We’ll See

Space. The final frontier! 60 years ago, STAR TREK was released on the small screen. And nearly 50 years ago, STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE hit the BIG SCREEN! To celebrate TREK, this week, you Cinema Sleuths investigate Robert Wise’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), the ambitious science-fiction epic that brought the original Star Trek crew to cinemas for the first time.Starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, and Walter Koenig, the film reunites the crew of the USS Enterprise for a mysterious mission involving an enormous alien entity known as V’Ger, which approaches Earth with seemingly unstoppable power.Based on the television series created by Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek: The Motion Picture was written by Harold Livingston, with story contributions from Harold Livingston and Alan Dean Foster, and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Robert Wise.In this episode, we put Star Trek: The Motion Picture under the magnifying glass, investigating the extraordinary journey from beloved television series to blockbuster movie. And we are joined by special cinema sleuth Ayesha Khan, host of Every Sci-Fi FIlm Ever podcast! We explore the film’s troubled and famously expensive production, the pressure to bring Star Trek to the big screen after Star Wars' success, and the ambitious decision to make a slower, more cerebral science-fiction film rather than simply turning the Enterprise crew into action heroes.We investigate the movie’s visual effects, Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic score, V’Ger mystery, philosophical themes and spectacular Enterprise flyby, and so much more.We also look at the movie’s initial reception, its reputation as “the slow one”, and the reassessment it has received over the years.CASE FILE: STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979)Directed by: Robert Wise Written by: Harold Livingston Based on: Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig Music by: Jerry Goldsmith Genre: Science Fiction / Space Opera / Adventure / MysteryWas Star Trek: The Motion Picture a misguided attempt to compete with Star Wars — or a bold, beautiful piece of science fiction that was simply misunderstood in its time? CREDITSCinema Sleuths is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth Edited by Luke Deckard Music by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash  DISCLAIMER:All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law.

The Rip (2026), starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and directed by Joe Carnahan, is a Netflix crime thriller that raises the question: has the era of prestige filmmaking left Netflix?

Lanterns is the latest DC property that has enraged the internet. Some fans seem to love it while others are infuriated. Do they have a good reason, or has fan discourse gone too far? We discuss that and whether this show is really worthy of the hate.

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) is widely regarded as one of the classic film noirs — but does this celebrated adaptation of James M. Cain’s iconic hard-boiled novel still deserve its reputation? In this episode of Cinema Sleuths, we put The Postman Always Rings Twice to the test. We investigate Tay Garnett’s 1946 film and what made it a landmark of classic Hollywood and film noir.

Your cinematic sleuths are back at it! This week, we are joined by thriller author Regan MacArther, writer of the John Lash series.    THE CASE: THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (1946) Starring: Lana Turner, John Garfield, and Cecil Kellaway  Written by Harry Ruskin and Niven Busch  Based on the novel by James M Cain  Directed by  Tay Garnett    CREDITS Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Music by Luke Deckard  Logo by Phil Dragash      DISCLAIMER: All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law.

Was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) the perfect adaptation of the original comics — or simply a very different movie hiding beneath the shadow of Turtle-Mania?

This week your cinema sleuths are investigating TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (1990)! Starring Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pias, Robbie Rist, Corey Feldman, Brian Tochi, James Saito, David McCharen, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden, and David Forman. Written by Todd W Langen and Bobby Herback. Based on the comic book created by Keven Eastman and Peter Laird. Directed by Steve Barron.    Special guest Julian De Backer! Follow his YouTube Channel Here   Cinema Sleuths is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

THWIP! The summer blockbuster has swung into town — and it’s a giant Spider-Man-sized case for Cinema Sleuths. Has Marvel finally moved on from Iron Man Jr and delivered a great Spider-Man movie again?  Does Spider-Man: Brand New Day capture what makes the character so special? And can this new chapter give Peter Parker the fresh start that the title promises? That’s what we want to know.

THWIP! The summer blockbuster has landed! And it's a giant SPIDER! This week, your cinematic sleuths are swinging between skyscrapers, stopping runaway tanks, teaming up with lunatics, and thwarting bank robberies as we investigate SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY; directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, and Jon Bernthal, and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers.    Are we back? Do we finally have a GREAT Spider-Man film? Listen and find out.    Cinema Sleuths is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

Have Daredevil and the Punisher finally brought the old Marvel television magic back — or has the MCU moved on without them?

