Reel Fanatics

Unfettered conversation about cinema.

#435 : ANORA 11/18/2024

#435 : ANORA Indie auteur Sean Baker returns with his Palme d'Or-winning Anora, and the guys are eager to discuss this latest work. Michael checks another major blind spot off his watchlist. Joe revisits a Robert Zemeckis classic. Jared is puzzled by the release strategy for the new Clint Eastwood picture. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/33970687

#434 : MADE IN ENGLAND 11/13/2024

#434 : MADE IN ENGLAND The new documentary Made in England, featuring Martin Scorsese, prompts Michael, Jared, and Joe to discuss the films of directors Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, including The Red Shoes, Black Narcissus, and particularly The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/33912877

#433 : Fall Film Fest Report 11/02/2024

#433 : Fall Film Fest Report Jared reports on the movies he saw at the Mill Valley Film Festival in October. Joe recommends a recent film from a rising Japanese auteur. Michael explores the work of Buster Keaton. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/33757037

#432 : MEGALOPOLIS 10/22/2024

#432 : MEGALOPOLIS Megalopolis has finally made its way to theaters, so the guys debate Coppola's likely final work. Also, Jared recommends a new indie flick, Joe revisits an Italian master's semi-autobiographical film, and Michael checks off two more '70s blindspots. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/33563192

#431 : Essential Arthouse Films of 2024 10/01/2024

#431 : Essential Arthouse Films of 2024 Jared is joined by returning guest Colin Takasawa to pick out the ten best foreign, indie, or avant-garde movies of the year and discuss twenty other notable titles. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/33278257

#430 : BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA 09/21/2024

#430 : BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA The guys kick off another round of retro reviews with one of Joe's favorites, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, a 1970s neo-western from Sam Peckinpah. The discussion evolves into an exploration of Peckinpah's entire oeuvre. Michael also talks about an older beloved western, Joe checks out an unseen Paul Schrader movie, and Jared recommends a recent indie film. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/33150442

#429 : MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING 08/30/2024

#429 : MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING Out of nowhere comes another retro review! The guys take a look at the 1997 Julia Roberts rom-com hit, My Best Friend's Wedding, to see how it holds up today. Plus, Michael and Joe revisit two '70s cult classics, while Jared champions two new indie films. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/32806077

#428 : DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE 08/16/2024

#428 : DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Marvel expert Kyle Nabilcy returns to the pod to discuss Deadpool & Wolverine and the future of the MCU—especially RDJ's homecoming—with Michael and Jared. Joe calls in to share his reaction to the latest superhero movie, too. And Kyle asks an important question: What happened to John Grisham adaptations? /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/32603482

#427 : MAXXXINE / LONGLEGS 07/29/2024

#427 : MAXXXINE / LONGLEGS Michael moderates spoiler-free reviews of MaXXXine and Longlegs by Jared and Joe. Then the guys discuss the trailers for some upcoming horror-thrillers and weigh in on comments made by Paul Schrader about the horror genre. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/32336897

#426 : INSIDE OUT 2 & The State of Theaters 07/08/2024

#426 : INSIDE OUT 2 & The State of Theaters A combo episode. First, Michael and Jared do a brief review of Pixar's Inside Out 2. Then Joe joins in for a discussion about the current state of movie theaters and where theatrical exhibition and moviegoing are headed. Spoiler alert: the future doesn't look bright! /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/32043737

#425 : HIT MAN 06/25/2024

#425 : HIT MAN Richard Linklater's new romantic crime comedy is the topic of the day. Michael catches up on some recent Netflix offerings. Joe finally watches a '90s cult classic. Jared describes a museum video installation piece. The guys argue over whether Hit Man would have been a theatrical box office success. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/31878047

#424 : FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA 06/12/2024

#424 : FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA George Miller expands the story of a Fury Road character for a revenge-fueled prequel, and the guys are excited about it! Jared reports on the Cannes Film Festival, Michael recommends a new Netflix comedy series, and Joe explains his deep love for the Mad Max franchise. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/31710952

#423 : HIGH AND LOW 05/31/2024

#423 : HIGH AND LOW It's a new retro review! In anticipation of Spike Lee's remake, Jared selects High and Low to continue the unfinished trilogy of Akira Kurosawa retro picks that they started during the pandemic. Michael watches some football-related streaming content. Joe recommends a buzzy Netflix series. Jared champions a new indie horror picture. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/31542927

#422 : CHALLENGERS 05/16/2024

#422 : CHALLENGERS Is Luca Guadagnino's sexy tennis romance a win? The Reel Fanatics discuss. Joe recommends a new miniseries. Jared finishes an old miniseries. Michael reflects on twelve seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/31334587

#421 : CIVIL WAR 04/30/2024

#421 : CIVIL WAR Alex Garland's new film sparks a civil war on the podcast! Joe revisits a 1980s sci-fi classic, Michael recommends a recent documentary, and Jared champions his favorite film of the year. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/31046598

