Not Now in Theaters: A Retro and Cult Film Podcast

What makes Katherine Bigelow's Near Dark a cult classic 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...

Why do horror fans keep discovering the VHS-era thrills of Maniac Cop?

William Lustig's Maniac Cop is best-known for the appearances of horror icons Tom Atkins (Halloween III: Season of the Witch) and Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead) as well as cult film actor Robert Z'Dar (Samurai Cop).

The movie looks like a brainless Friday the 13th clone but is written with smarts by the famous Larry Cohen. The berserker cop on a killing spree will satisfy genre fans, but it spins up a hard-boiled detective and a conspiratorial backstory. 

Join m...

Could Dredd 2012 Overcome the Poor Reputation of Judge Dredd 1995?

Judge Dredd is a well-known comic book character from the anthology series 2000 AD.  The series has run from the late 1970s to current, drawing close to its 50-year-anniversary.

Yet when it comes to his time at the big screen, the cynical tough guy hasn't found the same success.

Judge Dredd 1995 was a box-office underperformer and a critical failure.

But could the venerable Alex Garland (28 Years Later) and Karl Urban (The Boys) put together an adaptation that pleased f...

Can a filmmaker produce high-quality action on a shoestring budget?

Versus is a zombie action horror film that goes heavy on substance -- combining gun-fu, martial arts, sword fighting, zombies, Yakuza gangsters -- but light on funds -- starting out with a budget in just the tens of thousands of dollars.

An exhilarating action spectacle, the film did little in any box office yet spread around the world in the early days of DVD releases, becoming a cult hit.

Ryuhei Kitamura's (Godzilla: Final Wars) debut feature film, the movie is called...

Why Did Critics Hate on The Hitcher and Yet Fans Love It 40 Years Later?

Moma told The Hitcher's main character Jim Halsey never to pick up a hitchhiker, and when he picks one up, he immediately learns why. His mysterious passenger, John Ryder, goes on to stalk him across the West Texas Desert, leaving a trail of destruction and death.

Inspired by The Doors' song "Riders on the Storm," The Hitcher infamously got zero stars from Roger Ebert and no love from his buddy Gene Siskel.

But wouldn't you know...

How Did Thief Craft Such Realistic Heist Scenes?

Thief is a neo-noir heist action thriller film that, yes, fits into all those categories neatly.

The film directorial debut of Michael Mann (Collateral), the movie didn't make a whole lot of money but has some fans in high places. It's landed in the Criterion collection, and still holds an impressive critical and audience score on review sites like Rotten Tomatoes.

Thief established Mann's ability to create atmospheric nighttime danger, and it has one tantalizing score from the legendary Tangerine Dream.

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Is Walter Hill's The Driver the source of inspiration for getaway driver movies and games to come?

Drive, Baby Driver, or most things with a getaway wheelman -- those films and TV shows likely owe something of their makeup to Walter Hill's The Driver 1978.

A sleek, minimalist, neo-noir crime thriller, The Driver never reveals his name and may, in fact, say fewer lines of dialogue than Mad Max (I haven't counted).

Still, this all-business operator is perhaps the best in the business behind the wheel.

While this movie did...

Does Atomic Blonde Have the Recipe to Mix Incredible Action with an Intriguing Spy Thriller?

"Jane Wick" to some, Atomic Blonde is the vision of John Wick co-creator David Leitch.

It's a Cold War tale of spy vs. spy vs. spy vs. more in the days leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Released in 2017, the film made a reported $100 million in the worldwide box office, outpacing its $30 million budget (and whatever was spent on marketing).

I missed the film on release and have always been eager...

How did Showdown in Little Tokyo get shoved from theaters but find fans on the shelves of video stores?

Well now, where was this gem of a movie back in my video store days?

With a limited theatrical release and negative reviews, Showdown in Little Tokyo got shuttered to the back of the movie dumpster bin (or that's my theory, at least).

But given time, word of mouth, and now, of course, the internet, this buddy cop actioner has caught on as a minor cult film.

Released in 1991, it...

Why is Knightriders called George A. Romero's Most Personal Film?

George A. Romero is forever known as the "godfather of the zombie movie," but Knightriders is a complete departure from his horror films.

A personal film that serves as an allegory for Romero's troubles with the film industry, Knightriders tells the story of a band of outsiders who joust by motorbike, performing for crowds.

But the cracks in their leader, King Billy's, utopian dream are widening.

With the group splintering, can Billy keep them together?

Join me...

Did Babe: Pig in the City go too far, or did audiences miss the message?

A kid's movie for parents who think chainsaws are a toy -- ok, not quite -- Babe: Pig in the City confused audiences.

After the feel-good vibes of the original, kids and parents were ready for a sequel.

But what they got was shocking.

Profoundly darker than the original feel-good 7-time Oscar Nominee, Babe: Pig in the City didn't make back its budget, hitting close to $70 million of that $90 million spent to make it.<...

What Makes The Hobbit 1977 a Gateway Film for Fantasy?

The greatest adventure -- or so the song in the movie claims.

This animated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit was directed by the famous duo of Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr.

Released as a TV movie, it was broadcast by NBC in 1977, dividing critics but winning over some within the fanbase.

While you would think this adaptation would vanish in time or be overshadowed by the Peter Jackson live action versions of the 2010s, I'll argue...

Why do audiences rave about the overlooked gem Southern Comfort?

Walter Hill directed two cult classics with The Warriors and Streets of Fire, but some argue Southern Comfort is his underseen best and belongs in the same category.

An action thriller (that seems like horror), the 1981 movie evaporated from theaters worldwide, yet has found some small corners of appreciation over time.

It's the story of a small group of national guardsmen who get lost in the swamp and find themselves hunted by local Cajuns. Some audience's "spiritual cousin" to Predator, it...

Why do horror fans still love The Blob 1988?

A standout work of 1980s body horror, The Blob 1988 updated the campy 1958 classic with a twist of the hard stuff.

Not winning too many fans at release, almost like its titular character, The Blob's fanbase has grown with time, with many now considering it one of the strongest practical effects movies just before the dawn of CGI.

Directed by Chuck Russell and written by Russell and his pal, some writer/director named Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile), the film gives...

Why is Hard Times worth a watch today?

Filmmaker Walter Hill's (The Warriors) directorial debut, Hard Times is an old-school action movie about bareknuckle boxing in the depression era.

But with its light-hearted tone and breezy script, there's nothing to be sad about here.

When the mysterious drifter Chaney (Charles Bronson) rolls into town, grifter Speed (James Coburn) realizes he has the perfect fighter to take down Chick Gandil (Michael McGuire), the overlord of the New Orleans fight scene.

Join me for this discussion of what makes this 50-year-old...

How did Scanners Hack Into the Criterion Collection?

David Cronenberg's Scanners is infamous for a scene where a psychic's head explodes.

But it's not all mindless destruction here.

This science-fiction horror, that I would argue is a thriller, holds plenty of conspiracy and a mystery to solve.

A film that helped put Canadian moviemakers on the map, the practical effects and eerie vibes keep the film fresh and help it find new audiences -- like me.

Join me for this discussion of what makes Michael Ironside and...

How Does S. Craig Zahler's filmmaking stand apart?

S. Craig Zahler's (Bone Tomahawk) Dragged Across Concrete is aptly named. This 159-minute neo-noir crime thriller is a slow burner that explodes into violence at a pin drop.

Join me for this episode discussing the film's gift for dialogue, its complicated characters, and unflinching attitude toward controversy.

Written and directed by S. Craig Zahler. Starring Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn, Tory Kittles, Michael Jai White, Jennifer Carpenter, Laurie Holden, Fred Melamed, Thomas Kretschmann, and Don Johnson.

...

Hi Listeners,

This episode is a quick update to let you know the show is taking a break for the holidays but coming back in December, as well as what content will be coming down the line.

Thank you for listening,

Will

Connect with us on Bluesky:
@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

Why is John Carpenter's Vampires Such a Mixed Bag?

John Carpenter's Vampires ditches all the goth and drama of the genre for a pulpy, no-nonsense, slay-some-bloodsuckers affair.

And while the horror western essentially broke even at the domestic box office, it made money overseas and was a reportedly $40 million hit on video.

But critics were mixed, and the film has some uncomfortable baggage. 

Join me for this discussion of the film's strengths and weaknesses, why it divides the Carpenter fanbase, and its lasting legacy.

Directed by John C...

How is Bullet in the Head like John Woo's Apocalypse Now?

John Woo's Bullet in the Head didn't do well in Hong Kong theaters and flies under the radar compared to his action films of the same period A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, or Hard Boiled.

Yet many consider it his underseen masterpiece.

By far his "most personal film," John Woo wrote, directed, produced, edited, and (mostly) financed it himself.

But the film's unflinching depiction of Hong Kong riots and war-ravaged Vietnam, navigated by three childhood friends, makes for...

Why do horror fans keep coming back to Prince of Darkness?

