“Oh boy! Another murder!”

Closing Out Our Time With Nick and Nora
In 1947, Edward Buzzell directed the last of the ‘Thin Man’ films, written by a new pair – Steve Fisher and Nat Perrin. Despite the fact that the creative team’s largely new, William Powell and Myrna Loy remain the constants, and bring their same charm as Nick and Nora Charles to the screen. And the creative team here does a wonderful job of blending the comedy and the crime elements. At times, it feels downright film noir. The cast works well in this one, with Keenan Wynn as a jazz musician helping Nick out and Gloria Grahame as a singer caught in the web. Plus, young Dean Stockwell turns up as Nick Jr. The mystery holds up well, and it takes place in a setting that fits the story and tone. 

We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

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“There’s nothing in the world Nick wants more than a pat on the back from his father. If he got that, I think he’d pop a vest button.”

Nick and Nora head to small town America to visit Nick’s parents and find mystery...
It took some doing, but Myrna Loy was finally convinced to make just one film during the War, taking time out of her volunteer efforts she was committing to the Red Cross. That one film was a return to the Thin Man series with her co-star William Powell. It had first been delayed due to Loy’s new marriage, then to the director’s death, then to the war. But the studio wanted to move forward and audiences refused to accept anyone but Loy in the part. So she took a small break to make this one film then went right back to the Red Cross. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our look at the Thin Man films – with Richard Thorpe’s 1945 film “The Thin Man Goes Home.”

Here’s a hint at what we talk about.

This takes some time to get set up, but does it work? The comedy feels different. Is that the writing team? The new director? All of the above? How do Loy and Powell do this go-around? Does it bother us that Junior’s nowhere to be seen? How about the mystery? Is it effective? We have a great time talking about it so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

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Nick and Norah investigating a murder at the racetracks

W.S. Van Dyke’s back to have another good time with Nick and Nora Charles, though this time it’s with different writers. How does that affect things? And is William Powell seeming to be feeling better this time around? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Thin Man series with a conversation about Maj. W.S. Van Dyke II’s Shadow of the Thin Man. 

Here’s a hint at what we talk about.

The mystery’s better this time around, though the actual reveal seems a bit tepid. Does that affect our enjoyment of the film? Maybe a little, but it’s still quite fun. Plus, the comedy feels like it’s back on track and Powell seems to be having a great time, even if he doesn’t get to play drunk much. 

We chat about Nick, Jr. and how that addition to the story works for us. We also talk about the odd undercranked gags they do with Asta that we mostly enjoy. The characters are as fun as ever. We just wish the final reveal felt a bit more interesting.

Still, it’s a fun film with fantastic characters. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

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• Theatrical trailer
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“He says his name is Charles, but he looks to me like a pool parlor dude.”

Nick and Nora have a baby!
It wasn’t an easy film for William Powell to jump into. He was recovering from the death of the love of his life, and he was also recovering from cancer. But he returned for yet another round with Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, and this time they have a baby. But does Powell seem like he has the energy for it? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Thin Man series with W.S. Van Dyke’s 1939 film Another Thin Man.

Here’s a hint at what we talk about.

We dig a bit more into Powell’s history between the last film and this one. We also talk about Van Dyke as we learned he’s actually a II, not a junior. We struggle with the mystery and with the comedy in this one. It’s still fun, but largely is less dynamic than the previous two. Is that because of Powell’s struggles? Or were the writers struggling to come up with as interesting a mystery? Regardless, it didn’t work as well.

We still love Nick and Nora. Their banter and relationship works like a charm. They make the film easy to watch and we still have a lot of fun, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

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• Script Options
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“C’mon, let’s get something to eat. I’m thirsty!”

Back in the World of Nick and Norah Charles
With the success of The Thin Man, it was inevitable that the studio would want to return to the world of Nick and Norah Charles. While not based on another book by Dashiell Hammett, it’s clearly his characters and the returning screenwriting duo of Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich know how to bring Nick and Norah to life. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our ‘The Thin Man’ series, with W.S. Van Dyke’s 1936 film After the Thin Man.

Here’s a hint at what we talk about.

The Hays Code was in action, so less clear drinking of alcohol by the duo, but that doesn’t mean they’re not drunk. Particularly Charles. We love William Powell and Myrna Loy as these characters. They’re clearly having a great time. What’s with the story of infidelity thrown into Asta’s subplot though? 

The mystery is a fun one and there are a lot of great characters, including one played by a young Jimmy Stewart! The look of the film is similar enough to the first one where they feel like they’re cut from the same cloth, and we like that it starts feeling as if it’s a continuation of the first film.

