Rogues Gallery
Kristen, Mike, and Chris investigate pop culture's most memorable villains, antiheroes, and misunderstood monsters to find out how they make being bad look so good. New episodes every other Wednesday.
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Case File 095: Aliens
05/15/2024
Case File 095: Aliens
"Pod away from her you cast!" Okay, well that doesn't really work. But this movie sure does! 45 years later and James Cameron's Aliens is still very high on the list of greatest sequels ever made. Join us as we strap in for an express elevator ride to hell and discuss why it's anything but Game Over for this action/horror classic. Topics include: why it took seven years for this follow-up to materialize, key differences between Cameron's original treatment and the shooting script, the additional scenes included in the Special Edition and which version we prefer, how these incredible effects were achieved on a fairly modest budget, our favorite characters, the mystery of Kenner's "Aliens" toy line from the early 90s, alternate timeline sequels, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 094: Tron
05/01/2024
Case File 094: Tron
Greetings, programs! We're digitizing ourselves and entering ENCOM's mainframe to revisit the seminal sci-fi/action film Tron. Although the film pioneered some truly incredible visual effects technology, it wasn't the overwhelming box office success Disney had been hoping for. Still, Tron developed a cult following and became an enormous influence on the next generation of forward-looking artists, musicians, and filmmakers. Topics include: why the original screenwriter feels the finished product is weaker than earlier iterations of the story, how the character of Flynn was reimagined after Jeff Bridges was cast, a few issues with the first act that ripple across the entire movie, some of the surprisingly low-tech techniques that were used to create the innovative effects, our thoughts on Tron: Legacy, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 093: Sleeping With The Enemy
04/17/2024
Case File 093: Sleeping With The Enemy
We can't live without you... and we won't let you live without us! This week, we're revisiting Sleeping With The Enemy starring Julia Roberts and Patrick Bergin. It may not be as well-remembered as some of Roberts' other films from this era, but back in 1991, this modestly budgeted thriller about a young woman on the run from the ultimate husband-from-hell scored big at the box office. Like, really really big. Ten times its budget big. It deserves a lot of credit for attempting to approach subject matter like this in a more realistic way, but like many first steps, the results are a little awkward. Just a heads up - it probably goes without saying if you're familiar with the film, but please be aware that some sensitive topics are broached here concerning abusive relationships. | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 092: Mr. Freeze (Batman: The Animated Series)
04/03/2024
Case File 092: Mr. Freeze (Batman: The Animated Series)
Heart of Ice has become the signature episode of Batman: The Animated Series, but it's just the tip of the iceberg (see what we did there?) We're using this bold reinvention of Mr. Freeze as a jumping-off point to talk about the history of this seminal show and why it remains our favorite adaptation of the Caped Crusader and his rogues. Topics include: Freeze's Silver Age origins (where he was known as Mr. Zero), his handful of appearances on the 60s Batman show, the perception of him prior to Batman: The Animated Series, the story behind this dramatically revamped iteration of the character, the surprisingly nuanced approach the creators took with so many of the villains, the incredible voice cast, how B:TAS successfully synthesized fifty years worth of Batman into something that felt new and familiar at the same time, Freeze's evolution across his subsequent appearances, how this depiction was eventually introduced into the comic books, why this remains the high watermark for so many of these characters, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 091: The Hitcher
03/20/2024
Case File 091: The Hitcher
The Hitcher wasn't particularly well-received when it was released in 1986, but it has developed a dedicated following in the intervening years. And a big part of that is unquestionably due to Rutger Hauer's standout performance as the title character. It's as menacing, beguiling, and unusual as the film itself. So join us as we hitch a ride with this cult classic and open up a case file on the mysterious John Ryder. | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 090: Beauty and the Beast
03/06/2024
Case File 090: Beauty and the Beast
Be our guest as we dive into the enchanting world of Beauty and the Beast. In this episode, we explore the origins of the original fairy tale, Disney's prior attempts to bring it to the big screen, why the character of Gaston was instrumental in finally making this all work, how the film helped set the stage for the era known as the "Disney Renaissance", its direct-to-video follow-ups, the live-action remake from 2017, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 089: The Crow
02/21/2024
Case File 089: The Crow
The legacy of The Crow is inextricably intertwined with tragedy. A devastating loss inspired the creation of the original comic book and then another would cast a shadow over its feature film adaptation. But this blistering tale of love, revenge, and catharsis struck a chord with a legion of fans... and for one of your hosts, this was a story that found them at exactly the right time. In this episode, we're doing a deep dive into all of it: the comic, the film, the accident, the aftermath, and so much more. Fire it up! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 088: Fargo
02/07/2024
Case File 088: Fargo
