Reel Chums

Summer 2026 just proved movie theaters are still alive—but only if the story hits. This week, we break down the biggest winners, the loudest flops, and the unexpected titles that changed the conversation about what audiences actually want right now. From The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Obsession to Mortal Kombat 2, Backrooms, and The Mandalorian & Grogu, we cut through the box-office noise and get...

What happens when an ordinary cab driver picks up the worst possible passenger? This week on Reel Chums, we're talking about Michael Mann's Collateral (2004), starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. We discuss Vincent's unforgettable villainous performance, Max's transformation from a passive dreamer into a survivor, the movie's incredible depiction of Los Angeles at night, and why...

Join us this week as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Casino Royale", the 2006 masterpiece that successfully rebooted the James Bond franchise for a post-9/11 world. In this episode, we break down the filmmaking craft, performances, and themes that transformed a reckless rookie into the hardened 007 we know today. We explore the visceral black-and-white opening and its aggressive Du...

"Remember that you are the smartest man in the room." That's reportedly the note Joel and Ethan Coen gave George Clooney to unlock his performance as Everett — and it's the key to this whole movie. This week on Reel Chums, we revisit Joel and Ethan Coen's Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? — required viewing before we head to theaters for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Danny&#...

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ultimate 90s blockbuster, Independence Day! This week, we discuss why this film was "lightning in a bottle" for director Roland Emmerich and how it solidified Will Smith as a global superstar. We break down the groundbreaking practical effects—from the 1/12th scale White House explosion to the "genius" vertical fireball technique—that we ar...

"We are not alone." 🛸 This week on Reel Chums, we discuss Steven Spielberg’s 1977 masterpiece, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. While Danny experiences the film for the first time, Marcel discovers a heartbreaking new perspective: viewing this "hopeful" sci-fi as a parent transforms it into a profound family tragedy. In this episode, we discuss: - The Tragedy of Roy Neary:...

Chad Stahelski says there's "not much of a story" in John Wick — and somehow that's exactly why it works. We close out our month of Kung Fu with John Wick: Chapter 4, breaking down the location-first filmmaking, Dan Laustsen's gorgeous cinematography, the legendary staircase sequence, and why this franchise nails everything Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning fumbled. P...

The Mandalorian & Grogu hit theaters and we had... complicated feelings. We both enjoyed it — the action sequences slap, Ludwig Göransson's score is genuinely stunning, but walking out, we couldn't shake one big question: why does this movie exist? In this episode, we break down what works (Mando's action set pieces, the elevated cinematic feel, Grogu stepping up in his own armor)...

This week, we’re breaking down the biggest movies of Summer 2026—ranking every major release, predicting box office hits and flops, and sharing what we’re most (and least) excited for. From blockbuster franchises to sleeper picks, this is your ultimate summer movie guide! Signup for our newsletter: https://reel-chums.ck.page/86dfa15953📹 Follow us on socials for updates and more:Reel Chums Instagr...

Face/Off is one of the most beloved action movies of the 1990s. It also has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes — higher than John Wick, higher than Interstellar, and somehow higher than The Matrix. Marcel discovered this while rewatching it for Gun-Fu Month and immediately had an existential crisis. Danny didn't feel much better about it. This week on Reel Chums, we dig into John Woo's 1997 action s...

Terry Gilliam's Brazil is one of the strangest, funniest, and most unsettling dystopian films ever made — and it's never felt more relevant. This week, Danny and Marcel close out Dystopian Film Month with the 1985 masterpiece, and they have a lot to say. In this episode: the retrofuturistic production design that still holds up 40 years later, Jonathan Pryce's quietly devastating performance as Sa...

We're discussing everything we’ve been watching lately—from revisiting classic James Bond (and why Timothy Dalton might be underrated 👀) to the return of Daredevil and some surprising new shows that caught us off guard. We also get into a bigger conversation about reality TV—who are shows like The Voice really for, and why are they still everywhere? Plus: hidden gems, quick hits, and a few hot ta...

