The Film Board

Are you tired of superheroes who always do the right thing? Exhausted by teams that save the day and, dare we say it, have a plan? This month, The Film Board dives into Marvel’s Thunderbolts—the super squad you get when you order the Avengers from the bargain bin. Pete Wright is joined by Mandy Kaplan, Justin Jaeger, Tommy Metz III, and Steve Sarmento for a roundtable that spoils everything, celebrates Florence Pugh’s star turn, and debates whether more MCU movies should end with a hug instead of a fistfight.We dig into the surprising emotional depth, the ensemble’s knack for both grounded action and found-family pathos, and a Taskmaster controversy that set the chat ablaze. The conversation covers what works for Marvel die-hards and superhero newbies alike, why Florence Pugh and Lewis Pullman might be the new MVPs of the MCU, and how Jake Schreier’s direction finds the sweet spot between earnest and absurd. Along the way, you’ll hear our takes on trauma, group dynamics, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s master class in playing Marvel’s most maladaptive Nick Fury. This is a rare comic book movie that’s as interested in grief and group therapy as it is in punching things.Film Sundries

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Some stories we inherit. Some are whispered through family trees. Others are passed down through song—riffs on pain, echoes of joy, blue notes of survival. In Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, we get all three. And this month, The Film Board—Pete, Tommy, and Andy—gathers to talk about a film that bends genres, then drips them in blood and gospel and IMAX-saturated twilight.This is a vampire movie. But not really. It’s a family tragedy. And a juke joint musical. And a war story. And a funeral procession through America’s haunted South. Coogler takes us to 1930s Mississippi, hands us twin bootleggers with hearts full of grief and bravado, and a blues prodigy whose voice can wake the dead—literally. From there, Sinners unfolds like folklore remembered through firelight and whispered across generations.In this conversation, the gang goes deep:

• The political subtext of assimilation, vampirism, and cultural erasure
• How Coogler’s personal history shaped the film’s emotional center
• Michael B. Jordan’s twinned performance, and the miracle of not once being pulled out by the tech
• Miles Caton’s debut as Sammie, and the spiritual power of music as both plot device and cultural artifact
• Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s historic use of IMAX 70mm, and how it reshapes Southern Gothic atmosphere
• The final act’s controversial tonal shift—does the Klan shootout and 1990s epilogue work, or muddy the final notes?

Join us for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred love letter to one of the year’s boldest films.Film Sundries

• Aspect Ratios with Sinners Director Ryan Coogler
• Po' Monkey's
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Prepare yourselves for a journey into the bewildering world of Bong Joon Ho's latest sci-fi offering. That's right—the director who brought you parasites in the basement and tentacles in the river has now delivered expendable humans on a frozen planet.In this week's utterly perplexing episode, Pete Wright gathers his gang of film-analyzing thugs to dissect "Mickey 17," a movie that asks the profound question: "What if your corporate job literally killed you repeatedly and you STILL couldn't quiet quit?"Our brave hosts—Tommy Metz III, Justin Jaeger, and the mysteriously summoned Andy Nelson (who apparently only materializes for "M" movies)—dive headfirst into this existential workplace nightmare starring Robert Pattinson as the universe's most exploited employee.The conversation spirals through multiple lanes of analysis—much like the film itself—touching on everything from identity ethics to alien sauce consumption to Mark Ruffalo's bombastic performance as what can only be described as "Poor Things, But Make It Space Napoleon."Is this a masterpiece of philosophical inquiry or a jumbled mess of unexplored concepts? Does it matter that they destroy the only machine that could save humanity? Why is there a man in a pigeon suit? AND MOST IMPORTANTLY—did any of these gentlemen actually enjoy the film?Join us for an hour of delightfully frustrated film criticism where our hosts attempt to extract meaning from what might be the most ambitious yet bewildering sci-fi release of the year. As Tommy so elegantly puts it: "I wish it wasn't so much movie."Film Sundries

