The Reel DMC Movie Podcast

The Prestige (2006) - Nolan's Best Hat Trick

Abra-cadabra! The Real DMC emerges from a puff of smoke and a field littered with top hats to dive deep into Christopher Nolan’s twisty tale of dueling magicians, The Prestige. Join Dave, Marcus, and Colin as they bicker like rival illusionists, debate Victorian mustache disguises, and wonder aloud if cloning yourself for a magic trick counts as murder (asking for a friend). There will be spoilers, there will be magic, and there will definitely be confusion about accent choices.Is Hugh Jackman the ultimate showman or just obsessed enough to drown for applause? Is Christian Bale a master of subtlety or just really, really bad at relationships? Did David Bowie as Tesla invent the iPhone? Why does nobody in this movie question picking the dude in a fake mustache three nights in a row? With sharp wit, heated debates, and more Michael Caine impressions than should be legally allowed, the gang dissects one of Nolan’s most complicated and cleverly constructed brain-benders. If you're still wondering what knot was tied, this episode is a must-listen—though we strongly recommend watching the movie first (unless you like having the magic revealed).

The Saint (1997): Val Kilmer’s Costume Party

In this episode, the Reel DMC crew tackles The Saint (1997), a movie that was supposed to make Val Kilmer the next James Bond but instead makes him look like a man who just discovered wigs on clearance. Directed by Philip Noyce, the film leans hard on Kilmer’s "master of disguises" schtick—though by disguises we mean "Val Kilmer in a mustache so ridiculous it could double as a prop in a high school play." And yet, the movie plays it straight. No wink, no irony, just Kilmer in leather pants sketching poetry like a budget Fabio.Elizabeth Shue, meanwhile, plays a nuclear physicist whose research could change the world—but instead she changes into a lovestruck teenager after twelve hours with a guy who literally says, "Sorry, I had to steal your life’s work, I’m a thief." Romantic! It’s Stockholm Syndrome: The Motion Picture.The film is tonally confused and uneven, with action sequences that lack suspense, a cold fusion plot that's laughably rushed, and villains who feel like they've been airlifted from a Saturday morning cartoon. Occasionally fun and often ridiculous, The Saint is not Bond, not Bourne, and not even Mission: Impossible. It’s closer to Community Theater: International Spy Edition.And remember, if someone offers to take you to their home in Africa after two minutes of conversation—no matter how tight the leather pants—just say no.

The Doors (1991) Jim Morrison Bio or Oliver Stone’s Acid-Fueled Fantasy?

In this episode, Dave, Marcus, and Colin dive into Oliver Stone's The Doors, and their verdict is a wild ride of praise, critique, and disbelief. The consensus? Val Kilmer absolutely nails the role of Jim Morrison. His performance is nothing short of electric—his singing, his stage presence, the whole package. But here's the rub: his portrayal of Morrison is so one-dimensional that at times, he feels more like a drunken jerk than the rock legend we all know and love. In fact, the guys agree that after five minutes with this version of Jim, you'd probably want to punch him in the face. While the iconic concert scenes are a highlight, the film falters in a big way by sidelining the rest of the band. Stone's version of The Doors doesn't do them any favors, turning them into mere shadows of Morrison's chaotic genius. And don't even get started on Oliver Stone’s "creative choices"—a.k.a. making up ridiculous sequences like Jim attempting to murder his girlfriend, Pamela Courson. The episode kicks off with the trio reflecting on what The Doors' music has meant to them over the years. They all agree: while it might’ve been tempting to hang with Morrison in your twenties, the movie probably hits harder for a younger crowd. So, put on your headphones, grab a drink, head into the desert, and try not to get too lost in the madness. Just remember, everyone here makes it out alive—barely. 

Top Secret! (1984) - Val Kilmer's first movie and ZAZ follow up to Airplane!

The Reel DMC crew parachutes into the gloriously unhinged world of Top Secret!—the 1984 cult classic where Val Kilmer makes his film debut as a skeet-surfing, hip-swiveling Elvis-type who accidentally stumbles into World War II... or the Cold War... or something involving Nazis and NATO. Plot? Who needs one when you’ve got underwater bar fights and cows in combat boots?In this episode, Dave, Marcus, and Colin kick off a Val Kilmer retrospective (RIP to the legend) by debating his top performances—Real Genius, Tombstone, Top Gun, even Kiss Kiss Bang Bang—while Marcus questions whether Top Secret! is actually good or just an elaborate excuse to put bananas in inappropriate places.The guys dig into the ZAZ team’s joke-a-second formula, discuss whether Airplane! or The Naked Gun reign supreme, and marvel at Kilmer’s ability to sing, dance, and act with absolutely no character development whatsoever. Is it a brilliant satire or a cinematic fever dream stitched together with beach music and Yiddish puns?One thing's for sure: this movie may not make much sense, but it sure as hell makes an impression.Bonus: A backwards Swedish bookstore, a submarine smashing through a wall like the Kool-Aid Man with NATO clearance, and The Anal Intruder™—because nothing says "PG-rated spy spoof" like... wait, the censors saw that and said OK?? Oh, and a horse sings the Beatles. Seriously.Related episodesHot Shots! (1991)Lockdown Cinema: Real Genius (1985)

Spider-Man 2 (2004): Doc Ock, Raimi, and Peak Superhero Cinema

Dave, Marcus, and Colin strap on their web-shooters and swing into the middle chapter of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy — a film they all agree still soars. From jaw-dropping action to genuine character arcs, Spider-Man 2 delivers the superhero goods with style. The crew breaks down the film’s surprisingly emotional core, the razor-sharp effects that still hold up, and the perfect balance of humor and heart. Everyone's on board with the electric chemistry between Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst — but it’s Alfred Molina’s complex, tragic Doctor Octopus who truly steals the spotlight. He’s not your average “take over the world” bad guy — he's got depth, nuance, and, yes, terrifying robot tentacles. They also rank their favorite Spider-Man performances and suits, debate who wore Aunt May best, and unanimously agree that James Franco’s Harry Osborn... leaves a lot to be desired. Colin doesn’t hold back, branding him a “whiny little bitch” — and honestly, no one disagrees. Raimi’s signature style may be toned down in places, but when he unleashes it — especially during Doc Ock’s horror-tinged transformation — it’s pure cinematic gold. Bonus points for Bruce Campbell’s scene-stealing cameo as New York’s most pompous theater usher. If your Spidey senses aren’t tingling by the end of this episode, you might want to get them checked out. Previous Sam Raimi episodes:Darkman The Quick and the Dead Army of Darkness Drag Me to HellWe’d love to get your feedback, if you liked the episode, hated it, or think that we missed something, please send us a message at feedback@reeldmc.com, submit your comments on the episode in the Spotify app, or find us on X @reeldmc.