FIGHT CLUB had been a grueling shoot for David Fincher and, at least upon first release, had alienated both audiences and critics alike. So when it was time for Fincher to move on to his next film, he sought out something a little simpler, something that wouldn't involve the hundreds of locations that he'd dealt with on FIGHT CLUB and one that was …

After back-to-back successes with SE7EN and THE GAME, David Fincher found himself at the top of Hollywood's A-list, proving that he could produce hit films without abandoning his dark sensibilites. His next project, however, would put his reputation to the test. Although it's now considered a classic — and may very well be Fincher's most widely-see…

After the success of SE7EN, David Fincher returned to a film that he'd started developing before deciding to prioritize the serial killer film that would put him on the map. That film was THE GAME, a twist-filled thriller that's often overlooked and underappreciated during discussions of the director's filmography, but one that still features all o…

After his disastrous experience on ALIEN 3, David Fincher retreated back into the world of music video and commercials, vowing to never again direct a feature film. That is, until a script by a young, first-time screenwriter named Andrew Kevin Walker crossed his desk. That script — about a serial killer who chooses his victims based on the Seven De…

After spending years in Development Hell, the production of ALIEN 3 finally moved forward once first-time feature director David Fincher came on board. But it wasn't smooth sailing from there. The story of ALIEN 3's production is one of a legendary disaster, one where studio interference turned the film into one that was so compromised that its dir…

"People will say, 'There are a million ways to shoot a scene', but I don't think so. I think there're two, maybe. And the other one is wrong." — David Fincher David Fincher has a reputation for being an exacting, meticulous director, one who sees an entire film in his head and who will do whatever it takes to get that vision onscreen. While that wa…

For our next series here on Cinema Shock, we're going to be taking a look at the films of David Fincher, including his feature film debut ALIEN3. Since ALIEN3's history — which includes years spent in development hell, multiple directors and multiple screenwriters — is so tightly weaved into the history of the films in the franchise that preceded i…

For our next series here on Cinema Shock, we're going to be taking a look at the films of David Fincher, including his feature film debut ALIEN3. Since ALIEN3's history — which includes years spent in development hell, multiple directors and multiple screenwriters — is so tightly weaved into the history of the films in the franchise that preceded i…

In this special bonus episode, Justin, Gary and Todd take a look at every sequel to ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA! 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, and Justin Bishop. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and …

For the final entry in our Cinema Shock Roulette Extravaganza (but certainly not our last Cinema Shock Roulette episode), we're headed to Hong Kong to take a deep dive into the production of Tsui Hark's seminal martial arts film, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA. In this episode, we'll discuss not only the production of ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, but the …

In this Cinema Shock Rewind episode, we're re-publishing our episode covering THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN! As was the case with GAME OF DEATH, our previous Rewind episode, the history of THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN has some significant ties with the history of martial arts cinema in Hong Kong, which directly influences the creation of Tsui Hark's O…

In this Cinema Shock Rewind episode, we're republishing our episode covering Bruce Lee's GAME OF DEATH. The story of Bruce Lee ties in directly to our upcoming episode covering the production of ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, so we're providing a refresher here for new listeners or longtime listeners who may want to revisit it. GAME OF DEATH was origin…

In this Extras episode, Justin and Gary break down some reviews of POSSESSION from various corners of the internet! Be sure to give us YOUR thoughts on POSSESSION by hitting us up on social media @cinema_shock!Cinema Shock

In this bonus episode, Justin and Gary sit down to discuss their picks for films that would make a great companion piece to Andrzej Żuławski's POSSESSION! Have a great idea for a film that'd work great as a double feature with POSSESSION? Let us know by sending us a message on social media! You can find us @cinema_shock on most social platforms! Th…

In this episode, Justin & Gary take a look at Andrzej Żuławski's controversial 1981 cult film POSSESSION! This existential relationship drama (slash body horror?), inspired by the director's own painful divorce, is an acting showcase for its stars, Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani, and up until the last few years, was almost impossible to find in the …

Gary and Justin sit down and talk with professional wrestler 'Thrillbilly' Silas Mason about being in the ring with Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White for A24's new film THE IRON CLAW - In theaters now! Check out this interview and let us know what you think! Should we try to do more interviews? Also let us know if you've seen The Iron Claw yet! You …

In this very special Further Viewing episode, we're going to take a good look at one of the weirdest horror franchises to ever exist. After a controversial first offering and a so-bad-its-good sequel, the SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT series inexplicably still managed to produce an additional three films, all released straight-to-video. While the firs…

