Reel Film Nerds Podcast

Episode #320: Guy Ritchie’s the Covenant

By Matt on Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Happy new podcast day listeners! For Reel Film Nerds Episode #320 we chat about a very serious war film, Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim. Not serious topics include 420, we have a brand new giveaway (hint it’s Scream VI), and Champagne or Champagne of Beers?

War is always a difficult topic to cover in any medium. Film, especially a really well done war film shows the horrors, brotherhood, and victims of war to those of us who will never experience such tragedy. Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant is one of those war films that sparks a conversation. Centered on the Afghanistan War, specifically the bond between soldiers of different countries, Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant opens the viewers minds and eyes to bear witness to the duty and love soldiers have for one another even from different countries.

Jake Gyllenhaal does an incredible job. He is a fantastic actor with a huge range and has starred in war films before. Dar Salim though was on another level. He steals the spotlight from Jake and he deserves it. What an incredible job he does as Ahmed, an Afghanistan translator. The shots, cinematography, and stunts were all top notch but not award winning. The story though, inspired by true events, not based on a true story, is just incredible. It really makes this film what it is. Matt and Mike both agree Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant is a must see film. They both award it 4 out of 5 Reels.

Next week we continue with war movies with our chat on Sisu that takes place towards the end of WWII. Don’t forget to check out Ma Hinshaw Loses Her Cookies Episode #10 at the end of this incredible podcast. Thank you for listening and we will chat with you next week!

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike to review, email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com

You can find us on all things social such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Why not join our Facebook Fan Group so you can yell at Mike and Matt from the comfort of your keyboard while talking about films. Thank you for liking, subscribing, rating, reviewing, and telling your friends about our podcast. Stay home and stream as many movies as you can!

Guy Ritchie’s the Covenant

Director: Guy Ritchie

Writers: Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies, and Guy Ritchie

Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim. Sean Sagar, and Emily Beecham

Release Date: April 21, 2023

Storyline from IMDB

Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant follows US Army Sergeant John Kinley and Afghan interpreter Ahmed. After an ambush, Ahmed goes to Herculean lengths to save Kinley’s life. When Kinley learns that Ahmed and his family were not given safe passage to America as promised, he must repay his debt by returning to the war zone to retrieve them before the Taliban hunts them down first.

Watch the Guy Ritchie’s the Covenant trailer below.

Episodes

Episode #319: Renfield

By Matt on Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Here we are again, it’s like Mike and Matt do these things every week. For this week’s pod Matt and Mike, and Ma Hinshaw and Matt, chat about the latest Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult film Renfield. Not Dracula topics include Moviepass is getting better, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and putting kids to work.

Dracula has been a horror icon for generations and Renfield finally gives Nicolas Cage his chance at playing the mythical creature, and he kills it. Renfield is like two films smashed into one. You have the story of Renfield, Dracula’s familiar, and his struggles to confront his narcissistic boss and grow as a person. Then you have the story of a cop trying to live up to her father’s reputation and take down a large crime family while combating cop corruption. They are both great stories but are smashed together to create an odd script for Renfield.

The acting is fantastic and not just from Nic Cage but also Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina, and Ben Schwartz. The sets are colorful and creative, but the action and gore is where this film really shines. It’s just so much fun and over the top it reminds you of a video game. Matt and Mike both agree Renfield is a blast and worth a watch in the theaters. They both award the film 3 out of 5 Reels.

Next week we check out the new release Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim. Don’t forget to check out Ma Hinshaw Loses Her Cookies Episode #9 at the end of RFN Episode #319. Thank you for listening and we will chat with you next week!

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike to review, email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com

Renfield

Director: Chris McKay

Writers: Ryan Ridley and Robert Kirkman

Stars: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, and Ben Schwartz

Release Date: April 14, 2023

Storyline from IMDB

Renfield, Dracula’s henchman and inmate at the lunatic asylum for decades, longs for a life away from the Count, his various demands, and all of the bloodshed that comes with them.

Watch the Renfield trailer below.

Episodes

Episode #318: Air

By Matt on Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Welcome one and all! For today’s amazing podcast Mike and Matt chat about a classic American underdog story Air starring Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, and Ben Affleck. Not Nike based topics include video on demand, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and shoe stores.

