Rogues Gallery

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Case File 072: The Joker (The Dark Knight) Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

When it was announced that Heath Ledger would be playing the Joker, a firestorm of controversy erupted. But when The Dark Knight hit theaters in the summer of 2008, naysayers found themselves with a whole heaping plate of crow to eat. This isn't just the best villain in a Batman movie, it's one of the great movie villains PERIOD.

In this episode, we're investigating the way Christopher Nolan and his team radically reinterpreted this iconic character and forever changed the perception of what comic book movies could be.

"And here. We. Go."

Case File 071: The Wicked Witch (The Wizard of Oz) Apr 05, 2023

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Although it's one of the most beloved movies of all time, The Wizard of Oz was also nightmare fuel for a lot of us when we were kids. But while The Wicked Witch and her flying monkeys terrorized Dorothy and her friends on screen, it turns out the real nightmares were taking place behind the scenes. Join us as we investigate the troubled production of one of Hollywood's most iconic films, the tragic life of its leading lady, and the enduring legacy of a magical land that exists somewhere over the rainbow. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 070: Leprechaun Mar 22, 2023

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Try as they will and try as they might, whoever steals his gold won't live through the night! Join us for a (slightly belated) St. Patrick's Day celebration as we revisit the 1993 horror/comedy Leprechaun. We discuss the reasons behind the bizarre tonal shifts in the film, the vaguely defined powers of the title character, how Jennifer Aniston really feels about her big-screen debut, the savage reviews, its box office success, the wild ride the sequels take viewers on, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 069: Beetlejuice Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

We're back! And on this episode, we're putting together a case file on the ghost with the most - Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice! Our investigation digs into the original (and much darker) version of this script, the pivotal point Tim Burton's career was at, the unusual first choice for the title role, our favorite sequences, other media Beetlejuice has appeared in, whether or not the proposed sequel could still work, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 068: Gremlins 2 / Volcano / Alien 3 Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

This week we've got a Thanksgiving Turkey Triple Play! Each of us has chosen a movie that was critically maligned upon its original release and we're going to debate whether or not they've earned a reappraisal. On the chopping block we've got Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Volcano, and Alien 3!

The RG gang is going to be taking a brief break for the holidays, but follow us on social media using the links below to stay up to date with the show and our other endeavors.

Case File 067: King Kong (1933) Nov 09, 2022

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We're going all the way back to 1933 to investigate one of the most influential films of all-time: the original King Kong. The technical innovations employed here catapulted the entire industry forward by leaps and bounds, but Kong also set the template for the structure and pacing of modern action/adventure films. We explore the cinematic landscape it was released in, some interesting alternate versions of the script, the special effects wizardry that brought Kong to life, their revolutionary approach to sound design and music, how the various remakes and sequels have reinterpreted or recontextualized the material, why this one still works so well 90 years later, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 066 - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

As part of our ongoing retrospective of the Halloween franchise, we're heading back to Haddonfield for 1988's Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. After the lackluster box office performance of the Myers-less Halloween III, the mandate for this installment was simple: back to basics.

Too basic? Maybe. But at the time, Return's adherence to a tried-and-true formula was what fans were looking for and the film's success helped get the series back on track... temporarily, at least.

Topics include: John Carpenter & Debra Hill's early involvement and their original concept for resurrecting Michael, another early draft that had a much different character arc for Jamie, the story behind the new mask and the issues it created, trading in the creeping dread of the previous movies for a more action-oriented approach, the shocking ending and whether or not they ever intended to follow through on what it sets up, Halloween 4's legacy within the franchise, and much more!

Case File 065: Showgirls Oct 05, 2022

Show notes

It's Fall Verhoeven on Rogues Gallery! This is the magical time of year where we revisit the films of Paul Verhoeven. And WOW is this one a doozy. Showgirls was a critical and commercial failure when it was released in the fall of 1995, but the film found new life as a midnight movie and went on to become a cult favorite. So what's going on here? Is this so bad it's good? A misunderstood masterpiece? Or is it just as terrible as everyone seemed to think at the time? Let's find out. Topics include: how the success of Basic Instinct allowed Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas to run wild with this project, the controversy over the NC-17 rating, the two opposing character arcs the script seems like it's trying to give its main character, the way Elizabeth Berkley's performance was singled out by critics and why none of that is really her fault, how certain audiences have reclaimed the film, the straight-to-video sequel, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 064: The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Sep 21, 2022

Show notes

Domestic thrillers were all the rage after the success of Fatal Attraction in 1987, but it was the early 90s that marked the zenith of the subgenre's popularity. Which made 1992's The Hand That Rocks The Cradle a perfect choice for revisiting this particular trend and unpacking all of its conventions.

Case File 063: Snakes on a Plane Aug 31, 2022

Show notes

The title alone made Snakes on a Plane an internet sensation, but by the time it finally hit theaters the whole thing had become more meme than movie. And by that point, the joke was pretty played out. So instead of the blockbuster the studio had been anticipating, Snakes became a cautionary tale about online hype not always translating to actual ticket sales. On this episode, we're investigating the origins of this absurd premise, how the internet took hold of it, the last minute attempt to transform the movie into something more aligned with audience expectations, and what happens when Hollywood mistakes ironic enthusiasm for genuine interest. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

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