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To Mando or not to Mando, that’s the question posed in this week’s episode of The Playlist Podcast. And to help Charles, Brian, and Mike figure out if “The Mandalorian” is actually any good after reaching the halfway point in Season 2 or if this “Star Wars” series is pure Bantha feces, they’re joined by The Playlist’s Editor-in-Chief, Rodrigo Perez (who is a closet “Star Wars” expert, but likes to keep that lowkey, so don’t tell anyone).

Ahead of Bruce Lee’s (would-be) 80th birthday, Be Reel marvels at the spinning kicks, inimitable shrieks, and star wattage of the global icon. LISTEN: Alison Brie Talks ‘Happiest Season,’ ‘Promising Young Woman’ & Making Art That Matters [The Fourth Wall] This week, we dive into the Dragon’s fascinating life and numerous afterlives with the help of Lee biographer Jeff Chang (“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop”) and sociology professor / Tae Kwon Do black belt Lory Dance.

As we entered 2020, there was arguably no actor poised to have as monumental of a year as Alison Brie. With an already diverse body of work ranging from period dramas to comedies, animation, video games, indie darlings, and more, this year especially feels like a snapshot of everything she’s strived for her entire career thus far.

In honor of both the late Sean Connery and the 25th anniversary of “GoldenEye” (1995), Be Reel looks back at the debuts of every actor to embody 007: Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig—with a courteous nod to George Lazenby, too. LISTEN: A Very Tim Curry Halloween [Be Reel Podcast] Each actor brings different qualities to Bond in a franchise that tends to over-correct more than evolve.

Following the spirited debate of three releases we hope helped add some spookiness to your quarantined Halloween festivities this year, our three hosts of The Playlist Podcast have returned for another episode of quality film discussion.

It’s Halloween week, and nobody embodies the committed costuming and eerie camp of the holiday quite like Tim Curry. This week on Be Reel, we celebrate and reappraise the British legend’s iconic games of dress-up: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975), “Legend” (1985), and “It” (1990).

The Playlist Podcast is back! Beginning with this Halloween episode, our very own Managing Editor, Charles Barfield, leads the way with new co-hosts, Mike DeAngelo and Brian Farvour, to bring back that lovin’ feeling to your earholes.

For the 30th anniversary of “To Sleep with Anger” (1990), Be Reel dives into the work of principal “L.A. Rebellion” director Charles Burnett.

An acclaimed novelist, performance artist, and independent filmmaker, Miranda July is a genre of her own—quite literally—this week on Be Reel. LISTEN: ‘Best In Show’ At 20: Christopher Guest Invented The Community Theater Of Bizarro Docs Before It Became Reality [Podcast] We’re searching for answers to this alienation human condition in the just-released “Kajillionaire” (2020), “Me and You and Everyone We Know” (2005), and “The Future” (2011).

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cameron Crowe‘s “Almost Famous” (2000) this week, Be Reel looks back at other period pieces about fictional bands: “That Thing You Do!” (1996), “Dreamgirls” (2006), and “Rock Star” (2001). Whether they became cult favorites or lost $50 million, these movies all face down a massive challenge in not only needing to work as music industry fables but also inventing era-appropriate music compelling enough to merit all the fictional success.

As we enter the most fraught back-to-school season in recent memory, Be Reel looks back at Hollywood’s conception of underserved students and the inspirational educators who rescue their learning. This week, it’s “Stand and Deliver” (1988), “Lean On Me” (1989), “Dangerous Minds” (1995), and “Precious” (2009) as we diagram the myth of the savior teacher.

For a screenwriter, to be featured on the coveted annual Black List is a tremendous accomplishment that has jumpstarted the career of many of the industry’s hottest writers. If you’re Mattson Tomlin, you’ve not only been featured on that list six times in the past four years, but you’ve done so before the age of thirty.

There’s probably very little chance that you recognize the name, Jonathan Entwistle. That being said, you likely know the two Netflix series he’s shaped.

In a cast full of unsung heroes there might not be one more important to the tone of HBO’s “Succession” than Nicholas Braun. His character, Greg Hirsch (aka Cousin Greg), is the outsider trying to fit in among his ravenous billionaire relatives, the Roys.

Most actors wouldn’t consider leaving a role as one of the most popular and beloved characters on one of the most acclaimed BBC costume dramas in its prime. However, most actors aren’t Dan Stevens.

“The King of Staten Island” and the contemporary King of Comedy come together on this episode of The Discourse, the show where we discuss film and television news, reviews, and any other pertinent pop culture items that we feel the need to weigh in on.

Actor Rebecca Hall comes from a unique and interesting pedigree and lineage. There’s the surface element of that pedigree which could be seen as aristocratic privilege in the world of the arts.

Note: This episode was recorded over a week ago, before the current state of affairs. If you have the means, please consider donating to Black Lives Matter and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, among many other organizations, during this time.

He’s been called the Lizard King, the Iceman, the Dark Knight, and is perpetually applying for the post of your Huckleberry. Val Kilmer is one of the most fascinating and elusive screen presences of the last 40 years.

Over the last decade, you’ve undoubtedly seen both Sam Hargrave and his work without even knowing it. In fifteen years, he has racked up 80 credits working as either a stunt performer or stunt coordinator in both television and film.