When the movie ends, our conversation begins.
The Next Reel features in-depth reviews of classic films and contemporary blockbusters with ratings, rankings, interviews, and analysis.
"Prepare to feel the wrath of the League of Evil Exes!"
After making Shaun of the Dead, Edgar Wright signed on to direct the adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel “Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life” but due to project delays, it would be another six years before his film would hit the screen. In the interim, Wright would continue his Cornetto trilogy with Hot Fuzz and O’Malley would nearly finish writing the other five volumes of his “Scott Pilgrim” series. That time also allowed Wright, O’Malley and screenwriter Michael Bacall to get the screenplay just right. Unfortunately, when the film was released in theaters, it never found its audience. But like any good cult film does, it has since found its legions of fans and supporters, proving that Wright and co. know how to put together a top-notch film even if it loses money at the box office. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we do our second Listener’s Choice episode of the year with listener Nick Langdon’s pick, Wright’s 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
We talk about Wright’s style and all the visual, aural, animated and graphic tricks all through the film that work incredibly well for us, and marvel at how well Wright really taps into the world of these characters. We discuss the actors – from Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead to Brandon Routh, Chris Evans and Jason Schwartzman – and look at what they bring to the table. We touch on the production and how all the different departments really came together to deliver something wholly unique. And we chat with Langdon about why he picked this movie and why it’s something special to him.
We have a great time discussing this film and everything Wright and team create for us. It’s a marvelous film and one well worth discussing. So check it out then tune in!
Film Sundries"The important question is, where do they get all the skeletons with perfect teeth?"
Tommy Handsome is back with his take on Dan O’Bannon’s 1985 zombie romp, The Return of the Living Dead. And before you hang up the podcast machine, wait, wait! Hear him out! This film brings some surprising horror chops in spite of the camp legacy in its wake starting with director O’Bannon himself… yes, that O’Bannon, of Alien, Lifeforce, Total Recall and more. If that doesn’t make the little hairs stand up, maybe you’ll get excited when you finally hear, in the words of a zombie herself, why she has a never-ending hunger… for brains… brains… brains…?
Film Sundries"He dared to be born right on the border with China."
Regardless of whether you are a Buddhist or not, the story of Tenzin Gyatso is an interesting one that certainly provides drama that can draw you in. Born as the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, Gyatso grew up as the leader of Tibet. China, however, had other plans and eventually took Tibet, leaving the Dalai Lama no choice but to flee China in 1959. Still hoping to return one day, the Dalai Lama’s life story was one of interest to screenwriter Melissa Mathison who asked him if she could write about him. This eventually led to the biopic Kundun. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Melissa Mathison series with Martin Scorsese’s 1997 film Kundun.
We talk about why it works for Andy but why it doesn’t work for Pete, and what could perhaps lead to that discrepancy. We chat about Mathison and how this fits in the films she wrote and what we’ve discussed in this series thus far, and how well it works in telling the story of a child in large, otherworldly situations. We talk about Scorsese and all the brilliant cinematic techniques he brings to the film, paired with his cinematographer Roger Deakins, production & costume designer Dante Ferretti, editor Thelma Schoonmaker and composer Philip Glass. We discuss the quality of performances from the Tibetan non-actors Scorsese cast in the film, yet how the story balancing across four youthful performances as the Dalai Lama hampers the film from becoming connectible for Pete. And we look at the incredibly difficult time this film has had with its release, primarily because China banned people involved from entering the country and nearly cut off all ties with Disney for distribution within its borders.
It’s a fascinating film that left us divided but which still is well worth watching and discussing, whether you’re a Buddhist, a Scorsese fan, a Mathison fan, a fan of biopics or a fan of interesting films in general. It’s tricky to find because of the issues Disney had with China, but it’s worth seeking out (likely at your local public library). So check it out then tune in! The Next Reel: when the movie ends, our conversation begins.
Film Sundries"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 indsiderness 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"I’m keeping him."
Steven Spielberg didn’t have a sense that his little, personal alien film was going to blow up like it did when he was making it. Universal Studios saw it as another kids film that likely would only be seen by moms taking their kids to the theatre. But E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial managed to touch pretty much the hearts of everyone who saw it, turning it into the #1 film in the world in short order. So how does this film hold up? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – to find out as we continue our screenwriter Melissa Mathison series with Spielberg’s 1982 film E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.
We talk about emotional films versus intellectual films, if there really is a delineation, and how well Spielberg manages both spectrums but how brilliantly this film is able to connect with the world’s emotions. We chat about how Mathison’s first draft was near perfect when she delivered it to Spielberg, and perhaps why it worked out that way. We look at Spielberg and what he brings to the table as the director who seems to consistently bring brilliant films to the world, as is evidenced by the incredible number of them on the list of top-grossing films of all time. We discuss the actors – Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote and more – and look at the honesty they’re all presenting on screen for us. We touch on the special effects and why perhaps it’s easy to grow attached to Carlo Rimbaldi’s ugly little alien. We debate whether John Williams’ score sounds a bit too much like his work in Raiders of the Lost Ark or if it’s wholly unique for this film. And we look at how well this movie did and marvel at how long it played in theaters.
It’s a beautiful film that still works incredibly well for us. We have a great time discussing it so check it out again and let us know what you think, then tune in to this week’s show! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.
