Cinema Shock

ANACONDA (2025) Review: Jack Black & Paul Rudd’s Meta-Reboot | CinemaShock+ Pick

The snake is back, but it’s definitely not the 1997 cult classic you remember. In this special bonus episode, we’re sharing our raw, unscripted thoughts on the brand-new ANACONDA starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd.
Since this was the winning choice from our monthly member vote, we’re skipping the deep-dive history and getting straight into the fun. We discuss whether Tom Gormican’s meta-comedy approach actually breathes new life into the franchise or if the CGI giant snake still feels like it belongs in the 90s. From the comedic chemistry between Rudd and Black to those unexpected cameos that had us shouting at the screen, we’re breaking down everything we loved (and everything that felt a bit "snake-bitten") about this theatrical release.
💡 THE CINEMASHOCK+ CHOICE
This episode was chosen by our members! Every month, CinemaShock+ supporters get to vote on which new theatrical release we cover for our bonus episode.
Want to vote on next month's movie? Join the inner circle and get extended episodes, early access, and voting power at http://cinemashock.net/plus.
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Andy Lancaster, asotirov, Benjamin Yates, courtland ashley, curtcake5k, Elton Novara, Interzone78, Jackson_Baker, Jvance325, KDurden, LillymckY, Lucy Lawson, MagicBloat, mcdudely, Nate Izod, Nathan Kelley, Robert, Robert Stinson, Spacemonkey73
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

Unwrapping the BLACK CHRISTMAS Remakes | Bonus Episode

The calls didn't stop in 1974. In this special bonus episode of Cinema Shock, we’re stepping out of the attic to examine the controversial, neon-soaked, and often misunderstood legacy of the BLACK CHRISTMAS remakes.
We start by tearing into the 2006 remake—a film defined by its vibrant "Giallo" color palette, cannibalistic origin stories, and the heavy-handed studio interference that changed the movie’s DNA. Then, we pivot to the 2019 Blumhouse reimagining, a divisive entry that traded mystery for a supernatural take on campus culture and systemic power.
Finally, we pay tribute to the fans who kept the spirit of the original alive. We dive into the world of fan films, specifically the acclaimed It's Me, Billy (Parts 1 & 2), to discuss how indie creators managed to recapture the atmospheric dread that Hollywood struggled to replicate.
We're joined in this episode by special guest John Ferrer, co-founder of the underground 24-hour Christmas movie extravaganza McArathon!
Whether you’re a 2006 gore-hound or a 1974 purist, join us as we unwrap the sequels and spin-offs that refuse to stay dead.
In this episode:
The Weinstein influence and the "missing" scenes of 2006.
Why the 2019 version shifted from a slasher to a supernatural thriller.
How IT'S ME, BILLY serves as the spiritual successor fans waited decades for.
Follow McArathon on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mcarathon_/ or on Twitch at twitch.tv/McArathon
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Andy Lancaster, asotirov, Benjamin Yates, courtland ashley, curtcake5k, Elton Novara, Interzone78, Jackson_Baker, Jvance325, KDurden, LillymckY, Lucy Lawson, MagicBloat, mcdudely, Nate Izod, Nathan Kelley, Robert, Robert Stinson, Spacemonkey73
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974): Bob Clark’s Holiday Masterpiece

The Cinema Shock Christmas Spectacular is here, and we’re unwrapping the film that changed horror forever: BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974). While the world settles in for wholesome holiday classics, we’re exploring the dark, influential "proto-slasher" that walked so Halloween could run. Gary, Justin, and Todd dig into the urban legends that inspired the script, the terrifying vocal techniques used to create "Billy," and the haunting real-life parallels that once got the film pulled from television broadcast. Lock your doors, check the attic, and don’t answer the phone.
🎧 Want even more?CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Andy Lancaster, asotirov, Benjamin Yates, courtland ashley, curtcake5k, Elton Novara, Interzone78, Jackson_Baker, Jvance325, KDurden, LillymckY, Lucy Lawson, MagicBloat, mcdudely, Nate Izod, Nathan Kelley, Robert, Robert Stinson, Spacemonkey73
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
 

INLAND EMPIRE Pt 2: Laura Dern, Lost Girls, and Lynch’s Quest for Transcendence

We conclude our deep dive into INLAND EMPIRE. We analyze Laura Dern’s powerhouse performance, the themes of identity and transcendence, and the chaotic beauty revealed in the film's stunning 4K restoration.
🎧 Want even more?CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Andy Lancaster, asotirov, Benjamin Yates, courtland ashley, curtcake5k, Elton Novara, Interzone78, Jackson_Baker, Jvance325, KDurden, LillymckY, Lucy Lawson, MagicBloat, mcdudely, Nate Izod, Nathan Kelley, Robert, Robert Stinson, Spacemonkey73
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

