Stay ConnectedThe Projection Booth features discussions of films from a wide variety of genres with in-depth critical analysis while regularly attracting special guest talent eager to discuss their past gems. The podcast has been recognized as a premier film podcast by The A.V. Club, IndieWire, Entertainment Weekly, and Filmmaker Magazine.
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Copyright: © Mike White
Starting 2025 with a bang, we're diving into Todd Haynes's groundbreaking debut, Poison (1991). Co-hosted by the fabulous Rahne Alexander and Kyler Fey himself, this episode unpacks the audacious triptych of tales—Hero, Horror, and Homo—that propelled Haynes to indie cinema stardom. Bold, provocative, and unapologetically queer, Poison challenges conventions and leaves an indelible mark on the New Queer Cinema movement. Join us as we explore the film’s layered narratives, its haunting aesthetics, and its enduring impact.
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Mike dives into the deep end with Patrick Jankiewicz, the author of Just When You Thought It Was Safe: A JAWS Companion. From the film’s iconic legacy to its ripple effect on Hollywood and pop culture, Patrick unpacks the behind the scenes of the shark that changed everything. It’s a fascinating look at the making of a masterpiece, the sequels, and why JAWS still has us afraid to go in the water.
Buy it at https://amzn.to/4fFJOxQ
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Explore the dualities of morality, fate, and human frailty in Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), Woody Allen's masterful blend of dark comedy and philosophical drama. To close out 2024 and our Patreon-requested series, Mike White welcomes Andras Jones and Keith Gordon for a spirited discussion of this haunting tale. With Martin Landau and Allen himself leading parallel storylines—one of an ophthalmologist spiraling into ethical darkness, the other of a struggling documentarian chasing unrequited love—the film weaves an intricate tapestry of guilt, ambition, and existential reckoning. Along the way, a blind rabbi offers wisdom (and serves as a poignant metaphor) as the characters navigate their moral crossroads.
The episode features an interview with Woody Allen's friend and biographer Eric Lax who describes Allen's process and the evolution of Crimes and Misdemeanors.
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Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth
Mike is joined by co-hosts Father Malone and Chris Stachiw to sink their teeth into J.C. Chandor'a Kraven the Hunter (2024), the latest cinematic adaptation from Sony's Spider-Man universe. They dissect the film’s portrayal of the infamous anti-hero, the performances, and its place in the broader superhero genre. The trio tackles the creative choices, the film’s fidelity to its source material, and whether it brings anything fresh to the crowded landscape of comic book adaptations.
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Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth
Dive into a neon-drenched dystopia as Mike is joined by Chris Stachiw and Heather Drain to dissect Kamikaze 89! This cult oddity, directed by Wolf Grem, is the fifth adaptation of Per Wahlöö's Murder on the 31st Floor, but this version catapults the narrative into the "futuristic" world of 1989. Together, the team explores the film’s avant-garde aesthetic, its sly satire on media and power, and the iconic performance of Rainer Werner Fassbinder in a leopard-print suit. It’s a wild ride through West German sci-fi that defies convention and genre.
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When cult cinema maestro Jess Franco turns his lens to noir with Downtown (1975), you know you're in for a sleazy, surreal ride! Join Mike White, Heather Drain, and Jessica Shires as they unravel the tangled web of private eyes, femme fatales, and Franco’s unmistakable flair.
This Patreon-requested episode, brought to you by the fabulous Pat Radke, dives deep into one of Franco’s lesser-seen gems. Is Downtown a gritty noir, an erotic fever dream, or something in between? Tune in to find out as the crew discusses its place in Franco's prolific filmography, its unique style, and why it deserves more love.
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Mike converses with Stephen Brotherstone and Dave Lawrence, the authors of the Scarred for Life book series. They discuss the unsettling aspects of 1970s and 1980s pop culture that left lasting impressions on a generation.
From chilling public information films to haunting children's television and dystopian sci-fi, discover how these dark cultural elements shaped their acclaimed books. Tune in for a captivating discussion that blends nostalgia with insightful analysis of the media that scarred us for life.
Order your copy today at https://linktr.ee/scarredforlife
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Noirvember 2024 ends with a bang as we delve into Stephen Frears' electrifying neo-noir The Grifters. Adapted from Jim Thompson’s novel by screenwriter Donald Westlake, this razor-sharp film stars Anjelica Huston as Lily Dillon, a veteran con artist manipulating the odds at the racetrack. Her uneasy reunion with estranged son Roy (John Cusack) and his cunning girlfriend Myra (Annette Bening) sparks a volatile triangle of deception and betrayal in the high-stakes world of grifting.
Mike is joined by crime fiction experts Andrew Nette and Jedidiah Ayres to untangle this web of cons and double-crosses. Plus, executive producer Barbara De Fina and producer Peggy Rajski reveal what it took to bring this stylish, unsettling tale to life.
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Step into the weird and wonderful world of Crust as Mike sits down with actor, writer, and director Sean Whalen! Best known for his unforgettable roles in cult classics like The People Under the Stairs and Twister, Sean takes us behind the scenes of his latest venture—a bizarre and heartfelt horror-comedy about a laundromat worker, his insecurities, and a monster made from soiled socks.
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Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth
Yaniv Eidelstein and Will Youmans join Mike to discuss Avanti Popolo (1986), from writer/director Rafi Bukai. Set at the end of the Six-Day War, this poetic and darkly comedic masterpiece follows a group of Egyptian soldiers navigating the vast Sinai Desert on their journey to the Suez Canal. Along the way, they're thrust into surreal and precarious scenarios, exposing the absurdity and humanity of war.
We explore the film's rich cultural commentary and unforgettable performances. Plus, we welcome the film’s editor, Zohar Sela, who provides behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process and the enduring impact of Bukai's vision.
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Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth
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