The Director's Chair Network

Ryan covers Terrence Malick this season on the Director's Chair Network. Last time with Craig was *The New World*. Doug is on for *The Tree of Life*. Fathers of sons. Doug had not seen any Malick film before. *The Thin Red Line* looked like a bore next to *Full Metal Jacket*. This is his first.

Job, Jessica Chastain, then creation, dinosaurs, no rush. Doug hated the first 30 minutes, then sat with it for days. Natural light, Waco, no set lamps. Ryan’s last Malick film he had already seen; twins arrived a year after 2011 and the later fi...

Scott hosts Bloody Sam, a Peckinpah fan podcast, with guest Paul of Spotlight — the Star Trek-movies show that started as a 13-episode dare and is now pushing 150. After a botched intro they keep anyway.

*Junior Bonner* (1972): Jeb Rosebrook script, McQueen first, Peckinpah for hire, still stamped. 92% on 24 RT reviews, 6.7 IMDb, $2.8M on $3.2M. Shot at Prescott, Arizona’s real rodeo while Sam was still cutting *Straw Dogs*. They talk dad-and-son scenes, Ace’s practiced front, Ida Lupino putting McQueen in his place over apple pie, the underwritten romance vs *American Graffiti*, long rodeo stretches you skip, fading-west themes...

Ryan welcomes returning co-host Craig back to The Director’s Chair Network for Terrence Malick’s *The New World* (2005).

They talk first viewings in theaters, why Malick belongs on the biggest screen possible, the three existing cuts of the film, Emmanuel Lubezki’s natural-light cinematography, and James Horner’s famously unhappy score experience. The conversation covers Colin Farrell as John Smith, Christian Bale as John Rolfe, Q’orianka Kilcher’s breakout as Pocahontas, Christopher Plummer’s brief but sharp work, and how the movie handles the historical romance without turning it into Disney.

Craig previously hosted the Bri...

In-depth analysis of Paul Verhoeven’s 1977 classic *Soldier of Orange* (*Soldaat van Oranje*). We cover the film’s personal roots for Verhoeven, its massive production and royal involvement, historical context of the Dutch occupation, fraternity hazing as fascist allegory, multiple cuts, critical reception, and a detailed scene-by-scene look at one of the most realistic war films ever made.  

00:00 Intro & Series Context  
00:46 Why Soldier of Orange Matters  
01:00 Personal Connection & Atmosphere of Occupation  
02:04 Anti-German Sentiment & Language  
02:35 Dutch Royalty & Nazi Ties  
03:31 Royalty as Major Theme  
03:56 Budget, Financing & Royal Support  
05:10 Premiere & Royal Attendance  
07:16 Multiple Cuts...

In-depth discussion of Sam Peckinpah’s 1971 film Straw Dogs, featuring guest Liam (co-host of the Spotlight Star Trek podcast and major Peckinpah fan). We cover the film’s origins, Peckinpah’s career and struggles, the infamous controversy, themes of masculinity and violence, editing, score, and why it’s one of Liam’s all-time favorites.

Content warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of sexual assault and extreme violence.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro & Film Stats
01:40 Liam’s Podcasting Background (Spotlight)
05:30 Peckinpah Fandom Origin Story
12:00 Discovering The Wild Bunch & Straw Dogs
18:00 Peckinpah’s Career Struggles & Wh...

Katie and returning guest Lizzie rewind to 1996 for Disney’s live-action 101 Dalmatians, written by John Hughes and starring Glenn Close as an unforgettable Cruella de Vil. From 90s fashion trivia to puppy overload, family viewing, and why this remake still works, they dig into the spots that made it special.

Paul Verhoeven's 1977 masterpiece Soldier of Orange isn't just another WWII film — it's a deeply personal, morally complex look at occupation, resistance, collaboration, and survival born from the director's own childhood under Nazi rule in the Netherlands. In Part 1 of this Director's Chair deep dive, we explore what shaped Verhoeven's subversive vision, the real Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema behind the bestselling memoir, shocking new questions about his story, the chaotic production that nearly destroyed the film, and the brutal historical reality of occupied Holland.

We cover Verhoeven as a "war child," the social rifts that defined Dutch society for de...

Darryl Edge from Cage Rage (Nicolas Cage podcast) and Getting Dafoe You joins Bloody Sam: A Peckinpah Fan Podcast for his VERY FIRST Sam Peckinpah film — the surprisingly gentle, funny, and romantic 1970 Western comedy The Ballad of Cable Hogue starring Jason Robards, Stella Stevens, and David Warner.

In this episode we break down why this is the least “Bloody Sam” Peckinpah movie ever made, the hilarious Benny Hill-style comedy moments, the sweet central romance, the themes of the dying Old West vs. the arrival of the automobile, behind-the-scenes stories (including editing The Wild Bunch at the same time...

Step back to 1994 with Katie as she welcomes back Milo Denison for a deep dive into the chaotic John Hughes-produced comedy *Baby's Day Out* — where a baby outsmarts three bumbling kidnappers in a city-wide slapstick adventure!

In this episode we spin the 1994 trivia wheel (books, cartoons & fashion), break down the full cast & production drama, compare it to *Home Alone*, and uncover why it bombed in the US but became a massive hit in India (complete with its own remake). Practical effects, great character actors, and cartoon logic collide in this wild 90s ride.

00:00 Introduction & Guest We...

Join Katie for a deep dive into John Hughes’ 1988 film **She’s Having a Baby** starring Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern! This more personal, semi-autobiographical entry from Hughes explores marriage, suburban life, growing up, and the pressures of starting a family — with plenty of his signature humor and anxiety mixed in.

Special guest Scott Murphy (host of Bloody Sam: A Peckinpah Fan Podcast and All 90s Action) joins for a fun 1988 time capsule (top movies, boombox bangers, fashion trends), insightful discussion on the film’s fantasy sequences, tonal shifts, Hughes’ conservative streak, and more. We also talk Kevin Baco...

Katie dives into two wildly different John Hughes projects spanning 17 years: the obscure 1980 Yugoslavian biopic **The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla** (his first writing credit) and the 1997 sequel **Home Alone 3**.

She explores the Tesla film’s ambitious story of invention, corporate greed, and free energy, plus Orson Welles as JP Morgan. Then she contrasts it with Home Alone 3’s formulaic traps, new kid Alex, and mixed results.

Includes a fun 1980 vs 1997 pop culture time capsule!

0:00 – Intro & why these two films  
3:48 – 1980 vs 1997 Time Capsule  
7:30 – The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla deep dive  
21:58 – Wh...

Paul Verhoeven’s breakthrough 1973 film **Turkish Delight** (Turks Fruit) gets the full deep-dive treatment. Sicco explores the massive commercial success (3.3 million Dutch viewers — a quarter of the population!), the Oscar nomination, the real-life inspirations from controversial writer Jan Wolkers, the contentious producer Rob Houwer, and the groundbreaking raw style that launched Verhoeven’s career.

Rutger Hauer and Monique van de Ven deliver unforgettable performances in this unapologetic, sexually charged drama about sculptor Eric’s obsessive love for Olga. We cover the behind-the-scenes chaos, Verhoeven’s method directing, the iconic nudity, the harmonica score, and why this film shattered...

Scott is joined by Ryan Rebalkin (Director’s Chair Network CEO) for a deep dive into Sam Peckinpah’s most famous film, The Wild Bunch (1969). They discuss the groundbreaking violence, nihilistic themes, aging outlaws, male codes of honor, and the film’s massive influence on later movies like Heat, Young Guns, and Tombstone.

Ryan shares his first-time watch thoughts, they break down the infamous final shootout, behind-the-scenes chaos, animal cruelty controversies, and why this film changed the Western genre forever.

0:00 – Intro & Guest Ryan Rebalkin
1:06 – The Wild Bunch Overview & Stats
2:38 – Ryan’s First-Time Watch Experien...

Katie and guest Kyle Peterson head back to 1986 to revisit John Hughes’ classic teen romance **Pretty in Pink**. They spin the time capsule wheel for 1986 pop culture trivia (Nancy Drew, Ramona Quimby, Light Bright, mullets, The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Dallas, Murder She Wrote, and 60 Minutes), then dive deep into the film.

