The Next Reel Film Podcast

"Whatever it is that you’ve been through, you don’t have to tell me. I’m just glad you’re here." With the international success of Stieg Larsson’s novel “Men Who Hate Women” and its sequels, it was inevitable that a cinematic version would be made. The three films that make up Larsson’s ‘Millennium Trilogy’ were made back to back and were all released in Sweden in 2009 before making their way around the world to financial and critical success. The first film, Niels Arden Oplev’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, introduced the world cinematically to both Lisbeth Salander and the actress who portrayed her – Noomie Rapace. Her work to bring Salander to life is largely what makes this trilogy stand out as one worth talking about. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off a series about the three films in the Millennium Trilogy with Oplev’s 2009 film The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. We talk about the story and why it largely works so well – Lisbeth Salander. We look at Rapace as Salander and how well she does with Michael Nyqvist playing the man who brings her in to help him solve this case. We look at what Oplev does here cinematically and make some comparisons with the 2011 David Fincher remake. We chat about some of the violence with the story and debate what it does for the story itself. And we touch on some of the differences between the original cut and the extended TV cuts. It’s a dark film but certainly one worth watching. We love the mystery presented here, but more importantly, we love that this film gave us Noomi Rapace. We have a great time talking about this movie, so check it out then tune in! Film Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreelWatch this film: iTunes • Amazon • NetflixOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkThe Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg LarssonFlickchartLetterboxdSupport 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

"Turn back, Sarah. Turn back before it’s too late!" After working on The Dark Crystal together, Jim Henson and Brian Froud wanted to do another project together, but they had a few stipulations. One, they didn’t want to tell a story that was so dark. Two, they didn’t want it to be all puppets – they wanted to include people as well. After locking those in, they came up with a concept that included goblins stealing a baby, and away they went. Steal away with us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we add another Listener’s Choice episode with Henson’s 1986 film Labyrinth, selected by Melanie from Melbourne! We talk to Melanie about why she picked this film for us to discuss. We dig into our own histories with the movie and Andy acknowledges that some of his 13-year-old self may be coloring his view on the film today. We look at the film overall, both at what works and what doesn’t. We chat about Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie and look at what they’re each bringing to the table. We also talk about the slew of puppeteers working hard to make this world come to life through many types of puppetry. We debate the quality of Bowie’s music in the film, regardless of how catchy it may be. We look at some bigger issues going on in the film regarding adolescence and leaving childish ways behind (not to mention the timely lenses of seeing the film as a story about an older man lusting after a much younger girl). We look at Henson as a director and wonder if he might be more of a technician who brings amazing puppets to life than a director. We debate if the film feels cohesive or feels too disjointed. And we try to not comment on Bowie’s pants but find we can’t help ourselves. It’s a film that one of us loves and the other finds fairly middle-ground, but one that warrants a fantastic discussion. So check it out (or don’t – it’s up to you) then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Film Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreelWatch this film: iTunes • AmazonScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkArt of the TitleFlickchartLetterboxdThe Hidden Faces of the Goblin King  Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

What’s this? More Trek? We can’t get enough of it! This week, Ethan Siegel joins Pete to talk about the science of Star Trek, talking through those questions that stumped us during our film series. From space propulsion to transporters, energy fields to sliding doors, Ethan builds a bridge connecting the fantastic technology that provides the foundation for the Trek future, back to the practical science of today. Who is Ethan Siegel? He’s a Ph.D. astrophysicist, author, and science communicator, who professes physics and astronomy at various colleges. He has won numerous awards for science writing since 2008 for his blog, “Starts With A Bang,” including the award for best science blog by the Institute of Physics. His two books, Treknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive, and Beyond the Galaxy: How humanity looked beyond our Milky Way and discovered the entire Universe, are available wherever books are sold. Links & Notes Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreelTreknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp DriveStarts with a Bang — Ethan’s Blog  Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

"I’m submitting a complaint, exercising my rights as a citizen. That makes me a criminal?" Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreel There are many anthology films out in the universe, some better than others. It’s the better ones that have strong connective tissues tying the various short stories together. Sometimes, those ones are directed by many people, sometimes by the same person. When Damián Szifron realized he’d written a bunch of short stories that were all thematically similar, he thought back to TV anthology shows he loved like “Amazing Stories” or “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and decided to make an anthology film. With the thematic connections between these films, he’s turned out an incredibly strong movie that’s not only become the most seen film in Argentina but also an incredible financial success. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our series on Argentinean actor Ricardo Darín with Szifron’s 2014 film Wild Tales. We talk about what makes a good anthology film and why so many don’t succeed as well as this one does. We look at each of the six stories and debate which are the best and why. We look at Darín and his character Simón and how “Bombita” became such an iconic Robin Hood type of figure for the people of Argentina. We discuss why Szifron’s film succeeds even though there isn’t an overarching story connecting everything together. And we talk about how this film really seemed to take Argentina by storm and look at why people reacted to this film the way they did. It’s a fantastic anthology movie, it’s a fantastic film, and Darín is fantastic in it. We have a great time discussing it so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Film SundriesWatch this film: iTunes • AmazonScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxd    Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

