Not Now in Theaters: A Retro and Cult Film Podcast

Over-Egged Media, LLC
  • 4.5 (2)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Clever B-movies, cult classics, Criterion picks, and underseen imports — Not Now in Theaters is a retro and cult film podcast hosted by Will Turntale. Each episode explores a handpicked watchlist of overlooked gems and revisits classics with a light-hearted but deeply felt perspective. Find your next favorite forgotten film — and rediscover the ones that still hit. A production of Over-Egged Media, LLC.

  1. 5d ago

    Ride in the Whirlwind (1966): Jack Nicholson's Anti-Western

    Ride in the Whirlwind is a Criterion Classic film directed by Monte Hellman and written by Jack Nicholson. Filmed side-by-side with fellow low-budget Criterion Classic western The Shooting, the movie had a strong reception in France but was practically shelved and then relegated to TV in the United States. But critical and audience appreciation grew over time because Whirlwind just isn't the average western. Right at the height of the western genre's popularity, this anti-western, acid western, whatever label of western you want to give it, we can all agree doesn't play by the genre's normal conventions. This is more like a survival story, told plain and slow, than the gunslinging, win the day type of fare audiences would have been used to. But while I loved The Shooting, covered in a previous episode, how did I feel about the less mysterious Whirlwind? You'll have to listen to find out.  But I"ll tell you now I talk about things like the film's intentionally slow pacing, its solid performances, and the beauty yet sadness of Millie Perkins's dark eyes. A group of cowboys takes shelter for the night with a gang of outlaws. But when a vigilante posse shows up to haul the outlaws to justice, the cowboys get caught in the crossfire, mistaken as outlaws themselves. Will the cowboys escape the posse? Directed by Monte Hellman. Written by Jack Nicholson. Starring: Jack Nicholson Millie Perkins Cameron Mitchell Rupert Crosse Connect with us on Bluesky: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com

    Ride in the Whirlwind (1966): Jack Nicholson's Anti-Western

  2. Sep 3

    A Better Tomorrow II (1987): Unreal End Shootout, Bizarre Scenes

    A Better Tomorrow II is best-known for its epic, stylish, bonkers end shootout. Ranked by many as one of the best ever shot, it lives up to the hype as among the very best, very bloodiest, very chic Hong Kong action heyday endings ever crafted. But the rest of the film is a chaotic mess. A movie literally fought over by its director (John Woo) and producer (Tsui Hark), it's a mixed vision that feels bipolar. The film is the story of an epic undercover cop operation with some of John Woo's trademark "gun-fu" action one minute, a drama about a raving lunatic the next. But with its hyperbolic moments, like the infamous "apologize to the rice" scene, is this movie still a lot of fun? Join me for this discussion of even more of John Woo's "Heroic Bloodshed," the identical twin main character rescue, and the scenes Max Payne is probably exactly based on. Directed by John Woo. Starring: Dean ShekTi LungLeslie CheungChow Yun-fat Connect with us on Bluesky: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com

    A Better Tomorrow II (1987): Unreal End Shootout, Bizarre Scenes

  3. Aug 30

    Excalibur (1981): Epic Dark Fantasy

    John Boorman's Excalibur is still many film fans' go-to story of King Arthur. And it's a movie I love to stare at because it is simply gorgeous. A dark fantasy epic, its visual brilliance and story of light, might, and right continue to captivate filmmakers and audiences. Merlin is here and he's tricky; Morgana is here and she's witchy. Noble Arthur loves Guinevere, but she's twitchy (because of Lanceleot). It's as uplifting as it is haunting. And loaded with practical effects, like handcrafted suits of armor, the film feels as everlasting as the subject matter. Join me for this discussion of green and gold glowing, armor so bright it's like staring at the sun, and the need to check in on your heroes when your film takes a big detour. Directed by John Boorman. Screenplay by Rosso Wallenberg and John Boorman. Cinematography by Alex Thomson. Starring: Nigel TerryHelen MirrenNicholas ClayCherie LunghiPaul GeoffreyNicol Williamson Connect with us on Bluesky: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com

    Excalibur (1981): Epic Dark Fantasy

  4. Aug 23

    Nemesis (1992): Lo-Fi Cyberpunk, Really Big Guns

    Nemesis is a low-budget 1990s cyberpunk action film that, if you missed in its day, you got to check out now. With effects wizards from Terminator 2 and cult movie vets behind the camera, director Albert Pyun (Cyborg), cast, and crew stretched a limited budget into an action science-fiction film that's still finding fans today. In this episode, I dive into the cult movie-making that gives Nemesis a stand-out place in the straight-to-video era of the 1990s. If you like Sega Genesis games, books by William Gibson, or action films that are retro and awesome, this movie may be for you. I unpack its fun camera angles, firefights and kickass practical effects, but question its wig choices. Directed by Albert Pyun. Written by Albert Pyun (credited as Rebecca Charles). Starring: Olivier GrunerTim ThomersonCary-Hiroyuki TagawaMerle KennedyYuji OkumotoMarjorie MonaghanBrion JamesDeborah Shelton Connect with us on Bluesky: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com

