The Film Board: Recent Episodes
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The Film Board Gathers! Each month, host Justin Jaeger leads an in-depth panel discussion on a film just released in theaters and spoil it rotten.
Part of The Next Reel family of film podcasts.
The Film Board Gathers! The gang is here to take on a movie currently in theaters and this month we have a movie with no beginning and no ending… but does it have any stakes, as the Internet wonders? Or is there actually some meat on those bones… We’re setting sail on the Last Voyage of the Demeter.
Tommy Metz III, Justin Jaeger, and Pete Wright set sail this week to discuss the long journey the Demeter has taken to see the big screen. We’re fans of André Øvredal and so many in the cast, so we’re a bit rocked to say that the film might not live up to the sum of it’s fantastic parts.
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- Script
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Flickchart
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(00:00) - Members: Pre-Show
- (04:39) - The Film Board Gathers • The Last Voyage of the Demeter
- (07:18) - Initial Thoughts
- (13:32) - The Story So Far...
- (14:42) - Less than the Sum of its Parts
- (20:44) - Ship Stuffs
- (25:00) - Dracula
- (38:54) - Death of child, death of dog
- (43:28) - A little bit of development history
- (49:28) - What comes next?
- (51:43) - Housekeeping!
- (53:26) - Letterboxd
- (57:36) - Members: Post Show
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The Film Board Gathers! The gang of thugs is here to take on a movie currently in theaters and this month… let’s call it counter programming. The crew is going to try and prove that we, too, are Kenough as we talk about Greta Gerwig’s MUCH pinker sequel to Little Women: It’s Barbie.
It’s a film dense with jokes and ideology, and of course the baggage of opening Oppenheimer-adjacent. It’s certainly the biggest thing on big screens right now and we take it as our solemn duty to determine if it plays for the middle-aged guy crowd. If those guys are like Steve Sarmento, Justin Jaeger, Tommy Metz and Pete Wright, they’re in pretty good hands.
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Film Sundries
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(00:00) - The Film Board Gathers • Barbie
- (03:56) - Initial Thoughts
- (07:10) - Ideology
- (13:05) - Architecture
- (15:48) - The Barbies
- (19:48) - *Politics
- (24:54) - Lizzo, music, comedy
- (26:34) - Voice Over
- (33:10) - Ken
- (40:30) - "Allen"
- (43:27) - Big Weekend
- (45:56) - Visuals
- (50:08) - Housekeeping!
- (50:38) - Letterboxd
- (57:09) - Coming Attractions
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The Film Board Gathers! The gang of thugs is here to take on a movie currently in theaters and this month, we’re swinging into the unknown with Miles and Gwen in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. This month, Steve, Justin, Tommy, and Pete relish in the follow-up to the 2018 film that rocked us all. This film levels up almost everything we loved about the first in art, style, character, and straight-up panache. Spoiler: We liked it quite a bit.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
- Theatrical trailer
- Poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
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Letterboxd
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(00:00) - Welcome to The Film Board • Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- (10:36) - The Spider-Story
- (13:48) - Art
- (18:29) - Universes
- (23:14) - The Spot
- (26:11) - JayJay's Miguel Problem
- (31:54) - Canon Events
- (39:15) - Lord Miller
- (44:36) - Voice Performances & Adapted Characters
- (49:46) - Dad Stuff
- (52:32) - Letterboxd.com • https://thenextreel.com/letterboxd
- (56:32) - Coming Attractions: Barbie
- (57:30) - Support the Film Board! Become a Member!
Visit the WGA's site to learn more and find out how you can support the writers of your favorite properties.
We’ve only talked about one other Fast Saga film here at The FIlm Board and given our experience with Fast X, we’re starting to figure out why. But whether the film is good or bad isn’t really the question. The question is why? It’s big, bombastic, and bonkers-expensive, reportedly coming in at over $340 million and the 8th most expensive production ever. Numbers change, dollars move, but according to this, family is all that really matters. Family, and ridiculous amounts of money. Money is family. Family is money. And also cars.
That last paragraph was a free-writing exercise by an AI version of your fair editor, and yet we present it unaltered because it represents our experience with the film as faithfully as any conversation ever could.
It’s true. We weren’t crazy about the movie. But Justin JJ Jaeger, Tommy Metz III, Steve Sarmento, and Pete Wright had a blast talking about it and hope you have as much fun joining us.
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(00:00) - The Film Board Gathers! • FAST X
- (01:44) - Setting the Table for all X movies
- (06:34) - Making the Practical Impractical
- (15:07) - Family and Stakes
- (21:50) - Life in the Uncanny Valley
- (25:48) - Stretcher Fights
- (27:28) - Egos: Check
- (30:20) - But wait, there's a little joy to be found
- (32:09) - Major Setpieces
- (01:01:15) - Letterboxd • thenextreel.com/letterboxd to upgrade for 20% off!
- (01:04:54) - Coming Attractions: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
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The Film Board Gathers! The gang of thugs is here to take on a movie currently in theaters, and this month we’re following Joaquin Phoenix on a journey of sexual awakening and the longest punchline to every Your Mom joke ever made: Beau Is Afraid, with your hosts Tommy Metz III, Justin Jaeger, and Pete Wright.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
- Theatrical trailer
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Letterboxd
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(00:00) - Welcome to The Film Board • Beau is Afraid
- (05:03) - BEAU • 2011
- (19:25) - The Stages of Grief
- (23:13) - Looking for a Key
- (25:30) - The Animated Sequence
- (30:18) - But... what if it's funny?
- (31:54) - Performances
- (52:22) - Loose Ends
- (54:14) - Letterboxd • https://thenextreel.com/letterboxd
- (57:50) - Coming Attractions: Fast X
Visit the WGA's site to learn more and find out how you can support the writers of your favorite properties.
The Film Board Gathers! The gang of thugs is here to take on a movie currently in theaters and this month, we’re headed to the big, bad city where everyone is dressed in robes... and masks age like fine marble. It’s Scream VI, where Ghostface follows the waterfront all the way to New York City. There’s never been one like this… or has there? It’s franchise rules with Justin Jaeger, Steve Sarmento, Tommy Metz III, and Pete Wright.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
- Theatrical trailer
- Poster artwork
- Scream Franchise
- Flickchart
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Letterboxd
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(00:00) - Welcome to The Film Board • Scream VI
- (03:14) - Opening Thoughts & Scream Values
- (17:34) - The Spark On Screen
- (20:07) - Horror in Public
- (22:28) - The Cold Open
- (27:22) - The Second Half: Greatest Hits
- (31:24) - Brutality
- (35:11) - Franchise Rules
- (39:53) - We Need to Talk about Kirby
- (41:43) - New York, Subways, Halloween
- (44:38) - Ghostface Logistics
- (47:14) - Favorite Stabs
- (50:57) - Favorite Performances
- (52:32) - Roger Jackson, the voice of Ghostface
- (54:04) - Letterboxd has Arrived
- (59:36) - Coming Attractions: Beau is Afraid
Visit the WGA's site to learn more and find out how you can support the writers of your favorite properties.
The Film Board Gathers! The gang of thugs is here to take on a movie currently in theaters and spoil it rotten, and this month we’re taking the stage with the Tatum behind his third run as his spiritual alter-ego Mike Lane in Steven Soderbergh’s latest return from retirement, Magic Mike’s Last Dance.
How does Taterbergh handle round three now that we've reached such a departure from Channing's real-life experience? Does this film maintian the charm of the last two and move Mike's story forward? Where did all that water go from the stripper ballerina bit? Seriously, right? It's just gone.
The gang is split on the last dance, and we're eager to hear what you have to say! Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!
Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
- Theatrical trailer
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- Original Material
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Letterboxd
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(00:00) - Welcome to The Film Board • Magic Mike's Last Dance
- (03:08) - A quick review of the Magics Mike
- (12:23) - Is Last Dance a Magic Mike Movie?
- (18:38) - Steve saw things we didn't see
- (21:13) - Backgrounder and major dance set pieces
- (26:19) - Pete rants about voice overs and titles in movies
- (27:17) - Dissecting the role of the butler
- (31:19) - Script
- (37:55) - JayJay rants about Titanic
- (40:41) - Did they need to go to London?
- (43:51) - So, where was the stripping then?
- (50:33) - Camera
- (52:17) - The Cat Intermission
- (58:25) - Letterboxd https://thenextreel.com/letterboxd
- (01:04:36) - Coming Attractions: Scream VI
Visit the WGA's site to learn more and find out how you can support the writers of your favorite properties.
The Film Board Gathers! This month it's all about everybody's favorite murderbot who just can stop with the hand-washing: M3GAN! Just what is it that attracts (most) of us to this James Wan-Blumhouse mash-up of mechanical malignancy? Is it the incredible performance of humans behind the machine? Is it Allison Williams playing less racist, but still pretty oblivious? Or is it the reclamation of scares from horror-satire and rejiggering them for jumps today?
Pete Wright hosts Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Justin Jaeger, and Tommy Metz III for a rousing conversation with a number of threads left unresolved — just like this script!
Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
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(00:00) - Welcome to The Film Board • M3GAN
- (03:30) - M3GAN in the Theater
- (09:12) - The Script, Tech, and TikTok
- (17:43) - The Doll
- (23:22) - The Bully
- (29:00) - The Troubled Protagonist
- (36:36) - Cady and her precious screentime
- (47:56) - Direction
- (50:00) - The Scares
- (53:32) - Making the Doll Scary
- (56:57) - Final Thoughts
- (01:01:36) - Letterboxd
- (01:08:54) - We're bad at plugs
Ocean Murff and Krissy Lenz have been to infinity and beyond in Pixar’s latest in the Toy Story Cinematic Multiverse, “Lightyear.”
Chris Evans dons the dome as our titular space ranger. How well does his take on non-toy-Tim-Taylor fit as a parallel-prequel to the beloved Toy Story films? The film has hit the box office with mixed reception in spite of it’s pedigree and voice cast, including Keke Palmer, Peter Sohn, James Brolin, Bill Hader, and Taika Waititi.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
- Theatrical trailer
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- Original Material
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
Ocean Murff, Pete Wright, and Krissy Lenz strap in and fly the canyon run to attack the station — station which is now fully-operational — in Top Gun: Maverick. So let’s get ready to bull’s eye some womp rats with the new crew of bests of the best!
The gang is all here! Mav, his romantic flirty foil, several cantankerous military authority figures to disrespect, a constant friend on the tarmac, a dozen better-than-you pilots, and the notorious black-clad fifth gen enemy! What do we love? And do we love it all enough to sit through it while we’re just waiting to get back into the air? We’ll just have to see if this relic of an aviator find it’s time to hang up his Aviators.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: Pre-order
- Theatrical trailer
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Doctor Strange gets all magicky with Wanda in this multiversal leveling up to the MCU. There’s a lot going on here, and Ocean Murff, Krissy Lenz, and Tommy Metz III do their best to unravel the timey-wimey spaghetti of this Raimi entry to the universe.
Speaking of Raimi, just how Raimi is it? Too much? Too little? Hands tied by fancy MCU Earch 838 handcuffs? Maybe, but he still got a zombie in here, and Bruce Campbell, and don’t forget all the jokes! So many jokes.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
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The team had twenty extra months to muscle Morbius into full release shape thanks to pandemic delays. What did they do with all that time? Well, judging by what we just witnessed, they cut it. A lot. The question that remains: is what’s left much of a movie?
Welcome to the Sony Spider-Man Universe! We’re setting sail on the Sinister Sea with Dr. Morbius and friends. Ocean Murff is at the con with Krissy Lenz and Pete Wright as they embark on a journey of discovery in this new, wild world of (Sony) Marvel Horror Rogues.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
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Fans of Nolan’s Bat-entries will probably understand our reticence walking into Matt Reeves's latest film, “The Batman.” Christian Bale already did a turn as a Darker Knight, right? Why on earth would we need another one? Another universe, another actor, another take on principle villains?
And so it is that Ocean Murff, Pete Wright, and Tommy Metz III walked into the 3-hour epic, hopeful, cynical, nervous, and maybe a little judgmental. Let us start with this: “The Batman” is more than we expected. For good or ill, it is more. For the rest, you have to listen in.
We talk about Robert Pattinson, naturally, and Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, and Colin Farrel. Oh, and did we mention John Turturo? Yeah, he was in there, too. We have thoughts on latex, rain, scary cars, and the Riddler/Batman rift as it relates to the classic Joker/Batman duo.
This is a big movie, worth the big screen and big runtime. Will it be worth big stars and big hearts? Join us!
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
- Theatrical trailer
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- Batman: The Court of Owls
- Batman: Year One
- Batman: The Long Halloween
- Batman: The Complete Hush
- Flickchart
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A bombastic treasure hunt with Spider-Man and Marky Mark? Sure! We’ll watch that!
The Naughty Dog game that started it all, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune released in 2007, was the first in a four-part smash Playstation franchise that has spawned a number of spin-offs and legitimately fun fan creations. Judging by the length of the new PlayStation Studios logo reel in front of this movie, we can likely expect Drake to kick off more big-budget interpretations of the gamer’s titles. So how does Uncharted do in laying out the path for others to follow?
It’s a mixed bag held perilously by Tom Holland who’s performance here is fun as prequel-aged Nathan Drake. From there, it’s mostly downhill, likely forgettable… but a good time, too? Ocean Murff leads Justin Jaeger and Pete Wright in our take on this big budget adaptation of the video game.
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- Uncharted Franchise • Wikipedia
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One week in the world of Lucy and Desi leading to a live taping of “I Love Lucy” in 1953, “Being the Ricardos” covers their rocky relationship as husband and wife, the accusations of Ball’s participation in the communist party, all wrapped up with a bow that leads to a commitment to have a baby on national television. All in a week’s work, sure.
But it comes with baggage. From casting to family to J. Edgar Hoover, Sorkin weaves fact and fantasy in ‘Ricardos’ and, because it’s Sorkin, we should see that coming. Pete and JJ aren’t ‘Lucy’ fans, but find the movie a satisfying story about more than the woman, than the comedienne, than the family or the show. This is a movie about all those things, and is greater than the sum of those parts.
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- Watch this film: Amazon Prime
- Screenplay PDF
- Theatrical trailer
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It’s time to Scream again!
Ocean Murff is joined by our very own Tommy Metz III to discuss the fifth film in the Scream franchise, Scream. But why isn’t it called Scream 5? Is that part of the meta-nature of the film? What do Tommy and Ocean think about the return of Dewey, Gale, and Sidney in their inevitable return? What about that first kill, something that’s been such a key part of the franchise? Or the final reveal of the actual killer? Or killers? This is the Scream franchise after all.
The killings are more violent. The meta jokes are constant. Does it all work? Tune in to this Film Board episode to hear Ocean’s and Tommy’s fun and funny conversation about Matt Bettinelli-Olpin’s and Tyler Gillett’s entry into Wes Craven’s franchise that broke the mold, Scream.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
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They stuffed a lot of movie into two and a half hours with Spider-Man: No Way Home. Villans and Spiders-Men from multiple movies across the franchise hit the screen and while most of the rumors predicted such, there’s little room to deny that what the team pulled off here is truly epic.
So, it’s the movie we got. But is it the movie we wanted? Is it the story we needed? To hash it all out this week, Ocean Murff is joined by Marvel Movie Minute hosts of present and past: Matthew Fox, Kyle Olson, and Rob Kubasko. All, unabashed comic book fans, pull apart the action, the logic, and even the ethics of this web-slinging wonder.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch this film: JustWatch • Apple TV • Amazon
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Eternals introduces us to a whole new era in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. New heroes, new villains, new locations and technologies. It’s hard to say the company faces any true risks anymore given their Celestial girth in the entertainment space, but this is a big movie with a lot of moving parts helmed by a director demonstrably adept at intimacy. How well does Chloé Zhao translate her brand of storytelling to the big budget, big hero screen?
Ocean Murff is joined by Pete Wright and Justin Jaeger to take a closer look at the film.
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We’re off-world this week as we head into Denis Villeneuve’s Dune with Ocean Murff, Matthew Fox, Steve Sarmento, and Pete Wright.
This is a property with some baggage and we come carrying a lot of it. Loved the book? Loved the Lynch film? Loved the SyFy remake? We’re a mixed back on the show this week and one of us hasn’t seen a single dune-y thing until this very film.
This, of course, gives us the opportunity to talk about how well the movie sets up the universe of Dune without the knowledge of the story and where our hero ultimately goes in the sequel. How well does the political intrigue land? Where is Zendaya in this thing? Why is there a guy named Duncan Idaho in the year 10000?
It’s a complicated story and we set out to explore how well this version communicates its themes in our search for Chani and the worm riders.
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
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- Dune by Frank Herbert
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James Bond is a brand. That’s Ocean’s opening salvo in this week’s discussion on the twenty-fifth Bond outing. And with brand status comes responsibility. How has Daniel Craig’s outing as Bond changed the franchise, and has it changed forever?
This is an emotional movie for our hosts but not the emotion that you might expect.
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People say they grow tired of superhero origin stories, but when Marvel delivers a knockout like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, they change their mind. Perhaps that’s because the story Marvel delivers here, under the direction of Destin Daniel Cretton, allows for the story to take precedence, regardless of the fact that it’s the twenty-fifth film in the MCU franchise. It doesn’t feel like they’re trying to find a way to shoehorn it in. It’s its own story, and is one about family first.
Ocean Murff, now at the head of the table, convenes The Film Board to discuss Cretton’s film. Joined by Justin Jaeger, the Board’s conversation covers the story, the performances, the camerawork, the effects, and how the film is proof that Kevin Feige and the team at Marvel have a strong plan with how they continue forward.
Shang-Chi: A Wuxia Film With Family at Its Core
Ocean and JJ talk about the family theme at the center of this story and how that feels like such a strong way for us to meet Shang-Chi. The flashback structure gives us a chance to meet Wenwu and see his lust for glory, but also to see him give it all up for the love of Li. This romance ends up being the heart of the film, and we find a lot to unpack here.
We also have side characters like Katy and Xialing. How do they work? Were they in the comics and how have they changed? Clearly, they’re here for the long haul. And they both end up providing some great elements to various fight sequences.
Speaking of Fight Sequences: Shang-Chi Shines Here
Cinematographer Bill Pope working with Cretton helped craft some beautiful and innovative fight scenes well worth watching and discussing. JJ even compares them to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The bus scene is great, but how about the gliding camera when Wenwu and Li first meet and battle? The CG dragon/super soulsucker fight may be a bit, well, CG, but it still looks amazing.
And then there’s Simu Liu. He deserves more roles because we want to see him in everything. And just like the importance of Black Panther providing a black superhero for African American audiences to identify with, Liu excels in the title role of Shang-Chi, giving him incredible conflict over his past and future decisions and creating a complex and powerful character for Asian audiences to connect with. But really, let’s be honest – everyone will be able to connect to this character and to Liu. He helped push this film into the upper echelon of our MCU favorites. It’s that good.
So join us at the big table this month on The Film Board. It’s a great chat about Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Let us know what you thought!
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- Theatrical trailer
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The Film Board finds itself in the Red Room as we discuss Cate Shortland’s new entry into the MCU, Black Widow. It’s a full house on this episode as Andy Nelson is joined by Kyle Olson from Marvel Movie Minute, Matthew Fox from the Superhero Ethics podcast, Craig Price from Matinee Heroes, as well as CJ Lindsey and Jordan Petersen. The conversation ranges all over the place. How popular was blue hair in the 90s? How great is our family of Natasha, Yelena, Alexei and Melina as played by Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz? What do we think about how Marvel dealt with the darkness of the Red Room and Natasha Romanov’s backstory, not to mention the opening credits depicting essentially an abduction trade of young girls? What did we think of the changes from the comics with Taskmaster and the Red Room? How great is Ray Winstone as the villain, even when his accent’s a bit off? What do we think of the red dust solution? And with F9 having just opened, what’s with all these storylines right now that are all about family?
It’s a fun film to talk about and a worthy entry into the MCU, even if delayed due to COVID (not to mention feeling long overdue). Join us in the board room on this episode as we have a great, spoiler-filled conversation!
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- Watch this film: JustWatch
- Original theatrical trailer
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Justin Lin is back in the driver’s seat for the latest in the Fast Saga, F9. Despite people’s excitement to have him returning to the helm, the film’s had mixed reviews. For this episode of The Film Board Podcast, Andy’s joined by Next Reel regular Ocean Murff, a big fan of the franchise, to talk about the film and its place in the saga. Are the reviews mixed here as well? How do we feel about the action sequences? And are we getting sick yet of the constant mention of family? You’ll just have to tune in to find out!
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Fatherhood is a fairly loose adaptation from Matthew Logelin’s memoir, but unfortunately it feels loose in all the wrong ways. It seems like there’s an interesting story there, but it never clicks. Andy Nelson is joined in the board room for this episode by Ocean Murff and Steve Sarmento to celebrate Father’s Day with this latest Netflix release, but they’re all left scratching their heads in frustration with this film. Kevin Hart and DeWanda Wise make a great couple but they’d much rather see them in a different romantic comedy. The rest of the performers deliver strong performances too, but unfortunately it’s in a film that just doesn’t warrant it. So is there anything to like here? Bits and pieces. Bits and pieces.
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Film Sundries
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Is the magic in the new film In the Heights from Jon M. Chu’s direction or from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s original Broadway show? We definitely think it’s Chu working wonders here to bring this show to vibrant life. Andy Nelson is joined in The Film Board this week by Mandy Kaplan and Justin Jaeger along with special guest Brian Rowe from the Film at Fifty Podcast to form our own artistic opinions of this film. The story doesn’t wow any of us as much as we were hoping, but Chu creates a film that just oozes personality. He also casts the film with people that feel authentic and we love them all – Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, Corey Hawkins, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Olga Merediz, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits. That’s right, Jimmy Smits holds his own here with the singing and dancing! This is definitely one we recommend seeing on the big screen because Christopher Scott’s choreography, the production design, and the rest of Chu’s team made something epic. We have a lively conversation about it, so check out the movie and join us!
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Ed and Lorraine Warren have their ghost-fighting hats back on in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, the third film in the Conjuring films and eighth in The Conjuring Universe. Andy Nelson’s here to discuss it with Pete Wright, Tommy Metz III, and guest Justin Harlan from Cinapse and The Farsighted. Does this entry fit well into the franchise? Why did James Wan not direct it but turn it over to Michael Chaves instead? And what do we think of that decision? How do we feel about them taking the story out of a haunted house to focus on a possessed person instead? What about the integration of CG effects with the practical effects? And is our villain the creep we needed? Tune in to join the conversation!
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The Film Board convenes! We’re back on the Zack Snyder train with the first entry in what promises to be a big, nasty, zombie universe in the Netflix film “Army of the Dead.” Board the container with Pete Wright, Jordan Petersen, and Ocean Murff and let’s go to Vegas.
Coming on the heels of Snyder’s re-take on ‘Justice League,’ and with his zombie credibility on lock thanks to his ‘Dawn of the Dead’ pedigree, it’s fair to say we came into this film with high hopes. It’s a blockbuster, to be sure, and every single one of those sweet, sweet Netflix dollars is up on screen in running, crouching, shambling zombies. How well does the team create the world of Dead Vegas? What do we think of Snyder’s eye behind the camera? How much do we want to wear one of those fancy motion capture suits? So, so much.
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Guy Ritchie steps out of his usual type of filmmaking and focuses on a gritty, dark crime story with his new film Wrath of Man. Sure, it’s got a lot of his usual traits and it has Jason Statham, returning to work with him after 16 years, but does this style work for him? Andy’s joined by Charlie Juhl and Hannah Buchdahl from The Cinema Clash Podcast as well as Jordan Petersen to talk through what works and what doesn’t with this new action thriller currently in theatres. It’s big and action-packed, but is it any good? Check out the movie then tune in!
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An animated film about one family trying to stop a robot invasion from taking over the world doesn’t seem like the sort of movie that’s going to elicit tears, but that’s what The Mitchells vs the Machines did here. In this episode, Andy Nelson is joined in the board room by Mandy Kaplan from the Mandemic Mondays podcast, Pete Wright from The Next Reel Film Podcast, and Steve Sarmento from Trailer Rewind to talk about Michael Rianda’s new animated film produced by Lord & Miller. Needless to say, we all loved it. But what do we pull out of the themes as the titular Mitchell family works to come together as they fight off this deadly tech? What were the biggest laughs for us? And how stunning did we find the animation? Tune in to this week’s show to find out.
