Cinema Shock

Cinema Shock
  • 4.8 (56)
  • Film History
  • Updated Weekly

The stories behind your favorite cult & genre films, and the people who make them.

  1. 1d ago

    ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981): A Script From the Trunk | Part 1

    In ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981), John Carpenter gambled his biggest budget yet on transforming a former Disney child star into the ultimate anti-authority badass. Part 1 of our deep diver covers the genesis of Snake Plissken, starting with Carpenter pulling a shelved script out of his car trunk to satisfy a studio contract. We look at the fight to cast Kurt Russell over established tough guys like Charles Bronson, the bizarre brilliance of Donald Pleasence as the President, and the punishing reality of shooting entirely at night in the rubble of East St. Louis. Want the full story without the wait? CinemaShock+ members get extended, ad-free episodes that combine every part into one seamless listen — plus bonus content you won't hear anywhere else. Join at cinemashock.net/plus. CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Turpin | Benjamin Yates | Capiapoa | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Dick Jones | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | JoeyP | John sweet bussy Greaney | Jvance325 | KDurden | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | mcdudely | Nate Izod | RockGokd | Tim G | triplr1478 Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop. Image: "Portrait of John Carpenter.jpg" by Kyle Cassidy, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified from original. This derivative work is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

    ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981): A Script From the Trunk | Part 1

  2. Jul 24

    THE FOG (1980) | Saving A Sinking Ship | Part 2

    The first cut of THE FOG had no tension. Carpenter knew it, Hill knew it, and the studio knew it. This episode picks up in the editing room, where a finished film was quietly falling apart, and follows the rescue that saved it — starting with an emergency cash infusion from the studio and a scramble of guerrilla reshoots that changed what audiences would eventually see on screen.  Want the full story without the wait? CinemaShock+ members get extended, ad-free episodes that combine every part into one seamless listen — plus bonus content you won't hear anywhere else. Join at cinemashock.net/plus. CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: asotirov | Andy Lancaster | Interzone78 | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Jackson_Baker | JoeyP | Jvance325 | KDurden | Lucy Lawson | mcdudely | Nate Izod | RockGokd | John sweet bussy Greaney | Tim G | triplr1478 | Dick Jones | Vlantis01 | MagicBloat | Benjamin Yates Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop. Image: "Portrait of John Carpenter.jpg" by Kyle Cassidy, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified from original. This derivative work is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

    THE FOG (1980) | Saving A Sinking Ship | Part 2

  3. Jul 17

    THE FOG (1980): Carpenter's Ghost Story | Part 1

    John Carpenter had just made the most profitable independent horror film in history, and his first instinct was to make sure nobody called him a "slasher" director. This episode covers the origins of THE FOG — how a misty afternoon near Stonehenge and a centuries-old California maritime legend gave Carpenter and Debra Hill the blueprint for something deliberately old-fashioned, and how a surprise encounter on a Nashville film set changed the direction of the entire project. We also get into the casting of Janet Leigh alongside her daughter Jamie Lee Curtis, and the coastal shoot that left Carpenter seasick for days. Want the full story without the wait? CinemaShock+ members get extended, ad-free episodes that combine every part into one seamless listen — plus bonus content you won't hear anywhere else. Join at cinemashock.net/plus. CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: asotirov | Andy Lancaster | Interzone78 | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | Elton Novara | Jackson_Baker | JoeyP | Jvance325 | KDurden | Lucy Lawson | mcdudely | Nate Izod | RockGokd | John sweet bussy Greaney | Tim G | triplr1478 | Dick Jones | Vlantis01 | MagicBloat | Benjamin Yates Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop. Image: "Portrait of John Carpenter.jpg" by Kyle Cassidy, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified from original. This derivative work is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

    THE FOG (1980): Carpenter's Ghost Story | Part 1

  4. Jul 13 ·  Bonus

    EVIL DEAD BURN (2026) Review | Bonus Episode

    Groovy. A new EVIL DEAD movie just hit theaters and we just had to talk about it! Every month, members of CinemaShock+ have the chance to choose what new release we review and for July 2026, they chose wisely! The episode breaks down EVIL DEAD BURN, Sébastien Vaniček's blood-soaked entry into the franchise. Does this family reunion from hell earns its place alongside the Raimi classics? Where does it land in the full Deadite pantheon? Listen now to find out! Want the power to vote on our next new release review? Head to cinemashock.net/plus today to become a member! CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | dhg430 | Dick Jones | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | John sweet bussy Greaney | Jvance325 | KDurden | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | mcdudely | Nate Izod | RockGokd | Tim G | triplr1478 | Vlantis01 Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

    EVIL DEAD BURN (2026) Review | Bonus Episode

  5. Jul 10

    HALLOWEEN (1978): Defining The Slasher | Part 3

    John Carpenter: The Shape of Dread The first cut of HALLOWEEN screened for executives and nobody flinched. No score, no sound design — just long quiet shots of suburban streets that felt empty instead of menacing. What happened next, in a small studio with a synthesizer and a deadline, saved the movie and accidentally invented a subgenre. Part 3 of our behind-the-scenes look at John Carpenter's iconic film covers the post-production scramble, the chaotic regional rollout, and how a film that couldn't get arrested in Kansas City became the most profitable independent horror movie ever made. Want the full story without the wait? CinemaShock+ members get extended, ad-free episodes that combine every part into one seamless listen — plus bonus content you won't hear anywhere else. Join at cinemashock.net/plus. CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: asotirov | Andy Lancaster | Interzone78 | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | dhg430 | dpr130498 | Elton Novara | Jackson_Baker | Jvance325 | KDurden | Lucy Lawson | mcdudely | Nate Izod | RockGokd | Tim G | triplr1478 | Dick Jones | Vlantis01 | MagicBloat | Benjamin Yates Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop. Image: "Portrait of John Carpenter.jpg" by Kyle Cassidy, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified from original. This derivative work is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

    HALLOWEEN (1978): Defining The Slasher | Part 3

  6. Jul 3

    HALLOWEEN (1978): Constructing The Shape | Part 2

    John Carpenter: The Shape of Dread The face of modern horror cost two dollars and a can of spray paint. Part 2 of this production history gets into the physical reality of making HALLOWEEN — twenty days in Southern California, a crew running on fumes, and a cinematographer named Dean Cundey quietly revolutionizing how fear gets framed on screen. What Carpenter and his team built under those conditions shouldn't work as well as it does. That it does — that it still does — is the whole story. Want the full story without the wait? CinemaShock+ members get extended, ad-free episodes that combine every part into one seamless listen — plus bonus content you won't hear anywhere else. Join at cinemashock.net/plus. CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: asotirov | Andy Lancaster | Interzone78 | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | dhg430 | dpr130498 | Elton Novara | Jackson_Baker | Jvance325 | KDurden | Lucy Lawson | mcdudely | Nate Izod | RockGokd | Tim G | triplr1478 | Dick Jones | Vlantis01 | MagicBloat | Benjamin Yates Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop. Image: "Portrait of John Carpenter.jpg" by Kyle Cassidy, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified from original. This derivative work is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

    HALLOWEEN (1978): Constructing The Shape | Part 2

  7. Jun 26

    HALLOWEEN (1978): The Babysitter Murders | Part 1

    John Carpenter: The Shape of Dread Before Michael Myers became an immortal cinematic icon, he was a nameless shape in a script written for pocket change. This look behind the scenes of this iconic horror film examines how a small independent team set out to stretch a razor-thin budget into a terrifying cinematic reality. The story of HALLOWEEN begins not with studio backing, but with a regional producer looking for a cheap thriller about a killer stalking babysitters. What followed was a masterclass in independent filmmaking, where every dollar had to deliver maximum tension. This opening chapter tracks the initial creative spark and the logistical tightrope walked by a young director finding his voice under massive financial constraints. It's a testament to how limitations breed timeless creativity, forcing a crew to rely on atmosphere over expensive spectacle. Discover how the foundations of modern horror were laid against a backdrop of tight schedules and creative desperation. Want the full story without the wait? CinemaShock+ members get extended, ad-free episodes that combine every part into one seamless listen — plus bonus content you won't hear anywhere else. Join at cinemashock.net/plus. CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: asotirov | Andy Lancaster | Interzone78 | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | dhg430 | dpr130498 | Elton Novara | Jackson_Baker | Jvance325 | KDurden | Lucy Lawson | mcdudely | Nate Izod | RockGokd | Tim G | triplr1478 | Dick Jones | Vlantis01 | MagicBloat | Benjamin Yates Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop. Image: "Portrait of John Carpenter.jpg" by Kyle Cassidy, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified from original. This derivative work is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

    HALLOWEEN (1978): The Babysitter Murders | Part 1

  8. Jun 19

    ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 (1976): Outsmarting the Censors | Part 2

    John Carpenter: The Shape of Dread This week, we wrap up our two-part analysis of ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13. Picking up right where we left off, we dive straight into the physical production of the film, examining the tight shooting schedule and the challenges of filming low-budget action on the streets of Los Angeles. We also look closely at the post-production phase, focusing on Carpenter’s iconic, driving electronic score and his tight editing style under the pseudonym John T. Chance. Finally, we track the movie's rocky initial domestic release, its critical breakout at European film festivals, and its ultimate status as a foundational text for independent action and horror cinema. 🎧 Want even more? CinemaShock+ subscribers get access to an extended version of this episode, featuring bonus discussion and exclusive segments. Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus. CINEMA SHOCK ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | courtland ashley | curtcake5k | dpr130498 | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Jvance325 | KDurden | Lucy Lawson | MagicBloat | mcdudely | Nate Izod | Tim G | Vlantis01 Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop. Image: "Portrait of John Carpenter.jpg" by Kyle Cassidy, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified from original. This derivative work is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net

    ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 (1976): Outsmarting the Censors | Part 2
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4.8
out of 5
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About

The stories behind your favorite cult & genre films, and the people who make them.

Information

  • Creator
    Cinema Shock
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    201
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2018-2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Cinema Shock

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