Best Filmcommentary Podcasts (2026)

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Night and the City 1:01:21

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1d ago1:01:21

1:01:21

“You're very sharp Mr. Fabian. You've done a very sharp thing. Maybe even sharp enough to cut your throat.” Noir in London: Wrestling with Fate in Night and the City Jules Dassin's 1950 film noir Night and the City follows small-time hustler Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark) through the seedy underbelly of post-war London. Forced to relocate to Britai…

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Repeat Performance • Member Bonus 1:03:20

8h ago1:03:20

1:03:20

“They say that fate is in the stars, that each of our years is planned ahead and nothing can change destiny. Is that true?” A Noir Holiday Tale of Second Chances Repeat Performance, directed by Alfred L. Werker, blends film noir sensibilities with supernatural elements in this unique story about second chances. Released through poverty row studio E…

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The Gold Rush 1:08:58

4d ago1:08:58

1:08:58

Cast your vote for The Next Reel as Best TV & Film Podcast today! “I’ve found it! I’ve found it! A Mountain of Gold.” A Tale of Survival and Comedy: The Gold Rush Climbs to New Heights In 1925, Charlie Chaplin transformed the harsh realities of the Klondike Gold Rush and the tragic Donner Party saga into what would become one of silent cinema's gre…

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Seven Chances 1:05:49

7d ago1:05:49

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Cast your vote for The Next Reel as Best TV & Film Podcast today! “Your grandfather has left you the sum of seven million dollars. Providing --- you are married by seven o’clock on the evening of your twenty seventh birthday.” Running for Love and Legacy: Revisiting Seven Chances Seven Chances (1925) stands as one of silent cinema’s most inventive …

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The Phantom of the Opera 1:08:34

22d ago1:08:34

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Cast your vote for The Next Reel as Best TV & Film Podcast today! “I can not leave the opera now. There is a strange force that drives me on.” From Stage to Screen: Universal's Monster Legacy Begins The Phantom of the Opera (1925), directed by Rupert Julian, marked Universal Studios' first major entry (kinda) into what would become their legendary …

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The Big Parade 1:03:12

24d ago1:03:12

1:03:12

“I came to fight—not to wait and rot in a lousy hole while they murder my pal!” World War I Through 1925's Eyes: The Big Parade Marches On King Vidor's The Big Parade, released in 1925, represented a watershed moment in how cinema portrayed the Great War. Just seven years after World War I's conclusion, the film offered audiences an intimate look a…

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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ • Member Bonus 12:02

28d ago12:02

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“I will ride you down—wrench off your wheels—trample you into the sand! You shall race—to your death!” Epic Biblical Tale Celebrates Centennial Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) stands as MGM's most ambitious and expensive silent film production, costing nearly $4 million ($71.5 million adjusted) and taking two years to complete. Director Fred N…

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Battleship Potemkin 1:01:15

1M ago1:01:15

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“The land is ours. Tomorrow is ours!” Revolutionary Cinema: Battleship Potemkin Turns 100 Sergei Eisenstein's landmark 1925 Soviet silent film Battleship Potemkin revolutionized cinema through its innovative use of montage and dramatic storytelling. Commissioned to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1905 Russian Revolution, Eisenstein focused …

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Sunset Blvd. 1:06:05

1M ago1:06:05

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“We didn’t need dialogue. We had faces.” Hollywood's Dark Mirror: Sunset Boulevard (1950) Billy Wilder's noir masterpiece Sunset Boulevard stands as both a scathing critique of Hollywood and a haunting character study. Released in 1950, this tale of an aging silent film star and a struggling screenwriter expertly blends elements of film noir, dark …

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Caged 58:26

2M ago58:26

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“What I’d give for a sink full of dirty dishes.” Women Behind Bars: A Groundbreaking Prison Drama Caged (1950), directed by John Cromwell, established the template for women's prison films while earning three Academy Award nominations. Eleanor Parker stars as Marie Allen, a pregnant 19-year-old imprisoned as an accessory to her husband's failed rob…

