Episodios
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Mike White is joined by Mike Sullivan and Emily Intravia to take a long-overdue look at Move (1970), the surreal, seldom-seen New York comedy directed by Stuart Rosenberg. Fresh off his success in MASH Elliott Gould stars as Hiram Jaffe, a would-be playwright stuck writing porn and walking dogs while waiting for the movers who never arrive. As his mundane reality refuses to budge, Hiram plunges into a chaotic interior world filled with absurd fantasies, sexual misadventures, and psychological spirals.
Adapted from Joel Lieberâs novel (and screenplay), Move attempts to blend urban anxiety, dream logic, and dark comedyâresulting in a disjointed but oddly fascinating time capsule of early â70s male neurosis. Paula Prentiss co-stars as Hiramâs patient wife, while GeneviĂšve WaĂŻte plays a mysterious blonde who may or may not exist. The film mixes scenes of everyday tedium with dreamlike sequences involving rogue movers, hallucinated frogs, and even a fantasy duel, never quite committing to whether it's satirizing New York life or the fragile male ego.
Our hosts dive into the filmâs tonal shifts, its place in Gouldâs post-MASH career arc, and why it remains overlooked despite its stacked cast and studio pedigree. The episode also features brand-new interviews with stars Elliott Gould and Paula Prentiss, who reflect on the filmâs production, reception, and what it means to them in hindsight.
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Brace yourself for a mind-melting trip into cinematic obscurity as Mike White, Heather Drain, and Ben Buckingham dive headfirst into There Is No 13 (1974), the elusive, long-suppressed anti-war film from director William Sachs. Blending absurdist humor, surreal vignettes, and unflinching commentary on the Vietnam War, the film follows draftee George Thomas through a fractured journey of memory, fantasy, and emotional unraveling.
Almost impossible to find and never properly released in the U.S., There Is No 13 has lived more as rumor than repertory staple, with tales of government pressure and controversy haunting its legacy. First screened at the Berlin Film Festival to strong reactions, itâs become a ghost of radical cinemaâone that challenges, confounds, and sticks in your brain like shrapnel.
As part of our âMaudit Mayâ celebration of cursed and forgotten films, this episode comes with a warning: spoilers abound, so track down this rare gem if you can. Then come back for a lively, unfiltered discussion of one of the strangest anti-war films youâve never seen.
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Mike welcomes director Lexi Alexander to discuss her latest film, Absolute Dominion (2025), a dystopian martial arts thriller set in a world torn apart by religious warfare. They dig into the filmâs provocative premise, the challenges of balancing action with social commentary, and the process of staging large-scale fight sequences on screen. Lexi shares insights into the production, working with actors like DĂ©sirĂ© Mia and Alex Winter, and her thoughts on the state of modern genre filmmaking.
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Actor James A. Watson Jr. joins Mike White in The Projection Booth for a lively and insightful conversation about his remarkable career. Best known for his work on Quincy, M.E., The Rookies, and Hill Street Blues, Watson reflects on breaking into Hollywood, the challenges he faced as a Black actor, and his early film roles in Halls of Anger and The Organization. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from Airplane II: The Sequel and offers a candid look at working in both television and film across the 1970s to today.
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The Marvel machine rolls on! Mike welcomes Chris Stachiw and Father Malone back to The Projection Booth to unpack Thunderbolts (2025), Marvelâs latest plunge into the morally murky side of the MCU. With a roster of antiheroes and reformed villains, Thunderbolts flips the superhero scriptâso does it soar or stumble? The trio dives deep into the filmâs character dynamics, chaotic action, and franchise fatigue, pulling no punches as they debate whether Marvelâs gamble pays off.
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Mike welcomes film writer Mike Sullivan and critic/podcaster Amy Nicholson (Unspooled) to dig into So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993), Tommy Schlammeâs cult romantic comedy where Mike Myers plays it (mostly) straight â no prosthetics, no outlandish characters, just a jittery San Francisco beat poet navigating his fear of commitment. That is, until his charming new love, played by Nancy Travis, starts to look suspiciously like a black widow killer. Expect plenty of riffs on the filmâs quirky mix of romance, murder mystery, and Myersâs rare leading-man turn â plus some love for its killer soundtrack and sharply oddball 90s vibe.