"Memories are all we end up with." Anyone who has seen a Ricardo Darín film knows he has very expressive eyes. The actors in the 2009 film El Secreto de Sus Ojos, or The Secret in Their Eyes, had to have more than just expressive eyes, though. They had to be able to carry heavy amounts of subtext in their eyes. And while director Juan José Campanella’s film is largely a detective story as Darín and his team work to solve a cold case, it’s also a story about unrequited love. Luckily, Campanella had worked with Darín before so he knew Darín could do it. And Darín pulls it off effortlessly, along with his costars Soledad Villamil and Guillermo Francella. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our series on actor Ricardo Darín with Campanella’s 2009 film The Secret in Their Eyes. We talk about how well this film works for us and what Campanella achieves with this magnificent film. We look at the work Darín, Villamil and Francella bring to the table, not to mention their costars Pablo Rago, Mario Alarcón, Javier Godino and Carla Quevedo. We revel in the spectacular cinematography throughout the film from director of photography Félix Monti, discussing how they frame shots, the narrow depth of field, handheld shots and more. We look at the complexities involved in creating the spectacular stadium scene, and we contrast that with discussions about some smaller scenes. We discuss some of the themes of the film and how well they are balanced across the story, and we briefly discuss the American remake and why it doesn’t work for Andy. It’s a fascinating film that sticks with you long after it ends. We love it and by now have fallen completely for the wonderful onscreen presence of Darín. He’s a brilliant actor and we had a great time talking about this film of his. So what are you waiting for? Watch this movie then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins! Film Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreelWatch this film: iTunes • AmazonOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkLa pregunta de sus ojos (Spanish Edition) by Eduardo SacheriFlickchartLetterboxdRodrigo Tomasso’s Stadium Full VFX BreakdownMore behind the scenes of the Stadium OnerOlabola VFX PortfolioRodrigo Tomasso’s Invisibles Breakdown      Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

"When nothing can be worse than what happened, you feel powerful." Juan José Campanella had developed a career bouncing back and forth between the US, where he would direct episodes of TV shows, and Argentina, where he was starting his feature film directing career. After his Argentinean feature film debut in 1999, he tapped his leading man – Ricardo Darín – to star in his next feature, El Hijo de la Novia, or The Son of the Bride, before he headed back to the States for more TV work. With a touching story about a man in a midlife crisis (if you look at it in the most basic sense), Campanella created a story that speaks to the honesty of love, of growing older, of the effects of diseases like Alzheimer’s, of friendship – of life – and gave us a beautiful film. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our series on Argentinean actor Ricardo Darín with his 2001 film Son of the Bride. We talk about Darín and why he works so well in this role, despite the fact that he starts off as largely unlikeable. We talk about the others in the cast too – Héctor Alterio, Norma Aleandro, Natalia Verbeke and Eduardo Blanco – and what they all bring to the table here. We look at how Campanella structures his scenes and why they often work so well, despite being surrounded by a story that otherwise could become maudlin very quickly. We chat about Daniel Shulman’s cinematography, with a camera that often feels like it’s dancing, and about Camilo Antoloni’s editing, with a balance of edits that complements the shots. And we debate about the character of Juan Carlos and if his comedic elements worked or ended up being too much for us. It’s a delightful film that touches the heart full of wonderful performances. We have a great time talking about this one. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Film Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreelWatch this film: AmazonOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster 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

"Of course I can buy it, but I can also not buy it as everybody else would do if they could." Ricardo Darín was pretty much born into acting. Coming from a pair of actor parents, he started on Argentine television when he was just a boy and grew up in the industry, finding lots of success in TV, film, and theatre. But it was his role as con artist Marcos in Fabián Bielinsky’s film Nueve Reinas – or Nine Queens – that really cemented his role as one of Argentina’s key leading men. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off a new series celebrating the work of the fantastic Ricardo Darín starting with Bielinsky’s 2000 film Nine Queens. We talk about Darín and how wonderful he is in this film, while we also ponder why it is perhaps that such a brilliant actor hasn’t tried to make the crossover into English language films. We discuss how Bielinsky got this film made after years of having no luck selling the script. We look at what cinematographer Marcelo Camorino is doing throughout the film with wonderful steadicam shots paired with long lens shots that really give the film a sense of voyeurism. We touch on the score by César Lerner and how it has a wide variety of styles throughout that pairs very effectively with the twists and turns of the con story. And we revel in said story, thrilled to see a con story work so effectively while also allowing for moments of small character beats that builds a stronger foundation for the script. It’s a wonderful film that gets everything right, giving us a lot to look forward to in this series. So check out this movie then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Film Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreelWatch this film: Amazon • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster 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

