The Director's Chair Network

Buckle up for a wild ride with the Griswolds in our summer kickoff episode of Retro Made! Join host Katie as she teams up with Jim and Kevin from the Pool Scene Podcast to dive into the 1983 screwball comedy classic, National Lampoon's Vacation. From Chevy Chase’s iconic rants to Cousin Eddie’s cringe-worthy moments, we’re unpacking all the nostalgic hilarity of this John Hughes-written, Harold Ramis-directed gem. Ready for a t...

Dive into the gripping world of Michael Mann's 1999 masterpiece, *The Insider*! "Hello and welcome to another episode of the Director's Chair Network. This is the season where we're covering Michael Mann films. And today is the Michael Mann film, "The Insider." Join host Ryan Rebalkin and returning guest Craig Cohen as they unpack this intense drama about whistleblowing, journalism, and corporate power.In this episode, we explore h...

Explore the 1991 John Hughes movie Career Opportunities in this engaging podcast flashback, diving into its quirky plot, cast insights, and cultural ties. Hosted by Katie from RetroMade, the episode features guest Sean Malloy discussing the film's production drama, including Hughes' dissatisfaction and attempts to disown it, alongside fun 1991 trivia on snacks, games, and top box office hits like Terminator 2 and Silence of the Lam...

Uncover the explosive finale of Michael Mann's Heat movie analysis in this podcast episode, focusing on the controversial ending, legendary street shootout, and deep dives into character arcs like Robert De Niro's revenge quest and Al Pacino's unyielding chase. Join host Ryan and co-host Scott as they critique the film's visual brilliance, realistic gunfire chaos, and narrative flaws, from Val Kilmer's emotional getaway to the airp...

Sixteen Candles captures the awkward, iconic teen life of 1984—join us for a nostalgic rewind! In this Retro Made: Your Pop Culture Rewind episode, host Katie and podcasters Jamie and Milo from The Eighties and Nineties Uncensored dive into John Hughes’ directorial debut, exploring its quirky characters, problematic moments, and lasting cultural impact. From Molly Ringwald’s Samantha to the wild antics of Long Duck Dong, we unpack ...

Host Ryan and Katie of the ⁠ @RetromadePodcast ⁠ join forces and analyze Heat’s intense action, character flaws, and Michael Mann’s stylistic flair on The Director’s Chair Network. We unpack the chaotic bank robbery, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro’s chemistry, and narrative gaps, while geeking out over the film’s cool aesthetics and The Godfather parallels. Perfect for action movie fans and Mann enthusiasts!email the show edzwickpodc...

Bonfire of the Vanities analysis explores Brian De Palma’s bold yet flawed 1990 film, unpacking its chaotic production and comedic misfires. In this episode of The G.O.A.T: A Brian De Palma Fan Podcast, hosts Craig and Ryan dive into why this star-studded adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s novel, starring Tom Hanks, Melanie Griffith, and Bruce Willis, missed the mark despite its ambition. From De Palma’s iconic long takes and split-screen t...

Beethoven (1992), a nostalgic family comedy, follows a lovable St. Bernard uniting a family through chaos and charm. This RetroMade episode dives into the film’s quirky appeal, John Hughes’ surprising writing credit under a pseudonym, and its oddly dark yet successful plot. Host Katie and guest Kyle explore why this messy movie became a 90s kid culture staple, grossing $147.2 million despite its convoluted villains and shaky narrat...

Dive into the fascinating story of how filmmaker Pete Gelderblom re-edited Brian De Palma’s 1992 thriller Raising Cain to restore its original vision, earning De Palma’s approval for the Blu-ray release. In this podcast episode, Pete shares how a forum post sparked his journey, the challenges of restructuring the film, and De Palma’s reaction to the fan-made cut. We also explore a iconic scene from De Palma’s The Fury (1978), showc...

Heat movie analysis dives into Michael Mann’s masterpiece, exploring the legendary diner scene and failed heist in part three of our five-part series. Join host Ryan and guest co-host Sully from the Jacked Up Review Show as they unpack the intense Al Pacino and Robert De Niro face-off, the tactical brilliance of the heist crew, and Mann’s realistic crime drama style. Discover how Heat’s themes of loyalty, discipline, and mutual res...

