The Reel Life Podcast with Dom Bajoria

In this episode, Dom is joined by friend and writer Rosalyn Harper to dive deep into the world of Letterboxd.  After finding some large disagreements in terms of film ratings, the two sit down to look at where they agree and disagree on some big hitters, including Marty Supreme, Reservoir Dogs, Gone Girl and Babylon.  Lots of films talked about, and lots of interesting takes and insights. Does Dom...

In this episode, Dom is joined by old friend of the pod, Drew Blackett, to dive deep on Josh Safdie's 'Marty Supreme'.  The discussion flies all over the place, from its morals, its filmmaking prowess, its comparison the 'The Wolf of Wall Street', and where it might pick up awards.  Following that, there is a quick look at the Oscars, who might win, where they might be likely to head.  Love it or...

Happy New Year! In the week Dom turns 23, Verity is back on the pod to talk through the pair's top 3 'Coming of Age' movies.  There's a wide range of films on the lists, and some of everyone's favourite films will undoubtedly be there, so everyone's likely to find something they love. Plus, Dom's argument for the "Undisputed GOAT" is fleshed out, and it might not be what you expect.  Dom and Verit...

Merry Christmas! A more full-blown, multi-person episode will be on its way soon, but in the meantime, in a year when the terrestrial listings leave a lot to be deisred, Dom runs down his picks for the 5 best Christmas TV specials there have been.  Lots of range on the list, from old familiar classics, to more modern and much darker entries too. Something for everyone on this list, so hopefully yo...

In this episode, Will Gerrard is back on the pod as we return to a genre which has only surged in recent years- the musical biopic.  There's a lot to unpack here, including why the industry keeps coming back to them, the successful ones, the not so successful ones, and why the best musical biopics may not even be real.  We also look ahead to all the musical biopics lined up, and why it might not b...

This week, Dom sits down with his sister to talk through their picks for the most underrated filmmakers working today. Many different angles taken here, some stuff for nerds, some stuff for the good times.  It was nearly so pleasant, before a difficult curveball thrown in at the end. So stick around for that.  Thank you very much for downloading, and enjoy!

The pod is back!   Apologies for the absence, but Dom is back with his sister to have a chat about all things Horror. Verity is not a horror fan, and Dom adores it, so this is an intriguing two-sides-of-the-coin chat about why horror does and doesn't work for people.  Dom gives us a brief lesson on why horror and cinema are so closely tied together historically, and talks thorugh why Sinners may b...

The podcast is three years old!  As a celebration, Dom once again sat down with Dr Daniel Kenealy to do a deepdive into the works of Steven Spielberg. In this bumper discussion, there's a whole range of things to dissect, from what Spielberg means to us, the eras of his filmography, hits hits and misses, the influence of John Williams- before an Oscars style award giving for his filmography. Dom d...

Following on from last week in this second part of the discussion, Dom and Dan talk through the big one- their best picture. They rank their favourite films of the year from 10-1, and also take a look forward at what's coming up this year.  As you might expect, both lists have stuff from absolutely all over the place, so if you're stuck for what to watch, this may well be the episode for you! Than...

Welcome to season 4 of The Reel Life Podcast!  In this episode, Dom sits down with one of his university lecturers, Dr Daniel Kenealy, to discuss all things Oscars. Reviewing the ceremony, and the direction of all the awards. Dan is a real cineast, and so there was much to discuss- hence this is part one of this discussion.  Next week, in part two, each will reveal their list of top 10 films of th...

It's awards time! Join Dom for a celebration and rundown of the year's greatest cinematic events, as we give out the Bajoria's Should Have Won Awards- an accolade that becomes ever more prestigious with every year.  This year, Dom also manages to catch a few interviews with some of the nominees on the red carpet, before giving his predictions for the Oscars, and revealing where the awards should g...

In this episode, Dom is once again joined by Kuba in a discussion brought about as a result of Jesse Eisenberg's  A Real Pain.  This time, the chat is around the pair's 5 favourite films where the runtime clocks in at 90 minutes or under, the films that give you that little bit more time in your day to procrastinate by some other means.  A very wide variety of films is discussed, from the devastat...