#420 : DUNE: PART TWO 03/28/2024

#420 : DUNE: PART TWO Does the second half of Denis Villeneuve's Dune adaptation fulfill the promise of the first? Jared, Michael, and Joe discuss. The guys also share their reactions to the 96th Oscars telecast. Joe recommends a new neo-noir, Jared discovers a '70s sci-fi curio, and Michael struggles with the work of Robert Bresson. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/30578848

#419 : Oscar Predictions 02/29/2024

#419 : Oscar Predictions The 96th Academy Awards are approaching, so Michael, Jared, and Joe analyze the nominees and offer their predictions for the winners. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/30170953

#418 : Top 10 Films of 2023, Part 2 02/19/2024

#418 : Top 10 Films of 2023, Part 2 All is revealed in the shocking conclusion to Michael, Jared, and Joe's reflections on 2023 cinema! The guys divulge films #5-1 from their individual top ten lists, as well as some honorable mentions. Three more guests share their favorites of the year. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/29996243

#417 : Top 10 Films of 2023, Part 1 02/12/2024

#417 : Top 10 Films of 2023, Part 1 That's a wrap on 2023! Michael, Jared, and Joe reflect on the year in cinema and share their #10-6 films from their individual top ten lists. Several guests call in to champion their favorites. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/29903703

#416 : ANATOMY OF A FALL 02/03/2024

#416 : ANATOMY OF A FALL Is she guilty? The guys examine Justine Triet's Palme d'Or-winning Anatomy of a Fall. Jared recommends the new Wim Wenders film. Joe analyzes The Equalizer franchise. Michael discovers two new dark Christmas classics. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/29779788

#415 : AMERICAN FICTION 01/20/2024

#415 : AMERICAN FICTION On this episode, the guys discuss Cord Jefferson's directorial debut, American Fiction. Michael acknowledges the impressive year of Kristoffer Borgli, Jared recommends an idiosyncratic TV miniseries, and Joe crafts some unusual sports metaphors. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/29572833

#414 : MAESTRO 01/09/2024

#414 : MAESTRO Bradley Cooper's Maestro is the focus of this episode. Also, Jared and Joe recommend two December releases, Michael eliminates some older blind spots, and together they discuss the demise of the cool movie star. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/29401563

#413 : THE BOY AND THE HERON 12/25/2023

#413 : THE BOY AND THE HERON The guys discuss what might be Hayao Miyazaki's final film, The Boy and the Heron. Michael reports on several resolved blind spots, including classic Miyazaki works. Jared recommends two recent theatrical releases. Joe revisits a great Ridley Scott picture. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/29221648

#412 : MAY DECEMBER 12/20/2023

#412 : MAY DECEMBER The buzzy Netflix film May December from indie auteur Todd Haynes is the subject of this episode. Joe revisits some classics while Michael fills in some blind spots. Jared is surprised by one of Joe's comfort movies. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/29161738

#411 : THE HOLDOVERS 12/08/2023

#411 : THE HOLDOVERS The guys discuss Alexander Payne's The Holdovers. Joe revisits the James Bond franchise. Jared recommends a Norwegian satire. Michael weighs in on a recent release that divided Joe and Jared. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/28987408

#410 : PRISCILLA / THE KILLER 11/27/2023

#410 : PRISCILLA / THE KILLER Two masters return with films that seem ideally suited to their styles. How do they fare? Jared and Joe discuss Sofia Coppola's Priscilla, then Michael joins in to analyze David Fincher's The Killer. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/28798978

#409 : KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON 11/06/2023

#409 : KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON Martin Scorsese's long-awaited epic crime drama, Killers of the Flower Moon, has finally arrived! The guys discuss the film in depth. Michael revisits some older Scorsese pictures, while Joe and Jared recommend new movies on VOD. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/28526495

#408 : Eras Tour Movie + MVFF 10/25/2023

#408 : Eras Tour Movie + MVFF Michael and Joe share their reactions to the new concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, and Jared reports on the 2023 Mill Valley Film Festival. Joe and Jared discuss Wes Anderson's Roald Dahl Netflix shorts. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/28425698

#407 : Favorite Hitman Movies 10/10/2023

#407 : Favorite Hitman Movies In anticipation of David Fincher's The Killer, the guys list their ten favorite films about professional killers. Joe and Jared also recommend some recent releases, while Michael eliminates some 1970s blind spots. /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/28274219

#406 : Essential Arthouse Films of 2023 09/15/2023

#406 : Essential Arthouse Films of 2023 Jared is joined by guest Colin Takasawa to identify the ten best foreign, indie, or avant-garde movies of the year and discuss a handful of other notable titles. 2023 has a lot to offer: confident directorial debuts, gems from young masters, and two films that evoke the work of Stan Brakhage! /episode/index/show/reelfanatics/id/28039737

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