Cinema Shock

The stories behind your favorite cult & genre films, and the people who make them.

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192 episodes
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Episodes192

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Jun 20, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
VIRTUOSITY Pt 1: Brett Leonard, The Lawnmower Man, and the VR Revolution | Virtual Insanity
"I'm a fifty terrabyte, self-evolving, neural network, double backflip off the high platform. I'm not a swan dive." For the next entry in our Virtual Insanity series, we’re diving headfirst into the world of early virtual reality—and the filmmaker who helped bring it to the big screen. This week, we're going behind the scenes on VIRTUOSITY, the 1995 cyber thriller starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. But before we get there, we’re rewinding to 1992's THE LAWNMOWER MAN —the first film to seriously tackle VR on screen and the movie that launched director Brett Leonard’s Hollywood career. We’ll explore how THE LAWNMOWER MAN came to be, why it sparked a legal battle with Stephen King, and how its unexpected success set the stage for VIRTUOSITY, a film that had already been in development long before Leonard came aboard. It's a double feature of tech-noir chaos, '90s visual effects, and the strange, glitchy dream of cyberspace. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Hunter D Mackenzie | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Jvance325 | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Jun 13, 2025 · 1 hr
JOHNNY MNEMONIC Pt 2: Keanu Reeves vs. Corporate Dystopia | Virtual Insanity
"I can carry nearly eighty gigs of data in my head." For our Cinema Shock summer series, we wanted to take a look back at a few movies that were celebrating significant anniversaries this year. When we began browsing films released in 1995, we noticed an interesting trend: There was a glut of cyber thrillers released that year. And more specifically, cyber thrillers that dealt with the concept of virtual reality. This probably shouldn't be surprising: 1995 was a banner year for technology; with the release of Windows 95 and the increasing availability of home internet, more people than ever were being connected to the World Wide Web. And as we know, Hollywood loves a trend. Enter: Virtual Insanity. In this series, we'll be exploring some of the more significant films of this very specific subgenre, all of which are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Most of these films fell flat at the box office in 1995 but all have reached varying degrees of notoriety in the decades since. Kicking things off, we're taking a look at JOHNNY MNEMONIC, possibly the strangest of the bunch. It's a film with a long, complex production history whose journey from page (in a short story by cyberpunk legend William Gibson) to screen was fraught with delays, difficulties and compromises. In our last episode, we detailed the early days of JOHNNY MNEMONIC's development and filming. This week, we'll focus on the film's contentious post production period, where the Hollywood execs responsible for marketing the film tried to turn it into something it was never intended to be, hoping to capitalize on the newfound post-SPEED superstardom of Keanu Reeves. We'll also get into our own thoughts on the film's legacy, as well as how its views of the internet and global connectivity are still relevant today. Next week: We continue our look at the cyber thrillers of 1995 with an often-overlooked film that stars two of Hollywood's biggest names. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes the full story of JOHNNY MNEMONIC (Parts 1 and 2), as well as bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Hunter D Mackenzie | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Jvance325 | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Jun 6, 2025 · 1 hr 35 min
JOHNNY MNEMONIC Pt 1: William Gibson and the Birth of Cyberspace | Virtual Insanity
"I want to get online... I need a computer!" For our Cinema Shock summer series, we wanted to take a look back at a few movies that were celebrating significant anniversaries this year. When we began browsing films released in 1995, we noticed an interesting trend: There was a glut of cyber thrillers released that year. And more specifically, cyber thrillers that dealt with the concept of virtual reality. This probably shouldn't be surprising: 1995 was a banner year for technology; with the release of Windows 95 and the increasing availability of home internet, more people than ever were being connected to the World Wide Web. And as we know, Hollywood loves a trend. Enter: Virtual Insanity. In this series, we'll be exploring some of the more significant films of this very specific subgenre, all of which are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Most of these films fell flat at the box office in 1995 but all have reached varying degrees of notoriety in the decades since. Kicking things off, we're taking a look at JOHNNY MNEMONIC, possibly the strangest of the bunch. It's a film with a long, complex production history whose journey from page (in a short story by cyberpunk legend William Gibson) to screen was fraught with delays, difficulties and compromises. In this, the first of two episodes detailing JOHNNY MNEMONIC's story, we'll establish just why cyber thrillers became a trend, how one of 1980s New York's most prominent visual artists came on board as the director, and how the vision for the film trasnformed from a low budget black-and-white art film into a nearly $30 million major studio production. Next week: In Part 2 of our look at JOHNNY MNEMONIC, we'll detail the film's contentious post-production period, it's bungled release, and box office performance, as well as our own thoughts on the film and how its vision of the future is still relevant today. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes the full story of JOHNNY MNEMONIC (Parts 1 and 2), as well as bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Hunter D Mackenzie | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Jvance325 | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