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Science fiction is used often as a way to explore aspects of social mores, painting pictures for what’s working and what’s not in our societies. These stories often are thrilling, horrifying, or full of action as a part of the nature of scifi. It’s not too often we end up in a science fiction story that’s a dramatic morality tale. Joe Penna’s second film Stowaway explores the complex and painful decisions a trio of astronauts has to make when a stowaway on their ship throws the life support systems out of whack. Andy Nelson is joined this month on The Film Board by Tommy Metz III and Jordan Petersen to dig into this film, now streaming on Netflix. It’s a story worth watching and certainly worth talking about. Check it out then tune in!
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"Sometimes, you just have to take the first step.”
The Film Board convenes in a the land of Kumandra to discuss Disney’s new animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon. The voice cast is amazing – Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Benedict Wong, and more – but how well does the story work? How much more impressive is the animation? And has Disney hit a point yet where any of their directors really gets to let their style shine through? Andy, Rob, and Kyle meet in the board room to talk about the film, now in theatres and available on Disney Plus for a premium access price of $30, and what they thought of it. Tune in!
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The Film Board is on the road with Frances McDormand in Chloé Zhao’s new film Nomadland. Do McDormand and Zhao deliver the goods and is the film worth all the awards it’s already raking in? Short answer: they definitely do and it definitely is. Andy, Steve, and Tommy meet in the board room to talk about the film, now streaming on Hulu, and what they thought of it. Tune in!
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Shaka King delivers a strong second film with Judas and the Black Messiah, his new film that follows FBI informant Bill O’Neal as he infiltrates Chicago’s Black Panther party to get close to Chairman Fred Hampton. Is this the political biopic we need right now? How brilliant are Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya in the lead roles? And does the film hold up as more than just a history lesson? The Film Board convenes to talk through the film and give you their verdict!
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The Film Board convenes to discuss Fisher Stevens’ new film Palmer starring Justin Timberlake, Juno Temple, Alicia Wainwright, and Ryder Allen. Does it deliver the emotional punch it sets out to deliver, or does it end up feeling more like a well made Lifetime movie? And does the film do its job in delivering something the family can use to talk about gender nonconformity? Andy, Mandy, and Tommy meet in the board room to talk about the film, now streaming on Apple TV Plus, and what they thought of it. Tune in!
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The Film Board convenes to talk about Ramin Bahrani’s new Netflix film The White Tiger as our first film discussion of 2021. What does the film have to say about India’s caste system and does it relate universally to the haves and have nots? The performances are great, particularly from Adarsh Gourav as the lead, but the structure is a bit of a stumbling block for us. But is it enough of a stumble to keep us from enjoying it? Andy, Ocean, and Kyle meet in the board room to talk about the film and what they thought of it. Tune in!
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The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
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Believe it or not, we’re hitting 100! That’s right, our episode today is the 100th film we’ve discussed on The Film Board. It’s been nearly a year full of digital releases and Wonder Woman 1984 broke the seal on Warner's year of day and date releases, giving us the return of Gal Gadot in full armor, and Mando out of his.
So how has WW84 set the stage? Is it fine watching it at home or did we miss the big screen feel? Did it hold up to the quality the first film surprised everyone with? Or does it feel like so many other films in the DCEU — clunky and ineptly handled?
Andy Nelson hosts, joined by Ray DeLancey, Mandy Kaplan, and Ocean Murff who share their thoughts on this movie so we can share them with all of you.
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We’re finally in the last month of 2020 the entertainment industry is mulling through new layers of execution and release. In this first week of December, Netflix released “Mank” by David Fincher keying our imagination towards remembering old Hollywood. It’s a bit of a legacy labour of love for Fincher in that the screenplay was written by his father and was originally intended to be made years before Jack Fincher’s death in 2003. It focuses on the politics of filmmaking of the 1930’s, how those dynamics mixed into the world, and were reflected in “Citizen Kane” by screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz.
It’s The Film Board’s first black and white subject and Tommy, Steve, and JJ will attempt to travel in time to talk through the relevance and references in this stylized take on one of the most celebrated stories in Hollywood’s history. The period was a confusing and difficult time as the world suffered out of The Great Depression in the run up to World War 2. We’ll get at how this movie characterized the massive entertainment machine of the time and how Mank’s story may have effected change in all of it. Everything old is new again this month on The Film Board.
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2020 is slowly but surely coming to a close and most people are feeling like that shift can’t come fast enough at this point. This last week we Americans all did our best to celebrate our Thanksgiving in ceremonies modified by the COVID 19 Pandemic. Netflix released “Hillbilly Elegy” on the Tuesday before the holiday and some may see the Appalachian memoir as a bit non-festive. Critics have been pretty hard on this one directed by Ron Howard and starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams. The Film Board will take its own turn here, reviewing the film adaptation of J.D. Vance’s story of personal geography, growth and change.
Tommy, Ray, Pete and JJ will head for the hills to reconnect with these voices of Vance’s past. We’ll talk about family drama on film both real and imagined and try to discover the good and bad within any type of story that comes across as tough, but real. The autobiographical nature of the story is important in this one too. What’s the purpose behind telling a story like this now and what does it tell us about the people and their characters in it? We’ll work to compare the remembered drama in the stories of a person’s life to fictional family dramas created in Hollywood’s recent past. It’s interesting to find what hits you harder and what you find more effective on screen. Let’s go back and try to sort it all out on The Film Board.
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It’s less than three weeks until the American presidential election and each passing day in this country seems to stack fraught anxieties atop each other. Timing our existential stress perfectly, this week Netflix released “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” a political courtroom drama written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. The film examines Vietnam War protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the trial to prosecute leaders of the different organizations that protested. The film conveys many stark statements of injustice about law enforcement and the harmful political posturing of other people in power. This content is in Sorkin’s wheelhouse so The Film Board can’t wait to view and discuss it at such a pivotal time.
Tommy, Ray, Kyle, and JJ will be assembling peacefully to make their voices heard about this movie that stars some heavy hitters like Sascha Baron Cohen, Jospeh Gordon-Leviit, Eddie Redmayne, and Michael Keaton. To some degree, we’ll be talking directly about the politics of what’s happening in the film as far as we understand. It’s been more than 50 years, but it highlights much of the systemic frustrations that continue to plague the country today. Sorkin’s work has always been a creative mix of information and entertainment so we’ll try to bake it into an appropriate journalistic show cake for all of you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I present to you The Film Board.
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Film Sundries
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Things are changing in the entertainment industry. COVID 19 has changed the way the world consumes movies. Over the past month, we’ve begun to see some new releases open in limited theater capacities while others continue to be held back because of a world that can’t currently create a literal “blockbuster.” It presents a bit of a challenge for us with The Film Board in trying to select movies that are globally available to both our hosts as well as our audience. Different titles are popping up in different places and different ways and this month we decided to tackle a new release on Netflix, Charlie Kaufman’s “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.” As with most Kaufman works, it weaves an impressionistic puzzle that benefits from deep conversation and multiple viewings. Multiple other shows from The Next Reel’s family of podcasts have taken swipes at spoiling Kaufman, but this is the first turn for The Film Board.
Kaufman’s movies seem like the perfect subject for podcast fodder. He generally doesn’t like to explain what things are in his movies, preferring instead to let people have their experiences. In an IndieWire article about this film, he said recently, “I really do support anybody’s interpretation.” So we’re going to take a shot at it. On this show, Steve, Tommy, and JJ bring their most creative interpretive hats for cataloging and deciphering the myriad of references and artistic inferences portrayed in the film with the purpose of piecing together this stage where nothing is quite what it seems.
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Film Sundries
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“The power goes where it always goes, to the people that already have it.”
2020 has given us a new understanding of what dog days can mean. Historically the label has been reserved for the hottest days of the year because ancient peoples believed it could bring “fever or catastrophe.” Upon consideration, “Fever & Catastrophe” could be an accurate tagline for a film named 2020. Coming out of that traditional period of extreme summer heat, the release of new films to streaming services and video on demand has become normalized. We’re now seeking it out for primary new content as opposed to supplemental diamonds in the rough. This past weekend Netflix released “Project Power” for subscribers and aspects of it infer the makings of a regular theatrical release. It stars Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon Levitt and is a story about pills being circulated in New Orleans and other cities giving people short periods of great powers.
The film feels somewhat super hero adjacent so is that the reason for its theater adjacent release or is it more evidence of the industry’s transition to an ongoing world of “Theater at Home?” The Film Board gathers to spoil the project for you and give you a full disclosure of the documented effects of these drugs so you can decide for yourself if its something you want to ingest. Join Mandy, Tommy, Ray, and JJ as we force the big happy family to discuss their favorite creole connections and hypothetical power preferences.
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COVID-19 has created a unique dearth in the film industry. We’ve all been seeking something to look forward to this summer and Disney+ provided a glimmer last week by releasing a film version of “Hamilton” captured live from Broadway in 2016. In a sea of theater at home releases that leave the world questioning what constitutes the very definition of film, entertainment is on the cusp of revolution and sets a stage for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical to further demonstrate the importance and power of deals with titans in the ongoing battles for content on their proprietary streaming services. The Film Board couldn’t resist gathering to commemorate American independence with this innovative exploration of history.
We’ve talked before about the relevance of historical accuracy in film portrayals. The issue garners additional talking points in the realm of musical theater, so we’ll address it in a new way on this show and we’ll attempt to place this filmed version of stage success alongside other movie depictions of broadway’s greats. This is definitely a different way to view either medium, so it’s important to weigh how it channels the original and holds up on screen. Join The Film Board for this landmark release in the middle of our summer malaise. Pete, Tommy and JJ will open up here and welcome a new voice to the show- introducing Ocean Murff on the Next Reel family of podcasts!
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Theaters are not quite open yet. The Corona Virus is still a major threat in the world and even though some businesses are reopening, the film industry continues its holding pattern. Because of that, new releases in the “Theater at Home” paradigm are getting all different kinds of creative digital structures. Prices for new releases can range on different platforms, but you can also get some brand new movies coming up with the subscription services too. This past weekend, Netflix released “Da 5 Bloods,” a Spike Lee Joint that quickly jumped to #3 in for selections on the service. The Film Board gathers to back up the main show’s Spike Lee series from earlier this year and heavily spoil this one for you with your access to Netflix being the main determining spoilage factor.
Pete, Steve, Tommy and JJ will zoom in on the novelty and nostalgia and also dig into the melancholy and the message of this story. It’s rooted in history, brotherhood, family, and trauma and there’s so much to talk about here. Stream the movie first or settle in for a right spoiling. Click into this episode as Spike helps us open up and process the wounds of both the past and the present. Recover something more with us on The Film Board!
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What have you been up to? Seen any good movies lately? It’s not always easy to find them, but “Theater at Home” releases are available and more titles are being announced all the time. The Film Board will continue to gather its thugs and spoil them for you as we find them out there in the streaming universe until we can all get back and see our beloved big screens. “Capone” was released to most major streaming services on May 12th. It stars Tom Hardy in another one of his signature transformation roles alongside Linda Cardelini, Matt Dillon, and Kyle McLachlan.
Pete, Steve, and JJ will zoom together to sort out the whats and the whys in this depiction of the gangster’s last days. It's not an organized crime movie, but it definitely addresses the trappings of a crime lord’s lifestyle and the potential lasting human consequences. Check out this episode as we give a spoiler-laden jaunt through the addled mind of Alphonse Capone. So many people have been captivated by his life in crime for years after his death in 1947. This film examines a part of life that is rarely discussed, and Capone’s is unique. Unravel it all with us on The Film Board!
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Everything is changing right now and movies are no exception, so we gathered a geographically and socially distanced gang of thugs to talk about a new "Theater at Home" release. We were initially going to talk about "Guns Akimbo" in February, but it got soft pushed back right smack into the middle of the stay at home quarantine. It's available now from a variety of outlets, so we're going to spoil it for you on this show and you can decide if it's worth your stream surfing time at home.
Pete, Steve, Tommy, and JJ zoom around hot microphones to discuss how Black Mirror meets The Running Man with a distorted pinch of Scott Pilgrim in this one. It's kind of dystopian gun porn - so will you like it? Did we? Listen in with us as we hard boil it down into little bitty bullets of concept, character, dialogue, and execution. There's some other funny profundities that we'll uncover along the way and all in all it's a brave new world for The Film Board as we figure out where to go from here with the rest of the entertainment industry. Have some fun on the run with us and Guns Akimbo!
