Each episode of The Next Reel Film Podcast is a part of a series or collection of films brought together by time, idea, or contributor. Looking to build a great watchlist? You can’t go wrong with starting on a Next Reel Series.
How does this fit in with Bong Joon-Ho’s other ‘message’ movies? Why does the structure here work so well? And what is a scholar’s rock exactly and why is that important to the story? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!
Why does the black-and-white cinematography work so well in capturing a sense of Cuarón’s own memories? How does the ‘upstairs/downstairs’ nature of this story work when intersecting with the macroscopic view of Mexico City in the 70s? How well do the first time actors perform in the film? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!
Does this film provoke in the ways that other Michael Haneke films do? Who’s the better actor – Jean-Louis Trintignant or Emmanuelle Riva? Does this film immediately fall into the camp of ‘films to watch just once’ because of its subject matter? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!
How did Clint Eastwood end up directing a Japanese language film about a battle during WWII? What does this film say about Japanese culture and its rituals, notably those during war? How strong is this cast led by Ken Watanabe? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more.
How well does this movie hold up on its 20th anniversary? How is the wuxia wirework captured so beautifully here still rippling through films made today? Should any of the actors here have been nominated for Oscars? Tune in to this week’s show to get these answers and more!
Can a comedic film set during the Holocaust work? Does Benigni pull off the hat trick everyone thought he did back in 1998? Why is it hard to make a film that’s a fable? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!
Does a simple yet adorable story full of love and passion like this deserve a Best Picture nomination? Why is the story of getting this film made so heartbreaking? And how does the Miramax marketing machine fit into this film’s success? Get answers to these questions and more by tuning into this week’s show!
Is this film built for regular filmgoers or specifically Ingmar Bergman fans? Is the color red brilliantly used or overused? How good are the performances in the film? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!
Does Costa-Gavras’ film feel as relevant today as it did in 1969? How does the structure of the storytelling work in detailing the elements of this political thriller? Should it have won Best Picture in addition to Best Foreign Language Film? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!
What is the grand illusion in The Grand Illusion? How does Jean Renoir’s realism work for this World War I film? Why is director/actor Erich von Stroheim so memorable as the director of the POW camp? And why is Dita Parlo so high in the credits? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!