May 23, 2025 · 2 hr 3 min
The Legacy of Jim Henson | Jim Henson: Heart Felt (Epilogue)
“Please watch out for each other and love and forgive everybody. It's a good life, enjoy it.” Over the course of this series, we've come to not only love Jim Henson's work even more than we already did, but we've come to love and appreciate the person that Jim Henson was. In a cynical world, Henson was a beacon of hope and optimism and he spent his entire career — his entire life — trying to share that optimism with the world at large. While he was disappointed with the reception of his labor of love LABYRINTH, Henson didn't walk away from the project defeated. Instead, he made the decision to channel his energy into new projects, fueled by his unwavering optimism. Jim Henson, in the last years of his too-short life, did everything he could to make the world a better place through his art. In this, the final episode Jim Henson: Heart Felt, we want to discuss Jim's legacy beyond LABYRINTH. From Fraggle Rock to The StoryTeller to MuppetVision 3D and beyond, Jim worked tirelessly with every moment he had on this earth to bring joy to everyone he came in contact with, whether it was in-person or through a television or movie screen. As we say goodbye to Jim Henson and recount his final years — and his final days — we can't help but feel a little bit sad. But we also feel a sense of gratitude that we got to exist on the same planet as Henson and that we'll be able to experience the magic he brought to us until the end of time. Thank you, our listeners, for going on this journey with us. We promise we'll be back to talking about weird cult movies very soon. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Courtland Ashley | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
May 9, 2025 · 2 hr 39 min
LABYRINTH (1986) | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
"Everything I've done, I've done for you. I move the stars for no one.” After the release of THE DARK CRYSTAL — and its critical and commercial failure — Jim Henson and his collaborator on that project, illustrator Brian Froud, went back to the drawing board for their next ambitious fantasy project. Utilizing the lessons that they’d learned on that film, they looked to craft another story with the same amount of imagination, but with more humor, more heart, more music and… more humans. The resulting film, LABYRINTH, was not much more well-received at the time of its release, but like its predecessor, it’s gone on to become a beloved film, one that’s now considered a classic and one of the creative pinnacles of Henson’s career. In this episode, we tell down the full story of how LABYRINTH was made, from its original concept, to the dozens of script drafts that it went through during its development, to the casting of David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly (and the actors who almost got the parts instead), and all of the innovative puppetry and creature creation that brought it to life. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Apr 25, 2025 · 1 hr 53 min
Rewind: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986)
This episode was originally released in May 2022. In this Cinema Shock Rewind episode, we're revisiting our episode on Frank Oz's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Oz got his start as Jim Henson's closest collaborator, working with Jim during the Muppets' early years, and serving as a key piece of the Muppets' creative framework through the years of The Muppet Show and the subsequent feature films. In fact, Oz made his solo directorial debut on THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHANTTAN, which led to him being courted for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS not long after. In this episode, we'll tell you the full story of how LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS was made, now with the added context of Oz's participation in the world of The Muppets. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Apr 11, 2025 · 2 hr 19 min
THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN (1984) | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
"Hey, I tell you what is. Big city, hmm? Live, work, huh? But not city only. Only peoples. Peoples is peoples. No is buildings. Is tomatoes, huh? Is peoples, is dancing, is music, is potatoes. So, peoples is peoples. Okay?" With his dream project THE DARK CRYSTAL taking so much of his time and energy, Jim Henson was content to slim down his role on the next Muppet project and allow his right hand man Frank Oz to take the helm in his first solo directing feature. THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN would be the last Muppet film that Henson would be involved with before his untimely passing a few years later, but the film's legacy would have a lasting impact on his company, especially in the form of the Muppet Babies, who'd get their own Saturday morning cartoon, inspired by a sequence from the film. And let's not forget the media circus that surrounded the wedding of the century! In this episode, we give all the details on how the film came to be, from its concept, multiple script changes, release and beyond! Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Join the Community: Substack | Discord Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Mar 26, 2025 · 2 hr 17 min
THE DARK CRYSTAL (1982) | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
"Another world, another time, in the age of wonder. A thousand years ago, this land was green and good - until the Crystal cracked." After the completion of THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER, Jim Henson focused on a project that had been in the works for years — its earliest seeds were planted well before even The Muppet Show had begun production — an ambitious fantasy film made in collaboration with renowned illustrator Brian Froud. That film, THE DARK CRYSTAL, would be Jim's most ambitious project to date. It's a film that pushed the limits of what puppetry was capable of, essentially creating an entirely new artform that would change the landscape of movie special effects for years to come. But it was also a great artistic and financial risk for Henson. When it was released, audiences didn't quite know what to think of it, but the film has become to be considered a bonafide classic in the decades since. In this episode, we'll detail the years long process to bring THE DARK CRYSTAL to the screen. D&D LIVE FOR CHARITY, Hosted by Mr. Todd A. Davis Comedians, Drag Performers, and Pro Wrestlers play Dungeons & Dragons in front of a LIVE audience to benefit The Julie Valentine Center! 🎟Purchase Tickets🎟 Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Mar 14, 2025 · 1 hr 53 min
THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER (1981) | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
"There'll be mystery and catastrophe! But it's all in fun, you paid the money - wait and see! Hey! A movie! Starring everybody! And me!" After the success of THE MUPPET MOVIE, Jim Henson had hoped to get funding for a fantasy film that had become a sort of dream project of his. But that film — which would not feature the beloved and recognizable Muppets — would be a sizeable risk, so his producer convinced him to strike while the iron was hot and make a sequel to THE MUPPET MOVIE before embarking on his ambitious fantasy project. This time around, Jim Henson himself would be in the director's chair, creating a new adventure for the Muppet gang that would be a send-up of classic Hollywood films. In this episode of Jim Henson: Heart Felt, we'll detail the full story of how THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER was made, from its early script woes, through its envelope-pushing puppetry innovations, and its eventual release and reception, where it was met with high expecations. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Feb 28, 2025 · 2 hr 1 min
THE MUPPET MOVIE (1979) | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
“Life's like a movie. Write your own ending. Keep believing. Keep pretending.” With The Muppet Show, Jim Henson had reached the goal that he’d set for himself many years before: He’d managed to get his beloved Muppets their own weekly television series. Not only that, but it was an enormous success, quickly becoming one of the most watched television shows in the entire world. The Muppets were as big as they’d ever been. The next step seemed logical: The Muppets were going to Hollywood. Getting them there wouldn’t be as straight-forward as you might think. After all, what Jim was proposing to do — bringing the Muppets out of their highly-controlled sutdio environment and into the real world — was unprecedented, and there was a question as to whether it’d work at all. In the latest episode of Jim Henson: Heart Felt, we’re telling the complete story of just how Henson pulled it off, and how he created one of the most beloved films of the 1970s, one that still resonated with audiences nearly half a century later. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Feb 24, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
TWIN PEAKS: FIRE SHOCK WITH ME | Free Preview of CinemaShock+
Happy TWIN PEAKS Day everyone! To celebrate the day that FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper first entered the town of Twin Peaks, we wanted to offer our listeners a Free Preview of the first members-only episode of our Twin Peaks watch-along podcast FIRE SHOCK WITH ME! We did a deep dive into the creation of the TWIN PEAKS pilot episode as part of our series David Lynch: Absurd Encounters a while back (you can listen to that episode here). On that episode, we teased a bonus series where we'd watch and discuss Twin Peaks in its entirety, and FIRE SHOCK WITH ME is the follow-through on that promise! The entire first season of FIRE SHOCK WITH ME is available exclusively to members of CinemaShock+ with our looks at TWIN PEAKS: Season 2 and TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN coming later this year. For now, enjoy the entire first episode of FIRE SHOCK WITH ME for free for a limited time, and head to cinemashock.net/plus to become a member of CinemaShock+ so that you can enjoy the rest of this series, as well as a host of other members-only benefits, including extended episodes, video content, and merch discounts!
Feb 14, 2025 · 2 hr 7 min
How They Made THE MUPPET SHOW | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
By the mid-1970s, Jim Henson and the Muppets were as big as they'd ever been. They'd helped turn Sesame Street into a household name and continued to be a hot commodity on the variety show circuit. But Jim had yet to do the one thing he'd been trying to accomplish since the early 1960s: Create a prime time television show starring the Muppets, and one that wasn't solely aimed at a preschool audience. He made several attempts along the way, filming several pilots with varying degrees of sucess, and even had a stint alongside the Not Ready For Prime Time Players on the first season of Saturday Night Live, but it would take a while before he was able to convince anyone to give The Muppets a shot at their own show. That all changed in 1976, with a little help from Julie Andrews (yep, that Julie Andrews) and a British Lord. With the debut of The Muppet Show, Jim and his gang of puppeteers would become one of the biggest pop culture phenomenons on the planet. This is the story of how they got there. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | lolodrummer | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Jan 31, 2025 · 2 hr 19 min
From the Arthouse to SESAME STREET | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
“As children, we all live in a world of imagination, of fantasy, and for some of us that world of make-believe continues into adulthood.” Despite spending years fighting against the notion that puppets were nothing more than “children’s entertainment,” Jim Henson found his greatest success thus far working on a television show aimed at toddlers: the groundbreaking educational series SESAME STREET. But before he got there, Jim went on a years long detour into the world of experimental filmmaking, work that would ultimatley influence many of the inserts that he’d film for SESAME STREET. In this episode, we’ll discuss Henson’s work on short films such as TIME PIECE and experimental television programs like YOUTH ‘68 and THE CUBE — not to mention his brief flirtation with opening a psychedlic nightclub and his time spent onstage in Las Vegas — before taking a deep dive into his involvement with SESAME STREET, a program that would change television, and the Muppets, forever. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | lolodrummer | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Jan 17, 2025 · 1 hr 58 min
The Birth of The Muppets | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
It’s time to start a brand new series here on Cinema Shock! For the next few weeks, we’ll be telling the story of Jim Henson. To truly tell the story of Henson’s life and career, we have to go all the way back to the beginning: In this inaugural episode, we’ll explore Jim’s early years, through the creation of his first TV show, SAM & FRIENDS (where Kermit the Frog made his first appearance), his groundbreaking commercial work, and the years spent working on THE JIMMY DEAN SHOW. Join us for Jim Henson, Episode 1: "The Birth of The Muppets." Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Justin V. | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Jan 3, 2025 · 2 hr 22 min
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT: How a $60K Indie Film Changed Horror Forever | Class of 1999
"I'm afraid to close my eyes, I'm afraid to open them." In the summer of 1999, a low-budget indie horror film stormed into theaters and redefined an entire genre. Conceived by two recent film school grads and shot with no stars, no studio backing, and almost no money, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT became a full-blown cultural event—and the most profitable independent film of all time. In this episode, we trace the incredible story behind the making of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT: from its early concept during film school through its unconventional production, improvisational style, and groundbreaking marketing campaign. We unpack how it popularized the found footage format, blurred the line between fiction and reality, and tapped into a pre-digital moment when moviegoers weren’t quite sure what was real. It was lightning in a bottle—and a turning point for horror cinema. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Justin V. | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Dec 13, 2024 · 2 hr 7 min
THE BOONDOCK SAINTS (1999)
"We're sorta like 7-Eleven. We're not always doing business, but we're always open." For Gary’s pick for a movie from 1999, he went with an infamous film that’s thre true definition of a “cult film.” When THE BOONDOCK SAINTS was (barely) released in theaters, it had practically no impact at all, but months later, when the movie hit home video, it became a bonafide word-of-mouth sensation, especially among younger audiences who viewed its attempt at a Tarantino-esque crime film as the epitome of edgy cool. While praise for the film has waned in the quarter century since, it still has a devoted fanbase, one that’s helped the film produce one sequel (so far, with more reportedly on the way). In this episode, we’ll tell the story of how THE BOONDOCK SAINTS was made. In a fascinating story — one with a narrative adored by the trade papers while it was all going down — THE BOONDOCK SAINTS was written and directed by a bartender-turned-filmmaker who’d never written a screenplay in his life, only to become Hollywood’s golden child seemingly overnight. Troy Duffy, however, soon found that his fall from Hollywood’s graces could come as quickly as his rise. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. Up Next: THE BOONDOCK SAINTS. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Justin V. | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Release Date: August 6, 1999 Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Nov 29, 2024 · 2 hr 1 min
THE IRON GIANT (1999)
We’ve decided to wrap up 2024 with a look at a few films that are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. 1999 has become known as one of the best movie years of all time. While we’ve already touched on some of the biggest films of that year (THE MATRIX, FIGHT CLUB), there are a handful of films from that year that may not fit into one of our long form series, and we wanted to make sure they got their due. So for this (short) series, each of our hosts have picked out a film from 1999 that they’d like to discuss, starting with Todd’s pick, THE IRON GIANT. Brad Bird’s debut film has gone on to become a beloved animation classic, but its story didn’t start that way: When it debuted in 1999, the film — thanks to a practically non-existent marketing campaign from Warner Bros — came and went from theaters with most audiences totally unaware of its existence. But in the quarter century since, it has not only managed to find an audience, but it’s gained a reputation as one of the greatest animated films of all time. In this episode, we trace its origins (which involves, we kid you not, the death of Sylvia Plath and a Pete Townshend album), all the way through its development, release, and eventual rediscovery. We will also, as always, discuss our own thoughts and feelings on the film, its legacy, and the important lessons it has to teach us. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. Up Next: THE BOONDOCK SAINTS. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Justin V. | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Nov 15, 2024 · 1 hr 56 min
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008) | Cinema Shock Roulette
"I'm twelve. But I've been twelve for a long time." For the latest radomly chosen Cinema Shock Roulette entry, the wheels of fate have taken us to Sweden, where we’ll explore the story behind Tomas Alfredson’s LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. Based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN was almost instantly recognized as a modern day horror classic when it was released in 2008. In this episode, we’ll walk through its entire process of how the film came to be, from its origins as a Swedish-language novel, through its development and eventual release as a film from a director not known for working within the horror genre. This is everything you need to know about LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. Up Next: Cinema Shock Roulette: THE IRON GIANT. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Justin V. | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Become an Associate Producer by joining CinemaShock+. Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Nov 1, 2024 · 2 hr 6 min
WILD AT HEART: David Lynch, Nicolas Cage & the Road to Cannes
After the first season of TWIN PEAKS, David Lynch turned his attention back to film — and WILD AT HEART was the result. In this episode, we track how Lynch adapted Barry Gifford’s violent romance novel, cast Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern, and took the film all the way to Cannes, where it earned the festival’s top prize — and some serious backlash. While this is our final episode in our current series covering the career of David Lynch, our journey through Lynch’s work is not over. In the coming weeks, we will be launching Fire Shock With Me, a TWIN PEAKS watch-along series where we will be working our way through Lynch’s seminal TV series in its entirety. Those episodes will be available exclusively to our $5 and up subscribers on CinemaShock+, where you’ll also find extended versions of all David Lynch episodes that include additional bonus segments. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus Up Next: Cinema Shock Roulette: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Justin V. | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Oct 18, 2024 · 2 hr 45 min
TWIN PEAKS: David Lynch’s Northwest Passage to Primetime Weirdness
David Lynch’s journey to TWIN PEAKS started long before Agent Cooper ordered his first slice of cherry pie. In this episode, we dig into the origins of the landmark pilot — from Lynch’s post-BLUE VELVET career crossroads to his unlikely partnership with TV veteran Mark Frost, and how they came together to create one of the strangest, most influential shows to ever hit network television. 🎧 Want even more? CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus. Our Twin Peaks bonus series Fire Shock With Me is available exclusively on CinemaShock+. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Jvance325 | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | Robert Stinson Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net