Happy Gilmore is back – but should he have stayed in retirement? ⛳️

In our Hall of Fame/Lame: Adam Sandler episode, the original Happy Gilmore swung straight into our Hall of Fame. But how does Happy Gilmore 2 stack up nearly 30 years later? Sequels this far removed rarely hit the mark, and with critics split down the middle, we’re here to break it all down.

We kick things off spoiler-free with our first impressions before heading into full spoiler territory in the second half. Does this sequel deserve a green jacket, or is it headed for the sand trap?

Agree with our score? What films do you want to see covered in our Reel Kwik series? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:13:35 - Spoiler-Free Thoughts

00:36:02 - Full Spoiler Review

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It’s been a while since we’ve done one of our Icon episodes, but we’re back with a true legend of Old Hollywood: Cary Grant. Effortlessly suave, endlessly charming, and one of cinema’s greatest leading men, Grant’s career defined an era and left behind a legacy that continues to influence film today.

Join Rachael as she takes you on a journey through the extraordinary life of this timeless star — from his early days to his rise as Hollywood royalty. Along the way, we’ll be celebrating three of his most iconic films: the glamorous caper To Catch a Thief, the thrilling Hitchcock classic North by Northwest, and the stylish romantic mystery Charade.

So grab your popcorn and a martini (shaken with impeccable sophistication, of course) and settle in as we shine the spotlight on Cary Grant — the man who made charm look effortless.

Any Cary Grant specific memories? Is there another icon you'd like to see us cover in a future instalment? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:08:08 - Cary Grant Pt 1

00:16:00 - To Catch a Thief

00:27:27 - Cary Grant Pt 2

00:31:34 - North By Northwest

00:44:23 - Charade

00:53:13 - Cary Grant Pt 4

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It’s Reel Kwik time, and this week we’re marching straight into Alex Garland & Ray Mendoza’s Warfare. As huge fans of Garland’s previous work, we were excited to see him team up with Mendoza — a former Navy SEAL whose real-life experiences helped shape the film’s brutally immersive portrait of frontline combat.

Does Warfare carry the same punch as Ex Machina or Annihilation? And, more importantly, where does it sit within the broader canon of war films? We break down how Garland’s cinematic instincts and Mendoza’s lived experience combine on screen, whether the movie earns its place among modern war classics, and how its real-time structure and procedural focus affect the tension and storytelling.

With a stacked cast of young, up-and-coming talent anchored by powerful lead turns, the film pulses with urgency and authenticity. We dissect the performances, the technical craft, the pacing, and the ethical weight of translating trauma to the screen — and finally ask: is this a future classic, a necessary document, or something more complicated?

Tune in for spoiler and non-spoiler takes, scene breakdowns, and a proper debate on where Warfare ranks — both in Garland’s filmography and in war cinema as a whole.

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Dan’s pick: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. Dale’s pick: 3 Ninjas. Rach’s pick: Spice World. Are these films actually any good? Probably not. But that’s not the point. It’s about stepping back into a time when these films meant the world to us.

The concept is simple: each of us brings a film to fit the theme, at least one person hasn’t seen it before, and when we watch, it’s no phones, no distractions – full attention. What did the others think of these nostalgic gems? Tune in to find out.

Which theme do you want to see us tackle next? What's a film you'd bring to the table for this theme? Let us know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:07:22 - 3 Ninjas

00:25:03 - Spice World

00:44:00 - Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie

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Disney’s latest live-action Snow White remake has been review-bombed worse than the Evil Queen’s temper—so is the hate deserved? In this episode, we give you our spoiler-free take: does it hold up at all against the beloved original, or is it just another step down the slippery slope of live-action remakes?

Then, for those brave enough, we dive full spoilers: plot twists, character choices, and all the juicy bits that will make you question whether this film finally course-corrects Disney’s remake strategy—or keeps following the same unwanted path.

Agree with our score? What films do you want to see covered in our Reel Kwik series? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:24:19 - Spoiler-Free Thoughts

00:51:25 - Full Spoiler Review

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎬 It’s Part 2 of the A-Z of Films: B Edition!

Last week, Blade Runner powered through the first half of the draw, earning its place in the ultimate final. With Alien already crowned the definitive A film, Ridley Scott is looking pretty pleased with himself right now… but the job’s not done yet.

This week, we dive into the other 16 best films beginning with B, with every chaotic match-up once again decided by the Wheel of Names. By the end, we’ll have our second finalist ready to face Blade Runner for the crown of The Third Reel’s definitive B film.

A quick refresher: We started with 32 of the best and most diverse films beginning with the letter A, battling it out in a tournament-style showdown. Round by round—from the Round of 32 to the Sweet 16, then the Quarterfinals, Semis, and the Final—we’re narrowing it down to just one champion.

Are there any films you think we missed in our list of B films? Any ones you want to see included in future letters? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:04:30 - Round of 16

01:11:20 - Quarters

01:18:30 - Semis

01:23:25 - Final

01:24:37 - Ultimate Final

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🎬 The A-Z of Films is back, and it’s time for the letter B!

Here’s how it works: we’ve shortlisted 32 of the best films starting with B (that we’ve seen), and a trusty Wheel of Names decides the match-ups. Some pairings might make no sense—but that’s exactly what makes it fun and chaotic!

This is Part 1 of 2, with Part 2 dropping next week. In a traditional knockout competition, this week’s winner will face next week’s winner to see which film claims the crown as The Third Reel’s definitive B film.

For reference, Ridley Scott’s Alien took the A competition—so who will triumph this time? Will Back to the Future speed to victory? Can Batman dominate the field? Or will Scott strike again with Blade Runner? Tune in to find out!

Are there any films you think we missed in our list of A films? Any ones you want to see included in future letters? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:11:29 - Round of 16

01:18:32 - Quarters

01:27:12 - Semis

01:34:46 - Final

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“Look Up”… no really, look up — because the Man of Steel is back! 🦸‍♂️

Our latest Kwik Episode takes to the skies with Superman (2025), James Gunn’s first step into the brand-new DCU.

From Christopher Reeve’s charm to Henry Cavill’s grit (and maybe one we’d rather forget 👀), Superman has had more reboots than the Batmobile has upgrades — so how does this new take measure up?

Join us as we give our spoiler-free thoughts, then soar straight into full spoiler territory faster than a speeding bullet.

Agree with our score? What films do you want to see covered in our Reel Kwik series? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through TikTok and Instagram @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:15:58 - Spoiler-Free Thoughts

00:40:40 - Full Spoiler Review

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.