CineNation

"You're gonna be all right, Joan Wilder. You always were." For Episode 409, Thomas and Brandon are back from their hiatus to talk Treasure Hunt Movies. They are kicking off the series with ROMANCING THE STONE, starring Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas. Listen as the two discuss the life of screenwriter Diane Thomas, the film's unique ties to Indiana Jones, how Michael Douglas fought for the sta...

"This is real life. It's not perfect but it's real." For Episode 408, Brandon and Thomas complete their June series on the BEFORE trilogy! Listen as they discuss what prompted Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke, and Julie Delpy to reunite, how different the writing process compared to the earlier films, how they made the film in secret in Greece, why the film should have received more Oscar love, how...

"I guess when you're young, you just believe there'll be many people with whom you'll connect with." For Episode 407, Brandon and Thomas continue their trilogy breakdown of Richard Linklater's BEFORE series with BEFORE SUNSET. Listen to learn more about what reunited the trio of Linklater, Julie Delpy, and Ethan Hawke. But also learn about the conflicts that occurred regarding screenwriting credit...

"But isn't everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?" For Episode 406, we're back with Trilogy Month! For this year's Trilogy Month, we're tackling a much smaller trilogy than usual with Richard Linklater's BEFORE series. First up, listen to Thomas and Brandon discuss how Linklater's disappointment with DAZED AND CONFUSED inspired the movie, how a real-life encounter for Linklater...

"Are you John Malkovich?" For Episode 405, Brandon and David close out CineNation's main series on Surreal movies with BEING JOHN MALKOVICH. Listen as they discuss Charlie Kaufman's early life, how long it took for the script to be made, how John Malkovich was convinced to do the movie, which A-List actor was suggested for the title role, why John Cusack wanted to be in the movie, how they shot a...

"You can change yourself into gold." For Episode 404, David and Brandon continue CineNation's series on Surreal movies with Alejandro Jodorowsky's THE HOLY MOUNTAIN. Listen as they talk about Jodorowsky's early career, how John Lennon and George Harrison became involved in the movie, how Jodorowsky tackled so many jobs, the issues he had with the film's producer, why the film wasn't released for d...

"Listen, I just really, really need a job." For Episode 403, Thomas and Brandon continue CineNation's Surreal series with Boots Riley's SORRY TO BOTHER YOU. Listen as they talk about Riley's early upbringing, his music career, how his screenplay was discovered, how the Sundance Institute played a part in the film's development process, which Atlanta star was originally cast in the film, a surprisi...

"In Heaven, everything is fine." For Episode 402, David and Brandon kick off CineNation's series on Surreal Movies with a quintessential film in the genre, David Lynch's Eraserhead. Listen to hear them discuss Lynch's early life, how his time at AFI Conservatory played a part in making Eraserhead, how the city of Philadelphia inspired him for the film, how the production team used Los Angeles with...

"In space, no one can hear you scream." For Episode 401, Brandon and Thomas conclude CineNation's series on Alien movies with Ridley Scott's ALIEN. Listen as they discuss Roy O'Bannon's journey writing the movie, how the failed production of Jodorowsky's Dune impacted the film, which directors were offered the director's chair before Scott, which up and coming A-List actress was considered for Rip...

"E.T. phone home" For Episode 400, Brandon, Thomas, and David celebrate over a decade of CineNation with Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, as part of the show's series on Alien movies. Listen as they discuss how E.T. was going to be Spielberg's first try at The Fablemans, how a failed Close Encounters sequel inspired multiple Spielberg movies, the unique way Melissa Mathieson worked w...

"There are days that define your story beyond your life." For Episode 399, Brandon and David are joined by Paige Klaniecki to continue CineNatin's series on Aliens with ARRIVAL. Listen as the trio discuss a screenwriter's determination to get the movie made, how it was pivotal shift in Denis Villeneuve's career, why Amy Adams got involved in the movie, how they created a "Dirty Sci-Fi" look for th...

"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...