Tag Archives: Film Review

Episode #159: Birds of Prey

Welcome to our anniversary week!  This Friday Reel Film Nerds podcast turns 2 years old, wow!  Don’t fret we are doing our annual Poindexter Awards but not until next week.  Today we discuss DC’s latest film Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn or as it’s been renamed this week Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey.  Bonus topics today include Ewan McGregor, Mudshark, and a whole lot of Oscars talk.

Birds of Prey is an ok film.  The story has been done time and time again.  It is one of the biggest faults with this movie and you know how much the story means to your two hosts.  The color palette, acting especially by Margot Robbie, and cinematography are great.  The action really took Matt by surprise.  The fight scenes were shot wide allowing the actors to show off their moves.  It was very reminiscent of the John Wick series of films.  Is this a must see movie in the theaters, nope.  Is it worth a watch down the road, sure. It is an entertaining film that does have several redeeming qualities but in the end it was a let down, at least to Mike.  Speaking of Mike Talent he awards the film 2 out of 5 Reels. Matt the way too nice guy that he always is, rates this movie a smidge higher. He gives DC’s latest film 3 out of 5 Reels.

Next week the guys plan on getting to the annual RFN Poindexter Awards!  If things get really busy (for Mike of course) or there is an early delivery for one of your hosts they might be pushed back a bit.  Check your favorite podcatching app next week to find out. Thanks for hanging out with us while we chat too much about movies. Talk to you next week, maybe.

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike Talent to review you can email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com, listeners we are talking to you.

Lastly we are on all things social such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please join our Facebook Fan Group so you can have a safe space to yell at Mike and Matt from the comfort of your keyboard while talking about films too. Now go out and catch a movie!

Birds of Prey Birds of Prey Movie Poster

Director: Cathy Yan

Writer: Christina Hodson

Stars: Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, and Ewan McGregor

Release Date: February 7, 2020

Storyline from IMDB

After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord.

Watch the Birds of Prey trailer below.

Episode #156: Bad Boys For Life

Welcome kiddos to another movie review podcast!!  Ours is special though because we said so. First off we screwed up a little bit.  This week’s review Bad Boys for Life was not directed by Michael Bay but by Belgian directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah.  We apologize for getting your hopes up with #BayBang.  We are still keeping the hashtag though. Here is your warning the guys are in really rare form on today’s pod.  They tried to stay on topic but failed miserably. It’s still a fun podcast to listen to, we swear. Some of our copious off topics include The Villages in Florida, the FAA and drone regulations, and lastly Best Picture nominees.

Bad Boys for Life is a breath of fresh air for a typically stale month of movie releases.  Is it going to win any awards next year, heck no but it is a ton of fun! Will Smith and Martin Lawrence retain their incredible chemistry together even after 17 years apart.  The action was good but a bit over the top and even silly at times. It is not quite at the level of Michael Bay’s action but the directors were definitely channeling him.  The story is where this film really shines. The previous Bad Boys films had decent stories in the past but they were second to the action.  In this film, the story is very well developed with tons of great banter and comedy.  Mike Talent really had a great time watching this movie, he gives it a shocking 4 out of 5 Reels.  Matt also enjoyed Bad Boys For Life but did not like a couple of plot twists. He gives the film 3.5 out of 5 Reels.

Next week the guys hit the theater to review a film that flew under the radar when it was released in November of last year, Parasite.  It is nominated for Best Picture and Mike and Matt can finally watch it!  Thanks for hanging out with us and dealing with this truly off the wall pod of pods.  See ya next week.

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike Talent to review you can email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com, listeners we are talking to you.

Lastly we are on all things social such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please join our Facebook Fan Group so you can have a safe space to yell at Mike and Matt from the comfort of your keyboard while talking about films too. Now go out and catch a movie!

Bad Boys For Life Bad Boys For Life Movie Poster

Directors: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah

Writers: Chris Bremner, Peter Craig, Joe Carnahan, and George Gallo

Stars: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Paola Nuñez, and Joe Pantoliano

Release Date: January 17, 2020

Storyline from IMDB

Marcus and Mike have to confront new issues (career changes and midlife crises), as they join the newly created elite team AMMO of the Miami police department to take down the ruthless Armando Armas, the vicious leader of a Miami drug cartel.

Watch the Bad Boys For Life trailer below.

Episode #152: Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker

Thank the Maker!!!  It’s here our review of Matt’s reason to live, Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker!!!  If you can’t tell we are just a tad excited to chat with you about the last installment in the Skywalker saga.  Additional topics include Christmas, blue glowies, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is incredible! 

Star Wars: Episode IX is a great film and answer to Rian Johnson’s disaster that is The Last Jedi.  We are not going to spoil this film here but we do follow our new structure and spoil it after our Marvel Cinematic Universe tie-in.  Hopefully you have watched Episode IX at least once by now.  The acting is great, the script can be a real mess, and the action is nonstop!  If you are even a casual movie goer or Star Wars fan this is a must see film in the theaters.  Thank you J.J. Abrams for saving this beloved franchise with Star Wars Episode IX.  Don’t listen to the critics on this one they are wrong, really wrong.  Matt and Mike clearly are not critics because they loved this movie. Mike Talent came out of the gate swinging giving Episode IX a near perfect score with 4.5 out of 5 Reels.  Matt is a little lower but not by much and he is super critical of something he loves so dearly.  Matt gives Episode IX a respectable 4 out of 5 Reels. 

Next week the guys hit the theaters to see a film that is being praised by fans and critics alike Uncut Gems starring Adam Sandler in a very serious role.  Thanks for tuning in and listening to Mike and Matt ramble on about movies.  Have a safe and Happy New Year!!!

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike Talent to review you can email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com, listeners we are talking to you.

Lastly we are on all things social such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please join our Facebook Fan Group so you can have a safe space to yell at Mike and Matt from the comfort of your keyboard while talking about films too. Now go out and catch a movie!

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker Star Wars Episode IX Rise of Skywalker Movie Poster

Director: J.J. Abrams

Writers: J.J. Abrams, Chris Terrio, Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow, and George Lucas

Stars: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Ian McDiarmid, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, Keri Russell, and Billy Dee Williams

Release Date: December 20, 2019

Storyline from IMDB

The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.

Watch the Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker trailer below.

Episode #148: Tributary – The Irishman

Welcome to December everyone!  You can now safely decorate for Christmas, thank you to everyone who waited.  This week the guys stayed home and watched the biggest film release of the long holiday weekend Martin Scorsese’s latest gangster film The Irishman.  Extra special topics today include de-aging, Mike and Matt throw shade at each other, and structure?

The Irishman is an incredible film with a great story saturated with history.  It is classic Scorsese at his best!  Yes it is a long film, very long but worth it.  Do yourself a favor and try to watch it in one sitting.  It will be difficult, especially with the ease of streaming shows and movies today but it is honestly the best way to watch The IrishmanRobert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci do we really need to say more?  They were just incredible along with the excellent and vast supporting cast.  The de-aging effects were well done for the most part. There are a few times when the effect doesn’t look quite right but overall it is remarkable what film makers can do today.  The Irishman is a great film and well worth a watch.  If you have it in a theater near you definitely see it there but it is in super limited release.  This movie for sure will be making waves at the Academy Awards early next year. Matt and Mike in the extremely rare occasion agree on a rating giving Scorsese’s latest masterpiece 4 out of 5 Reels.

Next week the guys return to the theaters to watch the sequel to the 2017 surprise hit Jumanji: The Next Level.  What did you think of our attempt at a structured podcast?  Let us know in the emails, the social medias, or carrier pigeon.  Thanks for hanging out with us and we will chat at you next week.

If you want to listen to way better podcast’s don’t forget to check out our sister podcasts The Bluemilk Podcast, The Mile High Show, and Rogues Radio Podcast also based in beautiful Prescott, Arizona.

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike Talent to review you can email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com, listeners we are talking to you too.

Lastly we are on all things social such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please join our Facebook Fan Group so you can have a safe space to yell at Mike and Matt from the comfort of your keyboard while talking about films too. Now go out and catch a movie!

The Irishman The Irishman Movie Poster

Director: Martin Scorsese

Writers: Charles Brandt (book), Steven Zaillian (screenplay)

Stars: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Keitel

Release Date: November 27, 2019

Storyline from IMDB

Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran is a man with a lot on his mind. The former labor union high official and hitman, learned to kill serving in Italy during the Second World War. He now looks back on his life and the hits that defined his mob career, maintaining connections with the Bufalino crime family. In particular, the part he claims to have played in the disappearance of his life-long friend, Jimmy Hoffa, the former president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who mysteriously vanished in late July 1975 at the age of 62.

Watch The Irishman trailer below.

Episode #147: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Happy Thanksgiving Eve everyone!  Are you ready to get your grub on?  Some families have a tradition of seeing movies on Thanksgiving.  Mike and Matt are here to help you decide if you should see the new Tom Hanks film inspired by one of the most loved Americans to walk the face of the earth, Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.  Additional topics today include Apple products, The Mandalorian (yes again), and Tom Hanks’ comedic roles.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a great film it was just not the film we were promised in the trailers.  The story is really good but it is not a story about Fred Rogers.  It involves Mr. Rogers in a big way but he is not the focus of the film.  It is loosely based on Esquire magazine journalist Tom Junod’s article and friendship with Fred.  The film is very emotional especially if you grew up watching Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.  It pulls all the right strings especially the main character Lloyd Vodel’s relationship with his family or lack thereof.  Mike and Matt both agree this is a great film but it is not worth going to the theaters to watch. Wait until it comes out to rent or to stream.  Mike gives A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood an average rating of 3 out of 5 Reels, Matt is just a smidge higher with 3.5 out of 5 Reels.

The theaters are pretty dry for new releases over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend which is very strange.  So for next week your hosts will be doing a Tributary review on Martin Scorsese’s straight to Netflix film The Irishman starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci.  Have a great holiday weekend and don’t trample anyone trying to score killer Black Friday deals on your favorite films, electronics, or other goodies.  Thanks for hanging out with us and we will chat at you next week.

If you want to listen to way better podcast’s don’t forget to check out our sister podcasts The Bluemilk Podcast, The Mile High Show, and Rogues Radio Podcast also based in beautiful Prescott, Arizona.

If you have a film you would like Matt and Mike Talent to review you can email us at nerds@reelfilmnerds.com, listeners we are talking to you too.

Lastly we are on all things social such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please join our Facebook Fan Group so you can have a safe space to yell at Mike and Matt from the comfort of your keyboard while talking about films too. Now go out and catch a movie!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Movie Poster

Director: Marielle Heller

Writers: Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster

Stars: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper, and Susan Kelechi Watson

Release Date: November 22, 2019

Storyline from IMDB

Two-time Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about empathy, kindness, and decency from America’s most beloved neighbor.

Watch the A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood trailer below.