Two crime-fiction authors. All of cinema and TV. One case to crack. Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth investigate the films and television shows that shape pop culture — from beloved classics and hidden gems to blockbusters, disasters and everything in between. Expect strong opinions, surprising connections, behind-the-scenes stories and arguments that occasionally require further investigation. The evidence is gathered. The suspects are interrogated. The verdict is yours.
Episode 99: Case 99: STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) | Celebrating 60 Years of TREK!
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) · Sep 7, 2026
Case 98: THE RIP (2026) | Dir Joe Carnahan | A Netflix Hit or Miss?
The Rip (2026) · Aug 24, 2026
Case 98: THE RIP (2026) | Dir Joe Carnahan | A Netflix Hit or Miss?
The Rip (2026) · Aug 24, 2026
Case 96: THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (1946) | Dir Tay Garnett |
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) · Aug 17, 2026
Case 96: THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (1946) | Dir Tay Garnett |
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) · Aug 17, 2026
Case 95: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (1990) | Dir Steve Barron | A Shell Of Hit!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) · Aug 10, 2026
Case 95: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (1990) | Dir Steve Barron | A Shell Of Hit!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) · Aug 10, 2026
Case 94: SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY (2026) | Dir Destin Daniel Cretton | A Spectacular Return to Form
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) · Aug 3, 2026
Case 94: SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY (2026) | Dir Destin Daniel Cretton | A Spectacular Return to Form
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) · Aug 3, 2026
Case 92: ROBOCOP (1987) | Dir Paul Verhoeven | A Masterclass In Movie Making
RoboCop (1987) · Jul 13, 2026
Case 92: ROBOCOP (1987) | Dir Paul Verhoeven | A Masterclass In Movie Making
RoboCop (1987) · Jul 13, 2026
Case 90: SUPERGIRL (2026) - An Unfortunate Flop + TOY STORY 5 & DISCLOSURE DAY
Supergirl (2026) · Jun 29, 2026
Case 90: SUPERGIRL (2026) - An Unfortunate Flop + TOY STORY 5 & DISCLOSURE DAY
Supergirl (2026) · Jun 29, 2026
Case 89: THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) | Dir Robert Altman | A Misunderstood Adaptation?
The Long Goodbye (1973) · Jun 22, 2026
Case 89: THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) | Dir Robert Altman | A Misunderstood Adaptation?
The Long Goodbye (1973) · Jun 22, 2026
Case 88: Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES (2001): Cinema Misfires!
Planet of the Apes (2001) · Jun 15, 2026
Case 87: HULK (2003) vs THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008) - Which One Wins?
The Incredible Hulk (2008) · Jun 8, 2026
Case 87: HULK (2003) vs THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008) - Which One Wins?
Hulk (2003) · Jun 8, 2026
Case 87: HULK (2003) vs THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008) - Which One Wins?
The Incredible Hulk (2008) · Jun 8, 2026
Case 87: HULK (2003) vs THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008) - Which One Wins?
Hulk (2003) · Jun 8, 2026
Case 86: THIEF (1981) | Dir Michael Mann | A Mannsterpiece!
Thief (1981) · Jun 1, 2026
Case 86: THIEF (1981) | Dir Michael Mann | A Mannsterpiece!
Thief (1981) · Jun 1, 2026
Case 85: SINNERS - How Ryan Coogler Revived the Vampire Movie
Sinners (2025) · May 25, 2026
Case 85: SINNERS - How Ryan Coogler Revived the Vampire Movie
Sinners (2025) · May 25, 2026
Case 84: Return of the Jedi (1983) - A Trilogy of Retcons Part 3 | Dir Richard Marquand |
Return of the Jedi (1983) · May 18, 2026
Case 84: Return of the Jedi (1983) - A Trilogy of Retcons Part 3 | Dir Richard Marquand |
Return of the Jedi (1983) · May 18, 2026
Case 83: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) - A Trilogy of Retcons. Part 2 | Dir Irvin Kershner |
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) · May 11, 2026
Case 83: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) - A Trilogy of Retcons. Part 2 | Dir Irvin Kershner |
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) · May 11, 2026
Case 82: STAR WARS (1977) - A Trilogy of Retcons Part 1 | Dir George Lucas |
Star Wars (1977) · May 4, 2026
Case 82: STAR WARS (1977) - A Trilogy of Retcons Part 1 | Dir George Lucas |
Star Wars (1977) · May 4, 2026
Case 81. NO WAY OUT (1987) | Dir Roger Donaldson | A Masterful Political Thriller
No Way Out (1987) · Apr 29, 2026
Case 81. NO WAY OUT (1987) | Dir Roger Donaldson | A Masterful Political Thriller
No Way Out (1987) · Apr 29, 2026
Case 79. NOTORIOUS (1946) | The Alfred Hitchcock Film That Inspired Bond?