We’re back! In this episode, we break down the biggest moments from the Oscars 2026 — including major wins, surprises, and snubs. Plus, we dive into the latest movie news, from Mandalorian & Grogu to DC’s Lanterns and more. Let’s talk movies!📹 Follow us on socials for updates and more:Reel Chums Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelchums/Rubio's Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Rubio_tv⁠Marc...

This week, we revisit V for Vendetta (2006) and ask the big question: is V a hero, a terrorist, or something in between? We explore the film’s themes of fear, freedom, identity, and revolution — and why its political message feels even more relevant nearly 20 years later. We also break down Hugo Weaving’s iconic performance behind the mask, Natalie Portman’s powerful character arc, and the filmmak...

In this episode, we discuss and review Alfonso Cuarón's Children of Men. We break down one of the most technically ambitious films of the 21st century — a dystopian thriller that feels less like science fiction and more like a warning. We dig into Cuarón's career trajectory and why this film's box office disappointment may have permanently changed the kinds of stories he's willing...

In this episode, we kick off our month of dystopian films with Gary Ross's The Hunger Games. We break down what might be the ultimate "we know it's gonna be good but we don't know it's gonna be good" studio movie — a film with a great first hour that struggles to maintain that energy once the games actually begin. We dig into why the script fails Katniss and Peeta in the...

This week on What We’re Watching, we’re all over the map — in the best way possible. Marcel is obsessed with the wildly underrated Polite Society (Scott Pilgrim meets martial arts meets… something darker), Danny rewatched Predator: Badlands, and we dive deep into the surprisingly emotional and grounded Marvel series Wonder Man — which might just be the best Marvel TV since Loki. We also break down...

This week we're diving into Paul Thomas Anderson's latest masterpiece, One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. This film is a technical marvel and storytelling triumph that balances intense action with surprising comedy and heart. We kick things off with a hot take about the Oscar nominations (spoiler: we're not mourning Wicked's absence), then spend the...

In this episode, we discuss and review Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme . We break down Safdie’s anxiety-fueled character study starring Timothée Chalamet as Marty Reisman — a hustler driven less by table tennis and more by obsession, notoriety, and recognition. We dive into whether the film’s marketing helped or hurt audience expectations, why Marty is intentionally unlikeable, and how the movie subve...

In this episode, we're discussing "What We’ve Been Watching'! We break down a few of the shows we’ve been spending time with lately — what’s working, what surprised us, and who we think each show is actually for. This week, we dive into: -A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – a lighter, comedic take on the Game of Thrones universe with stunning cinematography and a great entry point for ne...

This week, we are talking about the latest news regarding Lucasfilm and its new Co-Presidents, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. Is this a new era of storytelling we want? Or are we entering a cautious era of storytelling? Let us know your thoughts!

Welcome to Season 4 of Reel Chums! We're kicking things off with our BIGGEST episode of the year - the Best and Worst of 2025, as voted on by YOU and discussed by us! We discuss every major category from the past year, including the best Star Wars content (Andor Season 2 dominated!), the ups and downs of the MCU, the best and worst movies and TV shows, and so much more. From Sinners and One Ba...

Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterIt’s the Season 3 finale of Reel Chums! After a chaotic end-of-year rush, we are back behind the mics to wrap the season with a laid-back, unfiltered chat about everything we’ve been watching — and everything happening in Hollywood right now. In this episode, we discuss:🎬 Why Scream 3 got scrapped (…it just wasn’t worth a full episode)🌪️...

This week, we discussing M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin — a home invasion thriller that tests faith, choice, and the limits of storytelling inside four claustrophobic walls. We talk about Dave Bautista’s powerhouse performance, the genius of M. Night’s storyboarding, and why this might secretly be one of his most technically impressive films to date. We also get real about the themes of b...

Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterWhat an incredible conversation this was. We are kicking off our month of thrillers with Ryan Coogler's *Sinners*, and honestly, this film reignited why we started this podcast in the first place. Danny retells his first time viewing the movie in a hospital room after his wife gave birth - he had just caught their baby that morning. Si...