The Projection Booth Podcast

In this exciting crossover episode, Mike is joined by Chris Stachiw of The Kulturecast, Father Malone of Midnight Viewing, and filmmaker Antonio Llapur for a lively discussion of Venom: The Last Dance (2024). While Chris and Mike found a lot to admire, Father Malone and Antonio weren’t as enthusiastic, leading to a spirited exchange on what works and what misses in this unique entry in the Venom franchise.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

In this episode Mike talks with Barry Keating, the co-screenwriter of Invoking Yell (2024), the latest horror from Chilean director Patricio Valladares. Set in the isolated landscapes of Southern Chile, this atmospheric found-footage film follows a group of young women trying to record a black metal demo amidst strange, paranormal occurrences in the forest. What starts as a raw music venture quickly descends into a terrifying ordeal as eerie forces begin to lurk around every corner.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

The Spirit of Halloweentown (2024) celebrates the unique Halloween festival of St. Helens, Oregon—a town that annually transforms itself in tribute to Disney’s cult-classic film Halloweentown, which was filmed there in 1998. Directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb, known for their nostalgic lens in Jasper Mall, the film dives into the lives of the locals who are the heart of this Halloween tradition.As part of our Fantastic Fest coverage, Mike talks with Thomason and Whitcomb about their latest documentary film.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

#Shocktober2024 wraps up with a double dose of horror and weird science, diving into The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant, a pick from Patreon donor James Brummel. No, it’s not the two-headed flick with Rosie Greer or the one from Japan—this is Bruce Dern’s wild ride as a mad scientist, melding the body of a manchild with the head of a deranged killer in the ultimate “transplant gone wrong.”Tim and Agatha Luz of CinemaSpection join Mike to break down this two-headed cult classic and explore the world of other split-brained cinema (The Manster, The Thing with Two Heads).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike, Dr. Nicholas Schlegel, and Heather Drain bring the eerie vibe of Shocktober 2024 to new heights with a Patreon request from Kyler Fey: Bell from Hell. This sinister 1973 gem by Claudio Guerín, written by Santiago Moncada, follows John (Renaud Verley), fresh from the asylum after a stay orchestrated by his aunt, Marta (Viveca Lindfors), and her three daughters. Now he’s back—and his intentions? Is he a prankster with a wicked sense of humor, or is he dead-set on revenge?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Get ready for a wild deep dive into the world of cult cinema preservation! Mike sits down with Jackson Cooper to uncover the incredible work of the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA). From rescuing the rarest of grindhouse gems to giving life to lost horror, sci-fi, and action films, AGFA is on a mission to save the strange and spectacular corners of film history. Together, they explore how this non-profit powerhouse preserves, restores, and redistributes the films that defy genre and have captivated die-hard fans for decades.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Our #Shocktober coverage heats up with a Patreon pick from Ellis Kish: Turkey Shoot. This 1982 cult classic from writer-director Brian Trenchard-Smith throws us into a dystopian nightmare set in the “futuristic” year of 1995. Steve Railsback and Olivia Hussey star as prisoners caught in a ruthless government’s clutches, where torture is just the beginning—the real terror lies in the deadly “Turkey Shoot.”Heather Drain, Andrew Nette, and Mike dive into this savage satire with insights from Trenchard-Smith and actor Roger Ward, who share the gritty details behind this shocking tale of authoritarianism.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Shocktober continues with a Patreon request as we discuss the 2022 horror film Rucker which follows Leif Rucker, a seemingly ordinary long-haul trucker who has been serially killing women resembling his ex-wife for 30 years. The narrative takes a turn when Maggie, a young filmmaker making a documentary about truckers, becomes privy to Rucker's deadly secret and chooses to document his crimes.Father Malone and Chris Stachiw join Mike to discuss the film, alongside an interview with director Amy Hesketh.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Our coverage of the Fantastic Fest continues with a look at Heads or Fails via a discussion with film making brothers Harpo and Lenny Guit alongside composer Simon Hanes.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Our coverage of the Fantastic Fest continues with Mike talking to Justin Hardy, son of director Robin Hardy, the filmmaker behind The Wicker Man. Justin discusses the film that ruined his family and the documentary he and his brother made about it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Our coverage of Fantastic Fest continues with Mike talking with writer/director Toby Jones, star AJ Thompson, and producer Ben Hansen -- three of the talents behind AJ Goes to the Dog Park (2024).  It's a delightful story of local politics.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Also known as Legend of Doom House, Malpertuis is a gothic horror film starring Matthew Carriere as Jan, a sailor back at his home port where he visits the estate known as Malpertuis where he encounters a group of colorful kooks including the formidable Cassavius played by Orson Welles. Jessica Shires and Matthew Asprey Gear join Mike to discuss the film while director Harry Kumel talks about the making of it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

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-leeBecome 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.