On this cross-over episode with The Kulturecast, Mike joins Chris to discuss the latest work from auteur Todd Phillips, Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), a jukebox musical continuation of the Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) story where he's joined by Harley "Lee" Quinzel in a courtroom drama. That run-on sentence pretty well sums it up. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Heather Drain and Jedidiah Ayres join Mike to take a gritty plunge into Monte Hellman's Cockfighter (1974), a controversial and fascinating portrait of obsession and redemption. Warren Oates stars as Frank Mansfield, a man so consumed by his quest to win the cockfighting championship that he’s taken a vow of silence until he claims victory. Set in the underbelly of the American South, this visceral tale pits man against his demons, much like the roosters he trains. Adapted from Charles Willeford’s novel, Cockfighter pulls no punches in its depiction of the brutal, outlawed sport, which was illegal in 47 states at the time. Film scholar Kier-la Janisse discusses the complex themes of masculinity, pride, and obsession, as well as Hellman’s signature directorial style in her new book, Cockfight: A Fable of Failure. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike speaks with fellow-Detroiter Alan Bernstein about his feature documentary, When We Went Mad, a look at the usual gang of idiots behind the irreverent publication, Mad Magazine. A film more than a decade in the making, Bernstein wonderfully captures the importance and influence of Mad from inception to demise. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

As part of our coverage of Fantastic Fest, Mike spoke with writer/director Danny Villanueva Jr. about his first full-length feature narrative, What Happened to Dorothy Bell? It's a creepy found footage movie about a young person investigating their own past and their complicated relationship with their grandmother, Dorothy Bell. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

As part of our coverage of Fantastic Fest, Mike spoke with writer/director Sander Maran and producer Jan Andresson about their film which has been 11 years in the making, Chainsaws Were Singing, an Estonian horror comedy musical. Find out more at the official website: https://chainsawsweresinging.com/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We conclude Czechtember 2024 with a film from Frantiscek Vlacil, Adeliheid. Released in 1970, the film stars Petr Čepek as Viktor, a former Czech soldier turned caretaker of a confiscated German estate where he encounters the titular Adelheid (played by Emma Černá), who is being held as a prisoner. Their evolving relationship forms the core of the film, set against a backdrop of post-war displacement and political tension. Cerise Howard and Jonthan Owen join Mike to discuss this underseen Vlacil film. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike talks to writer/director Jon Spira about his latest film, The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee. It's a documentary about the Lee's life and career that features a great array of interviews and a fascinating visual style. Pre-order the film at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jonspira/the-life-and-deaths-of-christopher-lee Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

#Czechtember2024 continues with one from Slovakian filmmaker Dusan Hanak, 322. Based on a short story by Ján Johanides, the film stars Václav Lohniský as Lauko, a man diagnosed with cancer. His ex-wife, Marta (Lucyna Winnicka), is fooling around with the young Peter (Josef Abrhám), while Lauko connects with the long-haired Vladko (Vladimír Weiser). Released in 1969, the film was banned immediately after its premiere. Angela Mac and Jonathan Owen join Mike to discuss this fascinating avant-garde film. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike talks with filmmaker SK Dale about his latest work, Subservience. It's the story of a family with a new robot maid who's a little more conniving then Rosie from The Jetsons. The film is now available to buy or rent digitally. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike spoke with writer/director/editor/musician Zach Clark about his latest film, The Becomers (2024), an unusual science fiction film. The Becomers opens Aug 23 in NYC and Aug 30 in LA from Dark Star Pictures, expanding theatrically into September and arriving to VOD on Sep 24. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

