Reel Riff

Bill and Tommy are joined by a model maker who worked on 'Wildwood' for a full interview about the film, the work that went into bringing its world to life, and what it’s like contributing to a major stop-motion production. After the interview, they share their own thoughts on 'Wildwood' and break down what worked for them in the finished film. They also catch up on the latest movie news, upcoming...

Bill and Tommy are back on Reel Riff with very different reactions to 'Clayface'. Bill comes away loving a lot of the choices the film makes, while Tommy has it sitting near the bottom of his year. They break down where their opinions split, what worked for Bill, and why Tommy had such a different response. Plus, they catch up on the latest movie news, trailers, announcements, and other stories ma...

Bill and Thomas are joined by a special guest and friend of the podcast, Ryan Cawley, an up-and-coming filmmaker and writer, to revisit 'The Dark Knight Rises', its claim in pop culture, and Ryan and Bill’s vastly different takes on it. The trio then dive into a massive conversation about Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s newest film, 'You Can See Everything', a documentary receiving Best Pictu...

Tommy is back on Reel Riff, and there’s a lot to catch up on. Bill and Tommy dive into ‘Primetime’ and ‘Digger’, sharing their thoughts on both films and where they landed for each of them. They also get into ‘Social Reckoning’, ‘Street Fighter’, and a packed lineup of other movies, trailers, news, and announcements from around Hollywood. It’s a big catch-up episode with plenty to talk about and e...

Bill is flying solo for this episode of Reel Riff, sharing his thoughts on 'Heart of the Beast' and finally getting the chance to see 'The Odyssey' in 70mm. He breaks down what stood out, how the big-screen presentation added to the experience, and where both films landed for him. Plus, Bill catches up on the latest movie news and other stories making the rounds across Hollywood.

Bill is back for another solo episode of Reel Riff, catching up on a mix of recent releases and revisiting one of horror’s most recognizable movie franchises. He shares his thoughts on 'Onslaught' and 'By Any Means', then looks back at the Paul W. S. Anderson 'Resident Evil' saga and how the series holds up today. Plus, Bill runs through the latest movie news, box office updates, and other stories...

Bill is flying solo for this episode of Reel Riff, catching up on a mix of recent movies and industry news. He shares his thoughts on 'End of Oak Street' and 'Coyote vs. Acme', revisits the Paul W. S. Anderson 'Resident Evil' films, and talks about how that series holds up today. Along the way, Bill also breaks down the latest movie news, box office updates, and other stories making the rounds in...

Bill and Tommy are back for another episode of Reel Riff, this time diving into 'Resident Evil' (2026). With Tommy as a longtime fan of the franchise and Bill approaching it more casually, the two find themselves on opposite sides in their first major disagreement on the show. They break down their thoughts on the new film, discuss what worked and what didn't, and look back at the previous Residen...

Bill and Thomas are back for a packed variety episode of Reel Riff, catching up on the latest movie news, announcements, rumors, trailers, and everything else happening across Hollywood. They also take on the ultimate Spider-Man movie ranking, debating where each film belongs and which version of Spidey comes out on top. Plus, Thomas gives his review of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day', sharing his tho...

Bill goes solo on Reel Riff to dive into 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and everything surrounding the next chapter of Spider-Man in the MCU. He breaks down what we know about the new movie, the mystery surrounding its villain, and the theories about who could be pulling the strings. Bill also digs into the latest Marvel rumors, potential character connections, and what 'Brand New Day' could mean for...

Bill goes solo for a special episode of Reel Riff, breaking down the biggest news and announcements coming out of Comic-Con along with a roundup of what’s happening across the movie world. From new trailers and major reveals to upcoming projects, casting news, and the stories worth keeping an eye on, Bill shares his thoughts on what stood out and what it could mean for the films ahead. It’s a pack...

