It’s no secret to regular listeners that Michael, Jared, and Joe are wary of the incoming U.S. president and his administration. Just before the inauguration, the guys, in the most overtly political RF episode to date, reveal their top five films for the Trump Era. Joe uses one of his selections as a stealth recommendation. [...]

Disagreement abounds in this packed episode. Jared and Joe debate the stage-to-screen merits of Fences, and Michael goes to the mat for Jackie. Joe recommends the bleakest TV series from 2016.

There’s a lot of love for La La Land in this episode, and the movie conjures up memories of time spent in Los Angeles. The hosts also address the growing backlash to the Oscar frontrunner. Michael, Jared, and Joe all recommend films from earlier in 2016.

The first Star Wars anthology film gets the RF treatment, and the hosts do not see eye to eye. A discussion ensues about the use of computer-generated characters. Joe and Jared both like Loving but disagree on Moana.

Joe, Michael, and Jared discuss the Sundance critical darling, Manchester by the Sea, and offer contrasting reactions to Casey Affleck’s performance. Joe compares the film to 1994 Ice-T actioner Surviving the Game (yes, really). Michael champions print journalism. Jared complains about Wisconsin winter weather.

The guys disagree on the new espionage thriller from Robert Zemeckis. Jared and Joe frame The Edge of Seventeen as a corrective to Sixteen Candles. Joe recommends a Marvel movie not previously discussed on the podcast.

Michael and Joe imagine Mel Gibson’s cinematic bloodlust on set. Jared and Joe analyze the structure of Kelly Reichardt’s new film. Joe wishes Scorsese a happy birthday. All three hosts gripe about a looming Trump presidency.

The season’s prestige sci-fi film, Arrival, gets the Reel Fanatics treatment. Jared talks Noirvember and John Garfield. Joe compares a Mizoguchi movie to Whiplash and describes a bad theater experience.

Barry Jenkins’ second feature, Moonlight, is in the spotlight this week. The guys grumble about the presidential election results. Joe and Jared wildly disagree on one of Joe’s recommendations.

In honor—or is that dishonor?—of the U.S. presidential election, the guys share their favorite political films. Joe and Michael disagree with Jared’s categorization of some titles. Michael describes his #1 movie as “an absolute gem that it even exists.” Joe dissects Oliver Stone’s post-JFK creative decline.