Changing Reels

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Changing Reels is bi-weekly podcast that celebrates diversity and representation in cinema. In each episode, hosts Courtney Small and Kristen Lopez review a feature film and a short film and discuss there pop culture significance.

Changing Reels


    • Feb 17, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 76 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Changing Reels

    Episode 77 - Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2021 48:03


    Bob Turnbull (@TheLogicalMind) returns to discuss Steve McQueen's Education. 

    Episode 76 - One Night in Miami

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2021 26:11


    Film critic Paolo Kagaoan (@paolocase) returns to discuss Regina King's One Night in Miami 

    Episode 75 - Point Break

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2021 44:05


    Podcaster Petula Neale (@obesacantavit) returns to the show to discuss Kathryn Bigelow's Point Break. 

    Episode 74 - Disclosure

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2020 25:43


    Film critic Danielle Solzman (@DanielleSATM) talks about the documentary Disclosure and its examination of transgender representation in Hollywood.    Danielle's short film: Pandemic Therapy: https://vimeo.com/458000594

    Episode 73 - Climax

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2020 28:52


    Film critic Carolyn Mauricette (@vfdpixie) returns to talk about the dance inspired horror Climax. 

    Episode 72 - The Forty-Year-Old Version

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2020 34:35


    Film critic Victor Stiff (@VictorJStiff) talks defining one's success and the gatekeepers of art in The Forty-Year-Old Version.  

    Episode 71 - Bodied

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2020 43:56


    Musician Scott Knopf (a.k.a. Rhyme Time) talks battle rap and the consequences of words in the film Bodied.

    Episode 70 - Nurse.Fighter.Boy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2020 45:37


    Award-winning filmmaker Alicia K. Harris (@indiiiequeen) talks love and spirituality in Nurse.Fighter.Boy.   Watch the film for free on CBC Gems 

    Episode 69 - Late Night

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2020 35:00


    Film critic Rishabh Vashishtha (@Rishabh66420269) talks diversity in the writers' room and South Asian representation in the film Late Night.

    Episode 68 - Birds of Prey

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2020 40:35


    Film critic Ryan McNeil (@matinee_ca) explains why Birds of Prey is one of the DCEU's best films.   Articles mentioned in episode: Birds of Prey, Trauma and the Female Gaze;  Allyship is More Than Acknowledging Privilege

    Episode 67 - Selah and the Spades

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2020 34:03


    Film critic Andrew Robinson (@gmanreviews) shares his thoughts on Selah and the Spades.

    Episode 66 - Booksmart

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2020 32:11


    Film critic Dr. Hillary Butler (@PetDocHill) shares her thoughts on Booksmart.

    Episode 65 - Luce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2020 31:00


    Film critic Carolyn Mauricette (@vfdpixie) returns to discuss Luce.

    Episode 64 - Always Be My Maybe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2020 36:48


    Podcaster and film critic Dr. Jessica Rogers (@In_entertain) discusses Always Be My Maybe.

    Episode 63 - Attack the Block

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2020 30:54


    Podcaster and film critic Jay Cluitt (@LifeVsFilm) talks Attack the Block.

    Episode 62 - Hustlers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2020 37:21


    Podcaster and film critic Petula Neale (@obesacantavit) stops by to discuss Lorene Scafaria's Hustlers.

    Episode 61 - Burning

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2020 30:27


    Freelance Film/TV critic Carolyn Hinds (@CarrieCnh12) stops by to discuss Lee Chang-dong's Burning.

    Episode 60 - Millennium Actress

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2020 31:31


    Freelance journalist Max Covill (@mhcovill) stops by to discuss Satoshi Kon's Millennium Actress.

    Episode 59 - Dear White People

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2020 38:20


    Daniel Grant (@TheYungGuard) stops by to discuss Justin Simien's Dear White People.

    Episode 58 - House (Hausu)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 35:41


    Bob Turnbull (@TheLogicalMind) returns to the show to discuss Nobuhiko Obayashi's 1977 film House (Hausu).  This episode was originally slated to be released in June, however, Obayashi passed away six days after the show was recorded. We are releasing the episode early as a farewell to the prolific filmmaker.

    Episode 57 - Real Women Have Curves

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2020 29:50


    Film critic Heidy Morales (@HeidyMo) stops by to discuss the mother-daughter relationship in Real Women Have Curves.

    Episode 56 - Black Narcissus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2020 41:11


    Talking faith and desire in Black Narcissus with writer Bob Turnbull (@TheLogicalMind).

