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

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

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  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We continue David Lynch: Between Two Worlds with a journey into the nightmarish echo chamber of LOST HIGHWAY — a film that fractures time, identity, and genre into something both terrifying and seductive. Released in 1997, LOST HIGHWAY marked a turning point for Lynch: a return to darker, more experimental storytelling after TWIN PEAKS and FIRE WALK WITH ME alienated mainstream audiences. With a pulsing industrial score, a story co-written by WILD AT HEART novelist Barry Gifford, and one of the creepiest villains ever put to screen, Lynch delivered a noir-horror hybrid that confused critics but inspired a new generation of filmmakers and fans. In this episode, we begin our deep dive into the making of the film. We explore how Lynch’s growing disillusionment with Hollywood, a surprising creative partnership with Barry Gifford, and a growing interest in identity and psychological fragmentation laid the groundwork for what would become one of the director’s most enigmatic films. From the film’s origins through its complex casting choices, this is the story of how LOST HIGHWAY began. 🎧 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

Explore the making, release, and legacy of TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME. Once reviled, now revered — discover how Lynch’s most divisive film became a cult masterpiece.

Discover the making, reception, and legacy of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me — a dark prequel that shocked audiences and shaped Lynch’s later work.

Discover the wild story behind THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, from its stage origins to its transformation into the longest-running midnight movie of all time.

“Memories are meant to fade. They're designed that way for a reason.” In the second half of our STRANGE DAYS deep dive, we pick up with the music—both on screen and behind the scenes—that gives the film its pulse. We explore how a soundtrack packed with industrial rock helps build the film’s atmosphere, and how composer Graeme Revell stepped in at the eleventh hour to pull it all together. Then we dig into the film’s release, its disastrous box office performance, and the confused marketing campaign that helped sink it. We look at how critics received it at the time and how STRANGE DAYS slowly earned a second life as a cult classic in the years that followed. Finally, we reflect on the film’s legacy—how it predicted everything from reality TV and social media to police body cams and memory-as-entertainment. We talk about what it gets right, what still makes us uncomfortable, and why it might just be Kathryn Bigelow’s most visionary film. This is STRANGE DAYS, Part 2: the downfall, the rediscovery, and the relevance that still hits hard thirty years later. 🎧 Want to support the show?Subscribers of CinemaShock+ get access to:• Extended episodes with bonus content• Early access to episodes• Exclusive merch discounts• And other surprises behind the curtain Join now at cinemashock.net/plus ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Hunter D Mackenzie | Jackson_Baker | LillymckY | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | 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

“This is your life. Right here. Right now.” Before it became one of the most underrated sci-fi films of the 1990s, STRANGE DAYS was just a few scribbles in a notebook. In Part 1 of our deep dive, we trace the film’s journey from James Cameron’s original 1985 concept through its years in development and the real-world chaos that helped inspire Kathryn Bigelow’s vision of a crumbling millennium. We explore how Cameron and Bigelow collaborated with screenwriter Jay Cocks to shape the film’s story, how Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett were cast, and how Bigelow brought the gritty streets of Los Angeles to life—shooting almost entirely on location and inventing new camera rigs to create groundbreaking first-person POV sequences. We’ll take you all the way through the final days of production, including the now-legendary New Year’s Eve shoot involving 10,000 extras, 50 cops, and at least a few rave casualties. This is Strange Days, Part 1: the story of how a bold, unclassifiable, and wildly ahead-of-its-time film came to be. 🎧 Want to support the show?Subscribers of CinemaShock+ get access to:• Extended episodes with bonus content• Early access to episodes• Exclusive merch discounts• And other surprises behind the curtain Join now at cinemashock.net/plus ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Hunter D Mackenzie | Jackson_Baker | LillymckY | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | 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

They did it again! The boys saw Fantastic Four this weekend and they're giving their Spoiler Free thoughts! (There will be spoilers at the end, but we'll give you a heads up). Do you like us reviewing new films? Let us know! We can do this more often if the demand is there. Want to support the show?Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus.  

In the second half of our deep dive into Mamoru Oshii’s GHOST IN THE SHELL, we pick up with the film’s release and the surprising reception that followed. Despite high expectations, GHOST IN THE SHELL underperformed at the box office, but quickly found a second life on home video, where it became a breakout hit in the West and helped bring anime into the cultural mainstream. We share our own thoughts on the film, from its unforgettable visuals to its haunting score, and dig into the philosophical questions it raises about technology, consciousness, and identity. Finally, we explore the movie’s enduring legacy—not just in its own ever-expanding franchise, but in the countless films and creators it inspired. Join us as we wrap up our exploration of a landmark work that forever changed how the world saw animation—and what animation could say. Want to support the show?Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Hunter D Mackenzie | Jackson_Baker | LillymckY | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | 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

For the next film in our Virtual Insanity series, we’re headed to the land of the rising sun to uncover the story behind one of the most iconic animes ever made: Mamoru Oshii’s GHOST IN THE SHELL. In this episode, we trace the origins of the cyberpunk classic, starting with Masamune Shirow’s original manga and following the career of visionary director Mamoru Oshii up through his groundbreaking work on GHOST IN THE SHELL. We dig into the film’s production process—from its innovative animation techniques to the challenges of bringing such a complex story to the screen—and look at how it was marketed ahead of release. Along the way, we explore how anime began to make waves beyond Japan’s borders, and how landmark films like AKIRA helped pave the way for a global audience hungry for ambitious, adult animation. Join us as we set the stage for a film that forever changed the conversation about technology, identity, and what it means to be alive. Want to support the show?Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Hunter D Mackenzie | Jackson_Baker | LillymckY | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | 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

We finally did it. The gang got together, including some of YOU, the subscribers, and we saw James Gunn's SUPERMAN! Join us as Justin, Todd and Gary break down their thoughts on this new movie and where we think the DCEU can go from here. If you like us reviewing new films? Let us know! We're here for you! We can do this more often if the demand is there. Want to support the show?Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus.