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Nothing says Halloween like multiple tales of terror & revenge! The magical collaboration of George A. Romero & Stephen King was born from a genuine love for the horror genre, comradery & ingenious creativity. Join us for this dive into the lively CREEPSHOW spirit & how it became one of the most celebrated horror anthologies around.  
///***Discussions include***\\\ Bringing Romero, King & Tom Savini together; EC Comics, formation of the film & assembling an anthology screenplay; dissection of individual stories, tonality, common themes; bits about the cast & performances, plus special effects, editing & music; release, reception, favorite moments, longevity of the franchise & plenty of behind the scenes action. Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Stephen King, Leslie Nielsen, E.G. Marshall & so many more star in CREEPSHOW (1982) /// Directed by George A. Romero.   ///***Picks of the Week***\\\  • Lindsay’s Pick: TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972). Joan Collins, Peter Cushing, Ric

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 later! ///***Discussions include***\\\ Brief recap of Cameron Crowe’s early career & what led to his novel, Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story, becoming a film; finding director Amy Heckerling, her relationship with Crowe & importance of a female voice; intense studio concerns, adapting the book, changes, creating a narrative flow, emotional complexity & tonality; soundtrack, the film’s ending, memorable moments, in-depth character & cast discussion; struggle with the MPAA, editing, test screening, release/rec

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 origin, script revision, uniqueness among spider movies & the comedy/thriller vision; working with & finding the perfect real-life spiders, plus animatronics; filming locations & cast discussion; music, marketing, reaction to the film, memorable scenes & lotsa personal spider stories. Jeff Daniels, John Goodman, Harley Jane Kozak & Julian Sands star in ARACHNOPHOBIA (1990) /// Directed by Frank Marshall. ///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: TICKS (1993). Seth Green, Alfonso Ribeiro, Peter

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, chance meetings & studio doubts; gaining permission from the MLB, main shooting locations, filming tricks; requirements for casting, baseball boot camp & main character breakdowns; music,  reception, sequels & favorite moments. Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes & Rene Russo star in MAJOR LEAGUE (1989) /// Directed by David S. Ward. . ///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: EIGHT MEN OUT (1988). John Cusack, David Strathairn, D.B. Sweeney, John Mahoney /// Directed by John Sayles. • Justi

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 & complete overhaul; studio struggle & hesitations, turnaround, more revisions; turning a renowned cinematographer into a first-time director; on-location shooting, action sequences, stunt work; miniatures, practical & optical effects; casting, main cast discussion & chemistry between the leads; pacing, editing &  the film’s aesthetic; music, sound & score; marketing, release, reception, awards & sequel. Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper & Jeff Daniels star in SPEED (1994) /// Directed

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 include***\\\ Origin of & intentions behind the story, inspirations & production derailment; re-teaming of a celebrated & button-pushing writer/director duo, rewrites & funding; intentional visual style, overall hyperbolic nature & tonality; staging, choreography & physical demands; casting the lead, plus main cast & character breakdowns; struggle with NC-17 rating, advertising, reception & repercussions, plus the revival & longevity. Elizabeth Berkley, Gina Gershon & Kyle MacLach

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 & vision for the film; finding a production house, churning up interest & lucky breaks; themes, mythology & interpretations; cast influences & character breakdowns; production, visual effects, cinematography & editing; usage of music & score; challenges with releasing, selling & marketing; memorable scenes, reception, Director’s Cut & legacy. Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Drew Barrymore & so many more star in DONNIE DARKO (2001) /// Directed by Richard Kelly. ///***Pi

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 niche, contemporary reality; type of film & culture-clashing; finding the cast, character discussion & Parker Posey background; heavy music & fashion/costuming influences; difficulties with releasing, premiere & longevity of the film. Parker Posey, Omar Townsend, Guillermo Diaz & Sasha von Scherler star in PARTY GIRL (1995) /// Directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer.   ///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: THE HOUSE OF YES (1997). Parker Posey, Freddie Prince Jr., Josh Hamilton, Tori Spelling ///

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 the series’ sequels; real-life inspiration behind the continuing story; Kim Krizan & lead actors’ involvement in methodical scriptwriting; importance in casting, chemistry & comfortability; selling the initial script, finding funding & garnering interest in sequels; overall themes, use of time & relatability; breakdowns of each film, growth of characters & relationship evolution throughout multiple years, plus the reception of each film. Julie Delpy & Ethan Hawke star in BEFORE SUNRISE (1995), BE

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 Exorcist novel, plus fact vs. fiction comparisons; early readings & retaining the novel’s integrity; securing & fighting for William Friedkin to direct; screenplay adaptation, pacing & themes; production difficulties & studio interference; assembling the cast, complications, behind the scenes stories & character breakdowns; music, special effects, make-up & stunts; Friedkin’s unorthodox methods of direction & marketing, injuries & rumors; release, audience reactions & recognition; the 20

