On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes welcomes new guest Em from the Verbal Diorama podcast to review the latest MCU film The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Em gives a fascinating history of the unreleased 1994 Fantastic Four film, and then they discuss First Steps' story, aesthetic, cast, and more... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Em Executive Producer Tony Black Join our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/U4bDzXNyvG Find Em on social media @verbaldiorama, including ...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 15 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes is joined by Superman superfans Perry Constantine and Craig McKenzie. They discuss what James Gunn has done with the IP, how the new cast took to the roles, and the different contemporary themes the movie explores... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guests Perry Constantine Craig McKenzie Executive Producer Tony Black Join our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/U4bDzXNyvG Find Perry on Bluesky @percivalconstantine.com Find Japan on Fi...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr 24 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes is joined by film and F1 fans Geoff Owen and Nick Chandler to review F1 The Movie. They discuss the thrilling race scenes, how accurately it depicts Formula 1, the writing choices, and more... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guests Geoff Owen Nick Chandler Executive Producer Tony Black Join our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/U4bDzXNyvG Find Geoff on Bluesky: @ncc17formula1.bsky.social Find 8 Bit Back Issues: @8bitbackissues.bsky.so...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 19 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes is joined by Colin Jackson-Brown from We Dig Music to talk about Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's sequel 28 Years Later. They discuss the film's Britishness, a brilliant score from Young Fathers, infected anatomy, and more... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Colin Jackson-Brown Executive Producer Tony Black Find Colin here Find We Dig Music here and all podcast platforms Find Free With This Month's Issue here and all podcast platforms F...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 23 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, it's a special crossover episode, with Bo Nicholson of Academy Watch hosting a fantastic conversation about which of the Cannes 2025 'in competition' films to look out for cinemas and on streaming over the next few months... ------------ Host & Editor Bo Nicholson Host Sam Stokes Executive Producer Tony Black Find Bo here: https://linktr.ee/BoNicholson Find Academy Watch here and all podcast platforms Find Movieversaries here and all podcast plat...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 12 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to listen to Sam Stokes and guest Craig McKenzie review Tom Cruise's last(?) outing as Ethan Hunt, in Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. They discuss the movie's exposition and action sequences, as well as the wider mythology and legacy of the series... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Craig McKenzie Executive Producer Tony Black Read Craig's Kneel Before Blog here: https://kneelbeforeblog.co.uk/...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 17 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, it's another adventure into the MCU, host Sam Stokes joined this time by Violet Hammond Baz & Gemma Greenland to discuss Thunderbolts*. They analyse the film's central themes around mental health, as well as sharing how much they enjoyed the different characters... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guests Violet Hammond Baz Greenland Gemma Greenland Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of T...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 18 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes is again joined by filmmaker and former host of Reel Talk Nick Chandler, this time to talk about Gareth Evans' new Netflix film Havoc. They discuss Evans' style and influences, the the stand-out performances, the best action set-pieces, and more. Read the Evans and Hardy Letterboxd interview here ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Nick Chandler Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 2 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes is joined by filmmaker and former host of Reel Talk Nick Chandler to talk about Ryan Coogler's Sinners, which is widely thought to be the film of the year so far. They talk about the story, genre, performances, music, social commentary, and more. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Nick Chandler Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow on Bluesky @denoftenpod ) and O...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 37 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes welcomes Film Stories writer and editor Ryan Lambie to speak about the new film co-written and directed by Alex Garland and Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza. They discuss the unique approach to the filmmaking and telling of a war story, the ensemble cast, and the impressive sound design. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Ryan Lambie Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 13 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes is joined by returning guest Ian Buckley to speak about the Oscar-winning animated magical realist eco-fable Flow. They discuss the film's story, themes, and animal characters.... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Ian Buckley Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow on Bluesky @denoftenpod ) and One Rules Them All ( @onerulesthemall ). Find Ian Buckley on Letterboxd : ...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 9 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Ian Buckley joins Sam Stokes to talk about Mickey 17, the latest film from Oscar-winner Bong Joon Ho. They delve into the film's many themes and ethical implications, as well as discussing which people's work on the film stood out... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Ian Buckley Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow on Bluesky @denoftenpod ) and One Rules Them All ( @onerulest...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 7 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, returning guest and Team Cap superfan Violet Hammond joins Sam Stokes to speak about Captain America: Brave New World, the latest MCU movie and the first Captain America film with Antony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the titular character. They discuss the story, the performances, and who really is Steve... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Violet Hammond Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Te...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 34 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Film Stories resident Oscars expert Bo Nicholson returns to speak with host Sam Stokes about The Brutalist, Brady Corbet's recipient of 10 Oscar nominations and one of the frontrunners for Best Picture. They delve into the film's story, themes, performances, and much more... ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Bo Nicholson Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow on Twitter @denoft...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 48 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes is joined by returning favourites Craig McKenzie and Bo Nicholson. They give their overall thoughts on film in 2024, share their favourite people and films, and make some Oscars predictions. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guests Craig McKenzie Bo Nicholson Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow on Twitter @denoftenpod ) and One Rules Them All ( @onerulesthemall ). Read ...
Feb 01, 2025•2 hr 11 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, Sam Stokes is joined by returning guests Ashley Thomas and Baz Greenland to discuss Robert Eggers' Nosferatu. They delve into the adaptation choices, performances, cinematography and more, as well as each giving their top 3 Reel Winners. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guests Ashley Thomas Baz Greenland Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow on Twitter @denoftenpod ) and One Rules ...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 16 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, crossing over with the One Rules Them All podcast, Sam is joined by Baz Greenland to review a brand new Middle Earth movie, The War of the Rohirrim. They discuss how the writers adapted a small number of lines in the Lord of the Rings' appendices, which characters were the most enjoyable, and how well the animation style worked. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Baz Greenland Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and list...
