Reel Film Nerds

Happy New Year everyone! It’s a new year so why not review a new movie? Today Mike and Matt discuss Wonder Woman 1984 starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine. Bonus topics today include Mike still can’t read, HBO Max is killing movie theaters, and the MCU VS the DCEU. What a let down. Matt and Mike had high hopes for this movie. They both really enjoyed the 2017 original but it’s 2020 sequel fell very short of even average. The acting is good, the sets looked great, and the action sequences were over the top and incredible. Sadly this film is awful thanks to numerous plot holes and a bad story line to name a few flaws. Mike braved the outside world and watched it in the theater, Matt did not. He watched it on HBO Max and he is glad he did. Mike and Matt both agree this movie is only worth a watch if you can see it for free at home. Mike gives WW1984 2.5 out of 5 Reels, Matt with the rare lower score awards it 2 out of 5 Reels.    Next week it is Matt’s pick. Being a metal-head and fan of Riz Ahmed’s acting, he pi

Happy Festivus everyone! Today Mike and Matt fulfill one of their promises, they revisit the Christmas action classic Die Hard starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman. We first reviewed it for Episode #74 on Christmas Day 2018. Off topics today include Matt breaks his new phone, architecture, and lots of trivia.  If you have not seen Die Hard and you are listening to our podcast then shame on you! Die Hard is an incredible film that both of your hosts love. The acting is great, the stunts are big and bold, and the sets are engrossing. Basically this movie is the complete package on top of being a Christmas movie. Mike again gives Die Hard a perfect rating with 5 out of 5 Reels. Matt a tad lower like the original review awards the film 4.5 out of 5 Reels. The guys are taking next week off because Mike Talent is gone on his third vacation of the year, must be nice. We will return in the new year with a new film Wonder Woman 1984, finally! Don’t forget to stay to the end of the pod to hear Matt’s debate with Le

Welcome everyone to Reel Film Nerds Podcast 200! Shocking that we made it all the way to 200 episodes. Today Mike and Matt continue their holiday movie reviews with 1980’s comedy gold Scrooged starring Bill Murray. A handful of our many off topics include a house fire, The Chive, TV’s, and LCD’s. Scrooged is a must watch retelling of the classic Christmas story by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Bill Murray plays one of his most iconic and dramatic roles, Frank Cross, a cynical TV executive wronging his employees and former girlfriend right before Christmas. The star studded cast includes Karen Allen, John Forsythe, and Carol Kane. This film is a comedy but a very dark comedy. The story is great, the special effects, mostly practical, still hold up well today, and the sets are perfect. The three ghosts of Christmas are memorable and unique compared to other tellings of this tale. Scrooged is a holiday classic Mike and Matt watch every year and you should too. Mike gives Scrooged 4 out of 5 Reels. Matt a

Let the holiday movie reviews continue! This week Matt and Mike chat about a new Christmas film Fatman starring Mel Gibson and Walton Goggins. Non holiday topics include Sons of Anarchy, shipping container homes, and the Paramount Network. Have you heard about this epic tale featuring Santa Claus before today? New movies are rolling out on a weekly basis but since the pandemic you really don’t hear much about them. Matt and Mike sure do miss the movie theater especially all the trailers for the new films. Back on topic Fatman is a very unique action and revenge story about one of the most beloved fictional icons in the world Santa Claus. Mel Gibson plays a not so fat Fatman trying to keep his struggling business going with a government contract. Walton Goggins, an assassin wronged by the man in red, is hired to take the Fatman out by a vengeful spoiled kid. The acting was mostly great. Gibson and Goggins delivered and then some but the naughty kid played by Chance Hurstfield could use some work. The story

Welcome back everyone, did you miss us? The boys are going to try something new for December. Much like our Harvest Horror Fest, for December we are going to chat about Christmas movies! They start off a possible tradition with a bang chatting about the Christmas classic Gremlins (1984). Off topics include limos, breeding, and stimulus TV’s? Gremlins (1984) is an instant holiday classic where a son receives one of the worst Christmas presents imaginable. It requires not breaking three rules which we all know teenagers have a hard time not doing. What is Gremlins (1984), is it a comedy, a kids movie, a horror movie? Matt and Mike say yes, it’s a  successful combination of all three. The acting can be rough at times and the film does come off as dated but it still is a ton of fun. The puppetry is excellent along with the voice acting and special effects. This is a classic monster film that is just plain good old comedy and fun.  Mike and Matt both agree this is a must watch movie especially for the holidays.

Welcome fellow movie buffs to another installment of the Reel Film Nerds podcast! Does anyone actually read this, I hope so. Today Mike and Matt chat about a very low budget but amazing Sci-Fi film The Vast of Night. Offbeat topics include rez ball, Roswell, and no MCU tie-in? This is a prime example of being able to do a lot with very little. Is The Vast of Night a perfect film, nope but it is a very good film. The writing is superb, the acting is very well done, and the costumes and sets are incredibly accurate. If you love Sci-Fi especially The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, or The X-Files then you will really enjoy this one. It is a tribute to these shows in theme and scope. Mike with the rare high rating loved The Vast of Night giving it 4.5 out of 5 Reels. He wishes more people would embrace smaller independent films. Matt also really enjoyed this movie but not at Mike’s level. He gives it a good score with 3 out of 5 Reels. We are taking next week off for Thanksgiving! It has been a very long time

Honoring all Veterans on Veterans Day. We don't know them all but we owe them all. Thank you for your service and sacrifices. This week Mike and Matt sit down and chat about a modern war movie The Outpost starring Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, and Orlando Bloom. Topics include COVID haircuts, military spending, and Jungleland giveaway. Just a warning for those of you who do not know, The Outpost is an incredible true story and it is a heartbreaking one told very respectfully. The first hour and a half definitely drags but the filmmakers are trying to set the scene and circumstances. This is an outpost that should have never existed in one of the worst locations possible and you really feel that. The acting was very good especially from Caleb Landy Jones. The sets, stunts, and special effects were incredible. They really set the scene and grandeur of the outpost’s location and dire circumstances. Mike and Matt, unlike last week’s review both enjoyed this film and award it 3.5 out of 5 Reels. If you have

Our Third Annual Harvest Horror Fest has come to an end but not Halloween, at least for us. Mike picked a film to raise people’s spirits especially after the election. Turning to Adam Sandler with his latest Netflix Original Hubie Halloween. Off topics include trick or treaters, haunted houses, and coffee consumption. Listeners you are in for a real treat. Mike and Matt do not see eye to eye at all on Hubie Halloween. These are Mike’s favorite episodes when he doesn’t agree with Matt. Sandler’s latest slapstick comedy is par for the course. It is goofy, fun, and downright mean. Sandler enlists his usual crew and family to fill the many roles including some call backs to characters from his older films. The story is mediocre and predictable. It’s not bad but it’s nothing special. The sets were good especially when they were filming on location in the real town of Salem. Mike with the surprise higher rating awards Hubie Halloween 3.5 out of 5 Reels. Matt really did not like this movie especially how mean it wa

We saved the best for last for our Third Annual Harvest Horror Fest, Candyman (1992) starring Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen. Additional topics include the importance of movie soundtracks, urban legends, and discovering old photographs. Neither of your hosts have seen this film in a very long time and it caught them off guard. Candyman (1992) is a great movie that has stood the test of time. The story, based on the “The Forbidden,” by Clive Barker is fantastic. It is dark, rooted in history, and really makes the viewer think. Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen, who play our main characters, do a fantastic job bringing fear and curiosity to their roles. The kill scenes are particularly unique in this film. They do not show the act but rather the aftermath. It really helps make the movie even more frightening. Mike and Matt both really enjoyed their re-watch of Candyman (1992) and agree everyone should see it. Mike continues his streak of higher than normal ratings giving the film 4.5 out of 5 Reels. Matt just a sm

Our Third Annual Harvest Horror Fest continues with a true vampire horror comedy classic The Lost Boys (1987) starring Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland, and the two Coreys. Off topics include Taken, RAW vs JPEG, and Natalie Portman. This is it, arguably the original teen vampire film, The Lost Boys (1987). Basically it’s Matt and Mike’s version of the Twilight saga or Vampire Academy except this movie is great. It is a fun dark action packed horror comedy that is shot well and acted well. Diane Wiest just won her second Academy Award the year before! The story is creative with unique characters. It has everything, even an extremely ripped dude playing a sax. The Lost Boys (1987) is a cult classic that needs no explanation why. It’s just a really great fun film. Everyone should experience this flick in their lives. Mike awards the movie 4 out of 5 Reels. Matt, back to beating Mikes ratings, gives The Lost Boys (1987) 4.5 out of 5 Reels.               Next Wednesday, we are sorry to say, is our final installme