"Garbage day!" Merry Christmas from Cinema Shock! For this week's episode, we're doing something special and taking a break from our Roulette Extravaganza to give you a holiday-focused deep dive into not one but two of our favorite cult Christmas movies. First up is one of the most controversial slashers of the 80s, one that was so immediatley infa…

In this Extras episode, Mr. Todd A. Davis dives into the careers and filmographies of the cast of EVENT HORIZON.Cinema Shock

Did you enjoy EVENT HORIZON? Wondering what movies to watch next? Join Gary and Justin as they discuss their picks for films to watch alongside EVENT HORIZON in this Extras episode! Got a Further Viewing recommendation of your own? Be sure to send it our way on Instagram, X or Threads at @cinema_shock!…

In this bonus episode, Gary and Justin scour the internet to see what online armchair critics think of Paul W.S. Anderson's EVENT HORIZON! Turns out, plenty of people don't like it! (Yep, this is the same feature that we previously called "Somebody Needs A Nap," just retitled for the feed!)Cinema Shock

As we continue our Cinema Shock Roulette Extravaganza, our next randomly-selected film is Paul W.S. Anderson's 1997 sci-fi horror flick EVENT HORIZON! In this episode, we take a look at the best film of Anderson's career (it's a low bar, folks) and track its tumultuous journey to the big screen, from the earliest versions of its ALIEN-inspired scri…

In this bonus episode, Justin and Gary break down some of the best reviews of HEATHERS that the internet has to offer!Cinema Shock

In this bonus episode, Mr. Todd A. Davis breaks down the cast of HEATHERS.Cinema Shock

If you liked HEATHERS and are wondering what other similar movies you should watch, well you're in luck! In this bonus episode, Justin and Gary discuss a few of their picks for Further Viewing after HEATHERS! Let us know YOUR picks for movies to pair with HEATHERS by hitting us up on social media! Find us at @cinema_shock on Instagram, X, and Threa…

Our Roulette Extravaganza continues on this week's episode with a look at Michael Lehmann's 1989 cult classic HEATHERS! Synopsis: A girl who halfheartedly tries to be part of the "in crowd" of her school meets a rebel who teaches her a more devious way to play social politics: by killing the popular kids. In this deep dive into the making of HEATHE…

For the 100th (!!) episode of Cinema Shock, we sat down to discuss one of the most insane cult films ever made, Nobuhiko Ôbayashi 1977 spook-a-blast haunted house flick HOUSE! In this episode, we take a deep dive into the story behind the production of HOUSE, how it all came to be in an uncertain time during Japan's film history, and the career of …

Welcome to the CINEMA SHOCK HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! A few weeks ago, we were invited by our friends at GUTPUNCH asked us to co-host a live screening of NOSFERATU for the first ever Cinema Shock live event! While we were able to discuss a lot of the film's backstory at that screening, the history of NOSFERATU is so rich that we felt it deserved a true, C…

While our look at the collaborations between John Waters and Divine may be over, we felt that the story of Waters' journey from the underground to the mainstream wasn't complete without a discussion of the Broadway show inspired by one of his films and subsequent musical that followed. So instead of discussing a John Waters film proper, we're inste…

After unsuccessfully trying to get a PINK FLAMINGOS sequel off of the ground, John Waters revisited an idea that he'd been batting around since the late 1970s, about a teenage girl growing up in early 1960s Baltimore. That film, HAIRSPRAY, would prove to be John Waters' unintentional ticket to mainstream recognition. By far his most popular and suc…

On the heels of DESPERATE LIVING — and its disappointing box office — John Waters knew that he needed a hit, and that he needed his leading lady back. Once again teaming with Divine, Waters set out to make a film that was a little more palatable to mass audiences, one that wouldn't rely on shock value to get its laughs. The resulting film was POLYE…

After FEMALE TROUBLE, Divine — John Waters' muse — found his off-screen career beginning to flourish. When it was time for Waters to make his follow up to that film, that meant that Divine was unavailable, due to prior commitments. So for the first time in his career, Waters set out to make a film without his regular leading lady in the lead role. …

"Without all of you, my career could never have gotten this far. Ha ha ha ha ha! It was you that I burn for, and it is you that I will die for. Please remember, I love every fucking one of you!" After PINK FLAMINGOS' runaway success on the Midnight Movie circuit, it was time for John Waters to create his follow-up. He reconvened with his regular cr…

"The filthiest people alive? Well, you think you know someone filthier? Watch as Divine proves that not only is she the filthiest person in the world, she's also the filthiest actress in the world! What you are about to see is THE REAL THING!" While John Waters MULTIPLE MANIACS was mildly successful during its small theatrical run, it was with his …

