Reading Between the Reels: Film analysis with snark and heart

Craig Dickinson, Corey Heitschmidt, and Justin Eldon

Reading Between the Reels dives deep into your favorite movies with sharp wit and genuine passion. We blend biting snark and heartfelt insights to uncover the hidden layers, flaws, and brilliance that make films unforgettable. If you love honest, fun, and slightly chaotic film talk, this is the podcast for you.

  1. 28 JAN

    RBR #136: “Tenet - Part Two: Cause Is Effect”

    In the conclusion of our two-part Tenet breakdown, we examine the film’s performances, set design, and characters—all in hopes of unpacking one of the movie’s most brain-melting ideas: when cause becomes effect and effect becomes… something else entirely. We dig into the film’s warped logic, inverted motivations, and why the time rules in Tenet feel like they were written on a whiteboard during a caffeine-induced panic attack. Whether you love the puzzle or just pretend to understand it, this episode is your gateway into the film’s backwards-forwards reasoning and why the narrative somehow works even when the reasoning doesn’t. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a 5-star review!    Hosts: Craig Dickinson: x.com/CraigMDickinson Corey Heitschmidt: x.com/HeitSolo Justin Eldon: x.com/justineldon7   Connect with us:  Website: readingbetweenthereels.podbean.com X: x.com/ReadBtweenReels Facebook: facebook.com/ReadBtweenReels Email: ReadingBetweenReels@gmail.com SpeakPipe: speakpipe.com/ReadingBetweentheReels   You can also join our Facebook group. It’s a safe place to share your thoughts and discuss all things related to movies. You can find us at facebook.com/groups/readbtweenreels   Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, and more!   If you are interesting in advertising on this podcast, please go to: podbean.com/advertiseonRBR   The following music was used for this media project: Music: "Neon Fury" by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/12190-neon-fury License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    1h 17m
  2. 14 JAN

    RBR #135: “Tenet - Part One: The Beginning Is the End”

    Strap in, reverse your entropy, and whisper “pincer movement” like you actually know what it means. In this episode, we launch Part I of our two-episode deep dive into Christopher Nolan’s mind-melting blockbuster Tenet. We’ll unravel (or re-ravel?) the film’s bold structure, its signature Nolan time shenanigans, and why every character sounds like they’re delivering plot exposition into a blender set to “Maximum Confusion Mode.” We’ll begin breaking down the filmmaking choices, the visual puzzles, the sound mix controversies (hello, muffled masks!), and that moment when Pattinson flexes his “I read the script twice” energy at the audience. If you’ve ever wanted to understand Tenet… or at least pretend convincingly at parties… this is your moment. Part 2 is already waiting for you. Or maybe you’ve heard it already. Time is weird. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a 5-star review!    Hosts: Craig Dickinson: x.com/CraigMDickinson Corey Heitschmidt: x.com/HeitSolo Justin Eldon: x.com/justineldon7   Connect with us:  Website: readingbetweenthereels.podbean.com X: x.com/ReadBtweenReels Facebook: facebook.com/ReadBtweenReels Email: ReadingBetweenReels@gmail.com SpeakPipe: speakpipe.com/ReadingBetweentheReels   You can also join our Facebook group. It’s a safe place to share your thoughts and discuss all things related to movies. You can find us at facebook.com/groups/readbtweenreels   Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, and more!   If you are interesting in advertising on this podcast, please go to: podbean.com/advertiseonRBR   The following music was used for this media project: Music: "Neon Fury" by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/12190-neon-fury License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    45 min
  3. 24/12/2025 · BONUS

    “Die Hard: Yippee-Ki-Yule” (Christmas Re-Release)

