Cinema Shock

DUNE (1984) | David Lynch: Absurd Encounters

After the critical and commercial success of THE ELEPHANT MAN, David Lynch was suddenly a hot commodity in Hollywood, although it soon became clear that, although many studios were seeking out the idiosyncratic director, what they wanted was another ELEPHANT MAN, and not another ERASERHEAD.
While Lynch would pass on many of the projects offered to him (which we document in this episode), he eventually signed on to direct Frank Herbert's sprawling science fiction epic DUNE for famed Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis.
The resulting film was, for Lynch, "a great sadness," a betrayal of his own artistic sensibilities and a film that was reviled by critics and ignored by audiences. Although it's gained a modest cult following in the 40 years since its release, it's generally considered a failure by most, even die hard fans of David Lynch.
In this episode, we'll tell you everything you want to know about how DUNE came to be, from previous directors who'd attempted to adapt it, to how Lynch became involved, and the myriad of troubles that the cast and crew had while making the film in Mexico. We'll also discuss the film's eventual release, its legacy, and the incredible impact that it had on Lynch's career going forward.
An Extended Episode — exclusive to CinemaShock+ subscribers — contains bonus content including our fan favorite "Somebody Needs A Nap" segment (where we read and react to reviews of DUNE that we've found on the far reaches of the internet), our "Further Viewing" recommendations and more!
Join now at cinemashock.net/plus.
Up Next: David Lynch: Episode 5: BLUE VELVET.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Jvance325 | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Elton Novara
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 ELEPHANT MAN (1980) | David Lynch: Absurd Encounters

ERASERHEAD’s success on the Midnight Movie circuit didn’t suddently thrust David Lynch onto Hollywood’s A-list but it did turn some heads. Some of those who were impressed by his debut feature included producer Stuart Cornfeld (THE FLY) and legendary filmmaker Mel Brooks (BLAZING SADDLES), who recruited Lynch to direct a biopic of a disfigured man in Victorian England titled THE ELEPHANT MAN.
In this episode, we’ll reveal the full story behind Lynch’s sophomore film; how (and why) he was pursued to direct a film that, on the surface, seems like a far cry from his surreal debut; and how an unknown American director traveled to England, where he’d direct some of Britain’s most well-respected actors in a film that would ultimately become his breakthrough, earning the director awards and accolades, and altering the course of his career.
Getting there wasn’t easy. In this, the third part of our series exploring the career of David Lymch, we’ll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about how David Lynch’s THE ELEPHANT MAN came to be.
Bonus content available for Cinema Shock suppporters:
An extended episode with over 30 minutes of additional content which includes bonus segments and further insights into THE ELEPHANT MAN and David Lynch is available exclusively to members of CinemaShock+.
Up Next: David Lynch: Episode 3: THE ELEPHANT MAN.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Jvance325 | MagicBloat | Nate Izod
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

ERASERHEAD (1977) | David Lynch: Absurd Encounters

After spending his youth pursuing "the art life," David Lynch dipped his toe into the medium of film with his shorts THE ALPHABET and THE GRANDMOTHER. 
With THE GRANDMOTHER, he received attention from the American Film Institute, who invited him to move to the West Coast, where he'd spend a whopping five years working on what would become his feature film debut, ERASERHEAD.
In this episode, we'll discuss the creation of ERASERHEAD, through all of its ups-and-(many)downs, its mysteries, its near abandonment, and how it nearly didn't receive a release at all before being "discovered" by Ben Barenholtz, who turned it into a bonafide hit on the Midnight Movie circuit, forever altering the trajectory of Lynch's career.
Bonus content available for Cinema Shock suppporters: An extended episode with over 30 minutes of additional content, that includes, among other things, a Further Viewing segment — where we suggest other films to pair with ERASERHEAD — and the fan favorite Somebody Needs a Nap segment — where we read and react to some of the more ridiculous reviews of the film that we've found on the internet — and is available exclusively to our supporters in our $5 and up tiers. Join now on Fourthwall.
Up Next: David Lynch: Episode 3: THE ELEPHANT MAN.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Andy Lancaster | Benjamin Yates | curtcake5k | Jvance325 | MagicBloat | Nate Izod
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 Short Films of David Lynch | David Lynch: Absurd Encounters

In our new series, David Lynch: Absurd Encounters, we'll be taking a deep dive into the first chapter of David Lynch's career, covering everything from his early short films through his success on the midnight circuit, his disastrous attempt to film Frank Herbert's Dune, his controversial Palm d'Or win, and everything in-between.
(And not to worry, Twin Peaks fans. While we won't be covering that television show during this series, plans are in place to bring you complete coverage of all seasons of that fan favorite in the coming months, along with the rest of Lynch's career.)
In this introductory episode, we'll cover Lynch's beginnings, from his birth in Missoula, Montana, through his upbringing in Idaho and Virginia, through his time as an art student in Philadelphia and his subsequent time spent at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, where he'd begin his career in film. Along the way, we'll be exploring his influences, his family, his career as a visual artist, his commitment to "the art life," and how all of these things helped to create the singular visionary that we're all familiar with today. In this episode, we'll also be discussing the creation of three of his ealry short films: SIX MEN GETTING SICK, THE ALPHABET, and THE GRANDMOTHER.
Join us as we begin our journey through the life and filmography of David Lynch.
Up Next: ERASERHEAD 
Bonus content for Cinema Shock suppporters: An extended episode that includes a Further Viewing segment (plus a few other bonus goodies) and is available exclusively to our supporters in our $5 and up tiers. Join now on Fourthwall.
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 ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975)

