Episodes
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Contributing film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says new film ‘Albany Road’ is a fun and interesting look at love. Celeste Simmons (Reneé Elise Goldsberry) is a New York business executive preparing for one of the most important meetings of her career when bad weather grounds her flight. Forced to share a rental car with an unlikely companion – her ex-fiance’s mother (Lynn Whitfield) — Celeste discovers her almost-in-law is hiding a secret about her ex-fiance (J. Alphonse Nicholson) … Hear film critic The Reel Critic’s thoughts on the film, written and directed by Christine Swanson.
“The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Instagram and Twitter @TheReelCritic and Facebook @ReggeTheReelCritic. -
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews the new film adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play ‘The Piano Lesson.’ The story follows the Charles family of Pittsburgh during the Great Depression’s aftermath in 1936. The household is engulfed with disagreement over what to do with their prized family heirloom: a piano carved with designs by an enslaved ancestor. Malcolm Washington directed the adaptation, which stars his brother John David Washington, Erykah Badu, Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson and more.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
Missing episodes?
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When family man Justin Kemp winds up as a jury member of a high profile murder trial, he struggles with a moral dilemma that may influence whether the accused killer is convicted or set free in 'Juror #2.' The latest film from director Clint Eastwood, it stars Nicholas Hoult, Zooey Deutch, Chris Messina and more. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says though the film has interesting twists, it feels very familiar to another high-profile courtroom drama.
“The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram at @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
A24’s new psychological thriller ‘Heretic’ follows two young religious missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), as they spend the day knocking on doors to spread the word of God. When the women arrive at the home of Mr. Reed, played by Hugh Grant, the two find themselves trapped in an intricate and deadly game designed to test their fath. Hear film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder’s review, and catch ‘Heretic’ in theaters now.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
Malcolm Washington directs a new adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play ‘The Piano Lesson,’ which was featured at the Chicago International Film Festival. On the red carpet at the festival before its premiere, Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder met with writer Virgil Williams and the film’s star John David Washington to discuss writing alongside director Malcolm Washington, being mentored by Denzel Washington, and advice for youth in the arts.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
Robert Zemeckis’ new film ‘Here,’ adapted from Richard McGuire's graphic novel, depicts a family across a century of generations in the same home. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film’s nonlinear timeline can be confusing at times, and it often looks to the past with nostalgia.
On the red carpet at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival, Ponder spoke with Zemeckis, along with his wife Leslie Zemeckis and daughter Zsa Zsa Zemeckis. They discussed the film’s themes, his growth as a director and what Zsa Zsa believes to be his “secret sauce.”
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X @TheReelCritic. -
Ten years in the making, adult stop-motion film ‘Memoir of a Snail’ (2024) follows Grace Pudel, an oddball outcast and snail collector who must learn to persevere through loneliness and misfortune.
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder spoke to writer and director Adam Elliot about the claymation, which was featured at the Chicago International Film Festival. Elliot broke down the film's title, the intentionality behind creating a relatable character and the film’s deeper themes.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
At the 60th Annual Chicago International Film Festival, Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder spoke with director Malcolm Washington about his directorial debut: an adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play ‘The Piano Lesson.’
The film follows the Charles family as they navigate the Great Depression’s aftermath in 1936 Pittsburgh. The household is plagued with conflict as disagreements ensue over what to do with their prized family heirloom: a piano carved with designs by an enslaved ancestor. The adaptation stars the director’s brother John David Washington, plus Erykah Badu, Danielle Deadwyler, Ray Fisher and more.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker’ sequel – ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ The film finds failed comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) — AKA the Joker — incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. Battling his murderous alter ego and awaiting trial for his crimes, Fleck meets the love of his life: Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga). ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ is now in theaters.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X @TheReelCritic. -
New film ‘Young King’ follows Diondre Howell, a young man re-adjusting to civilian life after serving in the Iraq war. Howell finds himself changed after the traumas of combat, now struggling to maintain relationships with his loved ones. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder sat down with ‘Young King’ stars, Vincent Washington, James Arthur Sims and Kirby Griffin, to discuss their characters and the film’s themes.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X @TheReelCritic. -
Film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder loves an underdog. After attending this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, he added three new films to his “underdog exceeding all expectations” category: ‘Rez Ball,’ ‘The Fire Inside’ and Unstoppable.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
‘1992’ follows two father-son pairs against the backdrop of the year’s Rodney King riots. One father, Mercer, has just been released from prison and given custody of his teenage son Antoine. The other, Lowell, has spent his life prepping his son “Riggin Bigby” for a life of crime — staging a plan to steal catalytic converters from the factory where Mercer works. As the heist falls into place, the characters’s lives are brought together as Mercer tries to keep his son from following in his footsteps and Lowell tries to influence his son to do the opposite.
