PODCAST · tv
Reel Chums
by Marcel and Danny
We’re Danny and Marcel—two lifelong movie nerds who finally turned all those late-night debates and hot takes into a podcast. Reel Chums is where we dive into the movies we love and love to hate, swap behind-the-scenes trivia, and geek out like the film junkies we are. Think of us as your movie-obsessed friends turning casual chats into deep dives, rewinds, and “did-you-catch-that?” moments. From cult classics, blockbusters, or comfort rewatches—we’re here to break it down and have fun. If you love movies and want to hang with a couple of chums who do too, you’re in the right place.
Episodes
-
Summer 2026 RECAP | Why Spider-Man and The Odyssey Won While Disney Stumbled
Summer 2026 just proved movie theaters are still alive—but only if the story hits. This week, we break down the biggest winners, the loudest flops, and the unexpected titles that changed the conversation about what audiences actually want right now. From The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Obsession to...
-
Collateral (2004) Is One of the Greatest One Bad Day Movies | Tom Cruise & Jamie Foxx
What happens when an ordinary cab driver picks up the worst possible passenger? This week on Reel Chums, we're talking about Michael Mann's Collateral (2004), starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. We discuss Vincent's unforgettable villainous performance, Max's transformation from a passive dreamer...
-
Casino Royale 20th Anniversary: Why Daniel Craig’s Debut is the Ultimate Franchise Reboot
Join us this week as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Casino Royale", the 2006 masterpiece that successfully rebooted the James Bond franchise for a post-9/11 world. In this episode, we break down the filmmaking craft, performances, and themes that transformed a reckless rookie into the...
-
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? — Getting Ready for Nolan's The Odyssey
"Remember that you are the smartest man in the room." That's reportedly the note Joel and Ethan Coen gave George Clooney to unlock his performance as Everett — and it's the key to this whole movie. This week on Reel Chums, we revisit Joel and Ethan Coen's Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? — required...
-
'Independence Day' 30th Anniversary: Practical Magic, Will Smith, and the Ultimate 90s Blockbuster
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ultimate 90s blockbuster, Independence Day! This week, we discuss why this film was "lightning in a bottle" for director Roland Emmerich and how it solidified Will Smith as a global superstar. We break down the groundbreaking practical effects—from the 1/12th...
-
The Tragic Truth Behind Close Encounters of the Third Kind
"We are not alone." 🛸 This week on Reel Chums, we discuss Steven Spielberg’s 1977 masterpiece, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. While Danny experiences the film for the first time, Marcel discovers a heartbreaking new perspective: viewing this "hopeful" sci-fi as a parent transforms it into a...
-
John Wick 4 Has "No Story" — So Why Is It This Good?
Chad Stahelski says there's "not much of a story" in John Wick — and somehow that's exactly why it works. We close out our month of Kung Fu with John Wick: Chapter 4, breaking down the location-first filmmaking, Dan Laustsen's gorgeous cinematography, the legendary staircase sequence, and why…
more -
The Mandalorian & Grogu Is a Cash Grab But We Still Kind of Liked It
The Mandalorian & Grogu hit theaters and we had... complicated feelings. We both enjoyed it — the action sequences slap, Ludwig Göransson's score is genuinely stunning, but walking out, we couldn't shake one big question: why does this movie exist? In this episode, we break down what works…
more -
Summer 2026 Movies Ranked: Biggest Hits, Flops & Box Office Predictions
This week, we’re breaking down the biggest movies of Summer 2026—ranking every major release, predicting box office hits and flops, and sharing what we’re most (and least) excited for. From blockbuster franchises to sleeper picks, this is your ultimate summer movie guide! Signup for our…
more -
Face/Off Has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Something Is Wrong
Face/Off is one of the most beloved action movies of the 1990s. It also has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes — higher than John Wick, higher than Interstellar, and somehow higher than The Matrix. Marcel discovered this while rewatching it for Gun-Fu Month and immediately had an existential crisis. Danny...
-
Brazil (1985) Is More Relevant Now Than Ever — Here's Why
Terry Gilliam's Brazil is one of the strangest, funniest, and most unsettling dystopian films ever made — and it's never felt more relevant. This week, Danny and Marcel close out Dystopian Film Month with the 1985 masterpiece, and they have a lot to say. In this episode: the retrofuturistic...
-
What We’ve Been Watching: Bond, Daredevil & TV Hot Takes
We're discussing everything we’ve been watching lately—from revisiting classic James Bond (and why Timothy Dalton might be underrated 👀) to the return of Daredevil and some surprising new shows that caught us off guard. We also get into a bigger conversation about reality TV—who are shows like…
more -
Oscars 2026 Recap, Surprises & Snubs | Mandalorian & Grogu, DC Lanterns, Movie News
We’re back! In this episode, we break down the biggest moments from the Oscars 2026 — including major wins, surprises, and snubs. Plus, we dive into the latest movie news, from Mandalorian & Grogu to DC’s Lanterns and more. Let’s talk movies!📹 Follow us on socials for updates and more:Reel Chums...
-
V for Vendetta — Hero, Terrorist, or Revolutionary?
This week, we revisit V for Vendetta (2006) and ask the big question: is V a hero, a terrorist, or something in between? We explore the film’s themes of fear, freedom, identity, and revolution — and why its political message feels even more relevant nearly 20 years later. We also break down Hugo...
-
Children of Men Predicted 2025 (And We Weren't Ready)
In this episode, we discuss and review Alfonso Cuarón's Children of Men. We break down one of the most technically ambitious films of the 21st century — a dystopian thriller that feels less like science fiction and more like a warning. We dig into Cuarón's career trajectory and why this film's…
more -
The Hunger Games Is Frustrating to Love | Reel Chums
In this episode, we kick off our month of dystopian films with Gary Ross's The Hunger Games. We break down what might be the ultimate "we know it's gonna be good but we don't know it's gonna be good" studio movie — a film with a great first hour that struggles to maintain that energy once the…
more -
Is This the Best Marvel Show Since Loki? | What We’re Watching
This week on What We’re Watching, we’re all over the map — in the best way possible.Marcel is obsessed with the wildly underrated Polite Society (Scott Pilgrim meets martial arts meets… something darker), Danny rewatched Predator: Badlands, and we dive deep into the surprisingly emotional and...
-
We Can't Stop Talking About One Battle After Another
This week we're diving into Paul Thomas Anderson's latest masterpiece, One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. This film is a technical marvel and storytelling triumph that balances intense action with surprising comedy and heart.We kick things off with a hot take…
more -
Marty Supreme: Obsession, Fame, and Why Audiences Were Divided
In this episode, we discuss and review Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme. We break down Safdie’s anxiety-fueled character study starring Timothée Chalamet as Marty Reisman — a hustler driven less by table tennis and more by obsession, notoriety, and recognition. We dive into whether the film’s…
more -
What We’ve Been Watching | A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Tulsa King & Starfleet Academy
In this episode, we're discussing "What We’ve Been Watching'! We break down a few of the shows we’ve been spending time with lately — what’s working, what surprised us, and who we think each show is actually for. This week, we dive into: -A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – a lighter, comedic take…
more -
Kathleen Kennedy Selects Dave Filoni & Lynwen Brennan To Lead Lucasfilm | Star Wars New
This week, we are talking about the latest news regarding Lucasfilm and its new Co-Presidents, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. Is this a new era of storytelling we want? Or are we entering a cautious era of storytelling? Let us know your thoughts!
-
Best & Worst of 2025 | Movies & TV | Season 4 Kickoff! | Reel Chums
Welcome to Season 4 of Reel Chums! We're kicking things off with our BIGGEST episode of the year - the Best and Worst of 2025, as voted on by YOU and discussed by us! We discuss every major category from the past year, including the best Star Wars content (Andor Season 2 dominated!), the ups and...
-
Season Finale: Movie News, Wicked’s Budget Shift, Alien: Earth Review & What We’ve Been Watching
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterIt’s the Season 3 finale of Reel Chums! After a chaotic end-of-year rush, we are back behind the mics to wrap the season with a laid-back, unfiltered chat about everything we’ve been watching — and everything happening in Hollywood right...
-
Why 'Knock at the Cabin' Should Be Studied in Film School
This week, we discussing M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin — a home invasion thriller that tests faith, choice, and the limits of storytelling inside four claustrophobic walls. We talk about Dave Bautista’s powerhouse performance, the genius of M. Night’s storyboarding, and why this might...
-
Sinners: Duality, Blues, and Choosing Your Path
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterWhat an incredible conversation this was. We are kicking off our month of thrillers with Ryan Coogler's *Sinners*, and honestly, this film reignited why we started this podcast in the first place.Danny retells his first time viewing the...
-
Source Code: Jake Gyllenhaal, Time Loops, and the Ethics of Military Service
This week we're diving into Source Code (2011), the Jake Gyllenhaal sci-fi thriller you all voted for! We initially questioned why this movie won over Nightcrawler and Prisoners, but by the end, we found ourselves pleasantly surprised by this tight 90-minute time loop film.We discuss Jake's...
-
Spider-Man No Way Home | Nostalgia vs Story, and Completing the Origin We Never Knew We Needed
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterWe're wrapping up our MCU Spider-Man trilogy discussion with an in-depth analysis of "Spider-Man: No Way Home." Four years after its release, Marcel and I examine how this multiverse spectacle works as both a satisfying conclusion to Tom...
-
Spider Man Far From Home | Truth vs Illusion, and Stepping Out of Iron Man's Shadow
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterThis week, we continue our discussion of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man with Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). We break down Mysterio’s illusions, the balance of teen comedy and superhero spectacle, and how the themes of misinformation and...
-
Spider-Man: Homecoming | Why the Vulture Soars
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterWelcome back to another episode of Reel Chums, where chatting about movies feels like hanging out with friends! This week, Marcel and Mike kick off their deep dive into the MCU Spider-Man trilogy with 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming…
more -
Deep Impact | The Better Asteroid Movie?
Danny and Marcel wrap up their disaster film series with a deep dive into Mimi Leder's Deep Impact (1998), starring Tea Leoni, Morgan Freeman, Elijah Wood, and Robert Duvall. They compare it extensively to Armageddon, discuss the film's strengths and weaknesses, and explore why this more grounded...
-
Summer 2025 Movies Ranked: Biggest Hits, Flops & Surprises
We’re looking back at Summer 2025’s biggest movies — the hits, the flops, and the surprises. From billion-dollar blockbusters like Lilo & Stitch to box office disappointments like Elio and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, we break down opening weekends, budgets, and worldwide grosses to...
-
The Day After Tomorrow – The Disaster Movie We Wish We Could Forget
We revisit The Day After Tomorrow as part of our “Disaster Movie” series and discuss why this 2004 disaster epic is more cold air than chilling thrills. From Jake Gyllenhaal outrunning ice to baffling CGI wolves, we dive into what works, what doesn’t, and why this movie might be better left in…
more -
Deepwater Horizon | When Corporate Greed Ignites Disaster
This week, we continue or look at "Disaster Movies" with Deepwater Horizon, Peter Berg’s gripping retelling of the 2010 BP oil spill. We look at how the film brings real-life disaster to the screen—exploring themes of corporate negligence, heroism, and sacrifice. From personal recollections of…
more -
Armageddon (1998) – The Most Chaotic Disaster Movie Ever Made?
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterThis week on Reel Chums, we dive deep into the explosive world of Armageddon (1998)—Michael Bay’s loud, over-the-top, and oddly emotional asteroid movie starring Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, and Billy Bob Thornton.Marcel and…
more -
Superman(2025) Spoiler Discusion | Reel Chums Ep 106
This week, we discuss the latest Superman film directed by James Gunn, which kickstarts the DCU! We breakdown the anticipation for the movie, character analyses of Lois Lane, Superman, and Lex Luthor, and the overall world-building of the DC Universe. Is this the 'Superman' we need to save the...
-
The Next Three Days — Love, Delusion, and One Wild Escape Plan
This week on Reel Chums, we’re wrapping up our “Wrongfully Accused” month with The Next Three Days—Paul Haggis’ slow-burn thriller starring Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. What happens when a husband goes full Don Quixote to break his wife out of prison? We dive deep into obsession vs.…
more -
Precrime, Prophecies, and Pulse Guns: The Sci-Fi Craft of Minority Report
This week on Reel Chums, we’re discussing the sleek, stylish, and startlingly predictive world of Minority Report (2002). Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Philip K. Dick’s short story, this sci-fi noir explores free will, fate, and surveillance through the lens of futuristic law...
-
North by Northwest | Hitchcock's Blueprint for Spy Thrillers
Sign up for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletters This week on Reel Chums, we discuss Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest—the 1959 thriller that laid the groundwork for spy movies to come. From Cary Grant’s iconic gray suit and witty charm to that unforgettable crop duster chase, we...
-
The Fugitive | "I didn't kill my wife" | Why The Fugitive still hits hard.
This week on Reel Chums, we’re discussing The Fugitive (1993) to kick off our “Wrongfully Accused” series. We break down Harrison Ford’s intense performance, Tommy Lee Jones’ scene-stealing charisma, and the practical effects that still hold up—yes, even the train crash. From on-the-fly script...
-
Batman Begins | How Nolan Changed the Genre Forever
🎙️ Reel Chums Podcast — Episode 101: Batman Begins (2005) This week, we are revisiting Batman Begins for its 20th anniversary, the film that redefined superhero origin stories and kickstarted Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. From fear as a theme to Bruce Wayne’s transformation, Gotham’s evolution…
more -
Apollo 13: Math Never Looked So Cool
This week on Reel Chums, we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of Apollo 13, Ron Howard’s masterful retelling of the real-life NASA mission that almost ended in tragedy. Starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, and Ed Harris, Apollo 13 captures the tension, ingenuity, and human resilience...
-
Mission: Impossible | Brian De Palma, Dutch Angles & Double Crosses
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletter This week on Reel Chums, we’re looking back at Mission: Impossible (1996) — the film that launched Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt and continues to thrill audiences 30 years later! We break down Brian De Palma’s stylish direction, those iconic...
-
Back to The Future | The Movie That Doesn't Disappoint
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterThis week, we’re heading back to 1985 to revisit Back to the Future! As part of our month-long celebration of movie anniversaries, we break down what makes this time-travel classic still resonate today—from its perfect script and...
-
Batman Forever | 30 Years of Camp, Chaos, and Comic-Book Excess
Batman Forever turns 30—and we’ve got a lot to say. This week, we revisit Joel Schumacher’s polarizing 1995 take on the Caped Crusader. We discuss how the film’s bold style, bizarre tone, and toy-first storytelling shaped (and misshaped) the Batman legacy. Was Val Kilmer a great Bruce Wayne? Did...
-
Rocky III | Bromance, Beatdowns, and the Birth of Clubber Lang
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletter We wrap up our month of sports movies with Rocky III, diving into Sylvester Stallone’s transformative direction, the iconic performances of Carl Weathers and Mr. T, and how this sequel reshaped the franchise. We explore Rocky’s emotional...
-
Happy Gilmore | The Movie That Made Golf Cool?
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletter.com This week, we continue our look into some of our favorite sports movies with Happy Gilmore! We break down Adam Sandler’s iconic sports comedy—from its absurd humor and unforgettable one-liners to the surprisingly heartfelt story at…
more -
*BONUS EPISODE* | The Pit vs Severance?! Danny’s Hot Take 🔥
This week we are bringing a bouns episode on what we've been watching lately! You can watch videos like this and much more over on our YouTube channel! We share what we've been watching lately—from nostalgic sequels to brand new TV obsessions. Marcel revisits Karate Kid Part II and tries to warm…
more -
The Karate Kid (1984) | Why Mr. Miyagi Still Inspires Us
Signup for our newsletter: https://www.reelchums.com/newsletter We are discussing the iconic 1984 classic The Karate Kid—a film that kicked off a cultural phenomenon and continues to inspire generations. We explore the film's enduring themes of mentorship, perseverance, and personal growth…
more -
The Replacements | A Mashup of Sports Cliches
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletter This week we are looking at the 2000 movie, The Replacements! This movie may not be great, but it it is entertaining! We break down all its gloriously over-the-top sports clichés, from underdog triumphs to Gene Hackman’s masterclass in...
-
The Hurricane | Denzel’s Most Emotional Performance?
Signup for our newsletter: https://reelchums.com/newsletterThis week we finish our #denzelwashington marathon with The Hurricane (1999), the powerful true story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongly convicted of murder. Starring Denzel Washington in one of his most emotional performances,...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
We’re Danny and Marcel—two lifelong movie nerds who finally turned all those late-night debates and hot takes into a podcast. Reel Chums is where we dive into the movies we love and love to hate, swap behind-the-scenes trivia, and geek out like the film junkies we are. Think of us as your movie-obsessed friends turning casual chats into deep dives, rewinds, and “did-you-catch-that?” moments. From cult classics, blockbusters, or comfort rewatches—we’re here to break it down and have fun. If you love movies and want to hang with a couple of chums who do too, you’re in the right place.
HOSTED BY
Marcel and Danny
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Reel Chums have?
Reel Chums currently has 149 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Reel Chums about?
We’re Danny and Marcel—two lifelong movie nerds who finally turned all those late-night debates and hot takes into a podcast. Reel Chums is where we dive into the movies we love and love to hate, swap behind-the-scenes trivia, and geek out like the film junkies we are. Think of us as your...
How often does Reel Chums release new episodes?
Reel Chums publishes regularly with 149 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Reel Chums?
You can listen to Reel Chums on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Reel Chums?
Reel Chums is created and hosted by Marcel and Danny.
URL copied to clipboard!