Movies are Life

Reel 21 – #95: The Worst Person in the World (2021)

A milestone episode for Reel 21 and the first one in video. Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World may begin as a deceptively simple coming-of-age story, but it unfolds into something much richer, a deeply felt meditation on identity, relationships and the uncertainty of choosing a life. In this inaugural video episode, Nathan revisits the film for a second time and finds it even more resonant on rewatch, exploring Julie’s (Renate Reinsve) search for purpose, the emotional pull of the film’s central relationships and the tension it captures between planning your future and surrendering to life’s unpredictability. He also reflects on the film’s inventive chapter structure, its memorable visual flourishes and why this quietly powerful drama marked Joachim Trier as one of contemporary cinema’s most exciting voices. And fittingly, a film about transitions and new chapters becomes the launch point for one of this podcast’s own. Up next: Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction * 06:44 Exploring Relationships and Choices

Reel 21 – #96: Black Panther (2018)

Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther wasn’t just another Marvel movie — it was a cultural moment. In this episode of Reel 21, Nathan revisits the 2018 blockbuster to explore its lasting impact, Chadwick Boseman’s powerful performance and why Killmonger remains one of the MCU’s most compelling villains. Does it fully transcend the Marvel machine? And where does it land in Nathan’s personal superhero rankings? Up next: The Worst Person in the World. Read Nathan's thoughts on Black Panther [https://www.moviesarelife.com/reviews/black-panther].

Top TV Shows of 2025

Yes, it’s February… but we finally made it happen. Nathan is joined by returning guest Mark Blitch to count down their Top TV Shows of 2025, from prestige heavy-hitters to pure comfort-watch chaos. Along the way, they compare notes on what held up (and what fell off), talk legacy seasons (The Bear, The White Lotus), debate slow-burn patience tests (Pluribus), celebrate the beautifully unhinged brilliance of The Rehearsal and share a few curveballs. Plus: honorable mentions, a few “what were they thinking?” disappointments and the shows they wish more people were watching. Subscribe to our Substack! [https://moviesarelife.substack.com/subscribe]

#121: Top Ten Films of 2025

In this year-end tradition, Nathan Chandler welcomes back filmmaker and film-obsessive Mark Blitch to break down their favorite movies of 2025. The two recap a year filled with more theater trips, more indie discoveries (including DeadCenter highlights) and a few titles they still haven’t caught up with yet. They count down their Top 10 lists, compare overlap and dig into the year’s biggest standouts — from the darkly funny Friendship and the wildly entertaining The Naked Gun to the ambitious horror puzzle box Weapons. Then they debut a new segment: 2025 superlatives, including Surprise of the Year, Funniest Movie, Favorite Dialogue, Favorite Scene and Favorite Performance — with plenty of laughs, side quests and passionate takes along the way.

#120: Stationed at Home

In this episode, Nathan kicks things off with a quick update on the release schedule for the rest of 2025 and a sneak peek at what’s coming to the podcast in 2026—then dives into a conversation with writer-director Daniel V. Masciari about his hauntingly tender feature Stationed at Home. Nathan and Daniel dig into the film’s gently magical mood, its fascination with strangers colliding in the cold and the way Stationed at Home finds wonder in mundane moments. Daniel shares how the movie grew from a single bus-stop image into a fully realized feature, why Christmas Eve and the International Space Station became key to its tone and how he worked with his cast and cinematographer to create performances and images that feel fully lived-in. If you’re drawn to offbeat holiday-adjacent stories, character-driven night movies or modern indies that believe there’s still real magic in human connection, this is a conversation worth tuning into and a film you’ll want to seek out on your favorite digital platform. Watch the critically acclaimed film / Learn more: stationedathome.com/watch [http://stationedathome.com/watch] Follow the film on Instagram: @stationedathomefilm [https://www.instagram.com/stationedathomefilm/] Read Nathan's thoughts on ‘Stationed at Home’ [https://www.moviesarelife.com/reviews/stationed-at-home]. Subscribe to our Substack! [https://moviesarelife.substack.com/subscribe]