The Desert of the Reel Podcast
@desertofthereel.bsky.social
Two high school teachers analyzing big blockbusters to uncover philosophical ideas, ethics, analysis, and thinking critically!
Jason thinks they’re not worth our time, is he right?
desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Jason thinks they’re not worth our time, is he right?
desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Pinned
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - Fate, Love, and Philosophy! - The Desert of the Reel #101
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 11/14/2025 · 1h 36m
podcasts.apple.com
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
We actually find a lot of big ideas in this film. Jason argues the rest of the franchise is this story repeated but we think this one starts off strong!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We actually find a lot of big ideas in this film. Jason argues the rest of the franchise is this story repeated but we think this one starts off strong!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
On our new Harry Potter episode, we talk about personality tests, the magic system, and philosophical ideas we find like love, power, and character archetypes.
open.spotify.com/episode/2Gpf...
open.spotify.com/episode/2Gpf...
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - Fate, Love, and Philosophy! - The Desert of the Reel #101
open.spotify.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:06 PM
On our new Harry Potter episode, we talk about personality tests, the magic system, and philosophical ideas we find like love, power, and character archetypes.
open.spotify.com/episode/2Gpf...
open.spotify.com/episode/2Gpf...
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
We actually find a lot of big ideas in this film. Jason argues the rest of the franchise is this story repeated but we think this one starts off strong!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We actually find a lot of big ideas in this film. Jason argues the rest of the franchise is this story repeated but we think this one starts off strong!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - Fate, Love, and Philosophy! - The Desert of the Reel #101
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 11/14/2025 · 1h 36m
podcasts.apple.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
We actually find a lot of big ideas in this film. Jason argues the rest of the franchise is this story repeated but we think this one starts off strong!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We actually find a lot of big ideas in this film. Jason argues the rest of the franchise is this story repeated but we think this one starts off strong!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
For our 100th episode, we recorded a special episode dedicated to showing and discussing Bluey with Jason!
open.spotify.com/episode/4Lrx...
open.spotify.com/episode/4Lrx...
open.spotify.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:40 PM
For our 100th episode, we recorded a special episode dedicated to showing and discussing Bluey with Jason!
open.spotify.com/episode/4Lrx...
open.spotify.com/episode/4Lrx...
We had some disagreements about whether Kiri was interesting/a good character or not in Way of Water.
What do you believe?
open.spotify.com/episode/3vUQ...
What do you believe?
open.spotify.com/episode/3vUQ...
November 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
We had some disagreements about whether Kiri was interesting/a good character or not in Way of Water.
What do you believe?
open.spotify.com/episode/3vUQ...
What do you believe?
open.spotify.com/episode/3vUQ...
Avatar The Way of Water!
After Jason loved the first one, did he like the second one? No! We spend a long time debating if it is good or not. What do you think?
We examine Media Ecology/Techno theory, Narrative Theory, character development, and growth.
open.spotify.com/episode/3vUQ...
After Jason loved the first one, did he like the second one? No! We spend a long time debating if it is good or not. What do you think?
We examine Media Ecology/Techno theory, Narrative Theory, character development, and growth.
open.spotify.com/episode/3vUQ...
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) - A Movie that Makes us Care about the Real World or A Disappointing Sequel? - The Desert of the Reel #99
open.spotify.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Avatar The Way of Water!
After Jason loved the first one, did he like the second one? No! We spend a long time debating if it is good or not. What do you think?
We examine Media Ecology/Techno theory, Narrative Theory, character development, and growth.
open.spotify.com/episode/3vUQ...
After Jason loved the first one, did he like the second one? No! We spend a long time debating if it is good or not. What do you think?
We examine Media Ecology/Techno theory, Narrative Theory, character development, and growth.
open.spotify.com/episode/3vUQ...
