Spinning the Reel

Evan and Zach break down the categories and nominees for today's ceremony!

It's finally the new season of Spinning the Reel! As is tradition we kick off this year with our Top Ten of last year. Stay tuned and thanks for joining us!

Content Warnings: Genocide (The Zone of Interest; Killers of the Flower Moon), Suicide (Anatomy of a Fall), Sexual Assault (May December), Animal Abuse (Anatomy of a Fall)

They boys discuss Godzilla Minus One, The Holdovers, and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Tune in!

The boys discuss their annual pilgrimage to Los Angeles for the American Film Institute Festival.

The boys cover the latest Wes Anderson releases starting with the Netflix shorts:

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

The Swan

The Rat Catcher

Poison

Then we round it out with his 2023 feature Asteroid City.

Another late episode! Sorry STR fans! We are discussing Killers of the Flower Moon just as it is leaving theaters. In our second segment we discuss Anatomy of a Fall, still in theaters! Check it out. Regular episodes will resume weekly.

Hello and welcome to Spinning the Reel! It's been a sporadic season for us but we're excited to bring you this episode on two of the biggest releases this year. We should be back on schedule soon. Thanks for listening!

At long last the boys are back and what better way to celebrate than a rundown of every big (and not so big) release we've seen since Barbenheimer. After that Evan and Zach preview some upcoming movies but mostly just re-litigate a few controversial movies from the past few years. Enjoy!

The boys (minus Cody) are back after a brief hiatus to talk about some major animated releases. First up is the newest Pixar: Elemental. After a full review we discuss our latest Regal Mystery Movie: Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken. Finally we go deep on Spider-Man Across the Spiderverse.

0:00 - Intro

2:07 - Elemental

24:44 - Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken

43:57 - Spider Man Across the Spiderverse

1:10:00 - Close

Evan and Zach are back to talk about the conclusion to one of Marvel's most interesting franchises: Guardians of the Galaxy. The boys do a full review before moving on to discuss solidarity with the striking WGA writers and explore some of the union's concerns in their fight with the studios, including AI and streaming. Finally we talk about a few smaller indie movies that moved us but haven't made their way onto the show yet. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

2:22 - Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3

34:30 - WGA Strike

48:58 - Indie Films to Check Out

1:20:54 - Close

Evan and Zach get Political™ talking about the latest A24 and NEON features to hit theaters.

The boys are back and powered up for a game themed episode. First up is a contentious review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. After our brief excursion to the Mushroom Kingdom, we play a new game devised by game master Cody called Level Up. Finally its back to the world of fantasy to talk all about Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

3:37 - The Super Mario Bros. Movie Review

29:42 - Level Up Game

44:44 - Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Review

1:07:45 - Close

Evan and Zach discuss the latest entry in the Creed franchise along with a quick Oscars recap and a discussion of Regal's March Mystery movie. Come check it out!

In just under the wire, Evan and Zach predict winners, pick favorites and lament the lack of After Yang in every category for this year's Oscars

Zach and Evan are back this week but the trifecta is still missing our dear host Cody. The show must go on and the boys talk all about Quantumania from Kang to the divisive response and Evan's surprising admiration. After that Zach gets us up to date on the Oscar nominated short films in the Live Action and Animation category. Finally we fill in some podcast blank spots by discussing the Best Picture nominated All Quiet on the Western Front. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

2:26 - Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

36:24 - Oscar Shorts

1:01:42 - All Quiet on the Western Front

1:29:04 - Close

Zach and Evan are back again to talk about all things movies. First up is a bit of a debate over M Night Shyamalan's newest divisive feature: Knock at the Cabin. After that Evan is forced to relive trauma in a review of 80 for Brady. Finally the boys recap everything they saw at Virtual Sundance. Enjoy!

(we miss you Cody)

0:00 - Intro 

1:58 - Knock at the Cabin 

34:36 - 80 for Brady

50:36 - Sundance Recap

1:27:31 - Close 

Cody is back and taking full hosting duty to end the year. Our valiant host returns to shepherd Zach and Evan through their favorite movies of the year. Lots still to be seen but its the end of the year so enjoy our picks for top 10! Happy New Year!

RIP to our lost Fabelmans episode (don't worry more to come on the top 10s) but we are coming back strong with an auteur driven episode. First up Evan and Zach break down James Cameron's newest spectacle: Avatar The Way of Water. After that we share some catch up recommendations for the end of the year. Finally, the boys close things out with a review of Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

2:14 - Avatar: The Way of Water

46:47 - Best Of Recommendations 

59:30 - Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

1:30:14 - Close

Still no Cody this week :(, but the show goes on with Evan and Zach talking about Black Panther Wakanda Forever. After a full review we talk about Zach's recent viewing of the 355 and modern propaganda movies. Finally the boys discuss the indie darling The Banshees of Inisherin. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro 

3:04 - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

41:32 - Propaganda Films

1:00:41 - Banshees of Inisherin 

1:22:22 - Close

Just Zach and Evan this week with high hopes for Cody's return. Its a niche episode as the boys talk about some unique filmgoing experiences. First up is a review of Nanny, a buzzy Amazon release out of AFI Fest. After that we talk about the Regal Mystery Movie of the Month, why it upset folks and why the concept could work. Finally, November is a big month on the movie calendar and we're here to round up some of our most anticipated films. 

0:00 - Intro

2:32 - Nanny AFI Fest Review

35:54 - Regal Mystery Movie 

56:50 - November Releases

1:12:02 - Close

No Cody this week but the show must go on. Zach and Evan are here to talk about the Palme d'Or winning satire Triangle of Sadness. After that we dive into spooky season right with a discussion of Marvel's Werewolf by Night. Finally the boys close out this prestige heavy episode with a discussion of Decision to Leave. Enjoy!

No Zach this week but the original STR Duo of Cody and Evan is here to talk about a couple new movies. First up is a review of Billy Eichner's new rom com Bros. After that the boys break down The Greatest Beer Run ever, Peter Farrelly's follow up to his Best Picture winning Green Book. Enjoy!

Cody is out again but Don't Worry Darlings, Evan and Zach remain to discuss Oliva Wilde, Florence Pugh and Harry Styles's beautiful disaster. After that its onto the outer rim planet of Ferrix to discuss Andor and the way Disney+ has handled its two most prized franchises: Marvel and Star Wars. Finally we end on a mysterious note by discussing the under seen whodunnit See How They Run. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro 

2:47 - Don't Worry Darling

35:52 - Andor

1:02:05 - See How They Run

1:18:55 - Close

Cody is gone this week and wish as he may, wish as he might, Zach nor Evan will never be real Disney Boys. The remaining hosts discuss the disastrous Pinocchio remake on this episode. After that the boys talk film festival drama and contenders they are excited about. Finally it's back to Disney to break down the D23 convention and all the upcoming money grabs. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

2:38 - Pinocchio

26:42 - Festival Highlights

40:51 - D23

1:04:39 - Close

The whole gang is back together this week to talk about the blockbuster smash Bullet Train. After that the boys play a game of Cody's design called Thomas the Tank Engine Word Association. Finally Zach, Evan and Cody talk about modern action and the new Netflix film Day Shift. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro 

3:18 - Bullet Train

30:35 - Thomas Word Association 

48:48 - Day Shift

1:14:15 - Close

Its a Zach and Evan week on the show as Cody is out of town and the boys waste no time. First up is a review of the Hulu Original Predator prequel: Prey, along with a discussion of the streaming only model. After that Evan brings up a recent movie he saw on an airplane and the boys chat about inflight entertainment. Finally things and slightly more contentious with a review of Vengeance. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

2:33 - Prey

22:27 - Airplane Cinema

37:42 - Vengeance

1:10:42 - Close

Evan and Cody are on the road this week so Zach has teamed up with special guest Brian to talk about the comedy classic Mean Girls. After that the boys dive into the state of streaming and finish up with a conversation about Brian's favorite movie: The Warriors! Enjoy

Technical difficulties abound this week but the boys are all back to talk film. The whole gang is here for the new Netflix thriller The Gray Man but it's just Zach and Evan for the review of Jordan Peele's Nope. In between those reviews is a draft game of Cody's creation. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

2:07 - Nope

24:56 - Nope/Gray Man Draft

38:21 - The Gray Man 

59:51 - Close

No Cody this week, but we do have special guest, fan of the show and Evan's Aunt: Kim joining us to talk all about Where the Crawdads Sing. The Crawdad (and singing ) fun doesn't stop there though as Kim has devised a quiz around the crustaceans of the hour. After that Evan and Zach talk about the new Nat Geo documentary Fire of Love that is finding its way to more theaters each week. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro 

