The Next Reel Film Podcast

"What family doesn’t have its ups and downs?" British royalty is full of fascinating tales of power, conspiracies, distrust, and greed. They make such great characters that actors relish the opportunities to play them, sometimes even playing the same character more than once. Peter O’Toole certainly jumped at the chance when he read the script for The Lion in Winter based on the play. Having already played Henry II in Beckett a few years earlier, he seemed eager to dig back into the king’s life with this film. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue celebrating films from 1968 celebrating their 50th anniversaries with a new series looking at the films that were nominated for Best Picture that year. How well do they hold up? Are they still relevant? Dated? Or boring? We kick this new series off with Anthony Harvey’s 1968 film The Lion in Winter. We talk about the the messy world of this royal family and how angry everyone seems to be all the time. We look at elements of the film that immerse us fully in the world – the sets, the costumes, the production design – and those that pull us out, reminding us we’re in the 60s – those awful zooms. We chat about the wonderful – and wonderfully big – performances of O’Toole, Katherine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Dalton, and more. And we touch on how much of this story is fiction versus fact, and if that helps or hurts the film. It’s an interesting film with some powerhouse performances that certainly provides lots of fodder for a conversation, so check it out 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 Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube Script Original theatrical trailer Original poster artwork The Lion in Winter: A Play by James Goldman Flickchart Letterboxd 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’m the German Ethel Merman, don’tcha know!?"Adapting a non-musical into a Broadway musical into a film musical takes a lot of work, but Mel Brooks clearly had the gumption to do it, and was successful most of the way along. His Broadway adaptation of 1968’s The Producers was a massive hit with records that still haven’t been broken. The question, then, is why the film adaptation of that hit floundered at the box office? It’s a tricky question and as is almost always the case, there really isn’t a clear answer. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we look at Susan Stroman’s 2005 film The Producers.We talk about why Stroman – the Broadway director/choreographer – is on board as the director and look at if that really makes any sense, especially considering some of our issues with the direction. We debate the difference between big, comedic performances and ones that are over-the-top, trying to decide why we feel differently with Will Ferrell’s and Kenneth Mars’ performances as Fritz. We discuss the script and some of our struggles with elements that were left nearly identical from the original. And we review some of our favorite performers and songs.It’s a fun film, even if it ends up struggling under its own weight. We have a great conversation about it all the same, 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 artworkOriginal MaterialFlickchartLetterboxd 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

"How could this happen? I was so careful! I picked the wrong play, the wrong director, the wrong cast – where did I go right?"Mel Brooks got his start doing stand-up comedy and as a TV writer, but he finally got his chance to direct a feature film when he read his script The Producers to producer Sidney Glazier, who wanted to make it right away. Once the film was made, however, the backers were nervous about the film and wanted to shelf it. It took an accidental screening by actor Peter Sellers to champion the film, which eventually led to its official release. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our celebration of films from 1968 celebrating their 50th anniversaries with another Movies and Their Remakes series, this time looking at Brooks’ The Producers.We talk about why the film works, and why it actually works this time for Andy. We look at the relationship between Bloom and Bialystock and how it got there through the great performances by Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel. We discuss the other actors and what they’re bringing to the table. We see what Brooks does as director and chat about how well it works. And we debate the musical element and if it should’ve been nominated for an Oscar.We’re glad to have revisited this film and had a great time talking about it. 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

"You really think there’s ‘happy ever after’ for people like us?"With his successful start as James Bond, Pierce Brosnan thought he’d try his hand at producing, and after a small film for their first test outing, he and producing partner Beau St. Clair opted to remake the McQueen/Dunaway heist classic The Thomas Crown Affair. For many people, it’s the definitive version of the story. But how well does it hold up when viewed next to the original? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Movies and Their Remakes series with John McTiernan’s 1999 film The Thomas Crown Affair.We talk about the similarities and differences between the two films, and why some elements, like the heist, work better in the original film. We look at the pairing of Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo and talk about how the great chemistry they carry here. We discuss the story additions by McTiernan and why they don’t work for us. We touch on the casting of Faye Dunaway as the title character’s therapist and why we struggle with that. And we debate whether the addition of nudity and sex scenes can replace the sexually charged chess game.It’s a film that doesn’t hold up as well on this viewing, but is still fun. We have a great time chatting 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • Hulu • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdAndy on the Friends in Your Ears podcast 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

