A Reel Education

This week, we return to our James Bond series with the first installment of the Roger Moore era, Live and Let Die!  Moore was the longest tenured actor to play Bond (this is the first of seven films featuring him as the British super spy).  Chrys VanDerKamp joins us once again to unpack a film featuring some really fun action and some really problematic racism and sexism.  We also take a look at some less than spectacular science and explore the strange rules of psychic sexual contact exhibited in the film.  Eventually, we even talk about the late Sir Roger Moore a little bit!

Next up, we follow Sir Roger Moore to The Cannonball Run!

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Our next episode in the Bond series follows Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny) because George Lazenby really didn’t make any other films of note after his turn as Bond.  Because of that, we used Maxwell’s small role as an excuse to watch The Haunting!  We are joined by returning guest Lana Rosario to watch this extremely creepy ghost story that doesn’t need to resort to anything as cheesy as jump scares to creep you out.  The film is helmed by the great and versatile Robert Wise and stars a group of character actors who you might not immediately recognize but who turn in spectacular performances in this great atmospheric horror film.

Next up, we take a look at the James Bond played by Sir Roger Moore in Live and Let Die!

The post Episode 94 – The Haunting appeared first on A Reel Education.

We continue our exploration of James Bond and the actors who played him with On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the first and only film featuring George Lazenby as Bond.  Our guest is once again Chrys VanDerKamp, who will be joining us for every bond film as the only two she has seen is Quantum of Solace (which is unfortunate) and Goldfinger (which we showed her.)  On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a fascinating Bond film as it establishes the premise that Bond can be played by another actor but it begs the question “why this one?”  Also there is a lot of skiing (a lot of skiing), Diana Rigg, and Telly Savalas!

Next up, we will follow Lois Maxwell, the original Miss Moneypenny, to The Haunting!  Sorry – George Lazenby really didn’t make another decent film and The Haunting is FABULOUS!

The post Episode 93 – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service appeared first on A Reel Education.

Having watched Sean Connery play James Bond, we move on to watching Sean Connery in the only role that earned him an Oscar.  Alex Wick joins us for The Untouchables, a Brian De Palma directed crime drama about Chicago and Al Capone.  The movie features some fantastic set piece action as well as several truly riveting performances including Connery’s Oscar winning turn.  We also gush all over Ennio Morricone’s score because how can you not?

Next up, we take a look at the only George Lazenby Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service!

The post Episode 92 – The Untouchables appeared first on A Reel Education.

Our Bond project officially begins!  Over the next several episodes, we will be watching Bond movies featuring each of the actors who have played this film icon as well as other movies featuring the same actor!  We begin with what many consider the best of the Bond films, Goldfinger!  Our companion for this film was Chrys VanDerKamp, who has limited Bond knowledge and leaves our Educational podcast anxious to learn more about the film series.  Don’t worry – we gave her a list.

Up next, we will watch another of Sean Connery’s best performances when we see The Untouchables!

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This episode, we tackle the 2017 Oscar winner for Best Picture: Moonlight!  After the crazy ending to this year’s Oscar ceremony, this film was crowned Best Picture.  We’re guessing you haven’t seen it.  In fact, neither Melissa or Tim had seen it either.  Still, we brought in Pat Wick, who also hadn’t seen it, to be our guest.  The film is notable for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the fact it is the first film featuring an all black cast to win Best Picture.  It gave us a lot to think about and we hope you watch the film and it makes you think as well.

Next up, it is time to start exploring all of the actors who have played James Bond both in the Bond franchise and outside of it!  We’ll be starting with Sean Connery and Goldfinger!

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For our newest episode, we take a look at a project that was something of a dream project for John Wayne – The Quiet Man!  Directed by John Ford and featuring Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, this film is surprisingly unlike what most would expect from names like John Wayne and John Ford.  We are re-joined by Noel Thingvall, who has a better experience with us than he did when we watched La Dolce Vita.  We hope you sit back and enjoy this classic love story about a man, a woman, and a whole lot of tradition.

Next up, we’ll be watching the 2017 winner of the Oscar for Best Picture, La La Land Moonlight!

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This week we have two special guests who join us for the Disney classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Lana Rosario and David Tyler McKay join us with little more than childhood memories of orange soda.  After a viewing of the film, we discuss all the ways it might not work for some modern audiences but also all the ways this film changed the movie industry forever.  It is also important to note that we are talking about dwarfs.  Not dwarves.

Next up, we will watch The Quiet Man!

The post Episode 88 – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs appeared first on A Reel Education.

On this episode, we take a look at the oldest existing feature length animated film – The Adventures of Prince Achmed.  Our friend Cetius joins us to discuss this silent film created using silhouette.  It is remarkable to watch the film and recognize how much influence it has had on cinema over the years.  We highly recommend taking a look at this film.  You won’t be disappointed!

Next up, we will take a look at another groundbreaking animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

The post Episode 87 – The Adventures of Prince Achmed appeared first on A Reel Education.

Our latest episode features the guest stylings of Bob Alberti!  Bob joins us to talk about The Man Who Would be King.  The film features a post Bond Sean Connery and a pre Jaws 4 Michael Caine as two ex soldiers looking to make a fortune by making themselves kings.  We don’t want to spoil the movie so we won’t tell you how it works out for them.  If you watch the first ten minutes of the movie, however, you’ll probably be able to guess.  As if the two big name actors weren’t enough, this film was directed by the legendary John Houston and the costume designs were by Edith Head!

Join us next time when we’ll be watching The Adventures of Prince Achmed!

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