Reading Between the Reels: Film analysis with snark and heart

RBR# 125: "Star Wars 101: Midichlorians, Midterms, and Mayhem"

Midichlorians? Midterms? Same energy: misunderstood, dreaded, and probably made up.
We threw Star Wars Episodes I–VI at a classroom of students and let Ross Hollebon help us make sense of the Force, fate, and why Anakin really needed a therapist.
Come for the lore, stay for the hot takes on the Anakin/Padme relationship, Lando’s loyalty, and just how bad groupthink really is in a galaxy far, far away.

RBR #124: “Star Wars 101: Order 66 and Other Group Projects Gone Wrong”

Some group projects end in passive-aggressive texts. Others end in a galaxy-wide purge of space wizards.
In this episode, we bring in Jeff McGee and Tom Gross to dissect Star Wars Episodes I–VI with a room full of students, and wow—turns out the Jedi weren’t exactly peer-reviewed.
Expect lightsaber lore, what-if scenarios, and a whole lot of “Whose idea WAS this?” energy.

RBR #123: “Star Wars 101: A Syllabus Far, Far Away”

This isn’t your average film class. We’re diving lightsaber-first into the Star Wars saga with a classroom full of future critics and two legit experts: Tom Gross and Din from F-105.
From the tragedy of Anakin to the war crimes of the Jedi Council, we unpack it all—with plenty of snark, hot takes, and “Wait, what did they just say?” moments.
If your dream syllabus includes podracing physics, Sith manipulation tactics, and plenty of Darth Jar Jar talk—congrats, you’re enrolled.

RBR #122: "Star Wars 101: The Phantom Curriculum”

What happens when you unleash a classroom of students on Star Wars Episodes I–VI and give them microphones? Chaos. Glorious, Force-fueled chaos.
We’re joined by Dennis Keithly and Cory Clubb for a deep (and slightly derailed) dive into the entire Skywalker Saga—from podracing physics to Palpatine’s masterclass in long-game evil.
Is The Phantom Menace a misunderstood gem? Did the Jedi Council deserve to be Force-cancelled? And why does Obi-Wan keep losing the high ground?
Welcome to “Star Wars 101: The Phantom Curriculum.” Take notes. There will be a quiz.

RBR #121: "The Prestige: Nolan’s Best Twist - and His Pettiest Movie Ever"

For this episode, the latest in our series on the films of Christopher Nolan, we’re diving into The Prestige — the movie that proves Nolan can turn two magicians battling it out for “Most Extra” into a work of art. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale destroy their lives for a trick, but it’s the kind of destruction that makes you think, “Maybe I should be that obsessed with something.” We’re here to praise Nolan’s genius, David Bowie’s perfect cameo, and the mind games at play. No, we still don’t fully get the ending, but wow — what a ride.
Warning: Contains deep admiration for The Prestige's intricate layers, confusing plot twists, and the sheer audacity of its brilliance.

RBR #120: "Batman Begins: The Dark Knight Before It Was Cool"

Bruce Wayne has everything: money, abs, and a crippling fear of bats. Naturally, he copes by burning down monasteries and punching crime in the face. 
In this installment of our series on the films of Christopher Nolan, we revisit Batman Begins, the moody reboot that asked: What if we make an existential Batman movie? We get into daddy issues, weaponized fear, and the real villain of Gotham—urban planning. Also: yes, Christian Bale's voice gets gravelly real fast.
Welcome to Gotham: where the rich cosplay justice and somehow that’s the best-case scenario.

RBR #119: “Insomnia: Still Awake? So Is Al Pacino”

Al Pacino hasn’t slept in days. Robin Williams is playing it straight (and scary). And Christopher Nolan wants you to feel just as tired as the characters. Continuing our series on Nolan’s films, we break down Insomnia, the psychological thriller that proves crime never naps—and neither should you, apparently. Expect confusion, moral decay, and lots of squinting.

RBR #118: “Memento: Trust the Lies”

What happens when your memory resets every 15 minutes, but your fashion sense stays impeccable? As we begin our new series on the films of Christopher Nolan, we’re diving into Memento, the film that launched a thousand confused Reddit threads. Expect talk of unreliable narrators, confusing timelines, and why you probably shouldn’t tattoo your to-do list on your chest. (Or should you?)