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Cinema Shock

Cinema Shock

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

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  • 192 episodes
  • Updated Friday
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Episodes192

Newest first
  • May 9, 2023 · 1 hr 48 min

    THE ROAD TO SPIDER-MAN: Hollywood’s Longest Web | Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Trilogy

    When we wrapped our Sam Raimi: The Entertainer series, we promised we’d be back to talk about Raimi’s SPIDER-MAN films — and folks, we keep our promises. But before we dive into the production of Raimi’s blockbuster trilogy, we’re kicking things off with something a little different: a look at the decades-long saga that brought Spider-Man to the big screen. From the aborted Cannon Films version in the ’80s to James Cameron’s infamous unmade script — and all the legal, financial, and creative chaos in between — this is the full story of how Peter Parker finally swung into theaters under the direction of Sam Raimi. So join us for The Road to Spider-Man, the first entry in our new series covering Sam Raimi’s SPIDER-MAN TRILOGY. Show Notes: 📺Watch: Supaidāman on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLkrfQ-ub5c8J1Zqh8dZ_ZDOXDQ8ejWQr 📖Read: Ted Newson & John Brancato's SPIDER-MAN Script: https://www.youscribe.com/BookReader/Index/2388129/?documentId=2365547 📖Read: James Cameron's SPIDER-MAN Scriptment: http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/s/spider-man-scriptment.html 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Apr 18, 2023 · 2 hr 20 min

    THE NICE GUYS: Shane Black’s Underrated Cult Classic | Cinema Shock Roulette

    For this installment of Cinema Shock Roulette, we’re taking a dive into what might be Shane Black’s most overlooked gem: THE NICE GUYS. Released in 2016, this hilarious and hardboiled detective flick pairs Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe as mismatched investigators stumbling through a tangled conspiracy involving porn, pollution, and the auto industry — all set against the grimy backdrop of 1970s Los Angeles. While this episode stands alone, it also serves as a spiritual epilogue to our Shane Black: Black Christmas series. If KISS KISS BANG BANG was the film that reignited Black’s career, THE NICE GUYS is the one that distilled his voice to its purest form: razor-sharp dialogue, bruised masculinity, and a real affection for Hollywood’s forgotten underbelly. We’ll trace the film’s long road to production, the near-miss casting choices, its critical reception, and its cult status as one of the best buddy comedies of the 21st century. 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Apr 4, 2023 · 2 hr 26 min

    • SANTA SANGRE: A Circus of Blood and Redemption | Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Cinema of Cruelty

    After a nearly decade-long break from filmmaking following THE HOLY MOUNTAIN, Alejandro Jodorowsky returned in 1989 with what many consider his most emotionally resonant film: SANTA SANGRE. Produced by Claudio Argento (brother of Italian horror legend Dario Argento), SANTA SANGRE fuses the surrealism and religious symbolism of Jodorowsky’s earlier work with the lurid style of Italian giallo and psychological horror. The result is a blood-soaked Oedipal nightmare told through a carnival lens — part art film, part exploitation, and all Jodorowsky. In this episode, we explore how SANTA SANGRE came to be, the real-life trauma and spiritual beliefs that inspired it, and how it marked a turning point in Jodorowsky’s creative life. We’ll also trace its critical reception, its cult legacy, and its surprising emotional depth — even as it delivers some of the most grotesque imagery in his entire filmography. 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Mar 21, 2023 · 2 hr 5 min

    THE HOLY MOUNTAIN: Jodorowsky Ascends | Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Cinema of Cruelty

    After the underground success of EL TOPO, Alejandro Jodorowsky was given total creative freedom — and a sizable budget courtesy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono — to create a follow-up film. The result was THE HOLY MOUNTAIN, a psychedelic, symbolic, and boundary-smashing spiritual epic. From the opening frames, where Jodorowsky himself plays a mystical Alchemist shaving the heads of two nude women, it’s clear this is no ordinary film. THE HOLY MOUNTAIN is a journey through war, capitalism, religion, power, illusion — and ultimately, transcendence. In this episode, we explore the making of THE HOLY MOUNTAIN, including how Jodorowsky cast the film using Tarot cards, the intense spiritual training he put his actors through, and how he crafted some of the most unforgettable imagery ever put to film. We also trace the movie’s rocky distribution history, its critical reevaluation, and the cult legacy that’s made it a rite of passage for adventurous cinephiles. 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Mar 7, 2023 · 2 hr

    EL TOPO: The Birth of the Midnight Movie | Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Cinema of Cruelty

    In the annals of cult cinema, few films are as infamous — or as influential — as Alejandro Jodorowsky’s 1970 masterpiece EL TOPO. A violent, hallucinatory blend of spaghetti westerns, Zen Buddhism, surrealist theater, and esoteric philosophy, EL TOPOfollows a black-clad gunslinger on a spiritual journey of transformation and destruction. It shocked audiences, confused critics, and helped define the midnight movie craze after its unorthodox release strategy — including an underground New York run championed by none other than John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In this episode, we explore how EL TOPO came to be, the countercultural movement that embraced it, and the unlikely influence it had on everyone from Dennis Hopper to David Lynch. We’ll also dig into Jodorowsky’s uncompromising vision, the controversy surrounding its imagery, and its lasting legacy in the world of transgressive cinema. Show Notes: 📰Read: Is 'El Topo' A Con? by Vincent Candy (The New York Times, 1971): https://www.nytimes.com/1971/05/23/archives/is-el-topo-a-con-is-el-topo-a-con.html 📰Read: Should 'El Topo' Be Elevated to 'El Tops'? by Peter Schjeldahl (The New York Times, 1971): https://www.nytimes.com/1971/06/06/archives/should-el-topo-be-elevated-to-el-tops.html 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Feb 21, 2023 · 2 hr 43 min

    FANDO Y LIS: Jodorowsky’s Taboo-Breaking Debut | Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Cinema of Cruelty

    Before he became the godfather of midnight movies and a psychedelic prophet of cinema, Alejandro Jodorowsky made his directorial debut with a black-and-white surrealist nightmare called FANDO Y LIS. Based on a play by Fernando Arrabal and made on a shoestring budget in Mexico, FANDO Y LIS caused riots when it premiered and was banned in its home country. But it also marked the beginning of a bold and uncompromising artistic vision—one that would go on to shape cult cinema for decades. In this episode, we trace Jodorowsky’s journey from avant-garde theater provocateur to first-time filmmaker, explore the chaotic production and reception of FANDO Y LIS, and discuss how this taboo-breaking debut laid the groundwork for the films that would follow. Show Notes: 📺Watch The Severed Heads: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1rhIqZDs2Q 📺Watch scenes from Sacramental Melodrama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-jIkgB76LY 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Jan 17, 2023 · 2 hr 9 min

    MIAMI CONNECTION: The Taekwondo Cult Classic That Came Back from the Dead | Cinema Shock Roulette

    In this episode of Cinema Shock Roulette, we dive into the totally bonkers, synth-fueled, ninja-packed world of MIAMI CONNECTION, a forgotten 1987 indie action film that rose from obscurity to become a full-blown cult phenomenon decades later. Filmed in Orlando, funded by a Taekwondo grandmaster, and featuring a rock band called Dragon Sound who fight crime in their spare time, MIAMI CONNECTION is a singular vision of friendship, martial arts, and cocaine-smuggling ninjas on motorcycles. We’ll explore how the film was made on a shoestring budget by martial artist/philosopher Y.K. Kim, how it was panned and lost for decades, and how it was rediscovered and resurrected by Alamo Drafthouse to become a midnight movie sensation. 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Jan 3, 2023 · 2 hr 19 min

    DRAG ME TO HELL: Raimi Returns to Horror | Sam Raimi: The Entertainer

    After a decade spent in the world of big-budget blockbusters — including three SPIDER-MAN films — Sam Raimi returned to his horror roots with 2009’s DRAG ME TO HELL. The result? A lean, mean, gross-out machine packed with bodily fluids, demonic goats, and Raimi’s signature mix of slapstick and sadism. But DRAG ME TO HELL wasn’t just a nostalgic exercise — it was Raimi proving he could still go toe-to-toe with the new generation of horror directors, delivering a fast-paced supernatural thrill ride with bite. In this episode, we dive into Raimi’s motivations for returning to horror, the roots of the DRAG ME TO HELL script, and how the film’s blend of morality tale and chaos fits snugly into the filmmaker’s larger body of work. GoFundMe for Alyssa Fowler: https://gofund.me/60e5d127 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Dec 20, 2022 · 2 hr 55 min

    THE QUICK & THE DEAD: Sharon Stone’s Western Gamble | Sam Raimi: The Entertainer

    After the cult success of ARMY OF DARKNESS, Sam Raimi took a sharp stylistic detour — straight into the sun-drenched, bullet-riddled world of the American Western. Released in 1995, THE QUICK AND THE DEAD brought Raimi’s hyper-stylized camera work and comic-book energy to the genre, complete with whip pans, POV bullets, and a rogue’s gallery of gunslingers. It was also a star-studded affair: a pre-TITANIC Leonardo DiCaprio, a pre-fame Russell Crowe, a grizzled Gene Hackman, and producer-star Sharon Stone, who fought to get Raimi hired in the first place. In this episode, we explore how Raimi’s Western homage got made, why it was overlooked upon release, and how it’s since become one of the more fascinating oddities in his filmography — as well as a key pivot point toward his blockbuster future. The Playboy Interview with Keanu Reeves: https://www.playboy.com/read/the-playboy-interview-with-keanu-reeves GoFundMe for Alyssa Fowler: https://gofund.me/60e5d127 The Love-Alive Charity: https://love-alive.org 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Dec 13, 2022 · 25 min

