The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast

This week, Jason chose Locke (2013) for our viewing pleasure, and what an excellent choice it was. If only Jason got to choose all the movies, then we wouldn't have to watch things like Spectre or Ironman.I digress. Our intrepid podcasters both agree that Locke is a five-star movie, a masterpiece of character. They discuss whether one choice defines a life, when is it okay to lie, the ways in which Ivan Locke is constructed, and how one crack in the wrong place can bring down an entire building... or an entire human.What are your thoughts on Locke? E-mail us at [email protected] for listening!

In our last episdo of Batman movies, we are showing Jason The Batman (2022). He probably would not have watched it without the podcast.He claims it is a good movie that would have been a lot better if it wasn't a Batman movie. Is it more than just a superhero film? Or would it have worked even better as a stripped-down noir detective story? We explore how the film reimagines Batman as a man driven by vengeance who must confront the limits of that identity.Along the way, we break down what defines noir, how the film’s use of POV shots makes it more personal, and how modern filmmaking tools like the Volume reshape visual storytelling. We wrestle with the film’s biggest ethical questions: Are people inherently good or corrupt? Is The Riddler a villain or a distorted product of a broken system? And if crime thrives under Penguin’s watch, where does responsibility actually lie?What do you think about this movie? About Batman as a whole? Is he a superhero? And what franchises should we cover in the future? Email us at [email protected]

We both agree that The Dark Knight Rises (2012) isn't as good as The Dark Knight (2008), but then again, there aren't many movies that are. But, that doesn't mean that this movie is terrible, by any means. The duo discuss the effectiveness of the casting; Bane's plot against Gotham and; the connected roles of fear, hope, and continual improvement. They bring in the ideas of past and present philosophers, like Henry David Thoreau, James Allen, and Will Smith. What are your thoughts about The Dark Knight Rises (2012)? E-mail us at [email protected] for listening! We love you!

The Dark Knight (2008) is the follow-up that still fights for the title of "best sequel of all time." We break a lot of our usual setup to just make room for going over all the things that make this movie so amazing.In this episode of The Desert of the Reel, we ask one unsettling question: are we responsible for evil if we allow it to happen? From the Joker’s calculated chaos to Batman’s ultimate sacrifice, we explore whether Gotham’s moral collapse is inevitable—or chosen. Along the way, we unpack the film’s surprising humor, the philosophy of enduring suffering, and the ethical tension between justice and fairness. Is the Joker truly chaotic, or is he the only one in control? And does abandoning morality actually make someone stronger—or just more dangerous?This has gotta be one of the best movies of all time. Email us your thoughts, opinions, and reviews at [email protected]

Batman Begins marks a return to superheroes for DOTR (or does it… is Batman actually a superhero?). We get into it and email us your thoughts at [email protected] episode features a trip down memory lane for our intrepid duo, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the various Batman series. Ryan and Jason both like this movie a lot, although they had issues with some of the casting (Cillian Murphy for Jason and Katie Holmes for Ryan).  Aside from the weakness of Scarecrow as a villain, they really didn’t have many cons. On the pro side, there’s a lot of philosophical depth to this film.  Our intrepid duo tackles fear, social responsibility, justice, apathy, and…working within our SPHERES (for those of you playing DOTR bingo).Help us settle the argument… is Batman a superhero or just a smart, rich ninja?