All in all, it’s a delight and we both loved this one more than the first. Definitely check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

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• Script Options
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Co-Parenting in the Movies

We’re ending the year with a podcast crossover episode. Andy joins Pete on How to Split a Toaster: A Divorce Podcast About Saving Your Relationships. On that show, Pete and his co-host Seth Nelson discuss a variety of divorce-related topics to help those going through the difficult process. Today’s episode is a reprieve from that specific focus. In this episode, everyone’s bringing three movies that feature co-parenting. 

Here’s a breakdown of what each person talks about:

Andy: 

• Mr. Popper’s Penguins
• Definitely, Maybe
• Jurassic Park III

Seth:

• The Santa Clause
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Chef

Pete:

• Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
• Chef
• Boyhood

Happy holidays!

Links & Notes

• How to Split a Toaster podcast

“Jake, you really do stink.”

The End of the ‘Epic’ Saga
The time has come to wrap up the adaptations of Stephenie Meyer’s supernatural romance novels. And we didn’t even talk about reasons why they split the book up! Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we conclude our Twilight series with a conversation about Bill Condon’s 2012 film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.

Vampires and werewolves and Volturi, oh my!

There’s... a lot... going on with these stories. They’re not great, but strangely, Condon’s film ends up being the most entertaining of the bunch. It’s as if he understood the assignment that they were going for camp. The rules are bonkers. Things are over-the-top. And it’s quite a bit of fun.

We talk about all the crazy new rules regarding werewolves and vampires that make their way into this film. There are all sorts of new faces to discuss, and true to form more indigenous peoples to offend. And that’s not even touching on the freaky CG baby or weird imprinting rules.

But it’s probably the most engaging of the whole franchise. We have a great time talking about it (and laughing at it a little). So check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

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“We must destroy it before it’s born.”

Condon goes for lust, horror and a bit of camp
We return to Forks, Washington, to join Edward and Bella at their wedding. We also join them on their honeymoon and then struggle with them as they figure out how to deal with a vampire baby. That’s right – we’re back in Twilight territory. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Twilight series with a a conversation about Bill Condon’s 2011 film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1. 

Here’s a hint at what we talk about.

Why did they split Stephenie Meyer’s book into two movies? Does it feel necessary or feel like a studio cash grab? Did we need an entire movie just about the wedding, honeymoon, and baby? To that end, though, the camp works better in this film and actually keeps the film engaging, which is a nice change from the last film. Is that Condon’s doing? Perhaps.

How does the look of this film feel after the last three? Is there a sense of evolution in the franchise? What about Condon at the helm? Can we tell? And how about the return to Carter Burwell?

It’s an interesting film that doesn’t do a whole lot but does at least get us ready for the final entry. To that end, consider us here for it. So check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

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• Script Options
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What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!

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“Let’s face it – I AM hotter than you.”

The melodrama continues between Bella and Jacob and Edward
David Slade takes the helm with the third adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s supernatural romance novels, but how does it do to advance the story? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our series on the Twilight films with Slade’s 2010 film The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. 

Here’s a hint at what we talk about.

The romance novel love triangle just keeps happening, even though we feel it’s over. Bella’s already made up her mind – she wants to marry Edward. So why does Jacob keep rearing his ugly head in all of this? And why is Bella interested in either of these guys when they’re both clearly problematic? 

We talk about all of this romance and debate why this film feels so much more sluggish than the previous two. Is it Slade’s direction? Or the nature of Meyer’s source material? And why is Victoria still a thing? We struggle with caring about her, despite the change in actor.

Why are the Vulturi reduced to their youngsters playing vampire hall monitors? And what’s up with Victoria’s plan to use Riley and the newborn vampires to finally kill Bella? Are we buying any of this?

This film is a tough one to get through. We both have issues with it from the start. But sometimes, those make for the most fun conversations and that’s certainly the case here. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

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• Jackson Rathbone’s copy of the script
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“I guess the wolf’s out of the bag.”

Bella’s plight continues – who will she choose? We’re here for it!
Bella continues pining for Edward long after he’s moved away, but Jacob’s there for her. That’s right, we’re talking about vampires, werewolves, Volturi and more! Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our journey through the Twilight series in our discussion about Chris Weitz’ 2009 film The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

Here’s a hint at what we talk about.

Kristen Stewart’s acting is tough, but is it her or Stephenie Meyer’s dialogue and romance novel elements? What about Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner? How about the Shakespearean elements? What do we think of the werewolves? And the effects? How is Weitz as the new director for the film? Do we like the romance? Or prefer the expanded lore? And how does Desplat do with the music? And the biggest question of all – are we on Team Jacob or Team Edward?

So much smoldering romance, blood, wolves, and fantastic Italian architecture! We’re here for it. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

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• Script Options
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Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.

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What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!

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