The Reel Debaters
by The Reel Debaters
Inspired by High Fidelity and the "Top 5", The Reel Debaters were founded by unapologetic movie nerds and "sharp minds" with a pure love for cinema from Manitoba's vibrant and ever-growing film scene.In each episode, this crew of cinephiles and industry insiders sits down to explore film and television through a lens that’s equal parts irreverent and insightful, with deep respect for storytelling and a sense of humour that doesn’t take itself too seriously.When not arguing with each other to a sure and cinematic death, they fill the gaps with conversations from within Manitoba’s film industry stretching all the way to Hollywood's doorstep. They even talked to a Kennedy.Behind the ludicrous hypotheticals lies a genuine curiosity about how we connect with the stories we tell, the characters we love, and the impact film has on who we are all while asking cinema's favorite question: "What if we ...""I agreed that what really matters is what you like, not who you are like… Books, reco
Episodes
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#322 "Armie Of Darkness" Ash Versus Evil Dead Fancasting
This week, the cast argues over whether to reboot the series and which direction they should go. When you're done, listen to the TerrorPeg 2026 companion episode with Coby Friesen in the end credits. Festival is tomorrow night at The Park Theatre; get your tickets here, kids. Credits Executive...
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#321 "SURVIVORS READY!" Best Competition Reality TV
This week, the cast speculates on the Best Competition Reality TV, with reviews of MLB playoffs, Primetime, The Night, and Into The Fire: The Lost Daughter Best Competition Reality Listen to the 2026 Terrorpeg Companion for this year's festival. Tickets on sale now. Credits Executive Producer:...
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#320 Terrorpeg 2026 Festival Companion
This week Micheal talks with Terrorpeg festival organizer and filmmaker Coby Friesen about what we can expect at the festival on October 27th at the Park Theatre, the horror genre with emerging filmmakers in Manitoba, and whether you can do a horror film fest with movies that have no blood....
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#319 John De Lancie, Nick Diberadino and 60 Years of Star Trek With The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
This week, Emily and Micheal talk to John de Lancie and composer Nick DiBerardino about 60 years of Star Trek, how the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra blends into the storytelling, and what Q thinks of the world today. Thank you to the WSO, Jensen Maxwell, and John and Nick for taking the time to…
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#318 June Laporte from American Hostage
This week Micheal talks with June Laporte from American Hostage about their role as reporter Ginny Hughes, on set with their ensemble cast, working with John Hamm, their ugly babies of musical theatre, and what they and Ginny had in common long before they discovered the character. American…
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#317 Season Premier* "We Didn't See These Movies" Summer Watch Lists
This week, the cast broods over the best movies and TV they consumed while on summer break; they introduce the new format of the show moving forward and bring Martin back for a long-awaited return after he was in video game design school. Series Movies Credits Executive Producer: Michael Petrow...
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#316 Oscar Alternatives. What if What if What if?
The Oscars are supposed to be the final word on the best film of the year. But every movie fan has at least one moment where the envelope opens, and the reaction is: wait… what? This week on The Reel Debaters, we step into the cinematic multiverse and debate the Oscars that almost were. If a…
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#315 "No, Moonlight is the Winner" The 2026 Oscar Predictions
Awards season is hitting its chaotic final lap, and the Reel Debaters are stepping into the prediction arena. In Episode 315, the panel breaks down their 2026 Oscar predictions, the unexpected moments and controversy from the BAFTAs, and the massive studio shake-up involving Netflix, Paramount…
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#314 "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" The Best What If's Part 2
In this episode, we open the alternate-universe vault and peek inside the casting decisions, last-minute rewrites, and near-misses that reshaped Hollywood history. Some were accidents. Some were gambles. All of them changed everything. We also touch on: Which sports are in movies the most?…
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#313 Fast and Fictional: Drift Kings and Character Design. Create a new FF character.
In Episode 313, we step on the gas and build a brand-new character for the final ride of the Fast & Furious saga. What kind of chaos agent joins the family? Street racer? International fixer? Long-lost legacy wildcard? We craft the backstory, the vibe, and how they would shake up the franchise’s...
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#312 Jeff Churchill
In this episode, we lace up with legendary Hollywood shoemaker Jeff Churchill, the man whose craftsmanship has quite literally carried some of cinema’s biggest characters across the screen. From the emotional textures of Jojo Rabbit to the high-speed intensity of Mission: Impossible, and across…
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#311 "10 Things We Fan Fic About You" Best Teen Heartthrob Fan Fiction Debate
Welcome back to the circus. Episode #311 is stacked with fan fiction fantasies, Oscar-season chaos, and a classic Reel Debaters internet skirmish that absolutely did not need to happen. This episode includes: The Teen Heartthrob Fan Fiction Debate We challenged each other to pitch the best teen...
