The Next Reel Film Podcast

Since we started using Flickchart to rank movies, we realized we had a few old ones to add. Pete and Andy jump back in and go through everything to sort it all out. Yeah, it’s a right thrill. 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

“Don’t think badly of me. I only want her near me.” It’s time for another Listener’s Choice episode, and boy, do we have a doozy this week. Listener Diego Luis Contreras López wanted us to talk about a film from Spain and settled on Luis Buñuel’s return to his home country (and immediate departure thereafter) with his 1961 film “Viridiana.” Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we delve into our sixth listener’s choice with “Viridiana.” We talk about our previous (and limited) experiences with Buñuel and what our expectations were with this film, contrasting that with how we ended up feeling about the film. We discuss the many things Buñuel was doing and saying with this film and how that ties into the actual story of Viridiana. We chat about the performances, notably Silvia Pinal, Fernando Rey, Francisco Rabal and Margarita Lozano, and how much we liked all of them. We debate the look of the film and José F. Aguayo’s cinematography and how it was affected by Buñuel’s desire to put the importance of coming in on time and under budget ahead of sloppy filmmaking sometimes. And we look at the film’s release, the reaction to it from the Catholic Church and its banishment from several countries leading to more of an underground screening history after its win at Cannes. It’s a film in which we found a lot of meat to discuss and are thrilled to add it to the films we’ve discussed. Tune in! Film Sundries Script Transcript — EnglishOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkHalma by Benito Perez GaldosFlickchartYou Won’t Live to See the Last Star Wars Movie Trailers of the WeekAndy’s Trailer: The Boss — “It’s Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Bell in an R-rated girl scout comedy. This is right up my alley which scares me a little, but it’s true.”Pete’s Trailer: Extraction — “Bruce Willis and family! Again!”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 the 2013 release of “The Wind Rises,” his eleventh feature film, Hayao Miyazaki retired from making his beautiful animated films. Animation fans worldwide were disappointed to hear this, yet thrilled to see him go out on such a high note. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we close our Miyazaki series with his final film “The Wind Rises.” We talk about the direction of Miyazaki’s career and how it took him to this story as his final output. We chat about the nature of dreams and nature and how these elements become the key connections to Miyazaki’s touch that he’s had through his other films. We discuss the nature of biopics and how an animated biopic full of fictional elements ends up feeling to us when looking at how it connects with the real Jiro Horikoshi and his role as a Japanese airplane designer pre-WWII. We debate Miyazaki’s decision to tell this particular story and how it reflects on his pacifism. We touch on the voice casts in both the English and Japanese versions, commenting on who worked well for us. And we bring up Joe Hisaishi, the film’s composer, and the beautiful music he contributed here as well as in “My Neighbor Totoro,” which we forgot to bring up last week. It’s a great film that is certainly worth watching and discussing. Tune in! 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 the creation of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki and the other filmmakers involved had created a place where they could create the films they wanted to make. With “My Neighbor Totoro,” Miyazaki’s third feature film and second he directed under the Ghibli banner, it was crystal clear what Miyazaki wanted to bring forth from his films — the relationship between man and nature, the purity and innocence of youth and the imaginative look at characters who didn’t quite fit the world as we know it. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our brief Miyazaki series with his 1988 film, “My Neighbor Totoro.” We discuss the elements of this film that we like so much, particularly the pacing and whether one could call it boring or not (note: neither of us do). We talk about the simplicity of the story but how through that simplicity there are some large ideas being dealt with. We chat about the voice cast and how the current English dub works for us, commenting on the problems people on Amazon have with it (despite the fact that an animated film is ALWAYS going to be dubbed, even in its original language). And we talk about the nature of the forest spirits and how we them through the eyes of children. It’s a beautiful, touching, quirky film that we love and are thrilled to talk about on the show. Tune in! 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

Hayao Miyazaki began his career with television and it was the show “Lupin III” that gave him the chance to direct both for the small screen as well as for the big screen with the second story about Lupin the Third in 1979. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we begin our short Hayao Miyazaki series with his first theatrical feature film, Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro. We talk about the history of the character of Lupin III in Monkey Punch’s original manga series, in the TV series and its films, as well as in the Arsène Lupin character he’s loosely based on (and related to) created by Maurice Leblanc. We discuss the elements within the film and what feels like Miyazaki touches, even at this early stage in his career. We compare the interesting world of manga and anime as compared to Disney films in particular. And we chat about the casts: the original Japanese, the 1992 English dub version and the 2000 dub. It’s a fun film, maybe not one of our favorites, but still something that’s got action, comedy and entertainment for the family. Check it out then tune in!   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

“He wants you too, Malachai!" Stephen King may not like the film version of ’Children of the Corn,’ but considering it spawned 7 sequels and a remake, we’d like to think that he’s at least making a decent profit on his short story from 1977. This movie started careers for Linda Hamilton, Courtney Gains, John Franklin and Peter Horton and has created quite the cult following, no matter what King — or we — think of it. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we wrap up our Naughty Children series with this movie. We talk about why we don’t like it and really try to get to the bottom of what problems we feel the story has. We discuss the adaptation from King’s short story and how it changed, comparing the ’84 film with the ’09 Syfy Channel remake that was more faithful to the original King story. We chat about the effects and the overall look of the film, touching on how low budget production can lead to that (though doesn’t have to). And we have a first on the show — a Flickchart reranking! Check out the movie (or don’t) and tune in to the show. It’s arguably more enjoyable than the movie! Film Sundries Script ScreenplayOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkOriginal MaterialFlickchartChildren of the Corn MovieWho Can Kill a Child? — Full Feature (in Spanish) Trailers of the WeekAndy’s Trailer: Don Verdean — “Okay, I admit it, this doesn’t look like it’s going to be that good. But it’s the team behind Napoleon Dynamite so I’m just hoping that there’s something here. Fingers crossed."Pete’s Trailer: The Lady in the Van — “I love Maggie Smith. She makes for the cutest crazy lady, and I get the feeling that this next film is going to give her a chance to shine courtesy of Nicholas Hytner and Alan Bennett."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

“Don’t be frightened. It was only the wind, my dear." Thus far, our series to celebrate Halloween — the Naughty Children series — hasn’t really been that scary. “The Bad Seed” is labeled a crime/drama/horror but comes across a bit more as a comedy now with the over-the-top performances. “Village of the Damned” is labeled a horror/mystery/sci-fi but doesn’t have much in the way of horror. This week’s film, Jack Clayton’s 1961 film “The Innocents,” really feels like the first in the series that’s got real scares in it, and scares that still hold up today. Martin Scorsese even put it on his list of 11 most scary films. And a lot of that is because of the atmosphere Clayton and his screenwriters (mostly Truman Capote) created with this adaptation of Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw.” Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our Naughty Children series with “The Innocents.” We talk about how much each like this film — Andy as the veteran of the film and Pete as the newbie — any why it works so well. We chat about Deborah Kerr in a role that exemplifies the ambiguity in the story and how it works so well in context of the decaying nature Capote riddled throughout the screenplay. We talk about Jim Clark’s editing and Freddie Francis’ cinematography, as well as Georges Auric’s score, noting how well they each work to add to the atmosphere in this film. And we marvel at Martin Stephens’ performance here, vastly different (and superior) to his performance in “Village of the Damned.” It’s a brilliant film that we’re thrilled to add to our list, so check it out and then tune in! Film Sundries Original theatrical trailerOriginal MaterialFlickchart Trailers of the WeekAndy’s Trailer: He Never Died — “Damn. This looks wickedly funny. And violent. And fun. Henry Rollins as the Biblical Cain? Sure, give me some."Pete’s Trailer: The Boy — “I’m not usually one for the horror, but this one cracks me up. Lauren Cohan is a treat to watch coming off of Walking Dead and though I forgot to mention it on the show, Stacey Miner’s screenplay looks great coming off his Black List entry Mixtape, also announced for production, and a really interesting read."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

