Michael Showalter returns to the show to discuss his new film starring Anne Hathaway, “The Idea of You.” He discusses the origins of the film’s story, whether or not it’s inspired by Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde’s relationship, Anne Hathaway would rather you call her Annie, and more.

Sign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.

Be sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.

ReelBlend - @ReelBlend

Sean - @Sean_OConnell

Jake - @JakesTakes

Kevin - @KevinMcCarthyTV

Gabe - @gabeKovacs

“Challengers,” from writer-director Luca Guadagnino, is our favorite performance from the ever-talented Zendaya, but she isn’t alone. Mike Fast and Josh O’Connor equally deliver to create a three-piece ensemble that propels us through one of the year's most exciting films. In this week’s show, we dive right in with our review, and if you’ve managed to make it out to the theater already, stick around for our brief spoiler-filled section that follows. For those that haven’t, hit pause and see this one as soon as possible.

Also this week, in light of recent success at the box office, we discuss the nature of the middle-budget feature film and its potential comeback in the industry. Finally, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” dropped the full-length trailer we’ve all been dying to see, and we give our immediate impressions.

Sign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.

Be sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.

ReelBlend - @ReelBlend

Sean - @Sean_OConnell

Jake - @JakesTakes

Kevin - @KevinMcCarthyTV

Gabe - @gabeKovacs

• 00:00 - Intro
• 04:13 - Are smaller films reclaiming the box office?
• 19:07 - ‘Challengers’ Review (Spoiler-Free)
• 29:56 - ‘Challengers’ SPOILERS!
• 38:23 - ‘Deadpool & Wolverine” Trailer Reactions
• 51:50 - Game: Lost In Translation
• 1:00:15 - Outro

The horror genre has been on a box office tear this year with what feels like a new entry hitting theaters every week. Today, we welcome back the director duo known as Radio Silence, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, and Tyler Gillett, to discuss their new vampire flick “Abigail.” After two turns at the wheel of the “Scream” franchise, the two bring a unique spin to their story which follows a group of criminals who find themselves in over their heads after kidnapping a young vampire.

The film finds inspiration from all the right places including “The Shining” and “From Dusk Til Dawn,” the two share just how important films like that are to their own and more.

Sign up for a bi-weekly newsletter from Sean, and ad-free episodes at bit.ly/reelblendpremium.

Be sure to subscribe to ReelBlend on YouTube (YouTube.com/ReelBlendPodcast) for full episodes of the show in video form.

ReelBlend - @ReelBlend

Sean - @Sean_OConnell

Jake - @JakesTakes

Kevin - @KevinMcCarthyTV

Gabe - @gabeKovacs

• 00:00 - Intro
• 10:17 - ‘Abigail’ Interview |
• 27:33 - ‘Civil War’ Marks A24’s Best Box Office Opening Weekend
• 34:51 - Scorsese And Spielberg Both Have Some Big Upcoming Pictures
• 43:03 - Review: ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
• 51:18 - Review: ‘Abigail’
• 57:10 - Outro