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#310 Coming Soon To A Calendar Near You, The 2026 Film And Tv Preview
The future is knocking, and it’s holding a release calendar. In Episode 310, we crack open the crystal ball and take a long look at what 2026 has lined up for movies and television. From big studio swings to prestige TV gambles, we sort the hype from the head-scratchers and argue about what’s…
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#309 Sinners, Witches and Alien(s) The 2025 Year In Review
“Can’t go back and keep making same mistakes. Must keep moving forward and make new ones.” Thanks, Bridget. Before we officially close the book, the Reel Debaters hit rewind one last time. In Episode 309, we look back at the beautiful chaos that was 2025. The movies we loved. The shows we binged....
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#308 If You Give A Chad A Spot with Finn Mccager Kristen Sawatzky and and Jesse De Rocquigny
In Episode 308, the Reel Debaters sit down with the Director Finn McCager, Actor and Stunt performer Kristen Sawatzky and Cinematographer Jesse de Rocquigny of Give a Chad a Spot for a deep dive into the making of the film. This conversation pulls back the curtain on indie filmmaking, creative...
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#307 "It’s a Wonderful Fight" The Best Secret Santa
What happens when the Reel Debaters go Secret Santa shopping… for their favourite movie and TV characters? Bad ideas, inspired choices, and a lot of judgment. In Episode 307, the cast debates the perfect Secret Santa gifts if they were shopping for iconic characters, deciding who deserves…
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#306 Doug Morrow and Ashley Hyra and The Make Up From The Long Walk
This week on The Reel Debaters, we’re heading behind the blood, sweat, and prosthetics with Doug Morrow and Ashley Hyra, the makeup artists behind The Long Walk. Doug and Ashley take us deep into the creative trenches of modern film makeup, breaking down their methods, the realities of working on...
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#305 Fatal Adaptation. When movies go episodic
On Episode 305 of The Reel Debaters, we debate the best movies adapted for television. Some films thrive when stretched into episodic storytelling, gaining depth, character arcs, and cultural staying power. Others lose what made them special the moment the opening credits roll. From prestige…
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#304 Aaron Merke and Safehaven
This week, we descend into the shadowy corridors of Safehaven, the new supernatural thriller premiering on Tubi. This week's guest is a double-threat force behind the series: the head of special FX and makeup design and the actor who steps into the enigmatic role of Francis Zelk, Aaron Merke We…
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#303 "A Tale Of 2 Witches" The Wicked Episode
We’re heading back to Oz — and this time, it’s all about the movie. Episode 304 is your full-blown Reel Talk review of Wicked (2024) It's all on the table: the performances, the music, the visuals, the changes from the stage, and whether the movie sticks the landing as one of the most anticipated...
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#302 "Dial M for Membership" The Best Streaming Site
Set your profile icon, because Episode 301 goes full cinematic cage match as we throw eight streaming giants into a single-elimination showdown. Who keeps autoplaying their way to victory? Who freezes on the loading screen? And which service becomes the true King of the Content Jungle Topics: Wpg...
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#301 Three Men, a Little Lady and "The End Of Our Own Making"
In this episode of The Reel Debaters Podcast, we sit down with the creative minds behind The End Of Our Own Making — a tense, character-driven Winnipeg production that explores the fallout of an active shooter targeting the staff of a private security company. Host Michael Petrow is joined by...
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#300 "A Reel Nightmare On Debate Street" Best Halloween Special
It’s our 300th episode, and we’re celebrating with a scream! The Reel Debaters mark this milestone by facing off in one wicked debate: What’s the best Halloween special — movie or TV? From nostalgic sitcoms to cult horror flicks, each debater brings their own version of Halloween greatness to the...
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#299 "No Country For Old Tribes" | The Survivor Debate #2
What happens when Hollywood’s biggest characters get stranded on a deserted island with nothing but their egos, alliances, and a few hidden immunity idols? Welcome to The Reel Debaters’ Survivor Island — where we take some of our favorite movie heroes, villains, and misfits and throw them into a...
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#298 Coby Friesen and Cruising In Gomorrah
This week, we sit down with writer-director Coby Friesen to talk about his haunting and provocative new short film, Cruising Gamorah — a bold exploration of faith, repression, and desire set against the eerie calm of a reportedly haunted creek. Childhood friends Chris and Alex reunite for a…
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#297 From Suplex To Cineplex "Best Wrestler Turned Actor"
Who is the greatest wrestler-turned-actor of all time? From Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s box-office domination to Dave Bautista’s dramatic chops, John Cena’s comedic timing, and Roddy Piper’s cult hero status, the Reel Debaters step into the ring for a 12-actor single-elimination showdown to crown...
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#296 One Milkshake After Another | The Films of Paul Thomas Anderson
This week on The Reel Debaters, we put the spotlight on one of modern cinema’s most fearless filmmakers: Paul Thomas Anderson. From the wild nights of Boogie Nights to the quiet tension of Phantom Thread, PTA has built a career on characters who burn, ache, and sometimes explode. Is he one of the...
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#295 "The Fast and the Footsore" | The Long Walk Debated
What if Stephen King’s The Long Walk didn’t star a bunch of random teenagers… but instead your favorite TV and movie characters? We’ll debate: Who gets cast in this twisted endurance test? What cinematic levels, scenes, and rules shape the road ahead? What prizes could make the suffering worth…
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#294 "Blue Suede Booze" | Bubba Ho-Tep Commentary
Five years ago, Steve and Michael cracked open too many drinks, fired up Bubba Ho-Tep on Tubi, and decided to attempt a watch-along. Blue Suede Booze is now being heard for the first time because, wow, can we get distracted and forget we're recording... What started as a casual commentary turned...
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#293 It’s So Fluffy! Despicable Me 4 Commentary Live At Movies In The Park
The Reel Debaters went full Minion mode this week as we set up shop at Movies in the Park for a live commentary on Despicable Me 4! In This Episode: -How we got kicked off the stage by a recording from our hosting duties -Should voice actors always change their voice, or is it okay to bring their...
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#292 David MacInnis and Nobody 2
This week on The Reel Debaters, we sit down with actor and stunt performer David MacInnis for a wide-ranging conversation about the craft, the industry, and his latest bruises courtesy of Bob Odenkirk in Nobody 2. David is known for his commanding yet vulnerable performances. A highly physical…
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#291 "Bobsticals and Opportunites" Pitch It With Bob Odenkirk
This week on The Reel Debaters, we roll out the red carpet for Bob Odenkirk… well, not literally, but we do put on our Hollywood producer hats and pitch him the projects he didn’t know he needed. From a Mr. Show movie to a Broadway spectacle to the world’s least helpful cooking show, we’re giving...
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#290 "Spoof There It Is" Naked Gun and The Parody Comedy
Nice Beaver This week on The Reel Debaters, we break down The Naked Gun Series—a masterclass in chaos that still sets the gold standard for spoof comedy. We’re talking best moments, why Leslie Nielsen is the GOAT of deadpan, and what makes this series so damn good decades later. Plus: with a…
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#289 Cape Expectations: A Superman Breakdown
The cape is back, the tights are real, and that soundtrack! This week, we dive headfirst into James Gunn’s shiny new take on the Last Son of Krypton — the 2025 Superman reboot. We ask the important questions: -Is this Superman a Boy Scout or a bad boy with a heart of gold? -Is Lex still doing…
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#288 Gone in 60 Arguments: The Best On Screen Cars
Start your engines and buckle up! This week, your pit crew gets behind the wheel for the ultimate garage showdown — the Best On-Screen Car Debate. From Batmobiles to Bond’s Aston Martin, the DeLorean to Dom Toretto’s Charger, we’re putting pedal to the metal to crown cinema’s most iconic ride.…
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#287 — "Brains, Guts, and Load Outs: Zombie Survival Showdown"
With 28 Years Later infecting theatres, the Reel Debaters bunker down for the inevitable question: Can they survive a zombie apocalypse? This week, the panel locks and loads for a full-on Zombie Survival Draft, where each debater builds their ultimate survival kit AND argues which movie or TV...
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Ep #286 – Let Cartoons Be Cartoons?
This week, the Debaters ask: Why remake perfection? From Disney’s CGI fur-fests to soulless shot-for-shot snoozefests, we're debating the highs, lows, and WHYs of live-action remakes of animated classics. Do they honor the originals or recycle your childhood for a quick buck? DEBATE TOPICS…
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#285 “Wes Anderson’s John Wick: A Hitman in Corduroy”
This Week on the Reel Debaters: What if John Wick traded his Kevlar suit for pastel blazers and symmetrical gunfights? In honor of the release of The Phoenician Scheme, the upcoming Ballerina, the Wickverse spin-off, the panel plays casting director and reimagines the action-packed assassin saga...
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#284 Beers, origin stories and "Given er": Deaner '89 with Director Sam McGlynn
This week on The Reel Debaters Podcast, we’re cracking a two-four of cinematic nostalgia with director Sam McGlynn, the director behind Deaner '89 — the Canadian Screen Award-nominated film that brings FUBAR legend Deaner (Paul Spence) back for one more righteous ride. Filmed right here in...
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#283 "Upset, you've never seen me upset' Tom Cruise Character Cult Leaders
This week on The Reel Debaters Podcast, we’re cranking up the charisma and asking the fundamental question: Which Tom Cruise character would make the best cult leader? From Ethan Hunt’s death-defying loyalty to Frank T.J. Mackey’s hypnotic stage presence, we dig into Cruise’s wildest roles and...
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#282 Clowns, Corn and Costumes: Clown in a Cornfield with Laura Deluca
This week on The Reel Debaters, Michael and costume designer Laura Deluca talk about Santa's suit in Violent Night, working on the reboot of Silent Night Deadly Night, and building Frendo the Clown in Clown in Cornfield, premiering everywhere...TODAY! Head to your local theatre to watch the…
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#281 "Had a slight weapons malfunction but, uh everything’s perfectly all right now"
This week on The Reel Debaters, the cast celebrates May the 4th with an episode hotter than 2 suns talking about: -How the weight of Star Wars’ legacy is helping or hurting the franchise -The next generation of heroes, villains, and filmmakers -Can Star Wars reclaim box office domination? -Star...
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#280 "A smart and funny satire that delivers comedy and criticism" Movies Reviews and Critics"
This week on The Reel Debaters we dive headfirst into the evolving world of film reviews and movie criticism—from the glory days of newspaper columns and Siskel & Ebert to today’s TikTok hot takes, Letterboxd essays, and influencer-driven Rotten Tomatoes scores. -What does it mean to be a movie...
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#279 "Endure and survive." Best Video Game Adaptation
This week on The Reel Debaters Podcast, the cast reviews The Studio, Wicked, Daredevil, and The Parenting and figures out which video game should be the next big series. Production Credits Recorded at Sick Bad Panda Studios Art by Micheal Petrow Hosts: Micheal Petrow, Jimmy Skinner, Martin...
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#278 "I Don't Believe My Circuit's" The Best Robot
This week, the panel goes full sci-fi as we debate the greatest on-screen robot of all time—from killer androids to lovable AIs, who reigns supreme in the world of metal and circuits? Reviews: Daredevil: Reborn (Disney) – Does the Man Without Fear still pack a punch, or is this a hero past his...
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#277 "Dishonour on you, dishonour on your cow! The Best Disney Princess
This week on The Reel Debaters Podcast, the cast reviews Invincible S3, The Monkey, and Mickey 17 and debates as 3 childless men do...who is the best Disney princess is and what's the point of the live-action Snow White? Production Credits Recorded at Sick Bad Panda Studios Art by Micheal Petrow...
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#276 "I'm a loner, Dottie. A rebel" The Movies of Youth
This week on The Reel Debaters, the cast discusses the movies that they grew up with, the movies their parents showed them, and the movies they saw well before they were "meant" to in a nostalgically laced episode about what makes a cinefile a cinefile. Production Credits Recorded at Sick Bad...
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#275 The Winner is La La Land...wait. The 97th Oscars Debate
This week on The Reel Debaters Podcast, the cast holds space for the SNL 50th anniversary special, James Bond and Amazon Studios, The Fantastic 4 trailer, and argues who will win this year's Oscars. Production Credits Recorded at Sick Bad Panda Studios Art by Micheal Petrow Hosts: Micheal…
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#274 "We sing covers of songs, It's all from our mouths!" The Best Cover Movie Debate
This week on The Reel Debaters Podcast the cast reviews Severance, Flow, Carry On, Emilia Perez, and debates which director could make the best version of someone else's movie. Production Credits Recorded at Sick Bad Panda Studios Art by Micheal Petrow Hosts: Micheal Petrow, Jimmy Skinner Martin...
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#273 "You're very good with children. -Thanks. I practiced on my hamster" The Kids Episode
This week on The Reel Debaters Emily Clark and her kids Zoey and Lilly join the show with reviews on Where in The World is Carmen San Diego, Wicked, From, Bobs Burgers and get their take on what kids are watching , what they want in their programing and their reviews on 2024 film and tv....
About this show
Inspired by High Fidelity and the "Top 5", The Reel Debaters were founded by unapologetic movie nerds and "sharp minds" with a pure love for cinema from Manitoba's vibrant and ever-growing film scene.In each episode, this crew of cinephiles and industry insiders sits down to explore film and television through a lens that’s equal parts irreverent and insightful, with deep respect for storytelling and a sense of humour that doesn’t take itself too seriously.When not arguing with each other to a sure and cinematic death, they fill the gaps with conversations from within Manitoba’s film industry stretching all the way to Hollywood's doorstep. They even talked to a Kennedy.Behind the ludicrous hypotheticals lies a genuine curiosity about how we connect with the stories we tell, the characters we love, and the impact film has on who we are all while asking cinema's favorite question: "What if we ...""I agreed that what really matters is what you like, not who you are like… Books, reco
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