Reel Film Chronicles – A journey in film

Extinction

[ 2018 – Ben Young – 96 min ] The 2018 Netflix sci-fi film Extinction holds the distinction of being one of the films that I only discover by perusing the depths of the app, in what I can only describe as a terrifying gauntlet of finding a movie suitable to watch with my parents. It’s quite a daunting task to find a so-called “good” movie that satisfies the interests of both my discerning parents, and I’m sure many fellow film enthusiasts can relate to this challenge. At the beginning of every movie now, there’s a tense few minutes where I wonder if my mother will hit that pause button and ask if this “gets better” and I drag my phone out to find another candidate, as a movie is tossed to the bin of dismissal. Extinction, I’m glad to report, passed the five minute test, and seemed to hold our collective interest (save for my father, who is inevitably going to fall asleep regardless of a film’s quality). The star power of Michael Peña and Lizzy Caplan caught my attention and…

The Edge

What one podcast can do, another can do!. Welcome to The Edge. You find yourself facing an existential crisis as you try to survive in the wilderness with nothing more than your wits, the clothes on your back, a pocket knife, and your two friends. Cold, wet, and a hundred miles from anywhere remotely resembling civilization, you struggle to scrounge up food and shelter while trying to figure out who among your fellow survivors you can trust and who your wife may or may not be thanking for “all the long nights.” On top of this, you must contend with a crazed bear, a 1,500-pound behemoth with a taste for human blood and a flair for the dramatic. But on the bright side, if you make it out of this alive, your current best survival horror story about not being able to hail a cab on the streets of New York that one time will definitely get knocked down to second place. If you think you have the intestinal fortitude to brave the elements, then once you get back, treat…

Renfield

In the world of the undead, one name reigns supreme and sends a shiver down the spines of all who dare whisper it aloud: Renfield? After 90 years, the Dracula mythology continues to fascinate audiences, and now the cursed manservant of the granddaddy of all vampires is finally getting his due. Putting yet another spin on everyone’s favourite bloodsucker, the 2023 movie Renfield focuses on the toxic relationship between a centuries-old vampire and his put-upon right-hand man with a blend of horror, action, and humour all served up by Chris McKay, the visionary director who brought us Lego Batman. Join your intrepid hosts over at the Reel Film Chronicles as we dissect Renfield and the titular character’s attempts to exorcise his demons – both literal and metaphorical – amidst a blood-fuelled rampage of undead ghouls, abusive ex-boyfriends, coked-up crime families, corrupt police, and an unhinged Nicholas Cage, in a blend of on-screen insanity that gives Joe Carnahan a run for his money.. RENFIELD (2023)directed by Chris McKaystarring: Nicholas Hoult – Nicolas Cage – Awkwafina – Ben SchwartzHorror – Fantasy – Comedy | 93…

Knock at the Cabin

Throughout history, people have been called upon to make a choice. And now, that burden falls to you. The fate of the world may, for all you know, rely entirely on you listening to this episode as your intrepid hosts venture out into the woods to answer the Knock at the Cabin. The latest film from prolific director M. Night Shyamalan is an anxiety-inducing phycological horror that asks some very poignant, age-old questions about life, the universe, and everything. A family on vacation is subject to an unexpected visit from a group of strangers armed with admittedly pretty rad looking weapons. Before they know what’s happening, the family soon finds themselves tied up and forced to talk about their attacker’s religious beliefs over the course of twenty-four hours, like the world’s most aggressive Jehovah’s Witnesses or every Thanksgiving. Claiming they’ve witnessed signs of a coming apocalypse through some kind of sixth sense, this fearsome foursome put the family’s seemingly unbreakable bond to the test. Are these strangers truly the four horsemen of the apocalypse? Or have they experienced some kind of…

Day Shift

Vampires. Brooding creatures of the night that stalk their prey in the shadows. Their ideal habitat: sunny California? Welcome to the world of Day Shift, a tale of working class vampire hunters just trying to make ends meet by brutally murdering and plundering the corpses of another race of sentient beings. Gather up your garlic and the holiest water you can muster as you experience a world where the vampires are perhaps more twisted and evil than ever before as they deal not only in human blood but also in real estate, driving down prices in a vampire gentrification scheme worthy of a Policy Academy movie. Facing down these bloodsucking real estate tycoons are Bud (Jamie Foxx) and an entire underworld of vampire hunters and various associated bureaucrats, with a network and economy so vast it puts the secret assassin’s society of John Wick to shame. Join us as we take a bite out of Day Shift and explore the not-so-shadowy world of vampire hunting in the Golden State. DAY SHIFT (2022)directed by J.J. Perrystarring: Jamie Foxx – Dave Franco –…

