Snowpiercer
Bong Joon-ho’s “Snowpiercer” made waves upon its US release because its distributor decided to give it a limited theatrical release the same day they released it digitally. It was a risky move. By shutting this window, “Snowpiercer” could have left theatre owners in the cold and been deemed not worth watching because of the “straight to video” tarnish. But it found an audience in both formats and became a surprise hit. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we finish our Bong Joon-ho series with his 2013 film “Snowpiercer.”
Mother
Bong Joon-ho’s follow-up feature to his massive success “The Host” was about a murder and the person trying to figure out what happened. To some people, it sounded awfully like his second film “Memories of Murder” and they were afraid he was returning to the safety of familiar territory. But 2009’s “Mother” ended up being a very different film and one which is hard to forget. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our Bong Joon-ho series with “Mother.”
The Host
Bong Joon-ho’s third film, “The Host,” ended up becoming the highest grossing South Korean film of all time straight out of the gate with it playing on a record number of screens in its home country — it made the South Korean record books with its box office performance during its opening weekend alone. Quentin Tarantino loves it. Harry Knowles loves it. But how do we feel about it? Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we start our Bong Joon-ho series with 2006’s “The Host.”
Sophie’s Choice
When a choice is referred to as a “Sophie’s Choice” most people understand that the choice must be an impossibly difficult one between two unbearable options. But if it wasn’t for Meryl Streep’s performance in the 1982 film directed by Alan J. Pakula, that phrase wouldn’t resonate the way it does. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we conclude our Meryl Streep series with the film for which she received her fourth Oscar nomination and first win as Best Actress, “Sophie’s Choice.”
The French Lieutenant’s Woman
Meryl Streep received her first nomination for Best Actress in a film that one would think had been lost in time if not for the recent Criterion Collection release — Karel Reisz’s 1981 film “The French Lieutenant’s Woman.” She lost to Katherine Hepburn in “On Golden Pond,” which makes sense, but Streep’s performance is still a fascinating one. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our Meryl Streep series with Reisz’s film.
Kramer vs. Kramer
Meryl Streep won the first of her three Oscars for her supporting role in Robert Benton’s 1979 film “Kramer vs. Kramer.” And when you watch “Kramer vs. Kramer,” it’s hard not to wonder why she won for supporting actress rather than actress. Sure, her screen time is much less than Dustin Hoffman, her co-star, but her role has an equal importance in the film. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our Meryl Streep series with Benton’s film.
Writer Ken Levine on Guilty Pleasures, Volunteers, and TV Legacy • A Very Special Next Reel Interview
We are thrilled — and a touch embarrassed — to have the one and only writer Ken Levine with us on The Next Reel, the man behind Andy’s favorite guilty pleasure, Volunteers.
The Deer Hunter
Michael Cimino’s 1978 film “The Deer Hunter” is definitely a divisive film, one about which a LOT of people have found plenty of things to say and argue about. Aside from all of that, it’s also the film for which Meryl Streep received her first Oscar nomination. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we begin our Meryl Streep series, specifically looking at films for which Streep received an Oscar nomination, with Cimino’s epic Vietnam War film.
Force Majeure
It’s time for another Listener’s Choice episode, this time with our friends Per Johansson and Gustav Larsed from the Filmpodden podcast in Sweden. They selected something from the home country — Ruben Östlund’s 2014 film “Force Majeure.” Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we take on the icy slopes to discuss this avalanche of emotion.
Under the Cherry Moon
Prince has always been a flamboyant and eclectic musician, and with the album and film “Purple Rain,” he found a new art form he enjoyed. And one he won an Oscar for — Best Original Song Score. With his next film, he had conflicts with the director so took over and directed it himself. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we wrap up this year’s short guilty pleasure with Pete’s pick — Prince’s 1986 film “Under the Cherry Moon.”