Latest from CinemaBlend in Podcasts

Am I The Only One That Doesn't Want To Watch My Favorite Podcasts On Netflix?

Philip Sledge — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

I don’t want to sound like an old man, but I’ve been listening to podcasts for so long (“How long, Philip?”) that I used to download them on iTunes and manually transfer shows like WTF with Marc Maron and The Art of Wrestling to my iPod. A lot has changed over the past decade-and-a-half, and the podcast format has become massively popular with millions of people.

This progression took another step recently, when a slew of podcasts became available with a Netflix subscription. While I am excited that some of my favorite shows like My Favorite Murder and The Rewatchables are reaching a new audience, I’m having a really hard time getting into the video format. I don’t know if I’m the only one who feels this way, but I’d rather listen to a podcast…

(Image credit: Good Hang YouTube)

Some Of My Favorite Podcasts Are Now Videos On Netflix, And I’m Not A Fan

This isn’t an attack on podcasters wanting to mess around with video in addition to the standard audio format, but I’m just not a fan. And it’s not just because it’s on Netflix, as I’m constantly having to exit out of the videos whenever I listen to certain podcasts on Spotify. It’s weird, I know, but I’ve spent the past two decades listening to podcasts while mowing the lawn, cooking dinner, riding the train, and driving on family vacations. Now that there’s an option to watch them, I just can’t get into it.

I’m fully aware that I could simply have the video podcasts on Netflix on in the background while I’m doing this or that, but why should I when I already have Spotify and the Apple Podcasts app on my phone for this purpose?

This is going to sound equally weird, but I’ve gone so long hearing these people’s voices while not seeing their faces that it creates a jarring experience when I see them talk. I have this perception of one thing, so seeing another is off-putting and takes me out of the experience. It’s nothing the podcasters are doing wrong, and it’s not like I hate their faces; it’s just some weird mental thing on my end.

(Image credit: COURTESY OF NETFLIX)

It Looks Like Other Netflix Users Aren’t Down With The New Addition

I know that not everyone feels so passionately about podcasts on Netflix (what about when it comes to discontinuing the DVD-by-mail service?), but I did some digging before starting this. Through my admittedly brief stroll through social media, I found multiple X users who also didn’t care for the video format. Here are some of the funnier comments I found in response to this new form of content on the streamer.

Salute to those making bread but podcasts on Netflix is actually a terrible experience. - @JRAM
I hate that all these sports podcasts are on Netflix now - @TheKardiac_Kid
If you’re watching podcasts on Netflix, they gotta put you in a home - @tom_on_here
If you watch podcasts on Netflix, you are a certified dweeb. - @NCastellina

While I wouldn’t go as hard as those last two comments, it seems like I’m not sitting on an island all on my own in this regard. Sure, it’s still a small island with a handful of unnecessarily angry people, but it’s better than nothing.

Who knows, maybe I’ll eventually come around to the latest Netflix craze. Until then, I’ll continue to listen to podcasts the old-fashioned way: on my phone (not my iPod).

ReelBlend's Final Episode

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 21:40:33 +0000

It's bittersweet, but we are saying goodbye this week and ending the same way we started: breaking down our predictions for this year's Oscars Ceremony. Stick around after to celebrate all things ReelBlend while we reminisce about many of our most cherished memories on and off the show.

Thank you to everyone who has hung out with us for any number of discussions, debates, and of course interviews over the last several years. It's been the ride of a lifetime, and we couldn't have done any of it with you. Finally, a huge thank you to listener Juan for the amazing artwork used in the thumbnail.

Until next time, Dunkirk!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:47 - 2025 Oscars Predictions
01:11:32 - Farewell
01:53:12 - Outro

ReelBlend's 'The Monkey' Review | Stephen King Adaptation Starring Theo James, Tatiana Maslany & Elijah Wood

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:56:46 +0000

We’re reviewing The Monkey, the new Stephen King adaptation from director Osgood Perkins, and answering your questions in the return of the Mailbag! Also this week, we take a look at Captain America: Brave New World's box office and audience reactions.

For the "Reel Ones," be sure to stick around through the end of the podcast for a big, bittersweet announcement. We'll be back next week with our predictions for the Oscars.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:26 - ‘The Monkey’ Review
00:13:27 - ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Box Office Performance & More Marvel Talk
00:33:30 - Mailbag!
01:01:39 - Outro (Big Announcement)

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Sign up for our premium membership, which includes a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes. Also, be sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube for full episodes of the show in video form. Finally, we have all kinds of fun merchandise for dedicated Blenders to flaunt their fandom with pride.

Talking 'Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man' With Showrunner Jeff Trammell

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 22:08:37 +0000

On this week’s show, Sean is joined by Jeff Trammell, the Showrunner and Head Writer of the new Disney+ animated series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” Jeff dives right in, discussing his approach to creating a “familiar but different" Spider-Man, already beginning work on Season 3, Colman Domingo as Norman Osborn and more.

Stick around after the interview for Sean’s thoughts on the series’ first season, so far, our reviews of “Captain America: Brave New World” and how “Anora” has started to heat up in the awards race.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:16 - Jeff Trammell Interview
00:33:24 - ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ Review
00:36:46 - ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Review
01:00:02 - ‘Anora’ & Sean Baker Are Heating Up!
01:09:13 - Outro

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Predicting The Highest-Rated Movies Of The Year | 2025 Fantasy Draft

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 21:54:35 +0000

The time has come for ReelBlend’s annual movie "Fantasy Draft” where we try to outdo each other predicting the highest-rated movies (according to Rotten Tomatoes) set for the 2025 release schedule. Timothée Chalamet may return for another awards race with director Josh Sadie’s Marty Supreme, James Gunn is making his DCU debut with Superman, Bong Joon-ho is blessing us with another brain-melting ride with Mickey 17 and so much more for us to consider. Which 2025 release do you think will be the most well-received of the year?

After our fantasy draft, stick around for our thoughts on the new trailers for Jurassic World Rebirth, and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:30 - 2024 Fantasy Draft Winner Announced!
00:17:41 - 2025 Movies Fantasy Draft
00:47:33 - Trailer Reactions: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ & ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’
00:58:24 - Outro

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Filming 'Bizarre Scenes' With Jack Quaid, Sophie Thatcher & Drew Hancock | 'Companion' Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:20:37 +0000

Jack Quaid, Sophie Thatcher and director Drew Hancock join the show to discuss the making of their new film Companion. Jack Quaid talks about filming some truly bizarre scenes from The Boys to Scream to Companion. We chat about trailers, working with Christopher Nolan on Oppenheimer, Sophie Thatcher seeing Iris' theme in the movie and more.

We'll be back with our official 2025 fantasy movie draft, but for now, go see Companion!

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The Best 'Best Picture' Winner Of The Century (So Far)

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 23:28:24 +0000

With the Academy revealing this year’s Oscar nominees, we decided to look back at the Best Picture Winners from the past 25 years and debate which is the best of the best. From Ridley Scott’s Gladiator to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, the first quarter of this century has plenty of heavy hitters to consider so join us as we take on our latest bracket challenge.

Also this week, Sean renews his opinion on Robert Egger’s Nosferatu after a second viewing and Jake gives us his thoughts on Steven Soderbergh’s new film Presence.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:08:23 - The BEST Best Picture Winner Of The Century (So Far)
00:48:33 - Sean’s Feelings Have Changed On ‘Nosferatu’
00:55:10 - What’s In Theaters This Week?
00:59:42 - Outro

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Talking 'September 5' With Director Tim Fehlbaum

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 22:39:16 +0000

Today, we welcome the director of one of our favorite films of the year, “September 5.” Tim Fehlbaum walks us through his process on set, recreating the reality of the film’s true story, the brilliance of Steven Spielberg and more.

After our interview, we review Leigh Whannell’s latest monster flick, “Wolf Man” and how it compares to his previous Universal Monster film. Then finally, we wrap things up with a fan-favorite IMDB game!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:18 - Tim Fehlbaum Interview
00:34:41 - ‘Wolf Man’ Review
00:48:32 - IMDB Game
01:14:35 - Outro

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ReelBlend's Most Anticipated Movies Of 2025

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 23:44:49 +0000

We are back! 2025 is here, and the ReelBlend boys are back together for their first episode of the year. Today, we look ahead to the 2025 movie schedule and pick the top 5 films we are most excited to see and why. Also, this week, we play our annual game of This or That: Top 10s Edition where we look back at our previous Top 10s and pit them against each other.

We are so glad to be back and can’t wait to share what we have planned for 2025. In the meantime, let us know which films you are most interested in this year. We’ll be back next week with another full episode, featuring our interview with September 5 director Tim Fehlbaum.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:37 - This Or That: Top 10s Edition
00:30:59 - Top 5 Most Anticipated Movies Of 2025
00:52:22 - ‘Better Man’ Review
01:03:02 - Outro

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'Babygirl' Interview | Director Halina Reijn Talks Nicole Kidman, A24, Film Score & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 18:28:09 +0000

Filmmaker Halina Reijn returns! The writer-director joins us to discuss the making of her new film "Babygirl" starring Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, and Antonio Banderas. She shares how her original A24 hit "Bodies Bodies Bodies" opened doors for her as a filmmaker in America, how Nicole Kidman played an integral role in securing music rights for a pivotal scene in the film, the magnificence of Antonio Banderas, and more.

This is officially our last interview in 2024. We'll be taking next week off and will be back with a full show to kick off 2025 on January 10.

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Willem Dafoe & Bill Skarsgård Talk Robert Eggers, Dracula | 'Nosferatu' Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 21:55:42 +0000

Willem Dafoe and Bill Skarsgård join us for an exclusive interview about the making of their film "Nosferatu," directed by Robert Eggers. In our penultimate interview of the year (that's right, one more!), Willem Dafoe and Bill Skarsgård break down their process and approach to bringing the classic movie monster to the big screen. Bill shares details about his voice for the Nosferatu character and how no one, even his loved ones, believes it is actually him. Willem praises his director Robert Eggers, explaining how he is a one-of-a-kind filmmaker working today.

Our final interview of the year is dropping Friday so keep a look out for our chat with "Babygirl" director Halina Reijn!

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ReelBlend's Top 10 Movies Of 2024

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 22:10:08 +0000

2024 is coming to a close, which means it’s time for us to look back at another incredible year of movies and rank our 10 favorites. From Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” to Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” and Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” it has been a banner year. In today’s episode, each host will reveal their personal top 10 favorite films of the year, all adding up to ReelBlend’s official top 5.

This is our last full episode of the year, but stay tuned. Next week, we have two more great interviews coming your way, including Halina Reijn discussing “Babygirl” and Bill Skarsgård and Willem Dafoe discussing “Nosferatu.”

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:02 - #10
00:14:50 - #9
00:20:46 - #8
00:25:08 - #7
00:26:00 - #6
00:34:48 - #5
00:42:14 - #4
00:50:04 - #3
01:03:21 - #2
01:14:57 - #1
01:23:27 - ReelBlend’s Top 5 Movies Of The Year
01:26:19 - Outro

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'Kraven The Hunter' Interview | Director J.C. Chandor Talks Making An R-Rated Origin Story

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 21:32:16 +0000

Sony's "Kraven The Hunter" is finally hitting theaters this weekend, and director J.C. Chandor joins us to discuss creating an R-rated superhero origin story, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his passion for the source material.

After the interview, stick around for our reactions to recently announced nominations from the Golden Globes and both New York and Los Angeles critics groups. We give a quick rundown of which films and performances we think are trending upwards for a chance at an Oscar, and which are trending down.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:10:40 - J.C. Chandor Interview | ‘Kraven The Hunter'
00:45:41 - Will ‘Kraven The Hunter’ Underperform At The Box Office?
00:50:58 - Oscar Race: Trending Up, Trending Down
01:15:35 - Outro

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Jude Law & Nicholas Hoult Interview | 'The Order,' 'Superman,' 'Road To Perdition' & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:28:45 +0000

Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult joined the show to discuss the making of their new film, The Order, which is now playing in select theaters. Jude Law shares his tried-and-true plan for shaking off a character after production, the two gush about each other's filmography, and Nicholas Hoult keeps his lips sealed on what to expect from his turn as Lex Luthor in James Gunn's DCU.

After our interview, we discuss our thoughts on "The Order," Luca Guadagnino's new film "Queer" starring Daniel Craig and what "Moana 2's" box office tells us about the future of streaming.

Earlier this week, ReelBlend was joined by "Wicked" director Jon M. Chu following the hit musical's box office success. We talked about the making of "Wicked," editing "Wicked: Part Two" and some of the crazy scheduling gymnastics their production went through to get Bowen Yang and other cast members together at the same time.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:07:36 - Jude Law & Nicholas Hoult Interview
00:32:09 - ‘The Order’ Review
00:37:05 - ‘Queer’ Review
00:49:01 - ‘Moana 2’s’ Box Office & Streaming’s Effect On Franchise Films
01:01:42 - Will ‘Wicked’ Win Best Picture?
01:18:20 - Outro

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Director Jon M. Chu Talks 'Wicked' Sequel, Surprise Cameos & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 22:59:51 +0000

Director Jon M. Chu joins us to discuss his hit musical "Wicked," starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. He chats about editing "Wicked: Part Two," the incredible attention to detail in Cynthia Erivo's iconic hat, putting together Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth's surprise cameos, getting feedback from Steven Spielberg, and more.

We'll be back on Friday for a full episode of the show featuring our interview with Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult for their new film "The Order" so stay tuned to whichever feed you find your podcasts.

You can see "Wicked" in theaters now.

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The Farrelly Brothers Talk 'Dumb And Dumber,' 'There's Something About Mary,' 'Dear Santa'

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 20:25:17 +0000

The filmmaking duo Peter and Bobby Farrelly are here to discuss the making of their new film "Dear Santa" starring Jack Black! The comedy legends share stories from the making of their iconic films such as "Dumb and Dumber" and "There's Something About Mary."

Peter Farrelly tells us why his Best Picture-winning film "Green Book" was the easiest film he's ever made compared to comedy, how the brothers decided who would get directing credit for "Dumb and Dumber," their parents visiting the set during Jeff Daniels' toilet scene and more.

You can watch the Farrelly brothers' new movie "Dear Santa" right now, available on Digital and on Paramount+.

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Giovanni Ribisi Talks 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Strange Darling' & Working As A Cinematographer

Gabriel Kovacs — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 22:40:02 +0000

We are honored to welcome actor Giovanni Ribisi to the show, and he's joining us to discuss his incredible cinematography in "Strange Darling." If you've been listening to the show this year, you know how much we loved '"Strange Darling," one of our favorite movies of the year.

This conversation does get into spoilers for "Strange Darling," so be warned. However, we cover a range of projects from Giovanni Ribisi's filmography including Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan," Kevin Costner's "Horizon: An American Saga" and more.

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John David Washington Talks Christopher Nolan, Making 'The Piano Lesson' With His Brother & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 22:06:19 +0000

John David Washington returns to geek out about his favorite films, discuss his journey going from the NFL to Hollywood, and share stories from the making of "Tenet" and his new film "The Piano Lesson," directed by Malcolm Washington.

After our interview, stick around for our thoughts on "The Piano Lesson," and our reviews of this week's huge theatrical releases, "Gladiator II" and "Wicked."