We investigate Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and The Punisher: One Last Killer to see if Marvel's 2026 R-rated output is really all it's cracked up to be. Join us as we look at both and speculate about Punisher and Daredevil's involvement in Spider-Man Brand New Day! Be warned, spoilers abound!          Cinema Sleuths is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth investigate Verhoeven’s 1987 classic, exploring its savage satire of corporate America, privatisation, consumer culture, sensationalist news and a society increasingly obsessed with violence and entertainment

In this episode of Cinema Sleuths, we investigate the strange era when two wildly different Sherlock Holmes franchises became mega-hits at almost exactly the same time.

The game is afoot! Between 2009-2012 Sherlock Holmes exploded on the big and small screens with the Robert Downey Jr / Jude Law film directed by Guy Ritchie as well as the hit BBC series SHERLOCK created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. This week, we're looking at the bonkers era in which these mega-hit franchises swept the world before suddenly dropping off the face of the earth.   We're joined by Dr Mark Jones from the podcast Doings of Doyle and Sherlockian expert and BSI member Monica Schmidt.    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Use / Fair Dealing. No copyright infringement is intended.*  

What went wrong with the early summer blockbusters, from Disclosure Day to Supergirl?

Did Robert Altman misunderstand Chandler’s iconic detective? Or did he create one of the most fascinating reinventions of the noir detective story? Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth investigate Altman’s The Long Goodbye, exploring Elliott Gould’s brilliantly unconventional Marlowe!

This week, we're back with a banger, and we're joined by crime fiction author and expert Maxim Jakubowski!   THE CASE: THE LONG GOODBYE 1973 Starring: Elliot Gould, Nina van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden, and Mark Rydell Written by Leigh Brackett Based on the novel: THE LONG GOOBYE by Raymond Chandler  Directed by Robert Altman     CREDITS Find Maxim's book here: https://maximjakubowski.co.uk/ Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Music by Luke Deckard  Logo by Phil Dragash      DISCLAIMER: All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law.

Burton’s Planet of the Apes remains one of the most fascinating blockbuster misfires of the early 2000s. But was the film really as bad as its reputation suggests? In this episode, we investigate the troubled road to Planet of the Apes, exploring the many attempts to revive the classic science-fiction franchise before Tim Burton finally took the reins.

This week, WE GO APE with CIMEMA MISFIRES as we look back at 25 years of Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES (2001), starring Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kris Kristofferson, Estella Warren, and Paul Giamatti. We map out the crazy road 20th Century Fox took to get there, the better sequel ideas that were ditched along the way, we discuss whether this film even feels like a Tim Burton project... and much more!      CINEMA SLEUTHS IS PRODUCED BY Luke DECKARD and Matthew BOOTHE Edited by Luke Deckard Theme Music by Luke Deckard  Logo and Thumbnails by Phil Dragash  DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

In this special Battle of the Big Screen Hulks , Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth put Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003) head-to-head with Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk (2008)

HULKS SMASH!  This week your investigators are looking at HULK (2003) and The Incredible Hulk (2008) in BATTLE OF THE BIG SCREEN HULKS to see which of these two outings is the ultimate HULK movie... with special guest Neil Vagg, the creator of the popular entertainment website GET YOUR COMIC ON, this is one investigation to rage about!   HULK (2003) Dir Ang Lee Written by John Turman, Michael France and James Schamus  Starring Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Same Elliot, Josh Lucas, and Nick Nolte    THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008)  Dir Louis Leterrier  Written by Zak Penn Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, and Tim Blake Nelson.         DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

Is Thief simply an early Michael Mann experiment, or the blueprint for the crime films that would define his career?

Your cinematic sleuths are back at it! This week's case is THIEF (1981). Starring James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, Willie Nelson, and James Belushi. Written and directed by Michael Mann!   Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth / Edited by Luke Deckard /  Music by Luke Deckard

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners has blood, blues, vampires and plenty to sink your teeth into — but did the film really breathe new life into the vampire genre? We are going to find out!

This week we are taking a bite out of Ryan Coogler's SINNERS (2025), starring Michael B Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Wumi Mosaku, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Thomas Pang, Jack O'Connell and Buddy Guy.          DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

The final battle of the original trilogy — but does Return of the Jedi live up to Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back? Or do the retcons buckle it at the knees? We find out!