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“Don’t first amendment me”
What a weird time to be alive, right? It seems appropriate for Blumhouse to release a political powderkeg in the middle of a national state of emergency quarantine that’s been wildly politicized across the spectrum. There’s no better time for us to talk about The Hunt because even though a lot of activities near you have been canceled, most theaters are still open for business. So our Gang of thugs defied the most outlandish parameters of social distancing to start up a conversation on the controversy of this action-comedy satire rooted in conspiracy theory and Internet Hysteria. For those of you playing along at home, this is core evidence that timing is everything!
Listen to this episode to go deep on the highly charged political hijinks. Steve, Tommy, and JJ try to sort out the message behind the mayhem and talk about this film’s journey from creation to release. It would have been an interesting take on things at any time, but it is particularly remarkable today in the midst of an election, a pandemic, and rampant speculation about hidden motives. Let’s talk turkey and spoil it all!
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“Don’t let him haunt you”
Blumhouse has done it again - The prolific production company has already knocked out its second release of the year with this month’s Film Board subject: The Invisible Man. February seems to be a great time for the genre as past Febs have had us profiling Get Out and Happy Death Day 2U. (Both of them Blumhouse beauties as well.) Leigh Whannell brings this one to us and while it might not be as gory as the rest of his filmography, this one is meant to thrill with intense suspense. Elizabeth Moss is the feature here as she manages a maddening set of circumstances that can’t be seen.
You’ll definitely want to click on this episode of the film board. Tommy and JJ welcome Ray Delancey to the show from The Next Reel’s extended cinematic universe. Ray has a special knowledge base for the historic invisible films and we’ll be drawing on him to help us clear the perspective on this newest entry. It’s a fresh new take on an old classic, so get set to be spoiled!
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Here’s something you may not have expected to open up 2020: a Guy Ritchie Film about organized crime released in part by Miramax. Maybe around the turn of the Century sure, but we’ve got a fresh take on Guy Ritchie gold that came out in theaters this week with The Gentlemen. Naturally, we want to take a nip of this particular concoction and see how it holds up to the good old recipe of the past. This one has a fun cast of fan favorites with Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnum, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Grant, Colin Farrell and more.
Check out this episode of the film board to find out which of our thugs has a special spot for Guy Ritchie on the mantle. Tommy, Steve, Pete and JJ will dig into what’s changed in the gangster films of today and what mysteries might still be left to mine in the genre. It’s kind of interesting that this weekend is Chinese New Year and opening up the year of the Rat! Let’s let the lion eat on the decade’s first episode of The Film Board.
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The Film Board Gathers! This week on the show, we're on a journey to save a marriage through therapy, comedy, and 30 straight nights of sex!
30 Nights of Sex to Save Your Marriage has hit streaming services and we are honored to have one of the filmmakers with us to talk about it... a filmmaker who happens to be one of our very own. Join Pete Wright, Steve Sarmento, and Andy Nelson as we grill writer/director Tommy Handsome on the long road of production and release of his first feature film.
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“People keep telling me they know me. No one does.”
What a brilliant end to a decade! We’re wrapping it up with the ultimate film in the Skywalker Saga from that Star Wars galaxy far, far away. It will likely be impossible for us to talk about this without revealing major spoilers about this film that’s 42 years in the making, so tune in if you’re cool with sapping some of the surprises or go see it and then check in with us here as our conversation goes deep into its story, its execution, its characters and ultimately how all of its filmmakers held up to the weight of an entire world of expectations thrust upon this epic film.
It’s a special gang of thugs on this as our founders Andy & Pete come together to join their personal fandoms to see if it will defeat any random reams early hate on this movie. And as a special ringer, we’re once again joined by special guest host Jordan Petersen from the Nerd Critic Podcast, where he’s recently recapped his own admiration for the franchise. Be with us now. Feel the force of the The Film Board’s Year End episode for 2019.
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SURPRISE! The Film Board snuck out and saw an advance screening this month, so we’re in spoiler Shangri-la to chat about “Knives Out” before its even officially released! It’s a traditional “whodunit” that Rian Johnson has packed full with family entanglements that make multiple money murder motives. There’s so many reasons we wanted to check this thing out and many of them come from the remarkable cast including Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Toni Collette and others.
Join Tommy, Pete, Steve and JJ as we slash into the mystery and slice around what we liked and didn’t like. Rian Johnson’s work has been under close investigation since the unveiling of his Star Wars take in The Last Jedi. This is a complete departure from that, so we’ll jump the gun on it and give you a cutting edge opinion about what you’ll see on the big screen next week. Knives Out opens in theaters on November 27, 2019, so click here to find out about it first with this episode of The Film Board from The Next Reel.
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It’s Deja vu all over again as The Film Board tackles a second sequel month in a horror realm. This one has a serious cast blasting away with comic relief in Zombieland: Double Tap. It’s been ten years since the original, and the marketing wasn’t shy about bringing up how its stars have shifted. So has anything changed in the land of Z since Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Woody Harrelson have hauled in so many awards and Nominations?
Join Tommy, Pete and JJ to catalog creative commandments to survive the zombie apocalypse and We welcome in special guest host Jordan Petertsen from the Nerd Critic Podcast. We’ll dig into Pete’s love of all things undead and do our best to geek out accordingly on Zombie canon. It’s not all fun and games, but this one filled with novelty to define a new kind of Babylon. Run for your lives with us on this episode of The Next Reel.
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Film Sundries
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Let’s go back to school with It Chapter Two, The Film Board made a pact last month that we’d return to Derry with the other losers if It came back. Well It’s here and in this one, the kids are all grown up with Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, and James McAvoy playing our heroes. Will the sequel have the record-setting legs of its predecessor? Is It the greatest Stephen King thriller of all time? There’s a lot to talk about here as long as we’ve got the courage to fight the fear.
Join Tommy, Steve, Pete and JJ as they rifle through all the scary memories of It. An irrational fear of clowns is called “Coulrophobia.” This story may not have created the concept, but it definitely is primary in the scary clown canon. Listen to this episode to confront your fears with us..
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The Film Board returns from hiatus this week and we figured that we’d welcome everyone back in by answering the question - “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” now showing in theaters. The Richard Linklater film stars Cate Blanchett and is based on the book by Maria Semple. While the book is a collection of fictional correspondence meant to take the reader on creative scavenger hunt, the film sets up to be a deeper dramedy about how hard it is to be human and how we cope with managing our extreme strengths and debilitating weaknesses.
Does genius come through in all mediums? When life changes our path, how should we choose to change with it? The book and movie might not have exactly the same message, so listen with Steve, Tommy and JJ as they wind their way through the eclectic journey of Bernadette’s discoveries on this episode of The Next Reel.
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Film Sundries
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There have been some great British music biopics in the last year. They tend to garner some criticism for the way that history is manipulated to make movie drama. Also each one handles the original artists’ music in different ways. This month, Danny Boyle’s “Yesterday” was released in theaters and it shares with us the joy and the experience of The Beatles’ music by imagining a world where they didn’t exist. That’s one way to ditch the criticism - go full fiction!
This story is meant to be a romance and gives the audience some commentary on the terrible nature of the music industry, the fame it develops, and what it means to be a genius and how to take credit for it. Beyond all those story points, if you love the music of The Beatles, this one might be a must-see. Join Pete, Andy, Steve, and JJ as they discuss all the special existentialism in the musical easter egg hunt that is Yesterday.
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Film Sundries
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"That’s a twist. That’s very twisty."
You may or may not have a connection to the world of the pocket monsters affectionately called Pokémon, but this month The Film Board is following its new movie in theaters that seeks to sate the adorable appetites of fans young and old in Pokémon Detective Pikachu. It’s a CGI romp that’s meant to depict the clever characters of the card game in a way that places them photoreal by our side in the real world, much like the Pokémon Go! app has done in an animated digital way, but this brings in the voice talents of Ryan Reynolds to attract us all with a new story. There’s so much to cover and talk about with this one and this show is bursting at the
Pete, Andy, and JJ are our best bets for Pokémon professoring, so they went out and tapped into the Gotta Catch ‘em all craze. Listen to this show to hear how well the movie connects with the Pokémon universe of our understanding and if the film’s quips and quibbles will make sense for Pokémon novices in the world.
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Film Sundries
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The teams at Disney have put out specific warnings and requests not to spoil Avengers: Endgame, but you know this thing is the core of what The Film Board is all about! If you don’t want to be spoiled, don’t click on this because we all saw the movie and are just itching and scratching to discuss it with you and dispense with the Spoilage! There’s so much to cover and talk about with this one and this show is bursting at the seams with reverent homage, nitpicky nonsense, and wild speculation about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Pete, Steve, and JJ will try to fit it all into a digestible episode that is more likely to be completed without a bathroom break than the three hour plus film itself. Click into this podcast to dive deeply into our fanboy fodder.
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Film Sundries
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"I’m not what you think I am"
Attention true believers! The Film Board is a party to the home stretch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase three. It’s wrapping up in two successive months here in 2019. The big one of course is next month’s Avengers: Endgame, but first let’s dig into the penultimate Captain Marvel. The conversation on this episode will potentially spoil 22 films worth of successive blockbuster suspense, so consider yourself forewarned.
Pete, Andy, Steve, and JJ will chat up the progression of this epic anthology of super-ness, as long as there are no evil impersonators. But wait, how will we know if they’re real? Check out our conversation to learn some inventive ideas about sniffing out alien infiltration as we pass around conspiracy theories about what’s coming for us in April.
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Film Sundries
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- Stan Lee’s Cameo
"Uh, Who is this crazy white girl?"
Horror abounds for The Film Board in February and this year is no different. We woke up in the same scary month this year with Happy Death Day 2U specially released for the sweetheart holiday in the middle of Valentine’s week. It’s quite surely a screaming sequel and it really would be terribly odd if you tried to tackle it without the first one (from 2017) too, so be prepared as you click with us here because we’re going to spoil them both in this show.
Take the leap with Tommy, Andy, Steve, and JJ on this one because we’ll chat about what here is campy and what here is crazy and what here is creepy. We may even get to talk about fun and heart on this one - coming from a literally layered story. Let’s try this one more time. Reset everything and listen to The Next Reel.
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Film Sundries
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- Original theatrical trailer
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“We’re finally being let into the universe”
Happy New Year everyone! The Film Board is respawning for you here this January with Glass from M. Night Shyamalan. Is it a sequel to Unbreakable? Is it a sequel to Split? Or is it something altogether different. The debate about this film should be super with an angle on origin and another on a Special Edition Showdown and openings for more. Be certain that when you join on this one it will be riddled with Spoilers aplenty.
On this show, we’ll gather takes from Tommy, Andy, Steve, and JJ and try to define exactly what being superhuman is all about in today’s world. We’ll dig in and see if we can find times we know about where people needed to be a bit more than the average bear. Maybe we can all be heroes. Navigate the line between fantasy and reality with us as we walk through Glass.
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Film Sundries
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"It always fits eventually."
Here’s a gift for the whole family from The Film Board’s clan to yours - The thugs went out and saw our first official show-sanctioned animated film this week, Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse. It’s a break from what we usually do on our monthly show and the movie itself is a bit of a break from what you might expect in animation as well as what comic book movies and movies with Marvel properties have become in the industry. This movie is very different.
Listen to this show to hear how those differences sit with Tommy, Andy, Steve, Pete and JJ. This movie is generating an interesting amount of early buzz and heats up the holiday box office competition for a season that is without a Star Wars entry for the first time in a number of years. Can an animated movie win the Holiday season? Should it? Come get our take with the Film Board here.
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Film Sundries
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- John Mulaney on Fallon
"You never win with violence. You only win when you maintain your dignity."
The Film Board spent the holiday weekend giving thanks and watching Green Book, a dramedy based on the true story of master pianist Dr. Don Shirley touring the American deep south in the 1960s. It’s back-to-back biopics for our guys with similar historical time focus as well. This movie highlights individual struggles to understand identity and build unity as America was on its way to take profoundly progressive steps for civil rights.
On this show, you’ll hear Steve, Pete and JJ talk about how stories of revolutionary courage in the 60’s could help us overcome our divided interactions today. The feel good vibes in this film may encourage you to address them in a way that moves the discussion forward without avoiding the conflict altogether. We might need some more drama when the stories are this important. Click along to listen to our takes and then let us know how it goes for you!
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Film Sundries
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- Green Book History
- Shirley Family Criticism
“We need to fail down here so we don’t fail up there.”
