The Reel DMC crew parachutes into the gloriously unhinged world of Top Secret!—the 1984 cult classic where Val Kilmer makes his film debut as a skeet-surfing, hip-swiveling Elvis-type who accidentally stumbles into World War II... or the Cold War... or something involving Nazis and NATO. Plot? Who needs one when you’ve got underwater bar fights and cows in combat boots? In this episode, Dave, Marcus, and Colin kick off a Val Kilmer retrospective (RIP to the legend) by debating his top performanc...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Dave, Marcus, and Colin strap on their web-shooters and swing into the middle chapter of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy — a film they all agree still soars . From jaw-dropping action to genuine character arcs, Spider-Man 2 delivers the superhero goods with style. The crew breaks down the film’s surprisingly emotional core, the razor-sharp effects that still hold up, and the perfect balance of humor and heart. Everyone's on board with the electric chemistry between Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Dave, Colin, and Marcus step out of the shadows to dissect Darkman , Sam Raimi’s gloriously unhinged first stab at the superhero genre. Raimi’s signature style—whip pans, wild angles, and all—is on full display, and while Colin is all-in on the madness, Marcus and Dave are a little more reserved. The crew agrees: the make-up and practical effects are a gritty highlight, even if Liam Neeson’s melodramatic performance as the vengeful, disfigured scientist splits the room. Colin digs the twisted ge...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 19 min
After a bumpy ride on the Paul Verhoeven train, Dave, Colin, and Marcus are eager to switch tracks and dive into a new series on director Sam Raimi. Kicking things off with The Quick and the Dead (1995), they revel in Raimi’s signature camera wizardry, vibrant characters, and loving homage to Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. Sharon Stone shines as a steely gunslinger in the classic “man with no name” mold, while Russell Crowe delivers a gripping performance as Cort, a former killer seeking red...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Leave your inhibitions at the door... and maybe your good taste too! Dave, Marcus, and Colin close out their Paul Verhoeven series with Showgirls—the glitzy, trashy, unforgettable train wreck that is somehow both awful and mesmerizing. Colin sees the genius (or at least the guilty pleasure), Marcus wants to set it on fire, and Dave is stuck in the middle, trying to make sense of it all. Is Showgirls misunderstood satire or just a mess with tassels? Does anyone eat a burger normally in this movie...
Mar 08, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Dave, Marcus, and Colin take on RoboCop, Paul Verhoeven’s first American film—a brutal, satirical, and wildly entertaining sci-fi classic. Dave enjoys it a bit more than Colin and Marcus, but they all agree it’s got plenty to love. They break down the film’s sharp satire, striking visuals, and, of course, its signature over-the-top violence. Peter Weller’s precise, robotic physicality gets well-deserved praise, as does ED-209, the ultimate corporate murder machine—ruthless, imposing, and hilario...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Dave, Marcus, and Colin continue their journey through the films of director Paul Verhoeven. Colin makes the case for the film being one of Verhoeven’s best but Dave and Marcus are not convinced. Everybody agrees the famous interrogation leg crossing scene is iconic and that the film has some fun cheesiness. But while Colin finds the film still delivers on the eroticism, Dave thinks the sex scenes are tame and boring–and Marcus is somewhere in the middle. And although the film was noted to be qu...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Dave, Marcus, and Colin discuss Paul Verhoeven's sci-fi classic Total Recall (1990). We all really enjoyed revisiting the sci-fi action movie and wonder is it that last great 80's action movie? Can anyone else play Quaid other than Arnold? And is it real or all in his mind?
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 28 min
Dave, Marcus and Colin rewatch a film from their youth and have a very different experience. What was once an an intense, dark action film has become--to adult eyes--flat out hilarious. The guys marvel at officer Lymangood’s juvenile horniness, love Murphy’s wise cracking antics, and all agree the “conspiracy” makes almost no sense whatsoever. And let's not forget the especially bizarre dialogue: what the hell does “a hot mince pie under each arm” actually mean? Don’t be a “JAFO.” Just tune in a...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 33 min
Dave, Marcus and Colin escape Mathtilda May’s entrancing beauty long enough to discuss Tobe Hooper’s ambitious $25 million Space Vampire sci-fi epic. While it fails to deliver a coherent storyline, believable characters, or any level of logic, it more than makes up for in chaotic entertainment. Dave fails to master Steve Railsback’s character name, Colin does his best impression of several characters, and Marcus thinks his friends must have seen a better film. The guys remain confused by….well…a...
