This is a special episode for gear heads and alcoholics alike as guest host Brittany Starna and Mikhail Karadimov introduce us to their favorite drinking game while providing color commentary to Justin Lin's "Fast Five" (2011). James Hancock and his little brother Chunk tie on a nice buzz in the process. #NSFW
Mar 25, 2015•2 hr 16 min
With David Robert Mitchell's new horror film "It Follows" delighting horror fans across the country, we take a look at what makes the film tick before diving into one of the most beautiful black and white horror films ever made, Roman Polanski's "Repulsion" (1965). Featuring guest host Nick Stevens. 00:00 - 17:42 - Introduction/News 17:43 - 01:17:51 - "It Follows" Review 01:17:52 - 01:59:47 - Roman Polanski's "Repulsion" (1965) 01:59:48 - 02:03:58 - Closing Remarks/Blooper...
Mar 18, 2015•2 hr 4 min
In honor of Friday the 13th, we take a look at two of the finest horror films ever made, F. W. Murnau's silent film classic "Nosferatu, Eine Symphonie Des Grauens" (1922) and Werner Herzog's 1979 remake "Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht" (1979). Featuring special guest host (and Mikhail Karadimov's producing partner), Brittany Starna. 00:00 - 13:48 - Introduction/Frozen Debate 13:49 - 35:16 - F. W. Murnau's "Nosferatu" (1922) 35:17 - 01:13:14 - Werner Herzog's "Nosferatu" (1979) 01:13:15 - 1:19:43 -...
Mar 14, 2015•1 hr 20 min
A key figure in the New German Cinema of the 1970s, Wim Wenders is one of the most distinctive, original voices in film working today. The Museum of Modern Art has assembled an extraordinary retrospective covering much of his career from his award winning "Wings of Desire" (1987) to his more recent films like "Pina" (2011), giving the folks at Wrong Reel the chance to see his films in the best way possible. 00:00 - 23:12 - Introduction/News 22:13 - 01:04:46 - Wings of Desire 01:04:47 - 01:25:48 ...
Mar 08, 2015•1 hr 33 min
In this episode, the gang delves into the life and work of one of film's biggest contributors to the art of film of the latter half of the 20th century, John Cassavetes. Paying particular attention to "Faces" and "A Woman Under the Influence," Parker, James, and Mikhail discuss the raw emotional power of Cassavetes' undisputedly unique style of filmmaking. 00:00 - 19:55 - Introductions/News 19:56 - 51:51 - Faces 51:52 - 1:22:12 - A Woman Under the Influence 1:22:13 - 1:29:34 - Closing Remarks 1:...
Mar 05, 2015•1 hr 34 min
With the release of David Cronenberg's new Hollywood satire/ghost story "Maps to the Stars" we take the opportunity to review the new film and compare the two major stages of Cronenberg's career as bodily horror maestro and art house director. 00:00 - 10:47 - Introductions/News 10:48 - 43:32 - "Maps to the Stars" Review 43:33 - 1:12:50 - "Dead Ringers" Review 1:12:51 - 1:17:59 - Closing Remarks/Upcoming Episodes...
Feb 28, 2015•1 hr 18 min
"Wild Tales" is not only the biggest indigenous hit in Argentina's history, but also puts the world on notice that a filmmaker named Damián Szifrón is out there making some of the most blackhearted, hysterical cinema imaginable. In this episode we also look back at Lucrecia Martel's film "La Ciénaga" (2001), a movie often described as Chekhov in contemporary Argentina.
Feb 23, 2015•1 hr 16 min
In this week's episode we offer up some Oscar predictions before diving into an intense discussion of the films of John Carpenter, a director whose films had an enormous impact on our childhoods.
Feb 21, 2015•1 hr 58 min
Matthew Vaughn's latest film "Kingsman: The Secret Service" is not just a deliriously entertaining nod to the classic spy movies of the past, the movie also tips its hat to the Arthurian Legends that were captured so well in John Boorman's classic "Excalibur" (1981) now playing at the New York Film Forum alongside his other films. In this episode we leap to the defense of Matthew Vaughn's latest movie which is under attack by humorless critics with a blatant agenda while also singing the praises...
Feb 14, 2015•1 hr 15 min
In honor of the retrospective of John Boorman's work at the Film Forum (Feb 11th-17th) we recorded our second commentary episode while watching Boorman's truly strange and offbeat post-apocalyptic adventure film "Zardoz" (1974). Starring Sean Connery and Charlotte Rampling in a film often described as the best bad movie ever made, we try and determine for ourselves if this is a misunderstood classic deserving of rediscovery.
Feb 11, 2015•2 hr 1 min
This week we review the latest sci-fi extravaganza from the imagination of the Wachowskis. Sadly the experience fell short of our expectations. Thankfully we rebound with the animated cult classic "Heavy Metal" (1981) and wallow in all of its juvenile glory.
Feb 08, 2015•1 hr 5 min
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes, Xavier Dolan's "Mommy" is a groundbreaking new film employing a rare 1:1 aspect ratio. After our review we look back at the classic "Leave Her to Heaven" (1945), a movie often described as a film noir in color starring Gene Tierney in the role of a lifetime.
