Trailer Rewind

For the last Trailer Rewind of the decade we wanted to bring you something fun to watch with friends. Or is it? Does a holiday setting make a film a holiday film? Is there such a thing as a zombie holiday film? In a genre that’s on its 3rd wave of popularity is it possible to create a fresh take? 

Based on the trailer for Anna and The Apocalypse, Steve was ready to host a sing-along at his house. JJ is not a horror fan, but what about musicals? Will he have a song in his heart? A musical black comedy teen zombie film seems like a stretch. Does this mashup work, or does a story full of lifeless clichés keep this from becoming a lively and fresh take on a half-dead genre?

Countdown to the end of the decade, or to the end of the film, with us on this episode of Trailer Rewind.

Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Hulu • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Zombie Musical
• Read The Book
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd
• Ryan Gosling Won't Eat His Cereal

There are films that come and go without notice that are better than the majority of films currently playing at your local cineplex. A film like All About Nina is the reason we have Trailer Rewind.

The challenge with describing what makes All About Nina such an entertaining and moving film is that it’s not one clearly identifiable standout element. This is a clear example of a film where the collaboration and contribution of everyone in front of and behind the camera results in a finely crafted cinematic experience.

Steve and JJ discuss the smart and mature writing from writer/director Eva Vives and how she slowly and quietly assembles story and characters to a climactic moment on stage that you will not forget. This is the second film starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead to be discussed on Trailer Rewind. Based on her consistent ability to deliver compelling performances, it won’t be the last.

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
• Poster Artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

The challenge with historical films based on actual events is finding the right character to lead the audience through the story. JJ has made it clear that he will follow Jessica Chastain anywhere. Neither Steve nor JJ are aficionados of American history. While this is an interesting story to be told, they both failed to find an emotional connection to a truly tragic story. All of the pieces for a gorgeously shot and heart-wrenching tale are present, but something gets in the way and prevents this film from fulfilling the promise presented in the trailer. Is it the accents? The editing? Are JJ and Steve both heartless?

Woman Walks Ahead is an informative film that tells an important story but falls short in showing and feeling the true heart of the story. Steve and JJ discuss the elements that are present in the film and how well they work and question what prevents this film from being better than the sum of its parts.

Film Sundries

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

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Kanopy
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

After JJ’s stressful experience for September’s Film Board, he deserved something more comfortable and less stressful. Leave No Trace is not only set in his hometown of Portland, but it's PG-rating was certain to guarantee that this would be an anxiety-free viewing experience for him.

Steve and JJ follow the story of Will and his daughter Tom from wilderness to civilization and discuss the perils and choices that face them in both places. JJ provides some geography lessons and speculates why Leave No Trace and our January 2019 film, Lean On Pete, which are both set in the Portland area, are about unhoused teens.

Film Sundries

• The article from The Oregonian that inspired My Abandonment
• Interview with author Peter Rock about the inspiration for his novel My Abandonment
• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon
• [My Abandonment — Amazon.com]
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd
• Sponsored — Audible Recommendation

Everything from the release date and the blurbs from critics told us this was going to be an Oscar contender. Nicole Kidman was delivering a performance unlike any we had seen from her before. Director Karyn Kusama had moved from film to television for nearly a decade until she returned with 2015’s The Invitation. Destroyer was a highly anticipated follow-up.

And then audiences failed to turn out for this film. Or was it a studio that failed to deliver a successful marketing and promotional strategy? Perhaps the Nicole Kidman audiences wanted last winter was on the screen in Aquaman and Boy Erased. Whatever the cause, Destroyer came and went from theaters and was forgotten.

On this month’s Trailer Rewind JJ and Steve dig into this gritty crime drama to uncover what works, what doesn’t, and ultimately determine if there’s a hidden treasure undeath it all.

Film Sundries

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

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • Hulu • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd
• Behind the Scenes — _Destroyer Make-up
• Sponsored — Audible Recommendation

"You and I were happier than any two people ever could have been."

If your birthday is in June, you’re a Gemini. As a special treat for our Gemini listeners we are talking about twins this month. Ansel Elgort plays both John and Jonathan in this under the radar film from first time director Bill Oliver.

Steve was excited about this one when it was his trailer pick last October. JJ is always up for a character driven film, especially one with an open ending. From comparisons to Black Mirror to creative ways to disorient the audience while keeping them engaged, Steve and JJ try to determine if this is really a sci-fi film. Along the way they try to answer many questions, starting with “why does a film with a cast of familiar faces go straight to digital release?”

Film Sundries

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

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

"I had the worst thought: I've got to spend the rest of my life with myself."

Just as the school year is starting to wind down, JJ and Steve take one more trip back to high school with 2016’s The Edge of Seventeen. First time director Kelly Fremon Craig is at the top of the class with her original script. The theater department is also stocked with talent: Hailey Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, and Woody Harrelson.

Falling into solid Dramedy territory, this is not a typical teen comedy. This rewarding character piece will appeal to teen and twenty-somethings, while also delivering a smartly written story that will entertain adults.

Bonus: JJ describes his favorite camera shot from this movie with such loving detail that it almost brings him to tears just talking about it.

Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

"Let’s say you did write a novel. What would it be about?"

Sometimes movies are better than the books they are based on. But are there movies that would be better if they had been a book?

This month Steve and JJ following the story of Sidney Hall, a young novelist who writes a book that impacts a generation and soon after, he disappears. Steve and JJ discuss non-traditional storytelling, YA novels, tropes and cliches, and emotional manipulation. This film should check all the boxes for Steve, but it doesn’t. JJ was wary due to a low Rotten Tomato rating, but he came out on the other side having enjoyed it.

The Vanishing of Sidney Hall may not have been the film we thought it was going to be. A cast of familiar faces in a film that was released into theaters on only 10 screens?! Steve gives his lowest rating ever to an A24 film - and one that focuses on high school students?! What is going on?!

Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • [Netflix][netflix] • [Hulu][hulu] • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

"It was like being abused all over again. Only this time it was by you. All of you. You're all my attackers too."

If you listened to our Green Book Filmboard episode you know that most of us were not happy with the Oscars. As a salve to their wounds, Steve and JJ picked an Oscar winner from last year for this month’s Trailer Rewind. Steve also felt guilty for the darker tone of the past few picks that JJ has watched, so this month they are talking about I, Tonya. Not only is this one of JJ’s favorite films, but upon re-watching it Steve has found that there is more to this film than he thought.

Although most people are familiar with “The Incident” there is much more to this tale about Tonya Harding. If you are old enough to remember the 1994 Winter Olympic Games then there’s no spoilers to this one. Watch it on Hulu before joining our conversation about this highly entertaining and unconventional film.

Film Sundries

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

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • Hulu • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd
• Sharp Edges on Hulu
• Tonya Harding (Sufjan Stevens song) on YouTube

"It’s practically a universal law that no man has ever looked good in man panties"

Consider yourself warned that J.K. Simmons (and his majestic beard) are going to bring a tear to your eye. This month Steve and JJ take a road trip with the straight to streaming film The Bachelors. It treads on well worn indie territory - new kid at a school, family trauma/drama, quirky moments for comedy - but can writer director Kurt Voelker save these guys from becoming a cliché?

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