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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Apr 15, 2021 · 1 hr 50 min
ALIEN Pt 2: Ridley Scott, Giger’s Beast, and the Legacy of O’Bannon’s Vision | The Unsung Legacy of Dan O’Bannon
In Part 1, we traced ALIEN’s path from a scrappy concept between Dan O’Bannon and John Carpenter to a greenlighted studio film backed by 20th Century Fox and producer Walter Hill. Now, with Ridley Scott on board as director, the story really kicks into gear. In this episode, we break down the production of ALIEN—from its nightmarish design process with H.R. Giger to the casting of Sigourney Weaver and the creation of some of the most iconic visuals in sci-fi history. We also examine how the film’s success shaped the future of the genre—and how, despite writing one of the most legendary scripts in sci-fi history, Dan O’Bannon remained overlooked by the industry he helped shape. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: DEAD & BURIED (1981) HEAVY METAL (1981) BLUE THUNDER (1983) RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) 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 8, 2021 · 1 hr 3 min
ALIEN Pt 1: Dan O’Bannon, Roger Corman, and the Origins of a Sci-Fi Nightmare | The Unsung Legacy of Dan O’Bannon
As we continue exploring the career of Dan O’Bannon, we now arrive at the film that forever tied his name to sci-fi horror: Ridley Scott’s 1979 masterpiece, ALIEN. Despite the film’s massive success, O’Bannon didn’t become a Hollywood power player. In fact, his journey through the ALIEN production reflects the same pattern that followed him throughout his career—critically essential, but constantly undervalued. In this episode, we trace the earliest origins of ALIEN: from an idea born during the making of DARK STAR, to a rejected Roger Corman project, and finally to a greenlit big-budget feature at 20th Century Fox. It’s the story of how Dan O’Bannon helped create one of the most influential sci-fi horror films of all time… and still got left behind. BUY OUR MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: DEAD & BURIED (1981) HEAVY METAL (1981) BLUE THUNDER (1983) RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) 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 1, 2021 · 1 hr 52 min
DARK STAR: Dan O’Bannon, John Carpenter, and the Student Film That Launched a Career | The Unsung Legacy of Dan O’Bannon
In our new series, we’re exploring the career of writer, director, and genre trailblazer Dan O’Bannon. His name might not be as widely known as some of his collaborators, but O’Bannon left an enormous mark on genre cinema—as the screenwriter of ALIEN, the director of RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, and the uncredited brain behind some of sci-fi’s most iconic ideas. To begin our journey, we’re heading back to where it all started: USC film school, where O’Bannon met another promising student named John Carpenter. United by their shared love of science fiction and monster movies, the two collaborated on a low-budget student film that would go on to become a cult classic. That film was DARK STAR. In this episode, we trace the origins of their friendship, the making of the movie, and how this quirky sci-fi comedy set the stage for O’Bannon’s groundbreaking (and often underappreciated) career. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: ALIEN (1979) DEAD & BURIED (1981) HEAVY METAL (1981) BLUE THUNDER (1983) 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
Mar 25, 2021 · 2 hr 26 min
POLTERGEIST: Hooper vs. Spielberg & The Directing Debate
This is the episode that gives our series its name. In the early 1980s, Tobe Hooper was given the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to direct a big-budget horror film for Universal Pictures—written and produced by none other than Steven Spielberg, who was at the peak of his powers. That film was POLTERGEIST, and it would become the most commercially successful movie of Hooper’s career. But it also became his most controversial. Ever since its release, questions have swirled about who actually directed the film—Hooper or Spielberg? The speculation has been so persistent that it’s often overshadowed the movie itself… and cast a long shadow over Hooper’s career going forward. In this episode, we explore how POLTERGEIST came to be, the origins of the authorship controversy, and the impact it had on Hooper’s legacy. And yes—we weigh in on what we think really happened on set. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: THE FUNHOUSE (1981) POLTERGEIST (1982) 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
Mar 18, 2021 · 1 hr 18 min
THE FUNHOUSE: Tobe Hooper, Carnivals & The Slasher Craze
After the success of SALEM’S LOT, Tobe Hooper finally had the Hollywood credibility he’d been chasing—but the road to his next project was still full of potholes. That next project was THE FUNHOUSE (1981), a twisted little slasher made under Universal Pictures. Though it was Hooper’s first studio-backed film intended for theatrical release, the budget was modest and the expectations were clear: cash in on the booming slasher craze. In this episode, we take a look at Hooper’s post-SALEM’S LOT career, the development of THE FUNHOUSE, and how the film fits into both the slasher wave of the early ’80s and Hooper’s evolving (and often unpredictable) directorial style. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: POLTERGEIST (1982) Up Next: Dan O'Bannon: Hollywood's Secret Weapon 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
Mar 11, 2021 · 1 hr 55 min
