Listen Now

After the success of their 2012 Film Draft episode, the guys wanted to do another draft. This time it’s 1999, a formative movie year for the three hosts. Things start off rowdy when Jared invalidates two successive picks by Joe, and Michael bemoans his selection strategy. But who winds up with the best squad of […]

Michael, Jared, and Joe reflect on the unusual year in cinema (and the world) and share their Top 10 lists. This time they’ve decided to make non-film media (television, music, books, podcasts, etc.) eligible for inclusion!

British filmmaker Steve McQueen had a major 2020. Jared, Michael, and Joe finally review his film Lovers Rock and discuss the Small Axe miniseries more broadly.

The guys review Pixar’s latest, Soul, and discuss other cinematic representations of the after life. Jared and Joe champion two new streaming releases. Michael finally starts watching The Sopranos. Jared, Michael, and Joe briefly reflect on the Capitol Riot and Insurrection.

The guys finally review the biggest film of 2020, Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. Joe recommends two Hollywood classics he recently revisited. Jared recommends a Canadian oddity.

The film adaptation of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, a certain Oscar player later this year, is the topic of this episode, and it leads to a reflection on Chadwick Boseman’s body of work. To open the discussion, the guys briefly discuss Christmas movies.

The guys dig into the ramifications of the recent WarnerMedia / HBO Max deal to release the former’s 2021 film slate on the latter’s streaming platform. Jared recommends two films on Apple TV+, Joe champions a Showtime miniseries.

The guys review David Fincher’s Mank in this episode, but not before weighing in on Netflix’s other big fall film, Hillbilly Elegy.

The guys review Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks in this episode. Joe and Jared each recommend one of their favorite TV miniseries of the year, but one pick sparks disagreement.

The guys review Aaron Sorkin’s latest, The Trial of the Chicago 7. Jared highlights a pair of family dramas. Joe digs into a backlog of recommendations. Michael enjoys the return of a science series. Jared and Joe identify some of their least favorite Oscar-nominated performances and share a few Oscar predictions.

In celebration of eight years recording the Reel Fanatics podcast, the guys do something a little different: a movie draft! Michael, Jared, and Joe each select a 10-category roster of films released in the year 2012. It’s an episode full of selection reactions, category challenges, random anecdotes, and movie reflections. But who picks the best […]

The topic of this episode is Joe’s latest retro pick, the 1981 neo-noir Cutter’s Way. Jared and Joe recommend a few new films on streaming services and in theaters. (Note: possible spoiler for Dick Johnson Is Dead in the Recommendations section.)

The mostly forgotten 1983 movie Educating Rita is Michael’s latest retro pick. Jared recommends two new films that just hit streaming services. Joe digs into the sequel entries of an enduring horror franchise. Michael revisits an acclaimed television series. The guys also discuss their favorite Michael Caine roles.

Jared’s latest retro pick, Albert Brooks’ Modern Romance, is the topic of the episode. Joe retracts a previous HBO series recommendation. Jared champions new releases from Sofia Coppola and Kirsten Johnson. Michael recommends a special episode of a favorite animated comedy show.

Another Charlie Kaufman film, another Reel Fanatics review! Kaufman’s adaptation of I’m Thinking of Ending Things is the topic of the episode. Jared recommends a new Criterion release, Joe endorses an Amazon Prime series, and Michael discusses a Netflix documentary.

Joe’s latest retro pick is the second Charlie Kaufman / Spike Jonze collaboration, Adaptation. Michael reflects on a lost summer movie season. Joe talks Alan J. Pakula cinema, prompting a discussion of All the President’s Men. Jared revisits and falls in love with a 1987 romantic comedy.

Michael names Francis Ford Coppola’s flawed yet fascinating One from the Heart as his latest retro pick. Joe revisits another ’80s Coppola film, Jared discusses a timely HBO series, and Michael recommends a Netflix comedy special.

Jared’s latest retro pick is Lost in Translation, so the guys dig into Sofia Coppola’s masterwork. Joe champions a new HBO series, Jared recommends two underrated 1970s films, and Michael continues to binge a recent comedy series.

For his fourth retro pick, Michael selects Tom Hooper’s The Damned United for review. Jared champions a recent series on another film podcast. Joe recommends catching up with Mr. Robot. Michael discusses the pleasure of watching Queer Eye in 2020.

Jared’s latest retro pick, Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight, is the topic of this episode. But before that review, the guys skip recommendations in favor of a lengthy discussion regarding the COVID-19 fallout for fall sports and movies.