This year marks the 85th anniversary of everyone's favourite comic book hero. So here we are, a bit behind (as per usual) with an episode where we revisit - complete with nostalgia glasses - Tim Burton's BATMAN from 1989!

Apologies again for the audio quality - we have one more episode left in the bank where we were afflicted by this condition, but then it's back to the usual "stellar" sound you've come to expect. Well, nearly there at least.

Batman (1989)

directed by: Tim Burton

starring: Michael Keaton - Michael Keaton - Kim Basinger

genres: action - fantasy - crime - superhero

runtime: 126min

We're back from an unplanned hiatus, with M Night's latest film, TRAP! And apologies in advance: Nathan's audio quality is a bit poor, due to a technical slight that ended up in him recording on the wrong microphone. I did my best but I'm no audio engineer, so I thank you in advance for your patience over the next couple of episodes as we get that rectified. I promise: it's all the same great content and commentary you come to expect!

TRAP (2024)
directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
starring: Josh Hartnett - Ariel Donoghue - Saleka - Alison Pill
genres: horror - thriller - crime
runtime: 105 min The Film: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDb

https://reelfilmchronicles.com

We were long overdue for another episode featuring fan and podcast-favourite Nic Cage, and what better film for discussion than the much anticipated LONGLEGS? We're going to give a quick rundown of recent Nic Cage films, as well as director Osgood Perkins filmography before we jump headfirst into the feature film. We have lots to say for a film with lots of genres - we think there's a little something for everyone here. Get yourself comfortable and listen in!

Also, go watch the movie first! We don't hold back on spoilers in our discussion (we give plenty of warning in the episode).

Longlegs (2024)

directed by: Osgood Perkins

starring: Maika Monroe - Nicolas Cage - Blair Underwood - Alicia Witt

genres: horror - crime - thriller

runtime: 101 min

REEL FILM CHRONICLES

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Possibly the first western film we've covered on the podcast, and who better than to guide us into the genre than Kevin Costner, with his latest ambitious multi-part movie project? We give a quick rundown of Costner's acting and directorial efforts, and our experiences with the western genre before we kick our spurs and discuss the movie at length - which is mostly what we enjoyed about the film.

* Spoiler warning given during the episode, but we don't hold back during our conversation here. *

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024)

directed by: Kevin Costner

starring: Kevin Costner - Sienna Miller - Sam Worthington - Jena Malone - Owen Crow Shoe

genres: western

runtime: 181 minutes Website: Reel Film Chronicles

Movie Links: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDB

From Guy Ritchie, the master of ungentlemanly filmmaking, comes The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a heartwarming tale about a band of friends bound together through an unshakeable bond: a shared compulsion to kill Nazis. Based loosely (just ever so loosely) on a "true" story (we cannot stress just how loosely this movie was based on actual events), the movie follows Superman, Jack Reacher, and friends as they set out to cripple Nazi U-boat operations in the north Atlantic to give England the breathing room it needs to fight back against Hitler's advancing cronies the best way one can: by organizing a heist. Just a great, big, old Nazi-killing heist. As with any great heist, nothing goes to plan, until it does, then it doesn't, but then it does, and a lot of Nazis die in the end, which if we're being honest, is probably the best way for any heist to end. So join us as we travel back in time to World War II (not literally, of course - that's impossible as far as you know) to explore Guy Ritchie's latest movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare to see if this is a return to form and the trusted Ritchie formula for on-screen hijinks. And if not, just through sheer law of averages, one of the fifteen movies he's releasing this year is bound to be to your liking.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)

directed by: Guy Ritchie

starring: Henry Cavill - Eiza González - Alan Ritchson - Henry Golding

genres: action - war - drama

runtime: 120 minutes

Operation Postmaster (Wikipedia)

Website: Reel Film Chronicles

Movie Links: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDB

Do you have what it takes to make it epic? Well, we certainly try, at least! We sing the praises of this latest instalment in George Miller's Mad Max Saga by delving into everything that we enjoyed about this bombastic and layered action film. From the acting, the special effects, the creative names, the incredible soundtrack, the story, characters and more, we also take time to appreciate how it fits perfectly in with it's sequel film Fury Road (which came out nine (!!) years ago. By the finish, we gave our ratings for this film, but also each Mad Max entry.

This episode is not to be missed!

* Spoilers for all Mad Max movies, including Furiosa, are contained within. *

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

directed by: George Miller

starring: Anya Taylor-Joy - Chris Hemsworth - Tom Burke - Alyla Browne - Lachy Hulme

genres: action - adventure - science-fiction

runtime: 149min reelfilmchronicles.com

Letterboxd | IMDb

We delve into this Amazon produced remake of a fan favorite: ROAD HOUSE. We offer our take on this movie without the nostalgia glasses that many may have, as Brian missed the original film entirely, and Nathan watched it just before jumping into this new iteration.

We start the episode giving a rundown of director Doug Liman's filmography, then jump into the film (with spoilers for both this one and the original throughout). We'll explore the characters, the acting, the action and visual effects, all set against the backdrop of what could effectively be a "direct to video" film starring one of our generation's greatest actors.

Road House (2024)

directed by: Doug Liman

starring: Jake Gyllenhaal - Daniela Melchior - Billy Magnussen - Jessica Williams

genres: thriller - action

runtime: 121 minutes

Reel Film Chronicles

Letterboxd - IMDb

Caught in the shadow of a cinematic legacy or stepping into the light on her own terms? Caitlin Cronenberg's HUMANE marks her entrance into the feature film arena, and we're here to dissect just how the threads of family renown and nepotism weave through her narrative tapestry.

The heart of our episode beats strong with a foray into the film, a story that boldly navigates the murky junction of family ties, environmental disaster, governmental tendrils, and moral ambiguity. Emily Hampshire's stirring portrayal anchors the tale, with Canadian stars like Jay Baruchel and Enrico Colantoni adding layers to this complex narrative. Whether you're a first-time viewer or a critique-hardened cinephile, the film's emotional and thematic depth is sure to strike a chord, and we're here to analyze every note.

As the credits roll on our cinematic discussion, we engage in the "ultimate" ratings guessing game, which you can play along with while listening. The conversation unfolds into a broader meditation on the personal journey of evaluating art, and the Cronenberg name becomes a lens through which we ponder the unpredictable alchemy of filmmaking success. Join us for a vibrant exploration of film, family, and the enduring question of what it means to make a mark in the shadow of giants.

HUMANE (2024)

directed by: Caitlin Cronenberg

starring: Jay Baruchel - Emily Hampshire - Sebastian Chacon - Alanna Bale

genres: science fiction - horror - thriller

runtime: 93 min www.reelfilmchronicles.com

Letterboxd | IMDb