15 Years of film reviews: a look back at The Reel Bits

It’s been 15 years since I published my first film review on The Reel Bits. A few weeks ago, I marked the occasion by accidentally breaking the entire site — nothing says “milestone” like a crash course in databases, error logs, and mild panic. But the site’s (mostly) back together, so now it’s time to celebrate properly.

Having spent most of that time calling myself an independent film critic, or an online editor depending on the crowd, lots has changed. Yet despite my best efforts, both I and the site are still standing.

The origin story

The Reel Bits spun off from the old DVD Bits, where I was mostly reviewing whatever DVDs or Blu-rays landed on my doorstep. After trying to break into theatrical screenings, a distributor told me I “wasn’t running a film site.” So I made one. Soon I was in secret Sydney screening rooms multiple times a week, occasionally with snacks. Strangely, I kicked off the blog with not-so-timely reviews like Häxan (1922), briefly considered doing 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, then remembered film’s not meant to feel like homework. Lists, though — I do love a list.

Over 5,100 logged films later (and countless Letterboxd lists in the process), one constant remains: I love movies. I just do. I’m like a toddler with an iPad and unlimited screentime. I’ll watch anything you put in front of me. I won’t like them all, but I’ll find something to like. Because, as Steve Martin once said in Grand Canyon: “All of life’s riddles are answered in the movies.” Or was that the Film Actually podcast?

The Evolution

The Reel Bits has changed appearance many times, mostly on purpose. I went from reviews to film festival coverage, got into some major interviews, and met some of my closest friends along the way. (You know who you are). I won’t drop all the interviewee names here — I did that five years ago for the 10th anniversary.

As my tastes shifted, so did the site. I stopped chasing hits and just focused on what I enjoyed. Asia in Focus, Disney Minus and comic books were always a must. I wanted to reflect what I was doing when I wasn’t watching movies, so I started chronicling some of my reading in Inconstant Reader, 007 Case Files, and The Read Goes Ever On. And you know what? They found an audience too. This site isn’t just a reflection of 15 years in film — it’s 15 years of me.

What I’ve learned from 15 years of film writing

I’ve said this many times over the years: I started writing about movies because I wanted to keep the conversation going after I left the cinema. That’s always been true.

As a kid, I’d carefully clip articles about movies from newspapers and magazines. Later, I’d buy Leonard Maltin’s film guides and note down every film I watched in an exercise book. These days it’s mostly digital — websites, Letterboxd, endless online content — but in many ways I’m still that kid, rushing out of the latest movie, breathlessly recounting everything I just saw. Only now, I gush about them in 500-word articles. I still have a notebook, though.

I started writing about movies because I wanted to continue my relationship with the movie after I left the cinema.

Every year, someone declares the death of cinema. Or of criticism. Or of both. And sure, the whole scene has changed. In the 15 years of this site, multiple cinemas I used to frequent have closed. There are fewer screens, and bigger movies have taken over the space where mid-budget films used to live. Streaming swallowed most of what was left. In the mainstream, there’s less risk — for studios and for audiences.

Which is what makes discovering something new all the more thrilling. The difficulty of seeing indie gems and festival finds outside of big cities are one thing, but now everyone’s a critic. Or at least I hope so. Personal sites, TikTok reviews, Letterboxd diaries — there have never been more people talking about movies. And that’s amazing. There have never been more chances to discover something new — and talk about it with someone else who just discovered it.

Favourite film moments

Click on an image for the full review.

Greatest Hits (according to the stats)

Of the millions of page visits over the last 15 years, a handful have stood out as the most-read ever. Anything to do with Australian release dates pulled in hundreds of thousands of hits, but those proved hard to maintain. So among the fun stuff — that is, the pieces where I actually got to write about movies — these ones filled the top 10.

Photos from Australian Fan Screening of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol with Simon Pegg and Brad Bird

We did interviews with Pegg and Bird on the Ghost Protocol tour, but it wasn’t my interview that got the clicks. It was this gallery of studio photos, possibly helped along by Pegg tweeting about it.

Asian Films to Watch

For several years running, these curtain-raiser lists (published in 2020, 2021 and 2022) brought in big traffic, so I kept going back for more. Why did I stop? That’s a very good question. One for 2025, methinks.

20 Great Romance Movie Posters for Valentine’s Day

Published in 2012, but year after year it keeps attracting visitors. I guess you’re all just romantics.

The evolution of Spider-Man on screen: 1960s to 1980s

This one combined two of my favourite things: comic book adaptations and research. Every time a new Spidey film hits, this gets a bump. Here’s to the next reboot!

Interview: Steve Carell on Crazy Stupid Love

Looking back, I’m still amazed someone let me in the room. I admit to being starstruck, and the popularity of this piece probably shows how big a star he is to get struck by. Figuratively, of course. Nothing but good memories from that chat.

3D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy

One of my first “blockbuster” reviews, and also one of the first films I saw with my good friend David McVay (Geek Actually). Despite this inauspicious start, we went on to co-host several podcasts on far less erotic topics.

Review: Clinical

It’s funny — I have almost no memory of this Netflix psychological thriller, but apparently people were really into it during the Antipodean summer of 2017.

Review: Nosferatu

This one drew so many hits that I had to triple-check I hadn’t broken an embargo. I loved Eggers’s hauntingly atmospheric reimagining of a familiar tale — and it seems you did too.

Review: Rip Tide

So great to see an Australian film on here, even if it is a starring vehicle for Debby Ryan. Perhaps it’s time for a rewatch.

I’ve left off some odd entries — an announcement on the third season of The Walking Dead, some first-look stills from Skyfall and Avengers, even the home page — because those were very much right time, right place. Everything else on this list still attracts curious eyes to this day.

Thank you

In saying my thank yous, there are many people who’ve helped along the way — but none more important than the person reading these words right now. You, the constant readers, make this possible. Knowing someone is out there reading my ramblings keeps me going. Truly: thank you, thank you, thank you.

To all the guest contributors who’ve filled this site with words other than mine: it’s always weird and exciting to share this personal space with someone else. To the studios and distributors: thank you for all the invites. Turns out, I do have a film site after all.

What’s next?

In the immediate future, The Reel Bits needs a little technical TLC. Otherwise, I have no plans to stop anytime soon. I still love movies.

Over at Travel While Nerdy, my partner and I write about our other passion: travel.

So when we’re not jetting off somewhere, you’ll find me in a cinema, in front of the TV, or right here behind the keyboard. Here’s to the next 15 years.