“You’ve Always Been the Caretaker” How The Shining’s Ending Traps Jack Torrance in Stephen King’s Multiverse

Welcome to another episode of The Following Films Podcast. Today, I’m thrilled to be joined once again by director Simon Cellan Jones. If you’ve been with us for a while, you’ll remember our fantastic conversation around his film Arthur the King — and I’ve been eager to have him back on ever since.Simon returns at a particularly exciting moment in his career. His highly anticipated new project, The Family Plan 2, starring Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan, will be hitting Apple TV+ on November 21st. We’ll be diving into the making of the film, revisiting his experience on Arthur the King, and exploring how his storytelling continues to evolve across such varied and ambitious projects.I’m genuinely grateful to have him back on the show — so without further ado, here is my conversation with Simon Cellan Jones.

Welcome to the Following Films Podcast. I’m your host, Chris Maynard, and today we’re diving into a film that’s been buzzing in genre circles for all the right—and very strange—reasons. Before we get started, a quick reminder: if you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to share it with a friend, subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and leave us a review. It really helps the show grow and keeps conversations like this one coming your way.

Today’s episode is a really fun one — I got to sit down with Augie Duke to talk about her work on The Workout, but like all good conversations, we ended up going everywhere.We talk about the fear that creeps in when you become a parent, the joy and tragedy of video stores, pets, and a bunch of other beautifully random things along the way.Now, full disclosure — this one’s got some real-life texture to it. Augie’s Wi-Fi drops out here and there, so there are a few abrupt edits, and I had the office door open because, you know, life happens — the dogs are making noise, one of my kids and the love of my life walk by. It’s a bit chaotic… and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.So settle in, embrace the imperfections, and enjoy this conversation with Augie Duke.

So today we’re diving into Mulholland Drive — David Lynch’s weird, beautiful, haunting masterpiece. It’s one of those movies that stays with you for days after you watch it. You think you’ve got it figured out, and then you realize… no, you really don’t.It starts off like this dreamy Hollywood story — a young actress, a mysterious woman with amnesia, a city full of possibility. But as it goes on, things start to shift. The details don’t line up. Time kind of folds in on itself. And by the end, you’re not sure what’s real, what’s imagined, or whose story you’ve even been watching.That’s what makes Mulholland Drive so fascinating — it’s not really a mystery to solve, it’s more like a dream unraveling. It’s about love, guilt, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.In this episode, we’re going to break down that ending — who Diane really is, what the dream means, and how Lynch turns Hollywood itself into this strange, almost spiritual landscape of illusion and despair.So… let’s open the box and see what’s inside. David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive

Today I'm breaking down one of the most enigmatic endings in horror film history! The ending of The Shining isn’t just about madness, ghosts, or cabin fever; it’s about consumption. The Overlook Hotel doesn’t merely haunt its guests; it devours them. By the time Jack Torrance swings his axe through the snow-covered halls, he’s no longer a man losing control. He’s a man who’s been completely absorbed by the building itself, body and soul. That’s the real horror of The Shining: evil doesn’t simply kill you, it keeps you.

Today I’m joined by Director and Showrunner Nancy Schwartzman to discuss DEATH IN APARTMENT 603: WHAT HAPPENED TO ELLEN GREENBERG?The emotional and gripping docuseries investigates the mysterious death of Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old Philadelphia schoolteacher found dead in the apartment she shared with her fiancé on a snowy night in January 2011, just seven months before her upcoming wedding. Greenberg sustained 20 knife wounds and had 11 bruises on her body in various stages of healing. To the shock of many who knew her, detectives on the scene treated her death as a suicide; but when her autopsy results came back, her cause of death was ruled a homicide. Shortly thereafter, the manner of death was inexplicably reversed to suicide, and the city of Philadelphia shut the case without further investigation. Now, 14 years later, this three-part series exclusively follows Ellen’s parents, Sandee and Josh Greenberg, as they fight to reopen the investigation and learn the truth about their daughter’s untimely death.  DEATH IN APARTMENT 603: WHAT HAPPENED TO ELLEN GREENBERG?features more than 20 new interviews with those who knew Greenberg best, including close friends, family members, and her former students and colleagues, painting a portrait of a warm, vibrant young woman who was planning her wedding and deeply loved by those who knew her. The docuseries also grants rare access to Greenberg’s case file, including her fiancé’s frantic 911 call, crime scene photos, autopsy analysis and surveillance footage. Additional new interviews include former neighbors and staff who were present in Greenberg’s apartment building at the time of her death, a former colleague of her fiancé, and attorneys and law enforcement experts. The show delivers an intimate look into Greenberg’s life and a probing examination of the cracks in the system that have left one haunting question unanswered: What really happened to Ellen Greenberg?Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We use Google Workspace to keep things running smoothly and efficiently here at Following Films, and I can’t recommend it enough. Try it for your business and see how it can help you stay organized and connected. If you sign up using my link, you’ll get a discount — and you’ll be supporting the show: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uF.DEATH IN APARTMENT 603: WHAT HAPPENED TO ELLEN GREENBERG? Is now streaming on HULUI hope you enjoy the show

