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Content Over Aesthetic
by Michael Neelsen I have recently been studying the works of the early Soviet film pioneers and their respective texts. While Sergei Eisenstein is the most remembered today, it’s important not to...
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Vintage 1998 Paul Thomas Anderson Conversation
This is another film gem online that I’ve enjoyed watching many times. Listen as arguably the most talented filmmaker of the American Independent Movement of the 1990′s eats pizza and talks about the...
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The Myth of Objective Film Criticism
by Michael Neelsen What makes a good film? What makes a bad film? Is there an objective way of determining the aesthetic, emotional, or social merits of a given movie? I won’t pretend these are new...
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The Importance of Being Prolific
by Michael Neelsen Fascinating article out of the Chicago Tribune. Is it more valuable/important for filmmakers to be constantly churning out work or to take their time and ultimately produce fewer...
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The Large Format Renaissance
by Michael Neelsen Is 65mm IMAX the way of the future? Kodak’s Kimberly Snyder hopes so… The 65 mm film format has been around since late in the 19th century when there was experimentation and...
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#102: The Importance of Being Prolific
The guys discuss the Chicago Tribune editorial, “The Importance of Being Prolific” by Christopher Borrelli. Before you listen, read the article for yourself here. #102 : The Importance of Being...
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#108 : Tony Scott 1944-2012
The guys discuss the career of film director Tony Scott after his surprising death by suicide. They use the Badass Digest editorial “Never Hate a Director” as a frame through which to examine some of...
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#109 : LAWLESS
The guys discuss the new John Hillcoat film LAWLESS as well as A BRIGHTER SUMMER DAY, BREAKING BAD and Robert McKee’s screenwriting bible STORY. #109 – Lawless Filed under: Podcast
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Gores Eats Film: THE MASTER
THE MASTER (Anderson) | ★★★½ [NOTE: Potentially minor spoiler in the penultimate paragraph] At this point, there’s really no debate: Paul Thomas Anderson is the best filmmaker of his generation. A...
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#110 : Top 5 “Regulation” Scenes
The guys count down their top five moments of cinematic “regulation”, a term coined by our co-host Joe Pudas. #110 – Top 5 Regulation Scenes Filed under: Podcast
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#111 : THE AMBASSADOR
The guys discuss the new title from Drafthouse Films, THE AMBASSADOR, as well as David Mamet, Louis C.K., the passing of NFL Films founder Steve Sabol and why Jared doesn’t like documentaries. #111 –...
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#112 : THE MASTER
The guys discuss the new Paul Thomas Anderson film, THE MASTER. Nothing else. PTA deserves his own episode. #112 – THE MASTER Filed under: Podcast
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#116 : Austin Film Festival 2012
On location in Austin, Texas, the guys recap the events of the 19th Annual Austin Film Festival, including thoughts on new films FLIGHT, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, A LATE QUARTET, IT’S A DISASTER, SHADOW...
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#123 : KILLING THEM SOFTLY
The guys discuss their favorite holiday movies and the new Brad Pitt gangster film, KILLING THEM SOFTLY. #123 – KILLING THEM SOFTLY Filed under: Podcast
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Pudas’ Top Ten Movies of 2012
It’s an odd time for cinema. On one hand, people are wringing their hands about the imminent “death” of the cinematic form, but on the other hand, Hollywood had a record year at the box office. Fewer...
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Jared’s Top Films of 2012
For the first ten months of 2012, I was convinced this was a very weak year for cinema. A handful of acclaimed European films from respected directors (Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne, Béla Tarr, Nuri...
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#128 : Top 10 Films of 2012
The guys count down their top ten films of 2012 and reflect on an uneven but above-average year in cinema. #128 – Top 10 Films of 2012 Filed under: Lists, Podcast
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#130 : Oscar Bitchin’ 2012, Part 2
The guys wrap up their 2012 Oscar preview and predictions. Jared expresses his frustrations over the omission of Kathryn Bigelow from the Best Director category and Joe verbally punches Quvenzhané...
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#132 : AMOUR
Happy Valentine’s Day! In honor of “Singles Awareness Day” a.k.a. “SAD”, we bring you the Reel Fanatics review discussion of Michael Haneke’s 2012 Palme d’Or winning film AMOUR. Joe also tells you why...
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#135 : Festival Fever and Movie Expectations
The guys discuss that disease that overtakes us all when we are really anticipating a new film: “Festival Fever.” It can strike at the Austin Film Festival or in your own home town theatre on a typical...
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#137 : Top 5 Needledrops
The guys count down their top five favorite needledrop moments in cinema, or moments in film where a pop song or piece of pre-recorded music plays on the soundtrack. #137 – Top 5 Needledrops Filed...
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#145 : THE GREAT GATSBY / Kickstarter & Zach Braff
On location in Atlanta, Georgia, the guys discuss discuss the new developments with Kickstarter being used as a fundraising tool by major Hollywood stars and review the new Baz Luhrmann film THE GREAT...
