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Reel Fanatics

Michael Neelsen, Jared Gores, Joe Pudaswww.reelfanatics.com
Unfettered conversation about cinema.
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Episodes

#425 : HIT MAN

Richard Linklater's new romantic crime comedy is the topic of the day. Michael catches up on some recent Netflix offerings. Joe finally watches a '90s cult classic. Jared describes a museum video installation piece. The guys argue over whether Hit Man would have been a theatrical box office success.

Jun 25, 20241 hr 7 min

#424 : FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA

George Miller expands the story of a Fury Road character for a revenge-fueled prequel, and the guys are excited about it! Jared reports on the Cannes Film Festival, Michael recommends a new Netflix comedy series, and Joe explains his deep love for the Mad Max franchise.

Jun 12, 20241 hr 11 min

#423 : HIGH AND LOW

It's a new retro review! In anticipation of Spike Lee's remake, Jared selects High and Low to continue the unfinished trilogy of Akira Kurosawa retro picks that they started during the pandemic. Michael watches some football-related streaming content. Joe recommends a buzzy Netflix series. Jared champions a new indie horror picture.

May 31, 20241 hr 18 min

#422 : CHALLENGERS

Is Luca Guadagnino's sexy tennis romance a win? The Reel Fanatics discuss. Joe recommends a new miniseries. Jared finishes an old miniseries. Michael reflects on twelve seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm .

May 16, 20241 hr 4 min

#421 : CIVIL WAR

Alex Garland's new film sparks a civil war on the podcast! Joe revisits a 1980s sci-fi classic, Michael recommends a recent documentary, and Jared champions his favorite film of the year.

Apr 30, 20241 hr 12 min

#420 : DUNE: PART TWO

Does the second half of Denis Villeneuve's Dune adaptation fulfill the promise of the first? Jared, Michael, and Joe discuss. The guys also share their reactions to the 96th Oscars telecast. Joe recommends a new neo-noir, Jared discovers a '70s sci-fi curio, and Michael struggles with the work of Robert Bresson.

Mar 28, 20241 hr 11 min

#419 : Oscar Predictions

The 96th Academy Awards are approaching, so Michael, Jared, and Joe analyze the nominees and offer their predictions for the winners.

Feb 29, 20241 hr 12 min

#418 : Top 10 Films of 2023, Part 2

All is revealed in the shocking conclusion to Michael, Jared, and Joe's reflections on 2023 cinema! The guys divulge films #5-1 from their individual top ten lists, as well as some honorable mentions. Three more guests share their favorites of the year.

Feb 19, 20241 hr 8 min

#417 : Top 10 Films of 2023, Part 1

That's a wrap on 2023! Michael, Jared, and Joe reflect on the year in cinema and share their #10-6 films from their individual top ten lists. Several guests call in to champion their favorites.

Feb 12, 20241 hr 13 min

#416 : ANATOMY OF A FALL

Is she guilty? The guys examine Justine Triet's Palme d'Or-winning Anatomy of a Fall . Jared recommends the new Wim Wenders film. Joe analyzes The Equalizer franchise. Michael discovers two new dark Christmas classics.

Feb 03, 20241 hr 6 min

#415 : AMERICAN FICTION

On this episode, the guys discuss Cord Jefferson's directorial debut, American Fiction . Michael acknowledges the impressive year of Kristoffer Borgli, Jared recommends an idiosyncratic TV miniseries, and Joe crafts some unusual sports metaphors.

Jan 20, 20241 hr 9 min

#414 : MAESTRO

Bradley Cooper's Maestro is the focus of this episode. Also, Jared and Joe recommend two December releases, Michael eliminates some older blind spots, and together they discuss the demise of the cool movie star.

Jan 09, 20241 hr 15 min

#413 : THE BOY AND THE HERON

The guys discuss what might be Hayao Miyazaki's final film, The Boy and the Heron . Michael reports on several resolved blind spots, including classic Miyazaki works. Jared recommends two recent theatrical releases. Joe revisits a great Ridley Scott picture.

Dec 25, 202359 min

#412 : MAY DECEMBER

The buzzy Netflix film May December from indie auteur Todd Haynes is the subject of this episode. Joe revisits some classics while Michael fills in some blind spots. Jared is surprised by one of Joe's comfort movies.

Dec 20, 20231 hr 12 min

#411 : THE HOLDOVERS

The guys discuss Alexander Payne's The Holdovers . Joe revisits the James Bond franchise. Jared recommends a Norwegian satire. Michael weighs in on a recent release that divided Joe and Jared.