Vampire Films

This episode is going to suck… your blood! Join your intrepid hosts in this retrospective of their personal favourite vampire movies. The vampire mythos has captured the hearts and minds of people for centuries for a variety of reasons, spawning countless books and movies and entire subcultures. Maybe it’s the dangerous lure of immortality and supernatural powers. Perhaps it’s the examination of what it means to be human through counter-example and the moral quandaries of a life in the shadows. Maybe there are just a lot more cape aficionados out there than we realized. Whatever the case may be, tune in to find out the vampire films that really get our blood pumping and revisit some old favorite’s and maybe discover a new favourite vampire tale.

Infinity Pool

Sometimes we all need a little vacation. A little time in the sun. A few drinks. Some good food. Chance encounters with charming strangers. Clandestine hand jobs. Accidental homicides. Drug-fuelled orgies. Human cloning. You know. The usual regimen of rest and relaxation. Welcome to Infinity Pool. Have you ever considered how spending some time getting away from it all you might be inadvertently (or not-so-inadvertently) contributing to the exploitation and appropriation of other cultures and nations? Well, forget about taking another guilt-free vacation ever again, because Infinity Pool takes a scathing look at the battle for one man’s soul while also turning an uncomfortably critical eye on the tourism industry. Brought to you by the twisted mind of Brandon Cronenberg, son of David Cronenberg, this is not a movie for the squeamish or the faint of heart. Playing in the same thematic sandbox as his father, Cronenberg II definitively carves out his own cinematic territory with his third film. Would a consequence-free world to be an opportunity to explore the boundaries of pleasure and pain and dance upon that thin line…

Prey (2022)

Tendrils of fog spread across the landscape. A lone hunter emerges from the darkness, weapon drenched in blood, eyes gleaming in the moonlight. The destiny of a thousand generations has culminated in this single moment. Only one question remains: Will you be predator, or prey? In this episode, we take a deep dive into Prey, the latest movie in the Predator film series. Once again, or maybe for the first time depending on your point of view, a member of a technologically advanced alien race that seemingly consists entirely of trophy hunting jerks comes to Earth to stalk his prey. In a much-needed departure for the series, we find ourselves going the prequel route with this particular predator wreaking havoc in Eighteenth Century North America and facing off against Naru, a young Comanche warrior. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Predator series looking forward to how the filmmakers will weave in fan favourite lines like “If it bleeds, we can kill it,” or just starting your journey into the exciting world of murderous, half-invisible aliens, tune in to find out whether…

Bottom 5 of 2022

Every year, there is an event in the film industry so momentous that throngs of people gather from every corner of the globe, hanging on every word as though bestowed upon them by a mighty prophet bringing tidings of wisdom and insight on a scale previously unheard of. That’s right, it’s time for The Reel Film Chronicles yearly top 10 episode. Join your intrepid hosts as they reminisce and wax philosophical about their favourite movies of 2022. Better than the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and the BAFTAs combined, this countdown of films that made an impact on us from the last (calendar) year covers the gamut from low-budget indie films to intestine-rattling blockbusters. Using our patented and scientifically proven method to assess movies, we break down exactly why these motion pictures touched our hearts and our minds and places in between. So listen in to find out what all the kids are talking about, and maybe discover some new favourite movies along the way. Chapters 0:00 – Introduction & Overview 3:38 – 5: Dual (Nathan) 6:23 – 5: Spiderhead (Brian) 8:07…

Top 10 of 2022

Every year, there is an event in the film industry so momentous that throngs of people gather from every corner of the globe, hanging on every word as though bestowed upon them by a mighty prophet bringing tidings of wisdom and insight on a scale previously unheard of. That’s right, it’s time for The Reel Film Chronicles yearly top 10 episode. Join your intrepid hosts as they reminisce and wax philosophical about their favourite movies of 2022. Better than the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and the BAFTAs combined, this countdown of films that made an impact on us from the last (calendar) year covers the gamut from low-budget indie films to intestine-rattling blockbusters. Using our patented and scientifically proven method to assess movies, we break down exactly why these motion pictures touched our hearts and our minds and places in between. So listen in to find out what all the kids are talking about, and maybe discover some new favourite movies along the way. Chapters 00:00:00 – Introduction & Criteria00:04:04 – Honorable Mentions00:12:23 – Movie Count00:15:04 – 10 – Avatar The…