    Episode 55 - Adam

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2020 32:13


    Exploring the portrayal of Asperger syndrome in 2009's Adam with film critic Sean Patrick Kelly (@SKonMovies).   Links Referenced in the Episode:  Sean's Aspergers in Film and TV montage: https://vimeo.com/345332475/d4d2ec2a25?fbclid=IwAR1U1v9_K0vHyvGEGVaoGMdW7PSPDQ_bGEPfH6VgkUVVHY8fm8YTsi4hwmo Why The Predator 2018 is a bad representation of childhood autism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfKtSwf_vkY&feature=youtu.be

    Episode 54 - Tangerine

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2020 28:29


    Film critic Paolo Kagaoan (@paolocase) stops by to discuss Sean Baker's Tangerine.

    Episode 53 - Atlantics

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2020 26:06


    Film critic and Blood in the Snow Film Festival programmer Carolyn Mauricette (@vfdpixie) returns to the show to discuss Mati Diop's Atlantics

    Episode 52 - Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2019 40:46


    Film critic and Blood in the Snow Film Festival programmer Carolyn Mauricette returns to the show to discuss Jordan Peele's Us

    Episode 51 - Me Before You

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2019 45:15


    In this episode of Changing Reels we take a different approach and explore the problematic ways that disability is represented in cinema. To do this we take a deep dive into Thea Sharrock's romantic drama Me Before You. We also discuss sex and disability in the short film Prends-moi (Take Me) by Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette & André Turpin. Opening Music: Run So Far by Rhyme Time (album available here: https://rhymetimerapper.bandcamp.com/album/gnarly) Show Notes: 1:45 – Prends-moi 12:03 – Me Before You

    Episode 50 - One False Move

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2018 37:41


    In this episode we discuss One False Move by Carl Franklin. The 1992 noir follows a small town police chief (Bill Paxton) as he awaits a trio of killers (Billy Bob Thornton, Cynda Williams and Michael Beach) headed his way. We also discuss our short film of the week Straight Down Low by Zach Wechter. Show Notes: 0.45 – Straight Down Low 8:39 – One False Move Short film: https://vimeo.com/77306213

    Episode 49 - The First Purge

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2018 41:19


    We talk race and politics in the Purge franchise as we dive into The First Purge directed by Gerard McMurray. We also discuss our short film of the week Closet Space by David F. Sandberg. Show Notes: 2:14 – Closet Space 8:12 – The First Purge Short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fje6_ou5RY

    Episode 48 - Thirst

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2018 39:14


    Film critic and Blood in the Snow programmer Carolyn Mauricette returns to discuss Park Chan-wook's Thirst.

    Episode 47 - The Children's Hour

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2018 31:56


    William Wyler's 1961 film The Children's Hour has been hailed as a landmark piece of cinema. It was one of the few films of the time to bring LGBT issues to mainstream audiences. We dive into the pros and cons of Wyler's film and whether it is still relevant to audiences of today.

    Episode 46 - Call Me by Your Name

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2018 39:53


    Luca Guadagnino's Oscar winning film Call Me by Your Name may not be overlooked or underappreciated, but we love it nonetheless. This week we soak up the beauty of this tender romance set in 1980s Italy. We also discuss our short film of the week Dylan by Elizabeth Rohrbaugh. Show Notes: 1:44 – Dylan 8:56 – Call Me by Your Name Short film: https://vimeo.com/110822721

    Episode 45 - The Virgin Suicides

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2018 45:01


    We dive back into the films of Sofia Coppola with The Virgin Suicides and discuss our short film pick of the week: Hala by Minhal Baig. 1:57 – Hala 14:16 – The Virgin Suicides Courtney's Luke Cage piece for Leonard Maltin's New Voices: http://leonardmaltin.com/the-blinding-light-of-love-in-luke-cage-season-two/

    Episode 44 – Eve's Bayou

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2018 45:59


    Hailed by Roger Ebert as the best film of 1997, Eve's Bayou is an astonishing work. We dive into Kasi Lemmons' directorial debut and discuss the theme of memory, the lies adults tell children, and so much more. We also spend time with our short film pick 1982 by Jeremy Breslau. Show notes 1:09 – 1982 7:47 – Eve's Bayou Short film: https://vimeo.com/67093569

    Episode 43 - Columbus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2018 36:37


    In this episode we discuss the 2017 film Columbus directed by Kogonada. The drama focuses on Jin (John Cho), a successful Korean-American, who strikes up a tender friendship Casey (Haley Lu Richardson), while stuck in Columbus, Indiana. We also discuss our short film of the week Dol (First Birthday) by Andrew Ahn. Show Notes: 1:17 - Dol (First Birthday) 8:16 – Columbus

