REEL ONE

The Mind-Blowing Secrets of David Cronenberg's Scanners 🤯 | REEL ONE

The head explosion heard 'round the world! 💥

In this episode of REEL ONE, filmmaker and film scholar Kyle Kleege (DEB & SETH SAVE THE WORLD, EARWORM) sits down with legendary cinematographer Mark Irwin to pull back the curtain on the chaotic, brilliant, and "rough and tumble" world of early David Cronenberg cinema. From the DIY special effects of Scanners to the liquid lunches of Hollywood icons, Irwin shares the stories that defined a generation of body horror.

    The Shotgun Shell Secret: The truth behind the iconic exploding head in Scanners—and why they had to ditch the explosives for a double-barreled shotgun.

    Working with Cronenberg: Mark breaks down David’s organic filmmaking process and his secret disdain for "market movies" like A History of Violence.

    The Legend of Patrick McGoohan: Dealing with the "real Irishman's" liquid lunch and how the crew had to literally hold his head up to finish shots.

    Low Budget, High Stakes: How a "miracle" of Canadian tax-shelter funding led to some of the most influential films in horror history.

    From Drag Racing to The Fly: Mark’s journey from Fast Company to Hollywood blockbusters like Dumb and Dumber and Scream.

Timestamps:

00:00 – The Scanners Exploding Head: Shotguns vs. Squibs

Mark Irwin is the world-renowned cinematographer behind cult classics and blockbusters alike, including The Fly, Videodrome, The Dead Zone, Scream, and There’s Something About Mary, Freddy Got Fingered, The Blob and many more.

Recorded at Open Stage Media Studios, REEL ONE is your front-row seat to the masters of cinema.

hosted by: Kyle Kleege

Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL to never miss an episode 

#DavidCronenberg #Scanners #Cinematography #HorrorMovies #MarkIrwin #BehindTheScenes #Filmmaking #BodyHorror #REELONE #OpenStageMedia

REEL ONE: The Man Behind Godzilla | Ishiro Honda Documentary Special

Ishiro Honda is a name known to every kaiju fan, but who was the man behind the mask?. Join us on this episode of REEL ONE as we sit down with filmmaker Jonathan Belles to discuss his new documentary, ISHIRO HONDA MEMOIRS OF A FILM DIRECTOR, exploring the untold history of the legendary director who gave the world Godzilla.

From his traumatic experiences in World War II to his work with Akira Kurosawa, discover how Honda's life shaped the soul of Japanese cinema. We dive into rare archives, the first-ever scripts of Rashomon, and the personal legacy of a man who revolutionized special effects forever.

REEL ONE was created and directed/edited by Zeb Schmidt and co-produced by Paul Kazee

    00:00 - Finding the lost scripts of Rashomon (1950)

    01:19 - Researching Kaiju in Japan: From thesis to film

    03:05 - Collaborating with the Honda family & granddaughter Fuji Honda

    04:27 - Ishiro Honda: The man in the shadows of the master

    07:50 - Beyond Kaiju: Showcasing Honda's full career & missing films

    10:11 - Inside the private props archives: Godzilla battle scenes

    13:00 - Why Honda was the only choice for the 1954 original

    15:04 - The Hiroshima connection: Trauma reflected in the monster

    19:35 - Recurring themes: Traditional Japan vs. the Modern atomic threat

    24:00 - Why Godzilla still resonates today

    31:23 - The best Honda film? (Godzilla vs. Mothra & The Human Vapor)

🎥 Mentioned in This Video:

    Movies: Godzilla (1954), Mothra, Ultraman, Rashomon, The Blue Pearl, The Human Vapor.

    People: Ishiro Honda, Jonathan Belles, Akira Kurosawa, Fuji Honda, Steve Ryfle.

    Themes: Kaiju cinema, special effects, tokusatsu, Japanese film history, atomic bomb metaphors.

Can you dig it? This week, REEL ONE Podcast ventures into the gritty, neon-lit streets of 1970s New York City to explore the 1979 cult classic, The Warriors.

We are joined by very special guests Michael Gingold and Chris Poggali, the authors of the incredible new book, "Armies of the Night", for an in-depth, behind-the-scenes analysis of one of the most controversial and iconic action films ever made.

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro: The Siskel & Ebert Controversy 00:00:16 - Introducing Guests Michael Gingold & Chris Poggiali (Authors, Armies of the Night) 00:04:25 - The Career of Director Walter Hill (Sam Peckinpah, The Driver) 00:07:29 - The "Comic Book" Stylistic Shift 00:12:26 - Analysis: Director's Cut vs. Theatrical Cut 00:15:45 - The Casting Process (James Remar's Audition) 00:20:23 - The Dangers of Shooting The Warriors on Location 00:26:41 - The Story Behind "Warriors, come out to play" Improv 00:32:32 - The Cinematography of Andrew Laszlo ("Wet Pavement" Look) 00:36:32 - The Film's Release and Public Controversy 00:42:15 - How The Warriors Was Reappraised as a Cult Classic 00:46:55 - Scene Breakdown: The Prom Couple on the Train 00:50:16 - About the Book: Armies of the Night 01:05:36 - Was it a Mistake to Write Ajax Out Early? 01:09:04 - The Film's Connection to Greek Mythology 01:09:58 - Final Thanks & Wrap-up

The Warriors, The Warriors 1979, Walter Hill, Armies of the Night, Michael Gingold, Chris Paja, Movie Podcast, Film Podcast, REEL ONE Podcast, Cult Classic, 1970s movies, The Warriors analysis, The Warriors review, The Warriors deep dive, The Warriors interview, behind the scenes, film analysis, David Patrick Kelly, James Remar, Warriors come out to play, Siskel and Ebert, film controversy, The Warriors documentary, NYC movies, gang movies, action movies, The Wanderers, The Warriors Director's Cut

In this episode of REEL ONE, we dive deep into the legacy of the legendary filmmaker and stop-motion pioneer Ray Harryhausen , celebrating his final feature film, Clash of the Titans.

direction and edit by Zebulon Schmidt

Join us as we explore the painstaking, meticulous process behind Harryhausen's "Dynamation" technique. Discover the secrets that brought mythological icons like Medusa , the Kraken , and the iconic skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts to the big screen.

Our guests discuss:

How Harryhausen worked for months alone, walking miles a day to animate a single sequence.

The specific challenges of Clash of the Titans, from animating Pegasus's flight to the unforgettable Medusa sequence.

Why Clash of the Titans—his most successful film —was also his last.

The "snowball" effect of his legacy, which inspired filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and Guillermo del Toro.

From his earliest teenage models to the preservation of his latex creations today , this is the definitive conversation on the man who single-handedly built worlds and inspired generations.

Chapter Markers (Timestamps)

00:00 - Intro: The Legacy of Ray Harryhausen 00:16 - Today's Topic: Clash of the Titans 00:44 - Meet Emily Wolverton: The mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures 02:19 - Meet Connor Haney: The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation 04:11 - Building the Exhibition: A Multi-Year Project 05:23 - Harryhausen's "Teething Rings": The Early Fairy Tales 06:09 - Curating 130 Items from Tens of Thousands 07:00 - From a Teenage King Kong Tribute to Iconic Skeletons 08:48 - The Scale of the Models: 6 Inches to 4 Feet 10:03 - The "Dynamation" Technique: A One-Man Industry 12:53 - The Meticulous, Exhausting Process of Stop-Motion 14:15 - "Grown Men Getting Misty-Eyed": The Exhibit's Impact 16:03 - Emily's Favorite Model: Medusa, The Feminist Icon 17:02 - From Concept Art to Final Model 18:15 - Dedication to Excellence: Why 3 Skeletons When You Can Have 7? 20:03 - The Making of Clash of the Titans (1981) 21:16 - Competing in the Age of Star Wars 22:36 - Needing Help: Hiring Animators for Clash 24:10 - Harryhausen's Role: The Man in Charge on Set 26:02 - SFX Challenges: The Medusa Sequence & Pegasus's Gallop 29:35 - The Lost Movies: Why Did Ray Harryhausen Retire? 32:31 - The Future of Stop-Motion Animation 34:21 - STEM, Language Arts, and Harryhausen's Educational Impact 36:47 - The "Snowball" Effect: Inspiring Spielberg, Lucas & del Toro 41:05 - Why Did Ray Keep Everything? 44:17 - Preserving the Collection: The Fight Against Latex Decay 45:02 - Connor's Favorite Model: The Seventh Voyage Skeleton 46:52 - How to See the Exhibit in Tucson

Tags

Ray Harryhausen, Clash of the Titans, REEL ONE Podcast, Stop Motion Animation, Special Effects, Jason and the Argonauts, Medusa, Kraken, Skeletons, Dynamation, Film History, Movie Podcast, The mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation, Practical Effects, SFX, Movie Miniatures, Emily Wolverton, Connor Haney, George Lucas, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro, Steven Spielberg, Film Legends, Bubo, Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, Movie Making

The Untold Story of POSSESSION (1981) with Co-Writer Frederic Tuten | REEL ONE Podcast

hosted by Kyle Avary 

Step behind the scenes of one of the most intense and unforgettable cult films ever made. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with the legendary novelist, painter, and screenwriter Frederic Tuten to uncover the shocking, surreal, and deeply personal story behind Andrzej Żuławski's 1981 masterpiece, Possession.

Frederic shares intimate details about his profound creative partnership and friendship with Żuławski , from their first rainy meeting in a dilapidated New York hotel to writing the script in the idyllic hills of Saint-Tropez. Discover the secrets of the script's development, including the stunning revelation that Tuten never imagined the infamous "monster" as a physical creature and was shocked to see it arrive at the airport in a box.

Learn how a chilling trip into East Berlin fundamentally shaped the film's Cold War themes, infusing the narrative with a sense of dread and paranoia that mirrored the divided city itself. Frederic also discusses the film's controversial premiere, the starkly divided critical reception , and the incredible story of how Possession found a passionate new audience decades later, cementing its status as a cult classic.

Join us for a deep dive into the monstrosity of relationships, the courage it takes to create uncompromising art, and what continues to inspire a legendary artist at 88 years old.

Subscribe to REEL ONE for more deep dives into the world of cinema!

A comprehensive deep dive into the film that ignited a genre!

Shaft (1971) wasn't just a movie; it was a cultural phenomenon that redefined Black masculinity on screen and launched the Blaxploitation era. But did you know its star, Richard Roundtree, was paid only $7,000 for the iconic role?

In this episode of REEL ONE, host Jenelle Troxell sits down with acclaimed film historian and author Josiah Howard (Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide) to uncover the incredible story behind Shaft. They explore how the success of a low-budget comedy,Cotton Comes to Harlem, opened Hollywood's eyes to the power of Black audiences and paved the way for a cinematic revolution.

Join them for a compelling discussion on:

Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the film, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how Shaft became more than a movie—it became a landmark in film history.

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Josiah Howard is a film historian and the author of several books, including

"Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide" purchase here:https://a.co/d/7ZIU2gj

If you enjoyed this deep dive into film history, don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of REEL ONE!

What's your favorite scene from Shaft? Let us know in the COMMENTS below!

CREDITS: Recorded at Open Stage Media Studios

Listen to film Historian, author and Criterion contributor Samm Deighan dissect the classic Raoul Walsh film HIGH SIERRA. The in-depth discussion goes from Bogart to ..Ken Russell?, Hays Code,  Film Noir and Cagney.  She offers answers to the questions: What makes this film so mysterious? Why is Bogart so magnetic on screen? Is this really Film Noir?

    Humphrey Bogart's Breakout Role: How Bogart, with the help of his friend and screenwriter John Huston, landed the role originally meant for another actor and how it became a major turning point in his career.

Themes of Fatalism & The American Dream: We analyze the predetermined path of Bogart's character, Roy Earle, an ex-convict trying to go straight by pulling off one last heist. Does society ever really make room for someone like him to reform? 

The Women of High Sierra: A close look at the two women in Roy's life, the loyal Marie (Ida Lupino) and the wholesome Velma, and what they reveal about his desires and fantasies of domestic life.

Beyond the City Streets: What sets High Sierra apart from other film noirs? We explore the symbolic use of the vast mountain landscape as a character retreats from the constricting social mores of the city, seeking a freedom he can never truly have.

The Hays Code's Influence: Learn how the Hays Code demanded that any character who commits a crime on screen must be punished for it, shaping the film's fatalistic conclusion.

If you're a fan of Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, Raoul Walsh, or classic film noir, you won't want to miss this discussion. We also touch on other essential films like The Maltese Falcon, White Heat, In a Lonely Place, and They Drive by Night.

What do you think? Is High Sierra the film that best defines Humphrey Bogart's career? Let us know in the comments below!

Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL icon to get notified about our latest episodes on cinema history.

#HighSierra #HumphreyBogart #IdaLupino #FilmNoir #ClassicFilm #RaoulWalsh #JohnHuston #CrimeDrama #GangsterMovies #CinemaHistory

Time Stamps:

Samm is the author of some incredible books including:

Revolution in 35mm: Political Violence and Resistance in Cinema from the Arthouse to the Grindhouse, 1960–1990 (PM Press, 2024), co-edited with Andrew Nette

REEL ONE Podcast: Grady Hendrix on the Magic of Taiwanese Wuxia & Martial Arts Cinema video and edit by Zeb Schmidt produced by Paul Kazee A deep dive of Taiwanese wuxia films with New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of the New York Asian Film Festival, Grady Hendrix! In this can't-miss episode of the REEL ONE Podcast, Chris Poggiali talks with author Grady Hendrix to explore the rich and influential history of Taiwanese martial arts cinema. Hendrix, a co-founder of Subway Cinema , shares the fascinating story of how a group of film enthusiasts in New York started a movement to bring Asian genre films—from romances and comedies to action-packed martial arts movies—to a wider audience. This passion project evolved into the renowned New York Asian Film Festival, which has hosted legends like Jackie Chan and John Woo. This episode focuses on a special retrospective of Taiwanese wuxia films, many of which have been beautifully restored in 4K and feature new, improved subtitles. Episode highlights include: What is Wuxia? Grady Hendrix breaks down the wuxia genre, comparing it to the American Western. Discover the mythological world of the "Jianghu" (rivers and lakes) , a space of abandoned temples, bamboo forests, and unparalleled martial arts masters. The Master: King Hu: Learn about the legendary director King Hu, the "John Ford" of wuxia films. Hendrix discusses how King Hu elevated the genre to an art form , incorporating elements of Peking Opera , innovative cinematography, and profound philosophical themes. Iconic Films Explored: We take a close look at masterpieces like Dragon Inn and the epic A Touch of Zen. Discover the incredible behind-the-scenes stories, from months-long actor training to the year-long wait for a single shot to be perfect. The Evolution of Action: The conversation traces the development of martial arts choreography, from the foundational work of action directors like Han Ying-Chieh to the dynamic, intricate style of Sammo Hung. Learn how the on-screen fighting evolved from graceful swordplay to hard-hitting, empty-hand combat. Top Film Recommendations: Grady Hendrix and our host give their top three must-see films from the series, including The Valiant Ones, A City Called Dragon, and the modern classic Reign of Assassins. Whether you're a lifelong martial arts movie fan or new to the genre, this conversation with Grady Hendrix offers a captivating look into a vital and thrilling part of film history. About our guest: Grady Hendrix is the New York Times bestselling author of novels such as "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires" and "My Best Friend's Exorcism." He is a co-founder of the New York Asian Film Festival and Subway Cinema. He also co-authored with Chris Poggiali (the podcast host) "These Fists Break Bricks: How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World." Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more content on the art of cinema! Keywords: Grady Hendrix, REEL ONE Podcast, Taiwanese Cinema, Wuxia, Martial Arts Movies, Kung Fu, King Hu, A Touch of Zen, Dragon Inn, New York Asian Film Festival, NYAFF, Subway Cinema, Asian Film, Film History, Movie Podcast, Cinema, Film Analysis, Sammo Hung, Shaw Brothers, Golden Harvest, Action Choreography, Foreign Film, Chinese Cinema, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Michelle Yeoh.

In the latest episode of the Reel One Podcast, join us for an in-depth discussion on the iconic 1984 cult classic, Repo Man! Justin Rivers talks with guest Peter Hughes, co-founder of the "It Came From Schenectady" film series and producer for WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

The conversation also uncovers the surprising and integral role of Michael Nesmith (The Monkees) as a producer, his "punk attitude" towards the music and film industry, and his pioneering ventures into music videos and VHS distribution. Plus, hear fascinating connections between.

Whether you're a long-time fan of Repo Man, curious about its punk rock roots, or interested in the film's production history and hidden literary influences, this episode is a must-watch!

Keywords: #repo  Man, punk rock film, #alexcox , #emilioestevez  Estevez, #harrydeanstanton  Dean Stanton, #michaelnesmith , It Came From Schenectady, #WAMC, film analysis, movie review, sci-fi comedy, #cultclassic  classic, #1980s  movies, podcast, film history, #douglasadams  Adams, #kurtvonnegut  Vonnegut.

We talk all things RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD with Matthew Blazi. Matt is with the George A. Romero Foundation. He gives us his expert analysis of the Zombie phenomena and how RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD fits in to the Zombie Zeitgeist.

Join us on Reel One as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic horror-comedy film,

Return of the Living Dead! In this episode, we sit down with Matt Blazi from the George Romero Foundation network to dive deep into the film's legacy and its unique place in zombie cinema.

Reel One is shot and edited by Zeb Schmidt and produced by Paul Kazee

Social Media: You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) as @Monrozombi and Instagram as @monrozombi.