Dive into a neon-drenched dystopia as Mike is joined by Chris Stachiw and Heather Drain to dissect Kamikaze 89! This cult oddity, directed by Wolf Grem, is the fifth adaptation of Per Wahlöö's Murder on the 31st Floor, but this version catapults the narrative into the "futuristic" world of 1989. Together, the team explores the film’s avant-garde aesthetic, its sly satire on media and power, and the iconic performance of Rainer Werner Fassbinder in a leopard-print suit. It’s a wild ride through W...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 721
When cult cinema maestro Jess Franco turns his lens to noir with Downtown (1975), you know you're in for a sleazy, surreal ride! Join Mike White, Heather Drain, and Jessica Shires as they unravel the tangled web of private eyes, femme fatales, and Franco’s unmistakable flair. This Patreon-requested episode, brought to you by the fabulous Pat Radke, dives deep into one of Franco’s lesser-seen gems. Is Downtown a gritty noir, an erotic fever dream, or something in between? Tune in to find out as t...
Dec 11, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 720
Mike converses with Stephen Brotherstone and Dave Lawrence, the authors of the Scarred for Life book series. They discuss the unsettling aspects of 1970s and 1980s pop culture that left lasting impressions on a generation. From chilling public information films to haunting children's television and dystopian sci-fi, discover how these dark cultural elements shaped their acclaimed books. Tune in for a captivating discussion that blends nostalgia with insightful analysis of the media that scarred ...
Dec 09, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 557
Noirvember 2024 ends with a bang as we delve into Stephen Frears' electrifying neo-noir The Grifters. Adapted from Jim Thompson’s novel by screenwriter Donald Westlake, this razor-sharp film stars Anjelica Huston as Lily Dillon, a veteran con artist manipulating the odds at the racetrack. Her uneasy reunion with estranged son Roy (John Cusack) and his cunning girlfriend Myra (Annette Bening) sparks a volatile triangle of deception and betrayal in the high-stakes world of grifting. Mike is joined...
Dec 06, 2024•2 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 719
Step into the weird and wonderful world of Crust as Mike sits down with actor, writer, and director Sean Whalen! Best known for his unforgettable roles in cult classics like The People Under the Stairs and Twister, Sean takes us behind the scenes of his latest venture—a bizarre and heartfelt horror-comedy about a laundromat worker, his insecurities, and a monster made from soiled socks. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/sup...
Dec 05, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 556
Yaniv Eidelstein and Will Youmans join Mike to discuss Avanti Popolo (1986), from writer/director Rafi Bukai. Set at the end of the Six-Day War, this poetic and darkly comedic masterpiece follows a group of Egyptian soldiers navigating the vast Sinai Desert on their journey to the Suez Canal. Along the way, they're thrust into surreal and precarious scenarios, exposing the absurdity and humanity of war. We explore the film's rich cultural commentary and unforgettable performances. Plus, we welco...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 718
Noirvember 2024 shines a spotlight on Otto Preminger’s Angel Face (1952), a twisted tale of obsession and betrayal. Robert Mitchum stars as Frank Jessup, an ambulance driver entangled with the wealthy Tremayne family. Torn between the dangerously alluring Diane Tremayne (Jean Simmons) and his steadfast girlfriend Mary (Mona Freeman), Frank is drawn into a deadly web of manipulation and deceit. Jedidiah Ayers and Lexi Van Dyke join Mike to discuss this gripping exploration of desire and duplicity...
Nov 26, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 717
On this special episode, Mike talks with actor/musician Dash Mihok a little bit about his career including his latest film, Armor (2024). The film will be in Theaters, On Digital and On Demand November 22, 2024. Learn more at https://dashmihok.net/ 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...
Nov 22, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 555
We continue Noirvember 2024 with a look at Jean Renoir’s The Woman on the Beach. Released in 1947, the film tells the tale of veteran Scott Burnett played by Robert Ryan. He’s plagued with nightmares caused by his PTSD and is assigned to the mounted division of the Coast Guard where he patrols the beach on his horse, meeting the comely Peggy Butler played by Joan Bennett. She’s married to blind painter Tod Butler played by Charles Bickford. Otto Bruno and Robert Bellissimo join Mike to discuss t...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 716
Mike welcomes filmmaker Eugenio Mira to discuss his 2004 darkly comic thriller The Birthday. Starring Corey Feldman, the film unfolds at an eerie party in a mysterious hotel, revealing a strange world where horror, surrealism, and cult menace meet. Mira dives into the film’s influences, its unique stylistic choices, and how it developed its cult status. This conversation offers an intriguing look into a forgotten gem of early 2000s genre cinema. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.sp...
