River Cities Reader Podcast

River Cities Reader Podcast
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Live to tape interviews with Reader team members as guests on other broadcast, radio and podcast shows. Alive & Free Since 1993. The Quad Cities’ Independent Newspaper. Know More. Do More.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    July 9, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “Minions & Monsters” and “Young Washington”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz talk movies and disagree vehemently over Minions & Monsters — well, not vehemently, but they hold their own opinions, and if they were compelled to defend them with pistols at dawn, they’ll feel somewhat aggrieved that one of them had to take a bullet. Under Discussion and in Theatres: Young Washington (dir Jon Erwin, starr William Franklyn-Miller, Mary-Louise Parker, Kelsey Grammer, Andy Serkis, and Ben Kingsley). The animated comedy Minions & Monsters (dir Pierre Coffin, voice Coffin, Trey Parker, Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeff Bridges, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, and Phil LaMarr). Forthcoming: Moana (dir Thomas Kail, starr Catherine Laga’aia, Dwayne Johnson, Rena Owen, John Tui, Frankie Adams, and the voice of Jemaine Clement). Evil Dead Burn (dir Sébastien Vaniček, starr Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Erroll Shand, and Maude Davey). The Invite (dir Olivia Wilde, starr Seth Rogen, Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton). Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass (dir David Wain, starr Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Sabrina Impacciatore, Ben Wang, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Joe Lo Truglio, Mather Zickel, Ken Marino, Tobie Windham, Fred Melamed, Michael Cassidy, Michael Ian Black, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Richard Kind, Thomas Lennon, Toby Huss, Kevin Allison, Beth Dover, Zac Oyama, Wain, Jennifer Aniston, Henry Winkler, Elizabeth Banks, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Paul Rudd, Penn Jillette, Elizabeth Perkins, and Robert Herjavec). “Minions & Monsters” and “Young Washington”

    21 min

  2. 4d ago

    July 3, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “Supergirl” and “Jackass: Best & Last”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz talk movies and observing 4 July in the only manner patriots can truly appreciate: Watching Jaws on the Last Picture House rooftop. The here and now: Supergirl (dir Craig Gillespie, starr Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa). Jackass: Best & Last (dir Jeff Tremaine, starr Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Dave England, Danger Ehren, Poopies, Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, and Rachel Wolfson). The here and later: Young Washington (dir Jon Erwin, starr William Franklyn-Miller, Mary-Louise Parker, Kelsey Grammer, Andy Serkis, and Ben Kingsley). An extended-footage version of Backrooms (dir Kane Parsons, starr Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell). The animated comedy Minions & Monsters (dir Pierre Coffin, voice Coffin, Trey Parker, Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeff Bridges, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, and Phil LaMarr). “Supergirl” and “Jackass: Best & Last”

    13 min

  3. Jun 26

    June 25, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “Toy Story 5,” “The Death of Robin Hood,” and “Leviticus”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz talk movies and the rise of the children of top-tier talent — in this instance, Scott Eastwood and Colin Hanks. What’s in: The animated adventure Toy Story 5 (dir Andrew Stanton, voice Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Conan O’Brien, Scarlett Spears, Greta Lee, Shelby Rabara, Mykal-Michelle Harris, and Craig Robinson). The Death of Robin Hood (dir Michael Sarnoski, starr Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe). Leviticus (dir Adrian Chiarella, starr Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zamira Newman, and Mia Wasikowska). What’s coming: Supergirl (dir Craig Gillespie, starr Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa). Jackass: Best & Last (dir Jeff Tremaine, starr Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Dave England, Danger Ehren, Poopies, Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, and Rachel Wolfson). Lucky Strike (dir Rod Lurie, starr Scott Eastwood, Colin Hanks, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Taylor John Smith). “Toy Story 5,” “The Death of Robin Hood,” and “Leviticus”

    13 min

  4. Jun 18

    June 18, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “Tuner,” “Disclosure Day,” and “Stop! That! Train!”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz talk movies at their new digs. Place probably still has that new-flat smell to it. Now, movies: Tuner (dir Daniel Roher, starr Leo Woodall, Havana Rose Liu, Lior Raz, Tovah Feldshuh, Jean Reno, and Dustin Hoffman). Disclosure Day (dir Steven Spielberg, starr Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, and Courtney Grace). Stop! That! Train! (dir Adam Shankman, starr Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Latrice Royale, Marcia Marcia Marcia [aka Marty Lauter], Monét X Change, Symone, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicole Richie, Raven-Symoné, Michelle Visage, Chris Parnell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Charo, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Natasha Leggero, Drew Droege, and Joel McHale). And now, previews: The animated adventure Toy Story 5 (dir Andrew Stanton, voice Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Conan O’Brien, Scarlett Spears, Greta Lee, Shelby Rabara, Mykal-Michelle Harris, and Craig Robinson). Girls Like Girls (dir Hayley Kiyoko, starr Maya da Costa, Myra Molloy, Levon Hawke, and Zach Braff). The Death of Robin Hood (dir Michael Sarnoski, starr Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe). Leviticus (dir Adrian Chiarella, starr Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zamira Newman, and Mia Wasikowska). “Disclosure Day,” “Tuner,” and “Stop! That! Train!”

    14 min

  5. Jun 12

    June 11, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “Masters of the Universe,” “Power Ballad,” “Scary Movie,” and “Fallen Angels”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz love film, in case you didn’t know; and they appreciate the appreciations of their late predecessors, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. Here, now, the reviewed: Masters of the Universe (dir Travis Knight, starr Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Charlotte Riley, Kristen Wiig, Morena Baccarin, and Idris Elba). Power Ballad (dir John Carney, starr Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Havana Rose Liu, and Jack Reynor). Scary Movie (dir Michael Tiddes, starr Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, and Regina Hall). And here, now, the forthcoming: Disclosure Day (dir Steven Spielberg, starr Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Colman Domingo). Stop! That! Train! (dir Adam Shankman, starr Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Latrice Royale, Marcia Marcia Marcia [aka Marty Lauter], Monét X Change, Symone, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicole Richie, Raven-Symoné, Michelle Visage, Chris Parnell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Charo, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Natasha Leggero, Drew Droege, and Joel McHale). The Furious (dir Kenji Tanigaki, starr Xie Miao, Joe Taslim, Yang Enyou, Jeeja Yanin, Brian Le, Joey Iwanaga, and Yayan Ruhian). “Masters of the Universe,” “Power Ballad,” “Scary Movie,” and “Fallen Angels”

    19 min

  6. Jun 6

    June 5, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “Backrooms,” “Pressure,” and “The Breadwinner”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz won’t let anything stop them from reviewing film — not even technological blunders. They are enjoying their new digs in Bucktown, so you know. In theaters: Backrooms (dir Kane Parsons, starr Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell). Pressure (dir Anthony Maras, starr Andrew Scott, Brendan Fraser, Kerry Condon, Chris Messina, and Damian Lewis). The Breadwinner (dir Eric Appel, starr Appel, Mandy Moore, Colin Jost, Zach Cherry, Martin Herlihy, Kumail Nanjiani, and Will Forte). Coming soon to one near you: Masters of the Universe (dir Travis Knight, starr Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Charlotte Riley, Kristen Wiig, Morena Baccarin, and Idris Elba). Scary Movie (dir Michael Tiddes, starr Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, and Regina Hall). Power Ballad (dir John Carney, starr Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Havana Rose Liu, and Jack Reynor). “Backrooms,” “Pressure,” and “The Breadwinner”

    18 min

  7. May 28

    May 28, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu,” “I Love Boosters,” and “Passenger”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz discuss film. This week’s batch? Not encouraging to the future of the human species. In theatrers: The Mandalorian & Grogu (dir Jon Favreau, starr Pedro Pascal, Brendan Wayne, Lateef Crowder, Jeremy Allen White, and Sigourney Weaver). I Love Boosters (dir Boots Riley, starr Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore). Passenger (dir André Øvredal, starr Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, Melissa Leo, and Joseph Lopez). In transit: Backrooms (dir Kane Parsons, starr Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell). Pressure (dir Anthony Maras, starr Andrew Scott, Brendan Fraser, Kerry Condon, Chris Messina, and Damian Lewis). The Breadwinner (dir Eric Appel, starr Appel, Mandy Moore, Colin Jost, Zach Cherry, Martin Herlihy, Kumail Nanjiani, and Will Forte). “Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu,” “I Love Boosters,” and “Passenger”

