The Next Reel Film Podcast

When Agnieszka Holland was given early pages from Solomon Perel's unfinished memoirs about surviving the Holocaust, she was immediately taken by it. The fact that it was about a young Jewish boy who stayed alive by hiding out as one of the Hitler Youth among other things was fascinating to her, but it was his lack of embellishing and complete honesty that drew her in. Thus began her journey in making a film based on his experiences. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off a series about the works of Agnieszka Holland with her 1990 film Europa Europa.

We talk about how the nature of this story and how it's done very much in a Pilgrim's Progress style, and why it works for this coming of age story. We chat about Holland adapting the story to not just focus on the tragic but also be playful. And we look at reactions and why some people may have had issues with the telling of this story.

It's a powerful, wonderful story and we have a great time chatting about it on this week's show. Check it out and 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

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!

• Watch this film: Amazon • Criterion
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Europa Europa: A Memoir of World War II by Solomon Perel
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

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Many consider the 1979 mini-series adaptation of John le Carré's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" to be not only the definitive le Carré adaptation but also that Alec Guinness to be the definitive George Smiley. Because of that, tackling the story again can be seen as a tricky task. Luckily, the team behind the film adaptation in 2011 found the right people to adapt the script, the right director to helm it, and the perfect actor to fill Guinness' shoes. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our John le Carré series with Tomas Alfredson's 2011 film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

We talk about why Gary Oldman works so well in this part and how quiet his performance is. We look at the way the story is crafted and compare it to last week's film, looking at why this adaptation works and that one doesn't. And we look at the style Alfredson brought to the film.

It's a great film and one we have a great time chatting about. 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

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy: A George Smiley Novel by John le Carré
• 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.

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• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
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John le Carré's book "The Little Drummer Girl" was somewhat controversial as it managed to offend both the Israelis and the Palestinians in its depiction of its terrorism story. Controversy, however, can often be seen as a moneymaker, at least that's what the team at Warner Bros. must've thought when they set to work right away of optioning the book, adapting it, and having George Roy Hill direct it. Unfortunately, Hill didn't seem to be the right guy for the job as the film ended up fairly flat. Then again, maybe it was the fact that they cast a nearly-40 Diane Keaton to play a role written for an early 20s actress. Or maybe the script was a bit too streamlined? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our John le Carré series with Hills' 1984 adaptation The Little Drummer Girl.

We talk about where the problems were for us in this adaptation – the direction? acting? script? – and how it stacks up against the more recent miniseries adaptation. We look at the nature of the story and why it may not have worked well at the time. We look at Keaton and debate some other possible actresses who would have fit the role better than she. And we chat about Dave Grusin's score, which sadly didn't work for us.

It's a sloppy telling of this story – one which is told much better – but it's still interesting to visit. Check it out then tune in to this week's show as we have a great conversation about it. 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

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • YouTube
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• The Little Drummer Girl by John le Carré
• 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.
• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
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• Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

When John le Carré wrote his third novel "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold," it was such a success and brought him so much acclaim that it essentially outed him as a spy for MI6. He'd been doing it for only five years, but in that time, he learned a great deal about how the machine worked (or the 'circus' as he calls it in his books) and was able to bring that world to life with greater accuracy than had been seen before. Because of that, it was inevitable that the story would be adapted to film, and true enough, two years after it was published, the film was released. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off a new series looking at adaptations of John le Carré's novels with Martin Ritt's 1965 The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.

We talk about the tone of the story and the various themes presented here about loyalty, alienation, ideologies vs. morality. We chat about some of the performances, like Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, Oskar Werner and Peter van Eyck, and what they bring to the table. We look at Oswald Morris's cinematography, the long shots, and what the black-and-white brings to it. And we dig into the nature of a bleak ending as depicted here and what it does to the film (and to Pete!).

It's a wonderful film and a great entry to this series. 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

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel Book 3 by John le Carré
• 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:

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• X
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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.
• 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.

Ron Stallworth's story seems ridiculous and unbelievable, but it's true – as an African American undercover cop with the Colorado Springs Police Department, Ron infiltrated the local KKK group with one of his fellow detectives and managed to bring them down. It's the sort of story that Spike Lee seems perfect for, so who better to direct it than Lee himself? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our brief Spike Lee series with his 2018 film BlacKkKlansman.

We talk about Lee's messaging in this biopic and if and how it works. We look at the bookends of the film and discuss how they fit and if we feel they work. We chat about the comedic tone throughout the film and why it works. We examine the intercutting done in some key sequences and why it works so effectively. We touch on the actors and what they're bringing to the table. And we close up our series by digging into Lee's works discussed on the show and why he's such an important filmmaker.

We have a great time talking about this movie. It's a film that's incredibly relevant and will likely be as relevant decades from now as it is today. We have a great conversation about it, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

Film Sundries

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime by Ron Stallworth
• 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.
• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
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“Everybody wants to be black.”

By the time year 2000 rolled around, Spike Lee had made 13 feature films (if you count his 60-minute student film Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads as a feature) and had been celebrated, denigrated, disparaged, praised, and sometimes ignored. Regardless of the reactions, Lee showed himself to be a straight-up artist – always pushing to make noise with his cinematic art, whether people ended up listening or not. And then along comes his 2000 film Bamboozled, a film that examines black culture as depicted in media and art that is as much a satire on media and entertainment as it is a look at the history of African Americans in art. With this film, Lee seems to be pushing his artistic bounds, even if he seems to be moving away from telling a cinematic story that’s going to earn its money back. But it’s art, and Lee is an artist, proving once again that he’s a master of his craft. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Spike Lee series with his 2000 film Bamboozled.

We talk about the nature of a satire like this and how well it works. We look at Lee’s perspective on these issues and society and how his influences shine in this story. We chat about the many elements within society Lee addresses in this film and how effective his storytelling is. We look at the performances, notably the biggest one of them all – Damon Wayans as Pierre Delacroix – and what they’re bringing to the table. We chat about the cameras used to film the story and what Lee was perhaps intending with the different formats. And we talk about the pain we feel in the blackface application scenes and how difficult it was emotionally for the actors to put it on.

It’s a powerful film that defines Lee as much as it emphasizes his position. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!

• Watch this film: Criterion • Amazon
• 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:

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• X
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• Flickchart
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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.
• Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
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“Wake up!”

For Spike Lee’s third feature film, he blended an idea he got from an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode where the characters talk about the theory that hot weather increases violent tendencies with stories of police violence against African Americans that ended in their deaths. He created a film that speaks to family and neighborhood as much as it speaks to violence and anger. It’s a film chock full of flawed characters who feel lived in as much as the streets of this fantastical version of Bed-Stuy do themselves. It’s a film with no easy answers. One that raises a lot of questions and makes you think. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Spike Lee series with his 1989 film Do the Right Thing.

We talk about the nature of family and how it relates to ‘neighborhood,’ and how that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone likes each other. We discuss the violence as tensions erupt in the third act, what we think Lee is saying, and how many critics interpreted it. We chat about the brilliant performances across the board from many faces who only grew in stature as the years went by. And we look at how the cinematography, production design, costume design, and music all lent a hand in creating this seemingly alternate version of the neighborhood that feels both slightly outside of reality and overwhelmingly hot.

It’s a masterclass in filmmaking from an incendiary auteur. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!

• 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!

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

• The Web
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• Threads
• X
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• Flickchart
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• Pete 
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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.
• 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.

“What kind of man are you?”

Jean-Pierre Melville wrote the script for Le Samouraï for Alain Delon. When he started telling Delon about the script, Delon stopped him after ten minutes, commenting on how there was no dialogue yet. Melville said that was correct, and Delon’s immediate reaction was to say, “I’ll do it.” He then brought Melville to his bedroom where he revealed that it was decorated in a very sparse Japanese style with a samurai sword hanging over his bed. It seemed it was meant to be. Now, looking at the film, it’s hard to imagine anyone but Delon playing the part of Jef Costello, the hitman, because he’s so perfect in the part. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our short French crime film series with Melville’s 1967 film Le Samouraï.

We talk about Delon and the nature of silence in this film of Melvilles. We look at the color palette and debate if it would make more sense as a black-and-white film. We talk about the procedural nature of the film, exploring the criminal and police sides of this. And we discuss the cinematography, sound design and music and what they bring to the table.

It’s a fantastic, moody film that definitely creates a tone. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube
• 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:

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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.
• 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.

“I liked you. I really liked you, Macaroni, but you knew the rules.”

After Jules Dassin was blacklisted from Hollywood, he went to Europe to see if he could find anyone willing to hire him. Even there, it took some time but eventually, producer Henri Bérard asked him if he would write and direct the adaptation of Auguste Le Breton’s novel “Rififi.” Jean-Pierre Melville had been asked prior but gave Dassin his blessing to take it on, and Dassin made the film, now hailed as one of the great crime films of the era. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our French Crime Film series with Dassin’s 1955 film Rififi.

We talk about how Dassin came to this project and got it made, changing some unsavory elements of the source material. We look at the nature of the characters and how the story ends, tying it to crime films of the past. We chat about the nature of criminals as protagonists and what that means in context of watching the film. We look at some of the actors and what they bring to the story. We discuss the lengthy robbery sequence in the middle of the film and how well it works to bring out tension in naturalistic ways. And we talk about the look of the story and how it ties into crime and noir elements.

It’s a fantastic crime film that holds up incredibly well. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!

• Watch this film: Amazon • Netflix
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Du Rififi Chez Les Hommes by Auguste Le Breton (French)
• 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:

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• X
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• Pete 
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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.
• 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.

With a passion for American films noir, French filmmakers in the 50s started making their own takes on crime stories and created an entire new subgenre of crime films, the policiers, which in turn inspired many American filmmakers. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our new series on French crime films with Jacques Becker’s 1960 prison breakout movie, Le Trou.

We look at the nature of prison break movies and what filmmakers do to get us to side with these criminals as our protagonists. We chat about the documentary style employed a bit by Becker in this film and debate the approaches he uses to tell this true story. We look at the actors who play the roles and how well they work. We touch on the sound design, editing, and cinematography and why they’re all such integral elements to making this story succeed. And we talk about unreliable protagonists and ways to interpret our lead’s actions at the end of the film.

It’s a stellar film and a great way to kick off this new series. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, 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

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Criterion Channel
• 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.