Reel Fanatics

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 the year 2012. It’s an episode full of selection reactions, category challenges, random anecdotes, and movie reflections. But who picks the best “team” of movies? Listeners decide! Vote for the draft winner through our Twitter post or comment on our website!

The topic of this episode is Joe’s latest retro pick, the 1981 neo-noir Cutter’s Way. Jared and Joe recommend a few new films on streaming services and in theaters. (Note: possible spoiler for Dick Johnson Is Dead in the Recommendations section.)

The mostly forgotten 1983 movie Educating Rita is Michael’s latest retro pick. Jared recommends two new films that just hit streaming services. Joe digs into the sequel entries of an enduring horror franchise. Michael revisits an acclaimed television series. The guys also discuss their favorite Michael Caine roles.

Jared’s latest retro pick, Albert Brooks’ Modern Romance, is the topic of the episode. Joe retracts a previous HBO series recommendation. Jared champions new releases from Sofia Coppola and Kirsten Johnson. Michael recommends a special episode of a favorite animated comedy show.

Another Charlie Kaufman film, another Reel Fanatics review! Kaufman’s adaptation of I’m Thinking of Ending Things is the topic of the episode. Jared recommends a new Criterion release, Joe endorses an Amazon Prime series, and Michael discusses a Netflix documentary.

Joe’s latest retro pick is the second Charlie Kaufman / Spike Jonze collaboration, Adaptation. Michael reflects on a lost summer movie season. Joe talks Alan J. Pakula cinema, prompting a discussion of All the President’s Men. Jared revisits and falls in love with a 1987 romantic comedy.

Michael names Francis Ford Coppola’s flawed yet fascinating One from the Heart as his latest retro pick. Joe revisits another ’80s Coppola film, Jared discusses a timely HBO series, and Michael recommends a Netflix comedy special.

Jared’s latest retro pick is Lost in Translation, so the guys dig into Sofia Coppola’s masterwork. Joe champions a new HBO series, Jared recommends two underrated 1970s films, and Michael continues to binge a recent comedy series.

For his fourth retro pick, Michael selects Tom Hooper’s The Damned United for review. Jared champions a recent series on another film podcast. Joe recommends catching up with Mr. Robot. Michael discusses the pleasure of watching Queer Eye in 2020.

Jared’s latest retro pick, Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight, is the topic of this episode. But before that review, the guys skip recommendations in favor of a lengthy discussion regarding the COVID-19 fallout for fall sports and movies.