NEW SERIES DROP — Reel Short, an audio essay format discussing characters, performances, and impact/messaging of recent films

Today, Evan reviews Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest effort and arguable future classic; a weary but full-throttle satire that meditates on the modern American conflict — the 2025 film, One Battle After Another.

What are we really made of?

Evan and his sister, Rachel (Season 1, Episode 3:The Wizard of Oz), take the keys to NYC's American Museum of Natural History and attempt to unlock the meaning behind Larry and his animated exhibit's nightly antics. The two siblings also discuss Rachel's thrifting habits and reminisce over a recent gettogether, when Evan introduced Rachel to the historic town of Harmony, PA and its crowned jewel: Wunderbar Coffee & Crepes (website ).

Please tune in as Evan & Rachel fondly remember this nostalgia & character-packed, magical after-hours mayhem: the 2006 film, Night at the Museum.

Opening Theme: 'Open Air Kiss' by Skygaze

Closing number: 'Waiting' by massobeats

Double-Shot (double-feature ideas):

• Evan recommends watching National Treasure (2004) AFTER this film

• Rachel recommends taking a drive-in movie approach; for a kid-friendly double-feature, she suggests watching Jumanji (1995) BEFORE this film. For a more mature double-feature, she suggests watching Death Becomes Her (1992) AFTER this film

Is the grass really greener on the Other Side? Or, is the whole fantasizing part where the magic really lies?

One of Evan's first pals, Liam, helps answer these questions. Liam also shares some insight and news about his music project, Me & The Boy (Facebook link below): an acoustic duo consisting of himself and his father. The conversation only gets brighter as Liam jokes about and praises a silly but wonderful cafe, Bean & Bear (website link below).

Evan & Liam ultimately step away from the real world and crawl to the other side, where the pair find a bright yet creepy place full of characters with button eyes, dubious intentions, and a jarringly crazy, arachnoid-mother: the 2009 film, Coraline.

Double-Shot Segment

• Evan recommends watching Alice in Wonderland (1951) AFTER this movie

• Liam recommends watching The Wizard of Oz (1939) BEFORE this movie

Bean Reel Podcast newcomer, Charles (AKA Dillon), puts it in park to sit down and share a café with an all-time mashup of thrifted décor, Harvest Moon Coffee & Chocolates (). Please tune in and listen as Evan & Charles speak on their blossoming friendship and their past lives as pushovers.

Charles also locks in as he discuss the racially-charged, faith-questioning, and hyper-masculine modern Greek tragedy: the 2008 film, Gran Torino.

Double-Shot (Double-Feature Ideas)

• Evan recommends watching A Man Called Otto (2022) AFTER this film

• Charles recommends watching American History X (1998) AFTER this film

We can't tell you what year it was. We couldn't possibly bore you with the history...

...What we can tell you is that this is a movie.

Our bestie, Jacob (Season 1, '12 Angry Men'), storms in to rejoin the podcast to get to the down & dirty of a bombastic journey that starts with Rob and ends with a Hood. Evan and Jacob also share their humble beginnings in the coffee world and beg for Bean Reel sponsors (that means you, Tim Horton).

Grab a coffee, maybe a bow...and don't forget the arrow(s)! Also, be to sure draw back and hit 'play' as these two best friends grovel over the medieval but modern and yet also futuristic thrill ride: the 2018 film, Robin Hood.

The long-awaited SEASON 2 is finally here. Today's episode kicks off a two-part series, Medieval Month of Movies.

And who better to join Evan for this first adventure than college friend, Sir Adam? These two jesters talk clanging coconuts, British sketch comedy, and a home-grown legacy café with Cuban roots.

Adam also shares his experiences tied to the catastrophic 2024 Hurricane Helene disaster and it's ongoing effects on his local community in North Carolina (more information/donation efforts below).

Feel free to tune in as these friends gush over the inspired, intelligently mad & fast-pasted take on the legendary Arthurian tale: the 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Two worlds collide on Bean Reel's first holiday special.

Charles Dickon's 'A Christmas Carol' meets...The Muppets?

Jovial friend Kristen joins Evan to kick off the yuletide season with a musically-endowed Christmas movie that is faithful to the classic tale while delivering zany, off-the-wall merriment. Bright topics include wedding bells, holiday traditions, the power of Sir Michael Caine, and more Michael Caine. Kristen also shares a café with a natural aesthetic, Rare Bird. Open your hearts to a warm and reassuring tale of redemption: the 1992 film, The Muppet Christmas Carol.

On this lively episode of the podcast, acclaimed dog mom and college friend, Julianne, drops in to talk about the Sprouse twins, The Sandman's aura, and warm wellness beverages. These studious friends also talk about self care and growing up at your own pace. Obviously, these two have saved you a seat to share the heavyweight and gloriously juvenile comedy: the 1999 film, Big Daddy.

CAUTION: prepare to tune into Bean Real's first (and spooky) holiday special, which just so happens to be the second episode of the BONUS SERIES: REEL BREWS!

Husband & wife, Evan & Katie, prepare for the haunt of a lifetime when faced with an all-powerful stout from a New York State-based brewing company. The newlyweds also become spellbound by Halloween creatures and fight for the holiday's candy supremacy. If you dare, follow Evan & Katie outside the mortal world and into a creature culture where frights meet daylight: the 1998 film, Halloweentown.

"...hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

One-time criminal and all-time grandfather, Pappy, joins his grandson, Evan, to decipher a positively optimistic movie caught between the walls of prison life. These jokesters talk brotherhood, preach holding onto hope, and investigate Pappy's nefarious past. Chain yourself to an odyssey of incarceration and the sweet joy of freedom: the 1994 film, The Shawshank Redemption.