On a crossover with The Kulturecast and Midnight Viewing, Mike joins Chris Stachiw and Father Malone to discuss Tim Burton's latest film, the legacy sequel to Beetlejuice (1988). We discuss the many new characters and those who didn't return as well as what worked and what didn't. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We’re kicking of Czechtember 2024 with a classic of the Czech New Wave, Jan Nemec’s Diamonds of the Night. Released in 1964, the film was a groundbreaking piece of cinema. Based on Arnost Lustig’s semi-autobiographical novel Darkness Casts No Shadow, the film is about the escape of two boys from a train carrying them to a death camp. Heather Drain and Rob St. Mary join Mike to discuss this harrowing film. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike spoke with director Quinn Armstrong about his latest work: a trilogy of films that act as a triptych with Dead Teenagers, Wolves Against the World, and The Exorcism of St. Patrick. All three films will be available to stream by September 10, 2024. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

On this special episode, Mike speaks with Vera Drew the director, star, and co-writer of the origin story of Vera Drew AKA Joker the Harlequin. Find out more at https://www.thepeoplesjoker.com/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We conclude Art House August with a look at Jean-Pierre Melville’s Army of Shadows. Ostensibly a film about the French Resistance in World War II, the film stars Lino Ventura as Phillipe Gerbier, one of four main Resistance fighters we meet as we travel through the underworld, striking out at the German occupiers and those loyal to the Vichy government. Andrew Leavold and Samm Dieghan join Mike for an insightful conversation while special guest Ginette Vincendeau discusses Melville's career at the time and the reaction to the film. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

On this special episode, Mike spoke with actors (and musicians) Ryan Donowho and Rab Raco about their 2024 film Art of a Hit. Directed by Gaelan Connell and co-written with Charlie Saxton, the film is a horror film about a band making their new album in a spooky French castle. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We continue Art House August with a look at Mike Leigh’s Naked (1993). The film features amateur philosopher and full-time gadfly Johnny, played brilliantly by David Thewlis. We follow Johnny as he flees to London from Manchester after raping a woman and stealing a car. We also follow Jeremy (Greg Crutwell), an unrepentant bastard and interesting counterpoint to Johnny. Elinor Lewy (Somebody's Watching podcast) and Nick Kujawa join Mike to discuss the film and Johnny's "dark night of the soul". Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We continue Art House August with a look at Christopher Petit’s Radio On. Released in 1979, the film is a road movie about a London man investigating the death of his brother in Bristol. A deliberately paced black and white film, it became famous for the use of modern music on its soundtrack. Ben Slater and Mark Begley join Mike to discuss this unusual film. Writer/director Chris Petit talks about how the film came together. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

In this special episode of The Projection Booth, co-hosts Chris Stachiw of The Kulturecast and Father Malone of Midnight Viewing join forces to dissect Alien: Romulus 2024, the latest installment in the iconic Alien franchise. Directed by visionary talent Fede Alvarez, this film attempts to return to the franchise’s horror roots while pandering to fans. Our hosts delve into the Alien: Isolation inspiration, the ghoulish visual effects, and the story of Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and her robot pal Andy (David Jonsson) who live in a mining colony before they escape with three dead meat friends to derelict space station Romulus-Remus where hundreds of face-huggers are kept in cold storage. The film eventually introduces a very familiar(ish) face and some Prometheus/Alien: Covenant gets introduced thanks to producer Ridley Scott. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We're celebrating our 700th episode of The Projection Booth with what may be the first time we've discussed a movie for a third time as we continue to document the troubled history of the 1980 film Caligula. We first spoke about the film almost 10 years ago where we were joined by Maitland McDonagh to discuss the movie while Ranjit Sandhu gave us the sordid history behind the production and talked about his book 200 Degrees of Failure and filmmaker Alexander Tuschinski discussed the career of Tinto Brass and the original intentions Brass had for the finished film. We came back together in 2018 to discuss the re-discovery of the original footage of Caligula and the plans Penthouse and Alexander had to restore the film to Tinto Brass’s original vision. Now Rob and Mike are joined by Heather Drain to talk about the version of Caligula that played at Cannes in 2023. Once referred to as Caligula MMXX, it’s now called Caligula: The Ultimate Cut and it was produced by a person named Thomas Negovan. We’ll be discussing the film as well as what’s happened to this project over the last six years along with President of Penthouse Global Licensing, Caroline Kirkendoll, and director of Mission: Caligula, Alexander Tuschinski. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.