‘1992’ stars Ray Liotta as Lowell, Tyrese Gibson as Mercer, Scott Eastwood as Riggin Bigby and Christopher Ammanuel as Antoine. The film hit theaters Aug. 30.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X @TheReelCritic. -
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, a chilling psychological thriller exploring power, possessiveness and patriarchy. ‘Blink Twice’ follows Frida (Naomi Ackie) and a group of friends as they join charming tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) on vacation at his private island, and things are not quite what they seem. Everything comes to a head when Frida’s friend Jess (Alia Shawat) goes missing, unraveling a web of secrets and lies about King, the island and Frida herself. ‘Blink Twice’ is in theaters now.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X @TheReelCritic. -
Chiwetel Ejiofore’s film ‘Rob Peace’ follows the life and early death of a young man who risks everything to help his imprisoned father. It was based on the 2014 biography ‘The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace’ by Jeff Hobbs. Rob Peace is a brilliant young man who goes on to attend Yale University — but begins selling marijuana in college to help pay his father’s lawyer fees. In his review of ‘Rob Peace,’ Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder pointed out how the film highlights the difficulties of breaking the chain of generational trauma. Listen now to hear his full review.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X @TheReelCritic. -
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on Greg Kwedar’s 2023 film ‘Sing Sing,’ which follows true events surrounding a group of incarcerated men as they stage a comedic theatrical production within the walls of Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison in Ossining, New York. Participating in the prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts program, the men find purpose and a newly-ignited passion for acting. Ponder feels the film shed a much-needed positive light on incarcerated men of color. Listen to hear his full review!
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X @TheReelCritic. ‘Sing Sing’ is now in theaters. -
New film ‘Sing Sing’ follows the real-life story of a group of men who, while incarcerated at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison in Ossining, New York, explore life’s purpose and vulnerability as they aim to put on an original comedy production with the prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts Program. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder met with producers Greg Kwedar and Monique Walton to discuss the film’s emotional impact and intentionality.
This segment was hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow him on Instagram and X @TheReelCritic. ‘Sing Sing’ is now in theaters. -
‘Deadpool & Wolverine' debuts an unprecedented friendship fighting against evils new to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) learns his world is on the brink of extinction, he enlists the help of an unlikely ally: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). As the two traverse new landscapes, they encounter familiar foes who take viewers by surprise. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on the film — which hit theaters on July 26.
This segment was edited and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder on Instagram and X @thereelcritic. -
Nicole Riegel’s 2024 film ‘Dandelion’ follows Theresa — A.K.A Dandelion — a struggling singer-songwriter who books a last-effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota before giving up on her dream. There she meets Casey, a guitarist who’s long-since walked away from his musical pursuits. A romance blossoms and for the first time, Dandelion finds her authentic voice.
KiKi Layne and Thomas Doherty, who star as Dandelion and Casey discussed the film with Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder, delving into finding their voices as actors and the way Dandelion’s identity as a Black woman impacts her artistry. ‘Dandelion’ hits theaters July 12.
Follow Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder on Instagram and X @thereelcritic. -
From directors Don Cheadle, Tiffany Johnson and Damon Thomas, limited series ‘The Big Cigar’ tells the story of Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton. When Newton must escape to Cuba, he enlists the help of unlikely acquaintance Bert Schneider — the Hollywood producer behind ‘Easy Rider.’ The six episodes follow Newton (André Holland) as he puts Schneider (Alessandro Nivola) to the test before trusting him with his life. ‘The Big Cigar’ is inspired by executive producer Joshuah Bearman’s Playboy article of the same name.
Chicago actor Inny Plemons stars in the series as Richard Pryor, revered comedian and friend of Newton. Plemons sat down with Vocalo’s resident film critic Reggie Ponder to discuss how he got the role and the intentions behind the series.
The first episode of ‘The Big Cigar’ premiered on May 17 on Apple TV+. Follow Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder on Instagram and X @thereelcritic. -
Based on a true story, ‘Sing Sing’ centers the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison in upstate New York. Incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, Divine G (played by Colman Domingo) finds purpose through participation in the RTA theatre program as they attempt to stage an original comedic production.
Vocalo’s resident film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder sat down with ‘Sing Sing’ actors Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, Paul Raci and Sean Dino Johnson to discuss filming inside the prison, the real-life arts program on which the movie is based and the importance of investing in the rehabilitation of incarcerated men and women.
‘Sing Sing’ is scheduled for limited U.S. theatrical release on July 12 and more widespread release Aug. 2. Follow Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder on X and Instagram @thereelcritic. - Show more