This week on Desert of the Reel, we explore Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) through a philosophical and film-theory lens, asking what it truly means to transcend oneself. Jason wanted an "in-between movie" from James Bond and The Dark Knight. So he chose one of his all-time favorite movies. He says it is the BEST action movie of all time. We examine how the film blends magical realism with grounded human emotion to elevate action into something almost spiritual. We talk about how the wire working isn't just really really cool, but also part of telling the story. We talk Taoist ideas like wu wei and the balance of yin and yang, and we discuss how each character wrestles with identity, desire, and the tension between societal expectation and inner truth. Along the way, we debate what audiences really want from action movies—and whether this film represents the pinnacle of the genre, especially in its portrayal of love, longing, and combat and action.Have you seen this film?Any recommendations for foreign films? What do you think is the best action movie of all time? Join us next week for Batman Begins (2005)Email us at [email protected]

We're following up one of our shortest episodes in a long time with one of our longest. While we didn't agree on everything, there's certainly some fireworks about the most recent entry in the James Bond film series No Time to Die (2021).as logos and pathos battle to the death in the squared circle!Mixed in with those, there are some deep discussions about life, how to live it, and how to make the most of both the good times and the bad.This episode comes from a place deep in both of us. We hope you enjoy!Email us at [email protected]

Desert of the Reel is a movie podcast where we attempt to look at big blockbuster franchises and attempt to analyze them with philosophy and ethics. However, James Bond's Spectre from 2015 really put us in a stupor. Out of all the movies we have watched, this movie has been one of the hardest to attempt to pull something deep out of. We spend a good while enjoying talking about all the reasons we did NOT like this film, but we really struggle to pull anything worthwhile.We bring up franchise theory, surveillance theory, and even haunted house theory. We address how chaos or order defines history, whether bad guys fail because they want to tip the world too far one way, and the scales of safety versus freedom. This has GOTTA be one of the worst James Bond movies, right? What is the worst Bond?What are your thoughts? Did we miss any big ideas?Did we misinterpret Spectre?Email us at [email protected]

Skyfall (2012) is the second in the Daniel Craig James Bond film series that Jason actually likes! Is this the perfect Bond movie? In this episode, we discuss what makes Skyfall a truly good film: the nostalgia, Javier Bardem, the lack of idiotic crap happening, Roger Deakins, the rat story, and many other things. We get deeper into real-life philosophy in this episode, as we discuss improving your life by 1% each day; discarding things that are cluttering your life; if you're going through something very difficult, keep going; and being open to weighing evidence counter to your worldview and making necessary adjustments without giving up being who you truly are.Email us at [email protected]

In this episode we dive into Quantum of Solace, the direct sequel to Casino Royale, and one of the most emotionally raw films in the James Bond franchise.Jason has some hot takes, namely, he likes the theme song and... that's it. Bond is driven almost entirely by revenge and unresolved grief. We explore how the film only truly works when viewed as a continuation of Casino Royale—Bond is not thinking clearly, but reacting out of rage and pain.Using postmodernist and neo-Marxist lenses, we also examine the murky moral world of the film. Governments, intelligence agencies, and corporations blur together, suggesting that the so-called “good guys” are often willing to collaborate with villains when power or resources are at stake.We also unpack the surprising connection between the film and Tosca, and how themes of betrayal, revenge, and power echo throughout both works.From there the discussion turns philosophical:Why do people seek power?Is power inseparable from money and control?Does holding onto revenge make us stronger—or trap us?We debate the morality of Bond himself. Is he truly a moral hero, or just less immoral than the villains he fights? And if ordinary people refuse to do the things Bond does—kill, manipulate, and seduce for a mission—does that make them morally stronger than him?This episode explores power, forgiveness, revenge, and the complicated ethics of heroism in one of the franchise’s most divisive films.Email us your thoughts at [email protected]

Reel, Desert of the Reel. We are diving fist-first into the Daniel Craig James Bond movies. Jason famously hates action movies and especially hates James Bond movies! But maybe there is something deep and philosophical here in 2006's Casino Royale. We look at the history of 007, go over our pros and cons, and explore the ideas of ego, feminism, and genre studies. What do you think about James Bond, and action movies in general? Email us at [email protected]

“Maybe the question isn’t who is insane. Maybe the question is who gets to decide.”This week we are looking at the 2014 film, Stonehearst Asylum. A film based on an Edgar Allen Poe story where a new doctor enters a 1899 insane asylum, where things might not be what they appear at first. So much symbolism!We ask many questions: What is more important, Freedom or Justice? What is worse, A corrupt system or a poorly run system with good intentions? Do people need to be broken? Is it ok to let someone live in their own version of reality if they are happy?And is everyone crazy?Jason loves this movie. This film is really good at planting seeds with satisfying payoffs. We look at what we like, important quotes, and analyze this well-done mystery. Ultimately, we talk about how we can be the cure or the disease for other people.What are your thoughts? email us at [email protected]

As the final episode connected to Harry Potter, Jason and Ryan didn't find a whole lot to say about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), although there are some gems in here, such as Ryan's absurdist analysis of Jacob and Newt, the animal right philosopher Peter Singer making his first (and likely only) appearance on the pod, Ryan's feminist analysis of Newt's character, some additional insights into Othering, and the introduction of our next franchise!Jason's choice for next week is Stonehearst Asylum (2014)!We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed making it!

The final Harry Potter movie! (Before we make Jason watch Fantastic Beasts). Guess what? He actually liked this one!We talked about a number of our personal pros and cons (mainly the ending), but found a lot of deep ideas to discuss. Ryan uses Trauma Theory to analyze the film, but we also ask:What is worth sacrificing for? We look at karmaOur minds are important and determine our reality. The world could improve.We need people in our lives when devastation happens, and Trust is a powerful tool.Do you agree that this is a good wrap-up for a franchise?Let us know your thoughts! [email protected] week is Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them (2016)

We argue extensively about whether or not this is a good film. Ryan appreciates how different it is from the other films; Jason thinks it is a series of random events happening randomly and wandering around aimlessly without any clues. About halfway through the podcast, Jason has a revelation that reframes why he doesn't like the movie, changing the tenor of the rest of the episode.We explore Brechtian distancing, the philosophy of sacrifice, whether it is better to die or lose your memory, and many other elements of the film.Let us know what you think about this episode at [email protected]

The sixth Harry Potter movie confuses us. Here we are for Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts, but this time, Draco is up to no good. Well, to be honest, he spends most of his time crying. There is a lot of drama over all this angst and teen romance. And despite all this, there is somehow nothing really happening. The structure is very curious. We review the different pros and cons, and Ryan cannot help but bring up various comparisons between the book and the movie versions. We address this film's structure, talk about various ethical choices the characters make, the concept of murder splitting a soul, evil buried within us, and how confidence and fear come from our minds!What are your thoughts on Half-Blood Prince? Is it the worst Harry Potter movie? Email us at [email protected]

After years of requests, demands, cajoling, and pleading from Jason's students, this week's film is Christopher Nolan's Interstellar (2014). While the duo disagree on whether or not the first hour could have been 15 minutes and whether or not the ending robs the film of its thematic power, both agree that this is a beautiful, powerful, deeply philosophical film. We discuss love, death, sacrifice, good, evil, free will, lying, time, gravity, othering and de-othering, Dylan Thomas, the nature of knowledge, auteur theory, and a bunch of other stuff in one of our longest episodes ever!Please let us know your thoughts on anything we discuss! We'd especially like your opinion on our Solaris v. The Cloverfield Paradox disagreement!Send us anything and everything at [email protected]

In the fifth Harry Potter movie, Harry is placed into a teacher role, and Voldemort is on the rise. Jason, who refuses to see big-blockbuster movies, is pleasantly surprised. He actually likes this one. He hated the fourth movie, but thinks this might be the pinnacle of what Harry Potter movies have to offer. Does this movie have bigger ideas than the other HP films? Is Professor Umbridge the worst villain in the franchise? Does it have the most real-world connections? We discuss: The importance of asking "Why?" We go over the tools of critical thinking to defend our brains. We look at the dangers of bureaucracy, the power of fear, go over some of the differences from the book, and use the Mind-Body theory (posthuman) lens to analyze Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.It's a good time. Newfound appreciation for this movie. Also, there is a significant time when Ryan's baby is on his lap! What do you think? Where does this movie fall in your HP rankings? Send us anything and everything at [email protected]

In this episode about Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), both Jason and Ryan recognize that this probably isn't the best of the Harry Potter movies. Aside from the logical flaws that Jason is obsessed with, the plot-heavy, character-light approach the film takes leaves us without a deepening attachment to most of the characters. Interestingly, it also leaves out a lot of the plot of the novel, which also weakens the film. We discuss rule-bound ethics, rebellion against unjust or illogical laws, death studies, and the need for us to be aware of our strengths and weaknesses so we can be effective in life, and have the power to attack the injustice in the world.What are your thoughts on this movie? share us your review or anything else at all at [email protected]

In this episode about War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), Jason complains about the logical flaws in the sewer system. Ryan completely changes Jason's mind about the arc of Caesar and the main meaning of the film. We discuss the essential nature of both logos and pathos components in our quest to de-other, and we examine the ethics of the Colonel's choice to kill his son. What are your thoughts on this movie? share us your review or anything else at all at [email protected]

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) should swap names with Rise. But this is seriously one of the best sequels of all time. This movie is the follow-up to Caesar and all the escaped apes, 10 years after the events of the first film. The apes are met with humans, and both groups are just trying to survive and do what is best for their groups. The result? ETHICAL PROBLEMS!Perfect for this podcast. Some of the questions we ask about this movie are: Is hate more powerful than love? What happens when hate enters a community of love? What happens when you do nothing? How do we avoid one person or one example to represent an entire group? We explore some it the ideas of rewiring our brain to "de-other," inaction vs action, weaponizing love, rewiring our brains, and what makes someone truly human?What are your thoughts on this movie? share us your review or anything else at all at [email protected]

Jason's rebellion against the tyranny of Harry Potter has been successful! Welcome to the DOTR Planet of the Apes episodes. In this episode, we discuss possible reasons why this trilogy doesn't show up in the discussion of the best trilogies of all time. Ryan introduces the critical animal studies lens and we explore how it help us more effectively interact with the concept of the Other. Jason explores what various ethical schools of thought might say about animal testing. They also explore the idea of rage as a vehicle for change.We hope you enjoy this episode and exploring the Planet of the Apes with us!

A very special thank you and shout-out to Toon My Heart Podcast for their lovely gift!Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2004) is the third Potter film where we find dementors, Sirius Black, and patronus spells! Is Jason says that this movie doesn't bring anything new from the previous Harry Potter films. Is he right? Ryan jumps right in and talks about Alfonso Cuaron's directing style and use of cinematography. Jason has a list of pros and cons and discusses the themes of fear and its role in our lives. We look at the lens of the Fantastic by Tzvetan Todorov and discuss what it is. We examine key motifs dealing with glass/mirrors and time/cycles. Jason has issues with "illogical" things the characters do, and we have a good time!Is this the best Harry Potter movie? What film is your favorite?Next week, we are changing gears and watching Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011). Jason needed a break from the wizarding world.Send us an email at [email protected] love ya!

Back to Hogwarts, and this time into the Chamber of Secrets. For the second Harry Potter film, we are welcomed back with another mystery. However, Jason argues that this is just a retread of the first film, and Ryan argues that the lore and story is expanding and deepening. What do you think?We go over pros and cons. According to Jason, some of this film's major flaws are several logical flaws (most of which surround the basilisk) and Ron's "whiny voice." But there is still a lot to love!And we explore the deeper meanings and insights we had while watching. We explore the ideas behind the concept of our choices vs our abilities, structuralism and binary opposites, and use a post-humanist lens. What are your thoughts on the second Harry Potter film? What HP movie do you think is the worst one? Email us your thoughts, reviews, and anything else at [email protected]