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Director Rachel Feldman joins Mike to discuss her powerful new film Lilly (2025), a long-overdue portrait of activist Lilly Ledbetter. They explore the real-life struggles that inspired the story, the battle to bring Lillyâs fight for equal pay to the big screen, and the challenges of crafting a deeply personal historical drama in todayâs Hollywood landscape. Feldman shares behind-the-scenes insights into the filmâs development, the emotional performances at its core, and why Lillyâs story continues to resonate now more than ever.
The film opens in the US on May 9, 2025.
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Prepare for takeoff as Mike White is joined by Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy) and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) for a high-flying deep dive into Airplane II: The Sequel (1982)! Buckle up for a spirited discussion about the often-overlooked follow-up to one of the greatest comedies of all time. Beyond the crew's lively breakdown, the episode features an impressive lineup of interviews with writer/director Ken Finkleman, legendary comedy writers Al Jean and Mike Reiss, and actors Robert Hays and James A. Watson Jr. Get ready for behind-the-scenes stories, writing room war tales, and reflections on the film's unique legacy â all while trying to avoid the sun!
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Join us on The Projection Booth as we welcome back Turner Classic Movies host, Alicia Malone, to discuss her latest book, TCM Imports: Timeless Favorites and Hidden Gems of World Cinema. In this episode, we delve into how Alicia curated a selection of international films, organizing them by season and mood to provide the perfect watch for any time of year. Alicia shares the fascinating process behind the book's creation, including the hidden gems she unearthed during her research and her personal favorite discoveries. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned cinephile, this conversation is packed with insights and recommendations that celebrate the rich diversity of global cinema.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support. -
Tension simmers in La Haine (1995), Matthieu Kassovitzâs electrifying portrait of disenfranchised youth in the Parisian banlieues. Mike is joined by guest co-hosts Lumi Etienne and Judith Mayne for a deep dive into the filmâs kinetic black-and-white visuals, pulsing energy, and unflinching look at police violence, social unrest, and alienation.
Over the course of a single 24-hour span, we follow Vinz, SaĂŻd, and Hubertâthree friends caught in a spiral of rage, hopelessness, and reaction to systemic oppression.
Special guest Ginette Vincendeau, renowned scholar of French cinema, offers historical and cultural insights into the filmâs legacy, its groundbreaking release in 1995, and why La Haine remains tragically relevant in todayâs global conversations about race, inequality, and law enforcement.
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Co-hosts Maurice Bursztynski and Jonathan Melville join Mike to take on a Patreon request from listener John AtomâNevil Shuteâs On the Beach. They dive into both the 1959 Stanley Kramer film and the 2000 TV mini-series directed by Russell Mulcahy. Set in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust, the story centers on a U.S. submarine that finds refuge in Melbourne, Australia, where residents face the grim reality that the fallout is heading their way.
The episode explores the emotional depth and existential dread of both adaptations, from the restrained melancholy of Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner to the more modern approach with Armand Assante and Rachel Ward. With perspectives shaped by different eras, the hosts unpack how each version captures the quiet devastation of waiting for the end.
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Film historian Samm Deighan and cult cinema expert Andrew Leavold join Mike to shine a light on Jean-Pierre Melvilleâs Two Men in Manhattan (1959). Often overshadowed by his better-known crime films, this moody noir follows a journalist and a photographer as they comb the streets of New York in search of a missing French diplomat. The trio digs into Melvilleâs fascination with American style, the filmâs ethically murky characters, and how it fits within the directorâs larger body of work. They also explore the tension between documentary realism and stylized noir, and why Two Men in Manhattan deserves a second look.
Author Ginette Vincendeau (Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris), discusses this unique entry in Melville's filmography.