We bring up how saying Avatar is “just Pocahontas with blue people” is NOT a good argument!
spotify.link/M6UXL74yLXb
spotify.link/M6UXL74yLXb
October 26, 2025 at 12:02 AM
We bring up how saying Avatar is “just Pocahontas with blue people” is NOT a good argument!
spotify.link/M6UXL74yLXb
spotify.link/M6UXL74yLXb
Avatar (2009)! We take a look at the history and background, tropes that surface and how Avatar pushes against them, and various philosophical musings. In fact, A #philosophical playground. We exploring the careful way Cameron created the culture of the Na'vi.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Avatar (2009) - Exploring the Complexity of Culture - The Desert of the Reel #98
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 10/24/2025 · 1h 32m
podcasts.apple.com
October 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Avatar (2009)! We take a look at the history and background, tropes that surface and how Avatar pushes against them, and various philosophical musings. In fact, A #philosophical playground. We exploring the careful way Cameron created the culture of the Na'vi.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
What are your thoughts on Avatar (2009)? We can give you a shout out on this weeks episode!
October 19, 2025 at 6:24 PM
What are your thoughts on Avatar (2009)? We can give you a shout out on this weeks episode!
October 19, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Reposted by The Desert of the Reel Podcast
Harry Langdon shares his pants birds in THE STRONG MAN
October 19, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Harry Langdon shares his pants birds in THE STRONG MAN
Reposted by The Desert of the Reel Podcast
New episode dropped today and was so excited I forgot to tell anyone.
We cover a little known indie film which spawned 3 increasingly better sequels.
Join us as we give an idiot's guide (a guide by idiots) to production, plot, cast and play a throwback game.
Listen now!
#filmsky #moviesky
We cover a little known indie film which spawned 3 increasingly better sequels.
Join us as we give an idiot's guide (a guide by idiots) to production, plot, cast and play a throwback game.
Listen now!
#filmsky #moviesky
October 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Nefarious (2023) A demon interviewing an atheist? Lots of interesting philosophical ideas and questions! Jason wanted to explore this film
We need to be critical what we put into ourselves and we must uplift other people!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We need to be critical what we put into ourselves and we must uplift other people!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Nefarious (2023) - Jason's Choice #18 - The Desert of the Reel
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 10/17/2025 · 1h 20m
podcasts.apple.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Nefarious (2023) A demon interviewing an atheist? Lots of interesting philosophical ideas and questions! Jason wanted to explore this film
We need to be critical what we put into ourselves and we must uplift other people!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We need to be critical what we put into ourselves and we must uplift other people!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by The Desert of the Reel Podcast
Here we go!
It's time to play "What's the Score?"
Listen, guess and get your score when you send your answers to my DM.
(See rules in the reply to this post).
BONUS: Guess this week's connection for 5 extra points!
NO AUDIO SEARCH please!
1/2
#filmsky #moviesky #musicsky #games #quiz #fun
It's time to play "What's the Score?"
Listen, guess and get your score when you send your answers to my DM.
(See rules in the reply to this post).
BONUS: Guess this week's connection for 5 extra points!
NO AUDIO SEARCH please!
1/2
#filmsky #moviesky #musicsky #games #quiz #fun
"What's The Score?" October 11, 2025
How to play: Listen to the 5 music clips in the video. Your job is to guess the title of each movie the music is from, and the name of the composer for each one. You…
vimeo.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Dune 2 (2024) (sorry about our guest’s audio. We tried)
We look at Dune through an Experience Theory / Spectatorship Lens, we spend a lot of time we people participate in religion, and the importance of anchoring yourself to the best possible elements.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We look at Dune through an Experience Theory / Spectatorship Lens, we spend a lot of time we people participate in religion, and the importance of anchoring yourself to the best possible elements.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Dune 2 (2024) - What are you anchored to? - The Desert of the Reel #96 (with special quest Mark Hudson)
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 10/10/2025 · 1h 34m
podcasts.apple.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Dune 2 (2024) (sorry about our guest’s audio. We tried)
We look at Dune through an Experience Theory / Spectatorship Lens, we spend a lot of time we people participate in religion, and the importance of anchoring yourself to the best possible elements.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We look at Dune through an Experience Theory / Spectatorship Lens, we spend a lot of time we people participate in religion, and the importance of anchoring yourself to the best possible elements.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The recording session for our Dune 2 episode was the longest one we’ve ever had.
a silhouette of a man pulling a rope on a hill
ALT: a silhouette of a man pulling a rope on a hill
media.tenor.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:29 AM
The recording session for our Dune 2 episode was the longest one we’ve ever had.
