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Reginald Ponder

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic, is a nationally recognized film critic and cultural commentator known for his incisive analysis through a multicultural lens. He sparks meaningful dialogue on societal, racial, and power dynamics in cinema. His insights have been featured in Variety, The Root, and RogerEbert.com. Reggie is a consistent voice on NDIGO.com, The Garfield Lawndale Voice, Vocalo.org, and brings his critiques to the airwaves on JAM98 and WKKC (89.3 FM Chicago). For more, visit ReggiePonder.com.

Official Website:

ReggiePonder.com

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
Love, Brooklyn (2025) 69% 3/4 EDIT “Love Brooklyn speaks to how you can love something so much that when it changes you can’t see the lovable parts that remain nor the ones that grew anew. It shines in its simplicity as well as its complexity.” – reggieponder.com Sep 18, 2025 Full Review HIM (2025) 30% 1.5/4 EDIT “Wayans is fantastically unlikable. With jump cuts, animation, and aptly timed music, you would think this was a scary masterpiece, but instead, it was a piece of horror that wasn’t quite mastered. ” – reggieponder.com Sep 18, 2025 Full Review STRAW (2025) 53% 3/4 EDIT “Taraji P. Henson is phenomenal. If nothing else, she is able to convey the pain, anguish, confusion, and everything that goes with it. The film evokes hope for grace and mercy, as Taraji’s character could very well be any one of us.” – reggieponder.com Jul 10, 2025 Full Review How to Train Your Dragon (2025) 77% 3/4 EDIT “In the beginning, Butler feels like he is playing a character with his accent and overall presentation. But he settles in & feels more like the father and leader of these warriors. How to Train Your Dragon is fun, funny, fantastical, & forward-thinking. ” – reggieponder.com Jul 10, 2025 Full Review 40 Acres (2024) 89% 3.5/4 EDIT “What Thorne does well is help us get to know the Freemans beyond the terror at hand. This helps us root for them and partially experience the terror they endure to simply stay alive. The action is deadly, exciting, and with purpose. ” – reggieponder.com Jul 10, 2025 Full Review F1 The Movie (2025) 82% 3/4 EDIT “Brad Pitt is tailor-made to play Sonny, who is an interesting if not likable character. His cockiness makes him a bit jarring, but his carefree, almost reckless approach to life is weirdly appealing and captivating.” – reggieponder.com Jul 7, 2025 Full Review Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025) 80% 3.5/4 EDIT “Did Tom perform his favorite run? Did he do aerial stunts, underwater miracles, incredible car chases, dodge bullets, missiles, & engage in close hand to hand combat? YES! This wasn’t just about saving the world but about saving & honoring relationships. ” – reggieponder.com May 25, 2025 Full Review Another Simple Favor (2025) 58% 2/4 EDIT “I don’t drink, but if I did, I’d want them to add ice and even a berry-infused flavor to my Martini, because Another Simple Favor is not simple and not exactly a favor.” – reggieponder.com May 6, 2025 Full Review The Amateur (2025) 62% 3/4 EDIT “The Amateur is far from incompetent or inept. It is a smart and engaging exploration of a husband's love and ultimately, his rage. You will leave a bit energized, but might feel these matters should be left to the professionals.” – The Garfield/Lawndale Voice Apr 29, 2025 Full Review Black Bag (2025) 96% 3/4 EDIT “This black bag might not fetch a “House of Mouwad” price point, but “Marc Jacobs” is nothing to sneeze at. Holding some jewels, snacks, and a few keys, this black bag is worth carrying—and surely worth peeking inside. Mysterious, complicated, and vicious.” – The Garfield/Lawndale Voice Apr 29, 2025 Full Review The Accountant 2 (2025) 75% 2.5/4 EDIT “The Accountant 2 is a fun entry that unfortunately earns a few more deductions than the last submission. Not exactly a flawless return, but you won’t be looking to get your money back if you check this one out at the matinee. ” – The Garfield/Lawndale Voice Apr 29, 2025 Full Review Sinners (2025) 97% 3.5/4 EDIT “In one moment, Sinners will have you celebrating Black culture; in the next, it will have you jumping out