Cinema Sleuths

Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth

Two crime fiction authors, Dr Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth, investigate the movies and TV shows that shape pop culture! No case is too big or small for these cinematic sleuths!

Each week on Cinema Sleuths, your hosts interrogate the films and TV shows that define our culture. From blockbuster thrills to the nostalgic heart of TV classics, Luke and Matthew will re-evaluate the "untouchable" classics, shine a spotlight on hidden gems, and tackle the latest hits and misses.

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112 episodes
Updated Today
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Episodes112

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Today · 1 hr 52 min
SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY (2026) | Dir Destin Daniel Cretton (Spoiler Discussion)
THWIP! The summer blockbuster has landed! And it's a giant SPIDER! This week, your cinematic sleuths are swinging between skyscrapers, stopping runaway tanks, teaming up with lunatics, and thwarting bank robberies as we investigate SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY; directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, and Jon Bernthal, and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Are we back? Do we finally have a GREAT Spider-Man film? Listen and find out. Cinema Sleuths is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth Edited by Luke Deckard Theme song by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
July 27 · 2 hr 11 min
Daredevil Born Again S2 + Punisher One Last Kill Discussion
We investigate Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and The Punisher: One Last Killer to see if Marvel's 2026 R-rated output is really all it's cracked up to be. Join us as we look at both and speculate about Punisher and Daredevil's involvement in Spider-Man Brand New Day! Be warned, spoilers abound! Cinema Sleuths is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth Edited by Luke Deckard Theme song by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
July 13 · 1 hr 42 min
ROBOCOP (1987) | Dir Paul Verhoeven
This week, we're investigating ROBOCOP (1987) starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith, and Miguel Ferrer. Written by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner. Directed by Paul Verhoeven. Special guest is Skye from co-host and co-created FILM 89 Cinema Sleuths is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth Edited by Luke Deckard Theme song by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
July 6 · 2 hr 8 min
SHERLOCK MANIA: Sherlock Holmes (2009) / BBC SHERLOCK (2010)
The game is afoot! Between 2009-2012 Sherlock Holmes exploded on the big and small screens with the Robert Downey Jr / Jude Law film directed by Guy Ritchie as well as the hit BBC series SHERLOCK created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. This week, we're looking at the bonkers era in which these mega-hit franchises swept the world before suddenly dropping off the face of the earth. We're joined by Dr Mark Jones from the podcast Doings of Doyle and Sherlockian expert and BSI member Monica Schmidt. DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Use / Fair Dealing. No copyright infringement is intended.*
June 29 · 1 hr 39 min
SUPERGIRL (2026) | DISCLOSURE DAY | TOY STORY 5 Debrief
This week, we discuss some of this summer's blockbuster hits and flops. We investigate Supergirl 2026 starring Milly Alcock, Toy Story 5, and Steven Spielberg's DISCLOSURE DAY. Cinema Sleuths is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth Edited by Luke Deckard Theme song by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
June 22 · 1 hr 19 min
THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) | Dir Robert Altman
This week, we're back with a banger, and we're joined by crime fiction author and expert Maxim Jakubowski! THE CASE: THE LONG GOODBYE 1973 Starring: Elliot Gould, Nina van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden, and Mark Rydell Written by Leigh Brackett Based on the novel: THE LONG GOOBYE by Raymond Chandler Directed by Robert Altman CREDITS Find Maxim's book here: https://maximjakubowski.co.uk/ Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth Edited by Luke Deckard Music by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash DISCLAIMER: All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law.
June 15 · 1 hr 47 min
PLANET OF THE APES (2001) | Dir Tim Burton
This week, WE GO APE with CIMEMA MISFIRES as we look back at 25 years of Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES (2001), starring Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kris Kristofferson, Estella Warren, and Paul Giamatti. We map out the crazy road 20th Century Fox took to get there, the better sequel ideas that were ditched along the way, we discuss whether this film even feels like a Tim Burton project... and much more! CINEMA SLEUTHS IS PRODUCED BY Luke DECKARD and Matthew BOOTHE Edited by Luke Deckard Theme Music by Luke Deckard Logo and Thumbnails by Phil Dragash DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
June 8 · 2 hr 17 min
BATTLE OF THE BIG SCREEN HULKS! | HULK '03 VS THE INCREDIBLE HULK '08
HULKS SMASH! This week your investigators are looking at HULK (2003) and The Incredible Hulk (2008) in BATTLE OF THE BIG SCREEN HULKS to see which of these two outings is the ultimate HULK movie... with special guest Neil Vagg, the creator of the popular entertainment website GET YOUR COMIC ON, this is one investigation to rage about! HULK (2003) Dir Ang Lee Written by John Turman, Michael France and James Schamus Starring Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Same Elliot, Josh Lucas, and Nick Nolte THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008) Dir Louis Leterrier Written by Zak Penn Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, and Tim Blake Nelson. DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
June 1 · 1 hr 33 min
THIEF (1981) | Dir Michael Mann
Your cinematic sleuths are back at it! This week's case is THIEF (1981). Starring James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, Willie Nelson, and James Belushi. Written and directed by Michael Mann! Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth / Edited by Luke Deckard / Music by Luke Deckard
May 25 · 1 hr 50 min
SINNERS (2025) | Dir Ryan Coogler
This week we are taking a bite out of Ryan Coogler's SINNERS (2025), starring Michael B Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Wumi Mosaku, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Thomas Pang, Jack O'Connell and Buddy Guy. DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