Fargo, eh? You're darn tootin'! After the disappointing reception to their previous film, the Coen brothers decided to retreat into something much smaller in scope. And although they expected Fargo to have somewhat limited appeal, it would go on to become one of their biggest hits. Topics include: the nebulous nature of the movie's claim that this is based on a true story, the lengths William H. Macy went to in order to secure his role, how Roger Deakins' cinematography reinforces the major themes of the story, the origins of the film's unusual but iconic score, pushback on the idea that this is in any way punching down at Minnesotans, the movie's unexpected success, the first attempt to turn it into a television series back in 1997, the more successful incarnation that began in 2013, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 087: Rosemary's Baby
01/24/2024
Case File 087: Rosemary's Baby
This is no dream. This is really happening! Join us as we move into the Bramford building and get to know the new neighbors. In this episode, we're investigating the history and impact of Rosemary's Baby. Topics include: the state of the horror genre when this movie was released, why there was initially some resistance to the idea of hiring Roman Polanski to direct this, their atypical choices for the two lead roles and the more conventional names that were considered, how the decision to make the supernatural elements more ambiguous created multiple ways to interpret the film, the less successful follow-ups, the degree to which Polanski's controversial legacy hangs over all of this, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 086: The Silence of the Lambs
01/10/2024
Case File 086: The Silence of the Lambs
It's a brand new season of Rogues Gallery and we're kicking things off with what's become our most requested title... The Silence of the Lambs! Topics include: Hannibal Lecter's first on-screen appearance in the film Manhunter, why director Jonathan Demme was an unlikely choice to helm this, alternate casting choices for the lead roles, how hard Jodie Foster campaigned for Clarice and the reason this project meant so much to her, Anthony Hopkins' transformative (and star-making) performance, whether or not Ted Levine's turn as Buffalo Bill has been overshadowed by the complicated and controversial aspects of that character, the unexpected critical and commercial success the movie received, all of the various attempts to cash in on that success (sequels, prequels, and TV shows), why certain iterations of Lecter are more effective than others, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series:
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Case File 085: The Haunted Mansion (The Ride)
10/18/2023
Case File 085: The Haunted Mansion (The Ride)
Welcome foolish mortals... to the season finale of Rogues Gallery! To celebrate Halloween, we're investigating the history, development, and lasting legacy of the world's most famous haunted house attraction: Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. Topics include: earlier iterations of the ride's plot, why the opening was delayed for so long, key differences between the Disneyland and Disney World versions, the surprisingly low-tech approach to many of the incredible effects, how the ride has evolved over the years, the reasoning behind some of the big changes made to the attraction for international parks, the two live-action movies, the Muppet special, unproduced screenplays, and much more! Rogues Gallery will return with new episodes on January 10th! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 084 - Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
10/04/2023
Case File 084 - Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
This one's probably not taking the top spot in anyone's ranking of the Halloween movies, but The Revenge of Michael Myers has a pretty interesting behind-the-scenes story brimming with fascinating what-ifs, missed opportunities, and cautionary tales. Topics include: how earlier drafts tackled Part 4's cliffhanger ending, Rachel's early exit and her controversial replacement, mixed feelings about the inclusion of more overtly supernatural elements, the underdeveloped subplot about Jamie and Michael's connection, the awkward addition of The Man in Black, your answers to Ultimate Match Up, Kristen's predictions for Halloween 6, and more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 083: Starship Troopers
09/20/2023
Case File 083: Starship Troopers
The leaves are changing color and the air is feeling a little crisper. Fall is here and you know what that means... It's time for Fall Verhoeven! It's our annual retrospective of the films of Paul Verhoeven and this year we're enlisting for a tour of duty with the brave citizens of Starship Troopers. Although it's loosely based on Robert Heinlein's seminal (and controversial) novel, the movie is less an adaptation and more of a satirical takedown of its source text. A fact that went over the heads of most critics and audiences back in 1997. Since then, Starship Troopers has undergone a fairly dramatic reappraisal and is now a beloved entry in Verhoeven's filmography for many of the same reasons it was initially panned. Topics include: the film's development as "Bug Hunt At Outpost Nine" and the makeover it received once the studio acquired the rights to Heinlein's novel, how a scathing indictment of fascism and militarism wound up being accused of championing those ideals, some of the major cuts and alterations that had to be made in order to bring this in on budget, the many factors that contributed to its dismal box office performance, all the straight to video sequels, rumors of a more faithful adaptation, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 082: Pacific Rim
09/06/2023
Case File 082: Pacific Rim