    Episode 42 - Open Your Eyes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2018 38:13


    In this episode we discuss Alejandro Amenábar's 1997 film Open Your Eyes. The plot revolves around a handsome playboy named César who finds his life in a downward spiral after being disfigured in the accident the day after he meets the woman of his dreams. Of course, we also touch on the Cameron Crowe American remake Vanilla Sky and discuss our short film pick, The Psychology of Dream Analysis by Rian Johnson. Show notes: 1:20 - The Psychology of Dream Analysis 8:07 – Open Your Eyes

    Episode 41 - The Bigamist

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2018 42:00


    Ida Lupino was the first woman to direct a film noir, but her work behind the camera is not as well-known as her acting career in front of it. In this episode we talk post-war America, classic cinema and why a happily married man gets the itch for something more as we take in Lupino's 1953 film The Bigamist. We also discuss our short film pick of the week Vows by Tal Zagreba. Show notes: 1:50 - Vows 10:29 - The Bigamist

    Episode 40 - Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2018 39:35


    In this episode Courtney and Kristen discuss the origins of Wonder Woman, polyamorous relationships and the strong and complex women in Angela Robinson's Professor Marston and the Wonder Women. They also spend time with their online short film pick of the week, Heather Fink ‘s The Focus Group written by and starring Sara Benincasa. Show Notes: 1:14 – The Focus Group 10:48 - Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

    Episode 39 - Queen of Katwe

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2018 45:45


    In this episode, Courtney and guest co-host Kristen Lopez (Roger Ebert, Hollywood Reporter) journey to Uganda through Disney's Queen of Katwe directed by Mira Nair. They also discuss this episode's short film pick First Match by Olivia Newman.

    Episode 38 - Wadjda

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2018 43:01


    Film critic Kristen Lopez (Roger Ebert, Hollywood Reporter) fills in as guest co-host while Andrew is on hiatus. In this episode we spend time with the 2012 Saudi Arabian drama directed by Haifaa Al Mansour. Our short film pick of the week is Mo'ne Davis: I Throw Like a Girl by Spike Lee. Show Notes: 5:40 - Mo'ne Davis: I Throw Like a Girl by Spike Lee 15:21 - Wadjda by Haifaa Al Mansour

    Episode 36 - Antwone Fisher

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2018 48:43


    We celebrate Black History Month with the 2002 film Antwone Fisher directed by Denzel Washington. The film tells the true story of a young naval officer who, through the help of a determined psychiatrist, comes to terms with his painful past. For our short film spotlight, we discuss Speak It!: From the Heart of Black Nova Scotia by Sylvia Hamilton. 2:11 Speak It 17:03 Antwone Fisher

    Episode 35 - Straight Outta Compton

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2018 76:23


    This week we revisit F. Gary Gray's 2015 film Straight Outta Compton. The film recounts the rise of the group N.W.A. whose music revolutionized Hip Hop culture and inspired a generation in the process. For our short film spotlight, we discuss Melville by James M. Johnston and Missy Elliott's Work It by David Meyers. 9:55 Melville 19:36 Work It 34:17 Straight Outta Compton

    Episode 34 - Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2018 56:53


    We kick off 2018 with Jim Jarmusch's 1999 film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. In the film Forest Whitaker plays Ghost Dog, a mafia hit man who follows the ancient code of the samurai. For our short film spotlight, we discuss the Nick Cave narrated film The Cat Piano by Ari Gibson ​&​ Eddie White and Junko's Shamisen by Sol Friedman. 4:47 The Cat Piano by Ari Gibson ​&​ Eddie White 13:19 Junko's Shamisen by Sol Friedman 21:06 Ghost Dog by Jim Jarmusch Opening music comes courtesy of https://www.bensound.com

    Episode 33 - Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2017 57:13


    We are keeping things loose this episode as we are still recovering from the holidays and dealing with family related issues. So while there is no short film discussion this week, special guest Seth Gorden, the talent to artist who does all of our artwork, joins us to discuss Zacharias Kunuk's stirring epic Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. Hailed as one of the greatest Canadian films of all time, and inspired by an Inuit legend, the film is a captivating look at how community, mysticism and the sins of the past impact a family in unexpected ways​.​ After some introductions and general cinematic musing, the conversation about The Fast Runner starts at 7:52.

