The Projection Booth Podcast

Our month appreciating comedic films continues with The Coen Brothers’ Hudsucker Proxy.  Released in 1994, the film stars Tim Robbins as Norville Barnes, a graduate of Muncie Indiana’s business school.  He gets a job at Hudsucker Industries whose CEO, Waring Hudsucker, happens to join the great hereafter the day Norville begins work.  After a mix-up, Barnes goes all the way from the mail room to the boardroom and becomes the new interim head of the corporation. Rahne Alexander and David Kittrredge join Mike to discuss the ins, the outs, and the what-have-yous about this oft-overlooked tribute to classic screwball comedies told only in the way that the Coen Brothers (and Sam Raimi) could tell it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Ian Brownell and Otto Bruno join Mike for a discussion of Preston Sturges and his 1944 film The Miracle of Morgan's Creek which stars Betty Hutton as Trudy Kockenlocker, a woman who really helps support the troops going off to World War Two. When she finds herself married to an unknown soldier and pregnant in her small town, she eyes 4F local Norval Jones (Eddie Bracken).Author Stuart Klawans talks about his outstanding book, Crooked, but Never Common: The Films of Preston Sturges , before the guys also visit Sturges's Hail the Conquering Hero (1944).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Comedy month continues with a film that could be categorized as "pure action" film has a hard time being taken seriously, Tango & Cash (1989). Directed by Andrey Konchalovskiy, Albert Magnoli, and more, the film stars Sylvester Stallone as the stockbroker cum supercop Ray Tango and Kurt Russell as slobby supercop Gabriel Cash. Yes, they're an odd couple of cops who get sent up the river by crime boss Jack Palance. Chris and Lizzie of the What Went Wrong podcast join Mike to discuss the film while original screenwriter, Randy Feldman, and producer Peter MacDonald talk about the making of Tango & Cash.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

As part of #Spider-Mondays, Mike was invited to do a live podcast at the Redford Theatre in Detroit after the screening of Spider-Man 2 (2004). He was joined by Dan Merritt of Green Brain Comics in Dearborn, Michigan. The two discussed director Sam Raimi's best entry in the Spider-series -- if not the best Spider-Man film of the bunch.Thanks to the Motor City Cinema Society and the Redford Theatre for making this possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We’re kicking off a month discussing comedy films with a look at Frank Oz’s Bowfinger.  Released in 1999, the film was written by and stars Steve Martin as the titular Bowfinger, a struggling filmmaker who, along with his group of misfit artists, makes a movie around the unknowing presence of unstable superstar Kit Ramsey, played by Eddie Murphy.Kevin Lehane and Rob St. Mary join Mike to keep it together. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike speaks with Nick Roth, writer and co-director (along with his wife, Lindsey Haun) of the 2024 film, Hanky Panky. The film is a comedy featuring a talking handkerchief.Find out where it's streaming at https://hankypankythemovie.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike spoke with director Stefon Bristol about his new film, Breathe (2024), in which the earth is bereft of breathable air. They also discussed his earlier work, See You Yesterday.Breathe opens on April 26, 2024.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast), and Mike White (The Projection Booth) host this monthly podcast. Join us on an exciting journey through the illustrious career of this comedy icon as we explore his groundbreaking roles, behind-the-scenes stories, and timeless contributions to the world of entertainment.Each episode of the Chasing Chevy Chase podcast brings you expert analysis, and nostalgic reflections on Chevy Chase's most iconic characters in classic films like National Lampoon's Vacation, Caddyshack, and Fletch.On our official first episode we're discussing Joe Camp and his Benji Empire which includes the film Oh! Heavenly Dog (1980) in which Chevy plays a private dick whose killed on a case and gets sent back to Earth not as Warren Beatty but Benji the dog.  He tries to solve the case of his own murder and continue wooing Jane Seymour. Subscribe today at http://www.chasingchevypodcast.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-

We conclude a month of discussing Japanese films with a look at Toshio Matsumoto’s 1971 film Demons aka Shura.  The story of the film is part of the fabric of the larger 47 Ronin narrative and is the story of a ronin who is cheated by a geisha and how he carves a bloody path for revenge.Emily Intravia and Samm Deighan join Mike to discuss this breathtaking, disturbing film.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike spoke with author Jared Stearns about his biography of entertainer Marilyn Chambers. The book, Pure: The Sexual Revolutions of Marilyn Chambers, is now available: https://amzn.to/3xFovvQBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

On this special crossover episode with The Kulturecast, Chris Stachiw, Father Malone, and Mike White look at the new film from Alex Garland, Civil War.  The film stars Kristen Dunst as Lee, a war photographer, who travels with her print journalist friend, Joel (Wagner Moura).  After a suicide bombing in New York CIty, the two decide to go to Washington DC where they hope to get an interview with the president (Nick Offerman), one of many cast members from Garland’s Devs to show up, including one of their traveling companions, Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), and the young girl who wants to be a war photographer as well, Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) and… surprise!  It’s actually a movie all about her! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We continue our discussion of Japanese films this month by returning to the world of Yoshishige Yoshida and his 1970 film Heroic Purgatory. It's the story of Nakano (Mariko Okada). She returns home with a lost teenager, Ayu (Kazumi Tsutsui). Meanwhile, a man posing as her dad tries to get her back, causing Nanako's husband, Shoda (Naizo Kamoda) to recall his youth as a revolutionary. Like his previous film, Eros plus Massacre, Heroic Purgatory moves with its own logic moving back and forth in time in order to tell its story.Earl Jackson and Axel Kohagen join Mike to try and parse this dense tale of revolutionaries through the mid- to late-20th century.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We continue Japanese month with a request from listener Vaughn Kuhlemeier, Millennium Actress (2001).  Directed by Satoshi Kon, the film  tells the story of Chiyoki Fujiwara, an actress who met a fugitive when she was a young lady who spent the rest of her life looking for him.  She’s approached by a filmmaker and his cameraman to celebrate the studio she helped make famous.  As they learn about her life they enter into her memories and films -- as does the audience.  We move seamlessly between fantasy and reality in this beautifully animated film.El Goro and Professor Earl Jackson join Mike to discuss Kon's work.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Actor/Director Stephen Moyer speaks to Mike about his second feature film, A Bit of Light, which stars Anna Paquin and Ray Winstone. Moyer graciously discusses his career from his early days in chorus to his favorite roles on stage and on screen.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike spoke with cinematographer Laura Hudock about the 2024 documentary Girls State. The film follows 500 adolescent girls who come together to organize a faux-Supreme Court where they debate the most contentious issues facing today.Find out more about Laura at her website: https://www.laurahudock.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

On this special episode, Mike talks with Ashley Sabin and David Redmon about their 2023 documentary, Kim's Video. It's a brief looks at the video store named for Youngman Kim and a longer look at the journey the videos took after Kim's closed down.Thanks to Kim's Video for stocking Who Do You Think You're Fooling and You're Still Not Fooling Anybody as well as for buying tons of bootlegs from SuperHappyFun.com. Though, no thanks for selling me out to Matthew Barney's lawyers...Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

We are kicking off a month dedicated to Japanese Film with a look at Hitoshi Matsumoto’s 2013 film R100.  It’s the story of a man who makes a contract with an organization called Bondage.  For a year they’ll surprise him with appearances from a variety of dominatrices who will attack and humiliate him at random.  When they begin to show up where he works and lives he tries to cancel the contract but finds this impossible. This was a suggestion from Jim Vendiola who joins Mike along with Samm Deighan to discuss this hilarious film.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Joseph Maddrey and Jonathan Penner join Mike to look at Philippe Mora's unusual and challenging 1989 film Communion. Written by Whitley Strieber and adapted from his own book... and his own life... the film stars Christopher Walken as Strieber, a writer who experiences an alien abduction. Director Phillipe Mora and writer Whitley Strieber discuss the making of the film and its effect on their careers.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Animator Bill Plympton discusses his early days of the Spike & Mike's Animation Festival and Liquid Television to his first feature film, The Tune (1992). He also discusses how technology has changed his process as well as his latest project, Slide.Find out more at https://www.plymptoons.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Skizz Cyzyk and Maurice Bursztynski join Mike White to discuss Michael Millards 2024 documentary, 35000 Watts: The Story of College Radio, a look at the history and impact of college radio, most notably in the 1990s and the advent of "alternative radio".The two former (and one present) DJs discuss the documentary as well as their time on the air.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.