Dec 08, 20231 hr 3 min

#410 : PRISCILLA / THE KILLER

Two masters return with films that seem ideally suited to their styles. How do they fare? Jared and Joe discuss Sofia Coppola's Priscilla , then Michael joins in to analyze David Fincher's The Killer .

Nov 27, 20231 hr 6 min

#409 : KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

Martin Scorsese's long-awaited epic crime drama, Killers of the Flower Moon , has finally arrived! The guys discuss the film in depth. Michael revisits some older Scorsese pictures, while Joe and Jared recommend new movies on VOD.

Nov 06, 20231 hr 24 min

#408 : Eras Tour Movie + MVFF

Michael and Joe share their reactions to the new concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour , and Jared reports on the 2023 Mill Valley Film Festival. Joe and Jared discuss Wes Anderson's Roald Dahl Netflix shorts.

Oct 25, 20231 hr 20 min

#407 : Favorite Hitman Movies

In anticipation of David Fincher's The Killer , the guys list their ten favorite films about professional killers. Joe and Jared also recommend some recent releases, while Michael eliminates some 1970s blind spots.

Oct 10, 20231 hr 58 min

#406 : Essential Arthouse Films of 2023

Jared is joined by guest Colin Takasawa to identify the ten best foreign, indie, or avant-garde movies of the year and discuss a handful of other notable titles. 2023 has a lot to offer: confident directorial debuts, gems from young masters, and two films that evoke the work of Stan Brakhage!

Sep 15, 20231 hr 12 min

#405 : Sports Movie Draft

It's the time of year for fantasy football drafts, and with that in mind, the guys undertake a sports movie draft! For the most part, Michael, Jared, and Joe all get the films they want. But who ends up with the best roster? Listeners decide! Vote for the draft winner through our Twitter post!

Aug 31, 20231 hr 19 min

#404 : BARBENHEIMER

A giant episode to cover the moviegoing event of the summer: Barbenheimer ! The guys debate the structure of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and praise the humor of Greta Gerwig's Barbie . Joe recommends a classic sci-fi novel. Jared champions two French language films released earlier this year. Michael addresses the death of William Friedkin.

Aug 18, 20231 hr 57 min

#403 : INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY

Michael and Jared discuss the new Indiana Jones film, and Joe calls in to share his thoughts. The guys open the episode by discussing the ongoing WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes, the state of the industry, and where it's headed. Michael finishes watching Succession . Jared celebrates the Criterion release of a 1980s cult classic.

Jul 26, 20231 hr 17 min

#402 : ASTEROID CITY

Once again, the guys do not see eye to eye on a Wes Anderson picture, and Michael articulates his resistance to the auteur's new movie, Asteroid City . Jared reviews a video game. Joe reads a Pulitzer-winning novel. Michael names his favorite film of the year so far.

Jul 06, 20231 hr 5 min

#401 : SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE

The eagerly anticipated Spider-Verse sequel is the topic of this episode, but there isn't unanimous praise for the film among the hosts. Michael explores the work of S. Craig Zahler. Jared champions a Sundance hit. Joe goes literary.

Jun 15, 20231 hr 5 min

#400 : HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE

Daniel Goldhaber's eco-terrorism thriller, How to Blow Up a Pipeline , is the topic of the day. Before digging into that film, Jared and Joe disagree on and debate two more recent releases, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves .

May 30, 20231 hr 8 min

#399 : BEAU IS AFRAID

Guest Natalie Pohorski joins the guys again to analyze Ari Aster's dark comedy, Beau Is Afraid . Michael revisits two '90s indie classics, while Jared champions two new indie films. Natalie recommends an under-appreciated sports movie, while Joe slams an over-appreciated one.

May 12, 20231 hr 12 min

#398 : Making BEYOND HUMAN NATURE

In this special episode, Michael, Jared, and guest Natalie Pohorski discuss the history and process of making their documentary feature, Beyond Human Nature , which is now available on VOD platforms! Buy or rent it here: https://geni.us/BeyondHumanNature

May 02, 20231 hr 4 min

#397 : JOHN WICK 4 + Top 5 Action Movies

A supersized episode to celebrate a supersized action film! In the first half of the show, Michael, Jared, and Joe review John Wick: Chapter 4 and discuss how it measures up to the other entries in the franchise. In the second half, the guys share their top five action movies in honor of Joe's father.

Apr 26, 20231 hr 51 min

BEYOND HUMAN NATURE Coming Soon!

Beyond Human Nature , the true crime documentary that Michael, Joe, and Jared have been working on since 2014, finally has a release date!

Apr 06, 20236 min
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