"One must remember that there is such a thing as good bad taste and bad bad taste." — John Waters In our new series, John Waters: Divine Filth, we'll be exploring the stories behind Waters' early films, specifically the films made during the years when he collaborated with his muse, the legendary drag performer Divine. During the nearly two decades…

Spin the wheel, pick a movie, it's time for another Cinema Shock Roulette episode! This time, the randomly-chosen film is a 1987 thriller starring a pre-stardom Terry O'Quinn and directed by genre workman Joseph Ruben: THE STEPFATHER! In this episode, we'll not only trace the production of the film itself, but we'll also recount the story of the re…

Curious what we're discussing next? Join us as we spin the wheel to find out which random movie we're gonna talk about for the next episode of Cinema Shock Roulette!Cinema Shock

In the fourth and final episode of our series covering Sam Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy, we'll be discussing the much-maligned third film in the series. In this episode, we'll trace the development and creation of SPIDER-MAN 3, discuss how Thomas Hayden Church got involved, why Venom is even in it, and of course, the Avi Arad of it all. While we try …

Following the unparalelled success of Sam Raimi’s first SPIDER-MAN film, Sony was naturally very keen to get to work immediately on a sequel. With a returning cast and crew, Raimi set about on creating a film that would come to be known as one of the greatest superhero movies of all time. In this episode, we’ll deep dive into the development and pr…

After a long, long road, the rights to the Spider-Man character finally landed with Sony/Columbia and before long, director Sam Raimi was attached to direct. In this episode, we'll take a deep dive into the creation of Raimi's first SPIDER-MAN film, from the early days of its conception, through multiple screenplays (and screenwriters), the casting…

When we covered Sam Raimi's spook-a-blast cinema a few months ago in our series Sam Raimi: The Entertainer, we made a promise to our listeners that we'd soon be covering the director's SPIDER-MAN films as well. And folks, say what you will about the Cinema Shock crew, but we keep our promises! We're kicking this series off with something a little d…

It's time for a new longform series here on Cinema Shock! Want to know what it is? Well, you'll have to listen to this week's bonus episode for the announcement! Hint: It's a follow-up to one of our previous series. Hmmm... Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode…

It's time for another Cinema Shock Roulette episode! In these episodes, an episode from our source list is chosen at random, only this time fate has chosen a film that ties into a past Cinema Shock series! Back at the end of 2021, we released a four-part series called Black Christmas, in which we discussed the Christmas-set films of writer/director…

Todd's back! After a 3-episode absence, Mr. Todd A. Davis makes his return to Cinema Shock. In this bonus episode, we catch up with Todd, who recounts his adventures Trekking in Los Angeles. And since we're in-between series, you know what that means! It's time to announce another randomly-picked film for the next Cinema Shock Roulette episode! Wha…

After a years-long absence from the world of filmmaking, Alejandro Jodorowsky made his return to movies with the help of Italian producer Claudio Argento. Their collaborative effort, 1989's SANTA SANGRE, is often considered Jodorowsky's best work. But its journey to the screen was not always an easy one. In this, our final episode in our series cov…

After EL TOPO became a cult sensation in New York City and beyond, the doors were open for Alejandro Jodorowsky to begin work on his next film. The resulting film — largely funded by John Lennon and Yoko Ono! — is one of the director's seminal works, a metaphysical journey through the Tarot and the other esoteric practices that Jodorowsky surrounde…

In the 2nd part of our series on Alejandro Jodorowsky, we'll discuss the creation and release of the controversial director's most notorious film, EL TOPO. With EL TOPO, Jodorowsky effectively invented the Midnight Movie as we know it. In this episode, not only will we recount the history of EL TOPO's production, but also a short history of the Mid…

It's time for another series here on Cinema Shock, and we're getting weird with this one! We're kicking off our 4-part series on cult filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky with a look at his debut film FANDO Y LIS. In this episode, we'll discuss Jodorowsky's life growing up as an outcast in Chile, through his travels with Marcel Marceau, his work with the…

In this Roundtable discussion, we're going to announce the subject of our next 4-episode series! Hint: It's gonna be one of the strangest filmmakers we've ever discussed on Cinema Shock! We're excited for it and hope you will be too, but you'll have to listen to this bonus episode to know who it's gonna be!…

It's time for another exciting game of Cinema Shock Roulette! If you've never listened to a Roulette episode before, the idea is simple: Using a list of films that we've compiled, we allow a random number generator to pick a movie off the list to be the next subject of these standalone episodes. For this episode, the universe must have been smiling…