The Director's Chair Network

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...

Join host Katie and guest Craig Cohen from The Goat: A Brian DePalma Fan Podcast as they rewind to 1983 to explore the hilarious and heartwarming Mr. Mom! This John Hughes-penned classic captures Michael Keaton’s first starring role as Jack Butler, a furloughed dad navigating stay-at-home parenting chaos, from rogue vacuums to grocery store mishaps. We dive into the film’s timeless humor, 80s nostalgia (think avocado appliances and...

Dive into the world of Brian De Palma with author David Konow in this exclusive interview! From the cult classic Carrie to the iconic Scarface, we explore De Palma’s groundbreaking filmmaking, his Hitchcock influences, and his mastery of suspense, horror, and mainstream hits like The Untouchables and Mission: Impossible. David shares insights from his interviews with De Palma, discusses cult gems like Phantom of the Paradise, and r...

Dive into the sweeping epic of The Last of the Mohicans (1992), Michael Mann’s breathtaking historical drama starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe. In this episode of the Director’s Chair Network, join hosts Ryan and Katie of the  @RetromadePodcast  as they explore the film’s stunning cinematography, unforgettable score, and emotionally charged final sequence. From the intense battles to the heartfelt performances of Wes St...

Dive into the thrilling Canada sequence from Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables in this exciting podcast episode! Join host Craig and guest Dan as they break down the iconic bridge ambush scene, exploring De Palma’s masterful action choreography, Ennio Morricone’s epic score, and standout performances by Kevin Costner and Charles Martin Smith. Discover why this crowd-pleasing moment remains a pinnacle of 1980s cinema, with behind-th...

Dive into the comedic chaos of The Great Outdoors (1988), a John Hughes masterpiece starring John Candy and Dan Aykroyd! Join RetroMade host Katie and guest Jared Tockstein from Hyperspace Podcasting as they revisit this beloved family vacation comedy. From the infamous 96er steak challenge to water-skiing mishaps and a bald-headed bear showdown, this episode unpacks the slapstick humor, 80s nostalgia, and heartwarming family dynam...

Join us for an in-depth breakdown of the unforgettable “You Haven’t Seen Me Very Upset” scene from Brian De Palma’s 1996 Mission: Impossible! We dive into Ethan Hunt’s intense confrontation with Kittridge, exploring De Palma’s masterful use of Dutch angles, stylized action, and Tom Cruise’s first steps as an action icon. From the Prague Old Town Square to the Pinewood Studios aquarium explosion, we uncover the filmmaking genius beh...

Manhunter (1986), Michael Mann’s chilling adaptation of Red Dragon, introduces the iconic Hannibal Lecter in a gripping psychological thriller. Join host Ryan and co-host Christian as they explore Mann’s directorial genius, the evolution of Lecter’s character, and the film’s cult status in the Hannibal universe. From William Petersen’s intense performance as Will Graham to Brian Cox’s unique take on Lecter, this episode of the Dire...

Dive into the legendary Scarface (1983) ending with our in-depth analysis of Tony Montana’s epic final stand, a pivotal moment in Brian De Palma’s cinematic masterpiece. Join hosts Craig and Scott as they break down Al Pacino’s explosive performance, the cultural impact of Scarface on ‘90s rap and pop culture, and De Palma’s masterful direction in crafting this unforgettable action sequence. From the “Say hello to my little friend”...