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Born Yesterday 59:50

2M ago59:50

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“I want everybody to be smart. I want 'em to be as smart as they can be. A world full of ignorant people is too dangerous to live in.” A Comedy of Intelligence: Breaking Down Born Yesterday George Cukor's 1950 comedy Born Yesterday stars Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn, a former showgirl who finds herself caught between her corrupt businessman boyfrie…

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The Gunfighter • Member Bonus 10:47

2M ago10:47

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“How come I've got to run into a squirt like you nearly every place I go these days? What are you trying to do? Show off for your friends?” A Thoughtful Western About Fame's Heavy Burden The Gunfighter (1950) emerged from an unexpected path to production, with the story originally written for John Wayne, who declined due to a grudge against Columbi…

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The Aura 1:05:17

2M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

“I know when they're going to come because a few seconds earlier, I feel something. The doctors call it ‘aura’.” Into the Mind of a Taxidermist: Exploring The Aura Fabián Bielinsky's final film The Aura (2005) marked his second and tragically last collaboration with Argentine star Ricardo Darín before the director's untimely death at age 47. Follow…

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The Invincible Six 59:40

2M ago59:40

59:40

“I tell you something, man, I’d really love to get my hands on that sleepy-eyed bastard.” From Iran With Mayhem: The Curious Case of The Invincible Six Jean Negulesco's 1970 action-adventure The Invincible Six represents a fascinating moment in Iranian cinema history. Shot during Iran's pre-revolution period of international co-productions, this Se…

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Battle Beyond the Stars 56:52

3M ago56:52

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“Live fast, fight well, and have a beautiful ending.” Space Cowboys and Samurai Meet in Roger Corman's Star Wars Roger Corman's 1980 space opera Battle Beyond the Stars reimagines Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai with a distinctly B-movie flair. Directed by Jimmy T. Murakami from a John Sayles screenplay, this low-budget response to Star Wars feature…

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Sholay 1:10:37

3M ago1:10:37

1:10:37

“They are criminals, no doubt. But they’re brave. They’re dangerous because they know how to fight. They’re bad, but there’s a good side to them as well.” From Curry Western to Cultural Phenomenon: Sholay at 50 Released in 1975, Ramesh Sippy's Sholay revolutionized Indian cinema by blending Western genre conventions with Bollywood sensibilities. Th…

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Dog Day Afternoon 1:00:42

3M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

“He needed the money for the operation for you?” Bank Robbery Meets Social Commentary in Lumet's Masterpiece Sidney Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon (1975) dramatizes the true story of a Brooklyn bank robbery gone wrong, transforming a sensational crime into a penetrating study of media spectacle, sexual identity, and institutional power. Based on a 1972 …

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The Super Inframan • Member Bonus 9:51

3M ago9:51

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“Listen, human beings. I’m Princess Elzebub. I’ve conquered the Earth. I’m your new master now.” Hong Kong's Super-Powered Shaw Brothers SpectacleThe Super Inframan, released by Shaw Brothers Studio in 1975, represents a fascinating fusion of tokusatsu, kung fu, and superhero genres. Directed by Hua Shan, this Hong Kong science fiction action film …

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Deep Red (Profondo Rosso) 1:00:37

3M ago1:00:37

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“You have killed and you will kill again!” Italian Horror Meets Murder Mystery in Dario Argento's Deep Red Dario Argento's 1975 Deep Red (Profondo Rosso) stands as a defining example of Italian giallo cinema. The film follows a British jazz pianist who witnesses a brutal murder and becomes entangled in solving the crime, working alongside an invest…

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Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles 1:07:43

4M ago1:07:43

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“I could have made mashed potatoes, but we’re having that tomorrow.” When Routine Becomes Revolution: Chantal Akerman's Masterpiece In 1975, Belgian filmmaker Chantal Akerman created Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, a groundbreaking examination of feminine domestic life that would later be named the greatest film of all time by…

