Cinema Shock

THE ELEPHANT MAN: How David Lynch Broke Into Hollywood

David Lynch’s strange road to Hollywood began here—with a haunting biopic about humanity, dignity, and monstrous cruelty. This is the story of how THE ELEPHANT MAN came to be.
🎧 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.
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: David Lynch's Dreams of Darkness and Decay

We dive into the long, strange journey behind ERASERHEAD — from David Lynch’s early years at AFI, to the film’s near-abandonment, to its resurrection as a cult classic that redefined the midnight movie scene.
🎧 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.
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
 
 

David Lynch: Strange Beginnings

We kick off David Lynch: Between Two Worlds with a look at the origins of one of cinema’s most distinctive voices — from Lynch’s suburban upbringing and art school years to the eerie, experimental short films that laid the groundwork for ERASERHEAD and beyond.
🎧 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.
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: The Rise of the Ultimate Midnight Movie

Before we close out our exploration of Midnight Movies with David Lynch’s ERASERHEAD, we’re taking a detour into the glitter-soaked, fishnet-wrapped world of what may be the most iconic midnight movie of them all: THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.
It all started as a quirky stage production in a small experimental theater in London—but what followed was a pop culture explosion. ROCKY HORROR defied its disastrous box office debut and transformed into the longest continuously running theatrical release of all time.
In this episode, we trace the film’s journey from the original stage musical to the cult sensation it became. We’ll explore its critical reception, its disastrous early screenings, its resurrection on the midnight circuit, and how it became a global rite of passage for weirdos and outsiders everywhere.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious first-timer, we’ll give you the full story behind THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.
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
 

SE7EN (1995) | David Fincher, Part 3

After his disastrous experience on ALIEN 3, David Fincher retreated back into the world of music video and commercials, vowing to never again direct a feature film.
That is, until a script by a young, first-time screenwriter named Andrew Kevin Walker crossed his desk. That script — about a serial killer who chooses his victims based on the Seven Deadly Sins — would prove to be the perfect canvas for Fincher's dark, exacting sensibilities.
Making SEVEN (or SE7EN if ya nasty) didn't come without its share of headaches or interference from the studio. The now-iconic ending was a particular point of contention. But Fincher, having learned his lesson on ALIEN 3, was determined to make the film his way, no compromise.
On this episode, we dive into the history behind SEVEN, from the evolution of Walker's script, through the difficult shoot and battles with the studio, through the film's release and ultimate success.
Up Next: David Fincher — Rules of the Game, Part 4: THE GAME.
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, and Justin Bishop.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net