Welcome campers to our second pod of the Third Annual Harvest Horror Fest! Today the classic horror continues with one of Matt’s favorite horror films, yes Matt’s, Friday the 13th (1980). The boys stayed on point for most of the show but some extra topics include Halloween, gore in film, and horror films that scarred us for life. Friday the 13th is an incredible film. It is not only a great horror flick but a great movie overall. The story is very creative, the cinematography is groundbreaking, and the make up, especially the gore, are great. The acting is very rough but it is definitely better than most of this franchise's numerous sequels. Friday the 13th inspired a whole new sub-genre of horror, the summer camp slasher. This is a must see film for anyone that loves movies especially horror film buffs. Mike awards the slasher a near perfect score of 4.5 out of 5 Reels. Matt with the rare underscore only gives Friday the 13th 4 out of 5 reels. He immediately regretted it but stuck to his decision. Next Wed

After 11 months of waiting it is finally here! Our Third Annual Harvest Horror Fest! To kick off our month of horror reviews everyone’s favorite horror host Mike Talent dipped into his bag of gold and pulled the original Leprechaun from 1993. Scary but not horror topics include cereal, wells, and the imminent death of movie theaters. What can we say about the Leprechaun. It is a very unique horror film that is fun, gory, and campy. The acting is real rough (except Warwick Davis, he kills it!) thankfully Jennifer Anniston has improved her acting skills since 1993. The makeup is pretty decent for the time period and the special effects are on par with the film's budget, awful. Mike Talent still really loved the re-watch of this classic 90’s horror film awarding it 3.5 out of 5 Reels. Matt was not a big fan. He does suggest you watch it at least once in your life to experience the classic film. He graciously gives the Leprechaun 2 out of 5 Reels. We continue our Third Annual Harvest Horror Fest next week with

Sick and tired of politics yet? GREAT! Why not sit down and laugh while listening to the Talent-less Mike of Mystery and Matt review the Amazon Original Get Duked! Better topics than this movie include Prescott Valley professional sports, The Boys TV show, and our Third Annual Harvest Horror Fest! Well this is awkward, maybe not awkward but it has been a long time since Mike and Matt didn’t agree at least a little bit on a film. Mike Talent really enjoyed Get Duked! Matt on the other hand really hated this film and felt he wasted his time. This is not necessarily a bad film but it is definitely not for everyone. It is a hip-hop manhunt drug comedy that takes place in the Scottish Highlands. There are some very funny parts and the scenery is beautiful. The acting was decent from our four leads who are unknown here in the United States. Mike really enjoyed Get Duked! and did not have any issues with the thick Scottish accents. He graciously awards the film 3 out of 5 Reels. Matt on the complete opposite side

Hi everybody! It is Wednesday and that means new podcast day! For today’s episode Mike and Matt travel back to 2011 to review a fun comedic alien sci-fi classic starring Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, Paul. Odd discussion topics include genetics, probing, and the acceptance nerd culture. This is the kind of film we need right now. It is fun, nerdy, and hilarious! If you have not seen Paul it is worth a watch. It is a unique alien road trip story across the United States by two British sci-fi geeks featuring an incredible comedic cast. Names include Jane Lynch, David Koechner, Jason Bateman, and Kristen Wiig. Paul embraced nerd culture and helped bring it into the mainstream with other comedic properties like The Big Bang Theory during 2011. Matt and Mike both enjoyed their re-watch of this great film. They both award Paul 3.5 out of 5 Reels. It is currently streaming on HBO Max. It is Mike’s pick for next week and he hunted down an award winning Amazon Original from the United Kingdom, Get Duked! The trailer lo

Happy hump day everyone! Today Matt and Mike continue cheating death and visit the movie theater to catch the last Fox Marvel film The New Mutants. Additional topics include sports ball, Siskel & Ebert, and the future of the X-Men franchise. What is wrong with critics today? The New Mutants isn’t a masterpiece but it is in no way a terrible movie. Could it have been better, sure. It is a decent take on making the mutant/superhero genre into a horror film. There are still elements of your typical superhero film with big action sequences and CGI but it succeeds at it’s attempt to create a horror sub-genre. The acting is very good, the sets all take place in one location but are very different, and the story is decent. This is not a must see film in the theaters but it is definitely worth a watch when it drops on Hulu or Disney+ in the future. Mike and Matt both agree it earns 3 out of 5 Reels.     Next week is a little dry for new releases on streaming and in theaters. It is Matt’s pick and he chose to do