Prince of Darkness  sounds like the biopic of Ozzy Osbourne that wasn't.

It's actually a John Carpenter film, the second of his so-called "apocalypse trilogy," where a liquid version of satan tries to escape from its containment cylinder.

And spoiler alert -- like an old-school Starburst commercial, the juice is loose. Or gets loose, you might say.

Can a priest and a team of researchers find a way to stop the evil?

J...

Why do John Carpenter and H.P. Lovecraft fans love In the Mouth of Madness?

John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness didn't win acclaim or box office dollars, but it has gone on to become a horror fan favorite.

The film pays tribute to the works of writer H.P. Lovecraft, and while it has some scary visuals, the trick here is about psychological horror.

When the most famous horror author, Sutter Cane (Jurgen Prochnow), goes missing, it's up to John Trent (Sam Neill), an insurance investigator, to...

Does John Carpenter's Christine live up to the horror fan hype?

From the novel by Stephen King, Christine is the story of a nerdy teen who decides to fix up a broken-down 1958 Plymouth Fury.

But instead of Arnie's flashy new ride, Christine becomes the engine of his revenge on the bullies who have taunted him.

With her powers of self-repair, she begins to slay those not kind to her newfound driver, Arnie.

The next film in my John Carpenter series, this episode explores this Carpenter...

Why did Flesh and Blood  fail at the box office but find fans with time?

Paul Verhoeven's (RoboCop) first English-language film, Flesh and Blood is an erotic historical adventure that bombed on release but has found some fan appreciation with time.

Audiences winced at its unflinching depiction of the Middle Ages, a world ravaged by plague, bands of mercenaries, betrayals, and religious zealots.

But the moral ambiguity and lack of heroes that got the movie forgotten in its time is exactly why it's worth your hours and mi...

Why does Assault on Precinct 13 still hold up today?

John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13 was made for $100,000, written in eight days, scored by Carpenter in three, and shot in twenty.

Yet its status as a classic endures, and its influence still ripples through filmmakers we celebrate today.

A siege movie that combines the elements of Rio Bravo and Night of the Living Dead, the film is gripping as a shaky alliance between police and convicts comes together to survive the night against the ghoulish gangsters forcing their w...

Why was Escape From New York an influential science-fiction film?

Now we're talking --  Escape From New York is the next movie in my John Carpenter series, and it's one of my favorites from his filmography.

Teaming up with collaborators like actor Kurt Russell, producer Debra Hill, cinematographer Dean Cundey, and many more, Carpenter presents a bleak vision of a future that seems all too relevant in our current political climate.

When the president is taken captive on the now-prison formerly known as New Yor...

Why do horror fans still love ghost story The Fog?

The first of a fall series on the films of John Carpenter, The Fog is a seaside, small-town ghost story with all the spooky touches from the horror master.

Atmospheric and with a swirling score (composed by Carpenter himself), the film is yet another cult classic in the John Carpenter canon.

When Antonio Bay hits the 100th anniversary of a shipwreck, strange events occur across town, residents begin to die or disappear, and the secrets behind the nautical disaster c...

In a head-to-head battle of early 90s gangster movies, will King of New York or New Jack City come out on top?

Abel Ferrara's King of New York  and Mario Van Peebles's New Jack City are New York gangster films released just six months apart.

While King of New York  didn't find success at release, it gained appreciation on the home rental market and has undergone re-appraisal as one of Ferrara's best.

New Jack City was a box-office hit, launching Wesle...

What Makes Luc Besson's Subway  Like an Extended Music Video?

Luc Besson's Subway is unlike the Luc Besson movies I know.

Growing up on his films The Fifth Element  or Leon: The Professional, I thought this was going to be another quirky action film.

I got something completely different, but I loved it.

The movie tells the story of Fred, an aimless miscreant, who flees the people he has stolen from to land in the mysterious labyrinth of the Pa...

What makes Silverado a VHS-Era Comfort Watch?

Lawrence and Mark Kasdan's Silverado revives the old western genre tropes when the cowboy stuff had gone out of style.

Screenwriter of Raiders of the Lost Ark  and co-writer of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Lawrence Kasdan (with help from his brother, Mark) brings the pulpy action and quickstep pacing he honed in those all-timer movies to Silverado.

But in stepping into the directing chair for his passion project, he injects a kitchen-sink love letter to t...

How Did The Shooting  Journey from Obscurity to Criterion Classic?

The Shooting, a so-called "anti-western" or "acid western," is compelling literally and figuratively.

A Criterion classic and a film with, at the time of writing, a 100% critical score on the website Rotten Tomatoes, the movie never had a widespread American theatrical release but survived thanks to its acclaim.

Produced by Jack Nicholson and Monte Hellman, the film was financed by the legendary low-budget king Roger Corman.

Shot almost exclusively outdoors in natural lighting, the m...

What Makes the Science-Fiction Action of Fortress a Campy, Cheesy Watch?

Stuart Gordon's Fortress is a science-fiction and action film that feels like a B-movie, even with its theatrical release.

Well-remembered by many who saw it, it's a somewhat popular pick among video-store era enthusiasts.

There are warnings in here about one-child policies, dangerous AI robots, and the nature of institutionalizing prisons. But the movie is too silly to ponder that with any meaning, which many would argue that's what makes it fun.

With practical...

Why Did Rolling Thunder  Shock 1970s Audiences?

Rolling Thunder is a cult classic revenge film with notable fans, including being an all-time favorite of writer/director Quentin Tarantino.

Written by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver) and rewritten by Heywood Gould (Cocktail), it's about a Vietnam prisoner of war's return home only to find a new conflict in suburbia.

When his family is killed, the already-damaged veteran Major Charles Rane gears up for a quest of revenge to kill the men who ruined what was left o...

Is Runaway Train the best film The Cannon Group ever made?

Runaway Train is the only "philosophical" action thriller I've ever heard of. 

Based on an original script by the legendary Akira Kurosawa, it combines American action thrills with Eastern existential questions.

This unique blend was a critical darling, but it didn't sell many tickets at the box office. But it's remembered today as arguably the best film exploitation masters The Cannon Group financed and frequently appears on "underrated" lists of the 1980s.

How Does Living in Oblivion Take All the Glamour Out of Filmmaking? 

Writer/director Tom DiCillo's Living in Oblivion is an independent 1990s cult classic comedy about the perils of making films.

Starting off as a tipsy rant by DiCillo, then written into a script, then to a short made by DiCillo and his actor friends, the jokes kept flowing so well it rolled into a three-part takedown of the industry.

The movie nailed the absurdity and challenges on set so well that rumor has i...

Does Dog Soldiers Have the Most Kickass Werewolf Costumes in Film History?

Neil Marshall's Dog Soldiers (2002) is an action/horror movie that really gets the slash part of the equation correct. 

Well balanced between the two genres, this lower-budget British film is about a squad of soldiers squaring off against a pack of bloodthirsty werewolves.

It ditches the melodrama of many werewolf films, focusing on intense firefights and close-quarters battles instead of the curse of existing only to transform and kill every full moon.

A cu...

What Makes S. Craig Zahler's Brawl in Cell Block 99 so Raw? 

Writer/Director (and sometimes comic book maker) S. Craig Zahler's Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a neo-noir prison action thriller film.

If that sounds like trying to stuff way too many genres into one movie, fear not: it's violent and compelling, plain and simple.

With his churning style, Zahler makes a slow-roasted film that occasionally explodes into fits of violence you can't unsee.

But with standout performances from Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, and m...

What makes John Woo's The Killer a Hong Kong action classic?

One of John Woo's action masterpieces, The Killer is a standout work of classic Hong Kong cinema.

A film that sent ripples through Hollywood, it grabbed international attention for Woo and star Chow Yun-fat, forever changing the action genre.

Mixing melodramatic neo-noir with fluid action set pieces, the film further explores Woo's themes of "heroic bloodshed," raising questions about honor and friendship.

And it fires a lot of bullets and blows many things up, o...

Is Year of the Dragon a controversial mess or an overlooked masterpiece?

An action thriller, Year of the Dragon is, at times, shocking and still controversial.

After the failure of the epic western Heaven's Gate, which nearly ruined Academy Award-winning director Michael Cimino's (The Deer Hunter) career, Year of the Dragon was set to be his comeback. But it wasn't really to be.

Starring Mickey Rourke and John Lone, the movie has a script from Cimino and Oliver Stone (Scarface). 

A newly assigned Chinatown Police Ca...

What Makes Independent Film The Love Witch  so Unique?

Filmmaker Anna Biller's labor of...comedy/horror, The Love Witch is unlike most any movie you'd see in the 2010s.

Shot on 35mm film, it's an homage to 1960s horror and Technicolor pictures.

This time, the serial killer is no male -- it's a witch named Elaine, out for love. And her kind of love? Well, it kills.

The film's unique style and subversive humor have gained it a cult following. A movie featuring the "female g...