Reel Chums

Marcel and Danny

We’re Danny and Marcel—two lifelong movie nerds who finally turned all those late-night debates and hot takes into a podcast. Reel Chums is where we dive into the movies we love and love to hate, swap behind-the-scenes trivia, and geek out like the film junkies we are. Think of us as your movie-obsessed friends turning casual chats into deep dives, rewinds, and “did-you-catch-that?” moments. From cult classics, blockbusters, or comfort rewatches—we’re here to break it down and have fun. If you love movies and want to hang with a couple of chums who do too, you’re in the right place.

  1. 1d ago

    The Tragic Truth Behind Close Encounters of the Third Kind

    "We are not alone." 🛸 This week on Reel Chums, we discuss Steven Spielberg’s 1977 masterpiece, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. While Danny experiences the film for the first time, Marcel discovers a heartbreaking new perspective: viewing this "hopeful" sci-fi as a parent transforms it into a profound family tragedy. In this episode, we discuss: - The Tragedy of Roy Neary: Why a father leaving his family for the stars hits differently when you have kids of your own. - The "Art of the Sticks": Geeking out over Spielberg’s iconic wide shots, long takes, and visual storytelling that puts modern quick-cuts to shame. - Personal Demons: How Spielberg’s own childhood and his parents’ divorce inspired the infamous "crybaby" scene. - A Film Without a Villain: Analyzing the unique story structure that replaces a traditional antagonist with three groups searching for a common truth. - Practical Magic: The massive logistics behind the India sequence and the haunting, horror-inspired abduction of Barry. - The Pinocchio Connection: Why Roy is a "misunderstood child" looking for validation in a world where he doesn't fit in. Next episode: We continue the alien theme as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1996 blockbuster, Independence Day! Resources & Links: Spielberg’s Techniques: https://indiefilmhustle.com/steven-spielberg-complete-guide-to-his-films-and-techniques/ The Cinematography: The Art of Long Takes - https://www.indepthcine.com/videos/long-takes Support the Show: Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe on YouTube to join the conversation in the comments! Instagram & Threads: @ReelChums / @marztrosity 🐦 Twitter: @Rubio_tv / @ReelChums Got questions? Reach out at your@reelchums.com. We’d love to hear from you!

    47 min

  2. Jun 16

    John Wick 4 Has "No Story" — So Why Is It This Good?

    Chad Stahelski says there's "not much of a story" in John Wick — and somehow that's exactly why it works. We close out our month of Kung Fu with John Wick: Chapter 4, breaking down the location-first filmmaking, Dan Laustsen's gorgeous cinematography, the legendary staircase sequence, and why this franchise nails everything Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning fumbled. Plus: the future of the high table, the Caine spinoff, and whether John Wick is really dead.Full spoilers ahead.New here? We're Marcelle and Danny — two movie-loving dads helping you love movies more, one episode at a time. Subscribe and drop a comment with your take.📹 Follow us on socials for updates and more:Reel Chums Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelchums/Rubio's Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Rubio_tv⁠Marcel's Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/marztrosity⁠Reel Chums Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/ReelChums⁠Do you have something to say, a burning question about this, or any other episodes? Reach out to us at your@reelchums.com.We'd love to hear from you!

    1h 11m

  3. Jun 6

    The Mandalorian & Grogu Is a Cash Grab But We Still Kind of Liked It

    The Mandalorian & Grogu hit theaters and we had... complicated feelings. We both enjoyed it — the action sequences slap, Ludwig Göransson's score is genuinely stunning, but walking out, we couldn't shake one big question: why does this movie exist? In this episode, we break down what works (Mando's action set pieces, the elevated cinematic feel, Grogu stepping up in his own armor) and what doesn't (thin dialogue, a villain with no real motivation, emotional beats that feel heavy-handed rather than earned). We also get into the bigger picture: is this film a genuine Star Wars story, or is it a marketing machine designed to sell toys, costumes, and Disney theme park experiences? We also ask if Dave Filoni's new role as co-president is up for the task, what it means for where Star Wars goes next, and whether anyone can actually fix what's broken. Danny also draws a sharp comparison to the Jack Ryan movie that went straight to Amazon, asking what the Mandalorian format can and can't do when it leaves the TV series format. Verdict: go in expecting a fun, polished episode of the show stretched to movie length, and you'll have a good time. Just don't expect to be moved. Chapters: 00:00 Intro & What's Coming for Reel Chums 01:52 First Reactions — Did We Like It? 06:32 The Cinematic Upgrade (and Its Limits) 07:00 The Dialogue Problem 10:00 What Grogu Actually Does in This Movie 14:07 What We Liked — Action, Score & Star Wars Variety 17:22 Ludwig Göransson Saved This Film 19:08 Mando as a Myth — The Cowboy of Star Wars 22:01 The Villain Has No Real Motivation 25:52 Is This a Good Movie or Just a Fun One? 27:05 Comparing It to the Jack Ryan Movie 30:25 Where Does the Franchise Go From Here? 33:52 The Real Reason This Movie Was Made 41:05 Dave Filoni as Star Wars Co-President 48:36 Can Filoni Execute or Just Vision? 51:43 Final Thoughts & Verdict 📹 Follow us on socials:Reel Chums Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelchums/Danny's Instagram: @rubio_tvMarcel's Instagram: @marztrosityReel Chums Threads: @reelchums Have something to say? Reach out at your@reelchums.com

    56 min

  4. May 1

    Summer 2026 Movies Ranked: Biggest Hits, Flops & Box Office Predictions

    This week, we’re breaking down the biggest movies of Summer 2026—ranking every major release, predicting box office hits and flops, and sharing what we’re most (and least) excited for. From blockbuster franchises to sleeper picks, this is your ultimate summer movie guide! Signup for our newsletter: https://reel-chums.ck.page/86dfa15953📹 Follow us on socials for updates and more:Reel Chums Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelchums/Rubio's Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Rubio_tv⁠Marcel's Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/marztrosity⁠Reel Chums Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/ReelChums⁠Do you have something to say, a burning question about this, or any other episodes? Reach out to us at your@reelchums.com. We'd love to hear from you!

