"You have great taste in life and terrible taste in men.”

Once Lynn Shelton and her producers had locked in plans to make Your Sister’s Sister, they cast Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt and Rachel Weisz in the three lead roles. They worked on the script and concepts over eight months and then they had to push the production back. When they did this, they lost Weisz due to scheduling conflicts she had with Deep Blue Sea. With only two days before they started shooting, Shelton cast Rosemary DeWitt to replace Weisz whom she had met when directing an episode of “Mad Men.” DeWitt connected right away with the project and the loose production style, and they got the film made. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Lynn Shelton series with her 2012 film Your Sister’s Sister.

We talk about the nonsensical confusion the title creates for us, because it feels like there should be three sisters, but how it really doesn’t matter because it’s a cool and memorable title. Just don’t think about it too much. We chat about the great central performances by Duplass, Blunt, and DeWitt and debate if the story is too dramatic for the subject or if it works. We look at the idea of Shelton’s films as comedies and debate the genre label for them, deciding they’re more comedic dramas. We discuss our struggle with the dramatic open and how it never feels like an element that’s dealt with in the film. And we chat about the gorgeous filming location in the Seattle area and the San Juan Islands.

It’s a solid story with great actors, even if it has some story elements we struggled with. Regardless, it’s a film worth watching and discussing. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.

• Watch this film: JustWatch
• Original theatrical trailer
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• Letterboxd

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“I guess that the way I like to think of myself and the way I actually am are, um, maybe more different than I’d like them to be.”

Lynn Shelton sadly passed away about a year ago at the age of 54, but left a mark on the independent film scene with the personal stories she created. Her third theatrical feature film, Humpday, got a lot of attention when it premiered at Sundance, and that gave Shelton the boost she needed to get more of her storytelling out into the world. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Lynn Shelton series with her 2009 indie hit Humpday.

We talk about the mumblecore film movement, what these types of films consist of, and why perhaps so many involved (and critics as well) aren’t a fan of the moniker. We look at Shelton and her personal storytelling here, and perhaps why this story idea was an easy one to latch on to and one to make to get noticed. We chat about the characters in the film and why elements of them work so well for us but why others don’t. We discuss the concept of friendship and manliness and what Shelton and the story are saying about that. We touch on our frustrations with how the film ends. And we revel in a few scenes that really stand out, including one character moment that we really don’t like.

It’s an interesting film that has a lot to say, even if there are issues we have with the film itself. Regardless, it’s a film worth checking out, so see what you think then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.

• Watch this film: JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd
• Dan Savage’s Hump Film Festival

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"What the hell were those tentacles even attached to?”

Frank Darabont wanted to adapt Stephen King’s novella “The Mist” as his directorial debut, but obviously that didn’t happen. It took him 13 years and three feature films, not to mention all the TV writing he was involved in, before he’d finally get around to adapting the story and making the film. What’s great about it is that he went dark with the story and took the original story even further than King took it. It worked for some people but not that well for others who found it far too bleak. Still, it’s found its audience and is generally considered one of the strongest horror adaptations of Kings’ work. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Stephen King à la Darabont series, with his 2007 film The Mist.

We talk about the bleak nature of the story and how well it works for us in context of what King was doing with it. We look at the color version versus the director’s preferred black-and-white version and why we both prefer the black-and-white as well. We chat about the performances, notably Thomas Jane and Marcia Gay Harden (not to mention all the Darabont regulars) and why they work so well in their respective roles. We discuss the Lord of the Flies aspect to the humans in the story and why it fits so perfectly in this world. We chat about the creatures and why we find them so perfectly terrifying. We touch on the music and why the haunting voice of Lisa Gerrard works so well in context of this story. We debate the ending and why it works so well for us while certainly not as well for others – and how it can be interpreted in different ways. And if you’re tuning in to hear us talk about how cool it is that Darabont is such a fan of Drew Struzan’s poster art that he builds it into his lead character’s occupation, you’ll be disappointed. We completely forget to bring it up! So we’ll just mention it here.

It’s a fantastically freaky film and we both love it. We had a great time talking about it on the show this week, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.

• Watch this film: JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Original Material
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

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"I’m tired of people being ugly to each other.”

When Stephen King published “The Green Mile,” it was quite a novelty as he chose to release it in six serialized segments, each releasing a month apart. It was inevitable that it would get adapted as a film, as so many other of King’s works, but perhaps because of its popularity, its subject matter, and because of Frank Darabont’s connection to King after making The Shawshank Redemption, it came as no surprise that Darabont was adapting and directing it as his next film. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we talk about the next film in our Stephen King à la Darabont series, his 1999 film adaptation The Green Mile.

We talk about the episodic nature the film has, perhaps because of its original serialized format, and how that affects our viewing of it. We look at the flashback structure with Old Paul in the nursing home at the start and finish and debate if it helps or hurts the film. We also talk about the mean orderly in the nursing home in the novel and why perhaps the film would’ve worked better if that character was kept. We discuss the magical negro nature of the film and why it can be harmful to the interpretations of the film today. We look at all of the performances but notably Michael Clarke Duncan and how well he works as John Coffey. We touch on the cinematography, production design, music, and editing and why they all work well in this long story. And we ponder what it’s saying about death sentences, if anything.

It’s a good film, despite the problems it has with the magical negro element, but doesn’t approach the level of Shawshank for us. Still, it’s worth watching, 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

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.

• Watch this film: JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel by Stephen King
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd
• I Really Like You • Carly Raw Jepsen

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"Put your trust in the Lord. Your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank!”

Frank Darabont may not have been Stephen King’s first Dollar Baby, but he certainly was one of the earliest. And according to King himself, Darabont’s short film The Woman in the Room is his favorite of the bunch. The story Darabont really wanted to adapt of King’s, however, was “Rita Hayworth & Shawshank Redemption.” It wouldn’t be until much later in his career, after he’d already established himself as a screenwriter of horror properties, that he’d be able to return to King and lock in the rights. Join us – Andy Nelson and Pete Wright – as we kick off our Stephen King à la Darabont series – with guests Tom & Tony Bancroft from the Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast – to talk about his 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption.

We talk about our first experiences with the film and why it’s stuck with us over time. We chat about Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and all the other potentials that could have played those parts. We look at the nature of Robbins’ character Andy Dufresne and how he embodies the type of protagonist that doesn’t necessarily follow his own character arc but changes those around him over the course of the film. We also argue how he still does have some strong moments of change himself, and how often the film is used as a parable in Christian circles. We touch on the greatness of the cinematography and music. And we marvel that the film didn’t get much award or box office love, considering how much we all love it.

It’s a marvelous film and a great way to kick off this series. We have a great time talking about it with Tom and Tony, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.

• Watch this film: JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Different Seasons by Stephen King (1982)
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd
• The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast
• Bancroft Bros.’ Podcast With Pete Docter
• Pencilish Animation Studio
• MerMay
• Tom on TikTok
• Tony on Instagram
• Tom on Instagram

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.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!

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

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"God gave me the talent to pose for pictures.”

For Mary Harron’s third feature film, she went back to the biopic well. For this film, she focused on the rise of pornographic images told through the lens of the life of Bettie Page, one of the top pin-up models of the time. Having a woman direct the film helps ensure the male gaze won’t dominate in a film about this subject, but that doesn’t mean the film works as well as it should. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our short Mary Harron series with her 2005 film The Notorious Bettie Page.

We talk about the biopic structure of the film and why it feels like Harron and co-writer Guinevere Turner struggled to find the core of the story they wanted to tell. We chat about Gretchen Mol and how perfect she is in the role, and why she’s really the only reason to watch the film. We discuss the nature of the porn industry as depicted in the story and the different elements of it, and how the film never feels like it’s feminist enough or taking a stand. It always feels safe. We look at the shift between black and white and color and why it never feels fully thought out. And we chat about Page herself and how she was such an icon that still influences pop culture.

It’s a Hallmark-feeling biopic, albeit with nudity, and one we struggled with, even though it does have a wonderful central performance. Regardless, we had a great time talking about it so 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

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.

• Watch this film: JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

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.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world in our Discord community!

Here’s where you can find us around the internet:

• The Web
• Letterboxd
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• X
• YouTube
• Flickchart
• Pinterest
• Pete 
• Andy

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

• You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.
• Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.
• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
• Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
• Or sign up for AUDIBLE.