They discuss Molly Ringwald’s Andy, the unforgettable Ducky (John Cryer), Blaine (Andrew McCarthy), the class divide, that controversial ending, Iona’s wild style, and whether Andy should have ended up with Ducky or Blaine. Plus comparisons to *Some Kind of Wonderful*, 80s fashion, and why th...

Join Ryan and returning guest Hughezy for a no-holds-barred discussion on Terrence Malick’s 1998 war epic *The Thin Red Line*. From star-studded cameos and chaotic production stories to poetic voiceovers, intense battle scenes, and honest opinions on whether this cinematic poem holds up, this episode is a must-watch for Malick fans, war movie lovers, and anyone who enjoys passionate film debates. Hughezy shares his critical take while Ryan defends the film’s beauty and emotional power—expect plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes trivia, and deep dives into the all-star cast.

Dive into 1982’s most forgotten John Hughes screenplay: National Lampoon’s Class Reunion – the horror-parody comedy that followed Animal House but totally bombed. Katie goes solo to break down this rare National Lampoon gem, the Lizzie Borden High reunion gone wrong, the infamous twin-sister prank, over-the-top deaths, Chuck Berry performing at the reunion, and why Hughes later disowned it.  

Plus a full 1982 time capsule: E.T., Tootsie, Rocky III, Porky’s, Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical,” Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and more.  

If you love retro movies, John Hughes deep dives, or 80s pop culture, hit LIKE, S...

Major Dundee (1965): Sam Peckinpah's troubled Civil War Western starring Charlton Heston & Richard Harris! In this episode of Bloody Sam: A Peckinpah Fan Podcast, host Scott Murphy and guest Adam Thornton dive deep into the film's chaotic production (budget battles, on-set fights, drunken chaos), the differences between the 1965 theatrical cut and 2005 extended restoration, Heston's heroic-but-flat Major Dundee vs. Harris's nuanced Confederate Tyreen, moral ambiguity (Ahab-like obsession, questionable mission), violence levels, and how this "warm-up" foreshadows The Wild Bunch.  

Is the extended cut a redemption story, or still flawed? We compare notes on both versions.  

Dive into Terrence Malick's stunning 1978 masterpiece Days of Heaven with special guest Cayley! ‪@OnceOverwithCayley‬  We explore its breathtaking cinematography, poetic narration by Linda Manz, the improvised dialogue, Richard Gere's raw performance, the biblical undertones, and why every frame feels like a painting. From the wheat fields to the locust plague and tragic love triangle, this is a deep discussion on Malick's visionary style in his second film. Perfect for fans of poetic cinema, 70s films, and auteur directors.

Deep solo dive into Paul Verhoeven's 1983 Dutch masterpiece "The Fourth Man" (De vierde man), arguably his best film from his Dutch era! This psychological erotic thriller, adapted from Gerard Reve's provocative novel, blends surrealism, Catholic iconography (Mary, Jesus, spiders, Delilah/Sphinx), homoeroticism, unreliable narration, and gory horror. We explore the story of alcoholic bisexual writer Gerard Reve (Jeroen Krabbé) who suspects seductive widow Christine (Renée Soutendijk) is a black widow killer targeting him as her fourth victim , or is it all in his mad, guiltridden head?

Tying into Verhoeven's real life "cancellation" in the Netherlands (post-Spetters ba...

Join us on Bloody Sam: A Peckinpah Fan Podcast for an in-depth discussion of *Ride the High Country* (1962), Sam Peckinpah's underrated early Western masterpiece starring Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott. In episode 2 of our 14-month journey through all of Peckinpah's feature films, host Scott Murphy is joined by writer and film expert Pierce Duncan to explore themes of aging gunfighters, changing times, moral codes, redemption, and the shift from classic to revisionist Westerns.

We dive into the film's two distinct halves: the clean, traditional setup and the darker, grittier Coarse Gold sequences that foreshadow Peckinpah's later violent...

