The Movie Review Crew

This was an interesting week for us at NBBR. We were split on last week's episode on The Guest (2014), and we are split on this episode on Annihilation (2018).  This mystery / science fiction movie from director Alex Garland (Ex Machina) is Aaron's favorite movie of the year so far; Matt McNeal hates it. Listen to our discussion and let us know which side you fall on!

In this episode, we discuss The Guest, a horror/thriller (and dark comedy depending on which one of us you ask) that is an homage to 80s slasher movies. Our opinoins are divided on this one, so we need your help. listen to this episode, watch The Guest, and let us know your opinions!

In this episode, we discuss the 1995 action movie Bad Boys. For better (Will Smith) or worse (Michael Bay), this movie was responsible for jump vaulting some people to stardom. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence play Miami vice cops that get wrapped up in all sorts of Michael Bay situations, and by that I mean a LOT of explosions, shakey cam, and loads of bad dialogue. Despite Michael Bay's presence,...

This episode is a discussion of the 1986 drama The Color of Money. With a legendary cast including Oscar winning director Martin Scorsese (The Departed), Oscar winner Paul Newman (The Color of Money), and Oscar nominees Tom Cruise (Jerry Maguire) and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (The Color of Money), our expectations were high for this one. Listen in to hear if it lived up to those expectations!

In this episode, we discuss Moon, the directorial debut from Duncan Jones (Warcraft, Source Code, Mute).  This 2009 science fiction drama basically has only two characters in it and they're both played by the Oscar winner Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) so you know the acting is fantastic. Can the story and visuals match Rockwell's tremendous talent level? Listen to find o...

In this episode we discuss another Denis Villeneuve movie, Arrival. This 2016 science fiction drama stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker.  Our crew has loved Villeneuve's films to this point (Prisoners, Sicario, Blade Runner 2049) but can this one live up to those lofty expectations? Listen and find out.

This episode is a discussion of the listener request, Spotlight, which won two Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and was nominated for four more (including Best Supporting Actor for Mark Ruffalo and Best Supporting Actress for Rachel McAdams). Now, we all know the Academy isn't flawless and the Best Picture award doesn't doesn't always go to a deserving movie (I'm talking about you, La La La...

This episode is a discussion of the listener requested Brothers. This 2009 drama has a fantastic cast including Tobey Maguire, Natalie Portman, and Sam Shepard. Unfortunately, the writing didn't give these actors much to work with. Can their talent and commitment to the characters overcome the scripts shortcomings? Press play to find out.

This episode is Aaron Cronican's choice, Hostiles. He is clearly a fan of this movie, as it made his Top 5 Movies of 2017 List. Press play to see if his thoughts have changed and to hear the rest of our thoughts on the movie  

This episode is a discussion of writer/director Alex Garland's Ex Machina. This 2014 drama/fantasy is one of the smartest and most well written modern science fiction movies, as well as one of the best examinations of artificial intelligence. For our full thoughts, click play! 

In this episode, we discuss what many consider to be one of the best serial killer movies ever, and director David Fincher's finest work. Click play to see if we agree.

For this episode it was Matt McNeal's choice, so you know he wasn't going to let our horror movie streak end! This time we're discussing the 2016 thriller/horror Don't Breathe. Stephen Lang (Avatar) joins the director (Fede Alvarez) and star (Jane Levy) of the 2013 Evil Dead remake in this incredibly suspenseful movie. We've had a run of pretty great horror movies recently. Can Don't Breathe live...

The results from our website poll are in! Nightcrawler is everybody's favorite X-Men character! Since that's the case, we decided to review this 2014 thriller about him. . . Alright, so this isn't really about the X-Men at all. Instead, it's a satirical look at at the media through one of the most interesting characters Jake Gyllenhaal has ever played. Click play to hear our full thoughts on Night...

Our streak of reviewing horror movies continues with a discussion of the best horror movie of 2018, and maybe the best movie of 2018 altogether so far. This horror thriller directed by John Krasinski and starring Krasinski along with his real life wife, Emily Blunt, and some stellar child actors is one of the most tension filled thrillers you will find. For our full thoughts, click play!

This episode is a discussion about the 2017 Icelandic horror/thriller I Remember You. Reviewer Aaron Cronican chose this movie because he happened to notice it on Netflix and it looked interesting. Choosing a movie blindly like that can lead to discovering a hiiden gem, or it could lead to a complete disaster. Click play to find out our thoughts on this one! And don't forget to head to our website...

This episode is a discussion of the 2011 thriller Source Code, from the once promising director Duncan Jones (Moon). With it's tight pace and great performances from the always fantastic Jake Gyllenhaal and his solid supporting cast, including Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, and Jeffrey Wright, this one will hold you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Our newest episode is a discussion of Evolution, a 2001 science fiction comedy from the director of Ghostbusters. Reviewer Brent Fruge remembers liking this one when it came out (He was 13, so the butthole jokes were probably HILARIOUS back then), but how will he and the rest of us feel about it now? Click play to find out.

Our streak of reviewing horror movies continues for a third straight week with this episode, a discussion of 2013's The Conjuring. Director James Wan scores another hit with this creepy, atmospheric, and extremely effective horror movie. We all agree that this is one of the best examples of horror filmmaking to come around in a long while, maybe ever! For our full thoughts, press play.

This Episode is a discussion of The Mountain Between Us, a 2017 action adventure film centered around a relationship that develops between two people stranded on a mountain after their plane crashes. And since those two people are played by Kate Winslet and Idris Elba, you know it's going to be fun to watch! For our full thoughts, press play!

This latest episode is a discussion of "It", the latest adaptation of Stephen King's gigantic horror novel. "It" borrows the feel and tone from Netflix's Stranger Things, not to mention one of the stars from the show, trying to blend humor and horror, but can it pull it off? And you know we won't be able to get through the episode without comparing Bill Skarsgard's Pennywise to Tim Curry's 1990 ve...

Our latest episode is a discussion of The Ritual, an interesting psychological horror film. The Ritual is from a director, David Bruckner, with very few movies in his filmography, it stars a bunch of nobodies you haven't heard of (though you might recognize Rafe Spall as one of the Andys in Hot Fuzz), and the trailer is downright AWFUL; But somehow things come together to make of the better horror...

Darkest Hour is fresh off of two Oscar wins (including Best Actor for Gary Oldman) and 4 more Oscar nominations (including Best Picture). Let's be honest though, the opinions of those with Oscar votes don't mean anything compared to OUR opinions, right? Well, all you have to do is click play to hear our fantastic opinions!

This episode is a discussion of Logan Lucky, a 2017 crime comedy from director Steven Soderbergh. Soderbergh is the director of Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve, and Ocean's Thirteen, so we know he knows his way around a heist film. Can he pull it off once again? listen and find out.

As "based on a true story" movies go, 2012's Compliance is as good as it gets. Can solid acting and directing help make this truly disturbing story watchable? Click play to find out

Our latest episode is a discussion of the 1990 gangster classic, Goodfellas. There's not much to dislike about this one. Arguably Martin Scorsese's best film, a star making role for Ray Liotta, and some amazing performances from two of the best in the business, Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci make this an unforgettable watch. But how did we all feel about it? Click play to find out.