Notorious (1946) · Apr 15, 2026
Case 79. NOTORIOUS (1946) | The Alfred Hitchcock Film That Inspired Bond?
Notorious (1946) · Apr 15, 2026
Case 78. FEMME FATALE (2002) | Dir Brian De Palma | A Double-Crossing Lynchian Rival
Femme Fatale (2002) · Apr 8, 2026
Case 77. The Usual Suspects (1995) | Dir Bryan Singer |
The Usual Suspects (1995) · Mar 18, 2026
DEBRIEFED 004: YOUNG SHERLOCK | CROSS S2 | LANTERNS TRAILER REACTION and more
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) · Mar 11, 2026
Case 76. THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955) | Charles Laughton | LOVE. HATE.
The Night of the Hunter (1955) · Mar 4, 2026
Case 76. THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955) | Charles Laughton | LOVE. HATE.
The Night of the Hunter (1955) · Mar 4, 2026
Case 75. HIGHEST 2 LOWEST (2025) | A Spike Lee Dud?
Highest 2 Lowest (2025) · Feb 18, 2026
Case 75. HIGHEST 2 LOWEST (2025) | A Spike Lee Dud?
Highest 2 Lowest (2025) · Feb 18, 2026
Case 74. THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998) | Dir Coen Brothers | Stoner-Noir At Its Best
The Big Lebowski (1998) · Feb 4, 2026
Case 73. THE LIMEY (1999) | Steven Soderbergh |
The Limey (1999) · Jan 21, 2026
Case 73. THE LIMEY (1999) | Steven Soderbergh |
The Limey (1999) · Jan 21, 2026
Case 72. JUDGE DREDD (1995) | Dir Danny Cannon | WE ARE THE LAW!
Judge Dredd (1995) · Jan 14, 2026
Case 71. THE MALTESE FALCON (1931) | Dir Roy Del Ruth | Better Than Bogart?
The Maltese Falcon (1931) · Jan 7, 2026
DEBRIEFED 003: WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY : The Marvel Actor Problem
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) · Dec 17, 2025
Case 70. BLADE RUNNER (1982) | Dir Ridley Scott | Is Deckard A Replicant?
Blade Runner (1982) · Nov 26, 2025
Case 70. BLADE RUNNER (1982) | Dir Ridley Scott | Is Deckard A Replicant?
Blade Runner (1982) · Nov 26, 2025
Case 69: HELL OR HIGH WATER (2016) | David MacKenzie | Taylor Sheridan's Epic Western-Noir
Hell or High Water (2016) · Nov 19, 2025
Case 69: HELL OR HIGH WATER (2016) | David MacKenzie | Taylor Sheridan's Epic Western-Noir
Hell or High Water (2016) · Nov 19, 2025
Case 68. MURDER, MY SWEET (1944) | Dir Edward Dmytryk | The Best Raymond Chandler Adaptation?
Murder, My Sweet (1944) · Nov 12, 2025
Case 67. DEEP COVER (1992) | Bill Duke's Underrated 90s Classic!
Deep Cover (1992) · Nov 6, 2025
Case 66. ANGEL HEART (1987) - | Dir Alan Park | A Spooktacular Holiday Special
Angel Heart (1987) · Oct 30, 2025
Case 64. PLAY DIRTY (2025) | Dir Shane Black | A Ruthless Thriller?
Play Dirty (2025) · Oct 9, 2025
Case 64. PLAY DIRTY (2025) | Dir Shane Black | A Ruthless Thriller?
Play Dirty (2025) · Oct 9, 2025
Case 63. DIRTY HARRY (1971) |Don Siegel | Do You Feel Lucky, Punk?
Dirty Harry (1971) · Oct 2, 2025
Case 61. WOMAN ON THE RUN (1950) | Norman Foster |
Woman on the Run (1950) · Sep 18, 2025
Case 60. KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005) | Dir Shane Black | Sorry For All The Cursing
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) · Sep 11, 2025
Case 59. CAUGHT STEALING (2025) | Darren Aronofsky's Most Accessible Film?
