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
‘Juror #2’ breaks little new ground
When family man Justin Kemp winds up as a jury member of a high profile murder trial, he struggles with a moral dilemma that may influence whether the accused killer is convicted or set free in 'Juro…
00:03:06 |
Fri 06 Dec 2024
Holy horror: ‘Heretic’ explores the dark side of devotion
A24’s new psychological thriller ‘Heretic’ follows two young religious missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), as they spend the day knocking on doors to spread …
00:03:18 |
Fri 15 Nov 2024
John David Washington says his role in ‘The Piano Lesson’ made him a better artist
Malcolm Washington directs a new adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play ‘The Piano Lesson,’ which was featured at the Chicago International Film Festival. On the red carpet at the festival before it…
00:02:49 |
Fri 08 Nov 2024
‘Here’ brings audiences on a journey through the past
Robert Zemeckis’ new film ‘Here,’ adapted from Richard McGuire's graphic novel, depicts a family across a century of generations in the same home. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film’s nonl…
00:03:49 |
Tue 05 Nov 2024
Adam Elliot hopes 'Memoir of a Snail' makes audiences laugh and cry
Ten years in the making, adult stop-motion film ‘Memoir of a Snail’ (2024) follows Grace Pudel, an oddball outcast and snail collector who must learn to persevere through loneliness and misfortune.
…
00:04:27 |
Fri 25 Oct 2024
‘The Piano Lesson’ adaptation opens Chicago International Film Festival
At the 60th Annual Chicago International Film Festival, Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder spoke with director Malcolm Washington about his directorial debut: an adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play …
00:02:49 |
Fri 18 Oct 2024
‘Joker’ sequel “intrigues, but doesn’t quite satisfy”
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker’ sequel – ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ The film finds failed comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) — AKA the Joker — incarcerated at Arkham S…
00:03:44 |
Thu 10 Oct 2024
'Young King' puts the spotlight on Black life and love
New film ‘Young King’ follows Diondre Howell, a young man re-adjusting to civilian life after serving in the Iraq war. Howell finds himself changed after the traumas of combat, now struggling to main…
00:04:10 |
Tue 24 Sep 2024
The underdogs: Three reviews from Toronto International Film Festival
Film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder loves an underdog. After attending this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, he added three new films to his “underdog exceeding all expectations” c…
00:04:25 |
Wed 18 Sep 2024
‘1992’ blends familial bonds with fiery historical conflict
‘1992’ follows two father-son pairs against the backdrop of the year’s Rodney King riots. One father, Mercer, has just been released from prison and given custody of his teenage son Antoine. The oth…
00:03:16 |
Fri 30 Aug 2024
Blink Twice’ asks: “Is forgetting a gift?”
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, a chilling psychological thriller exploring power, possessiveness and patriarchy. ‘Blink Twice’ follows Frida (…
00:03:13 |
Mon 26 Aug 2024
‘Rob Peace’ is a “stirring commentary on the human condition”
Chiwetel Ejiofore’s film ‘Rob Peace’ follows the life and early death of a young man who risks everything to help his imprisoned father. It was based on the 2014 biography ‘The Short and Tragic Life …
00:03:35 |
Fri 16 Aug 2024
The Reel Critic: ‘Sing Sing’ champions the human spirit
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on Greg Kwedar’s 2023 film ‘Sing Sing,’ which follows true events surrounding a group of incarcerated men as they stage a comedic theatrical produc…
00:02:42 |
Fri 09 Aug 2024
Producers of ‘Sing Sing’ say vulnerability brings us closer together
New film ‘Sing Sing’ follows the real-life story of a group of men who, while incarcerated at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison in Ossining, New York, explore life’s purpose and vulnerability as they…
00:07:53 |
Thu 08 Aug 2024
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ unites unlikely friends and foes
‘Deadpool & Wolverine' debuts an unprecedented friendship fighting against evils new to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) learns his world is on the brink of extinction, h…
00:03:04 |
Mon 29 Jul 2024
Music-based film ‘Dandelion’ explores power, passion and second chances
Nicole Riegel’s 2024 film ‘Dandelion’ follows Theresa — A.K.A Dandelion — a struggling singer-songwriter who books a last-effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota before giving up on her drea…
00:05:24 |
Thu 11 Jul 2024
New series ‘The Big Cigar’ follows Huey P. Newton’s escape to Cuba
From directors Don Cheadle, Tiffany Johnson and Damon Thomas, limited series ‘The Big Cigar’ tells the story of Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton. When Newton must escape to Cuba, he enlists…
00:07:18 |
Thu 11 Jul 2024
In ‘Sing Sing,’ an arts program in a prison stokes empathy and compassion
Based on a true story, ‘Sing Sing’ centers the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison in upstate New York. Incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, Divine G (…
00:04:51 |
Tue 09 Jul 2024
‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ is silently captivating
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on ‘A Quiet Place: Day One,’ the thrilling prequel to the post-apocalyptic series. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the film follows Samira, a termina…
00:03:18 |
Fri 05 Jul 2024
The Reel Critic Explores The Origins of Furiosa
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on the newest addition to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise, ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.’ Set against the backdrop of a war-torn landscape, this female revenge…
00:03:33 |
Fri 24 May 2024
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