FIGHT CLUB had been a grueling shoot for David Fincher and, at least upon first release, had alienated both audiences and critics alike. So when it was time for Fincher to move on to his next film, he sought out something a little simpler, something that wouldn't involve the hundreds of locations that he'd dealt with on FIGHT CLUB and one that was designed as pure entertainment. A "popcorn movie." It should have been simple. Unfortunately, the reality of shooting his next film was anything...

After back-to-back successes with SE7EN and THE GAME, David Fincher found himself at the top of Hollywood's A-list, proving that he could produce hit films without abandoning his dark sensibilites.  His next project, however, would put his reputation to the test. Although it's now considered a classic — and may very well be Fincher's most widely-seen film — when FIGHT CLUB was released in 1999, it was met with controversy, a negative critical reception, and disappointing box office...

After the success of SE7EN, David Fincher returned to a film that he'd started developing before deciding to prioritize the serial killer film that would put him on the map. That film was THE GAME, a twist-filled thriller that's often overlooked and underappreciated during discussions of the director's filmography, but one that still features all of the skill, cynicism, and wit that have become staples of Fincher's work. In this episode, we'll discuss the creation of THE GAME, from script to...

After his disastrous experience on ALIEN 3, David Fincher retreated back into the world of music video and commercials, vowing to never again direct a feature film. That is, until a script by a young, first-time screenwriter named Andrew Kevin Walker crossed his desk. That script — about a serial killer who chooses his victims based on the Seven Deadly Sins — would prove to be the perfect canvas for Fincher's dark, exacting sensibilities. Making SEVEN (or SE7EN if ya nasty) didn't come...

After spending years in Development Hell, the production of ALIEN 3 finally moved forward once first-time feature director David Fincher came on board. But it wasn't smooth sailing from there. The story of ALIEN 3's production is one of a legendary disaster, one where studio interference turned the film into one that was so compromised that its director disowns it to this day. In this episode, we will discuss all of the trials and tribulations that Fincher and his cast and crew went through...

"People will say, 'There are a million ways to shoot a scene', but I don't think so. I think there're two, maybe. And the other one is wrong." — David Fincher David Fincher has a reputation for being an exacting, meticulous director, one who sees an entire film in his head and who will do whatever it takes to get that vision onscreen. While that way of working has helped him to produce a filmography filled with modern classic — everything from the cult classics THE GAME and FIGHT CLUB to...

For our next series here on Cinema Shock, we're going to be taking a look at the films of David Fincher, including his feature film debut ALIEN3. Since ALIEN3's history — which includes years spent in development hell, multiple directors and multiple screenwriters — is so tightly weaved into the history of the films in the franchise that preceded it, we wanted to give our listeners a chance to revisit the stories behind the productions of those films. We recently re-published our episode...

For our next series here on Cinema Shock, we're going to be taking a look at the films of David Fincher, including his feature film debut ALIEN3. Since ALIEN3's history — which includes years spent in development hell, multiple directors and multiple screenwriters — is so tightly weaved into the history of the films in the franchise that preceded it, we wanted to give our listeners a chance to revisit the stories behind the productions of those films, beginning with Ridley Scott's ALIEN. This...

In this special bonus episode, Justin, Gary and Todd take a look at every sequel to ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA! Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, and Justin Bishop. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

For the final entry in our Cinema Shock Roulette Extravaganza (but certainly not our last Cinema Shock Roulette episode), we're headed to Hong Kong to take a deep dive into the production of Tsui Hark's seminal martial arts film, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA. In this episode, we'll discuss not only the production of ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, but the history of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung on film, the early careers of Tsui and star Jet Li, and how this film reshaped the Hong Kong film...

In this Cinema Shock Rewind episode, we're re-publishing our episode covering THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN! As was the case with GAME OF DEATH, our previous Rewind episode, the history of THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN has some significant ties with the history of martial arts cinema in Hong Kong, which directly influences the creation of Tsui Hark's ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA. We're providing this episode as a refresher for older listners and new listeners alike, as it provides some fun context...

In this Cinema Shock Rewind episode, we're republishing our episode covering Bruce Lee's GAME OF DEATH. The story of Bruce Lee ties in directly to our upcoming episode covering the production of ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, so we're providing a refresher here for new listeners or longtime listeners who may want to revisit it.GAME OF DEATH was originally published in January 2021 as part of our series The Six Degrees of Kill Bill. 

In this Extras episode, Justin and Gary break down some reviews of POSSESSION from various corners of the internet!Be sure to give us YOUR thoughts on POSSESSION by hitting us up on social media @cinema_shock!

In this bonus episode, Justin and Gary sit down to discuss their picks for films that would make a great companion piece to Andrzej Żuławski's POSSESSION! Have a great idea for a film that'd work great as a double feature with POSSESSION? Let us know by sending us a message on social media! You can find us @cinema_shock on most social platforms! Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written,...

In this episode, Justin & Gary take a look at Andrzej Żuławski's controversial 1981 cult film POSSESSION! This existential relationship drama (slash body horror?), inspired by the director's own painful divorce, is an acting showcase for its stars, Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani, and up until the last few years, was almost impossible to find in the US in its original, unedited form. This week, we'll take a detailed look at Żuławski's career in his native Poland, how he was forced to leave...

Gary and Justin sit down and talk with professional wrestler 'Thrillbilly' Silas Mason about being in the ring with Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White for A24's new film THE IRON CLAW - In theaters now!Check out this interview and let us know what you think! Should we try to do more interviews? Also let us know if you've seen The Iron Claw yet! You can hit us up on all social media - @cinema_shockSilas currently wrestles for Billy Corgan's (The Smashing Pumpkins) professional wrestling...

In this very special Further Viewing episode, we're going to take a good look at one of the weirdest horror franchises to ever exist. After a controversial first offering and a so-bad-its-good sequel, the SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT series inexplicably still managed to produce an additional three films, all released straight-to-video. While the first of these releases, SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT 3: BETTER WATCH OUT! concludes the Ricky Caldwell storyline from the first two films, Parts 4 &...

"Garbage day!" Merry Christmas from Cinema Shock! For this week's episode, we're doing something special and taking a break from our Roulette Extravaganza to give you a holiday-focused deep dive into not one but two of our favorite cult Christmas movies. First up is one of the most controversial slashers of the 80s, one that was so immediatley infamous that its studio pulled it from theaters almost immediatley, despite it doing decent business at the box office. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT has...

In this Extras episode, Mr. Todd A. Davis dives into the careers and filmographies of the cast of EVENT HORIZON.

Did you enjoy EVENT HORIZON? Wondering what movies to watch next? Join Gary and Justin as they discuss their picks for films to watch alongside EVENT HORIZON in this Extras episode! Got a Further Viewing recommendation of your own? Be sure to send it our way on Instagram, X or Threads at @cinema_shock!

In this bonus episode, Gary and Justin scour the internet to see what online armchair critics think of Paul W.S. Anderson's EVENT HORIZON! Turns out, plenty of people don't like it! (Yep, this is the same feature that we previously called "Somebody Needs A Nap," just retitled for the feed!)

As we continue our Cinema Shock Roulette Extravaganza, our next randomly-selected film is Paul W.S. Anderson's 1997 sci-fi horror flick EVENT HORIZON! In this episode, we take a look at the best film of Anderson's career (it's a low bar, folks) and track its tumultuous journey to the big screen, from the earliest versions of its ALIEN-inspired script through the controversial release of an edit of the film that suffered due to a rushed post-production schedule. Did you ever want to know...

In this bonus episode, Justin and Gary break down some of the best reviews of HEATHERS that the internet has to offer! 

In this bonus episode, Mr. Todd A. Davis breaks down the cast of HEATHERS.