    1h 54m

  5. Apr 16

    Face/Off Has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Something Is Wrong

    Face/Off is one of the most beloved action movies of the 1990s. It also has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes — higher than John Wick, higher than Interstellar, and somehow higher than The Matrix. Marcel discovered this while rewatching it for Gun-Fu Month and immediately had an existential crisis. Danny didn't feel much better about it. This week on Reel Chums, we dig into John Woo's 1997 action spectacle starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage — two men, one face, and a premise so unhinged it was originally set in space. We talk about why the movie's bonkers concept is actually kind of genius, why the execution doesn't quite get there, what Cage was doing two years after winning his Oscar, the missed opportunity at the heart of the identity theme, and why — despite everything — this movie is absolutely ripe for a remake. We even cast it. Paramount, call us. Does Face/Off deserve its legendary status? We love movies. We watched this one. We have thoughts. Next week: we continue Gun-Fu Month with Steven Soderbergh's Haywire. 📹 Follow us on socials:Reel Chums Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelchums/Danny's Instagram: @rubio.tvMarcel's Instagram: @marztrosityReel Chums Threads: @reelchums Have something to say? Reach out at your@reelchums.com

    50 min

  6. Apr 7

    Brazil (1985) Is More Relevant Now Than Ever — Here's Why

    Terry Gilliam's Brazil is one of the strangest, funniest, and most unsettling dystopian films ever made — and it's never felt more relevant. This week, Danny and Marcel close out Dystopian Film Month with the 1985 masterpiece, and they have a lot to say. In this episode: the retrofuturistic production design that still holds up 40 years later, Jonathan Pryce's quietly devastating performance as Sam Lowry, and why the Tom Cruise/Madonna alternate casting almost happened. Danny and Marcel dig into what makes Sam such a fascinating (and frustrating) protagonist — a man who'd rather fly through his dreams than face the world around him — and debate whether the government's "terrorist threat" is even real. They also get into Gilliam's use of dark comedy to expose consumerism, bureaucratic absurdity, and the horror of willful apathy: the "I'm on my lunch break" scene hits very differently in 2025. The Question of the Day: Have you ever had a recurring dream? Next week: Reel Chums kicks off Gun-Fu Month. 📹 Follow us on socials: Reel Chums Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelchums/ Danny's Instagram: @rubio_tv Marcel's Instagram: @marztrosity Reel Chums Threads: @reelchums Have something to say? Reach out at your@reelchums.com

    1h 23m

  7. Apr 5

    What We’ve Been Watching: Bond, Daredevil & TV Hot Takes

    We're discussing everything we’ve been watching lately—from revisiting classic James Bond (and why Timothy Dalton might be underrated 👀) to the return of Daredevil and some surprising new shows that caught us off guard. We also get into a bigger conversation about reality TV—who are shows like The Voice really for, and why are they still everywhere? Plus: hidden gems, quick hits, and a few hot takes you might not agree with.🎬 What have YOU been watching lately?📹 Follow us on socials for updates and more:Reel Chums Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelchums/Rubio's Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Rubio_tv⁠Marcel's Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/marztrosity⁠Reel Chums Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/ReelChums⁠Do you have something to say, a burning question about this, or any other episodes? Reach out to us at your@reelchums.com.We'd love to hear from you!

    42 min

  8. Mar 18

    Oscars 2026 Recap, Surprises & Snubs | Mandalorian & Grogu, DC Lanterns, Movie News

    We’re back! In this episode, we break down the biggest moments from the Oscars 2026 — including major wins, surprises, and snubs. Plus, we dive into the latest movie news, from Mandalorian & Grogu to DC’s Lanterns and more. Let’s talk movies!📹 Follow us on socials for updates and more:Reel Chums Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelchums/Rubio's Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Rubio_tv⁠Marcel's Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/marztrosity⁠Reel Chums Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/ReelChums⁠Do you have something to say, a burning question about this, or any other episodes? Reach out to us at your@reelchums.com.We'd love to hear from you!

    1h 11m
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About

We’re Danny and Marcel—two lifelong movie nerds who finally turned all those late-night debates and hot takes into a podcast. Reel Chums is where we dive into the movies we love and love to hate, swap behind-the-scenes trivia, and geek out like the film junkies we are. Think of us as your movie-obsessed friends turning casual chats into deep dives, rewinds, and “did-you-catch-that?” moments. From cult classics, blockbusters, or comfort rewatches—we’re here to break it down and have fun. If you love movies and want to hang with a couple of chums who do too, you’re in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Marcel and Danny
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Marcel and Danny
  • Show Website
    Reel Chums