Reel Film Chronicles

Listen, over here at the Reel Film Chronicles, we adore a good super hero movie. We're instinctively drawn to them - every theatrical release, each direct to streaming movie - but we're getting a bit worn out. Superhero fatigue, Disney+ MCU series, etc. We've got a lot to say about the industry, what's grinding our gears, but also what we really enjoy. With a focus on the newest Captain America movie, we find light within the dark, and I say this simply because I really haven't seen any positive discussions about the movie. Well, in this podcast episode we nearly get there. Regardless, this was a fun one to do, and we hope you forgive us for the long hiatus. I promise we have more episodes in progress and a loose plan to record some more soon. Thanks for listening and supporting us!Captain America: Brave New World (2025)Directed by: Julius OnahStarring: Anthony Mackie - Harrison Ford - Danny Ramirez - Shira Haas - Tim Blake NelsonGenres: science fiction - action - thrillerRuntime: 119 minutesOur Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Reel Film Chronicles⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Letterboxd Profiles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Nathan⁠⁠⁠⁠Nathan's Site: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Feed the Voices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠ ⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠IMDb⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 93Captain America: Brave New World

Because we exist now in a purgatory between reality and unreality and all original thought has been expunged, filtered out through a cosmic sieve that we can neither perceive nor define, we are now subject to a neverending cavalcade of remakes, reboots, reminaginings, and sequels. Gladiator II is not just a legacy sequel to an Oscar-winning film that has become revered among fans and critics alike; it is yet another herald of the New Age, in which our collective consciousness is only capable of telling stories that have already been told and consuming those same stories again, and again, and again in an endless cycle until the heat death of this universe and our reabsorption into the next link in the Great Chain of Being. Fortunately for us, some of those stories are told by Ridley Scott and are still spectacles worthy of the big screen. Gladiator II is a direct sequel to Gladiator, catching us up on the state of the Roman Empire since the heroic General Maximus gave his life to bring down a corrupt leader and provide a glimmer of hope for the oppressed and the outcast. As always, Ridley Scott has his finger on the pulse, and shows that Maximus' sacrifice led to... the rise of not one but two insane Emperors drunk on their own power and slowly destroying their own empire. But a new her will arise in Hanno, a warrior who is enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator but who secretly holds the power to overthrow the empire... Listen, if you've seen the first one you know the drill, but you also know the old saying; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you have the constitution, then journey with The Reel Film Chronicles into this fantasy world that vaguely resembles ancient Rome to see if the second time really is the charm and whether Gladiator II answers the age-old question that echoes in eternity: Are you not entertained?GLADIATOR II (2024)Directed by: Ridley ScottStarring: Paul Mescal - Denzel Washington - Pedro Pascal - Connie NielsenGenres: drama - action - adventureRuntime: 148 minutesOur Website: ⁠⁠⁠Reel Film Chronicles⁠⁠⁠Our Letterboxd Profiles: ⁠⁠⁠Brian⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Nathan⁠⁠⁠Nathan's Site: ⁠⁠⁠Feed the Voices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠⁠IMDb⁠⁠⁠Episode 92Gladiator 2

Will they be, though? Will they? We confirm that things WILL be different, as your intrepid hosts delve into a time-twisty lo-fi sci-fi thriller that focuses on two siblings hiding from the law in a house that seems to exist outside our regular time. Yeah, it's a great concept and honestly, a pretty great film, especially if you're into these kind of indie concept films. With some great performances and intriguing story that's rife with meaning, Things Will be Different is a film that's worthy of your time. So check it out, then swing back to our discussion on the movie, which, I guess, is no different than our other episodes in terms of the format we follow, but still, the conversation is good, and we appreciate your company.THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT (2024)Directed by: Michael FelkerStarring: Adam David Thompson - Riley DandyGenres: science-fiction - thriller - horrorRuntime: 102 minutesOur Website: ⁠⁠Reel Film Chronicles⁠⁠Our Letterboxd Profiles: ⁠⁠Brian⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Nathan⁠⁠Nathan's Site: ⁠⁠Feed the Voices⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠IMDb⁠⁠Episode 91

