Not Now in Theaters: A Retro and Cult Film Podcast

How Does Living in Oblivion Take All the Glamour Out of Filmmaking? 

Writer/director Tom DiCillo's Living in Oblivion is an independent 1990s cult classic comedy about the perils of making films.

Starting off as a tipsy rant by DiCillo, then written into a script, then to a short made by DiCillo and his actor friends, the jokes kept flowing so well it rolled into a three-part takedown of the industry.

The movie nailed the absurdity and challenges on set so well that rumor has it the movie is shown in film schools as a warning of frustrations to come.

But don't worry: this isn't some annoying meta piece you won't understand unless you're in the industry, and it's not filled with high-brow jokes that only stuck-up assholes will chuckle at. It's accessible and relatable, whether you make movies or not.

So listen in to learn about Peter Dinklage's film debut, why recording room tone is the weirdest 30 seconds of your life, and the film's lasting legacy.

Written and Directed by Tom DiCillo. Starring Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, Danielle von Zerneck, and James LeGros.

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Does Dog Soldiers Have the Most Kickass Werewolf Costumes in Film History?

Neil Marshall's Dog Soldiers (2002) is an action/horror movie that really gets the slash part of the equation correct. 

Well balanced between the two genres, this lower-budget British film is about a squad of soldiers squaring off against a pack of bloodthirsty werewolves.

It ditches the melodrama of many werewolf films, focusing on intense firefights and close-quarters battles instead of the curse of existing only to transform and kill every full moon.

A cult classic in many circles, the movie was never given a widespread theatrical release in the United States but is still well-remembered internationally.

Tune in to discuss whether or not these are among the best werewolf costumes of all time, why this film keeps it simple and succeeds, and to learn more about the production and lasting legacy of the film.

Written and Directed by Neil Marshall. Starring Sean Pertwee, Liam Cunningham, Kevin McKidd, and Emma Cleasby.

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What Makes S. Craig Zahler's Brawl in Cell Block 99 so Raw? 

Writer/Director (and sometimes comic book maker) S. Craig Zahler's Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a neo-noir prison action thriller film.

If that sounds like trying to stuff way too many genres into one movie, fear not: it's violent and compelling, plain and simple.

With his churning style, Zahler makes a slow-roasted film that occasionally explodes into fits of violence you can't unsee.

But with standout performances from Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, and more, the film pulls you into its characters' plight and forces you to see it through. It's as much about a harrowing journey as it is any chaotic spectacle.

Join me for this episode to learn about "Zahler Pacing," Vince Vaughn's incredible dramatic and action chops, and the menace of Don Johnson.

Written and directed by S. Craig Zahler. Starring Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, Marc Blucas, Mustafa Shakir, Dion Mucciacito, Geno Segers, Thomas Guiry, Udo Kier, and Don Johnson.

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What makes John Woo's The Killer a Hong Kong action classic?

One of John Woo's action masterpieces, The Killer is a standout work of classic Hong Kong cinema.

A film that sent ripples through Hollywood, it grabbed international attention for Woo and star Chow Yun-fat, forever changing the action genre.

Mixing melodramatic neo-noir with fluid action set pieces, the film further explores Woo's themes of "heroic bloodshed," raising questions about honor and friendship.

And it fires a lot of bullets and blows many things up, of course, because it's a John Woo movie.

Travel back with me to the late 1980s, where we explore the thrilling and gripping aspects of this movie. We'll talk about straight male-on-male fascination, the exhilaration action sequences, and the film's lasting legacy. 

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Is Year of the Dragon a controversial mess or an overlooked masterpiece?

An action thriller, Year of the Dragon is, at times, shocking and still controversial.

After the failure of the epic western Heaven's Gate, which nearly ruined Academy Award-winning director Michael Cimino's (The Deer Hunter) career, Year of the Dragon was set to be his comeback. But it wasn't really to be.

Starring Mickey Rourke and John Lone, the movie has a script from Cimino and Oliver Stone (Scarface). 

A newly assigned Chinatown Police Captain goes up against a young, rising Chinese Triad member ready to take power. As their battle continues, the situation becomes increasingly personal between the two.

The film did only okay business at the worldwide box office. Still, over time, it has emerged as a cult favorite among some audiences.

Featuring a complete replica of Manhattan Chinatown, a gripping score, and arresting cinematography, it's not hard to see why.

But the film remains mired in controversy and divides opinion.

Join me for this episode as we delve into the fierce rivalry between the leads, the film's sudden and unexpected explosions into violence, and unpacking the controversial way it handles its characters' treatment of Chinese Americans.

Directed by Michael Cimino. Written by Oliver Stone and Michael Cimino. Starring Mickey Rourke, John Lone, and Ariane.

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What Makes Independent Film The Love Witch  so Unique?

Filmmaker Anna Biller's labor of...comedy/horror, The Love Witch is unlike most any movie you'd see in the 2010s.

Shot on 35mm film, it's an homage to 1960s horror and Technicolor pictures.

This time, the serial killer is no male -- it's a witch named Elaine, out for love. And her kind of love? Well, it kills.

The film's unique style and subversive humor have gained it a cult following. A movie featuring the "female gaze" and exploring gender roles and feminist ideas, it has serious critical and fan appreciation.

Actor Samantha Robinson's performance in the lead role was named one of the best performances of the 21st Century so far by The New Yorker, and it is not to be missed.

But despite all the accolades, was this film fan put under the spell? Well, listen to find out. I'll discuss the movie's amazing retro look and costume design, Samantha Robinson's tempting performance, and the film's lasting legacy.

Written and directed by Anna Biller. Starring Samantha Robinson, Gian Keys, Laura Waddell, Jeffrey Vincent Parise, Jared Sanford, Robert Seeley, and Jennifer Ingrum.

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Why was The Castle of Cagliostro an influence on Pixar and the Disney Animation Renaissance?

The Castle of Cagliostro combines the whimsical style of master animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) with the adventurous flair of an Indiana-Jones-style serial.

Gentleman thief Arsene Lupin III and his sidekick, Jigen, journey to the tiny country of Cagliostro, where they fight to save young Princess Clarisse from Count Cagliostro and his men.

Tricky gadgets, trap doors, clock towers, tricked-out Fiat 500s, and rooftop acrobatics await in this entertaining, romantic, and charming adventure.

This review breaks down the film's extreme charm factor, how it executes enjoyable scenes, and the film's lasting impact and legacy across the animation landscape.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Written by Hayao Miyazaki and Haruya Yamazaki. Starring Yasuo Yamada, Eiko Masuyama, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Makio Inoue, Góro Naya, Sumi Shimamoto, and Tarō Ishida.

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What makes To Live and Die in L.A. one of the best films of the 1980s?

Like The French Connection's stylish cousin, To Live and Die in L.A. blurs who's a cop and a criminal.

An action thriller Neo-noir, the movie boasts an all-time thrilling car chase and features the grind, scheming, and sex appeal of 1980s Los Angeles.

Director William Friedkin considered it one of his top works, and I and many others toss it in the mix for the very best movies of the 1980s.

In this episode, I discuss what this film glues together: a bit of Robby Müller and crew's cinematography; Wang Chung's synth soundtrack; gritty performances from actors like Willem Dafoe and William Peterson; and, of course, that unforgettable ending.

I also share some fun facts about the making of the movie and discuss its lasting legacy.

Directed by William Friedkin. Starring William L. Petersen, Willem Dafoe, John Pankow, Debra Feuer, John Turturro, Darlanne Fluegel, and Dean Stockwell.

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Is Leviathan an Alien rip-off or a solid horror movie of its own kind?

Leviathan is a science-fiction horror that's part of the 1980s underwater movie craze. 

The film didn't fare so well at the box office, and on the surface, it's a head-scratcher as to why.

There are famous names behind the film -- like special effects master Stan Winston, artist Ron Cobb, and composer Jerry Goldsmith, for a start. RoboCop himself, Peter Weller, leads a fun cast.

The movie hasn't received a glowing critical re-appraisal. Still, there are quiet corners of the internet and plenty of YouTube comments in clip uploads that sing its sea-song praises.

So is Leviathan good? Well, I'm winking which way that goes, but you can't see that. So you have to listen to find out.

This episode will explore the Lovecraftian creature design, how the film's ending realized it forgot to imitate Jaws and so it did, and a character named Six-Pack, a pervert stuck at the bottom of the ocean.

Directed by George P. Cosmatos. Written by David Peoples and Jeb Stuart. Starring Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Amanda Pays, Daniel Stern, Ernie Hudson, Michael Carmine, Lisa Eilbacher, and Hector Elizondo.

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How could The Raid 2 succeed as a sequel to one of the best action films of all time?

The Raid  was a low-budget martial arts/action film from Indonesia that rocked the genre and gained worldwide attention.

But instead of playing it safe and replaying the original's formula, The Raid 2 goes for it all.

The first movie spans a few hours. But the sequel? It's a two-and-a-half-hour epic undercover cop crime saga that unfolds over two years.

And not to worry. Writer/director Gareth Evans expanded the scope of the action as much as the story. 

Stars and choreographers Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian return, along with the explosive Cecep Arif Rahman, as The Assassin, and more.

But can The Raid 2 deliver a plot along with the explosive action?

Listen to this episode as I explore an unbelievable chase scene, whether or not retrofitting this sequel into an existing screenplay works, and the mesmerizing final showdown.

Written and Directed by Gareth Evans. Starring Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad, Julie Estelle, Ryuhei Matsuda, Kenichi Endō, Kazuki Kitamura.

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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