SALEM’S LOT: Stephen King, Tobe Hooper & The TV Nightmare
After the disappointing reception of EATEN ALIVE, Tobe Hooper's career seemed to be floundering. But fate—and Stephen King—had other plans. As Warner Bros. began developing a film adaptation of King’s bestselling vampire novel Salem’s Lot, a savvy producer screened THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE while searching for a director. The moment he saw it, he knew Hooper was the right man for the job. In this episode, we trace the rocky road between EATEN ALIVE and SALEM’S LOT, and how the project shifted from theatrical feature to network television miniseries. We dive into the creative decisions that shaped the adaptation, the challenges of bringing graphic horror to CBS, and how Hooper helped deliver one of the scariest things to ever air on TV. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: THE FUNHOUSE (1981) POLTERGEIST (1982) Up Next: Dan O'Bannon: Hollywood's Secret Weapon 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
Mar 4, 2021 · 1 hr 51 min
EATEN ALIVE: Tobe Hooper, Killer Crocs & A Career Derailed
After the breakout success of THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, Tobe Hooper and co-writer Kim Henkel landed a major three-picture deal with Universal. But before they could cash in on that opportunity, Hooper had to fulfill a prior obligation—one that would derail his momentum almost immediately. That obligation? A commitment to exploitation producer Mardi Rustam to direct a low-budget killer crocodile movie called EATEN ALIVE. In this episode, we dig into the troubled production of Hooper’s grimy sophomore effort, from its artificial soundstage swamp to its over-the-top performances and chaotic behind-the-scenes energy. We explore how the film reflects Hooper’s obsessions while failing to recapture the impact of CHAIN SAW, and how this bizarre detour complicated his transition into mainstream Hollywood BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: SALEM'S LOT (1979) THE FUNHOUSE (1981) POLTERGEIST (1982) 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
Feb 26, 2021 · 2 hr 23 min
THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE: Tobe Hooper, Leatherface & The Birth of the Slasher
In 1974, a little indie horror film from Texas shocked the world—and launched the career of Tobe Hooper. With THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, Hooper introduced audiences to one of horror’s most iconic villains, Leatherface, and helped lay the groundwork for what would become the slasher genre. But while the film became a touchstone of American horror, Hooper’s career afterward was marked by frustration, interference, and missed opportunities. In this first episode of our series The Tragedy of Tobe Hooper, we trace the chaotic, low-budget production of THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, the real-life influences that shaped its gritty realism, and how it went from regional curiosity to international sensation—and one of the most influential horror films of all time. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: EATEN ALIVE (1976) SALEM'S LOT (1979) THE FUNHOUSE (1981) POLTERGEIST (1982) 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
Feb 18, 2021 · 2 hr 20 min
KILL BILL: Uma Thurman, Tarantino & The Whole Bloody Affair
This week, we arrive at the blood-soaked finale of our Six Degrees of Kill Bill series. For the last six episodes, we’ve traced the cinematic lineage behind Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL—from spaghetti westerns and samurai classics to manga adaptations and grindhouse revenge tales. Now it’s time to take on the main event. In this episode, we dive deep into the creation of KILL BILL itself—from its inception on the set of PULP FICTION, to the years-long development of the screenplay, to the ambitious and tumultuous shoot that took Tarantino around the world. We also explore the reasoning behind the decision to split the film into two volumes, the legacy of its bold stylistic choices, and how it became one of the most iconic cult films of the 21st century. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974) EATEN ALIVE (1976) SALEM'S LOT (1979) THE FUNHOUSE (1981) 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
Feb 11, 2021 · 1 hr 39 min
SHOGUN ASSASSIN: Lone Wolf & Cub & The Grindhouse Remix
This week on The Six Degrees of Kill Bill, we return to Japan to explore a film with deep roots in manga, samurai cinema, and grindhouse remix culture: SHOGUN ASSASSIN. The film traces its origins back to Kazuo Koike—writer of LADY SNOWBLOOD and creator of his true magnum opus, Lone Wolf & Cub, a sprawling, violent manga epic that ran for six years and nearly 9,000 pages. That manga inspired a series of six Japanese films in the early 1970s, but it wasn’t until 1980 that American audiences truly caught on. That year, a pair of producers took footage from the first two LONE WOLF & CUB films, dubbed it into English, added a moody synth soundtrack, and released it to U.S. grindhouses as SHOGUN ASSASSIN. The result was a cult hit—and a direct influence on Quentin Tarantino, who featured the film prominently in KILL BILL VOL. 2. In this episode, we trace the full story: from Koike’s manga, to the original Japanese productions, to the recut cult phenomenon that became SHOGUN ASSASSIN. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: KILL BILL VOL. 1 & VOL. 2 (2003/4) Up Next: The Tragedy of Tobe Hooper 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
Feb 4, 2021 · 1 hr 37 min
THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN: Gordon Liu, Shaw Bros & Wu-Tang