Dive into the world of acclaimed director Terrence Malick with the season premiere of the Director's Chair Podcast! Host Ryan Rebalkin welcomes guest Katie for an engaging discussion on Malick's 1973 debut film, Badlands. From Ryan's personal journey discovering Malick through The Thin Red Line to Katie's first-time watch, we explore the film's tight script, stunning cinematography, iconic music (including nods to True Romance and Hans Zimmer), and standout performances by Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. We break down the story of lovers on the run inspired by real-life killers, themes of innocence mixed with violence, animal symbolism, and Malick's...

Dive deep into John Hughes' 1987 teen romance *Some Kind of Wonderful* – the gender-flipped spiritual successor to Pretty in Pink that's often called the better film! We break down the heartfelt story of unrequited love, class divides, standout performances (Eric Stoltz as Keith, Mary Stuart Masterson as Watts, Lea Thompson as Amanda Jones), iconic moments (diamond earrings, drum solos, that epic kiss), the killer 80s soundtrack, and why this underrated gem holds up with more emotional depth and smarter writing than many Hughes classics. Special guest Steve Smith joins for trivia, behind-the-scenes stories, and honest takes on the tropes, twists, an...

Dive into the ultimate breakdown of **RoboCop (1987)**, Paul Verhoeven's groundbreaking sci-fi action film! Join host and guest Sean (from the defunct "I Must Break This" Dolph Lundgren podcast) as we explore why this violent, satirical masterpiece still holds up 40 years later. We cover Verhoeven's culture shock satire of American society, the over-the-top violence, Christian metaphors (RoboCop as the American Jesus), behind-the-scenes chaos with Peter Weller's suit, Kurtwood Smith's iconic villain Clarence Boddicker, strong female sidekick Lewis, and why sequels and the remake pale in comparison.

From the shocking Murphy death scene to the ultraviolent director's cut elements...

Join Ryan  as he ranks all of Michael Mann's films, pulling from his detailed reviews on The Director's Chair Network podcast where he's broken down the legendary director's entire filmography in an epic retrospective. This is a must-watch for film buffs craving honest critiques and fresh perspectives on one of cinema's most influential directors. Whether you agree with Ryan's top picks or have your own hot takes, this ranking will spark debate! 

Katie welcomes superfan Doug Greenberg for a hilarious deep dive into the 1989 holiday classic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, exploring its enduring relatability as adults grapple with family chaos, holiday pressures, and Clark Griswold's optimistic disasters, from epic light displays to Cousin Eddie's antics, while sharing personal traditions, trivia, and why John Hughes' script remains a timeless yuletide staple.

In Sam Peckinpah's overlooked directorial debut The Deadly Companions (1961), Brian Keith stars as Yellowleg, a scarred ex-soldier driven by vengeance against a former comrade (Chill Wills) who tried to scalp him, only to accidentally kill the young son of a tough, ostracized dance-hall woman (Maureen O'Hara) during a botched bank robbery; wracked with guilt, he joins her perilous trek across Apache territory with two shady companions to bury the boy beside his father, exposing themes of grief, fragile morality, hypocrisy in a harsh frontier world, and the seeds of Peckinpah's signature cynicism—yet the film ultimately feels dry and em...

In this cozy holiday episode, host Katie welcomes back regular guest Ryan Rabalkin to dive into the 1994 John Hughes-scripted remake of Miracle on 34th Street, exploring why this nineties update of the 1947 classic became its own nostalgic time capsule filled with Christmas magic. The duo opens a 1994 time capsule with top VHS rentals like Sleepless in Seattle, The Fugitive, and Forrest Gump, iconic commercials like Skittles' "Taste the Rainbow," and headline making events including the Nancy Kerrigan attack, the O.J. Simpson chase, and Kurt Cobain's death, before dissecting the film's cast, led by Richard Attenborough's heartfelt Kris Kringle...

Katie and guest Andy from The All Apologies Podcast take a nostalgic deep dive into the 1992 sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, revisiting Kevin McCallister's chaotic Big Apple adventure against a vibrant early-'90s backdrop of neon windbreakers, Crystal Pepsi, and emerging boy bands. They kick off with a fun 1992 time-capsule trivia round nailing hits like Boyz II Men's "End of the Road," Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back," Kris Kross's "Jump," Vanessa Williams's "Save the Best for Last," and TLC's "Baby-Baby-Baby", plus iconic snacks like Lunchables, Totino's Pizza Rolls, and chewy Chips Ahoy. The duo praises the comforting...

