CineNation

"We live in secret, we exist in shadow." For Episode 398, Thomas and Brandon continue CineNation's series on Alien movies with the 1997 blockbuster MEN IN BLACK. Listen as they discuss how the story originated as a small comic book, which actors almost ended up in the film over Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, the rise of Will Smith, how Steven Spielberg got involved in the project, how Oscar-winni...

"I guess you've noticed something a little strange with Dad." For Episode 397, David and Brandon kick off CineNation's series on Alien movies with Steven Spielberg's classic film, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. Listen as they discuss Spielberg's early interest in UFOs, the numerous writers that attemped the story, which A-list actors turned the movie down, why the film ended up filming in Ala...

"Could the ugly, untalented gays please report to the principal's office?" For Episode 396, Thomas and Brandon close out CineNation's series on Teen Sex Comedies. Listen as they discuss their favorite modern take on the popular genre with 2023's BOTTOMS. Find out more about the movie as they discuss how Rachel Sennott and Emma Seligman came up with the idea, how Ayo Edebiri got involved in the mov...

"It's not a space shuttle launch, it's sex." For Episode 395, Brandon, Thomas, and David continue their series on Sex Comedies with the quinessential 90s film AMERICAN PIE. Listen as the trio discuss how screenwriter Adam Herz came up with the idea for the film, how the movie was fast tracked into production, which TV hearthrob was considered for the lead role, how the famous pie scene would up in...

"Time of your life, huh, kid?" For Episode 394, Brandon and Thomas continue CineNation's series on Sex Comedies with RISKY BUSINESS. Listen as they discuss Paul Brickman's time writing the script, how many future A-list stars auditioned for the role, how Tom Cruise landed the role, who had an affair on the set of the film, how Brickman and Cruise came up with the idea for the Bob Seger, why Sean P...

"Anyone can have sex." For Episode 393, David and Brandon start off CineNation's Sex Comedy series with one of the quintessential high school movies of the 1980s, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH. Listen as they discuss Cameron Crowe going undercover at a high school, which director was originally up for the film, the massive casting sessions for the film, Sean Penn's wild method acting techniques on-...

"I just don't know what I'm supposed to be." For Episode 392, Thomas and Brandon conclude CineNation's main series on Brief Encounters with Sofia Coppola's LOST IN TRANSLATION. Listen as they discuss Coppola's run-and-gun style approach to filming in Tokyo, what inspired her to make the movie, how Bill Murray got involved in the project, the difficulties of making an independent film, how the movi...

"This can't last. This misery can't last." For Episode 391, Brandon and Thomas are joined by the incredibly talented film editor and former CineNation regular, Anna Catley. With Anna being a massive fan of BRIEF ENCOUNTER, she decided to join them in discussing one of David Lean and Noel Coward's best films for CineNation's Brief Encounter series. Listen as they discuss Coward's early life in thea...

"It means there must have been something between them in their past lives." For Episode 390, Brandon and David continue CineNation's series on Brief Encounters with Celine Song's PAST LIVES. Listen to find out more about how COVID-19 impacted the film, Song's earlier theatre career, producer mishaps, Song's unique directing style with her actors, how the crew pulled off the film's emotional finale...

"I don't know how to say goodbye." For Episode 389, Thomas and Brandon return from their holiday hiatus to discuss Brief Encounter Romance genre. They are starting off CineNation's series with one of the best romantic comedies of all time, ROMAN HOLIDAY. Listen as they discuss the film's connections to the Red Scare and Dalton Trumbo, the A-list talent that turned down the project, how they used r...

"I've had a rough year, dad." We're continuing our tribute series by taking a look back at Episode 312 on Wes Anderson's THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS in honor of the late Gene Hackman. Listen as Brandon and Thomas discuss Hackman's relationship with Wes Anderson, how the film used practical locations for the film, how quickly Ben Stiller had to make the movie, the struggles with the music choices, how the...

"It all sounds like some bad movie." We're taking it back to January 2022 as we continue our tribute series to the people we lost in 2025. In honor of the late Val Kilmer, we take a look back at episode 196 when Thomas and Brandon discussed TOP SECRET! as part of their parody series. Listen as they discuss the hilarity of the Zucker Brothers and Jim Abrahams follow-up to AIRPLANE, how Val Kilmer w...

"You realize of course that we could never be friends." We're taking it back to our 250th episode on WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. This month, as the CineNation team is on hiatus, we'll be releasing throwback episodes in honor of some the legends we lost in 2025. For this throwback episode, we're honoring Rob Reiner by taking a look back at his rom-com masterpiece. Listen as Brandon and Thomas discuss the...

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid." For Episode 388, Brandon and David finish off their Christmas Comedy series with one of the most popular Christmas films of all time, A CHRISTMAS STORY. Listen as they discuss Jean Shepherd's writing, what inspired Bob Clark to make the movie, which A-List actor was almost cast in the film, how many child actors they went through to find Ralphie, how the film beca...

"I dedicate this house to the Griswold Family Christmas." For Episode 387, Thomas and Brandon continue CineNation's Christmas Comedy series with NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION. Listen as they discuss how John Hughes returned to the franchise he created, which director dropped out of the project, which future A-List actor was almost cast in the film, why the film couldn't be filmed in Hughes...

"You can't even dream a whole dream, can you?" For Episode 386, David and Brandon kick off December with THE HOLDOVERS as part of CineNation's series on Christmas Comedies. Listen as they discuss how the story evolved from a modern-day television show to a period piece movie, how Dominic Sessa got discovered, how they used multiple schools for the movie, what films inspired the visuals of the movi...

"It's a hard world for little things." For Episode 385, Brandon and David finish their series of Horror Noir with one of the greatest films of all time, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. Listen as they discuss why led Charles Laughton to direct the Southern Gothic film, how Laughton's sexuality played a factor in the film's themes, why Robert Mitchum wanted to take on the lead role, how they captured some...

"The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." For Episode 384, Brandon and David continue their Noirvember series on Horror Noir with Se7en. Listen as they discuss how Andrew Kevin Walker wrote the script while working at Tower Records, what convinced David Fincher to do the movie, which A-List directors and actors turned down the movie because it was too dark, how they created the film's in...

"All the things that used to be inside of me... now they are all outside." For Episode 383, David and Brandon continue CineNation's series on Horror Noir. Listen as they discuss the early career of Kiyoshi Kurosawa, his incredible direction in this film, how a real-life cult affected the film, why the film took a while to find an audience outside of Japan, and much more! Use the code cinenation10...

"You're the ghost who needs to wake up." It's time to celebrate Noirvember! For Episode 382, Thomas and Brandon kick-off CineNation's series on Horror Noir with PERFECT BLUE. Listen as they discuss Satoshi Kon's early career, why he was hesitant to make a horror film, how much he wanted to change from the original novel, how the film gained popularity over the years, and much more! Also, don't for...

"I am your mother!" For Episode 381, David and Brandon finish off their Folk Horror series with Ari Aster's HEREDITARY. Listen as they discuss the film's casting, Toni Collette's incredible performance, the film's meticulous production design, why it is one of A24's most influential films, why Folk Horror is on the rise, and more! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie con...

"They are bad people. They should suffer." For Episode 380, Thomas and Brandon continue their discussion of Folk Horror movies by talking about Ben Wheatley and his movie KILL LIST. Listen as they discuss Wheatley's career, what the film's original setting was, how the cast got involved in the writing process of the film, the movie's unique structure, why Ben Wheatley cut out significant moments o...

"It was a headless horseman!" For Episode 379, Brandon and David continue CineNation's series on Folk Horror with a mainstream version of the genre, SLEEPY HOLLOW. Listen as they discuss the history of Washington Irving's original story, how the film was originally going to be a low-budget slasher film, why Tim Burton became involved in the project, why the movie ended up filming in England over t...

"There's no one here to help you!" For Episode 378, David and Brandon continue CineNation's series on the Folk Horror genre. Listen as the two discuss one of the biggest indie films of all time, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Listen to learn more about the film's unorthodox style of filming, how they developed the story, how it was the first real internet movie, how the cast was affected by it, the film...

"It is time to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man." For Episode 377, Thomas and Brandon kick off their Folk Horror series with one of the most important movies of the genre, THE WICKER MAN. Listen as they discuss how it was the brainchild of Christopher Lee, why the movie was rushed into production, what major change was made during the film's production, which American producer became invo...