The 1960 directorial debut from Jerry Lewis, The Bellboy, also stars Lewis in the titular role. He's Stanley, a put upon hotel worker at the Fountainbleu hotel in Miami. The film doesn’t necessarily have a three act plot per se but is more an opportunity for a string of gags. Filmmaker Peter Flynn and actor Craig Bierko join Mike to discuss The Bellboy as well as many other aspects of Lewis's career. Special guest Shawn Levy is the author of King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis. Learn...
Aug 09, 2017•2 hr 8 min
Also known as The Streetwalker, The Margin, and sometimes even as Emmanuel 77, La Marge film stars Joe Dallesandro as Sigismond, a loving husband who leaves his wife and child to head to Paris. While there he learns of the sudden, unexpected death of his aforementioned family and spends a few days living in fringes of society, spending most of his time with Diana, played by Sylvia Kristel, a prostitute. The 1976 film is one of several adaptations of André Pieyre de Mandiargues by director Waleri...
Aug 02, 2017•4 hr 2 min
Based on his manga of the same name, and released two years before the end of the comic series, Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira (1988) tells the tale of Kaneda -- a teenage punk in a motorcycle gang -- and Kei -- a member of an underground resistance -- and their adventures in NeoTokyo. They enter into a world of psychics including the titular Akira, the little boy with incredible powers that lead to the devastating explosion that opens the film. Special guest Jonathan Clements, author of Anime: A Histo...
Jul 25, 2017•2 hr 45 min
Written by Itaru Era, the 2001 movie from prolific director Takashi Miike Visitor Q tells the story of a family in disarray. The unemployed father (Ken'ichi Endô) a former newsman who laid off after an unfortunate incident, the mother (Shungiku Uchida) a heroin addict who prostitutes herself for money to get a fix, the son (Jun Mutô) is a victim of bullying who then bullies his own mother, and the daughter (Fujiko) who has left home to become a prostitute as well. When the titular Visitor Q (Kaz...
Jul 19, 2017•2 hr 17 min
On a special episode of The Projection Booth Steve Byrne and Sean Gray join Mike to discuss the documentary film CinemAbility (2013). Directed by Jenni Gold and co-written by Samuel Reed, the film looks at the long history of portraying disabilities on screen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support . Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.pa...
Jul 17, 2017•1 hr 43 min
Keenan Ivory Wayans's I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) is at once a parody of and follow-up to Blaxploitation films of the 1970s. In it, Wayans stars as Jack Spade, the new blood trying to take down Mr. Big (John Vernon) with a team of classic heroes like John Slade (Bernie Casey), Hammer (Isaac Hayes), Slammer (Jim Brown), Kung Fu Joe (Steve James) and Fly Guy (Antonio Fargas). Chris Cummins joins Mike to discuss the film. Special guests include actor Antonio Fargas (Putney Swope, Cleopatra Jones...
Jul 14, 2017•2 hr 12 min
Peter Greenaway's The Cook The Thief His Wife & Her Lover (1989) tells the tale of Albert Spica (Michael Gambon), a monstrous gangster putting on airs as a gourmand. This loutish brute is the co-owner of a restaurant where he, his wife Georgina (Helen Mirren) and his crew are regulars. Also a frequent patron at the restaurant is Michael (Alan Howard), a book dealer who is secretly Georgina’s lover. Samm Deighan and Ken Stanley join Mike to discuss this controversial film as well as Greenaway...
Jul 11, 2017•1 hr 52 min
Elric Kane joins Mike to discuss the 1979 film from director Ivan Zulueta, Arrebato. The film stars Eusebio Poncela as Jose, a director who’s dissatisfied with his own work. He soon meets Pedro (Will More), a filmmaker of a different sort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support . Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionb...
Jul 04, 2017•1 hr 29 min
On this special episode of The Projection Booth we’re looking at the 2016 documentary from director Steve Bannon, Torchbearer. The film stars Phil Robertson, better known as “The Duck Commander”, and is an hour-long sermon which warns against the perils of secularism. This is the ninth film from Bannon as director, though he’s taken a bit of a break from filmmaking as he’s now advising the current President. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of thi...
Jul 03, 2017•2 hr 22 min
Mike talks to action star Don "The Dragon" Wilson about his careers in acting and kickboxing. They discuss the Bloodfist series, Red Sun Rising, Batman and Robin, and his latest work with director Michael Baumgarten, Paying Mr. McGetty and The Martial Arts Kid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support . Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.p...
Jun 29, 2017•1 hr 13 min
Initially begun in 1977 and not released until (1988, Andrzej Zulawski, On the Silver Globe, is based on a series called The Lunar Trilogy by Zulawski's great uncle Jerzy. Joe Yanick and Heather Drain join Mike in an attempt to unravel the Polish sci-fi epic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support . Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.pat...
Jun 28, 2017•2 hr 14 min
Jonathan Kaplan's Over the Edge (1979) tells the story of a group of disaffected youths growing up in the sterile confines of a remote suburb. Their folks dig on that almighty dollar, seeking to continue to build up the cookie cutter homes of New Granada, even if it means knocking down the local rec center, the only place the kids have to congregate in any sort of civilized manner. This episode features interviews with co-writers Charlie Haas and Tim Hunter along actors Vincent Spano, Andy Roman...
Jun 25, 2017•5 hr 21 min
Based on the controversial book by Bret Easton Ellis, American Psycho (2000) tells the tale of Wall Street's Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), his murderous rampage, and the world of the late 1980s Manhattan. The episode features interviews with one of the original screenwriters, Roberta Hanley, along with the film's director, Mary Harron and co-screenwriter / actress Guinevere Turner. David Rodgers and Cinema Detroit's Paula Guthat join Mike to discuss yuppie scum and how American Psycho still ...
Jun 20, 2017•3 hr 55 min
Wings of Desire, the 1987 film from Wim Wenders, stars Bruno Ganz as Damiel and Otto Sander as Cassiel, two angels out of many that watch over Berlin. They are immortal observers, watching the goings-on of the myriad people around them. Yet, they can never experience the full world in which the humans live. They know not taste, touch, feeling, or love... Small Screen Cinema's Joe Yanick joins Mike to discuss Peter Falk, the sequel Faraway, So Close!, and the American remake City of Angels on thi...
Jun 13, 2017•1 hr 28 min
On this special episode of The Projection Booth, Mike talks with Jeffrey Schwarz about his latest documentary, The Fabulous Allan Carr (2017) which follows the life and career of producer and caftan enthusiast Allan Carr. We discuss his triumphs like Grease and La Cage aux Folles as well as Grease 2 and Can't Stop the Music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/sup...
Jun 12, 2017•51 min
On this special episode of The Projection Booth, Mike talks to Lydia Tenaglia about her film Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent (2016), a documentary about culinary pioneer Jeremiah Tower and his travels and travails. Ms. Tenaglia also shares stories of her early career; working on medical reality shows (Trauma: Life in the ER) and her role in bringing Anthony Bourdain to television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www....
Jun 09, 2017•56 min
Based on a book by David Wong, Don Coscarelli's John Dies at the End (2012) stars Chase Williamson as a character named David Wong while Rob Mayes plays the titular John. The film chronicles the otherworldly adventures of Dave and John as they ingest a new drug, Soy Sauce, and travel to other dimensions. Special guest Glynn Turman plays Detective Lawrence Appleton in the film. He discusses his "accidental" career and his groundbreaking appearance in "Peyton Place" as well as some of his favorite...
Jun 06, 2017•1 hr 44 min
On this special episode of The Projection Booth, Mike talks with Professor Jad Smith about his book, Alfred Bester, part of the University of Illinois Press series, Masters of Science Fiction. Bester, a master craftsman of prose, is best known for his seminal sci-fi books The Stars My Destination and The Demolished Man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support ...
Jun 05, 2017•57 min
Based on Charles Neider's book The Authentic Death of Hendry Jones, One-Eyed Jacks (1961) tells the tale of Rio AKA The Kid, played by Marlon Brando, and Dad Longsworth, played by Karl Malden. The two are outlaws who take very different paths, the Kid being a "noble" criminal while Dad eventually becomes a servant of the law. We watch them spar in the coastal Californian city of Monterrey where the tumultuous water serves as a metaphor for the raging emotions inside each man. The film was origin...
Jun 01, 2017•2 hr 15 min
On this special episode, Mike talks with director Steven Shainberg about his career from The Big Hit (1996) to Secretary (2002), to Fur (2006) to his latest, Rupture (2016) starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Chiklis, and Peter Stormare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support . Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth...
May 30, 2017•1 hr 15 min
Mike talks with Brian Hunter about the line-up for Cinetopia 2017, the annual film festival which takes place in Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit. For more information visit http://www.cinetopiafestival.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support . Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth...
May 29, 2017•45 min
On this special episode of The Projection Booth we discuss Michael Radford's 1984 version of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four starring John Hurt as Winston Smith, Suzanna Hamilton as Julia, and Richard Burton as O'Brien. Emily Intravia of the Feminine Critique podcast and Samm Deighan of the Daughters of Darkness podcast join Mike to discuss Radford's 1984 as well as several other TV and film adaptations from the 1950s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a ...
May 28, 2017•3 hr 19 min
In The Lost One (AKA Der Verlorene) (1951) we find Peter Lorre as Dr. Karl Rothe (AKA Dr. Karl Neumeister), working at a displaced persons camp after World War II. When a figure from his past, Hösch (AKA Nowak) (Karl John), appears at the camp the two men reminisce about their shared history during the war. The film is a tense film noir by way of the German trümmerfilm (rubble film) and the only feature directed by Peter Lorre. Daniel Bird and Samm Deighan join Mike to discuss The Lost One, Frit...
May 24, 2017•2 hr 26 min
Mike talks to producer Karen Lunder about some of her work from the early days of working on Todd Solondz's Happiness, John Tucker Must Die and Mr. Woodcock to her recent string of successes including The Founder, Eye in the Sky, and Arrival. Ms. Lunder and Mike focus on the 2017 film from director Marc Webb and writer Tom Flynn, Gifted, which stars Mckenna Grace, Chris Evans, and Octavia Spencer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: ...
May 18, 2017•47 min
Written and directed by William Peter Blatty, The Ninth Configuration (1980) has been known at points and was based on his novel Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane. The film stars Stacy Keach as Col. Hudson Kane, a new psychiatrist at an unusual retreat for men who have cracked up during the Vietnam War. Also at this fog shrouded castle is Captain Billy Cutshaw (Scott Wilson), an astronaut who freaked out before his mission to the moon. The two men are at odds about the world, especially around the que...
May 17, 2017•2 hr 50 min
Rod Lott joins Mike to discuss the 2017 documentary Who Is Arthur Chu?? The film is ostensibly about "Jeopardy" champion Arthur Chu but goes into larger discussions of race, gender, nerd culture, and more. Mike speaks to filmmakers Yu Gu and Scott Drucker about the creation of and response to the film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support . Become a support...
May 14, 2017•1 hr 35 min
Based on the scandalous memoir by Christina Crawford, Frank Perry's Mommie Dearest (1981) gave the world a powerhouse performance by Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford. On this episode of The Projection Booth, Joshual Grannell and Terry Frost join Mike to discuss the movie and its reception. Guests this episode include actress Rutanya Alda who gives a behind-the-scenes account of the shooting of the film and Justin Bozung who is currently writing a book about director Frank Perry. Learn more about yo...
May 10, 2017•3 hr 11 min
On a special episode of The Projection Booth, Mike talks to author Marco Siedlmann about his upcoming book, Stories from the Trenches: The Official Sam Firstenberg Book as well as the subject of the book himself, Sam Firstenberg, the director of films such as American Ninja, American Samurai, Cyborg Cop, and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcas...
May 06, 2017•1 hr 23 min
In Larry Revene's Wanda Whips Wall Street (1981), Veronica Hart stars as Wanda Brandt, a serious business woman who plies her feminine wiles while taking over Tyler Industries, despite investigators Lou Perrini (Jamie Gillis) and Ed Drummond (Ron Jeremy) being hot on her trail... Professor Kevin Heffernan and Heather Drain join Mike in discussing the film as well as it's 1984 re-cut version, Stocks and Blondes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of ...
May 02, 2017•2 hr 8 min
It's been over a year since we've pulled back the curtain and done an "Ego Fest." Rather than discussing a specific film, this episode is all about The Projection Booth itself. It's the real dirt, off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush. Heather Drain joins Mike to answer listener questions, thank Patreon Donors, go off-topic, and kvetch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-...
Apr 30, 2017•5 hr