The Projection Booth Podcast

Heather Drain and Kat Ellinger join Mike to discuss Billy Wilder's Buddy Buddy (1981). The movie is yet another pairing of Walter Mathau and Jack Lemmon. This time they're filling the shoes of Lino Ventura and Jacques Brel in this remake of Edouard Molinaro's L'Emmerdeur. Matthau plays Trabucco, a ruthless hitman, while Lemmon plays Victor Clooney, a milquetoast whose wife left him three months prior. Naturally they get thrown together in the unlikeliest of circumstances and hilarity ensues.The episode features an interview with Miles Chapin and a loving tribute to Klaus Kinski.

On this special episode, Mike talks with director Neysan Sobhani about his feature film debut, Guidance (2021), a sci fi film shot in China about a new bit of technology that allows the user to know if someone is telling the truth or not. Find out more at https://www.guidancefilm.com/

It's time to sine your pitty on the running kine with our episode all about Pootie Tang. Written and directed by (rightfully) disgraced comedian Louis CK, the film stars Lance Crouther as the titular Mr. Tang, a performer, poet, and potter who learns a lesson about himself and the evil corporate empire run by Dick Lecter (Robert Vaughn). Mike McGranahan and Josh Stewart join Mike to discuss this maligned masterpiece. Sa da tay!

On this special episode Mike talks with Joshua Grannell about his 2010 film All About Evil. The film stars Natasha Lyonne as Deborah Tennis, a movie theater manager who becomes a filmmaker, specializing in making gore films about those who have wronged her. The film will be streaming on Shudder and is getting a new blu-ray release from Severin Films. Pre-order here: https://amzn.to/39n4VJ7

Jonathan Penner discusses his career and his work programming three exploitation classics -- Tenement, Ms. 45, and Basket Case -- for the 2022 Tribeca film festival. Find out more at https://tribecafilm.com/festival/film/midnight

We're looking at the 1980 film from director Robert Altman and writer Jules Feifer, Popeye. Based on the King Syndicate comic by E.C. Segar, it's the story of a mariner (Robin Williams) who comes to the port town of Sweethaven looking for his father. He finds a town under the control of a mysterious man known only as The Commodore who has left his right hand man, Bluto (Paul L Smith), in charge of the city which is plagued with ruffians and an overzealous tax collector. He meets the Oyl family, a dysfunctional group whom he must redeem in order to find his father and true happiness.Father Malone and Paul Zimmerman join Mike to discuss the film while interviews include Allan F. Nicholls, Paul Dooley, and MacIntyre Dixon.

Mike speaks with producer Noa Durban and director Tom Stern about their upcoming feature documentary, The Butthole Surfers Movie. The film looks at the groundbreaking alternative art band The Butthole Surfers.The film is still in the funding stages. Donate at the film's official website, https://buttholesurfersmovie.com/

On this special episode, Mike talks to Dan Mirvish the director and co-writer of 18 1/2 (2022). It's a comedy thriller about the missing minutes from Nixon tapes starring Willa Fitzgerald and John Magaro.

On this special episode Mike talks with Stuart Pankin a bit about his illustrious career including his work on Not Necessarily the News, Fatal Attraction, and his latest film, Deep in the Forest.

We conclude our month of discussions about Soviet Cinema with a double feature from Kira Muratova, Brief Encounters from 1967 and The Long Farewell from 1971. Brief Encounters got a very limited release while The Long Farewell was shelved before release. Both films finally got their day in the sun as the Cold War began to thaw.In Brief Encounters, two women are in love with the same man. The film has a real New Wave feel to it with a fractured timeline and rough production. In The Long Farewell we see a mother, Yevgeniya, become more and more estranged from her son after he spends a summer with his father.Jane Taubman joins us to discuss Muratova's work while Gianna D'Emilio and Alistair Pitts provide insight on these challenging films.

Upright Citizens Brigade members Doug Mand and Dan Gregor discuss their career from their early days, shorts, How I Met Your Mother, Most Likely to Murder, and their latest work, Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers. They talk about the long gestation of their latest project as well as some of the challenges of working with a vast array of intellectual property.

On this special episode Mike talks to Ceci Cleary who's had quite a career. She started off as a wind-surfer before moving into stunt and location work. These days she's a producer of feature films including the 2022 movie To Leslie. Find out more at https://cecicleary.com/

We continue our month of discussing Soviet Cinema with a look at Three Poplars on Plyuschikha Street. It's the story of Nyura, a country woman who comes to the big city of Moscow to see her sister in law. There she meets Sasha, a taxi driver. They share stories and a song on the way to Plyuschikha Street. He offers to take her to the movies and she agrees but things go wrong. Gianna D'Emilio and Alistair Pitts join Mike to discuss this heart-breaking film.

On this special episode Mike talks with George Stevens Jr., filmmaker and founder of the AFI, Kennedy Center Honors, and Co-Chairman of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities about his new book, My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and Washington which is available for purchase at https://amzn.to/3sAFaLI

On this special episode Mike talks with Ed Glaser, host of the Deja View YouTube series and author of How the World Remade Hollywood: Global Interpretations of 65 Iconic Films from McFarland Books. It's a terrific book which looks at foreign interpretations of American films. Get your copy today at https://amzn.to/3vZJBSw

We continue our month of discussing Soviet Cinema with a look at Elem Klimov's Welcome, or No Trespassing (1964). It's the story of a group of kids at a summer camp where one boy, Kostja Inockin (Viktor Kosykh), breaks from the pack and swims a little too far. He's immediately expelled by Director Dynin (Evgeniy Evstigneev) but later Inockin returns. Alistair Pitts and Gianna D'Emilio join Mike to discuss this fast-paced, whimsical political allegory.

Mike speaks with director Matt Eskey about his documentary The Mojo Manifesto: The Life & Times of Mojo Nixon.

Mike talks with author Andrew J. Rausch about his 2019 book My Best Friend's Birthday which documents the early days of Quentin Tarantino's acting and filmmaking including the titular film from Tarantino and Craig Hamann.

We are kicking off a month of discussions around Soviet cinema with a look at the 1962 film, The Amphibian Man. It's the story of a love triangle between the daughter of a poor man, Guitierre (Anastasiya Vertinskaya) who has been promised to the rich Don Pedro (Mikhail Kozakov). She's saved from a shark attack by the titular Amphibian Man, whose real name is Ichthyander (Vladimir Korenev). Of course, Guitierre and Ichthyander fall in love and should really be together. Can they escape from Argentina to Australia and live their lives there or will Don Pedro not allow their love to flourish?Gianna D'Emilio and Alistair Pitts join Mike to answer this questions and more!

Mike speaks with filmmaker Gina Gaston about her latest film, 9 Bullets (2022). The film stars Lena Headey as Gypsy, a burlesque dance who must go on the run to save a neighbor boy (Dean Scott Vazquez).

We're wrapping up Screwball month with a look at Frank Capra's Arsenic and Old Lace. Released in 1944, though shot several years before that, the film stars Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic and avowed bachelor who has found the love of his life in Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane) who lives right next door to his kind-hearted aunts, Abby and Martha. There's just one thing…. Abby and Martha have a terrible habit of poisoning their single, lonely old men boarders.Sylvia Hubbard and Kat Ellinger join Mike to discuss the film while special guest Joseph McBride (Frank Capra: The Catastrophe of Success) talks about Frank Capra while Charles Dennis reveals just a few of the things he's uncovered for his upcoming book There's a Body in the Window Seat!: The History of Arsenic and Old Lace.

On this special report, Mike talks with Mike Hugo, the editor of Hypochondriac (2022). The film is the story of a young potter whose life begins to unravel thanks to childhood trauma. Hugo also discusses his early career and his meticulous process.

Screwball month continues with a look at Leo McCarey's The Awful Truth (1937). Based on the play by Arthur Richman, the film stars Cary Grant and Irene Dunn as Jerry and Lucy Warriner, a couple who break up before the first act is even over. They would have a clean break apart from their both wanting custody of their dog, Mr. Smith, and that they both still may love one another.Kat Ellinger and Aaron Peterson join Mike to discuss the film as well the 1953 interpretation of Richman's play, Let's Do It Again.

Mike spoke to writer/director Riley Stearns about his latest film, Dual, which opens theatrically in the U.S. on April 15, 2022.

Screwball month continues with a look at Gregory la Cava's My Man Godfrey. Based on the novel and co-written by Eric Hatch, the film stars William Powell as the titular Godfrey. He's a forgotten man, living in a Hooverville in New York City where he's picked up by a bunch of swells out on a scavenger hunt. Bringing in a forgotten man will net a lot of points and help Irene Bullock (Carole Lombard) win the game. In return, she hires Godfrey as a butler to the wacky Bullock family. And, of course, hilarity ensues...Kat Ellinger and Maurice Bursztynski join Mike to discuss the original adaptation as well as the 1957 version with David Niven and June Allyson.

We are kicking off a month of screwball comedy discussion with a look at Howard Hawks's 1941 film Ball of Fire. Written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, the film stars Gary Cooper as one of an octet of professors who are writing an encyclopedia. Cooper is writing an article on slang only to find that he's very deficient. In an effort to bolster his research he comes across Sugarpuss O'Shea (Barbara Stanwyck ). The moll of a vicious gangster, she's on the lamb and holes up with the professors. And, of course, hilarity ensues. Kat Ellinger will be around all month. Maitland McDonagh guest hosts on this episode and Professor Joseph McBride dishes about his books on director Howard Hawks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time, folks... It's another Ego Fest and Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy) joins Mike in The Projection Booth to ask your burning questions. This special episode also features interviews with Kevin Gootee about the Gutting the Sacred Cow podcast and Dan Gardner of the RunPee app (where you can get 5 free Pee Coins with promo code ProjectionBooth). Get the scoop on what goes into making an episode of your favorite podcast.

We conclude our look at adult films with the raunchiest we've covered so far, New Wave Hookers (1985), a film from the Dark Brothers mired in controversy. Starring Jack Baker and Jamie Gillis, it's the story of two men who share a dream of becoming pimps and hypnotizing women into doing their bidding via the power of new wave music. The film also features Ginger Lynn and originally featured Traci Lords before it broke that she was underage at the time of making it. Robin Bougie (Cinema Sewer) and Ashley West (The Rialto Report) join Mike to discuss the film and its backstory.

We continue our march through March with a look at the adult classic Blonde Ambition. Released in 1981, the film was years in the making. It stars Suzy Mandel and Dory Devin as Sugar and Candy Kane, sisters who have a song and dance act in a podunk town. One fateful evening they encounter the dashing Stephen Carlisle III (played by Eric Edwards), a prince of sorts who carries not a glass slipper but a valuable jewel -- and, wouldn't you know it, a duplicate of a worthless replica owned by the Kane sisters. I don't think that I need to say it but…. Wackiness ensues. Interviews include John Amero, Kurt Mann, LaRue Watts, and Larry Revene. April Hall of The Rialto Report and Heather Drain join Mike to discuss this amazing musical.

Our exploration of adult films continues with a look at Little Orphan Dusty. The credits say the film was co-directed by Bob Chinn and Jacoov Jacoovi thought there's a little controversy about that. Released in 1978, the film stars Rhonda Jo Petty as the titular Dusty, a woman attacked by a gang of bikers who eventually is rescued by Frankie (John Holmes), an artist who tries to help Dusty after a traumatic rape. Unfortunately, those bikers are really damned persistent... Jill Nelson and Rahne Alexander join Mike to discuss the controversial film, its litigious advertising campaign, and its odd sequel (which co-stars Eric Edwards). Rhonda Jo Petty talks about making the film and her relationship with co-star John Holmes.

Coverage of MOMI's First Look festival continues with an interview with Pawel Lozinski about his latest documentary feature, The Balcony Movie, in which the director interviews a wide array of people who pass by under his Warsaw balcony.

Filmmaker Mattie Do discusses her career -- from being a ballet instructor to suddenly directing horror features in Laos. She also tells Mike about her latest feature, The Long Walk, which is available on Digital now and will be coming out on Blu-Ray via Vinegar Syndrome. Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/thelongwalkfilm/

On this special episode we're looking at the 1988 film from Graham Baker, Alien Nation. When an alien ship comes to America, depositing a quarter of a million “newcomers” who try to live out the American dream. Among them is Detective Sam Francisco (Mandy Patinkin). He's partnered with specist cop Matthew Skyes (James Caan). Together, the two of them solve a mystery that may jeopardize the human and newcomer relations forever. Cecil Trachenberg and Josh Stewart join Mike to discuss the film, TV show, and other similar buddy cop films. Interviews include director Baker, screenwriter Rockne S. O'Bannon, and star Peter Jason.

On this special episode of The Projection Booth, Mike speaks with Eric Hynes and Edo Choi, curators of the Museum of the Moving Image's First Look film festival. They discuss the mission of the festival while highlighting just a few of the many titles playing at the 2022 event.  Find out more at https://movingimage.us/

Mature March continues with a look at Young, Hot 'n Nasty Teenage Cruisers (1977). Directed by Tom Denucci and Johnny Legend the film is a hodgepodge of storylines and clips that plays like an X-rated American Graffiti as we follow a few characters through a long night of hi-jinks narrated by DJ Mambo Reavus (played by Legend himself). Heather Drain and Anthony King join Mike to discuss the film while star Serena talks about the making of it.

We're kicking off a month of discussing adult films with a look at Gerard Damiano's Memories within Miss Aggie. Released in 1974, the film tells the tale of our titular Miss Aggie (Deborah Ashira), a woman of indeterminate age who lives in a remote cottage with her companion, Richard (Patrick L. Farrelly). She struggles to recall the circumstances that brought her to this place and time which leads us to a series of flashbacks where we learn about Miss Aggie though she remembers herself as different women as she relives the past. Ashley West and Samm Deighan join Mike to discuss this very unusual film and fantastic follow-up to The Devil in Miss Jones.

We're wrapping up “Frenchuary” with a look at Luis Bunuel's Belle de Jour. Based on the 1928 novel by Joseph Kessel, the film was released in 1967 and stars Catherine Deneuvre as our titular bell. That's the name she's given when the normally straight-laced Severine secretly lives out her submissive fantasies at a Paris brothel.... Or does she?  Samm Deighan joins Mike to discuss the dream-like film.

Judith Mayne and Cullen Gallagher join Mike to discuss Clair Denis's I Can't Sleep (1994). The film winds together three stories of artists in Paris who live on the outskirts of society.

On this special episode, Mike talks with author Ian Nathan about his work, specifically his latest book, The Coppolas: A Movie Dynasty.  The book is available at https://amzn.to/3uS5WBr

On this special episode, Mike talks with Manuel Arija de la Cuerda about his delightfully odd spiritual comedy, Ultrainocencia (AKA Ultrainnocence). It's a terrific, low budget movie about two men who use dance to communicate with a larger spiritual world.

French month continues with a look at Louis Malle's Black Moon (1975). The film tells the story of Lily (Cathryn Harrison), a girl on the brink of womanhood who's on the run from a war between men and women. She takes refuge in a country estate populated by a strange old women (Therese Giehse), Brother Lily (Joe Dallesandro) and Sister Lily (Alexandra Stewart). She makes the flowers scream and antagonizes a unicorn in this surrealistic tale. Kat Ellinger and Aaron Peterson join Mike to discuss the film while Professor Hugo Frey talks about Louis Malle.

On this special episode, Mike talks to Junta Yamaguchi about his feature film debut, Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes, a time travel comedy from Japan.  Find out more at Third Window Films: https://thirdwindowfilms.com/films/beyond-the-infinite-two-minutes/

We kick off a month of discussing French films with a look at Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Circle Rouge (The Red Circle). The film stars Alain Delon and Gian-Maria Volente as two criminals who cross paths. Along with Yves Montand, the three men execute a daring heist before the fickle finger of fate touches them. Samm Deighan and Andrew Leavold join Mike to discuss the film. Mike also speaks with author Rui Nogueira about his Melville on Melville book.

John Walker and James Lawrence join Mike to look at the 2013 film from Ridley Scott, The Counselor. Written by Cormac McCarthy, the film is a sprawling sun-baked neo-noir wherein our titular Counselor (Michael Fassbender) gets involved in the drug trade only to set off a spiral of tragic events. Boasting a stunning cast of celebrities, the film was not well received upon its theatrical release. Professor Steven Frye (Understanding Cormac McCarthy) joins us to discuss the author's work.

On this special episode of The Projection Booth, Mike talks with Regan Linton and Brian Malone about their documentary Imperfect (2021) in which a differently-abled theater troupe from Denver puts on a production of Chicago.  The film plays this week at the Slamdance film festival. Find out more at https://imperfectfilm.com/

Samm Deighan and Trevor Gumbel join Mike to discuss Lina Wertmuller's 1974 film Swept Away. Also known as Overwhelmed by an unusual fate in the blue sea of ​​August, it's the story of Gennarino (Giancarlo Giannini) and Rafaella (Mariangela Melato). She's a bourgeoisie on vacation with her husband who has nothing good to say about anything, especially the service on her yacht which Gennarino provides. They get separated from the ship and end up on a deserted island where they fight to survive and fight with one another. We'll be discussing the Guy Ritchie remake as well as Marco Ferreri's 1972 film La Cagna which shares some similarities with Wertmuller's film.

David Kittredge and Rod Lott join Mike to look at the 1979 film The North Avenue Irregulars. Based on the non-fiction book by Reverend Albert Fay Hill, the film stars Edward Hermann as Reverend Mike Hill, a minister who arrives with his two children at their new congregation to find a rather wacky group of women who help run the church. When one of them loses the church's money on some illegal gambling Hill tries to get it back. Humiliated and chagrined by the mob who run the gambling there, Hill teams up with the Treasury Department in order to take down crime with his team of irregulars.  Interviews include director Bruce Bilson, screenwriter Don Tait, and actor Edward Herrmann.

Oh, my brothers, your friend and faithful narrator comes to you with gorgeousness and gorgeousity made digital with an episode on Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971). My droogs, Rob St. Mary and Yaniv Eidelstein, join me in the discussion while our guests include publicist Mike Kaplan and Anthony Burgess biographer Andrew Biswell.

It's been a long time coming but here's the interview I managed to do with Jeff Goldblum just about his career and movies in general. Be warned that the sound quality isn't great. I worked alone and with some audio folks to try and clean it up as best as possible. I hope you manage to enjoy it!

Chris Bricklemyer (Outside the Cinema) and Scott Weinberg (The Overhated Podcast) join Mike to wrap up 2021 with a discussion of Mike Hodges's 1980 film Flash Gordon. The episode features interviews with John Walsh (Flash Gordon: The Official Story of the Film) and the original screenwriter of the film, Michael Allin (Enter the Dragon, Truck Turner, etc).

On this special episode of The Projection Booth, Mike talks with Carla Gutierrez and Claudia Raschke the editor and cinematographer of Julia (2021), a documentary about famed chef Julia Child who revolutionized televised cooking.