Despite Jason not wanting to watch the Harry Potter movies because "they are all the same," he can't deny that there is something special about this movie. Harry Potter is clearly a huge and successful franchise, and we attempt to understand why it is so.We go over our positives and favorite lines, talk about negatives, and find a lot of deep ideas to talk about. We go over the themes of fate, love, character archetypes, personality types, and explore character motivation and what philosophies they align with from Machiavelli to Sartre.Have you read Walden by Henry David Thoreau? What are your thoughts on the Harry Potter franchise? Do you like this first film of the franchise? Email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening to us for 100 episodes!For our 100th episode special, we watch and analyze three episodes of the children's show Bluey: "Flat Pack," "Bin Night," and "Sleepytime." We explore what these episodes (and the show as a whole) are doing in their short 7-minute segments. From encouraging imagination to teaching parents how the creators feel parents should be, Bluey definitely isn't a socially-neutral show. Is that bad? Is that good? Are there socially-neutral shows? Is it possible to think critically about children's television? Come with us as we look for the answers to those questions.Next week, Harry Potter!E-mail us with comments and questions at [email protected].

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)! We have one of our most heated debates about this movie. Ryan and Jason have not argued like this since the days of Tony Stark. We spend a little bit of time talking about the technical aspects of this film, but we spend a very long time arguing back and forth if this is a good movie, or a remake and awful movie. Who do you agree with? Is this an example of a great film and an excellent sequel? Or is it a classic example of a sequel not doing anything new? Jason (and special guest Martin) are under the impression that there is nothing deep or philosophical like the first one. But Ryan says that there are enough changes made and interesting depths explored that it IS a worthy successor for the first. We look at this movie with a Media Ecology/Techno theory, Narrative Theory, whether there is enough character change and growth, and what the movie says (or doesn't say) about happiness. Share us your thoughts about Avatar 2, because we'd love to hear your thoughts! [email protected] next, our 100th episode special, where we will take a fun look at Bluey, hurray! And then we will step into Hogwarts with taking Jason on a magical trip with Harry Potter!

This week, DOTR gives you a film that both Ryan and Jason love: Avatar (2009). In addition to exploring the sheer technological ingenuity of this film, we take a look at the various film lenses this offers us, the history and background of the film itself, the several tropes that surface and how Avatar pushes against them, and various philosophical musings. In fact, Avatar is one of Jason's favorite philosophical playground films. We spend a good chunk of this episode exploring the careful way Cameron created the culture of the Na'vi.What did you think of Avatar (2009)? Let us know!

Nefarious (2023) Dietz wanted us to explore the big philosophical ideas in this little-known movie. The summary is:"On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer tells a psychiatrist that he's a demon who can possess his body. As the evaluation ends, he also tells the doctor that he will soon commit three murders of his own."There are a lot of big ideas found in this movie. We need to use our knowledge to help and uplift others, we are actively choosing to step away from enobeling things, we need to be critical what we put into ourselves, and using a theological lens to look at some of the aspects of this film. What are your thoughts?Favorite possession movie?Is the world getting worse and worse? Share us your thoughts, reviews, and ideas at [email protected]!

In this episode, we explore our favorite moments and quotes from Dune 2, sprinkled with a few criticism from Jason (unsurprisingly). Ryan introduces the phenomenological lens, which allows us to think about how the situation in which we receive a movie shapes the movie itself. Mark brings in and we discuss the shaping power of the Messiah concept. We also spend a lot of time discussing how and why people participate (or don't participate) in religion, the importance of an anchor in navigating life and improving ourselves, and the importance of anchoring yourself to the best possible elements of life.Apologies for the echo on Mark's mic. We (obviously) still haven't figured out how to effectively invite guests onto the podcast that aren't in the studio.

