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 critic in 2025?
-Are critics still tastemakers, or has audience reception completely taken over?
-How does this shift affect the studios, the box office, and even the films we get made, and more
We argue the value and relevance of traditional vs. modern film criticism, the rise of algorithm-driven opinion, and how platforms influence the conversation around movies more than ever.
Reviews:
The Pitt – The return of the primetime medical drama by the creators of ER kills with 10 million views per episode
It Ends With Us – The book was divisive, and now the film might be even more so. We unpack the adaptation and does it capture emotional weight or Hollywood melodrama
The White Lotus: Season 3 – With the latest location, new cast, and thematic shift, what did all this incest mean?
Production Credits
Recorded at Sick Bad Panda Studios
Art by Micheal Petrow
Hosts: Micheal Petrow Ian Bawa Tony Buccini
Production Credits:
- Producer: Micheal Petrow
- Editor: Micheal Petrow
- Sound Engineer: Micheal Petrow
Contact Information: thereeldebaters@gmail.com
Trivia Nights:
The Office Trivia Night, April 26th at Little Brown Jug, Winnipeg, MB.
4 Rounds. Cosplay Encouraged. Colouring Contest.
GET ON THE SHOW:
Join the debate now and leave your idea on our voicemail or ask a question on our Quora
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About Us
Set in the backdrop of Winnipeg’s booming film industry, The Reel Debaters Podcast is a motley crew of film-obsessed nerds and selected colleagues that sit down each episode, blending comedy and a deep insight of cinema with ridiculous, satirical debates and facetious musings on media.
Examples are but are not limited to:
Could James Bond be a nanny?
Best new SNL Cast?
What would Indiana Jones and Lara Croft's wedding look like?
What if Conan The Barbarian could teach Sex Ed?
When not arguing the world of make-believe you can listen to the reel talk sessions which get more conversational with the best of film and TV as well as industry interviews from inside Manitoba film industry, across Canada and to Hollywood’s front door.
New episode every Saturday
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