The lights dim. The curtains rise. A murmur passes through the room, the residual sound of a thousand voices going silent. The stage is set. A street from another century. A lamppost that would make Gene Kelly feel right at home. A series of storefronts with nothing behind them but a skeleton of two-by-fours. Then there he is, appearing as though by magic. Joaquin Phoenix. In his full Joker makeup. As he starts into a passionate musical number, bellowing his emotions to the back of the room and beginning a highly choreographed dance number, two thoughts cross your mind: 1) Joaquin Phoenix truly is one of the greatest performers of our generation and 2) What the hell is he doing in your kid's school play? Mr. Phoenix is definitely not out of place in Joker: Folie à Deux, Todd Phillips' follow up to his smash hit Joker, which took the box office by storm back in 2019, earning nearly $1 billion for Warner Bros. Joker 2? Let's say its contributions to Warner Bros.' portfolio were more... aspirational than financial. In a genre-bending twist, Phillips and Phoenix take superhero movies into a new realm with the help of Lady Gaga, introducing the world to the first musical superhero blockbuster movie of the modern era. Taking a sharp left turn from where most audiences thought about the trajectory of the character and world, the team behind the second Joker movie instead decided to try something completely different with the character and the genre. Whether or not that new direction worked for you (and based purely on box office numbers, odds are that it did not) is a matter of taste. Either way, Joker: Folie à Deux is nothing if not a bold vision, and your intrepid hosts at The Reel Film Chronicles have gallantly sallied forth to explore the deranged minds at the heart of of this film and the characters they've created on screen for our twisted amusement.JOKER: FOLIE à DEUX (2024)directed by: Todd Phillipsstarring: Joaquin Phoenix - Lady Gaga - Brendan Gleeson - Catherine Keenerruntime: 138 minutesOur Website: ⁠Reel Film Chronicles⁠Our Letterboxd Profiles: ⁠Brian⁠ | ⁠Nathan⁠Nathan's Site: ⁠Feed the Voices⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠ | ⁠IMDb⁠episode 90

Never before would one have considered the inoffensive little cuckoo as a symbol of death, destruction, and parasitic infection. But thanks to writer-director Tilman Singer, now that's all you'll ever associate with them every time you think about those cute little birds, which I have to assume is at least once an hour. You know, like most normal people. Cuckoo is a movie that explores what it means to be part of a family as well as the potential consequences of what it might mean if another species of human beings evolved alongside our own. Two totally normal thoughts that most people grapple with at least once in the normal course of their lives. While historically, most people go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs, in this episode your intrepid hosts go cuckoo for horror stuff, as the Reel Film Chronicles explores the meaning of life, the universe, and brood parasitism in our typically analytical and well-researched review of 2024's Cuckoo.Nathan's Full Review on CuckooCUCKOO (2024)directed by: Tilman Singerstarring: Hunter Schafer | Jan Bluthardt | Marton Csokas | Jessica Henwick | Dan Stevensruntime: 103 minutesOur Website: Reel Film ChroniclesOur Letterboxd Profiles: Brian | NathanNathan's Site: Feed the VoicesLetterboxd | IMDbepisode 89

For every action there is a reaction; for every yin, a yang; for every Casino Royale, a Quantum of Solace. And so in conjunction with our Top 10 of 2024 episode, we must also release our Bottom 5 of 2024, and so maintain balance in the universe and prevent the untimely destruction of existence due to a variance in the fabric of space time itself. It's all in good fun as the Reel Film Chronicles cover their picks for movies in 2024 that missed the mark despite lofty narrative ambitions, suffered from an excess of studio interference, or just seemed like they were put together for some kind of tax write off. These are merely the opinions of some casual movie fans, so as always, we recommend not taking any opinions offered herein as having any kind of authority whatsoever and invite you to make up your own minds. Reel Film Chronicles

You are, perhaps, never more acutely aware of the apparent injustice woven into the fabric of the universe than when you love a movie everyone else hates or hate a movie everybody else loves. Welcome back once again for the Reel Film Chronicles yearly tradition of reviewing our top 10 movies of the previous calendar year. In this case, your intrepid hosts each run down their top 10 movies of 2024. The suspense is palpable and the stakes couldn't be higher as they try to unravel the ultimate mystery: Do they agree on their favourite movies of 2024? And perhaps even more mysterious: Do YOU agree on their picks? So follow along fellow movie fans, both hardcore and casual, as we explore some of the finest works of cinema to grace our screens, both large and small, in 2024. Perhaps you'll discover a new hidden gem, or perhaps you can just rage listen and revel in our wrongness. Either way, you're in for a good time. So tune in and embark with the Reel Film Chronicles on the next step of your film journey.Reel Film Chronicles

This year marks the 85th anniversary of everyone's favourite comic book hero. So here we are, a bit behind (as per usual) with an episode where we revisit - complete with nostalgia glasses - Tim Burton's BATMAN from 1989! Apologies again for the audio quality - we have one more episode left in the bank where we were afflicted by this condition, but then it's back to the usual "stellar" sound you've come to expect. Well, nearly there at least. Batman (1989) directed by: Tim Burton starring: Michael Keaton - Michael Keaton - Kim Basinger genres: action - fantasy - crime - superhero runtime: 126min

We're back from an unplanned hiatus, with M Night's latest film, TRAP! And apologies in advance: Nathan's audio quality is a bit poor, due to a technical slight that ended up in him recording on the wrong microphone. I did my best but I'm no audio engineer, so I thank you in advance for your patience over the next couple of episodes as we get that rectified. I promise: it's all the same great content and commentary you come to expect! TRAP (2024)directed by: M. Night Shyamalanstarring: Josh Hartnett - Ariel Donoghue - Saleka - Alison Pillgenres: horror - thriller - crimeruntime: 105 min The Film: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDb https://reelfilmchronicles.com

We were long overdue for another episode featuring fan and podcast-favourite Nic Cage, and what better film for discussion than the much anticipated LONGLEGS? We're going to give a quick rundown of recent Nic Cage films, as well as director Osgood Perkins filmography before we jump headfirst into the feature film. We have lots to say for a film with lots of genres - we think there's a little something for everyone here. Get yourself comfortable and listen in! Also, go watch the movie first! We don't hold back on spoilers in our discussion (we give plenty of warning in the episode). Longlegs (2024) directed by: Osgood Perkins starring: Maika Monroe - Nicolas Cage - Blair Underwood - Alicia Witt genres: horror - crime - thriller runtime: 101 min REEL FILM CHRONICLES Facebook | Instagram Letterboxd | IMDb | TMDB

Possibly the first western film we've covered on the podcast, and who better than to guide us into the genre than Kevin Costner, with his latest ambitious multi-part movie project? We give a quick rundown of Costner's acting and directorial efforts, and our experiences with the western genre before we kick our spurs and discuss the movie at length - which is mostly what we enjoyed about the film. * Spoiler warning given during the episode, but we don't hold back during our conversation here. * Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024) directed by: Kevin Costner starring: Kevin Costner - Sienna Miller - Sam Worthington - Jena Malone - Owen Crow Shoe genres: western runtime: 181 minutes Website: Reel Film Chronicles Movie Links: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDB

From Guy Ritchie, the master of ungentlemanly filmmaking, comes The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a heartwarming tale about a band of friends bound together through an unshakeable bond: a shared compulsion to kill Nazis. Based loosely (just ever so loosely) on a "true" story (we cannot stress just how loosely this movie was based on actual events), the movie follows Superman, Jack Reacher, and friends as they set out to cripple Nazi U-boat operations in the north Atlantic to give England the breathing room it needs to fight back against Hitler's advancing cronies the best way one can: by organizing a heist. Just a great, big, old Nazi-killing heist. As with any great heist, nothing goes to plan, until it does, then it doesn't, but then it does, and a lot of Nazis die in the end, which if we're being honest, is probably the best way for any heist to end. So join us as we travel back in time to World War II (not literally, of course - that's impossible as far as you know) to explore Guy Ritchie's latest movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare to see if this is a return to form and the trusted Ritchie formula for on-screen hijinks. And if not, just through sheer law of averages, one of the fifteen movies he's releasing this year is bound to be to your liking. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) directed by: Guy Ritchie starring: Henry Cavill - Eiza González - Alan Ritchson - Henry Golding genres: action - war - drama runtime: 120 minutes Operation Postmaster (Wikipedia) Website: Reel Film Chronicles Movie Links: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDB

Do you have what it takes to make it epic? Well, we certainly try, at least! We sing the praises of this latest instalment in George Miller's Mad Max Saga by delving into everything that we enjoyed about this bombastic and layered action film. From the acting, the special effects, the creative names, the incredible soundtrack, the story, characters and more, we also take time to appreciate how it fits perfectly in with it's sequel film Fury Road (which came out nine (!!) years ago. By the finish, we gave our ratings for this film, but also each Mad Max entry. This episode is not to be missed! * Spoilers for all Mad Max movies, including Furiosa, are contained within. * Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) directed by: George Miller starring: Anya Taylor-Joy - Chris Hemsworth - Tom Burke - Alyla Browne - Lachy Hulme genres: action - adventure - science-fiction runtime: 149min reelfilmchronicles.com Letterboxd | IMDb

We delve into this Amazon produced remake of a fan favorite: ROAD HOUSE. We offer our take on this movie without the nostalgia glasses that many may have, as Brian missed the original film entirely, and Nathan watched it just before jumping into this new iteration. We start the episode giving a rundown of director Doug Liman's filmography, then jump into the film (with spoilers for both this one and the original throughout). We'll explore the characters, the acting, the action and visual effects, all set against the backdrop of what could effectively be a "direct to video" film starring one of our generation's greatest actors. Road House (2024) directed by: Doug Liman starring: Jake Gyllenhaal - Daniela Melchior - Billy Magnussen - Jessica Williams genres: thriller - action runtime: 121 minutes Reel Film Chronicles Letterboxd - IMDb

Caught in the shadow of a cinematic legacy or stepping into the light on her own terms? Caitlin Cronenberg's HUMANE marks her entrance into the feature film arena, and we're here to dissect just how the threads of family renown and nepotism weave through her narrative tapestry. The heart of our episode beats strong with a foray into the film, a story that boldly navigates the murky junction of family ties, environmental disaster, governmental tendrils, and moral ambiguity. Emily Hampshire's stirring portrayal anchors the tale, with Canadian stars like Jay Baruchel and Enrico Colantoni adding layers to this complex narrative. Whether you're a first-time viewer or a critique-hardened cinephile, the film's emotional and thematic depth is sure to strike a chord, and we're here to analyze every note. As the credits roll on our cinematic discussion, we engage in the "ultimate" ratings guessing game, which you can play along with while listening. The conversation unfolds into a broader meditation on the personal journey of evaluating art, and the Cronenberg name becomes a lens through which we ponder the unpredictable alchemy of filmmaking success. Join us for a vibrant exploration of film, family, and the enduring question of what it means to make a mark in the shadow of giants. HUMANE (2024) directed by: Caitlin Cronenberg starring: Jay Baruchel - Emily Hampshire - Sebastian Chacon - Alanna Bale genres: science fiction - horror - thriller runtime: 93 min www.reelfilmchronicles.com Letterboxd | IMDb

This podcast is a tomb. In the Year of our Lord 1997, a movie was unleashed on an unsuspecting population. A movie so vile, so terrifying, so violent, so gruesome that it borrowed its way into our collective conscience, wrapping its tendrils around our cerebral cortex, refusing to let us forget her. That movie was Event Horizon. A sci-fi-horror staple for those in the know, it became a beloved cult classic, even (or maybe especially) among those of us who were traumatized at a young age by the grisly imagery and claustrophobic atmosphere. Event Horizon wound up being one of those lighting-in-a-bottle (or hellfire-in-a-spaceship) situations, with a unique concept executed to perfection with an all-star cast led by Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill on a spaceship set that looked like the design had been pulled from the deranged minds of Clive Barker's Cenobites. Violent murders, slow descents into madness, and a spaceship that may or may not have travelled to the literal incarnation of Hell are all hallmarks of one of the most idiosyncratic and memorable entries into both the sci-fi and horror movie pantheons. The choice laid before you now is this; listen to this episode of The Real Film Chronicles and delve into the twisted world of Event Horizon or save yourself... from Hell! Event Horizon (1997) | directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson | starring: Laurence Fishburne - Sam Neill - Kathleen Quinlan - Joely Richardson | science fiction - mystery - horror | 95 min Reel Film Chronicles Letterboxd

We're happy to be diving deep into Dune Part Two, the eagerly anticipated sequel with a feature-length discussion on everything we loved about the movie. We also talk about differences with the book (but we don't go deep there, and try to avoid book spoilers). Dune: Part Two (2024) | directed by: Denis Villeneuve | starring: Timothée Chalamet - Zendaya - Rebecca Ferguson - Javier Bardem - Josh Brolin - Austin Butler | adventure - science fiction | 167 min https://reelfilmchronicles.com Letterboxd

