2023 is coming to a close which means it’s that time of year for us to look back at a truly incredible year for cinema, and pick out our ten favorites from the bunch. It’s an impossible task, and if you ask us again next week we’ll likely have an all-new order. That said, we’ve spent the last few weeks catching up on last-minute contenders, rewatching favorites from earlier in the year, and diligently deliberating each of our own Top 10 favorite movies of 2023. After we break down our individual lists, we of course culminate the lot into ReelBlend’s own Top 10 Movies of 2023 so stay tuned for the final reveal! Then, head over to the comments and drop in your list of favorites from the year. This is the final episode of the year. We hope everyone enjoys a week off with loved ones. We’ll see you in 2024!ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsTimestamps (approx. only)00:00 - Intro 4:58 - Top 10 Movies of 2023 9:41 - #1016:50 - #921:10 - #822:08 - #728:19 - #634:05 - #549:26 - #41:01:56 - #31:19:46 - #21:28:02 - #11:46:39 - ReelBlend’s Top 5 Movies of the Year1:48:30 - OutroOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We have a packed show for you this week. Timothée Chalamet stars as the titular Willy Wonka in the new prequel, “Wonka.” Overall, reviews have been positive, but for our hosts, the reception has been mixed. If you head out to the theater this weekend to catch Wonka, let us know which end of the spectrum you fall on. Also this week, the awards race officially kicked off with many regional nominations being announced as well as the nominees for next year’s Golden Globes. And we gear up for our Top 10s of the year with a look back at our favorite movies from years past. ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsTimestamps (approx. only)00:00 - Intro 7:05 - The Awards Race Has Begun30:27 - ‘Wonka’ Review48:20 - This or That: Top 5s1:20:27 - OutroOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we are joined by Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos to discuss their newest film, Poor Things! ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsTimestamps (approx. only)00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:57 - Interview | Emma Stone & Yorgos Lanthimos00:25:57 - Review | ‘Poor Things’00:33:44 - Review | ‘Leave The World Behind’00:38:18 - Sean Reviews ‘The Killer’00:47:08 - ‘Godzilla Minus One’00:54:26 - OutroOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Writer/director Sam Email joins the show to discuss his new Netflix film Leave the World Behind (starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, and Kevin Bacon). He details his relationship with Barack Obama and his role as a producer, how influences from the likes of Stanley Kubrick make it into his work, and more. On Friday, we’ll be back with another full episode, and an exciting interview featuring two first-time guests to the show. …If it happens. Wish us luck! ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Writer/director Alexander Payne joins the show to discuss his new movie “The Holdovers,” starring Paul Giamatti. He dives into some early moments of his career, reuniting with Giamatti nearly 20 years after “Sideways,” and more. Stick around after the interview for our review of the film, and we finally catch up on some movies and TV we’ve missed throughout the year. ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsTimestamps (approx. only)00:00 - Intro 11:41 - Interview | Alexander Payne40:33 - Review | ‘The Holdovers’51:44 - Review | David Fincher’s ‘The Killer’1:06:25 - OutroOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We are honored to welcome Joaquin Phoenix back to the show! His new film "Napoleon" (directed by Ridley Scott) is in theaters now and sat down with us at the junket in Paris to dive into his preparation and creative decisions that went into playing the historical figure. He shares some wonderful stories of working with Ridley Scott on “Gladiator,” why he thinks it took so long to get the call to work with Ridley again, and how Napoleon’s hat was like his best friend. ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsTimestamps (approx. only)00:00 - Intro 6:25 - Joaquin Phoenix Interview25:54 - Behind the Scenes of the ‘Napoleon’ Junket31:47 - OutroOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The legendary director Ridley Scott returns to the show to discuss reuniting with Joaquin Phoenix for their latest film, Napoleon. We get into his approach to directing, and shooting battle scenes at a massive scale, his interactions with Stanley Kubrick during Alien and Blade Runner, and more. We also get his reaction to Christopher Nolan’s praise of the director during our Oppenheimer interview earlier this year. Stick around after the interview for Jake’s own review of the film, which he recommends you go see in a theater if you can. ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsTimestamps (approx. only)00:00 - Intro 8:27 - Ridley Scott Interview34:43 - ‘Napoleon’ Review45:17 - OutroOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Director Eli Roth joins to discuss his new slasher flick Thanksgiving, based on the incredible trailer from all the way back in Grindhouse. He talks about returning to direct horror for the first time in a decade, how they show the original trailer during Hostel 2’s production, and what it’s been like working with Quentin Tarantino over the years.Also this week, we have our review of Thanksgiving, as well as The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes!ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsTimestamps (approx. only)00:00 - Intro 09:16 - Eli Roth Interview | ‘Thanksgiving’41:44 - Review | ‘Thanksgiving’56:05 - Review | ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’1:07:33 - OutroOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Director Francis Lawrence joins the show to discuss his new film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (starring Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, and Viola Davis). We chat about returning to the Hunger Games franchise following his tenure with Jennifer Lawrence, the key to working around the MPA’s rating guidelines, and more. ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With its films rarely hitting theaters, and the ones that do rarely debuting with much fanfare, is Netflix hurting its films with its more ephemeral release model? That’s a big topic on this week’s show. We discuss how both films and series on Netflix seem to come and go through the cultural zeitgeist, whether or not that is sustainable, and whether we think it should change. Also this week, director David Yates joins us to discuss his new film “Pain Husters,” his time working in the Wizarding World, and the upcoming documentary “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived” which tells the story of Daniel Radcliffe and his Harry Potter stunt double David Holmes who endured a life-changing accident on set.  ReelBlend PremiumSign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.ReelBlend on YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.Follow The ShowReelBlend - @ReelBlendSean - @Sean_OConnellJake - @JakesTakesKevin - @KevinMcCarthyTVGabe - @gabeKovacsTimestamps (approx. only)00:00 - Intro 11:58 - David Yates Talks ‘Harry Potter’ & ‘Pain Hustlers’34:31 - Netflix’s Bad Release Model & ‘Pain Hustlers’ Review41:42 - ‘Five Nights At Freddy’s’ Surprises Us With A Huge Box Office Win56:37 - Sophia Coppola’s ‘Priscilla’ Review1:12:49 - ‘Now and Then - The Last Beatles Song’1:27:30 - OutroOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reelblend/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy