The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast

Desert of the Reel #136Back to the Future Part 2 (1989): Marty and Doc are back! George McFly is not, but behind the scenes, this changed the industry. What brings happiness? Is it connected to money?Ryan and Jason explore what Biff Tannen's rise to power reveals about the difference between wealth and a meaningful life. From Nietzsche's pursuit of power to Viktor Frankl's emphasis on meaning, we ask what actually makes us happy—and whether love and human connection might matter more than everything money can buy.We also examine the film through postmodern and psychoanalytic lenses, exploring how its sequel structure turns familiar scenes into something new, how our past selves shape our present identities, and how changing our choices can change our futures.Is Back to the Future Part II actually about how changing our lives doesn't require a flux capacitor—it requires reflection, critical thinking, and different choices?

Both Ryan and Jason agree with Back to the Future (1985) may be one of the world's perfect movies. In the first of the new "no fat" episodes, they largely keep away from the pros/cons and focus on the meat of the podcast: the film studies, ethics, and philosophy of the film.Sorry for the late post of this episode. Life occurred!

Exit 8 (2025) is a Japanese horror/philosophical horror based on an indie video game where you are trapped in a never-ending tunnel!Ryan and Jason are also trapped in Exit 8—and this time, they have a LOT of theories about why. What starts as a simple video-game premise becomes a movie filled with ambiguity, symbolism, and possible interpretations. They discuss the film's use of Boléro, the Walking Man and Lost Man, the significance of the boy, parenthood and abortion, reincarnation, time, technology, and the importance of noticing the anomalies around us. This movie can teach us what it means to be human! Is there one correct interpretation of Exit 8? Or is the movie deliberately asking us to create our own? There are so many different ways to interpret this movie!Either way, Ryan and Jason agree on one thing: you probably need to put your phone down and look around.email us your thoughts at [email protected]

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Top Gun: Maverick (2022) inspires conflict between Ryan and Jason, but perhaps surprisingly, not as much as there could have been. While Ryan gives this film five stars, Jason struggled with the dramatic shift of message and tone when Maverick is appointed team leader. Among other things, they discuss taking control of the direction of our lives by taking the time to understand where our strengths, weaknesses, talents, abilities, etc. come from, and working to improve. By doing so, we become able to help others be able to do what we do. What did you think of Top Gun: Maverick (2022)? Let us know at [email protected].

Maverick doesn't need anybody. At least, that's what he thinks. Does this movie teach us that being a "maverick" means to FOLLOW THE RULES?This week on Desert of the Reel, we enter the Danger Zone with Top Gun. We talk Tom Cruise (and why Jason HATES Mr. Movies), the incredible visual style of the film, and why Maverick's relationships with basically everyone feels fake. We try to uncover deeper meaning and ask if there is a story about a man who thinks skill and individuality are enough, We get into whether rules actually limit freedom or make freedom possible, why Maverick "others" everyone around him, and even the movie's fascinating queer-theory legacy. We ask the big question if Maverick might actually be a metaphor for 1980s America and if we even LIKE this movie BECAUSE of the 80s.It's time to go to the Danger Zone.And yes, we talk about the volleyball scene.Email us at [email protected]