Thank the maker! Matt and Mike Talent return to the theaters this week after a 5 month absence risking their lives and relationships to see Christoper Nolan’s latest epic Tenet. Bonus topics included more movie giveaways, Twilight (yes, that one), and the Saw franchise. Christopher Nolan again tackles his favorite subject, time, but using a James Bond type character. Tenet is a great film that has issues, according to Matt. The shining star is all the practical effects especially when they crash a 747 into a building! The acting from John David Washington, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kenneth Branagh was excellent but Robert Pattinson was on another level. The first hour of the film is very confusing and might turn viewers away. About half way through something happens that helps explain the whole film and it’s off to the races from then on. Mike Talent really enjoyed Tenet giving it 4 out of 5 Reels. Matt thought the film was mediocre and had issues but really enjoyed it. He awards the movie 3.5 out of 5 Reels.

Happy week happy pod! Today your host’s Mike Talent and Matt review a brand spanking new movie that they are shocked got made, Bill & Ted Face the Music. Hold onto your butts listeners this is a long pod! Extra topics include a farewell and thank you to Chadwick Boseman, box office numbers, and booze filled seltzers. Have you been missing that thing we used to have last year, all the way back in 2019, what was it called, that’s right fun! Bill & Ted Face the Music is just plain old fun for fun’s sake. This film is full of characters, nostalgia, and time traveling. Is Bill & Ted Face the Music going to win all kinds of awards and make billions of dollars, probably not but it is a hilarious comedy with an OK story and great acting. It is definitely worth the trip to see it in the theater or rent it at home like we did. Matt was having a pretty rough day when he watched this film and it brightened his day a lot. He gives Bill & Ted Face the Music 4 out of 5 Reels. Mike Talent really enjoyed the

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today Mike and Matt sit down to chat about one of Netflix’s latest Original Films Project Power starring Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Non superhero related topics include Fortnite, movie theaters opening back up, and win a Blu-ray copy of The King of Staten Island. Netflix has done it again, what a fun popcorn action flick! The acting was great, the sets are dark and gritty, and the CGI is the best of any Netflix Original Film. Jamie Foxx does a great job as Major, a man on a mission to find his daughter, but one of the best performances turned in was by relative unknown Dominique Fishback. A low profile TV actress, Dominique does an excellent job as a lost teenage drug dealer trying to find her way in the superhero powered New Orleans.  Mike Talent, not knowing what to expect, really loved this film! He gives it a high rating of 4 out of 5 Reels. Matt also enjoyed Project Power giving it an above average rating of 3.5 out of 5 Reels. If you have Netflix and some time to sp

Welcome movie lovers! Today we dip into our fan requests and review the 2009 depression era gangster film starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, Public Enemies. Not gangster topics include YouTube, $0.15 movies at AMC, and we have a Blu-ray giveaway to enter! This film is a perfect example of a great gangster film with one major issue, it’s long! Bale and Depp perfect the cat and mouse game with their historical representations of Melvin Purvis and John Dillinger. The costuming is excellent along with the sets and gun fights. The cars are absolutely stunning! They even use them properly with period accurate getaways and shootouts. The supporting cast is fantastic including the likes of Jason Clarke, Giovanni Ribisi, and Marion Cotillard, to name a few. If you have not seen this film yet you are missing out. Public Enemies is currently streaming on Netflix. Mysterious Mike gives the film 3.5 out of 5 Reels. Matt, ever the lenient one, gives the gangster shoot 'em up 4 out of 5 Reels. Next week is Mike’s pi

Another week and another podcast for your listening pleasure. Today Mike and Matt dip into yet another streaming service to watch the first HBO Max Original film An American Pickle starring Seth Rogen and Seth Rogen. Extra topics include PSL, portrait mode, and do we really need more streaming services? An American Pickle is definitely a movie. It is not a good movie, it is not a terrible movie, it’s just a movie. The premise is hilarious with tones of the hit TV show Futurama and the slapstick goofiness of an Adam Sandler comedy but it just doesn’t deliver. In fact the movie gets down right mean and cruel towards the end. It is a dark comedy but sometimes the darkness is just upsetting and not funny. Is this the film to force your hand to subscribe to yet another streaming service?  No, definitely not. If you have the time plus a subscription to HBO Max and want to watch Seth Rogen play against himself in what could have been a very funny film, then sure why not sit down and watch this one. Matt and Mike su