The Next Reel Film Podcast

Driller Killer’s Back! But He’s Different...It was inevitable with the successes of The Slumber Party Massacre and Slumber Party Massacre II that Roger Corman would want a third film made. Again, he chose to have a female writer and female director which is a nice change from the norm – particularly for the era. But why does this one feel separate from the first two? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we conclude our Slumber Party Massacre series with a conversation about Sally Mattison’s 1990 film Slumber Party Massacre III.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.This film drops any connection to the story and characters from the first two films. Why? Where do we then find connective tissue in this trilogy? Is it just because we have a killer with a drill? It seems thin. And the fact that we have characters named the same from the first film just isn’t enough. We miss the parody elements and feminist approach too. It feels like they decided to just make a straight-up slasher film. They even go so far as to give the killer what feels like tropey psychological damage from sexual abuse suffered as a child at the hands of his uncle. It could’ve been interesting, but they only add just enough to make it feel cliche. It’s fairly disappointing.Regardless, it still gives us plenty 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.Rent this from Scarecrow VideoTheatrical 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

“I didn’t know girls really did this stuff!”All aboard for the rockabilly massacre dreamscape!There’s a clearly logical path from The Slumber Party Massacre to its followup five years later, Slumber Party Massacre II. The sequel follows the young sister from the first movie, now in high school herself, as she’s still dealing with how being a witness to the murders in the first affected not only her mind but also that of her sister, now institutionalized. The filmmakers clearly didn’t want to just tell that story though. This film amps that story up with the teen sex comedy and slasher horror elements mixed with musical sequences and a version of the driller killer that may normally be relegated to spoofs. It didn’t seem to work for everyone, but for us, we had a great time. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Slumber Party Massacre series with a conversation about Deborah Brock’s 1987 film Slumber Party Massacre II.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.The film feels different right out of the gate. Instead of a killer stalking women around town, we have the killer – now armed with an insane blending of electric guitar and giant power drill – haunting our protagonist’s dreams. The filmmakers don’t give us a kill for nearly an hour, instead spending plenty of time up front with the characters. We get more teen sex romp comedy and we get more psychological breakdown elements as our protagonist works through her dreams and the visions coming from it. We have a great time talking about this film and breaking it down. 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! Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Film SundriesWatch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchTheatrical 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

“Maybe we should split up.”Time to Tackle Some 80s Slumber Party SlashersAmy Holden Jones had been working as an editor but wanted to direct. She found her chance with Roger Corman doing one of his slasher films. The script, however, was a parody of slashers written by Rita Mae Brown, and even though it was reworked by Corman’s team, it still has some traces of that parody. What resulted is an interesting slasher film that feels like it’s doing something a bit more than others of its time. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Slumber Party Massacre series with Jones’ 1982 film The Slumber Party Massacre. Here’s a hint at what we talk about.What does Jones bring to the screen as a woman director giving us essentially an exploitation slasher film? Does the nudity play as something more than what other slashers (or even sex comedies) of the era were doing? What do we think of our killer and his phallic drill? We talk about the kills, the conflicts, the T&A, and more. It’s an interesting film to discuss because there is a sense it’s doing something a bit more. 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

“Death is certain. If God doesn’t kill me, this neighborhood will.”Another Gangster Saga About Being Trapped in the Family BusinessChalk it up to writer/director Anurag Kashyap’s connection to the films of Coppola, De Palma, and Scorsese, but there’s a lot of The Godfather Part II, Scarface, and GoodFellas in this film. The family business. Betrayal. Extreme violence. Different factions working with and against each other. This film, the second half of Kashyap’s epic gangster saga detailing the real mafia of Wasseypur and the areas around it from the 1940s through the 2000s, covers a lot of ground but provides a powerful and fitting conclusion to this tale. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Gangs of Wasseypur series with Kashyap’s 2012 film Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2. Here’s a hint at what we talk about.There’s a lot going on in this story, but largely this second half of the larger overall story focuses on Faizal Khan as he takes over the family business after the murders of his father and brother, and ends with his murder and a new head of the mafia. We work through a number of the plot points, exploring the various elements that shape the overall story. We discuss brothers. Fathers and sons. The nature of family businesses when in the criminal world. We also talk about husbands and wives, politics, so many elements. They all tie into this massive story. Plus, it’s incredibly violent with a horrific scene early on that we discuss in detail because of how beautifully shot it is. It’s a powerful conclusion to the epic story and certainly one worth visiting and discussing. 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

We head to the coal mines in India as we tackle the epic gangster saga Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1. It’s over two-and-a-half hours and is quite a ride. Visceral filmmaking and a tale based on real events as we follow several families and groups vying to rule the area in this wild tale. We have a great time with it so check it out then tune in!“A dog always stays a dog.”Tackling the Epic Indian Gangster SagaWhen director Anurag Kashyap finished his film Gangs of Wasseypur, it was five hours and twenty minutes long. No one would distribute it, so he was forced to split it into two. The story details the coal mafia that ran India’s coal industry from the 40s through the 2000s, with many characters and three prominent groups vying to rule. It’s a wild ride and dark look at India’s history. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Gangs of Wasseypur series with Kashyap’s 2012 film Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1. Here’s a hint at what we talk about.There’s a lot going on in this film with many characters. How well did we track it all? We both rewatched the opening to make sure we knew who was who, and Wikipedia helped as well, but even with many characters over many decades, we both found the story engrossing and loved these characters. We chat about the story and make sure we have a good understanding of the key points to it. We also dig into some of the cast and what they’re bringing to the table. Plus, we look at Kashyap and some of his influences with this film, as well as some discussion about a Stephen King adaptation of his.All in all, it’s a wild and entertaining ride that doesn’t feel as long as it is. 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

