Trailer Rewind

"People eat because they are hungry; I want to make food that makes people stop eating."

To start off a new year of Trailer Rewind Steve and JJ sit down for a meal with John Wells’ 2015 film Burnt. This was Pete's pick because he just loves films set in restaurant kitchens almost as much as he loves zombie films. If only there were a film that combined those two genres!

This is the second pairing of Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, and JJ just eats it up. Steve, on the other hand, was expecting something different and found this didn’t quite suit his palate.

Is it possible to enjoy a movie with an unlikable main character? Did Harvey Weinstein tamper too much by insisting that Alicia Vikander have a character written for her added to the script? How could Steve possibly think this was going to be like a heist film? Is Burnt about food or redemption, or both? Listen in for the first of many Trailer Rewind episodes this year that won’t give JJ a fright.

"In the end there is a 50% chance you will have your daughter back."

It’s the last Trailer Rewind of 2017, and this time it's personal. When they decided to watch Andy’s trailer pick from our Syriana episode on February 20, 2015, Steve and JJ had no idea of the impact it would have on them. Writer/director Riley Stearns has crafted a dark tale exploring loss, free will, and the decisions people make that give others power over them.

This film checks all the boxes of a small independent film: character-driven story, few locations, and an important message to share. Faults is one of those rare exceptions that has found the perfect cast. Leland Orser is one of “those guys”, a familiar face often in a small supporting role. However, here he is one of the leads carrying this film. It is his portrayal of Ansel Roth, a burned out, down on his luck, and weary cult expert that holds this film together. He is joined by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, as Claire, the subject of his deprogramming efforts.

It’s challenging to find an accurate adjective to describe the journey that we take with Ansel and Claire. At times Steve found some humor in it, while JJ found himself filled with anxiety. What they both agree on is that this is a film worth watching and discussing.

Film Sundries

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreel

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

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon! — https://patreon.com/thenextreel

”A senator’s priority isn’t representing the people, it’s keeping his ass in office."

This month JJ and Steve are tasked with keeping up with Miss Sloane. This drastically overlooked film from December 2016 is based on a stellar script from first-time writer Jonathan Perera and directed by John Madden. This isn’t a political drama, it’s not a thriller, but there is a big question to be answered that drives this story. Find out why fans of Michael Clayton and Erin Brockovich will likely enjoy this hidden gem. The most important thing to know about Miss Sloane is that you don’t want to be spoiled. So check it out, and then tune in to our conversation.

Film Sundries

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

"Look at you girl. All grown up like a librarian or something."

This month JJ and Steve are dealing with family drama in Zach Clark’s 2016 film Little Sister.

With a mix of nuns, GWAR, drug-laced muffins, and parenting failures this film proudly displays its independent film badge. With no clear, clean answers to many of the questions it raises, this film asks us to embrace a story with all its faults and disappointments, just as the characters must choose to accept their lives even though they may be far from what they hoped or dreamed they would be. Join us for a discussion of our pre-Halloween film and decide if Little Sister is worth making part of the family.

Film Sundries

Want to join us for an episode? Support The Next Reel on Patreon to automatically be entered into our regular Listener’s Choice drawings! — http://patreon.com/thenextreel

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix
• Screenshots from the film’s website
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

This month JJ and Steve learn a lesson in obedience with 2015’s Experimenter. Peter Sarsgaard takes us through the career of Stanley Milgram, and is accompanied by a cast of familiar and friendly faces: Winona Ryder, Anthony Edwards, Jim Gaffigan, John Leguizamo, Taryn Manning, and the late Anton Yelchin. Milgram is best known for his obedience experiments that asked people to administer increasingly painful shocks to a stranger in another room. Milgram learned that people will be obedient to an authority figure. So download this episode and push play.

Push play.

You must continue with this and push play. I will bear the responsibility. Push play . . . now.

Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• The Milgram Experiment — Wikipedia.org
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

“You know, sometimes in life it seems like there's no way out. Like a sheep trapped in a maze designed by wolves.“

This month, JJ and Steve are off into the deep bush country of New Zealand to track down one of Andy’s trailer picks from last year. What they find is an unexpected treasure full of beautiful camera work, lovable characters, and a variety of unexpected film references. Hunt for the Wilderpeople is one of those rare four-quadrant films that appeals to everyone. There’s action and adventure, fish-out-of-water comedy, and a great relationship story between a wanna-be gangster teen and a crotchety backcountry hunter. So gather your friends and family together to watch this overlooked gem.

Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Hulu
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Wild Pork and Watercress — Barry Crump
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

"Hondo!"

This month, Steve digs through the archives to revisit The History of Future Folk, a quirky indie that punches well above its weight. Yes, it’s a musical comedy about banjo-playing aliens. Yes, it’s the fictional backstory of a comic duo you’ve likely never heard of. But in all the indsider-ness of _Future Folk, there’s a delightful amount of heart that is so much more gratifying because my expectations were low going into it. Most gratifying? After re-watching the film, it just gets better.

So do yourselves a favor and check out _The History of Future Folk_… quickly and quietly for Hondo.

Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Future Folk — Wikipedia
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd

“Anyone can torture, but to break a person without harming physically, that's an art."

We’re keeping with The Next Reel 2017 theme of “Let’s Scare JJ.” Prisoners tortured in secret underground tunnels! A power-crazed cult leader! But even more frightening - it really happened! This month we rewind to Chile in 1973 for Colonia, starring Emma Watson, Daniel Bruhl, and Michael Nyqvist for a film based on true events at Colonia Dignidad.

We discuss the challenge of basing a film on true events while attempting to balance a suspenseful thriller with a love story. Overall it's the performances that drive this film and will keep you engaged as this film plays out the 132 days inside the compound as Lena (Watson) and Daniel (Bruhl) attempt to escape. We agree that it’s not likely to be a film we remember. Which is a shame because we agree that it’s an interesting story that people should be aware of.

For a special double-feature check out April’s Filmboard for The Circle, also starring Emma Watson in a story about a mysterious cult-like organization.

Film Sundries

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

“A wolf and a penguin could never live together, nor could a camel and a hippopotamus. That would be absurd."

In a world where being a couple is a legal requirement, one man dares to be alone. When society puts pressure on him he flees to the woods and discovers a possible soulmate. But now that he has accepted exile in the forest he must risk everything for his partner. If he fails he may end up an animal. This Valentine’s Day, grab a loved one and learn why Colin Farrell is The Lobster

Film Sundries

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

". . . another victim of the cruel tricks gods play on men”

It’s back to 2014 again for JJ and Steve as they dig into The Two Faces of January, Andy’s pick from February 2014. Adapted from the novel by Patricia Highsmith, this thriller set in the early 60’s looks and sounds like a classic Hitchcock film. JJ and Steve dig into the difference between the appearance and the substance of the story, the challenges of identifying who the two faces are, and wonder whether the novel may sufficiently fill in some gaps in the film.

There are many mysteries that are unearthed in The Two Faces of January but will the answers leave you feeling satisfied?

Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• The Two Faces of January by Patricia Highsmith
• Flickchart
• Letterboxd