Reposted by The Desert of the Reel Podcast
Timothee Chalamet's hair has its own character arc in Dune.
October 4, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Timothee Chalamet's hair has its own character arc in Dune.
In Dune, the Freman believe in a prophecy because it’s been fed to them for years.
But does it make it any not true?
Can truth be created?
We talk about this on the episode.
But does it make it any not true?
Can truth be created?
We talk about this on the episode.
Dune (2021)!
Jason said he wouldn't watch this film because he loved the book so much. I'm glad to report he liked it a lot.
We talk about how truth can be made, using rhetoric as a weapon, and using the eco-critical lens to analyze Dune!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Jason said he wouldn't watch this film because he loved the book so much. I'm glad to report he liked it a lot.
We talk about how truth can be made, using rhetoric as a weapon, and using the eco-critical lens to analyze Dune!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Dune (2021) - We Must Critically Analyze Truth - The Desert of the Reel #95
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 10/03/2025 · 1h 27m
podcasts.apple.com
October 5, 2025 at 2:41 PM
In Dune, the Freman believe in a prophecy because it’s been fed to them for years.
But does it make it any not true?
Can truth be created?
We talk about this on the episode.
But does it make it any not true?
Can truth be created?
We talk about this on the episode.
Dune (2021)!
Jason said he wouldn't watch this film because he loved the book so much. I'm glad to report he liked it a lot.
We talk about how truth can be made, using rhetoric as a weapon, and using the eco-critical lens to analyze Dune!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Jason said he wouldn't watch this film because he loved the book so much. I'm glad to report he liked it a lot.
We talk about how truth can be made, using rhetoric as a weapon, and using the eco-critical lens to analyze Dune!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Dune (2021) - We Must Critically Analyze Truth - The Desert of the Reel #95
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 10/03/2025 · 1h 27m
podcasts.apple.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Dune (2021)!
Jason said he wouldn't watch this film because he loved the book so much. I'm glad to report he liked it a lot.
We talk about how truth can be made, using rhetoric as a weapon, and using the eco-critical lens to analyze Dune!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Jason said he wouldn't watch this film because he loved the book so much. I'm glad to report he liked it a lot.
We talk about how truth can be made, using rhetoric as a weapon, and using the eco-critical lens to analyze Dune!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Train to Busan (2016) the best zombie movie ever? But it’s so much more than just zombies.
Compelling characters, societal issues, And we also unpack how it has a central message about the role of mothers and motherhood!
open.spotify.com/episode/31b3...
Compelling characters, societal issues, And we also unpack how it has a central message about the role of mothers and motherhood!
open.spotify.com/episode/31b3...
Train to Busan (2016) - The Power of Mothers - The Desert of the Reel #94
open.spotify.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Train to Busan (2016) the best zombie movie ever? But it’s so much more than just zombies.
Compelling characters, societal issues, And we also unpack how it has a central message about the role of mothers and motherhood!
open.spotify.com/episode/31b3...
Compelling characters, societal issues, And we also unpack how it has a central message about the role of mothers and motherhood!
open.spotify.com/episode/31b3...
Jason wants to ride the train for his “Jason’s Choice” and we will be covering Train to Busan (2016) this week!
a group of people are standing next to each other on a escalator .
ALT: a group of people are standing next to each other on a escalator .
media.tenor.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Jason wants to ride the train for his “Jason’s Choice” and we will be covering Train to Busan (2016) this week!
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Darwinian Ethics asking if there’s been a shift from clear good and evil and an erosion of safe spaces. Also exploring "Franchise Theory" and how Disney has has ruined this film.
The worst one?
#podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Darwinian Ethics asking if there’s been a shift from clear good and evil and an erosion of safe spaces. Also exploring "Franchise Theory" and how Disney has has ruined this film.
The worst one?
#podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017) - When a Company Ruins a Franchise - Desert of the Reel #93
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 09/19/2025 · 1h 16m
podcasts.apple.com
September 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Darwinian Ethics asking if there’s been a shift from clear good and evil and an erosion of safe spaces. Also exploring "Franchise Theory" and how Disney has has ruined this film.
The worst one?
#podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Darwinian Ethics asking if there’s been a shift from clear good and evil and an erosion of safe spaces. Also exploring "Franchise Theory" and how Disney has has ruined this film.
The worst one?
#podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by The Desert of the Reel Podcast
Even though there's so much darkness and cynicism in Se7en, Jen managed to find a much-needed glimmer of hope.
Listen to all of our thoughts on Se7en wherever you get your podcasts!
moviesanduspod.podbean.com?utm_source=b...
#moviesandus #se7en #filmreview #moviereview #filmsky
Listen to all of our thoughts on Se7en wherever you get your podcasts!
moviesanduspod.podbean.com?utm_source=b...
#moviesandus #se7en #filmreview #moviereview #filmsky
September 19, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Even though there's so much darkness and cynicism in Se7en, Jen managed to find a much-needed glimmer of hope.
Listen to all of our thoughts on Se7en wherever you get your podcasts!
moviesanduspod.podbean.com?utm_source=b...
#moviesandus #se7en #filmreview #moviereview #filmsky
Listen to all of our thoughts on Se7en wherever you get your podcasts!
moviesanduspod.podbean.com?utm_source=b...
#moviesandus #se7en #filmreview #moviereview #filmsky
Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides (2011)
Did we like this movie? No
Did we have a fun time talking about it? Definitely!
We talk Star Theory and free will and happiness. We also add our own rewrites.
#podcast #filmtheory #potc #pirates #indie
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Did we like this movie? No
Did we have a fun time talking about it? Definitely!
We talk Star Theory and free will and happiness. We also add our own rewrites.
#podcast #filmtheory #potc #pirates #indie
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) - The Desert of the Reel 5.4
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 09/12/2025 · 1h 17m
podcasts.apple.com
September 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides (2011)
Did we like this movie? No
Did we have a fun time talking about it? Definitely!
We talk Star Theory and free will and happiness. We also add our own rewrites.
#podcast #filmtheory #potc #pirates #indie
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Did we like this movie? No
Did we have a fun time talking about it? Definitely!
We talk Star Theory and free will and happiness. We also add our own rewrites.
#podcast #filmtheory #potc #pirates #indie
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Buried (2010)
We talk about how serving others will change your life, bureaucracy, and how we are all sort of stuck in a coffin
So much in this movie about a man trapped in a box underground!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We talk about how serving others will change your life, bureaucracy, and how we are all sort of stuck in a coffin
So much in this movie about a man trapped in a box underground!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Buried (2010) Serve Others - The Desert of the Reel #91
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 09/07/2025 · 1h 29m
podcasts.apple.com
September 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Buried (2010)
We talk about how serving others will change your life, bureaucracy, and how we are all sort of stuck in a coffin
So much in this movie about a man trapped in a box underground!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We talk about how serving others will change your life, bureaucracy, and how we are all sort of stuck in a coffin
So much in this movie about a man trapped in a box underground!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
At World’s End
Jason, who hates all sequels had to admit this movie made him retract that statement.
A film written for a more intellectually and emotionally mature audience. Beautiful music, epic scenes, and great characters.
#podcast #disney #indie
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Jason, who hates all sequels had to admit this movie made him retract that statement.
A film written for a more intellectually and emotionally mature audience. Beautiful music, epic scenes, and great characters.
#podcast #disney #indie
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) - Desert of the Reel 5.3
Podcast Episode · The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast · 08/29/2025 · 1h 19m
podcasts.apple.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:13 PM
At World’s End
Jason, who hates all sequels had to admit this movie made him retract that statement.
A film written for a more intellectually and emotionally mature audience. Beautiful music, epic scenes, and great characters.
#podcast #disney #indie
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Jason, who hates all sequels had to admit this movie made him retract that statement.
A film written for a more intellectually and emotionally mature audience. Beautiful music, epic scenes, and great characters.
#podcast #disney #indie
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...