Prior to 1982’s FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, few films were brazen enough to depict an honest slice of teenage high school life. But that all changed with the keenly observant & smart pairing of writer Cameron Crowe & director Amy Heckerling. Not only did it usher in a brave new baseline for teen stories, but it also launched countless budding careers. Let’s head back to school & rediscover the film that was edgy for its time… and now feels more progressive 40 years...

If ARACHNOPHOBIA doesn’t leave you feeling itchy, nothing much will! Preying on paranoia & psychological terror, this 1990 “thrillomedy” teetered between being a family-friendly horror/comedy or box office poison. Shake out the bedsheets because this episode is billowing over with spiders coming to take over your town!
///***Discussions include***\\\Where director Frank Marshall was coming from, useful production connections, plus studio intentions & hesitations; inspirations, story...

A movie that rallies behind underdogs has timeless appeal. The genuine camaraderie in MAJOR LEAGUE infuses audiences with the baseball spirit like no other sports comedy. Rooting for these Clevelanders is a no-brainer, so join us on this redemption story filled with heartfelt nuances & plenty of laughs.
///***Discussions include***\\\Writer/Director David S. Ward’s inspiration & career background; grounding the story in reality, authenticity & fandom; lengthy development process,...

No better way to celebrate our 6th Anniversary than with the 1994 summer blockbuster, SPEED. This rollercoaster ride was never expected to have a massive impact, catapult careers or be anything more than a B-movie. Aging well with its precision & unrelenting tension, SPEED’s realism has kept it in the top tier of solid action films of the last 30 years. They truly don’t make ‘em like this anymore.
///***Discussions include***\\\Script evolution, revisions, structure, tonal changes &...

Teaming up a sought-after writer & acclaimed director on a film should mean a box office smash. But the extravagant wildcard that is SHOWGIRLS was ridiculed the moment it hit theaters. However, reevaluation of the film’s heightened reality, intensity & stunning production quality have dispelled many early criticisms. Slap on some glitter, paint your nails & grab your switchblade because it’s time to discover the story behind this kitschy, controversial classic. 
///***Discussions...

Selling an atmospheric, science-fiction film about an extraordinary teenager discovering time travel & saving the world was a lofty pitch for a feature film debut. But writer/director Richard Kelly crafted a mind-bending, unconventional story, packed with powerful visuals & rich subtext, which has now turned it into a modern cult classic. It’s time to unravel the inner-workings of DONNIE DARKO.///***Discussions include***\\\Richard Kelly’s script influences, unwavering ambitiousness...

Independent cinema & Parker Posey were once synonymous together. PARTY GIRL provides a nuanced & legitimate snapshot of mid-‘90s New York, complete with updated screwball comedy vibes, an inspiring dose of youth-to-adulthood transition & charm from beginning to end. Strap in for this love letter to indie film!
///***Discussions include***\\\Story conception, inspirations, writer/director collaboration & refining the script; themes, tonality, authenticity & capturing a...

Richard Linklater’s BEFORE SUNRISE, BEFORE SUNSET & BEFORE MIDNIGHT beautifully articulate how finding a rare connection with another person can affect one’s path in life. Without leaning on nostalgia or typical romantic tropes, THE BEFORE TRILOGY became an unintentional series, and spoke volumes about being in the present moment, being affected by the past & moving to the future. 

///***Discussions include***\\\Brief history of Linklater’s career until BEFORE SUNRISE & between...

On its 50th Anniversary, THE EXORCIST can still boast being as effective today as it was on its release date. With an intense production & determined minds, mix in some truth & multiple controversies, this film cemented a permanent place in pop culture history. Take a trip back to uncover the story behind the film which caused people to question their beliefs & faint in theaters. 

///***Discussions include***\\\William Peter Blatty’s inspiration for & true story behind The...

For being an underseen Martin Scorsese film, AFTER HOURS is responsible for rescuing his career in 1985. This wild, insulated world weaves an intricate web of curiosity & chance rolled into an anxiety dream. Scorsese’s fast-paced, down & dirty style takes up residence within the dark corners of New York for this one-night-only adventure of survival.

//***Discussions include***\\Actors Griffin Dunne & Amy Robinson tracking down the screenplay, finding a director &...

‘Tis the season! Strap on the chainsaw, brush up on your ancient Latin & saddle up for a relentlessly manic ride back to the cabin. Bruce Campbell & the Evil Dead crew return for this inventive, rip-roaring adventure that won’t stop until you’re possessed by its spirit!//***Discussions include***\\ The original Evil Dead creators returning to their roots, finding a producer & redux of Stephen King involvement; location importance & corner cutting; assessing what a sequel looks...

The creative minds behind TEEN WOLF never dreamt it would turn into an iconic film of the ‘80s. With strategic timing & the film’s rising star, this independent werewolf movie would become the most unlikely smash hit. Grab your basketball, letterman’s jacket & get ready for some nostalgia — it’s time for a wall-to-wall Michael J. Fox episode!   

//***Discussions include***\\The young writers behind the script & story inspirations; tonality & various themes; importance of...