Buckle up for an intense journey on this one with the Film Board as we examine the story of struggles and successes that adorn the space race and the USA’s historic effort to reach the Moon. First Man is a Neil Armstrong biopic delivered to us by Oscar Winning Director Damien Chazelle. Teaming up with Ryan Gosling here again as he did in La La Land, Chazelle is attacking a different kind of film than we’ve seen from him before.
Steve, Tommy, Pete and JJ will talk here about the artful diversity in Chazelle’s short but renowned repertoire, address how this film’s content jibes with history, and attempt to figure out how anything ever works in the space program with all that shaking. You heard it here first: It’s a bumpy ride. After our conversation you may be able to decide if you want your first view of First Man to be in the theater or in history class.
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Film Sundries
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- Watch the Movie: Amazon • iTunes
- First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen
- Read the Screenplay: Script
- Original theatrical trailer
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“The data suggests that it tracks its prey, exploits weakness. Seems to enjoy it, like a game.”
The concept from “Predator” has been through a number of evolutions as a film and a franchise, so in this show we’ll dissect the DNA infusions brought to the bunch with the latest release. Written and Directed by Film Board favorite Shane Black, we’re excited to examine what’s new and different here as well as the appropriate level of homage to the classic-ly clever sci fi action horror hybrid.
Listen to this episode and get a crazy roster of thugs: Steve, Andy, Tommy, and JJ surround and take down The Predator. Because of the long history of this movie’s lore stretching back to 1987, you may have expectations about what this movie will bring… we’ll spoil all that for you here. Take a leap with us and join the hunt.
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Film Sundries
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“Looks like someone had a real piñata party.”
What the heck is going on?! The Film Board was ROFL when the trailer for The Happytime Murders was released, so we decided to take a flyer and check to see if Melissa McCarthy and the Henson Gang could keep the raunchy laughs coming. We don’t usually tackle pure comedies at The Next Reel so this conversation could be a pivotal point in our movie choices for the future.
Join Andy, Tommy, and JJ as we consider the freedom afforded to writers when visiting vice and vulgarity upon fluffy non-living things made to look and act as though they are. We’ll help spoil the movie for you a little more than the trailer did so that we can get deep into its “rotten cotton.” And ultimately, maybe the most important question for approaching this brand of shock comedy is: where exactly can we find the line between too far and not far enough?
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Film Sundries
- Watch the Movie: Amazon
- Original theatrical trailer (Red Band)
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
“They’re alive. Just like me.”
Volcanoes, clones, and lizards oh my! Let’s all get Jurassic with it this month as we venture back to join the forsaken children of Isla Nublar for a fifth time. The Film Board is going to erupt a bunch of spoilage on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in this episode, with intermittent narration from Jeff Goldblum. (not IRL, but surely he’ll pop up once or three times… it couldn’t fit into the franchise without it, right?)
Last month we talked about the possibility of franchise fatigue with Solo, will it come into play with our thugs’ beloved ancient beasts? This Jurassic installment has some incredible competition at the box office, so join us to find out what we think will survive on silver screen island. Pete, Tommy, Steve and JJ talk out their takes here and share insight on their favorites and least favorites in all the dino drama.
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Film Sundries
- Watch the Movie: iTunes • Amazon • YouTube
- Original theatrical trailer
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- Flickchart
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“I might be the only person who knows what you really are.”
Ready for an Easter Egg hunt? Yes, it’s actually Memorial Day but Solo hit theaters this weekend and it’s spelunking George Lucas’s treasures in the attic so The Film Board will spoil it all for you! This new Star Wars anthology film kicks off the Summer season and we’re chiming in to separate the Fan Boys from the Fun Dip.
Critics are wary of franchise fatigue, while the devoted are jumping at the chance to dive deeper into some cherished character backstory and motivation. It seems like some of the reasons to make these movies may be to close the loop on a number of canonical questions, but the speculation has already begun regarding potential dramatic connections between this and the primary Skywalker saga. Join us on this episode of the Film Board as we ride the Kessel Run with Pete, Steve, Andy and JJ.
Film Sundries
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- Watch the Movie: iTunes
- Original theatrical trailer
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“2000 years of revenge, vendetta, murder. Welcome to Beirut”
Last week the U.S. and its allies once again fired missiles on Syria in a response to recent chemical weapons attacks in the country. On Friday, April 13th, the film Beirut opened in theaters with a story that depicts Lebanon in the 70s and 80s running through some of the darkest times in the region’s history. Yet The world today remains saddled with war and confusion regarding how to achieve peace in the middle east, so how does this film inform our current status? Does it enrich the conversation with historical drama or does it support an ongoing narrative of futility?
The movie is rife with controversy - critics are complaining about its lack of cultural accuracy, its storytelling focusing on a white savior type of story, and its remarkable release date on the anniversary of the Lebanese Civil War. Join our group of The Next Reel regulars as we try to get to the heart of the purpose in telling this story, decide where the film is meant to be in today’s entertainment industry landscape and ultimately whether you will like it or not. Click into this episode of the Film Board and you’ll hear Pete, Tommy, Steve and JJ all talk about what they brought home from Beirut.
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Film Sundries
- Watch the Movie: iTunes
- Original theatrical trailer
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- Learn about the Lebanese Civil War
- Flickchart
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"It’s the only place that feels like I mean anything."
Have you heard Steven Spielberg is rumored to be directing another Indiana Jones movie? (2020) It’s technically been “announced,” and the amazement that many people feel about that report after the wonder of “The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” seems kinda like the wary optimism that the world brought to this month’s film board subject: Spielberg’s “Ready Player One.” The book by Ernest Cline was hugely popular but polarizing for some and it was loaded with 1980’s nostalgia set a seemingly unfilmable un-license-able virtual world. It’s very possible that Spielberg is one of the few people that could have made this a reality for the big screen.
We gathered The Film Board together this month to talk about everyone’s views on Spielberg’s rehashing the of old days and adapting its wealthy pop culture landscape. Steve, Andy, Tommy and JJ talk around the horn here about their childhood hooks, homage vs. innovation, unique artistic choices, and everybody’s favorite: fake things fighting fake things. Love or hate the rerun remake revision of your past, we’ll talk about what works about it for us and what unfortunately bites the dust. Log in to the cultural OASIS with us on this show because when the movie ends, our conversation begins.
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Film Sundries
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- Original theatrical trailer
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- Original Source Material
- Flickchart
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- Choose Your Own Adventure Maps
- Nostalgia References in the Movie
"What happens now determines what happens to the rest of the world"
The Marvel Madness continues this month with Black Panther and it brings some spectacular new looks to some tried and true traditions. This movie boasts a whole lot of firsts on the big screen and it’s set to shatter box office records for February. Entertainment Weekly said that this is the “Marvel movie for people who don’t like Marvel movies” and that it “could change Marvel movies forever.” All the front end hype means that it’s an important film to take in and a great one to talk about.
On this show, click in to hear Steve, Pete, Tommy and JJ get deep about what it means to be a cog in the Marvel machine and what happened in this movie to make it stand out from all the others. We’ll make some connections for any confusion regarding its place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and ultimately spoil the heck out of it and where things might go from here. Check out Black Panther in theaters now and then listen to this show because when the movie ends, our conversation begins.
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Film Sundries
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"You don’t want to break the law when you’re breaking the law."
Happy New Year! We’re bringing you an early episode of The Film Board as a late Christmas gift this year. Molly’s Game was pre-released on the Holiday, but we gathered some thugs here as quickly as possible this week for its wide release. It’s based on the book by Colorado native Molly Bloom about her real-life adventures running clandestine high stakes poker games with rich high profile players in Los Angeles and New York.
On this show, listen to Steve, Andy, and JJ examine Aaron Sorkin’s script and direction. They may try to gamble a bit about the film’s performance and purpose for coming out on Christmas. Jessica Chastain and company may be giving away some tells for big Hollywood gold with this movie out in theaters now.
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Film Sundries
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- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Source Material
- Flickchart
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"I need someone to show me my place in all this."
We did it! We got to Star Wars #8 without our own Starkiller of a planet disintegrating - and what a fantastic reward we have in store for you when all of the usual suspect gang of thugs gather here to spoil the heck out of The Last Jedi. There’s so many people holding back the inner secrets of this story on social media so that you won’t get spoiled, but we fly a squadron of X-wings right in the face of that on The Film Board. #THISISYOURSPOILERFIX
We’ve got everybody back for this one - Steve, Pete, Andy, Tommy, and JJ will let out their emotional children to rehash the beautiful epic themes that make up the Skywalker saga. Two years ago, when we discussed The Force Awakens it leapt to the top of our Flickchart. On this show we’ll see if the fandom carries over to the new movie too. Click with us and return balance to the force.
Film Sundries
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- Watch the Movie: iTunes (Pre-Order)
- Script snippets
- Original theatrical trailer
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- The Last Jedi by Jason Fry
- Flickchart
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"Use the little grey cells of the mind - and you will know!"
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The literary adaptation sub-faction of Film Board thugs gathers here to spoil the unraveling of Agatha Christie’s great mystery masterpiece. It’s an immensely remarkable award-laden cast gathered by Kenneth Branagh for this remake, but do they adequately slay the source material? It could be a crime to pull this relic out to confound new audiences — did the mustache pull it off? Do the filmmakers get away with it?
Andy, Tommy, and JJ conspire to stab at the victories and victims in films like this. This is a unique show for thugging in that you may want to listen to determine if this film is worth your time. If you love Agatha Christie, question the purpose of retreads, and don’t mind getting spoiled on who done it - click with us!
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
- Flickchart
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"I did your job once. I was good at it."
The Film Board Gathers! This week on the show, we’re gearing up to hunt some rogue Nexus 8s and save all humanity with Denis Villeneuve's take on the Ridley Scott classic, Blade Runner 2049. How well does the new film respect the tone and style of the original? Does the film finally put to rest the mysteries of the first? Is Roger Deakins so good behind the camera?
It’s no secret that we’re fans of Villeneuve’s work, but we come to _2049_with a none-too-subtle sense of anxiety. For Andy, Steve, and Pete, this film trods in the playground of our youths… did it really need to be made? Probably not. But since it’s here, what has it done to further the lore of the Blade Runner? We shall see…
Film Sundries
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- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Blade Runner by Ridley Scott
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreel
"Something made it through."
The Film Board gathers! This week we’re choosing sides with the Kingsman and the Statesmen as we take on Poppy and the minions in Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Does Matthew Vaughn’s vaunted sequel deserve as much praise as K1? Do the Statesmen live up to our well-clad crusaders we know so well? Is Jeff Bridges just showing up to drink on set? We take on all these questions and…. End up more split on this film than perhaps any other we’ve covered on this show! Join Andy Nelson, Steven Sarmento, Tommy Handsome, and Pete Wright as we jump in the car and drift.
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Kingsman: The Secret Service — by Mark Millar, Dave Gibbons
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
"Something made it through."
Stephen King’s opus inspired the movie and The Film Board gathers here to throw out a bunch of thoughts on it. There will be talk about the source material for this story and what needed to happen for it to come together on the big screen. How’s that old turn go again about the baby and the bathwater? We’ll try to pin that metaphor on the relevant elements as we break down The Dark Tower.
Andy, Tommy, and JJ are all in to muse about the way things were before the world moved on. Have we forgotten the face of our fathers? Join us for palaver on this cherished epic and we say “Thankee-sai.”
Film Sundries
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- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- The Dark Tower set by Stephen King
- Flickchart
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"The whole universe is after us."
The Film Boards drops out of Exospace this month to experience the other-dimensional adventure of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Luc Besson brings this graphic novel adaptation to us in what the trailers described as a vision that was “a lifetime in the making” from source material that “inspired a generation.” We’re getting thuggy with it to identify which generation in what lifetime.
Pete, Steve, and JJ will discuss and rank all the crazy computer effects and the future space story and which of those is a stronger complement for the other. Besson’s “The Fifth Element” has been a polarizing film for science fiction lovers in the world. Listen to this conversation to find out which end of the see-saw belongs to Valerian.
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
"We recognize, examine, contain, destroy."
THE FILM BOARD GATHERS! This month we all got wrapped up in the first film release for the “Dark Universe.” Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe give us an entry into a new world of Gods and Monsters in “The Mummy.” We will dispense our signature thuggery on evil incarnate and spoil the whole ball of bandages for you on this month’s show.
Is this a fresh franchise exhuming classic horror characters from the 20’s and 30’s for an entertaining thrill ride or just to provide a shallow star showcase? Join us on the show to hear opinions from our horrified hosts: Andy, Steve, Tommy, and JJ!
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Film Sundries
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- Script Snippets
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
- Patreon
"One wrong note eventually ruins the entire symphony."
The Film Board Gathers! This month we’ve hit the Feel-a-Round Cineplex for Ridley Scott’s latest entry to the Alien Cinematic Universe: Alien: Covenant. The film tells the story of a colony ship on their way to brave new horizons seeding a distant planet with new life when they have to go check out this one thing on that one other planet only to discover… yeah, you know the drill. How well does Scott get us back into the Alienscape and engaged with this fancy new crew? What do we make of cinematographer Dariusz Wolski’s camera as a window into this new Alien? How much would we pay to see a standalone film of Michael Fassbender talking to Michael Fassbender? All these questions answered, and SO much more as as Steve Sarmento leads Andy Nelson and Pete Wright on a journey through the deepest, darkest alien woods.
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
"Knowing is good, but knowing everything is better."
The Film Board Gathers and we’re pulling everyone much much too close into “The Circle.” The book was released in 2013 from Dave Eggers and the movie adaptation opened this week in theaters. Our Thugs will completely spoil it for you in this show as we explore our respective crushes on Tom Hanks, Emma Watson, John Boyega and so many others. We’re going to question everything in this movie, because depending on your preferred mode of listening, it may make you question everything about your technology choices.
Our special sphere for this show includes Tommy, Andy, Steve, JJ, and new special guest host Jaime Smith as we run around the spinning thrills of The Circle.
Film Sundries
- Support The Next Reel on Patreon
- Script Transcript
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
- Jamie Smith at Unspoiled!
- Support Unspoiled on Patreon!
"Don’t be what they make you to be"
Back to Back Film Board weeks! We couldn’t let this one go by - Marvel comics movies are continuing to find their graphic stride this month with LOGAN and our thugs need to get in the fight and mix it up about the value of a hard “R” comic representation in the cinematic universe. It’s not spoilery to talk about the completely appropriate rating this movie drew, but in addition to that, we will spoil the story and theorize what it means for the Marvel mutants’ present and future.
We continue to keep our own lineup fresh on this show with Steve, Pete, JJ and another awesome appearance from special guest host Darnell Smith. Listening to this episode will help you decide whether you should get over your comic book movie apathy, embrace de-sensitization to knife (Claw) gore, and/or slice your way to this movie before the Ides of March. If you don’t want to be thoroughly spoiled, come back and listen after you see it once your healing factor kicks in. When the move ends, our conversation begins!
Film Sundries
- Script Transcript (one page)
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
- Comic Book Composite Rankings
“Here it is: My boy Chris has been missing for two days.”
The Film Board Gathers! This month, in a departure from the heady intensity of the Oscars line-up, our Gang of Thugs takes on a thriller written and directed by a comedy all-star. Jordan Peele’s GET OUT is thoroughly spoiled through our chat and we talk about its balance of satire and terror and the genre similarities of horror and comedy and how a filmmaker’s skills in one discipline can be transferable to the other.
We’re continuing to try to scare the pants off ourselves this year and on this show you’ll hear Pete, Andy, Tommy, and our new guest host Darnell Smith. Let us spoil GET OUT for you if you want to take the edge off the suspense or listen to to the show after you see it and let us know how it hits you. When the movie ends, our conversation begins!
Film Sundries
- Script Transcript
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
- GQ
"He’s on the move."
DON’T LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE FILM BOARD until you see Split! Here at The Next Reel, we always mention how WE SPOIL MOVIES and this month we’ve taken on twistmaster M. Night Shyamalan’s newest film with a conversation that is completely impossible without SPOILING this movie for you. That being said, go see it and then come and join us because there is lots and lots to talk about from this psychological thriller put together in the classic Shyamalan style.
Suspense and terror is front and center for the first part of 2017 and gathering together this month, we’ve got Andy, Steve, Tommy, and JJ to start it up. If you’ve got strong feelings about MNS movies, you really should see Split and then check us out. When the movie ends, our conversation begins.
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: Amazon
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
- Box Office Numbers
"I'm one with the Force. The Force is with me."
Look at this- The Film Board is back with a thuggish gathering of galactic implications. Last year doesn’t totally count as long ago nor far, far away for a new star wars movie, but the Disney franchise treatment this month goes all the way back into a sub-mid-prequel sort of thing with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. If you’re not sure where this movie belongs in the mix, we’ll spoil it for you along with the rest of the story and and all of its clever bridges to the Trilogy we all grew up on.
We’ve decided to prompt some of the usual suspects on this one so take a listen to Tommy Handsome, Andy, Pete, and JJ as we open up a can of blaster sound effects and witty droid dialogue. You will have as much fun as we do – real people talking about fake things fighting other fake things!
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
- Star Wars Name Generator
"Forget everything that you think you know"
The Film Board gathers! The Marvel Cinematic Universe has returned so we've brought together a merry band of thugs to spoil the next episode of the massive comic book soap opera for you- easter eggs and all. Origin story anyone? Join us as we talk about Doctor Strange, another special human that learns great and different powers Foster's the best to save the world slash worlds in great and different ways.
Singing for their supper on this one is our own special motley mix of critics and fanboys, so join us to figure out where you are on our spectrum. Steve, Tommy Handsome, Pete, and JJ will take you on a dive through a multiverse thrill ride and we'll all come out with shaking hands and a new perspective on reality.
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
- necessary Marvel director
- Why Doctor Strange shares its psychedelic DNA with Pink Floyd
- 'Doctor Strange' Director Owns Up to Whitewashing Controversy
"You’re right – the numbers don’t add up."
The Film Board is all out of Breath! Our faithful thugs have all been sprinting from house to car to theater to car to microphone to gather, AND SPOIL, FOR YOU - the new Tom Cruise production of Jack Reacher - Never Go Back. The first installment of the Lee Child adaptation was striking and clever. We’ll talk through whether doing a #2 bugs us at all.
Our house is a very very very full house with our five regulars returning to the show including Steve, Tommy Handsome, Andy, Pete, and JJ. Have a listen because when the movie ends, our conversation begins and this one in particular will set you up with the right things to know before you go.
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
- Lee Child — Jack Reacher Series, Wikipedia
"Terrorism is just an excuse"
The Film Board Gathers undercover of darkness through compromised microphones and remotely accessed computer screens to discuss a dramatic reconstruction of the deconstruction of the general public’s privacy in Oliver Stone’s Snowden. Is it accurate? Does it matter? Did Edward get a SAG card? Listen in as our heavy hands deliver an open discussion with Steve, Pete and JJ as we all cover our laptop cameras and cross our fingers.
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Documentary featured in the film
- Peter Gabriel Song Lyrics
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
"That sounds illegal."
The Film Board Gathers - celebrating the Dog Days of summer with a slick new film from the team that created the Hangover’s Wolf Pack. This month the Thugs get feral and spoil War Dogs for you because it features some of our favorite young Hollywood talent in Miles Teller and Jonah Hill and it’s just plain fun to figure out the alpha in a movie that’s categorized as “Comedy, Drama, War.”
Our voices above the fray will include Tommy, Andy, Pete, JJ, and a return appearance from special guest host Alice Baker as we dig up bones for War Dogs — in theaters now.
Film Sundries
- Watch this Film: Amazon • iTunes
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- War Dogs by Guy Larson
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
"Use SQL to corrupt the databases."
The Film Board Gathers! This month, we’ve got thugs being thugs as the Bourne Quilogy moves into its latest chapter. Our secret super soldiers surface to talk about Matt Damon’s return and the latest techniques in brainwashing, performance enhancing drugs and any other tricky tactics to transform Ludlum’s legends to screen.
All alliteration aside, we’re going to spoil this movie and the rest of the franchise. So catch up to Jason Bourne with Pete Wright, Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Tommy Handsome, and Justin JJ Jaeger - it’s in theaters now.
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: iTunes
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
- The Jason Bourne Flixtape
"Are you listening, horsemen? You will get what's coming to you. In ways you can't expect."
The Film Board Gathers! This month, The Four Horsemen return to continue the magical crusade to right societal wrongs through misdirection and sleight of hand with Jon M. Chu’s Now You See Me 2. The Thugs tackle their own appetite for manipulation — Does this story deserve a sequel? Why would The Film Board approach it after widely panning the original? What happened to Isla Fischer and is she being played by Daniel Radcliffe?
We spoil the tricks, but spread the magic with Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Pete Wright, and guest host Alice Baker as we consider the smoke and mirrors that make Now You See Me 2 a spectacle in theaters now.
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: iTunes
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
"If we can't accept limitations, we're no better than the bad guys."
The Film Board Gathers! This month, #TeamNextReel take on #TeamCap and #TeamIronMan for the title in this hero on hero on decidedly-non-hero battle royale. How well do the Russo Brothers do in their continued ownership of the Cap franchise? How about writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely? And the cast of thousands of A-listers rounding out the Avengers including newcomer Chadwick Boseman? Yeah, here’s a spoiler: We want that Black Panther movie right. Now.
This is a big movie, with monstrous shoes to fill. Join Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Tommy Handsome, Pete Wright and Justin Jaeger as we plow through camera, costume and cuisine on the latest Marvel blockbuster.
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
"I found this upsetting because I was very hungry and also my wife had died ten minutes earlier. Maybe I should start from the beginning."
The Film Board Gathers! This month the gang of thugs comes together to spoil the latest thinker from Jean-Marc Vallée, Demolition. And you know what? We like it. We like it so much, we think you should see it. If you’ve been following us on the Film Board over the last few years, you know that this sort of affinity is pretty rare around these parts.
On the show, we take on Mr. Gyllenhaal, his fantastic introverted quirkiness, and his approach to addressing grief. We talk about the great Chris Cooper and his challenge at being cast as a grumpy Gus. We talk about Naomi Watts, who pulls off complexity, even if just for a wee bit of film. And finally, we talk about relative newcomer Judah Lewis in one of the best child performances we’ve seen.
Better still, you have to tune in for our conversation around the production of this film. Director Jean-Marc Vallée, cinematographer Yves Bélanger, and editor Jay Glen work together to craft one of the most interesting and intentional visual narratives of the season with subtlety and grace. Think what you will about the film, but then step back and appreciate the treatment of the medium. These guys are an exceptional team on this film.
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
"We know better now, don't we? Devils don't come from hell beneath us. They come from the sky."
The Film Board gathers! This month, the gang of thugs comes together to take on the latest in Zack Snyder’s DC Comics destructi-i-thon with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and, as a good panel show should, we offer a split decision! How well is Snyder acting as custodian of DC’s most iconic properties? Is the darker tone truly a representation of our contemporary cultural reality, or is it a slapped together tonal alternative to Marvel’s cinematic universe? Does it matter? Is Ben Affleck really sad? And how soon until the Gal Gadot-helmed Wonder Woman stand-alone film, anyway… cause we have a hankering for it around these parts. All that plus Tommy Handsome on fake things throwing fake things into fake things on screen with regulars Steve Sarmento, Justin Jaeger, Andy Nelson and Pete Wright. Join us!
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: Amazon
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Batman & Superman books at Comixology
- Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia
- Flickchart
“It’s complicated.”
The Film Board Gathers! The Coen Brothers are back, this time channeling the spirit of old Hollywood. Josh Brolin plays Eddie Mannix, the studio fixer charged with keeping the studio in fine form. His big star goes missing. His big starlet gets pregnant. His young hunk can’t act, but has the voice of an angel. And, oh yes, Commies.
George Clooney plays Baird Whitlock, our kidnapped screen vet, but this film is chock full of stunt casting. Ralph Fiennes, ScarJo, Tilda Swinton (x2!), Frances McDormand, and oh yeah… if you saw the trailer, you’ve seen just about every line spoken by the good Jonah Hill.
How does it all come together? Does the Coen script live up to the other films in their idiot trilogy? Does the stunt casting serve the story? How well does Roger Deakins’ camera live up to the era? And what about Carter Burwell? After a disappointing review in January’s conversation on The Finest Hours, does the score turn the Board around? All this and more this month as Steve Sarmento, Justin Jaegar, Andy Nelson, Pete Wright, and Tommy Handsome come together to spoil the Coen’s latest, “Hail, Caesar!”
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Behind the Scenes
“In the coast guard they say you go out, they don’t say you gotta come back.”