We're canceling the apocalypse and opening up a case file on Guillermo del Toro's kaiju vs. mech slugfest Pacific Rim. Topics include: how the film reignited del Toro's passion for filmmaking after a handful of other projects fell apart, the deliberate decision to avoid any gratuitous references to its key influences, whether or not the incredibly detailed lore is offset by occasionally thin characterization, the underwhelming sequel, some surprisingly strong comic book and animated tie-ins, a few theories on why this wasn't a bigger hit, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 081: The Fugitive
08/23/2023
Case File 081: The Fugitive
In honor of its 30th anniversary, we’re opening up a case file on The Fugitive! Although the film wound up being a critical and commercial hit, it first had to survive a surprisingly arduous development process and an even more chaotic production. It’s actually kind of a miracle that it turned out this good. So join us as we investigate The Fugitive’s long journey from development hell to bona fide classic. Topics include: the 1960s TV series and the real-life case that inspired it, how drastically different earlier iterations of the film’s plot were, alternate casting choices for Kimble and Gerard, why they had to start shooting without a finished script, subplots that were cut, the new ending that was added, how the story was further transformed in editing, the forgotten sequel, other adaptations, and more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 080: Oldboy (2003)
08/09/2023
Case File 080: Oldboy (2003)
Park Chan-wook’s action/thriller Oldboy was a watershed moment for South Korean cinema. Here in the West, the film’s success led to a slew of “extreme” movies that emphasized over-the-top gore and violence. And while Oldboy certainly doesn’t skimp on bloodshed, its most disturbing aspects emanate from the taboo subject matter and dark themes it’s exploring. Topics include: the original manga that the film is loosely based on, how Park Chan-wook’s attitude towards the depiction of sex and violence in his movies has changed over the years, the clever subversion of certain antihero tropes, different interpretations of the ending, the 2013 American remake, and more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 079: Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child)
07/26/2023
Case File 079: Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child)
It’s time to re-open our case film on the Springwood Slasher and investigate the chaotic production of A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child. We’re entering a particularly rough patch of this franchise and by all accounts, everyone involved with this entry realized pretty quickly that the deck had been stacked against them. Topics include: the producers settling on a title and a poster before there was a script, their desire to return the series to its darker roots, how successfully this deals with the complicated issues its tackling, the continued muddling of an already confusing mythology, standout sequences, the lackluster reception, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 078: World War Z
07/12/2023
Case File 078: World War Z
The plot of World War Z is pretty straightforward, but the film's journey to the big screen was anything but. In this episode, we investigate why the filmmakers deviated so substantially from the novel and how this became one of the most troubled productions in recent memory. Topics include: why they rejected an initial script that was much closer to the source material, how almost everyone involved was in over their head, the disastrous first cut, the extensive reshoots, bizarre remnants of that original version, whether or not the movie succeeds on its own terms, how it became a bigger-than-expected box office hit, the frustrating reason a very promising sequel never came together, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 077: The Talented Mr. Ripley
06/28/2023
Case File 077: The Talented Mr. Ripley
There have been several adaptations of Patricia Highsmith's Ripley novels, but 1999's The Talented Mr. Ripley remains the definitive cinematic interpretation of the cunning con artist. And that's despite the fact that it makes some pretty substantial changes to the source text and the title character. In this episode, we compare and contrast the book and the film, discuss Highsmith's complicated reputation and how her own personal demons infused her work, discover just how many new elements writer/director Anthony Minghella added to the story, and touch on some of the other Ripley adaptations and the upcoming TV series. | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 076: Prey (2022)
06/14/2023
Case File 076: Prey (2022)
For many fans of the Predator franchise, Prey was simultaneously a welcome return to form and a refreshing expansion of the mythology. In this episode, we track the film's top-secret development, detail its grueling production, and speculate where the series might go from here. | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 075: The Mist
05/31/2023
Case File 075: The Mist
The Mist is a largely faithful adaptation of Stephen King's original novella with one major exception. It's a decision that viewers have been debating since the film was released in the fall of 2007. In this episode, we compare and contrast both versions of the story, the film's long road to the big screen, how its box office success was hobbled by its marketing and release date, where it ranks in the pantheon of King adaptations, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 074: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
05/19/2023
Case File 074: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
When Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was released in 1984, many audiences and critics felt it was too dark and too weird in comparison to its predecessor. But for a whole other subset of the fandom, those elements were precisely what made this one so special. In this episode, we investigate the behind the scenes circumstances that led to an Indy sequel that zigged instead of zagged and see how the most divisive entry in the franchise holds up nearly forty years later. | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 073: The Devil Wears Prada
