3 movie ideas & a draft of the casts – The Reel Big Show Studios

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Which actors & actresses would you draft for the perfect movie?

In this special edition of The Reel Big Show, Michael had the idea for the gang to choose a movie concept and then they would cast it, ala snake draft!

Here’s a few teasers, but you’ll have to listen to get the details!

  • Movie A: The Dear Johns – Four guys get dumped by their wives on the same day
  • Movie B: The Master Plan – Action/adventure/drama escape movie set during World War II
  • Movie C: 1940s era big band club comedy with a crime element

 

So which cast goes with which movie?

  • Cast #1: William H. Macy, Paul Giamatti, John C. Reilly, Michael Pena, Judy Greer, Billy Murray
  • Cast #2: Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgard, Adrien Brody, Jon Hamm, Patton Oswalt, Zoe Saldana
  • Cast #3: Matthew McConaughey, Oscar Isaac, Dylan O’Brien, Idris Elba, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hiddleston

Reel News Interview Series: Christopher McDonald

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On the promotional trail talking about his new film The SqueezeChristopher McDonald called in to talk about the film and what makes golf such a great game!

Make sure you check out my review of the film!

The Squeeze hits VOD and select theaters across the nation on April 17th

53 Random Prison Movies – This Week on The Reel Big Show

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Whether they are funny, dramatic or full of action (or a combination of both), movies with prison are plenty. This week Michael leads the discussion with Liz and Melissa.

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6 Films to catch at this year’s New Directors New Films Festival

New Directors New Films logo 2015Last year’s fest was a total success in my opinion. I saw some of my favorite films of the entire year there; Buzzard, The Babadook, Fish and Cat, Dear White People, and the #1 film on my Top 10 for 2014, A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night. This year’s selections were just as eclectic in subject and style. Here is my personal list of things to consider at this year’s New Directors New Film Festival.

THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRLDiary of a Teenage Girl 1 Original

Minnie is a 15 year old with a coked out mom and little self esteem. When she takes her childish fantasies to an adult level by sleeping with her mother’s boyfriend, emotional hell breaks loose in form of a tape recorded diary and sketches turned animated thoughts. This film jumps off the screen with a breakout performance from Bel Powley as Minnie. She is funny, insightful, and an apparent old soul, all while still just a kid trying not to lose her shit. The added element of the animation only adds to the wonder of this film. Kristen Wiig plays Minnie’s absent mother. She is a revelation in this role. You know, those rare cinematic moments when you forget who the actor is because you’re so immersed in the performance, that it’s a winner. Alexander Skarsgård is the creepy object of Minnie’s affection. This is not a coming if age tale for our lead, but truly for the adults in the film. The Diary Of A Teenage Girl will remind you of your own sexual awakening. All the awkwardness, the curiosity, and frankly, the lies you were told by everyone around you. Rediscover your own past. Go ahead.

VIOLETVioletJesse has been through a terrible trauma. He is despondent after the murder of his good friend, just feet from him at a local mall. Violet is a look into the world of survivor’s guilt. The camera work alone should get you through the door. Breathtaking closeups coupled with soft focus and exquisite sound editing creates a barrage of sense memory moments for both for Jesse and the audience alike. The uncomfortable silence (dialogue wise) is the key to this film. At a tight 82 minutes run, Violet is about what’s not being said.

WESTERNwesternWestern is a documentary that takes us into the world of small town politics up against very large drug cartel violence in the two bordering towns of Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Mexico. Mayor Chad Foster puts on a brave face as violence escalates and threatens the harmony he’s worked so hard to procure in Eagle Pass. Mayor Jose Manuel Maldonado, tries his best to ease the minds of local constituents and the mass media alike. Local cattle rancher, Martin Wall’s, smile turns hard in the wake of a temporary USDA ban on livestock trade over the border. Each of these men is doing their darnedest to maintain peace, safety and the livelihoods of so many others. Pulling the curtain back on what feels like scenarios that only happen in the movies, is eye opening. You have to remind yourself that these folks are living, breathing people with families and loved ones. This documentary is unusually educational and will certainly restore your faith in humanity.

LISTEN TO ME MARLONLISTEN TO ME MARLON (300dpi)This doc opens up in a jarring fashion. Reminiscent of the floating head at Disneyland’s The Haunted Mansion, there we see and hear the disembodied “Head” and voice of Marlon Brando. Director, Stevan Riley has granted the world the access he gained to mountains of audio tapes made by Brando himself. Some are self hypnosis tapes in which he recalls childhood moments once kept very close to his chest. Through archival footage and Brando’s own voice, we delve into the personal life of the reclusive star. These confessional tapes reveal a side of this legend not many people were privy to. Acting was somewhat of a spiritual outlet. His charisma was endless, as was his passion for sex and affection. Receiving little from his alcoholic parents, Brando‘s ego was lifted by his enormous talent, perhaps too far for the likes of some. Although, as you listen to him speak, you gather that he was a rather astute, observant, reflective man who struggled with real abandonment issues that never truly get resolved for him. Tragedy followed him in his personal life and the genius and attention swallowed him hole at times. Listen To Me Marlon is a gorgeous portrait. When you stop taking notes during a film and just listen, as a critic, that is the moment of pure magic.

GOODNIGHT MOMMYGOODNIGHT MOMMY_Still 2Give a kid an inch, so they say, and they’ll take a mile. Twins Lukas and Elias have been awaiting the return of their mother. She has just completed facial reconstructive surgery. Longing for her love and affection, the boys are thrown into detective mode when Mom returns a different person. Face completely bandaged and rage on the surface, she forces the boys to maintain quiet and changes all the rules. Something clearly amiss, Lukas and Elias must find a way to make her admit who she really is, while facing the changes themselves. Much like last year’s The Babadook, psychological torture is in the cards. Can you stomach the tactics used by children when they don’t fully understand the consequences themselves? Goodnight Mommy will scare the hell out of you and make you squirm like never before.

DOG LADYdog ladyFollowing a woman surrounded by a pack of discarded dogs, this film highlights the off-grid lifestyle to the nth degree. The film’s subject, played flawlessly by co-director Verónica Llinás, chooses to live on the outskirts of Buenos Aires in a what begins as a primitive lean-to, and progresses in sound structure along with the movie itself. We follow our lady through four full seasons as she forages for food and supplies. Her ingenuity is astounding, taking what is essentially trash and making a home for herself. She has absolutely zero dialogue. The sparse dialogue that does exist comes from what little human interaction she allows; taunting children, a clinic doctor, and a brief sexual encounter with a rather verbose rancher. This film is highly engrossing, perhaps causing the viewer to reassess the amount of material objects we carelessly cast aside. Her sense of survival and her clear warm spirit guide this film along it’s year long timeline. There is definitely something to be said about the it’s wide final shot. It will force you to  come to terms with your true feelings of our Dog Lady.

You can find out more about these incredible films, and so many more, at NDNF. The Diary of a Teenage Girl opens tonight! Screenings during the fest take place at MoMa and FSLC.

 

This Week On The Reel Big Show – Disney Remakes with Special Guest Maymay of I’m A Storm Trooper

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This week we have a special guest from I’M A STORMTROOPER, Maymay, who gives us her thoughts on the latest Disney movie Cinderella, as well as other Disney remakes. Check out her written review here.

On the show we discuss the latest news on Jungle Book and Dumbo.

What animated Disney movie would you make?

Post-Oscar Rants & Raves on The Reel Big Show

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This week Michael, Liz and Jeremy discuss the aftermath of this year’s Oscars and Spirit Awards and submit their ideas on what should change to make the Academy Awards more enjoyable!

Melissa also adds a new category! On Demand This Week! Check it out as Michael fills us in on what to watch this weekend

Oscar Rants, Raves & Predictions on The Reel Big Show

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Michael and Jeremy talked about their Oscar picks and Oscar snubs. They announced their Spirit awards choices for this weekend, which is on IFC this weekend.

The other big show, you know, the Oscars, airs this Sunday on ABC.

50 Snowy Movies for a Cold Weekend – The Reel Big Show

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It’s hard to keep track of all the movies we talked about in this episode. It was so much fun to think of them! Below you’ll find them all. Please let us know in the comments what your favorite snow movie is!
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This Week on The Reel Big Show – Careers of Past Oscar Winners Who Win an Award & Disappear

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This week Michael, Melissa and Brad discuss the careers of actors and actresses who win at Oscar time then the drop out of sight. Cuba Gooding Jr, Halle Berry & more Read More →

Reel News Daily’s Top Movies of 2014 on The Reel Big Show!

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It’s a full house on The Reel Big Show! Michael leads the group in discussion of their favorite movies of 2014, the night before the Oscar nominations. Below are their lists – with bold for which were nominated. See the list of nominations at Oscar.org.

Check out the fun IMDb quiz based on the 36 movies in all the lists!
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Golden Globe Predictions this week on The Reel Big Show!

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Michael, Melissa and Brad give their thoughts on the nominees. Throughout the podcast, Michael threw out some very interesting questions. To give you a taste, below are some of them!

Click here to vote for your predictions of the Golden Globes!
Enter for a chance to win a prize pack!
We’ll choose a random winner from all the entries.

And don’t forget to follow along with the discussion LIVE on Twitter with #RNDGlobes!

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The Reel Big Show Christmas Special! Michael, Jeremy, Brad & Melissa!

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Michael does his best to wrangle the rowdy especially rambunctious group in a discussion of all types of Christmas movies ranging from the traditional It’s a Wonderful Life to the outrageous Bad Santa.

Happy holidays from everyone at Reel News Daily! We look forward to bringing you more entertainment in 2015!

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The Reel Big Show – 30 Years Later – ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ & ‘The Terminator’

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Brad and Michael talked the 30th anniversary of Nightmare of Elm Street and The Terminator!!

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The Reel Big Show – Special Wedding Episode – Congrats Michael!

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This week the group pays special tribute to the institution of marriage in honor of Michael’s upcoming nuptials.

The groom (Michael) with Brad, Liz and Melissa talk about dramas, comedies and guilty pleasures. Here’s a sample of the movies mentioned:  Read More →

The Reel Big Show – Anniversary Episode! Movie News, Rants & More!

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Oh, how time flies! It’s been a year now that Michael and his cast of characters have been talking shop with reviews, interviews and movie news.

This week, Jeremy and Melissa join Michael in a relaxed, yet spirited discussion of some note-worthy movie news. Enjoy!

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