Reading Between the Reels: Film analysis with snark and heart

#StarWarsPodcastDay Bonus Episode: “The Phantom Menace” (Re-Release)

#StarWarsPodcastDay is a celebration of the anniversary of "Jedi Talk," the very first Star Wars related podcast which premiered back on February 7, 1999. For this year, we go back into the archives for one of our first deconstructions. In this episode, we revisit an early episode of “Coruscant Community College” in which we break down Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.

DCU Slate Revealed! (Bonus Episode)

After several weeks of speculation, the next slate of DC movies and shows was revealed this week by James Gunn and Peter Safran. And we have thoughts. In this mini-sized bonus episode, we share our first impressions of the future of the DCU.

RBR #60: “Superman: The Movie”

Superman: The Movie was the first modern comic book movie and remains the gold standard for superhero films in the eyes of many. With DC films now being overhauled by Peter Safran and James Gunn, Dan Zehr (“Coffee with Kenobi”) returns to help break down the film that started it all.

RBR #59: “RBR 2: The Sequel”

For our first show of 2023, we take a break from film deconstructions to discuss our Top Ten Movie Sequels, talk about some exciting changes for the new year, and announce the winner of our first giveaway: a 4K digital copy of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

RBR #58: “Knives Out”

Knives Out is a unique take on the “Whodunit” genre written and directed by Rian Johnson that features an all-star ensemble cast led by Daniel Craig. With its sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery now available on Netflix, we deconstruct the first film’s plot and find meaning in its cinematic aspects.

RBR #57: “Avatar”

Avatar is the highest grossing movie of all time and a quintessential example of Joseph Campbell's monomyth. With its first sequel Avatar: The Way of Water finally hitting theaters, we re-examine the original film’s breathtaking visuals, sound design, performances, and themes.

RBR #56: “Willow”

Willow is a 1988 fantasy movie from George Lucas and Ron Howard that blends familiar mythological tropes with modern filmmaking–including groundbreaking special effects. With a sequel in the form of a Disney+ series just released, Anthony King ("Force Ghost Conversations") returns to help deconstruct the original film.

RBR #55: “The Lego Batman Movie”

The Lego Batman Movie serves as both a spoof and a love letter to the DC comics character as it incorporates and embraces virtually all incarnations of the Dark Knight. In this episode, Callista Dickinson joins us to break down the film’s themes, visuals, music, and performances.