Reel Fanatics

The Reel Fanatics are back after an unplanned hiatus! The topic of the day: Steven Spielberg's return to sci-fi spectacle. Michael, Jared, and Joe also reveal what they've been doing for the past two months.

Kristoffer Borgli's provocative The Drama causes drama on the podcast! But before the argument erupts, Jared recommends a forgotten classic, Michael revisits a sci-fi blockbuster, and Joe changes his mind on an acclaimed 2025 film.

The guys go on a space adventure with big-budget crowdpleaser Project Hail Mary . Jared recommends an old Italian thriller, Michael revisits a childhood favorite, and Joe champions Michael Mann.

A quarter of a century has passed since 2001, so Michael, Jared, and Joe reflect on that time with a fantasy draft of movies from that year.

Michael, Jared, and Joe discuss the 98th Academy Awards nominees and predict who will win. Note: This conversation was recorded prior to the 79th BAFTAs and 32nd Actor Awards, which would have altered the talking points and Oscars forecast.

Jared, Michael, and Joe reveal their top five films of 2025, share some honorable mentions, and briefly discuss the upcoming Oscars.

Michael, Jared, and Joe are ready to assess the 2025 cinema landscape. Here in Part 1, they offer some reflections on the year and reveal their #10-6 favorite films.

Josh Safdie and Timothée Chalamet team up for an exhilarating sports drama, and the RF guys provide analysis. Michael recommends another sports movie, while Joe champions an international thriller. 

We've waited nearly two decades, but it's finally here: the complete Kill Bill saga as one epic film! The guys reflect on Tarantino's action opus and discuss how it holds up today. Also, Jared and Joe recommend old and new movies, while Michael revisits a childhood franchise.

The guys dissect Guillermo del Toro's passion project, Frankenstein . Michael recommends two under-the-radar 2025 films, Joe explores Finnish action cinema, and Jared returns to a maligned flop from last year.

Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone collaborate again on Bugonia , and Michael, Jared, and Joe go down the rabbit hole with them. The guys also respond to questions from a listener email.

Kathryn Bigelow returns with a political thriller, and the guys discuss it in depth. Also, Jared recommends two new indie films, Michael enjoys his recent Criterion purchases, and Joe watches chainsaw-themed entertainment.

Jared discusses the dozen films he watched at this year's Mill Valley Film Festival. Joe recommends a recent Japanese film and revisits some horror classics from John Carpenter. Michael catches up with a horror sequel and a comedy franchise reboot.

Paul Thomas Anderson fans rejoice! The new film has arrived! The guys are joined by returning guest Colin Takasawa to discuss One Battle After Another and how it slides into PTA's oeuvre. But first, Colin and Joe champion a scuzzy NYC thriller, while Michael and Jared reflect on the life and cinema of Robert Redford.

A Spike Lee joint starring Denzel Washington is must-see cinema, so the guys discuss this reimagining of an Akira Kurosawa classic. Michael recommends a baseball documentary, Joe champions a new Stephen King adaptation, and Jared offers a Sidney Lumet drama for people who are excited about One Battle After Another .

As summer comes to a close, Jared and Joe review three final films from the season: Superman , The Naked Gun , and Weapons . Also, Jared reports on a few Peter Greenaway films, while Joe deep-dives into John Woo's oeuvre.

Joe concludes a round of retro reviews with John Frankenheimer's 1966 cult classic, Seconds . Michael finally watches an old animated series, Jared recommends two recent Radiance releases, and Joe presents a Bob Hoskins crime drama double feature.

Ari Aster returns viewers to the pandemic days of summer 2020 with his latest film, Eddington . Michael, Jared, and Joe reflect on that miserable time while they debate this powder keg of a thriller.

Michael continues the current round of retro reviews with Otto Preminger's 1959 courtroom drama, Anatomy of a Murder . Joe revisits a signature Claire Denis picture, while Michael recommends the second season of a Netflix docuseries.

Director Joseph Kosinski and star Brad Pitt team up with Formula One for the summer's big sports movie, so the Reel Fanatics gather to review the tape. Michael, Jared, and Joe also discuss the recent 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century list published by The New York Times .

Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland return to the 28 Days Later franchise, so the Reel Fanatics do, too, for a review of 28 Years Later and reflections on the earlier films. Also, Michael and Jared recommend streaming comedy series, while Joe defends a maligned romantic dramedy.

To celebrate the summer movie season, the Reel Fanatics conduct a fantasy draft of film franchises!

Jared kicks off another round of retro reviews with Peter Bogdanovich's Paper Moon . Michael champions a new Netflix sketch series, Joe catches up with Andor , and Jared presents a Criterion Channel double feature.

Tom Cruise takes his signature action franchise on one last mission, and the Reel Fanatics are along for the ride! Before the guys discuss the Mission: Impossible closer, Michael and Joe recommend two other films currently in theaters, and Jared endorses three recent TV series.

For his retro review, Jared selects Jacques Becker's 1960 prison break thriller, Le Trou . Joe champions the new Cronenberg film, Jared recommends a Netflix series, and Michael revisits a 30 for 30 doc.