Reel Underdogs

Due to scheduling conflicts, we were unable to record a discussion of It Chapter Two this week. Instead, given the potentially streaming-heavy awards race this year, we thought it'd be timely to republish a discussion John and former panelist Karlyn Chen had back in March on whether the streaming revolution is helping or hurting cinema.

Read John's review of It Chapter Two for the Loudoun Times-Mirror here: https://www.loudountimes.com/entertainment/review-it-chapter-two-is-a-soulless-overlong-sequel/article_7106924a-d3e2-11e9-a49d-cf45cb7bba62.html

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every week!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentHNeely

Justin Redman on Twitter: @Young_JRed

Visit us on Facebook and at reelunderdogs.com!

Despite its title, this week's Underdog has nothing to do with your favorite sandwich spread or birds of prey. Rather, it's a very sweet story about the family you choose. We discuss SXSW Audience Award winner "The Peanut Butter Falcon!" Plus, we retread old ground — twice — and break the fourth wall a *lot* for our Watches of the Week.

Read John's review for the Loudoun Times-Mirror here: https://www.loudountimes.com/entertainment/review-the-peanut-butter-falcon-is-the-feel-good-indie/article_cfabfe68-cf26-11e9-a0e9-e35424099bee.html

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every week!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentHNeely

Justin Redman on Twitter: @Young_JRed

Visit us on Facebook and at reelunderdogs.com!

This week we discuss the new horror film Ready or Not, starring Samara Weaving. Plus, zombies on a train, not-so-woke jokes and good boys gone bad? Sounds like our Watches of the Week!

Read John and Trent's blog post 'Faith, Horror and Ari Aster: where do we draw the line?' here: http://www.reelunderdogs.com/2019/07/faith-horror-and-ari-aster-where-do-we.html

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every week!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentHNeely

Justin Redman on Twitter: @Young_JRed

Visit us on Facebook and at reelunderdogs.com!

We're loving our special discussions lately! This time around, we tackle stand-up comedy on Netflix — how it's helped change and mould our relationships to performers, what our favorite specials are, and where stand-up fits in with the future of entertainment. Featuring special guest and improv performer Amita Rao (@amitawow)!

Watch Amita's improv group, Blue Collard Greens, perform here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5EXc5czdgA

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every week!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentHNeely

Justin Redman on Twitter: @Young_JRed

Visit us on Facebook and at reelunderdogs.com!

The Fast & Furious franchise takes a slight detour with Hobbs & Shaw, a spin-off in which Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham take center stage. The two travel the globe to neutralize a deadly manmade virus but struggle to overcome their many differences, all while facing a villain who’s essentially a superhuman cyborg. Does Hobbs & Shaw have lasting thrills, or does it run out of gas way too fast? Plus, we share our Watches of the Week, ranging from Netflix originals to Coen Brothers classics!

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every Thursday!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentHNeely

Justin Redman on Twitter: @Young_JRed

Visit us on Facebook and at reelunderdogs.com!

Quentin Tarantino’s highly anticipated new film, Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, has arrived. It throws us back to 1969 Los Angeles, where a fading Western star, his trusty stuntman, and the up-and-coming actress next door are all coming to terms with their place in the rapidly changing film industry. It’s been three years since Tarantino’s last venture; is this movie worth the wait? (SPOILERS from 42:42 to 1:03:23.) Plus we dig into ballots, blind kids and bad times for our Watches of the Week!

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every Thursday!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentHNeely

Justin Redman on Twitter: @Young_JRed

Visit us on Facebook and at reelunderdogs.com!

We figured talking about The Lion King would be a moot point, as it’s been the subject of widespread discussion and criticism for the last two weeks. Instead, we’re going to spend this week’s episode talking about the modern cinematic paradigm of endless reboots and remakes. Is it the death of cinema that some lament it to be, or is there something to be said for telling classic stories through a new lens? Plus, we discuss our Watches of the Week!

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every Thursday!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentHNeely

Justin Redman on Twitter: @Young_JRed

Visit us on Facebook and at reelunderdogs.com!

Stu is just your average Uber driver who is desperate to keep his job. But when he gets stuck with the passenger from hell — a hulking, cantankerous cop with an agenda — he gets thrown into an adventure where there’s much more on the line than his four-star rating. This week, we review Stuber, discuss the trailers for Mulan and Hustlers and share our Watches of the Week.

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every Thursday!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentHNeely

Justin Redman on Twitter: @Young_JRed

Visit us on Facebook and at reelunderdogs.com!

Everyone’s favorite web-slinger returns in Spider-Man: Far from Home, the first new movie from Marvel Studios since Avengers: Endgame. Peter Parker hopes to take a break from his responsibilities as Spider-Man on a high school class trip to Europe, but inevitably, that plan doesn’t last very long. Did this movie give us hope for the future of the MCU? Listen to find out! (WARNING: spoilers from 43:18 to 1:04:38)

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every Thursday!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentHNeely

Justin Redman on Twitter: @Young_JRed

Visit us on Facebook and at reelunderdogs.com!

(Originally uploaded June 20, 2019)

After nearly two decades, Shaft is back. We follow the young and naive John Shaft, Jr. as he reconnects with his estranged, free-wheeling father to investigate his best friend’s death. Does this installment do its predecessors justice, or does Hollywood need to finally let Shaft retire?

Reel Underdogs are John Battiston, Trent Neely and Justin Redman. Catch a new discussion every Thursday!

Reel Underdogs on Twitter: @ReelUnderdogs

John Battiston on Twitter: @JB3Writes

Trent Neely on Twitter: @TrentNeely1

Justin Redman on Twitter: @YoungJRed

Visit us on Facebook or email us at [email protected]!