Reel Fanatics

Michael and Joe share their reactions to the new concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, and Jared reports on the 2023 Mill Valley Film Festival. Joe and Jared discuss Wes Anderson's Roald Dahl Netflix shorts.

In anticipation of David Fincher's The Killer, the guys list their ten favorite films about professional killers. Joe and Jared also recommend some recent releases, while Michael eliminates some 1970s blind spots.

Jared is joined by guest Colin Takasawa to identify the ten best foreign, indie, or avant-garde movies of the year and discuss a handful of other notable titles. 2023 has a lot to offer: confident directorial debuts, gems from young masters, and two films that evoke the work of Stan Brakhage!

It's the time of year for fantasy football drafts, and with that in mind, the guys undertake a sports movie draft! For the most part, Michael, Jared, and Joe all get the films they want. But who ends up with the best roster? Listeners decide! Vote for the draft winner through our Twitter post!

A giant episode to cover the moviegoing event of the summer: Barbenheimer! The guys debate the structure of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and praise the humor of Greta Gerwig's Barbie. Joe recommends a classic sci-fi novel. Jared champions two French language films released earlier this year. Michael addresses the death of William Friedkin.

Michael and Jared discuss the new Indiana Jones film, and Joe calls in to share his thoughts. The guys open the episode by discussing the ongoing WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes, the state of the industry, and where it's headed. Michael finishes watching Succession. Jared celebrates the Criterion release of a 1980s cult classic.

Once again, the guys do not see eye to eye on a Wes Anderson picture, and Michael articulates his resistance to the auteur's new movie, Asteroid City. Jared reviews a video game. Joe reads a Pulitzer-winning novel. Michael names his favorite film of the year so far.

The eagerly anticipated Spider-Verse sequel is the topic of this episode, but there isn't unanimous praise for the film among the hosts. Michael explores the work of S. Craig Zahler. Jared champions a Sundance hit. Joe goes literary.

Daniel Goldhaber's eco-terrorism thriller, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, is the topic of the day. Before digging into that film, Jared and Joe disagree on and debate two more recent releases, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

Guest Natalie Pohorski joins the guys again to analyze Ari Aster's dark comedy, Beau Is Afraid. Michael revisits two '90s indie classics, while Jared champions two new indie films. Natalie recommends an under-appreciated sports movie, while Joe slams an over-appreciated one.