Caught Stealing (2025) · Sep 4, 2025
Case 58. NIGHT ALWAYS COMES (2025) | Dir Benjamin Caron.| A Forgettable Netflix Thriller
Night Always Comes (2025) · Aug 28, 2025
Case 58. NIGHT ALWAYS COMES (2025) | Dir Benjamin Caron.| A Forgettable Netflix Thriller
Night Always Comes (2025) · Aug 28, 2025
Case 57.5: DICK TRACY A FAN RESPONSE w/ All-Star Superfan’s Rob
Dick Tracy (1990) · Aug 23, 2025
Case 57.5: DICK TRACY A FAN RESPONSE w/ All-Star Superfan’s Rob
Dick Tracy (1990) · Aug 23, 2025
Case 57. DICK TRACY (1990) | Dir Warren Beatty | An Impressive Mess
Dick Tracy (1990) · Aug 21, 2025
Case 56. THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY (1981) | Dir John Mackenzie | Not So Happy Easter
The Long Good Friday (1980) · Aug 14, 2025
Case 56. THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY (1981) | Dir John Mackenzie | Not So Happy Easter
The Long Good Friday (1980) · Aug 14, 2025
Case 55: IN A LONELY PLACE (1950) | Dir Nicholas Ray | Bogart At His Best!
In a Lonely Place (1950) · Aug 7, 2025
Case 55: IN A LONELY PLACE (1950) | Dir Nicholas Ray | Bogart At His Best!
In a Lonely Place (1950) · Aug 7, 2025
Case 54. MACHINE GUN KELLY (1958) | Dir Roger Corman |
Machine-Gun Kelly (1958) · May 29, 2025
Case 53. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996) | Dir Brian De Palma | Expect The Impossible!
Mission: Impossible (1996) · May 22, 2025
Case 53. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996) | Dir Brian De Palma | Expect The Impossible!
Mission: Impossible (1996) · May 22, 2025
Case 52. BLOOD SIMPLE (1984) | A Coen Brothers Masterpiece!
Blood Simple (1985) · May 18, 2025
Case 52. BLOOD SIMPLE (1984) | A Coen Brothers Masterpiece!
Blood Simple (1985) · May 17, 2025
Case 51. NIGHT MOVES (1975) | Arthur Penn | A Down and Dirty '70s Thriller
Night Moves (1975) · May 8, 2025
Case 51. NIGHT MOVES (1975) | Arthur Penn | A Down and Dirty '70s Thriller
Night Moves (1975) · May 8, 2025
Case 50. SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) | Dir Billy Wilder | Does Hollywood Create Monsters?
Sunset Boulevard (1950) · May 1, 2025
Case 50. SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) | Dir Billy Wilder | Does Hollywood Create Monsters?
Sunset Boulevard (1950) · May 1, 2025
Case 47. SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) | Dir Martin Scorses | Did This Film Twist Us In Knots?
Shutter Island (2010) · Apr 10, 2025
Case 47. SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) | Dir Martin Scorses | Did This Film Twist Us In Knots?
Shutter Island (2010) · Apr 10, 2025
Case 46. THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER (1981) | Dir Jim Henson | Did Henson Really Want To Make A Caper?
The Great Muppet Caper (1981) · Apr 3, 2025
Case 46. THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER (1981) | Dir Jim Henson | Did Henson Really Want To Make A Caper?
The Great Muppet Caper (1981) · Apr 3, 2025
Case 44. STRANGE DARLING (2023) | Dir J.T. Mollner |
Strange Darling (2024) · Mar 20, 2025
Case 44. STRANGE DARLING (2023) | Dir J.T. Mollner |
Strange Darling (2024) · Mar 20, 2025
Case 43. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (2001) | David Lynch | Surrealist Noir!
Mulholland Drive (2001) · Mar 13, 2025
Case 43. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (2001) | David Lynch | Surrealist Noir!
Mulholland Drive (2001) · Mar 13, 2025
Case 42. SHAFT (1971) | Gordon Parks | Harlem's Hero!
Shaft (1971) · Mar 6, 2025
Case 41. ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES (1938) | Dir Michael Curtiz | An Overrated Classic?
Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) · Feb 27, 2025
Case 40. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951) | Dir Alfred Hitchcock | A Clash Of Creative Egos!
Strangers on a Train (1951) · Feb 20, 2025
Case 38. DRIVE (2011) | Dir Nicholas Winding Refn | A Brutal Neo-Noir Classic
Drive (2011) · Feb 6, 2025
Case 38. DRIVE (2011) | Dir Nicholas Winding Refn | A Brutal Neo-Noir Classic
Drive (2011) · Feb 6, 2025
Case 37. Frank Miller's SIN CITY (2005) | Dir Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller | The Most Stylish Comic Book Movie?
