The Next Reel Film Podcast

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The Ladykillers • The Next Reel Jan 30, 2015

Show notes

Alec Guinness's Professor Marcus really meets his match with Katie Johnson's Mrs. Wilberforce in Alexander Mackendrick's 1955 Ealing Studios comedy "The Ladykillers," what some call the last great comedy from the studio. Where he plots and schemes to rob a bank truck, she makes tea and makes sure her guests act like gentlemen -- even when those men are thieves. It's a great premise for this film, and one that makes at least half of us on the show laugh. Join us -- Pete Wright and Andy Nelson -- as we continue our Sir Alec Guinness series with "The Ladykillers." We talk about why it worked so well for Andy and why it didn't for Pete, looking at everything from the characters to the situations to the overall story. We chat about the performances from the actors playing the five criminals -- Guinness, Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Cecil Parker and Danny Green -- as well as the very well mannered Mrs. Wilberforce played by the brilliant Johnson. We discuss the look of the film and the cinematography by Otto Heller, the great score by Tristram Cary and the Oscar-nominated writing by William Rose. We touch on the Coen remake and Tom Hanks playing the Guinness role. And we chat about how great Guinness really is in this film and how we're thrilled to be doing a series on him right now. So check it out -- let us know what you think about the movie. Love it? Hate it? We want to know!
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The Man in the White Suit • The Next Reel Jan 22, 2015

Show notes

Ealing Studios comedies, particularly the ones we’ve been talking about, have all had a bit of an anti-establishment feel to them but “The Man in the White Suit” feels like they were trying to something a bit more with it. The film is fascinating satirical comedy looking at the relationship between the factory owners and the union laborers in England back in the 50s that doesn’t just focus on their differences but also finds a way to bring the two groups together. The reason for their coming together is, of course, the titular character, played wonderfully by Sir Alec Guinness. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we talk about this great Alexander Mackendrick film from 1951 as the next in our Guinness series. We talk about why we find this film so fascinating, and how this film is really the foundation for our podcast. We chat about Guinness and the way he plays his character, as well as many of the other wonderful actors who do so well here, namely Joan Greenwood, Cecil Parker and Michael Gough. We discuss the wonderful cinematography by Douglas Slocombe, working with more shadows than we’ve seen before, as well as Mackendrick and what he brings to the table. And we chat about some of the effects, from the luminescent suit to the stunt of Guinness scaling the side of the house to escape. It’s a brilliant film, one which we both love, and one which more people should really see. So check it out then tune in!
* * *
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The Lavender Hill Mob • The Next Reel Jan 15, 2015

Show notes

Sir Alec Guinness had already proven both his comedic and dramatic prowess by the time he came to Ealing Studios’ “The Lavender Hill Mob” in 1951, a point in his career when he was making two films a year. He’d continue working in both comedy and drama throughout his career, but we’re lucky to still be talking about his comedies because “The Lavender Hill Mob” is an absolute delight. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our Sir Alec Guinness series with a conversation about his seventh film, directed by Charles Crichton. We talk about the comedy in this film and why it still works so well six and a half decades later. We chat about Crichton and his wonderful directing, and compare this film with his last film, 1988’s “A Fish Called Wanda,” which he directed and co-wrote. We discuss Guinness and the other actors making up the titular mob — Stanley Holloway, Sidney James and Alfie Bass — and look at what they each brought to the table. We chat about our favorite moments of the film and why, even with its problems, it’s still an utterly enjoyable caper film. And we point out several familiar faces that you may miss scattered throughout the film — see if you can catch them! It’s an absolute delight of a crime caper film, one which we have a great time talking about. Tune in!
* * *
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
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- [Follow Pete Wright on Twitter](http://twitter.com/petewright)
- [Follow Steve Sarmento on Twitter](https://twitter.com/mr_steve23)
- [Check out Tom Metz on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1224453/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
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- [Follow Chadd Stoops on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ChaddStoops)
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Kind Hearts and Coronets • The Next Reel Jan 08, 2015

Show notes

Sir Alec Guinness may always be remembered as Obi Wan Kenobi, but his career goes far beyond those three little science fiction films he did late in his career. He worked many times with David Lean. He gave life to the spy George Smiley long before Gary Oldman. And he starred in a number of the great Ealing comedies, his first of which is “Kind Hearts and Coronets,” where he pulls a Peter Sellers by playing 8 of the characters in the film. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we begin our Sir Alec Guinness series by talking about Robert Hamer’s 1949 comedy “Kind Hearts and Coronets.” We talk about the comedy in this film, and how clever it is to write a script in which the audience roots for the protagonist even though he’s planning on committing a number of murders. We discuss the brilliant performances, from Dennis Price and Valerie Hobson to Joan Greenwood and, of course, Guinness. Not to mention a memorable turn from Miles Malleson. We chat about the cinematography by Douglas Slocombe, who we last discussed way back at the beginning of our run with the Indiana Jones series. And we talk about a recent script on the 2014 Black List, “Rothchild,” written by John Patton Ford, that takes this story and updates it. We even bring Ford on to discuss it with us. It’s a great way to kick off our Guinness series and we have a great conversation about this brilliantly funny film. Tune in!
* * *
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
- [The Next Reel on iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-reel/id478159328?mt=2)
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
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- [Follow Pete Wright on Twitter](http://twitter.com/petewright)
- [Follow Steve Sarmento on Twitter](https://twitter.com/mr_steve23)
- [Check out Tom Metz on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1224453/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
- [Follow Mike Evans on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ubersky)
- [Follow Chadd Stoops on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ChaddStoops)
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This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5640170/advertisement

The Poseidon Adventure • The Next Reel Jan 01, 2015

Show notes

The end of 2014, the beginning of 2015. Happy New Year, everybody! And what a better way to celebrate than with Ronald Neame’s 1972 disaster classic “The Poseidon Adventure.” Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we enjoy the holiday with a wonderful conversation about this infamous ship. We talk about the nature of disaster movies from the 70s and producer Irwin Allen — the Master of Disaster — and how this genre turned into quite a thing for him. We discuss the ideas within the film, notably the religious elements, and look at what the film might be trying to say about those elements. We walk through each of the cast members — Gene Hackman, Shelley Winters, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Roddy McDowall, Jack Albertson, and more — and chat about what they each bring to the table. We discuss the amazing production design and the process they went through for flipping the set. We touch on director Neame and look at his history and what he initially thought when brought on to direct this film. And we examine the numbers for this film, looking at how well it did and why it set up the disaster genre for big successes in the 70s. It’s a fun film to end one year and begin the next, and we have a great conversation about it. Tune in!
* * *
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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- [The Next Reel on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheNextReel)
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
- [Follow Andy Nelson on Twitter](http://twitter.com/sodacreekfilm)
- [Follow Pete Wright on Twitter](http://twitter.com/petewright)
- [Follow Steve Sarmento on Twitter](https://twitter.com/mr_steve23)
- [Check out Tom Metz on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1224453/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
- [Follow Mike Evans on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ubersky)
- [Follow Chadd Stoops on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ChaddStoops)
- [Follow Steven Smart on Letterboxd](http://letterboxd.com/steamrobot/)
This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5640170/advertisement

The Bishop's Wife • The Next Reel Dec 26, 2014

Show notes

Happy holidays! It’s time for another Christmas movie pick to celebrate, and we’re jumping back to 1947 to talk about Henry Koster’s “The Bishop’s Wife.” Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we dive into this perennial classic starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. We talk about how the film works for us and compare that with what we were expecting, considering neither of us had seen this film before. We chat about the brilliant Niven, the casual and awesome Grant, and the loving Young playing the titular character. We spend some time deliberating on the title itself, and express some confusion about why it’s called what it’s called and how that affected our opinions and expectations of this character. We chat about the release strategy of the movie and how they increased profits by changing its title. And we look at in context of it being a Christmas movie and where it stands for us. It’s a delightful holiday film that has some great light comedy paired with a more serious tone, and we have a great time talking about it. Tune in!
* * *
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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- [The Next Reel on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheNextReel)
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
- [Follow Andy Nelson on Twitter](http://twitter.com/sodacreekfilm)
- [Follow Pete Wright on Twitter](http://twitter.com/petewright)
- [Follow Steve Sarmento on Twitter](https://twitter.com/mr_steve23)
- [Check out Tom Metz on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1224453/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
- [Follow Mike Evans on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ubersky)
- [Follow Chadd Stoops on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ChaddStoops)
- [Follow Steven Smart on Letterboxd](http://letterboxd.com/steamrobot/)
This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5640170/advertisement

Andy's Kidney • A Very Special Episode • The Next Reel Dec 21, 2014

Show notes

Andy had a kidney removed earlier this week to donate to a friend. Pete took a few minutes to call and check in on his recovery, and see which movies he's been watching all week.
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Requiem for a Dream • The Next Reel Dec 19, 2014

Show notes

Phew. This film should be required viewing for all high school seniors. It’s brutal and intense, but also honest and powerful in its depiction of addiction. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we finish up our series on the immensely gifted actress Ellen Burstyn with Darren Aronofsky’s 2000 film “Requiem for a Dream.” We discuss why this film is so powerful, and what creating a film that goes to the places this one goes to meant in the filmmakers’ battle with the MPAA over the rating. We talk about the performances — Burstyn’s heartbreaking portrayal of a mother addicted to weight loss pills, along with Jared Leto's, Marlon Wayans' and Jennifer Connelly’s portrayals of people spiraling down in their heroin addiction. We chat about Aronofsky and what he’s doing as a filmmaker in his second film that shows him to be a true storyteller of this amazing visual medium. We touch on other key elements of the production that make this movie what it is, most notably Clint Mansell and the Kronos Quartet bringing to life one of the most haunting and gripping scores we’ve heard. And we look at why this film didn’t do as well here in the States as it should have, including why it didn’t get the award love it should have. It’s an incredibly difficult film to watch but is one made by a master of the craft. We have a great time talking about it. Tune in!
* * *
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
- [Follow Andy Nelson on Twitter](http://twitter.com/sodacreekfilm)
- [Follow Pete Wright on Twitter](http://twitter.com/petewright)
- [Follow Steve Sarmento on Twitter](https://twitter.com/mr_steve23)
- [Check out Tom Metz on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1224453/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
- [Follow Mike Evans on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ubersky)
- [Follow Chadd Stoops on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ChaddStoops)
- [Follow Steven Smart on Letterboxd](http://letterboxd.com/steamrobot/)
This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5640170/advertisement

The Exorcist • The Next Reel Dec 11, 2014

Show notes

It’s pretty rare for a film to come along that has such a visceral effect on people when they’re watching it where they faint or throw up because it’s so overwhelming. When “The Exorcist” was released just after Christmas in 1973, it had that effect. People flocked to it in droves and seemed to have these heightened reactions to it, whether because they were so scared or they felt it was truly evil. It’s a fascinating case study in how religion and horror draws people to the theatre. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our Ellen Burstyn series with William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist.” We talk about what makes this film so good and so horrific — something having to do with the sense of naturalism that William Peter Blatty, the screenwriter and author of the original novel, wanted in it and that Friedkin brought to it. We talk about the performances — Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max Von Sydow, Jason Miller, Lee J. Cobb and the demonic vocal stylings of Mercedes McCambridge — and look at what they each bring to the table in this story about a mother trying to protect her little girl from things she doesn’t understand. We chat about Friedkin and his insane directing style that seems to put actors in harm’s way in his quest for the perfect film, a frightening look at the ends justifying the means. We discuss the perfect cinematography brought to the story by Owen Roizman, lending touches to create both bright and dark shots that work in tandem. We look at the amazing makeup effects by Dick Smith, working well in both areas of makeup — creature effects and age makeup. We also touch on the amazing sound design and music — Tubular Bells anyone? And we chat about how well this film did, despite outlandish claims that the film was evil. It’s truly a terrifying film that deserves the praise it gets. It’s one of our favorites and we have a great time talking about it. Tune in!
* * *
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
- [The Next Reel on iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-reel/id478159328?mt=2)
- [The Next Reel on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheNextReel)
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And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
- [Follow Andy Nelson on Twitter](http://twitter.com/sodacreekfilm)
- [Follow Pete Wright on Twitter](http://twitter.com/petewright)
- [Follow Steve Sarmento on Twitter](https://twitter.com/mr_steve23)
- [Check out Tom Metz on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1224453/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
- [Follow Mike Evans on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ubersky)
- [Follow Chadd Stoops on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ChaddStoops)
- [Follow Steven Smart on Letterboxd](http://letterboxd.com/steamrobot/)
This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5640170/advertisement

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore • The Next Reel Dec 04, 2014

Show notes

Ellen Burstyn won her Oscar for Best Actress for her powerful turn as Alice Hyatt in Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” and it was clearly well-deserved. Always an actress in pursuit of roles as strong female characters, Burstyn took this film on after her huge success with “The Exorcist.” Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we start our Ellen Burstyn series with “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” We talk about the film as a whole, looking at the journey this widow takes with her son told in a very realistic, gritty, yet comedic way. We discuss Burstyn in the role as Alice, along with other actors in the film including Kris Kristofferson, Diane Ladd, Vic Tayback, Valerie Curtin, Alfred Lutter and Harvey Keitel, and look at what they each bring to the table. We chat about Scorsese, making his fourth film here, and look at how this film fits in his body of work. And we talk about the brilliant moments scattered throughout the film — as well as a few key moments that feel like there could’ve been a bit more to the script. It’s a great film that, while we don’t love it, certainly has a lot to appreciate, and we have a great time talking about it this week. Tune in!
* * *
Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!!
- [The Next Reel on iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-reel/id478159328?mt=2)
- [The Next Reel on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheNextReel)
- [The Next Reel on Twitter](http://twitter.com/thenextreel)
- [The Next Reel on Flickchart](http://www.flickchart.com/thenextreel)
- [The Next Reel on Letterboxd](http://letterboxd.com/thenextreel/)
- [Guess the Movie with The Next Reel on Instagram](http://instagram.com/thenextreel)
- [Check out the Posters with The Next Reel on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/thenextreel)
And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts:
- [Follow Andy Nelson on Twitter](http://twitter.com/sodacreekfilm)
- [Follow Pete Wright on Twitter](http://twitter.com/petewright)
- [Follow Steve Sarmento on Twitter](https://twitter.com/mr_steve23)
- [Check out Tom Metz on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1224453/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
- [Follow Mike Evans on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ubersky)
- [Follow Chadd Stoops on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ChaddStoops)
- [Follow Steven Smart on Letterboxd](http://letterboxd.com/steamrobot/)
This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5640170/advertisement

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