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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Nov 4, 2021 · 1 hr 50 min
V FOR VENDETTA: The Wachowskis’ Radical Rewrite of a Dystopian Classic | The Wachowskis' Cinema of Fluidity
This week, our journey through the career of Lana and Lilly Wachowski takes a detour behind the camera—but not out of creative control. In 2006’s V FOR VENDETTA, the Wachowskis took on writing and producing duties, handing the directorial reins to their long-time assistant director James McTeigue. The result? A politically charged, visually striking adaptation of Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s cult-favorite graphic novel that became an unlikely box office hit—and a lasting symbol of resistance in popular culture. In this episode, we explore the origins of V FOR VENDETTA, from its publication in Thatcher-era Britain to its long path through Hollywood development hell. We discuss the Wachowskis’ changes to the material, the tension between Moore’s anarchism and the film’s populism, and how this movie went from polarizing release to iconic imagery for 21st-century protest movements. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: V FOR VENDETTA (2006) SPEED RACER (2008) CLOUD ATLAS (2012) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Oct 22, 2021 · 2 hr 6 min
THE MATRIX RELOADED & REVOLUTIONS: Bigger, Wilder, and Deeply Divisive | The Wachowskis' Cinema of Fluidity
After the groundbreaking success of THE MATRIX, all eyes were on the Wachowskis to deliver the next chapter. What they delivered was not one but two sequels—released just six months apart in 2003—that attempted to expand the universe, deepen the lore, and blow audiences’ minds all over again. In this episode, we explore the creation of THE MATRIX RELOADED and THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS—from the Wachowskis’ ambitious storytelling goals and high-concept worldbuilding to the jaw-dropping action sequences that pushed CGI to its limits. We also break down the backlash: why fans and critics were left scratching their heads, how expectations clashed with execution, and how the films have since been reappraised. Love them, hate them, or still figuring them out—these sequels were nothing if not bold. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: V FOR VENDETTA (2006) SPEED RACER (2008) CLOUD ATLAS (2012) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Oct 14, 2021 · 1 hr 40 min
THE ANIMATRIX: How the Wachowskis Expanded Their Universe Through Anime | The Wachowskis' Cinema of Fluidity
In the lead-up to the release of THE MATRIX RELOADED and THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, the Wachowskis made a bold and unprecedented move: they collaborated with some of the most acclaimed Japanese animation studios and directors to expand the MATRIX universe beyond live action. The result was THE ANIMATRIX, a groundbreaking anthology of short films that deepened the mythology, explored side stories and backstories, and brought anime aesthetics into the franchise in a big way. In this bonus episode, we discuss how THE ANIMATRIX came to be, the Wachowskis' deep love for anime, and how the project helped push the boundaries of franchise storytelling—blurring the lines between mediums, markets, and narrative formats. We also explore how these shorts connect to the larger MATRIX saga and what they reveal about the Wachowskis’ approach to worldbuilding. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: THE MATRIX RELOADED (2003) THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (2003) V FOR VENDETTA (2006) SPEED RACER (2008) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Oct 7, 2021 · 2 hr 14 min
THE MATRIX: How the Cyberpunk Classic Rewired Hollywood | The Wachowskis' Cinema of Fluidity
In 1999, THE MATRIX hit theaters like a digital lightning bolt. Combining cutting-edge special effects, philosophical depth, and next-level action, it wasn’t just a blockbuster—it was a paradigm shift. In this episode, we trace the origin and creation of THE MATRIX, from the Wachowskis’ early worldbuilding ideas to their battles to get the film made their way. We explore its Hong Kong action influences, cyberpunk roots, and the philosophical and trans allegories that helped define it as more than just a sci-fi thrill ride. We’re also joined by special guest Robyn Scott to help us break down the movie’s lasting legacy and why it still feels ahead of its time. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: THE MATRIX RELOADED (2003) THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (2003) V FOR VENDETTA (2006) SPEED RACER (2008) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Sep 23, 2021 · 1 hr 56 min
BOUND: Neo-Noir and a Queer Cinema Breakthrough | The Wachowskis' Cinema of Fluidity
Before they reinvented cinema with THE MATRIX, Lana and Lilly Wachowski exploded onto the indie film scene with a lean, stylish, and unabashedly queer neo-noir: BOUND. In the first episode of our new series, The Wachowskis' Cinema of Fluidity, we dive into the siblings' early years—how they went from house painters and comic book nerds to Hollywood screenwriters, and how a bad experience on their first produced script convinced them to take creative control by becoming directors themselves. We explore the making of BOUND (1996), from its pitch-perfect performances by Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly to the cinematography that caught critics’ attention, and how the film’s reputation has only grown over the years. Once seen as a stylish erotic thriller, BOUND is now rightly celebrated as a landmark in queer cinema—and the first major film directed by transgender women. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: BOUND (1996) THE MATRIX (1999) THE MATRIX RELOADED (2003) THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (2003) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Sep 9, 2021 · 1 hr 37 min
HOLLOW MAN: Verhoeven’s Hollywood Exit | Sex + Violence
For the final entry in our Sex + Violence: The Films of Paul Verhoeven series, we’re examining the director’s last film made within the Hollywood system: HOLLOW MAN (2000). Often dismissed by critics—and even by Verhoeven himself—HOLLOW MAN is rarely given the credit it deserves. While its story of invisibility and unchecked power may not have landed in its own time, the film’s special effects work was groundbreaking, and its themes hit differently in a post–#MeToo era. In this episode, we explore how Sony Imageworks and Tippett Studio achieved the film’s remarkable (and Oscar-nominated) visual effects, what Verhoeven hoped to accomplish with the project, and how the film’s reputation has shifted over time. Was HOLLOW MAN simply a misfire, or a misunderstood provocation in disguise? BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: HOLLOW MAN (2000) Up Next: The Wachowskis: Walking the Path 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Aug 26, 2021 · 1 hr 49 min
STARSHIP TROOPERS: Would You Like to Know More? | Sex + Violence
After the critical and commercial disaster of SHOWGIRLS, Paul Verhoeven returned to familiar territory: big-budget science fiction. This time, he re-teamed with ROBOCOP screenwriter Ed Neumeier to adapt Robert Heinlein’s 1959 novel Starship Troopers—but not in the way anyone expected. What Verhoeven delivered was less a straightforward adaptation and more a brutal, satirical takedown of militarism and fascist ideology, all wrapped in the glossy sheen of a 1990s teen soap and bug-splattering war epic. The result? Critics hated it. Audiences didn’t get it. And the film was dismissed as dumb jingoistic schlock. In this episode, we chart the course of STARSHIP TROOPERS from Heinlein’s source novel to Verhoeven’s gleeful subversion, its troubled marketing and release, and its slow but steady transformation into one of the most critically celebrated sci-fi films of its era. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997) HOLLOW MAN (2000) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Aug 12, 2021 · 2 hr
SHOWGIRLS: The NC-17 Disaster That Became a Cult Classic | Sex + Violence
After the smash success of BASIC INSTINCT, Paul Verhoeven had the Hollywood clout to push boundaries like never before. For his next film, he wanted total freedom—no rating compromises, no MPAA edits. What he made was one of the most notorious movies of the 1990s. SHOWGIRLS. Written by Joe Eszterhas and pitched (literally) on a cocktail napkin, SHOWGIRLS was meant to be Verhoeven’s ultimate statement on American decadence and ambition. Instead, it was universally panned, laughed out of theaters, and quickly became shorthand for “Hollywood disaster.” But over time, the film’s reputation has shifted—from box office bomb to camp classic, and now to a legitimate subject of critical reappraisal. In this episode, we trace the full journey of SHOWGIRLS: its unlikely origins, wild production, disastrous release, and long road to redemption. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997) HOLLOW MAN (2000) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Jul 29, 2021 · 1 hr 45 min
