The Projection Booth Podcast

The Spirit of Halloweentown (2024) celebrates the unique Halloween festival of St. Helens, Oregon—a town that annually transforms itself in tribute to Disney’s cult-classic film Halloweentown, which was filmed there in 1998. Directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb, known for their nostalgic lens in Jasper Mall, the film dives into the lives of the locals who are the heart of this Halloween tradition.As part of our Fantastic Fest coverage, Mike talks with Thomason and Whitcomb about their latest documentary film.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

#Shocktober2024 wraps up with a double dose of horror and weird science, diving into The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant, a pick from Patreon donor James Brummel. No, it’s not the two-headed flick with Rosie Greer or the one from Japan—this is Bruce Dern’s wild ride as a mad scientist, melding the body of a manchild with the head of a deranged killer in the ultimate “transplant gone wrong.”Tim and Agatha Luz of CinemaSpection join Mike to break down this two-headed cult classic and explore the world of other split-brained cinema (The Manster, The Thing with Two Heads).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Mike, Dr. Nicholas Schlegel, and Heather Drain bring the eerie vibe of Shocktober 2024 to new heights with a Patreon request from Kyler Fey: Bell from Hell. This sinister 1973 gem by Claudio Guerín, written by Santiago Moncada, follows John (Renaud Verley), fresh from the asylum after a stay orchestrated by his aunt, Marta (Viveca Lindfors), and her three daughters. Now he’s back—and his intentions? Is he a prankster with a wicked sense of humor, or is he dead-set on revenge?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Get ready for a wild deep dive into the world of cult cinema preservation! Mike sits down with Jackson Cooper to uncover the incredible work of the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA). From rescuing the rarest of grindhouse gems to giving life to lost horror, sci-fi, and action films, AGFA is on a mission to save the strange and spectacular corners of film history. Together, they explore how this non-profit powerhouse preserves, restores, and redistributes the films that defy genre and have captivated die-hard fans for decades.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Our #Shocktober coverage heats up with a Patreon pick from Ellis Kish: Turkey Shoot. This 1982 cult classic from writer-director Brian Trenchard-Smith throws us into a dystopian nightmare set in the “futuristic” year of 1995. Steve Railsback and Olivia Hussey star as prisoners caught in a ruthless government’s clutches, where torture is just the beginning—the real terror lies in the deadly “Turkey Shoot.”Heather Drain, Andrew Nette, and Mike dive into this savage satire with insights from Trenchard-Smith and actor Roger Ward, who share the gritty details behind this shocking tale of authoritarianism.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Shocktober continues with a Patreon request as we discuss the 2022 horror film Rucker which follows Leif Rucker, a seemingly ordinary long-haul trucker who has been serially killing women resembling his ex-wife for 30 years. The narrative takes a turn when Maggie, a young filmmaker making a documentary about truckers, becomes privy to Rucker's deadly secret and chooses to document his crimes.Father Malone and Chris Stachiw join Mike to discuss the film, alongside an interview with director Amy Hesketh.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Our coverage of the Fantastic Fest continues with a look at Heads or Fails via a discussion with film making brothers Harpo and Lenny Guit alongside composer Simon Hanes.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Our coverage of the Fantastic Fest continues with Mike talking to Justin Hardy, son of director Robin Hardy, the filmmaker behind The Wicker Man. Justin discusses the film that ruined his family and the documentary he and his brother made about it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Our coverage of Fantastic Fest continues with Mike talking with writer/director Toby Jones, star AJ Thompson, and producer Ben Hansen -- three of the talents behind AJ Goes to the Dog Park (2024).  It's a delightful story of local politics.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Also known as Legend of Doom House, Malpertuis is a gothic horror film starring Matthew Carriere as Jan, a sailor back at his home port where he visits the estate known as Malpertuis where he encounters a group of colorful kooks including the formidable Cassavius played by Orson Welles. Jessica Shires and Matthew Asprey Gear join Mike to discuss the film while director Harry Kumel talks about the making of it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.