Cinema Shock

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

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

192 episodes
Updated Friday
Explicit

Episodes192

Newest first

Sep 20, 2024 · 3 hr 6 min
BLUE VELVET: David Lynch’s American Nightmare
After the failure of DUNE, David Lynch bounced back with BLUE VELVET—a film that redefined his career and shocked audiences with its blend of innocence and darkness. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Jvance325 | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | 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
Aug 31, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
Interview with Max Evry, author of 'A Masterpiece in Disarray: David Lynch's Dune - An Oral History'
For this special BONUS episode, we sat down for a chat with Max Evry, author of A Masterpiece in Disarray: David Lynch's Dune - An Oral History, one of the most comprehensive behind-the-scenes books that we've come across, and one that was a major resource for our episode covering the making of DUNE. In this interview, we chat with Max about all things DUNE, David Lynch, Hollywood book-to-film adapatations, and somehow, the 1993 movie SUPER MARIO BROS. Max interviewed a lot of the folks involved in the making of DUNE (including Lynch himself!), making his insights into the film's creation wholly unique. We can't thank him enough for taking the time to sit down with us! Follow Max Evry on X at @maxevry and Instagram at @maxevry1 and visit his website at maxevry.com. Purchase your copy of Masterpiece in Disarray on Amazon, your local independent bookstore, or wherever else books are sold. 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
Aug 23, 2024 · 2 hr 32 min
DUNE: David Lynch’s Desert Disaster
After THE ELEPHANT MAN, David Lynch took on the biggest challenge of his career: adapting DUNE. It didn’t go well. Here’s how one of the most infamous sci-fi flops came to be. 🎧 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. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Jvance325 | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Elton Novara 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
Aug 9, 2024 · 2 hr 12 min
THE ELEPHANT MAN: How David Lynch Broke Into Hollywood
David Lynch’s strange road to Hollywood began here—with a haunting biopic about humanity, dignity, and monstrous cruelty. This is the story of how THE ELEPHANT MAN came to be. 🎧 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. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Jvance325 | MagicBloat | Nate Izod 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
Jul 26, 2024 · 2 hr 36 min
ERASERHEAD: David Lynch's Dreams of Darkness and Decay
We dive into the long, strange journey behind ERASERHEAD — from David Lynch’s early years at AFI, to the film’s near-abandonment, to its resurrection as a cult classic that redefined the midnight movie scene. 🎧 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. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Jvance325 | MagicBloat | Nate Izod 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
Jul 12, 2024 · 1 hr 41 min
David Lynch: Strange Beginnings
We kick off David Lynch: Between Two Worlds with a look at the origins of one of cinema’s most distinctive voices — from Lynch’s suburban upbringing and art school years to the eerie, experimental short films that laid the groundwork for ERASERHEAD and beyond. 🎧 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. 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 26, 2024 · 2 hr 29 min
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW: The Rise of the Ultimate Midnight Movie
Before we close out our exploration of Midnight Movies with David Lynch’s ERASERHEAD, we’re taking a detour into the glitter-soaked, fishnet-wrapped world of what may be the most iconic midnight movie of them all: THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. It all started as a quirky stage production in a small experimental theater in London—but what followed was a pop culture explosion. ROCKY HORROR defied its disastrous box office debut and transformed into the longest continuously running theatrical release of all time. In this episode, we trace the film’s journey from the original stage musical to the cult sensation it became. We’ll explore its critical reception, its disastrous early screenings, its resurrection on the midnight circuit, and how it became a global rite of passage for weirdos and outsiders everywhere. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious first-timer, we’ll give you the full story behind THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. 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 5, 2024 · 2 hr 41 min
DONNIE DARKO (2001)
In this standalone episode, we're discussing Richard Kelly's modern cult classic DONNIE DARKO! DONNIE DARKO's journey to the screen was one fraught with difficulties from the very beginning: Few studios were willing to take a chance on a young, unproven director, and once the film did finally get made, getting it released at all was nearly impossible, with most distributors intimidated by the unconventional film. Once it was finally released, it was a huge flop. So how did DONNIE DARKO go on to become one of the most significant cult films of the last 25 years? In this episode, we tell the full story behind the film, from its inception, through production and release, and ultimately, how the film found new life to become the classic that we know it as today. 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. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
May 15, 2024 · 2 hr 14 min
ZODIAC (2007) | David Fincher, Part 7