BASIC INSTINCT: Sharon Stone, Joe Eszterhas, and the Most Controversial Film of the ’90s | Sex + Violence
After back-to-back sci-fi hits with ROBOCOP and TOTAL RECALL, Paul Verhoeven took a surprising left turn. Instead of another effects-heavy blockbuster, he chose a smaller, more intimate (but no less explosive) project—a sexually charged neo-noir thriller that would push American taboos to the brink. That film was BASIC INSTINCT. In this episode, we trace the origin of BASIC INSTINCT, from Joe Eszterhas’s record-breaking screenplay sale to the casting of Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas, to the intense scrutiny and controversy the film faced both during production and after release. We also unpack how the film plays today, and how Verhoeven’s unique blend of sexual provocation and formal precision made BASIC INSTINCT one of the defining—and most debated—films of the 1990s. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: SHOWGIRLS (1995) STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997) HOLLOW MAN (2000) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Jul 16, 2021 · 1 hr 47 min
TOTAL RECALL: Paul Verhoeven, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the Philip K. Dick Mind Trip | Sex + Violence
After the surprise success of ROBOCOP, Paul Verhoeven had officially made it to the A-list—and so it wasn’t long before Hollywood’s biggest star came knocking. Arnold Schwarzenegger, impressed by ROBOCOP’s mix of action and intelligence, personally recruited Verhoeven to direct his next film: TOTAL RECALL. But the story of TOTAL RECALL doesn’t start there. In this episode, we trace the film’s complex journey from its earliest incarnation as a Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett script—written in the same era as ALIEN—through a decade of rewrites, studio changes, and near-deaths in development hell. We break down how the film finally came together under Carolco Pictures, how Verhoeven put his stamp on the production, and how its mix of ultraviolence, mutant horror, and psychological ambiguity turned it into a sci-fi classic. We also discuss the legacy of TOTAL RECALL, including the many attempts at a sequel—and the remake that couldn’t measure up. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: TOTAL RECALL (1990) BASIC INSTINCT (1992) SHOWGIRLS (1995) STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Jul 8, 2021 · 1 hr 6 min
Let's Talk About the ROBOCOP Sequels | Bonus Episode
For our very first Cinema Shock Roundtable, we’re gonna tie things into our current series on Paul Verhoeven by discussing the non-Verhoeven sequels to ROBOCOP. These Roundtable discussions are designed to be less structured than our regular episodes where we can play around with our format a bit. Got an idea for a bonus episode? Hit us up at @cinema_shock on Twitter or Instagram! For even further ROBOCOP discussion, check out this episode from our friends at The More You Nerd where they discuss the ill-fated 90s ROBOCOP TV series. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Jul 1, 2021 · 2 hr 1 min
ROBOCOP: Paul Verhoeven, Corporate Satire, and Ultraviolent Salvation | Sex + Violence
After the commercial disappointment of FLESH + BLOOD, Paul Verhoeven made a bold move—he left the Netherlands and relocated to the United States, determined to understand American audiences from the inside out. His first major project on U.S. soil? A dystopian action movie about a cyborg police officer called ROBOCOP. In this episode, we track the development of ROBOCOP—from the satirical, ultra-violent script by Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner, to Verhoeven’s initial dismissal (and eventual embrace) of the project, through its chaotic shoot and over-the-top violence that nearly earned it an X rating. We also explore the film’s legacy as one of the smartest, bloodiest, and most influential sci-fi films of the 1980s. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: TOTAL RECALL (1990) BASIC INSTINCT (1992) SHOWGIRLS (1995) STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Jun 17, 2021 · 1 hr 37 min
FLESH + BLOOD: The Bloody American Debut of Paul Verhoeven | Sex + Violence
In our new series Sex + Violence: The Films of Paul Verhoeven, we’re diving into the provocative, satirical, and often controversial career of one of cinema’s boldest auteurs. We kick things off with a look at Verhoeven’s first English-language film: the brutal 1985 medieval epic FLESH + BLOOD, starring Rutger Hauer and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Before we get there, we also spend time exploring Verhoeven’s early life, his rise through Dutch cinema, and how his distinct blend of sex, violence, and social critique began to take shape in films like TURKISH DELIGHT and SPETTERS. Then, we get into the chaotic production of FLESH + BLOOD—from its battles behind the scenes to the uneasy balance of exploitation and artistry on screen—and how it set the tone for the American phase of Verhoeven’s career. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: ROBOCOP (1987) TOTAL RECALL (1990) BASIC INSTINCT (1992) STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Jun 3, 2021 · 1 hr 42 min
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2: Hooper Goes Wild With a Cult Sequel | Tobe Hooper: The Cannon Years
For the final film in Tobe Hooper’s Cannon Films trilogy—and the last wide theatrical release of his career—he returned to the movie that started it all. At the end of his three-picture deal with Cannon, the studio asked Hooper to deliver a sequel to his 1974 horror masterpiece. But THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 (1986) was not the film they—or most audiences—were expecting. Loud, gory, satirical, and often absurd, the film ditched the gritty realism of the original in favor of pitch-black comedy and over-the-top violence. In this episode, we follow the story of how CHAINSAW 2 came to be, how it baffled critics and audiences upon release, and how it gradually found a second life as a cult classic—now considered one of Hooper’s most distinctive and beloved films. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: FLESH + BLOOD (1985) ROBOCOP (1987) TOTAL RECALL (1990) BASIC INSTINCT (1992) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
May 27, 2021 · 1 hr 33 min
INVADERS FROM MARS: The Cannon Remake That Crashed Back to Earth | Tobe Hooper: The Cannon Years
After the critical and commercial failure of LIFEFORCE, Cannon Films still had faith in Tobe Hooper—or at least, they had a contract to honor. Next up in Hooper’s three-picture deal was INVADERS FROM MARS (1986), a remake of the 1953 sci-fi cult classic. Cannon hoped the film could help change their reputation from B-movie factory to big-budget player. Instead, the result was a box office disappointment that only deepened the perception of Cannon’s creative chaos. In this episode, we explore how INVADERS FROM MARS came to be, the troubled shoot, and why the film ultimately failed to connect with audiences. Plus, we highlight the incredible creature effects by Stan Winston and his team, whose work remains one of the film’s few enduring legacies. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE PART 2 (1986) UP NEXT: Sex + Violence: The Misunderstood Films of Paul Verhoeven 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
May 20, 2021 · 1 hr 37 min
LIFEFORCE: Tobe Hooper, Space Vampires, and Cannon Chaos | Tobe Hooper: The Cannon Years
In this new three-part series, we pick up where The Tragedy of Tobe Hooper left off—right after the POLTERGEIST controversy—following Hooper into his wildest professional era: his years with Cannon Films. First up: LIFEFORCE (1985), a big-budget space horror film based on the novel The Space Vampires. With a screenplay by Dan O’Bannon and Don Jakoby (BLUE THUNDER), LIFEFORCE was Hooper’s attempt to kick off a new phase in his career—one with more control, more money… and much, much weirder material. In this episode, we dive into the film’s chaotic production, its strange creative choices (naked space vampires, anyone?), its reception by critics and audiences, and how it set the tone for Hooper’s Cannon trilogy—and the rest of his career. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: LIFEFORCE (1985) INVADERS FROM MARS (1986) THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE PART 2 (1986) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
May 14, 2021 · 56 min
RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD: Punk Rock Zombies and a Long-Overdue Breakthrough | The Unsung Legacy of Dan O’Bannon
