Reel Talk & Banter

Omari Williams & Jay Richardson
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Film Reviews

Ever wanted to just sit around and make fun of an old movie with your friends? That's exactly what Reel Talk & Banter is all about. Join best friends Omari Williams and Jay Richardson as they rewatch movies that came out at least a decade ago. It's a mix of a film review and a comedy roast, where they discuss everything from the plot to the terrible acting, and even if the film has stood the test of time. Get ready to laugh and hear some hot takes on your favorite (and least favorite) classic films.

  1. 4d ago

    Dorothy Dropped Two Bodies And We Need To Talk: The Wiz (1978)

    Oz isn’t a shiny kingdom here. It’s a gritty, graffiti-smeared 1970s New York City dreamscape where trash cans can attack you, the subway feels like a horror movie, and the Yellow Brick Road might be a line of taxi cabs that the film forgets about halfway through. We’re Omari Williams and Jay Richardson, and we finally sit down with The Wiz (1978), the cult classic musical that swings big even when it stumbles. We talk through the wild choices that make this Wizard of Oz adaptation feel so different: Sidney Lumet directing a huge studio musical, the film’s massive production design, and how the movie blends stage logic with movie editing. We get honest about the rough early lip-sync moments, the pacing, and why introducing Evelyn so late undercuts the villain arc even though Mabel King is fantastic. And yes, we address the elephant in the room: Dorothy being written as a shy 24-year-old while Diana Ross is clearly bringing a different kind of presence. Then we get to the good stuff. Michael Jackson’s Scarecrow is a scene-stealer from the moment he shows up, “Ease On Down The Road” remains an all-timer, Emerald City is pure spectacle, and the finale songs hit hard. “Home” breaks our scoring scale, and we unpack why that emotional landing helps the movie’s themes click: identity, courage, community, and believing what you need is already inside you. If you love movie reviews, classic musicals, and pop culture debates that don’t pull punches, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who grew up on The Wiz, and leave us a review with your rating from 1 to 10. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on the following social media platforms or email us at reeltalkbanter@gmail.com! Facebook  Instagram  Twitter YouTube TikTok

  2. 5d ago

    You Maniacs!...You Blew It Up!...:Planet of the Apes (1968)

    A single broken monument turns a sci-fi adventure into an accusation, and Planet Of The Apes (1968) still knows exactly how to twist the knife. We sit down and rewatch the original film with a mix of respect, skepticism, and a lot of side-eye for Taylor’s attitude, because the movie asks a brutal question: if power changes hands, do we actually change, or do we just swap who holds the cage keys? We talk franchise context and how this story grows into a multi-billion-dollar series, then dig into what makes the 1968 classic endure: the slow reveal of the apes, the unsettling hunt, the religious scroll that labels humans a danger, and the courtroom sequence that turns into a debate about rights, evidence, and control. We also compare the movie to the original novel’s ending, unpack the fear behind Dr. Zaeus’ choices, and explore the recurring theme of faith versus science as a tool for politics. Then we get honest about what doesn’t work as well today: the hand-waved science, the way Nova is framed, and why Taylor can be tough to root for even when the story is firing on all cylinders. We close with our full scoring breakdown across plot, acting, production, sound, and cultural impact, plus a final verdict that balances legacy with rewatch reality. If you like smart movie debates, classic sci-fi analysis, and spoiler-friendly deep dives, subscribe, share this with a film-loving friend, and leave us a review. What did you think the first time you saw that final reveal? Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on the following social media platforms or email us at reeltalkbanter@gmail.com! Facebook  Instagram  Twitter YouTube TikTok

  3. Jul 3

    A Tree, What is a Tree?: Supergirl (1985)