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Barry Lyndon 1:01:56

4M ago1:01:56

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“How different Barry’s fate might have been had he not fallen in love with Nora and had he not flung the wine at Captain Quinn’s face, but he was destined to be a wanderer and the battle with Quinn set him on his travels at a very early age, as you shall soon see.” From Novel to Screen: Kubrick's Aristocratic Satire Stanley Kubrick's 1975 period dr…

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Ju-on: The Grudge 2 1:04:52

4M ago1:04:52

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“When you do horror films, do you go through a ritual purification before filming?” When Hair Attacks and Time Loops: Ju-on: The Grudge 2 Brings Spectacle to the Franchise Ju-on: The Grudge 2, released in 2003 and directed by Takashi Shimizu, marked a significant evolution in the franchise that began with the original short films. As the fourth ins…

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Night Moves • Member Bonus 7:39

4M ago7:39

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“C’mon! Take a swing at me the way Sam Spade would!” A Detective Story Lost in the Florida Sun Night Moves emerged from the politically charged atmosphere of early 1970s Hollywood, with screenwriter Alan Sharp crafting a neo-noir that deliberately subverted detective story conventions. Filmed in fall 1973 but delayed until 1975, Arthur Penn's direc…

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Ju-on: The Grudge 1:11:36

4M ago1:11:36

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“Please stop tormenting me!” From V-Cinema to Theatrical Horror: The Evolution of Ju-on: The Grudge After finding success with his V-Cinema entries Ju-on: The Curse and its sequel, director Takashi Shimizu brought his haunting vision to theaters in 2002 with Ju-on: The Grudge. This theatrical adaptation expanded on his original concept while introd…

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Ju-on: The Curse 2 1:00:43

4M ago1:00:43

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“You’ll die if you remain here!” Expanding the Curse: Exploring Ju-on: The Curse 2 Released just one month after its predecessor in March 2000, Ju-on: The Curse 2 continues director Takashi Shimizu's haunting tale of a curse born from powerful rage. Made for Japanese V-cinema (direct-to-video) with an extremely tight nine-day shooting schedule shar…

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Ju-on: The Curse 1:08:07

5M ago1:08:07

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“The family that used to live there, they all either died or went missing.” From V-Cinema to Global Horror: The Birth of Ju-on Takashi Shimizu's Ju-on: The Curse (2000) emerged from two successful short films to launch one of Japan's most influential horror franchises. Originally released direct-to-video as part of Japan's V-Cinema movement, this l…

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Alien Parasites, Antarctic Booze, and the King of PR Chaos: Bo Shurling on The Thing! 1:16:19

5M ago1:16:19

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On this frosty episode of the Adult Beverage Film Podcast, we crack open our survival rations (a.k.a. adult beverages) and thaw out one of cinema's chilliest horror masterpieces — John Carpenter's The Thing. Joining us in the frozen tundra of our recording session is the legendary Bo Shurling — unit publicist, award-winner, celebrity wrangler, and …

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Ballerina 1:09:59

5M ago1:09:59

1:09:59

“Fight like a girl.” Dancing with Assassins: The Latest Chapter in the John Wick Universe Ballerina, released in 2025, expands the John Wick universe with Ana de Armas stepping into the lead role as Eve, a trained assassin seeking revenge. Director Len Wiseman, known for the Underworld series, takes the helm with a reported $90 million budget. The …

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Love, Vodka, and Oligarch Drama — Nicholas Brown Joins Us for Sean Baker's Anora! 1:21:19

5M ago1:21:19

1:21:19

Get ready to uncork some serious conversation (and maybe pop a few questionable champagne corks), because this episode of the Adult Beverage Film Podcast is hopping on a private jet straight into Sean Baker's wild, heartfelt, and occasionally vodka-soaked Anora. Helping us navigate this whirlwind of love, chaos, and Russian family drama is special …

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Rock ’n’ Roll High School • Member Bonus 11:56

5M ago11:56

11:56

“On behalf of the students from Vince Lombardi High who are here tonight, I'd just like to say one thing: Screw you, Principal Togar, we made it to the concert anyway!” Rock 'n' Roll Rules the School: A Corman Classic Gets WildRock 'n' Roll High School (1979) emerged from Roger Corman's desire to tap into the teen movie craze following the success …