INLAND EMPIRE Pt 1: David Lynch's Digital Revolution and the Unscripted Descent

Dive into the unsettling world of INLAND EMPIRE. We explore David Lynch's radical shift to the MiniDV camera, the spontaneous, unscripted production, and the beginning of Laura Dern's journey through Hollywood’s darkest corners.
🎧 Want even more?CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Andy Lancaster, asotirov, Benjamin Yates, courtland ashley, curtcake5k, Elton Novara, Interzone78, Jackson_Baker, Jvance325, KDurden, LillymckY, Lucy Lawson, MagicBloat, mcdudely, Nate Izod, Nathan Kelley, Robert, Robert Stinson, Spacemonkey73
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

MULHOLLAND DRIVE Pt 2: Behind the Blue Box

We pick up our deep dive into MULHOLLAND DRIVE with the film’s surreal final stretch. In this episode, we explore its production, reception, and legacy — and trace how Lynch turned a dead pilot into a dreamlike masterpiece.
🎧 Want even more?CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Andy Lancaster | MagicBloat | Jvance325 | Nate Izod | Elton Novara | Robert Stinson | Nathan Kelley | asotirov | Jackson_Baker | Interzone78 | Lucy Lawson | courtland ashley | LillymckY | Spacemonkey73 | KDurden | Robert | mcdudely

MULHOLLAND DRIVE Pt 1: Dreams, Detours & David Lynch’s Hollywood

In the first part of our two-part deep dive into MULHOLLAND DRIVE, we explore how a failed ABC pilot became David Lynch’s most celebrated film. From network rejection to Cannes redemption, we unpack the winding road that led to one of the greatest movies of the 21st century.
🎧 Want even more?CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Andy Lancaster | MagicBloat | Jvance325 | Nate Izod | Elton Novara | Robert Stinson | Nathan Kelley | asotirov | Jackson_Baker | Interzone78 | Lucy Lawson | courtland ashley | LillymckY | Spacemonkey73 | KDurden | Robert | mcdudely

THE STRAIGHT STORY Pt 2: How David Lynch Made a G-Rated Masterpiece

We continue our story with the making of THE STRAIGHT STORY — from its minimalist, rural production to the film’s warm reception and lasting emotional power.
In this episode, we explore the unique challenges of filming a story with no frills, no flashbacks, and no spectacle — just the quiet weight of a man, a lawnmower, and the open road. We’ll talk about Richard Farnsworth’s final performance, the Oscar-nominated score by Angelo Badalamenti, and how this unlikely project became one of the most poignant, personal entries in Lynch’s career.
🎧 Want even more?CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Andy Lancaster | MagicBloat | Jvance325 | Nate Izod | Elton Novara | Robert Stinson | Nathan Kelley | asotirov | Jackson_Baker | Interzone78 | Lucy Lawson | courtland ashley | LillymckY | Spacemonkey73 | KDurden | Robert
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

THE STRAIGHT STORY Pt 1: David Lynch, Disney, and a Very True Story

We begin our deep dive into THE STRAIGHT STORY, David Lynch’s most surprising film — a quiet, heartfelt road movie based on the true story of Alvin Straight.
In this episode, we look at the real-life journey that inspired the film, the creative vision of editor-turned-screenwriter Mary Sweeney, and how Lynch, of all people, became the unlikely director of a G-rated Disney film. We’ll also explore how the project developed from a character sketch into a meditative script — and how Richard Farnsworth, a retired stuntman battling cancer, was cast in the role of a lifetime.
🎧 Want even more?CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Andy Lancaster | MagicBloat | Jvance325 | Nate Izod | Elton Novara | Robert Stinson | Nathan Kelley | asotirov | Jackson_Baker | Interzone78 | Lucy Lawson | courtland ashley | LillymckY | Spacemonkey73 | KDurden | Robert
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

LOST HIGHWAY Pt 2: The Split and the Spiral

Our journey through the making of LOST HIGHWAY continues.
With cameras finally rolling, David Lynch and his collaborators pushed deeper into the surreal and the subconscious — crafting a film defined by haunting sound design, elliptical editing, and an atmosphere of pure dread. But the road ahead wasn’t easy.
In this episode, we follow the production through its rocky release and trace how LOST HIGHWAY, once a commercial disappointment, found new life as a cult classic that would reshape the next phase of Lynch’s career.
🎧 Want even more?CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.
CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Andy Lancaster | MagicBloat | Jvance325 | Nate Izod | Elton Novara | Robert Stinson | Nathan Kelley | asotirov | Jackson_Baker | Interzone78 | Lucy Lawson | courtland ashley | LillymckY | Spacemonkey73 | KDurden | Robert
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop & Todd A. Davis.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net