The Third Reel: A Movie Podcast

This week on The Third Reel, we’re joined by director Keith Kopp and producer Luke Allen to talk about their ambitious upcoming feature First Christmas — and the very real journey of actually getting a film made.We dig into how Keith and Luke found their way into the industry, how their paths crossed, and how that collaboration has snowballed into their biggest project yet. First Christmas is already shaping up to be a stacked production, with a cast including Mark Addy, Eleanor Tomlinson, Russell Tovey, Dean-Charles Chapman, Samuel Anderson, Ian McNeice, Yasmin Al-Khudhairi and Alex Horne — which, frankly, is the kind of lineup that makes you double-check you’re still an indie film.But before the cameras roll, there’s the small matter of… money. We talk candidly about the final financing hurdles, what it’s like pitching a film in today’s industry, and their recent trip to Cannes — where dreams are pitched, deals are made, and sleep is optional.With principal photography planned for later this year and a target release of late 2027, this is a rare, behind-the-scenes snapshot of a film in motion — not after the fact, but right in the thick of it.If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to get a feature film off the ground (beyond shouting “action”), this one’s for you.Want to follow the journey of First Christmas?Check out Luke’s production company at www.askseekknock.co.ukFollow along at linktr.ee/firstchristmasmovieOr find them on socials @firstchristmasfilmWho do you want to see us interview next? We want to know!Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_podhttps://linktr.ee/thirdreelpodSupport our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpodTIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 - Preamble00:17:00 - Previous Work00:26:15 - How They Met00:35:50 - First Christmas00:54:40 - Cannes Debrief

Well… this isn’t what the spreadsheet said would happen. 📅💥Due to a scheduling clash of truly cinematic proportions (think three protagonists, one calendar, zero overlap), we’ve had to hit pause on our usual weekly episode. But before you dramatically cue the sad violin and wander off into the rain, we come bearing gifts.Instead of leaving you in a content drought, we’ve cracked open the Patreon vault and released one of our previously locked-away episodes into the wild. Yes, this is premium, behind-the-curtain, members-only goodness… now roaming free like a plot twist nobody saw coming.For our beloved Patreon supporters, this may feel like we’ve just handed out the secret recipe. A noble sacrifice. A moment of betrayal. A Shakespearean tragedy. But fear not, this is a one-time detour, not a hostile takeover. Your sacred stash of bonus content remains very much worth it, and normal service resumes next week. 🫡For everyone else? Welcome. This is your golden ticket 🎟️And what better introduction than our very first Patreon episode, where we dive deep into the Oscar-winning masterpiece Parasite. We’re talking themes, twists, class warfare, that ending… all the juicy layers peeled back like a very tense cinematic onion. It’s thoughtful, it’s chaotic, it’s occasionally unhinged… basically, it’s us at our most Patreon-y.If you enjoy this episode and fancy more bonus deep dives, exclusive content, and the occasional descent into film-fuelled madness, then you already know what to do…👀 Come see what you’ve been missing.Which group of films do you want to see us cover next? We want to know!Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_podhttps://linktr.ee/thirdreelpodSupport our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpod

We survived the “good years”… but now things get weird.Welcome to Part 2 of our CineTiers MCU deep dive, where the gloves come off, the timelines split, and the phrase “it’s canon somewhere” gets used far more than it should.Picking up from Endgame, we dive headfirst into Marvel’s bold (and occasionally baffling) next chapter – ranking everything from Phase 4 onwards, right up to the latest release, including the long-awaited arrival of Fantastic Four. Yes, we went there.This is the era of the multiverse.The era of Disney+ crossovers.The era of “wait… do I need to watch a series before this makes sense?”Dan is still fighting the good fight for Marvel supremacy.Rach is… having a fantastic time tearing it all down.Dale remains the diplomatic middle ground, desperately trying to keep the tiers from descending into pure chaos.As before, every film is ranked into our sacred CineTiers (S–E) – but this time, expect more disagreements, more hot takes, and at least one ranking that may legally qualify as a hate crime (cinematically speaking).Is the MCU still the king of blockbuster cinema… or has the crown started to slip into another dimension?There’s only one way to find out.Which group of films do you want to see us cover next? We want to know!Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_podhttps://linktr.ee/thirdreelpodSupport our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpodTIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 - Preamble00:03:59 - Further Rankings01:26:44 - Rearranging Rankings01:33:05 - Final Rankings

We’ve finally done it. We’ve opened the multiverse-sized can of worms that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe… and we’re not closing it anytime soon.Loved, loathed, memed into oblivion – the MCU is the cinematic juggernaut that simply refuses to leave the group chat. So naturally, we thought: let’s rank all of it.Dan is waving the Marvel flag like it’s Comic-Con opening day.Rach is sharpening the knives.Dale? Somewhere in the middle, holding a shield and wondering how it got this serious.In this episode, we kick off our CineTiers MCU special, ranking every film (so far) into the sacred tiers: S, A, B, C, D, and E – just like we did with Pixar… except this time there are more capes, more quips, and significantly more arguments.Because the MCU now has approximately a billion films/phases and counting, we’re splitting this into two parts.👉 Part 1 covers everything from Iron Man through to Infinity War – aka the era many call “the good years” (we’ll let you decide if that holds up…).Next week, we dive headfirst into Part 2, tackling everything post-Endgame up to the latest release – including the increasingly chaotic, multiverse-heavy, “wait, who is that again?” phase of Marvel.If you’ve ever argued about the MCU… this one’s for you.Which group of films do you want to see us cover next? We want to know!Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_podhttps://linktr.ee/thirdreelpodSupport our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpodTIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 - Preamble00:10:43 - Initial Rankings

