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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FAQs about The Reel Critic:

How many episodes does The Reel Critic have?

The podcast currently has 214 episodes available.

The Reel Critic episodes:

September 24, 2024 'Young King' puts the spotlight on Black life and love
New film ‘Young King’ follows Diondre Howell, a young man re-adjusting to
civilian life after serving in the Iraq war. Howell finds himself changed after the
traumas of combat, now struggling to maintain relationships with his loved ones.
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder sat down with ‘Young King’ stars, Vincent
Washington, James Arthur Sims and Kirby Griffin, to discuss their characters and the
film’s themes.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X
@TheReelCritic.
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5min
September 18, 2024 The underdogs: Three reviews from Toronto International Film Festival
Film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder loves an underdog. After
attending this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, he added three new films
to his “underdog exceeding all expectations” category: ‘Rez Ball,’ ‘The Fire Inside’
and Unstoppable.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter
and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
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5min
August 30, 2024 ‘1992’ blends familial bonds with fiery historical conflict
‘1992’ follows two father-son pairs against the backdrop of the year’s
Rodney King riots. One father, Mercer, has just been released from prison and given
custody of his teenage son Antoine. The other, Lowell, has spent his life prepping
his son “Riggin Bigby” for a life of crime — staging a plan to steal catalytic
converters from the factory where Mercer works. As the heist falls into place, the
characters’s lives are brought together as Mercer tries to keep his son from
following in his footsteps and Lowell tries to influence his son to do the
opposite.
‘1992’ stars Ray Liotta as Lowell, Tyrese Gibson as Mercer, Scott Eastwood as Riggin
Bigby and Christopher Ammanuel as Antoine. The film hit theaters Aug. 30.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X
@TheReelCritic.
...more
4min
August 26, 2024 Blink Twice’ asks: “Is forgetting a gift?”
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on Zoë Kravitz’s
directorial debut, a chilling psychological thriller exploring power, possessiveness
and patriarchy. ‘Blink Twice’ follows Frida (Naomi Ackie) and a group of friends as
they join charming tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) on vacation at his
private island, and things are not quite what they seem. Everything comes to a head
when Frida’s friend Jess (Alia Shawat) goes missing, unraveling a web of secrets and
lies about King, the island and Frida herself. ‘Blink Twice’ is in theaters
now.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X
@TheReelCritic.
...more
4min
August 16, 2024 ‘Rob Peace’ is a “stirring commentary on the human condition”
Chiwetel Ejiofore’s film ‘Rob Peace’ follows the life and early death of a
young man who risks everything to help his imprisoned father. It was based on the
2014 biography ‘The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace’ by Jeff Hobbs. Rob Peace
is a brilliant young man who goes on to attend Yale University — but begins selling
marijuana in college to help pay his father’s lawyer fees. In his review of ‘Rob
Peace,’ Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder pointed out how the film highlights the
difficulties of breaking the chain of generational trauma. Listen now to hear his
full review.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X
@TheReelCritic.
...more
4min
August 09, 2024 The Reel Critic: ‘Sing Sing’ champions the human spirit
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on Greg Kwedar’s 2023
film ‘Sing Sing,’ which follows true events surrounding a group of incarcerated men
as they stage a comedic theatrical production within the walls of Sing Sing Maximum
Security Prison in Ossining, New York. Participating in the prison’s Rehabilitation
Through the Arts program, the men find purpose and a newly-ignited passion for
acting. Ponder feels the film shed a much-needed positive light on incarcerated men
of color. Listen to hear his full review!
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X
@TheReelCritic. ‘Sing Sing’ is now in theaters.
...more
3min
August 08, 2024 Producers of ‘Sing Sing’ say vulnerability brings us closer together
New film ‘Sing Sing’ follows the real-life story of a group of men who,
while incarcerated at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison in Ossining, New York,
explore life’s purpose and vulnerability as they aim to put on an original comedy
production with the prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts Program. Reggie “The
Reel Critic” Ponder met with producers Greg Kwedar and Monique Walton to discuss the
film’s emotional impact and intentionality.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X
@TheReelCritic. ‘Sing Sing’ is now in theaters.
...more
8min
July 29, 2024 ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ unites unlikely friends and foes
‘Deadpool & Wolverine' debuts an unprecedented friendship fighting
against evils new to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)
learns his world is on the brink of extinction, he enlists the help of an unlikely
ally: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). As the two traverse new landscapes, they encounter
familiar foes who take viewers by surprise. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares
his thoughts on the film — which hit theaters on July 26.
This segment was edited and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie “The Reel
Critic” Ponder on Instagram and X @thereelcritic.
...more
4min
July 11, 2024 Music-based film ‘Dandelion’ explores power, passion and second chances
Nicole Riegel’s 2024 film ‘Dandelion’ follows Theresa — A.K.A Dandelion — a
struggling singer-songwriter who books a last-effort gig at a motorcycle rally in
South Dakota before giving up on her dream. There she meets Casey, a guitarist who’s
long-since walked away from his musical pursuits. A romance blossoms and for the
first time, Dandelion finds her authentic voice.
KiKi Layne and Thomas Doherty, who star as Dandelion and Casey discussed the film
with Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder, delving into finding their voices as actors
and the way Dandelion’s identity as a Black woman impacts her artistry. ‘Dandelion’
hits theaters July 12.
Follow Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder on Instagram and X @thereelcritic.
...more
6min
July 11, 2024 New series ‘The Big Cigar’ follows Huey P. Newton’s escape to Cuba
From directors Don Cheadle, Tiffany Johnson and Damon Thomas, limited
series ‘The Big Cigar’ tells the story of Black Panther Party founder Huey P.
Newton. When Newton must escape to Cuba, he enlists the help of unlikely
acquaintance Bert Schneider — the Hollywood producer behind ‘Easy Rider.’ The six
episodes follow Newton (André Holland) as he puts Schneider (Alessandro Nivola) to
the test before trusting him with his life. ‘The Big Cigar’ is inspired by executive
producer Joshuah Bearman’s Playboy article of the same name.
Chicago actor Inny Plemons stars in the series as Richard Pryor, revered comedian
and friend of Newton. Plemons sat down with Vocalo’s resident film critic Reggie
Ponder to discuss how he got the role and the intentions behind the series.
The first episode of ‘The Big Cigar’ premiered on May 17 on Apple TV+. Follow Reggie
“The Reel Critic” Ponder on Instagram and X @thereelcritic.
...more
8min

FAQs about The Reel Critic:

How many episodes does The Reel Critic have?

The podcast currently has 214 episodes available.

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