Nov 14, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 554
Mike welcomes Bill Burke, former TCM executive and founder of The Optimism Institute, for a deep dive into cinema’s power to inspire and uplift. Drawing from Burke’s mission to champion optimism and celebrate humanity, the discussion explores his views on the role of movies in encouraging positivity and resilience. Burke shares his thoughts on TCM’s influence on film lovers and how the Institute fosters a brighter outlook in challenging times. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spre...
Nov 12, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 552
Mike talks with creature and makeup effects artist Steve Newburn to explore his transformative work on Sasquatch Sunset (2024). Known for turning actors like Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough into life-like cryptids, Newburn shares insights into the prosthetic design and the challenges of outdoor filming in rugged settings. Newburn’s craftsmanship, honed over 30 years, takes center stage as he discusses the delicate balance of realism, comfort, and storytelling in creature design. Become a suppor...
Nov 11, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 548
Mike sits down with Mark Edlitz to dive into Movies Go Fourth, Edlitz’s latest exploration of film history that focuses on fourth installments in beloved movie franchises. Together, they explore the unique quirks, challenges, and unexpected triumphs of fourth films, from reinventions to revivals. Alongside a conversation about the power of nostalgia and innovation in filmmaking, this episode promises insights for fans of sequels, classics, and the less-charted cinematic territories of beloved se...
Nov 08, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 550
On this special episode, we’re diving into the curious 1953 fantasy The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. Produced by Stanley Kramer, directed by Roy Rowland, and uniquely penned by Dr. Seuss, the film stars Hans Conreid as Dr. Terwilliker, a sinister piano teacher who’s devised the “Terwilliker Method” for the obedient fingers of child pianists. Tommy Rettig plays Bartholomew Collins, an imaginative boy determined to derail Dr. T's grand plans. Join Mike, playwright David MacGregor, and critic John Monag...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 715
Mike welcomes Samm Deighan and Andrew Nette, co-editors of Revolution in 35mm: Political Violence and Resistance in Cinema from the Arthouse to the Grindhouse, 1960–1990, from PM Press. The book explores revolutionary cinema across the globe. They discuss the themes and politics of the films covered in the book, highlighting how cinema has been used to challenge authority, incite change, and reflect social struggles. It’s a deep dive into cinema as a tool for revolution, with insights from two o...
Nov 06, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 553
We to kick off Noirvember 2024 with a delve into Pitfall (1948), a classic film noir directed by André De Toth, starring Dick Powell as an insurance man caught in a web of deception and danger. When Powell's character falls for Lizabeth Scott’s femme fatale, his seemingly mundane life spirals into chaos, bringing betrayal, blackmail, and murder. Ian Brownell and Philip Marinello join Mike to explore the film’s themes of moral ambiguity, post-war disillusionment, and the pitfalls of desire in thi...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 716
Set against the sun-drenched landscapes of Baja California, this film explores a cursed tale where the desert heat and shadows of folklore merge into an atmospheric terror. Mike speaks with writer/director Jeff Daniel Phillips about his latest feature film on this special episode. 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...
Nov 05, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 546
In this episode of The Projection Booth, Mike interviews Tim Hautekiet, the director behind Me, Myself & the Void (2024). Hautekiet shares insights into crafting this surreal, introspective journey that follows a stand-up comedian as he confronts himself in a mysterious "void." Exploring themes of self-discovery, friendship, and vulnerability, Mike and Hautekiet discuss the film's influences, the creative process, and its unique balance of comedy and introspection that aims to resonate with ...
Nov 04, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 549
In this exciting crossover episode, Mike is joined by Chris Stachiw of The Kulturecast, Father Malone of Midnight Viewing, and filmmaker Antonio Llapur for a lively discussion of Venom: The Last Dance (2024). While Chris and Mike found a lot to admire, Father Malone and Antonio weren’t as enthusiastic, leading to a spirited exchange on what works and what misses in this unique entry in the Venom franchise. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 551
In this episode Mike talks with Barry Keating, the co-screenwriter of Invoking Yell (2024), the latest horror from Chilean director Patricio Valladares. Set in the isolated landscapes of Southern Chile, this atmospheric found-footage film follows a group of young women trying to record a black metal demo amidst strange, paranormal occurrences in the forest. What starts as a raw music venture quickly descends into a terrifying ordeal as eerie forces begin to lurk around every corner. Become a sup...