Film Sundries"We recognize, examine, contain, destroy."
THE FILM BOARD GATHERS! This month we all got wrapped up in the first film release for the “Dark Universe.” Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe give us an entry into a new world of Gods and Monsters in “The Mummy.” We will dispense our signature thuggery on evil incarnate and spoil the whole ball of bandages for you on this month’s show.
Is this a fresh franchise exhuming classic horror characters from the 20’s and 30’s for an entertaining thrill ride or just to provide a shallow star showcase? Join us on the show to hear opinions from our horrified hosts: Andy, Steve, Tommy, and JJ!
If you like the work we do here, please consider supporting The Film Board and all the shows at The Next Reel on our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thenextreel. Thank you!
Film Sundries"We’re gonna show everybody that he’s the fastest horse in the world."
Francis Ford Coppola’s successes in the 70s put him in a place where he was able to help a good number of people get projects off the ground. One of those people was his friend from college, Carroll Ballard. Nearly broke, Coppola’s call came just in time and Ballard found himself on board to direct The Black Stallion. Another person was Melissa Mathison, a friend who started working as an assistant on The Godfather, Part II. Coppola suggested to her that she start writing and asked her to help with the script for The Black Stallion. Next thing you know, she and Ballard are working on it together. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Melissa Mathison series with 1979’s The Black Stallion.
We talk about why this film is called an art film for kids and why all of these elements work so well for us. We chat about Mathison, how she got her start here and how she really became a go-to writer for stories with child protagonists who connected to something unique or magical in the world. We discuss the cast, headlined by Kelly Reno as Alec the boy, and Cass-Olé the beautiful Arabian horse. We touch on the cinematography, the sound, the editing and the music, enjoying what everyone’s bringing to the table. And we touch on the locations around the world where the film was shot.
It’s a gorgeous film that isn’t just something made for kids – it’s really for everyone. We have a great conversation about it. Tune in!
Film Sundries"Nothing but witches and wizards ahead."
Hayao Miyazaki did not attend the Oscars to pick up his Academy Award for Best Animated Film for Spirited Away because he was protesting the Iraq War. When it came time to make his next film, he took his frustration with the war and added a strong anti-war element to Howl’s Moving Castle. Diane Wynne Jones’ original novel, upon which the movie was based, didn’t focus nearly as much on the war but Miyazaki wanted to get his point across. In the end, his film still proved vastly successful, even if it’s not his strongest film. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our latest Hayao Miyazaki series with his 2004 film Howl’s Moving Castle.
We talk about the themes Miyazaki is pushing with this film and why, perhaps, his insistence in adding so much war to the film kept him from focusing on other elements of the story that could’ve provided more cohesion. We chat about how we still enjoy this world created here for us, despite some of this lack of cohesion. We discuss the English and Japanese voice actors, pointing out the ones that worked well for us and the ones that didn’t. We touch on some of the French locations Miyazaki used as inspiration to create this world. We revel in the beautiful music that Joe Hisaishi composed for this film, and we marvel at how successful this film was in Japan, even if it wasn’t at the top of our Miyazaki chart.
It’s a beautiful film told in an incredibly creative world with a plot that’s a bit messy, but still worth watching. Check it out then tune in! When the movie ends, our conversation begins.
Film Sundries"If I hear one little complaint out of you, you’ll be joining your parents in the pigpen!"
Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 film Spirited Away shot to the top of the Japanese box office and still holds the spot as the highest grossing film in Japanese history, sinking box office juggernaut Titanic. Perhaps it says a lot that it’s a Japanese story that is so universally appealing and that it’s for all ages. Or that it’s timeless. Regardless of why it’s so popular, it’s great to see Miyazaki as the person whose creation holds that spot. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Hayao Miyazaki series with this beautiful film Spirited Away.
We talk about why this film works so well for us and the various elements of the story that put it at the top of the heap of his films, or at least near to it. We chat about the voice talent and how well they all work in both the original Japanese version as well as the English dub. We discuss the characters and how well they work here, notably Chihiro and the journey she takes in this crazy spirit world to grow into a stronger 10-year-old girl. We touch on the integration Miyazaki and his team uses in this film and how it works fluidly throughout. We chat about how well the film was received, both via awards as well as box office. And we can’t let a score of Joe Hisaishi go by without chatting about how well it works for us.
It’s a beautiful film that stands as a timeless masterpiece. We love it and have a great time talking about it. Tune in! At The Next Reel, when the movie ends, the conversation begins.
Film Sundries"One wrong note eventually ruins the entire symphony."
The Film Board Gathers! This month we’ve hit the Feel-a-Round Cineplex for Ridley Scott’s latest entry to the Alien Cinematic Universe: Alien: Covenant. The film tells the story of a colony ship on their way to brave new horizons seeding a distant planet with new life when they have to go check out this one thing on that one other planet only to discover… yeah, you know the drill. How well does Scott get us back into the Alienscape and engaged with this fancy new crew? What do we make of cinematographer Dariusz Wolski’s camera as a window into this new Alien? How much would we pay to see a standalone film of Michael Fassbender talking to Michael Fassbender? All these questions answered, and SO much more as as Steve Sarmento leads Andy Nelson and Pete Wright on a journey through the deepest, darkest alien woods.
Film Sundries