The Next Reel Film Podcast

“I remember about the rabbits, George.”Capturing Steinbeck and Americana on the Big ScreenHaving been writing novels for 10 years, it made sense that eventually, Hollywood would turn to John Steinbeck’s novels as a source for the silver screen. The first film to make the transition was Of Mice and Men, a novella he originally wrote as a ‘playable novel’ and then as a play itself. To that end, it was already the perfect size for adapting. And to that end, the film works just as well as the story. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our series on 1940 Academy Award Best Picture nominees with a conversation about Lewis Milestone’s 1939 film Of Mice and Men.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.For a relatively simple story, a lot happens and the story works through a variety of topics. How does the story handle a character with an intellectual disability and what does it say about those who take care of others, whether it’s this character or an aging dog? What about race relations? (To that end, it may be less pointed than the book but the film still feels like it handles race better than Gone With The Wind does.) The script changes how Mae – the only female character in the book and the only one with any real presence in the film – fits into the story. Here, we get a sense of the tragedy of this character, which does a lot to paint the gender differences in this place at this time. There’s also the moralistic, religious, and humanistic angles we discuss. The casting is fantastic. Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney, Jr. play our two leads and deliver complex, compassionate performances that are the beating heart of this film. Betty Field plays Mae and rounds the character out with resonance and depth that never were on Steinbeck’s pages, even if possibly inferred. The rest of the cast fits impeccably into their roles. Lewis Milestone directs and handles the story effectively and efficiently. And having Aaron Copeland score the film only enhances its feel of Americana.This film stands strong as a version of this film that’s worth remembering. It’s definitely one of the best films of the year and certainly worthy of its Best Picture nomination. 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.Find places to watch this at JustWatchTranscriptTheatrical trailerPoster artworkLetterboxdSupport 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 should hate to see our country endangered by my underwear."REBROADCASTGreta Garbo Smiles! And It’s a Delight!Taking a completely different turn from last week’s Civil War epic, Ninotchka is a very light comedy by Ernst Lubitch dealing with Russians in their post-Revolution society. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our film about the great films of 1939 with Lubitch’s Ninotchka. Here’s a Hint at What We DiscussWe talk about the wonderfully funny script by Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder and Walter Reisch based on the original story by Melchior Lengyel, and look at why the comedy works so well in a film like this. We chat about Greta Garbo as the titular character and how wonderful she is, and we look at the rest of the brilliant cast – Melvyn Douglas, Ina Claire, Bela Lugosi, Sig Ruman, Felis Bressart, Alexander Granach and others – as we discuss what they bring to the table. We also touch on Garbo and her retirement from the business. And we chat about Lubitsch and his “Lubitsch Touch” and what that means in context of this film. It’s a fun film that’s very easy to watch. Check it out then tune in!Film SundriesFind the Original Episode From Season Five HereScriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartThe WETA EffectSupport 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’re not a Senator, you’re an honorary stooge."REBROADCASTCapra’s Film Stands As Strong As EverIt’s rare to find a film from 75 years ago that feels relevant still in today’s world, but Frank Capra’s 1939 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is one of those films. Corruption in the Senate? Check. Corporate interests secretly working their own machinations behind the scenes to get their political puppets to do their bidding? Check. Cynical office staff who are only interested in making a buck? Check. Sad to say that the only thing that doesn’t feel modern is that a politician like James Stewart’s titular character could actually exist. Or at least survive in today’s political world. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue with our great films from 1939 series with Capra’s fantastic film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Here’s What We Chat AboutWe talk about how much we love this film and why, highlighting everything aforementioned. We chat about Stewart and Jean Arthur as the perfect leads for this film, aided by the wonderful supporting cast including Edward Arnold, Harry Carey, Claude Rains, Thomas Mitchell and more. We discuss how the Washington, D.C. press and the real Senators received the film compared with the general public. And we discuss the people behind the cameras with Capra and what they bring to the table – Joseph Walker, Lionel Banks, Dimitri Tiomkin, Sidney Buchman, Lewis R. Foster and more. It’s a top notch film that still speaks to its audiences, all while avoiding being cheesy while full of honesty. We love it. Make sure you watch this one and then tune in! Film SundriesFind the Original Episode From Season Five HereScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartSupport 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

“We’re heading into rough seas, Michel.”A Love Story That Stands the Test of TimeIt’s interesting that Leo McCarey’s 1939 film Love Affair largely fell into obscurity due to both slipping into the public domain and to McCarey’s own remake in 1957 as An Affair to Remember. It largely was thanks to Nora Ephron including mention of both films in her 1993 classic Sleepless in Seattle that interest in this original rose again. Now, thanks to a stunning restoration in 2020, the film looks brand new and is certainly worth discovery, or re-discovery. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our series on the 1940 Academy Awards • Best Picture nominees with a conversation about McCarey’s 1939 film Love Affair.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.We both were more familiar with the story from McCarey’s 1957 remake An Affair to Remember starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, but the core of the story remains largely unchanged. That even holds true in Warren Beatty’s mess of a remake in 1994 (also called Love Affair), which says something about the strength in the story. We have a few issues with the story, however – the need to wait six months before seeing each other again to prove they’re able to survive on their own seems a bit plotted, and Terry’s desire to not tell Michel about her accident until she’s able to walk to him seems thin. But are they? There’s clearly meaning behind their motivations in both cases. Is it just that we actually want it spelled out more, which we rarely actually want? Or is it that we don’t quite feel they sell it? It’s hard to gauge, so in the end these points don’t break things for us. They just give us pause. It’s hard to get past that ending though. It’s perfect and just rips your heart out before putting it right back. Amazing stuff. There’s a reason it’s become iconic. And how great are Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer? We discuss them a bit in relation to Grant and Kerr. Who works better for us? Leo McCarey was stepping away from his comedies. How does he do with this material? We also talk about the controversies with the script and why the production code wouldn’t pass it initially. And let’s not forget the songs!It’s a great film and easily one to fall in love with. 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 Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript OptionsTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport 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

"Give a boy a sense of humor and a sense of proportion and he’ll stand up to anything."REBROADCASTLearning Lessons That Last a Lifetime With Mr. ChipsRobert Donat defied the odds and beat both Clark Gable and Jimmy Stewart for the Best Actor Oscar in the 1940 Academy Awards with his portrayal of Mr. Chips in Sam Wood’s Goodbye, Mr. Chips. It’s a movie that celebrates school heroes everyone had (or should’ve) and connects in its ability to reflect back on the nostalgia of one’s life. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our series on films from 1939 with Wood’s film. Here’s What We Chat AboutWe talk about how we felt about the film and, despite any issues we had, still found it affecting. We chat about Robert Donat and Greer Garson, both of whom really give touching and honest performances. We touch on Wood as the director and what he brings to the table. We discuss the story and why stories about teachers can work so well, and why they work on us in particular. And we look at the magnificent work Jack Dawn did with the hair and makeup to bring Mr. Chips to life over the course of his 60+ years, from new hire to headmaster. It’s a touching film that works to connect us with this character and reminds us what we love about the best ‘great teacher’ movies. Check it out!Film SundriesFind the Original Episode HereWatch this film: iTunes • AmazonScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkGoodbye, Mr. Chips by James HiltonFlickchartTo You, Mr. Chips, the follow-up book by James HiltonSupport 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

