Trailer Rewind

The Endless treads into some creepy territory, so JJ brought in some backup. We are pleased to have Tommy join us for our discussion of this story of two brothers that escaped from a weird death cult. Is it a cult, or just a commune of people that like being off the grid? Is this a horror film or a sci-fi film? Can it be both?

The Endless had a very limited and short theatrical run, so it’s likely that you haven’t even heard of it. It has bounced around on different streaming services over the past few years. It’s not always easy to find on a service that you are subscribed to, but JJ, Steve, and Tommy agree that this mindbending and weird story is one worth finding and watching.

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: JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

When is a film that has scenes with Kirk and Spock not a Star Trek movie? Well . . . when it’s a film about a young woman writing an epic screenplay for a Star Trek contest. A lack of knowledge about or love for Star Trek shouldn’t be a barrier to watching Please Stand By.

This is the second film adapted from a play on this season of Trailer Rewind. It’s also the second film this season to feature an atypical main character. The result is another enjoyable gem.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

More information about The Miracle Project

• Watch this film: JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

Steve has a 15-minute rule. You have got to give a film 15 minutes to prove itself. If after 15 minutes you can easily walk away, then do it. Don’t waste your time on a movie, if after 15 minutes you haven’t connected with the characters, or the story hasn’t drawn you in.

Don’t worry. The Peanut Butter Falcon is not a bad movie. JJ and Steve agree that the beginning may not draw everyone in. Give it time. By the time the paths of our two main characters cross you will likely be invested in them enough to want to watch the rest of their journey.

Is there magical realism woven into the end of this film? Possibly. Will kids want to carve watermelon helmets after watching this? Maybe. Is this a film that the whole family can watch together and enjoy? Steve and JJ disagree. Listen in to find out why.

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: JustWatch
• Script
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

JJ and Steve are joined by Tommy to make sense of the puzzle that is The Goldfinch. It’s not that the story is complex or difficult to decipher. It’s not that there’s a mystery to solve. It’s just that it is very challenging to describe why this film doesn’t work. Why does a Pulitzer Prize winning novel not translate to the big screen? Is there not enough, or is it too much? Is “beautiful disaster” the most appropriate description?

Join JJ, Steve, and Tommy on their quest to solve this mystery because misery loves company.

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: JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

For some reason this film about building a 1000 mile underground fiber optic connection was also buried underground. In this story about an attempt to set a speed record in round trip communications JJ and Steve find that it’s the back half of the story where this film reveals its true intent.

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: JustWatch
• Script
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

One of Mark Twain’s famous aphorisms is: “A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.” For JJ and Steve the 1973 film Papillon very much fulfills that definition. Neither of them have seen the version starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, so don’t expect comparisons to that classic film. Instead JJ and Steve focus on their struggle with the 2017 version starring Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek.

When is a movie that features characters trying to break out of prison not a prison break movie? How can you watch a man earn his freedom and not feel elated? These are just a few of the questions that JJ and Steve dig into during their conversation about Papillon (2017).

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: JustWatch
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Papillon (1973)
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

This week JJ and Steve are joined by Ocean, from TNR’s Silver Linings podcast, to discuss Julius Onah’s 2019 film Luce. Adapted by JC Lee from his own play, this smartly written story that blends elements of a thriller, family drama, social commentary, and character study gives them plenty to discuss. This is also a film full of familiar faces and strong performances. Unfortunately its limited release prevented it from reaching audiences.

It’s not easy to delve into this story without setting off some spoilers, so listen to the first few minutes of this episode to find out if this is a film for you.

BONUS - parenting tips for teens included in this episode!

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: JustWatch
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Luce by J.C. Lee
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

The fact that Steve and JJ both enjoyed Michael Almereyda’s 2015 film Experimenter would lead you to believe that they would be inclined to enjoy his 2020 film TESLA. But anachronisms abound! Edison scrolling on a smartphone? Tesla karaoke? Just what is going on in this film?

Steve and JJ debate the type of film this is. Is it a narrative? Is it a documentary? Is it a docu-narrative? Does a narrator telling us that an event we see portrayed in the film is “pretty surely not how it happened” allow us to question the veracity of everything we see? Who is singing karaoke, Nikola Tesla or Ethan Hawke? They may not agree on the answers, but what they do agree on is that this is a film that takes risks, even if trips over itself, stumbles, and struggles to tell a coherent story.

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: JustWatch
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

Today one of our newest TNR voices, Ocean, takes a trip with Steve to meet The Last Black Man in San Francisco.

They agree that this is a film that has a distinctive opening, but there’s a sharp difference of opinion at the heart of this episode. What does Steve see that Ocean doesn’t? Does Ocean have valid points, or is a certain amount of suspended disbelief necessary for all films? Find out what makes the last Trailer Rewind of 2020 a contentious one.

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

It’s a rare occasion when Steve and Andy have an in-depth conversation about a film. One thing you can be sure of is that they know how to pick them. For this Trailer Rewind Steve and Andy are traveling abroad for a suspenseful ride along with Chris, Gwada, and Stephane Ruiz in 2019’s Les Misérables.

While this film hits some familiar notes in the gritty street cop genre, they both agree that the final act of this film raises it above other films and stands strong on its own. As they discuss the plot of the film they touch on the themes of the film and the larger statement being made. It’s a powerful film that left its mark on both of them.

For completionists, Ladj Ly’s short film Les Misérables (2017) that was expanded into the feature film is available here.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

Support The shows of The Next Reel — Become a member today!

• Watch this film: Amazon
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd