428 - Upgrade (2018)

"You now have full control again, Grey." For Episode 428, Thomas and Brandon continue their Tech Noir series with UPGRADE, an underrated 2018 gem starring Logan Marshall-Green. Listen as the two discuss Leigh Whannell's early horror career, how he got into directing, how Jason Blum helped shepherd the project through Blumhouse, how Logan Marshall-Green got involved, how they filmed the innovative fight scenes, and more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Talking Travis Knight, Coraline, and Saw (00:00:10) Recap of the Tech Noir Genre (00:07:30) Intro to Upgrade (00:14:48) How Upgrade Got to Production (00:20:49) Favorite Scenes (00:35:05) On Set Life - (01:05:57) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:12:30) What Worked and What Didn't (01:24:58) Film Facts (01:31:33) Awards (01:33:50) Final Questions on the Movie (01:40:07) Wrapping Up the Episode (01:48:12) Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

Episode 427 is special as Brandon sits down with Miles Williams, the artistic director of the ALEX Theatre in Glendale. The ALEX Theatre gained national attention this summer with its popular 70mm screenings of Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY, but that was just one part of Miles's plan to help revitalize this 101-year-old theatre. Miles has served as artistic director for five years, but his career spans more than 30 years in Los Angeles's live events community. Listen as Brandon and Miles discuss Miles's career, his upbringing and how it influences his choices, the revival of movie theaters in Los Angeles, why Gen Z is hooked on movies, why his company is called the EVNSONG, why the moviegoing experience matters, what he has in store for the ALEX, and more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Check out the upcoming events at the ALEX Theatre here: https://www.thealex.com/ Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

"Dig up the past, all you get is dirty." For Episode 426, Brandon and Thomas enter Noirvember by diving into the tech-noir subgenre with MINORITY REPORT. Listen as they discuss how the film started as a failed sequel, which director was originally attached to the project, why Tom Cruise felt Steven Spielberg was the perfect director for the project, how Spielberg created a science think tank to get the film's technology as accurate as possible, how they built the world of MINORITY REPORT, and so much more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Talking Ken Russell's The Devils (00:00:10) Intro to the Tech Noir Genre (00:10:56) Intro to Minority Report (00:22:41) How Minority Report Got to Production (00:31:30 ) Favorite Scenes (00:51:52) On Set Life - (01:26:37) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:35:04) What Worked and What Didn't (01:47:52) Film Facts (01:51:55) Awards (01:53:44) Final Questions on the Movie (01:58:11) Wrapping Up the Episode (02:04:28) Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

"This is a true story that happened in my town." For Episode 425, Thomas and Brandon wrap up their Witch Movies series with Zach Cregger's WEAPONS. Listen as they discuss Cregger's early career, his inspirations for the film, how they found the right setting, how the SAG-AFTRA strike affected production, which A-list director helped during post-production, how the film became a sleeper hit, and more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Talking Resident Evil (00:00:10) Recap of the Witches Genre (00:11:04) Intro to Weapons (00:16:13) How Weapons Got to Production (00:23:20) Favorite Scenes (00:45:10) On Set Life - (01:26:03) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:42:16) What Worked and What Didn't (01:47:18) Awards (01:50:26) Final Questions on the Movie (01:55:29) Final Questions on the Genre (01:59:15) Wrapping Up the Episode (02:05:23) Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

"We are the weirdos, mister." For Episode 424, Brandon is joined again by Valerie Broussard to discuss the 1990s cult classic, THE CRAFT. Listen as they discuss how the film started in a general meeting, the screenwriting process, the struggles of casting young actors in the 1990s, which future A-list actresses were up for the roles, how they used the setting of Los Angeles, why they needed to use early forms of visual effects for the film, why critics were so divisive about the movie, how it became a hit on home video, and so much more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Talking Doctor X and 90s movies (00:00:10) Introducing Valerie Broussard (00:11:17) Recap of the Witches Genre (00:11:46) Intro to The Craft (00:16:31) How The Craft Got to Production (00:21:43) Favorite Scenes (00:44:21) On Set Life - (01:18:57) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:29:01) What Worked and What Didn't (01:44:29) Film Facts (01:49:06) Awards (01:50:50) Final Questions on the Movie (01:59:16) Wrapping Up the Episode (02:04:30) Check out Valerie Broussard's new EP A LITTLE MORE WICKED, now available on all streaming platforms! Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

"Susie, do you know anything about...witches?" For Episode 423, Brandon and Thomas continue CineNation's series on Witches. Listen as they discuss the story that inspired the film, whether it's a giallo, who Dario Argento's muse was, how they used Technicolor to create striking visuals, why the film received a mixed reception, and more! Celebrate Halloween series with Argento's SUSPIRIA! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Talking Digger and Letterboxd Reviews (00:00:10) Recap of the Witches Genre (00:09:10) Intro to Suspiria (00:17:07) How Suspiria Got to Production (00:24:21) Favorite Scenes (00:38:19) On Set Life - (01:15:56) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:22:22) What Worked and What Didn't (01:28:18) Film Facts (01:34:35) Awards (01:34:59) Final Questions on the Movie (01:43:18) Wrapping Up the Episode (01:50:59) Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

"Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?" For Episode 422, Brandon is joined by returning guest and talented singer-songwriter Valerie Broussard to dive into Robert Eggers's debut feature film, THE WITCH. Listen as they discuss Eggers's early upbringing, his first few short films, how they financed the film, which family film director became a mentor to Robert Eggers, how the movie became a breakout role for Anya Taylor-Joy, how they created authentic sets and costumes, which animal was a nightmare on set, why the film turned off some moviegoers upon its release, and much more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Talking Supernatural and Häxan (00:00:10) Introducing Valerie Broussard (00:10:04) Recap of the Witches Genre (00:12:00) Intro to The Witch (00:16:13) How The Witch Got to Production (00:24:21) Favorite Scenes (00:47:16) On Set Life - (01:16:03) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:29:33) What Worked and What Didn't (01:40:18) Film Facts (01:46:44) Awards (01:47:44) Final Questions on the Movie (01:55:33) Wrapping Up the Episode (02:02:33) Check out Valerie Broussard's new EP A LITTLE MORE WICKED, now available on all streaming platforms! Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

"It's just a bunch of hocus pocus." For Episode 421, Thomas and Brandon kick off Halloween season and CineNation's Witch series with a millennial classic: HOCUS POCUS. Listen as they discuss how the script was in development at Disney for almost a decade before it moved to production, which future Oscar winner auditioned for the movie, why the Walt Disney Company wanted to invest in more scary movies, what blockbuster superhero movie made them retool the entire film, how Bette Midler changed the trajectory of the film, why critics hated the movie upon release, why it has gained a following over time, and so much more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Talking Midnight Mass and Mike Flanagan (00:00:10) Intro of the Witches Genre (00:10:02) Intro to Hocus Pocus (00:16:06) How Hocus Pocus Got to Production (00:23:12) Favorite Scenes (00:41:49) On Set Life - (01:13:30) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:20:47) What Worked and What Didn't (01:31:01) Film Facts (01:37:00) Awards (01:39:55) Final Questions on the Movie (01:42:28) Wrapping Up the Episode (01:47:18) Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

"On any given Sunday, you're gonna win, or you're gonna lose." For Episode 420, Brandon and Thomas finish off CineNation's main series on football movies with Oliver Stone's football epic, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. Listen as they discuss how Stone combined multiple scripts into one for this movie, why Al Pacino chose to star in the movie, which rapper was almost cast in the role that went to Jamie Foxx, why the NFL backed out of the movie, which actors got into an altercation on set, how Lawrence Taylor was plucked from rehab to be in the film, how long the original cut was, and so much more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Horror Season is Upon Us (00:00:10) Recap of the Football Genre (00:09:04) Intro to Any Given Sunday (00:14:04) How Any Given Sunday Got to Production (00:20:34) Favorite Scenes (00:39:13) On Set Life - (01:18:30) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:26:43) What Worked and What Didn't (01:33:40) Film Facts (01:37:14) Awards (01:38:21) Final Questions on the Movie (01:43:20) Final Questions on the Genre (01:47:46) Wrapping Up the Episode (01:53:07) Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast

"Show me the money!" For Episode 419, Brandon is joined by Ryan Hurley to continue CineNation's Football series with JERRY MAGUIRE. While Tom Cruise is on the press tour for DIGGER, we're hear to talk about his earlier prestige film that landed him his second Oscar nomination. Listen as Brandon and Ryan discuss Cameron Crowe's inspiration for the film, his unique relationships with filmmakers James L. Brooks and Billy Wilder, which other A-List star was originally going to star in the film, the struggles of casting the supporting roles in the film, how Tom Cruise led by example on set, and so much more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your online purchase! Also, don't forget to join our Patreon for more exclusive movie content: https://www.patreon.com/cinenation Opening - Football is Back (00:00:10) Introducing Ryan Hurley (00:07:27) Recap of the Football Genre (00:09:28) Intro to Jerry Maguire (00:14:24) How Jerry Maguire Got to Production (00:24:06) Favorite Scenes (00:54:50) On Set Life - (01:33:11) Aftermath: Release and Legacy (01:42:20) What Worked and What Didn't (01:47:21) Film Facts (01:53:13) Awards (01:55:42) Final Questions on the Movie (01:59:36) Wrapping Up the Episode (02:04:02) Contact Us: Facebook: @cinenation Instagram: @cinenationpodcast Twitter/X: @CineNationPod TikTok: @cinenation Letterboxd: CineNation Podcast