Cinema Shock

THE EVIL DEAD: Raimi’s Microbudget Debut | Sam Raimi: The Entertainer

It’s time for a new series here on Cinema Shock! This week, we kick off a multi-part exploration of the career of Sam Raimi, the filmmaker who went from Michigan movie-obsessed teenager to the director of some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.
But before SPIDER-MAN or DOCTOR STRANGE, Raimi made his name with a scrappy, super low-budget horror film that would go on to become one of the most iconic entries in the cult canon: THE EVIL DEAD.
In this episode, we dig into Raimi’s early years making Super 8 shorts with friends like Bruce Campbell and Scott Spiegel, the long and grueling process of shooting THE EVIL DEAD in a freezing Tennessee cabin, and how a little help from Stephen King helped get the movie in front of horror fans around the world.
It’s a tale of DIY ingenuity, exploding lenses, and a chainsaw-wielding cult legend in the making — the perfect start to our series: Sam Raimi: The Entertainer.
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, and Todd A. Davis.

Cinema Shock Roundtable #10: Announcing our next series!

In this Roundtable discussion, we talk about everything from CHILD'S PLAY to WRATH OF KHAN to DELIVERANCE! We'll also be letting you know what to expect from our next longford series, which will begin NEXT WEEK!
For episode archives, merchandise, and more, visit http://www.cinemashock.net

PUMPKINHEAD: Stan Winston’s Backwoods Revenge Horror | Cinema Shock Roulette

In this Cinema Shock Roulette episode, we’re heading deep into the foggy woods with PUMPKINHEAD, the 1988 creature feature that marked the directorial debut of legendary FX artist Stan Winston.
Known for his Oscar-winning work on films like ALIENS, THE TERMINATOR, and JURASSIC PARK, Winston brought his creature chops and gothic sensibilities to this low-budget revenge tale starring Lance Henriksen as a grief-stricken father who summons a demon to exact vengeance.
We’ll dig into the film’s folk horror influences, its practical effects legacy, and how it evolved from a poem into a cult-favorite franchise — even if the sequels never quite measured up.
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, and Todd A. Davis.
For episode archives, merch and more, visit cinemashock.net
 

Cinema Shock Roundtable #9: Announcing our next Cinema Shock Roulette entry

In this Roundtable discussion, the guys discuss what they've been watching lately (aside from the movies they watch for the show) and then spin the wheel to find out what the next Cinema Shock Roulette episode is going to cover! Want to know what's next? You'll have to listen!
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, and Todd A. Davis.
 

AVATAR: Building Pandora | James Cameron: Man of Tomorrow

More than a decade after TITANIC, James Cameron returned to narrative filmmaking with a film that many doubted would succeed. The year was 2009, and AVATAR was a massive gamble: a wildly expensive, original sci-fi epic that leaned heavily on unproven technology and an entirely digital world.
But Cameron once again proved the doubters wrong.
In this episode, we trace the full story of AVATAR — from the seed of the idea back in the 1990s, to the development of its revolutionary 3D technology and performance capture, to its box office domination and long-term cultural impact. We’ll explore how Cameron made the most expensive movie ever feel like a sure thing, and how AVATAR changed the future of filmmaking (whether Hollywood was ready for it or not).
 
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, and Todd A. Davis.

Cinema Shock Roundtable #8: Looking ahead to AVATAR

In this episode, we'll take a look forward to the finale of our James Cameron series where we'll be discussing AVATAR!
We also have a chat about all of the other things we've been watching lately, including SANDMAN, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, PREY, DAY SHIFT, THEY/THEM, ORPHAN: FIRST KILL, and REAR WINDOW!
Are you caught up on our James Cameron series? If not, find all of the episodes at https://www.cinemashock.net/jamescameron

JAMES CAMERON’S 12-YEAR INTERMISSION | James Cameron: Man of Tomorrow

After the massive success of TITANIC, James Cameron disappeared from narrative filmmaking for over a decade — but he wasn’t sitting idle.
In this episode, we explore the 12-year gap between TITANIC and AVATAR, a period in which Cameron shifted his focus toward deep-sea exploration, documentary filmmaking, and groundbreaking technological development. From Ghosts of the Abyss to co-developing new 3D camera rigs, Cameron was quietly laying the groundwork for the future of his career — and for the next evolution of cinematic storytelling.
We’ll also look at the personal and professional changes Cameron underwent during this period, and how they shaped the director he would become in the 21st century.
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, and Todd A. Davis.

TITANIC Pt 2: Icebergs, Oscars, and Box Office History | James Cameron: Man of Tomorrow

In Part 2, we pick up during the troubled production of TITANIC, where tensions on set reached their breaking point, cast and crew rebelled, and rumors of a doomed project dominated the press.
We’ll break down the second half of the shoot, including the legendary water tank days, the film’s VFX innovations, and the now-infamous PCP-laced chowder incident. Then we’ll track the film’s test screenings, delayed release, and how it ultimately shattered all box office records — becoming a cultural behemoth and Academy Awards juggernaut.
We’ll also look at TITANIC’s legacy: how it launched the careers of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, changed James Cameron’s trajectory forever, and helped usher in the modern blockbuster era.
Because there's so much story to tell about TITANIC, we've decided to split it across two episodes. TITANIC Episode 1 was released last week.
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, and Todd A. Davis.
For episode archives and more, visit www.cinemashock.net.

TITANIC Pt 1: Building the Unsinkable Ship | James Cameron: Man of Tomorrow

In Part 1 of our deep dive into TITANIC, we look at how James Cameron went from being Hollywood’s reigning king of sci-fi to convincing Fox to bankroll a historical romance set aboard a doomed luxury liner.
We’ll explore Cameron’s early fascination with shipwrecks, the pitch that sold the studio (“Romeo and Juliet on a boat”), and the massive production that would balloon into one of the most expensive films ever made.
From deep-sea dives to full-scale ship sets, from casting decisions to early red flags — this episode covers the inception and pre-production of TITANIC, as well as the chaotic first half of its shoot.
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, and Todd A. Davis.
For episode archives and more, visit www.cinemashock.net.

TRUE LIES: Spies, Stunts, and Cameron’s Big Swing | James Cameron: Man of Tomorrow

After TERMINATOR 2 became the biggest hit of James Cameron's career — and the third highest grossing movie of all time — the director felt like he needed a change of direction. Maybe a small character-based drama?
Well, that didn't work out. His next film would end up being a pseudo-remake of a French comedy called LA TOTALE! that he was introduced to by his friend Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Their version of the story — which they called TRUE LIES — would be Cameron's first foray into comedy, but he didn't abandon his action movie roots, using his biggest budget yet to craft some of the most ambitious action set pieces of his career. 
In this episode, we trace the film's production, from concept to release and reception, and we dive into the film's legacy, including a lot of the controversy that still surrounds the film to this day.
Next Episode: TITANIC.
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, and Todd A. Davis.
Episode archives, merchandise & more: cinemashock.net