The series returns, the stakes are… oddly personal, and Rachael is once again in the hot seat. Welcome back to Make Me a Fan — the show within the show where friendships are tested, filmographies are weaponised, and opinions are absolutely not left at the door.Currently, the scoreboard reads like a dramatic trilogy: 🎬 1 glorious success (Rach falling head over heels for Florence Pugh) 🎬 1 crushing failure (Dale stubbornly resisting the charms of Keira Knightley)And now… the decider.This time, the boys step into the ring armed with the filmography of the ever-intense, ever-intriguing Edward Norton — an actor who doesn’t just perform… he infiltrates. Known for disappearing into roles like a method-acting ninja with a philosophy degree, Norton’s catalogue is a playground of complex characters, moral grey zones, and the occasional existential spiral.The mission? Simple.Pick three films.Make Rachael care.Convert scepticism into full-blown fandom.Will Norton’s layered performances crack the code? Or will Rachael remain gloriously unconvinced, arms folded, unimpressed?It’s persuasive cinema meets chaotic energy — and honestly, it could go either way.What actor/director do you have a dislike of that you want to see covered? We want to know!Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through TikTok and Instagram @third_reel_podhttps://linktr.ee/thirdreelpodSupport our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpodTIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 - Preamble00:09:30 - The Debate00:26:53 - The Films

The Icon Series returns, and this time Rachael steps up to the director’s chair to shine a spotlight on a performer who didn’t just enter scenes… he quietly took ownership of them and redecorated the place.We’re diving into the extraordinary life and career of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Not quite Old Hollywood, but every bit as golden. A master of nuance, discomfort, vulnerability, and the kind of intensity that makes you forget you’re watching acting at all. Just people. Messy, brilliant, unforgettable people.From his early days as the ultimate “that guy” character actor to becoming an Oscar-winning powerhouse, Hoffman built a career on performances that linger long after the credits roll. The kind that creep into your brain at 2am and demand a rewatch.Along the way, Rachael takes pit stops at three of his most defining roles: • Capote – the performance that earned him the Oscar and proved subtlety can hit like a sledgehammer • Doubt – where ambiguity, tension, and moral chess matches simmer just beneath the surface • The Master – a hypnotic, unpredictable turn that feels less like acting and more like controlled chaosExpect insight, admiration, a few laughs, and the occasional moment of “how did he do that?” disbelief.Because some actors play characters. Philip Seymour Hoffman became them… then made you feel slightly uncomfortable for watching.Who do you want to see us cover us next? Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through our socials @third_reel_podhttps://linktr.ee/thirdreelpodSupport our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpodTIMESTAMPS00:00:00 - Preamble00:06:18 - PSH Pt 100:10:37 - Capote00:20:53 - Doubt00:32:02 - PSH Pt 200:36:13 - The Master00:45:40 - PSH Pt 3

This week, we unleash the beasts.Joined by friend of the pod and quite possibly the world’s most qualified (self-appointed) monster movie expert, we dive fang-first into the wild, weird, and wonderfully chaotic history of monster cinema. From the gothic gloom of early Universal legends like Dracula and Frankenstein, through the skyscraper-scaling chaos of King Kong and the atomic rage of Godzilla, all the way to the gloriously unhinged creature features of the 80s and 90s… we cover it all.But this isn’t just a history lesson. Oh no. This is a full autopsy.What actually makes a great monster movie? Is it the creature design? The chaos? The humans making absolutely baffling decisions? We break down what works, what really doesn’t, and the films that should probably be locked away in a cursed tomb forever.Speaking of cursed tombs… we shine a spotlight on one of Mike’s all-time favourites and a certified Third Reel darling: The Mummy. With a new instalment looming (yes, really, and yes, with original cast whispers), there’s never been a better time to revisit this swashbuckling, sand-blasted classic. We also… reluctantly… dig up the sequels. Some things are better left buried, but here we are. Yes, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, we’re looking directly at you. And yes… we do acknowledge the Tom Cruise one. Briefly. Like a jump scare you wish you could forget.We also ask the big question: has monster cinema peaked, or is the best still lurking in the shadows, waiting for its moment?Grab your pitchforks, light a torch, and press play. Just… maybe don’t read any ancient texts out loud while listening.

The journey doesn’t end at Mount Doom… it ends here, in the comfiest of chairs, with a debrief that’s part therapy session, part tribunal, and part long-overdue reckoning.After trekking through three films, approximately 47 endings, and enough sweeping New Zealand vistas to make us consider early retirement as sheep farmers, we’re wrapping up our Lord of the Rings review series with a very special guest: Claire — superfam, fiancé to our very own host, and, crucially, someone who has endured listening to all of this.And now… she gets her say.We’re diving into the age-old debate: extended editions or theatrical cuts — indulgent masterpieces or just Peter Jackson refusing to leave the party? Claire delivers her verdict on our reviews (brace yourselves), calling out the nonsense, agreeing where it’s deserved, and possibly questioning a few life choices along the way.But that’s not all. Oh no. We’re handing out awards like we’re at the Middle-earth Oscars:Favourite Frodo moment (yes, he does more than just look stressed)Best action scene (there may be shouting)MVPs, unsung heroes, and possibly a few characters who should’ve stayed in the ShireExpect laughs, gentle roasting, and the kind of chaotic energy that only comes from revisiting a trilogy this massive with someone who’s been watching from the sidelines, taking notes… and waiting.So pour yourself a pint, second breakfast optional, and join us as we close the book on one of the greatest trilogies ever made — with honesty, humour, and just a hint of “did we actually get any of this right?”If you have any things you want to discuss about this film or Lord of the Rings in general, email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through our socials @third_reel_podhttps://linktr.ee/thirdreelpodSupport our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpodAll music used in this podcast is for commentary and review purposes under fair use. We give full credit to the original composers and right holders, and acknowledge that we do not own any of the music featured.