The Projection Booth

On this special episode, Mike talks with Sharif Nakhleh, director of Dread Zeppelin: A Song of Hope (2024), and producer Jason USA. This compelling documentary charts the bizarre, brilliant journey of the band Dread Zeppelin, blending reggae, Led Zeppelin covers, and a touch of Elvis for a sound and story like no other. Mike unpacks the film’s creation, its exploration of musical eccentricity, and...

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...

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....

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 ophthalmol...

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, an...

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 th...

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....

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 f...

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) spark...

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. Become a s...

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 o...

Noirvember 2024 shines a spotlight on Otto Preminger’s Angel Face (1952), a twisted tale of obsession and betrayal. Robert Mitchum stars as Frank Jessup, an ambulance driver entangled with the wealthy Tremayne family. Torn between the dangerously alluring Diane Tremayne (Jean Simmons) and his steadfast girlfriend Mary (Mona Freeman), Frank is drawn into a deadly web of manipulation and deceit. Jed...

On this special episode, Mike talks with actor/musician Dash Mihok a little bit about his career including his latest film, Armor (2024).  The film will be in Theaters, On Digital and On Demand November 22, 2024. Learn more at https://dashmihok.net/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth--5513239/support . Become a supporter of The Projection Boot...

We continue Noirvember 2024 with a look at Jean Renoir’s The Woman on the Beach.  Released in 1947, the film tells the tale of veteran Scott Burnett played by Robert Ryan.  He’s plagued with nightmares caused by his PTSD and is assigned to the mounted division of the Coast Guard where he patrols the beach on his horse, meeting the comely Peggy Butler played by Joan Bennett.  She’s married to blind...

Mike welcomes filmmaker Eugenio Mira to discuss his 2004 darkly comic thriller The Birthday. Starring Corey Feldman, the film unfolds at an eerie party in a mysterious hotel, revealing a strange world where horror, surrealism, and cult menace meet. Mira dives into the film’s influences, its unique stylistic choices, and how it developed its cult status. This conversation offers an intriguing look...

Mike welcomes Bill Burke, former TCM executive and founder of The Optimism Institute, for a deep dive into cinema’s power to inspire and uplift. Drawing from Burke’s mission to champion optimism and celebrate humanity, the discussion explores his views on the role of movies in encouraging positivity and resilience. Burke shares his thoughts on TCM’s influence on film lovers and how the Institute f...

Mike talks with creature and makeup effects artist Steve Newburn to explore his transformative work on Sasquatch Sunset (2024). Known for turning actors like Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough into life-like cryptids, Newburn shares insights into the prosthetic design and the challenges of outdoor filming in rugged settings. Newburn’s craftsmanship, honed over 30 years, takes center stage as he disc...

Mike sits down with Mark Edlitz to dive into Movies Go Fourth, Edlitz’s latest exploration of film history that focuses on fourth installments in beloved movie franchises. Together, they explore the unique quirks, challenges, and unexpected triumphs of fourth films, from reinventions to revivals. Alongside a conversation about the power of nostalgia and innovation in filmmaking, this episode promi...

On this special episode, we’re diving into the curious 1953 fantasy The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. Produced by Stanley Kramer, directed by Roy Rowland, and uniquely penned by Dr. Seuss, the film stars Hans Conreid as Dr. Terwilliker, a sinister piano teacher who’s devised the “Terwilliker Method” for the obedient fingers of child pianists. Tommy Rettig plays Bartholomew Collins, an imaginative boy de...

Mike welcomes Samm Deighan and Andrew Nette, co-editors of Revolution in 35mm: Political Violence and Resistance in Cinema from the Arthouse to the Grindhouse, 1960–1990, from PM Press.  The book explores revolutionary cinema across the globe. They discuss the themes and politics of the films covered in the book, highlighting how cinema has been used to challenge authority, incite change, and refl...

We to kick off Noirvember 2024 with a delve into Pitfall (1948), a classic film noir directed by André De Toth, starring Dick Powell as an insurance man caught in a web of deception and danger. When Powell's character falls for Lizabeth Scott’s femme fatale, his seemingly mundane life spirals into chaos, bringing betrayal, blackmail, and murder. Ian Brownell and Philip Marinello join Mike to explo...

Set against the sun-drenched landscapes of Baja California, this film explores a cursed tale where the desert heat and shadows of folklore merge into an atmospheric terror. Mike speaks with writer/director Jeff Daniel Phillips about his latest feature film on this special episode. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth--5513239/support . Become a...

In this episode of The Projection Booth, Mike interviews Tim Hautekiet, the director behind Me, Myself & the Void (2024). Hautekiet shares insights into crafting this surreal, introspective journey that follows a stand-up comedian as he confronts himself in a mysterious "void." Exploring themes of self-discovery, friendship, and vulnerability, Mike and Hautekiet discuss the film's influences,...

In this exciting crossover episode, Mike is joined by Chris Stachiw of The Kulturecast, Father Malone of Midnight Viewing, and filmmaker Antonio Llapur for a lively discussion of Venom: The Last Dance (2024). While Chris and Mike found a lot to admire, Father Malone and Antonio weren’t as enthusiastic, leading to a spirited exchange on what works and what misses in this unique entry in the Venom f...

In this episode Mike talks with Barry Keating, the co-screenwriter of Invoking Yell (2024), the latest horror from Chilean director Patricio Valladares. Set in the isolated landscapes of Southern Chile, this atmospheric found-footage film follows a group of young women trying to record a black metal demo amidst strange, paranormal occurrences in the forest. What starts as a raw music venture quick...