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LABYRINTH (1986) | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
"Everything I've done, I've done for you. I move the stars for no one.” After the release of THE DARK CRYSTAL — and its critical and commercial failure — Jim Henson and his collaborator on that project, illustrator Brian Froud, went back to the drawing board for their next ambitious fantasy project. Utilizing the lessons that they’d learned on that film, they looked to craft another story with the same amount of imagination, but with more humor, more heart, more music and… more humans. The resulting film, LABYRINTH, was not much more well-received at the time of its release, but like its predecessor, it’s gone on to become a beloved film, one that’s now considered a classic and one of the creative pinnacles of Henson’s career. In this episode, we tell down the full story of how LABYRINTH was made, from its original concept, to the dozens of script drafts that it went through during its development, to the casting of David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly (and the actors who almost got the parts instead), and all of the innovative puppetry and creature creation that brought it to life. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson 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 & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
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2:39:47
Rewind: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986)
This episode was originally released in May 2022. In this Cinema Shock Rewind episode, we're revisiting our episode on Frank Oz's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Oz got his start as Jim Henson's closest collaborator, working with Jim during the Muppets' early years, and serving as a key piece of the Muppets' creative framework through the years of The Muppet Show and the subsequent feature films. In fact, Oz made his solo directorial debut on THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHANTTAN, which led to him being courted for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS not long after. In this episode, we'll tell you the full story of how LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS was made, now with the added context of Oz's participation in the world of The Muppets. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson 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 & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
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1:53:18
THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN (1984) | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
"Hey, I tell you what is. Big city, hmm? Live, work, huh? But not city only. Only peoples. Peoples is peoples. No is buildings. Is tomatoes, huh? Is peoples, is dancing, is music, is potatoes. So, peoples is peoples. Okay?" With his dream project THE DARK CRYSTAL taking so much of his time and energy, Jim Henson was content to slim down his role on the next Muppet project and allow his right hand man Frank Oz to take the helm in his first solo directing feature. THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN would be the last Muppet film that Henson would be involved with before his untimely passing a few years later, but the film's legacy would have a lasting impact on his company, especially in the form of the Muppet Babies, who'd get their own Saturday morning cartoon, inspired by a sequence from the film. And let's not forget the media circus that surrounded the wedding of the century! In this episode, we give all the details on how the film came to be, from its concept, multiple script changes, release and beyond! Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson Join the Community: Substack | Discord 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 & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
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2:19:18
THE DARK CRYSTAL (1982) | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
"Another world, another time, in the age of wonder. A thousand years ago, this land was green and good - until the Crystal cracked." After the completion of THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER, Jim Henson focused on a project that had been in the works for years — its earliest seeds were planted well before even The Muppet Show had begun production — an ambitious fantasy film made in collaboration with renowned illustrator Brian Froud. That film, THE DARK CRYSTAL, would be Jim's most ambitious project to date. It's a film that pushed the limits of what puppetry was capable of, essentially creating an entirely new artform that would change the landscape of movie special effects for years to come. But it was also a great artistic and financial risk for Henson. When it was released, audiences didn't quite know what to think of it, but the film has become to be considered a bonafide classic in the decades since. In this episode, we'll detail the years long process to bring THE DARK CRYSTAL to the screen. D&D LIVE FOR CHARITY, Hosted by Mr. Todd A. Davis Comedians, Drag Performers, and Pro Wrestlers play Dungeons & Dragons in front of a LIVE audience to benefit The Julie Valentine Center! 🎟Purchase Tickets🎟 Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson 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 & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
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2:17:16
THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER (1981) | Jim Henson: Heart Felt
"There'll be mystery and catastrophe! But it's all in fun, you paid the money - wait and see! Hey! A movie! Starring everybody! And me!" After the success of THE MUPPET MOVIE, Jim Henson had hoped to get funding for a fantasy film that had become a sort of dream project of his. But that film — which would not feature the beloved and recognizable Muppets — would be a sizeable risk, so his producer convinced him to strike while the iron was hot and make a sequel to THE MUPPET MOVIE before embarking on his ambitious fantasy project. This time around, Jim Henson himself would be in the director's chair, creating a new adventure for the Muppet gang that would be a send-up of classic Hollywood films. In this episode of Jim Henson: Heart Felt, we'll detail the full story of how THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER was made, from its early script woes, through its envelope-pushing puppetry innovations, and its eventual release and reception, where it was met with high expecations. Want to support the show? Subscribers of CinemaShock+ can enjoy an extended version of this episode, which includes bonus segments and additional content, plus get access to all episodes two days early, exclusive merchandise discounts, and more. Join now at cinemashock.net/plus. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Andrew C. | Andy Lancaster | asotirov | Benjamin Yates | Caverly | Curt M. | Elton Novara | Interzone78 | Jackson_Baker | Justin V. | Lucy Lawson | Nate Izod | Nathan Kelley | qoheleth | Robert Stinson 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 & Todd A. Davis. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
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1:53:57