The Director's Chair Network

Ryan Rebalkin
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Join Ryan and many featured guests and other hosts as they break down and review a variety of directors and their films! So far, this podcast has featured films from Edward Zwick, John Hughes, Brian De Palma, and Michael Mann. Soon, we will feature Edgar Wright, Sam Peckinpah, Paul Verhoeven, and David Fincher!

  1. Soldier of Orange - (Part 1)

    3d ago

    Soldier of Orange - (Part 1)

    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

    43 min
  2. The Ballad of Cable Hogue

    Jun 17

    The Ballad of Cable Hogue

    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.

    1h 27m
  3. Baby's Day Out

    Jun 14

    Baby's Day Out

    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

    1h 22m
  4. She's Having a Baby

    May 30

    She's Having a Baby

    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

    1h 33m

  5. May 18

    The Secret of Nikola Tesla & Home Alone 3

    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

    40 min
  6. Turkish Delight

    Apr 28

    Turkish Delight

    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

    1h 10m
  7. The Wild Bunch

    Apr 27

    The Wild Bunch

    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

    1h 13m
  8. Pretty in Pink

    Apr 26

    Pretty in Pink

    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

    1h 33m
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Ratings & Reviews

About

Join Ryan and many featured guests and other hosts as they break down and review a variety of directors and their films! So far, this podcast has featured films from Edward Zwick, John Hughes, Brian De Palma, and Michael Mann. Soon, we will feature Edgar Wright, Sam Peckinpah, Paul Verhoeven, and David Fincher!

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Rebalkin
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ryan Rebalkin