Feb 03, 2015•1 hr 23 min
We enter strange new territory in the world of S&M as depicted in Peter Strickland's new film "The Duke of Burgundy" now available in limited release in the US and on VOD. We close the episode with a look at the dark, often misunderstood, films of Todd Solondz and his masterpiece "Happiness".
Jan 29, 2015•1 hr 1 min
In an episode that will go down in infamy as the one that nearly killed the podcast, we celebrate the centennial of Orson Welles and discuss the incredible retrospective of his work at the New York Film Forum.
Jan 26, 2015•1 hr 22 min
We sit down with the brilliant animator Signe Baumane and her voiceover director/co-producer Sturgis Warner to discuss her new feature film "Rocks in My Pockets". Available for pre-order at rocksinmypocketsmovie.com
Jan 19, 2015•1 hr 18 min
If you have a weak heart, turn back. This episode is not for you. For our first audio commentary track, we settled on Pier Paolo Pasolini's controversial film "Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom" (1975), a movie that shocks and polarizes audiences to this day. There was no shortage of screams as we plunged into the abyss of Pasolini's notorious statement on the horrors of Fascism. (fast forward to 01:13:25 and 01:21:00 to enjoy our shock and awe)
Jan 14, 2015•2 hr 13 min
Grab yourself an espresso and get ready for our epic discussion about the best films of 2014. Some call movies like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Godfather" epics. They pale in comparison to the marathon we ran in producing this episode of our top ten movies of the year. It has been a great year for cinema.
Jan 11, 2015•2 hr 38 min
2014 was an amazing year for movies and there are no two examples that are better than Andrey Zvyagintsev's "Leviathan" and J.C. Chandor's "A Most Violent Year". Mikhail Karadimov discusses how he was moved on a personal level by the new film from Russia while James Hancock and Parker Dixon enjoy a friendly debate over Chandor's best film to date.
Jan 06, 2015•1 hr 44 min
With the Film Society of Lincoln Center exhibiting their remarkable John Huston retrospective Let There Be Light until January 11th, we decided to go deep into the career of one of the greatest filmmakers in history. A larger than life individual whose personal life almost overshadows his amazing filmography, we go over several of his career highlights before taking the proper time to relish one of his greatest movies, "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre".
Jan 04, 2015•1 hr 12 min
With "The Interview" finally reaching audiences on VOD platforms and in Independent Theaters, we decided to weigh in on cyberterrorism and freedom of speech as well as review the movie itself. Then we look back at Martin Scorsese's controversial "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988) and the violent protests directed at the film at the time of its release.
Dec 29, 2014•1 hr 28 min
It is our special holiday episode and the hosts of Wrong Reel discuss everything we love and hate about movies that take place during Christmas with special attention going to John McTiernan's Die Hard (1988), Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985).
Dec 24, 2014•1 hr 18 min
After soaking in the news about Sony's plans not to release "The Interview" due to threats by terrorists, we show a rare display of unity as we take turns angrily expressing our disappointment in Peter Jackson's new movie "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies". Along the way we discuss everything we love about J.R.R. Tolkien's literature and why Jackson's original "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was such a dramatically superior moviegoing experience.
Dec 18, 2014•1 hr 11 min
With the limited theatrical release of "Inherent Vice" we decided to look back at the career of one of our greatest filmmakers, writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson. Following on the heels of what are popularly considered to be his two greatest movies, "There Will Be Blood" and "The Master", we debate to what extent "Inherent Vice" is a worthy addition to his filmography.
Dec 13, 2014•1 hr 52 min
In honor of the Museum of Modern Art's comprehensive retrospective on the amazing career of Robert Altman (1925-2006), we decided to discuss his entire filmography as well as review his masterpiece "Nashville" (1975). The retrospective continues until Jan. 17th, 2015.
Dec 09, 2014•1 hr 25 min
Jennifer Kent's debut feature "The Babadook" successfully scared the hell out of all of us and after a lengthy discussion of the film we dig into David Cronenberg's horror classic "The Brood" (1979).
Dec 02, 2014•1 hr 4 min
In Part II of a special 2-part episode, we look back at one of the finest documentaries about film history ever made, "A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies" (1995).
Nov 26, 2014•50 min
We get in touch with our inner 12-year-old girl with our review for "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1".
Nov 24, 2014•36 min
Our review of one of the most ruthless and thought-provoking dramas of the year, Bennett Miller's "Foxcatcher", starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo. We continue the discussion of madness and wealth run amuck with a look back at the 2012 documentary "The Queen of Versailles".
Nov 20, 2014•1 hr 9 min
In Part I of a special 2-part episode, we wish Martin Scorsese a very happy 72nd birthday with a look back at one of the finest documentaries about film history ever made, "A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies" (1995).
Nov 19, 2014•47 min
We gave Parker Dixon carte blanche with this episode and he used the opportunity to take us on a guided tour of the guilty pleasures he and his older brother Lawrence adored during their misspent youth. We bring the episode to a close with a look back at Charlie Sheen in "The Wraith" (1986).
Nov 13, 2014•53 min