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:08:40 - John David Washington Interview
00:44:19 - ‘The Piano Lesson’ Review
00:51:10 - ‘Gladiator II’ Review
01:03:55 - ‘Wicked’ Review
01:20:38 - Outro

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Bringing The 'Dune' Movie Universe To TV | 'Dune: Prophecy' Showrunner Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:46:16 +0000

We are so excited to welcome Alison Schapker, showrunner of HBO's new series "Dune: Prophecy," to the show to discuss bringing the 'Dune' to TV. We chat about some of the season's central mysteries that are beginning to unfold following the premiere episode, capturing the same visual styling of Denis Villeneuve's cinematic universe, putting their own stamp on the music of the "Dune" world and more.

Alison Schapker also shares her incredible origin story in the entertainment industry, detailing the decades of experience that have led to her running HBO's new hit sci-fi series and how she coordinates the storytelling of full season with the series' three directors.

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Director Alfonso Cuarón Talks 'Disclaimer' Finale, New 'Harry Potter' Series & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:59:02 +0000

Filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón returns to discuss the making of his new Apple TV+ show "Disclaimer" starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, and Sacha Baron Cohen. Cuarón was the first director we ever had on the show over six years ago, and we are honored to welcome him back for his latest project. In our interview, we discuss some of the heavy topics tackled in "Disclaimer," the brilliance of Cate Blanchett as both an actor and producer, and whether or not it will be another six years before his next work.

Alfonso Cuarón directed one of the fan-favorite entries in the Harry Potter saga with "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," and. we asked what the new TV adaptation of that story could do differently than his own film. It's an interview you don't want to miss! We'll be back next week with more interviews and a full episode of the show so stay tuned.

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Robert Zemeckis Talks Tom Hanks And Robin Wright In 'Here'

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 20:23:29 +0000

30 years after “Forrest Gump,” Tom Hanks and Robin Wright reunite with filmmaker Robert Zemeckis for “Here.” Last week, we were joined by Tom Hanks to discuss the making of “Here,” and his broader career. This week, director Robert Zemeckis takes a turn on ReelBlend to discuss the same. From the themes of “Here” connecting as far back in his career as “Back To The Future,” to how he created that mind-boggling mirror shot in “Contact,” we cover a wide range of the icon's filmography.

Stick around after the interview for our reactions to the film’s disappointing box office, and we play a Tom Hanks Bracket Challenge.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:08:11 - Robert Zemeckis Interview
00:29:48 - ‘Here’ Box Office Disappoints
00:41:40 - Tom Hanks Bracket Challenge
01:12:11 - Outro

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Tom Hanks Talks 'Forrest Gump' Sequel, 'Apollo 13' Score, 'Here' & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 18:34:55 +0000

Tom Hanks returns to the show! Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Robert Zemeckis are back together for their new film "Here." He walks us through some of the iconic scores his films have been part of including "Apollo 13's" launch sequence bringing him to tears. He shares the story behind a "Forrest Gump" sequel that never happened and even having doubts about "Gump" while filming.

Stick around after the interview for our reviews of "Here," and Sean's breakdown of his coverage at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Next week, director Robert Zemeckis joins us to continue the conversation, so stay tuned!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:44 - Tom Hanks Interview
00:36:40 - Rare Interviews With Big Movie Stars
00:40:47 - ‘Here’ Review
00:57:37 - Sean At SCAD: ‘September 5,’ ‘Anora’ & More
01:09:53 - Outro

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Talking Ralph Fiennes In 'Conclave' With Director Edward Berger

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 20:41:16 +0000

Oscar-winning director Edward Berger joins ReelBlend to discuss the making of his new film "Conclave," starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini. He shares his creative process with core collaborators like his editor, composer, and costume designer, whether or not the Vatican allowed them to shoot on the premises, Francis Ford Coppola, and more.

After the interview, stick around for our "Conclave" and "Venom: The Last Dance" reviews, including spoiler-filled sections for each.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:02 - Tangent Alert!: BLADE
00:13:13 - Edward Berger Interview - ‘Conclave’
00:39:34 - ‘Conclave’ Review
00:47:59 - ‘Conclave’ Spoilers
01:05:09 - ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ Review
01:08:38 - ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ Spoilers
01:18:23 - Outro

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Andrew Garfield Talks Spider-Man, Florence Pugh & 'We Live In Time' With Director John Crowley

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 20:01:00 +0000

Andrew Garfield and director John Crowley join the show to discuss the making of their new film We Live In Time, in which Andrew stars alongside Florence Pugh. They get into their collaborative process, how their own films have affected their real lives, creating space on set for strong performances and more. We couldn't have a Spider-Man on the show without at least asking one of our burning questions. Andrew Garfield was generous enough to share a look back at shooting Gwen Stacy's death in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and how it related to his approach to filming the Spider-Man: No Way Home scene of his character saving Zendaya's MJ.

