Not Now in Theaters: A Retro and Cult Film Podcast

Sid and Nancy (1986): The Punk Rock Love Story Gone Wrong

Sid and Nancy shows love can be as addicting as drugs. British cult film Sid and Nancy is a Criterion collected work and a notable cult film of the 1980s.  As a member of infamous British punk rock pioneers The Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious has the stardom many young men would crave. But when he becomes involved with new girlfriend Nancy Spungen, the couples' appetite for drugs spins them out of control. Join me for this discussion of the 1986 rock biopic before that was a real thing and done in a very punk way. In this episode, I discuss the legendary Sir Roger Deakins's cinematography you can't unsee, the film's surreal moments, and Gary Oldman's wild turn in the title role. Directed by Alex Cox. Written by Alex Cox and Abbe Wool. Starring Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb. Cinematography by Roger Deakins. Music By Joe Strummer, Pray for Rain, and The Pogues. Connect with us on Bluesky [https://bsky.social/about]: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com [https://willturntale.com]

[Side Reels] Brandon Lee Before The Crow: Legacy of Rage, Laser Mission, and Rapid Fire

What movies and TV shows did Brandon Lee appear in before his final role in The Crow? Brandon Lee was more than a martial artist and actor with an ultra-famous father. I'm convinced he was a performer on the way to serious Hollywood stardom. But while you may know his breakout role in The Crow, what were his previous film and television appearances like? This episode takes a look at Legacy of Rage, Laser Mission, Showdown in Little Tokyo, and Rapid Fire, Lee's first four film roles, as well as a few comments about his TV appearances. I discuss how the madcap end of Legacy of Rage gets all John Woo style, how the flawed Laser Mission is a new not-so-guilty pleasure, and Rapid Fire's strong action scenes yet middling nature. Connect with us on Bluesky [https://bsky.social/about]: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com [https://willturntale.com]

Battle Beyond the Stars (1980): Seven Samurai in Space, Silly Retro Fun

What makes Battle Beyond the Stars a throwback, knock-off science-fiction film worth a nostalgia watch? After Star Wars reeled in the dollars at the late 1970s box office, imitators around the film industry were everywhere. Battle Beyond the Stars is Roger Corman's way of making a space adventure on a budget, hoping to capitalize on the wave. But the moviemakers turned to Akira Kurosawa just as much as George Lucas, as this film is like Seven Samurai in space (or its American remake, The Magnificent Seven). But little did Roger Corman know he had all-time talent working for him on the film. James Cameron (Terminator 2: Judgment Day) ended up in charge of special effects, and this is the first film scored by all-time great composer James Horner (Titanic). Join me for this episode as I discuss the talking ship with questionable female anatomy, the frustrations of watching battles like laser chicken, and the hilarious battlecry that came from nowhere to make me laugh. Directed by Jimmy T. Murakami. Screenplay by John Sayles. Story by John Sayles and Anne Dyer, based on Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni. Starring Richard Thomas, Robert Vaughn, George Peppard, John Saxon, Sybil Danning, and Darlanne Fluegel. Connect with us on Bluesky [https://bsky.social/about]: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com [https://willturntale.com]

The Long Riders (1980): The "Green Western" of Dreamlike Violence and Flat History

What makes Walter Hill's The Long Riders a sweeping but violent historical biographical western? The Long Riders just about broke even at the box office (according to star Stacey Keach), and it doesn't seem the film that gets a lot of play nowadays. But this biographical western about the James-Younger gang, to this day, is well-reviewed by fans and critics alike. The movie is probably most remembered as the "brothers" film, because it cast four real-life sets of brothers to play the gang. But there's more than just a casting gimmick behind the movie, and its dreamlike storytelling helps set it apart. Join me for this episode as I discuss David Carradine's impressive performance, an amazing horse stunt, and whether or not the movie can overcome its lack of commentary on the gang's historical place in American history. Directed by Walter Hill. Starring David Carradine, Keith Carradine, Robert Carradine, James Keach, Stacy Keach, Dennis Quaid, Randy Quaid, Christopher Guest, and Nicholas Guest. Connect with us on Bluesky [https://bsky.social/about]: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com [https://willturntale.com]

Near Dark (1987): Kathryn Bigelow's Neo-Noir Vampire Western

What makes Katherine Bigelow's Near Dark a vampire film that doesn't play by the usual rules? Near Dark is a vampire film that didn't catch too much audience attention at release but quietly found its way to cult horror movie status. A bit of a Neo-western, the movie is about a small-town Oklahoma kid named Caleb who falls in love with a girl named Mae who ends up being a vampire. And when she bites him, she pulls him into the world of the night and hiding from the light of day. But what sets this film apart is its revisionist depiction of the vampire mythos. Instead of the glamorous world of near invisibility, it's the pathetic world of Near Dark. The vampires in the film are vagabonds, struggling to stay out of sight and avoiding the sun. Join me for this discussion of low-tech sunblocking methods, performances and scenes you won't forget, and whether or not one of the wrinkles in the plot spoils the movie. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Written by Eric Red and Kathryn Bigelow. Starring Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein, and Tim Thomerson. Connect with us on Bluesky [https://bsky.social/about]: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com [https://willturntale.com]