The Next Reel Film Podcast

“Wake up!”For Spike Lee’s third feature film, he blended an idea he got from an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode where the characters talk about the theory that hot weather increases violent tendencies with stories of police violence against African Americans that ended in their deaths. He created a film that speaks to family and neighborhood as much as it speaks to violence and anger. It’s a film chock full of flawed characters who feel lived in as much as the streets of this fantastical version of Bed-Stuy do themselves. It’s a film with no easy answers. One that raises a lot of questions and makes you think. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Spike Lee series with his 1989 film Do the Right Thing. We talk about the nature of family and how it relates to ‘neighborhood,’ and how that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone likes each other. We discuss the violence as tensions erupt in the third act, what we think Lee is saying, and how many critics interpreted it. We chat about the brilliant performances across the board from many faces who only grew in stature as the years went by. And we look at how the cinematography, production design, costume design, and music all lent a hand in creating this seemingly alternate version of the neighborhood that feels both slightly outside of reality and overwhelmingly hot.It’s a masterclass in filmmaking from an incendiary auteur. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

“What kind of man are you?”Jean-Pierre Melville wrote the script for Le Samouraï for Alain Delon. When he started telling Delon about the script, Delon stopped him after ten minutes, commenting on how there was no dialogue yet. Melville said that was correct, and Delon’s immediate reaction was to say, “I’ll do it.” He then brought Melville to his bedroom where he revealed that it was decorated in a very sparse Japanese style with a samurai sword hanging over his bed. It seemed it was meant to be. Now, looking at the film, it’s hard to imagine anyone but Delon playing the part of Jef Costello, the hitman, because he’s so perfect in the part. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our short French crime film series with Melville’s 1967 film Le Samouraï. We talk about Delon and the nature of silence in this film of Melvilles. We look at the color palette and debate if it would make more sense as a black-and-white film. We talk about the procedural nature of the film, exploring the criminal and police sides of this. And we discuss the cinematography, sound design and music and what they bring to the table.It’s a fantastic, moody film that definitely creates a tone. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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 SundriesWatch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTubeOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

“I liked you. I really liked you, Macaroni, but you knew the rules.”After Jules Dassin was blacklisted from Hollywood, he went to Europe to see if he could find anyone willing to hire him. Even there, it took some time but eventually, producer Henri Bérard asked him if he would write and direct the adaptation of Auguste Le Breton’s novel “Rififi.” Jean-Pierre Melville had been asked prior but gave Dassin his blessing to take it on, and Dassin made the film, now hailed as one of the great crime films of the era. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our French Crime Film series with Dassin’s 1955 film Rififi. We talk about how Dassin came to this project and got it made, changing some unsavory elements of the source material. We look at the nature of the characters and how the story ends, tying it to crime films of the past. We chat about the nature of criminals as protagonists and what that means in context of watching the film. We look at some of the actors and what they bring to the story. We discuss the lengthy robbery sequence in the middle of the film and how well it works to bring out tension in naturalistic ways. And we talk about the look of the story and how it ties into crime and noir elements. It’s a fantastic crime film that holds up incredibly well. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: Amazon • NetflixScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkDu Rififi Chez Les Hommes by Auguste Le Breton (French)FlickchartLetterboxd Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

With a passion for American films noir, French filmmakers in the 50s started making their own takes on crime stories and created an entire new subgenre of crime films, the policiers, which in turn inspired many American filmmakers. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our new series on French crime films with Jacques Becker’s 1960 prison breakout movie, Le Trou. We look at the nature of prison break movies and what filmmakers do to get us to side with these criminals as our protagonists. We chat about the documentary style employed a bit by Becker in this film and debate the approaches he uses to tell this true story. We look at the actors who play the roles and how well they work. We touch on the sound design, editing, and cinematography and why they’re all such integral elements to making this story succeed. And we talk about unreliable protagonists and ways to interpret our lead’s actions at the end of the film. It’s a stellar film and a great way to kick off this new series. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Criterion ChannelOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

“They’re probably just looking at my smock. It tends to catch the light.”After collaborating on Tammy and The Boss, husband and wife team Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone proved that the third time’s a charm with Life of the Party. Of course, ‘charm’ may not be the most accurate word as the film was reviewed fairly poorly, but if it hadn’t been reviewed poorly, it wouldn’t fit into our current guilty pleasure series! Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up this year’s Guilty Pleasure series with Andy’s guilty pleasure, Falcone’s 2018 film Life of the Party. We talk about why Andy finds so much joy in this film and why he finds Melissa McCarthy to be such an enjoyable actress to watch. We chat about the reasons Melissa works so well in this film, despite the fact that this film is so full of film tropes. We look at the rest of the cast filling out the roles and how well they work in their parts (or don’t, in a few cases). We look at the ways the script works and some ways it feels a bit clunky. And we discuss how the writing shows some smarts in some areas that seem like they’re to go the typical direction only to have them go another.It’s not a perfect film and clearly isn’t liked by a great many people, but Andy loves it, and as it turns out so does Pete. We have a lot of fun talking about it on this week’s show, 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Hulu • YouTubeOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

Bruce Willis’ star power rose quite a bit with the release of Die Hard, but strangely it was his supporting role in Bonfire of the Vanities that seemed to give him the clout he needed to do his own rewrites on the action thriller he was working on at the time, Hudson Hawk. Through his vision, this film became goofier and very Looney Tunes-esque. Unfortunately, the marketing stuck with the action side of Willis and the film flopped in the States. But it’s a quirky film that found its audience over time and became a bit of a cult classic. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we start up a new round of our guilty pleasure series for the new year and look at one of Pete’s guilty pleasures, Michael Lehmann’s 1991 film Hudson Hawk. We talk about why Pete has this on his guilty pleasures list and what Andy thought of it. We look at the backstory and what went into getting it made. We discuss the marketing for the film and ponder if a different approach may have allowed for a successful release. We chat about the over-the-top antics of the rest of the cast but principally Richard E. Grant and Sandra Bernhard as the Mayflowers. We touch on Dante Spinotti’s look and Chris Lebenzon’s & Michael Tronick’s editing of the film and what they brought to it, paired with Lehmann. And we debate the tonal shifts in the film between goofy, bonkers comedy and surprising moments of strong violence. It’s a strange little film that many people don’t click with but some people – like us – really enjoy. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdWalkthrough of Super NES version of Hudson Hawk Video Game Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

“It’s just a lil’ ole bitty pissant country place. Nothing much to see.”After Nine to Five, Colin Higgins had been working on a few ideas of his own when he was asked by his recent collaborator Dolly Parton to direct her next film, the adaptation of the Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. While coming on board a relatively put together story may not have allowed Higgins to craft the story his way, the project still did fit with the types of stories about outsiders that he was best known for. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Colin Higgins series with his 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. We talk about the challenges of a film about prostitution and making the characters relatable. We look at the on-screen chemistry between Parton and her co-star Burt Reynolds. We chat about some supporting staff like Charles Durning, Dom DeLuise, and Jim Nabors. We discuss what the film’s saying about politics, the media, and legislating morality. We touch on Dolly’s iconic song “I Will Always Love You” which she included in this film, and discuss who did it better – Dolly or Whitney? And we look at Higgins’ career and discuss what makes a Higgins film a Higgins film?It’s a fun film but not something that wowed us. Either way we have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkThe Best Little Whorehouse in Texas The Musical (Wikipedia)FlickchartLetterboxd Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

When Jane Fonda and her producing partner Bruce Gilbert brought Colin Higgins on to rewrite Patricia Resnick’s workplace drama, they knew they were going to shift the story to a comedy instead. They also knew that Higgins would flesh out the three female protagonists at the core of the story. What they also got was an incredibly well-structured script that was full of wild humor while also keeping the characters honest and grounded. Considering these were features that Higgins consistently wrote into his scripts, it really didn’t come as a surprise, but what did surprise everyone is how much audiences connected to this story. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Colin Higgins series with his 1980 comedy classic Nine to Five. We talk about how smart this script was for its time and how sadly relevant it is today still. We look at Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton and chat about how perfect they are as an on-screen trio. We look at the perfect Dabney Coleman as their nemesis and chat about the awful crimes he commits in the workplace, and how it’s viewed through today’s eyes. We discuss how Parton’s title song became such an iconic anthem for a cultural movement at the time. And we look at elements in the film that we can point to that define Higgins’ style of storytelling (not to mention his love for comedy tropes). It’s an absolute comedy classic that everyone should see, so stop what you’re doing, watch it, then tune in to this week’s show. 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artwork[Original Material][original]FlickchartLetterboxd Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

“People just don’t drop dead in cinemas watching horror movies and whispering, 'Look out for the elf!'”Even if his first screenplay was for a film that was a box office flop at the time, the success of the second film he wrote gave Colin Higgins enough clout to finally direct. As a clear fan of Hitchcock’s work, he delivered his second comedy thriller that felt very much an homage to Hitchcock in Foul Play, and he delivered another box office hit. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Colin Higgins series with his 1978 directorial debut Foul Play. We talk about Higgins as director and debate how he does on his first time out of the gate. We look at many of the tropes he fills the film with, both Hitchcockian thriller tropes and comedy tropes of the time. We chat about the casting of Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase and how they got the roles, plus we look at many of the other actors fleshing the film out. We touch on politically incorrect comedy involving little people and ponder how that affects our viewing in 2020. We look at the cinematography and music, and wonder if Barry Manilow, although popular at the time, made sense for a comedy thriller. And we revel in the playful titles the Swedes gave to this film as well as many other Hawn films over the years.It’s a fun film and definitely worth talking about, even if only in context of the time when it comes to jokes involving laughing at little people suffering. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: Amazon • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

“If there’s ever anything that you need, don’t call me.”For Colin Higgins’ second film, he wanted to write something that had a Hitchcockian flair, and he was partial to the thrillers on trains. What we got – and what Arthur Hiller deftly directed – was Silver Streak. What we also got was the legendary comedy pairing of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, two comedians who would end up making three more films together after this. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Colin Higgins series with Hiller’s 1976 train thriller Silver Streak.We talk about Pryor and Wilder and if blackface comedy is still something we’re allowed to laugh at, especially when the actors are so clearly pointing out that it’s not okay. We chat about the thrills balanced with the comedy in this film and how well it works. We look at Wilder and Pryor, but also Jill Clayburgh, Patrick McGoohan, Ned Beatty, Clifton James, Scatman Crothers, Ray Walston, Valerie Curtin, and Richard Kiel, to see what they’re all bringing to the table. We touch on Henry Mancini’s score and the vibes it brings. And we look at the many tropes throughout this film, wondering if they work well here because at the time, they likely weren’t as commonly used as they came to be.It’s a fun film and we have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible