PODCAST · tv
Roulette Films
by Zach Mann
Roulette Films is a podcast where Zach Mann (me) reviews movies. I try to focus on the positive of any movie when possible, as there is always someone behind the art that really believed in their work. If you're interested in more content, subscribe, or follow a link in an episode description. Review episodes will be titled as Roulette Reviews, while other episodes will be titled Roulette Films. Each review will have a similar set of questions I ask myself, with some others from friends or guests. In those "other" episodes, I'll be talking about whatever creative endeavor I've been working on.
Episodes
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085 - Roulette Reviews - Resident Evil
In this review, I gas up what I thought was a really excellent adaptation of the Resident Evil video game franchise. Cregger once again does an excellent job of putting his own unique spin into his latest horror film, and captures the overall feeling of playing through a RE game exceptionally…
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084 - Roulette Reviews - Coyote Vs. The Caped Crusader (The Superior Adaptation)
In this review, I sing the praise of Coyote Vs. Acme while also singing the dirge of Batman Caped Crusader. Believe me that these things are both very much deserved. But, if you disagree, let me know in the comments below! Thanks for watching.You can watch this review along with clips from the…
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083 - Roulette Roundtable - Spider-Man: Brand New Day (feat. Jordyn)
Hello hello! In another open dialogue edition of a movie review, I discuss the latest Spider-Man film with long-time sister, first time caller, Jordyn. Though five years apart, both of us have grown up watching superhero films and following the various phases of the MCU. So, we got together to…
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082 - Roulette Roundtable - The Odyssey (feat. Jack and Eric)
For the first time in Roulette Films history, the IQ in the room has more than tripled! That's right, long time friends and first time contributors Jack and Eric join me to discuss Christopher Nolan's latest film. We touch on our favorite bits of the film, themes present throughout the narrative,...
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081 - Roulette Reviews - The Odyssey (It's Really, Really Good)
My thoughts on The Odyssey after having seen it opening weekend. It's impressive on almost every level, and I take time to call out what about it works so well specifically. From the physical filmmaking of it to the thematic choices and points of emphasis, it all clicks. This creates a truly…
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080 - Roulette Reviews - Disclosure Day
Though I'm a bit late to the party, I finally had the chance to sit down and see Disclosure Day in theaters. And, honestly, I enjoyed it a lot more than I figured I would have. Spielberg never ceases to amaze, regardless of the type of project he chooses to put forth. In this review, I discuss…
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079 - Roulette Reviews - The Devils You Know (Daredevil: BA S2, Devil Wears Prada 2)
Here, I discuss the unusual number of similarities between Daredevil Born Again Season 2 and Devil Wears Prada 2. I analyze their antagonists and how they are ultimately defeated in order to better understand why one felt more satisfying to me than the other. I also discuss the kinds of…
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078 - Roulette Reviews - The Drama (Torture Is Good, Actually!)
A few weeks back, I saw The Drama. And I thought it was really well done. Despite a relatively simple plot, it makes for a really compelling watch. And I think this is in large part due to how well it executes on the core idea of torturing its characters. I talk about why this works for the film…
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077 - Roulette Reviews - Project Hail Mary (Structure Enables Emotion)
Last weekend, I saw Project Hail Mary. And, as a fan of the book, I was not surprised to wind up liking it very much. It did everything very well and hammered home its themes and core ideas with a sincerity that is not so common to come across in the modern media landscape. I talk about why its...
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076 - Roulette Reviews - Send Help (The Greatest Survivor Player Ever?)
In this romantic, heart-warming review, I discuss Send Help, the new thriller film from Sam Raimi starring Dylan O'Brien and Rachel McAdams. I really enjoyed it, so I have a bit of fun on a tangent analyzing how McAdam's character, Linda Liddle, would be judged as a contestant on the TV Show...
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075 - Roulette Reviews - Stranger Things 5 (Staying In Character)
With Stranger Things coming to an end as a series, I do an analysis of the final season to discuss why I think it succeeds more than it fails. I mention some of the various issues that can make the final season feel rather rough around the edges at times, but how overall the series stays true to...
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074 - Roulette Recap - The 2025 Tier List
Four years down, who knows how many to go? As is tradition, another year down means another tier list where I briefly review and rank all the films and series I've watched for the very first time in 2025. As is the case with prior versions of this tier list, the order I go through these and their...
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073 - Roulette Reviews - Wicked For Good (A Victim Of Its Source Material)
On opening weekend, I saw the sequel to Wicked, Wicked For Good. And, overall, I liked it. However, as many fans of the play know, the second act (or, in this case the second film) is notably weaker than the first act. Though the film was very much enjoyable and done well, it could not escape a...
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072- Roulette Reviews - Ethical Scaring in Horror Films
In this episode, I discuss what I think makes certain horror films stand above the rest. Namely, I compare reliance on jump-scares, short term shock, and knee-jerk sorts of film styles to the stat-padding which is often found in professional sports. Perhaps effective in the moment or from a…
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071 - Roulette Reviews - The Burden of Beasts (Dracula and Brave)
In this video, I decide to get the ball rolling on the Halloween season a bit early. I discuss Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of Dracula with its star-studded cast, as well as a somewhat-slept on Pixar film that I recently watched for the first time. After watching each, I was struck by how…
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070 - Roulette Reviews - Weapons (Meaningfully Unsettling)
This go around, I discuss Weapons, an all-around unsettling and eerie horror-thriller movie from the creator who brought us Barbarian. While I don't think I loved Weapons quite as much as I did Barbarian, there was still a lot to enjoy, mull over, and unpack after viewing. And of course this is…
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069 (Nice) - Roulette Reviews - Fantastic Four: First Steps (Not So Fantastic)
Last week, I saw the latest adaptation of Marvel's First Family. And, to be honest, I was pretty meh on it. I could certainly appreciate it, and understood that most of it was well done, but I just didn't connect to it in the same way I did with Superman recently. I talk about why this is in my...
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068 - Roulette Reviews - Superman (Shining Sincerity)
Last weekend, I saw Superman. And I've been thinking about it, listening to its score, jamming to its soundtrack, and just really enjoying everything about it since then. I really enjoyed it for what it was: a movie that rejuvenated a character and brought some amazing energy to me as a viewer.…
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067 - Roulette Reviews - 28 Years Later (Movie or Montage?)
Last week I saw 28 Years Later. Frankly, didn't love it. And this is despite really enjoying the original, 28 Days Later. Maybe I missed something in 28 Weeks Later? I dunno. I talk about what I think went wrong from my perspective in the film, citing some examples of shortcomings or parts of the...
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066 - Roulette Reviews - Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (The Weight of Scale)
This time on Roulette Reviews, I discuss the finale to what might be one of my favorite series of all time. Mission: Impossible constantly delivers top-notch action, and in many ways it did exactly that in its swan song. But, it was not without flaw, and I discuss what I felt didn't make it quite...
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065 - Roulette Reviews - The Thunderbolts (The Importance of Being Earnest)
A few weeks back, I saw Thunderbolts. And, surprisingly, I really liked it. I can attribute a large part of my enjoyment to the film's sincerity in its ideas and its lack of fear when it comes to exploring those ideas. Though it isn't the first ensemble of misfits to come into a found family of...
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064 - Roulette Reviews - Sinners (Substance Informs Style)
Much like many others, I really enjoyed Sinners. It was incredibly fun, approachable, but above all else just incredibly-well executed. I talk about it's blend of entertainment and depth, and how Ryan Coogler does this. Namely, I highlight a few narrative tools he takes advantage of. I also...
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063 - Roulette Reviews - Severance S2 (Making The Most Dramatic Choice)
In this video, I discuss season 2 of Severance and what I think is its guiding philosophy of always trying to make the most dramatic scenario possible for the progression of its narrative and the situations it puts its characters in. I talk about some examples of why this works and how this helps...
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062 - Roulette Reviews - Captain America: Brave New World (More Accurately...just "World")
This past weekend I saw the new Captain America movie in theaters. And honestly, I was surprised by how...whelmed I was by it. It was not as bad as the collective of reviews would lead you to believe. But, it was by no means good either, even considering its obligations as part of the Marvel...
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061 - Roulette Reviews - Companion (The Valentine's Day Special)
In this review, I reflect on how Companion manages to some very, very interesting thematic ideas while still being immensely entertaining. I also highlight how it uses believable and well-acted characters to help viewers move past its relatively crude premise. But, beyond that, this review is a...
