The Third Reel: A Movie Podcast

The wait is over — Part 2 of our Scarlett Johansson: Hall of Fame/Lame special is here, and it’s time to bring it home. In this episode, we dive into the second half of ScarJo’s career — from Black Widow to Marriage Story , Her , Lucy and beyond — as we wrestle with the highs, the lows, and everything in between. After nearly 40 films and weeks of watching, debating, and occasionally yelling, we f...

You’ve waited with bated breath… and the wait is finally over. The Hall of Fame/Lame returns — and this time, we’re taking on none other than Scarlett Johansson. With her latest blockbuster Jurassic World: Rebirth roaring into cinemas, we’re celebrating ScarJo’s legendary (and sometimes questionable) career by sorting her filmography into two distinct categories: five films that earn a coveted pla...

In this Reel Kwik episode, we’re diving into A Real Pain — Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut that stirred up serious Oscar buzz and even scored Kieran Culkin a well-deserved win. This bittersweet dramedy follows two estranged cousins on a Holocaust pilgrimage that’s as funny as it is devastating, as they uncover buried trauma and confront their tangled family history. Did Eisenberg deliver on th...

It's been a while since one of these... We’re heading back 15 years to celebrate the cinematic gems of 2010! From dream heists and dystopian dramas to animated tearjerkers, we each reveal our personal Top 10 films of the year — and no two lists are the same. Expect passionate picks, controversial omissions, and a whole lot of film geekery. Join us as we rewind to a stacked year in cinema and ask:...

We’re celebrating the brilliant comedic madness of one of the late, great actors of our time — the one and only Robin Williams. From his hilarious, heartfelt performances to the way he shaped our childhoods, Robin was everyone’s favourite funcle. If you’ve ever played fantasy football, you’ll get the gist. We’re drafting from Williams’ entire filmography, taking turns to fill six distinct categori...

Biopics are everywhere right now — so what makes A Complete Unknown stand out? Or does it? This week, we dive into James Mangold’s latest take on musical legend Bob Dylan, with Timothée Chalamet stepping into the shoes (and harmonica) of one of the most enigmatic figures in music history. Does Mangold recapture the magic of Walk the Line? Does Chalamet deliver a performance worth singing about? An...

It’s time for another Reel Kwik review — and this one’s a biggie. We’re diving into Sinners , the latest team-up from Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan. One of the biggest and most talked-about films of the year, Sinners has taken both critics and audiences by surprise with its bold, genre-bending take on the vampire mythos. But how does it stack up with The Third Reel ? Tune in to find out. As a...

Our Versus format is back—and this one’s a battle of tech. We’re diving into the sci-fi worlds of Ex Machina and Her —two films that couldn’t be more different in tone (one a sleek thriller, the other a tender love story), yet both explore the moral and emotional complexities of artificial intelligence. They may flatter to deceive, but beneath the surface, both films are packed with meaning, quest...

Just when you thought the Harry Potter series was over… We’re back for one final trip to Hogwarts with a special debrief episode, reflecting on the entire film series and the franchise as a whole. It’s been a magical journey, and now it’s time to take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and maybe cause a little more chaos while we’re at it. And who better to join us than The Third Reel ’s ver...

Welcome to Part 2 of our Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 review! In this episode, we’re wrapping things up with a deep dive into Acts 2 and 3 of the final film, before sharing our overall thoughts and scores. As always, we’re breaking it all down scene by scene and scoring it out of 10. It’s time to see where this final instalment lands in The Third Reel ’s full Harry Potter film ran...

It’s the one you’ve been waiting for. We made it—the end of the Harry Potter film series and the final chapter in our first-ever review series. It’s been a wild ride through spells, secrets, and a whole lot of Snape, and now we’re here to find out: did they land the plane? Does the final instalment deliver the epic conclusion this franchise deserves? As with the rest of our reviews—and since this...

⚔️ It’s a double dose of Reel Kwik action! This time, we’re diving into Gladiator II – Ridley Scott’s epic sequel to his own modern classic. Was it worth the wait? Does it live up to the original? And can it stand tall without Maximus? We covered Gladiator in our Versus series, so we had high expectations going in – and a lot to say coming out. As introduced in last week’s ep, here’s how Reel Kwik...

🎬 Introducing Reel Kwik! Welcome to our brand new format – Reel Kwik – where we pick one film and review it… well, real kwik(ish). Each episode is split into two parts: 🎞️ Part 1 – Spoiler-free thoughts and first impressions. 🧠 Part 2 – A full deep-dive review with all the spoilers. If you haven’t seen the film yet, that’s your cue to pause after Part 1, watch it, then come back for the full dis...

It’s been a weekend of stag dos for The Third Reel crew, so what better way to celebrate than with two films that dive into the chaos of pre-wedding antics? Well… one does fully, the other kind of counts. Often hailed as the male and female counterparts of the same concept, these two comedy heavyweights are constantly compared—but which one truly comes out on top? Which delivers the bigger laughs?...

In this special one-off episode, we’re trying out our brand new format: Film Swap – where each host brings a film that means something to them, whether it’s a cosy Sunday comfort watch or a nostalgic childhood classic, and makes the other watch it properly (no phones, no distractions – full focus). With Daniel off on holiday, it’s just Rachael & Dale this week, and we’ve brought some big ones...

Welcome to Part 2 of our Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Review Series! In this episode, we’re wrapping things up by diving into Act 2 and Act 3, before sharing our final thoughts and scores. Just like always, we’re breaking the film down act by act, scene by scene, and scoring it out of 10. Deathly Hallows – Part 1 might be a slower, more introspective entry, but does it hit the emo...

This week on The Third Reel: A Movie Podcast , our Harry Potter Review Series continues with Deathly Hallows – Part 1 ! We’re officially into the final stretch now… As with the other instalments—and with this one being part of a two-parter itself—we’re splitting our review in two. In Part 1, we’ll delve into the opening act of the film, and in Part 2 (dropping tomorrow), we’ll explore Acts 2 and 3...

It doesn’t get much bigger than this—we’re talking Tom Hanks , a Hollywood powerhouse. Whether it’s his heartfelt dramatic performances or his charming comedic roles, he’s won over audiences for decades. Honestly, can you name a single person who doesn’t love at least one of his films? What better way to honour the legend than by battling it out to build the ultimate Tom Hanks film lineup? If you’...

You’ve heard Part 1, where Aladdin claimed victory—but who will he and his pals face in the final showdown for the illustrious title of The Third Reel’s ultimate “A” film? It’s time for Part 2 of The Third Reel’s A-Z of Films: Letter A Edition! A quick refresher: We started with 32 of the best and most diverse films beginning with the letter A, battling it out in a tournament-style showdown. Round...

We love our current lineup of formats, but we’re always looking for fresh and exciting ideas—and this might be our best yet. Introducing The Third Reel’s A-Z of Films: Letter A Edition! The goal? To build the ultimate movie alphabet by choosing just one film per letter. In this series, we put 32 of the best and most diverse films starting with a given letter into a tournament-style showdown. They’...

Welcome to Part 2 of our Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Review Series! In this episode, we’ll be finishing our review by covering Act 2 and Act 3, followed by our closing thoughts and scores. As a reminder, we'll be breaking down the film act by act and scene by scene, scoring each film on a scale of 1 to 10. FULL SPOILERS FOR HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE IN THIS EPISODE. You hav...

This week on The Third Reel: A Movie Podcast , we’re diving back into our Review Series with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ! Not long to go now... Like with the previous films—and likely the ones ahead—we’re splitting our review into two parts. In Part 1, we’ll break down Act 1, and in Part 2 (dropping first thing tomorrow), we’ll tackle Acts 2 and 3, followed by our final thoughts and sc...

Our Icon Series is back, and this time, we’re shining the spotlight on a true Hollywood legend—Judy Garland. A powerhouse of talent, she captivated audiences with her extraordinary singing, dancing, and acting, earning her place as one of the greatest performers of all time. From her unforgettable role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz to her heartbreaking performance in A Star Is Born , Judy’s caree...

The Oscars are just around the corner, and while some nominees were expected, there have certainly been a few surprises. Let’s be real—the Oscars aren’t the ultimate authority on the best film of the year, especially with so many great movies getting snubbed year after year. But like it or not, they remain the gold standard for celebrating cinema, and we’re all in for the spectacle. With that in m...

Welcome to Part 2 of our Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Review Series! In this episode, we’ll be finishing our review by covering Act 2 and Act 3, followed by our closing thoughts and scores. As a reminder, we'll be breaking down the film act by act and scene by scene, scoring each film on a scale of 1 to 10. FULL SPOILERS FOR HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX IN THIS EPISODE. Y...