Not Now in Theaters: A Retro and Cult Film Podcast

Why Did Critics Hate on The Hitcher and Yet Fans Love It 40 Years Later?

Moma told The Hitcher's main character Jim Halsey never to pick up a hitchhiker, and when he picks one up, he immediately learns why. His mysterious passenger, John Ryder, goes on to stalk him across the West Texas Desert, leaving a trail of destruction and death.

Inspired by The Doors' song "Riders on the Storm," The Hitcher infamously got zero stars from Roger Ebert and no love from his buddy Gene Siskel.

But wouldn't you know it? This horror thriller found fans on home media and cable. And it's a fanbase that continues to this day.

Join me for a discussion of Rutger Hauer's all-time villain performance, why the murky details of the plot are an asset, and the film's lasting legacy.

Directed by Robert Harmon. Written by Eric Red. Starring Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Jennifer Jason Leigh

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How Did Thief Craft Such Realistic Heist Scenes?

Thief is a neo-noir heist action thriller film that, yes, fits into all those categories neatly.

The film directorial debut of Michael Mann (Collateral), the movie didn't make a whole lot of money but has some fans in high places. It's landed in the Criterion collection, and still holds an impressive critical and audience score on review sites like Rotten Tomatoes.

Thief established Mann's ability to create atmospheric nighttime danger, and it has one tantalizing score from the legendary Tangerine Dream.

Join me for this discussion of the film's impressive performances, its amazing dedication to realistic safecracking, and where I come down on the tense ending that divides some viewers' opinions.

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

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Is Walter Hill's The Driver the source of inspiration for getaway driver movies and games to come?

Drive, Baby Driver, or most things with a getaway wheelman -- those films and TV shows likely owe something of their makeup to Walter Hill's The Driver 1978.

A sleek, minimalist, neo-noir crime thriller, The Driver never reveals his name and may, in fact, say fewer lines of dialogue than Mad Max (I haven't counted).

Still, this all-business operator is perhaps the best in the business behind the wheel.

While this movie did little at the box office and isn't all that well remembered, it has some famous director fans. And it may be more influential than most of us realize, when you consider the movies, television, and video games that all came after it.

Join me as I discuss the movie's dangerous and thrilling car chases, whether or not the minimalist style works, and the film's lasting legacy.

Directed by Walter Hill. Starring Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Adjani, and Ronee Blakley.

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Does Atomic Blonde Have the Recipe to Mix Incredible Action with an Intriguing Spy Thriller?

"Jane Wick" to some, Atomic Blonde is the vision of John Wick co-creator David Leitch.

It's a Cold War tale of spy vs. spy vs. spy vs. more in the days leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Released in 2017, the film made a reported $100 million in the worldwide box office, outpacing its $30 million budget (and whatever was spent on marketing).

I missed the film on release and have always been eager to check it out, as Reddit threads still pop up to discuss the movie's frantic, all-out fight choreography.

Join me for this episode as I gush over its action scenes, the star power of Charlize Theron, and whether or not that's enough to overcome problematic storytelling.

Directed by David Leitch. Starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Til Schweiger, Eddie Marsan, Sofia Boutella, and Toby Jones.

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How did Showdown in Little Tokyo get shoved from theaters but find fans on the shelves of video stores?

Well now, where was this gem of a movie back in my video store days?

With a limited theatrical release and negative reviews, Showdown in Little Tokyo got shuttered to the back of the movie dumpster bin (or that's my theory, at least).

But given time, word of mouth, and now, of course, the internet, this buddy cop actioner has caught on as a minor cult film.

Released in 1991, it marked the American film debut of Brandon Lee (The Crow).

The story of a white cop who grew up in Japan and acts Japanese and a half-Japanese cop who grew up in The Valley and acts white, yeah, it's an odd mix that is worth diving into.

Join me for this discussion of stapled-together Japanese stereotypes, overplayed villain music stings, and one of the oddest lines you may ever hear.

Directed by Mark L. Lester. Starring Dolph Lundgren, Brandon Lee, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, and Tia Carrere.

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Why is Knightriders called George A. Romero's Most Personal Film?

George A. Romero is forever known as the "godfather of the zombie movie," but Knightriders is a complete departure from his horror films.

A personal film that serves as an allegory for Romero's troubles with the film industry, Knightriders tells the story of a band of outsiders who joust by motorbike, performing for crowds.

But the cracks in their leader, King Billy's, utopian dream are widening.

With the group splintering, can Billy keep them together?

Join me for this discussion of an odd duck of a movie. You'll hear about how it was quite progressive for its time, uncompromising in its vision, and delightfully dips into the Arthurian legend for one hell of an ending.

Directed by George A. Romero. Starring Ed Harris, Gary Lahti, Tom Savini, Amy Ingersoll, Patricia Tallman, Christine Forrest, Warner Shook, and Brother Blue.

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Did Babe: Pig in the City go too far, or did audiences miss the message?

A kid's movie for parents who think chainsaws are a toy -- ok, not quite -- Babe: Pig in the City confused audiences.

After the feel-good vibes of the original, kids and parents were ready for a sequel.

But what they got was shocking.

Profoundly darker than the original feel-good 7-time Oscar Nominee, Babe: Pig in the City didn't make back its budget, hitting close to $70 million of that $90 million spent to make it.

But with time, it has slowly found a new fanbase: those that can appreciate its ridiculous artistry.

Directed by George Miller (Mad Max), Babe: Pig in the City is flat-out gorgeous in its use of color. Its shot compositions will floor you at times, and its grown-up themes can resonate.

But did it go too far?

This podcast explores the darkness of the film, its comedy shortcomings, and setting triumphs.

Directed by George Miller. Starring: Magda Szubanski, James Cromwell, Mickey Rooney, E.G. Daily, Mary Stein

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What Makes The Hobbit 1977 a Gateway Film for Fantasy?

The greatest adventure -- or so the song in the movie claims.

This animated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit was directed by the famous duo of Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr.

Released as a TV movie, it was broadcast by NBC in 1977, dividing critics but winning over some within the fanbase.

While you would think this adaptation would vanish in time or be overshadowed by the Peter Jackson live action versions of the 2010s, I'll argue with you there's still a place for it in introducing our youngest audiences to the fantasy genre and works of Tolkien (along with some appreciation from adults).

Join me for this discussion of a savage Gollum that wants to eat Bilbo rather than play tricks, a cat-like dragon Smaug, and a curious but lamentable absence of violence.

Based on The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr., and Jules Bass. Starring Orson Bean, Richard Boone, Hans Conried, John Huston, Otto Preminger, Cyril Ritchard, Brother Theodore, Glenn Yarbrough, Paul Frees, Don Messick, John Stephenson, and Jack DeLeon.

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Why do audiences rave about the overlooked gem Southern Comfort?

Walter Hill directed two cult classics with The Warriors and Streets of Fire, but some argue Southern Comfort is his underseen best and belongs in the same category.

An action thriller (that seems like horror), the 1981 movie evaporated from theaters worldwide, yet has found some small corners of appreciation over time.

It's the story of a small group of national guardsmen who get lost in the swamp and find themselves hunted by local Cajuns. Some audience's "spiritual cousin" to Predator, it was originally titled "The Prey."

Join me for this discussion of a movie with constant tension, masterful writing, and atmospheric hysteria.

Directed by Walter Hill. Screenplay by Walter Hill, David Giler, and Michael Kane. Starring Keith Carradine, Powers Boothe, Fred Ward, T.K. Carter, and Franklyn Seales.

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Why do horror fans still love The Blob 1988?

A standout work of 1980s body horror, The Blob 1988 updated the campy 1958 classic with a twist of the hard stuff.

Not winning too many fans at release, almost like its titular character, The Blob's fanbase has grown with time, with many now considering it one of the strongest practical effects movies just before the dawn of CGI.

Directed by Chuck Russell and written by Russell and his pal, some writer/director named Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile), the film gives more than just slasher-movie thrills. It actually invests in its characters and offers a glimpse at a terrifying prospect of conspiracy.

Join me for this discussion of terrifying blob effects, the film's gift for subverting expectations, and dodgy hair extensions.

Directed by Chuck Russell. Screenplay by Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont. Starring Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith, Donovan Leitch, Jeffrey DeMunn, Candy Clark, and Joe Seneca.

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And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com