The Reel Debaters

The Oscars are supposed to be the final word on the best film of the year. But every movie fan has at least one moment where the envelope opens, and the reaction is: wait… what? This week on The Reel Debaters , we step into the cinematic multiverse and debate the Oscars that almost were. If a single vote, campaign, or moment of momentum had shifted, the Academy’s history might look very different....

Awards season is hitting its chaotic final lap, and the Reel Debaters are stepping into the prediction arena. In Episode 315, the panel breaks down their 2026 Oscar predictions , the unexpected moments and controversy from the BAFTAs , and the massive studio shake-up involving Netflix, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Topics include: The Best Picture showdown between One Battle After Another and Sinner...

In this episode, we open the alternate-universe vault and peek inside the casting decisions, last-minute rewrites, and near-misses that reshaped Hollywood history. Some were accidents. Some were gambles. All of them changed everything. We also touch on: Which sports are in movies the most? Baseball Training Camp Heated Rivalry Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Wonderman The Olympics Send Help Next Reel...

In Episode 313, we step on the gas and build a brand-new character for the final ride of the Fast & Furious saga. What kind of chaos agent joins the family? Street racer? International fixer? Long-lost legacy wildcard? We craft the backstory, the vibe, and how they would shake up the franchise’s last lap. Then it’s review time: The Beauty (FX) Iron Lung (2026) The Olympics . Heated Rivalry (Cr...

In this episode, we lace up with legendary Hollywood shoemaker Jeff Churchill , the man whose craftsmanship has quite literally carried some of cinema’s biggest characters across the screen. From the emotional textures of Jojo Rabbit to the high-speed intensity of Mission: Impossible , and across the superhero universes of Marvel and DC , Jeff has been quietly shaping movie history… one pair of bo...

Welcome back to the circus. Episode #311 is stacked with fan fiction fantasies, Oscar-season chaos, and a classic Reel Debaters internet skirmish that absolutely did not need to happen. This episode includes: The Teen Heartthrob Fan Fiction Debate We challenged each other to pitch the best teen heartthrob fan fiction idea imaginable. Tropes were abused. Logic was abandoned. Dignity left the buildi...

The future is knocking, and it’s holding a release calendar. In Episode 310, we crack open the crystal ball and take a long look at what 2026 has lined up for movies and television . From big studio swings to prestige TV gambles, we sort the hype from the head-scratchers and argue about what’s worth getting excited about. Before we race ahead, we rewind briefly to Hollywood’s first major awards st...

In Episode 308, the Reel Debaters sit down with the Director Finn McCager, Actor and Stunt performer Kristen Sawatzky and Cinematographer Jesse de Rocquigny of Give a Chad a Spot for a deep dive into the making of the film. This conversation pulls back the curtain on indie filmmaking, creative collaboration, and the choices that shaped the final product you see on screen. We cover: The origin of G...

“Can’t go back and keep making same mistakes. Must keep moving forward and make new ones.” Thanks, Bridget. Before we officially close the book, the Reel Debaters hit rewind one last time. In Episode 309, we look back at the beautiful chaos that was 2025. The movies we loved. The shows we binged. The decisions that left us staring at the screen asking, “Who approved this?” We debate what ruled the...

What happens when the Reel Debaters go Secret Santa shopping… for their favourite movie and TV characters? Bad ideas, inspired choices, and a lot of judgment. In Episode 307, the cast debates the perfect Secret Santa gifts if they were shopping for iconic characters, deciding who deserves something thoughtful and who’s getting a wildly inappropriate gag gift. Then it’s back to business with sharp...

This week on The Reel Debaters , we’re heading behind the blood, sweat, and prosthetics with Doug Morrow and Ashley Hyra , the makeup artists behind The Long Walk . Doug and Ashley take us deep into the creative trenches of modern film makeup, breaking down their methods , the realities of working on set , and the problem-solving wizardry required when things do not go according to plan. From long...

On Episode 305 of The Reel Debaters , we debate the best movies adapted for television . Some films thrive when stretched into episodic storytelling, gaining depth, character arcs, and cultural staying power. Others lose what made them special the moment the opening credits roll. From prestige series to cult curiosities, this is a no-holds-barred debate on when adaptation elevates the original… an...

This week, we descend into the shadowy corridors of Safehaven , the new supernatural thriller premiering on Tubi . This week's guest is a double-threat force behind the series: the head of special FX and makeup design and the actor who steps into the enigmatic role of Francis Zelk, Aaron Merke We get to find out more about the architect behind Safehaven’s bruised dreamscapes and haunting practical...

We’re heading back to Oz — and this time, it’s all about the movie . Episode 304 is your full-blown Reel Talk review of Wicked (2024) It's all on the table: the performances, the music, the visuals, the changes from the stage, and whether the movie sticks the landing as one of the most anticipated musical adaptations of the decade. We break down everything, including: Did Wicked, the movie, hit th...

Set your profile icon, because Episode 301 goes full cinematic cage match as we throw eight streaming giants into a single-elimination showdown. Who keeps autoplaying their way to victory? Who freezes on the loading screen? And which service becomes the true King of the Content Jungle Topics: Wpg Comic Con 2025/Cute As Can Be Vendor Shoutout/London Listens To The Show?/We Love Paul Gross/ We also...

In this episode of The Reel Debaters Podcast , we sit down with the creative minds behind The End Of Our Own Making — a tense, character-driven Winnipeg production that explores the fallout of an active shooter targeting the staff of a private security company. Host Michael Petrow is joined by writer/director Cam Paterson , actors Darcy Fehr and Suzanne Pringle , and director of photography Ryan H...

It’s our 300th episode, and we’re celebrating with a scream ! The Reel Debaters mark this milestone by facing off in one wicked debate: What’s the best Halloween special — movie or TV? From nostalgic sitcoms to cult horror flicks, each debater brings their own version of Halloween greatness to the ring: Emily enchants the room with Buffy the Vampire Slayer , WandaVision , It’s the Great Pumpkin, C...

What happens when Hollywood’s biggest characters get stranded on a deserted island with nothing but their egos, alliances, and a few hidden immunity idols? Welcome to The Reel Debaters’ Survivor Island — where we take some of our favorite movie heroes, villains, and misfits and throw them into a cinematic version of Survivor using the modern 26-day format. We break down the tribes, alliances, and...

This week, we sit down with writer-director Coby Friesen to talk about his haunting and provocative new short film, Cruising Gamorah — a bold exploration of faith, repression, and desire set against the eerie calm of a reportedly haunted creek. Childhood friends Chris and Alex reunite for a camping trip that spirals into tension, temptation, and truth as their worldviews — and hidden feelings — co...

Who is the greatest wrestler-turned-actor of all time? From Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s box-office domination to Dave Bautista’s dramatic chops, John Cena’s comedic timing, and Roddy Piper’s cult hero status, the Reel Debaters step into the ring for a 12-actor single-elimination showdown to crown the ultimate crossover champion. We break down the contenders, set the scene, and go all-in on the deb...

This week on The Reel Debaters , we put the spotlight on one of modern cinema’s most fearless filmmakers: Paul Thomas Anderson . From the wild nights of Boogie Nights to the quiet tension of Phantom Thread , PTA has built a career on characters who burn, ache, and sometimes explode. Is he one of the last true auteurs working today? How does he slip so seamlessly between genres without losing his v...

What if Stephen King’s The Long Walk didn’t star a bunch of random teenagers… but instead your favorite TV and movie characters? We’ll debate: Who gets cast in this twisted endurance test? What cinematic levels, scenes, and rules shape the road ahead? What prizes could make the suffering worth it? Think The Hunger Games meets The Truman Show with a dash of Wipeout . It’s a mash-up only we could dr...

Five years ago, Steve and Michael cracked open too many drinks, fired up Bubba Ho-Tep on Tubi, and decided to attempt a watch-along. Blue Suede Booze is now being heard for the first time because, wow, can we get distracted and forget we're recording... What started as a casual commentary turned into ad-break insults, behind-the-scenes trivia, and the occasional (read: frequent) long pause of whee...

The Reel Debaters went full Minion mode this week as we set up shop at Movies in the Park for a live commentary on Despicable Me 4 ! In This Episode: -How we got kicked off the stage by a recording from our hosting duties -Should voice actors always change their voice, or is it okay to bring their own sound to the mic? -What really went on behind the scenes to turn a villain and his Minions into a...

This week on The Reel Debaters , we sit down with actor and stunt performer David MacInnis for a wide-ranging conversation about the craft, the industry, and his latest bruises courtesy of Bob Odenkirk in Nobody 2 . David is known for his commanding yet vulnerable performances. A highly physical and imposing performer, trained in both the martial arts and dance, he infuses his characters with a de...