    Nemesis (1992): Lo-Fi Cyberpunk, Really Big Guns

  5. Aug 16

    American Yakuza (1993): Even Aragorn Couldn’t Rescue This [Side Reels]

    American Yakuza is a straight-to-video film that may catch your eye because it stars the legendary Viggo Mortensen. In this episode, I explain that, even though I didn't like this film, it may be a good watch for aspiring writers and creatives. As an imitation of a heroic bloodshed film, there are writing lessons to learn here. When forklift driver and ex-con Nick Davis rescues Yakuza gangster Shuji Sawamoto from a mob hit, it marks the beginning of an unlikely friendship. As Nick grows close to Shuji and develops a new love interest, Yuko, he gains acceptance into the Japanese mafia. But when gangster Dino Campanela launches an attack to wipe out the Yakuza, Nick may be called to the rescue again. Directed by Frank Cappello.  Starring: Viggo MortensenRyo IshibashiMichael NouriFranklyn AjayeYuji OkumotoAnzu LawsonRobert Forster Connect with us on Bluesky: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com

    American Yakuza (1993): Even Aragorn Couldn’t Rescue This [Side Reels]

  6. Aug 6

    John Dies at the End (2012): Slackers Saving the Universe

    Is John Dies at the End a modern cult film? Director Don Coscarelli pulled magic from modest budgets with Phantasm and Bubba Ho-Tep. And in adapting David Wong's cosmic horror comedy novel John Dies at the End, well, he pulls up a lot of goo here. And whether you love all the stuff, the many many bags of stuff, that are in this movie or not is the real question here. While the film has mixed reviews, critics and audiences agree this comedy/horror is anything but boring. So being a big Don Coscarelli fan, this was my dive into his last film to date. Join me for a discussion of the film's bags of creativity, a cast that mixes newcomers and cult favorite vets, and whether or not a movie with this many ingredients holds together. When college dropouts David and John try a drug called soy sauce, they receive supernatural powers and get pulled into a multi-dimensional battle to stop an invasion. Written and Directed by Don Coscarelli. Based on John Dies at the End by David Wong. Starring:  Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, Paul Giamatti, Clancy Brown, Glynn Turman, Doug Jones, and Daniel Roebuck Connect with us on Bluesky: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com

    John Dies at the End (2012): Slackers Saving the Universe

  7. Jul 31

    Prospect (2018): More Sci-fi Fans Should See This

    Prospect is a bit of a space western and a definite science-fiction thriller. The film started as a crowdfunded short and, when it attracted attention, got expanded into a full-blown release. Prepare to have your mind blown by the fact that this film has a $4 million dollar budget yet memorably pulls off what many call "lo-fi sci-fi" or "lived-in sci-fi." And with strong performances from leads Sophie Thatcher and Pedro Pascal (yes, he is in this), this is a movie that many audiences have found but still not enough have gotten to know. Join me for a discussion of spaceships like latte cups, Pedro Pascal's slippery character Ezra, and the merits of not explaining your space tech. Written and Directed by Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell.  Starring: Pedro PascalSophie ThatcherJay Duplass Connect with us on Bluesky: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com

    Prospect (2018): More Sci-fi Fans Should See This

  8. Jul 27

    The Death of Stalin (2017): the British Mockery that Angered Russia

    The Death of Stalin is Armando Ianucci's satire of the true paranoia of life under Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. The controversial film has won plenty of fans in some regions but was panned and banned in Russia. Everyone lives in fear of the Soviet leader's frequent executions -- including and especially those closest to him of the Central Committee.  But soon that table turns: it's Stalin who falls ill and seems at death's doorstep. With the window closing on the Soviet leader's rule, well, a gaggle of conniving Central Committee members squirm and fight to see who can get through that window of power first. In this British dark comedy, which of the Central Committee members will plot their way to the top? In this episode, I discuss the film's hot potato politics, zany characters, and a ton of accents, yet none from Russia. Directed by Armando Iannucci.  Starring: Steve BuscemiSimon Russell BealePaddy ConsidineRupert FriendJason IsaacsMichael PalinAndrea RiseboroughJeffrey Tambor Connect with us on Bluesky: @not-ni-theaters.bsky.social And to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com

    The Death of Stalin (2017): the British Mockery that Angered Russia
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
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About

Clever B-movies, cult classics, Criterion picks, and underseen imports — Not Now in Theaters is a retro and cult film podcast hosted by Will Turntale. Each episode explores a handpicked watchlist of overlooked gems and revisits classics with a light-hearted but deeply felt perspective. Find your next favorite forgotten film — and rediscover the ones that still hit. A production of Over-Egged Media, LLC.

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