    20 min

  8. May 21

    May 21, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “Obsession,” “Is God Is,” “In the Grey,” and “Marty, Life Is Short”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz discuss film. Why is it that most Star Wars fans and that includes Levora are incapable of ginning up much enthusiasm for The Mandalorian & Grogu? Could it be that the last few franchise films, umm, sucked? Reviewed: Obsession (dir Curry Barker, starr Michael Johnston, (Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter). Is God Is (dir Aleshea Harris, starr Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Janelle Monáe, Vivica A Fox, and Sterling K Brown). In the Grey (dir Guy Ritchie, starr Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, Eiza González, Kristofer Hivju, Fisher Stevens, and Rosamund Pike). The Netflix documentary Marty, Life is Short Previewed: Passenger (dir André Øvredal, starr Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, Melissa Leo, and Joseph Lopez). I Love Boosters (dir Boots Riley, starr Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore). The Mandalorian & Grogu (dir Jon Favreau, starr Pedro Pascal, Brendan Wayne, Lateef Crowder, Jeremy Allen White, and Sigourney Weaver). “Obsession,” “Is God Is,” “In the Grey,” and “Marty, Life Is Short”

    20 min

  9. May 14

    May 14, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “The Sheep Detectives,” “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard & Soft: The Tour Live in 3D,” and “Mortal Kombat II”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz discuss film. Did you know Dave has never watched Dazed and Confused? This news left us floored; and now we don’t know what to do. Perhaps a visit to a screening of the film at The Last Picture House will set us straight and informed. Film in theatres: The Sheep Detectives (dir Kyle Balda, starr Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, and Emma Thompson; voice Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, and Brett Goldstein) The concert film Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) (dir James Cameron). Mortal Kombat II (dir Simon McQuoid, starr Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada, Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, and Tati Gabrielle). Film forthcoming: Obsession (dir Curry Barker, starr Michael Johnston, (Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter). Is God Is (dir Aleshea Harris, starr Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Janelle Monáe, Vivica A Fox, and Sterling K Brown). In the Grey (dir Guy Ritchie, starr Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, Eiza González, Kristofer Hivju, Fisher Stevens, and Rosamund Pike). “The Sheep Detectives,” “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard & Soft: The Tour Live in 3D,” and “Mortal Kombat II”

    15 min

  10. May 8

    May 7, 2026, with Dave and Darren — “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “Hokum,” “Deep Water,” and “Animal Farm”

    Dave Levora, Darren Pitra, and Mike Schulz discuss film and whether the forthcoming Billie Eilish concert film will open up a dimensional portal. On screen: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (dir David Frankel, starr Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Justin Theroux, and Kenneth Branagh). Hokum (dir Damian McCarthy, starr Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Michael Patric, Will O’Connell, Brendan Conroy, and Austin Amelio). Deep Water (dir Renny Harlin, starr Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Kelly Gale, Madeleine West, Kate Fitzpatrick, Molly Belle Wright, Jacqueline Lee Geurts, and Lakota Johnson). Animal Farm (dir Andy Serkis, voice AS, Seth Rogen, Gaten Matarazzo, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Laverne Cox, Steve Buscemi, Woody Harrelson, Jim Parsons, Kathleen Turner, and Iman Vellani). Forthcoming: Mortal Kombat II (dir Simon McQuoid, starr Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada, Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, and Tati Gabrielle). The Sheep Detectives (dir Kyle Balda, starr Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, and Emma Thompson; voice Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, and Brett Goldstein). The concert film Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) (dir James Cameron). “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “Hokum,” “Deep Water,” and “Animal Farm”

    14 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Live to tape interviews with Reader team members as guests on other broadcast, radio and podcast shows. Alive & Free Since 1993. The Quad Cities’ Independent Newspaper. Know More. Do More.

Information

  • Creator
    River Cities Reader Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright River Cities' Reader 1993-2022
  • Show Website
    River Cities Reader Podcast