    A superhero movie with a $35 million budget should not leave us asking, “Did you see the wire?” But that is exactly where our heads go after revisiting Supergirl (1984), the oddball DC spinoff that time mostly left behind. We are Omari Williams and Jay Richardson, and we bring the same Real Talk and Banter energy as always: clear opinions, lots of laughs, and zero patience for nonsense that could have been fixed in the script.  We break down the movie’s core setup, Argo City, the Omegahedron power source, and the whiplash jump to Earth where Selena the witch immediately starts bending reality with almost no consequences. Along the way we question the film’s shaky internal rules, the confusing “inner space” travel, and the moment to moment power changes that make it hard to feel real stakes. We also talk about the few bright spots that keep the watch from becoming a total loss, especially Faye Dunaway going all in on villain theatrics and Bianca delivering the funniest reactions in the film.  Then we get into the stuff that truly derails it: the high school subplot, the uncomfortable romance, the love potion logic, and the Phantom Zone detour that raises more lore questions than it answers. We close with our full ratings across plot and writing, acting and casting, production and cinematography, music and sound, and cultural impact, ending at a final score that tells you exactly how we feel. If you have ever wondered why this Supergirl movie became a punchline, hit play, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review. What score would you give it? Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on the following social media platforms or email us at reeltalkbanter@gmail.com! Facebook  Instagram  Twitter YouTube TikTok

  4. Jul 3

    The Saddest Movie You Will Love And Never Rewatch: Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

    The first minute tells you where this is headed, and it still doesn’t prepare you for the weight of it. We sit down with Grave of the Fireflies, the 1988 Japanese animated war film directed by Isao Takahata, and talk about why it’s regularly called one of the greatest animated movies ever made and one of the most devastating WWII stories put on screen. We get into what makes the film feel so real: the Kobe firebombing, the panic of sirens, the slow burn of survival after homes and supply chains collapse, and the way the story stays focused on civilians instead of combat. The semi-autobiographical roots also matter, because the movie isn’t just trying to make us cry, it’s trying to translate memory and guilt into images that don’t let you look away. From there, we argue the toughest questions the movie raises. Is the aunt the villain, or is she a symptom of rationing and fear? Should Seita have swallowed his pride and gone back, even if it meant enduring humiliation? We also talk about the film’s use of silence, the fireflies symbolism, and why the rare moments of joy make the tragedy hit even harder. If you’ve ever searched for a Studio Ghibli review, an anti-war animated film, or the kind of movie that changes how you think about “collateral damage,” this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share the show with a friend who loves film, and leave a review so more people can find us. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on the following social media platforms or email us at reeltalkbanter@gmail.com! Facebook  Instagram  Twitter YouTube TikTok

  5. Jun 19

    You've Got a Friend in Us: Toy Story (1995)

    Toy Story is one of those movies everyone thinks they remember, until you rewatch it and realize it’s sharper, funnier, and a lot more complicated than you gave it credit for. We go back to 1995 and talk about how Pixar’s first feature became the first fully computer animated film, helped redefine animation, and somehow still holds up even when we start poking at the “toy logic” a little too hard. We unpack the real engine of the story: Woody’s jealousy when Buzz Lightyear shows up and instantly becomes Andy’s new favorite. That rivalry turns into one of the most relatable friendship arcs in family movies, especially once Buzz hits his identity crisis and Woody has to step up in a way that actually matters. Along the way we get into the best set pieces, from the green army men birthday recon mission to Pizza Planet’s claw machine aliens, plus the stuff that hits differently as an adult, like how fast the toys turn on Woody and how wild Sid’s house still feels. We also zoom out into Pixar’s bigger legacy, the franchise’s box office track record, and our running debate over whether Toy Story 5 is a lock for a billion dollars. Then we rate Toy Story across plot and writing, acting and casting, production and visuals, music and sound, and cultural impact. There’s even a Malachi Talk mini-segment with a kid’s-eye take on the creepiest moments and the best parts. If you enjoy movie reviews, Pixar deep dives, and honest nostalgia that still calls out the weird stuff, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review. What’s your score for Toy Story, and did Woody deserve the heat? Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on the following social media platforms or email us at reeltalkbanter@gmail.com! Facebook  Instagram  Twitter YouTube TikTok

  6. Jun 12

    Disney’s Darkest Friendship Tale: The Fox and the Hound (1981)

    A fox and a hunting dog promise they’ll be friends forever, then adulthood shows up with a leash, a shotgun, and a job description. We’re rewatching Disney’s The Fox and the Hound (1981) and treating it like what it really is: a Disney Dark Age coming-of-age story packed with grief, prejudice, loyalty, and the painful math of growing up. We break down the full arc from Todd’s adoption by the kind Widow Tweed to the moment Copper returns as a trained hunting dog and everything gets complicated. Along the way, we get into the themes that hit harder with age: how kids form friendships before labels, how nurture can reshape identity, and why some relationships don’t survive the people we become. We also get honest about Todd’s behavior on rewatch, because “sweet” doesn’t always mean “healthy” when someone ignores boundaries, dismisses warnings, and keeps pulling a friend into trouble. Then we talk about the movie’s emotional center: Widow Tweed’s decision to let Todd go, one of the saddest Disney scenes for anyone who’s ever had to make an impossible choice for someone they love. We unpack Amos Slade as more than a cartoon villain, the ethics of hunting and property, and the climactic bear sequence that forces Todd and Copper to choose what kind of animals and what kind of friends they want to be. After our ratings, Omari brings on a special guest: Malachi Williams, fresh off his first watch, to hear a kid’s take on friendship, fear, and why Big Mama steals the show. If you love Disney animation, movie reviews, and real talk about nostalgia that doesn’t dodge the hard parts, hit play, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave us a review. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on the following social media platforms or email us at reeltalkbanter@gmail.com! Facebook  Instagram  Twitter YouTube TikTok

  7. Jun 5

    A Classic Sci-Fi Rewatch Reality Check: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

    A movie can be legendary and still not be an easy watch. We finally sit down with Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind and come away torn: the practical effects, cinematography, and John Williams score remind us why this 1977 science fiction classic helped define the modern blockbuster, but the pacing and unanswered questions had us checking the clock. We break down the film’s parallel storylines, Roy’s obsession, Jillian’s terrifying abduction thread, and Lacombe’s scientific pursuit, and ask what the movie wants us to feel when it refuses to explain so much. The famous five-note motif and the musical “conversation” are highlights for us as musicians, yet we still wrestle with what it means to communicate when nobody can translate the message. We also dig into the implications the movie skips past: the cost of disappearance, the ripple effects on families, and why the government presence feels oddly restrained. Then the conversation goes full real talk: do we think aliens exist, and if they do, should the government keep that information secret until there’s a plan? If you love Spielberg, UFO movies, film history, or you just want an honest Close Encounters of the Third Kind review from first-time viewers, this one will spark opinions. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a rating or review with your take: does this classic hold up for you today? Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on the following social media platforms or email us at reeltalkbanter@gmail.com! Facebook  Instagram  Twitter YouTube TikTok

  8. Jun 5

    When Science Outruns Humility What Breaks First: Jurassic Park (1993)

    A dinosaur theme park sounds like pure childhood wish fulfillment until you remember one detail: it’s built by humans. We’re revisiting Jurassic Park (1993) with grown-up skepticism and the same wide-eyed awe, and the result is a Real Talk and Banter-style review that praises Spielberg’s craft while calling out every safety red flag on Isla Nublar. We dig into the stuff that makes this film legendary: the mix of practical effects, animatronics, and early CGI that changed visual effects history; the massive box office story for a $63 million production; and the way John Williams’ score turns simple shots into permanent movie memories. Then we jump into the debates that only get louder with age, like whether the CGI still holds up, why the park’s security design feels cursed, and how the movie’s best scene might be the dinner-table argument where Ian Malcolm lays out the ethics of genetic engineering and chaos theory. We also get into the messy fun: Nedry’s sabotage plan, the “embryos in a shaving cream can” logic, the kid survival moments that feel impossible, and the iconic set pieces that still deliver tension on demand. Finally, we score the movie across plot and writing, acting and casting, production and cinematography, music and sound, and cultural impact, then compare our totals to the rest of our rankings. Listen, then subscribe, share the episode with a friend who loves movie debates, and leave a review with your Jurassic Park score out of 10. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on the following social media platforms or email us at reeltalkbanter@gmail.com! Facebook  Instagram  Twitter YouTube TikTok

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About

Ever wanted to just sit around and make fun of an old movie with your friends? That's exactly what Reel Talk & Banter is all about. Join best friends Omari Williams and Jay Richardson as they rewatch movies that came out at least a decade ago. It's a mix of a film review and a comedy roast, where they discuss everything from the plot to the terrible acting, and even if the film has stood the test of time. Get ready to laugh and hear some hot takes on your favorite (and least favorite) classic films.

Information

  • Creator
    Omari Williams & Jay Richardson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Reel Talk & Banter
  • Show Website
    Reel Talk & Banter