The Film Board Gathers! This month we’ve come together to take on Craig Gillespie’s story of a heroic Coast Guard rescue at sea, “The Finest Hours” starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck. How does the rugged crew handle the thrashing of the Nantucket coast? It’s a contentious episode this week, one that splits us on adaptation, truth versus fiction, and the stoicism versus spectrum disorder. Join Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Justin Jaeger, Tommy Handsome, and Pete Wright as we unpack heroism, luck, and headlights in this mostly family adventure!
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- The Finest Hours: The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue by Michael Tougias & Casey Sherman
- Flickchart
“Droid, please.”
The Film Board Gathers! This month the gang of thugs takes on the seventh film in the Star Wars saga, this from reboot master, J. J. Abrams. Does he bring his magic rebootinator to set every day to apply just the right dose of mystery and lens flare? Is he able to get performances from Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac to best our Star Wars expectations? Can Tommy remember what the bad-guy-ships are called?
Join Steve Sarmento, Justin Jaeger, Tommy Handsome, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright for a discussion of all things Force Awakening, from Dan Mindel’s camera to John Williams’ orchestra to Daniel Craig as Stormtrooper JB–007, we have a blaster talking about this spiritual journey through our childhood. See the movie first, as spoilers abound, then join us!
Film Sundries
- Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Art of the Title — Star Wars: A New Hope
- Flickchart
Last year, DC Barns entered his name in a contest to join the cast and crew of Star Wars: The Force Awakens at Pinewood Studios in London. He and friend J Trent Adams were treated to the full on-set experience — complete with trailer and a walk-on role in the film — and now, after nearly 12 months in embargoed silence, they are free to speak of their experience inside the Mystery Box.
Today on TNRShorts, a special interview with DC Barns and J Trent Adams.
The Film Board Gathers! … around a long mysterious table high in a castle above the clouds to take on the biggest issues of the day — certainly the biggest at the box office right now: Sam Mendes’ latest entry in the life of our favorite spy, “SPECTRE.” How does Bond 25 stack up in Daniel Craig’s catalog? How important is it that Bond is moving from serial to series? What’s the deal with Bond Girls anyway? This month we welcome back Chadd Stoops to the gang, along with Justin Jaeger, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright as we take on the art and action of James Bond.
“So… I blew myself up.”
The film board gathers! This month on the show, we’re dropping everything and working together to bring our man Mark Watney home from Mars in Ridley Scott’s latest, “The Martian.” This film, based on Andy Weir’s meticulously crafted book, is a celebration of ingenuity and scientific achievement — a sentiment in short supply across our media landscape — it’s a triumph that a film about smart people is blowing the doors off the box office in itself, whether you fall in love with the film or not. And some of us didn’t. Join Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Tom Metz, Justin Jaeger, and Pete Wright as we pull apart Drew Goddard’s screenplay, sometimes-questionable wire work, stunning Martian visuals, Matt Damon’s exceptional performance and so much more this week on The Next Reel’s Film Board!
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
- The Martian author Andy Weir on The Talking Room with Adam Savage
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“Sit down man, acclimatize.”
The film board gathers! This month the gang of thugs has come together to answer the age-old question that has transfixed adventurers time immemorial: why do we see Everest? Because it’s there. It’s an IMAX 3D exclusive this week which might make you think it’s something of a … you know… spectacle. We’re going to tell you all about that, and we’re going to say some really good things about the cast, some moderate things about the director and writers, and some downright lousy things about the film’s title card. So LOOK OUT! If you can’t tell from our tone here, Balthasar Kormákur’s latest film has failed to wrap us around it’s little finger, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some interesting vectors for approach (see what I did there? Mountain Climbing Language!). So join Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Justin Jaeger and Pete Wright for the trip of a lifetime, and you won’t even have to pay 65 grand to take it!
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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“For a special agent, you’re not having a very special day, are you?"
The latest franchise to get hit with reboot fever is a 60s throw-back with class that’s getting wildly underserved theatrical notice. That’s right, the film board gathers for “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” … and we LIKE it! Funny accents? You bet! Excessively stylistic action? And how! Dreamy blue eyes? You betcha! Join Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Tommy Handsome, Mike Evans and Pete Wright as we go to town on Guy Ritchie’s take on 60s Spy-o-Rama with Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, and Hugh Grant. Is this the team that’s strong enough to reboot an era? Spoiler: Not judging by the box office. Join us and see!
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
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“I want you to break into a place and steal some stuff."
The Film Board Gathers! This month the gang of thugs comes together for Marvel’s latest, Ant-Man. How does Scott Lang’s mini hero stand in the current Marvel stable? What is this impact of the franchise model on our expectations going into Marvel films now? How does director Peyton Reed fair in light of the “Edgar Wright Situation?” Join Film Board regulars Justin Jaeger, Steve Sarmento, Andy Nelson and Pete Wright as we take on take on these questions, plus other favorites like: “Wow, how did we end up liking Paul Rudd as a super hero?” and “Do you think Evangeline Lilly would hit me in the face?” and “Do you think it make Corey Stoll sad to be so good at being a bad guy all the time?” Hard-hitting investigation this month on the Film Board — Listen in!
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Ant-Man Vol. 1: Second-Chance Man
- Flickchart
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
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“The key to a happy life is to accept you are never actually in control.”
The Film Board Gathers! This month, we christen Jurassic World, the latest from Colin Trevorrow. Did Chris Pratt maintain his status as up-and-coming action hero of the decade? Did Bryce Dallas Howard embody 1980’s sexism in the movies? Was Vincent D’Onofrio SO much better in Daredevil? Is Jake Johnson your new best friend you’ve never actually met? We take on all these questions, and attempt to unpack the cultural identity of the film as a representation of the loss of control in society. Seriously. We do that. So go see the movie, then join in the fun!
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- The Dinosaur Four — Goeff Johns
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
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Film Board Assemble! This month the thugs gather to take on Joss Whedon’s next entry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” How does the comic adaptation stand up to the original books? Does Joss manage to pull off an even more character-dense film and keep it making some sort of sense? Why does Ultron smile and blink? All these questions and so many more answered this week as Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Tommy Handsome, Justin Jaeger, Mike Evans and Pete Wright gather to give the smackdown to our coming robot overlords!
Child 44 was supposed to be Oscar bait. Instead, its star-heavy cast is dragging it through opening weekend with a 27% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a deflated box office take. But why? This week, the film board gathers to take on Daniel Espinoza’s latest film of Richard Price’s once lauded Blacklist screenplay. Spoiler: This is not the script that Andy remembers — substantial changes to plot and tone appear to have neutered the final film of much of the gravitas the script had originally deserved. But, the problems do not end there. Join Andy Nelson, Tommy Handsome, Justin Jaeger, and Pete Wright as we discuss what worked, what didn’t work, and what is just plain inexcusable this week on The Next Reel’s Film Board!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
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“It’s time we fight back. "
The Film Board Gathers! This month we take on the latest in the Divergent series, Insurgent! This time around, Tris Prior is battling her nemeses internal and external at the hand of director Robert Schwentke and writers Brian Duffield, Akiva Goldsman, and Mark Bomback. How’d it hold up, you ask? Did Mekhi Phifer reprise his stand out performance as Mekhi Phifer? Did Miles Teller play any rhythm instrument at all? Did Theo James brood? We answer all these questions, and address the most pressing issue of all: #InsurgentBedHead. All this in the capable hands of Andy Nelson, Pete Wright, Steve Sarmento, and new addition to the gang of thugs, Justin Jaeger makes his debut! So join us, listen in, embrace the spoils, and only then should you make the decision to see this film.
Film Sundries
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Original Material
- Flickchart
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
- The Next Reel on iTunes
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- The Next Reel on Flickchart
- The Next Reel on Letterboxd
- Guess the Movie with The Next Reel on Instagram
- Check out the Posters with The Next Reel on Pinterest
And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
- Follow Andy Nelson on Twitter
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This is not the movie you think it is. At least, that's the take of our round table of thugs on the Film Board this week as we spoil "Kingsman: The Secret Service." Thankfully, even as we were collectively surprised, we were equally blown away by Matthew Vaughn's contribution to the spy game.
Let's start here and get it right out of the way: Colin Firth is a proper action hero. No one saw that coming, least of all, we imagine, Colin Firth. That's just the first of our stunning realizations this week as we talk about the comic source material from which this film erupts. We take on parallel versus sequential storytelling techniques. We talk about shakycam (GOOD LORD SHAKYCAM) and the cinematographic challenges of making people look like heroes. All that and so much more, including one of Tommy Handsome's best additions to the Flickchart Song Collection (FSC).
Chris Hemsworth gives his all in Michael Mann’s study of hacking new this week: “Blackhat.” If most computer films have historically failed the computer stuff, the consensus thus far is that Blackhat has delivered where others have so desperately lacked. But how does it hold up beyond the tech? The Film Board Gathers! This week on the show Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Tommy Handsome, and Pete Wright hash out Blackhat, from every high-minded concept to the very last USB stick. Did Mann’s usual critical eye deliver a thriller that’ll stand? How about screenwriter Morgan Davis Foehl’s first produced feature? We run the gauntlet ourselves this week and (file this as “please let our lives serve as a warning for yours” fodder) just make sure you listen to the show before you buy tickets.
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
- The Next Reel on iTunes
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- The Next Reel on Flickchart
- The Next Reel on Letterboxd
- Guess the Movie with The Next Reel on Instagram
- Check out the Posters with The Next Reel on Pinterest
And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
- Follow Andy Nelson on Twitter
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Peter Jackson is back with another turn at the wheel of Middle Earth. This time, Bilbo and buddies are off to slay the dragon, fight ye olde Gold Flu, and get all gussied up to ready themselves for the Lord of the Rings, which already happened. The Film Board gathers as Steve Sarmento, Chadd Stoops, Tommy Handsome, and Pete Wright tackle the big issues of Five Armies — the love story? Scarface Orc got an upgrade? The love story? We take on the visuals, story structure, key characters and Andrew Lesnie’s camera, and of course Peter Jackson at the helm. Listen in and share your thoughts!
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Katnis and crew are back in part one of their journey against the Capitol. Things are grim, as evidenced by the jumpsuits and rubble, and the crying that happens whenever our heroes see jumpsuits and/or rubble in the frame. The gang of thugs is back this week to take on Francis Lawrence’s latest take on the Hunger Games saga, and we’re firmly split on the results. Is it a fun romp through civilian uprising? Is it a valiant effort to translate literary tripe to screen? Or is it a shameless money grab with sadly not enough of everything we’ve come to want from this series? Join Steve Sarmento, Tom Metz, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright to see if J-Law, J-Hutch, L-Hems, and P-Sey-Hoff can save the world!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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The film board gathers to fully spoil Brad Pitt’s and David Ayers’ latest World War II Tank-a-palooza, “Fury.” First spoiler: it’s a war film, more intimate than epic, but it comes with all the violence that such a film typically entails. Too gratuitous? Does the film truck in inappropriately annoying stereotypes? Does Brad Pitt have crazy-fantastic scars? Did Shia really pull out his own tooth for the part? Steve Sarmento, Tom Metz, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright take on all these critical tentpoles of film criticism in this month’s Film Board. Join us!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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It’s throwback time on The Film Board as we take on Denzel Washington’s latest, The Equalizer. We take on all the various social constructs Denzel and director Antoine Fuqua look to equalize, from guns and home improvement to racism and gender inequality. Plus, the film is punctuated with violence and not a little bit of allegory. So join us — Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Pete Wright, and the disembodied voice of Chadd Stoops — as we take on this homage to Edward Woodward and 80’s pop culture greatness.