This slyly executed, savage satire of a serial killer losing touch with reality was plagued with controversy from its original conception. Even now, the pathology of AMERICAN PSYCHO continues to spark dialogue with its entertaining critique of society & obsession, comic irony & why it remains relevant over 20 years later. Let’s peel back the mask & unveil truth behind this multifaceted, yet often misunderstood film.

 //***Discussions include***\\Background on Bret Easton Ellis’...

David Fincher’s SE7EN (1995) creates an unforgettable story & blends it into an entertaining, visionary procedural thriller with brutal realities & tonal complexities. Decades later, this bleak world of SE7EN continues to invade psyches with its cleverness & cynical mentality. Serial Killer Summer begins now!//***Discussions include***\\ Backstory on David Fincher’s career pre-1995; inspirations behind SE7EN’s story & structure, evolving conventions, style, pacing, themes,...

For our Fifth Anniversary, returning to a nostalgic, lifelong favorite was a no-brainer. Forty years ago, NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION set a standard for not only comedy & road trip films, but also introduced the edgy family film. Through humor, familiar experiences & relatable characters, the Griswold family spawned an unexpected franchise which continues to be passed down throughout the years. Hop in the ‘ol family truckster because we’re hitting the road! //***Discussions...

Spirited hard work continues to pay off even 20 years after SCHOOL OF ROCK’s conception. The heart of rock ‘n roll beats strong with this success story spearheaded by a comedy thundercat, an enigmatic director, an ever-evolving writer & a band of incredibly talented kiddos all sharing the stage with equal importance.//***Discussions include***\\Brief backgrounds on writer/co-star, Mike White, his friendship with Jack Black & director Richard Linklater’s involvement; using conventional...

First-time filmmakers rarely explode on the scene like brothers Albert & Allen Hughes. Amid the racial tensions & frustrations of early 1990's Los Angeles, MENACE II SOCIETY tapped into the gritty truth of the time. A powerful & empathetic look into a community misrepresented by mainstream media, this film was not only important in its heyday, but its unflinching realness hits even harder 30 years later.//***Discussions include***\\A brief history of the Hughes Brothers before...

A man wrongfully accused of viciously murdering his wife is a story that’s been around for ages. And in the 30 years since its release, THE FUGITIVE remains one of the most masterfully told thrillers in which action sequences are just as enthralling as the story itself. Time to dive behind the making of this expertly executed film wherein spontaneity, reliance on creativity & collaboration were key to composing this unforgettable classic.//***Discussions include***\\Origin behind &...

Lies… Manipulation… Gaslighting… OBSESSED. Obsession-driven psychodramas are a special sect of early ‘90s cinema. It also happens to be one of our favorite thriller sub-genres.But what makes them so special? What sets them apart & what do they share in common? We’ve honed in & created our own rules for the genre — what we love, the most memorable moments & how do these movies hold up 30+ years later? Let the thrills & chills begin!
//***Films Included***\\ The Crush (1993),...

Though this is the 30th Anniversary of GROUNDHOG DAY, it continues to feel timeless & evolve in meaning as it ages. This high concept film is triple threat — a holiday film, a fantasy comedy & an unassuming emotional touchstone for many audiences. As profoundly involved as this story may be, this Bill Murray vehicle has no shortage of complexities behind the scenes as well. 
//***Discussions include***\\ Origin & inspiration, transforming story structure, writing process,...

Kicking off our 100th Episode with a Controversial Christmas Classic — DIE HARD (1988)! For a future-franchised film jam-packed with exciting explosions, it’s hard to believe this project was a gamble before it ever went into production. From its humble beginning to creating an iconic action hero, the formation of DIE HARD is nothing short of a surprise for everyone involved.
//Discussions include***\\ State of late ‘80s action films; DIE HARD’s early novelization, lengthy writing process...

Even 30 years after its release, A FEW GOOD MEN tops lists for the most riveting courtroom dramas. Using true events, a coveted director & soon-to-be celebrated writer, the film bleeds talent from all angles & integrity from end to end. All talents behind this film had a clear, unified vision — make a searing, ethically complex drama that would stand the test of time. 
//***Discussions include***\\ True events behind the film (pre & post release); writer Aaron Sorkin’s humble...

Combining unrelenting imagination with in-home paranormal activity & child abduction turned into a guaranteed masterpiece with POLTERGEIST (1982). Filmmakers Tobe Hooper & Steven Spielberg proved the horror genre could have emotional depth while remaining absolutely terrifying & creative. And on its 40th Anniversary year, POLTERGEIST still reigns supreme as one of the most memorable ghost stories ever told. 
//***Discussions include***\\ The lengthy development/writing process of...

We’re kicking off our fifth Halloween by celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Gore Verbinski’s THE RING. Going for more than jump scares, this American film ushered in the blockbuster trend of remaking a pre-existing film. Not only did it reignite the idea of urban legends & invigorate the careers of those involved, THE RING also proved a remake could still fresh, modern & an absolute terrifying delight. 
//***Discussions include***\\ The origin story, urban legend & folklore...