Reading Between the Reels: Film analysis with snark and heart

Blade is a 1998 action-horror film that follows the story of a half-vampire/half-human vampire hunter, played by Wesley Snipes. As the first entry in our “Marvel before the MCU” series, the film blends martial arts, gothic horror, comic book elements, and a dark, stylish atmosphere to become a cult classic and a significant influence on the modern superhero genre. ----more---- Thank you so much fo...

It’s our 100th episode! To celebrate 100 episodes of “Reading Between the Reels,” we’re joined by Ross Hollebon (“Album Cockpit Podcast”), Thomas Riddle (“Imagineering Education”), David Modders (“Star Wars Reactions”), Dan Zehr (“Coffee with Kenobi”), Cory Clubb (“Coffee with Kenobi”), and Dennis Keithly (“Podcast Stardust”) for a film lovers roundtable wherein everyone shares their thoughts on t...

This episode features our friends Tom Gross (“Teachers in the Dungeon”), Anthony King (“Force Ghost Conversations”), and Aaron Harris (“Star Wars Reactions”) speaking to our students in a special Star Wars discussion. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a review on your favorite podcast catcher.    Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hats,...

This episode features our friends Dan Zehr (“Coffee with Kenobi”) and Ross Hollebon (“Album Cockpit Podcast”) speaking to our students in a special Star Wars discussion. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a review on your favorite podcast catcher.    Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, and more!   If you would like to...

This episode features our friends Jeff McGee (“Marvin Dog Media,” “Star Wars Splash Page”) and Din (“F-105”) speaking to our students in a special Star Wars discussion. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a review on your favorite podcast catcher.    Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, and more!   If you would like to...

Armageddon is a 1998 science fiction disaster movie directed by Michael Bay and starring Bruce Willis. Selected by our listeners, the film was a commercial success despite mixed reviews from critics, and it remains a fan favorite because of its high-stakes action, emotional drama, and themes of sacrifice, bravery, and teamwork. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread th...

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a 2023 action-adventure fantasy that follows a charming thief and his band of unlikely adventurers as they embark on a quest to retrieve a lost relic. Selected by our listeners, the film captures the essence of the beloved role-playing game, blending humor and high-stakes adventure, ultimately highlighting themes of redemption, teamwork, and the value...

The Count of Monte Cristo, a 2002 film directed by Kevin Reynolds, is a gripping tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. Selected by our listeners, this riveting adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic novel becomes our latest deconstruction as we take a closer look at its beautiful cinematography, rousing score, gripping performances, and timeless themes. ----more---- Thank you so much for list...

The Gray Man is a Netflix film directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and based on Mark Greaney's novel. With a stellar cast led by Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, the movie features intense action, intricate espionage, and a gripping portrayal of one man's quest for redemption in a world of shadows and betrayal. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a...

Blade Runner 2049 is a visually stunning and thematically rich science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve. Set thirty years after the events of Ridley Scott's original Blade Runner, the movie explores themes of identity, memory, and the essence of humanity amidst a backdrop of breathtaking cinematography and a haunting score. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spre...

Sherlock Holmes, from 2009 and directed by Guy Ritchie, offered a fresh and dynamic interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic characters and was a wildly popular box office success. In this episode, we deconstruct its various cinematic aspects, including the film’s exhilarating action sequences, intricate plot, and captivating performances–particularly those of Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law...

Mission: Impossible is a 1996 action-thriller directed by Brian De Palma and based on the popular TV series. On this episode, David Jesse (“Tatooine Sons”) joins us to discuss the movie’s intricate plot, impressive stunts, and how it established Tom Cruise as an action superstar and jump-started a successful film franchise. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the wo...

Ghostbusters: Afterlife successfully resurrected the beloved franchise with a refreshing blend of nostalgia and new beginnings. Directed by Jason Reitman (son of Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman), the film cleverly balances homage to the original while carving its own path with a new generation of characters. With Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire hitting theaters this week, we revisit the first legac...

Oppenheimer is a biographical drama directed by Christopher Nolan that delves into the brilliant physicist’s pivotal role in the Manhattan Project during World War II, his ethical dilemmas regarding the creation of the atomic bomb, and his subsequent grappling with the consequences of his work. The film was a box office smash and has garnered significant critical acclaim and 13 Academy Award nomin...

Dune: Part One is a cinematic adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction novel, Dune. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film combines stunning visuals, intricate world-building, and a compelling narrative to bring Herbert's intricate tale to life, setting the stage for a larger saga yet to unfold in subsequent installments. As Dune: Part Two hits cinemas, we revisit the first movie. ---...

For this year’s #StarWarsPodcastDay, we go back into the archives for one of our first deconstructions and revisit an early episode of “Coruscant Community College” in which we break down Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a review on your favorite podcast catcher.    Visit our TeePublic store for t...

Fellowship of the Ring is the first installment in the incredibly successful and critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings movie trilogy by Peter Jackson. For this episode, we bring in our friend and lover-of-all-things-Tolkien Andrew Clark to discuss why the film works so well and how it continues to have an impact on popular culture. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spre...

Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a 2005 action-comedy that follows a seemingly ordinary married couple, portrayed by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who are unaware that they are both highly skilled assassins working for rival agencies. With Amazon Prime Video rebooting the franchise as a streaming series, we revisit the original film and discuss the charismatic performances, humor, and thrilling action sequ...

To kick off 2024, we each share our Top 5 Movies of all time. It’s a fun episode, and one full of surprises. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a review on your favorite podcast catcher.    Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more!   If you would like to connect with us, you can find us on:  X: x.com/ReadBtweenReels Fac...

Aquaman is a 2018 superhero film starring Jason Momoa that became DC’s highest grossing movie. With Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hitting theaters this week and officially wrapping up the Snyderverse, we take a look back at the original film’s stunning visual effects, epic underwater battles, and themes of identity, heritage, and the responsibility that comes with wielding immense power. ----more--...

Raiders of the Lost Ark is a classic 1981 adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford as the iconic archaeologist Indiana Jones. On this episode, Thomas Riddle (“Adventures in Learning with Indiana Jones,” “Imagineering Education,” “Star Wars in the Classroom”) joins us to discuss why it’s considered one of the all-time great movies.  ----more---- Thank you so much for l...

The Hunger Games is a dystopian science fiction film directed by Gary Ross, based on Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel of the same name. With its prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes hitting theaters this week, we examine the 2012 movie’s technical aspects and discuss its themes of inequality, survival, and resistance. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread t...

Highlander is a 1986 fantasy movie that explores the themes of immortality, destiny, and the price of eternal life. On this episode, we look back at the cult classic film and analyze its dynamic cinematography, fascinating characters, dense mythology, and iconic soundtrack featuring several songs by the band Queen. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by lea...

Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, is a 1982 dystopian film that has become an enduring influence on the cyberpunk genre and a seminal work in the realm of science fiction cinema. For our 3rd anniversary, Dan Zehr (“Coffee with Kenobi”) returns to help us break down the movie’s stunning visuals, haunting soundtrack, and thought-provoking themes. ----more---- Thank y...

Logan is a 2017 superhero movie directed by James Mangold that serves a raw and emotional farewell to Hugh Jackman's iconic portrayal of Wolverine. On this episode, we discuss how the film distinguishes itself within the superhero genre by its gritty, character-driven storytelling, melancholy music, and its thoughtful exploration of the themes of mortality, redemption, and the consequences of viol...