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 & controversial story origin; what led Scorsese the project; recirculating themes, foreshadowing & key plot points; use of dark comedy, action & anxiety in the film; cast & extreme performances; lighting, cinematography, editing & score; reception, effect on Scorsese’s career & behind the scenes stories. Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Teri Garr & Catherine O’Hara star in AFTER HOURS (1985) /// Directed by Martin Scorsese. //***Picks of the Week***\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: SOMETHING WILD (1986). Melanie Griffith,

‘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 like, plot points, mixing horror & comedy; massive array of practice special effects & favorite moments; cast discussion & on set hardships; skirting around the MPAA rating, release, sequels & longevity of the franchise.   Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Kassie Wesley, Dan Hicks, Richard Domeier & Ted Raimi star in EVIL DEAD II (1987) /// Directed by Sam Raimi.   //***Picks of the Week***\\ Lindsay’s Pick: BRAIN DAMAGE (1988). Rick Hearst, Jennifer Lowry, Gordon MacDonald /// Directed by Frank Henenlot

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 casting Fox & his rise to TV popularity; finding a director, casting & supporting character impact on the film; costuming, stunts & basketball sequences; Family Ties influence & Back to the Future connections; music, behind the scenes nuggets; the calculated release of the film, how it holds up almost 40 years later, plus that 1987 sequel. Michael J. Fox, James Hampton, Susan Ursitti & Jerry Levine star in TEEN WOLF (1985) /// Directed by Rod Daniel. //***Picks of the Week***\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: THE SEC

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’ contentious novel; early script variations, selling the story & searching for a director; Mary Harron & Guinevere Turner adapting the novel into a sharp & clear-headed, contemplative screenplay; tonal shifts, interpreting dark comedy & satire, recurring themes & the film’s climax; reflecting 80s culture & music choices; main cast discussion & intense struggle over casting the lead, plus release & reception. Christian Bale, Willem Defoe, Cara Seymour & Chloë Sevigny star in AMERICAN PS

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, setting; selling the film & studio interference; cast, character & story breakdowns; music, score, lighting, coloration & controversial ending; test screening, release & reception.   Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt & Gwyneth Paltrow star in SE7EN (1995) /// Directed by David Fincher.   //***Picks of the Week***\\ Lindsay’s Pick: KISS THE GIRLS (1997). Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, Tony Goldwyn /// Directed by Gary Fleder. Justin’s Pick: SUMMER OF SAM (1999). John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody, Mira Sorv

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 include***\\ John Hughes’ original story & major script changes, plus National Lampoon, Harold Ramis & Chevy Chase connections; selling the film, creating a uniquely mobile production & challenges therein; type of comedy wrapped in a daring family film; cast, improv moments, stunts & theme song; omitted scenes & original ending; release, sequels, behind-the-scenes stories & favorite moments. Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Dana Barron & Anthony Michael Hall star in NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION (1983) /// D

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 fantasy, progressiveness, real-life elements & backstory, plus creating a kids movie palatable to adults; addressing the documentary, Rock School (2005); creating the film’s musical landscape & inspirations; in-depth cast discussion, strength of characters, favorite scenes & longevity of the film. Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman & a band of incredibly awesome kids star in SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003) /// Directed by Richard Linklater. //***Picks of the Week***\\     •    Lindsay’s Pick:

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 MENACE; writing development, research, channeling a perspective & selling the script; reality vs. media representation; tonality, themes, underlying messages & film influences; shooting on location, visual style, depiction of violence, emotional impact & heightened realism; toxic masculinity & female perspective; use of narration & humor; cast, audition stories & character dynamics; post-production, release, reception & retrospective observations. Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett, MC Ei

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 & evolution of THE FUGITIVE story; script development, writing scenes & dialogue on the fly; style & conditions of the production with behind the scenes stories; casting heavyweights, supporting cast & usage of Chicago; strategic special effects engineering, bold editing choices, sound & score; omitted storylines, release, reception & longevity of the film.    Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward & Joe Pantoliano star in THE FUGITIVE (1993) /// Directed by Andrew Davis. //***Picks of the Week

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), Fear (1996), The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (1992), Pacific Heights (1990), Poison Ivy (1992), Single White Female (1992), The Temp (1993), Unlawful Entry (1992).   //***Picks of the Week***\\ Returning in Episode 103.   //***MurrayMoment***\\ Returning in Episode 103.   //***Final Thoughts on ***\\ Episode wrap-up & a few outlier films which narrowly missed inclusion in this episode. Next Episode:
 March 28: MENACE II SOCIETY (1993). Please rate, review & subscribe. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter &am