Feels Over Reels and Pop Culture Appeal

Episode 42: The Last of Us Season 2 series finale

In this episode of Feels Over Reels, hosts Chris Farrell, Matt Gastar, and Ron Newman delve into a detailed discussion about the season finale of 'The Last of Us.' They share their mixed reactions, with Matt expressing disappointment and Ron offering a balanced view. Key plot points and character developments are analyzed, particularly focusing on the fates of Ellie, Jesse, Dina, and Abby. They also compare the second season to the first, debating the pacing and standout episodes. The episode wraps up with thoughts on the future seasons and brief plugs for the hosts' social media channels and upcoming projects.

Episode 42: Sinners, Andor Season Finale and Season 2

In this episode of Feels Over Reels, hosts Chris Farrell, Ron Newman, and Matt Gastar dive deep into their review of the film 'Sinners.' They first offer a non-spoiler review highlighting its strong points like the dramatic narrative, horror elements, and significant performances from Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld, among others. The conversation transitions into a spoiler-filled discussion exploring key plot twists, character arcs, and thematic elements, including racial themes and vampire lore. The episode continues with a detailed recap of 'Andor' Season 2, emphasizing its stronger narrative arcs, elevated stakes, and significant character development compared to other Star Wars shows. They also reflect on how the show's budget and thematic depth place it as a standout in the Star Wars franchise. 
 
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:12 Review of 'Sinners' - Non-Spoiler
05:32 Deep Dive into 'Sinners' - Spoilers Ahead!
22:58 Discussion on 'Andor' Season 2
30:19 Discussing Character Dynamics and Plot Twists
31:07 The Ruthlessness of the Empire and Rebellion
32:42 Key Scenes and Emotional Moments
34:31 The Politics and Paranoia in Star Wars
36:08 Character Arcs and Sacrifices
39:11 Speculations and Future of Star Wars
53:43 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Episode 41: Last of Us (Ep 4), Andor (Ep. 4-6), Thunderbolts

In this episode of Feels Of Reel's podcast, hosts Chris Farrell, Matt Gastar, and Ron Newman dive into a detailed discussion on 'The Last of Us' episode 4, 'Thunderbolts' movie review, and a quick touch on multiple new releases. They kick off with a three-episode analysis of 'Andor' episodes 4, 5, and 6, exploring themes of espionage and internal distrust within factions. The conversation then shifts to 'The Last of Us' episode titled 'Day One,' where they discuss the unfolding tension in Seattle and the intimate character dynamics. Finally, they delve into the 'Thunderbolts' movie, providing a comprehensive non-spoiler and spoiler review, focusing on character arcs, themes, and the broader MCU context. 
 
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:12 Andor Episodes 4-6 Discussion
00:49 Spy Themes and Character Analysis
02:43 Comparisons to Other Shows
04:11 Character Dynamics and Plot Twists
13:46 The Last of Us Season 2 Discussion
31:56 Thunderbolts Movie Review
39:40 Discussing the Movie's Focus and Stakes
40:14 Comparing Recent Marvel Movies
41:25 Revisiting Black Widow
42:43 Spoiler Alert: Character Analysis
43:50 The Evolution of Bob's Powers
47:33 Taskmaster and Other Characters
52:47 Where Are the Avengers?
01:07:44 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
01:08:43 Plugs and Sign-Off

Episode 40: Andor Season 2 (Ep 1,2,3), Last of Us Season 2 (Ep. 2,3)

In this episode of Feels Over Reels, hosts Chris Farrell, Matt Gastar, and Ron Newman dive into the much-anticipated return of Andor, with three new episodes exploring political machinations and character developments. THey also discuss the second and third episodes of The Last of Us Season 2, discussing the shocking events and emotional moments. The hosts share their insights, make comparisons to the video games, and discuss the narratives and character arcs in detail.
 
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:13 Discussing Andor's Return
01:03 Episode Breakdown: Andor Season 2
03:17 Cassian's Escape and Rebel Infighting
03:54 Mon Mothma's Struggles
06:17 Rebel Group Dynamics
09:18 Cyril and Deidre's Relationship
15:26 Mon Mothma's Sacrifices
19:32 Final Thoughts on Episodes
23:28 Paranoia in the Jungle
24:59 Speculations and Theories
25:48 The Last of Us: Episode 2 Breakdown
42:08 The Last of Us: Episode 3 Breakdown
48:21 Final Thoughts and Plugs

Episode 39: The Last of Us, Daredevil Reborn

In this episode of Feels Over Reels, hosts Chris Farrell, Matt Gastar, and Ron Newman discuss 'The Last of Us' Season 2 premiere and the overall season of 'Daredevil: Born Again'. The conversation includes insights into how closely the show follows the video game, the reception of new character developments, and the potential future directions for both series. They also delve into the dynamics between Ellie and Joel in 'The Last of Us', the brutal intensity of 'Daredevil', and the future involvement of other Marvel characters. 
 
00:13 The Last of Us Season 2 Premiere Discussion
00:43 Comparing Game and Show Experiences
01:39 Character Dynamics and Story Predictions
16:52 Zombie Evolution and Survival Tactics
25:26 Daredevil: Born Again Finale Review
29:11 Discussing Day-to-Day Work and Netflix's Violent Content
29:41 Surprising Turn in the Series Finale
30:34 Censorship and Ratings in TV Shows
31:21 Comparing Daredevil to Other Marvel Shows
33:23 Daredevil's Moral Dilemma and Fight Scenes
35:57 Speculating on Superhero Interventions
41:50 Team Daredevil and Potential Allies
46:23 Future of Marvel Shows and Characters
50:30 Final Thoughts and Plugs

Episode 38: The Monkey

In this episode of Feels over Reels, hosts Chris Farrell, Matt Gastar, and Ron Newman discuss their predictions for the upcoming Oscars, focusing on the top categories like Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress. They explore strong contenders such as 'Dune Part 2,' 'The Brutalist,' and 'Anora.' The second part of the episode is dedicated to a review of 2025’s comedy-horror film, 'The Monkey,' based on Stephen King's short story. They provide their non-spoiler and spoiler-filled thoughts on the film, including its kills, comedy elements, and overall storytelling. The hosts also delve into the impact of trailers revealing too much and how it affected their viewing experience. The episode wraps up with plugs for the hosts’ social media and upcoming projects.
 
00:00 Welcome to Fields Over Reels
00:13 Oscar Predictions: Best Picture
05:44 Oscar Predictions: Best Director
07:30 Oscar Predictions: Best Actor
10:59 Oscar Predictions: Best Actress
13:27 Review of 2025's The Monkey
21:14 The Monkey: Spoiler Discussion
23:50 The Babysitter's Death and the Monkey's Curse
24:29 A Series of Unfortunate Deaths
26:19 The Trailer Spoilers
30:56 The Monkey's Lore and Logic
38:49 Final Thoughts and Rants
45:08 Plugs and Farewells

Episode 37: Year Long Anniversary: Mortal Kombat (1995) Watch Along!

On this Episode of Feels over Reels we celebrate our year long anniversary of this podcast by joining our hosts  Chris Farrell, Matt Gastar, Ron Newman for a full watch along of 1995's Mortal Kombat! Line up your own copy of Mortal Kombat and watch along with our hosts!

Episode 36: Captain America (Brave New World)

In this episode of 'Feels Over Reels,' hosts Chris Farrell, Matt Gastar, and Ron Newman dive into a discussion about the latest Captain America movie, 'Captain America: Brave New World.' The conversation touches on Sam Wilson's debut as Captain America, played by Anthony Mackie, and features performances by Harrison Ford and others. The hosts share their overall impressions, noting the film's heavy reliance on nostalgia and its continuation from the 'Falcon and Winter Soldier' series. They express mixed feelings about the film's villains, plot development, and its contribution to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. The episode wraps up with their individual recommendations and some nitpicks about character dynamics and plot choices.
 
00:00 Introduction and Hosts Introduction
00:16 Initial Reactions to Captain America: Brave New World
01:39 Non-Spoiler Review of Captain America: Brave New World
02:14 Detailed Character and Performance Analysis
04:54 General Thoughts and Recommendations
12:01 Spoiler Discussion
25:33 Anticipating Avengers vs. X-Men
25:55 Secret Wars Speculations
27:34 Harrison Ford's Subplot
28:53 Captain America's Dilemma
31:56 Red Hulk Showdown
34:27 Final Thoughts and Nitpicks
44:35 Upcoming Movie Reviews and Plugs

Episode 35: Presence, Companion

In this episode of 'Feels over Reels,' hosts Chris Farrell, Matt Gastar, and Ron Newman delve into two recent horror movies: 'Presence' and 'Companion.' The discussion starts with a non-spoiler review of 'Presence,' directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan, and explores its unique ghostly POV and family dynamics. The hosts then switch to 'Companion,' a sci-fi horror directed by Drew Hancock, featuring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, and discuss its intriguing blend of AI and dystopian themes. 
 
00:14 Non-Spoiler Review of 'Presence'
01:45 Discussion on Movie's Unique POV
02:33 Family Dynamics and Performances
04:25 Overall Impressions and Recommendations
06:47 Box Office Performance and Marketing
08:27 Spoiler Review of 'Presence'
22:09 Theories and Interpretations
26:39 Introduction to 'Companion'
28:34 Discussing the Movie's Plot and Characters
29:44 General Thoughts on the Movie
30:04 Avoiding Spoilers and Trailer Talk
31:06 Twists and Turns in the Movie
32:36 Themes and Comparisons to Other Movies
35:14 The Big Reveal and Its Impact
36:49 Philosophical Questions and AI
43:10 Climactic Fight and Ending
47:46 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
51:11 Plugs and Sign-Off

Episode 34: Wolfman

In this episode of the Feels Over Reels podcast, hosts Chris Farrell, Matt Gastar, and Ron Newman dive into the discussion about the latest Razzie nominations. They highlight some notable contenders for worst picture including 'Borderlands', 'Joker 2', 'Madam Web', 'Megalopolis', and 'Reagan'. The trio offers their opinions on each film's failings with particular disdain for 'Madam Web' and 'Borderlands'. Later, they shift gears to review 'Wolfman' (2025), providing a detailed analysis and spoiler-filled discussion of the film. They address various aspects such as story coherence, film direction, character portrayals, and compare its approach to classic werewolf lore. While opinions vary, there's a consensus that 'Wolfman' offers a mixed bag of tense moments marred by pacing and narrative issues.
 
00:14 Discussing the Razzies: Worst Picture Nominations
01:40 Debating the Worst Picture: Borderlands vs. Madam Web
11:07 Worst Actor and Actress Nominations
16:25 Prequels, Remakes, and Sequels: The Worst of the Worst
19:52 Wolfman 2025: Non-Spoiler Review
25:21 Should You Watch It?
25:38 Diverse Opinions on the Movie
26:56 Comparing to Other Films
28:22 Spoiler Alert: Plot Breakdown
32:58 Character Dynamics and Performances
38:49 Werewolf Lore and Movie Critique
50:15 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
53:05 Plugs and Sign-Off