The Kick

As we end a truly extraordinary movie year, Be Reel dives into the work of seven directors who made their marks and cemented their voices in 2020.

3:00- Leigh Whannell (“The Invisible Man”)

9:45 - Kitty Green (“The Assistant”)

17:20 - Jason Hehir (“The Last Dance”)

25:15 - Garrett Bradley (“Time”)

36:40 - Sean Durkin (“The Nest”)

44:30 - Eliza Hittman (“Never Rarely Sometimes Always”)

57:20 - Josephine Decker (“Shirley”)

What's that clatter upon the roof? Why it's the preeminent family comedy about Santa's violent demise and the "clause" pun that confused an entire generation! On this BR, we recap our watch party of "The Santa Clause," determining once and for all whether Tim Allen is a movie star and this 1994 smash hit belongs in the Christmas movie canon.

Discussing films about real screenwriters this week we dig into David Fincher's "Mank" (2020)—the new Netflix film about Herman Mankiewicz and the origins of "Citizen Kane." Then, we leap to the 21st century to reappraise Charlie Kaufman fictionalizing and splitting himself in "Adaptation" (2002). Finally, it's Dalton Trumbo's quest against the Hollywood Blacklist in "Trumbo" (2015). Each film comes with its own indulgent, even seductive spin on history, but isn't that what Hollywood does anyway?

This Thanksgiving, we were home alone... watching "Home Alone"! Following our first-ever watch party, we reappraise the iconic holiday film turning 30. Through a 2020 viewing, we address whether Kevin is a sociopath, the acting quality by the sad adult characters, and just how much dairy Kevin puts away. 'Tis the season for losing one's reading glasses, highlighting toxic family dynamics and showing how incompetent the cops really are!

Ahead of Bruce Lee’s (would-be) 80th birthday, we marvel at the flying kicks, wildcats shrieks, and star wattage of the global icon. This week, Be Reel dives into the Dragon’s life, legacy, and three of his major films—“Fist of Fury” (1972), “Way of the Dragon” (1972), and “Enter The Dragon” (1973)—with the help of biographer Jeff Chang and professor/martial artist Lory Dance.

In honor of both the late Sean Connery and the 25th anniversary of "GoldenEye" (1995), Be Reel looks back at the debuts of every actor to play 007: Connery (“Dr. No”), Roger Moore (“Live and Let Die”), Timothy Dalton (“The Living Daylights”), Pierce Brosnan (“GoldenEye”) and Daniel Craig (“Casino Royale”)—with a courteous nod to George Lazenby, too. Don't worry, folks, we don't try too many impressions.

It’s Halloween week, and nobody embodies the committed glam and eerie camp of the holiday quite like Tim Curry. This week, we celebrate and reappraise the British legend’s iconic costumed roles in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975), “Legend” (1985), and “It” (1990). We also make a brief return to “Clue” manor. Recorded deep in the Vermont woods, this episode also features Noah's girlfriend, Lucy, and their mutual friend Brie, laying down those indispensable "TC Fun Facts."

You may recognize Mark Webber as the talent, the creep, or the kid from cult favorites like 
“Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World,” “Green Room” or “Broken Flowers.” What you might not know is that the well-traveled character actor has embarked on an ambitiously self-interrogative directing career as well, culminating in his latest film: “The Place of No Words.” This week, Webber talks with Chance about acting with his children in movies they can’t watch, the stewardship of Jim Jarmusch, and leafing through bittersweet set photos from “Green Room.”

For the 30th anniversary of "To Sleep with Anger" (1990), we dive into the films of principal "L.A. Rebellion" director Charles Burnett. Part of the first generation of Black directors to come out of American film school, Burnett brought a daring cinematographer’s eye and watchful activist’s pen to films like "Killer of Sheep" (1978) and "The Glass Shield" (1994). Of course, one can’t talk about Burnett without discussing how underappreciated he’s been compared to white directors of his era with similar influences and indie bonafides. So let’s appreciate, dammit.

In addition, Be Reel would like to continue directing you to causes that support Black artists and creators. This week, please consider a donation to the “Our Stories Our Lives” response fund from the Portland nonprofit Open Signal. It’s turning donations into hundreds of stipends supporting Black filmmakers in the Northwest. Thank you for supporting their work.

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/open-signal/our-stories-our-lives-black-media-maker-response-fund

Miranda July is a genre of her own—quite literally—this week on Be Reel. We're talking about the just-released "Kajillionaire" (2020), "Me and You and Everyone We Know" (2005) and "The Future" (2011). In each, the writer-director introduces us to relationships familiar but strange, where chat rooms, taboos and family traditions both create and bridge the gaps between the world's loneliest people.