May 11, 2024•1 hr 33 min
After discussing Rob Zombie’s original Halloween remake, the guys decide to take a run at the sequel, Halloween II. Colin is having none of it, Marcus doesn’t want to live in Zombie’s world, and while Dave can appreciate some of what Zombie was attempting, everybody agrees the movie is generally unpleasant, extremely violent, and narratively bizarre. Nobody understands (or cares about) ghostly apparitions and white horses, and we’re all confused why EVERY PERSON in Haddonfield a disgusting human...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 33 min
Dave, Marcus, and Colin discuss Ridley Scott's sci-fi masterpiece Alien, the birth of the franchise, the artistry of the sets, and Veronica Cartwright's fantastic terror performance.
Oct 02, 2023•2 hr 3 min
The guys discuss the film, the state of modern action and Netflix original films. Everybody loves the action but finds the rest of the story threadbare. They discuss the effectiveness of both “moist” and “wet” teams, compare the film to a Chili’s chicken sandwich, marvel at the range and speed of mini-taxis, and debate the best 80’s bubblegum brands/flavors. Lots of praise for Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, but they can’t agree on which fictional super-assassin would win in a fight between Jason ...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 36 min
The guys discuss the classic sci-fi horror film - arguably John Carpenter’s greatest film. Everybody marvels at Rob Bottin’s amazing practical effects, but Marcus doesn’t love all the gore. High praise for Kurt Russell, questions about flamethrower management, and Wilford Brimley gets REALLY excited dissecting Alien dogs. Grab a bottle of J&B scotch, and enjoy the ride!
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 44 min
After watching and enjoying Prey (2022) Dave, Marcus, and Colin dive deep into the Predator franchise discussing each of the movies. Spoiler alert: the first and last are the two best of the 6 movies. The original Predator starts at 13:21, Predator 2 starts at 41:02, Predator v. Alien at 51:19, Predator v. Alien: Requiem at 59:36, The Predator at 1:06:13 and rounding out the discussion the new movie Prey at 1:12:06.
May 30, 2023•1 hr 56 min
Dave, Colin and Marcus are back to tackle Steven Spielberg's follow-up to Jaws, the 1977 smash hit Close Encounters. Colin loves the film due to seeing it as a kid and listening to the John Williams soundtrack. Marcus is also a fan due to his own obsessive need to sculp things out of mashed potatoes. Dave has only ever seen the film twice and while he enjoys it, after watching it recently with his kids, he questions if it's truly a masterpiece (as in the "top 10 sci-fi films of all time"). Every...
May 17, 2023•1 hr 45 min
The guys discuss the final film in David Gordon Green’s new Halloween Trilogy, and the brief career of unsuccessful serial killer “Corey Myers.” Marcus struggles to pronounce “Haddonfield,” and Dave has a creative suggestion for how to best punish Michael Myers. Well, at lest they cleared up that Halloween Kills window bullshit…..
Dec 09, 2022•1 hr 44 min
Dave and special guest Bill Tiller dive down the rabbit hole to discuss all things Michael Myers, the Halloween franchise, and predict how Halloween Ends will wrap up the David Gordon Green trilogy. Along the way, we discuss how each of us became interested in the franchise, the greatness of John Carpenter, why we believe the film series is so enduring, and why we obsess over it. Bill’s specific predictions for Halloween Ends start around the 1:26 mark. For those of you interested in additional ...
Aug 15, 2022•2 hr 5 min
This week we cover the F1 racing movie Rush (2013) directed by Ron Howard featuring the great world championship battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl. Colin and Marcus get the chance to talk Formula One and boy do they ever, they even occasionally discuss the movie. Buckle up and enjoy the pod!