“Oh boy! Another murder!”Closing Out Our Time With Nick and NoraIn 1947, Edward Buzzell directed the last of the ‘Thin Man’ films, written by a new pair – Steve Fisher and Nat Perrin. Despite the fact that the creative team’s largely new, William Powell and Myrna Loy remain the constants, and bring their same charm as Nick and Nora Charles to the screen. And the creative team here does a wonderful job of blending the comedy and the crime elements. At times, it feels downright film noir. The cast works well in this one, with Keenan Wynn as a jazz musician helping Nick out and Gloria Grahame as a singer caught in the web. Plus, young Dean Stockwell turns up as Nick Jr. The mystery holds up well, and it takes place in a setting that fits the story and tone. 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 TranscriptTheatrical 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

“There’s nothing in the world Nick wants more than a pat on the back from his father. If he got that, I think he’d pop a vest button.”Nick and Nora head to small town America to visit Nick’s parents and find mystery...It took some doing, but Myrna Loy was finally convinced to make just one film during the War, taking time out of her volunteer efforts she was committing to the Red Cross. That one film was a return to the Thin Man series with her co-star William Powell. It had first been delayed due to Loy’s new marriage, then to the director’s death, then to the war. But the studio wanted to move forward and audiences refused to accept anyone but Loy in the part. So she took a small break to make this one film then went right back to the Red Cross. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our look at the Thin Man films – with Richard Thorpe’s 1945 film “The Thin Man Goes Home.”Here’s a hint at what we talk about.This takes some time to get set up, but does it work? The comedy feels different. Is that the writing team? The new director? All of the above? How do Loy and Powell do this go-around? Does it bother us that Junior’s nowhere to be seen? How about the mystery? Is it effective? 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

Nick and Norah investigating a murder at the racetracksW.S. Van Dyke’s back to have another good time with Nick and Nora Charles, though this time it’s with different writers. How does that affect things? And is William Powell seeming to be feeling better this time around? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Thin Man series with a conversation about Maj. W.S. Van Dyke II’s Shadow of the Thin Man. Here’s a hint at what we talk about.The mystery’s better this time around, though the actual reveal seems a bit tepid. Does that affect our enjoyment of the film? Maybe a little, but it’s still quite fun. Plus, the comedy feels like it’s back on track and Powell seems to be having a great time, even if he doesn’t get to play drunk much. We chat about Nick, Jr. and how that addition to the story works for us. We also talk about the odd undercranked gags they do with Asta that we mostly enjoy. The characters are as fun as ever. We just wish the final reveal felt a bit more interesting.Still, it’s a fun film with fantastic characters. 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 JustWatchTheatrical 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

“He says his name is Charles, but he looks to me like a pool parlor dude.”Nick and Nora have a baby!It wasn’t an easy film for William Powell to jump into. He was recovering from the death of the love of his life, and he was also recovering from cancer. But he returned for yet another round with Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, and this time they have a baby. But does Powell seem like he has the energy for it? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Thin Man series with W.S. Van Dyke’s 1939 film Another Thin Man.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.We dig a bit more into Powell’s history between the last film and this one. We also talk about Van Dyke as we learned he’s actually a II, not a junior. We struggle with the mystery and with the comedy in this one. It’s still fun, but largely is less dynamic than the previous two. Is that because of Powell’s struggles? Or were the writers struggling to come up with as interesting a mystery? Regardless, it didn’t work as well.We still love Nick and Nora. Their banter and relationship works like a charm. They make the film easy to watch and we still have a lot of fun, 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

“C’mon, let’s get something to eat. I’m thirsty!”Back in the World of Nick and Norah CharlesWith the success of The Thin Man, it was inevitable that the studio would want to return to the world of Nick and Norah Charles. While not based on another book by Dashiell Hammett, it’s clearly his characters and the returning screenwriting duo of Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich know how to bring Nick and Norah to life. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our ‘The Thin Man’ series, with W.S. Van Dyke’s 1936 film After the Thin Man.Here’s a hint at what we talk about.The Hays Code was in action, so less clear drinking of alcohol by the duo, but that doesn’t mean they’re not drunk. Particularly Charles. We love William Powell and Myrna Loy as these characters. They’re clearly having a great time. What’s with the story of infidelity thrown into Asta’s subplot though? The mystery is a fun one and there are a lot of great characters, including one played by a young Jimmy Stewart! The look of the film is similar enough to the first one where they feel like they’re cut from the same cloth, and we like that it starts feeling as if it’s a continuation of the first film.All in all, it’s a delight and we both loved this one more than the first. Definitely 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