Nov 01, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 547
The Spirit of Halloweentown (2024) celebrates the unique Halloween festival of St. Helens, Oregon—a town that annually transforms itself in tribute to Disney’s cult-classic film Halloweentown, which was filmed there in 1998. Directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb, known for their nostalgic lens in Jasper Mall, the film dives into the lives of the locals who are the heart of this Halloween tradition. As part of our Fantastic Fest coverage, Mike talks with Thomason and Whitcomb about the...
Oct 31, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 545
#Shocktober2024 wraps up with a double dose of horror and weird science, diving into The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant, a pick from Patreon donor James Brummel. No, it’s not the two-headed flick with Rosie Greer or the one from Japan—this is Bruce Dern’s wild ride as a mad scientist, melding the body of a manchild with the head of a deranged killer in the ultimate “transplant gone wrong.” Tim and Agatha Luz of CinemaSpection join Mike to break down this two-headed cult classic and explore the w...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 714
Mike, Dr. Nicholas Schlegel, and Heather Drain bring the eerie vibe of Shocktober 2024 to new heights with a Patreon request from Kyler Fey: Bell from Hell. This sinister 1973 gem by Claudio Guerín, written by Santiago Moncada, follows John (Renaud Verley), fresh from the asylum after a stay orchestrated by his aunt, Marta (Viveca Lindfors), and her three daughters. Now he’s back—and his intentions? Is he a prankster with a wicked sense of humor, or is he dead-set on revenge? Become a supporter ...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 713
Get ready for a wild deep dive into the world of cult cinema preservation! Mike sits down with Jackson Cooper to uncover the incredible work of the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA). From rescuing the rarest of grindhouse gems to giving life to lost horror, sci-fi, and action films, AGFA is on a mission to save the strange and spectacular corners of film history. Together, they explore how this non-profit powerhouse preserves, restores, and redistributes the films that defy genre and have capti...
Oct 29, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 544
Our #Shocktober coverage heats up with a Patreon pick from Ellis Kish: Turkey Shoot. This 1982 cult classic from writer-director Brian Trenchard-Smith throws us into a dystopian nightmare set in the “futuristic” year of 1995. Steve Railsback and Olivia Hussey star as prisoners caught in a ruthless government’s clutches, where torture is just the beginning—the real terror lies in the deadly “Turkey Shoot.” Heather Drain, Andrew Nette, and Mike dive into this savage satire with insights from Trenc...
Oct 28, 2024•2 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 711
Shocktober continues with a Patreon request as we discuss the 2022 horror film Rucker which follows Leif Rucker, a seemingly ordinary long-haul trucker who has been serially killing women resembling his ex-wife for 30 years. The narrative takes a turn when Maggie, a young filmmaker making a documentary about truckers, becomes privy to Rucker's deadly secret and chooses to document his crimes. Father Malone and Chris Stachiw join Mike to discuss the film, alongside an interview with director Amy ...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 712
Our coverage of the Fantastic Fest continues with a look at Heads or Fails via a discussion with film making brothers Harpo and Lenny Guit alongside composer Simon Hanes. 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...
Oct 22, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 543
Our coverage of the Fantastic Fest continues with Mike talking to Justin Hardy, son of director Robin Hardy, the filmmaker behind The Wicker Man. Justin discusses the film that ruined his family and the documentary he and his brother made about it. 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...
Oct 21, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 542
Our coverage of Fantastic Fest continues with Mike talking with writer/director Toby Jones, star AJ Thompson, and producer Ben Hansen -- three of the talents behind AJ Goes to the Dog Park (2024). It's a delightful story of local politics. 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...
Oct 17, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 541
Also known as Legend of Doom House, Malpertuis is a gothic horror film starring Matthew Carriere as Jan, a sailor back at his home port where he visits the estate known as Malpertuis where he encounters a group of colorful kooks including the formidable Cassavius played by Orson Welles. Jessica Shires and Matthew Asprey Gear join Mike to discuss the film while director Harry Kumel talks about the making of it. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-bo...
Oct 16, 2024•2 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 710