Aug 02, 2022•1 hr 44 min
The guys discuss Richard Kelly’s first film – the cult classic Donnie Darko, staring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, and the late Patrick Swayze. Along the way, they debate the merits of ambiguity vs. a full explanation, Dave almost learns to pronounce “Cannes,” and everybody marvels at the fantastic hallway shot set to “Head Over Heels.” Everybody loves the soundtrack and thinks the Frank the Bunny costume is downright creepy. By the end of the episode it's clear that everybody re...
Jul 19, 2022•1 hr 46 min
Dave, Marcus, and Colin grapple with the mechanics of time travel--and what their younger selves might think of their now selves--in Looper , Rian Johnson's mind bending sci-fi/film noir/western from 2012. Dave takes a Joseph Gordon-Levitt journey, and we debate if this is the last great performance by Bruce Willis. But one thing is certain: Jeff Daniels's Abe is a tired man who seems fed up with living in the past.
Jul 05, 2022•1 hr 37 min
From the director of the new Batman, we revisit Matt Reeve's found footage monster movie Cloverfield (2008), produced by JJ Abrahms. We had't seen it in many years and enjoyed the rewatch. Poor Marlena.
Jun 14, 2022•1 hr 27 min
Dave, Marcus, and Colin discuss how Tropic Thunder walks the razor's edge of appropriateness to hilarious results. Everybody agrees Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller are great, with Downey giving the performance of a lifetime. Marcus is less excited about the overall film, but as we all know by now, he hates comedies unless they were made before 1990....
May 31, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Editor's Note: This new version of the episode fixes a 4 minute gap starting at 1:07:33. Please download this fixed version if you experienced any issues. Apologies to all--in case you hadn't figured it out, we're not professionals. (Published 3:14 pm PT, May 18, 2022.) This week, Colin wants to discuss the BIG QUESTIONS around the origins of human life on Earth, while Dave and Marcus bemoan the stupid scientists and shoddy writing, in Ridley Scott's visually stunning sci-fi "prequel" to Alien. ...
May 17, 2022•1 hr 59 min
We revisit the highly rated Luc Besson film, Leon: The Professional . Natalie Portman is amazing in her film debut, Jean Reno is bad ass, and Gary Oldman brings the heat like only he can. Does it deserve the #33 spot in IMDb's Top 250...
May 03, 2022•1 hr 44 min
Dave declares Grosse Pointe Blank to be the greatest John Cusack film ever made, Colin and Marcus don’t agree. Everybody loves the chemistry between Cusack and Minnie Driver, and appreciate the energy Jeremy Piven brings to the film. Mixed reactions on Dan Aykroyd's turn as “Grocer,” but everybody is aligned the music and soundtrack are fantastic. Guns, bullets, and murder – this is not your typical romantic comedy, but somehow it works!
Apr 19, 2022•1 hr 40 min
Dave wants you to hit him as hard as you can... as he, Marcus and Colin break the first rule of Fight Club to discuss David Fincher's 1999 "cult classic" and visual masterpiece about what it means to be male in the 21st century. Do its themes hold up today? And how about that incredible twist? Come join our version of Project Mayhem and find out! "We have just...lost...cabin pressure."
Apr 05, 2022•2 hr 19 min
We go back to Detroit and discuss Eminem's feature film debut in 8 Mile (2002), directed by Curtis Hanson. We talk about Eminem's impressive performance for a first time actor, the Academy Award winning song Lose Yourself, and is 8 Mile a sports movie?
Mar 22, 2022•1 hr 21 min
The guys discuss the Alex Proyas film. Dave takes an unexpectedly emotional journey, Marcus thinks it belongs in the 80’s, and Colin is unimpressed. Everybody loves the over the top Michael Wincott performance, appreciates the overall style, and agrees Eric “DA’RAVEN” has mad killing skills. FIRE IT UP!
Mar 08, 2022•1 hr 55 min
Dave has a "Kubrick Awakening" as he joins Marcus and Colin on a night-long adventure through Stanley Kubrick's final film, which features real-life married couple (at the time) Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman and is highlighted by a fascinating Cruise performance--and a visit to the world's dullest orgy.
Feb 22, 2022•1 hr 49 min
