The Director's Chair Network

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,...

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...

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...

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 sequen...

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 s...

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...

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,...

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 Elto...

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 p...

Buckle up for a riotous retro road trip on this special anniversary episode of the podcast, where we dive headfirst into the 40th anniversary of National Lampoon’s European Vacation (released July 26, 1985), reliving the Griswold family's uproarious misadventures from London fog to Roman fountains and German beer halls, all while unpacking the film's satirical jabs at American tourist stereotypes...

Join hosts Trucker Andy, Hughezy, and Tooke in this episode of "All the Right Moves," a limited series podcast exploring Edgar Wright's filmography, as they dive into "The World's End" (2013). The discussion kicks off with personal reflections on aging, alcoholism, and the inner "Gary King" that lingers in everyone, drawing parallels to real-life struggles with partying, nostalgia for youthful nig...

Sicco and Doug Greenberg, joined by guest Craig, dive into the cinematic brilliance of *Total Recall*, hailed as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s peak performance and Paul Verhoeven’s directorial masterpiece. They explore the film’s gripping Philip K. Dick-inspired narrative, blending mind-bending sci-fi with visceral action, and praise its tight script, innovative special effects, and stellar performances...

Host Andy and guest Producer Chris from WATP dive deep into Edgar Wright's beloved film "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," praising its genre-blending mastery of video games, rock music, romance, and comic books, while highlighting its passionate creation and relatable themes of immature relationships, toxic exes, and personal growth. They connect it to Wright's earlier work in "Spaced," noting recurr...

Join hosts Ryan and Doug on The Director's Chair Network as they dive into Michael Mann’s Public Enemies (2009), a thrilling crime epic that pits notorious bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) against FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) in a high-stakes 1930s cat-and-mouse chase. This episode explores the film’s meticulous Prohibition-era aesthetic, Mann’s signature stylistic flair, and s...

Episode three of All the Right Mov(i)es, hosted by Trucker Andy with guest Cayley from Once Over With Cayley, dives into the filmography of Edgar Wright, focusing on his early work Spaced and the iconic Hot Fuzz. The discussion highlights Wright’s unique directorial style, marked by quick edits, pop culture references, and running gags like the fence jump and Cornetto trilogy. They explore how Spa...

"All the Wright Moves," a limited series podcast from the Director's Chair Podcast Network, hosted by Trucker Andy with guest Ryan Rebalkin, dives into the filmography of Edgar Wright, beginning with his obscure 1995 debut, A Fistful of Fingers. This episode explores the film’s significance as a comedic, low-budget parody of spaghetti westerns, showcasing Wright’s early directorial promise despite...

In this lively, host Katie dives into the chaotic 1985 John Hughes teen fantasy Weird Science with returning guest Chad and newcomer Russell, both from the Retro Movie Round Table podcast. The trio spins a 1985 time capsule wheel for trivia on test-tube babies, the Night Stalker capture, Mikhail Gorbachev's rise, Mafia busts, denim fashion trends, and Wham!-dominated hits like "Careless Whisper" a...

Join host Ryan and co-host Kevin as they explore Miami Vice (2006), Michael Mann’s cinematic take on his iconic 1980s TV series. From Colin Farrell’s mullet to Jamie Foxx’s stoic cool, we break down the film’s intense action, digital aesthetic, and polarizing reception. Expect deep dives into the cast, standout scenes, and why this film has earned a cult following despite its box office struggles....

In this episode, we explore the obscure 1983 film Nate and Hayes , a swashbuckling adventure set in the South Pacific with pirates, romance, and over-the-top violence that’s equal parts absurd and thrilling. We discuss its cult following, John Hughes’ writing touch, and why Paramount buried this gem. From Tommy Lee Jones’ energetic performance to the film’s quirky humor and Indiana Jones-esque bri...

Buckle up for a thrilling ride through Los Angeles with Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx in Collateral! 🚖 In this episode of the Director’s Chair Network podcast, host Ryan and  guest Trucker Andy dive deep into Michael Mann’s stylish 2004 thriller. From Cruise’s chilling performance as a gray-haired hitman to Foxx’s relatable cab driver, we unpack the film’s highs, lows, and iconic moments. Join us as...

Curly Sue (1991): John Hughes’ Final Directorial Effort – Heartwarming or Lackluster?  Travel back to 1991 with Retromade: Your Pop Culture Rewind as host Katie and guest Andrew from The Nostalgia Funhouse Podcast revisit Curly Sue , John Hughes’ last film as a director.  We dive into Curly Sue , a PG comedy about a homeless duo’s heartwarming scam that changes a high-powered attorney’s life. With...

Ali (2001): Why This Boxing Biopic Deserves a Second Look  Join The Director’s Chair Network as host Ryan flies solo to dive into Michael Mann’s Ali (2001), a biographical drama about Muhammad Ali’s life from 1964 to 1974.  Ryan explores Ali , focusing on Will Smith’s transformative performance as Muhammad Ali, the authentic boxing sequences, and the film’s depiction of a tumultuous era. From the...

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983): The Ultimate Road Trip Comedy Classic!  Buckle up for a wild ride with National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)! Join Retromade: Your Pop Culture Rewind as host Katie and guests Jim and Kevin from Pool Scene Podcast dive into this John Hughes-written, Harold Ramis-directed screwball comedy. We explore the chaotic, hilarious journey of the Griswold family’s cross-count...

The Insider (1999): Al Pacino’s Greatest Non-Godfather Performance?  Join The Director’s Chair Network as host Ryan and guest Craig dive into Michael Mann’s The Insider (1999), a gripping true-story drama about whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand and the 60 Minutes exposé on Big Tobacco.  We explore The Insider ’s intense narrative, stellar performances by Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, and Christopher Plumme...