The Next Reel Film Podcast

“They’re probably just looking at my smock. It tends to catch the light.”

After collaborating on Tammy and The Boss, husband and wife team Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone proved that the third time’s a charm with Life of the Party. Of course, ‘charm’ may not be the most accurate word as the film was reviewed fairly poorly, but if it hadn’t been reviewed poorly, it wouldn’t fit into our current guilty pleasure series! Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up this year’s Guilty Pleasure series with Andy’s guilty pleasure, Falcone’s 2018 film Life of the Party.

We talk about why Andy finds so much joy in this film and why he finds Melissa McCarthy to be such an enjoyable actress to watch. We chat about the reasons Melissa works so well in this film, despite the fact that this film is so full of film tropes. We look at the rest of the cast filling out the roles and how well they work in their parts (or don’t, in a few cases). We look at the ways the script works and some ways it feels a bit clunky. And we discuss how the writing shows some smarts in some areas that seem like they’re to go the typical direction only to have them go another.

It’s not a perfect film and clearly isn’t liked by a great many people, but Andy loves it, and as it turns out so does Pete. We have a lot of fun 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 • Hulu • 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.

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Bruce Willis’ star power rose quite a bit with the release of Die Hard, but strangely it was his supporting role in Bonfire of the Vanities that seemed to give him the clout he needed to do his own rewrites on the action thriller he was working on at the time, Hudson Hawk. Through his vision, this film became goofier and very Looney Tunes-esque. Unfortunately, the marketing stuck with the action side of Willis and the film flopped in the States. But it’s a quirky film that found its audience over time and became a bit of a cult classic. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we start up a new round of our guilty pleasure series for the new year and look at one of Pete’s guilty pleasures, Michael Lehmann’s 1991 film Hudson Hawk.

We talk about why Pete has this on his guilty pleasures list and what Andy thought of it. We look at the backstory and what went into getting it made. We discuss the marketing for the film and ponder if a different approach may have allowed for a successful release. We chat about the over-the-top antics of the rest of the cast but principally Richard E. Grant and Sandra Bernhard as the Mayflowers. We touch on Dante Spinotti’s look and Chris Lebenzon’s & Michael Tronick’s editing of the film and what they brought to it, paired with Lehmann. And we debate the tonal shifts in the film between goofy, bonkers comedy and surprising moments of strong violence.

It’s a strange little film that many people don’t click with but some people – like us – really enjoy. 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 • Netflix • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd
• Walkthrough of Super NES version of Hudson Hawk Video Game

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.
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“It’s just a lil’ ole bitty pissant country place. Nothing much to see.”

After Nine to Five, Colin Higgins had been working on a few ideas of his own when he was asked by his recent collaborator Dolly Parton to direct her next film, the adaptation of the Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. While coming on board a relatively put together story may not have allowed Higgins to craft the story his way, the project still did fit with the types of stories about outsiders that he was best known for. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Colin Higgins series with his 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

We talk about the challenges of a film about prostitution and making the characters relatable. We look at the on-screen chemistry between Parton and her co-star Burt Reynolds. We chat about some supporting staff like Charles Durning, Dom DeLuise, and Jim Nabors. We discuss what the film’s saying about politics, the media, and legislating morality. We touch on Dolly’s iconic song “I Will Always Love You” which she included in this film, and discuss who did it better – Dolly or Whitney? And we look at Higgins’ career and discuss what makes a Higgins film a Higgins film?

It’s a fun film but not something that wowed us. Either way 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 • Netflix • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas The Musical (Wikipedia)
• 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.

When Jane Fonda and her producing partner Bruce Gilbert brought Colin Higgins on to rewrite Patricia Resnick’s workplace drama, they knew they were going to shift the story to a comedy instead. They also knew that Higgins would flesh out the three female protagonists at the core of the story. What they also got was an incredibly well-structured script that was full of wild humor while also keeping the characters honest and grounded. Considering these were features that Higgins consistently wrote into his scripts, it really didn’t come as a surprise, but what did surprise everyone is how much audiences connected to this story. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Colin Higgins series with his 1980 comedy classic Nine to Five.

We talk about how smart this script was for its time and how sadly relevant it is today still. We look at Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton and chat about how perfect they are as an on-screen trio. We look at the perfect Dabney Coleman as their nemesis and chat about the awful crimes he commits in the workplace, and how it’s viewed through today’s eyes. We discuss how Parton’s title song became such an iconic anthem for a cultural movement at the time. And we look at elements in the film that we can point to that define Higgins’ style of storytelling (not to mention his love for comedy tropes).

It’s an absolute comedy classic that everyone should see, so stop what you’re doing, watch it, 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

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
• [Original Material][original]
• 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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• Letterboxd
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• Threads
• X
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• Flickchart
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• 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.

“People just don’t drop dead in cinemas watching horror movies and whispering, 'Look out for the elf!'”

Even if his first screenplay was for a film that was a box office flop at the time, the success of the second film he wrote gave Colin Higgins enough clout to finally direct. As a clear fan of Hitchcock’s work, he delivered his second comedy thriller that felt very much an homage to Hitchcock in Foul Play, and he delivered another box office hit. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Colin Higgins series with his 1978 directorial debut Foul Play.

We talk about Higgins as director and debate how he does on his first time out of the gate. We look at many of the tropes he fills the film with, both Hitchcockian thriller tropes and comedy tropes of the time. We chat about the casting of Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase and how they got the roles, plus we look at many of the other actors fleshing the film out. We touch on politically incorrect comedy involving little people and ponder how that affects our viewing in 2020. We look at the cinematography and music, and wonder if Barry Manilow, although popular at the time, made sense for a comedy thriller. And we revel in the playful titles the Swedes gave to this film as well as many other Hawn films over the years.

It’s a fun film and definitely worth talking about, even if only in context of the time when it comes to jokes involving laughing at little people suffering. 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 • 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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• Threads
• 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.
• Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
• Or sign up for AUDIBLE.

“If there’s ever anything that you need, don’t call me.”

For Colin Higgins’ second film, he wanted to write something that had a Hitchcockian flair, and he was partial to the thrillers on trains. What we got – and what Arthur Hiller deftly directed – was Silver Streak. What we also got was the legendary comedy pairing of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, two comedians who would end up making three more films together after this. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Colin Higgins series with Hiller’s 1976 train thriller Silver Streak.

We talk about Pryor and Wilder and if blackface comedy is still something we’re allowed to laugh at, especially when the actors are so clearly pointing out that it’s not okay. We chat about the thrills balanced with the comedy in this film and how well it works. We look at Wilder and Pryor, but also Jill Clayburgh, Patrick McGoohan, Ned Beatty, Clifton James, Scatman Crothers, Ray Walston, Valerie Curtin, and Richard Kiel, to see what they’re all bringing to the table. We touch on Henry Mancini’s score and the vibes it brings. And we look at the many tropes throughout this film, wondering if they work well here because at the time, they likely weren’t as commonly used as they came to be.

It’s a fun film and 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
• 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.

“You can’t let the world judge you too much.”

Colin Higgins had one of those incredibly lucky starts to his career in motion pictures – knowing the right people at the right time while still in school. Of course, he also proved right out of the gate that he was incredibly talented, which always helps. His first script, Harold and Maude, was written as his thesis project while at UCLA, and even if he didn’t end up getting to direct it, with Hal Ashby on board, he was able to be involved from start to finish to see his vision come to life. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Colin Higgins series with his first film, Ashby’s 1971 film Harold and Maude.

We talk about Higgins and why he still resonates as a great writer/director. We look at Ashby’s career and discuss this in relation to it. We discuss why this film had a hard time finding its audience upon its initial release but how it’s become a popular classic now. We look at the humor in it and chat about why jokes about suicide end up being okay in the movie. We touch on Cat Stevens and his music which feels so of a part of the movie. And we cover the amazing Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort in the titular roles (not to mention several of the other amazing actors rounding out the cast).

It’s one of our favorites and 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 • [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:

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• X
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• 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.

By the time Steve Martin came around to act in All of Me, his film career was in full bloom and he could be counted on to make a movie work (albeit not always make money). He had proven that he could do over-the-top goofball comedy, more serious roles, and more straight-forward comedy in which he plays a regular person. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we conclude our series on Martin’s early career with Carl Reiner’s final film with him, 1984’s All of Me.

We talk about Martin and his lovely co-star, Lily Tomlin, and how well they work together in this film. We look at the nonsense rules established in the film about when they each have to speak out loud, when they speak in their heads, and debate if any breaking of these rules really matters since they so firmly sell us on this fantastical situation. We look at some other cast members and what they bring to the table, including the swami who doesn’t work very well for Andy. And we look at some of the crew members and what they bring to the table, especially in some complicated scenes through mirrors – or at least seemingly through mirrors.

It’s a great film that works on all fronts, making for a great experience, and a great entry for Martin’s filmography. 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
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• What ever happened to Me Two?
• 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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• Letterboxd
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• Threads
• X
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• Flickchart
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• 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.

By 1984, Steve Martin had played an idiot, a down-on-his-luck sheet music salesman in 30s Chicago, a noir detective, and a mad scientist – quite a variety of characters, though all very specific in their characterizations. Because of that, seeing him play a pretty normal, non-affected straight guy in Arthur Hiller’s comedy The Lonely Guy almost seemed a bit of a surprise. Surely, Martin was looking for a variety of parts so he could show off what we could do, so it makes sense. The film didn’t end up being a success, but it still allowed Martin the chance to play something a bit different yet again. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Steve Martin series with Hillers’ 1984 film The Lonely Guy.

We talk about why a lot of this film doesn’t work, but why parts of it do work. We look at why comedy beats with Dr. Joyce Brothers may work (or not, depending on your take), but how her presence does seem to date the film a bit. We look at the team behind some of the technical elements, including composer Jerry Goldsmith. And we look at other cast members like Charles Grodin and Judith Ivey and chat about what works with their performances versus Martin’s.

It’s a tricky little film that feels at times like the parts are better than the sum. Regardless, it has some great comedic beats, even if the tone is a mess. 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 • Hulu • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• The Lonely Guy’s Book of Life by Bruce Jay Friedman
• 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.