances in this film, it’s hard to get past the story that just feels so written. Even with a new director – Trish Sie – at the helm, the film doesn’t work for us. What’s funny is that, unlike the last film, this one feels like they were working harder to amp up the story and give it some new shifts that would level up the story from what we had previously. The second film didn’t do that, so that counts as a win here. Unfortunately, that ‘something new’ they’ve included is Fat Amy’s dad and their backstory, which just doesn’t work. But hey – the movie works for some people, and it still allows for a great conversation. So tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
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| Pitch Perfect 2 • The Next Reel | 06 Oct 2022 | 01:24:04 | |
“You are such a dis-a-ca-ppointment.” We’re back to talk a cappella! That’s right, we return to Barden University to rejoin the Barden Bellas as they struggle to find their new sound, deal with being shut out of the ICCAs, and decide to compete at the World Finals. Producer Elizabeth Banks takes on the director’s role here with Kay Cannon back as the writer, so why does it feel so... rehashed? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Pitch Perfect series with Banks’ 2015 film Pitch Perfect 2. We have a lot of issues with this film – but still a lot of love for its a cappella performances In the world of sequels, this film doesn’t do much to make it feel necessary. It’s largely a repeat of the first film. We talk about that and some of our struggles with their lack of imagination in where they take the story. They also seemed to have decided to crank everything that worked more or less in the last film to 11 in this film. We find that largely leaves most of it feeling very over-written. Plus, they take the racial comedy to levels that just feels inappropriate. We struggle quite a bit with what all of that does to characters and the overall journey Beca and the Bellas go on. But it’s still about a cappella, so there’s a lot to love. We just wish the songs were as memorable here as they were in the first film. It’s a rough ride after the first film. If you enjoy it really depends on how much you enjoy the a cappella performances. We’re a bit split there, but it still allows for a great conversation. Check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
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| Pitch Perfect • The Next Reel | 29 Sep 2022 | 01:33:50 | |
“Nothing makes a woman feel more like a girl than a man who sings like a boy.”
With Pete’s history in collegiate a cappella, it’s a surprise that it took us this long to get to the Pitch Perfect trilogy, but we’re finally here. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our new series with a discussion about Jason Moore’s 2012 film Pitch Perfect.
With Pete’s background in this arena, we have a lot to talk about here. We start by going into Pete’s history in the world of a cappella groups and ICCA competitions. We also talk about silly names of a cappella groups and the mashup style of performance. From there, we talk about this movie and how it gets so much right. The college life. The first few weeks of school with all the tables at the student center. The way students behave. Everything feels authentic.
It’s a fun film that’s easy to love, and a great start to this series. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.
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| Back to the Future Part III • The Next Reel | 22 Sep 2022 | 01:25:40 | |
"Shot in the back by Buford Tannen, over a matter of eighty dollars? What kind of a future do you call that?”
Back-to-back film production doesn’t occur often because it could potentially prove costly for the production company. With the success of Back to the Future, however, Universal saw it had an audience and likely could earn back the budget if they shot the second and third films back to back. So even though largely the two films are in completely different areas (and times) with widely different casts, Robert Zemeckis and his team set out to make both films in 1989. Back to the Future Part II released in 1989 as he was finishing up post on the third installment, which he finished to release six months later, and Universal more than made their money back. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Back to the Future series with a look at Zemeckis’ 1990 film Back to the Future Part III.
Largely, we both enjoyed this one much more than the second film but not as much as the first. If there’s one thing that makes itself quite apparent, it’s Zemeckis’ and his co-writer Bob Gale’s struggle with time travel logic and exposition across the second and third films. This one largely stays in the same setting through the bulk of the film, so at least it’s not bouncing across five distinct settings like the second film was, and this film focuses on the love story between Doc Brown and Clara, the new school teacher. We love that part of the film.
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| Back to the Future Part II • The Next Reel | 15 Sep 2022 | 01:20:36 | |
“What’s wrong, McFly? Chicken?” Joining Marty and Doc Again in Back to the Future Part II The sequels weren’t part of the plan when Robert Zemeckis and team made the first Back to the Future film. With its success, however, it was inevitable for Universal to want to return to the property and build a franchise. so Zemeckis and his co-writer/co-producer Bob Gale decided to make not just one sequel but two and film them back to back. Hence, this trilogy. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our look at the Back to the Future trilogy with the 1989 film Back to the Future Part II.
Right out of the gate, things feel different. They had to re-create the end of the first film with Elisabeth Shue playing Jennifer because Claudia Wells had to drop out. But why does the whole thing feel off? Like... more staged, perhaps? Crispin Glover also didn’t return, and that’s a BIG story. Aside from casting issues, we talk about the script and the ambitions to cover four distinctly different periods in the film. Some of that led to things that worked. Some didn’t. We like the stuff that worked. The interesting use of the motion control camera technology to put the same actors fluidly into the same shot with themselves. And the complex story is fairly interesting. But we do have to deal with the over-the-top cartoonish characters, particularly in the future. And the whole ‘chicken’ thing. Not to mention the horrible way Jennifer’s treated. And the way time travel kinda breaks in the film. There are plenty of issues, the biggest of which may be that it all just feels written. But still, it’s a fun watch. So why do we like it still? We have a wide-ranging conversation and it’s a great film to discuss so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!
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| Back to the Future • The Next Reel | 08 Sep 2022 | 01:27:03 | |
"Last night, Darth Vader came down from planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn't take Lorraine out, that he'd melt my brain." We Go Back to BACK TO THE FUTURE From the time we first saw this film, it’s safe to say that it’s been one of our favorites. It was popular at the time and has become a cornerstone in cinematic time traveling movies. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson - as we kick off our Back to the Future trilogy series with Robert Zemeckis’ 1985 classic Back to the Future.
The ground has been covered with talk about Zemeckis’ fantastic film Back to the Future, but there’s still plenty to discuss with the film. Where does it stand in the realm of time travel movies? Do we buy into the setup with the DeLorean time travel machine? How about the world building? What does the opening of the film say about the characters, the world, and how Zemeckis constructs a film?
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| Paddington 2 • The Next Reel | 01 Sep 2022 | 01:29:10 | |
“Nobody criticizes my food, nobody squirts condiments on my apron, and nobody bonks me on the head with a baguette!” Let’s talk about Paddington 2! Paddington 2 had become the best-reviewed film on Rotten Tomatoes, unseating Citizen Kane, until a lone critic lobbed a negative review at it, bringing it down a peg. But what does that say about this film? Is it really one of the greatest films ever made? Or does it speak more to Paddington’s ability to find the best in people and bring the best out of them – including film critics? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Paddington series with Paul King’s follow-up to his 2014 film with 2017’s Paddington 2. Is there anything wrong with Paddington 2? You’ll be hard-pressed to find us seeing anything wrong with this film. Even the juvenile humor involving Paddington using electric toothbrushes to clean his ears, nose, and teeth – in that order – doesn’t affect us negatively. The story’s so sweet and the character of Paddington really does work his magic on us. He’s a pure delight. That’s as much a tribute to writer/director King as it is to the CG artists behind his creation as it is to Ben Wishaw’s spot-on voice performance. The rest of the cast is stellar as well, though it’s hard to ignore the pure brilliance of Hugh Grant as the villainous Phoenix Buchanan. He clearly relishes the role and delivers a brilliant and unforgettable performance. So tune in as we break this film down and celebrate this adorable little bear from Peru. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
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| Paddington • The Next Reel | 25 Aug 2022 | 01:20:04 | |
It’s so easy to love Paddington
We don’t think so, but there is quite a bit of talk about the origins of this character and how they adapted him from the books. And of course, there’s the challenge of making him look realistic in a live action film, not to mention casting absolutely the right person for the voice performance. In all cases, they succeeded.
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| The Honeymoon Killers • The Next Reel | 15 Aug 2024 | 00:49:49 | |
“Now that you know everything about me, you still love me?” The Honeymoon Killers, released in 1970, is a crime drama based on the real-life story of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck, the infamous "Lonely Hearts Killers" who murdered as many as 20 women in the 1940s. The film was originally set to be directed by a young Martin Scorsese, but after a start too slow for the budget, the project was handed over to the producer’s friend and roommate Leonard Kastle, a composer and opera director with no prior filmmaking experience. Kastle had written the screenplay and so was asked to also direct the film, which would be his only foray into the world of cinema. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the One-and-Done series with a conversation about The Honeymoon Killers. Discussion Points
A Singular Vision Worth Rediscovering Despite its grim subject matter and challenging characters, The Honeymoon Killers remains a fascinating and singular work of cinema, one that showcases Leonard Kastle's unique vision, the fearless performances of its lead actors, and Oliver Wood's evocative cinematography. It's a shame that Kastle never directed another film, as his debut suggests a talent for crafting complex, emotionally charged stories that push the boundaries of conventional Hollywood storytelling. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Film Sundries
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| Return of the Jedi • The Next Reel | 18 Aug 2022 | 01:41:01 | |
We return to Return of the Jedi Three years after the success of The Empire Strikes Back, George Lucas made his conclusion to his original Star Wars trilogy – helmed by director Richard Marquand – Return of the Jedi. How does it work as the wrap-up to this trilogy? What do we think of Luke’s cool new black duds? How about Han’s somewhat neutered character? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Original Star Wars Trilogy series with Marquand’s 1983 film Return of the Jedi.