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... things weren't exactly as we remember them." In Part 3 of our three-part investigation (STAR WARS: A TRILOGY OF RETCONS), we’re looking at the film that started it all: RETURN OF THE JEDI, directed by Richard Marquand. Written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasden. Starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, and James Earl Jones. Join us with special guest Phil Dragash as we deep-dive into the story, the performances of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher, and the retcons that affected Return of the Jedi before and after the first reel even hit theatres.   DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

Before it was retitled Episode IV: A New Hope, and before the special editions, there was just STAR WARS. Join us as we deep-dive into many retcons that made STAR WARS iconic!

Before it was retitled Episode IV: A New Hope, and before the special editions, there was just STAR WARS. Join us as we deep-dive into many retcons that made STAR WARS iconic!

This week, Cinema Sleuths are joined by Martin Edwards, acclaimed author, editor and crime-fiction expert, to investigate Roger Donaldson’s No Way Out (1987). Starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young and Will Patton, No Way Out follows U.S. Navy officer Tom Farrell, who becomes caught in a deadly political conspiracy after becoming involved with the mistress of Secretary of Defense David Brice. Based on Kenneth Fearing’s classic 1946 novel The Big Clock, No Way Out reworks the original’s corporate mystery into a tense political thriller, conspiracy movie and neo-noir detective story.   CASE FILE: NO WAY OUT (1987) Directed by: Roger DonaldsonWritten by: Robert GarlandBased on the novel: The Big Clock by Kenneth FearingStarring: Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young and Will PattonGenre: Political Thriller / Conspiracy / Mystery / Neo-Noir / Crime         Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

Your cinematic sleuths are back! This week are joined by author, editor, and crime fiction buff Martin Edwards as we investigate 1987's NO WAY OUT! Starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young, and Will Patton. Based on the novel THE BIG CLOCK by Kenneth Fearing. Screenplay by Robert Garland. Directed by Roger Donaldson.    Disclaimer  Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Music by Luke Deckard  Logo by Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER: All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law.

That's right!    Cinema Sleuths kicks off on May the fourth with a three-part series that dives into the original theatrical releases of STAR WARS and explores the retcons that made the franchise what it is today!   Be sure to tune in! 

This week, Cinema Sleuths is joined by Sergio Angelini from Tipping My Fedora to investigate the fascinating 1945 pre-release version of The Big Sleep.   CASE FILE: THE BIG SLEEP — 1945 PRE-RELEASE VERSION Directed by: Howard HawksWritten by: William Faulkner, Leigh Brackett and Jules FurthmanBased on the novel: The Big Sleep by Raymond ChandlerStarring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Martha VickersVersion investigated: 1945 Pre-release CutGenre: Film Noir / Mystery / Crime / Detective / Romance    Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious (1946), the acclaimed spy thriller and film noir starring Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains and Leopoldine Konstantin.   Notorious is one of Hitchcock’s great explorations of love, trust and psychological manipulation. In this episode, your cinematic sleuths put Notorious under the magnifying glass. We also explore the film’s themes of trust, betrayal, sacrifice and control, asking why Notorious remains one of Hitchcock’s most sophisticated and emotionally powerful thrillers.   CASE FILE: NOTORIOUS (1946) Directed by: Alfred HitchcockWritten by: Ben HechtLoosely based on: “The Song of the Dragon” (1921) by John Taintor FooteStarring: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains and Leopoldine KonstantinGenre: Spy Thriller / Film Noir / Romance / Mystery / Drama   Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

That's right. Big changes are happening at the offices of Deckard and Booth! Mean Streets is expanding beyond FILM NOIR to investigate the films and TV shows that define pop culture, from big hits to big misses and beyond. To do this properly, we need a new name, and given that we are your cinematic sleuths, we figured CINEMA SLEUTHS would be perfect!   You will get the same level of reviews and deep dives from us, but with a much bigger portfolio of films and shows at our disposal to interrogate!    Our rebrand will happen at the end of April, and on MAY THE FOURTH, we'll release our first official Cinema Sleuths episode, and you are in for a real treat!  We are thrilled to take our investigations to another level and hope you enjoy what we've been cooking up for you all!