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060 - Roulette Reviews - Wolf Man 2025 (Promises Unkept
Recently, I saw Wolf Man. And, frankly, I didn't think it was that great. In this review, I discuss the main reasons why the film disappointed me, while touching on a few things that I think it did well, but ultimately were not enough for the movie to be "redeemed" in my eyes. Ultimately, if you…
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059 - Roulette Reviews - The Conclave (Strength In Theme)
In my first review of 2025, I talk about the recent drama The Conclave, available on Peacock. I had biased expectations going in, but the movie quickly washed those away and the story went in a very pleasant, very intriguing direction that I thought was pretty unique, particularly for a movie…
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059 - Roulette Recap - The 2024 Movie Tier List
Three years in the books! So, as is tradition, with the third year comes the third tier list. In this one, I give a brief rundown on all the films and series I watched for the first time this year. A lot of my feelings on these, and the order in which I navigate this year's roster, should line up...
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058 - Roulette Reviews - Nosferatu (Pure Atmosphere)
Yesterday I was able to find some time to see Nosferatu, and really enjoyed it. In this review, I discuss some of the many things that worked so well in Robert Egger's adaptation of the classic vampire tale, while also touching on a few things in this adaptation that make it stand out. You can...
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057 - Roulette Reviews - Wicked (Taking Advantage Of Your Medium)
In this review, I discuss the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked. I mention the many reasons that I thought this was a great adaptation based on my own experience with the play, and what I think the film is able to do that a stage play simply isn't capable of doing. I mention the...
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056 - Roulette Drunk Reviews - Rebel Moon Part One (The Subscriber Special)
Well, I survived. I'm not sure if the drinks imbibed or the film I watched caused me more psychological damage, but that's really all you need to know about this experience. So, watch as I review Rebel Moon live while watching it, and also play a game where I need to take a drink whenever some…
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055 - Roulette Reviews - Joker 2 (Embarrassed And Confused)
On Thursday I went to see Joker 2, which turned out to be the most unfortunate 2 hours and change of my week. There are a litany of reasons for this that could never fit in this description, but I spend some time talking about a few of the most egregious offenses Joker 2 commits as a film over…
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054 - Roulette Reviews - Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Simple Yet Sincere)
This past weekend I went to check out the sequel to the classic film Beetlejuice in theaters, and really liked it. To put it simply, I just really enjoyed the vibe that the cast and the crew and everyone who worked on this project curated and delivered to the screen. Everything from costuming to...
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053 - Roulette Reviews - Borderlands (Doesn't Deserve A Subtitle)
In this review, I discuss the abject disappointment that was the Borderlands film. Taking a zany video game and turning into a blob of bland nothingness is no small feat, but it was achieved nonetheless. Really there are almost no saving graces in this film, and not much of anything can even be...
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052 - Roulette Reviews - The Bear and The Boys (Treadmill Seasons)
In this review, I discuss the most recent seasons of The Bear and The Boys. Both of these shows are series I had enjoyed thoroughly in the past. Yet, both somehow have not reached the same heights that I know they are capable of. I attempt to diagnose and describe this problem, and maybe create...
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051 - Roulette Reviews - Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (The Weight of Legacy)
In this review, I discuss the follow up to Matt Reeves's Planet of the Apes trilogy, where a new character in a new era is the focus. I talk about how the legacy of the recent trilogy, as well as the legacy of the franchise in general, weighs on Kingdom. I talk about how Kingdom smartly manages…
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050 - Roulette Reviews - Shogun and Blue Eye Samurai (The Power of Perspective)
In this review, I talk about how two shows I've recently watched use the perspectives they give us to enhance the messages of their narratives. Shogun constantly pushes the limits of our allegiances and loyalties with its major characters, and Blue Eye Samurai brings us headlong down the path of...
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049 - Roulette Reviews - Invincible Season Two (Adjustments With Intention)
In this episode I talk about Invincible Season Two, which recently had its finale air. Specifically, I talk about some departures it has from its source material, and how I think those departures work to elevate the narrative rather than take away from it. I know adaptations straying from their...
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048 - Roulette Reviews - Dune Part Two (Scale Through Intimacy)
Dune Part Two was phenomenal. In this video I talk about how I think it did that. It kept us tethered to this massive, sweeping story by making sure to spend time with its characters in their smaller moments, so that we would really feel *with* them in the big ones. Watch this review along with...
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047 - Roulette Reviews - Percy Jackson Season One (Dissecting a Disappointment)
In this episode I graduate from talking about a pilot episode to discussing an entire season of a television show. Percy Jackson was a show I went into with high hopes, coming back each week in the hopes of something that was better than or improved upon what we got in the previous episode, but…
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046 - Roulette Reviews - True Detective Night Country Pilot (Ensnare The Audience)
I finally sat down to watch my first season of True Detective...the fourth season of True Detective. I discuss what captivated me so much and how the aura around this show only enhances those feelings of desire to solve the puzzle and unravel the threads that the pilot presents to us. Excellent...
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045 - Roulette Recap 2023 - The Movie Tier List
Another year, another tier list. With a lot more movies watched this year for the first time, I'm doing things a little quicker and a little differently. Most of these should line up pretty closely with my initial loggings on Letterboxd here, but of course my opinions can change over time.…
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044 - Roulette Reviews - A Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes (Shakespearian Tragedy)
Discussing why, despite being a prequel with little-to-no stakes for the Hunger Games world at large, Songbirds and Snakes is still able to work so well. I discuss how its success comes from its conviction, the meaningful ways it ties into the original trilogy, and how it makes you connect with…
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043 - Roulette Reviews - Attack On Titan Finale (A Yin With No Yang)
Attack on Titan finally concluded last week, and the finale was, for the most part, great. So many long-standing story arcs came to a close, and the ensemble of iconic characters got their final moments to shine. I enjoyed it immensely as a whole, but it felt like something was missing. I discuss...
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042 - Roulette Reviews - Werewolf By Night (When The Vibes Are Immaculate)
This weekend I finally caught Werewolf By Night, the directorial debut of Michael Giacchino that I had been meaning to get around to for quite some time. I was about as big a fan of this as I am of listening to his beautifully composed soundtracks while I am trying to be productive. I definitely...
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041 - Roulette Reviews - No One Will Save You (A Lack of Impact)
On Thursday I watched No One Will Save You....and I really liked it. But, I was left wanting, feeling like I should have liked it more. While No One Will Save You hits every note seemingly just right, the fact that it exists on a streaming platform and is missing the spectacle it so rightly...
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040 - Roulette Reviews - A Haunting In Venice (A Gorgeous Mashup)
This weekend I saw Haunting in Venice, the third Christie tale adapted by Kenneth Branagh. I loved pretty much every last bit of it, as it was a movie nearly perfectly designed for my tastes. I love whodunits, Halloween, and most everything in the film. Listen to me gush over what I found the…
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039 - Roulette Reviews - Talk To Me (Goes Hard)
Saw Talk To Me this Monday on a whim, and it was one of the more intense theater experiences I've had in recent memory. The film was scary, it was captivating, it was all-together well done. I was hooked from the first scene and it never let up. Check it out if you get a chance, and if you have...
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038 - Roulette Reviews - Barbie (Passion Meets Product)
I had the great experience of seeing Barbie on opening night with some friends. In this review, I talk about what made this movie about a girl's doll so captivating. Not only was it hilarious, entertaining, and clever, but it had something to say. It had a message for and about women, along with...
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037 - Roulette Reviews - MI: Dead Reckoning Part 1 (A Film With Infectious Passion)
Coming in as a sequel to one of my favorite movies of all time, Dead Reckoning had a big burden to bear and high expectations to live up to. While I'm still not sure if it surpasses the distilled excellence that is Fallout, Dead Reckoning has a lot to love about it, and it all stems from the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Roulette Films is a podcast where Zach Mann (me) reviews movies. I try to focus on the positive of any movie when possible, as there is always someone behind the art that really believed in their work. If you're interested in more content, subscribe, or follow a link in an episode description. Review episodes will be titled as Roulette Reviews, while other episodes will be titled Roulette Films. Each review will have a similar set of questions I ask myself, with some others from friends or guests. In those "other" episodes, I'll be talking about whatever creative endeavor I've been working on.
HOSTED BY
Zach Mann
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Roulette Films have?
Roulette Films currently has 87 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Roulette Films about?
Roulette Films is a podcast where Zach Mann (me) reviews movies. I try to focus on the positive of any movie when possible, as there is always someone behind the art that really believed in their work. If you're interested in more content, subscribe, or follow a link in an episode description....
How often does Roulette Films release new episodes?
Roulette Films has 87 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Roulette Films?
You can listen to Roulette Films 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 Roulette Films?
Roulette Films is created and hosted by Zach Mann.
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