In this candid Michael Mann season finale for a Michael Mann retrospective, Ryan and Hughezy dissect the director's 2023 biopic  Ferrari, starring Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari, with brutal honesty, calling it dull, miscast, and a box-office disaster that lost over $50 million despite its $95 million budget, while slamming Adam Driver's performance, Shailene Woodley's bizarre accent, Penélope Cruz's over-the-top portrayal, and Mann's obsessive car nerdery that prioritized replica vehicles and technical gimmicks over compelling storytelling. They also reflect on Mann's declining legacy post Heat and Collateral, express skepticism about the upcoming Heat 2 sequel, and highlight absurd behind the scenes trivia li...

Join Ryan and Sicco for a passionate 40th-anniversary celebration of Paul Verhoeven’s brutal, chaotic medieval epic Flesh and Blood (1985). The two dive deep into the film’s unique place in Verhoeven’s career as the transitional work between his raw Dutch style and the hyper-stylized American films that followed, exploring its grimly realistic portrayal of medieval life, its total lack of heroes, the central role of religion and superstition, Jennifer Jason Lee’s fearless performance as the cunning noblewoman Agnes, Rutger Hauer’s frustrated attempt to play a heroic mercenary, and the chaotic, dangerous production that tested everyone involved...

Katie welcomes Evan and Andrew from the Nothing Worthwhile Podcast for a deep-dive rewind into the 1990 holiday juggernaut Home Alone. The trio kicks off with a lively 1990 pop-culture trivia wheel (nailing jelly bracelets, Magic Eye posters, Hammer pants, “Just Do It,” Chili’s baby-back-ribs jingle, and the Billboard Top 5), then unpacks everything that makes John Hughes’ script (directed by Chris Columbus) an enduring classic: Macaulay Culkin’s perfect child performance, Joe Pesci & Daniel Stern’s lovable-yet-menacing Wet Bandits, Catherine O’Hara’s heartfelt mom energy, John Williams’ iconic score, the Old Man Marley redemption arc, cartoonish slapstick violence, and how the film brill...

Host Sicco and guest Craig Cohen unpack Paul Verhoeven’s fearless audacity as the Dutch provocateur who weaponized sex, violence, and razor-sharp satire to shatter Hollywood taboos, defending Showgirls as a hyperbolic big-budget exploitation masterpiece—an unapologetic art-house fever dream exposing Vegas as a brutal vice machine where unreliable dreamers like Nomi claw for reinvention amid pimps, push-downs, and NC-17 nudity, proving Verhoeven’s obsession with Jesus-like resurrection, female exploitation, and moral void turns trash into timeless provocation.

Katie rewinds to 1991 to unpack the forgotten John Hughes-scripted road-trip comedy Dutch – a working-class guy vs. spoiled prep-school brat odyssey starring Ed O’Neal and a young Ethan Embry (billed as Ethan Randall) that bombed hard at the box office ($4.6M against $17M) yet somehow earned a 6.5 on IMDb and a soft spot in holiday watchlists. From class warfare and fireworks fails to hitchhiking disasters, prostitute pick-ups, homeless-shelter revelations, and one very questionable BB-gun payback at the Thanksgiving table, Katie argues it’s basically an uncredited Over the Top rip-off, drops 1991 pop-culture trivia (Cindy Crawford Pepsi ad, “Everything I Do” over...

In the chaotic, spoiler-filled finale of Trucker Andy’s Edgar Wright retrospective on the Director’s Chair Network, Cayley, Christian Bladt, Ryan Rebalkin, Tony from Hack the Movies, Joe Sixpack, Producer Chris, and Tooké  tear into the 2025 Glen Powell Running Man remake. The verdict is nearly unanimous: it’s a gorgeous, hyper-faithful Stephen King adaptation that looks stunning in IMAX but feels shockingly devoid of Edgar Wright’s trademark whip-pans, quick-cut gags, and infectious charm – trading them for grim dystopian satire, a safe studio choices, and an ending too scared to kill the kid. Highlights include Michael Cera’s unhinged Home...