“Is there no limit to the power of these children?" John Wyndham’s 1957 novel “The Midwich Cuckoos” is the foundation for Wolf Rilla’s 1960 film “Village of the Damned.” It’s hard to say which title may actually be worse, but the story in both seems to work for most people. It’s a decent sci-fi story that, while dated, creates an interesting scenario with all the women in a village being impregnated at the same time by some alien force. Even with that interesting scenario, however, for every element that works in favor of the film, there seems to be another working against it. At least with today’s eyes. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our Naughty Children series with Rilla’s 1960 film “Village of the Damned.” We talk about what works and what doesn’t, as well as why some of that matters more when it comes to actual enjoyment of the film (at least for Andy) and what they could have done to make it better. We chat about the performances, notably George Sanders, Barbara Shelley and Martin Stephens, and what they bring to the table. When it comes to Shelley, we also chat about the fact that her part is largely dismissed and why it bothers us so much. We discuss the look of the film with Rilla’s documentary approach as well as cinematographer Geoffrey Faithfull’s overall look, which worked nicely for us. And we look at MGM’s history with the film and touch on why they filmed it in England instead of Hollywood. It’s a fun film that, if you think too much about, you’ll find tons of problems; Pete sees the problems while Andy sees the fun. Check out the movie then tune in! Film Sundries Script TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkThe Midwich Cuckoos by John WyndhamFlickchart Trailers of the WeekAndy's Trailer: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies — “I’m not really sure about this whole mashup thing — it’s fun and all for a short period of time. I’m still not sure how well it could actually work for an entire feature film. That being said, I do love ‘Pride & Prejudice.’ And I do love zombies… "Pete's Trailer: Hail, Caesar! — “The Coens are back with a blow-out cast musical that celebrates …ummm… movie musicals! ScarJo and ChaTa and JoBro? Yeah, this is my kind of movie. Of course, I liked Hudsucker."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 thought I seen some mean little gals in my time, but you’re the meanest." It’s October, which means it’s time for some scares! This year, we’re celebrating with those lovable little children who just are downright bad. Our first film of the series gives us a young girl who turns out to be a malicious killer, but only because it’s her way to get the things that she wants. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we kick off our Naughty Children series with Mervyn LeRoy’s 1956 classic “The Bad Seed.” We talk about why this film works for us in all of its campy, over-the-top theatrical glory and how those elements may actually help make it more enjoyable today. We chat about the performances, notably Patty McCormack, Nancy Kelly, Henry Jones, Eileen Heckart and Evelyn Varden, and how well they worked for us, particularly Kelly and McCormack as mother and her murderous offspring. We discuss the Hays Code and how it influenced the filmmakers to change the ending, even if the ending ends up being almost more censorable. We touch on the script and the amount of subtext in the characters’ dialogue, particularly the women who were always trying to live up to the 50s housewife standards. And we hit on the cinematography and music, noting how well the music works but how standard the cinematography feels. It’s a fun film that may not be the top of our lists but is a very easy watch. Check it out then tune in! Film Sundries Original theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkThe Bad Seed by William MarchFlickchart Trailers of the WeekAndy’s Trailer: Bone Tomahawk — “I love westerns. I love horrors. A blend of the two? With Kurt Russell and his great big bushy beard? Yes, please!"Pete’s Trailer: Experimenter — “I love that Stanley Milgram is getting film treatment, and Peter Sarsgaard seems to be just the guy to do it. So, I’m going to binge Ghostbusters, then watch this to get the full Milgram Experience."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

“Know your place. Keep your place. Be a shoe." Bong Joon-ho’s “Snowpiercer” made waves upon its US release because its distributor decided to give it a limited theatrical release the same day they released it digitally. It was a risky move — theatre owners rely on the window between theatrical release and subsequent releases to remain around six months roughly so as to ensure they get as much money out of the screenings as they can. By shutting this window, “Snowpiercer” could have left theatre owners in the cold and been deemed not worth watching because of the “straight to video” tarnish. But it found an audience in both formats and became a surprise hit. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we finish our Bong Joon-ho series with his 2013 film “Snowpiercer.” We talk about how the film is a pretty straightforward allegory in a sci-fi post-apocalytic world that audience members need to buy into if the film is going to work, and what happens if people don’t buy into that concept. We chat about the performances, notably Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton, and how well everyone works in the film. We discuss the cinematography, costume design, production design and score and ruminate on how much they all bring to the table. And we touch on the original French source material for this film which, unfortunately, neither of us have read. It’s a wonderful science fiction film that works well for us — even though we know it can be divisive. Check out the movie then tune in! Film Sundries Snowpiercer — “The Abridged Script”Original theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkSnowpiercer Vol. 1 — Graphic Novel (English)Flickchart Trailers of the WeekAndy’s Trailer: Hitchcock/Truffaut — “I love Hitchcock and Truffaut. I love the book. I love the people interviewed here. This sounds like an amazing look behind the curtain with lots of great nuggets of film knowledge. One for every film buff."Pete’s Trailer: Partisan — “Vincent Cassel is one of my favorite faces, and he brings it in this mentor/mentee commune thriller in which the apprentice, so to speak, becomes the master. Remind me not to take my son to this movie."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