Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder shares his insights on the apocalyptic film ‘Arcadian’ directed by Ben Brewer. The film follows Paul, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, and his twin sons, Thomas and Joseph, as they navigate a world where nighttime brings forth terror. Check out the Reel Critic’s review of both the film’s strengths and shortcomings. ‘Arcadian’ is in theaters now. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

2024 action thriller ‘Monkey Man’ is Dev Patel’s directorial debut. The film follows a young man named Kid — played by Patel — who embarks on a journey to exact revenge on a mob of corrupt leaders responsible for the death of his mother. On his quest to fulfill his vendetta, Kid becomes the savior to a faction of helpless people experiencing torment from the same mob leaders he was pursuing. Check out the Reel Critic’s thoughts on the film — which hits theaters April 5. Find more information, including showtimes, at www.monkeyman.movie. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress in the United States. Four years later, she made history again as the first woman and African American to seek the presidential nomination from one of the two major political parties. Her life and legacy are honored on the screen for the first time in John Ridley’s 2024 biographical drama film: ‘Shirley.’ The film stars Regina King in the titular role and features Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, Lucas Hedges, Christina Jackson and more. Film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder said a biographical feature about Chisholm is “well overdue.” Hear more of his thoughts, and find ‘Shirley’ on Netflix. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ is director Adam Wingard’s newest monster film, hitting American theaters March 29. Reggie Ponder shares his thoughts on this new installment of the Godzilla and King Kong cinematic universe. Following the events of ‘Godzilla x Kong’ (2021), humans and mighty titans coexist — mostly — harmoniously. But when an unidentified signal causes the creatures to experience hallucinations, the fragility of this relationship is pushed to the forefront, erupting in a series of wild battles true to the franchise. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder sat down with Christina Jackson to discuss her role in the film ‘Shirley’ and the film’s importance. Set in 1972, ‘Shirley’ takes viewers on the campaign trail with Shirley Chisholm as she made her monumental run for president. Jackson stars as Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and the cast stars co-producer Regina King as Shirley Chisholm. ‘Shirley’ is now streaming on Netflix. “The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. Hear Ponder’s full interview with Jackson at reggieponder.com.

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes.’ Written, directed and produced by Kobi Libii, this satirical comedy takes viewers on a journey through a society where Black individuals dedicate themselves to making white people comfortable. The film touches on themes of colorism, interracial love and overall Blackness. Listen to hear Reggie Ponder’s full review on the film. ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’ is now in theaters. “The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder delves into the buzz surrounding the oldest entertainment awards ceremony as he sheds light on both the good and the bad. Despite being the “granddaddy” of award shows, the Oscars have faced substantial backlash for their historical lack of inclusivity of Asian, African American and Latinx actors, films and filmmakers. As Ponder lays out his predictions for the awards categories, he invites viewers to join him on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube @TheReelCritic for live updates during the awards show. “The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

The highly-anticipated second chapter in Denis Villenueve’s ‘Dune’ brings the action back to the big screen, hitting the box office on March 1 — and collecting $81.5 million. Vocalo resident film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder called the film “a heroic tale worthy of the big-screen experience,” pointing out that, while Chalamet commands the screen, the actors surrounding him (especially Zendaya and Rebecca Ferguson) truly make the film stand out. ‘Dune: Part Two’ is in theaters now. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on the new Hulu documentary ‘Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story,’ directed by J.J. Anderson. The film follows the largest, and one of the oldest, historically-Black boarding schools in the US — The Piney Woods School in Mississippi — through the eyes of students and staff. The documentary is streaming now on Hulu. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

This week on The Reel Critic: New biopic ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is a soulful exploration of the legendary Bob Marley, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the late artist and Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley. As it weaves together the musical prowess and personal struggles of the reggae icon, the film gives further insight into his cultural and political impact on Jamaica and the world. Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder says the authenticity of Jamaican culture, language and the chemistry between the leads stand out, bringing audiences a convincing portrayal of Bob and Rita. ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is in theaters now. “The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

This week on The Reel Critic: New biopic ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is a soulful exploration of the legendary Bob Marley, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the late artist and Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley. As it weaves together the musical prowess and personal struggles of the reggae icon, the film gives further insight into his cultural and political impact on Jamaica and the world. Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder says the authenticity of Jamaican culture, language and the chemistry between the leads stand out, bringing audiences a convincing portrayal of Bob and Rita. ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is in theaters now. “The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder breaks down his thoughts on the 2024 Oscar nominations, and snubs. Much of the Oscar buzz has surrounded Ryan Gosling as he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in ‘Barbie’ while Margo Robbie, who portrayed the iconic doll, failed to receive a nomination. Greta Gerwig, the director behind the film, was also left off the nominee list, though America Ferrera was nominated for best supporting actress. Concurrently, no Black women were nominated for best actress, though this year brought several unforgettable performances including Aunjanue Ellis Taylor in ‘Origin’ and Teyana Taylor in ‘A Thousand and One.’ For more information on all the nominations, visit www.oscars.org "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

(No spoilers) Elly Conway is the author of best-selling spy novels about fictional secret agent Aubrey Argylle, on a mission to uncover a global spy syndicate. But as her books begin to predict actual events in a real espionage organization, she attracts the attention of actual secret agents — and they need to know what’s in the next chapter. From director Matthew Vaughn, ‘Argylle’ stars Bryce Dallas Howard as Elly Conway, plus Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, Samuel L. Jackson, John Cena, Ariana DeBose, Catherine O'Hara, Dua Lipa and others. Hear film critic Reggie Ponder’s review, and catch ‘Argylle’ in theaters now. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Ava DuVernay's cinematic masterpiece 'Origin' explores the intersection of race and caste. DuVernay adapts Isabel Wilkerson's thought-provoking book, 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent,' into a film that delves deep into societal analysis. Reggie 'The Reel Critic' Ponder met with the filmmaker to unravel the creative journey behind the film, and the narrative she aimed to convey. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic. For a more in-depth exploration of the interview and to hear more on Ava DuVernay's making of Origin, visit Reggie Ponder's website at reggieponder.com.

In this week’s segment, Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews ‘Origin,’ a film directed by Ava DuVernay that delves into Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson's pursuit to write ‘Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.’ Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor delivers a magnificent performance in the film, portraying Wilkerson's curiosity and courage as DuVernay weaves personal trials into the narrative, challenging perceptions of oppression. ‘Origin’ sparks discussions on race, class and the human experience, making it a must-see. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

For her standout performance as Mary in ‘The Holdovers,’ actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph has won a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award — and awards season isn't over yet. The actress spoke with resident film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder about the role following the two wins. She emphasized the importance of respecting and portraying the dignity of the characters she plays, drawing inspiration from actresses like Phylicia Rashad and Ella Joyce, and from observing real-life situations to get a better sense of her role. ‘The Holdovers’ is now available to stream on Peacock. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ is racking up trophies and nominations this awards season, taking home five Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 7 and earning 13 Critics Choice Awards nominations, which will be presented Jan. 14. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder brings listeners his “explosive” review of the film, which details the life and legacy of “father of the atomic bomb” J. Robert Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer played a key role in the Manhattan Project, the World War II development of nuclear weapons. ‘Oppenheimer’ is now streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and more. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

With the film awards season in full swing, Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder brings listeners a sneak peek into the duties of a film critic during this busy time. This year, the Golden Globes, held on Sunday, Jan. 7, have split their Best Picture nominees into two categories: Drama and Musical/Comedy. Reggie breaks down the nominees and some of his predictions — and wants you to send him your own predictions to moviestoponder@gmail.com. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares another excerpt from his interview with Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks, the leading women of Blitz Bazawule’s ‘The Color Purple.’ The new film is based on the stage musical, which is adapted from Alice Walker’s novel of the same name, and is in theaters now. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder brings listeners his thoughts on the film adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’ musical, based on Alice Walker’s 1982 novel. ‘The Color Purple’ showcases decades in the life of Celie, a young woman navigating life’s hardships in the 1900s American South, and finding comfort and support in her female peers. ‘The Color Purple’ is in theaters now. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.