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Mike speaks with director Paige Bethmann and editor Stephanie Khoury about their powerful 2025 documentary Remaining Native. Bethmann and Khoury discuss the challenges of telling a deeply personal story within a broader political context, the importance of Indigenous voices in environmental activism, and the responsibility of documentary filmmakers in preserving cultural truth.
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The Projection Booth wraps up another month of Patreon picks with what might be the most obscure film ever discussed on the showâCasablanca (1942), that little-known wartime romance directed by Michael Curtiz. Big thanks to Brian Tessitore for this hidden gem.
Mike is joined by Bill Ackerman and Federico Bertolini to unpack the fog, flashbacks, and unforgettable lines of this cinematic unicorn. Humphrey Bogart stars as Rick Blaine, the brooding American expat running a nightclub in Vichy-controlled Morocco, where refugees gather in hopes of escaping the tightening grip of the Nazi regime. Things get complicated when Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) strolls inâout of all the gin joints, etc.--alongside her resistance-leader husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henried).
We're thrilled to be joined by two heavy-hitting guests: film historian Noah Isenberg, author of We'll Always Have Casablanca, and biographer Alan K. Rode, author of Michael Curtiz, A Life in Film which sheds light on the directorâs layered legacy. Together, we explore the myth, the making, and the magic of one of Hollywoodâs most enduring classics.
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Mike talks with director Stefan MacDonald-Labelle about Head Like a Hole (2024), a microbudget psychological horror film about a man hired to monitor a mysterious hole in a basement wall. They discuss the filmâs existential themes, low-budget ingenuity, and the challenges of blurring reality and delusion.
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Director Alex Braverman joins Mike to discuss his 2023 documentary Thank You Very Much, a fascinating deep dive into the life and legend of Andy Kaufman. From his genre-defying comedy to his infamous persona-blurring antics, Kaufman remains one of entertainmentâs most enigmatic figures. Braverman unpacks the personal connections, archival discoveries, and creative choices that shaped the filmâand reveals how this unconventional tribute to an unconventional man came together.
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Mike White engages in a captivating conversation with director Joshua Bailey about his feature documentary debut, Stolen Kingdom (2025). The film delves into three decades of mischief, scandal, and theft at Walt Disney World, culminating in the heist of an animatronic valued at nearly half a million dollars. Bailey's documentary offers an unprecedented look into the park's underground community, featuring firsthand accounts from key figures and exploring the subculture of renegade explorers and collectors.
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Co-hosts Ryan Luis Rodriguez and John Walker join Mike to discuss the 1994 comedy Dumb and Dumber's blend of comedy and caper, its place in '90s comedy, and its surprising longevity. We discuss how the film launched the Farrelly Brothers into mainstream success and cemented Jim Carrey's status as a box office powerhouse.
Screenwriter Bennett Yellin joins the conversation to talk about the filmâs development, working with the Farrellys, and crafting the dynamic between Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne.
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Mike White engages in a captivating conversation with director Jeremy Workman and artist Michael Townsend about the 2024 documentary Secret Mall Apartment. The film chronicles the audacious endeavor of eight Rhode Island artists who, from 2003 to 2007, covertly built and inhabited a 750-square-foot apartment within the Providence Place Mall. This hidden residence, complete with furnishings and utilities, served as both a living space and a commentary on urban development and gentrification.
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The Projection Boothâs Patreon Picks series charges ahead with Blood and Diamonds (1977), a gritty crime saga from Fernando Di Leo. Claudio Cassinelli stars as Guido Mauri, a man fresh out of prison and ready to settle old scores in a world where loyalty is a fleeting illusion. As Guido cuts a ruthless path through former allies, betrayal and bloodshed go hand in hand.
Host Mike White is joined by crime fiction aficionado Jedidiah Ayres and podcast favorite Ryan Luis Rodriguez to dissect this pulpy revenge tale, discussing Di Leoâs signature style, the filmâs place in the Eurocrime pantheon, and why Blood and Diamonds deserves a closer look.
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