Reel Film Nerds Podcast

Episode #314: 65

By Matt on Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Happy almost St. Patrick’s Day everyone! For Episode 314 Mike and Matt chat about a little film that hit the box office last week starring Adam Driver, 65. Additional topics today include The 2023 Academy Awards, Flying Basset, and one incredible giveaway.

When it comes to film with dinosaurs the bar has been set pretty high but also pretty low. 65 is a decent film that falls in the middle of dinosaur films. The CGI is pretty good, the acting by Adam Driver and Ariana Greenblatt is very good, but what falls flat is the story. It’s not a horrible story but it just doesn’t have a ton of substance or dialogue. Because of this the world building is very lacking as well. There is little to no character development so this ancient journey dodging being eaten every few minutes really doesn’t have a ton of weight to it because you don’t really care about the two main characters. 65 is not a bad film, it’s just not a great film like Jurassic Park. Mike and Matt agree 65 only earns a mediocre score of 2 out of 5 Reels.

For next week’s episode Mike wanted to stay home from the theaters. He picked an Indian film that just won an Academy Award this week, RRR. It is currently streaming on Netflix so why not watch it with us? 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!

65

Directors: Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

Writers: Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

Stars: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman, Nika King, and Brian Dare

Release Date: March 10, 2023

Storyline from IMDB

An astronaut crash lands on a mysterious planet only to discover he’s not alone.

Watch the 65 trailer below.

Episodes

Episode #313: Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

By Matt on Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Welcome one and all. It’s a new podcast day for the Reel Film Nerds. For today’s episode Ma, Mike and Matt chat about Guy Ritchie’s latest film Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre. Bonus discussions include Legion, death, and Yes Man.

This is not your typical Guy Ritchie film. The story is told directly, there are not a ton of characters, and there are no big twists or reveals. Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre is not a bad film just not what your hosts have come to expect from Ritchie. It’s a spy satire with some really funny moments but not enough. It was great seeing Josh Hartnett back on screen and in a somewhat starring role. Aubrey Plaza, Hugh Grant, and of course Jason Statham all do great jobs. Operation Fortune is just missing something keeping it from hitting that incredible film rank like previous Ritchie flicks. Ma and Mike agree Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre is a solid 3.5 out of 5 Reels. Matt really expected more but he still really enjoyed himself. He awards the film 3 out of 5 Reels.

Mike, Matt, and even Ma just can’t stay away from the theaters in 2023. For next week they will report back about the Sci-Fi dinosaur thriller 65 starring Adam Driver. 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

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

Director: Guy Ritchie

Writers: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, and Marn Davies

Stars: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes, and Hugh Grant

Release Date: March 3, 2023

Storyline from IMDB

Special agent Orson Fortune and his team of operatives recruit one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars to help them on an undercover mission when the sale of a deadly new weapons technology threatens to disrupt the world order.

Watch the Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre trailer below.

Episodes

Episode #312: Cocaine Bear

By Matt on Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Welcome to March everyone. Can you believe how fast this year has rocketed by? For today’s pod Mike, Matt, and Ma Hinshaw chat about a film that is tearing up the box office Cocaine Bear directed by Elizabeth Banks. Not drug related animal topics include 8K, Movie Pass sucks again, and a new incredible Blu-ray giveaway.

This movie is exactly what we wanted, just not enough of it. Cocaine Bear is a high dollar B-movie with A-list stars and an amazing CGI bear. The biggest problem with this film is they did not push the boundaries harder. There are some really great over the top scenes and humor but they are too few and far between. Another big issue is the amount of stories in this film. There are a ton of characters, which is great, but they all have these pretty intricate stories. Why, why are there so many? A handful at best but better developed really would improve this film.

Matt and Mike both agree this is a wait until it’s streaming kinda movie. It is a ton of fun and if you want to go to the theaters please do but it’s not a must see film. Mike awards Cocaine Bear 2.5 out of 5 Reels. Matt is just a smidge lower with 2 out of 5 Reels. Of course we can’t forget Ma Hinshaw who just loves pretty much anything, she awards the movie 3.5 out of 5 cookies.

Next week Mike, Matt, and even Ma continue their theater going run with Guy Ritchie’s latest film Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre starring Jason Statham. 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

Cocaine Bear

Director: Elizabeth Banks

Writers: Jimmy Warden

Stars: Ray Liotta, Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich, and O’Shea Jackson Jr.

Release Date: February 24, 2023

Storyline from IMDB

An oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converge on a Georgia forest where a huge black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine.

Watch the Cocaine Bear trailer below.

Episodes

Episode #311: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

By Matt on Wednesday, February 22, 2023

It’s here everyone! Our first Marvel Cinematic Universe film of 2023, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Man Marvel and Disney are just cranking these things out aren’t they? Additional topics today include where is Luis, MCU villains, and Mike’s likes it sloppy.

Going against the critics and keyboard warriors Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is not a horrible film. It is not amazing either like we have come to expect from the MCU. Ant-Man 3 is a fun blockbuster with a ton of faults. The introduction of Kang played by Jonathan Majors is probably the best part of the film. He is really going to be a great addition and villain for the MCU. The worst part of the film is that Disney did M.O.D.O.K. dirty! If you are a fan of M.O.D.O.K. you are going to hate him in this film. Also this whole dang movie is nothing but a CGI fest. Some of it is really great and some of it is really terrible. Is Ant-Man 3 worth a watch, yes but only if you like the MCU, blockbusters, or Paul Rudd. Mike and Matt agree Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania earns a palatable 2.5 out of 5 Reels.

Next week Ma, Matt, and Mike head to the theaters to watch a very interesting looking film loosely based on real life Cocaine Bear directed by Elizabeth Banks and starring Ray Liota. 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

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Director: Peyton Reed

Writers: Jeff Loveness and Jack Kirby

Stars: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Jonathan Majors

Release Date: February 17, 2023

Storyline from IMDB

Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, along with Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, explore the Quantum Realm, where they interact with strange creatures and embark on an adventure that goes beyond the limits of what they thought was possible.

Watch the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trailer below.

Episodes

Episode #310: Knock at the Cabin

By Matt on Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Happy Valentine’s Day hangover, may your wallets be empty and your hearts be full of love. Today for Reel Film Nerds Episode 310 the guys review Knock at the Cabin while celebrating their 5 year anniversary! Topics today include Ma Hinshaw Loses Her Cookies Episode 1, what a twist, and should we review RRR.

Apocalypse stories are a dime a dozen by movie standards. Knock at the Cabin is another apocalypse story but it doesn’t blatantly show you what’s going on outside the cabin. It hints at it and shows you news reports. Knock at the Cabin is a lot more like a one room play focusing on acting and character development and it does great. Besides the incredible acting by the entire cast especially Kristen Cui and Dave Bautista the cinematography is a master class. It is just incredible. Shot entirely on film using tight shots, wide shots, etc. it really elevates this film.

Mike liked Knock at the Cabin but didn’t love it. He awards the film 3 out of 5 Reels. Matt and Ma Hinshaw on the other hand loved it. They both give the film 4 out of 5 Reels.

Next week Mike, Matt, and Ma head to the theaters to watch our first MCU film of 2023, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania starring Paul Rudd and Jonathan Majors. 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