Advertise on podcast: The Director's Chair Network

Ryan is in the middle of a Terrence Malick season on Directors Chair Network, and this one is *The Tree of Life*. Last time out he sat with Craig on *The New World*. This time Doug is in the chair. They have been doing shows together for years and still have not met in person. Both are fathers of sons, which is why this film landed where it did. Doug had never seen a Malick movie. *The Thin Red Line* had scared him off years ago because he wanted *Full Metal Jacket* and heard this was the opposite. So he walked into the most Malick film Malick has made with no warning. Book of Job on the opening card. A short look at Jessica Chastain. Then about twenty minutes of the universe being built, including dinosaurs. He hated Ryan for the first half hour. Then he could not stop thinking about it. They get into why. Natural light in Waco, no generators, handheld cameras, a creation sequence built with Douglas Trumbull instead of CGI. Brad Pitt as nature, Jessica Chastain as grace, Sean Penn as the grown son remembering a 1950s Texas childhood that felt a lot like their own 1980s. Elbows off the table. A father trying to raise boys who can survive. A middle son who dies at 19, and the film never tells you how. A beach at the end where people are walking toward the water and, for the first time, Jack is smiling. Also in the mix: Palme d’Or, an Oscar nomination, theaters that posted warning signs, a cinema in Italy that ran the reels backwards and nobody noticed, and the son’s initials spelling Job. Chastain says she still cannot watch it. Pitt compares Malick to a diver who follows the turtle until he cannot see the boat. If this is your first Malick, Doug is you. If you already love him, Ryan bought the Blu-ray in 2011 and had not put it back on until this week. Next up is *To the Wonder*. Doug will be back on the channel. Comments are open if you walked out at the dinosaurs.

Scott hosts Bloody Sam, a Peckinpah fan podcast, with guest Paul of Spotlight — the Star Trek-movies show that started as a 13-episode dare and is now pushing 150. After a botched intro they keep anyway. *Junior Bonner* (1972): Jeb Rosebrook script, McQueen first, Peckinpah for hire, still stamped. 92% on 24 RT reviews, 6.7 IMDb, $2.8M on $3.2M. Shot at Prescott, Arizona’s real rodeo while Sam was still cutting *Straw Dogs*. They talk dad-and-son scenes, Ace’s practiced front, Ida Lupino putting McQueen in his place over apple pie, the underwritten romance vs *American Graffiti*, long rodeo stretches you skip, fading-west themes that rhyme with *Ride the High Country* and *The Wild Bunch*. Paul’s disc-collector detour: flipper *Wild Bunch*, botched *Pat Garrett* box sets, the BFI print at the Prince Charles. Scales: Bloody Sam 1/5 (bruises only). Nietzsche 3/5. Pecking nah from Paul, gentle pecking yeah from Scott. Next month: *The Getaway*. Spotlight wherever you get pods. Scott also does All 90s Action All the Time

Ryan welcomes returning co-host Craig back to The Director’s Chair Network for Terrence Malick’s *The New World* (2005). They talk first viewings in theaters, why Malick belongs on the biggest screen possible, the three existing cuts of the film, Emmanuel Lubezki’s natural-light cinematography, and James Horner’s famously unhappy score experience. The conversation covers Colin Farrell as John Smith, Christian Bale as John Rolfe, Q’orianka Kilcher’s breakout as Pocahontas, Christopher Plummer’s brief but sharp work, and how the movie handles the historical romance without turning it into Disney. Craig previously hosted the Brian De Palma season on the network. Also happening on the channel: Sam Peckinpah coverage from Scott Murphy, plus thanks to Katie (John Hughes), Andy (Edgar Wright), and Sicco (Paul Verhoeven). Ryan and Craig also tease covering Michael Mann’s *Heat 2* when it arrives. A long, immersive sit with one of Malick’s most visually stunning films. 00:00 – Intro, Craig returns, network updates (Peckinpah, De Palma, Hughes, Wright, Verhoeven)  04:00 – Their history with Malick and first seeing *The New World* in theaters  10:00 – Three cuts of the film and the Criterion set  14:00 – James Horner’s score and his public frustration  20:00 – Plot overview: Jamestown, Smith, Pocahontas, Rolfe  28:00 – Look, authenticity, and Lubezki’s cinematography  35:00 – Colin Farrell and the John Smith romance  42:00 – Christian Bale as John Rolfe  48:00 – Q’orianka Kilcher’s casting, age, and performance  58:00 – Christopher Plummer and the fighting sequences  1:05:00 – How Malick actually directs on set  1:12:00 – Final thoughts, box office, and why the film has grown  1:16:00 – Heat 2 tease and wrap-up