Jason said he would never watch the new Dune movies because he loves the book so much. He's read it many times and thinks it is one of the best novels ever written. However, when it came to watching Dune or Harry Potter, he decided it was finally time to check out Denis Villeneuve's 2021 film. We spend a long time praising the many aspects we like from the sensory details, mise-en-scène, the score, and its subtle but effective storytelling. Jason talks about the importance of rhetoric and how it can be used as a weapon. How"truth" can be created. Jason points out that part of the reason this story works is that it still allows Paul to make choices. Ryan uses the eco-critical lens to see how DUNE uses its story to help us think about our own planet and our relationship with nature.

Welcome to our discussion of what Jason claims is the most perfect zombie movie ever made: Train to Busan (2016). In this episode, we talk about zombies and zombie movies and explore just what makes this film so effective. For the first time (at least in a while), we focus mainly on the powerfully written and acted characters, rather than the plot. Jason also explains the Constant Escalation of Horror and its cultural reflections. Ryan noticed the central role mothers play in the film, and Jason and Ryan spend much of this episode exploring the various aspects and powers of motherhood.Do you agree that this is the best zombie film? One of the best horror films? One of the best films? Next week, Dune (2016), which Jason swore he would never watch because Hollywood never treats novels he loves with respect. We'll see if his prejudice holds up in the onslaught of the Harkonen. Email us at [email protected] remember, ghost sharks are good.

This movie might have broken Jason's brain (or at the very least his patience). He begs not to be forced to watch any movies as bad as this again. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017) is the last Pirates movie made. Do you agree that it is the worst one? Or at least, definitely in the running as the worst? We have two new young actors taking the stage and Jack doesn't feel like Jack at all. Jason and Ryan have a list of cons and very few pros for this film. Ryan offers some rewrites that might have greatly improved the script, but it isn't the best outing for our Pirate friends. Jason brings up Darwinian Ethics and the confounding aspect of Salazar being a "bad guy" in a world where pirates still murder and plunder. Is this a message, or conditioning from studios? Ryan also explores "Franchise Theory" and how Disney has run this franchise, which has ruined this film. What are your thoughts? Next week, Train to Busan (2016).Email us at [email protected] remember, ghost sharks are good.

Join us as we review and discuss Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides)! In this episode, we finally see the bitter side of Ryan, as he rips into the film. We discuss how, with minor changes to script and casting, this could have been a really good movie. Ryan introduces a new film studies lens called Star Theory, and Jason offers a new philosophical concept regarding free will and happiness.This film isn't better than an other film, but it does lead to some fun discussion. Let us know what you think at: [email protected].

Buried (2010) stars Ryan Reynolds, buried in a box! We are making a shift from big blockbuster movies to one of the smallest and confined movies. Jason says this is one of only TWO good Ryan Reynolds performances. We are both fans of this chamber piece film! We talk about how it is a commentary on war in the Middle East, a criticism of bureaucracy, how we need to serve everyone around us, even more critical criticism of bureaucracy, and how social media makes us all feel like we are trapped in a box.Jason also proposes a new film genre, "horrifying." A way to describe films that are not quite horror, but fill you with dread the whole time. Email us your thoughts, reviews, recommendations, and anything else at [email protected]

Join us as we review and discuss Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)! In this episode, most excitingly, Jason admits he was wrong in his prejudice against all sequels, and gushes like a little kid about the emotional power of this film. Ryan introduces a new lens for looking at film, the cognitive lens. Both Ryan and Jason share personal experiences about making it through very difficult times. Is this film better than The Curse of the Black Pearl? Let us know what you think at: [email protected].

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) is directed by Gore Verbinski and is the sequel to Disney's surprise megahit from a few years earlier. Jason believes it is the same story as the first; Will and Elizabeth are separated from one another to achieve their goals, and Jack is along to add a mix of unpredictability. Is Jason right? There are a lot of pros to praise this movie for, from the visual effects to the musical score. But are there significant cons that creep into this sequel? Do you think that the huge visuals and set pieces make it worthy of looking past some of its flaws? We also look at the brief history of the real India East Trading Company, explore how this movie is teaching us to find our power wherever we may be, and we look at using the lens of conceptism (or conceptismo) to apply to this movie. It would help us out a lot if you rated us 5 stars and left a like wherever you listen!Love you!Think critically! Send us your thoughts and reviews at [email protected]