Today I’m joined by Sean King O’Grady to discuss his latest project, SUSPICIOUS MINDSSUSPICIOUS MINDS is a docuseries that investigates the disturbing rise of artificial intelligence as a trigger for delusional thinking.Through powerful firsthand accounts and in-depth interviews with leading experts in psychiatry, neuroscience, and AI ethics, the series unpacks a growing psychological phenomenon: individuals developing complex, often life-altering delusions rooted in AI technologies. From chatbots to surveillance fears, the show examines how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of paranoia and how these modern delusions echo, amplify, and challenge our historical understanding of the human mind.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We use Google Workspace to keep things running smoothly and efficiently here at Following Films, and I can’t recommend it enough. Try it for your business and see how it can help you stay organized and connected. If you sign up using my link, you’ll get a discount — and you’ll be supporting the show: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uF.Suspicious Minds is a weekly video documentary series and podcast that is currently airing..Platforms include YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Substack, and more. Series One will be released weekly for a total of 8 video and podcast episodes.

Today, I’m joined by two-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth.Jeff joins me to talk about his work on Tron: Ares, which is now in theaters. He also shot Amazon’s Being the Ricardos for director Aaron Sorkin, starring Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem. Kidman was so impressed with Jeff’s work that she later asked him to shoot her now-famous AMC Theatres commercial.We also dive into his long-running collaboration with David Fincher on films like Fight Club, The Social Network, and Gone Girl. Plus, Jeff gives us a glimpse into his latest project — the just-begun follow-up to The Social Network, titled The Social Reckoning. Aaron Sorkin is not only writing but also directing this one, with a stellar cast that includes Jeremy Allen White, Mikey Madison, Jeremy Strong, Betty Gilpin, and Bill Burr.When I first heard about The Social Reckoning, my initial reaction was, “Why on earth would they make that?” But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized it’s an essential story — a vital piece of modern history that deserves to be explored and cemented in the public consciousness.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We use Google Workspace to keep things running smoothly and efficiently here at Following Films, and I can’t recommend it enough. Try it for your business and see how it can help you stay organized and connected. If you sign up using my link, you’ll get a discount — and you’ll be supporting the show: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uF.Tron: Ares is now playing in theaters everywhere. Go see it on the biggest screen you can — it’s an incredible cinematic experience.I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Today, we’re celebrating a piece of television history. It’s been 25 years since Resurrection Blvd. first hit the airwaves—a groundbreaking series that redefined Latino representation in Hollywood. And now, that legacy is being honored in a big way.On October 19th, 2025, the Fox Tucson Theatre—the crown jewel of downtown Tucson—will host A Day with Resurrection Blvd: The 25th Anniversary Celebration. Presented by Elephant Scout Films, this one-of-a-kind event brings together cast, crew, and fans for an unforgettable reunion. There’ll be a special screening of the pilot, behind-the-scenes insights, and a live panel moderated by Dan Guerrero, featuring an incredible lineup: Dennis Leoni, Tony Plana, Esai Morales, and Nicholas Gonzalez. Today's guests were involved both in front of and behind the camera on Ressurection Blvd—first up, actor/director Lou Diamond Phillips, then show creator Dennis Leoni.Lou joins me to talk about his time on Resurrection Blvd., its cultural impact, and what this reunion means to him. We also chat about storytelling, legacy, and the power of authentic representation on screen.Whether you grew up with the Santiago family or you’re just discovering the series for the first time, this episode is a celebration of community, creativity, and resilience.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. You should try it and see how it can benefit your business as well. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uFTickets for A Day With Resurrection Blvd: The 25th Anniversary Celebration are available at www.foxtucson.com/resurrection. Hope to see you there this Sunday, 10/19.

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Following Films Podcast, where we dive into the art, craft, and passion behind the movies. Today I’m joined by Sid AbbruzziWater Brothers: The Sid Abbruzzi Story follows the life of surf and skate core legend and cultural icon Sid Abbruzzi, and his commitment to protecting the sports’ history and culture. Through a mix of never-before-seen archival film, large format cinematic footage, and personal interviews from culture giants like Tony Hawk, Shepard Fairey, Selema Masekela and more; we are taken on a journey through surfing and skating history - from 1960s Newport to Santa Cruz, Cocoa Beach, South Africa's Jeffrey's Bay, and beyond. As Sid approaches the age of 72, the film captures the final days of his famous Water Brothers Surf & Skate shop as it is set to be demolished and the impact it had on the surf and skate community. The documentary emphasizes the importance of memory, personal history, and living in the moment, reminding us to cherish our past and preserve cultural heritage.Water Brothers: The Sid Abbruzzi Story is a poignant reflection on a life well-lived and a heartfelt tribute to the enduring spirit of surf culture. It celebrates the individuals and places that transcend surfing and skating from mere hobbies, showing how one man's dedication can inspire an entire community.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. You should try it and see how it can benefit your business as well. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uFWater Brothers: The Sid Abbruzzi Story is now available on VOD. Purchase merch from Water Brothers here:https://www.originalwaterbrothers.com/More information on the film here:https://www.waterbrotherfilm.com/