Dec 28, 2024•1 hr 5 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes is joined by Violet Hammond and Frame to Frame's Andy Williams to speak about stage musical adaptation Wicked. Part 2 spoilers: (01:20:56:04) - (01:30:31:07) Willemijn Verkaik - Defying Gravity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGOoSXeny7I ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guests Violet Hammond Andy Williams Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow on Twitter @denof...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 53 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes talks to Ian Buckley from Illumination Above All and We Are Starfleet to discuss Ridley Scott sequel Gladiator II. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Ian Buckley Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow on Twitter @denoftenpod ) and One Rules Them All ( @onerulesthemall ). Find Ian Buckley on Letterboxd : https://boxd.it/pdJJ and Bluesky : @ianbuckley.bsky.soc...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 12 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes is joined by Bo Nicholson from Academy Watch and Movieversaries to discuss Palme D'Or winner Anora. Main reviews of Anora mentioned on and/or consulted for the episode: https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/film/2024/11/anora-resists-the-cliched-sex-worker-fairy-tale-for-a-real-human-story https://www.npr.org/2024/10/23/nx-s1-5159909/anora-sean-baker-mikey-madison https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/anora/ https://slate.com/culture/2024/1...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 36 min
On this special Halloween episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes is joined by Craig McKenzie from Kneel Before Blog and We Are Starfleet to review Smile 2, share their favourite horror films, and have a horror movie quiz. (3:38) Favourite Horror (21:54) Smile 2 (1:04:52) Spooktober (1:10:49) Quiz ----------- Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Craig McKenzie Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten (follow on Twitter @denoftenp...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 34 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes is joined by author and journalist Sean Wilson to discuss Todd Phillips' sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux. They discuss the film's performance, whether it's a musical, and why it cost $200m, as well as their opinions on the film. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Sean Wilson Executive Producer Tony Black Find Sean Williams @seano22 and @seanfilmwriter and Frame To Frame here: @frametoframepod Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and l...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 28 min
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes is joined by Ashley Thomas and Ian Buckley, to discuss the ninth film in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guests Ashley Thomas Ian Buckley Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcasts Den of Ten and One Rules Them All, follow on Twitter @denoftenpod and @onerulesthemall Read Ashley's blog here: https://nerdyblogging.wordpress.com/ and connect with he...
Aug 26, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 106
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes is joined by Baz Greenland and Craig McKenzie to discuss the latest Marvel and Deadpool movie, Deadpool & Wolverine. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guests Baz Greenland Craig McKenzie Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcast Den of Ten, follow on Twitter @denoftenpod . Listen to Baz on The Tardis Crew here: https://pod.link/1583099966 on A Dream Given Form: A Babylon 5 Podcast ...
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 105
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes is joined by Violet Hammond, who makes her Reel Talk debut to discuss disaster blockbuster Twisters, the sequel to one of her favourite movies. ----------- Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Violet Hammond Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcast Den of Ten, follow on Twitter @denoftenpod . Find Violet here: linktr.ee/violet.h.310 Read the Twisters easter eggs article here: https://ew.com/how...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 104
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes speaks to Craig McKenzie from Kneel Before Blog and We Are Starfleet about horror prequel A Quiet Place: Day One. ----------- Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Craig McKenzie Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcast Den of Ten, follow on Twitter @denoftenpod . Read Craig's Kneel Before Blog here: https://kneelbeforeblog.co.uk/ and listen to Kneel Before Pod here: https://pod.link/kneelbefore...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 103
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes is joined by Andy Williams to share their feelings about Pixar sequel Inside Out 2. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Andy Williams Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcast Den of Ten , follow on Twitter @denoftenpod . Find Andy Williams @andywilliams250 and Frame To Frame here: @frametoframepod Follow REEL TALK on social media: https://twitter.com/reeltalkfilmpod https://www.in...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 102
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes is joined by Ashley Thomas, a.k.a. The Nerdy Blogger, to talk about strong female protagonists Furiosa and Amy Winehouse. Timestamps: (9:54) Furiosa (47:31) Back to Black ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Ashley Thomas Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcast Den of Ten , follow on Twitter @denoftenpod . Read Ashley's blog here: https://nerdyblogging.wordpress.com/ and connect w...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 101
This is a very special 100th episode of Reel Talk! Your host, Sam Stokes, is joined by frequent guests Bo Nicholson and Craig McKenzie to reflect on the Reel Talk podcast and the last 3 years of cinema. Plus, Sam gives Bo and Craig a quiz! Timestamps: (12:03) Reel Winners - Films (26:45) Violet Hammond (36:20) Reel Winners - Directors (52:20) Carl Sweeney (1:08:25) Reel Winners - Actors (1:23:20) Quiz ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guests Bo Nicholson Craig McKenzie Executive Producer...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 59 min•Season 1Ep. 100
On this episode of Reel Talk, your host Sam Stokes speaks to Craig McKenzie from Kneel Before Blog and We Are Starfleet about Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Fall Guy. ------------ Host & Editor Sam Stokes Guest Craig McKenzie Executive Producer Tony Black Follow Sam Stokes on Letterboxd here , and listen to his podcast Den of Ten, follow on Twitter @denoftenpod . Read Craig's Kneel Before Blog here: https://kneelbeforeblog.co.uk/ and listen to Kneel Before Pod here: https://pod.li...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 99
