Mike White engages in a captivating conversation with director Joshua Bailey about his feature documentary debut, Stolen Kingdom (2025). The film delves into three decades of mischief, scandal, and theft at Walt Disney World, culminating in the heist of an animatronic valued at nearly half a million dollars. Bailey's documentary offers an unprecedented look into the park's underground community, featuring firsthand accounts from key figures and exploring the subculture of renegade explorers and collectors.

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Co-hosts Ryan Luis Rodriguez and John Walker join Mike to discuss the 1994 comedy Dumb and Dumber's blend of comedy and caper, its place in '90s comedy, and its surprising longevity. We discuss how the film launched the Farrelly Brothers into mainstream success and cemented Jim Carrey's status as a box office powerhouse.

Screenwriter Bennett Yellin joins the conversation to talk about the film’s development, working with the Farrellys, and crafting the dynamic between Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne.

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Mike White engages in a captivating conversation with director Jeremy Workman and artist Michael Townsend about the 2024 documentary Secret Mall Apartment. The film chronicles the audacious endeavor of eight Rhode Island artists who, from 2003 to 2007, covertly built and inhabited a 750-square-foot apartment within the Providence Place Mall. This hidden residence, complete with furnishings and utilities, served as both a living space and a commentary on urban development and gentrification.

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The Projection Booth’s Patreon Picks series charges ahead with Blood and Diamonds (1977), a gritty crime saga from Fernando Di Leo. Claudio Cassinelli stars as Guido Mauri, a man fresh out of prison and ready to settle old scores in a world where loyalty is a fleeting illusion. As Guido cuts a ruthless path through former allies, betrayal and bloodshed go hand in hand.

Host Mike White is joined by crime fiction aficionado Jedidiah Ayres and podcast favorite Ryan Luis Rodriguez to dissect this pulpy revenge tale, discussing Di Leo’s signature style, the film’s place in the Eurocrime pantheon, and why Blood and Diamonds deserves a closer look.

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Passions swirl and reality bends in Love Circle (1969), the intoxicating tale of desire, deception, and dangerous games from writer/director Giuseppe Patroni Griffi. Also known as Metti, Una Sera a Cena (Suppose One Night at Dinner), this stylish drama follows a celebrated writer, Michele (Jean-Louis Trintignant), who concocts intricate fantasies about his wife Nina (Florinda Bolkan) and his best friend Max (Tony Musante). But what if his imaginings aren’t so imaginary?

Mike White, Spencer Parsons, and David A. Heath dissect this sultry, surreal web of passion, joined by Andrei Idu, who requested the film as part of our month of Patreon picks. With a screenplay co-written by Dario Argento and an unforgettable score by Ennio Morricone, Love Circle is a hypnotic blend of psychosexual intrigue and high-art aesthetics.





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Mike welcomes Eric Hynes and Edo Choi, curators of First Look 2025 at the Museum of the Moving Image, running running March 12-16 in Astoria, New York. Now in its 14th year, the festival remains a vital showcase for bold, boundary-pushing cinema from around the world.

This year’s lineup includes 38 films—20 features and numerous shorts—spanning 21 countries, with three world premieres and 24 U.S. or North American premieres. Each evening culminates in a Showcase Screening at MoMI’s Sumner Redstone Theater. The festival opens with the U.S. premiere of Durga Chew-Bose’s Bonjour Tristesse, a contemporary take on the classic novel, and closes with Giovanni Tortorici’s Diciannove, an intimate portrait of a young man’s journey across Italy.

Mike, Eric, and Edo dive into the festival’s mission of discovery, its rigorous selection process, and the importance of in-person filmmaker appearances. They also highlight First Look’s unique inclusion of work-in-progress screenings and discussions, offering a behind-the-scenes look at emerging cinematic voices. Whether you’re attending or just love adventurous filmmaking, this episode provides an insightful preview of what makes First Look a can’t-miss event for cinephiles.





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Mike talks with journalist and author Andrew Buss to discuss his new book, I Am McLovin: How Superbad Became the Biggest Comedy Hit of Its Generation. Released in February 2025, Buss's book offers a comprehensive oral history of the 2007 film Superbad, exploring its creation, cultural impact, and enduring legacy. ​

In their conversation, Mike and Andrew explore the film's production process, its reception upon release, and its lasting influence on the comedy genre. They also discuss the personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories that Buss uncovered during his research, providing listeners with an intimate look at the making of this iconic film.

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Mike kicks off a fresh month of Patreon picks alongside Cullen Gallagher and Rob St. Mary to unpack the satirical brilliance of Tomás Gutiérrez Alea's 1966 gem, Death of a Bureaucrat. When a revered Cuban sculptor invents a revolutionary bust-making machine only to meet his untimely demise at its mechanical hands, bureaucratic absurdity kicks into high gear. Buried proudly with his labor card, the sculptor inadvertently sparks a Kafkaesque quest as his widow and nephew wrestle hilariously with red tape, relentless officials, and ridiculous obstacles—all in pursuit of the one document standing between them and survival. Special thanks to Patreon supporter John Redford for this sharp, comedic dive into the madness of bureaucracy.

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Mike White engages in a conversation with filmmaker Elijah Sullivan about his 2024 documentary, The Hole Story. The film investigates the mysterious appearance of a 60-foot man-made hole on California's Mount Shasta in 2009, which sparked over a decade of speculation and intrigue.

Elijah explores the challenges of documenting such an enigmatic subject, the process of gathering diverse perspectives, and the broader implications of the public's captivation with mysteries. They also discuss Sullivan's approach to storytelling and his experiences filming on location at Mount Shasta. 

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The shield is back in action! Mike is joined by Chris Stachiw of The Kulturecast to take on Captain America: Brave New World (2025), the latest chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Anthony Mackie stepping into the role of Captain America, the film explores Sam Wilson’s challenges as he navigates political intrigue, old enemies, and new threats—including the return of Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns, now fully embracing his role as The Leader.

Directed by Julius Onah, this entry also introduces Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross and teases the rise of the Serpent Society. But does Brave New World deliver a worthy continuation of the Captain America legacy, or is it another symptom of the MCU’s growing pains? Mike and Chris dissect the film’s storytelling, action sequences, and its place within the ever-expanding Marvel mythology.

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