Reel Film Nerds Podcast

Episode #302: Violent Night

By Matt on Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Howdy listeners and welcome back to our little movie review pod. For this week’s review we continue chatting about new Christmas films with Violent Night starring David Harbour and John Leguizamo. Not a murdering Santa Claus topics include The Blair Witch Project, our 300th Episode Blu-ray winner announced, and lots of podcast problems.

Can you remember a recent year where we got some fun great Christmas movies back to back? This year it happened and Matt and Mike are really enjoying it. Let’s just come out with it, Violent Night is awesome! It is basically Die Hard and Home Alone mashed together with some Christmas Vacation throw in for good measure. Violent Night is very well violent! So much so it’s comical much like video game violence. This film is also heart felt with some real Christmas feels in it too. David Harbour does a great job as Santa murdering lots and lots of people in fun interesting ways. Our villain played by John Leguizamo also did a fantastic job of being loathed.

Mike and Matt both agree Violent Night is a must see film especially if you are into action movies. They both award the film 4.5 out of 5 Reels.

For next week’s review the guys head back to the theater but not to catch another Christmas movie. This is a film 13 years in the making so we have to let you know if it’s any good, Avatar: The Way of Water. Thanks for listening everyone 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

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Violent Night

Director: Tommy Wirkola

Writers: Pat Casey and Josh Miller

Stars: David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Alex Hassell, and Beverly D’Angelo

Release Date: December 2, 2022

Storyline from IMDB

When a group of mercenaries attack the estate of a wealthy family, Santa Claus must step in to save the day (and Christmas).

Watch the Violent Night trailer below.

Episodes Tributary

Episode #301: Tributary – Spirited

By Matt on Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Welcome to December everyone! Today Mike and Matt hit the ground running for Christmas with the Apple TV Original Spirited starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. Extra topics include MCU Phases, family traditions, and musicals.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a classic story that’s been told in many different mediums and in many different languages throughout the years. Spirited is inspired by Dickens’ story but it is really its own story. Spirited is a fun Christmas film with big sets, giant dance numbers, and loads of comedic talent. Ferrell and Reynolds were amazing together but Octavia Spencer was the breakout star. Her character and portrayal were just fantastic. Is Spirited for everyone, no especially not for Matt. It is more adult themed so young kids are out too. If you are looking for a fun new Christmas movie to share with most of the family, Spirited is worth your time. Mike awards the film 4 out of 5 Reels. Matt on the other hand can’t stand musicals, and some of the acting wasn’t so great, but he did love the story. He gives Spirited 2.5 out of 5 Reels.

For next week’s review Mike picked a film that just hit the theaters, Violent Night starring David Harbour. An R rated action Santa Claus film is very different from this week’s film. Maybe Matt will finally get into the Christmas spirit. Thanks 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

Spirited

Director: Sean Anders

Writers: Sean Anders and John Morris

Stars: Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, and Tracy Morgan

Release Date: November 18, 2022

Storyline from IMDB

A musical version of Charles Dickens’s story of a miserly misanthrope who is taken on a magical journey.

Watch the Spirited trailer below.

Episodes Legacy

Episode #300: Legacy – 300

By Matt on Wednesday, November 30, 2022

We did it! I don’t know how but we did it. The Reel Film Nerds Podcast hit 300 episodes! Of course we are nerds so we are reviewing a classic 300 episode film, 300 directed by Zack Snyder and starring Gerard Butler and Lena Headey. Bonus topics today include Andor is incredible, DCEU VS MCU, and an incredible giveaway to say thank you to our fans.

What is not to love about 300? It is an incredible stylized film based on a graphic novel that is inspired by actual historical events. Gerard Butler and Lena Headey are just absolutely perfect in this film. The supporting cast does an amazing job too, especially Michael Fassbender. The cinematography is amazing. The lighting, color palette, and its dramatic style really make 300 a feast for the eyes. If you have not seen 300 you must watch it right away. Mike with a perfect rating gives the Greek war movie 5 out of 5 Reels. Matt dropping his rating down a bit because the CGI didn’t age well gives 300 4 out of 5 Reels.

Next week it’s Matt’s pick and he is kicking off December with a Christmas musical. Spirited starring two of the biggest names in comedy Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. Thanks 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

300

Director: Zack Snyder

Writers: Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad, Michael B. Gordon, Frank Miller, and Lynn Varley

Stars: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, and Michael Fassbender

Release Date: March 7, 2007

Storyline from IMDB

King Leonidas of Sparta and a force of 300 men fight the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C.

Watch the 300 trailer below.

Episodes Tributary

Episode #299: Tributary – All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

By Matt on Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving eve everyone! Mike and Matt hope you have a wonderful holiday, eat lots of tasty food, and enjoy some movies with your family. For today’s 299th episode we chat about the Netflix Original All Quiet on the Western Front (2022). Additional topics include 1917, propaganda, and Matt needs some sleep.

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) is an incredible story based around true events that took place over 100 years ago. The novel was such a huge hit in 1929 that they made it into a film the next year. The Netflix Original adaptation is an absolute visual feast. Not to dismiss the two other movie versions but with our current technology and the actor’s deep ties to their country and culture, this is the best visual telling of this story to date.

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) is a must see film. The acting, sets, costumes, and cinematography are all at the peak of their game. Yes it is a gruesome gory film and that is the point. The story is being told in such a brutal way that the reader or viewer doesn’t think war is a good idea. The biggest let down of this film is that it is not easily available in the theaters. This movie is made to be seen on the big screen. Mike and Matt both agree All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) is a must see film both awarding it 4.5 out of 5 Reels.

Next week Mike and Matt celebrate their 300th Episode of the podcast by reviewing the 2006 classic 300! They are funny guys huh? Just a tip if you read this far they are giving away a special Blu-ray boxed set so make sure to tune in and figure out how you can win. Thanks 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

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Director: Edward Berger

Writers: Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson, Ian Stokell, and Erich Maria Remarque

Stars: Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer, and Daniel Brühl

Release Date: October 28, 2022

Storyline from IMDB

A young German soldier’s terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.

Watch the All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) trailer below.

Episodes

Episode #298: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

By Matt on Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Welcome everyone to our last Marvel Cinematic Universe film review of 2022. Today Matt and Mike chat about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever starring Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, and Tenoch Huerta. Bonus topics include Deadpool 3, death, and comic representations.

Phase 4 was one of the most difficult MCU Phases to date. TV shows were introduced, the pandemic hit, and internet trolls went to town on Disney. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a great ending to Phase 4. It is not the strongest film of the phase but it is towards the top. The acting was very good, especially from Angela Bassett and Letitia Wright.

It is tough to say goodbye to Chadwick Boseman and his portrayal of Black Panther but director and writer Ryan Coogler did an excellent job. Is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as good as the original, no, but it is still a great film especially with the introduction of Namor and his hidden society into the MCU.

Matt and Mike both agree this is a must see film in the theaters. Movies like these with huge set pieces, incredible CGI, and larger than life characters are made for movie theaters. Matt awards Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 3.5 out of 5 Reels. Mike really enjoyed the film too, especially the water society and characters awarding the film a respectable 3 out of 5 Reels.

Next week Mike and Matt hit the ol’ Netflix to check out a retelling of an incredible WWI story All Quiet on the Western Front. Thanks 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