"This is where the frontier pushes back." With JJ Abrams busy working on that other space franchise, the new Trek film needed a new director. And who better to bring on board than Justin Lin, the man who rejuvenated the Fast & Furious franchise. Yes, it meant he was going to bring his big action directing to this franchise. But was that a bad thing? It also meant there would be fewer lens flares. Was that a good thing? More importantly, it was Paramount’s opportunity to celebrate 50 years since Gene Roddenberry’s “Star Trek” started airing on TV, creating this future world that drew so many people to it. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we close out our massive series with Lin’s 2016 film Star Trek Beyond. We look at why we love this film so much, particularly since there are so many problems scattered throughout that we have with it. We contemplate Simon Pegg’s and Doug Jung’s script, wondering if perhaps Scotty might be stretching his legs more than he normally would because he’s writing it. We debate whether Idris Elba’s character Krall needed to have as much makeup as he has and if his motivations really make enough sense in the film for us not to worry about it. We discuss the spaceport Yorktown and revel in the beauty of it, notably because so much of it was filmed in Dubai. We ponder the future of the franchise, wondering how they’re going to bring Chris Hemsworth back in the next one. And we praise Michael Giacchino and his beautiful score for this film, notably his somber use of his Star Trek theme as well as the new Yorktown theme he develops. All in all, it’s been a fun franchise to dig into for the last 13 weeks, and this film was exactly the finish we needed – a film that may have issues but has its heart in the right place. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Film Sundries Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreelWatch this film: iTunes • AmazonScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster 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

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreel "My name is Khan." When Paramount asked JJ Abrams and his team behind the 2009 Star Trek reboot to get started on a sequel, they took a while trying to break the story. From interviews, it sounded like they had well over 50 iterations of the story before they finally came up with the idea they went with. With all that time and those iterations, though, it struck many people as odd that they ended up deciding to tell a story that brought back Khan Noonien Singh, the antagonist from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, as the villain. While the film is entertaining, it also feels unfresh because it’s retreading familiar territory. But that didn’t stop it from making its money back at the box office as it quickly earned the highest gross of any Trek film. But does that mean it’s good or just successful? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we get near the end of our Star Trek series with JJ Abrams’ 2013 film Star Trek Into Darkness. We talk about our problems with this film and try to evaluate why they may not be problems for those not as familiar with the earlier Trek lore. We look at how, at least for long-time Trek fans, this script makes it feel less like an homage to great elements in the past and more like a ripoff of a better story. We discuss our frustration with elements in the film, such as the treatment of female characters, the lack of understanding of the Prime Directive, the reliance on screenplay tropes like the departure of a betrayed friend, and more. We also look at elements of the film that we really like, such as the incredible world that starts us off, and the trip from ship to ship. And we dig deep into the opening sequence, introducing us to a primitive culture on a really cool planet. While this film frustrates us on a number of levels, it still makes for a great conversation. So check it out, then tune in! The Next Reel: when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Film Sundries Want to join us for an episode? Support The Next Reel on Patreon to automatically be entered into our regular Listener’s Choice drawings! — http://patreon.com/thenextreelWatch this film: iTunes • AmazonScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster 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

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreel "Your father was the captain of a starship for twelve minutes. He saved 800 lives, including your mother’s and yours. I dare you to do better." With the financial disappointment of Star Trek: Nemesis, Paramount wasn’t so sure they would return to the well again. But in 2005, when Viacom/Paramount split from CBS, they had to get a movie in the works or risk losing rights to the property. Hence, Star Trek was born. But screenwriters Robert Orci, Alex Kurtzman and director JJ Abrams didn’t want to continue the story from where it left off – they felt it had been played out. They went back to one of the early ideas to have Kirk and Spock in their Academy years. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Star Trek series with Abrams’ 2009 film Star Trek. We talk about the nature of this reboot, which is a bit more a rebirth or a timeline shift, and how well that works for us. We discuss the cast and how they all feel in the roles they inhabit. We look at the redesigned ship and how logical its interiors are in context of its exteriors. We chat about the kinetic energy Abrams brings to the film, and how well that works with Dan Mindel’s cinematography. We touch on Michael Giacchino’s score and what we think of it in context of the film as well as how well it stacks up to the rest of the music in the franchise thus far. And we look at the script and how wonderfully it develops the characters from their origins, notably Kirk and Spock. We have a great time with this film – certainly one that stands out in the franchise. If you have been avoiding this series because you’re not a Trek fan, this might be the one worth trying to see what you think. Regardless, tune in to this week’s show! Film Sundries Watch this film: iTunes • AmazonScript TranscriptOriginal Teaser TrailerOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster 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