The Reel Critic

By Vocalo Radio

From Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM in Chicago, Reggie Ponder is The Reel Critic — Vocalo’s resident film expert. Every week, join Reggie as he interviews industry professionals and breaks down box office nu

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3.7

66 ratings

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FAQs about The Reel Critic:

How many episodes does The Reel Critic have?

The podcast currently has 214 episodes available.

The Reel Critic episodes:

May 02, 2025 ‘Another Simple Favor’ is not exactly simple, and not exactly a favor
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reprise their roles as Stephanie Smothers
and Emily Nelson in ‘Another Simple Favor.’ Smothers travels to Italy to be the maid
of honor to Nelson — but soon begins to suspect it all may be part of an elaborate
revenge plot. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film has drama, laughs and
absurdity, but may not be a run-to-the-theater kind of movie.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube,
Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.
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4min
April 24, 2025 ‘The Accountant 2’ has laughs, suspense and heart
Ben Affleck is Christian Wolff — AKA “The Accountant” — back for a lethal
sequel. After an acquaintance is murdered, Wolff teams up with his brother Brax (Jon
Bernthal) to solve the case. When the two uncover a deadly conspiracy, they become
targets of a ruthless killer network. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film
has more laughs than its predecessor — which at times clashed with the action plot.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube,
Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.
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4min
April 18, 2025 'Sinners' is a cautionary tale through music history
When twin brothers return home to Mississippi for a fresh start, they
uncover something far more evil than what they left behind. Michael B. Jordan stars
as both twins, Smoke and Stack in ‘Sinners,’ alongside Miles Caton, Hailee Steinfeld
and more. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, the 2025 horror adventure film has
two starkly different halves. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder calls it “a history
lesson, a cautionary tale and a nightmare all at once.”
“The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter
and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
...more
4min
April 11, 2025 ‘The Amateur’ is not just another revenge film
Rami Malek stars as CIA decoder Charlie Heller, whose world comes to a halt
when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. When his superiors don’t take action,
Heller embarks on a dangerous journey to track down those responsible. One problem?
He isn’t a trained killer. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film is smart
and engaging — with hints of both Jason Bourne and John Wick — though it does have a
level of predictability. Other stars include Laurence Fisburne, Jon Bernthal and
Rachel Brosnahan.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube,
Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.
...more
3min
March 13, 2025 ‘Novocaine’ is a stomach flipping rom-com-turned-bank-heist
Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) is an introverted assistant manager at a trust
credit union with an interesting condition: He can’t feel pain. When his
crush-slash-coworker Sherry is kidnapped in a bank robbery, Nathan decides to use
his condition to his advantage and will stop at nothing to rescue her. Reggie “The
Reel Critic” Ponder says the film is intriguing, suspenseful and (maybe
unintentionally) funny, but Nate not being able to feel pain makes it a hard watch
at times.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube,
Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.
...more
4min
March 07, 2025 'Daughters' is a powerful documentary touching on love, loss and redemption
2024 documentary 'Daughters' follows four young girls as they prepare to
reunite with their fathers for a special Daddy Daughter Dance at a fatherhood
program in a DC jail. Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder says the film offers authentic
and vulnerable insight into the lives of families impacted by incarceration.
'Daughters' is currently available on Netflix, and has a 100% rating on Rotten
Tomatoes.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter
and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
...more
4min
February 25, 2025 Melanin, Roots, and Culture returns to celebrate Black History Month at the Music Box Theatre
Yearly film series Melanin, Roots, and Culture celebrates Black stories and
filmmakers at the Music Box Theatre, wrapping up tonight with “Life Within The Lens”
— a short film screening showcasing Chicago creators. Other featured films included
‘The Woman King,’ ‘Here and Now’ and more. Film programmer Tyler Michael Balentine
discussed the series with Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder. Find more information at
musicboxtheatre.com.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter
and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
...more
6min
February 25, 2025 ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ is about “redemption, revenge and renewal”
In this latest Marvel Studios offering, Steve Wilson — previously the
Falcon, now the new Captain America — finds himself in the middle of an
international incident after meeting with president Thaddeus Ross, and must foil a
malevolent global plot before it’s too late. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says
the new installment of the ‘Captain America’ franchise is worth the watch, but feels
the writers were “unable to make it iconic” — though they set the stage for
something bigger in the future.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter
and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
...more
3min
February 14, 2025 Ke Huy Quan stars in Valentine’s-themed action film ‘Love Hurts’
Action comedy ‘Love Hurts’ follows Milwaukee realtor Marvin Gable (Ke Huy
Quan), who is shocked to receive a letter from Rose (Ariana DeBose): his former
partner-in-crime who he left for dead. Pulled back into the world of hit-men and
betrayal, Marvin is hunted down by his ruthless crime lord brother (Daniel Wu) as he
reckons with his past. Amid the guns, gore and exaggerated fighting sequences, the
film is punctuated with love and relationship humor. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder
felt the film’s title was particularly appropriate … it really did hurt. Hear his
thoughts on ‘Love Hurts’ in this review.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter
and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
...more
4min
January 17, 2025 'One of Them Days' has "heart, humor and humanity"
When Alyssa's (SZA) boyfriend blows their rent money, she and her best
friend-slash-roommate Dreux (KeKe Palmer) race against the clock to pay their rent,
avoid an eviction and keep their friendship intact. The female buddy comedy debuted
this week with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the New York Times said the duo
of Palmer and SZA "lights up the screen with starry zeal." Reggie "The Reel Critic"
Ponder shares his thoughts on the new film.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter
and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
...more
4min

FAQs about The Reel Critic:

How many episodes does The Reel Critic have?

The podcast currently has 214 episodes available.

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