The Next Reel Film Podcast

“I will serve. I will be of service.”We’re On the Run With John Wick.Picking up right where Chapter 2 ended, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum gives us more of what came before – amazing fight sequences with serious stuntwork, beautiful cinematography, and expanded world-building. While it delivers on all fronts, some people found this one’s expanded universe to be a bit too much. But is it? Or does it work? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our journey through the John Wick series with our conversation about Chad Stahelski’s 2019 film John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Here’s a hint at what we talk about.First off, what’s with the addendum to the title? Did we need “Parabellum” added, even if it fits both in the Latin phrase mentioned as well as the aptly named parabellum Luger cartridge? Title issues aside, we dig into the world-building here and try to sort out how much world-building is too much, and at what point does it feel like the world-building is there just to get John out of and into particular situations. That aside, we have a fantastic slew of new characters – The Director, The Elder, The Adjudicator, Sofia, Tick Tock Man, Ernest, and more – not to mention more with some of our favorites, particularly Lance Reddick who we sadly lost between our last recording and this one. The stunt work and action choreography is top notch in this film, particularly the work with the dogs. It’s a fun, violent film and whether you feel it’s better than, worse than, or on par with what came before, it certainly fits in this world. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript OptionsTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeSitting in the DarkJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsBlueskyYouTubeFlickchartPinterestPete AndyWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

When we started our movie podcast, the original name was Movies We Like. Eventually, as we began talking about some movies we didn't like, we figured we should rebrand. Hence, The Next Reel Film Podcast was born. But we never could let go of the name Movies We Like. We just didn't have a place for it at the time. Then, as we were looking at rebranding this podcast as we worked to bring more guests from the industry to join us in talking about a movie they liked, we realized that this would be the perfect show to use the name Movies We Like! So here we are – a new era of the Speakeasy, now rebranded as Movies We Like. We're looking forward to the future conversations!

“Can a man like you know peace?”We’re Back With John as He Takes on the Italian MafiaJohn Wick: Chapter 2 starts mid-action sequence as John fights Viggo’s brother to get his car back. It sets up the action for this film, and sets up John’s motivations. He’s a man stuck in the past who clings to his relics. Once he has his car, he even goes so far as to try breaking the rules to stay out of the business. Unfortunately, he’s not allowed, which propels this film. There’s a lot more world-building in this film to set all of this up. How does it work? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our look at the John Wick series with a conversation about Chad Stahelski’s 2017 follow-up John Wick: Chapter 2.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.This is an R-rated world of violence. What’s interesting is that, given the opportunity to include nudity as well, Stahelski opts to avoid it. That tells us a lot about the specific world-view we’re meant to take away from this movie. It’s one of violence, not sex, even if it’s full of sexy, well-dressed people who know how to fight.To that end, the stunts and action are amped up and enjoyable. It helps that the film is so beautiful to look at, particularly that final fight sequence through the museum and hall of mirrors. We get a prolonged stunt sequence midway through the film as John leaves his assassination of Gianna then has to fight dozens of hitmen, not to mention Common and Ruby Rose, both playing bodyguards. But how does this expanded world of hitmen work? Are they making a mess of it or does it work for us? And how about the new rules involving blood oaths? It’s actually quite interesting. If there’s an area we like but worry it may become too convoluted in later films, it’s the 12-member High Table with the various mob families, not to mention the Bowery and all the other various groups that seem to be involved in crime here. Regardless, it all makes for a fun film. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript OptionsTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeSitting in the DarkJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsBlueskyYouTubeFlickchartPinterestPete AndyWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“Now that I have found my peace, find yours.”Time to Avenge the Dead Puppy with John WickIt took some time to get all the right players so the movie John Wick could move forward. Luckily, everything worked out and stunt coordinators Chad Stahelski and David Leitch got the opportunity to direct their first big film. Derek Kolstad’s script had all the right magic and Keanu Reeves reinvented himself yet again with a title that surprised everyone. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson as we kick off our John Wick series where it all started, Stahelski’s 2014 film John Wick.