When we started our Alejandro Jodorowsky series last year, we began a loose exploration of the history of the Midnight Movies phenomenon of the 1970s (as documented in J. Hoberman and Jonathan Rosenbaum's iconic book on the subject).
Before we wrap up that discussion with David Lynch's ERASERHEAD (coming soon!), we couldn't skip past what is probably the most iconic Midnight Movie of all time, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.
What started as a small stage production in an experiemental theater space in London quickly grew to a worldwide phenomenon and it, to this day, the longest running continuous theatrical release of all time. 
In this episode, we trace ROCKY HORROR's entire history, from its early days on the London stage through its move across the pond to the US, its disastrous original theatrical run, and its eventual rise as the most impactful Cult Film of all time.
You may think you already know everything about THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, but on this episode, we'll give you the full story behind this iconic movie.
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

DONNIE DARKO (2001)

In this standalone episode, we're discussing Richard Kelly's modern cult classic DONNIE DARKO!
DONNIE DARKO's journey to the screen was one fraught with difficulties from the very beginning: Few studios were willing to take a chance on a young, unproven director, and once the film did finally get made, getting it released at all was nearly impossible, with most distributors intimidated by the unconventional film. Once it was finally released, it was a huge flop.
So how did DONNIE DARKO go on to become one of the most significant cult films of the last 25 years? In this episode, we tell the full story behind the film, from its inception, through production and release, and ultimately, how the film found new life to become the classic that we know it as today.
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

ZODIAC (2007) | David Fincher, Part 7

For the final episode in our series David Fincher: Rules of the Game, we're taking a look at the story behind his 2007 true crime drama ZODIAC.
For his follow-up to the crowd-pleasing popcorn thriller PANIC ROOM, David Fincher went in a far different direction with a meticulously researched look at the investigation into the real life Zodiac Killer murders in northern California in the late 1960s.
In this episode, we trace the creation of ZODIAC, from its origins as a true crime book (written by San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith, who's portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal in the film) through its years in development at different studios, all the way through Fincher's involvement, the filming, and eventual release. 
Up Next: DONNIE DARKO.
UPCOMING LIVE EVENT: Cinema Shock & GutPunch Cinema present Cult Class: DONNIE DARKO.
A live screening of Richard Kelly's cult classic, with an introduction by the Cinema Shock Team. 
Coffee Underground | Greenville, SCTuesday, May 21Doors: 6:30 | Movie: 7:00Tickets: https://gutpunchcinema.square.site/
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
 

PANIC ROOM (2002) | David Fincher, Part 6

FIGHT CLUB had been a grueling shoot for David Fincher and, at least upon first release, had alienated both audiences and critics alike.
So when it was time for Fincher to move on to his next film, he sought out something a little simpler, something that wouldn't involve the hundreds of locations that he'd dealt with on FIGHT CLUB and one that was designed as pure entertainment. A "popcorn movie."
It should have been simple. Unfortunately, the reality of shooting his next film was anything but easy. It ended up being a difficult shoot for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was Fincher's own inability to be flexible, a hard-earned lesson that he took with him to future projects.
In this, the penultimate episode of our David Fincher series, we trace the full production history of PANIC ROOM, from script to screen and beyond.
Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 7: ZODIAC.
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
 

FIGHT CLUB (1999) | David Fincher, Part 5

After back-to-back successes with SE7EN and THE GAME, David Fincher found himself at the top of Hollywood's A-list, proving that he could produce hit films without abandoning his dark sensibilites. 
His next project, however, would put his reputation to the test. Although it's now considered a classic — and may very well be Fincher's most widely-seen film — when FIGHT CLUB was released in 1999, it was met with controversy, a negative critical reception, and disappointing box office returns.
In this episode, we'll trace the entire history of FIGHT CLUB, from its inception as a novel to Fincher's development of the film and subsequent battles with the studio over the story's content, all the way through its divisive release in the fall of 1999, as well as how its legacy stands today, a quarter century after its initial release.
Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 6: PANIC ROOM.
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 GAME (1997) | David Fincher, Part 4

After the success of SE7EN, David Fincher returned to a film that he'd started developing before deciding to prioritize the serial killer film that would put him on the map.
That film was THE GAME, a twist-filled thriller that's often overlooked and underappreciated during discussions of the director's filmography, but one that still features all of the skill, cynicism, and wit that have become staples of Fincher's work.
In this episode, we'll discuss the creation of THE GAME, from script to shoot to screen and everything in-between, as we continue our deep dive into the films and career of David Fincher.
Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 5: FIGHT CLUB.
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