The Next Reel Film Podcast

Initially planned as a reboot of the franchise, Lakeshore Entertainment eventually decided to make the fifth and final film in the Underworld franchise to be a continuation of Selene’s story after the end of the last film. She’s separated herself from her daughter and is still out fighting lycans. But is this a direction that makes sense as the fifth and perhaps final film in the franchise? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Underworld series with Anna Foerster’s 2016 film Underworld: Blood Wars.

We talk about the wintery look the movie eventually takes us to and debate... is that enough of a change? We discuss the rules of this universe and all the problems that have developed with the sloppy nature of storytelling. We chat about this film’s Romeo & Juliet addition and wonder why they couldn’t have done more with this. We look at the effects and what’s changed here. We wonder if this is a good way to wrap up the series or if it leaves us with too much hanging. And we ask ourselves... is it still okay to like this franchise despite its problems?

It’s a fun albeit problem-laced film but an easy and entertaining watch. We have a great chat about it on this week’s show 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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• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon• YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
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By the time the Underworld franchise swung around to the fourth entry, it largely had a new team behind all of it. Sure, Len Wiseman was still on as producer and story and Kate Beckinsale was still leading the charge as Selene the vampire death dealer, but they join new writers, directors, crew, and cast. So how does this new direction for the franchise hold up? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Underworld series with Måns Mårlind’s and Björn Stein’s 2012 film Underworld: Awakening.

We talk about the return to this world and debate the creative decisions in how they move the story forward while leaving the look largely locked in from the previous films. We look at what this new cast is doing and how well they work. We ponder the many tropes included in this film. And we debate new elements added to werewolf and vampire lore.

It’s a bit of a mess of a film, but did we have fun watching it? Yes we did. So check it out then tune in to this week’s show. 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: iTunes • Amazon • YouTube
• 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!

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According to Len Wiseman, he and his pals had been planning an Underworld trilogy right from the start with the third film being a prequel laying out the foundations of the vampire/lycan war. If that’s the case, why does this feel so sloppy? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Underworld series with the third film, Patrick Tatopoulos’ 2012 film Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

We talk about the problems with the foundation of the rules Wiseman, Danny McBride, and Kevin Grevioux set up right at the start, which they don’t seem to have any problems with breaking or making convoluted. We chat about the performers and how they’re bringing good performances to their roles, even if they’re not written that well. We look at the effects and how for the most part, they really do feel like a step up. And we debate the storyline and try to figure out just when some of these elements actually were taking place.

It’s an entertaining film but an overly problematic one. We still have fun watching it even if the problems outweigh the successes. Regardless, it’s a great one to chat about 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: iTunes • Amazon • YouTube
• 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!

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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.
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• Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

Shortly after the clear success of Underworld, the studio signed on for two more films to round out a trilogy. Len Wiseman and Danny McBride said they’d already planned out the concept for a trilogy, but was it more a macroscopic view? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we talk about the second film in our Underworld series, Wiseman’s 2006 film Underworld: Evolution.

We talk about the many problems with the film, including those which should’ve been clear for storytellers who had planned it all out ahead of time. We chat about Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman and how well they fare in this return to the world of Underworldia. We debate many of the changes to vampire and werewolf lore, wondering which, if any, will last. We look at the fight scenes, which work, and which fall short. (We may also touch on the broken laws of physics in some of these fights.) We talk about the cast and crew and how well everyone does to continue the world created in the first film. And we have a great time digging into the award nominations for this film.

It’s a sequel full of problems, but one that’s awfully fun to watch. We have a great time with 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

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

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • [Netflix][netflix] • [Hulu][hulu] • YouTube
• 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
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• 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.

“Whether you like it or not, you’re in the middle of a war that’s been raging the better part of a thousand years. A blood feud between vampires and lycans. Werewolves.”

Moving from the art department on films like Independence Day to commercials to music videos, it makes sense that Len Wiseman brings a very specific look to his films. Pairing that look with his passion for genre movies, it seems obvious that he would be the man behind the Underworld franchise. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our foray into Wiseman’s franchise with is 2003 film Underworld.
 

We talk about the history of werewolves and vampires and how their pairing works effectively. We look at Wiseman’s journey to this film and how it was his art background that nabbed him the job. We chat about Kate Beckinsale as Selene and why she works so well in this film and franchise, which came at a point in her career where it seemed like a step away from the expected path. We touch on Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, and other actors and what they bring to the table. We discuss the soap operatic feel the script has and how it works in context of this story. We look at the team behind the cinematography, production design, costume design, and music and how well their individual parts come together to form this unique whole. And we look at the cinematically defining moments that make even the sometimes dated CG work. 

It’s a delightful and fun dive into a brilliantly constructed world. 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!

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 on Apple or Amazon
• Script Options
• Theatrical trailer
• Letterboxd
• Mythbusters: Holes in the Floor

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:

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• 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.

In the world of horror films, Sam Raimi carries a bit of heft so the fact that he wanted to work with Alexandre Aja and produce the film Crawl with him says a lot about the film you’re walking into. It’s a creature feature. And it’s a ton of fun. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Aquatic Killers series with Aja’s 2019 alligator-attack-during-a-class-5-hurricane movie Crawl.

We talk about what makes this film work so well and what Aja and his screenwriters, Michael & Shawn Rasmussen, bring to the table. We look at alligators and rank them against all the other aquatic killers we’ve featured (hint: they top it out!). We chat about the visual effects they pull off here and debate about which ones work and which ones might feel a bit rough. We discuss Kaya Scodelario and Barry Pepper, our two leads, and how well they work in their roles. And we touch on how Quentin Tarantino said this may just be his favorite film from 2019.

It’s a tight, fun creature feature that does exactly what they set out to do. 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!

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: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • Hulu • YouTube
• 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.