In-depth analysis of Paul Verhoeven’s 1977 classic *Soldier of Orange* (*Soldaat van Oranje*). We cover the film’s personal roots for Verhoeven, its massive production and royal involvement, historical context of the Dutch occupation, fraternity hazing as fascist allegory, multiple cuts, critical reception, and a detailed scene-by-scene look at one of the most realistic war films ever made.   00:00 Intro & Series Context  00:46 Why Soldier of Orange Matters  01:00 Personal Connection & Atmosphere of Occupation  02:04 Anti-German Sentiment & Language  02:35 Dutch Royalty & Nazi Ties  03:31 Royalty as Major Theme  03:56 Budget, Financing & Royal Support  05:10 Premiere & Royal Attendance  07:16 Multiple Cuts & Survival Run  08:51 Cult Status & Legacy  09:15 Opening Montage & Newsreel Blend  09:30 Hazing Scene & Fascist Imagery  11:28 Fraternity Culture & Elite Networks  13:37 Introducing the Main Characters  14:08 Pre-War Life & War Announcement  15:35 Invasion Begins  17:47 Early War Experiences  19:27 Summer Under Occupation  20:00+ Escape Plans, Resistance, Espionage & Key Plot Points  (Continues through detailed scene analysis, character arcs, themes of collaboration, class, and the film’s ending) Thanks for watching this entry in the Director’s Chair series on Paul Verhoeven.

In-depth discussion of Sam Peckinpah’s 1971 film Straw Dogs, featuring guest Liam (co-host of the Spotlight Star Trek podcast and major Peckinpah fan). We cover the film’s origins, Peckinpah’s career and struggles, the infamous controversy, themes of masculinity and violence, editing, score, and why it’s one of Liam’s all-time favorites. Content warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of sexual assault and extreme violence. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Film Stats01:40 Liam’s Podcasting Background (Spotlight)05:30 Peckinpah Fandom Origin Story12:00 Discovering The Wild Bunch & Straw Dogs18:00 Peckinpah’s Career Struggles & What-Ifs25:00 Trigger Warning & Entering Straw Dogs30:00+ Film Discussion, Themes, Editing, Score, Controversy & Rankings Huge thanks to Liam for joining. Check out Spotlight (the Star Trek podcast from a non-Trekkie perspective) wherever you get your podcasts. Next episode: Junior Bonner.

Katie and returning guest Lizzie rewind to 1996 for Disney’s live-action 101 Dalmatians, written by John Hughes and starring Glenn Close as an unforgettable Cruella de Vil. From 90s fashion trivia to puppy overload, family viewing, and why this remake still works, they dig into the spots that made it special.

Paul Verhoeven's 1977 masterpiece Soldier of Orange isn't just another WWII film — it's a deeply personal, morally complex look at occupation, resistance, collaboration, and survival born from the director's own childhood under Nazi rule in the Netherlands. In Part 1 of this Director's Chair deep dive, we explore what shaped Verhoeven's subversive vision, the real Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema behind the bestselling memoir, shocking new questions about his story, the chaotic production that nearly destroyed the film, and the brutal historical reality of occupied Holland. We cover Verhoeven as a "war child," the social rifts that defined Dutch society for decades, the Englandspiel tragedy, NSB collaborators, royal family exile, the massive budget battles with producer Rob Houwer, legendary on-set fights, the infamous bike scene, and how the screenplay was reshaped to ask audiences: What would YOU do in their place? This is the film Verhoeven was arguably born to make — epic, hyper-realistic, and unafraid of gray areas. 0:00 - Welcome & Introduction to Soldier of Orange (Part 1)0:49 - Production Credits, Rob Houwer & the Screenplay Team2:25 - Paul Verhoeven's WWII Childhood & Dutch Society's Deep Schisms4:23 - Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema: The Book, Million-Copy Success & New Revelations8:23 - Life Under German Occupation: Royals Flee, NSB Rises & Resistance Reality17:47 - Royal Connections, British Investors & Pre-Production Drama22:57 - Production Hell: Fights with Houwer, The Bike Scene Disaster & Near-Cancellation28:34 - Casting Stories: Rutger Hauer, Rijk de Gooyer & Real-Life Inspirations35:15 - Nuanced Portrayals of Collaboration, Betrayal & Survival41:49 - Epic Extras, Royal Fans & Teaser for Part 2 (The Film, Premiere & Aftermath) Part 2 drops soon

Darryl Edge from Cage Rage (Nicolas Cage podcast) and Getting Dafoe You joins Bloody Sam: A Peckinpah Fan Podcast for his VERY FIRST Sam Peckinpah film — the surprisingly gentle, funny, and romantic 1970 Western comedy The Ballad of Cable Hogue starring Jason Robards, Stella Stevens, and David Warner. In this episode we break down why this is the least “Bloody Sam” Peckinpah movie ever made, the hilarious Benny Hill-style comedy moments, the sweet central romance, the themes of the dying Old West vs. the arrival of the automobile, behind-the-scenes stories (including editing The Wild Bunch at the same time), and Darryl’s wild journey from thinking Sam Peckinpah was a fictional character in a Nicolas Cage movie to loving this one. We also rate it on the Bloody Sam Scale and Nietzsche Scale, discuss the musical number “Butterfly Mornin’”, and share why the ending hits harder than expected. 00:00 - Intro & Welcome  01:10 - Guest Darryl Edge (Cage Rage & Getting Dafoe You)  03:36 - Darryl’s Nicolas Cage Podcast Journey & Upcoming Projects  11:30 - How Darryl Discovered Sam Peckinpah (via Deadfall)  15:13 - Confirming This Is Darryl’s First Ever Peckinpah Film  17:34 - Plot Summary of The Ballad of Cable Hogue  19:56 - First Impressions: Not Your Typical Violent Peckinpah Western  21:11 - Benny Hill Comedy, Cleavage Zoom & Banknote Wink Moments  25:35 - David Warner as the Creepy “Stealing Valor” Preacher  33:47 - Behind the Scenes: Editing The Wild Bunch Simultaneously & Difficult Shoot  1:07:15 - Themes: Death of the Old West & the Arrival of the Car  1:20:57 - Bloody Sam Scale & Nietzsche Scale Ratings  1:25:47 - Surprise Reveal: It’s a Musical! “Butterfly Mornin’” If you love classic Westerns, Sam Peckinpah deep dives, or crossover film podcast episodes, hit like, subscribe, and comment: What’s your favorite (or least favorite) Peckinpah film? Next episode we’re tackling the much more controversial Straw Dogs. Follow Darryl Edge:  Instagram @cageragepod (Cage Rage – A Nicolas Cage Podcast)  Check out Getting Dafoe You podcast (@dafoeyoupod) – they cover all things Willem Dafoe and recently dropped a free Patreon live episode from Cheerful Earful.

Step back to 1994 with Katie as she welcomes back Milo Denison for a deep dive into the chaotic John Hughes-produced comedy *Baby's Day Out* — where a baby outsmarts three bumbling kidnappers in a city-wide slapstick adventure! In this episode we spin the 1994 trivia wheel (books, cartoons & fashion), break down the full cast & production drama, compare it to *Home Alone*, and uncover why it bombed in the US but became a massive hit in India (complete with its own remake). Practical effects, great character actors, and cartoon logic collide in this wild 90s ride. 00:00 Introduction & Guest Welcome with Milo Denison  03:25 Milo’s Show Update: Solo Format & Upcoming Sly vs Arnold Episode  05:40 1994 Time Capsule Trivia: Books, Bestsellers & the Oprah Effect  13:10 Saturday Morning Cartoons of 1994: X-Men, Power Rangers, Animaniacs & Sonic  21:05 1994 Fashion Trends: Grunge Flannel, Clueless Plaid Skirts & Baggy Jeans  29:30 Baby’s Day Out Plot, Expectations & First Impressions  37:50 The Criminals Steal the Show: Joe Mantegna, Joe Pantoliano & Brian Haley  50:20 Production Nightmares: John Hughes Drama, Director Fights & $48M Budget Flop  59:00 Slapstick vs Reality, Practical Effects Praise & Pacing Issues  1:07:10 Surprising Cultural Impact in India + Cast What-Ifs (Tom Selleck & More)  1:19:40 Final Thoughts, Siskel & Ebert Drama & Podcast Plugs Check out Milo’s podcast **The 80s and 90s Uncensored** (now solo with rotating guests) at the80sand90s.com — and keep an eye out for his Sly vs Arnold episode!   Katie is also part of the **One More Round: The Rocky Series Podcast** — search it on YouTube for in-depth Rocky movie coverage.   If you love 80s/90s nostalgia, John Hughes films, or chaotic comedy, hit that like button, subscribe to Retro Made for more pop culture rewinds, and drop a comment: Did you see *Baby’s Day Out* as a kid or is this your first time hearing about it? What’s your favorite 90s John Hughes movie? Subscribe to the Retro Made YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RetromadePodcast

