Tag Archives: Reel Film Nerds

Episode #137: Harvest Horror Fest – Alien (1979)

Thursday is here and that means it’s the start of our second annual Harvest Horror Fest!  This year Matt has given full control over to Mike Talent well he is picking the films we are watching if that’s considered full control.  First up is an incredible sci-fi horror classic that is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year, Alien (1979), directed by the infamous Ridley Scott and starring Sigourney Weaver.  Not Alien (the film) related topics include Triple Force Friday, robot juice, and Hastings (R.I.P).

Alien is an incredible film that has stood the test of time.  It is still a very scary movie with amazing practical effects especially the Xenomorph.  The cinematography and acting do not disappoint either.  Do you think Harry Dean Stanton ever aged?  The guy always looked the same on film no matter what his age was.  If you have not seen Alien by now you need to buy it or rent it from your favorite online service now!  Mysterious Mike Talent loved Alien and thinks it’s just as good today as the day it came out in theaters in 1979.  He lovingly gives the movie 4.5 out of 5 Reels. Matt also really enjoyed Alien but thinks it has aged a bit more than he expected.  He, believe it or not, gives it a lower rating than Mike with 4 out of 5 Reels.

Next week the podcastage continues with Gemini Man directed by Ang Lee starring Will Smith.  On Thursday our second annual Harvest Horror Fest continues with another classic horror film review!  Tune in Monday to Magic 99.1 with Leza Live to get Matt’s first impressions of Gemini Man and find out what our next HHF film will be.  Thanks for listening 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!

Alien (1979) Alien (1979) Movie Poster

Director: Ridley Scott

Writers: Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett

Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, Ian Holm, and Yaphet Kotto

Release Date: June 22, 1979

Storyline from IMDB

After a space merchant vessel perceives an unknown transmission as a distress call, its landing on the source moon finds one of the crew attacked by a mysterious lifeform, and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun.

 

Watch the Alien trailer below.

Episode #136: Joker

Happy Tuesday everyone?  Yes we are back to two a weeks well at least for the month of October, you know what that means don’t you?  HARVEST HORROR FEST IS HERE! HHF officially kicks off on Thursday but until then you will just have to settle for one of the most controversial films in years, Joker.  Super special topics include PC America, mental illness, and super movie security.

Joker is an incredible cinematic achievement but it is not for everyone.  This film is very dark and depressing. It takes a lot of inspiration from Martin Scorsese especially his 1976 film Taxi Driver.  It is not about superheroes or villains.  It is about mental illness and what happens when you push someone too far.  Joker has no more violence than other films currently in the theaters.  The issue your hosts’ think is stirring up the controversy surrounding this film, is that the violence in Joker is more realistic than most action films like Rambo or Hobbs and ShawJoaquin Phoenix gives us another incredible performance possibly the best of his career.  If he is not nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards Mike and Matt will be extremely disappointed.  The cinematography and score are both on another level. Joker is truly the complete package, according to Matt.  He awards it a near perfect score of 4.5 out of 5 Reels.  Mike also enjoyed the film but not nearly as much. He still gives it a very good rating of 4 out of 5 Reels.

Thursday the guys kick off Harvest Horror Fest with a film near and dear to both their heart’s, Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror epic Alien.  Don’t forget to catch Matt every Monday on Magic 99.1 with Leza Live to get a sneak peak of what film we are reviewing on Tuesday.  Thanks for listening 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!

Joker Joker Movie Poster

Director: Todd Phillips

Writers: Todd Phillips and Scott Silver

Stars: Joaquin PhoenixRobert De NiroZazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy

Release Date: October 4, 2019

Storyline from IMDB

Joker centers around an origin of the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Todd Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, a man disregarded by society, is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.

 

Watch the Joker trailer below.

Episode #135: Legacy – The Rock

A new month and a new Wednesday means a new podcast for your ear holes.  Today Mike and Matt get around to another Legacy Cast this one though is not a request but from Matt’s Legacy list.  Today the hosts take a look back at a Michael Bay masterpiece, according to Mike Talent, 1996’s The Rock.  Bonus topics include Mike won the lottery, we miss watching Sean Connery on the big screen, and violence in movies, music, video games etc.

The Rock is a classic 90’s action movie that helped put Michael Bay on the map as one of the best action film directors working today.  Up until The Rock he mostly directed music videos and another little action film you might have heard of Bad Boys.  The Rock is the complete package.  It has incredible acting, amazing action sequences, and a compelling story about a prison inmate no one has ever heard of.  It definitely shows it’s age compared to the modern action film but still holds up pretty well. Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage, and Ed Harris bring some of their best acting to the table with this film.  The chemistry between our two heroes is great to say the least.  Ed Harris gives us amazing nuances and dedication to his craft as a villian with honor.  His character is ultimately trying to achieve recognition for overlooked soldiers who gave all but has the wits to not add innocent blood shed to do it in the end.  Mike Talent loves this movie with a passion, almost as much as he loves Jaws and that’s saying a lot!  He gives The Rock one of his very rare perfect ratings of 5 out of 5 Reels.  Matt really enjoyed the film as well but felt it has not aged as gracefully as he remembers it.  He awards it a respectful 4 out of 5 Reels.

Next week the guys hit the theaters to watch a film that is already generating a ton of controversy and buzz, Todd PhillipsJoker starring Joaquin Phoenix.  Matt and Mike are both extremely excited to see this film and give you their honest opinions for our faithful few listeners.  If you want a sneak peek don’t forget to tune in to Leza Live on Magic 99.1 on Monday next week to hear Matt give his first impressions of the Joker.  Thanks for listening 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 Rock The Rock (1996) Movie Poster

Director: Michael Bay

Writers: David Weisberg, Douglas Cook, and Mark Rosner

Stars: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, Michael Biehn, and David Morse

Release Date: June 7, 1996

Storyline from IMDB

A mild-mannered chemist and an ex-con must lead the counterstrike when a rogue group of military men, led by a renegade general, threaten a nerve gas attack from Alcatraz against San Francisco.

 

Watch The Rock trailer below.

Episode #134: Ad Astra

It’s Wednesday and that means it’s new podcast day!  Today Mike and Matt review the latest Brad Pitt space odyssey Ad Astra written and directed by James Gray.  Incredible additional topics today include The Martian, space pirates, and Matt has a guest spot on Leza Live every Monday on a real radio station Magic 99.1, seriously?    

Ad Astra is what we call a true hardcore sci-fi film.  It is jam packed with action, it can drag at times, but the cinematography and acting is incredible!  For the most part it is a pretty great movie with a decent story about an astronaut with daddy issues but not according to Mike Talent.  There are several, and we mean several parts of the film where you have to suspend reality. Both your hosts agree though Brad Pitt‘s acting was nuanced and incredible.  Clearly 2019 is Brad Pitt’s year for great acting.  Liv Tyler did great and so did Donald Southerland and Tommy Lee Jones for the few seconds they are in the film.  Matt and Mike did not agree on this film at all.  This might be the first time in the history of the pod that they are so divided.  Mike really did not like Ad Astra.  He had a difficult time overlooking the many impossible and fantastical parts of the film.  He gives it a dismal 1.5 out of 5 Reels. Matt on the other hand really enjoyed it giving a whole lot of passes to the impossible acts in the movie.  If you are into sci-fi and space he suggests you definitely go see this film in the theater especially if you can afford an IMAX ticket.  He gives Ad Astra 4 out of 5 Reels.              

Next Wednesday Matt and Mike keep rolling with the Legacy casts by reviewing Michael Bay’s 1996 film The Rock.  Thanks for tuning in for another pod and don’t forget to listen to Matt make a fool of himself on Monday mornings with Leza Live on Magic 99.1 FM around 8:45 AM.  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!

Ad Astra Ad Astra Movie Poster

Director: James Gray

Writers: James Gray and Ethan Gross

Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, and Donald Sutherland

Release Date: September 20, 2019

Storyline from IMDB

Astronaut Roy McBride undertakes a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe.

 

Watch the Ad Astra trailer below.

Episode #132: It Chapter Two

Hey kids, clowns, mutants, nerds, or whatever else you might be, welcome to another fantastical podcast review by the Reel Film Nerds (applause).  Today Matt and Mike talk about yet another horror movie, It Chapter Two.  Maybe we should change the name of the pod to the Reel Horror Film Nerds, nah.  Topics today include why are there so many horror films hitting the theaters, HBO’s hit show Barry, and the new season of American Horror Story

It Chapter Two is a decent continuation of the original 2017 film.  It does not really come off as a sequel like most of the films this past summer.  Here is your fair warning now if you really want to enjoy this film please make sure you watch the original It from 2017 before you head out to the theater.  We cannot emphasize this enough. It Chapter Two relies heavily on your understanding of the original.  The casting was just incredible for It Chapter Two.  The adult versions of the kids we grew to love from 2017 was spot on but no one knocked out of the park as well as Bill Hader.  His dramatic and comedic blend of acting really set him apart from the rest of the cast.  The fights, scares, blood, guts, and gore are on a whole new level for this franchise but it still just did not have the impact of the 2017 film.  Mike Talent could not put into words what it was but Matt thinks its the difference of seeing adults go up against Pennywise instead of kids. They both agree this is a must see movie in the theaters.  Mike awards It Chapter Two 3 out of 5 Reels.  Matt also found the film to be just a bit above average giving it 3.5 out of 5 Reels.    

Next week the guys will talk about the independent adventure comedy The Peanut Butter Falcon, finally.  If they can squeeze in two reviews next week they are finally going to dive into listener review requests starting with a really fun action film from 1993, Demolition Man.  Thanks for spending a half hour of your day with us especially you new listeners 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!

 

It Chapter Two It Chapter 2 Movie Poster

Director: Andy Muschietti

Writers: Gary Dauberman and Stephen King

Stars: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean, and Bill Skarsgård

Release Date: September 6, 2019

Storyline from IMDB

Twenty-seven years after their first encounter with the terrifying Pennywise, the Losers Club have grown up and moved away, until a devastating phone call brings them back.

 

Watch the It Chapter Two trailer below.