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.Pete loves this movie. Andy enjoys it but it’s never excited him as much as other people. That’s a good starting place for the conversation. Why does it work so well for some and others don’t take to it as much? We also talk about the way this got made and how rare something like that happens where all the pieces fall in place just right. How would this have felt if a septuagenerian was playing the lead? We spend a bit of time digging into the stunt work and why it helps the story, but perhaps also leaves it feeling overly clinical through some eyes. The world-building is spectacular though! There’s plenty to discuss with this and it’s exciting that its success spurred on an entire franchise. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchDerek Kolstad’s original script SCORNTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeSitting in the DarkJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsBlueskyYouTubeFlickchartPinterestPete AndyWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“So be addicted. Be addicted to something else.”Checking in 20 Years Later with Renton, Spud, Sick Boy, and BegbyThat’s right, it’s time to talk about Danny Boyle’s legacy sequel T2 Trainspotting. It was a long time coming, and that’s even after author Irvine Welsh wrote a 10-years-later sequel called “Porno” to his original novel “Trainspotting.” Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our conversations about the Trainspotting series with a look at Boyle’s 2017 film T2 Trainspotting.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.First off, what’s up with that dumb title? We chat about it a bit and the reasons they named it that, but it doesn’t change our opinions that it doesn’t work that well. We were a little concerned about a return to this world, but in the end, we felt it worked. That’s largely because the people behind it were passionate about it and kept it honest and in line with where the first film ended. That doesn’t mean we don’t have issues with some of the character arcs. Could Begbie perhaps have learned something in prison and not come out 20 years later feeling like the same character? Could we have spent a bit more time dealing with Renton’s health issues? Why did Kelly Macdonald have to be included in what feels just like a cameo? Still, the story largely works. We like the journeys the characters go on even with some of the issues. We’re glad that Boyle and Ewan McGregor were able to work past their problems to find a way into this one. And it’s great to see Boyle still finding ways to play with his production style, even if sometimes it doesn’t quite feel as fresh as it did the first time around.All in all, it’s a surprisingly good return to this world. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript OptionsTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeSitting in the DarkJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsBlueskyYouTubeFlickchartPinterestPete AndyWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“Living like this is a full-time business.”Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose Trainspotting.Danny Boyle had directed before making Trainspotting, but it’s this film that really seemed to stamp him as a director to notice. This film follows a rowdy group of twenty-somethings, several of whom are heroin addicts. It not only pushed Boyle into the conversation, but Ewan McGregor as well, who stands out as the protagonist of our film. His journey as an addict who works to break free from the life only to (possibly) settle in a ‘normal’ life is the story, but it’s the comedy and energy through the film that makes it work so well. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Trainspotting series with Boyle’s 1996 film Trainspotting.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.What is it about Boyle’s filmmaking style that captures our attention? What do we think of the key performers in this film – Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Kevin McKidd and Kelly McDonald? The soundtrack is fantastic. How much does that infuse Boyle’s style? Or is it his style infusing his music selection? And editing? Or it it all just part of the way he sees his films? The comedy seems to capture the essence of the the lives of this group of twenty-somethings. It also allows the darker moments to hit that much harder.All in all, this film’s a great ride and gut punch at the same time. Plus, it makes us never want to do heroin! We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript OptionsTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeSitting in the DarkJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsBlueskyYouTubeFlickchartPinterestPete AndyWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

Driller Killer’s Back! But He’s Different...It was inevitable with the successes of The Slumber Party Massacre and Slumber Party Massacre II that Roger Corman would want a third film made. Again, he chose to have a female writer and female director which is a nice change from the norm – particularly for the era. But why does this one feel separate from the first two? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we conclude our Slumber Party Massacre series with a conversation about Sally Mattison’s 1990 film Slumber Party Massacre III.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.This film drops any connection to the story and characters from the first two films. Why? Where do we then find connective tissue in this trilogy? Is it just because we have a killer with a drill? It seems thin. And the fact that we have characters named the same from the first film just isn’t enough. We miss the parody elements and feminist approach too. It feels like they decided to just make a straight-up slasher film. They even go so far as to give the killer what feels like tropey psychological damage from sexual abuse suffered as a child at the hands of his uncle. It could’ve been interesting, but they only add just enough to make it feel cliche. It’s fairly disappointing.Regardless, it still gives us plenty to discuss. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Rent this from Scarecrow VideoTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeSitting in the DarkJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsBlueskyYouTubeFlickchartPinterestPete AndyWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“I didn’t know girls really did this stuff!”All aboard for the rockabilly massacre dreamscape!There’s a clearly logical path from The Slumber Party Massacre to its followup five years later, Slumber Party Massacre II. The sequel follows the young sister from the first movie, now in high school herself, as she’s still dealing with how being a witness to the murders in the first affected not only her mind but also that of her sister, now institutionalized. The filmmakers clearly didn’t want to just tell that story though. This film amps that story up with the teen sex comedy and slasher horror elements mixed with musical sequences and a version of the driller killer that may normally be relegated to spoofs. It didn’t seem to work for everyone, but for us, we had a great time. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Slumber Party Massacre series with a conversation about Deborah Brock’s 1987 film Slumber Party Massacre II.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.The film feels different right out of the gate. Instead of a killer stalking women around town, we have the killer – now armed with an insane blending of electric guitar and giant power drill – haunting our protagonist’s dreams. The filmmakers don’t give us a kill for nearly an hour, instead spending plenty of time up front with the characters. We get more teen sex romp comedy and we get more psychological breakdown elements as our protagonist works through her dreams and the visions coming from it. We have a great time talking about this film and breaking it down. Check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Film SundriesWatch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeSitting in the DarkJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsBlueskyYouTubeFlickchartPinterestPete AndyWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“Maybe we should split up.”Time to Tackle Some 80s Slumber Party SlashersAmy Holden Jones had been working as an editor but wanted to direct. She found her chance with Roger Corman doing one of his slasher films. The script, however, was a parody of slashers written by Rita Mae Brown, and even though it was reworked by Corman’s team, it still has some traces of that parody. What resulted is an interesting slasher film that feels like it’s doing something a bit more than others of its time. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Slumber Party Massacre series with Jones’ 1982 film The Slumber Party Massacre. Here’s a hint at what we talk about.What does Jones bring to the screen as a woman director giving us essentially an exploitation slasher film? Does the nudity play as something more than what other slashers (or even sex comedies) of the era were doing? What do we think of our killer and his phallic drill? We talk about the kills, the conflicts, the T&A, and more. It’s an interesting film to discuss because there is a sense it’s doing something a bit more. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript OptionsTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeSitting in the DarkJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsBlueskyYouTubeFlickchartPinterestPete AndyWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“Death is certain. If God doesn’t kill me, this neighborhood will.”Another Gangster Saga About Being Trapped in the Family BusinessChalk it up to writer/director Anurag Kashyap’s connection to the films of Coppola, De Palma, and Scorsese, but there’s a lot of The Godfather Part II, Scarface, and GoodFellas in this film. The family business. Betrayal. Extreme violence. Different factions working with and against each other. This film, the second half of Kashyap’s epic gangster saga detailing the real mafia of Wasseypur and the areas around it from the 1940s through the 2000s, covers a lot of ground but provides a powerful and fitting conclusion to this tale. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Gangs of Wasseypur series with Kashyap’s 2012 film Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2. Here’s a hint at what we talk about.There’s a lot going on in this story, but largely this second half of the larger overall story focuses on Faizal Khan as he takes over the family business after the murders of his father and brother, and ends with his murder and a new head of the mafia. We work through a number of the plot points, exploring the various elements that shape the overall story. We discuss brothers. Fathers and sons. The nature of family businesses when in the criminal world. We also talk about husbands and wives, politics, so many elements. They all tie into this massive story. Plus, it’s incredibly violent with a horrific scene early on that we discuss in detail because of how beautifully shot it is. It’s a powerful conclusion to the epic story and certainly one worth visiting and discussing. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript OptionsTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeSitting in the DarkJoin the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsBlueskyYouTubeFlickchartPinterestPete AndyWhat are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.Or sign up for AUDIBLE.