Join Katie for a deep dive into John Hughes’ 1988 film **She’s Having a Baby** starring Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern! This more personal, semi-autobiographical entry from Hughes explores marriage, suburban life, growing up, and the pressures of starting a family — with plenty of his signature humor and anxiety mixed in. Special guest Scott Murphy (host of Bloody Sam: A Peckinpah Fan Podcast and All 90s Action) joins for a fun 1988 time capsule (top movies, boombox bangers, fashion trends), insightful discussion on the film’s fantasy sequences, tonal shifts, Hughes’ conservative streak, and more. We also talk Kevin Bacon’s golden era, Alec Baldwin’s sleazy best friend energy, and that powerful Kate Bush hospital scene. 0:00 – Intro & welcome to guest Scott Murphy  2:19 – 1988 Time Capsule: Top movies at the box office  13:11 – Retro Runway: 1980s fashion trends (acid wash jeans, fanny packs & more)  17:41 – Boombox Bangers: Iconic 1988 hits (George Michael, INXS, Rick Astley & more)  23:06 – She’s Having a Baby discussion begins  25:54 – Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth McGovern & the cast  37:30 – Fantasy sequences, suburban life & Hughes’ conservatism  43:14 – The emotional hospital scene & Kate Bush song  59:49 – Alec Baldwin’s role & gender tropes in Hughes films  1:08:04 – Final thoughts, rating & wrap-up

Katie dives into two wildly different John Hughes projects spanning 17 years: the obscure 1980 Yugoslavian biopic **The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla** (his first writing credit) and the 1997 sequel **Home Alone 3**. She explores the Tesla film’s ambitious story of invention, corporate greed, and free energy, plus Orson Welles as JP Morgan. Then she contrasts it with Home Alone 3’s formulaic traps, new kid Alex, and mixed results. Includes a fun 1980 vs 1997 pop culture time capsule! 0:00 – Intro & why these two films  3:48 – 1980 vs 1997 Time Capsule  7:30 – The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla deep dive  21:58 – Whiplash to Home Alone 3  24:57 – Cast, traps & formula discussion  36:59 – Final verdict & season thoughts

Paul Verhoeven’s breakthrough 1973 film **Turkish Delight** (Turks Fruit) gets the full deep-dive treatment. Sicco explores the massive commercial success (3.3 million Dutch viewers — a quarter of the population!), the Oscar nomination, the real-life inspirations from controversial writer Jan Wolkers, the contentious producer Rob Houwer, and the groundbreaking raw style that launched Verhoeven’s career. Rutger Hauer and Monique van de Ven deliver unforgettable performances in this unapologetic, sexually charged drama about sculptor Eric’s obsessive love for Olga. We cover the behind-the-scenes chaos, Verhoeven’s method directing, the iconic nudity, the harmonica score, and why this film shattered Dutch censorship and influenced everything that followed. 0:00 – Intro: Why You Need to Watch Turkish Delight  1:23 – Quick Synopsis & Paul Verhoeven’s Early Career  2:33 – Producer Rob Houwer & the New Dutch Cinema Movement  4:58 – Writer Jan Wolkers & the Controversial Novel  8:08 – Casting Rutger Hauer & Monique van de Ven  10:32 – Cinematography by Jan de Bont & Handheld Style  12:11 – The Blue Movie Precedent & Breaking Censorship  15:43 – Budget, Box Office & International Success  19:58 – Key Scenes, Themes & Character Analysis  26:11 – Verhoeven’s Vision vs Producer Conflicts  31:17 – Cultural Impact & Verhoeven’s Legacy

