Cinema Shock

We're kicking off our new retrospective series, John Carpenter: The Shape of Dread, with a two-part look at ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13. This week, we examine the early life and formative influences of John Carpenter, tracking his upbringing and his time at the University of Southern California before he jumped into his second feature assignment.

We break down the initial development of the script and how Carpenter adapted classic Western tropes for a contemporary, urban landscape. We also follow the production timeline through the logistics of securing financing and assembling the essential cast and crew, including the casting of Austin Stoker and Darwin Joston. Part 2 drops next week, covering the chaotic shoot and the film's enduring legacy.

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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

By the power of Grayskull, the listeners have spoken! For our June new release review, the members of CinemaShock+ have chosen MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, the major live-action revival of He-Man and the forces of Eternia. Starring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Idris Elba, and Jared Leto, the film represents Mattel's most significant theatrical push since BARBIE took over the world three years ago.

We'll be taking a trek through the hyper-stylized world built by director Travis Knight, evaluating how it handles decades of lore, and discussing our childhood nostalgia for Eternia stands up against modern studio tropes. We discuss the balancing act between serving genuine 80s nostalgia and appealing to an entirely new audience, breaking down whether this block of corporate intellectual property holds any genuine artistic merit.

As a reminder, members of CinemaShock+ have the voting power to choose what New Release we review each month, so if you want to help decide what July's bonus episode will be, head to cinemashock.net/plus to become a member today!

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

This week on Cinema Shock, we're beginning our deep dive into the master of genre cinema with John Carpenter: The Shape of Dread. To set the stage, we’re throwing it back to an episode from April 2021, where we originally analyzed DARK STAR through the lens of its co-writer, special effects designer, and lead actor, Dan O'Bannon.

We’re dissecting the brilliant, low-budget ingenuity required to get this movie off the ground, analyzing how Carpenter's atmospheric scoring and structural pacing first mixed with O'Bannon's cynical, comedic sensibilities. We explore the film’s unique legacy — a bridge between the utopian sci-fi of the late 60s and the gritty, blue-collar cosmic dread that would define the late 70s. Join us as we look back at the origins of a legendary cinematic partnership, the absurdity of the "Thermostellar Bomb," and the very beginning of John Carpenter's filmography.

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This episode contains bonus segments, which on future episodes of this series will be exclusive to members of CinemaShock+! Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.

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

This week on Cinema Shock, we’re reviewing I LOVE BOOSTERS, a film that injects a shot of adrenaline and style into the modern crime genre. Moving far beyond the typical heist tropes, the movie focuses on a crew of boosters targeting the ultra-luxury fashion industry — transforming a criminal enterprise into a dangerous game of survival and status.

We’re breaking down the film's visual language and how it uses a neon-soaked palette to mirror the glossy world its characters are trying to infiltrate. We also explore the underlying themes of class anxiety and corporate greed, tracking how Riley's storytelling here draws a direct line back to his early musical days with The Coup. Join us as we dissect the performances, the music, and the sharp cultural critique that makes this one of the most refreshing thrillers we've seen in a minute.

🎧 Want even more?
CinemaShock+ subscribers have the power to vote for our monthly new release reviews! Learn more at cinemashock.net/plus.

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

The results of our April poll are in, and the community has spoken. While we had a stacked ballot this month, the votes swung decisively toward the most controversial and unsettling name on the list.

This week, we are reviewing FACES OF DEATH.

Directed by Daniel Goldhaber, this 2026 reimagining takes the infamous "snuff" legacy of the 1978 original and drags it into the digital age. We discuss Barbie Ferreira’s performance as a content moderator who descends into an obsessive spiral after discovering a series of violent videos that mimic the original film's most gruesome moments.

In this deep dive, we break down how the film tackles our collective desensitization to online violence and whether the "meta" layer of the 1978 film existing in this universe actually works. We also look at the supporting cast — including Dacre Montgomery and Charli XCX — and discuss where this sits in the current landscape of extreme cinema.

Note on Spoilers: We keep things general for most of the conversation. Specific plot spoilers are discussed from 01:03:14 through 01:11:54.

If you want to vote on our next New Release review, join the community at CinemaShock+! Members get exclusive voting rights, plus access to our weekly FIRE SHOCK WITH ME series covering TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN.

Join now at cinemashock.net/plus

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