In Michael Mann’s 2015 cyber-thriller Blackhat, Chris Hemsworth trades Thor’s hammer for a keyboard as a jacked, brilliant hacker sprung from prison to hunt a mysterious “black hat” cyber-terrorist whose real-world-grade code has already triggered a nuclear-plant explosion and threatens global chaos. Despite a $70 million budget lavished on stunning global locations, hyper-authentic hacking sequences (vetted by ex-cons and NSA consultants), and Mann’s trademark razor-sharp visuals and brutal shootouts, the film bombed hard—making just $20 million worldwide—thanks to a thin script, Hemsworth’s eyebrow-raising casting as an MIT super-nerd, and a premise that felt too clinical and ahead-of-its-tim...

Katie welcomes back guest Scott Murphy to dissect the 1987 John Hughes Thanksgiving classic *Planes, Trains and Automobiles*, starring Steve Martin as the uptight Neil Page and John Candy as the lovably chaotic Del Griffith; the duo explore the film's chaotic cross-country misadventures inspired by Hughes' real-life travel woes, its blend of slapstick hilarity (like the infamous 19 F-bombs in 60 seconds), heartfelt character growth culminating in genuine holiday generosity, and enduring quotable moments, while touching on Hughes' rapid scripting, cut scenes, casting what-ifs, and Scott's upcoming podcasts including *All 90s Action All the Time* and the Sam Peckinpah-focused *Bloody Sam*.

In this penultimate episode of the Director's Chair Network's "All the Right Moves" limited series, host Andy and guest Tony from Hack the Movies dissect Edgar Wright's psychological thriller *Last Night in Soho* as a bold stylistic departure from his Cornetto Trilogy and *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World*, praising its meticulous mirror swaps, dream-reality editing, and 1960s Bond-girl aesthetic while critiquing plot holes in Eloise's "Shining"-like psychic visions, the post-Me Too vilification of men that abruptly flips to reveal the landlady as a vengeful killer, and co-writer Kristy Wilson-Cairns' influence shifting away from Simon Pegg's character-driven humor; they...

Host Sicco and guest Craig Cohen unpack Paul Verhoeven’s fearless audacity as the Dutch provocateur who weaponized sex, violence, and razor-sharp satire to shatter Hollywood taboos, defending Showgirls as a hyperbolic big-budget exploitation masterpiece—an unapologetic art-house fever dream exposing Vegas as a brutal vice machine where unreliable dreamers like Nomi claw for reinvention amid pimps, push-downs, and NC-17 nudity, proving Verhoeven’s obsession with Jesus-like resurrection, female exploitation, and moral void turns trash into timeless provocation.

Katie welcomes guest Dustin from the Retro Movie Round Table to dissect the 1997 Disney remake "Flubber," penned by John Hughes and starring Robin Williams as the absent-minded Professor Philip Brainard. They dive into 1997 pop culture trivia, including fads like Beanie Babies and Tamagotchis, blockbuster films such as Titanic and Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and top songs from artists like Elton John, Jewel, and Puff Daddy. The discussion explores the film's cast, including Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher McDonald, and Clancy Brown, while comparing it unfavorably to the 1961 original "The Absent-Minded Professor," critiquing its lack of heart, uninspired gags, weak...

In Edgar Wright's "Baby Driver," hosts Andy and Doug dissect the stylish heist thriller as the director's bold American debut, praising its groundbreaking musical synchronization—where gunshots, tire screeches, and foot chases pulse to a curated soundtrack like a rock opera on wheels—while critiquing the hollow lead character of Baby (Ansel Elgort), whose tinnitus-driven iPod obsession and muted personality fail to spark empathy or chemistry with love interest Debora (Lily James), leaving viewers rooting more for scene-stealing villains like Jon Hamm's volatile Buddy and Kevin Spacey's calculating Doc; standout practical stunts, clever callbacks to Wright's Cornetto Trilogy rhythms, and...