Movies are Life

Steven Spielberg's Minority Report remains one of the most thought-provoking sci-fi blockbusters of the 21st century. In this episode of Reel 21, Nathan revisits the 2002 thriller to explore its surprisingly accurate vision of the future, the ethical questions behind the PreCrime division and why its central mystery remains so compelling more than two decades later. Does the film deserve its place...

After a long hiatus, You Had Me at Rewind is officially back, and what better movie to resurrect the series than Scream ? 🔪📞 Nathan is joined by filmmaker, podcaster and certified Scream superfan Laron Chapman to revisit Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher classic that reinvented horror for an entire generation. Recorded in early 2026 before the release of Scream 7 , the conversation dives into the film’s...

A milestone episode for Reel 21 and the first one in video. Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World may begin as a deceptively simple coming-of-age story, but it unfolds into something much richer, a deeply felt meditation on identity, relationships and the uncertainty of choosing a life. In this inaugural video episode, Nathan revisits the film for a second time and finds it even more reson...

Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther wasn’t just another Marvel movie — it was a cultural moment. In this episode of Reel 21 , Nathan revisits the 2018 blockbuster to explore its lasting impact, Chadwick Boseman’s powerful performance and why Killmonger remains one of the MCU’s most compelling villains. Does it fully transcend the Marvel machine? And where does it land in Nathan’s personal superhero ranki...

Yes, it’s February… but we finally made it happen. Nathan is joined by returning guest Mark Blitch to count down their Top TV Shows of 2025, from prestige heavy-hitters to pure comfort-watch chaos. Along the way, they compare notes on what held up (and what fell off), talk legacy seasons ( The Bear , The White Lotus ), debate slow-burn patience tests ( Pluribus ), celebrate the beautifully unhinge...

In this year-end tradition, Nathan Chandler welcomes back filmmaker and film-obsessive Mark Blitch to break down their favorite movies of 2025. The two recap a year filled with more theater trips, more indie discoveries (including DeadCenter highlights) and a few titles they still haven’t caught up with yet. They count down their Top 10 lists, compare overlap and dig into the year’s biggest stando...

In this episode, Nathan kicks things off with a quick update on the release schedule for the rest of 2025 and a sneak peek at what’s coming to the podcast in 2026—then dives into a conversation with writer-director Daniel V. Masciari about his hauntingly tender feature Stationed at Home . Nathan and Daniel dig into the film’s gently magical mood, its fascination with strangers colliding in the col...

Alfonso Cuarón’s 2013 thriller Gravity follows Dr. Ryan Stone, a first-time astronaut who becomes stranded in orbit after a devastating cascade of satellite debris destroys her shuttle. Blending stunning visual effects, groundbreaking sound design and a career-defining performance from Sandra Bullock, Gravity transforms a simple premise into an immersive, edge-of-your-seat cinematic experience. In...

Cowabunga, dudes! We’re traveling back to March 30, 1990, when the world’s most unlikely heroes burst from the sewers and straight into pop-culture history. Nathan is joined by longtime friend and fellow movie buff Kyle Radford to talk about the surprise indie hit that mixed martial arts, mutant mayhem and teenage angst into one slice of pure turtle power. From Jim Henson’s Creature Shop suits to...

It’s not your fault. This week on You Had Me at Rewind, Nathan Chandler travels back to Dec. 5, 1997, to revisit Good Will Hunting , the film that made therapy cinematic and turned two childhood friends, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, into Hollywood legends. Nathan is joined by returning guest Beau Gatlin for an in-person conversation recorded deep in the heart of Texas. Together they unpack why the...

This job would be great if it wasn’t for the customers. We’re heading back to October 19, 1994, to talk about Clerks — the scrappy, black-and-white indie that turned convenience store chaos into cinematic history. Shot for $27,000 on maxed-out credit cards, Kevin Smith’s debut launched a generation of filmmakers (and Jay & Silent Bob) while capturing the sarcasm, boredom and pop-culture debate...

Life is like a box of chocolates — and this episode has a little bit of everything. Nathan is joined by longtime friend Abel Cass to revisit Forrest Gump , the 1994 Best Picture winner that defined a decade and divided movie fans ever since. Together they look back at what made Robert Zemeckis’ sweeping Americana epic so unforgettable, from Tom Hanks’ iconic performance to its groundbreaking speci...

