The Director's Chair Network

Ryan Rebalkin

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Film Reviews

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!

7h ago

Tree of Life

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.
Sep 26

Junior Bonner

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
Sep 4

The New World

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
Aug 5

Soldier of Orange - Film Review (Part 2)

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.
Aug 4

Straw Dogs (1971)

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.
Aug 3

101 Dalmatians (1996 Live-Action)

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.
Jun 27

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
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.

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!

Creator

Ryan Rebalkin
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

103
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Ryan Rebalkin