Donnie Darko

A plane crash puts a premature end to a precocious protagonist… on screen and off. This week Chris and David explore Richard Kelly’s cult classic debut film, Donnie Darko. Learn how a fateful meeting with Francis Ford Coppola, the undying support of Drew Barrymore, and a high school band’s cover of a Tears for Fears track secured Darko a place in cult-film history.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jennifer Grey knew the part of Frances “Baby” Houseman was perfect for her. There was just one problem: Patrick Swayze. The stars of 1987’s ‘Dirty Dancing’ had history, and it wasn’t good. In this episode Chris and Lizzie dive into the low budget film that became a smash success despite production woes, a brand new studio backing it, and two stars who just couldn’t see eye to eye.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Would audiences walk out? Would the animation make them sick? Was Walt Disney a madman? Such were the real musings of industry experts when Walt bet it all on Snow White, Disney’s first feature animated film. Join Chris and guest hosts Elena Crevello and Chelsea Davison (of Podstruck) as they explore how Disney redefined cinema forever with a four quadrant hit for the ages.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this atypical episode, Chris takes you down the Walt Disney rabbit hole, setting the table for our episode on "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". Join us for an exploration of the childhood and early career of the man who created the House of Mouse, up until he decided to create his first animated feature-length film.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Chris and special guest (and film critic) Dan Murrell get to the choppa! with a deep dive of 1987's Predator. They'll be braving snakes (venomous and Hollywood), fire ants, scorpions and traveler's diarrhea as they explore this unlikely sci-fi action classic's arduous production. Learn how Arnold hooked the crew on cigars, bested Jesse Ventura's biceps, and why Shane Black was killed first. Plus, why you may not want to attempt heat vision in 100-degree weather...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris and Lizzie speak with the incredible, Emmy-winning Casting Director, Wendy O'Brien (Abbott Elementary, Dave, It's Always Sunny, Wyrm). Enjoy a conversation about how this role is different from what you might think, how it has changed in a post-Covid world, what it's like to work with Chris, and much more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marilyn Monroe can’t remember her lines, Jack Lemmon can’t walk in heels, and Billy Wilder is slipping sleeping pills up his tuchus. ‘Some Like It Hot’ is a groundbreaking comedy that nearly broke writer/director Billy Wilder. Join Chris and Lizzie as they break down Billy Wilder’s struggles with Marilyn, and Marilyn’s relationships with her overbearing husband and acting coach, and find out why Tony Curtis allegedly called her Hitler.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Three decades of development hell, a dozen drafts and one very embattled director. This week, Chris and Lizzie explore the tumultuous journey of Malcolm X, Spike Lee’s unusual path to the directing chair, and how the public battle over the civil rights leader’s story nearly eclipsed the story itself.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week it’s Francis Ford Coppola vs Bob Evans vs everyone. Join Chris and Lizzie for part 2 as they break down the truly insane rivalries behind 1972’s The Godfather. Find out why Coppola’s team briefly turned against him, how James Caan might have beaten up a costar on screen, and why this movie has one of the most dangerous stunts we’ve ever covered.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a movie about the mafia… but they couldn’t say the word mafia… because the actual mafia threatened the entire production if they didn’t remove it. This week Chris and Lizzie dive into Francis Ford Coppola’s groundbreaking 1972 film, The Godfather. Find out why Coppola and Al Pacino both almost got fired, how Robert DeNiro almost made it into part 1, and why Paramount didn’t even want to make the movie.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.