Phantom of the Paradise, a 1974 Brian DePalma masterpiece, blends gothic horror, rock opera, and cult cinema in a vibrant exploration of music and ambition. This episode dives into the film’s theatrical shock rock, Paul Williams’ genius songwriting, and its ahead-of-its-time commentary on the music industry’s excesses. We discuss the iconic “Undead” performance, its Frankenstein-inspired theatrics, and how DePalma captured the glam...

Dennis the Menace 1993 review: On RetroMade: Your Pop Culture Rewind, Katie and guest Amy Lewis from Pop Culture Retrospective dive into John Hughes’ 1993 comedy Dennis the Menace! We unpack the film’s comic strip roots, Walter Matthau’s grumpy Mr. Wilson, the jarring Switchblade Sam subplot, and 1993 pop culture trivia like Jurassic Park and Naomi Campbell. Dennis the Menace 1993 review explores John Hughes’ flawed yet nostalgic k...

Join Craig on The Goat: A Brian De Palma Fan Podcast as he chats with author Nat Segaloff about Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of Scarface! We explore De Palma’s iconic film, its Howard Hawks roots, and Nat’s journey from film critic to author.

0:00 Intro & Nat Segaloff Welcome

1:19 Nat’s Film Publicity Journey

3:03 De Palma’s Early Career & Sisters

9:00 Comedy in De Palma’s Films

19:10 Scarface Book Discussion

#Scarfa...

Dive into Heat Part 2 with our in-depth breakdown of Michael Mann’s iconic crime drama! Join host Ryan and guest co-host Doug as they dissect the next 34 minutes of Heat (1995), focusing on Al Pacino’s unforgettable over-the-top performance, Robert De Niro’s cool stoicism, and the intricate character moments that make this film a masterpiece. From Pacino’s “Give me all you got!” rant to the tense bank heist setup and Val Kilmer’s e...

Dive into Carlito’s Way with host Carig Cohen and guest Pat Fornies as they geek out over one of the best crime dramas of the ’90s! In this episode, we unpack the nerve-shredding club scene where Al Pacino’s Carlito Brigante dodges a mob trap with a slick waiter trick and a spinning 360° Lazy Susan shot. From Pacino’s gripping voiceover to the Hitchcockian suspense, we explore why this Brian De Palma masterpiece outshines even Scar...

Join us on Retro Made as we review the ultimate teen comedy with Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane tearing through Chicago! With guests Kevin and Eric from Six Degrees of Schwarzenegger podcast, we dive into Matthew Broderick’s charismatic performance, the hilarious outsmarting of Principal Rooney, and the unforgettable 80s vibe. From the parade’s Twist and Shout to the Ferrari’s tragic end, we discuss why this John Hughes masterpiece re...

Dive into Brian De Palma’s 1974 rock opera Phantom of the Paradise with composer and podcaster David Rosen as we unpack a pivotal scene that defines this cult classic. Blending glam rock, horror, and satire, this film follows composer Winslow Leach’s quest for revenge against the sinister producer Swan, who steals his music and love. In this episode of The G.O.A.T., hosted by Craig, we explore the scene’s impact, Paul Williams’ ico...

Michael Mann’s Heat, 90s crime drama, and Robert De Niro’s iconic performance kick off this epic 5-part series on the Director’s Chair Network! Join host Ryan co-host Craig as they dive into the first 34 minutes of Heat, dissecting the thrilling armored car heist, Al Pacino’s intense cop persona, and the authentic Michael Mann aesthetic—complete with that signature bluish tint and pulsing soundtrack. From Val Kilmer’s stoic reactio...

Blow Out (1981), Brian De Palma’s gripping political thriller, stars John Travolta as a soundman uncovering a chilling conspiracy through his audio recordings. Joined by guest Shon Wheeler, fellow podcaster and Scare Flare Records owner, we dive into the iconic bridge scene, exploring De Palma’s meticulous direction, Travolta’s raw performance, and the film’s lasting impact on Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. From split diopter shots to s...