2:16 - Where the Crawdads Sing Review

30:08 - Kim's Crawdad Quiz

42:00 - Fire of Love Review

1:03:26 - Close

At long last, Cody has returned to his rightful place as The King of STR, just in time to discuss The King of Rock and Roll's biopic Elvis. But before that the boys talk Thor: Love and Thunder and also open up a time capsule of films Cody has missed in his time away. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro 

3:30 - Thor: Love and Thunder

32:36 - Time Capsule

48:45 - Elvis

1:12:23 - Close

Evan and Zach are back for a week of blockbuster reviews. First up is Pixar's Lightyear, a movie that is definitely not about the real guy who inspired Andy's toy. After that we break down the divisive Obi-Wan Kenobi series and finally the boys take a bite out of Jurassic World Dominion. Enjoy!

The boys are back in the Danger Zone this week to discuss the high flying blockbuster Top Gun Maverick. After that Evan and Zach take a look at the first half of the year by picking some early favorites, least favorites and under seen gems. Enjoy!

Big news as the podcast returns from unofficial hiatus. Frequent guest Zach has joined the show as a host. It's just Zach and Evan this week to talk about some indie darling films but fear not, Cody will return as his work schedule allows in the coming weeks and months. This week the boys break down The new Alex Garland thriller, Men, and talk about the subtle nuances of Celine Sciamma's Petite Maman. We aren't all niche this week though as the boys close out with a round up of Disney releases: Multiverse of Madness, Moon Knight and Chip and Dale. Enjoy!

Cody is on vacation this week so it's another Evan and Zach special. The boys dive into the brand new Robert Eggers project, The Northman. After that we talk about the silly viral idea that Marvel turn every movie made into MCU movies. Finally its Nic Cage time as the boys discuss The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Enjoy! We miss you Cody!

0:00 - Intro

2:04 - The Northman

24:25 - Make it all MCU

41:40 - The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

59:19 - Close

After a week off the boys are back with a packed show. The Living Vampire himself, Zach, joins Evan and Cody to talk all the highs but mostly the lows of Morbius. After that Cody presents his newly reworked version of Letterboxd 21 and quizzes the gang on Jared Leto films. Finally we end on a good note by reviewing the delightful and poignant Everything Everywhere All at Once. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

2:16 - Morbius

19:45 - Letterboxd 21: Jared Leto

35:05 - Everything Everywhere All at Once

1:01:43 - Close

Cody is back just in time to discuss an eventful Oscars ceremony he didn't watch. The boys break down Will Smith and Chris Rock's viral conflict and Evan gets Cody's thoughts on some of the night's winners. After that we talk about a few films that wont get full segments on the show while Cody compares Turning Red to Lady Bird. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

3:31 - Oscars Recap

29:23 - Other Movies

45:09 - Close

It's been a busy time the last couple weeks but the boys are back to talk about the buzziest topics in the film world right now. First up is our quick review of the hotly anticipated Marry Me. After that we take a look at how we did in predicting Oscar Nominations, discuss what surprised us and Cody takes a victory lap.

0:00 - Intro

2:26 - Marry Me

15:00 - Oscar Nominations

41:07 - Close

Evan's Reviews mentioned on this episode:

Oscar Nominee Breakdown

It's the most wonderful time of the year here at STR: Oscars Season. With the nominees for 2022 set to be announced Tuesday, the boys are catching up on some movies sure to be in the mix. We briefly touch on Don't Look Up, Being the Ricardos, Licorice Pizza, Flee, Belfast and The Power of the Dog. After that Cody gets quizzed on the previous nominees and the boys make their predictions for which films, directors and performers will hear their names called next week. Enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

2:18 - Oscars Catch Up

27:40 - Random Questions: Oscar Nominees

38:07 - STR predictions of the Oscar Nominees

1:02:58 - Close

The Boys are back to talk... Spinning the Reel? Believe it or not STR has been around for 100 episodes and a couple of former guests, Connor and Zach, join Cody and Evan to reflect on the journey so far and the path forward. Along the way we talk disappointments, surprises, a lost 100th episode and, for some reason, The Tomorrow War (2021). Thanks for sticking with us so far. Enjoy!