Reel Insights

ICE CREAM MAN director Eli Roth speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about his wild new horror movie. Roth explains why the film refuses to hold back, how its graphic kills were shaped by the production’s budget, and what it was like creating total chaos with 100 children, 20 stunt performers, fake blood, smoke machines and body parts.The filmmaker behind HOSTEL, CABIN FEVER and THANKSGIVING also opens up about directing the young cast like adults, filming entirely on real locations and drawing inspiration from THE BIRDS and the opening of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. Roth also teases his next theatrical project, a haunted house movie with Snoop Dogg.

SUPER TROOPERS 3 star and Broken Lizard co-founder Steve Lemme joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour to discuss the comedy group’s 30-year friendship, Brian Cox’s return, the new cast, and the franchise’s lasting appeal. He also shares updates on a potential TACOMA FD movie, confirms work has begun on POTFEST, and teases what Broken Lizard could make next.

STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE star John Ross Bowie speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about Barry Kripke’s return in THE BIG BANG THEORY spinoff. Bowie discusses the massive leap from a traditional sitcom to an action-packed multiverse adventure, the returning characters who appear as wildly different versions of themselves, and Kripke’s unexpected role as one of the universe’s unlikely heroes.

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY director Destin Daniel Cretton speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about Tom Holland’s next MCU adventure. Cretton reveals a massive villain fight that was cut, explains why Punisher and Savage Hulk reflect two possible paths for Peter Parker, and teases that fans will have much more than Sadie Sink’s mysterious role to discuss.

THE OFFICE and UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT star Ellie Kemper speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about her partnership with Pirate’s Booty and helping families discover fun, screen-free summer adventures.Kemper shares the imaginative games she loved growing up, reveals how her two sons have inherited her love of Pirate’s Booty, and discusses reuniting with Titus Burgess for the upcoming ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE animated series. She also explains what she enjoys about voice acting and why the new show can connect with both children and adults.The actress also reflects on younger generations discovering THE OFFICE, her unforgettable role as Erin Hannon, and why the beloved comedy remains relevant years after its finale. Plus, Kemper enthusiastically pitches a Pirate’s Booty animated TV series—and says she would even write it herself for a lifetime supply of her favorite snack.Visit Nerdtropolis.comInstagram.com/nerdtropolisFacebook.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolisYouTube.com/@NerdtropolisX.com/Nerdtropolis

André Holland, Wendell Pierce and director Sheldon Candis join Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to discuss They Fight, the powerful boxing drama based on the 2018 documentary of the same name. The film follows a reformed former inmate who returns to the boxing gym while trying to rebuild his life and reconnect with his family.In They Fight, Holland plays Walt Manigan, who struggles to reintegrate into society and find a path forward. His only opportunity comes from a place he thought he had left behind when he begins coaching a group of teenage boys at a local Washington, D.C., youth gym.Holland, Pierce and Candis reflect on the people who believed in them before they fully believed in themselves. Pierce credits his parents with giving him the confidence to believe he could accomplish anything, while Holland remembers how his mother encouraged his creativity and enrolled him in his first drama class.Candis discusses growing up in a home filled with movies and having parents who supported his dream of moving to Los Angeles to become a filmmaker. He explains why having people invest in that dream was essential during the difficult journey of building his career.The conversation also explores how safe spaces can change the direction of a young person’s life. Pierce remembers Coach Mack and the New Orleans playground that became his sanctuary, while Candis shares how his experiences at a YMCA and his connection with the Batey family transformed his understanding of himself and his history.Holland opens up about high school drama teacher Darryl Revel, who helped him recognize that acting could become a real career. He explains that without his teacher’s guidance, he may never have realized that performing professionally was possible.The interview closes with Pierce discussing his upcoming return as Perry White in Man of Tomorrow and the passion of DC fans. Holland, who voiced Harvey Dent in Batman Unburied, also responds to the possibility of joining the live-action DC Universe.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolis

Titus Welliver and Jessica Frances Dukes join Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to discuss The Westies, the gritty new MGM+ crime drama premiering July 12. The series explores the violent world of New York City’s Irish mob during the 1980s and the growing conflict threatening to tear the organization apart.In The Westies, Welliver plays Glenn Keenan, a character whose visible tattoos add another layer to his dangerous and unpredictable presence. Dukes plays Birdie Polk, whose conversations and interactions with Keenan reveal more about the people operating inside this brutal criminal world.Welliver explains how his real tattoos have become part of certain characters, including Harry Bosch and Glenn Keenan. He discusses why tattoos felt right for The Westies’ 1980s setting and why they help make Keenan feel like someone living outside the expectations of society.The conversation also explores Welliver’s upcoming role in The Night Agent. Because he plays a Department of Justice prosecutor, his tattoos must be completely covered since they would not fit the character in the same way they do in Bosch or The Westies.Dukes opens up about how she builds a character through her scene partners rather than relying on a single costume, accessory or physical detail. She explains how Birdie continued to evolve once she began working opposite Welliver and responding to the choices he made during their scenes together.Welliver and Dukes also discuss the detailed 1980s sets and how the show recreates a specific period in New York history. Welliver explains why The Westies stands apart from traditional mob dramas by focusing on the Irish mob, its tense relationship with the Gambino crime family and a story that has rarely been fully explored on screen.The interview closes with Welliver explaining why The Westies offers something different for viewers who think they already know the crime drama genre.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolis

Spider-Man star J.K. Simmons and Tom Brittney join Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about The Westies, the gritty new MGM+ crime drama premiering July 12. Brittney has also recently been linked by unconfirmed reports to the DCU’s future Batman role, while Simmons remains one of the most recognizable comic book actors through Spider-Man, Invincible and The Legend of Korra.In The Westies, Simmons plays Eamon Sweeney, the old-school leader fighting to maintain control of his criminal empire. Brittney plays Jimmy Roarke, a younger and more rebellious member of the organization who represents a generation hungry to change how business is done.Simmons and Brittney break down the growing conflict between the Westies’ established leadership and the younger generation. They explain how control, ambition and survival create a dangerous internal struggle that could threaten the future of the entire organization.The conversation also explores why the quieter scenes can feel just as threatening as the show’s violent moments. Simmons discusses using silence, listening and observation to reveal what Eamon is thinking, while Brittney opens up about Jimmy’s relationship with Bridget, played by Sarah Bolger, and how their private moments offer a different side of his character.Simmons also explains his approach to researching the real Westies. Because Eamon and Jimmy are fictional characters created for the series, he focused on lifting the characters from the page instead of trying to imitate specific historical figures.The interview closes with Simmons and Brittney revealing one of the show’s most unexpected elements: its dark humor. They discuss how Irish gallows humor brings moments of light into an otherwise brutal world and why humor becomes essential when the dramatic stakes are so high.Plus, Simmons delivers the ultimate compliment by calling Nerdtropolis “the best word in the history of words.”Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebook.com/nerdtropolisInstagram.com/nerdtropolisTwitter.com/nerdtropolisTikTok.com/@nerdtropolis

Jennifer Holland joins Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about Supergirl, Krypto, Peacemaker, and the real-life dog who helped inspire DC’s newest superdog. In this conversation, Holland opens up about her dog Ozu becoming part of DC history as the inspiration behind Krypto.This summer, Supergirl takes audiences on an epic interstellar journey to save the life of Kara’s best friend, her dog Krypto. Starring Milly Alcock in the title role, the DC Studios film also features fan-favorite DC characters including Superman and intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo. Directed by Craig Gillespie, Supergirl explores the origin of a reluctant superhero as Kara discovers her own brand of heroism on her own terms. Supergirl is only in theaters and IMAX June 26 from Warner Bros. Pictures.Holland talks about what it has been like to see Ozu, a scruffy adopted dog who was once afraid of humans, become the heart of Krypto’s journey in the DC Universe. She explains how Krypto plays an important role in Supergirl, serving as Kara’s emotional center and compass throughout the story.The conversation also dives into why audiences connect so strongly with animal characters, especially in superhero stories. Holland shares why the bond between humans and animals can be so meaningful, and how that connection gives viewers an easy emotional way into stories like Supergirl.Holland also breaks down which parts of Ozu made their way into Krypto, including his famous ear, rebellious streak, sweet personality, and loving nature. She also praises the visual effects artists behind Krypto, explaining how Ozu was used as a motion reference and how the final CGI work feels incredibly real on screen.The conversation also covers Holland’s role as Emilia Harcourt in the DC Universe. Sean calls Harcourt the Nick Fury of the DCU, and Holland talks about what it means to play such a strong and complicated character across projects like Peacemaker and the larger DC world.Holland also opens up about working with John Cena, praising his growth as an actor, his emotional performance as Peacemaker, and the lessons she continues to learn from him. She also shares her excitement about possibly returning as Harcourt and wanting to know what happened to Peacemaker after Rick Flag sent him away.Milk-Bone is teaming up with Supergirl to celebrate one of the film’s most iconic relationships: Supergirl and her super-powered pup, Krypto. In partnership with Warner Bros., Milk-Bone is releasing limited-edition Milk-Bone treats inspired by Supergirl, spotlighting the bond between Krypto and Supergirl as a reflection of the connection pet parents share with their own dogs.

Jessie Mei Li, Chris Pang and Justin Chien join Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour on Reel Insights to talk about The Season, the new Hulu drama series now streaming. The series follows a group of friends in Hong Kong’s elite boating scene as their summer getaway turns into a world of betrayal, power plays, hidden agendas and family drama.In this conversation, Jessie Mei Li, Chris Pang and Justin Chien open up about the family values and personal lessons that helped shape them as artists. Li shares how her parents helped her embrace humor, fun and what she calls her “silly billy” energy, which allows her to approach her work without taking life too seriously.Pang reflects on growing up with parents who are Wing Chun martial arts instructors. He explains how discipline, respect and consistency became important parts of his life and acting career. Chien also talks about the importance of integrity, professionalism and being a good person, lessons he says came from watching his parents lead by example.The interview also dives into defining summers that changed them. Chien shares a personal story about attending summer camp in Northern California, where he learned more about identity, culture and pride as an Asian person in America. Li also reflects on how one summer helped her say yes to new experiences, let go of old limits and embrace a more open version of herself.The Season stars Jessie Mei Li, Toby Stephens, Karena Lam, Chris Pang, Celina Jade, Justin Chien, Yvonne Chapman, Kōki, Lee Jae-yoon, Anson Lo and Marf Yau. The drama streams exclusively on Hulu in the U.S. and will also be available on Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.