This week, WE GO APE with Cinema Misfires! Cinema Sleuths looks back at 25 years of Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes (2001) — the ambitious remake that arrived with a huge cast, a huge budget and one very complicated journey to the big screen.

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan and Paul Giamatti, Burton’s Planet of the Apes remains one of the most fascinating blockbuster misfires of the early 2000s. But was the film really as bad as its reputation suggests?

In this episode, we investigate the troubled road to Planet of the Apes, exploring the many attempts to revive the classic science-fiction franchise before Tim Burton finally took the reins. We look at the discarded sequel ideas, changing scripts, competing visions and behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped the movie we eventually got.

We also ask a much bigger question: does Planet of the Apes actually feel like a Tim Burton movie?

From the striking production design and Rick Baker’s acclaimed ape makeup to Danny Elfman’s score, Tim Roth’s performance as General Thade and Mark Wahlberg’s unlikely journey through the ape world, we examine what works, what doesn’t and whether this controversial remake deserves a second look 25 years later.

The case is open. Let’s go ape.

Directed by: Tim Burton

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.*

HULKS SMASH! 

Two Hulks enter. Only one can claim the verdict.

In this special Battle of the Big Screen Hulks , Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth put Ang Lee's Hulk (2003) head-to-head with Marvel's The Incredible Hulk (2008), 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.*

Before Heat, The Insider and Collateral, Michael Mann made his feature-film debut with Thief — a cool, hard-edged crime thriller starring James Caan as Frank, a professional safecracker determined to pull off one last big score and walk away.

But is Thief simply an early Michael Mann experiment, or the blueprint for the crime films that would define his career?

Starring: James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, Willie Nelson, and James Belushi.

Written by Michael Mann

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.*

Ryan Coogler's Sinners has blood, blues, vampires and plenty to sink your teeth into — but did the film really breathe new life into the vampire genre? We are going to find out!

Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth investigate Coogler's bold supernatural thriller, examining its blend of horror, history, music and myth, and asking whether Sinners deserves to join the ranks of the great vampire movies.

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. 

Written by: Ryan Coogler 

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.*

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.

CASE FILE: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)

Directed by: Richard Marquand

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.*

"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.

Directed by: Irvin Kershner

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.*

"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. 

CASE FILE: STAR WARS (1977)

Directed by: George Lucas

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.*

This week, Cinema Sleuths are joined by Martin Edwards, acclaimed author, editor and crime-fiction expert, to investigate Roger Donaldson’s No Way Out (1987). Starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young and Will Patton, No Way Out follows U.S. Navy officer Tom Farrell, who becomes caught in a deadly political conspiracy after becoming involved with the mistress of Secretary of Defense David Brice.

Based on Kenneth Fearing’s classic 1946 novel The Big Clock, No Way Out reworks the original’s corporate mystery into a tense political thriller, conspiracy movie and neo-noir detective story.

Directed by: Roger Donaldson

Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) 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.*

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! 

This week, Cinema Sleuths is joined by Sergio Angelini from Tipping My Fedora to investigate the fascinating 1945 pre-release version of The Big Sleep.

Directed by: Howard Hawks

Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) 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.*