When KILL BILL begins, the first image we see—after the Miramax logo, of course—is the iconic Shaw Brothers shield. It’s more than just a stylish nod; it’s a direct homage to the Kung Fu cinema that helped shape Quentin Tarantino’s sensibilities as a filmmaker. In this episode, we dive into the history of the legendary Shaw Brothers Studio, whose influence on martial arts cinema can’t be overstated. Their golden age in the 1960s and ’70s introduced global audiences to the Kung Fu genre and left an indelible mark on KILL BILL, particularly during the House of Blue Leaves sequence in VOL. 1 and the Pei Mei chapter in VOL. 2. Our film of focus is THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN (1978), directed by Lau Kar-leung and starring Gordon Liu—who, fittingly, plays two different roles in Tarantino’s revenge saga. We also can’t talk about this movie without talking about Wu-Tang, so yeah… we go there. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: SHOGUN ASSASSIN (1980) KILL BILL VOL. 1 & VOL. 2 (2003/4) Up Next: The Tragedy of Tobe Hooper 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
Jan 28, 2021 · 2 hr 23 min
GAME OF DEATH: Bruce Lee’s Unfinished Epic
That iconic yellow jumpsuit The Bride wears in KILL BILL VOL. 1? Bruce Lee wore it first. Originally intended as Lee’s fifth film, GAME OF DEATH was meant to be his magnum opus—a culmination of his martial arts philosophy, Jeet Kune Do, and a bold new vision for what martial arts cinema could be. But after Lee’s untimely death in 1973, the project was left incomplete, with only a fraction of the original footage shot. That didn’t stop the producers. In 1978, they cobbled together a finished film using doubles, trick photography, and just 11 minutes of Lee’s original footage—all in an effort to cash in on his global fame. In this episode, we explore Bruce Lee’s life and career leading up to GAME OF DEATH, the bizarre rise of the Brucesploitation genre in the years after his death, and how the mishandling of his unfinished masterpiece ironically led to one of his most enduring visual legacies. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN (1978) SHOGUN ASSASSIN (1980) KILL BILL VOL. 1 & VOL. 2 (2004/5) 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
Jan 21, 2021 · 1 hr 28 min
THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE: Christina Lindberg & The Origin of Elle Driver
For week three of our Six Degrees of Kill Bill series, we’re heading to Sweden to discuss what Quentin Tarantino once called “the roughest revenge film ever made!” Released in the U.S. as THEY CALL HER ONE EYE, Bo Arne Vibenius’s 1973 exploitation classic THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE provided clear visual and character inspiration for Daryl Hannah’s Elle Driver in KILL BILL—right down to the eyepatch. In this episode, we’re joined by our good friend (and Christina Lindberg superfan) DJ Wilson to trace the evolution of Swedish exploitation cinema. From its roots in the earliest days of filmmaking to its collision with the arthouse stylings of Ingmar Bergman and into the grindhouse boom of the 1970s, we explore how Sweden became an unlikely hotspot for some of the most infamous films in genre history. Special thanks to Daniel Ekeroth and his book Swedish Sensationsfilms, which helped guide this journey into the strange and sensational. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: GAME OF DEATH (1978) 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN (1978) SHOGUN ASSASSIN (1980) KILL BILL VOL. 1 (2003) & VOL. 2 (2004) 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, merch and more: http://cinemashock.net Follow us: twitter.com/cinema_shock facebook.com/cinemashocknet instagram.com/cinema_shock
Jan 14, 2021 · 1 hr 22 min
LADY SNOWBLOOD: Meiji Revenge, Manga & The DNA of Kill Bill
In our Six Degrees of Kill Bill series, we’re exploring the films that Quentin Tarantino has cited—or outright lifted from—in crafting his 2004 revenge epic. And few films were more influential than Toshiya Fujita’s LADY SNOWBLOOD. In this episode, we dig into the film’s origins as a cult manga, the surprising story behind its adaptation, and how Fujita and screenwriter Kazuo Koike brought it to the screen. We also take a brief (but fascinating!) detour into the Meiji era of Japanese history to understand how that context shapes the story, characters, and political undercurrent of the film. From its operatic bloodshed to its chapter-based structure and visual homages, LADY SNOWBLOOD isn’t just an influence on KILL BILL—it’s practically its spiritual ancestor. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE (1973) GAME OF DEATH (1978) 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN (1978) SHOGUN ASSASSIN (1980) 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
Jan 8, 2021 · 1 hr 27 min
DEATH RIDES A HORSE: The Spaghetti Western Origins of Kill Bill
We're big fans of Quentin Tarantino here at Cinema Shock, and it’s no secret that he wears his influences proudly. His films are filled with references to the genre movies he grew up on—and nowhere is that more evident than in his two-part martial arts western revenge epic, KILL BILL. In this first episode of our Six Degrees of Kill Bill series, we're heading to Italy to explore one of the clearest influences on that film: Giulio Petroni’s 1967 spaghetti western, DEATH RIDES A HORSE. With a story of long-delayed vengeance, stylish shootouts, and a haunting Ennio Morricone score, this Lee Van Cleef revenge tale laid the groundwork for much of what Tarantino would later channel into KILL BILL. Join us as we trace the connections, break down the film’s legacy, and dig into why this underrated gem still kicks hard. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE (1973) LADY SNOWBLOOD (1973) GAME OF DEATH (1978) 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN (1978) 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