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Lights, Camera… Vampires? Steve Saxon Joins Us for a Bloody Good Time with Sinners! 1:30:04

6M ago1:30:04

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This week on the Adult Beverage Film Podcast, we're sharpening our fangs, pouring something strong, and sinking our teeth into Ryan Coogler's electrifying vampire thriller Sinners. Helping us navigate this dark, soulful ride is none other than Steve Saxon — Director of Photography, camera operator, and all-around visual wizard whose credits range f…

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F1 • Member Bonus 1:13:27

6M ago1:13:27

1:13:27

“When was the last time you won a race?” Racing to Victory: Apple's F1 Brings Hollywood Formula to the TrackJoseph Kosinski's 2023 film F1 represents Apple's ambitious entry into big-budget theatrical releases, with a reported $300 million budget and unprecedented integration of real F1 racing footage, teams, and personalities. Starring Brad Pitt a…

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Forbidden World • Member Bonus 13:12

6M ago13:12

13:12

“It's simplifying the cells, until there's no difference between a cell in your eye or your toe.” Alien Ripoffs, Mutations, and Space Station RomanceIn 1982, legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman released Forbidden World, a low-budget sci-fi horror film that shamelessly borrowed elements from Ridley Scott's 1979 classic Alien. Directed by Allan H…

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The Art of Racing in the Rain 1:01:04

6M ago1:01:04

1:01:04

“Somewhere, the zebra was dancing.” Racing Through Emotions: A Dog's Tale of Life on and off the TrackThe Art of Racing in the Rain, Simon Curtis's 2019 adaptation of Garth Stein's beloved novel, brings together the worlds of professional racing and canine companionship. With Milo Ventimiglia as aspiring race car driver Denny Swift and Kevin Costne…

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Ford v Ferrari 1:00:22

7M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

“We're lighter, we're faster, and if that don't work, we're nastier.” Racing Against Corporate Politics: Ford v Ferrari (2019)James Mangold's Ford v Ferrari dramatizes the true story of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles' quest to build a Ford race car capable of defeating Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Originally developed under the title "Go Like …

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Rush (2013) 57:25

7M ago57:25

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“The closer you are to death, the more alive you feel. It's a wonderful way to live. It's the only way to drive.” Racing Against Reality: Ron Howard's High-Speed DramaRon Howard's Rush (2013) dramatizes the intense 1976 Formula One rivalry between James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl). The film garnered attention for its styliz…

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Cartels, Courtrooms & Catchy Choruses — We're Talking Emilia Pérez! 1:13:02

7M ago1:13:02

1:13:02

This week on the Adult Beverage Film Podcast, we're shaking up our cocktails and our genres with Jacques Audiard's bold, bonkers, and beautiful Emilia Pérez. Part musical, part crime thriller, and part "wait, did they just break into song during a cartel shootout?", this Cannes sensation tells the story of Rita — a burned-out lawyer who's roped int…

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Le Mans 57:41

7M ago57:41

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“It’s a long race.” Racing to Nowhere: Steve McQueen's Polarizing Vision of Le MansSteve McQueen's passion project Le Mans (1971) emerged from a tumultuous production history, shifting from its original incarnation as "Day of the Champion" with director John Sturges to a more experimental documentary-style racing film under Lee H. Katzin. After los…

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Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning • Member Bonus 1:22:31

7M ago1:22:31

1:22:31

“Our lives are the sum of our choices.” The Final Mission: Breaking Down Mission: Impossible - The Final ReckoningChristopher McQuarrie's Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025) marks the ambitious conclusion to Tom Cruise's 29-year tenure as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. With a reported budget of $400 million, making it one of the most expensive …

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Cannonball • Member Bonus 10:52

7M ago10:52

10:52

“I got a better chance of handling him when he's pie-eyed. The front seat don't know it, but the back is still pulling the strings.” Racing Across America with Roger Corman's CannonballIn our latest member bonus episode, we dive into Paul Bartel's 1976 action comedy Cannonball, produced by Roger Corman's New World Pictures. Made with a modest budge…

