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Possibly the first western film we've covered on the podcast, and who better than to guide us into the genre than Kevin Costner, with his latest ambitious multi-part movie project? We give a quick rundown of Costner's acting and directorial efforts, and our experiences with the western genre before we kick our spurs and discuss the movie at length - which is mostly what we enjoyed about the film.



* Spoiler warning given during the episode, but we don't hold back during our conversation here. *




Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024)

directed by: Kevin Costner

starring: Kevin Costner - Sienna Miller - Sam Worthington - Jena Malone - Owen Crow Shoe

genres: western

runtime: 181 minutes

Website: Reel Film Chronicles


Movie Links: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDB

From Guy Ritchie, the master of ungentlemanly filmmaking, comes The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a heartwarming tale about a band of friends bound together through an unshakeable bond: a shared compulsion to kill Nazis. Based loosely (just ever so loosely) on a "true" story (we cannot stress just how loosely this movie was based on actual events), the movie follows Superman, Jack Reacher, and friends as they set out to cripple Nazi U-boat operations in the north Atlantic to give England the breathing room it needs to fight back against Hitler's advancing cronies the best way one can: by organizing a heist. Just a great, big, old Nazi-killing heist. As with any great heist, nothing goes to plan, until it does, then it doesn't, but then it does, and a lot of Nazis die in the end, which if we're being honest, is probably the best way for any heist to end. So join us as we travel back in time to World War II (not literally, of course - that's impossible as far as you know) to explore Guy Ritchie's latest movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare to see if this is a return to form and the trusted Ritchie formula for on-screen hijinks. And if not, just through sheer law of averages, one of the fifteen movies he's releasing this year is bound to be to your liking.




The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)

directed by: Guy Ritchie

starring: Henry Cavill - Eiza González - Alan Ritchson - Henry Golding

genres: action - war - drama

runtime: 120 minutes



Operation Postmaster (Wikipedia)


Website: Reel Film Chronicles



Movie Links: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDB

Do you have what it takes to make it epic? Well, we certainly try, at least! We sing the praises of this latest instalment in George Miller's Mad Max Saga by delving into everything that we enjoyed about this bombastic and layered action film. From the acting, the special effects, the creative names, the incredible soundtrack, the story, characters and more, we also take time to appreciate how it fits perfectly in with it's sequel film Fury Road (which came out nine (!!) years ago. By the finish, we gave our ratings for this film, but also each Mad Max entry.



This episode is not to be missed!



* Spoilers for all Mad Max movies, including Furiosa, are contained within. *


Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)



directed by: George Miller



starring: Anya Taylor-Joy - Chris Hemsworth - Tom Burke - Alyla Browne - Lachy Hulme



genres: action - adventure - science-fiction



runtime: 149min

reelfilmchronicles.com



Letterboxd | IMDb

We delve into this Amazon produced remake of a fan favorite: ROAD HOUSE. We offer our take on this movie without the nostalgia glasses that many may have, as Brian missed the original film entirely, and Nathan watched it just before jumping into this new iteration.



We start the episode giving a rundown of director Doug Liman's filmography, then jump into the film (with spoilers for both this one and the original throughout). We'll explore the characters, the acting, the action and visual effects, all set against the backdrop of what could effectively be a "direct to video" film starring one of our generation's greatest actors.


Road House (2024)

directed by: Doug Liman

starring: Jake Gyllenhaal - Daniela Melchior - Billy Magnussen - Jessica Williams

genres: thriller - action

runtime: 121 minutes


Reel Film Chronicles

Letterboxd - IMDb

Caught in the shadow of a cinematic legacy or stepping into the light on her own terms? Caitlin Cronenberg's HUMANE marks her entrance into the feature film arena, and we're here to dissect just how the threads of family renown and nepotism weave through her narrative tapestry.



The heart of our episode beats strong with a foray into the film, a story that boldly navigates the murky junction of family ties, environmental disaster, governmental tendrils, and moral ambiguity. Emily Hampshire's stirring portrayal anchors the tale, with Canadian stars like Jay Baruchel and Enrico Colantoni adding layers to this complex narrative. Whether you're a first-time viewer or a critique-hardened cinephile, the film's emotional and thematic depth is sure to strike a chord, and we're here to analyze every note.



As the credits roll on our cinematic discussion, we engage in the "ultimate" ratings guessing game, which you can play along with while listening. The conversation unfolds into a broader meditation on the personal journey of evaluating art, and the Cronenberg name becomes a lens through which we ponder the unpredictable alchemy of filmmaking success. Join us for a vibrant exploration of film, family, and the enduring question of what it means to make a mark in the shadow of giants.


HUMANE (2024)

directed by: Caitlin Cronenberg

starring: Jay Baruchel - Emily Hampshire - Sebastian Chacon - Alanna Bale

genres: science fiction - horror - thriller

runtime: 93 min

www.reelfilmchronicles.com

Letterboxd | IMDb

This podcast is a tomb. In the Year of our Lord 1997, a movie was unleashed on an unsuspecting population. A movie so vile, so terrifying, so violent, so gruesome that it borrowed its way into our collective conscience, wrapping its tendrils around our cerebral cortex, refusing to let us forget her. That movie was Event Horizon. A sci-fi-horror staple for those in the know, it became a beloved cult classic, even (or maybe especially) among those of us who were traumatized at a young age by the grisly imagery and claustrophobic atmosphere. Event Horizon wound up being one of those lighting-in-a-bottle (or hellfire-in-a-spaceship) situations, with a unique concept executed to perfection with an all-star cast led by Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill on a spaceship set that looked like the design had been pulled from the deranged minds of Clive Barker's Cenobites. Violent murders, slow descents into madness, and a spaceship that may or may not have travelled to the literal incarnation of Hell are all hallmarks of one of the most idiosyncratic and memorable entries into both the sci-fi and horror movie pantheons. The choice laid before you now is this; listen to this episode of The Real Film Chronicles and delve into the twisted world of Event Horizon or save yourself... from Hell!




Event Horizon (1997)

| directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson

| starring: Laurence Fishburne - Sam Neill - Kathleen Quinlan - Joely Richardson

| science fiction - mystery - horror

| 95 min

Reel Film Chronicles

Letterboxd