The Director's Chair Network

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”...

Uncle Buck, the 1989 John Hughes comedy starring John Candy, is a timeless family favorite! Join host Katie and guests Scott and Steve on Retromade as they dive into this 80s gem, exploring Buck Russell’s hilarious journey as an unlikely babysitter. From giant pancakes to epic clown punch-outs, we unpack the nostalgia, John Candy’s effortless charm, and why this movie still resonates. Perfect for fans of 80s comedies, John Hughes f...

Dive into Brian De Palma’s iconic collaborations with Al Pacino in this episode of The G.O.A.T. podcast! Joined by guest podcaster Brian Sword, host Craig explores the brilliance behind Scarface and Carlito’s Way, two cinematic masterpieces that showcase De Palma’s genius as one of America’s greatest directors. From Tony Montana’s rise and fall to Carlito Brigante’s tragic redemption, we break down key sequences that define De Palm...

Join host Ryan on the Director’s Chair Network as we dive into Michael Mann’s wild 1983 flop, 'The Keep', with special guest 'Good' Doug from ‪@GoodTimesGreatMovies‬ This episode explores the oddball Nazi-demon thriller starring Scott Glenn, Ian McKellen, and Gabriel Byrne. From its Raiders-esque vibes to Tangerine Dream’s haunting score, we unpack why this mystical misfire bombed yet retains a cult charm. Expect de...

Brian De Palma’s Carrie (1976) is a horror masterpiece, and in this episode of our scene-by-scene journey, I unpack one of its most iconic sequences: the pig blood bucket reveal at the prom. Joined by fellow podcaster Sicco, we explore De Palma’s genius cinematography, including the breathtaking one-take crane shot that builds suspense and sets up the film’s tragic climax. From Stephen King’s debut novel to Sissy Spacek’s haunting ...

Dive into the 40th anniversary of The Breakfast Club with our Season coverage of John Hughes films premiere of Retromade: Your Pop Culture Rewind! In this episode, host Katie and guest Ryan unpack why John Hughes’ iconic teen movie, released on February 15, 1985, remains a timeless masterpiece. From its $1 million budget to a $55.5 million box office haul, we explore the film’s unforgettable characters—like Bender, Claire, and Bria...

In this exciting new Season preview , we dive deep into the iconic films of John Hughes, the mastermind behind unforgettable teen angst, heartfelt comedy, and chaotic road trips! From Shermer High to epic family vacations, Hughes' movies continue to resonate with audiences today. This season, we'll revisit the films that defined a generation and uncover lesser-known works that showcase Hughes' incredible range as a film...

Untouchables church scene, Costner and Connery, 1987 classic – dive into Episode 2 of The G.O.A.T podcast where host Craig teams up with fellow podcaster Ryan Rebalkin to unpack one of the most unforgettable moments from The Untouchables. This in-depth breakdown explores the tension, cinematography, and stellar performances in the iconic church scene that defined this crime drama masterpiece. Whether you’re a fan of classic movies,...

Explore Thief, Michael Mann’s electrifying debut film, in this deep dive from Season 3 of The Director’s Chair Network! Joined by returning co-host Cayley from Once Over With Cayley and The Murder Game Podcast, we unpack the gritty brilliance of this 1981 diamond heist classic starring James Caan. Season 3 is all about Michael Mann’s films, and we kick off with Thief—from its hypnotic Tangerine Dream soundtrack to its silent, tensi...

Snake Eyes, Brian De Palma, and a killer opening scene – welcome to the debut episode of The G.O.A.T., where host Craig Cohen teams up with Scott Kraushaar from The Church of Tarantino podcast to dive deep into the iconic 1998 thriller! In this episode, we dissect the electrifying opening sequence of Snake Eyes, exploring De Palma’s signature style, Nicolas Cage’s wild energy, and the cinematic tension that hooks you from the start...

Ryan wraps up Season 1 of Zwick’s Flicks in this final solo episode of the Ed Zwick podcast! For the first time, Ryan takes the mic alone to rank Edward Zwick’s 13 films, diving into what made hits like The Last Samurai a box office titan and why movies like Glory and Blood Diamond pack an emotional punch. Ryan shares box office stats (adjusted for inflation!) and personal takes on Zwick’s filmography. Big news: Zwick’s Flicks is e...

Ed Zwick’s final film, Trial by Fire (2018), marks the Season 1 finale of our podcast—formerly Zwick Flicks, soon to be rebranded with a new network name TBD! In this powerful episode, we explore this true crime masterpiece about Cameron Todd Willingham, wrongfully convicted of arson and murder, and sentenced to death. Joined by three-time guest co-host Doug, a police sergeant, we break down the film’s emotional storytelling, its s...

In this episode ofZwick's Flicks: The Ed Zwick Podcast, Ryan is joined by returning guest host⁠Craig to break downJack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016), starring Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, and Danika Yarosh. As the second and final installment in theJack Reacher film series, this action-packed thriller follows Reacher as he goes on the run with Major Turner (Smulders) after being framed for espionage.

Ryan and Craig dive into Tom Crui...

Discover the highs and lows of the 2014 film Pawn Sacrifice in this deep dive episode of Zwick's Flicks: The Ed Zwick Podcast. Ryan and guest host Craig revisit the story of chess legend Bobby Fischer and debate the film’s key elements, including Tobey Maguire's polarizing performance, Ed Zwick's directorial choices, and the incredible supporting cast. From Fischer's paranoia to the Cold War chess championship, we discuss what work...

In this episode of Zwick’s Flicks: The Ed Zwick Podcast, I’m joined by the hilarious and insightful Cayley (Once Over with Cayley) to dive into Love and Other Drugs (2010), starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway. We break down the film’s steamy scenes, explore the nuances of Ed Zwick’s direction, and get real about the chemistry (and awkwardness) between the leads. From on-screen nudity to Parkinson’s representation, we cover i...