The Reel Critic Podcast
1) "The Smashing Machine": A love letter to MMA
Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine” follows real-life pioneering MMA fighter Mark Kerr — played by former wrestler Dwayne Johnson — as he fights to the top of his career while battling personal har...Show More
2) “One Battle After Another” is "frenetic, chaotic and just plain weird"
Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest film “One Battle After Another” is an action thriller following ex-revolutionary Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio) who must rescue his daughter, Willa (Chase Infi...Show More
3) Family, football and faith in “HIM”
From director Justin Tipping and Jordan Peele's Monkey Paw Productions, new film "HIM" asks: "What is the price of success?" After enduring a career-threatening injury, pro-football prospect Cameron C...Show More
4) "Love, Brooklyn" is full of mixed messages, dishonesty and smooth tension
“Love, Brooklyn” is a refreshing film capturing Black love in the big city. As Brooklyn is constantly evolving, Roger (André Holland) finds himself appreciating the change yet also longing for the pas...Show More
5) “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is a mysterious blood bath
After five friends reunite for an engagement party, their night takes a sudden turn when a man dies. Although they hide their involvement, someone finds out and is determined to make them pay. “I Know...Show More
6) “Highest 2 Lowest” is a provocative look at culture and legacy
Spike Lee’s newest joint "Highest 2 Lowest" finds music mogul David King (Denzel Washington) in the middle of a life-or-death ransom plot and a moral dilemma – questioning whether a contract makes the...Show More
7) ‘Ballerina’ does the ‘John Wick’ legacy proud
Ana de Armas stars in this action-packed continuation of the ‘John Wick’ franchise. We find her as Eve Macarro, an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma, as she seeks revenge against he...Show More
8) Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio return in the latest ‘Karate Kid’ installment
In this new installment of the ‘Karate Kid’ film franchise, kung fu prodigy Li Fong must let go of his past in order to fit in with his new classmates. But when a friend needs his help, Li enters a ka...Show More
Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio return in the latest ‘Karate Kid’ installment
03:30 | May 29th, 2025
9) ‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning’ explores how “our lives are the sum of our choices”
Tom Cruise returns for signature action stunts in this newest (but maybe not-so-final) installment of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise. He stars once again as Ethan Hunt, agent of the Impossible Mi...Show More
10) ‘Another Simple Favor’ is not exactly simple, and not exactly a favor
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reprise their roles as Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson in ‘Another Simple Favor.’ Smothers travels to Italy to be the maid of honor to Nelson — but soon begins to su...Show More