For the final entry in our Unsung Legacy of Dan O’Bannon series, we’re diving into the movie that finally gave O’Bannon full creative control—and a chance to prove what he could do when left to his own devices. After the early success of ALIEN, O’Bannon spent years struggling to gain traction in Hollywood. Burned by politics, studio rewrites, and his own stubborn reputation, he still hadn’t found a project that was truly his… until 1985’s RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. Originally brought on as a screenwriter, O’Bannon eventually stepped into the director’s chair and delivered a film that was part horror, part comedy, part punk rock, and all attitude. The result? A cult hit that redefined zombie cinema and helped inspire decades of undead mayhem. In this episode, we break down the story behind RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD—from its legal roots in George Romero’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, to the chaotic production process, and O’Bannon’s vision for something weirder, wilder, and more subversive. We’re joined by special guest Dan Wipert of the Film Trace podcast. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: LIFEFORCE (1985) INVADERS FROM MARS (1986) THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE PART 2 (1986) 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
May 6, 2021 · 1 hr 12 min
BLUE THUNDER: Helicopters, Hollywood, and Another Vision Lost | The Unsung Legacy of Dan O’Bannon
Though largely forgotten today, BLUE THUNDER was a major box office success in 1983, spawning a TV series, video game, and plenty of knockoffs. But the film that audiences saw wasn’t exactly what Dan O’Bannon had in mind. In this episode, we explore the story behind BLUE THUNDER—an idea O’Bannon began developing not long after ALIEN’s release. Originally conceived as a politically charged, satirical action thriller about government surveillance and militarization, the script went through major changes once it landed in Hollywood. We trace its development through pre-production, how it evolved under director John Badham (SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, WARGAMES), and how the final product compares to what O’Bannon originally envisioned. It’s another entry in the long history of Dan O’Bannon being both essential and overlooked. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) Up next: Tobe Hooper: The Cannon Years 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Apr 29, 2021 · 1 hr 40 min
HEAVY METAL: Comics, Chaos, and O’Bannon’s Strange Contribution | The Unsung Legacy of Dan O’Bannon
Dan O’Bannon’s fingerprints are all over genre cinema—from ALIEN to RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, from Jodorowsky’s doomed DUNE to even an early hand in STAR WARS. But one of his more unexpected contributions came in the form of animation. In this episode, we’re diving into 1981’s HEAVY METAL, an animated anthology film based on the cult comic magazine of the same name. Known for its R-rated mix of science fiction, fantasy, and eroticism, the film features multiple segments—two of which were written by O’Bannon. We explore how HEAVY METAL came together, the bizarre production process that shaped it, its troubled path to home video, and the legacy it left behind—not just for animation, but for pop culture at large. And of course, we break down O’Bannon’s contributions and how they fit into the larger mosaic of his career. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: BLUE THUNDER (1983) RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) Up next: Tobe Hooper: The Cannon Years 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Apr 22, 2021 · 1 hr 37 min
DEAD & BURIED: Small Town Zombies and a Credit Controversy | The Unsung Legacy of Dan O’Bannon
After the release of ALIEN, Dan O’Bannon should have been on top of the world. But thanks to a high-profile dispute over the film’s writing credits, his career didn’t soar the way you might expect. Fortunately, O’Bannon’s ALIEN co-writer Ronald Shusett had another project in the works—a slow-burn horror film about a small New England town with a zombie problem. He invited O’Bannon to co-write the script, and the result was DEAD & BURIED (1981), a cult horror oddity directed by Gary Sherman. In this episode, we unravel the conflicting accounts of O’Bannon’s contributions to the film (including O’Bannon’s own denial of involvement), explore how DEAD & BURIED came together behind the scenes, and highlight the early work of future genre icons like Robert Englund and makeup effects legend Stan Winston. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: HEAVY METAL (1981) BLUE THUNDER (1983) RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) Up next: Tobe Hooper: The Cannon Years 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 Davis. Visit our website for episode archives, blogs and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock