Reading Between the Reels: Film analysis with snark and heart

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Where the adventure is bigger, the villains are nastier, and apparently open-heart surgery is just part of the itinerary. Fortune. Glory. Ancient cults. Monkey brains. One extremely hands-on medical procedure. It’s darker, weirder, and considerably more unhinged than anyone asked for—and somehow, it’s still a family movie.

And as a bonus, we are joined once again by Jeff McGe...

Raiders of the Lost Ark is what happens when archaeology, Nazi-hunting, supernatural artifacts, and spectacularly poor decision-making collide. In this episode, we return to our Steven Spielberg series to revisit this classic adventure, take a look at Indiana Jones at his most reckless, and explore why the movie still absolutely rules—even when its hero is basically committing felony-level archaeology.

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For our first show back from summer break, we’re looking back at the movies that hit theaters during Summer 2026. We break down our favorite new releases, debate which movies delivered and which fell flat, and reveal the shows and movies we caught up on while we were away. 

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In this year’s 6th and final installment of Star Wars 101, Aaron Harris joins my English classes for another conversation from a galaxy far, far away. Together, we explore the characters, themes, and ideas that have made Star Wars one of the most beloved stories ever told. 

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In this year’s fifth installment of Star Wars 101, Jeff McGee joins my English classes for a conversation about the stories, themes, and ideas that have made Star Wars one of the most beloved franchises in pop culture. Along the way, we'll explore storytelling, character development, and why sometimes the greatest lessons come from a galaxy far, far away. Because if there's one thing Star Wars has taught us, it's that poor pl...

In this year’s fourth installment of Star Wars 101, David Jesse joins my English classes to explore family relationships in Star Wars. From fathers and sons to siblings, mentors, found families, and generational legacy, we examine how the saga uses family to drive conflict, redemption, and hope. Because every family has drama. Most just don't end with someone losing a hand.

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In this year’s third installment of Star Wars 101, bestselling author Ian Doescher joins my English classes to explore how Star Wars uses storytelling, symbolism, character development, and the Force to create one of the most enduring myths of the modern era. Because if the Force can bind the galaxy together, it can probably hold a classroom's attention for fifty-two minutes.

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In this year’s second installment of Star Wars 101, Din from F-105 joins my English classes to explore the causes and consequences of galactic conflict in a galaxy far, far away. Because sometimes the best way to understand the real world is to analyze a fictional one filled with space wizards and laser swords.

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Star Wars 101 is back! Join us for the first installment is our annual summer series in which middle school English students do their best to break down the themes and character arcs of the Star Wars saga. In this episode, we are joined by educator, podcaster, and cosplayer extraordinaire Jay Krebs!

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For this installment in our Steven Spielberg series, we unpack A.I. — the feel-good family story about replacing your dead child with an upgraded model. We’re talking abandoned robot children, existential loneliness, uncanny smiles, fairy tale symbolism, and why this movie somehow feels like both a warm hug and a psychological evaluation. Also: the tonal whiplash of watching a sweet robot boy wander through a world that...

In Minority Report, people are judged before they act—which hits a little close to home, because we definitely formed strong opinions early and spent the rest of the episode trying to justify them. Join us for the latest installment in our Steven Spielberg series as we wrestle with pre-crime, free will, and a movie that’s clearly operating on a higher level than we are. The system isn’t broken… we just keep...

In War of the Worlds, global annihilation isn’t stopped by genius alien tech or tactical brilliance—it’s ultimately halted by Earth’s smallest, least cinematic residents: germs. Join us for the latest entry in our ongoing series on Steven Spielberg films—and the third in a miniseries exploring alien invasions—as we deconstruct the film’s cinematic craft alongside its panic-fueled chaos and ...

The third episode of our Spielberg series covers E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and explores how one glowing finger traumatized a generation, turned bikes into pedal-powered UFOs, and made Reese’s Pieces an emotional bribe. We break down suburban chaos, DIY alien tech, government creeps, and the subtle art of guilt-tripping kids via extraterrestrial manipulation. Snark, nostalgia, and your tear ducts are officially invited—...

For the second stop in our Spielberg deep dive, we’re landing straight in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. From the five-note tune that ruins lives to mashed potato mountains, we dissect all the weird, wonderful, and downright confusing choices that make this sci-fi classic unforgettable.

Expect snark, speculation, and some obsessive breakdowns of our own. Whether you’re a casual viewer, a die-hard Steven Spielberg ...

We’re kicking off our Steven Spielberg series with Jaws, the movie that made beaches terrifying and mechanical sharks famous. Spielberg turns a busted shark into pure panic, proving he’s the master of suspense and blockbuster terror. Dive in as we break down every scream, every shadow, and why this 1975 classic still bites decades later—just don’t go near the water afterward.

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If you could snap your fingers and assemble the ultimate movie dream team, who’s on your list? The director who actually gets it, the writer who really writes, the composer who makes you feel things, and the actors who could carry it all. In this episode, your three regular podcast hosts—joined by guests Dan Zehr and Jeff McGee—draft their own fantasy crews to build the “perfect” movie. Along the way, ...

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer isn’t just about explosions—it’s a visual and emotional symphony. In “Oppenheimer - Part Two: Faces, Places, and Consequences,” the final episode in our series on Nolan’s films, we unpack the costumes, makeup, set design, and how every character choice builds tension and guilt. All served up with the surgical snark you’ve come to expect.

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Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, hits like a ticking bomb. In “Oppenheimer - Part One: Light, Sound, and Panic,” the penultimate entry in our series on Nolan’s films, we break down why. From cinematography that could start wars to sound design that rattles your soul and dialogue sharper than a physicist’s temper, this episode dives deep into the film’s craft. Snark, insight, and existential ...

For this year’s “Star Wars Podcast Day," we go back into the archives for one of our first deconstructions and revisit an early episode of “Coruscant Community College” in which we break down Solo: A Star Wars Story.

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Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a 5-star review! 

Hosts:

• Craig Dickinson: x.com/CraigMDickinson
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