On this episode of the Captive Eye (formerly Diabolique Webcast), writer/producer/director J. P. Ouillette and Prof. David Kleiler join me to discuss director Michael Powell’s intriguingly meticulous 1960 classic.

#44 - PEEPING TOM (1960)

On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, writer and critic Deirdre Crimmins joins us to discuss director Herk Harvey’s 1962 cult classic. Yes, cult classic—a phrase these days so easily tossed around and blown over the edge that it’s drowning in insignificance; but here, with Carnival of Souls, it couldn’t be more aptly applied.

#43 - CARNIVAL OF SOULS (1962)

On this special episode of the Diabolique Webcast, Jean-Paul Ouellette, the second unit action director on The Terminator, adds some never-before-shared behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the film. The episode consists of two parts. In the first part, I discusses the film with David Kleiler and J-P Ouellette. In the second part, J-P and I hold an in-depth discussion on the making of the film.

#42 - THE TERMINATOR (1984)

Earlier this year, when Shout Factory announced their Blu-ray release of John Carpenter’s Village of the Damned, I can’t say I was enthusiastic about the news. It mostly served to remind me how much I wanted to like the film and that I found it hugely disappointing. Sure, it’s neatly stylish, and even cool at times. But it’s a colorfully lackluster endeavor that sure doesn’t stand up to director Wolf Rilla’s black-and-white original—a film more worthy of appreciation.On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, J. P. Ouellette, David Kleiler, and I discuss the 1960 original Village of the Damned, which needs the well-produced-Blu-ray-release treatment afforded its remake.

Earlier this year, when Shout Factory announced their Blu-ray release of John Carpenter’s Village of the Damned, I can’t say I was enthusiastic about the news. It mostly served to remind me how much I wanted to like the film and that I found it hugely disappointing. Sure, it’s neatly stylish, and even cool at times. But it’s a colorfully lackluster endeavor that sure doesn’t stand up to director Wolf Rilla’s black-and-white original—a film more worthy of appreciation. On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, J. P. Ouellette, David Kleiler, and I discuss the 1960 original Village of the Damned, which needs the well-produced-Blu-ray-release treatment afforded its remake.

#41 - VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED (1960)

Roman Polanski

The Tenant isn't the first film I think of when the name Roman Polanski is mentioned. The director's 1976 film strikes me more as a curiosity. Does its central character, Trelkovsky, out of all the characters in Polanski's films, most represent the the real Roman Polanski? Parallels are easily drawn; it seems certainly a strong case of a filmmaker's identification with a character. And that's The Tenant's attraction. We could well be watching a surreal impression of Polanski's timorous life.

#40 - Roman Polanski’s THE TENANT (1976)

David Lynch

Mulholland Drive is perhaps a unique sort of puzzle—one that's different upon every deconstruction. Conversationally you can take the film apart and put it back together and maybe you'll come up with an entirely different theory as to what's truly going on in director David Lynch's 2001 psychodrama.On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, writer/producer/director J. P. Ouillette and Prof. David Kleiler join me to discuss Mulholland Drive, which was recently released on Blu-ray by The Criterion Collection. Speaking for myself, if I recorded this podcast again I might arrive at completely different conclusions about the film. So go ahead and press play for my current take.

Mulholland Drive is perhaps a unique sort of puzzle—one that's different upon every deconstruction. Conversationally you can take the film apart and put it back together and maybe you'll come up with an entirely different theory as to what's truly going on in director David Lynch's 2001 psychodrama. On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, writer/producer/director J. P. Ouillette and Prof. David Kleiler join me to discuss Mulholland Drive, which was recently released on Blu-ray by The Criterion Collection. Speaking for myself, if I recorded this podcast again I might arrive at completely different conclusions about the film. So go ahead and press play for my current take.

#39 - David Lynch’s MULHOLLAND DRIVE (2001)

David Cronenberg

The Brood entertains the notion that psychotherapy can be dangerous. It doesn’t merely result in a changing of one’s mind, it can also result in a changing of one’s body—disturbingly so. And woe be the therapist who messes around with this power. This playing on a fear of psychology is the territory of David Cronenberg.On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, writer/producer/director J. P. Ouillette joins David Kleiler and me to discuss The Brood, which will soon be released on Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection.

The Brood entertains the notion that psychotherapy can be dangerous. It doesn’t merely result in a changing of one’s mind, it can also result in a changing of one’s body—disturbingly so. And woe be the therapist who messes around with this power. This playing on a fear of psychology is the territory of David Cronenberg. On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, writer/producer/director J. P. Ouillette joins David Kleiler and me to discuss The Brood, which will soon be released on Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection.

#38 - David Cronenberg’s THE BROOD (1979)

From a technical strand-point, director Brian de Palma's 1980 psychological thriller Dressed to Kill is top notch. His fascination with the techniques of filmmaking makes the film a treasure trove for cinephiles. The film has its detractors, of course, but fans of split-diopter and tracking shots can't deny that Dressed to Kill has beautiful examples of both. And I'll admit, I can be charmed by a film's style enough to forgive deviations from its narrative. Mr. de Palma believes you can too.On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, David Kleiler and I consider the merits of Dressed to Kill, which will be released on Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection in September.