Scott is joined by Ryan Rebalkin (Director’s Chair Network CEO) for a deep dive into Sam Peckinpah’s most famous film, The Wild Bunch (1969). They discuss the groundbreaking violence, nihilistic themes, aging outlaws, male codes of honor, and the film’s massive influence on later movies like Heat, Young Guns, and Tombstone. Ryan shares his first-time watch thoughts, they break down the infamous final shootout, behind-the-scenes chaos, animal cruelty controversies, and why this film changed the Western genre forever. 0:00 – Intro & Guest Ryan Rebalkin1:06 – The Wild Bunch Overview & Stats2:38 – Ryan’s First-Time Watch Experience8:36 – Peckinpah’s Evolution from Earlier Films11:11 – Influence on Michael Mann, Young Guns & Tombstone16:10 – The Final Shootout & Slow-Motion Sequence28:39 – Themes of Nihilism, Masculinity & Men Out of Time37:30 – Animal Cruelty & Behind-the-Scenes Stories44:47 – Character Deep Dives & Ending Discussion55:51 – Final Thoughts & Peckinpah Legacy

Katie and guest Kyle Peterson head back to 1986 to revisit John Hughes’ classic teen romance **Pretty in Pink**. They spin the time capsule wheel for 1986 pop culture trivia (Nancy Drew, Ramona Quimby, Light Bright, mullets, The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Dallas, Murder She Wrote, and 60 Minutes), then dive deep into the film. They discuss Molly Ringwald’s Andy, the unforgettable Ducky (John Cryer), Blaine (Andrew McCarthy), the class divide, that controversial ending, Iona’s wild style, and whether Andy should have ended up with Ducky or Blaine. Plus comparisons to *Some Kind of Wonderful*, 80s fashion, and why the movie still sparks debate decades later. 0:00 – Intro & Guest Kyle Peterson  2:00 – 1986 Time Capsule Trivia Begins  4:02 – Books & Magazines (Nancy Drew, Ramona Quimby)  6:02 – Fads & Flashbacks (Light Bright, Mullets)  10:02 – Prime Time Rewind (Cosby Show, Family Ties, Dallas, Murder She Wrote, 60 Minutes)  22:09 – Pretty in Pink Movie Discussion Starts  31:02 – Plot, Characters & Class Divide  37:40 – Ducky, Blaine & the Friend-Zone Debate  44:47 – Iona & 80s Style Highlights  55:57 – Steph, Prom & Ending Controversy  1:26:26 – Final Thoughts & Some Kind of Wonderful Comparison

Join Ryan and returning guest Hughezy for a no-holds-barred discussion on Terrence Malick’s 1998 war epic *The Thin Red Line*. From star-studded cameos and chaotic production stories to poetic voiceovers, intense battle scenes, and honest opinions on whether this cinematic poem holds up, this episode is a must-watch for Malick fans, war movie lovers, and anyone who enjoys passionate film debates. Hughezy shares his critical take while Ryan defends the film’s beauty and emotional power—expect plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes trivia, and deep dives into the all-star cast. 0:00 – Welcome to the Directors Chair Network + Episode Intro   2:45 – Hughezy’s history with Terrence Malick films (The New World, Tree of Life & first impressions)   8:20 – Ryan’s theater experience in 1998 + why he still returns to the film   15:10 – The massive cast & cameo culture: John Travolta, George Clooney, Sean Penn & more   28:40 – Production chaos, 5-hour original cut, banned producers & Malick’s improvisational style   45:15 – Standout performances: Nick Nolte vs Elias Koteas, Jim Caviezel as the “soul” of the film   1:02:30 – Battle scenes, poetry vs action, and why the film feels both brilliant and frustrating   1:18:45 – Comparison to *Saving Private Ryan*, editing critiques & final thoughts   1:35:10 – Hughezy’s closing verdict + where to find more of his content