May 18 · 2 hr 10 min
Return of the Jedi (1983) | A Trilogy of Retcons: Part 3 | Dir Richard Marquand
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... things weren't exactly as we remember them." In Part 3 of our three-part investigation (STAR WARS: A TRILOGY OF RETCONS), we’re looking at the film that started it all: RETURN OF THE JEDI, directed by Richard Marquand. Written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasden. Starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, and James Earl Jones. Join us with special guest Phil Dragash as we deep-dive into the story, the performances of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher, and the retcons that affected Return of the Jedi before and after the first reel even hit theatres. DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
May 11 · 1 hr 56 min
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) | A Trilogy of Retcons: Part 2 | Dir Irvin Kershner
"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... things weren't exactly as we remember them." In Part 2 of our three-part investigation (STAR WARS: A TRILOGY OF RETCONS), we’re looking at the film with cinema's most iconic retcon: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, directed by Irvin Kershner, written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, with a story by George Lucas. Starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, and James Earl Jones. Join us with special guest Sergio Angelini from Tipping My Fedora, as we deep-dive into the story, the performances and the retcons that affected the STAR WARS trilogy before, after, and during its release. DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
May 4 · 1 hr 59 min
Star Wars (1977) | A Trilogy of Retcons: Part 1| Dir George Lucas
"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... things weren't exactly as we remember them." May the Fourth be with you! To celebrate, Cinema Sleuths is opening the case files on the trilogy that changed cinema. In Part 1 of our three-part investigation (STAR WARS: A TRILOGY OF RETCONS), we’re looking at the film that started it all: STAR WARS (1977), written and directed by George Lucas. Before it was retitled Episode IV: A New Hope, and before the special editions, there was just STAR WARS. Join us as we deep-dive into the story, the performances of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher, and the retcons that affected before and after the first reel even hit theatres. DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*
April 29 · 1 hr 27 min
Case 81. NO WAY OUT (1987) | Dir Roger Donaldson
Your cinematic sleuths are back! This week are joined by author, editor, and crime fiction buff Martin Edwards as we investigate 1987's NO WAY OUT! Starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young, and Will Patton. Based on the novel THE BIG CLOCK by Kenneth Fearing. Screenplay by Robert Garland. Directed by Roger Donaldson. Disclaimer Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth Edited by Luke Deckard Music by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash DISCLAIMER: All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law.
April 24 · 58 sec
COMING MAY 4TH - STAR WARS A TRILOGY OF RETCONS
That's right! Cinema Sleuths kicks off on May the fourth with a three-part series that dives into the original theatrical releases of STAR WARS and explores the retcons that made the franchise what it is today! Be sure to tune in!
April 22 · 1 hr 47 min
Case 80. THE VICKERS CUT! THE BIG SLEEP (1945) | Dir Howard Hawks
Your cinematic sleuths are back at it! And this week we've got Sergio Angelini from Tipping My Fedora joining us! THE CASE: The 1945 Pre-release version of THE BIG SLEEP. Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Martha Vickers. Directed by Howard Hawks. . CREDITS Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth Edited by Luke Deckard Music by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash DISCLAIMER: All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law.
April 15 · 1 hr 32 min
Case 79. NOTORIOUS (1946) | Dir Alfred Hitchcock
This week your cinematic sleuths are investigating NOTORIOUS (1946). Starring Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, and Leopoldine Konstantin. Written by Ben Hecht. Loosely based on the short story 'The Song of the Dragon' (1921) written by John Taintor Foote. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Mean Streets is produced by Dr Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth Logo design by Phil Dragash Mean Streets Theme composed by Dr Luke Deckard
April 10 · 1 min
MEAN STREETS IS EVOLVING INTO CINEMA SLEUTHS ON MAY 4TH!
That's right. Big changes are happening at the offices of Deckard and Booth! Mean Streets is expanding beyond FILM NOIR to investigate the films and TV shows that define pop culture, from big hits to big misses and beyond. To do this properly, we need a new name, and given that we are your cinematic sleuths, we figured CINEMA SLEUTHS would be perfect! You will get the same level of reviews and deep dives from us, but with a much bigger portfolio of films and shows at our disposal to interrogate! Our rebrand will happen at the end of April, and on MAY THE FOURTH, we'll release our first official Cinema Sleuths episode, and you are in for a real treat! We are thrilled to take our investigations to another level and hope you enjoy what we've been cooking up for you all!
April 8 · 1 hr 29 min
Case 78. FEMME FATALE (2002) | Dir Brian De Palma
Your cinematic sleuths are back at it! This week's case is FEMME FATALE (2002). Starring Rebecca Romijn, Antonio Banderas, Rie Rasmussen, Peter Coyote, Gregg Henry, and Eriq Ebouaney. Written and directed by Brian De Palma! Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth / Edited by Luke Deckard / Music by Luke Deckard
March 18 · 1 hr 29 min
Case 77. The Usual Suspects (1995) | Dir Bryan Singer
This week we're back with a special guest! Joining your cinematic Sleuths to investigate Bryan Singers The Usual Suspects is our pal Skye, one of the masterminds and voices behind FILM 89 podcast! THE CASE: THE USUAL SUSPECTS (1995) Starring: Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, Chazz Palminteri, and Pete Postelthwaite Written by Christopher McQuarrie Directed by Bryan Singer CREDITS Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth Edited by Luke Deckard Music by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash DISCLAIMER: All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law.