The Next Reel Film Podcast

“In chess, the small one can become the big one. That’s why I like it.”Mira Nair seemed the perfect director to bring the true story of Phiona Mutesi to the big screen. She started her career with Salaam Bombay!, looking at the lives of children growing up in Mumbai in the late 80s. She lived in Uganda where the story took place. So when she was asked to be a part of it, it was an easy ‘yes’ from her. And luckily, with her clout and background, she was able to convince the producers and Disney, the distributor, that she should film it in the slum of Katwe where the story took place. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Sports series with Nair’s 2016 fim Queen of Katwe.Queen of Katwe is a biopic with heart and authenticity.We both enjoy chess though neither of us are great at it. And we both enjoy films about chess. So why did we both miss this in theatres? Did it seem like a fairly standard biopic? Or like a TV movie? Unfortunately, we weren’t alone as the film didn’t make money at the box office.But that doesn’t speak to the quality of the film. Yes, it feels like a fairly straightforward biopic, but it feels authentic. That speaks to Nair’s drive to make it as real as possible. Film in the real locations where it took place. Cast non-actors to play the parts. And it works. With only Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo as the stars in the film, it feels like it’s born of this world. And that’s even with Disney working as the guiding force.Of course it does mean that talk of prostitution is kept vague and to a minimum. Poverty rings true but never feels as raw as it did in Salaam Bombay!. Even an introductory set-up scene from the end of the film sets the world of chess up for us unnecessarily. But do these things affect the story? Only a little. This is a more positive, uplifiting story by nature so to a certain extent, the focus doesn’t hurt it much.Nair expertly works with her non-actor child stars, notably Madina Nalwanga as the lead playing Phiona, the chess champ. She’s a revelation and brings incredible life to the story. We buy into everything. She deserves to be here and carries the film on her back. The other kids equally carry their roles.It’s a touching family film that opens the world of Uganda and chess to anyone watching it. We feel these characters’ journeys. In the end, it does feel like a biopic, but it’s a strong one that warms the heart.We have a great time talking about it on the show 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 artworkOriginal MaterialFlickchartLetterboxdSupport 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 on a mission from God.”Great car chases? Check.For this month’s member bonus episode, our members voted for a return to great car chases, and of the movies on the list, The Blues Brothers shot to the top. Is it nostalgia that draws us all back to this film over and over again? The great musical performances? Is it that strong a comedy? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we return to our Great Car Chases series to discuss John Landis’ 1980 film The Blues Brothers.It’s a Member Bonus Episode for Everybody!This is our May member bonus episode. So why are you hearing it? Because once in a while, we like to throw one of our member bonus episodes out for everyone to enjoy as a reminder of the sorts of additional shows you get if you become a member. Please consider becoming a member to support this show. You’ll not only be helping us out but you’ll get TONS of bonus episodes. Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership..We Need to Talk About John Landis.This is the fifth movie of Landis’ that we’ve discussed on the show, yet we’ve never really brought up the horrific accident on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie during Landis’ segment that killed two children and actor Vic Morrow. We figure it’s time to have that discussion and see if we can sort out the complexities of artists and art. There isn’t an easy answer in general, but it does seem clear that Landis – particularly from the accident and beyond – should be judged more harshly than, say, a director whose criminal activities didn’t take place on set.But The Blues Brothers is more than just John Landis...All that aside, a lot of other people were involved in The Blues Brothers, and we’re here to celebrate them, notably Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi. Clearly, they share a love for this rhythm and blues music and feel it’s important to celebrate the history of the music by including many great performers in the film like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Cab Calloway, and John Lee Hooker. Plus, John and Dan as Jake and Elwood Blues seriously know how to perform.But the movie is also an element of its time. Not only do we have the American Nazi party represented (even if it is to mock them), we also have the characters treating the female characters with little respect. It was a misogynistic time, and we certainly feel it here.Looking specifically at why it’s in this series (and perhaps not our Couples on the Run series), the car chases are extravagant. Landis spent more than twice the initial budget presented by the studio and a lot of that went into creating some of the biggest car chases with the most cars destroyed than any other movie – even action movies. In fact, its record for the most cars destroyed in a film wasn’t broken until this film’s not-so-great 1998 sequel.This is one of the eleven films born from Saturday Night Live sketches, and it’s generally considered one of the best ones. It’s certainly one of the most successful of the bunch. We spend a bit of time digging into the history, success, and longevity of these spinoffs.Is this a film that works for younger generations or is this truly a product of its time that doesn’t work that well for people who aren’t dads? Well, we both love it but then again, we’re both dads. So maybe that’s saying something. Then again, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark and we’re wearing rose-colored glasses. Hit it. So watch the film then tune in right here or on your favorite podcatcher. 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 SundriesWatch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript TranscriptTheatrical trailerPoster artworkOriginal MaterialFlickchartLetterboxdOutrageous Conduct: Art, Ego, and the Twilight Zone Case

“This wave breaks 24 hours a day every day.”Dogtown and Z-Boys was a successful documentary when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2001, and did great for itself in its theatrical release afterward. That success spurred Stacy Peralta, the director of the film and one of the Z-boy skateboarders featured in the doc, to write a fictional telling of the story to be made as a feature film. That script went through several director’s hands – David Fincher and Fred Durst, specifically – before landing with Catherine Hardwicke. She had had great success a few years earlier with her debut film Thirteen (which we talked about on the show here). So how does this hold up as her sophomore effort? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Sports series with Hardwicke’s 2005 film Lords of Dogtown.We talk about skateboarding, biopics, and more as it relates to Lords of Dogtown.We both recount our own beginnings with skateboards. Were we ever any good? No. But certainly they were foundational memories for us. That gives us a jumping off point to get into this film as we look at how our three central characters – Jay, Tony, and Stacy – find their connection to skateboarding in the 70s and turn it into a sensation.How does the story work for us? It’s very much a biopic. That’s taken both for the bad and the good. It tells the story about interesting characters, but the beats feel very standard and expected. Is there something Hardwicke could’ve done or is this the best that could’ve come from Peralta’s script?And that’s another point we discuss – can a biopic script written by one of the characters in the story every really be more than gentle with its story? This is a common complaint with many musician biopics these days because the featured figure(s) is (are) alive and producing, writing, or giving their blessing to the project. Can Peralta be objective? It doesn’t feel that way.Still, the film is full of energy. That certainly feels like something Hardwicke brings to her early films. And the actors bring it as well. Emile Hirsch, John Robinson, Victor Rasuk, Heath Ledger – so many faces in this film that warrant calling out. Because they do tremendous work throughout the film, whether their scripted parts shine or not.In the end, though, it’s hard to separate what’s great in this film with the problems we have with the script. As strong as the performances and direction are, the story always feels a bit flat. But it’s still interesting and entertaining.So check it out. It’s worth looking at, and you can check another off your bucket list. 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 SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScriptTheatrical trailerPoster artworkOriginal MaterialFlickchartLetterboxdSupport 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

“All these years, you just looked right through me.”It was after learning to box that Karyn Kusama became interested in making a film set in the world of boxing, specifically focused on a woman learning to box. After writing the script, she found it very difficult to finance. People said it wouldn’t work unless she changed the Latina protagonist to a white woman. They said having a female protagonist was “unbelievable” and “unappealing.” Even after her producers finally found the financing, the financier pulled out days before production was supposed to start. It was only with the last-minute financial support from one of her producers – Maggie Renzi, along with her partner John Sayles – that she was able to get her film made. And we’re glad she did, because it’s a great film and introduced the world to Michelle Rodriguez. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Sports series with Kusama’s 2000 film Girlfight.Here’s what we take on in our conversation about Girlfight.Clearly, this film is a showcase for Michelle Rodriguez as Diana, our protagonist. We get a sense of her screen presence and her intensity. How much did this film end up defining the trajectory of her career? Is she ever offered parts in romantic comedies or does she purposefully steer toward the action films she’s generally making? Either way, we have a great time with her here and love watching her in whatever she chooses to make.One of the challenges we have with the film is the balance between Diana and her boxing with her relationship with Adrian. Is it the script that leaves us struggling? The performances from beginning actors? Or the structure and how interconnected Diana’s love story becomes with her boxing journey? It works for us, but not as well as we perhaps want it to.Regardless, we love the cast. Jaime Tirell, Douglas Santiago, Paul Calderón, Ray Santiago – they all deliver. Jaime’s Hector, however, is one of our favorites. What a great character.Kusama shows great technique right out of the gate. The introduction to Diana in the school hallway. The intense looks Diana gives right into the lens, breaking the fourth wall. The boxing POVs with the white flashes. Kusama’s not afraid to put strong touches on her film and they all work to its benefit. How has her career progressed after this? And what do we think of her upcoming foray into the TV series remake of Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers? Either way, she’s a fascinating director and worth tracking.This film is hard to come by these days as it’s currently not streaming. You can rent a physical copy from Scarecrow video, however, through their rent-by-mail program. Check them out – the link’s in the show notes below.It’s worth tracking this film down and watching it. It certainly would be a film worth a streaming or physical release as more people should check it out. 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 Video’s Rent By Mail ProgramOr find out if it’s streaming 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