View Article#214 : Austin Film Festival 2013
Broadcasting from Austin, Texas! The boys recount their experiences at the 2013 Austin Film Festival, including their Driskill Bar meetings of Vince Gilligan and Paul Thomas Anderson. #214 – Austin...
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Jared’s Most Anticipated Films of 2014
2014 has the tough task of living up to the fantastic film year that was 2013. In all likelihood, it won’t. But there are still plenty of interesting projects due for release over the next twelve...
View Article#226 : RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman / Woody Allen Controversy
RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman. #226 – RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman : Woody Allen Controversy
View Article#315 : INHERENT VICE
GUEST: Rob Thomas (@robt77), film critic for the Capital Times and Madison Movie Blog (www.madisonmovie.org). The group debates the new film from Paul Thomas Anderson, INHERENT VICE.
View Article#501 : Most Anticipated Films of 2017
Jared and Joe talk about their most anticipated movies of the year, and Michael joins them to reflect on their lists from 2016. P.S. Sorry for the delayed posting, loyal listeners! We had some site...
View Article#508 : THE LOST CITY OF Z
The guys review the new James Gray film, The Lost City of Z, and reflect on the rich career of Jonathan Demme. Jared raises concerns about Gray’s modernization of Percy Fawcett, while Joe questions a...
View Article#511 : Favorite Actors
In a follow-up to the Favorite Actresses episode, the guys now talk about their favorite actors. Joe and Michael bust out their Michael Caine impressions. Jared geeks out over the Blade Runner 2049...
View Article#514 : Best Films of the 21st Century (Part 1)
The lively online discussion about “The 25 Best Films of the 21st Century So Far” NYTimes article continues on the Reel Fanatics podcast! In this episode (the first of two parts), Jared, Joe, and...
View Article#515 : Best Films of the 21st Century (Part 2)
In this episode, Michael, Jared, and Joe reveal their top ten films of the 21st Century so far. Arguments arise over Christopher Nolan and Claire Denis. Michael describes one of his selections as the...
View Article#534 : DARKEST HOUR
Joe, Michael, and Jared review Joe Wright’s Darkest Hour. Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk earns another discussion. Jared and Michael disagree on the Spielberg HBO documentary but find common ground on...
View Article#537 : I, TONYA / PHANTOM THREAD
Michael, Jared, and Joe’s most anticipated film of 2017 finally gets the RF discussion it deserves! Joe and Jared disagree wildly in their mini-review of I, Tonya. Note: this episode was recorded...
View Article#538 : Top Ten Films of 2017
Jared, Joe, and Michael share their top ten films of 2017. Jared makes a change from his written list at #10. Joe calls attention to Armie Hammer’s handsomeness. Michael shocks his cohosts by doing a...
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8th Gores Awards
Arriving just ahead of the Oscars, here are the eighth annual Goresies, a personal selection of the best in 2017 cinema. For each category, I have a winner and a few runners-up. Eligibility...
View Article#539 : 6th Annual Oscar Bitchin’
Michael, Jared, and Joe assess the nominations for the 90th Academy Awards and offer their predictions and alternative selections. The guys lay into The Post. Jared is annoyed with the Supporting...
View Article#547 : Personal Film Tastes Defined
In this narcissistic episode, Joe, Michael, and Jared attempt to pin down the kinds of films, or at least the key film elements, that best define their individual tastes. Each host gets his turn, with...
View Article#551 : Top 5 Hangover Movies
Nope, this has nothing to do with The Hangover franchise, nor movies to watch with a hangover. In this listener-suggested episode, Michael, Jared, and Joe each list five films that left them with an...
View Article#310 : Best Films of the 2010s, Part 2
The decade in review continues! Over two episodes, Michael, Jared, and Joe are revealing their top 20 films of the decade (2010-2019). Here in Part 2, the guys discuss their selections for numbers 10...
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Jared’s Best Films of the 2010s
Attempting to assess or glean insight from a decade’s worth of movies strikes me as a futile task, especially with just two months of hindsight. If I were a wiser man, or just a less obsessive...
View Article#314 : MCCABE & MRS. MILLER
Jared’s first pick for a retro review is Robert Altman’s McCabe & Mrs. Miller, which leads to discussions of Altman’s filmography and the conventions of the western. Joe conjures an unexpected...
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#340 : 2012 Film Draft
In celebration of eight years recording the Reel Fanatics podcast, the guys do something a little different: a movie draft! Michael, Jared, and Joe each select a 10-category roster of films released in...
View Article#343 : MANK
The guys review David Fincher’s Mank in this episode, but not before weighing in on Netflix’s other big fall film, Hillbilly Elegy.
View Article#344 : HBO Max Deal & the State of Cinema
The guys dig into the ramifications of the recent WarnerMedia / HBO Max deal to release the former’s 2021 film slate on the latter’s streaming platform. Jared recommends two films on Apple TV+, Joe...
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