The Reel Critic

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder discusses the newest installment in the ‘Transformers’ franchise, ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ This film takes place before the others in the series, finding the Autobots fighting to save the world in 1994. Led by Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen), the Autobots join forces with human allies Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) and Elena (Dominique Fishback) to rally the “Max...

Jump back into the comic book Multiverse with Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) in ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse.’ After reuniting with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and Peter Parker (Jake Johnson), Miles is sent across the multi-verse where he encounters a whole team of Spider-People. Clashing with one another under the threat of a new enemy, Miles must face the other Spiders to save his loved...

The Reel Critic is headed under the sea as he reviews the remake of Disney’s 1989 film ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Ariel (Halle Bailey), having a heart for adventure, makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) and learns to live life on land. Along for the ride are her trusted chaperone Sebastian the crab (Daveed Diggs) and best friends Flounder the fish (Jacob Tremblay) and Scuttle...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews the next installment of the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise, ‘Fast X.’ Dom Toretto, played by Vin Diesel, and his family find themselves traveling the world to stop a new formidable foe, played by Jason Mamoa. Overcoming impossible odds, Toretto and his family team up with some unlikely characters to bring down this new threat. ‘Fast X’ stars Rita Moreno, Jorda...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder spoke with the cast of ‘About My Father’ at the Chicago premiere of the film. Director Laura Terruso brings to life the true story of Sebastian Maniscalco and his father Salvo, played by Rober De Niro, who visit his fiancé's wealthy Italian American family. Through a culture clash the families are put to the test over a weekend of hilarious encounters. The bond betw...

The highly-anticipated third and final ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ film is out today, wrapping up the series with high action and a classic soundtrack. Once again, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) — AKA Star Lord — and co. must save the universe, this time protecting Rocket (Bradley Cooper), the bounty hunter raccoon, from the evil High Evolutionary. ‘Vol. 3’ also reprises the roles of Zoe Saldaña as Gamor...

“The Reel Critic” takes a trip to Neverland this week as he reviews David Lowery’s new adaptation of a Disney classic in ‘Peter Pan & Wendy.’ The film stars Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell, Jude Law as Captain Hook and Alan Tudyk as Dr. Darling. Lowery discovers new nuances in his retelling of the age-old tale of Peter Pan, the Lost Boys and the adventures of Neverland. “The Reel Critic” is hosted...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder sat down with CineYouth Festival program manager Celeste Wong to discuss the festival’s 18th iteration. Presented by the Chicago International Film Festival, this year’s CineYouth Festival features 65 short films from young filmmakers 22 and younger. The festival brings together aspiring and established filmmakers and offers workshops, Q&As, film screenings and...

From the writer and director of 'Hereditary' and 'Midsommar' Ari Aster and led by multi-Academy Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix comes this new-era horror comedy 'Beau Is Afraid.' Hear Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder’s thoughts on the film, in theaters now. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTh...

This week on “The Reel Critic,” resident film critic Reggie Ponder discusses ‘Air: Courting A Legend,’ the new film detailing Sonny Vaccaro and Nike’s 1984 pursuit of NBA rookie Michael Jordan for a partnership which would revolutionize sports and popular culture. Matt Damon stars as Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan, plus several more big names portraying key players in the partnership. "...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder is back with a review for new film ‘A Thousand and One.’ Director A.V. Rockwell dives into the life of recently incarcerated Inez, played by Teyana Taylor, as she tries to build a life for her and her son, Terry, after she kidnaps him back from the foster care system. Making a new life proves harder than she expects as she does her best to navigate New York City. ‘A...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder got the chance to sit down with the co-executive producer for ‘AfroPoP’ season 15, a series of short films highlighting the history and culture aspects of the African diaspora — with this season having a heavy focus on the arts. The featured documentaries are 'Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D- Man in the water,' 'Queen Kidjo,Bill Taylor: Chasing Ghosts,' 'The S...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder got the chance to virtually speak with the creator and stars of ‘Spinning Gold,’ a new film about Casablanca Records and their eternal impact on the American music industry. The film was written and directed by Timothy Scott Bogart, the son of Casablanca Records founder Neil Bogart, and stars Jeremy Jordan, Ledisi, Tayla Parx and Jay Pharaoh. Reggie asked Bogart and...

This week, Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’ The newest installment of the ‘John Wick’ franchise continues to deliver big action sequences and an all-star cast. In the film, John Wick takes his fight with The High Table global as he searches for the most powerful underground members to help him. The film stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne and Keanu...

This week on “The Reel Critic,” resident film critic Reggie Ponder reviews ‘Champions,’ starring Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson and Ernie Hudson. The film follows Marcus (Woody Harrelson), a former minor-league basketball coach who is faced with a court order to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Through his time as their coach, Marcus realizes these players have the courage...

The Academy Awards are coming up — and Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder is here to break down some of his picks! Hear what films, actresses, actors and directors Reggie thinks should take home the gold this year… and let him know your picks by reaching out on his socials! The 95th annual Academy Awards are on March 12. “The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie and let...

This week, Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder breaks down the third installment in the 'Creed' series, this time with Michael B. Jordan both starring in and directing the film. In ‘Creed III,’ protagonist Adonis Creed, played by Jordan, faces off with former childhood friend Damian Anderson, played by Jonathan Majors. ‘Creed III’ will hit theaters on March 3. “The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced...

This week, Reggie Ponder covers the first installment of Marvel's Phase Five with the film ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ The film introduces a new villain and threat to the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Kang the Conqueror. Played by Hollywood favorite Jonathan Majors, Kang poses a significant danger to the quantum realm, and potentially planet Earth. He is up against Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), the W...

This week Reggie “The Reel Critic” reviews the latest installment in the ‘Magic Mike’ franchise: ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance.’ Salma Hayek and Channing Tatum star in this international film, exclusively in theaters starting today. “The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

This week, Reggie Ponder reviews ‘80 for Brady,’ the new Tom Brady centered comedy starring Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Rita Moreno, Lily Tomlin, and the newly-(again) retired Tom Brady also making an appearance. The Film is inspired by the actual “Over 80 for Brady Club” and tells their story of friendship and community with a nice comedy twist. Hear Reggie’s take on the film on this segment of “The...

This week, Reggie Ponder reviews ‘You People,’ the new interracial rom-com starring Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Eddie Murphy, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny and more. Led by Hill and London, the film is a story of a couple finding love and the chaos that ensues as their families’ backgrounds clash – meant to comment on modern day race relations between the Black and white communities...

“The Reel Critic” is back, and this week reviews Oscar Award-winning actor Tom Hanks’ new film, ‘A Man Called Otto.’ Director Marc Forster shares an intimate story about Otto Anderson, played by Hanks, and his journey to find a reason to live. Otto’s neighbors, played by Mariana Treviño, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Juanita Jennings, play a vital role in his discovery of life’s joys. “The Reel Critic”...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews ‘House Party,’ the 2023 remix of the 1990 classic. ‘House Party’ finds best friends Damon and Kevin, who are cleaning houses to make ends meet and are in need of some cash. They decide to throw a house party at the site of their final cleaning job: LeBron James’ mansion. ‘House Party’ was directed by Calmatic, produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, an...

As part of a roundtable discussion with the African-American Film Critics Association, Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder got to virtually sit down with director Antoine Fuqua and Oscar-nominated actor Will Smith to talk about their new film ‘Emancipation.’ Fuqua and Smith talk faith, freedom and the depths of the human spirit. ‘Emancipation’ was initially released on December 9, and is currently in...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews ‘Emancipation,’ a film by Antoine Fuqua following the life of Peter Smith, played by Will Smith, an enslaved man fighting his way to freedom. Inspired by a true story, ‘Emancipation’ is an example of the perseverance of the human spirit and depicts Peter Smith’s journey to become his own hero. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder, Follow...