We grew up with the film and this franchise, so we’re very close to it, but it’s hard not to see how effective they were with the storytelling, even if it’s not quite at the level of the previous two films. But the effects? They’re amazing. We get all sorts of new characters, new ships, new worlds, and an epic conclusion.
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| The Empire Strikes Back • The Next Reel | 11 Aug 2022 | 01:25:15 | |
Does The Empire Strikes Back Suffer From Middle-Film-Itis?
Obviously, we love Empire so we don’t think it has those issues, but there are contingents of people out there who don’t find it as strong as the original. Still, George Lucas and director Irvin Kershner created a spectacular film that’s a thrill from start to finish.
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| A Woman Under the Influence — Tami Reiker • Movies We Like | 09 Aug 2022 | 00:54:58 | |
“You think there’s something wrong with me or something? You think I’m wacko or something?” Talking About John Cassavetes’ 1974 film ‘A Woman Under the Influence with our guest Tami Reiker In this episode of The Speakeasy, we’re joined by award-winning cinematographer Tami Reiker to talk about one of her favorite movies, John Cassavetes’ 1974 film A Woman Under the Influence. This is a film Tami has often shown to directors she’s worked with as they discuss the projects that influence them and what they want to pull from it to bring in as influences on the project. It’s a powerful film that’s full of incredible moments brought by both leads – Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk – not to mention fascinating direction by Cassavetes himself. How has it influenced Tami over her career and what does she pull from it? Tami’s Current Project Surface on Apple TV+ We also talk about the new series she’s worked on with director Sam Miller and star Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Surface. For the episodes she worked on, Tami and Miller wanted to use swing shift lenses to amplify the disconnection Mbatha-Raw’s character has from the world due to post-accident amnesia. It’s a powerful tool and connects directly with their authorial voice. There’s a lot to talk about with Tami about both A Woman Under the Influence and Surface on The Speakeasy. Tune in! Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! About Tami Award-winning cinematographer Tami Reiker, ASC, made history by becoming the first woman to win an American Society of Cinematographers award. She took home the ASC Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography Award for her work on the HBO pilot, Carnivalé. Reiker recently worked on the highly anticipated new Apple TV+ series Surface starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and created by Veronica West, bringing together innovative technology and breathtaking visuals for the first two episodes of the psychological thriller, each with director Sam Miller. She also lensed Regina King’s directorial debut One Night In Miami, chronicling a fictional account of a real night when the lives of Cassius Clay, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown and Malcolm X are forever changed. The drama already made history at the 2020 Venice Film Festival as the first film directed by a Black woman to be selected and is also an official selection at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival. Previously, Reiker photographed the action epic The Old Guard for Netflix and frequent collaborator director Gina Prince-Bythewood. Based on the graphic novel series of the same name, the film follows a group of immortal soldiers who must defeat a corrupt man trying to expose their secret. The feature shattered records after its release, becoming one of the top ten most streamed films in Netflix’s history, with Prince-Bythewood becoming the first Black female director to land a spot on the list. Reiker’s additional feature credits include: Beyond the Lights for Gina Prince-Bythewood, starring Minnie Driver, Danny Glover and Gugu Mbatha-Raw; the critically praised Pieces of April for director Peter Hedges; and High Art, a visual collaboration with director Lisa Cholodenko, which earned Reiker a Best Cinematography nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards. For television, Reiker lensed: episode one of Woman of The Movement, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood; HBO Max’s Delilah pilot for director James Griffiths; Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger pilot; CBS’s Charmed pilot, with director Brad Silberling; the pilot for Fox’s Shots Fired, the critically praised ten-part series chronicling the investigation of a police shooting; and HBO’s Getting On pilot for director Miguel Arteta. After beginning her career and making a name for herself in the New York film community, Reiker moved to Los Angeles where she still lives now, with her son. She is represented worldwide by DDA. Film Sundries Learn more about supporting The Speakeasy and TruStory FM’s other entertainment podcasts through your own membership.
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