Reading Between the Reels: Finding Meaning in the Movies You Love

RBR #92: “Blade Runner 2049”

Blade Runner 2049 is a visually stunning and thematically rich science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve. Set thirty years after the events of Ridley Scott's original Blade Runner, the movie explores themes of identity, memory, and the essence of humanity amidst a backdrop of breathtaking cinematography and a haunting score.

RBR #91: “Sherlock Holmes”

Sherlock Holmes, from 2009 and directed by Guy Ritchie, offered a fresh and dynamic interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic characters and was a wildly popular box office success. In this episode, we deconstruct its various cinematic aspects, including the film’s exhilarating action sequences, intricate plot, and captivating performances–particularly those of Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Mark Strong.

RBR #90: “Mission: Impossible”

Mission: Impossible is a 1996 action-thriller directed by Brian De Palma and based on the popular TV series. On this episode, David Jesse (“Tatooine Sons”) joins us to discuss the movie’s intricate plot, impressive stunts, and how it established Tom Cruise as an action superstar and jump-started a successful film franchise.

RBR #89: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”

Ghostbusters: Afterlife successfully resurrected the beloved franchise with a refreshing blend of nostalgia and new beginnings. Directed by Jason Reitman (son of Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman), the film cleverly balances homage to the original while carving its own path with a new generation of characters. With Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire hitting theaters this week, we revisit the first legacy sequel to Ghostbusters.

RBR #88: “Oppenheimer”

Oppenheimer is a biographical drama directed by Christopher Nolan that delves into the brilliant physicist’s pivotal role in the Manhattan Project during World War II, his ethical dilemmas regarding the creation of the atomic bomb, and his subsequent grappling with the consequences of his work. The film was a box office smash and has garnered significant critical acclaim and 13 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. Anthony King (Force Ghost Conversations) returns to discuss the movie and its chances at the Oscars.

RBR #87: “Dune: Part One”

Dune: Part One is a cinematic adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction novel, Dune. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film combines stunning visuals, intricate world-building, and a compelling narrative to bring Herbert's intricate tale to life, setting the stage for a larger saga yet to unfold in subsequent installments. As Dune: Part Two hits cinemas, we revisit the first movie.

RBR #86: “Fellowship of the Ring”

Fellowship of the Ring is the first installment in the incredibly successful and critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings movie trilogy by Peter Jackson. For this episode, we bring in our friend and lover-of-all-things-Tolkien Andrew Clark to discuss why the film works so well and how it continues to have an impact on popular culture.

#StarWarsPodcastDay Bonus Episode: “Attack of the Clones” (Re-Release)

For this year’s #StarWarsPodcastDay, we go back into the archives for one of our first deconstructions and revisit an early episode of “Coruscant Community College” in which we break down Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones.