The Projection Booth Podcast

We continue Noirvember 2024 with a look at Jean Renoir’s The Woman on the Beach.  Released in 1947, the film tells the tale of veteran Scott Burnett played by Robert Ryan.  He’s plagued with nightmares caused by his PTSD and is assigned to the mounted division of the Coast Guard where he patrols the beach on his horse, meeting the comely Peggy Butler played by Joan Bennett.  She’s married to blind painter Tod Butler played by Charles Bickford.  

Otto Bruno and Robert Bellissimo join Mike to discuss this compromised film and what could have been.

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Mike welcomes filmmaker Eugenio Mira to discuss his 2004 darkly comic thriller The Birthday. Starring Corey Feldman, the film unfolds at an eerie party in a mysterious hotel, revealing a strange world where horror, surrealism, and cult menace meet. Mira dives into the film’s influences, its unique stylistic choices, and how it developed its cult status. This conversation offers an intriguing look into a forgotten gem of early 2000s genre cinema.

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Mike welcomes Bill Burke, former TCM executive and founder of The Optimism Institute, for a deep dive into cinema’s power to inspire and uplift. Drawing from Burke’s mission to champion optimism and celebrate humanity, the discussion explores his views on the role of movies in encouraging positivity and resilience. Burke shares his thoughts on TCM’s influence on film lovers and how the Institute fosters a brighter outlook in challenging times.

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Mike talks with creature and makeup effects artist Steve Newburn to explore his transformative work on Sasquatch Sunset (2024). Known for turning actors like Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough into life-like cryptids, Newburn shares insights into the prosthetic design and the challenges of outdoor filming in rugged settings. Newburn’s craftsmanship, honed over 30 years, takes center stage as he discusses the delicate balance of realism, comfort, and storytelling in creature design.

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Mike sits down with Mark Edlitz to dive into Movies Go Fourth, Edlitz’s latest exploration of film history that focuses on fourth installments in beloved movie franchises. Together, they explore the unique quirks, challenges, and unexpected triumphs of fourth films, from reinventions to revivals. Alongside a conversation about the power of nostalgia and innovation in filmmaking, this episode promises insights for fans of sequels, classics, and the less-charted cinematic territories of beloved series.

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On this special episode, we’re diving into the curious 1953 fantasy The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. Produced by Stanley Kramer, directed by Roy Rowland, and uniquely penned by Dr. Seuss, the film stars Hans Conreid as Dr. Terwilliker, a sinister piano teacher who’s devised the “Terwilliker Method” for the obedient fingers of child pianists. Tommy Rettig plays Bartholomew Collins, an imaginative boy determined to derail Dr. T's grand plans. Join Mike, playwright David MacGregor, and critic John Monaghan as they delve into the film's quirky charms, elaborate set pieces, and iconic status.

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Mike welcomes Samm Deighan and Andrew Nette, co-editors of Revolution in 35mm: Political Violence and Resistance in Cinema from the Arthouse to the Grindhouse, 1960–1990, from PM Press.  The book explores revolutionary cinema across the globe. They discuss the themes and politics of the films covered in the book, highlighting how cinema has been used to challenge authority, incite change, and reflect social struggles. It’s a deep dive into cinema as a tool for revolution, with insights from two of the leading voices in the field of film criticism.

Order your copy from PM Press at https://bit.ly/3Ai6y8x 

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We to kick off Noirvember 2024 with a delve into Pitfall (1948), a classic film noir directed by André De Toth, starring Dick Powell as an insurance man caught in a web of deception and danger. When Powell's character falls for Lizabeth Scott’s femme fatale, his seemingly mundane life spirals into chaos, bringing betrayal, blackmail, and murder.

Ian Brownell and Philip Marinello join Mike to explore the film’s themes of moral ambiguity, post-war disillusionment, and the pitfalls of desire in this rich discussion of this noir gem.

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Set against the sun-drenched landscapes of Baja California, this film explores a cursed tale where the desert heat and shadows of folklore merge into an atmospheric terror. Mike speaks with writer/director Jeff Daniel Phillips about his latest feature film on this special episode.

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In this episode of The Projection Booth, Mike interviews Tim Hautekiet, the director behind Me, Myself & the Void (2024). Hautekiet shares insights into crafting this surreal, introspective journey that follows a stand-up comedian as he confronts himself in a mysterious "void." Exploring themes of self-discovery, friendship, and vulnerability, Mike and Hautekiet discuss the film's influences, the creative process, and its unique balance of comedy and introspection that aims to resonate with audiences on a personal level.

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