After the interview, we review their incredibly touching film We Live In Time, and play a fun horror-movie-themed bracket game.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:06 - Andrew Garfield & John Crowley Talk ‘We Live In Time’
00:39:21 - ‘We Live In Time’ Review
00:44:34 - Horror Movie Bracket Challenge
01:13:23 - Outro

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Robert Englund & Heather Langenkamp Talk 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' 40th Anniversary

Gabriel Kovacs — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 21:02:09 +0000

Freddy Krueger and Nancy Thompson themselves, Robert Englund and Heather Langenkamp, join the show to discuss "A Nightmare On Elm Street" 40 years later. We discuss the amazing work of Wes Craven and how he was as a collaborator on set, Englund’s ultimate Freddy theory, Nightmare sequels, Drew Barrymore in Scream and more.

Stay tuned this week. On Friday, we have another full episode of the ReelBlend Podcast, and we'll be joined by Andrew Garfield and director John Crowley for their new film "We Live In Time."

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'All In The First Take': Behind The Scenes of 'Joker: Folie À Deux' With The Cinematographer

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:31:26 +0000

This week, ReelBlend is joined by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Lawrence Sher to discuss his incredible work on "Joker: Folie à Deux," starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. He shares the story of the viral shot from the trailer that they ended up getting on the first try, we go behind the scenes of moments in films from across his career, discuss shooting comedies like dramas and more.

After our interview, we review "Terrifier 3," and play a new game!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:52 - Lawrence Sher Interview: ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’
00:54:32 - ‘Terrifier 3’ Is Going To Crush At The Box Office
01:00:58 - Iconic Horror Villains Bracket Challenge
01:19:07 - Outro

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How Documentary Filmmakers Balance Empathy And Story | 'Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story'

Gabriel Kovacs — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 11:30:24 +0000

Filmmakers Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedguin join ReelBlend to discuss the making of their new documentary "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story." From his touching relationship with his close friend Robin Wiliams to the impact his performance on screen and his actions as a person had on audiences, 'Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story' is a must-see look at one of Hollywood's most important stars.

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Francis Ford Coppola Interview | 'The Godfather,' 'Apocalypse Now,' 'Megalopolis,' And More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 17:03:27 +0000

We are honored to welcome Francis Ford Coppola on the show to discuss his work, from The Godfather to his new film Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito and Nathalie Emmanuel. The legend shared a few incredible stories from his early masterpieces including a minor change to The Godfather Part II that saved it for audiences, Apocalypse Now being denied by the studio system, inspiring young filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino and more.

After the interview, Jake and Gabe dive into their reviews of Megalopolis, a wild, original film that defies explanation. If you’re as curious as they were to see for themselves, head to a theater near you and come back to the comments section with your thoughts.

After Megalopolis spoilers, Jake and Sean get into their thoughts on Joker: Folie à Deux. They eventually get into spoilers, with plenty of warning, so keep an ear out for those if you want to avoid them. Next week, Oscar-nominated Joker cinematographer Lawrence Sher joins us to discuss his staggering work on the new sequel.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:15 - Francis Ford Coppola Interview
00:44:15 - ‘Megalopolis’ Reviews
00:53:04 - ‘Megalopolis’ Spoilers
01:03:52 - Spoilers: ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ Review
01:19:42 - Outro

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Kevin Smith Interview | Stan Lee Cameo, Ben Affleck, 'The 4:30 Movie' & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 21:56:22 +0000

Kevin Smith returns to ReelBlend to discuss the making of "The 4:30 Movie." The filmmaker was kind enough to give us time to discuss moments from across his filmography, he opens up about his childhood, falling in love with movies and the inspirations for his most personal film yet.

Be sure to keep your eye on our feeds this week. Friday, Francis Ford Coppola joins us to discuss the making of his latest film, we dive deeper into our reviews of it and Todd Philip's "Joker: Folie à Deux."

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Recreating 'Saturday Night Live' With 'Saturday Night' | Jason Reitman Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 20:30:10 +0000

Jason Reitman returns to discuss the making of Saturday Night, his new film spanning the 90 minutes leading up to Lorne Michaels' first episode of Saturday Night Live. The film is at the front of the pack for this year's best ensemble featuring Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith and many more taking on the parts of Lorne Michaels and his motley crew of writers and comedians.

Reitman talks about creating the film’s score live on set with Jon Batiste, interviewing everyone at the historic taping before writing the script, the real rush of going live on SNL and more.

After the interview, stick around for our review of the film, as well as Kevin’s thoughts on Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis and our thoughts on Gladiator 2’s new trailer.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:07:48 - Jason Reitman Saturday Night Interview
00:37:54 - Saturday Night Review
00:49:09 - Megalopolis Reaction
00:59:36 - New Trailers!
01:16:17 - Outro

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How Chris Hemsworth 'Evolved' Optimus Prime's Iconic Voice | 'Transformers: One' Director Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 17:48:18 +0000

Transformers: One (starring Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Scarlett Johansson) is hitting theaters this weekend, and fans of the franchise, old and new, are really in for a treat. Director Josh Cooley sat down with Sean to discuss his creative process, finding the voice of Optimus Prime with Chris Hemsworth, building the iconic "transforming" sound, the possibility of a sequel and more.

After our interview, we give our full thoughts on the animated movie, discuss why The Life of Chuck doesn't yet have a release date and review both The Substance and the premiere of Max's new series The Penguin.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:08:03 - Josh Cooley ‘Transformers: One’ Interview
00:30:35 - ‘Transformers: One’ Review
00:38:57 - When Is ‘The Life Of Chuck’ Coming Out?
00:49:39 - ‘The Substance’ Review
00:58:55 - ‘The Penguin’ Impressions
01:07:00 - Outro

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James McAvoy On Horror Movies Getting More Respect | ReelBlend Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:33:56 +0000

James McAvoy and director James Watkins sit down with us this week to discuss the making of their new thriller Speak No Evil. McAvoy shares the one thing from Stephen King’s IT that he wanted to include in the movie, but was politely declined. Watkins and McAvoy detail the process of working with child actors on a horror movie, why horror movies don’t get the recognition they deserve and more.

After the interview, we review Speak No Evil, and Sean gives his spoiler-free reactions to Joker: Folie à Deux (starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga). And finally, you must go see Strange Darling if it’s playing near you, and don’t forget to see Rebel Ridge on Netflix.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:55 - Remembering James Earl Jones
00:13:34 - James McAvoy & James Watkins Interview
00:34:52 - ‘Speak No Evil’ Review (Spoiler-Free)
00:41:43 - Kevin Liked ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’
00:49:38 - We’ve Seen ‘Joker 2’
00:57:54 - You Must See ’Strange Darling’
01:05:19 - You Must See ‘Rebel Ridge’
01:06:41 - Outro

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Netflix's 'Rebel Ridge' Is A Must-Watch | Director Jeremy Saulnier Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 19:04:04 +0000

Filmmaker Jeremy Saulnier joins the show to discuss the making of his new Netflix film Rebel Ridge, starring Aaron Pierre, AnnaSophia Robb, and Don Johnson. After the interview, Sean gives his thoughts on Rebel Ridge, Jake reviews Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and we play a Beetlejuice edition of the IMDb game.

What are you seeing this weekend? Whether you’re making it out to the theater for the Beetlejuice sequel, staying in to stream “Rebel Ridge” or both, let us know your thoughts in the YouTube comments below.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:28 - Jeremy Saulnier Interview
00:24:29 - ‘Rebel Ridge’ Review
00:31:42 - ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Review
00:41:52 - IMDb Game: ‘Beetlejuice’ Edition
01:03:37 - Outro

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Christopher Nolan Movies Tier List

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 19:03:15 +0000

It's finally time for us to put together our movie ranking for the filmography of none other than Christopher Nolan. From Following, through his Batman trilogy, and to Oppenheimer, we run down every Christopher Nolan film as we work towards crowning the filmmaker's masterpiece.

Which film do you think is Christopher Nolan's masterpiece? Let us know on social or drop your thoughts in the comments of the YouTube video. We'll be back next week with another exciting episode and interview so stay tuned for more.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:08:55 - Christopher Nolan Tier List
00:12:15 - Nolan Tier List: “Following”
00:15:21 - Nolan Tier List: “Memento”
00:21:41 - Nolan Tier List: “Insomnia”
00:25:18 - Nolan Tier List: “Batman Begins”
00:35:20 - Nolan Tier List: “The Prestige”
00:41:38 - Nolan Tier List: “The Dark Knight”
00:45:24 - Nolan Tier List: “Inception”
00:48:17 - Nolan Tier List: “The Dark Knight Rises”
00:51:43 - Nolan Tier List: “Dunkirk”
00:54:56 - Nolan Tier List: “Interstellar”
00:58:17 - Nolan Tier List: “Tenet”
01:03:14 - Nolan Tier List: “Oppenheimer”
01:03:46 - Christopher Nolan’s Masterpiece
01:15:27 - Outro

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Bill Skarsgård Went All In On ‘The Crow’ | Rupert Sanders Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 11:30:48 +0000

Director Rupert Sanders joins ReelBlend to discuss his new remake of The Crow, starring Bill Skarsgård and FKA twigs. We discuss whether or not the original film starring Brandon Lee was of any influence, Bill Skarsgård's approach and intense commitment to the role, how they side-stepped the Hollywood system to create a "fierce one-quadrant movie," and more.

We are off of the main show this week, but stay tuned! We will be back next week with a great show, and our September guest list is already stacking up. You won't want to miss out.

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Fede Álvarez 'Alien: Romulus' Interview | Ridley Scott's Notes, Recreating 1980s Horror & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 18:47:52 +0000

Alien: Romulus is finally arriving in theaters this weekend, and folks, it’s a must-see. Filmmaker Fede Álvarez returns to the show to chat with us about how he took on the classic action-horror franchise and made it his own while still rooting us in the familiar universe we love.

The level of detail he and his team brought to the project is truly incredible, and he goes into great detail in our interview about recreating that 1980s horror feel. We also chat about his incredible cast including Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, the pair set in the emotional heart of the whole movie. We get teases for some Easter eggs and dangling threads for fans to sniff out, and even a big spoiler moment we can’t wait to share. That said, we are waiting. Stay tuned to our channels to be the first to see that amazing bit from the interview as soon as it drops.

After the interview, stick around for our thoughts on the film, as well as an Alien franchise director-themed game.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:07:23 - Fede Álvarez Interview
00:29:30 - Spoiler-Free ‘Alien: Romulus’ Review
00:41:33 - ‘Alien: Romulus’ Spoilers!
00:58:10 - IMDB Game: 'Alien' Franchise Directors
01:11:03 - Outro

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Sean Wang Talks The Making Of Dìdi (弟弟) | ReelBlend Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 22:44:06 +0000

Filmmaker Sean Wang joins our own Sean to discuss the making of his new, semi-autobiographical coming-of-age film Dìdi. We cover the making of the movie from the specific music used in its soundtrack, to its Superbad influences, to the influences pulled from his own life.

On Friday, we are back with another full episode, and we're joined by writer/director Fede Alvarez to talk all things Alien: Romulus! It's another all-time chat, so don't miss the interview, and don't miss Alien: Romulus.

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The Secret To Good Comedy With Director Paul Feig | ReelBlend Podcast

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 18:04:43 +0000

Paul Feig joins the show this week to discuss the making of his new movie Jackpot, starring John Cena and Awkwafina. He shares his thoughts on modern comedy movies, struggling to get comedies into movie theaters, early audience reactions to Bridesmaids, the acting role he ironically gets most recognized for, and more.

Stick around after the interview for our reactions to Deadpool & Wolverine’s killer box office run, Kevin’s spoiler-filled reactions, and what we think the MCU will look like next.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:11:56 - Paul Feig Interview
00:40:23 - ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Is Crushing It
01:17:20 - Outro

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M. Night Shyamalan Interview | 'Trap,' Alternate Endings, 'Unbreakable' & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 16:42:57 +0000

Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan joins the show to discuss his new thriller Trap, starring Josh Hartnett. We were lucky enough to cover many points throughout his career, from The Sixth Sense's success, pushing the boundaries with Unbreakable, the strange nature of being a famous filmmaker, and more.

Stick around after the interview for our review of Trap and our spoiler-filled review of Deadpool & Wolverine, followed by our post-SDCC breakdown.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:12:53 - M. Night Shyamalan Interview
00:45:20 - ‘Trap’ Review
00:53:28 - ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Spoiler Chat + The Future of The MCU
01:12:33 - SDCC Was BIG This Year
01:28:54 - Outro

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Zack Snyder Interview | 'Rebel Moon' Director's Cuts, The Russo Brothers' Return & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 21:31:40 +0000

Director Zack Snyder returns to the podcast to discuss the release of his director's cuts of Rebel Moon. We discuss the conversations with Netflix that led to separate R-rated versions, asking Netflix if they'd let him release them with an NC-17, which of his films has his favorite theatrical cut, originally pitching an R-rated Star Wars film, reacting to the Russo Brothers' return to the MCU and more.

Later this week, we welcome back M. Night Shyamalan for his new film Trap so be sure to subscribe to ReelBlend wherever you get your podcasts.

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'Twisters' Director Lee Isaac Chung Talks Meeting Steven Spielberg, Special Effects & More | ReelBlend Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:26:58 +0000

Twisters director Lee Isaac Chung joins ReelBlend to discuss the making of the new legacy sequel starring Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos. We discuss classic films that have inspired him to this day, what it’s like to hang out with Steven Spielberg, how good practical effects make or break visual effects, and more.

Stick around for our review of Twisters, as well as a debate on the new horror flick Longlegs.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:08:22 - Lee Isaac Chung Twisters Interview
00:37:48 - Twisters Review
00:58:19 - Longlegs Spoiler Chat
01:15:06 - Outro

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Greg Berlanti Interview | Scarlett Johansson, 'Fly Me To The Moon,' Faking The Moon Landing & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 21:09:47 +0000

Writer-director-producer Greg Berlanti joins us this week to discuss his new rom-com Fly Me To The Moon, starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. We discuss Colin Jost and Scarlett sharing the screen for the first time, playing with the idea of faking the moon landing, and more.

Stick around after the interview for our review of the film, our thoughts on Ridley Scott's Gladiator II trailer, and Sean's major hype for the future of the Karate Kid franchise.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:31 - Greg Berlanti Interview
00:32:28 - ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ Interview
00:41:51 - Go See ‘Longlegs’
00:45:17 - ‘Gladiator 2’ Trailer Reactions
00:59:00 - Sean Gushes About ‘Cobra Kai’
01:06:15 - Outro

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How Stanley Kubrick Made A Big Contribution To 'Twister' | Jan De Bont Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 22:07:03 +0000

Twister director Jan de Bont joins the show for the classic film’s official 4K UHD release! We discuss whether or not Tom Hanks was originally considered to be cast as the lead, Bill Paxton’s incredible dedication, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s comedic chops, and how Joss Whedon contributed to one of Speed’s Iconic lines.

We cover everything from shooting Die Hard to casting Bill Paxton to Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves butting heads on the set of Speed. Get prepped for the upcoming Twister sequel Twisters with the 1996 classics's 4K release, and don't miss this conversation with the filmmaker behind it.

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How 'A Quiet Place: Day One' Crafted Its Definitive Ending | Director Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 20:50:58 +0000

A Quiet Place: Day One director Michael Sarnoski joins us to discuss the making of the film's striking ending, all the effort that goes into casting and directing a feline on set, plus the movie he is tackling next starring Jodie Comer and Hugh Jackman.

Stick around after the interview for Kevin's thoughts on the film, our reviews of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, and an update on what we've been watching outside the usual movie realm.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro
00:11:25 - [SPOILERS] - Michael Sarnoski Interview: ‘A Quiet Place Day One’
00:45:58 - [SPOILERS] - Kevin’s ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Review
00:51:45 - ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ Review
01:02:10 - What We’ve Been Watching (‘The Bear’ / ‘The Boys’)
01:06:16 - Outro

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Kevin Costner Interview | 'Horizon: An American Saga,' Early Career & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 20:33:12 +0000

Kevin Costner joins us this week for the release of his first chapter of Horizon: An American Saga, his epic Western story, decades in the making. We cover the earliest days of his career, including some of his biggest films and performances. The actor-director walks us through the intense process of making a 4-part film series back to back, we discuss his collaboration with Zack Snyder in Man of Steel and more.

Also this week, we review both Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 and A Quiet Place: Day One and give our thoughts on the trailer for Here, starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:38 - Kevin Costner Interview
00:46:58 - Interview Reactions
00:54:18 - ‘Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1’ Review
01:11:21 - ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Review
01:21:06 - ‘Here’ Trailer Reactions
01:26:57 - Outro

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Austin Butler Just Has It | 'The Bikeriders' Director Interview With Jeff Nichols

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 21:09:19 +0000

Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy debut their new film “The Bikeriders” in theaters this weekend. Writer-director Jeff Nichols joins us on this week’s show to discuss the making of “The Bikeriders” and working with his star-studded cast. We talk about the energy surrounding Austin Butler, what that energy does for a film, being afraid of the real motorcycle gang the movie is inspired by, and more.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:23 - Jeff Nichols Interview - ‘The Bikeriders’
00:35:04 - ‘The Bikeriders’ Review
00:43:08:15 - ‘Inside Out 2’ Wins Big & More Box Office Talk
00:59:47 - Outro

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Ranking The Top 5 Bruce Willis Films | ReelBlend Podcast

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 21:02:23 +0000

Our very own Sean O’Connell has his latest book releasing this week. “Bruce Willis: Celebrating the Cinematic Legacy of an Unbreakable Hollywood Icon” walks through the acclaimed actor’s entire filmography and career. So we thought what better time than now to look back and rank our top five Bruce Willis movies?

We are trying something new with this list. Instead of simply revealing a pre-structured list, we are taking you through the process. First, we draft up nine of his films for consideration. Then, we reduce the list to the five we want to rank and finally debate the order.

Also this week, we review Inside Out 2, and catch up on Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:02 - Bruce Willis’ Top 5 Movies
00:52:22 - ‘Inside Out 2’ Review
00:58:34 - We Caught Up On ‘Bad Boys: Ride Or Die’
01:05:56 - Spoilers: ‘Bad Boys: Ride Or Die’
01:08:05 - Outro

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This Iconic Line Fixed A Major Problem In 'Dazed And Confused' | Richard Linklater Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 19:33:10 +0000

Richard Linklater’s latest film “Hit Man,” starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, is now available to stream on Netflix, and the legendary writer-director sat down with us to discuss the making of his (sort of based on a true story) film, and his career. We dive into his process of working with actors, finding chemistry on screen, the prospects of a “School of Rock” sequel, and an incredible story about Matthew McConaughey’s iconic “Dazed and Confused” line.

It’s our first full show back from our hiatus, so we also take some time to discuss what we’ve been watching, Disney’s new “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte,” and we celebrate the incredible influence of Scott Wampler following his passing.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:07:16 - Richard Linklater Interview - ‘Hit Man’
00:38:25 - ‘Hit Man’ Review
00:42:41 - This Summer Movie Season Is ‘Just Fine’
00:51:31 - New Disney+ ‘Star Wars’ Series ‘The Acolyte’ Reactions
00:54:13 - What We’ve Been Watching
01:04:14 - Remembering Scott Wampler
01:15:44 - Outro

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Quentin Tarantino Talks 'Pulp Fiction,' Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio & More | ReelBlend Redux

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 31 May 2024 20:50:35 +0000

This week, we return with one of our all-time favorite interviews. Originally recorded in December 2019, we are joined by Quentin Tarantino for an extended, 2-hour conversation spanning the legendary director's career. We sat down with Tarantino for the home video release of Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood, so we of course spent a lot of our time with him discussing the making of the film, casting Al Pacino, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt’s perfect casting, and more.

That is just the tip of this iceberg. Stick around through the conversation for his thoughts on being snubbed at the Oscars, Pulp Fiction, Bruce Willis nearly cast as Bill in Kill Bill, and more.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:30 - Quentin Tarantino Interview (*originally recorded Dec. 2019)
02:07:11 - Outro

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George Miller Interview | 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' Stunts, Chris Hemsworth & More

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 24 May 2024 20:43:12 +0000

Legendary director George Miller joins the show for the release of his latest entry in the Mad Max franchise, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The franchise has been cruising for over four decades, and the filmmaker takes us all the way back to the beginning with memories of early, negative reviews and the cultural wave that eventually grew into what it is today.

We discuss some obvious, and not-so-obvious, changes to how stunts and special effects shots are made, watching Road Warrior 30 years later, and more.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:32 - George Miller Interview
00:36:25 - ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ Review (Spoiler-Free)
00:51:12 - ‘Furiosa’ Spoilers!
00:56:42 - Outro