    ARMY OF DARKNESS: The Comic Book Multiverse of Ash Williams | Sam Raimi: The Entertainer (Bonus)

    As a bonus to our ARMY OF DARKNESS episode, we’re cracking open the Necronomicon one more time to talk about the wild and often ridiculous world of Army of Darkness comic books. Since the early 2000s, Ash Williams has been battling Deadites across time, space, and intellectual property in a sprawling series of comics from Dynamite Entertainment and beyond. In this episode, we take a look at the many iterations of Ash in print — from crossovers with Re-Animator, Xena, and Hack/Slash, to multiverse-spanning events, time travel shenanigans, and even a team-up with Barack Obama. We’re not doing a full deep dive, but we’ll hit the highlights, the weirdest storylines, and what these comics reveal about the enduring cult appeal of Raimi’s chainsaw-wielding antihero.

  • Dec 7, 2022 · 2 hr 41 min

    ARMY OF DARKNESS: Ash Goes Medieval | Sam Raimi: The Entertainer

    Following the success of DARKMAN, Sam Raimi finally had the clout — and the backing of both Universal Pictures and longtime supporter Dino De Laurentiis — to make a third EVIL DEAD film. But rather than return to the series’ roots, Raimi aimed his boomstick at something much bigger. With ARMY OF DARKNESS, the EVIL DEAD franchise took a sharp left turn into Ray Harryhausen–inspired fantasy adventure, complete with skeleton armies, time travel, and wisecracks aplenty. The horror may have taken a back seat, but Raimi’s style — and Bruce Campbell’s chin — were bigger than ever. In this episode, we dig into the chaotic production of ARMY OF DARKNESS, the studio meddling that delayed its release, and the alternate endings that nearly were. We’ll also explore how this oddball epic went from box office underperformer to certified cult classic. 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Nov 22, 2022 · 2 hr 33 min

    DARKMAN: Raimi’s Original Superhero Vision | Sam Raimi: The Entertainer

    After cutting his teeth on low-budget horror, Sam Raimi was ready for the big leagues. The breakout success of Tim Burton’s BATMAN had launched a new wave of comic-book-inspired films, and Raimi was eager to join the fray. But when he couldn’t secure the rights to characters like Batman or The Shadow, he did what any determined filmmaker would do: he invented his own. Enter DARKMAN — a twisted, operatic superhero tale about identity, vengeance, and science gone awry. In this episode, we trace the development of DARKMAN from Raimi’s original pitch through a turbulent studio production at Universal, exploring how creative clashes shaped the final film. We’ll also examine the movie’s legacy, how it opened new doors for Raimi, and why it remains a fan favorite decades later. Watch the unaired DARKMAN TV pilot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgiScRY0FRA 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Nov 9, 2022 · 2 hr 52 min

    EVIL DEAD 2: Bruce Campbell’s Horror-Comedy Triumph | Sam Raimi: The Entertainer

    After the failure of CRIMEWAVE, Sam Raimi was at a crossroads. His career as a filmmaker was on shaky ground — until mentor Irvin Shapiro encouraged him to return to the film that put him on the map: THE EVIL DEAD. But rather than play it safe with a by-the-numbers sequel, Raimi went all-in. With a bigger budget (thanks to producer Dino De Laurentiis) and a creative vision fully untethered, Raimi used EVIL DEAD II as a proving ground for everything he loved: slapstick comedy, outrageous gore, cartoon physics, and Bruce Campbell in full manic glory. In this episode, we trace the wild road to EVIL DEAD II — from its early concept as a time-traveling horror adventure, to the fast-paced production, and its eventual legacy as a cult classic that helped redefine the horror-comedy genre. GoFundMe for Alyssa Fowler: https://gofund.me/60e5d127 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, and Todd A. Davis. Episode archives & more: www.cinemashock.net

  • Oct 25, 2022 · 2 hr 7 min

    CRIMEWAVE: Raimi's Slapstick Noir Disaster | Sam Raimi: The Entertainer

    After the runaway success of THE EVIL DEAD, Sam Raimi and his Michigan crew were given the opportunity to go legit—with real money, a Hollywood cast, and a script co-written by none other than Joel and Ethan Coen. The result? CRIMEWAVE, a screwball noir comedy that was plagued by creative interference, disastrous test screenings, and a studio that ultimately took the film away from its creators. In this episode, we trace the chaotic making — and unmaking — of CRIMEWAVE, the one film Sam Raimi has all but disowned. We’ll also look at how the experience helped shape Raimi’s future collaborations with the Coen Brothers and influenced the creative freedom he fought for going forward. 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, and Todd A. Davis. Episode archives & more: www.cinemashock.net