For the final episode in our series David Fincher: Rules of the Game, we're taking a look at the story behind his 2007 true crime drama ZODIAC. For his follow-up to the crowd-pleasing popcorn thriller PANIC ROOM, David Fincher went in a far different direction with a meticulously researched look at the investigation into the real life Zodiac Killer murders in northern California in the late 1960s. In this episode, we trace the creation of ZODIAC, from its origins as a true crime book (written by San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith, who's portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal in the film) through its years in development at different studios, all the way through Fincher's involvement, the filming, and eventual release. Up Next: DONNIE DARKO. UPCOMING LIVE EVENT: Cinema Shock & GutPunch Cinema present Cult Class: DONNIE DARKO. A live screening of Richard Kelly's cult classic, with an introduction by the Cinema Shock Team. Coffee Underground | Greenville, SC Tuesday, May 21 Doors: 6:30 | Movie: 7:00 Tickets: https://gutpunchcinema.square.site/ 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. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
May 1, 2024 · 1 hr 43 min
PANIC ROOM (2002) | David Fincher, Part 6
FIGHT CLUB had been a grueling shoot for David Fincher and, at least upon first release, had alienated both audiences and critics alike. So when it was time for Fincher to move on to his next film, he sought out something a little simpler, something that wouldn't involve the hundreds of locations that he'd dealt with on FIGHT CLUB and one that was designed as pure entertainment. A "popcorn movie." It should have been simple. Unfortunately, the reality of shooting his next film was anything but easy. It ended up being a difficult shoot for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was Fincher's own inability to be flexible, a hard-earned lesson that he took with him to future projects. In this, the penultimate episode of our David Fincher series, we trace the full production history of PANIC ROOM, from script to screen and beyond. Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 7: ZODIAC. 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 17, 2024 · 2 hr 41 min
FIGHT CLUB (1999) | David Fincher, Part 5
After back-to-back successes with SE7EN and THE GAME, David Fincher found himself at the top of Hollywood's A-list, proving that he could produce hit films without abandoning his dark sensibilites. His next project, however, would put his reputation to the test. Although it's now considered a classic — and may very well be Fincher's most widely-seen film — when FIGHT CLUB was released in 1999, it was met with controversy, a negative critical reception, and disappointing box office returns. In this episode, we'll trace the entire history of FIGHT CLUB, from its inception as a novel to Fincher's development of the film and subsequent battles with the studio over the story's content, all the way through its divisive release in the fall of 1999, as well as how its legacy stands today, a quarter century after its initial release. Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 6: PANIC ROOM. 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 3, 2024 · 1 hr 42 min
THE GAME (1997) | David Fincher, Part 4
After the success of SE7EN, David Fincher returned to a film that he'd started developing before deciding to prioritize the serial killer film that would put him on the map. That film was THE GAME, a twist-filled thriller that's often overlooked and underappreciated during discussions of the director's filmography, but one that still features all of the skill, cynicism, and wit that have become staples of Fincher's work. In this episode, we'll discuss the creation of THE GAME, from script to shoot to screen and everything in-between, as we continue our deep dive into the films and career of David Fincher. Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 5: FIGHT CLUB. 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 20, 2024 · 2 hr 26 min
SE7EN (1995) | David Fincher, Part 3
After his disastrous experience on ALIEN 3, David Fincher retreated back into the world of music video and commercials, vowing to never again direct a feature film. That is, until a script by a young, first-time screenwriter named Andrew Kevin Walker crossed his desk. That script — about a serial killer who chooses his victims based on the Seven Deadly Sins — would prove to be the perfect canvas for Fincher's dark, exacting sensibilities. Making SEVEN (or SE7EN if ya nasty) didn't come without its share of headaches or interference from the studio. The now-iconic ending was a particular point of contention. But Fincher, having learned his lesson on ALIEN 3, was determined to make the film his way, no compromise. On this episode, we dive into the history behind SEVEN, from the evolution of Walker's script, through the difficult shoot and battles with the studio, through the film's release and ultimate success. Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 4: THE GAME. 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, and Justin Bishop. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Mar 6, 2024 · 2 hr 14 min
ALIEN 3 (1992) | David Fincher, Part 2
After spending years in Development Hell, the production of ALIEN 3 finally moved forward once first-time feature director David Fincher came on board. But it wasn't smooth sailing from there. The story of ALIEN 3's production is one of a legendary disaster, one where studio interference turned the film into one that was so compromised that its director disowns it to this day. In this episode, we will discuss all of the trials and tribulations that Fincher and his cast and crew went through while making ALIEN 3 and we'll discuss its legacy not only in the annals of science fiction, but in the scope of Fincher's overall career. Is ALIEN 3 the unmitigated disaster that many (including its director) would have us believe it is, or was it simply misunderstood by audiences who saw it in 1992? Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 3: SE7EN. 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, and Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Feb 20, 2024 · 1 hr 46 min
David Fincher: Rules of the Game, Part 1
"People will say, 'There are a million ways to shoot a scene', but I don't think so. I think there're two, maybe. And the other one is wrong." — David Fincher David Fincher has a reputation for being an exacting, meticulous director, one who sees an entire film in his head and who will do whatever it takes to get that vision onscreen. While that way of working has helped him to produce a filmography filled with modern classic — everything from the cult classics THE GAME and FIGHT CLUB to award winning prestige films like THE SOCIAL NETWORK and ZODIAC — it also has a tendency to cause friction between him and anyone who isn't fully on board with his vision. In this new series, David Fincher: Rules of the Game, we'll be exploring the first decade and a half of Fincher's career, beginning with his oft-maligned debut film, ALIEN3 In this introductory episode, we'll explore the years that the third ALIEN film spent in development hell, a time in which is went through multiple story variations, nearly a dozen writers, and several directors before Fincher ever even came on board. We'll also be taking a look at Fincher's life and career before ALIEN3 and the years that he spent as an award-winning and highly influential director of commercials and music videos. Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 2: ALIEN3. 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, and Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Feb 16, 2024 · 2 hr 37 min
Cinema Shock Rewind: ALIENS (1986)
For our next series here on Cinema Shock, we're going to be taking a look at the films of David Fincher, including his feature film debut ALIEN3. Since ALIEN3's history — which includes years spent in development hell, multiple directors and multiple screenwriters — is so tightly weaved into the history of the films in the franchise that preceded it, we wanted to give our listeners a chance to revisit the stories behind the productions of those films. We recently re-published our episode covering Ridley Scott's ALIEN and we continue the story here, with James Cameron's ALIENS. This episode was originally released in June of 2022 as part of our series James Cameron: Man of Tomorrow. 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, and Justin Bishop. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Feb 13, 2024 · 2 hr 49 min
Cinema Shock Rewind: ALIEN (1979)
For our next series here on Cinema Shock, we're going to be taking a look at the films of David Fincher, including his feature film debut ALIEN3. Since ALIEN3's history — which includes years spent in development hell, multiple directors and multiple screenwriters — is so tightly weaved into the history of the films in the franchise that preceded it, we wanted to give our listeners a chance to revisit the stories behind the productions of those films, beginning with Ridley Scott's ALIEN. This episode was originally released in April of 2021 as part of our series The Unsung Legacy of Dan O'Bannon. 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, and Justin Bishop. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Feb 6, 2024 · 1 hr 2 min
Extras: The ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA Sequels
In this special bonus episode, Justin, Gary and Todd take a look at every sequel to ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA! 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, and Justin Bishop. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Jan 30, 2024 · 1 hr 46 min
ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA (1991) | Cinema Shock Roulette
For the final entry in our Cinema Shock Roulette Extravaganza (but certainly not our last Cinema Shock Roulette episode), we're headed to Hong Kong to take a deep dive into the production of Tsui Hark's seminal martial arts film, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA. In this episode, we'll discuss not only the production of ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, but the history of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung on film, the early careers of Tsui and star Jet Li, and how this film reshaped the Hong Kong film industry, not only revitalizing the period martial arts film genre, but also spawning no less than five sequels, which in turn helped launch the career of martial arts sensation Donnie Yen. Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, a 7-part series on the career of director David Fincher. 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, and Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
Jan 27, 2024 · 1 hr 38 min
Cinema Shock Rewind: THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN (1978)
In this Cinema Shock Rewind episode, we're re-publishing our episode covering THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN! As was the case with GAME OF DEATH, our previous Rewind episode, the history of THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN has some significant ties with the history of martial arts cinema in Hong Kong, which directly influences the creation of Tsui Hark's ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA. We're providing this episode as a refresher for older listners and new listeners alike, as it provides some fun context and cross-over with our upcoming episode covering Tsui's film. THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN was originally published in January 2021 as part of our Six Degrees of Kill Bill series.