Hard Boiled (1992): Action Madness On and Off Camera

Hard Boiled (1992): Action Madness On and Off Camera

How was Hard Boiled crazy on and off the screen? John Woo's Hard Boiled is considered by many to be one of the best action films of all time and possibly the director's biggest spectacle. Starring two of Hong Kong Cinema's most celebrated male leads, Chow Yun-fat and Tony Leung, the movie continues Woo's exploration of the themes of "heroic bloodshed." And there's plenty of Woo's trademark "gun-fu" here to enjoy. Join me for a discussion of how Woo's improvised approach to the film pays off, heroic bloodshed as the antidote to the western buddy-cop formula, and manic baby rescues. Directed by John Woo. Screenplay by Gordon Chan and Barry Wong. Story by John Woo. Produced by Linda Kuk and Terence Chang. Starring Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung, Teresa Mo, Philip Chan, Philip Kwok, and Anthony Wong 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]

Night of the Creeps (1986): Fred Dekker's Cult Classic Horror Comedy

Why do Horror Fans continue to love Night of the Creeps? Night of the Creeps performed poorly at the box office but has endured as a classic piece of 1980s horror. A genre mashup that includes all the things horror and science fiction, Fred Dekker created an unorthodox B movie in the mold of his favorites and came out with something fans hold dear. With practical effects from, among others, the founders of the KNB EFX Group, the cheesy and silly and disgusting fun is a throwback to times when filmmaking felt personal. When aliens toss a canister of mind-controlling slugs to Earth, it's up to two college students, a love interest, and a hard-boiled detective to stop the creeps from ruining the formal. Join me for this episode as I discuss heartfelt goodbye recordings, the joy of shotguns and flamethrowers, and how Tom Atkins is having the time of his life. Written and directed by Fred Dekker. Produced by Charles Gordon. Starring Jason Lively, Steve Marshall, Jill Whitlow, and Tom Atkins. 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]

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]