SHED THE LIES Join your intrepid hosts as we delve into this 2023 Netflix crime thriller - a surprisingly good (well, it surprised us at least) film that offers more than any description or trailer could provide. We're fans of all the actors here, and we fanboy over Benicio del Toro and his burning performance here, and talk about how the film world needs more Alicia Silverstone. REPTILE (2023) | directed by: Grant Singer | starring: Benicio del Toro - Justin Timberlake - Alicia Silverstone - Michael Pitt | crime | 136min https://reelfilmchronicles.com https://boxd.it/wKjc * Rated explicit/mature for language and subject matter.

Welcome to the world of The Killer and watch as obsessive, perfectionist filmmaker David Fincher tells the story of an obsessive, perfectionist killer living out his either his worst nightmare or darkest fantasy: his life spiraling out of control after an extra ruins his perfect shot then going on a bloody rampage to get revenge against everybody who has ever wronged him. If I were one of the executives at Fox who had anything to do with Alien 3, I'd probably sleep with at least one eye open from now on. With The Killer, Fincher continues his tradition of protagonists who are weird, misanthropic, and/or emotionally detached loners, live by a very specific set of rules, and wax philosophical about humanity's inhumanity in endless voiceover. A self-described unremarkable man who is exceptional at his job through endless, obsessive practice and meticulous attention to detail, the titular killer is perhaps the most appropriately autobiographical self-insert character that Fincher could have imagined. With murder, mayhem, and a shady underworld of secret assassins (no, not THAT world of secret assassins), and meditations on how the thin veil of civility that is society barely conceals the base instincts of the human race at bay and our most cherished ideals are all lies carefully disseminated to help the powerful exploit the masses, The Killer is sure to delight viewers of all ages. So join your intrepid hosts as we delve into the world of The Killer, explore the latest twisted entry into David Fincher's pantheon, and try our best to avoid ending up on any hit lists of our own. THE KILLER (2023) | directed by: David Fincher | starring: Michael Fassbender - Tilda Swinton - Charles Parnell - Arliss Howard - Kerry O’Malley - Sophie Charlotte | Thriller - Crime | 118 min https://reelfilmchronicles.com https://letterboxd.com/ryebone/list/reel-film-chronicles-podcast/ https://letterboxd.com/film/the-killer-2023/

A thick mist blankets the countryside as two riders cut their way through the waterlogged landscape, man and beast alike soaked by a slanted rain as ignorant of mercy as it was of the difference between pleasure and pain, redemption and damnation. There was only the fall. Then, a commotion. A man and woman hunted by a group of men, unaware that their role would soon be reversed from predator to prey. One of the riders dismounts, his boots splashing in the puddles, creating tsunamis in miniature. Time slows. The men turn their weapons on the intruder, irritated at the interruption of their sport, but to no avail. Even unarmed, the masked interloper makes quick work of his opponents, moving faster than his opponents can react, disarming and leaving them to wallow in their misery in the mud, and the dirt, and the rain. Always and still, there was the rain. The year is 2001. The movie is Brotherhood of the Wolf. The result is a cult classic in the making. Based - very loosely as is usually the case - on actual events, the movie tells the story of two unlikely friends sent to solve the mystery of reports of a vicious beast that is terrorizing the French countryside. For sheer value, one can hardly do better, as Brotherhood of the Wolf is really (at least) five movies in one: an historical epic, a romance, a detective story, a political drama, and an action movie. A story that involves secret cults, bone swords, brothels, royal politics, evil deformed appendages, and taxidermy, Brotherhood of the Wolf is a very specific sort of fever dream that could only have sprung forth from the collective consciousness of the early 2000s. As brazen as it is inventive, Brotherhood of the Wolf is nothing if not unique, and truly one of those films that stands alone almost as a genre unto itself. So join your intrepid hosts at the Reel Film Chronicles as they take you on a journey into the world of 18th Century France to unravel the mystery of the beast of Gévaudan. ********** Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) | directed by: Christophe Gans | starring: Samuel Le Bihan - - Mark Dacascos - Vincent Cassel - Émilie Dequenne - Monica Bellucci | Adventure - Action - Horror - History | 143 min ********** https://reelfilmchronicles.com Le Pacte des loups: https://boxd.it/21OY