So far 2023 has been an interesting year for films with multiple sneak attacks. Air is another one of those attacks. We knew this film was coming out and what it was based around but wow it was a whole lot more than either host expected. The acting and directing is incredible. Matt Damon as Sunny Vaccaro is clearly the standout but he is surrounded by an incredible amount of talent. Viola Davis kills it as we have all come to expect as Michael Jordan’s Mom Deloris. Davis is just insanely talented. The surprise though was Chris Tucker. An incredible actor in his own right but not known for dramatic roles, Tucker is instrumental in this film. Your hosts hope to see him make a much bigger comeback in serious roles like this one.

Air is the complete package. The script is incredible, the story is very good, the acting is out of this world, and the cinematography is excellent. Mike and Matt agree Air is a must see film. Matt gives Air a near perfect rating with 4.5 out of 5 Reels. Mike with a rare perfect rating awards the film 5 out of 5 Reels!

Next week we check out the new release Renfield starring Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, and Awkwafina. Don’t forget to check out Ma Hinshaw Loses Her Cookies Episode #8 at the end of RFN Episode #318. Thank you for listening and we will chat with you next week!

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike to review, email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com

Air

Director: Ben Affleck

Writers: Alex Convery

Stars: Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, and Viola Davis

Release Date: April 5, 2023

Storyline from IMDB

Follows the history of shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan.

Watch the Air trailer below.

Episodes

Episode #317: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

By Matt on Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Happy new podcast day! For Reel Film Nerds Podcast #317 Matt and Mike chat about a movie based on a classic RPG Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves starring Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez. Not misunderstood board game topics include Bones, cats, and allergies.

What a really nice spring surprise. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a really fun movie with a great story, great acting, decent CGI, and surprisingly great humor. D&D is not a monster movie, it is a creature movie. There are lots of fun animals, dragons, and mythical creatures throughout the film. D&D does not try to take itself too seriously. What I mean by that is this, the movie does not try to tell you what to think. It does not try to make you experience an emotional or analytical revelation. It is just a movie with a great adventure, story, and characters. It’s exactly the kind of movie that we are really missing today.

No, D&D is not going to win any awards. It’s not going to have you talking about it with your friends two weeks later. It’s just a really fun time. Mike and Matt think this is a must see film in the theaters. Mike awards Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 4 out of 5 Reels while Matt gives it 3.5 out of 5 Reels.

Next week we check out the new release Air starring Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, and Ben Affleck. Don’t forget to check out Ma Hinshaw Loses Her Cookies Episode #7 at the end of RFN Episode #317. Thank you for listening and we will chat with you next week!

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike to review, email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Director: John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein

Writers: Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Michael Gilio, and Chris McKay

Stars: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, and Hugh Grant

Release Date: March 24, 2023

Storyline from IMDB

A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.

Watch the Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves trailer below.

Episodes

Episode #316: John Wick: Chapter 4

By Matt on Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Happy hump day everyone! It’s here, woo-hoo, John Wick: Chapter 4 and man it did not disappoint. Bonus topics today include Dolby Atmos, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Matt and Ma are back on the radio!

It’s been just about 4 years since John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and man a lot has changed in our world. Matt and Mike are just so happy that John Wick didn’t. John Wick: Chapter 4 is an incredible film. The stunts are always at the top but this chapter they really added in martial arts. The John Wick series has always had a level of martial arts but not like this. A lot of that has to do with new co-star Donnie Yen. What an incredible actor and martial artist. He really helped elevate an already incredible franchise. Keanu Reeves, as always, was incredible. He has really upped his hand to hand combat to try to keep up with Yen and we think he did a great job.

If John Wick: Chapter 4 is the final main film in this franchise your hosts would be satisfied. It has a very good story, amazing action, great characters, incredible acting, and even some really fun humor. Matt and Mike both agree this is a must see film in the theaters. They both award John Wick: Chapter 4, 4.5 out of 5 Reels.

For next week’s pod we continue with the new theater releases with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves starring Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez. Thank you for listening and we will chat with you next week!

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike to review, email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com

John Wick: Chapter 4

Director: Chad Stahelski

Writers: Shay Hatten, Michael Finch, and Derek Kolstad

Stars: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, George Georgiou, Lance Reddick, and Donnie Yen

Release Date: March 24, 2023

Storyline from IMDB

John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.

Episode #320: Guy Ritchie’s the Covenant

Guy Ritchie’s the Covenant

Watch the Guy Ritchie’s the Covenant trailer below.

Episode #319: Renfield

Renfield

Watch the Renfield trailer below.

Episode #318: Air

Air

Watch the Air trailer below.

Episode #317: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Watch the Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves trailer below.

Episode #316: John Wick: Chapter 4

John Wick: Chapter 4

Watch the John Wick: Chapter 4 trailer below.