In this festive special, Dom is joined by three people for the first time to discuss nothing remotely Christmassy at all. Fun chat though. Together with Zac, Ella and Nameer, a huge range of films are discussed as everyone lists their 5 favourite film characters of all time. From notorious film icons to rogue shouts, horror to Rom-Com, there is a lot to unpack as everyone dissects their lists.  Th...

In this episode, Dom talks through his thoughts on seven recent titles he had the chance to catch and dissect. There is a wide range of films from blockbuster to arthouse psychological horror, in what is proving to be an intriguing year for film.    Dom talks through his thoughts on Gladiator II, Alien: Romulus, Starve Acre, Woman of the Hour, Joker: Folie a Deux, Speak No Evil and Conclave. Some...

In this episode, Dom and Roddy sit down to talk through the films which stuck with them most since childhood. Even more subjective than usual, the variety of films discussed is actually quite broad.  Roddy has some... unusual inclusions, and Dom lists some (slightly low-level) films you would not expect to be buried in a cineast's heart.  I hope you enjoy, and thank you for downloading the podcast...

In this episode, Dom and Kuba sit down again to dissect an experience which throws both of their lists of worst films from last time into disrepute.  Having both had the severe misfortune of spending 2 hours and 18 minutes viewing Francis Ford Coppola's latest offering, 'Megalopolis', the pair talk through why it has earned the title, in their view, of the worst film ever made.  This could have be...

In this episode, Dom is joined by Kuba for a discussion celebrating some of the worst films or most disappointing cinema experinces the two have had, in honour or Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis being met by some horrendous reviews.  Much in the way of poor filmmaking is assessed, from severe sequel disappointment to completely forgettable plotlines, and of course, Jared Leto.  If you love a go...

In this episode, and this years Edinburgh Fringe edition, Dom is joined by Roddy and Amelia to talk through the best animated works of Disney and Pixar.  Much is discussed from the timelessness of the Disney 2D style, the impact these films had on everyone's childhood vs how you see them as adults, an idea for a fringe show which would either be hailed as genius or given the red light after senten...

In this episode, Dom and his sister sit down to dissect the most recent iteration of Doctor Who following the return of Russel T Davies.  The pair talk through its merits alongside its heavy shortcomings, and use their upsettingly nerdy knowledge of New Who to do so. In a (perhaps overly) long discussion, much is assessed in the aim of working out how to fix the show, and how its tonal change has...

In this extra-long episode, Dom is joined again by his sister to give a thorough talk through of the Harry Potter franchise.  The pair attempt to rank all the films from 1-8 (more succesfully on one account than the other), and discuss why it sets itself apart from other franchises in terms of success and quality. It's a little all over the place, but they get there in the end.  These films don't...

In this episode, Dom delves into the themes and elements which make David Mackenzie's 2016 film Hell or High Water one of his absolute favourites.  This is the first of a new series of episodes in which Dom talks through some of his standout favourite films. In a more politically in-depth analysis than normal, Dom talks through why the films initial Trumpian label is misguided, and the film actual...

The podcast turns two years old! (A few days ago) In this episode, Dom talks through Luca Guadagnino's recent hit ' Challengers ', and its wildly hightened and entertaining story. In conjunction with this, Dom also dives into the question of why efficiency and conciseness is important in cinema, and why indulgence often lets films down.  Interestingly, ' Challengers ' isn't actually particularly i...

In this episode, Dom and Michael reconvene to discuss part two of Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune.  This is Michael's THING, like we only just scratch the surface here, so Michael leads the episode in talking about how well the film does in translating the content of the book to the big screen. Dom, having not read the book, sits back, but also comes back to his now altered r...

It's that special time of year again when the black ties come out to play and everyone gathers round the TV to see who will win the most prestigious award in film- the Bajoria's what Should Have Won Awards.  Dom talks through his winners in the major categories at the upcoming Oscars, giving his verdict on where the Oscars will go and who the  real winners are. In a spectacular year for film, the...

In this episode, Dom is joined by two returning guests for the first ever three-strong podcast.  The trio talk through their top five favourite film scores, including an extensive list of honourable mentions which cover a very broad list of music.  The first half of this is professional and intellectual- the second half really is not. So however you like your podcasts, there's something in this on...