Dec 24, 2020 · 1 hr 43 min
KISS KISS BANG BANG: Shane Black’s Return & The RDJ Comeback
After the crash-and-burn of THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, Shane Black disappeared from Hollywood for nearly a decade. When he returned, it was on his own terms—and with a directorial debut that would change everything. In the final episode of our Black Christmas series, we’re joined by writer and friend of the show DJ Wilson to explore how KISS KISS BANG BANG brought Shane Black back into the spotlight. We discuss how Joel Silver helped get the film made, how Black’s script resurrected Robert Downey Jr.’s career, and how this offbeat noir comedy became a cult favorite—and a stepping stone to Iron Man. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: DEATH RIDES A HORSE (1967) THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE (1973) LADY SNOWBLOOD (1973) GAME OF DEATH (1978) 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, with special thanks to 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
Dec 18, 2020 · 1 hr 42 min
THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT: Geena Davis & The $4 Million Script
By the mid-90s, Shane Black was still riding high—despite the underwhelming performance of THE LAST BOY SCOUT. When his next spec script hit the market, it sparked a bidding war that ended with a record-breaking $4 million sale to New Line Cinema. In this episode, we’re joined by Zack Daigle, co-founder of the annual McArathon Christmas movie fest, to discuss THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT. We dive into the high-stakes script sale, Renny Harlin’s direction, Geena Davis’s role as a suburban mom/secret assassin, and how the film’s failure marked a turning point in Shane Black’s career. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005) 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, with special thanks to 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
Dec 10, 2020 · 2 hr 6 min
THE LAST BOY SCOUT: Bruce Willis, Shane Black & Production Hell
After the success of LETHAL WEAPON, Shane Black became the hottest screenwriter in Hollywood. But with great hype comes even greater chaos. In this episode, we’re joined by Myles Griffin of The More You Nerd podcast to unpack the wild story behind THE LAST BOY SCOUT. From a record-setting spec sale to a production hijacked by Bruce Willis and Joel Silver, to a post-production process that saw seven editors try to wrestle the film into shape—it’s a miracle this movie made it to theaters at all. We trace the film’s troubled path from page to screen and explore how it became a cult classic in spite of itself. BUY OUR NEW MERCH: http://cinemashock.threadless.com Coming Up: THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (1996) KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005) 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, with special thanks to 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
Dec 4, 2020 · 1 hr 30 min
LETHAL WEAPON: A Shane Black Christmas & The Buddy Cop Blueprint
It’s December, which means Mariah Carey is defrosting and holiday movies are taking over your screen. But here on Cinema Shock, we like our Christmas movies with a little more gunfire and broken glass. This month, we’re celebrating the career of Shane Black—a screenwriter known for hard-boiled action, rapid-fire banter, and a surprising amount of yuletide cheer. We kick things off with the film that launched his Hollywood career: Richard Donner’s 1987 classic, LETHAL WEAPON. In this episode, we explore how Black broke into the business at just 24, the development of the script, and how the movie helped redefine the action genre heading into the 1990s. Coming Up: THE LAST BOY SCOUT (1991) THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (1996) KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005) 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, with special thanks to 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
Nov 26, 2020 · 2 hr 5 min
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: Breaking the Bat & Nolan’s Grand Finale
After the critical and commercial juggernaut that was THE DARK KNIGHT, Warner Bros. was eager for a third installment—and naturally, they wanted Christopher Nolan back in the director’s chair. But Nolan was initially unsure whether he even wanted to return. Eventually, he did. And with THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, Nolan set out to do something rare in studio filmmaking: conclude a blockbuster superhero saga with a definitive ending. In this episode, we explore how Nolan, his brother Jonathan, and co-writer David S. Goyer crafted the story for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. We dig into the challenges of following up the most acclaimed comic book movie of its era, the film’s ambitious themes, and why this final chapter became the most divisive—and financially successful—entry in the trilogy. Coming Up: LETHAL WEAPON (1987) THE LAST BOY SCOUT (1991) THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (1996) KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005) 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, with special thanks to 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