Welcome to season 5 of The Desert of the Reel! This season we're looking at the five films in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, starting with The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), a film which both Ryan and Jason agree is a 5-star movie. In this episode, we explore what makes this film what Ryan calls a "perfect with a capital P" film. Additionally, Jason introduces and explores two new philosophical ideas (the cultural dimension of rules and the concept of Discourse) and walks us through how Black Pearl is an excellent crash course on understanding all the ins and outs of these concepts. Ryan takes us through the making of the film and helps us explore the role of personal names and titles in the film, as well as the concept of leverage.What are your thoughts on The Black Pearl? Is one of the best movies of all time or just [email protected]

Predestination is a 2014 science fiction thriller. "A temporal agent (Ethan Hawke) embarks on a final time-traveling assignment to prevent an elusive criminal from launching an attack that kills thousands of people." We will very quickly go into spoiler territory, and we highly recommend seeing this movie first. This movie feels like it has gone somewhat under the radar in the past decade, but Jason loves it and thinks it is worth your time. We talk about various time travel paradoxes and how we, as critical thinkers, must be aware of paradoxes happening around us. Sometimes they present themselves as social paradoxes, but we should always better understand the world we live in. We dabble with the trolley problem. Do people need something to strive for in life? Is it easier to hate than to love? There are a lot of big ideas in this movie, and this movie can easily hurt your brain if you try to follow the time travel logic. It's a fun time! Share us your thoughts on time travel movies at [email protected]

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) is one of the few films we've reviewed for this podcast that Jason likes more than Ryan does! Our discuss centers around the differences we note in the action and the character of a much older Indiana Jones. We discuss the time travel (of course), but also the historical analytical lens, question the reality of choice, and revisit the ways in which we create the world we live in.What are your thoughts on Dial of Destiny? Is one of the best, mid, or one of the [email protected]

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) is a legacy sequel that has elicited strong opinions throughout the years. Does it deserve the hate? Is it overhated? Ryan and Jason debate over some parts that may or may not make it a worse move. But are Jason's nitpicks justified? For example, we all can agree the refrigerator part is ridiculous, but does it ruin the movie? Is this the Indy we know and love, or is this a version of the character that is made to make audiences happy? Among other topics, we discuss how this movie is a throwback and pastiche of the 1950s, aliens (and if they're real), what intertextuality is and when it is used as a bad thing, and all about protecting the "garden of your mind." Knowledge is power. Read a book! What are your thoughts on Crystal Skull? Is it as bad as Jason thinks? Is it better than Temple of Doom? [email protected]

The Others (2001) is a mysterious, spooky thriller where Nicole Kidman plays a woman left alone in a mansion after her husband goes off to fight in WWII. This is one of Jason's personal favorite movies. He says he can't even come up with a single con. What movies do you wish you could watch for the first time? This movie works beautifully if you do not know what is coming, and we talk about whether knowing about the endings to films beforehand ruins them or not. We talk about a lot of great topics and allow Jason to really flex his philosopher's mind with one of his favorites. We ask all sorts of questions like, Is emotionally understanding something better than logically understanding something? Do we put aside the unknown for logic? Does everyone experience something that they simply cannot explain? Do people cut off access to certain types of information because they don't believe in it, and turn off the unknown? It's a great talk! Even a reminder that drugs are bad for you.Let us know your thoughts, review, and recommendations at [email protected]

Jason and Ryan revisit Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)! Both our hosts feel this is the best of the Indiana Jones films; certainly, the most quotable and funniest. This episode delves heavily into what this film teaches us about parenting. Ryan and Jason share insights from their different places in the parenting timeline. They then return to the exploration of the unseen world, which seems to be such a key element in this film series.Send us your thoughts at [email protected] 

