Take Two Movie Review

Series produced by Big Deal Productions

Series image

Two-minute weekly reviews of new films.

You're a busy person. You can't see every movie, and often, you won't want to.

"Take Two Movie Review" is your weekly dose of tough, unvarnished criticism. Ben Nuckols reviews the latest releases in less time than it takes to buy a ticket. Nuckols won't waste time summarizing the plot or telling you what the studios want you to hear. He'll tell you what he thinks, in a blunt style honed over 15 years of reviewing movies on radio, in print and online. He'll offer insight and context gathered during a lifetime of engagement with movies, and he'll speak to smart moviegoers who want to make informed choices. "Take Two Movie Review" will alert you to the movies that will leave you entertained, not conned by clever marketing or awards hype.

Nuckols is an AP reporter who lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two sons.


53 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
"Starving the Beast" examines the concerted effort of right wing intellectuals and politicians to wipe out affordable, publicly funded higher educa...

  • Added: Dec 06, 2016
  • Length: 02:01
Piece image
Those looking for a conventional family film best steer clear of "Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children." Yes, it is a film about children, w...

Bought by Red River Radio Network (E. Texas/Louisiana/Arkansas/Mississippi) and WNMU-FM


  • Added: Oct 16, 2016
  • Length: 02:00
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
The first thing that may come to mind when you see –or maybe just hear about-- Oliver Stone’s new movie, “Snowden,” is whether enough time has real...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Oct 16, 2016
  • Length: 02:02
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
The best thing about "The Light Between Oceans" is the cinematography. The primary setting --a lighthouse set on a remote island in Western Aust...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Oct 16, 2016
  • Length: 01:59
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Those of you who are sick of superhero movies might feel that you have a respite in Clint Eastwood's latest film, "Sully" -- a serious, earnest bio...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Oct 15, 2016
  • Length: 02:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Westerns are supposed to have cowboys, Indians, lawmen, and business interests controlling things from afar. “Hell or High Water” has these, even i...

  • Added: Oct 08, 2016
  • Length: 02:02
Piece image
Movies about home invasions going wrong are nothing new nor are thrillers where the tables are turned and antagonists become protagonists. However,...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Oct 08, 2016
  • Length: 02:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Movies about scams have proliferated in recent years, especially after the success of “American Hustle” and “Wolf of Wall Street.” The latest of t...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Oct 08, 2016
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
“The Infiltrator” is decent popcorn to be sure…In the back of your mind afterwards, though will be the thought that, despite the big takedown, 25 y...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Aug 13, 2016
  • Length: 02:02
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
"Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie" may not be a classic, but is worth seeing if you’re looking for laughs.

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Aug 22, 2016
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
J.J. Abrams has honed the art of combining action with the philosophy of Gene Roddenberry. The always relevant conflict of peace, unity, and mu...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Jul 25, 2016
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
It’s rumored that Stanley Kubrick once told John LeCarre that he couldn’t do justice to LeCarre’s novels in two-hour films because of their deta...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Jul 25, 2016
  • Length: 02:02
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Young kids may like this, but adults may be looking at their watches wondering when it is going to end.

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Jul 25, 2016
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
A cast mostly of unknowns and little knowns (with one well-placed uncredited star) turns in strong performances both live and through motion captur...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Jul 25, 2016
  • Length: 01:59
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
"Finding Dory" may be tad predicable, but it is nonetheless a good movie. It shows it is possible to go home again even if you don’t remember how y...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Jul 25, 2016
  • Length: 01:59
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
“Love & Friendship” is classy and fun, and deserves your attention.

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Jul 25, 2016
  • Length: 04:02
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
In the new mockumentry, “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,” the pop music world gets the treatment the heavy metal scene got in “Spinal Tap,” or...

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Jul 25, 2016
  • Length: 04:02
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Most of the time when a numeral follows the title of a reasonably successful raunchy frat-boy comedy, good things are not in store. “Neighbors 2: S...

  • Added: Jul 20, 2016
  • Length: 02:02
Piece image
"Money Monster" may not be a classic, but it is a good film with a timely message.

Bought by WNMU-FM


  • Added: Jul 20, 2016
  • Length: 01:59
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
We have seen, with the recent "Batman vs. Superman" misfire, that the clustering of super-heroes onscreen can yield some pretty hideous results. ...

  • Added: Jul 20, 2016
  • Length: :19