Sin City (2005) · Jan 30, 2025
Case 37. Frank Miller's SIN CITY (2005) | Dir Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller | The Most Stylish Comic Book Movie?
Sin City (2005) · Jan 30, 2025
Case 36. FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963) | Dir Terence Young | Spy-Noir At Its Best!
From Russia with Love (1963) · Jan 23, 2025
Case 35. BRICK (2005) | Unpacking Rian Johnson's High School-Set Neo Noir
Brick (2006) · Jan 16, 2025
Case 34. KISS ME DEADLY (1955) | Dir Robert Aldrich | A Mickey Spillane BOMB!
Kiss Me Deadly (1955) · Jan 9, 2025
Case 34. KISS ME DEADLY (1955) | Dir Robert Aldrich | A Mickey Spillane BOMB!
Kiss Me Deadly (1955) · Jan 9, 2025
Case 33. HARPER (1966) | Dir Jack Smight | Girls Go For Harper!
Harper (1966) · Dec 19, 2024
Case 32. LETHAL WEAPON (1987) | Dir Richard Donner | A Neo-Noir Christmas Special!
Lethal Weapon (1987) · Dec 12, 2024
Case 32. LETHAL WEAPON (1987) | Dir Richard Donner | A Neo-Noir Christmas Special!
Lethal Weapon (1987) · Dec 12, 2024
Case 30. POOL OF LONDON (1951) | Dir Basil Dearden | A British Film Noir Classic!
Pool of London (1951) · Nov 28, 2024
Case 29. THE BLUE DAHLIA (1946) | Dir George Marshall | A Frustrated Raymond Chandler Film
The Blue Dahlia (1946) · Nov 21, 2024
Case 28. HOLLYWOODLAND (2006) | Dir Allen Coulter | The Death of A Superman
Hollywoodland (2006) · Nov 14, 2024
Case 28. HOLLYWOODLAND (2006) | Dir Allen Coulter | The Death of A Superman
Hollywoodland (2006) · Nov 14, 2024
Case 27. DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS (1995) | Dir Carl Franklin | An Overlooked '90s Classic
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) · Nov 7, 2024
Case 27. DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS (1995) | Dir Carl Franklin | An Overlooked '90s Classic
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) · Nov 7, 2024
Case 26. BODY HEAT (1981) | Lawrence Kasdan | A Sizzling, Sleazy '80s Erotic Thriller
Body Heat (1981) · Oct 31, 2024
Case 25. JOHN WICK (2014) | Dir Chad Stahelski and David Leitch| Celebrating 10 Years of Revenge
John Wick (2014) · Oct 24, 2024
Case 25. JOHN WICK (2014) | Dir Chad Stahelski and David Leitch| Celebrating 10 Years of Revenge
John Wick (2014) · Oct 24, 2024
Case 24. FALLEN ANGELS: RED WIND (1996) | Showtimes Forgotten Noir Series
Red Wind (1995) · Oct 17, 2024
Case 24. FALLEN ANGELS: RED WIND (1996) | Showtimes Forgotten Noir Series
Red Wind (1995) · Oct 17, 2024
Mean Streets Recommends: Caligula: Package of Excellence Podcast
Caligula (1979) · Oct 2, 2024
Case 23. LOVE LIES BLEEDING (2024) | Rose Glass | Spotlighting An Indie Erotic Neo Noir
Love Lies Bleeding (2024) · Sep 26, 2024
Case 21. GET CARTER (1971) | Dir Mike Hodges | British Gangster Noir Was Never The Same
Get Carter (1971) · Sep 12, 2024
Case 21. GET CARTER (1971) | Dir Mike Hodges | British Gangster Noir Was Never The Same
Get Carter (1971) · Sep 12, 2024
Case 20. A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES (2014) | Dir Scott Frank |
A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014) · Sep 5, 2024
Case 19. THE FALL GUY (2024) | Dir David Leitch | Does Ryan Gosling Ever Fail The Big Screen?
The Fall Guy (2024) · Aug 29, 2024
Case 19. THE FALL GUY (2024) | Dir David Leitch | Does Ryan Gosling Ever Fail The Big Screen?
The Fall Guy (2024) · Aug 29, 2024
Case 18. THE TERMINATOR (1984) | Dir James Cameron | The Unstoppable Tech-Noir!
