Episodes
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2024 documentary 'Daughters' follows four young girls as they prepare to reunite with their fathers for a special Daddy Daughter Dance through a fatherhood program in a DC jail. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film offers authentic and vulnerable insight into the lives of families impacted by incarceration.
’Daughters’ is currently available on Netflix, and has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
Chicago disco-funk musician and activist Ric Wilson has a personal style inspired by vintage, his international travels and people he's met across different eras of his life.
He's performed alongside acts like Chromeo, Black Pumas, DRAMA, Yellow Days and more. Wilson sat down with Vocalo for our "Getting Dressed" series to talk all things style, share takeaways from living in London and give us the breakdown of how he packs for international tours.
This segment was hosted, cut and mixed by Morgan Ciocca. It was engineered and produced by Dave Miska, and edited by Cassie Walker Burke. Special thanks to Mendy Kong and Jessica Martens. Keep up with Vocalo @vocalo on most platforms, and subscribe to our newsletter at wbez.org/vocalo-thegoods. -
Missing episodes?
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With the 97th Academy Awards rapidly approaching on March 2, Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder paid a visit to the Vocalo studio to help us break down the races and films we need to look out for. He gave us his take on the film he thinks will claim Best Picture, plus his predictions for Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Director and more. He also highlighted what he feels was the biggest snub this year, and his feelings about some standout movie scores. Keep up with Reggie Ponder @TheReelCritic on most platforms.
This segment originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Wednesday, Feb. 26. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca.
Keep up with Vocalo @vocalo on most platforms, and subscribe to The Goods newsletter for a weekly film recommendation (and more) every week at wbez.org/vocalo-thegoods. -
Yearly film series Melanin, Roots, and Culture celebrates Black stories and filmmakers at the Music Box Theatre, wrapping up tonight with “Life Within The Lens” — a short film screening showcasing Chicago creators. Other featured films included ‘The Woman King,’ ‘Here and Now’ and more. Film programmer Tyler Michael Balentine discussed the series with Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder. Find more information at musicboxtheatre.com.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
In this latest Marvel Studios offering, Steve Wilson — previously the Falcon, now the new Captain America — finds himself in the middle of an international incident after meeting with president Thaddeus Ross, and must foil a malevolent global plot before it’s too late. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the new installment of the ‘Captain America’ franchise is worth the watch, but feels the writers were “unable to make it iconic” — though they set the stage for something bigger in the future.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
Nonprofit Black Alphabet and Center on Halsted present a Black History Month Mini Film Festival this Saturday, Feb. 22, celebrating Black and queer stories at the LGBTQ+ community hub with several short film screenings and a brief talkback. Organizer Joshua X. Miller of Black Alphabet stopped by Vocalo to discuss the film fest and its mission with host Nudia Hernandez, and we heard from filmmakers Gio Johnson and Kin Marie about their featured works. Find more info at blackalphabet.org.
This segment originally aired on Vocalo 91.1 FM on Wednesday, Feb. 19. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and it was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca.
Keep up with more Chicago happenings by subscribing to The Goods weekly arts and culture newsletter at wbez.org/vocalo-thegoods -
Brian “Killah B” Bates walked away with two Grammy wins for his work on Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter.' The Los Angeles-based, Chicago-rooted producer and songwriter didn’t know his song, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” would be the breakout hit from the album. He was just honored to be included on the project, and he says he’s still processing it all. We hopped on a call with the producer to chat all things “Texas Hold ‘Em” and his advice for aspiring producers.
This segment originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM on Thursday, Feb. 13. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and it was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca. Subscribe to our newsletter at wbez.org/vocalo-thegoods. -
Action comedy ‘Love Hurts’ follows Milwaukee realtor Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan), who is shocked to receive a letter from Rose (Ariana DeBose): his former partner-in-crime who he left for dead. Pulled back into the world of hit-men and betrayal, Marvin is hunted down by his ruthless crime lord brother (Daniel Wu) as he reckons with his past. Amid the guns, gore and exaggerated fighting sequences, the film is punctuated with love and relationship humor. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder felt the film’s title was particularly appropriate … it really did hurt. Hear his thoughts on ‘Love Hurts’ in this review.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
Two-time Grammy-winning producer Ian Fitchuk has had a hand in music you've probably heard, from Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' to Kacey Musgraves' 'Golden Hour.' This Sunday he's up for two more Grammys (one for Producer of the Year), but first he hopped on a call with Vocalo's Nudia Hernandez to break down his Chicago roots and the importance of using real instruments in his production process.
