The Adam Project

In this episode, The Reel Film Chronicles takes a journey through time alongside Ryan Reynolds in The Adam Project, a time travel movie brought to us by the friendly marketing algorithms over at Netflix. A carefully curated mix of action and drama, The Adam Project is the latest in a short line of made-for-streaming movies attempting to bridge the gap between the big and the small screens. The movie asks deep philosophical questions, like what kind of conversations would you have with your past self, whether our destiny is set or the future can be changed, and whether Ryan Reynolds’ ineffable brand of charm can be taught or it’s something one can only be born with. Join us as we take a deep dive into The Adam Project, and see if a time-travelling, martial-arts-trained, definitely-not-lightsaber-wielding, fast-talking, jaded fighter-jet pilot with a heart of gold is truly the hero we need right now. THE ADAM PROJECT  | 2022 | directed by Shawn Levy starring Ryan Reynolds | Walker Scobell | Mark Ruffalo | Jennifer Garner | Zoe Saldana | Catherine Keener science-fiction /…

Space Sweepers

In a dark and dystopic future where an evil corporation wields unbridled political, technological, and social power and is willing to sacrifice the masses of socio-economically disadvantaged people it deems unfit to save an elite, wealthy few from a looming environmental apocalypse (Wait, are we sure this isn’t a documentary?), only one thing stands in their way: a rag-tag group of daring space trash collectors. Space Sweepers is the latest Netflix sensation that people will talk about intensely for a week, then likely forget entirely trying to keep up with the next big thing in the streaming deluge, probably Stranger Things. So join us as we delve into Space Sweepers and try to get to the bottom of whether the crew of the spaceship Victory were able to earn the moniker and how a $20 million dollar South Korean sleeper hit somehow looks better than 85% of major blockbusters with ten times the budget. SPACE SWEEPERS | 2021 | directed by Jo Sung-heestarring Song Joong-ki | Kim Tae-ri | Yoo Hae-jin | Jin Sun-kyu | Richard Armitagescience-fiction / drama / fantasy…

Donnie Darko

Do you find yourself possessed by an unwavering commitment to Sparkle Motion and an unnatural fear of rabbits? Then you find yourself in good company. In this exciting episode, we explore Donnie Darko, the very definition of a “cult classic”. Initially overlooked by audiences upon release, the movie quickly gained an underground following in the home video market, eventually becoming so popular that every film nerd from here to Middlesex, Virginia, now won’t shut up about it, including yours truly. There’s no longer a need to go searching for answers in all the wrong places when you can listen to The Reel Film Chronicles talk about the lasting impact of Donnie Darko. So don’t be a prisoner of fear: tune in and get the scoop on one of the most unique visions in cinematic history without having to wait 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. 2001 | directed by Richard Kellystarring Jake Gyllenhaal | Jena Malone | James Duval | Drew Barrymore | Beth Grantmystery / drama / fantasy | 114 min

Nightmare Alley

You find yourself on the wrong side of the tracks in the seediest bar in town. You’re waiting for a lead on your latest case, the last case you agreed to take before you get out of the private eye game, for good. Then she walks in. She spells trouble with a capital “T,” but strange times make for strange bedfellows. You down another shot of whiskey and wave the bartender over as she sits down beside you, her presence more intoxicating than the cheap, watered down liquor. She’s not short on moxie, that’s for sure. You adjust your fedora as you try to brush the thought out of your head, but it just won’t go away: You’re trapped in a film noir. There’s not much else to do, you realize, than tune in to the latest episode of The Reel Film Chronicles and listen to the boys discuss Nightmare Alley, the latest movie from Guillermo del Toro and proof positive that film noir is still alive and well. This could very well be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 2021 |…

The Matrix Resurrections

Everything that has a beginning has an end. Unless, of course, you work in Hollywood. The Matrix is the latest in a long line of franchises that has been resurrected, this time with the aptly named The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth outing into an environmentally devastated world where machines have come to dominate society, and people are kept placated and docile in a virtual universe enabled by a global, interconnected network. So, basically, our current world, except with slightly more cave orgies. So take your red pill, grab your sunglasses, strap on your finest leather outfit, and join us as we show you exactly how deep the rabbit hole goes. In this episode, we examine whether The Matrix Resurrections is a worthy successor to the boundary-pushing original trilogy, or just another system of control to distract audiences from the mundane reality of their day-to-day lives. 2021 | directed by Lana Wachowski starring Keanu Reeves | Carrie-Anne Moss | Yahya Abdul-Mateen II | Jessica Henwick | Jonathan Groff action / sci-fi / adventure | 148 min — CHAPTERS — 00:00 –…