From a technical strand-point, director Brian de Palma's 1980 psychological thriller Dressed to Kill is top notch. His fascination with the techniques of filmmaking makes the film a treasure trove for cinephiles. The film has its detractors, of course, but fans of split-diopter and tracking shots can't deny that Dressed to Kill has beautiful examples of both. And I'll admit, I can be charmed by a film's style enough to forgive deviations from its narrative. Mr. de Palma believes you can too. On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, David Kleiler and I consider the merits of Dressed to Kill, which will be released on Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection in September.

#37 - Brian De Palma’s DRESSED TO KILL (1980)

Time has been good to Escape from New York. From the cinema netherworld of the early 80s, John Carpenter’s dystopian adventure prospered on home-video, spawned a sequel, and has been emblemized by cinephiles as an avatar of eighties cool. On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, Improper Bostonian film critic, and fellow Boston Online Film Critic Association member, Brett Michel and I discuss the making of Escape from New York and the film’s lasting appeal.​

#36 - John Carpenter’s ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981)

Much has been written about Quentin Tarantino’s influences – the Spaghetti Westerns of Leone and Corbucci; the French New wave, particularly Goddard’s Band of Outsiders and Breathless; and, more significantly McBride’s 1983 remake of Breathless. And let’s not forget the Italian horrors of Mario Bava and Dario Argento; Fukusaku’s Battle Royale; and American Slasher films. With Death Proof, Tarantino creates a fascinating combination of these influences within the framework of a Slasher film. In this episode, David Kleiler and I take on the unique genre mash-up that is Death Proof, Tarantino’s tip-of-the-hat to Grindhouse cinema.​

#35 - Jaromil Jireš’ VALERIE AND HER WEEK OF WONDERS (1970)

In conjunction with it's popular print magazine, Diabolique offers authoritative and in-depth coverage of int'l horror, sci-fi, and fantasy cinema, past and present. Each webcast is presented in a compelling style that both stimulates and entertains. Each webcast features special guests, established film scholars, writers, and journalists. The show is produced by people who love the Horror Movie Genre and are dedicated to bringing it to the world. New episodes added regularly, so get some popcorn... RELAX and enjoy the show!

Stephen is a fan of film process and approaches any film critique with this production process in mind.  The result is a fascinating discussion with film makers that covers far more than I would ever comprehend from my seat in the theater.  It&#39;s a discussion that takes you far deeper than a simple critical review of actors and plots.  It has given me a deeper appreciation for films I may have overlooked and helped me understand more about my favorite films and directors.

Best in the business of film criticism

very good talk podcast.I love Night of the hunter,and this discussion was fullof great insights and info.

night of the hunter

Diabolique Webcast

He believed in peace in darkness, friendship in solitude, and for some of his characters, freedom in death; even admitting to an RKO executive that the message of The Seventh Victim (1943) was, in fact, "Death is good." His films abound in sly and clever details (qualities diminished by home video). Val Lewton (1904 - 1951) was a master of dark subtleties. On this special episode, inspired by the upcoming Val Lewton retrospective at the Harvard Film Archive, film professor, and ex-artistic director of The Coolidge Corner Theater, David Kleiler, and Ambrose Roche, producer of Pontypool, who sites Lewton as a key influence on his work, join me to discuss Lewton's RKO productions, from 1942's Cat People to 1946's Bedlam, and his enduring legacy.

#25 - The VAL LEWTON Roundtable

Lars von Trier

The dark 1996 film, Breaking the Waves distills the artistry of its creator, Danish filmmaker Lars Von Trier, more than any other of his films. This progressively warped and partially improvised drama, bound within remarkably cogent chapter breaks, strikes emotional depths, and is a unique example of a film with the ability to restore one’s faith in the art. Joining me on this episode is film professor David Klieler and our guest Kaj Wilson—a board member and former Artistic Director of the Boston Jewish film Festival, a film critic for WBUR, and a former film editor for the Improper Bostonian.

#26 - Lars von Trier’s BREAKING THE WAVES

George Sluizer

What would you do if you and your significant other stopped at a gas station while traveling, and your significant other suddenly vanished without trace? That is the premise for George Sluizer's haunting and very disturbing 1988 film, The Vanishing, which has just been released on Blu-ray by The Criterion Collection. David Klieler and Steve Head discuss the film in depth.

#31 - George Sluizer's THE VANISHING

On this episode of the Diabolique Webcast, David Klieler and Steve Head consider the career of director David Cronenberg; with particular emphasis on his 1981 film Scanners, which has recently been released on Blu-ray by The Criterion Collection.

#30 - David Cronenberg's SCANNERS

Werner Herzog

​Thirty-five years after it's initial release, Nosferatu the Vampyre, Werner Herzog's haunting tone poem of death and loneliness is as potent today as it was in 1979. To celebrate the film's recent arrival on blu-ray for the first time in both the US and the UK, Fangoria Magazine #334 has featured it on its cover. Steve Head and David Kleiler discuss the film with special guest, Fangoria's editor, Chris Alexander. The film is available on blu-ray from the BFI in the UK, and from Shout! Factory in the US.​

#27 - Werner Herzog’s NOSFERATU THE VAMPYRE

Nicolas Roeg

​Steve Head and David Kleiler discuss Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now (1973), a haunting supernatural thriller, starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. The film is renowned for its innovative editing and striking cinematography, as well as for its naturalistic eroticism. It is being released on blu-ray by the Criterion Collection, in an impressive new 4k restoration.​

#33 - Nicolas Roeg’s DON'T LOOK NOW (1973)

Orson Welles

​Peter Keough joins David and Steve for a round-table discussion on Orson Welles, one of cinema's original independent filmmakers. Two of the films they focus on are Othello (1952) and F for Fake (1973), both of which have recently been released on blu-ray for the first time. Othello is available on BD in France, from Carlotta Films; while F for Fake has just been released on BD by Criterion in the USA.​

#32 - The Orson Welles Roundtable - OTHELLO and F FOR FAKE

Jim Jarmusch

​​Join Steve Head and David Kleiler for a discussion on Jim Jarmusch's ultra-cool vampire film, Only Lovers Left Alive, starring Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston. The film is available on blu-ray, August 19 2014, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

#29 - Jim Jarmusch's ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE

Herschell Gordon Lewis

​​On the eve of beginning production on his new film, Blood Mania, the Godfather of Gore Herschell Gordon Lewis talks with us about his career, the state of the film industry and his relationship with his audience. Known for his films Blood Feast, Gore Gore Girls and The Wizard of Gore, Lewis redefined contemporary horror films with humour and guts. Joined by James Saito, producer of Blood Mania, they talk about, Diabolique Films, the new production company that’s producing Blood Mania, and reveal some tidbits about future projects.

#28 - Herschell Gordon Lewis’ BLOOD MANIA

Giving credit where it’s due, cinephiles must thank Liz Coffey, an archivist at the Harvard Film Archive, for saving the only known-to-exist 35mm print of the “middle version” of “The Wicker Man.” Its discovery - following an inquiry by a representative of Studio Canal, who later confirmed the print’s edit with director Robin Hardy - was one of the great finds at the HFA in 2013.  On this episode of the webcast, Liz tells the untold story about how the print arrived at the HFA (one possibly being via Roger Corman), how it was nearly thrown away, and how it was saved.

#24 - Saving THE WICKER MAN (1973)

Steve Head and David Kleiler welcome special guest, Bret Wood, Vice President and Executive Producer at Kino Lorber, to discuss Kino's new blu-ray release of F. W. Murnau's NOSFERATU (1922), the film that Werner Herzog called the most important German film ever made.

#22 - F. W. Murnau's NOSFERATU (1922)

Kaneto Shindo

With Eureka Entertainment's release of Kaneto Shindo's ONIBABA (1964) on blu-ray, Steve Head, David Kleiler, and Brett Michel discuss this genre-bending film, which is part horror film, part myth, part samurai epic, part erotic thriller, and part historical drama.

#19 - Kaneto Shindo's ONIBABA (1964)

Stanley Kubrick

With the release of Rodney Ascher's film, ROOM 237, which seeks deeper meaning in Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's horror classic, Steve Head and David Kleiler have their own say on the symbolism and the possible hidden meaning of Kubrick's film.

#18 - Stanley Kubrick's THE SHINING (1980)

Alfred Hitchcock

Steve Head and David Kleiler discuss Hitchcock's 1963 film, "The Birds," loosely based on the 1952 story "The Birds" by Daphne du Maurier. This film is part of the new 'Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection' from Universal.

#17 - Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS (1963)

Steve Head and David Kleiler discuss Hitchcock's masterpiece, VERTIGO, which is part of the new 'Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection' from Universal.

#16 - Alfred Hitchcock's VERTIGO (1958)

How did Jack Clayton’s classic The Innocents (1961) influence Andres Muschietti’s Mama  (2013)? Steve Head and David Kleiler discuss the two films, as part of Diabolique’s comprehensive coverage of them in Issue 14.

#14 - MAMA (2013) by way of THE INNOCENTS (1961)

Steve Head, Brett Michel, and Jake Mulligan discuss Criterion's Eclipse Series 37: When Horror Came to Shochiku Collection, which includes such Japanese horror classics as The X from Outer Space; Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell; The Living Skeleton; Genocide.

#13 - WHEN HORROR CAME TO SHOCHIKU

John Badham

Steve speaks with John Badham, director of Universal's adaptation of DRACULA (1979).

#10 - DRACULA 1979, a Conversation with John Badham

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