This, good people, is a summer tentpole we can get excited about. Director James Gunn has delivered a funny and frolicking space opera in “Guardians of the Galaxy” with a terrific cast, immersive effects, and a script that is, as we're apt to say, way smarter than it needed to be. Join Mike Evans, Tom Metz, Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Chadd Stoops, and Pete Wright as we break down the film. We walk through James Gunn’s performance as director and co-writer with Nicole Perlman, Ben Davis’ cinematography, gorgeous production and art design and, of course, performances from Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, and Vin Diesel that makes our cinematic introduction to this off-beat comic property so enjoyable. Listen in and share your thoughts!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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Waitwaitwait… what?? A summer tentpole that causes us to ask big questions and congratulate smart filmmaking decisions? WHAT? Such is our review of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, people, and we’re as shocked as you are. This follow up to the 2011 reboot, Rise of the Planet of the Apes marks director Matt Reeves' big screen intro to the franchise. Does he live up to the love we showered him with for Cloverfield? The Film Board gathers to hash it out. Steve Sarmento, Tommy Metz, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright spread some ape love all over the film, the effects, even the premise for crying out loud. And Andy Serkis? Let’s just say this: he’s more than a man in a monkey suit. As always, this show is chock full of spoilers so if you haven’t seen the film, do that first! Then come hang out with the Film Board and let’s get MONKEY CRAZY! (That’s a thing, right? Is that not a thing? … …)
Tom Cruise is back in Doug Liman’s “Edge of Tomorrow,” tripping through time and trauma on the road to defeat an alien hoard. Here’s the weird thing about this summer tentpole: we all loved it. No kidding. Tom Cruise is back in Doug Liman’s “Edge of Tomorrow,” tripping through time and trauma on the road to defeat an alien hoard. Here’s the weird thing about this summer tentpole: we all loved it. No kidding. Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Tom Metz and Pete Wright make The Film Board this week and dish spoilerifically on the time loop architecture at work in the film, the action, the humor (yes, humor!), and the crucial end. And did we mention Emily Blunt? Tom Cruise is back in Doug Liman’s “Edge of Tomorrow,” tripping through time and trauma on the road to defeat an alien hoard. Here’s the weird thing about this summer tentpole: we all loved it. No kidding. Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Tom Metz and Pete Wright make The Film Board this week and dish spoilerifically on the time loop architecture at work in the film, the action, the humor (yes, humor!), and the crucial end. And did we mention Emily Blunt? Get ready: she’s crushingly awesome in this film as the big brute, delivering what so many films have only tried to build in a strong female hero. Go see this movie. Then go see it again. Then join us for a great conversation and a new Flickchart theme song from Tommy Handsome!
Japan + Nuclear Power Plant + Misunderstood Fear of Technology = GODZILLA! The Film Board gathers to take on this summer romp and the jury is split. Did this summer’s dose of midtown mayhem lift you out of your seats? Join Tom Metz, Steve Sarmento, Andy Nelson and Pete Wright for a chat about all things Godzilicious! Did Gareth Edwards bring his indie spirit to this monster mash? Did Max Borenstein deftly handle the hodgepodge of hands meddling in the script? Was Bryan Cranston in this movie? All these questions answered this week as Godzilla takes it’s place in The Film Board’s Flickchart hall of fame… or infamy!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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Film Board Assemble! It’s Captain America and his bestie Winter Soldier this week and Andy Nelson, Pete Wright, Steve Sarmento, and Chadd Stoops huddle up to give this film a good drilling. We hash out the Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely-penned script, the direction of the brothers Russo and, of course, Robert Redford being all Robert Redfordy. How does the film hold up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? What’s the skinny on Bucky? Mindless speculation on story treatments leading into 2020? We hit it all. Join us for a rip-roaring good time crushing on all things Cap.
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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What better way to kick off the spring tentpole season than with the launch of another adaptation of a young adult novel. This time, it’s Veronica Roth’s take on dystopian Abercrobmie in “Divergent.” This is perhaps the most divided we’ve been on the Film Board. Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, and Tom Metz come out as pro-faction, Pete Wright and Mike Evans against. We take on Roth’s story and how well it translates to the big screen. We talk factions and the nature of social control in an after-the-fall Chicago. Somewhere in there, Pete makes a case for the musical montage, and Tom sings. The two are not related. If you’re wondering whether “Divergence” is a film for you, there’s likely someone on this week’s episode that will strike your fancy. Listen in!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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Might be best to start off a conversation about George Clooney's latest, The Monuments Men, by telling you what this film is not. It's not a comedy. And in spite of its pedigree and subject matter, it's not all that much of a heist film. It doesn't spend enough time building character to be a character film. And if your name is either Andy Nelson or Tom Metz, the film isn't very good. This week on the show, Andy, Tom, and Pete Wright take on Clooney's latest opus and dish on story, script, concept, cinematography, and the relative importance of being able to find humor in Adolf Hitler. We spoil this film heavily, as usual, so if you don't want story rot on the brain, make sure you see it, then come hang out with us on The Film Board!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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"Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" is worth exactly what you pay for it. And possibly slightly less. Such is the verdict of The Next Reel Film Board this month as we take on the Kenneth Branagh-helmed thriller. It's the fifth in the Ryan series, but the first not based on one of Tom Clancy's novels — a sore point for many of us on the board. Writers Adam Cozad and David Koepp conjure up some interesting moments in a script that is otherwise awash in trite. But the biggest questions remain: Can Chris Pine pull off the fish-out-of-water clumsiness of Ryan? Can Kevin Costner fill the giant shoes of James Earl Jones in the critical mentor role? Can Keira Knightley handle the American accent? (Spoiler: Not really.) Join board regulars Tom Metz, Steve Sarmento, Chadd Stoops, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright as they digest this serving of spy soup, with a health helping of Oscars 2014!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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Winding his way back and forth across the expanse of Middle Earth, Peter Jackson brings us his second stab at “The Hobbit” with “The Desolation of Smaug,” the fifth film in the Peter Jackson Middle Earth Cinematic Universe. That’s right, we’ve come to understand more of Jackson’s intent with this film, and it’s place in his Tolkien saga. But the questions are plenty: did he best the first Bilbo with the latest? Did 48fps drive the same sense of seizureama as the last film? Will Tom make any off-color jokes that somehow, in spite of our best editing efforts, actually make it to broadcast? To know for sure, you’ll have to listen in as Steve Sarmento, Tom Metz, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright convene the film board to take on Jackson’s latest journey into forced perspective.
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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We're headed back to Asgard this week as we gather the Film Board to take on "Thor: The Dark World"! Join Andy Nelson, Pete Wright, Steve Sarmento, and Tom Metz as we meticulously dissect the strange attraction we have for a hero that has no flaw, and is a god. We talk about Natalie Portman's riveting portrayal of a woman who deeply loves science. We talk about Kat Dennings and how much funnier it would have been if Michael Cera had played "Intern." And most importantly, we lavish great fondness all over and around and through Tom Hiddleston for his portrayal of Loki, a chalice of regret from which we sip that he was so under-used in this film. Did Alan Taylor bring his Game of Thrones grit to Thor and leave us quivering in anticipation for more Marvel goodness? Listen in and find out!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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We’re on a trip to space with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in this month’s Film Board review of Cuaron & Son’s astro-tacular, Gravity. Join Steve Sarmento, Tommy Metz, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright as we pull apart a film miraculously greater than the sum of its pretty good parts. We pull apart the film, the performance(s), the writing, but most of all (spoiler) we lavish unheard of praise on Emmanuel Lubezki and the stunning digital filmmaking pouring from his hands. It’s a great conversation with some interesting twists, a whole lot of love, and just a bit of shame. Tune in!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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The next time your young daughter asks you if she can take Joy to your house on the other side of the neighborhood, the correct answer is a resounding "no." Such is the lesson from this week's Film Board subject, Denis Villeneuve's "Prisoners." Join Steve Sarmento, Mike Evans, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright as we discuss the strong performances across the cast, led by the captivating Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal. We talk about the spellbinding cinematography of one of our very favorites in the business, Roger Deakins, who manages to turn a sleepy Pennsylvania suburb into a horrifyingly bleak kidnap-scape. And we can't forget the incredible casting of two of the downright creepiest performances on screen right now, Paul Dano and David Dastmalchian. This Aaron Guzikowski-penned script sat on the Black List for far too long, and has been plagued by creative changes for years, and yet the result on screen is a film with few loose ends and much to appreciate. Listen in!
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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Spoiler alert — the crew is as divided on "You're Next" as we have ever been on this show. Director Adam Wingard's home invasion horror romp has been hailed as "clever," "deliciously twisted," and that it "streamlines the gory stuff for something truly shocking: good characters." So, is it really the refreshing attempt to turn the genre on it's ear? Or is it dumb dumb stupid dumb and the sign of the fall of civilization? Join Steve Sarmento, Tom Metz, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright as they do their best to figure out if they even saw the same movie.
The Film Board gathers! It's a full house this week as we take on the latest clawed brawler from Marvel, "The Wolverine." The crew agrees: there are some stunningly beautiful sequences in this film, and while Jackman's Wolverine rarely disappoints, on the whole the film loses steam tragically too early and delivers an ultimately forgettable experience. Steve shares his report on the Atmos experience of "The Wolverine," which may make the film worth seeing on the big screen, if you have such a theater near you. Check out this month's Film Board review for details and plenty, plenty of spoilers!
The curse is broken! The Film Board gathers and we finally have a movie that all of us like! It's Brad Pitt against the world's nasty plague problem on the show this week and Steve, Andy, and Pete talk about why you should see this film, why you should like this film, and why it's culturally far more relevant than a run of the mill zombie thriller. That's right, we're cutting against the grain this week on The Film Board so check out this film and join us for a chat on Pitt and the world that's out to bite him!
It's a Very Special Episode for this month's Film Board gathering. Today on the show, Steve Sarmento and Chadd Stoops join Andy Nelson and Pete Wright to take on the great Next Reel Crossover with Now You See Me — a magical heist film of skeptic proportions. Director Louis Leterrier takes The Four Horsemen Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco and manufactures the epic stage show. Does it hold up to scrutiny? Is this finally the Morgan Freeman/Michael Caine match-up to end all Morgan Freeman/Michael Caine match-ups? Is Mark Ruffalo still super-angry all the time? All these questions, and the answer to whether or not you are the smartest person in the room on this week's Film Board. Listen in!
The Film Board gathers to take on this weekend's new release, "42". This Jackie Robinson biopic comes with some misgivings, not the least of which comes in writer-director Brian Helgeland's script. The Board is moved somewhere between "stark and emotionless" to "Lifetime Movie of the Week" with this entry into cinema baseball-dom, with a few noted highlights: Chadwick Boseman and Nicole Beharie offer stand-out performances in this otherwise middling sports fare. Join Andy Nelson, Steve Sarmento, Mike Evans, and Pete Wright for a conversation about baseball, great movie posters, and a little bit of Windows 8. Because of Andy.
The Film Board gathers to take on Disney's latest trip to the Emerald Kingdom. This week on the show, Steve Sarmento and Tom Metz join Andy and Pete to pull apart Oz The Great and Powerful, and pull it apart they do. Clumsy scripting? Trouble with the protagonist? Witches that can shoot lightening from their fingers throwing away everything because of a crush on a boy? All that, and we're still swept away by the magic of the final act. Listen in for why we think this is a great what-coulda-been film that ends up near the very bottom of our list.
The band is back together! And this month, the illustrious TNR Film Board gathers ranks to take on Steven Soderbergh's "final" film, "Side Effects". Haven't seen it yet? Don't worry, we'll spoil it for you, but it won't matter — you won't understand it anyway. Chadd Stoops, Steve Sarmento, Mike Evans, and newcomer Tom Metz join Andy and Pete to hash out just how Soderbergh this film really is, the overwhelmingly satisfying performances from the key actors throughout this complex thriller, and if "sleep murder" is a thing we should all be more concerned about, actually.
The Hobbit had landed in HFR 3D glory! Join us for this special episode of The Next Reel Film Board as we take on Peter Jackson's latest contribution to Middle Earth. This month's contributors Steve Sarmento and Chadd Stoops join Andy and Pete for a conversation on the tech, the tools, and the people that bring this beloved children's classic to life. Listen in!
The Film Board gathers to take on "Cloud Atlas", the epic journey of a whole lot of Toms Hanks and Hallies Berry. Join Andy Nelson, Pete Wright, and Chadd Stoops as they share what worked, what didn't, and what makes this film a passionate, beautiful mess.
In spite of schedule complications, the Film Board goes on. This month, Pete and Andy talk Looper staring Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis.
Join the goodly Chadd Stoops, Mike Evans, Steve Sarmento, Andy Nelson, and Pete Wright to talk Bourne. We talk Chaos Cinema. We talk Jeremy Renner and the Brothers Gilroy. At one point, Steve gets so mad he disappears. And then Andy overloads the Internet. Finally, we talk about The Hobbit and the 48 fps wonder 3D future in store for us all. So if you missed the live chat, check out the previously live recording of The Film Board for August 2012!
The Board Gathers! In this week's special Movies We Like Google Hangout, Andy Nelson and Pete Wright are joined by regulars Chadd Stoops and Steve Sarmento to talk through the final chapter in Christopher Nolan's contribution to the Batman universe: The Dark Knight Rises.
The Film Board Gathers! This week, we come together to see if Andy and Pete were right about Prometheus.
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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