Reel Fanatics

Guest Natalie Pohorski joins the guys again to analyze Ari Aster's dark comedy,  Beau Is Afraid . Michael revisits two '90s indie classics, while Jared champions two new indie films. Natalie recommends an under-appreciated sports movie, while Joe slams an over-appreciated one.

In this special episode, Michael, Jared, and guest Natalie Pohorski discuss the history and process of making their documentary feature, Beyond Human Nature , which is now available on VOD platforms! Buy or rent it here: https://geni.us/BeyondHumanNature

A supersized episode to celebrate a supersized action film! In the first half of the show, Michael, Jared, and Joe review John Wick: Chapter 4 and discuss how it measures up to the other entries in the franchise. In the second half, the guys share their top five action movies in honor of Joe's father.

Beyond Human Nature , the true crime documentary that Michael, Joe, and Jared have been working on since 2014, finally has a release date!

The guys list upcoming titles that could make 2023 a strong movie year. Jared recommends two restored re-releases. Joe reads Tarantino's new book. Michael catches up on some 2022 films.

The guys share their top tens for a year of many good films but few great ones. Jared champions two obscure Mubi releases. Joe vows to further explore Indian cinema. Michael discovers a new personal political hero.

The nominations for the 95th Academy Awards have been announced, and the guys have opinions! Running through all the nominees also gives Michael, Jared, and Joe the chance to discuss some films not reviewed on the pod, including RRR , Women Talking , All Quiet on the Western Front , Marcel the Shell with Shoes On , and Living .

The long-awaited sequel to Avatar has finally arrived! Michael, Jared, and Joe discuss their return to Pandora. Joe revisits an older water-centric James Cameron movie. Jared regrets not seeing a certain Italian film before publishing his year-end list.

Michael, Jared, and Joe investigate Rian Johnson's new murder mystery. Jared recommends a related whodunnit. Joe shows off his James Mason impression. Michael talks about transforming from a craft beer guy into a wine connoisseur. 

A double-review episode! Michael moderates the debate between Jared and Joe over two recent movies: Luca Guadagnino's Bones and All and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio . Joe and Jared each recommend a favorite foreign film of 2022.

The guys discuss Steven Spielberg's memoir movie, The Fabelmans . Jared and Joe recommend some of the year's best docs, while Michael talks about the challenges of making his own independent documentary feature, Beyond Human Nature .

Martin McDonagh's The Banshees of Inisherin , a tragicomedy of feuding friends, is the topic of this episode. Jared, Michael, and Joe briefly get into their own feud over Kevin Smith. Jared reflects on the series run of Atlanta . Joe champions the latest adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front . Michael digs into Russian literature.

A double review episode for two acclaimed films from this year's Cannes competition: Ruben Östlund's Palme-winning Triangle of Sadness and James Gray's Armageddon Time . Jared recommends a buzzy TV series, while Joe talks about his recent audiobook binge.

The guys are eager to discuss the return of director Todd Field with his acclaimed character study, Tár . But first, Michael opines on the state of the fall movie season and the upcoming Oscar race. Joe explores an old horror franchise. Jared recommends a Herzog parody.

Baz Luhrmann returns with an Elvis biopic, and the guys don't agree on the results. Joe recommends a new Netflix series. Jared dives into the work of Atom Egoyan. Michael anticipates the latest Robert McKee book.

The guys examine Andrew Dominik's controversial Marilyn Monroe picture. Jared recommends two new streaming films. Joe discusses Ti West's two films from this year. Michael returns to the work of Woody Allen.

Before his next Mad Max film, George Miller delivers an oddball fantasy romance, and the guys discuss it. Michael, Jared, and Joe reflect on the innovation and influence of the recently departed Jean-Luc Godard. Joe and Jared recommend a new horror film while Michael catches up with an acclaimed TV series from a decade ago.

The guys take a break from film to discuss two recent TV series at opposite ends of their runs: Better Call Saul and The Bear . Warning: This is a spoiler-heavy episode for both shows. The Bear is up first; jump to the 38-minute mark for Better Call Saul .

It's the 10-year anniversary of the podcast! Michael, Jared, and Joe reflect on the past decade of cinema and friendship. Then they celebrate by conducting a film draft from the movies they have reviewed on the pod over the years. Buckle up, it's a long, winding ride!

Jordan Peele's latest film is a sci-fi spectacle that the guys are eager to dissect, but they disagree on its plot logistics. Joe recommends an Irish miniseries with two breakout stars. Jared raves about a metatextual miniseries that addresses a filmmaking consideration Michael identifies. All three cohosts are apprehensive about a Heat sequel.

Beavis & Butt-Head return to the cinema, so the guys discuss the movie, the MTV series, and the comic inspirations for Mike Judge's creation. Michael and Joe bemoan the summer movie season. Jared recommends an early Verhoeven picture.

The body horror master makes his comeback with Crimes of the Future , and Jared and Joe disagree slightly on its merits. Michael joins in to evaluate the 2022 movie year so far. The guys finish the episode by sharing their top five Cronenberg films.

The guys excitedly discuss the revival of Tom Cruise's iconic '80s blockbuster with Top Gun: Maverick . Michael falls in love with Breaking Bad all over again. Jared and Joe talk Under the Banner of Heaven and Atlanta . Michael, Jared, and Joe all reminisce about Madison's defunct arthouse cinemas.

The guys discuss the changing landscapes of film and television, how they are converging, what still sets them apart, the emerging forms of media, the burden of constant consumption, and personal preferences.

Idiosyncratic auteur Robert Eggers ventures to the land of the Vikings for his action epic, and the guys explore that world. Joe revisits The Nice Guys . Jared seconds Joe's recent rec of Severance . Michael catches up with Better Call Saul .