Reel Fanatics

Michael, Jared, and Joe get washed in the blood of the lamb to review Paul Schrader’s new film, First Reformed. Michael and Joe debate the movie’s ending. Joe and Jared disagree on a recent indie revenge thriller.

Another season, another Marvel movie. In this episode, the guys discuss Avengers: Infinity War. Jared can’t hide his disdain for the MCU and points out one thing the DCEU handles better. Joe and Michael make a bet on what will happen in the sequel.

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 the other two first trying to predict what he will say. Michael identifies one filmmaker who occupies the intersection of their varied predilections.

One of Joe’s and Jared’s most anticipated films of the year, You Were Never Really Here, is reviewed in this episode. Michael praises a documentary miniseries. Joe digs into the filmography of Lucrecia Martel. Jared and Joe wildly disagree on an earlier Lynne Ramsay film.

The guys review Isle of Dogs, and they don’t see eye to eye. Jared identifies a frequent deficiency in Wes Anderson’s films. Joe champions a recent political satire. Michael makes an on-air Blu-ray purchase.

Steven Spielberg’s return to sci-fi spectacle is the topic of the day. Jared claims to have found the best television episode of the year. Joe recommends a movie Michael and Jared will never see. Michael drops a bombshell right as the guys begin reviewing Ready Player One. Warning: there are spoilers for RP1 before the spoiler section.

Another listener-suggested list episode! Michael, Joe, and Jared share their five favorite uplifting films. Also, Joe digs into the cinema of Walter Hill, and Jared sneaks in a capsule review of a recent film.

Jared and Joe review several recent films: Annihilation, Game Night, and Thoroughbreds. Joe lays out the problems with A Wrinkle in Time, Red Sparrow, and The Young Karl Marx. Michael recommends some books and movies related to his current historical interests.

The guys name their most anticipated films of 2018. Michael’s enthusiasm for Marvel movies continues to irritate Jared and Joe. A recap of 2017 picks allows Joe and Jared an opportunity to briefly discuss the awfulness of The Snowman.

The highly anticipated Black Panther is the topic of this episode. But first the guys get sidetracked when they disagree on the merits of the Marvel Studios approach to filmmaking. Joe discusses some of the Foreign Language Film Oscar nominees, and Michael does the same for two of the Documentary nominees. Jared crushes on Michael B. Jordan.