Bill and Thomas dive into 'The Odyssey' and discuss whether Christopher Nolan has truly delivered the modern epic audiences have been waiting for. They break down the film's ambitious behind-the-scenes production, from shooting on the Greek islands and in Iceland to the practical filmmaking techniques that bring Homer's story to life on an incredible scale. They also debate their differing perspec...

This week, Bill goes solo to celebrate the legacy of Jackass and why its final chapter marks the end of an era. From childhood memories to what the franchise means today, he shares a personal reflection before diving into the latest movie news and industry headlines.

Bill and Thomas dive into this week's biggest entertainment stories, unpacking Disclosure Day, the latest developments surrounding Supergirl and Toy Story 5, and the ongoing decline of physical media. Thoughtful discussion, industry insight, and plenty of riffs along the way.

Bill and Tommy dive into Season 5 of The Bear, where they find themselves on opposite sides of the conversation despite both appreciating the season. Bill loved the season from start to finish and came away impressed by the finale, while Tommy argues that the first half stumbles before the back half finds its footing and delivers some of the show's strongest work. Together, they break down the sea...

Bill and Thomas dive into Obsession, discussing whether the film is truly a victory for independent cinema as conversations about a television series and possible sequel continue to grow. They also break down Curry Barker's comments on the film's financial reality, what success really looks like for independent filmmakers, and the creative filmmaking choices that make Obsession stand out, especial...

Bill and Thomas venture into the eerie world of The Backrooms, debating what makes the internet phenomenon so compelling, with Bill finding himself much higher on its mythology and storytelling potential than Tommy. They also spotlight a new generation of filmmakers, discussing creators like Kane Parsons and Curry Barker and how young voices are finding innovative ways to break into the industry....

Bill and Tommy dive into the chaos surrounding ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu,’ with Tommy going on a full blown rant about the state of blockbuster filmmaking, franchise slop, and the MCU-ification of modern movies, while Bill lands somewhere in the middle, finding the film mostly just bland and lifeless. What starts as a review quickly turns into a 45 minute meltdown over nostalgia bait, safe stud...

Bill and Thomas break down their conflicted feelings on ‘Hokum,’ debating whether the film’s unsettling atmosphere, horror elements, and ambition fully land. They also dive into their love for The Bear’s “Gary” episode, discussing its slow pacing, quiet tension, and deeply methodical character work that made it one of the show’s most effective episodes yet. Along the way, Tommy goes on a passionat...

Bill and Thomas look ahead at the biggest films coming in 2026, breaking down the year’s most anticipated releases across blockbuster franchises, original projects, horror, awards contenders, and more. Along the way, they discuss the current state of the industry, which movies have the most potential, and what trends could define the next year of cinema. From early predictions to personal most-ant...

Bill and Thomas break down the newest event film of 2026, Project Hail Mary, diving into how Ryan Gosling’s career evolution shapes his performance and presence in the film. Along the way, they explore the state of the modern family blockbuster, what works, what does not, and where this film fits in. They also revisit the Academy Awards, comparing their personal picks with the actual winners and h...

Bill and Thomas make their early predictions for the 2026 Academy Awards, breaking down which films, performances, and directors could dominate the race. They talk about the potential frontrunners, the surprise contenders that might sneak into major categories, and the kinds of films the Academy tends to rally around as awards season heats up. Along the way, they debate possible snubs, dark horses...

Bill and Thomas are back in town for a 2025 film retrospective, looking back on the year’s biggest releases, surprises, disappointments, and debates. They break down what worked, what didn’t, and where their takes differ, before each revealing their top 5 movies of the year.

Bill and Thomas dive into the guerrilla-made indie film Shelby Oaks, a true Kickstarter project that Thomas even donated to. They talk about Chris Stuckmann’s filmmaking strengths as a longtime YouTube film critic stepping behind the camera and break down the elements that have made the film so divisive among audiences.

Bill and Thomas dive into their experience at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival. They talk about each film they saw, rank them from least to best, and explore what the festival says about Chicago, its film culture, and filmmaking at large.