05/03/2023
Case File 073: The Devil Wears Prada
Gird your loins! The Devil Wears Prada gave Meryl Streep an opportunity to sink her teeth into a deliciously villainous character, but you might be surprised to discover how different the film is from the bestselling novel it's based on. In this episode, we investigate the real-life inspiration for the character of Miranda, how that bolstered and hindered the development of the movie, a major subplot from the book the filmmakers decided to excise, why so many fans dislike Andy's boyfriend, how the film became a surprise hit, why the novel's two sequels were never adapted, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 072: The Joker (The Dark Knight)
04/19/2023
Case File 072: The Joker (The Dark Knight)
When it was announced that Heath Ledger would be playing the Joker, a firestorm of controversy erupted. But when The Dark Knight hit theaters in the summer of 2008, naysayers found themselves with a whole heaping plate of crow to eat. This isn't just the best villain in a Batman movie, it's one of the great movie villains PERIOD. In this episode, we're investigating the way Christopher Nolan and his team radically reinterpreted this iconic character and forever changed the perception of what comic book movies could be. "And here. We. Go." | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 071: The Wicked Witch (The Wizard of Oz)
04/05/2023
Case File 071: The Wicked Witch (The Wizard of Oz)
Although it's one of the most beloved movies of all time, The Wizard of Oz was also nightmare fuel for a lot of us when we were kids. But while The Wicked Witch and her flying monkeys terrorized Dorothy and her friends on screen, it turns out the real nightmares were taking place behind the scenes. Join us as we investigate the troubled production of one of Hollywood's most iconic films, the tragic life of its leading lady, and the enduring legacy of a magical land that exists somewhere over the rainbow. | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 070: Leprechaun
03/22/2023
Case File 070: Leprechaun
Try as they will and try as they might, whoever steals his gold won't live through the night! Join us for a (slightly belated) St. Patrick's Day celebration as we revisit the 1993 horror/comedy Leprechaun. We discuss the reasons behind the bizarre tonal shifts in the film, the vaguely defined powers of the title character, how Jennifer Aniston really feels about her big-screen debut, the savage reviews, its box office success, the wild ride the sequels take viewers on, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 069: Beetlejuice
03/08/2023
Case File 069: Beetlejuice
We're back! And on this episode, we're putting together a case file on the ghost with the most - Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice! Our investigation digs into the original (and much darker) version of this script, the pivotal point Tim Burton's career was at, the unusual first choice for the title role, our favorite sequences, other media Beetlejuice has appeared in, whether or not the proposed sequel could still work, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 068: Gremlins 2 / Volcano / Alien 3
11/23/2022
Case File 068: Gremlins 2 / Volcano / Alien 3
This week we've got a Thanksgiving Turkey Triple Play! Each of us has chosen a movie that was critically maligned upon its original release and we're going to debate whether or not they've earned a reappraisal. On the chopping block we've got Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Volcano, and Alien 3! The RG gang is going to be taking a brief break for the holidays, but follow us on social media using the links below to stay up to date with the show and our other endeavors. | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 067: King Kong (1933)
11/09/2022
Case File 067: King Kong (1933)
We're going all the way back to 1933 to investigate one of the most influential films of all-time: the original King Kong. The technical innovations employed here catapulted the entire industry forward by leaps and bounds, but Kong also set the template for the structure and pacing of modern action/adventure films. We explore the cinematic landscape it was released in, some interesting alternate versions of the script, the special effects wizardry that brought Kong to life, their revolutionary approach to sound design and music, how the various remakes and sequels have reinterpreted or recontextualized the material, why this one still works so well 90 years later, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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Case File 066 - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
10/24/2022
Case File 066 - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
As part of our ongoing retrospective of the Halloween franchise, we're heading back to Haddonfield for 1988's Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. After the lackluster box office performance of the Myers-less Halloween III, the mandate for this installment was simple: back to basics. Too basic? Maybe. But at the time, Return's adherence to a tried-and-true formula was what fans were looking for and the film's success helped get the series back on track... temporarily, at least. Topics include: John Carpenter & Debra Hill's early involvement and their original concept for resurrecting Michael, another early draft that had a much different character arc for Jamie, the story behind the new mask and the issues it created, trading in the creeping dread of the previous movies for a more action-oriented approach, the shocking ending and whether or not they ever intended to follow through on what it sets up, Halloween 4's legacy within the franchise, and much more! | | | | | Chris's & | Kristen's Chris & Kristen's Web Series: Chris's Substack Newsletter:
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