
Welcome to the Desert of the Reel, a movie podcast where host Ryan Hudson forces co-host Jason Dietz to watch the big blockbuster movies he’s refused to watch because he didn’t think they were worth his time. As two passionate high school English/film/philosophy/creativity teachers with graduate degrees, we're dedicated to using our academic training to argue about and dig deeply into movies. We e... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 143 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | TV & Film | |||

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Top Gun: Maverick (2022) inspires conflict between Ryan and Jason, but perhaps surprisingly, not as much as there could have been. While Ryan gives this film five stars, Jason struggled with the dramatic shift of message and t... more
Maverick doesn't need anybody. At least, that's what he thinks.
Does this movie teach us that being a "maverick" means to FOLLOW THE RULES?
This week on Desert of the Reel, we enter the Danger Zone with Top Gun.
We talk Tom Cruise (and why Jason... more
What About Bob? (1991) is a 5-star movie for both Jason and Ryan. In this episode, both relive their many favorite jokes and moments of this very funny film. But, along the way, they also discuss the significant depth... the horsesense... of the film... more
Sherlock Holmes is back—but is the game still as good the second time around?
This week on Desert of the Reel, we take on Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and ask why the sequel doesn't quite live up to the first film. Does the bigger sequel actua... more
I feel like I appreciate movies more, now!
These two make me laugh it I also feel like I’m thinking about movies more.
A good time with some fun insights and thought provoking questions.
Absolutely great show that is a lot of fun and great insights!
Absolutely 10/10! Extremely insightful and perceptive, allowing critiques and critical thinking. This channel provides uncommon opinions and points of view for something different. Highly recommend.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.








Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Two English/film/philosophy teachers run a thoughtful, philosophy-informed movie show that centers on blockbuster cinema, cultural commentary, and critical thinking. Across episodes, the hosts unpack how spectacle, nostalgia, and branding shape modern films, while weaving in ethics, pedagogy, and personal teaching anecdotes. The format blends rigorous analysis with accessible banter, making complex ideas approachable for listeners who want deeper discussion than standard movie podcasts. A notable strength is the hosts' ability to couple dense ideas with practical teaching takes, appealing to educators, students, and cinephiles who crave thoughtful critique without losing humor.
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The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 143 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast include:
1. Martin Harris
2. Mark Hudson
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