Christmas is creeping ever closer—presents maybe bought, probably not wrapped, Baileys flowing like the Thames, decorations at full twinkle. And while you’re settling into the festive haze, we’re diving headfirst into the ultimate Christmas tale: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The man practically invented the modern Christmas… and yet somehow Hollywood keeps reinventing him. (And yes, because the universe demanded it, there’s even a brand-new Johnny Depp version on the way.)

We all adore The Muppet Christmas Carol here at TTR, but this year we’re taking the long road past Kermit and into the return of our Versus Series—pitting two adaptations that NONE of us had ever seen before. Bold? Foolish? Extremely on brand?

In the red corner: 1951’s Scrooge, starring Alastair Sim—widely hailed as the definitive Scrooge by Christmas purists.

And in the blue, motion-captured corner: Robert Zemeckis’ 2009 animated A Christmas Carol, featuring Jim Carrey playing… well… everyone.

Which film honours Dickens’ vision? Which is more entertaining? Who gives the superior “Bah Humbug”? And which one deserves a place on your festive rewatch list instead of being visited by the Ghost of Christmas Nope?

We break it all down in four categories:

🎭 Performance

📚 Faithfulness & Adaptation

🎨 Visual Representation

🎄 Entertainment

Each category scored out of 5 by each TTR host, with a final tally to crown the ultimate Christmas champion.

Grab your Baileys, wrap something (literally anything), and join us for a festive showdown of Dickensian proportions.

FULL SPOILERS FOR SCROOGE AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL IN THIS EPISODE. But you surely already know this story...

Agree with our scores? What would you score these films? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:20:58 - Category 1: Performance

00:41:10 - Category 2: Faithfulness & Adaptation

00:53:27 - Category 3: Visual Representation

01:11:38 - Category 4: Entertainment

01:27:11 - Final Scores

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Can you believe it? Somehow, against all odds, missed upload windows, rogue microphones, and at least one near-existential crisis per host, we’ve made it to a full year of recording this wonderfully chaotic little podcast.

To mark the occasion, Dale takes the captain’s chair (steady yourselves) and fires a series of deeply investigative, hard-hitting questions at the other two — everything from our humble, slightly shambolic beginnings to the origins of our name, and even whether any of us seriously considered quitting along the way. Yes, we are doing a clip show!

We also peel back the curtain on how the whole circus actually works: from the first spark of an idea to the moment an episode finally, miraculously, appears in your feed. And to top it off, we drop some genuinely exciting news about what’s coming next as we roll into the new year — changes that might just make this podcast feel ever so slightly more legitimate.

Here’s to a year of laughter, questionable opinions, cinematic nonsense, and the unwavering belief that chatting about films is a personality trait. Onwards, upwards, and maybe even occasionally on time!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:04:00 - Looking Back

01:06:26 - The Process

01:29:14 - Looking Forward

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Remember 2012? The year we almost got wiped out by a Mayan prophecy, everyone was suddenly doing the Gangnam Style dance, and the world collectively agreed that coloured skinny jeans were acceptable? Well, we’re diving straight back into that glorious fever dream.

Before we even get to the movies, we take a wander through our own personal histories of 2012—yes, the questionable fashion choices, the terrible haircuts, and the cultural moments we’d rather forget. Then we hop over to the big headlines and pop-culture buzz of the year, because nothing sets the mood for a nostalgic top-ten like reminding ourselves just how strange that year really was.

Then it’s list time. Each of us brings our personal Top 10 Films of 2012, counting down from ten to one… with one important rule: if a film appears higher up on someone else’s list, we zip it until it reaches its highest spot. (It’s tense. It’s dramatic. It’s the closest thing we’ll ever get to strategy on this podcast.)

Last time we did this—for 2010—Daniel and Dale basically had the same list in a slightly different order.

This time?

Oh no.

No, no, no.

Let’s just say the lists are… wildly different. Chaos reigns. Friendships are tested. Rachael judges everyone.

But at the end of all this, one film must stand victorious. Which 2012 masterpiece takes the crown?

Let us know your 2012 rankings!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

All 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.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:13:57 - The Lists

01:56:18 - Honourable Mentions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 80s are running back into cinemas! 🏃‍♂️

Edgar Wright’s classic remake of an iconic film is sprinting onto screens, and what better way to celebrate the decade that practically invented modern blockbuster cinema? In this episode, we’re cranking the nostalgia and competition all the way up.

We’re joined by our second guest ever, the legendary Joe — a name dropped on practically every other episode — and finally, we get to put a voice to the hype. Of course, we do it in true Third Reel fashion: battling it out in the ultimate draft game. Joe picked the decade and the format, but can he take down the veterans? Will Dan continue his draft domination, or can Dale finally snatch one win? Spoiler: probably not, but hope dies last.

Categories are stacked for maximum chaos: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Horror/Thriller, Teen/Coming-of-Age, IMDb Elite (8.0+), IMDb Cult Classic (7.0 or below), and a cheeky Free Pick. From laugh-out-loud moments to tense cinematic showdowns, this episode is a playground for film nerds and trivia warriors alike.

Tune in for nostalgia, rivalry, and the kind of cinematic fun only the Third Reel Draft can deliver.

Who won? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com and vote through our Instagram poll or via TikTok @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:26:12 - The Draft

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The horror month may be over… but the horror isn’t stopping. 💀 Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited Frankenstein (2025) has finally risen from the grave, and everyone’s talking about it. After years of calling this his dream project, del Toro has brought Mary Shelley’s masterpiece back to life — but can he succeed where so many recent adaptations have fallen flat?

In Part 1, we give our spoiler-free thoughts — covering everything from Jacob Elordi’s haunting performance as the Creature to Oscar Isaac’s tortured genius as Victor Frankenstein. Then, in Part 2, we dive headfirst into full spoiler territory, dissecting the film’s biggest twists, gothic themes, and that jaw-dropping ending.

Is this del Toro’s magnum opus or a monster mishmash? Tune in as we break down the film that’s shocking audiences and sparking debates everywhere.

Agree with our score? What films do you want to see covered in our Reel Kwik series? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:16:34 - Spoiler-Free Thoughts

00:35:18 - Full Spoiler Review

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The journey continues – and yes, we actually made it all the way to Mordor (well… at least to the end of The Fellowship of the Ring).

This week, it’s Part 2 of our Lord of the Rings review, where we tackle Act 2, Act 3, and wrap things up with our closing thoughts and all-important scores.

We’re talking Balrog battles, Boromir blunders, and big emotional moments as we say farewell to the Fellowship (for now). Is this one of the greatest fantasy films ever made? Or just the longest? Tune in to find out.

Grab your cloak, tighten your lembas belt, and join us one last time for the end of all things… until next week’s episode, obviously.

FULL SPOILERS FOR LORD OF THE RINGS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING IN THIS EPISODE. You have been warned.

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_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

All 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.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Review: Act 2

00:52:24 - Review: Act 3

01:31:03 - Closing Thoughts & Scores

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It’s the one podcast to rule them all… and it’s finally here!

This week, The Third Reel tackles The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – the episode you’ve all been waiting for (and possibly the one we’ve been dreading editing). As always with our deep-dive reviews, things got a little… epic. So, we’ve split this one into two parts. Consider this your extended edition (Part 1 covering Act 1), with Part 2 (covering acts 2 and 3 followed by our closing thoughts and scores) dropping next week – no orcs, wizards, or hobbits will keep us from finishing it.

Expect questionable accents, passionate arguments over who the true hero of Middle-earth is, and a worrying amount of time spent talking about second breakfasts.

Grab your lembas bread, pour yourself an ale, and join us as we set off on the adventure of a lifetime.

FULL SPOILERS FOR LORD OF THE RINGS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING IN THIS EPISODE. You have been warned.

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_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

All 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.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:21:26 - Review: Act 1

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Here lurks our Halloween special, crawling out of the crypt with a brand-new Horror Icons Draft. One episode. Three terrified hosts. Zero common sense.

We’re assembling the ultimate spooky squad:

• Human Killers - (if they’re squishy and mortal, they count)

• Supernatural - spirits and demons (the spooky, floaty kind)

• Undead - beasties who just couldn’t stay dead

• Slashers - who love a bit of a stabby-stab

• Monsters (self-explanatory… and probably slimy)

• Free Pick - (chaos mode unlocked)

The rules? Delightfully unhinged. Each of us can justify our picks however we please. Are we choosing based on iconic films? Who’d win in a back-alley brawl? Who would front the most terrifying boyband? Anything goes. If the categories start to blur like a low-budget jump scare, we’ll argue our case to the death. Our death, probably.

Classic snake draft format, because fairness matters… even when evil is afoot.

You, dear listener, hold the power. When the teams are built, you vote on who crafted the deadliest, coolest, most nightmarishly brilliant horror roster. The winner takes the crown, the losers sleep with the lights on.

This is The Horror Icons Draft.

May the best nightmare win. 🎃🩸🗳️

Who won? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com and vote through our Instagram poll or via TikTok @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:14:57 - The Draft

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.