Jason and Ryan revisit Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)! Was this Indy film part of your childhood? Jason and Ryan both grew up without it. But we have much to discuss from the potential dark place the creators found themselves in to Willie, the female protagonist who loves to yell. We have a list of cons to go over, but there also seems to be a lot of pros. Some fans love this film and we explore why this may be. We explore the idea of breaking out of the "Caste" system we are currently trapped in, if all myths and stories stem from truth, and a touch of analysis with the psychoanalytic lens. Send us your thoughts at [email protected]

Welcome to season 4 of The Desert of the Reel! This season, we'll be digging into the five Indiana Jones films, starting, of course, with Raiders of the Lost Ark. There's so much art and beauty in the filming that both Jason and Ryan agree (for once) for the most part. While Jason does dig into the logical flaws, even he has to admit that they're mostly due to the genre of the film. We look at Raiders through the post-colonial lens, examine the ethics of archeology, and look at the philosophy of death and impermenance. We're so glad you'll be joining us as we journey with one of the most iconic fictional characters ever created!Join as we engage with the sometimes problematic Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and let us know your thoughts about this film, or anything else at [email protected]

David Fincher's The Game (1997) is a twisty tale where Michael Douglas finds himself in "the game." What is and what isn't part of this game? What will happen to him by the end of the game? A movie Jason believes has a lot of ideas to think about. We go over many different ideas and topics, and sort of stray away from the plot, but delve into real-world problems. We ask if excessive wealth ruins a person, look at the film with a Marxist lens, ask what is necessary for survival, living in the moment, de-othering people, and ask "how much of our world view needs to overlap other people's world view in order for us to be considered 'sane.'"And more! We have a really good conversation in this episode. We feel this is an underappreciated Fincher film (maybe it could use a better name). What are your thoughts?Share us your thoughts at [email protected]

We've arrived at The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)! Even though Jason is clearly suffering from what he calls "Tolkein fatigue" at this point, we discuss the pros and cons of this film, including what Jason believes are some of the best scenes ever filmed. We then move into film studies (exploring post-structuralism), the philosophy of "putting aside the Ranger" and of "just getting down the hill for starters." This episode includes some final thoughts on the series as a whole, which Jason will likely never watch again (unless they release a 1 1/2 hour edit). Join us next week for Jason's choice, The Game (1997), before we launch into our next film franchise, Indiana Jones!Let us know your thoughts about this film, or anything else at [email protected]

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002).Jason continues to explore Middle Earth in the second Rings film. We discuss the pros and cons of this film and then branch out into deeper thoughts regarding the importance of nature, the will of power by Nietzsche, using a Feminist read of the film, and why we follow leaders blindly. We had a lot of fun talking about all the great moments in this movie. Has Jason had too much Tolkien? Maybe. But he can't help but admit that this film might be the best of both trilogies. Join us next week for Return of the King (2003) and let us know your thoughts about this film, or anything else at [email protected]

The first Lord of the Rings film proves to be a huge step up from the Battle of the Five Armies. While there are still some problems (largely stemming from the fact that every scene is significantly longer than it needs to be), (Jason wrote that part) both Jason and Ryan agree that this is a pretty great film. We discuss formalism, structuralism, whether we have the obligation to do something to benefit others if we can, and how best to address difficult obstacles in our lives.Thanks again for listening in!If you want to let us know your thoughts at [email protected]

Jason loves this movie. Jason always chooses movies for his choice episodes that he thinks are worth your time, but Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2010) is infamous for being one of the "worst movies ever made!" Can Jason accurately convince you that this is a good movie? Ryan talks about all sorts of nonsense found in this movie from bad acting, bad editing, bad cinematography, and bad... everything. But how can Jason find so much joy in this movie? Could the director have planted deep messages in his film? Should we all live by the messages this movie teaches us? What are your thoughts? [email protected] franchise should we cover AFTER Lord of the Rings? What movies do you recommend for Jason to watch?