This segment originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM on Tuesday, Jan. 28. It hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and edited by Morgan Ciocca. -
When Alyssa's (SZA) boyfriend blows their rent money, she and her best friend-slash-roommate Dreux (KeKe Palmer) race against the clock to pay their rent, avoid an eviction and keep their friendship intact. The female buddy comedy debuted this week with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the New York Times said the duo of Palmer and SZA "lights up the screen with starry zeal." Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder shares his thoughts on the new film.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
Chicago hip-hop artist Cassius Tae will take the stage at Schubas Tavern on Sunday, Jan. 19, to close out locally-run, multi-venue festival Tomorrow Never Knows. The artist plans to perform his November 2024 album ‘Moments in Desire,’ which was the culmination of four years’ work — and set back by a crashed hard drive. Known for his freestyling skills, Tae noted many of the raps on Moments were improvised in-studio. He met with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez to talk about the performance, his passion for freestyle rap and the meaning behind ‘Moments in Desire.’
This segment originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia In the Afternoons on Jan. 15. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and edited by Morgan Ciocca. Find tickets to see Cassius Tae at lh-st.com. -
Chicago vocalist and songwriter Senite will take the stage tonight, Jan. 16, at Space in Evanston, supported by fellow local talent: alt-R&B singer Gayun Cannon and whoisaubry of rap duo Stranded Civilians. Senite has had a busy 2024; she made appearances on projects from SONNY and Kaicrewsade, opened for Saba’s ‘Comfortzone’ 10th anniversary show and says new music is on the way. She sat down with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez to discuss the show, new music in the works and balancing artistic versatility.This segment originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia In the Afternoons on Jan. 14. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and edited by Morgan Ciocca. Find tickets to see Senite at evanstonspacemusic.com.
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Based on a true story, 2024 film 'Unstoppable' is a story of strength, perseverance and defying the odds. It follows Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome), a determined wrestler born with one leg, on his journey to become a champion athlete. Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder raves about the film’s wrestling sequences and the depth of several performances — including that of Jennifer Lopez, who stars as Robles' mother. The film also stars Don Cheadle, Bobby Cannavale and Michael Peña. 'Unstoppable' is available for streaming on Prime Video.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. -
Looking ahead to his New Year’s Eve dance party, Chicago musician and activist Ric Wilson hopes that disco ideals will reign supreme. Wilson is wrapping a busy 2024 that brought domestic and international tours with DRAMA, Black Pumas, Yellow Days and Chromeo. But Chicago’s “Disco Ric” will have one grand finale: “America Runs On Disco,” a year-end celebration, at Lincoln Hall. Wilson’s new single also is called “America Runs on Disco,” and it’s out Dec. 17 (an EP of the same name is due out in 2025). The song reflects Wilson’s thoughts over the past two years on escapism and paying homage to disco’s inclusive ethos.
Stopping by the Vocalo studio last week, Wilson spoke with host Nudia Hernandez about his love of Chicago house music, his secret for thriving on 7-hour flights to London and his penchant for civic engagement.
This segment was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited by Morgan Ciocca. Dig deeper into the story at Vocalo.org, and follow us @Vocalo on Instagram, X and Facebook, or @Vocalo.radio on TikTok. -
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. -
Chicago-based Latin artist Aksel is turning up the heat for the new year — and his last drop of 2024, single “Unica,” gives listeners a taste of what is to come. Looking toward 2025, Aksel teases he’s curating new vocals and visual elements for a project with “tropical vibes.” Aksel sat down with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez to discuss all things “Unica” and his plans for the new years.
This segment was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited by Morgan Ciocca. Keep up with Vocalo on Instagram, Facebook and X @vocalo, and on TikTok @vocalo.radio. Dig deeper into the story at Vocalo.org. -
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.
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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. -
On Dec. 7, WBEZ and Investigative Project on Race and Equity — in collaboration with several other community groups — will host “Green Light For Change,” a community forum on traffic stop reform. The event aims to educate Chicagoans on their legal rights during traffic stops, with an emphasis on Black and brown community members. Since September 2023, WBEZ’s collaborative series “Profiled: The State of Traffic Stops in Illinois” has aimed to bring light to the drastic increases in traffic stops and racial disparities in drivers stopped through investigative data reporting. This weekend’s event serves as an opportunity to present the findings to the public and engage in community discussion.
WBEZ data team editor Alden Loury stopped by Vocalo to discuss the event, and his reporting on traffic stop data and incidents.
This segment was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited by Morgan Ciocca. Dig deeper into the story at Vocalo.org. -
The new project from Chicago duo The O’My’s — ‘Trust The Stars’ — reminds listeners to have faith in the future. On Wednesday, Nov. 27, they’ll perform the project live for the first time at the Metro, with support from fellow Chicago artists Shawnee Dez, Frsh Waters and Sparklmami.
The pair — Nick Henessey and Maceo Vidal-Haymes — sat down with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez to discuss the project and how they built their own studio (with a little help from friends and family).
This segment originally aired on Wednesday, Nov. 20 during Nudia In the Afternoons on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and edited by Morgan Ciocca. - Show more