    Episode 32 - Hush

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2017 70:46


    We are joined once again by film critic Kristen Lopez ​to further discuss​​the representation of disability in cinema. This time we dive into the horror genre with Mike Flanagan's 2016 thriller Hush. The film focuses on a writer who is deaf whose solitary life in the woods is disrupted by a masked killer. We also take a moment to ​highlight our two short film picks (available online for free): Rob Savage's Dawn of the Deaf and Charlotte Wells' Laps. 6:59 Dawn of the Deaf 21:11 Laps 35:28 Hush

    Episode 31 - Saved!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2017 59:05


    Film critic Kristen Lopez returns to Changing Reels for the first of two shows looking at the representation of disabilities in cinema. This episode we revisit Brian Dannelly's 2004 satire Saved! The film follows Mary, a student at American Eagle Christian High School, whose life takes a drastic turn when she becomes pregnant after losing her virginity in hopes of “saving” her boyfriend who has recently admitted he is gay. We also take a moment to dive into our two short film picks (available online for free): Cousin by Adam Elliot and Hole by Martin Edralin. 5:33 Cousin 16:57 Hole 27:46 Saved!

    Episode 30 - Train to Busan

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2017 54:35


    A neglectful father attempts to reconnect with his young daughter by accompanying her on a train ride to see his ex-wife. What starts off as a simple journey soon turns into a harrowing fight for survival as a zombie virus rapidly spreads across South Korea. This week film critic and Blood in the Snow Film Festival programmer Caroyln Mauricette joins us to discuss Yeon Sang-ho's Train to Busan, one of the best zombie films in the last decade. We also take time to highlight our short film picks: Waterborne by Ryan Coonan and Paranoia by Sandeepan Chanda, Nitesh Mishra, Amrita Mukhopadhyay, and Sunil Kumar Yadav. 3:28 Waterborne 9:17 Paranoia 19:00 Train to Busan

    Episode 29 - Under the Shadow

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2017 57:58


    Living in post-revolutionary Tehran in the 1980s has not been easy for Shideh. With her dreams of becoming a doctor fading away due to her political activism during the war, she spends most of her time taking care of her daughter Dorsa while her husband pursues his medical career on the front lines. As the dangers of missile strike inch closer to her home, Shideh's sanity is tested when Dorsa starts claiming that there is a spirit lurking in their home. This week we turn up the chills with Babak Anvari's riveting directorial debut Under the Shadow. We also discuss our short film picks of the week: Paul Trillo's At the End of the Cul-de-Sac and Steve McCarthy O Negative. 4:40 - At the End of the Cul De Sac 15:14 - O Negative 23:59 - Under the Shadow Please support Andrew's work on the podcast by contributing to his Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/cantstopthemovies

    Episode 28 - Creed

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2017 67:39


    Ryan Coogler's Creed, much like its protagonist Adonis Johnson Creed, strives to carve out its own path while dealing with the weight of his legacy. The seventh film in the Rocky franchise, not only pays homage to the films in the series that came before it, but forges its own identity while carrying the torch for a whole new generation. In this episode, we are joined by film critic Ryan McNeil to discuss why Creed ranks amongst the best boxing films in the last couple of decades. We also take time to highlight our short film picks: Quand J'ai Remplacé Camille by Nathan Otaño, Rémy Clarke & Leïla Courtillon and Standing 8 by Michael Molina Minard. 5:51 When She Replaced Camille 14:18 Standing 8 25:58 Creed

    Episode 27 - Whip It

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2017 39:52


    In Bliss Cavendar's small town, winning a beauty pageant is akin to being a star player on the football team. Though her mother, a former beauty queen, longs for her to follow in her footsteps, Bliss finds her own path when she discovers her love for the sport of roller derby. Assuming the name “Babe Ruthless” she soon makes waves on the circuit while dealing with the complexities that come with finding oneself. This week lace up the skates and take a spin with Drew Barrymore's 2009 film Whip It. We also discuss our short film picks: Hana Wuerker's When Perri Met Aly and River Finlay's Luchadora. 4:51 When Perri Met Aly 11:25 Luchadora 18:42 Whip It

    Episode 26 - The Wedding Banquet

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2017 51:32


    To placate his meddling Taiwanese parents, Wai-Tung agrees to a marriage of convenience with a struggling artist Wei Wei. What he failed to mentioned to his parents is that he is already in a loving relationship with Simon. Things spiral out of control for Wai-Tung when his parents decide to make a surprise visit to help plan the wedding. This week walk down the aisle with Ang Lee's 1993 romantic comedy The Wedding Banquet. We also take time to highlight our short film picks of the week: Pink Grapefruit by Michael Mohan and In a Heartbeat by Beth David and Esteban Bravo. 4:59 Pink Grapefruit 13:49 In A Heartbeat 21:59 The Wedding Banquet

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