"Do you play?"Norman Jewison had worked with Steve McQueen on the film The Cincinnati Kid, so it was natural for him to immediately think of McQueen in the title role of The Thomas Crown Affair when he got the script. Luckily for him, McQueen was interested, as the part was vastly different from other types of people he’d played in the past. He worked opposite Faye Dunaway in her second major leading role, and the two created some amazing screen chemistry. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue celebrating films from 1968 celebrating their 50th anniversaries as we kick off our 2018 Movies and Their Remakes series with Jewison’s The Thomas Crown Affair.We talk about the vibe of the film and look at how it fits in the late 60s, both in the world of cinema and in the world in general. We look at McQueen and Dunaway and how well they work together, even if the script by Alan Trustman seems a bit simple. We look at the jazzy way Jewison put the film together with cinematographer Haskell Wexler and editor Hal Ashby. We also discuss Pablo Ferro’s amazing contribution to the film through the magic of the multi-screen images seen throughout. And we talk about the film and how it was largely filmed in Boston, the first major film to do so.It’s a fun film that is a breeze to watch even if it’s a bit light on content, we still 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 SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • Hulu • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkChristopher Chapman’s A Place to StandArt of the TitleFlickchartLetterboxd 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 like the stink of the streets. It makes me feel good." By the time Sergio Leone got the cameras rolling on what would turn out to be his last film, nearly thirteen years had passed since he last sat behind the camera. If anyone expected a filmmaker with rusty skills however, they certainly didn’t get that. Leone was as masterful a filmmaker as he was in decades past. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our celebration of Leone’s Once Upon a Time trilogy with his 1984 film Once Upon a Time in America. We talk about the length of this film and how that affects our viewings of it. We look at the story and explore how it’s a very Leone look at the world with male criminals making their ways through the world. We chat about some of the cast, notably Robert De Niro and James Woods, and look at what they’re bringing to the table. We touch on Ennio Morricone’s masterful score and compare it with the other films in this trilogy. And we look at the mess of edits this film went through on its journey to theaters. It’s a fascinating (and lengthy) film that we have a great time exploring and discussing. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube Script Transcript Original theatrical trailer Original poster artwork The Hoods by Harry Grey Flickchart Letterboxd 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 it’s a revolution, it’s confusion. Where there’s confusion, a man who knows what he wants stands a good chance of getting it." Sergio Leone really wanted to produce his next film after his western opus Once Upon a Time in the West, but unfortunately, no one would have it. They wanted him in the director’s chair. His reticence, paired with his delay in taking the reins, perhaps reflect in the output of his film Duck, You Sucker!, aka A Fistful of Dynamite, aka Once Upon a Time… The Revolution. It’s messier than his other films. It feels a bit more disorganized. And it feels a bit more political, which is strange coming from a filmmaker saying he doesn’t want to be political in his films. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue celebrating Leone’s Once Upon a Time trilogy with his 1971 film, Duck, You Sucker!. We talk about why this film feels so different from his others and parse out what works here and what doesn’t. We look at the cast – notably Rod Steiger and James Coburn – and chat about their bad accents and what else they’re bringing to the table. (We also dig into the casting process to look at how they each got their roles.) We look at Ennio Morricone’s score and argue about whether it works or not. And we talk about the shifting tones within the film and debate if it works the way it’s constructed. It’s a frustrating yet enjoyable film and certainly is one that gives us a lot of fodder for conversation. Check out the movie 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 Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • Hulu Original theatrical trailer Original poster artwork Flickchart Letterboxd 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

"You don’t sell the dream of a lifetime." Sergio Leone didn’t want to return to westerns after his Man With No Name trilogy – he already felt like made his western epic and wanted to move on to something else. When Paramount offered him a three picture deal with a big budget AND Henry Fonda though, he couldn’t pass it up and he found himself returning to the well once again. But would it work as well as his previous films did? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our celebration of films and series from 1968 by digging into Leone’s Once Upon a Time trilogy, starting it off in 1968 with his western masterpiece Once Upon a Time in the West. We talk about why Leone decided to get back into westerns and how he and collaborators Bernardo Bertolucci and Dario Argento infused the project with elements from countless of their favorite westerns. We look at the patience of Leone’s storytelling and why it works so well here. We discuss the key actors – Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale and Jason Robards – and look at what they each bring to the table. We chat about Ennio Morricone and his themes for each of the principal characters and the luxury of having pre-recorded score to play on set. And we look at some of the marvelous locations they film in and why they work so well to create this western world. It’s a strong entry into the western genre and into Leone’s oeuvre, and is a film we have a great time watching and discussing. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube Script Transcript Original theatrical trailer Original poster artwork Art of the Title Flickchart Letterboxd 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

"Choke on ‘em! Choke on ‘em!" When George Romero set out to make his final film in his original zombie trilogy, he had to cut his script back quite a bit to fit the budget he was given. While he said he still told the story he set out to tell, it leaves you wondering what elements of his story might have fallen by the wayside. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our the 50th anniversary celebration series on Romero’s Dead trilogy with his 1985 film Day of the Dead. We talk about some of the elements that date this film, notably John Harrison’s score, and how they affect the film. We discuss some of the big acting in several of the key roles and if they work for us or not. We look at the various performers and what they bring to the table. We chat about the locations used and why they work for us. And we dig into Tom Savini’s horribly awesome effects and what we think of them (not to mention telling the infamous story of the pig intestines). It’s definitely a gory film that isn’t for everybody, but it’s great to revisit with the others in the trilogy. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in to this week’s show! Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • YouTube Script Transcript Original theatrical trailer Original poster artwork Flickchart Letterboxd Wampum Underground Commerce Center 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 after the place. They don’t know why, they just remember – remember that they want to be in here." It took George A. Romero 10 years to get back to the world of zombies that he’d created in 1968, and largely that was because he wasn’t that interested to return initially. It took a tour of a new local shopping mall and a call from Dario Argento to push him in the right direction. With his interest renewed, Romero and team went on to make one of the seminal zombie films – one that dealt with themes of the time and was riddled with fantastic makeup effects created by Tom Savini. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Dead trilogy series with Romero’s 1978 film Dawn of the Dead. We look at the themes Romero is tackling in this film and how those, paired with the story, allow for a wonderfully unique, funny and campy horror film. We talk about Savini and some of the amazing effects he achieved here. We discuss how the film came to be and why the word ‘living’ was not in the title. And we touch on the library tracks that fill the film and how Argento’s international cuts replaced much of it with score provided by Goblin. It’s a wild ride of a film and we have a great time talking about it. Definitely give it a watch – but be forewarned that the gore factor is high with this one. After that, check out 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 Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! Watch this film: Amazon• [Hulu][hulu] • YouTube Script Transcript Original theatrical trailer Original poster artwork Flickchart Letterboxd 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