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn."REBROADCASTFinding Rhett and Scarlet Less RelevantConsidering the racially-charged climate of the US right now, it’s oddly perfect timing that we’re starting our 1939 series with Gone With The Wind, a film as technically brilliant to look at as it is hard to watch because of it’s portrayal of slavery and the ‘lost cause’ Southern view of the Civil War. It certainly gives us a lot to talk about in this episode! Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we dive into Victor Fleming’s Gone With The Wind. Here’s What We Chat AboutWe talk at length about the position of the film in cinematic history and how that contrasts with what it’s portraying and how we feel about that, noting that perhaps this film is one that should be considered in the same camp as Song of the South. And we look at what problems we have with the story and why it makes us feel uncomfortable, even if the story itself can be enjoyed when taken out of historical context. Focusing more on the film itself, we look at the actors – Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, Thomas Mitchell, Hattie McDaniel and more – how they got their parts and how well they work for us. We look at lots of bit players and talk about where they’ve since popped up. We talk about the context of 1939 and how the studio system worked. We talk about the three directors who contributed to this film – George Cukor, Victor Fleming and Sam Wood – as well as the producing kingpin who really is the one responsible for getting this film made the way he wanted: David O. Selznick. We chat about other key crew who helped bring this film to life, including Max Steiner, Yakima Canutt, William Cameron Menzies and Walter Plunkett. And we marvel at how much money this film has taken in over its lifetime and deliberate over whether it should still be able to make money or if it should be locked away now due to its painful portrayal of the period. It’s a long film but a film well worth discussing because of these factors. Tune in!Film SundriesOriginal Release of This Episode in Season 5ScreenplayOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkGone With The Wind by Margaret MitchellFlickchartHuffPost Politics Blog: Yes, You’re a Racist — and a TraitorSupport 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 you get inside my head, see if you can find any sense in it.”Bette Davis Dealing with and Dying From GliomaThere’s a strength in storytelling that can exist in disease films because we’re following a person as they’re going through a very difficult period in their life that could very well end in death. That’s one of the elements that drew Bette Davis to the play “Dark Victory,” of which she had a hard time convincing Jack Warner that audiences would love it. He was wrong and she proved correctly, however, that a tragic story with your protagonist dying from the disease could draw in the audience. It clearly worked in this case as it lead to several Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our 13th season of the podcast with a full year looking at various awards categories through the decades, starting right here in our series on the 1940 Academy Awards • Best Picture as we discuss Edmund Goulding’s 1939 film Dark Victory.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.At the heart of this film, it’s really Bette Davis and she fully delivers. She’s very much playing the headstrong socialite we’d see often in her films, though the difference here is right out of the gate, she’s diagnosed with glioma, a form of brain tumor. Through her performance, we see her go through many of the stages of grief as she first fights against the fact that she’s sick and finally comes to terms and accepts it. It’s quite a ride, and it works because of Davis.She couldn’t get there without the script, however, and its structure allows this film to be about her battling the disease, not as a side element in the story. From the start, she’s suffering from her glioma. It plays in unexpected ways, and lets us take the journey with her. Of course the journey wouldn’t be complete without the rest of the players, and they deliver. Geraldine Fitzgerald, George Brent, Ronald Reagan. Only Humphrey Bogart seems out of place here.It’s a strong entry into the big studio year of 1939 that saw a lot of successful films of all genres stand out, and this one deservedly was nominated for Best Picture. 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 JustWatchTranscriptOriginal MaterialTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport 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

“We're living in a world that's blowing itself to hell as fast as everybody can arrange it.”Talking About Terrence Malick’s 1998 film The Thin Red Line with our guest, cinematographer Ross RiegeWhile Terrence Malick’s war film came out five months after Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, it couldn’t be more different. They’re both exceptional films, but Malick’s takes a more pensive, thoughtful, esoteric approach with his. At its basest level, the story follows a military unit on the Melanesian island of Guadalcanal as they work to take it from Japanese troops. While that story’s there, in Malick’s hands, the film is more about the balance between man and nature and how the war machine destroys men’s souls. Not only is the way Malick crafts the story haunting, it’s also done in a way that fits perfectly with his themes and views. Cinematographer Ross Riege is a big fan, having first seen this and a number of other Malick films when prepping Redland, an early film he worked on, as well as his big break as cinematographer for The Kings of Summer. It’s fitting then that that film’s look was described as feeling Malickian. We talk more with Riege about his career, starting with smaller films and moving up to films like Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and the TV series The Afterparty. We also get some impressions from him on the switch from film to digital, working with his crews, and more. It’s a fantastic conversation about a great movie with a great cinematographer. Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel’s Movies We Like through your own membership with The Next Reel.Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Ross on the web and on InstagramWatch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript OptionsTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport 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

“The world is changing. Truth is vanishing.”Ethan Hunt and Co. Are BackFor our July member bonus episode, we wrap up our conversation about Ethan Hunt and his impossible missions. For Christopher McQuarrie’s latest entry into the franchise, Ethan and his team are up against none other than a form of sentient AI they call The Entity. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we close our chats in our Mission: Impossible series – at least until next year’s conclusion to this story – with McQuarrie’s 2023 film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.It’s a great entry to the franchise, and we certainly spoil it. The characters are great, the action sequences are a thrill, the story works well. If anything, there are elements that feel clunky within some of the exposition, the camera work, the editing and the structure. Is this because McQuarrie shot two lengthy films back to back and might’ve been overwhelmed? Is it because he’s trying to create a unique look and feel for each of his films in this franchise? Is he trying to create tension with creative shots that just aren’t working? It’s hard to say, but we certainly noticed it.The story largely focuses on a form of AI that grows some form of sentience that partners up with one of Hunt’s old adversaries then works to control the world. With the zeitgeist around AI right now, it’s quite fitting. We discuss the nature of this story today – and the fact that they were originally intending it to be released two full years ago – and why it works in context of this world. It feels like a perfect next step for the franchise. We talk about elements brought in from previous films that we noticed as well, and walk through the action beats. There’s a lot 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.Theatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdThis is a member bonus episode that we’re releasing to everyone so you can get a taste or the extra content our members get. We'd love it if you became a member to support our show, but you’d love it because of everything you get. We have monthly member bonus episodes like this that only members can access. You also get ad-free episodes, access to members-only Discord channels, and early releases for every episode. And you get to vote on the movies we discuss in our members only episodes! What can we say? It pays to be a member. Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.

“The IMF is like Halloween, a bunch of grown men in rubber masks playing trick-or-treat.”Hunt Is Back, and He’s Better Than Ever... ReallyIt’s crazy that we’re at the sixth film in the franchise and it’s the best of the bunch. How does that happen? Likely, it’s because Cruise has been driving this franchise not just as star but also producer from the start, but it’s hard to dismiss the fact that writer/director Christopher McQuarrie returned. His sense of this story, these characters, and this world seems to fit hand to glove as much as Cruise does. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Mission: Impossible series with McQuarrie’s 2018 film Mission: Impossible – Fallout.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.It’s like they take all the greatest moments from the previous five films and find ways to integrate reworked versions of them into this film. It’s fantastic. We walk through the various action beats in this film, starting with the over two-and-a-half minute single shot of Hunt and Walker doing a HALO jump into Paris. And it only gets better from there.Hunt is dealing with Solomon Lane again, but we’re also adding John Lark into the mix. It’s a bit of a mystery as to who he is, but... not really. It’s hard to buy Lark, aka August Walker, as anything but villainous. Is it the way Henry Cavill plays him? Or is he just written that way? Regardless, he makes for a great villain and works exceptionally well in this franchise. There’s also the return to Julia as a key part in Hunt’s life. It plays well, and clearly is an important point to Hunt learning to navigate his life when it comes to saving the world vs. saving those he loves. That plays not only into Julia’s story but also Ilsa, as clearly something is developing here with her in her return.All in all, it’s a great film that shows insane stunt work by Cruise, a broken ankle, great characters, a thrilling and engaging story, and a mystery as to where it could go from here. We love it. 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 artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport 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