    Brace yourself for a holly-jolly hostage situation! This special Christmas bonus re-release of Reading Between the Reels is decking the halls… and the villains. From John McClane’s barefoot antics to explosive corporate holiday parties, we reveal why Die Hard is the ultimate Christmas movie you secretly love (or pretend to hate).   Originally released in 1988, Die Hard defied low expectations to become a critical and financial hit, introduced Alan Rickman to the world, solidified Bruce Willis as a movie star, and inspired an entire sub-genre of action films. On this episode, guest co-host Jeff McGee returns to help deconstruct the film, share his insights, and explain why Santa might be coming to town… but he’s definitely taking notes from Hans Gruber. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a 5-star review!    Hosts: Craig Dickinson: x.com/CraigMDickinson Corey Heitschmidt: x.com/HeitSolo Justin Eldon: x.com/justineldon7   Connect with us:  Website: readingbetweenthereels.podbean.com X x.com/ReadBtweenReels Facebook: facebook.com/ReadBtweenReels Email: ReadingBetweenReels@gmail.com SpeakPipe: speakpipe.com/ReadingBetweentheReels   You can also join our Facebook group. It’s a safe place to share your thoughts and discuss all things related to movies. You can find us at facebook.com/groups/readbtweenreels   Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, and more!   Connect with Jeff on X: x.com/TheJeffMcGee Check out the “Audio Advent Calendar” and all of Jeff’s other shows at marvindogmedia.com and anywhere you listen to podcasts!   If you are interesting in advertising on this podcast, please go to: podbean.com/advertiseonRBR   The following music was used for this media project: Music: "Neon Fury" by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/12190-neon-fury License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    58 min
  4. 10/12/2025

    RBR #134: “Dunkirk: Nolan’s 3 Timelines, Zero Chill”

    In this episode, we dive into Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk—the movie that weaponizes sound design, disorientation, and narrative chaos to make you feel like you’re drowning in tension even when the characters aren’t in the water (yet). We break down the film’s infamous three timelines, why Nolan thinks clocks are a personality trait, and how the movie somehow maintains zero chill for 106 minutes straight. We also talk about Hans Zimmer’s “I hope you like panic attacks” score, Tom Hardy acting exclusively with his eyeballs, and Nolan’s ongoing war against traditional storytelling. If you’ve ever wondered why Dunkirk feels like a cinematic escape room run by a sadistic genius, this is your episode. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a 5-star review!    Hosts: Craig Dickinson: x.com/CraigMDickinson Corey Heitschmidt: x.com/HeitSolo Justin Eldon: x.com/justineldon7   Connect with us:  Website: readingbetweenthereels.podbean.com X: x.com/ReadBtweenReels Facebook: facebook.com/ReadBtweenReels Email: ReadingBetweenReels@gmail.com SpeakPipe: speakpipe.com/ReadingBetweentheReels   You can also join our Facebook group. It’s a safe place to share your thoughts and discuss all things related to movies. You can find us at facebook.com/groups/readbtweenreels   Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, and more!   If you are interesting in advertising on this podcast, please go to: podbean.com/advertiseonRBR   The following music was used for this media project: Music: "Neon Fury" by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/12190-neon-fury License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    1h 3m
  5. 26/11/2025

    RBR #133: “Interstellar - Part Two: Love, Lies & the 5th Dimension of Confusion”

    We’re back on the other side of the black hole — emotionally and maybe spiritually. In Part Two of our deep dive into Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, we unpack Cooper’s bookshelf breakdown, the emotional math of Murph’s ghost, and whether “love” was actually the answer or just Nolan trolling us all. Expect equal parts awe, analysis, and exasperation. Bring tissues… and maybe a physics degree. And as a bonus, we are joined by Jeff McGee and Pam Johnston. They share their insights on Interstellar – as well as exciting news about their new podcast: “The Audio Advent Calendar.” ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a 5-star review!    Hosts: Craig Dickinson: x.com/CraigMDickinson Corey Heitschmidt: x.com/HeitSolo Justin Eldon: x.com/justineldon7   Connect with us:  Website: readingbetweenthereels.podbean.com X: x.com/ReadBtweenReels Facebook: facebook.com/ReadBtweenReels Email: ReadingBetweenReels@gmail.com SpeakPipe: speakpipe.com/ReadingBetweentheReels   You can also join our Facebook group. It’s a safe place to share your thoughts and discuss all things related to movies. You can find us at facebook.com/groups/readbtweenreels   Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, and more!   Connect with Jeff on X: x.com/TheJeffMcGee Check out the “Audio Advent Calendar” and all of Jeff’s other shows at marvindogmedia.com and anywhere you listen to podcasts!   If you are interesting in advertising on this podcast, please go to: podbean.com/advertiseonRBR   The following music was used for this media project: Music: "Neon Fury" by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/12190-neon-fury License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    56 min

About

Reading Between the Reels dives deep into your favorite movies with sharp wit and genuine passion. We blend biting snark and heartfelt insights to uncover the hidden layers, flaws, and brilliance that make films unforgettable. If you love honest, fun, and slightly chaotic film talk, this is the podcast for you.