Author Archives: Chance Solem-Pfeifer

What’s that clatter upon the roof? Why it’s the preeminent family comedy about Santa’s violent demise and the “clause” pun that confused an entire generation! On this BR, we recap our watch party of “The Santa Clause,” determining once and for all whether Tim Allen is a movie star and this 1994 smash hit belongs […]

Discussing films about real screenwriters this week, we dig into David Fincher’s “Mank” (2020)—the new Netflix film about Herman Mankiewicz and the origins of “Citizen Kane.” Then, we leap to the 21st century to reappraise Charlie Kaufman fictionalizing and splitting himself in “Adaptation” (2002). Finally, it’s Dalton Trumbo’s quest against the Hollywood Blacklist in “Trumbo” […]

This Thanksgiving, we were home alone… watching “Home Alone“! Following our first-ever watch party, we reappraise the iconic holiday film turning 30. Through a 2020 viewing, we address whether Kevin is a sociopath, the acting quality by the sad adult characters, and just how much dairy Kevin puts away. ‘Tis the season for losing one’s […]

Ahead of Bruce Lee’s (would-be) 80th birthday, Be Reel marvels at the spinning kicks, inimitable shrieks, and star wattage of the global icon. This week, we dive into the Dragon’s fascinating life and numerous afterlives with the help of Lee biographer Jeff Chang (“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop”) and sociology professor / Tae Kwon Do black belt Lory Dance. Our official titles […]

In honor of both the late Sean Connery and the 25th anniversary of “GoldenEye” (1995), Be Reel looks back at the debuts of every actor to play 007: Connery (“Dr. No”), Roger Moore (“Live and Let Die”), Timothy Dalton (“The Living Daylights”), Pierce Brosnan (“GoldenEye”) and Daniel Craig (“Casino Royale”)—with a courteous nod to George […]

It’s Halloween week, and nobody embodies the committed glam and eerie camp of the holiday quite like Tim Curry. This week, we celebrate and reappraise the British legend’s iconic costumed roles in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975), “Legend” (1985), and “It” (1990). We also make a brief return to “Clue” manor. Recorded deep in the […]

You may recognize Mark Webber as the talent, the creep, or the kid from cult favorites like 
“Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World,” “Green Room” or “Broken Flowers.” What you might not know is that the well-traveled character actor has embarked on an ambitiously self-interrogative directing career as well, culminating in his latest film: “The Place […]

For the 30th anniversary of “To Sleep with Anger” (1990), we dive into the films of principal “L.A. Rebellion” director Charles Burnett. Part of the first generation of Black directors to come out of American film school, Burnett brought a daring cinematographer’s eye and watchful activist’s pen to films like “Killer of Sheep” (1978) and […]

Miranda July is a genre of her own—quite literally—this week on Be Reel. We’re talking about the just-released “Kajillionaire” (2020), “Me and You and Everyone We Know” (2005) and “The Future” (2011). In each, the writer-director introduces us to relationships familiar but strange, where chat rooms, taboos and family traditions both create and bridge the […]

God loves a terrier and probably the directorial work of Christopher Guest, too. On the latest Be Reel, we watched “Waiting for Guffman” (1996), “Best in Show” (for its 20th anniversary), “A Mighty Wind” (2003), and “For Your Consideration” (2006)—all currently on Hulu. Let’s dive in to ask what these movies tell us about today’s […]