“What I always admired was the fight in you.”Gina Prince-Bythewood looked at her first film as a When Harry Met Sally... type of story that followed a pair of young people – Monica and Quincy – as they both worked on furthering their basketball careers. The film was supported by The Sundance Institute and Spike Lee came on as an executive producer to help get it made. We’re glad everything came together for this film because it’s wonderful. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off a new series about Sports with Prince-Bythewood’s 2000 film Love & Basketball.It’s easy to fall for Love & Basketball.Prince-Bythewood followed through on her When Harry Met Sally... story perfectly. We meet Monica and Quincy as new neighbors and instantly fall for them as friends. The fact that they develop a romantic relationship over time works, but only because we buy that friendship so strongly. Small details, like him sneaking over to sleep on her floor to get away from his fighting parents, highlight so perfectly moments that Prince-Bythewood captures to help us buy into this.It helps that she cast Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps, two incredibly beautiful and charismatic actors, to play the parts as well. They play the roles well, both as basketball players and as friends who become romantically involved. They’re perfect.Of course the rest of the cast works just as well – Alfre Woodard, Harry Lennix, Dennis Haysbert, and Debbi Morgan play the parents and they all bring something to the table. The child versions of our leads are great. And the basketball is all great.It’s a film that deals with the challenges of relationships when success changes hands from one to the other. It looks at the way women and men are treated in sports differently. There’s the theme of infidelity and how it’s used in relationships and destroys them. And there are powerful elements looking at parents and their children and how they relate.It’s a strong way to kick off this series. 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 artworkFlickchartLetterboxdScarecrow Video’s Rent By Mail ProgramSupport 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 a golden starfish!”Olivia Wilde has long been working as an actress before stepping her foot into directing. She made a few short films and music videos, then locked her sights on the Blacklist script Booksmart by Emily Halpern & Sarah Haskins. She had screenwriter Katie Silberman rework the script (that Susanna Fogel had already changed ) into something that painted the vision she was looking for, and off she went. The film, while not a runaway success that it should’ve been, still did well for itself and set Wilde up as a new director with a strong voice. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we conclude our Coming of Age Debuts series with Wilde’s 2019 film Booksmart.We’re big fans of Booksmart.While we graduated from high school a few years (read decades) before this film takes place, it’s impossible not to notice all the same personalities and groups. What makes these characters stand out so well? And how much do we identify with our two protagonists Molly and Amy (played brilliantly by Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever)?The adults are interesting characters in the film, but what does it say that the one with the most time spent is Miss Fine? It’s fitting, considering her scenes together with our protags. And what do we learn about the complexities of people in general as we spend time with Jared, Annabelle, and Gigi?The film stands as vibrant and alive. Wilde smartly uses slow motion in a few spots. How do those moments stand out and why those spots?All in all, this may be the highlight of an absolutely brilliant series. We love it and hope you do too. 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 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

“I think this makes me officially an adult. Right?”Marielle Heller’s sister had gifted her the diaristic graphic novel “The Diary of a Teenage Girl: An Account in Words and Pictures” by Phoebe Gloeckner, and Heller instantly connected with it. She adapted it into a play and then, with Gloeckner’s blessing and film rights, into a script. With the help of The Sundance Institute, Heller built the cast and team of creatives that would help her bring her vision to life. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Coming of Age Debuts series with Heller’s 2015 film The Diary of a Teenage Girl.Does watching The Diary of a Teenage Girl feel like we’re reading a diary?It’s funny how the diary in the film is an audio one, recorded by Minnie, our protagonist and titular teenage girl. Is it weird that she’s an artist always using her hands but recording an audio diary? A bit. That being said, it’s not a gripe of ours at all, just something we noticed.We really connected with this story of Minnie coming into her own sexuality and figuring out what that means, even if it’s not always in the best ways. Still, what Heller and Gloeckner give us (along with the stellar lead performance by Bel Powley) is a complicated character taking her own complicated path to figuring herself out, at the end of which we’ve seen true growth.It helps that Alexander Skarsgård plays opposite her, even if it is a bit... shall we say awkward?... that they connect given that he plays her mom’s boyfriend and definitely someone who consciously makes the choice to sleep with a minor.But that allows for a conversation about finding your own sexuality, and how complicated that window of time is when you have your own sexual awakening, which almost always is before the official age of the adult label of 18. And certainly Minnie isn’t shying away from sleeping with boys her own age either.We also love Kristen Wiig, Christopher Meloni, and the rest of the cast. The look captured by cinematographer Brandon Trost, production designer Jonah Markowitz, and costume designer Carmen Grande (not to mention hair and makeup) bring this world to life.It’s a fantastic film, albeit a challenging one, but one worth 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 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 artworkOriginal MaterialFlickchartLetterboxdSupport 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