The series premiere of You Had Me at Rewind kicks off with a trip back to 1999 and the comedy that defined awkward teenhood: American Pie . Nathan and Whitney Chandler revisit the raunchy classic that shocked parents, spawned sequels and gave us band camp stories, Stifler chaos and one unforgettable apple pie. Along the way, they swap first memories, share laughs and ask—why does this outrageous m...

Werner Herzog’s 2005 documentary Grizzly Man tells the true story of Timothy Treadwell, the self-styled protector who spent 13 summers living among Alaskan grizzly bears before his tragic death. Using Treadwell’s own footage, Herzog transforms what could have been a simple wilderness chronicle into a haunting meditation on obsession, mortality and the fragile boundary between humans and nature. In...

Before Parasite made Bong Joon-ho a household name, he delivered one of the most haunting detective stories of the 21st century. Memories of Murder follows a trio of detectives in 1980s South Korea as they chase a serial killer—and slowly unravel in the process. In this episode, Nathan digs into how the film blends procedural drama with social critique, why it feels so influential on works like Zo...

The countdown begins! In this first episode of Reel 21 , Nathan revisits Superbad —Greg Mottola’s 2007 teen comedy that launched a thousand McLovin jokes—and asks: does it really deserve a spot on The New York Times’ list of the 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century? What starts out as a raunchy teen comedy reveals surprising layers of sweetness, friendship and emotional honesty. Nathan reflects on...

The New York Times named them the 100 best movies of the 21st century. But what about the ones they left off? Reel 21: 100 Essential Films of the 21st Century is a new movie podcast from Nathan Chandler. From Parasite to The Dark Knight to La La Land , Nathan counts down from #100 to #1—watching every film on the NYT’s list and the ones audiences believe deserved a spot. Each episode of Reel 21 qu...

In this episode, Nathan sits down with documentary filmmaker Jonathan Berman to discuss the newly restored 20th anniversary release of his 2005 film Commune —a fascinating portrait of Black Bear Ranch, a real-life countercultural commune founded in 1968 with help from rock legends like The Doors, Frank Zappa and The Monkees. Together, they explore the ideals and contradictions of communal living,...

In this episode, Nathan and Whitney break down the gripping four-part Netflix drama Adolescence , a British psychological crime series filmed entirely in one take per episode. The story follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who’s arrested for the murder of a classmate — but what unfolds is a chilling, timely examination of bullying, toxic masculinity, social media and the emotional lives of boys. They...

In this episode, Nathan and Whitney recap Season 1 of Netflix’s smart, heartwarming ensemble dramedy starring Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Will Forte and more. Based on the 1981 film, the series reimagines the story of three longtime couples who vacation together each season — until divorce, a new girlfriend and emotional baggage disrupt the balance. Over eight episodes, the show explor...

Oil fields, family drama and Billy Bob Thornton in a cowboy hat — what more do you need? In the very first episode of Not Caught Up , Nathan and Whitney break down Season 1 of Landman , the latest series from Taylor Sheridan ( Yellowstone , 1883 ) now streaming on Paramount+. Based on the Boomtown podcast, Landman dives into the high-stakes world of Texas oil deals and the people caught in the mid...

Nathan chats with the team behind Close Enough to Burn , a breakout indie drama from the 2025 deadCenter Film Festival. Writer/director Benjamin Tefera, producer/composer Slyrex and producers Benjamin White and Gared Reinke share how they brought this story of music, obsession and identity to life—right here in Oklahoma. (00:00) Intro: 2025 deadCenter Film Festival (04:27) Interview with the filmm...

Not Caught Up is the TV review podcast for people with lives. Hosted by Nathan Chandler (of Movies Are Life ) and his wife, Whitney, this show is all about sharing smart, funny takes on the shows everyone was talking about—whenever we finally get around to watching them. We're two tired parents squeezing in one episode at a time, catching up late but always showing up with opinions. Whether you're...

You Had Me at Rewind: The ’90s Flicks That Raised Us is a nostalgia-soaked rewatch series from Movies are Life , diving deep into the movies that shaped a generation. From sleepovers and mall dates to awkward middle school crushes, these ’90s classics weren’t just entertainment—they were a rite of passage. Join host Nathan Chandler and a rotating crew of guests as they rewatch the films that fille...

Nathan and Whitney are back! After a short break (and a few trips to the movie theater), they return to wrap up Movies Are Life ’s The 50 Best Rom-Coms series with a fast, fun breakdown of the Top 10 and Bottom 10 across six essential categories: Ranking, Chemistry, Best Friend, Soundtrack, Chase Scene and Rewatchability. They also share what they’ve been watching lately, talk about Nathan’s excit...