The Last Duel

2021 | directed by Ridley Scottstarring Jodie Comer | Matt Damon | Adam Driver | Harriet Walter | Ben Affleckdrama / action / history | 153 min In this week’s exciting episode, Brian and Nathan discuss The Last Duel, the latest film from Ridley Scott. An historical epic about the events leading up to the last legally sanctioned duel in France, the movie wrestles with some very timely subject matter, including the very human cost of sexual assault and structural mysogyny. Join our intrepid duo as they take a deep dive into The Last Duel, exploring the unique narrative structure, powerful themes, and singular vision of one of the best movies that 2021 had to offer despite being largely ignored during its initial theatrical release. This episode also explores the celebrated filmography of Ridley Scott and where The Last Duel falls in his pantheon, in the kind of thoughtful, nuanced way you’re come to expect from The Reel Film Chronicles. Anchor  Apple Google Pocket Casts — CHAPTERS — 00:00 – Introduction01:13 – Ridley Scott Filmography24:47 – The Last Duel1:13:12 –…

Dune

2021 | directed by Denis Villeneuvestarring Timothee Chalamet | Rebecca Ferguson | Oscar Isaac | Josh Brolin | Stellan Skarsgardaction / science-fiction | 155 min Strap on your stillsuits and grab a heaping helping of spice as you travel along with The Reel Film Chronicles to delve into the world of Dune. Based on Frank Herbert’s epic novel of the same name, Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptation is an ambitious interpretation of a story that has long been categorized as unfilmable (with the notable exception of David Lynch’s attempt with his own cinematic version back in 1984, which has since garnered a cult following). As recent converts to the Dune-iverse, Brian and Nathan bring to bear their own insightful insights to the denizens and political machinations of Arrakis. Such challenging source material requires the skill and patience rivalling the bene gesserit themselves. Tune in to find out whether 2021’s Dune exceeded even the most prescient of visions or whether it earned itself a place in the gullet of a sandworm. Anchor  Apple Google Pocket Casts — CHAPTERS — No chapters, it’s…

Eternals

With a more casual approach, Brian and Nathan take on this sweeping entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 2021 | directed by Chloé Zhao starring Gemma Chan – Richard Madden – Angelina Jolie – Kumail Nanjiani a ction / science-fiction / superhero | 156 min — CHAPTERS — No chapters, just pure Eternals talk here! Anchor  Apple Google Pocket Casts

Copshop

Our next episode to drop is your one stop shop for Copshop talk. Did it rock our blocks or turn out to be a flop? For fans of Joe Carnahan, this may have been the very plot that you’ve sought. The titular cop shop serves as the backdrop to the plot, a single spot fraught with danger, wherein our characters are locked, though everything is not exactly as you thought. Our main characters count down the clock in shock at the constant risk of getting shot or chopped, and loyalties are tested as stories are swapped and our heroes and villains try not to blow their tops as they learn who actually walks the walk and who merely talks the talk. So hop on board and eavesdrop as our hosts squawk and unravel the knot of whether to sing Copshop’s praises from the hilltops or block it from their memories faster than a photoshopped cyclops bar-hopping across the flat-top with an atomic lollipop. COPSHOP | 2021directed by Joe Carnahan starring Gerard Butler – Frank Grillo – Alexis Louder – Toby Huss action / crime…

The Night House

Be afraid. Be very afraid. Or not. We’re not here to tell you how to live your life. We are here, however, to tell you about the Night House, the latest movie from director David Bruckner. As Beth (Rebecca Hall) struggles to deal with the suicide of her husband, she unravels a sordid tale full of murder, unstoppable supernatural entities, and labyrinthine mirror houses in alternate dream dimensions. Or maybe the only thing that unravels is Beth’s sanity. Or maybe The Night House is really 2021’s sleeper hit romantic comedy. Or maybe it’s all a metaphor for the effect of the industrial revolution on the slow decline of proletariat ownership over the means of production. Join Brian and Nathan as they delve into the twisted world of The Nighthouse, and try to determine exactly how much stock you should be buying in adult diapers before you check out what is undoubtedly one of the most unique cinematic visions of 2021. THE NIGHT HOUSE | 2021 directed by David Bruckner starring Rebecca Hall – Sarah Goldberg – Vondie Curist-Hall – Evan Jonigkeit…

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