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Grand Prix 1:22:19

7M ago1:22:19

1:22:19

“All of us, proving what? That we can go faster, and perhaps remain alive?” Racing to Glory: John Frankenheimer's Grand Prix (1966)When director John Frankenheimer set out to make Grand Prix in 1966, he faced competition from Steve McQueen's planned racing film. Through strategic negotiations and groundbreaking technical innovations, Frankenheimer …

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The Last Man on Earth 55:38

8M ago55:38

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“I just can’t accept the idea of universal disease.” When Science Meets SurvivalVincent Price stars in the first adaptation of Richard Matheson's influential novel I Am Legend, bringing to screen a post-apocalyptic tale that would help define both vampire and zombie genres for decades to come. Directed by Sidney Salkow and Ubaldo Ragona, The Last M…

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Road House (2024) 1:06:10

8M ago1:06:10

1:06:10

“You sure you thought this all the way through?” From UFC to the Big Screen: How Amazon's Remake Came to BeAfter years of development, Amazon Studios greenlit a modern remake of the 1989 cult classic Road House with Jake Gyllenhaal stepping into Patrick Swayze's shoes. Doug Liman signed on to direct, bringing his action expertise to the project. Th…

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Road House (1989) 59:15

8M ago59:15

59:15

“I want you to be nice, until it’s time to NOT be nice.” From Bar Fights to Box Office: The Making of a Cult ClassicIn the late 1980s, United Artists sought to capitalize on Patrick Swayze's rising star power following the success of Dirty Dancing. The studio paired him with director Rowdy Herrington for what was pitched as "the best drive-in movie…

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Conan the Destroyer 1:13:21

8M ago1:13:21

1:13:21

“What good is a sword against sorcery?” From Barbarian to Family-Friendly FantasyAfter the success of Conan the Barbarian in 1982, producer Dino De Laurentiis wanted to create a more family-friendly sequel. He recruited director Richard Fleischer and turned to comic book writers Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway to craft a PG-rated story. With a screenpl…

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The Big Doll House • Member Bonus 10:11

8M ago10:11

10:11

“Get it up or I’ll cut it off.” Roger Corman's Foray into Women in Prison FilmsIn 1971, Roger Corman's New World Pictures sought to capitalize on the success of the women in prison film 99 Women. Working with a low budget, they brought on director Jack Hill who, dissatisfied with the original script, hired Don Spencer to create a new screenplay tha…

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Hannibal Rising 1:03:27

8M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

“Not a nick in the blade, I promise you. The butcher was like butter.” The Origin Story Nobody Asked ForAfter the success of the Hannibal Lecter films, producer Dino De Laurentiis wanted to continue the franchise. When author Thomas Harris initially refused to write another story, De Laurentiis threatened to move forward with different writers. Thi…

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Red Dragon 1:02:39

9M ago1:02:39

1:02:39

“Don’t you understand, Will? You caught me because we’re very much alike.” The Return to Hannibal Lecter's OriginsAfter the box office success of Hannibal in 2001, producer Dino De Laurentiis quickly moved forward with another adaptation of Thomas Harris's work. With Anthony Hopkins agreeing to return one final time as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, they sec…

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Hannibal 1:08:08

9M ago1:08:08

1:08:08

“Bowels in or bowels out?” The Return of Dr. Lecter: A Sequel Ten Years in the MakingWhen Jonathan Demme declined to direct the sequel to The Silence of the Lambs, producers Dino and Martha De Laurentiis began searching for a new director. After David Mamet's initial script was heavily rewritten by Steven Zaillian, Ridley Scott signed on to direct.…

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The Silence of the Lambs 1:03:59

9M ago1:03:59

1:03:59

“Quid pro quo.” The Birth of an Iconic ThrillerAfter the commercial disappointment of Manhunter in 1986, producers Dino and Martha De Laurentiis were hesitant to pursue another adaptation of Thomas Harris's work. However, when The Silence of the Lambs was published in 1988, Gene Hackman initially optioned the rights with intentions to direct and st…