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 bem

#349 : Top 10 Films and Other Media of 2020

Feb 25th, 2021 2h 6m

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!

#348 : LOVERS ROCK

Feb 14th, 2021 1h 11m

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.

#347 : SOUL

Jan 29th, 2021 1h 11m

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

#346 : TENET

Jan 21st, 2021 1h 35m

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.

#345 : MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM

Jan 9th, 2021 1h 12m

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 dis

#344 : HBO Max Deal & the State of Cinema

Dec 31st, 2020 1h 16m

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.

#343 : MANK

Dec 30th, 2020 1h 17m

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

#342 : ON THE ROCKS

Dec 19th, 2020 1h 3m

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.

#341 : THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7

Dec 8th, 2020 1h 25m

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 f

#340 : 2012 Film Draft

Nov 29th, 2020 1h 59m

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 sel

#339 : CUTTER’S WAY

Nov 12th, 2020 1h 17m

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

#338 : EDUCATING RITA

Nov 1st, 2020 1h 29m

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 tele

#337 : MODERN ROMANCE

Oct 15th, 2020 1h 13m

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

#336 : I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS

Oct 7th, 2020 1h 31m

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

#335 : ADAPTATION

Sep 25th, 2020 1h 18m

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 an

#334 : ONE FROM THE HEART

Sep 12th, 2020 1h 27m

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.

#333 : LOST IN TRANSLATION

Sep 4th, 2020 1h 25m

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.

#332 : THE DAMNED UNITED

Aug 28th, 2020 1h 27m

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 20

#331 : OUT OF SIGHT

Aug 18th, 2020 1h 18m

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.

#330 : COME AND SEE

Aug 11th, 2020 1h 13m

The guys review Elem Klimov’s Come and See to celebrate its restoration and Criterion release. Jared and Michael recommend old comedy shows, while Joe talks ideal home viewing setups.

#329 : Favorite Non-Film Media

Aug 1st, 2020 1h 16m

In this listener-suggested episode, Jared, Michael, and Joe share their top five favorite television shows, books, video games, and albums. No movies!

#328 : FIRST COW

Jul 24th, 2020 1h 20m

Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow was finally released on VOD, so the guys review that revisionist western. Jared raves about a Chilean stop-motion film. Joe recommends an HBO true crime miniseries. Michael discusses some documentary work related to

#327 : JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO

Jul 18th, 2020 1h 19m

Joe kicks off the fourth round of retro reviews with a new favorite, Joe Versus the Volcano, and the guys have a rousing discussion about the film. Jared recommends a 25-year-old sci-fi noir that is still topical today. Joe champions a Carl Rei

#326 : THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND

Jul 12th, 2020 1h 17m

Judd Apatow’s latest manchild-centered film, The King of Staten Island, is the topic of this episode. Jared and Michael express their enthusiasm for 25th Hour. Joe reveals he isn’t a Steve Coogan fan. The guys briefly address the changes announ