Tag Archives: Movie Review

Episode #163: Tributary – Spenser Confidential

Good news everyone looks like we are back on our regular schedule again, hopefully it lasts.  The world is literally breaking down all around us but hey we did a podcast!  

Today Matt and Mike start a series of streaming and classic movie reviews since you know movie theaters are all closed right now.  Our first film up to bat is Mark Wahlberg’s latest Netflix Original Spenser Confidential.  Topics better than this movie include the future of movies and theaters, we need money especially since Matt probably won’t have a job too much longer, and Doom Eternal helps pass the time when not watching films.

Spenser Confidential is an ok movie.  The script is rough, very rough.  It is an action movie with some decent action but it is too little too late in the film.  The acting is fine, nothing special but nothing horrible either. The picture overall is very predictable.  There are twists and turns and whodunits but you can figure any and all of them out way ahead of time. Is this movie worth your time especially now since everyone has so much time being locked up in their homes?  Short answer, no. Go watch a movie that is really good that you have or have not seen. This one is a pass. Mysterious Mike gives Spenser Confidential 2 out of 5 Reels.  Matt is a bit easier on the movie but not by much he awards it 2.5 out of 5 Reels. 

Next pod which might be later this week but most likely next week we turn to a tried and true 1980’s classic that will hopefully lift all of our spirits Clue.  It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video so why not sit down and watch it this week with us? Thanks for tuning in to our little pod and don’t forget to tell your friends to listen too!  We will chat at you 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!

Spenser Confidential Spenser Confidential Movie Poster

Director: Peter Berg

Writers: Sean O’Keefe, Brian Helgeland, Ace Atkins, and Robert B. Parker

Stars: Mark WahlbergWinston DukeAlan Arkin, and Iliza Shlesinger

Release Date: March 6, 2020

Storyline from IMDB

When two Boston police officers are murdered, ex-cop Spenser teams up with his no-nonsense roommate, Hawk, to take down criminals.

Watch the Spenser Confidential trailer below.

Episode #162: The Hunt

Hey check it out a new podcast!  Sorry we have been gone for so long but Matt did drop a few hints that the pod might be a bit on a hiatus.  Mysterious Mike and Maniacal Mags welcomed their first offspring into the world in late February, congrats you two!  

This week the guys made it to the theater before they were shut down to watch a controversial film that was pushed back, The Hunt.  Apocalypse based topics today include the Coronavirus, In N Out Burger, and is this the end of movie theaters as we know it?

Is The Hunt worth you spending your hard earned money on when it releases later today on streaming, short answer nope.  It is not a bad movie, it is actually a pretty fun movie but there is so much better content out there to watch. Our recommendation is to wait until this one is streaming on a service you already pay for.  Is the controversy warranted, maybe but remember it is a satire. This film attacks both major parties in the US equally. The acting is good but nothing special. The action and fight scenes are actually really good.  They are probably the best part of this movie. The script and dialogue is rough but funny at times. Mysterious Mike Talent thought the movie was just average awarding it 3 out of 5 Reels. Matt agrees, The Hunt is just an average film but is a fun watch when you are not paying too much for it.  He gives it 3.5 out of 5 Reels.      

Next week the guys will definitely not be allowed to go to the theaters, they are all closed!  Mike and Matt instead will stay home and review the Netflix Original Spenser Confidential starring Mark Wahlberg.  A fun and dark bonus topic for next week will be the host’s top 5 favorite apocalypse films.  Thanks for tuning in to our little pod don’t forget to tell your friends to listen to our pod too so we spread across the world too.  We will chat at you 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!

The Hunt The Hunt Movie Poster

Director: Craig Zobel

Writers: Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof

Stars: Betty GilpinHilary SwankIke Barinholtz, and Wayne Duvall

Release Date: March 13, 2020

Storyline from IMDB

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chosen – for a very specific purpose – The Hunt.

Watch The Hunt trailer below.

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 #157: Parasite

Happy Wednesday fellow nerds!  Matt and Mike are back with another great podcast for you.  Today the guys review a film that slid under the radar this past November but is currently in the theaters and on Blu-ray thanks to its many Academy Award nominations, the South Korean film Parasite.  Bonus topics today include Aerosmith, subtitles, and Morse code.

Parasite is a very good film that caught both of your hosts by surprise.  It is 100% subtitled so if you are not ok with reading for an entire film you might want to skip this one.  You will really be missing out on a great movie though. The acting, sets, and the cinematography are fantastic in Parasite but where this film really shines is its story.  It is very hard to discuss this film without spoiling it so we won’t here.  It is a genre bending film that raises lots of questions about societal class status.  You will be thinking and discussing Parasite long after you leave the movie theater.  Mike really enjoyed this film giving it 4 out of 5 Reels.  Matt on the other hand was absolutely blown away by Parasite, he gives it a perfect rating with 5 out of 5 Reels.

Next week the guys head to their favorite theaters to watch DC’s latest superhero film featuring a stellar cast, Birds of Prey.  The real question is if this film will continue DC’s recent success with films like Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and Shazam! or is it going to be a box office disaster like Justice League?  Sorry but you will have to wait to download next week’s pod to find out.  Chat with you then.

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!

Parasite Parasite Movie Poster

Director: Bong Joon Ho

Writers:Bong Joon Ho and Jin Won Han

Stars: Kang-ho Song, Sun-kyun Lee, Yeo-jeong Jo, Woo-sik Choi, and So-dam Park

Release Date: November 8, 2019

Storyline from IMDB

All unemployed, Ki-taek and his family take peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks, as they ingratiate themselves into their lives and get entangled in an unexpected incident.

Watch the Parasite trailer below.

Episode #155: 1917

Wednesday is upon us again, the week is halfway over and boy do we have an incredible film to review for you!  Today Matt and Mike discuss the latest World War I epic 1917 directed by Sam Mendes.  Not war related topics include friends, History versus Hollywood, and #BayBang.

1917 is a truly incredible film that is a must see in the theater.  It is getting a ton of awards season buzz and it is warranted. The cinematography is absolutely stunning, the acting is very good, the sets and soundtrack are stunning and accurate to a T.  If this film does not win several awards this year it would be a shock to both Mike and Matt. This is truly one of the best if not THE best film of 2019. Mike awards 1917 a perfect rating with 5 out of 5 Reels!!!  Matt really loved 1917 as well but really would have liked it more if the story was historical.  He still gives it a very high rating with 4.5 out of 5 Reels. Honestly you must see this cinematic achievement in the theaters you will thank us.

Next week the boys hit the theaters to watch another Michael Bay film, Bad Boys for Life.  For those of you counting that is two Michael Bay movies in one month, crazy right?  #BayBang Hopefully in the near future we will discuss a Tributary film that is getting a ton of awards season buzz as well The Two Popes starring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce.  Thanks for listening to our incredible podcast and we will chat at you 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!

1917

Director: Sam Mendes 1917 Movie Poster

Writers: Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns

Stars: Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays, and Colin Firth

Release Date: January 10, 2020

Storyline from IMDB

Two young British soldiers during the First World War are given an impossible mission: deliver a message deep in enemy territory that will stop 1,600 men, and one of the soldiers’ brothers, from walking straight into a deadly trap.

Watch the 1917 trailer below.