  • Oct 11, 2022 · 2 hr 54 min

    THE EVIL DEAD: Raimi’s Microbudget Debut | Sam Raimi: The Entertainer

    It’s time for a new series here on Cinema Shock! This week, we kick off a multi-part exploration of the career of Sam Raimi, the filmmaker who went from Michigan movie-obsessed teenager to the director of some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. But before SPIDER-MAN or DOCTOR STRANGE, Raimi made his name with a scrappy, super low-budget horror film that would go on to become one of the most iconic entries in the cult canon: THE EVIL DEAD. In this episode, we dig into Raimi’s early years making Super 8 shorts with friends like Bruce Campbell and Scott Spiegel, the long and grueling process of shooting THE EVIL DEAD in a freezing Tennessee cabin, and how a little help from Stephen King helped get the movie in front of horror fans around the world. It’s a tale of DIY ingenuity, exploding lenses, and a chainsaw-wielding cult legend in the making — the perfect start to our series: Sam Raimi: The Entertainer. 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Sep 27, 2022 · 1 hr 55 min

    PUMPKINHEAD: Stan Winston’s Backwoods Revenge Horror | Cinema Shock Roulette

    In this Cinema Shock Roulette episode, we’re heading deep into the foggy woods with PUMPKINHEAD, the 1988 creature feature that marked the directorial debut of legendary FX artist Stan Winston. Known for his Oscar-winning work on films like ALIENS, THE TERMINATOR, and JURASSIC PARK, Winston brought his creature chops and gothic sensibilities to this low-budget revenge tale starring Lance Henriksen as a grief-stricken father who summons a demon to exact vengeance. We’ll dig into the film’s folk horror influences, its practical effects legacy, and how it evolved from a poem into a cult-favorite franchise — even if the sequels never quite measured up. 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, and Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch and more, visit cinemashock.net

  • Sep 13, 2022 · 2 hr 22 min

    AVATAR: Building Pandora | James Cameron: Man of Tomorrow

    More than a decade after TITANIC, James Cameron returned to narrative filmmaking with a film that many doubted would succeed. The year was 2009, and AVATAR was a massive gamble: a wildly expensive, original sci-fi epic that leaned heavily on unproven technology and an entirely digital world. But Cameron once again proved the doubters wrong. In this episode, we trace the full story of AVATAR — from the seed of the idea back in the 1990s, to the development of its revolutionary 3D technology and performance capture, to its box office domination and long-term cultural impact. We’ll explore how Cameron made the most expensive movie ever feel like a sure thing, and how AVATAR changed the future of filmmaking (whether Hollywood was ready for it or not). 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Aug 30, 2022 · 1 hr 56 min

    JAMES CAMERON’S 12-YEAR INTERMISSION | James Cameron: Man of Tomorrow

    After the massive success of TITANIC, James Cameron disappeared from narrative filmmaking for over a decade — but he wasn’t sitting idle. In this episode, we explore the 12-year gap between TITANIC and AVATAR, a period in which Cameron shifted his focus toward deep-sea exploration, documentary filmmaking, and groundbreaking technological development. From Ghosts of the Abyss to co-developing new 3D camera rigs, Cameron was quietly laying the groundwork for the future of his career — and for the next evolution of cinematic storytelling. We’ll also look at the personal and professional changes Cameron underwent during this period, and how they shaped the director he would become in the 21st century. 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, and Todd A. Davis.

  • Aug 23, 2022 · 2 hr 35 min

    TITANIC Pt 2: Icebergs, Oscars, and Box Office History | James Cameron: Man of Tomorrow

    In Part 2, we pick up during the troubled production of TITANIC, where tensions on set reached their breaking point, cast and crew rebelled, and rumors of a doomed project dominated the press. We’ll break down the second half of the shoot, including the legendary water tank days, the film’s VFX innovations, and the now-infamous PCP-laced chowder incident. Then we’ll track the film’s test screenings, delayed release, and how it ultimately shattered all box office records — becoming a cultural behemoth and Academy Awards juggernaut. We’ll also look at TITANIC’s legacy: how it launched the careers of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, changed James Cameron’s trajectory forever, and helped usher in the modern blockbuster era. Because there's so much story to tell about TITANIC, we've decided to split it across two episodes. TITANIC Episode 1 was released last week. 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, and Todd A. Davis. For episode archives and more, visit www.cinemashock.net.