The Terminator (1984) · Aug 22, 2024
Case 18. THE TERMINATOR (1984) | Dir James Cameron | The Unstoppable Tech-Noir!
The Terminator (1984) · Aug 22, 2024
Case 17. Orson Welles' TOUCH OF EVIL (1958)
Touch of Evil (1958) · Aug 15, 2024
Case 17. Orson Welles' TOUCH OF EVIL (1958)
Touch of Evil (1958) · Aug 15, 2024
Case 16. THE KILLING (1956) | A Kubrick Masterpiece!
The Killing (1956) · Aug 8, 2024
Case 15. THE BIG HEAT (1953) | Somebody's Going to Pay!
The Big Heat (1953) · Aug 1, 2024
Case 14. BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F (2024) | The Perfect 80s Revival?
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) · Jul 25, 2024
Case 14. BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F (2024) | The Perfect 80s Revival?
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) · Jul 25, 2024
Case 13. THE GLASS KEY (1942) | Dir Stuart Heisler | The News Has Always Been Faked?
The Glass Key (1942) · Jul 18, 2024
Case 13. THE GLASS KEY (1942) | Dir Stuart Heisler | The News Has Always Been Faked?
The Glass Key (1942) · Jul 18, 2024
Case 12. THE THIRD MAN (1949) | Dir Carol Reed | The Harry Lime Of It All
The Third Man (1949) · Jul 11, 2024
Case 12. THE THIRD MAN (1949) | Dir Carol Reed | The Harry Lime Of It All
The Third Man (1949) · Jul 11, 2024
Case 10. Forget It, Jake...|CHINATOWN (1974) | Dri Roman Polanski |
Chinatown (1974) · Jun 27, 2024
Case 10. Forget It, Jake...|CHINATOWN (1974) | Dri Roman Polanski |
Chinatown (1974) · Jun 27, 2024
Case 9. OUT OF THE PAST (1947) | Dir Jacques Tourneur | A Film Noir Masterpiece
Out of the Past (1947) · Jun 20, 2024
Case 9. OUT OF THE PAST (1947) | Dir Jacques Tourneur | A Film Noir Masterpiece
Out of the Past (1947) · Jun 20, 2024
Case 8. THE LAST SEDUCTION (1994) | Dir John Dahl | Cinema's Deadliest Femme Fatale!
The Last Seduction (1994) · Jun 13, 2024
Case 8. THE LAST SEDUCTION (1994) | Dir John Dahl | Cinema's Deadliest Femme Fatale!
The Last Seduction (1994) · Jun 13, 2024
Case 7. THE NICE GUYS (2016) | Dir Shane Black | How This Neo-Noir Became A Cult Classic
The Nice Guys (2016) · Jun 6, 2024
Case 7. THE NICE GUYS (2016) | Dir Shane Black | How This Neo-Noir Became A Cult Classic
The Nice Guys (2016) · Jun 6, 2024
Case 6. MANHUNTER (1986) | Dir Michael Mann | A Landmark of '80s Cinema?
Manhunter (1986) · May 30, 2024
Case 5. THE BATMAN (2022) | Dir Matt Reeves | Unmasking The Truth
The Batman (2022) · May 23, 2024
Case 5. THE BATMAN (2022) | Dir Matt Reeves | Unmasking The Truth
The Batman (2022) · May 23, 2024
Case 4. V. I. WARSHAWSKI (1991) | Dir Jeff Kanew | An Overlooked Thriller Or Better Left Buried?
V.I. Warshawski (1991) · May 16, 2024
Case 3: WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988) | Dir Robert Zemeckis | The Film That Saved Disney?
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) · May 9, 2024
Case 3: WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988) | Dir Robert Zemeckis | The Film That Saved Disney?
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) · May 9, 2024
Case 2. L. A. CONFIDENTIAL (1997) | Dir Curtis Hanson | The Impossible Adaptation!
L.A. Confidential (1997) · May 2, 2024
Case 2. L. A. CONFIDENTIAL (1997) | Dir Curtis Hanson | The Impossible Adaptation!
L.A. Confidential (1997) · May 2, 2024
Case 1. THE BIG SLEEP (1946) | Dir Howard Hawks | A Hollywood Classic Explored
The Big Sleep (1946) · Apr 25, 2024
Case 1. THE BIG SLEEP (1946) | Dir Howard Hawks | A Hollywood Classic Explored
The Big Sleep (1946) · Apr 25, 2024