“Hit me! I’m serious, I can’t feel anything. Hit me!”Catherine Hardwicke had worked as a production designer for nearly two decades, crafting the look for such diverse films as I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, Tombstone, Tank Girl, and Three Kings, before shifting her focus to directing. It’s not often the path people take, but clearly Hardwicke knew what she wanted and came at it with a unique story she co-wrote with Nikki Reed – her ‘surrogate daughter’ as she describes her – about life as young teenage girls. The film Thirteen immediately caught attention because of how hard-hitting it was with depiction of thirteen-year-olds engaging in sexual behavior, doing drugs, and self harm through cutting. It also drew notice for how raw and realistic it was, and that intensity helped put Hardwicke on the map. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Coming of Age Debuts series with Hardwicke’s 2003 film Thirteen.Thirteen is a tough watch... but a good one.As fathers of daughters, this film pushes many of our buttons and makes us generally uncomfortable from start to finish. That being said, we can recognize the power in the dark places Hardwicke takes her characters. And she takes them to dark places.Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed shine as the two teens. Wood plays the teen eager to gain popularity only to fall in with the wrong person who introduces her to life on the edge. Reed – who co-wrote the script with Hardwicke when she was only 13 years old! – carries the challenge of being the draw for Wood’s character but also the manipulation, lies, and life struggling in a broken home. The two teenagers excel in their roles.Holly Hunter plays Wood’s mother and depicts the desire for friendship with the challenges of parenting to a tee. She rightly deserved her Oscar nomination and in our eyes, likely should have won.What did we think of the dad though? We have a bit of an argument about how the script portrays him and if it’s realistic or not.With unique camerawork, editing techniques, coloring, and more, Hardwicke more than shows herself capable to handle this story. It’s a tough film but powerful and worth watching. We have a fantastic conversation 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

“Cecilia was the first to go.”Sofia Coppola had made a few short films in the mid nineties, but it was reading Jeffrey Eugenides’ 1993 novel “The Virgin Suicides” that convinced her she wanted to be a director. She wrote the adaptation on spec after reading it because she saw so clearly how she wanted to tell it, and despite some challenges with the rights, got it made. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our ‘Coming of Age Debuts’ series with Coppola’s 2000 film The Virgin Suicides.There’s plenty to discuss with The Virgin SuicidesIt’s a dreamy, hallucinatory film told through narration and a pseudo-documentary style. How well does that work for us? Does the style fit the type of story about memory and reflections? And how well does the filmmaking style speak to Coppola as a first-time feature filmmaker?It’s clear that Coppola had a vision with this story. The cinematography, production design, costume design, hair and makeup, music, and editing all fit perfectly with this view on teen angst in the 70s. The actors work well to convey the story as well. Who stands out?What is the film saying about suicide? How does that tie in with Coppola’s messages about the challenges of life as a teenager? And her themes on looking back to your youth?There’s a lot to digest with this film. It worked well for the two of us, but it’s a challenging film that may not be for everyone, particularly with its languid pacing. Still, we had a great time and a great conversation. 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 artworkOriginal MaterialFlickchartLetterboxdSupport 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

“Goodbye, Snowball.”With several short films under her belt, Lynne Ramsay got her first feature film made and released in 1999. The film tells the tale of a young boy growing up in a poor neighborhood during a period in Scotland when the binmen were on strike, leaving thousands of pounds of garbage lying in the streets, yards, and roads. Growing up a child in Glasgow, Scotland, in the 70s, it makes sense that Ramsay would start with what she knows. What she created was a realistic depiction of childhood at this time that feels authentic and honest. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Coming of Age Debuts series with Ramsay’s third film, 1999’s Ratcatcher.Here’s some of what we discuss in our Ratcatcher conversation.We set the conversation up with some history about Glasgow in the 70s, just to get a better sense of these strikes and how it affected people. We also talk about the housing issues there at the time.The children performing in this film, notably young William Eadie, are outstanding. They never strike a false note and make use feel as if we’re growing up in this period with them. And what’s great about the parents’ performances is that they feel like extensions of these kids. We see them as nothing more than big kids who really have no way out of this cycle they’re in.There are themes of guilt, friendship, sexual development, freedom, and escape. How are these various themes depicted in the film? What’s Ramsay trying to say?And what about the animals? Rats, mice, cats, dogs. We share our thoughts on them.It’s a strong film right out of the gate for Ramsay. We have a great conversation about her and the film 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 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