Reading Between the Reels: Film analysis with snark and heart

In this episode, we dive into Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk—the movie that weaponizes sound design, disorientation, and narrative chaos to make you feel like you’re drowning in tension even when the characters aren’t in the water (yet).

We break down the film’s infamous three timelines, why Nolan thinks clocks are a personality trait, and how the movie somehow maintains zero chill for 106 minutes straight. We also talk about Hans Zim...

We’re back on the other side of the black hole — emotionally and maybe spiritually. In Part Two of our deep dive into Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, we unpack Cooper’s bookshelf breakdown, the emotional math of Murph’s ghost, and whether “love” was actually the answer or just Nolan trolling us all. Expect equal parts awe, analysis, and exasperation. Bring tissues… and maybe a physics degree.

And as a bonus, we are joined by Jef...

Strap in and don’t forget your helmet — we’re launching into Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, where science meets sentimentality and somehow both cry. In this episode, we begin to tackle wormholes, relativity, and why Nolan seems to hate linear storytelling. Expect theories, sarcasm, and just enough pseudo-physics to make Neil deGrasse Tyson sigh audibly.

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Part 2 of our The Dark Knight Rises analysis dives into the details that make (or break) Nolan’s finale: body language, costuming, set design, and character arcs. Anne Hathaway slinks her way through as Catwoman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt maybe-becomes Batman, and Batman trades his cape for a cappuccino in Florence. We’ll pull apart the visual storytelling, the prison pit metaphors, and the way Gotham itself becomes a character. Finally...

In Part 1 of our two-part The Dark Knight Rises breakdown, we dig into Christopher Nolan’s favorite toys: IMAX spectacle, chest-rattling sound design, and dialogue that makes you wonder if Bane swallowed a CB radio. We’ll unpack the film’s big themes—fear, pain, hope, and rebirth—before diving into the performances and the script’s endlessly quotable (and sometimes laughable) lines.

Is Nolan a master of operatic storytelling, or ju...

Inception isn’t just a movie—it’s Christopher Nolan’s ultimate brain prank. In the conclusion of our two-part deep-dive on Nolan’s mind-bending epic, we dissect dream heists, confusing layers, and that infamous spinning top. Did you really understand it—or are you just pretending? We break down every twist, turn, and “what just happened” moment so you can finally feel smug about your cinematic IQ. Spoilers included, patience not gu...

Inception promised answers, but instead gave us spinning tops, folding cities, and Leonardo DiCaprio screaming into the void of his own trauma. In this first episode of our two-part dissection of Christopher Nolan’s ‘dream heist masterpiece,’ we begin to discuss why the film is equal parts brilliant, pretentious, and meme-worthy. From Hans Zimmer’s foghorn symphony to Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s gravity-defying hallway brawl, we’re digg...

This week, we return to our series on the films of Christopher Nolan by diving headfirst into The Dark Knight — the movie that convinced an entire generation that growling equals gravitas. From Heath Ledger’s chaos-icon Joker to a Batman so serious he makes taxes look fun, we’re dissecting the film’s themes, IMAX spectacle, and how Hans Zimmer’s score is a nerve-shredding symphony of dread. 

Is it a superhero movie? A crime epic? ...

What happens when you hand a microphone to a bunch of students, toss in a few Star Wars-obsessed adults, and ask them to unpack Episodes I–VI? Absolute mayhem—and movie magic.

With Aaron Harris as our special guest, we attempt the impossible: covering all six Star Wars films in one classroom session without anyone spontaneously combusting.

Whether you stan Hayden or still can’t forgive the Ewoks, this is the Star Wars episode you d...

Midichlorians? Midterms? Same energy: misunderstood, dreaded, and probably made up.

We threw Star Wars Episodes I–VI at a classroom of students and let Ross Hollebon help us make sense of the Force, fate, and why Anakin really needed a therapist.

Come for the lore, stay for the hot takes on the Anakin/Padme relationship, Lando’s loyalty, and just how bad groupthink really is in a galaxy far, far away.

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Some group projects end in passive-aggressive texts. Others end in a galaxy-wide purge of space wizards.

In this episode, we bring in Jeff McGee and Tom Gross to dissect Star Wars Episodes I–VI with a room full of students, and wow—turns out the Jedi weren’t exactly peer-reviewed.

Expect lightsaber lore, what-if scenarios, and a whole lot of “Whose idea WAS this?” energy.

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This isn’t your average film class. We’re diving lightsaber-first into the Star Wars saga with a classroom full of future critics and two legit experts: Tom Gross and Din from F-105.

From the tragedy of Anakin to the war crimes of the Jedi Council, we unpack it all—with plenty of snark, hot takes, and “Wait, what did they just say?” moments.

If your dream syllabus includes podracing physics, Sith manipulation tactics, and plenty of...

What happens when you unleash a classroom of students on Star Wars Episodes I–VI and give them microphones? Chaos. Glorious, Force-fueled chaos.

We’re joined by Dennis Keithly and Cory Clubb for a deep (and slightly derailed) dive into the entire Skywalker Saga—from podracing physics to Palpatine’s masterclass in long-game evil.

Is The Phantom Menace a misunderstood gem? Did the Jedi Council deserve to be Force-cancelled? And why d...

For this episode, the latest in our series on the films of Christopher Nolan, we’re diving into The Prestige — the movie that proves Nolan can turn two magicians battling it out for “Most Extra” into a work of art. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale destroy their lives for a trick, but it’s the kind of destruction that makes you think, “Maybe I should be that obsessed with something.” We’re here to praise Nolan’s genius, David Bowie’s...

Bruce Wayne has everything: money, abs, and a crippling fear of bats. Naturally, he copes by burning down monasteries and punching crime in the face. 

In this installment of our series on the films of Christopher Nolan, we revisit Batman Begins, the moody reboot that asked: What if we make an existential Batman movie? We get into daddy issues, weaponized fear, and the real villain of Gotham—urban planning. Also: yes, Christian Bale...

Al Pacino hasn’t slept in days. Robin Williams is playing it straight (and scary). And Christopher Nolan wants you to feel just as tired as the characters. Continuing our series on Nolan’s films, we break down Insomnia, the psychological thriller that proves crime never naps—and neither should you, apparently. Expect confusion, moral decay, and lots of squinting.

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What happens when your memory resets every 15 minutes, but your fashion sense stays impeccable? As we begin our new series on the films of Christopher Nolan, we’re diving into Memento, the film that launched a thousand confused Reddit threads. Expect talk of unreliable narrators, confusing timelines, and why you probably shouldn’t tattoo your to-do list on your chest. (Or should you?)

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In this episode, we reveal our Top 5 Movie Remakes that lived up to or even surpassed the originals. From horror reimaginings to bold reinterpretations of beloved stories, we discuss what makes these films truly great.

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Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is a visually engaging but ultimately underwhelming sequel that struggles to elevate its superhero storytelling. As the 16th entry in our “Marvel before the MCU” series, the film introduces the enigmatic Silver Surfer and features impressive CGI, but is bogged down by a weak script, underdeveloped characters, and a lackluster portrayal of Galactus.

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