PODCAST

CineNation

The CineNation Podcast analyzes the histories and tropes of film genres and why we love them.

tv & film film history

All Episodes

01:54:38

400 - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

CineNation ·

2026/04/23

"E.T. phone home" For Episode 400, Brandon, Thomas, and David celebrate over a decade of CineNation with Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, as part of the show's series on Alien movies. Listen as they discuss how E.T. was going to be Spielberg's first try at The Fablemans, how a failed Close Encounters sequel inspired multiple Spielberg movies, the unique way Melissa Mathieson worked with Spielberg on the script, why Columbia Pictures sold the rights to the movie during pre-production,

01:37:38

399 - Arrival (2016)

CineNation ·

2026/04/16

"There are days that define your story beyond your life." For Episode 399, Brandon and David are joined by Paige Klaniecki to continue CineNatin's series on Aliens with ARRIVAL. Listen as the trio discuss a screenwriter's determination to get the movie made, how it was pivotal shift in Denis Villeneuve's career, why Amy Adams got involved in the movie, how they created a "Dirty Sci-Fi" look for the film, how they incorporated linguistics into the film, why some believed Adams was snubbed at the

02:01:54

398 - Men in Black (1997)

CineNation ·

2026/04/09

"We live in secret, we exist in shadow." For Episode 398, Thomas and Brandon continue CineNation's series on Alien movies with the 1997 blockbuster MEN IN BLACK. Listen as they discuss how the story originated as a small comic book, which actors almost ended up in the film over Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, the rise of Will Smith, how Steven Spielberg got involved in the project, how Oscar-winning make-up artist Rick Baker created the film's memorable creature effects, what inspired Vincent

01:59:58

397 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

CineNation ·

2026/04/02

"I guess you've noticed something a little strange with Dad." For Episode 397, David and Brandon kick off CineNation's series on Alien movies with Steven Spielberg's classic film, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. Listen as they discuss Spielberg's early interest in UFOs, the numerous writers that attemped the story, which A-list actors turned the movie down, why the film ended up filming in Alabama, the troubles between the producers, what deal Spielberg made with two of his best friends, and so

01:57:59

396 - Bottoms (2023)

CineNation ·

2026/03/26

"Could the ugly, untalented gays please report to the principal's office?" For Episode 396, Thomas and Brandon close out CineNation's series on Teen Sex Comedies. Listen as they discuss their favorite modern take on the popular genre with 2023's BOTTOMS. Find out more about the movie as they discuss how Rachel Sennott and Emma Seligman came up with the idea, how Ayo Edebiri got involved in the movie, the process of casting the film, how the Catholic Church in New Orleans tried to stop the film, how

01:51:03

395 - American Pie (1999)

CineNation ·

2026/03/19

"It's not a space shuttle launch, it's sex." For Episode 395, Brandon, Thomas, and David continue their series on Sex Comedies with the quinessential 90s film AMERICAN PIE. Listen as the trio discuss how screenwriter Adam Herz came up with the idea for the film, how the movie was fast tracked into production, which TV hearthrob was considered for the lead role, how the famous pie scene would up in the movie, why Eugene Levy was hesitate to star in the film, what critics felt about the film in the

01:58:26

394 - Risky Business (1983)

CineNation ·

2026/03/12

"Time of your life, huh, kid?" For Episode 394, Brandon and Thomas continue CineNation's series on Sex Comedies with RISKY BUSINESS. Listen as they discuss Paul Brickman's time writing the script, how many future A-list stars auditioned for the role, how Tom Cruise landed the role, who had an affair on the set of the film, how Brickman and Cruise came up with the idea for the Bob Seger, why Sean Penn found himself on the set for several weeks, the fights during post-production regarding the ending,

02:05:17

393 - Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

CineNation ·

2026/03/05

"Anyone can have sex." For Episode 393, David and Brandon start off CineNation's Sex Comedy series with one of the quintessential high school movies of the 1980s, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH. Listen as they discuss Cameron Crowe going undercover at a high school, which director was originally up for the film, the massive casting sessions for the film, Sean Penn's wild method acting techniques on-set, how Amy Heckerling made changes to Crowe's original story, the process of getting the popular music

01:58:35

392 - Lost in Translation (2003)

CineNation ·

2026/02/26

"I just don't know what I'm supposed to be." For Episode 392, Thomas and Brandon conclude CineNation's main series on Brief Encounters with Sofia Coppola's LOST IN TRANSLATION. Listen as they discuss Coppola's run-and-gun style approach to filming in Tokyo, what inspired her to make the movie, how Bill Murray got involved in the project, the difficulties of making an independent film, how the movie came a surprise hit, and more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to get 15% off your

01:56:32

391 - Brief Encounter (1945)

CineNation ·

2026/02/19

"This can't last. This misery can't last." For Episode 391, Brandon and Thomas are joined by the incredibly talented film editor and former CineNation regular, Anna Catley. With Anna being a massive fan of BRIEF ENCOUNTER, she decided to join them in discussing one of David Lean and Noel Coward's best films for CineNation's Brief Encounter series. Listen as they discuss Coward's early life in theater, why the casting was so unique for the film, how World War II had an impact on the film's

01:44:31

390 - Past Lives (2023)

CineNation ·

2026/02/12

"It means there must have been something between them in their past lives." For Episode 390, Brandon and David continue CineNation's series on Brief Encounters with Celine Song's PAST LIVES. Listen to find out more about how COVID-19 impacted the film, Song's earlier theatre career, producer mishaps, Song's unique directing style with her actors, how the crew pulled off the film's emotional finale, why the film is becoming one of the gems of 2023, and so much more! Use the code cinenation15 on

01:44:48

389 - Roman Holiday (1953)

CineNation ·

2026/02/05

"I don't know how to say goodbye." For Episode 389, Thomas and Brandon return from their holiday hiatus to discuss Brief Encounter Romance genre. They are starting off CineNation's series with one of the best romantic comedies of all time, ROMAN HOLIDAY. Listen as they discuss the film's connections to the Red Scare and Dalton Trumbo, the A-list talent that turned down the project, how they used real Italian locations for the American film, how it created a different career path for Gregory Peck,

02:12:40

THROWBACK: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

CineNation ·

2026/01/23

"I've had a rough year, dad." We're continuing our tribute series by taking a look back at Episode 312 on Wes Anderson's THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS in honor of the late Gene Hackman. Listen as Brandon and Thomas discuss Hackman's relationship with Wes Anderson, how the film used practical locations for the film, how quickly Ben Stiller had to make the movie, the struggles with the music choices, how the film elevated Wes Anderson to the next part of his career, and much more! Use the code cinenation15 on

01:30:51

THROWBACK: Top Secret! (1984)

CineNation ·

2026/01/16

"It all sounds like some bad movie." We're taking it back to January 2022 as we continue our tribute series to the people we lost in 2025. In honor of the late Val Kilmer, we take a look back at episode 196 when Thomas and Brandon discussed TOP SECRET! as part of their parody series. Listen as they discuss the hilarity of the Zucker Brothers and Jim Abrahams follow-up to AIRPLANE, how Val Kilmer was cast in the role, how the script was developed, the troubles of some of the film's famous gags, what

01:59:57

THROWBACK: When Harry Met Sally (1989)

CineNation ·

2026/01/09

"You realize of course that we could never be friends." We're taking it back to our 250th episode on WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. This month, as the CineNation team is on hiatus, we'll be releasing throwback episodes in honor of some the legends we lost in 2025. For this throwback episode, we're honoring Rob Reiner by taking a look back at his rom-com masterpiece. Listen as Brandon and Thomas discuss the inspiration behind the film, which A-List actors turned down the movie, what scenes were the most

01:47:33

388 - A Christmas Story (1983)

CineNation ·

2025/12/18

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid." For Episode 388, Brandon and David finish off their Christmas Comedy series with one of the most popular Christmas films of all time, A CHRISTMAS STORY. Listen as they discuss Jean Shepherd's writing, what inspired Bob Clark to make the movie, which A-List actor was almost cast in the film, how many child actors they went through to find Ralphie, how the film became a Christmas classic on television, and so much more! Use the code cinenation15 on thecinevault.com to

01:49:05

387 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

CineNation ·

2025/12/11

"I dedicate this house to the Griswold Family Christmas." For Episode 387, Thomas and Brandon continue CineNation's Christmas Comedy series with NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION. Listen as they discuss how John Hughes returned to the franchise he created, which director dropped out of the project, which future A-List actor was almost cast in the film, why the film couldn't be filmed in Hughes's hometown of Chicago, why the film has grown a legacy over the years, and so much more! Get your

02:03:05

386 - The Holdovers (2023)

CineNation ·

2025/12/04

"You can't even dream a whole dream, can you?" For Episode 386, David and Brandon kick off December with THE HOLDOVERS as part of CineNation's series on Christmas Comedies. Listen as they discuss how the story evolved from a modern-day television show to a period piece movie, how Dominic Sessa got discovered, how they used multiple schools for the movie, what films inspired the visuals of the movie, how it has quickly entered into the Christmas Movie Canon, and so much more! Get your tickets for

02:02:06

385 - The Night of the Hunter (1955)

CineNation ·

2025/11/26

"It's a hard world for little things." For Episode 385, Brandon and David finish their series of Horror Noir with one of the greatest films of all time, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. Listen as they discuss why led Charles Laughton to direct the Southern Gothic film, how Laughton's sexuality played a factor in the film's themes, why Robert Mitchum wanted to take on the lead role, how they captured some of the film's iconic shots, the immediate aftermath of the film's release, and so much more! Get your

01:58:12

384 - Se7en (1995)

CineNation ·

2025/11/20

"The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." For Episode 384, Brandon and David continue their Noirvember series on Horror Noir with Se7en. Listen as they discuss how Andrew Kevin Walker wrote the script while working at Tower Records, what convinced David Fincher to do the movie, which A-List directors and actors turned down the movie because it was too dark, how they created the film's influential title credits, the fight over the film's controversial ending, and so much more! Get your

412 results

CineNation

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE

David Yontef

Nerd Culture • A Gamekings Podcast

Blammo Media

UPodcast

UPodcast

The Writers Hangout

Sandy Adomaitis

The Sarah Fraser Show

Sarah Fraser