of your seat. It is a fascinating push and pull between history and the future, as well as evil and good—and Sinners is good, real good. ” – reggieponder.com Apr 29, 2025 Full Review Blink Twice (2024) 74% 3/4 EDIT “There is something about Naomi Ackie's portrayal of Frida that makes her relatable but mysterious. The Graphic, in your face approach is disturbing on so many fronts that it might be hard to even open one's eyes at all. ” – vocalo.org Mar 6, 2025 Full Review Wicked (2024) 88% 3.5/4 EDIT “While green could symbolize envy, jealousy, and the unknown, Elphaba is unapologetically who she is, leaving me to exclaim, “I want to be seen in green.” Wickedly entertaining and thought-provoking.” – The Garfield/Lawndale Voice Jan 12, 2025 Full Review Gladiator II (2024) 70% 3/4 EDIT “In the end, Gladiator II doesn’t live up to the Academy Award-winning Gladiator, but it is a solid addition to the family story and history. ” – The Garfield/Lawndale Voice Nov 29, 2024 Full Review Juror #2 (2024) 93% 2.5/4 EDIT “While “Juror #2” reminds us that everything is not always how it seems, it ultimately raises more questions than it answers, leaving us to ponder the complexities of justice and the power of individual conscience. ” – The Garfield/Lawndale Voice Nov 29, 2024 Full Review Exhibiting Forgiveness (2024) 95% 3.5/4 EDIT “Writer/Director Titus Kaphar has constructed a masterful discussion about forgiveness. He gives the audience a lot to root for, as well as a lot to consider. John Earl Jelks & Andre Holland are powerful when challenging each other. ” – The Garfield/Lawndale Voice Nov 29, 2024 Full Review Piece By Piece (2024) 83% 3/4 EDIT “The inspiration in “Piece By Piece” goes beyond age boundaries and is for everyone who has a dream and is pursuing it. The notion that “What makes you different makes you special”is a powerful message indeed.” – The Garfield/Lawndale Voice Nov 29, 2024 Full Review Heretic (2024) 90% 3/4 EDIT “Heretic is a bold discussion about religion, a grand challenge surrounding faith, and a frightening discovery about self.” – vocalo.org Nov 29, 2024 Full Review Unstoppable (2024) 77% 3.5/4 EDIT “These extraordinary actors brings a life to the film that feels real and simple. Robles is extraordinary, amazing, and simply unstoppable. His plight might be difficult, but his story is surely one for the ages.” – vocalo.org Nov 29, 2024 Full Review Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) 31% 2/4 EDIT “There is no doubt that Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix put on a compelling dance, but the whole is not greater than the sum of the parts. You might love the acting, singing, and courtroom theatrics but all of that didn’t have me singing all the way home. ” – vocalo.org Oct 11, 2024 Full Review Sing Sing (2023) 97% 4/4 EDIT ““Sing Sing” challenges, builds community & champions the human spirit. It may not change your mind about people needing to go to prison but it sure will change your mind about what they should be doing while they are there. It is powerful and a must see!” – The Garfield/Lawndale Voice Aug 9, 2024 Full Review Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) 78% 2.5/4 EDIT ““Deadpool & Wolverine” is a fun excursion requiring the pair to carry a huge load. I wish they could have packed light. Marvel fanatics might not mind carrying the load, but the rest of us might want to let it go, let it go, let it go to streaming. ” – vocalo.org Aug 9, 2024 Full Review A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) 86% 3/4 EDIT “A Quiet Place: Day One” presented the opportunity to answer questions the first two movies didn’t exactly need to but it didn't. Maybe the filmmakers needed to give us a reason to watch “A Quiet Place Part III,” which seems likely the next step.” – vocalo.org Jul 6, 2024 Full Review Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) 90% 4/4 EDIT “The battle for power between Dementus and Immortan Joe is epic. It has everything you want to see in a confrontation. This is a big-screen, go-the-theater movie. The visual presentation is stunning. The stunts and visual effects are Oscar-worthy – really!” – vocalo.org Jul 6, 2024 Full Review
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