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• Mickey7 by Edward Ashton
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Is the latest Captain America film a bold step forward, or a symptom of a larger malaise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? We grapple with this question, flying into Captain America: Brave New World, not just as a superhero spectacle, but as a cultural artifact reflecting our anxieties about legacy, power, and the very nature of heroism.Sam Wilson's transition from Falcon to Captain America is a referendum on what it means to inherit a symbol in a world that no longer understands symbols. Is he a worthy successor to Steve Rogers, or is he fighting a "broken system?" The answer, it seems, is as complex and multifaceted as the Vibranium shield itself.But the film's struggles extend beyond its titular hero. It is not, for example, truly a Captain America story. It is a backdoor pilot for a new era of Marvel, one where interconnected lore trumps individual narrative coherence and a legacy sequel to a 17-year-old film. And so we talk about the film's connective tissue, tracing that lineage back to The Incredible Hulk and pondering its implications for the future of the MCU.What of the villains? Is the Leader a chilling reflection of real-world anxieties about misinformation and control, or is he a pastiche of too-familiar tropes? We examine the film's political undertones, questioning whether its geopolitical machinations are a sophisticated commentary on our times or a sort-of manifestation of a collection of writers who have heard of “The West Wing.” Joining Pete Wright to unpack these thorny issues are Tommy Metz III, Steve Sarmento, Justin Jeager, and Mike Gravagno. Together, they steer through the film's strengths and weaknesses, its moments of brilliance, and its frustrating missteps, arriving at a verdict that highlights a good will toward the characters, and even the future films on the docket, in spite of a troubling outing this time. 
Links & Notes

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• Theatrical trailer
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• Check out Mike Gravagno on Movie of the Year and The Superhero Show Show

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Enigmatic whispers in the Oregon woods. A father's love, twisted and gnarled. This isn't your grandmother's werewolf story. Because she probably killed the wolf and made his pelt into a coat, AmIRight?Pete, Tommy, and Steve venture into the shadowy heart of Leigh Whannell's Wolfman, a film that dares to ask: what if the monster within isn't just fur and fangs, but the inherited burden of family, the gnawing anxieties of parenthood, and the terrifying erosion of self? Forget silver bullets and full moons. This is a descent into the primal, a claustrophobic exploration of generational trauma played out in a remote farmhouse, where the walls close in as quickly as the darkness.And yet, the crew wrestles with the film's unrealized potential on almost every point, the tantalizing promise of thematic depth ultimately yielding to a sense of hollowness. So, is it a poignant meditation on the fragility of connection? Or a missed opportunity?Ok, it’s mostly the second one. Mostly. Listen in to learn just how much, though!Film Sundries

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Is Amazon's $250 million Christmas blockbuster Red One a fresh take on holiday magic, or a cynical cash grab? Join Pete and guest Matthew Fox as they unwrap this action-packed holiday film starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Chris Evans. From buff Santas to beach-fighting snowmen, this episode explores how Hollywood's attempt to "Marvelize" Christmas might have missed the spirit of the season.Did Red One forget what makes Christmas special? We dive deep into how the movie's attempt to universalize Santa Claus across all cultures reveals a concerning lack of cultural awareness. The hosts explore why forcing Christmas onto everyone – including those who don't celebrate it – feels particularly tone-deaf in our current social climate.What happens when you mix Marvel-style action with holiday mythology? We examine how J.K. Simmons' surprisingly buff Santa and the movie's fresh take on Krampus reshape traditional Christmas lore. The discussion weighs whether these creative choices enhance or diminish the heart of Christmas storytelling.
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Welcome to The Film Board! If you’re anything like us, the year 2000 wasn't just a date on the calendar. It was a marker for boomer low-key existential dread. We’re talking, of course, about the Y2K bug, the fear that our computers, and therefore the entire world, were going to crash and burn at the stroke of midnight, thus confirming the prediction that we'd all be returned to our cave-people ancestry. So, we stocked up on canned goods, debated whether to unplug our toasters, and generally prepared for a digital apocalypse that ultimately birthed this month's film.What if the world had turned to digital mush? That's the question at the heart of the latest film from our friends at A24, "Y2K," a movie that takes that very real anxiety and renders it on screen in the form of Toaster Voltron. Director Kyle Mooney, a fav from SNL, makes his directorial debut with a film that’s part teen comedy, part disaster flick, and part straight-up survival horror, all set against the backdrop of that fateful New Year's Eve in 1999.Film Sundries

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From the blood-soaked sands of the Colosseum to the hushed halls of the Senate, a shadow looms large over the Roman Empire. It's not the specter of barbarian hordes, but something far more insidious: a sequel. Ridley Scott returns to the world of gladiators and emperors, but is this triumphant return, or a tragic stumble?On this episode of The Film Senate, Pete, Steve, Justin, and Tommy grapple with the cinematic beast that is Gladiator 2. The whispers started early – Denzel Washington, an acting titan, seemingly adrift in a sea of CGI sharks and misplaced baboons. Could this truly be the legacy of Maximus Decimus Meridius?Join us as we whack away at the film's triumphs and failures, exploring the delicate balance between historical epic and over-the-top spectacle. We’ll certainly talk performances, from Paul Mescal's stoic Lucius to Denzel's enigmatic Senate leader, a man seemingly battling his own wardrobe as much as the forces of corruption. And along the way, we'll ponder the questionable editing choices, the abrupt cutaways, the lingering shots of… two emaciated dogs?Is Gladiator 2 a worthy successor to the throne, or a pretender destined for the thumbs down? Enter the arena and decide for yourself. But be warned, you may never look at a baboon the same way again. TWO EMPERORS!Film Sundries

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"Joker: Folie à Deux" has arrived, and with it, a cacophony of critical dissonance. Is it a cinematic triumph or an expensive folly? This week on The Film Board, Pete Wright, Steve Sarmento, and Tommy Metz III grapple with the sequel's perplexing identity. From the sterile confines of the courtroom to the surreal bursts of musical fantasy, the film dances between genres, leaving audiences and critics alike in a state of bewildered contemplation.The panel dissects the film's curious obsession with its predecessor, questioning whether "Folie à Deux" truly stands on its own or merely exists as a reaction to the first film's cultural impact. They delve into Joaquin Phoenix's mesmerizing, yet arguably repetitive, performance, exploring the nuances of a character teetering on the precipice of sanity. Lady Gaga's portrayal of Harley Quinn, a departure from her usual flamboyant persona, also sparks debate. Is it a nuanced performance or a miscasting?And what about the film's exorbitant budget? The crew is left pondering whether the visual spectacle justifies the cost. In a world saturated with superhero narratives, does "Joker: Folie à Deux" offer a meaningful commentary on society, or is it simply a beautifully crafted, yet ultimately hollow, exercise in style? Tune in for a discussion that explores the film's artistic merits, its narrative flaws, and its potentially enduring enigma.Film Sundries

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Gather 'round film fans, for a spirited discussion on the latest from the BCU — the Beetlejuice Cinematic Universe! Joining your host, Pete Wright, are Tommy Metz III and Steve Sarmento, ready to delve into some hella afterlife antics.This time around, the Deetz family takes center stage, with Lydia's daughter, Astrid, accidentally opening the door to the ghostly realm. We unpack the film's unique approach to handling multiple storylines, from Astrid's encounter with a charming ghost from the 90s to the brand new backstory of Beetlejuice himself.The conversation explores the challenges of balancing nostalgia with fresh ideas, particularly when revisiting a beloved classic. We examine whether the sequel captures the quirky charm and visual humor of the original, or if it gets lost in a whirlwind of new characters and plot threads.Ultimately, the episode grapples with the question of legacy and reinvention in filmmaking. Does "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" successfully build upon its predecessor's world, or does it leave audiences yearning for the simple pleasures of the original? Tune in to find out!Film Sundries

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• Theatrical trailer
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Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:

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The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:

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• Sitting in the Dark

Connect With Us:

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• Your Hosts: Pete | JJ | Steve | Tommy | Andy | Ocean 

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