The Reel Critic
A breakdown of box office numbers and "reel talk" on the latest movies with Reggie Ponder.
- Update frequency
- every 5 days
- Average duration
- 7 minutes
- Episodes
- 211
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
"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 pa…
00:03:50 |
Fri 05 Sep 2025
“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 Kno…
00:02:57 |
Fri 22 Aug 2025
“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 th…
00:03:27 |
Thu 21 Aug 2025
Family over fame in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”
When astronauts Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm — played by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn, respectively — return home from space, they discove…
00:02:49 |
Thu 14 Aug 2025
‘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 h…
00:03:09 |
Thu 05 Jun 2025
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 k…
00:03:30 |
Thu 29 May 2025
‘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 M…
00:03:40 |
Fri 23 May 2025
‘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 s…
00:03:24 |
Fri 02 May 2025
‘The Accountant 2’ has laughs, suspense and heart
Ben Affleck is Christian Wolff — AKA “The Accountant” — back for a lethal sequel. After an acquaintance is murdered, Wolff teams up with his brother Brax (Jon Bernthal) to solve the case. When the tw…
00:03:10 |
Thu 24 Apr 2025
'Sinners' is a cautionary tale through music history
When twin brothers return home to Mississippi for a fresh start, they uncover something far more evil than what they left behind. Michael B. Jordan stars as both twins, Smoke and Stack in ‘Sinners,’ …
00:03:32 |
Fri 18 Apr 2025
‘The Amateur’ is not just another revenge film
Rami Malek stars as CIA decoder Charlie Heller, whose world comes to a halt when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. When his superiors don’t take action, Heller embarks on a dangerous journey …
00:02:45 |
Fri 11 Apr 2025
‘Novocaine’ is a stomach flipping rom-com-turned-bank-heist
Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) is an introverted assistant manager at a trust credit union with an interesting condition: He can’t feel pain. When his crush-slash-coworker Sherry is kidnapped in a bank ro…
00:03:33 |
Thu 13 Mar 2025
'Daughters' is a powerful documentary touching on love, loss and redemption
2024 documentary 'Daughters' follows four young girls as they prepare to reunite with their fathers for a special Daddy Daughter Dance at a fatherhood program in a DC jail. Reggie "The Reel Critic" P…
00:03:12 |
Fri 07 Mar 2025
Melanin, Roots, and Culture returns to celebrate Black History Month at the Music Box Theatre
Yearly film series Melanin, Roots, and Culture celebrates Black stories and filmmakers at the Music Box Theatre, wrapping up tonight with “Life Within The Lens” — a short film screening showcasing Ch…
00:06:00 |
Tue 25 Feb 2025
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ is about “redemption, revenge and renewal”
In this latest Marvel Studios offering, Steve Wilson — previously the Falcon, now the new Captain America — finds himself in the middle of an international incident after meeting with president Thadd…
00:03:00 |
Tue 25 Feb 2025
Ke Huy Quan stars in Valentine’s-themed action film ‘Love Hurts’
Action comedy ‘Love Hurts’ follows Milwaukee realtor Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan), who is shocked to receive a letter from Rose (Ariana DeBose): his former partner-in-crime who he left for dead. Pulled…
00:03:35 |
Fri 14 Feb 2025
'One of Them Days' has "heart, humor and humanity"
When Alyssa's (SZA) boyfriend blows their rent money, she and her best friend-slash-roommate Dreux (KeKe Palmer) race against the clock to pay their rent, avoid an eviction and keep their friendship …
00:03:41 |
Fri 17 Jan 2025
In 'Unstoppable,' wrestler Anthony Robles' journey stands out as a story for the ages
Based on a true story, 2024 film 'Unstoppable' is a story of strength, perseverance and defying the odds. It follows Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome), a determined wrestler born with one leg, on his j…
00:02:54 |
Fri 10 Jan 2025
‘Albany Road’ explores resentment, reconciliation and repentance
Contributing film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says new film ‘Albany Road’ is a fun and interesting look at love. Celeste Simmons (Reneé Elise Goldsberry) is a New York business executive p…
00:03:40 |
Fri 13 Dec 2024
‘The Piano Lesson’ challenges viewers to confront their past and consider their legacy
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews the new film adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play ‘The Piano Lesson.’ The story follows the Charles family of Pittsburgh during the Great Depression’s afte…
00:03:07 |
Fri 06 Dec 2024
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