This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates Brian De Palma’s Femme Fatale (2002), the stylish neo-noir thriller starring Rebecca Romijn, Antonio Banderas, Rie Rasmussen, Peter Coyote, Gregg Henry and Eriq Ebouaney. We investigate the film’s elaborate opening heist, split-screen imagery, surveillance, dream sequences, Hitchcockian influences and nonlinear storytelling, while examining De Palma’s fascination with identity and the unreliable nature of what we see. We also explore the movie’s place within the neo-noir revival of the 1990s and early 2000s, asking whether Femme Fatale is an underrated Brian De Palma gem or an example of style overwhelming substance.   CASE FILE: FEMME FATALE (2002) Directed by: Brian De PalmaWritten by: Brian De PalmaStarring: Rebecca Romijn, Antonio Banderas, Rie Rasmussen, Peter Coyote, Gregg Henry and Eriq EbouaneyGenre: Neo-Noir / Crime / Thriller / Mystery / Heist         Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

This week, Cinema Sleuths is back with a special guest as we investigate Bryan Singer’s The Usual Suspects (1995) alongside our pal Skye, one of the masterminds and voices behind the FILM 89 podcast.   CASE FILE: THE USUAL SUSPECTS (1995) Directed by: Bryan SingerWritten by: Christopher McQuarrieStarring: Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio del Toro and Kevin PollakGenre: Neo-Noir / Crime / Mystery / Thriller / Heist   Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

On this episode of Debriefed, Luke and Matt talk about various crime shows they've watched, including YOUNG SHERLOCK, CROSS, and the animated adaptation of WATCHMEN. Plus we offer our take on the LANTERNS trailer and more. Make sure to follow your new show, CINEMA SLEUTHS, which premieres on May 4th! Don’t miss an episode. Follow us on Podbean, Apple Podcast, Spotify

LOVE. HATE. This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter (1955), the haunting Southern gothic film noir classic starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish. CASE FILE: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955) Directed by: Charles LaughtonWritten by: James AgeeBased on the novel: The Night of the Hunter by Davis GrubbStarring: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, Billy Chapin and Peter GravesGenre: Film Noir / Psychological Thriller / Horror / Southern Gothic / Crime   Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest (2025), a modern crime thriller starring Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky, Ilfenesh Hadera and Aubrey Joseph.   Did we need a remake of an adaptation of an Ed McBain novel? That's what we want to know!    We also dig into the movie’s connection to Kurosawa’s High and Low and Ed McBain’s original novel, asking what has changed, what remains and whether this new interpretation brings something genuinely fresh to the story. CASE FILE: HIGHEST 2 LOWEST (2025) Directed by: Spike LeeWritten by: Alan FoxBased on: High and Low by Akira Kurosawa and Ed McBain’s novel King’s RansomStarring: Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky, Ilfenesh Hadera and Aubrey JosephGenre: Crime / Thriller / Neo-Noir / Mystery / Drama   Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates Joel and Ethan Coen’s The Big Lebowski (1998), the endlessly quotable crime comedy, neo-noir and cult classic starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, Sam Elliott and David Huddleston.   CASE FILE: THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998) Directed by: Joel and Ethan CoenWritten by: Joel and Ethan CoenStarring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, Sam Elliott and David HuddlestonGenre: Neo-Noir / Crime / Comedy / Mystery / Cult Classic   Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates Steven Soderbergh’s The Limey (1999), the stylish neo-noir crime thriller starring Terence Stamp, Peter Fonda, Luis Guzmán, Lesley Ann Warren and Barry Newman.   In this episode, your cinematic sleuths investigate what makes The Limey such a distinctive crime movie. We explore Terence Stamp’s extraordinary central performance, Peter Fonda’s turn as music producer Terry Valentine and Soderbergh’s unconventional approach to storytelling.   We examine the film’s non-linear editing, fragmented flashbacks, dreamlike structure and visual style, while exploring its themes of grief, revenge, ageing, memory and identity. We also look at the film’s fascinating connections to classic British gangster movies and ask whether The Limey is one of the most underrated neo-noirs of the 1990s.   CASE FILE: THE LIMEY (1999) Directed by: Steven SoderberghWritten by: Lem DobbsStarring: Terence Stamp, Peter Fonda, Luis Guzmán, Lesley Ann Warren and Barry NewmanGenre: Neo-Noir / Crime / Revenge Thriller / Mystery / Drama   Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

I am the law!   This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates Danny Cannon’s Judge Dredd (1995), the futuristic sci-fi action movie starring Sylvester Stallone, Diane Lane, Armand Assante and Rob Schneider. In this episode, your cinematic sleuths put Judge Dredd under the magnifying glass, investigating the film’s troubled reputation and asking why this big-budget adaptation has remained such a controversial entry in the history of comic-book movies.   CASE FILE: JUDGE DREDD (1995) Directed by: Danny CannonWritten by: William Wisher Jr., Pat Mills, Michael De Luca and Kevin O’NeillBased on: The Judge Dredd comic strip created by John Wagner and Carlos EzquerraStarring: Sylvester Stallone, Diane Lane, Armand Assante and Rob SchneiderGenre: Science Fiction / Action / Dystopian / Comic Book / Crime     Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates Roy Del Ruth’s The Maltese Falcon (1931), the first feature-film adaptation of the classic hard-boiled detective novel by Dashiell Hammett. In this episode, your cinematic sleuths investigate this often-overlooked 1931 adaptation, exploring Ricardo Cortez’s interpretation of Sam Spade, the film’s pre-Code atmosphere and Roy Del Ruth’s direction. CASE FILE: THE MALTESE FALCON (1931) Directed by: Roy Del RuthWritten by: Brown Holmes and Maude FultonBased on the novel: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell HammettStarring: Ricardo Cortez, Bebe Daniels, Dudley Digges, Otto Matieson, Una Merkel and Thelma ToddGenre: Mystery / Crime / Detective / Pre-Code / Hard-Boiled     Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

In our final episode of the year, Luke and special guest author James Benmore discuss Rian Johnson's latest KNIVES OUT film, WAKE UP DEAD MAN, now streaming on the killer of cinema: NETFLIX. We come in raw and hot, having just seen the film, sharing our impressions of the latest mystery.    Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Music by Luke Deckard Logo by Phil Dragash 

Happy Holidays! Luke and Matt prepare to close the case in 2025 in their second-to-last episode of the year—talking standout episodes, fielding live questions, and highlighting the films and shows that never made the show.   Mean Streets is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme by Luke Deckard  Logo by Phil Dragash 

This week, Cinema Sleuths is joined by actor and podcaster Julian De Baker to investigate Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1982), the groundbreaking neo-noir science-fiction classic starring Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Rutger Hauer and Edward James Olmos.

This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates David Mackenzie’s Hell or High Water (2016), the acclaimed neo-noir Western and modern crime classic starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham.

This week, Cinema Sleuths is joined by Sergio Angelini from Tipping My Fedora to investigate Edward Dmytryk’s Murder, My Sweet (1944), one of the essential film noir and Raymond Chandler adaptations.   CASE FILE: MURDER, MY SWEET (1944) Directed by: Edward DmytrykWritten by: John PaxtonBased on the novel: Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond ChandlerStarring: Dick Powell, Claire Trevor and Anne ShirleyGenre: Film Noir / Mystery / Crime / Detective / Thriller   Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*

This week, Cinema Sleuths investigates Bill Duke’s Deep Cover (1992), the stylish and uncompromising neo-noir crime thriller starring Laurence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum. In this episode, your cinematic sleuths investigate Laurence Fishburne’s powerful central performance, Jeff Goldblum’s memorable turn as David Jason and Bill Duke’s direction, while exploring the film’s distinctive visual style and morally ambiguous characters. CASE FILE: DEEP COVER (1992) Directed by: Bill DukeWritten by: Michael Tolkin and Henry BeanStarring: Laurence Fishburne and Jeff GoldblumGenre: Neo-Noir / Crime / Thriller / Undercover / Drama   Cinema Sleuths (Formerly Mean Streets) is produced by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth  Edited by Luke Deckard  Theme song by Luke Deckard  Logo by  Phil Dragash    DISCLAIMER All content presented in this podcast episode is the property of the podcast creator and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Any copyrighted material used in this episode is used under the principles of fair use for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and review. No part of this episode may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. *All movie and TV clips used in this episode are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used here for the purpose of review and commentary under Fair Dealing / Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended.*