Podcast
Cult Cinema Circle
Have you ever wondered to yourself why a specific film is considered by many to be a “cult film”? Have you ever wondered why a particular film has the fans and legacy that it does?
Join your host, Jesse Krempel, every week as he dives into a different film from a variety of genres, and analyzes how the movie came to be, how it was released and how exactly did it become a cult classic!
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- Film History chart
- #98
- Episodes
- 238
- Releases
- Every two weeks
- Typical length
- 1 hr 9 min
- On air since
- 2022
- Latest episode
- 1 week ago
Episodes
238 episodes, newest first
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1 hr 12 min
Scream (1996) (The Cult Of...Matthew Lillard)
Season 1, Episode 6
Show notes
On today's episode of The Cult Of... Matthew Lillard, in honor of Scary Season, we just so happened to reach the movie that really launched Matthew Lillard's career into a different atmosphere, and it just so happened to also change the course of how teen horror would be viewed moving forward!!! You know, no big deal, I guess
This movie has it all!! Rolling hills! Linda Blair! Cute Outfits! Bizarrely Big Houses! Murder! Video Stores! and of course Pepsico Products!
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cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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1 hr 7 min
Animal Room (1995) (The Cult Of...Matthew Lillard)
Season 1, Episode 5
Show notes
On today's episode of The Cult Of... Matthew Lillard, we are heading down to the basement and we're going to get in a fight with hot gothic Matthew Lillard as we delve into this strange little movie from 1995, Animal Room!!! This movie is like if A Clockwork Orange was set in a high school in NJ, but you know, maybe not as good.
This movie has it all!! Carnival on a pier! Catherine Hicks! Slightly naked Matthew Lillard! The Misfits?
This is also an interesting movie to cover right before Scream because Matthew gets to be the big baddie in this one, so check it out on Vimeo and then come back and listen to the episode :)
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cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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55 min
Hackers (1995) (The Cult Of...Matthew Lillard)
Season 1, Episode 4
Show notes
On today's episode of The Cult Of... Matthew Lillard, we're heading over to neo-futuristic New York City where we're going to HACK THE PLANET as we look into the film, Hackers (1995).
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cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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41 min
Tarantella (The Cult Of...Matthew Lillard)
Season 1, Episode 3
Show notes
On today's episode of The Cult Of... Matthew Lillard, we're heading into deep indie NY/NYC cinema with a little known film from a female director called Tarantella (1995), Our boy Matt stars alongside a post Oscar win but pre Romy White Mira Sorvino and a host of other vaguely Italian/Italian American actors.
This film is all about family, loss, connection and generational trauma, but make it Italian, I guess!!
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42 min
Mad Love (The Cult of...Matthew Lillard)
Season 1, Episode 2
Show notes
On today’s episode of The Cult Of… Matthew Lillard, we’re heading on a road trip to Mexico with our wild and free girlfriend, and having some crazy adventures along the way, while we revisit the world of Mad Love (1995)
We’ve got Chris O’Donnell, Drew Barrymore, and our patron saint, Matthew in this film, and boy oh boy, it’s a movie, I guess
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cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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54 min
Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)
Episode 229
Show notes
On today's episode, we're finishing up our month of Unconventional Love Stories with a movie that is both darkly comedic, has a moody 00s aesthetic, but is also a meditation on what death does to all of us. We enter the world of Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)
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cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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1 hr 3 min
Serial Mom (The Cult Of... Matthew Lillard)
Season 1, Episode 1
Show notes
"Chip, you know how I hate the brown word."
On this introductory episode of my new series, The Cult Of..., we are starting at the beginning of the filmography of one Matthew Lynn Lillard, and talking about a film shot in my own backyard of Baltimore, MD, and that is the HILARIOUS John Waters film, Serial Mom (1994)!!
This movie has everything! Flea markets! Horror movies! Gratuitous Fly Death! Camel Lips! Suzanne Sommers! and Matthew Lillard in a little ponytail. Let's gooooooo
Show E-Mail:
cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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46 min
Shortbus (2006)
Episode 228
Show notes
"So you're a sex therapist and you've never had an orgasm?"
On today's episode, we're starting off our month of Unconventional Love Stories with a movie that is part pornography, but also a meditation of relationships and sex as a whole. It's time to let go of all inhibitions and enter into Shortbus (2006).
We talk about John Cameron Mitchell, seeking understanding and connection in a big city, and just how hard it is to maintain the semblance of a "good" relationship in the "city that never sleeps"
Show E-Mail:
cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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14 min
The Cult Of... - Intro Episode
Season 1
Show notes
On this introductory episode of my brand new podcast series, The Cult Of… I will be going over what this series is gonna be all about, and will be talking about our first inductee, Matthew Lillard!!
Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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56 min
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
Episode 227
Show notes
"Well, I hope it's not jumbo shrimp, because I'm allergic to oxymorons!"
On today's episode, we're wrapping up July and our month of movies set in a summer camp, and covering the underrated comedy styling of Wet Hot American Summer (2001)!! This movie was a pleasant surprise to finally watch, and it's kind of insane to think of just how many stars would come from this movie! We talk about all of that and more on this episode.
Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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1 hr 17 min
The Final Girls (2015)
Episode 226
Show notes
"Ever since I was a little boy, I've dreamed of being the final girl"
On today's episode, we're kicking off July with covering films that take place at a summer camp, and I thought why not pull up on this fun little horror comedy, The Final Girls!!
This movie has everything... Flashbacks! Weird mid-2010s CGI! Malin Fucking Akerman, goddamn it.
Specter Cinema Club Episode
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1 hr 16 min
The Birdcage (1996)
Episode 225
Show notes
Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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1 hr 9 min
In & Out (1997)
Episode 224
Show notes
"Is everybody gay!!!"
We're starting off Pride Month with an all-time gay classic, In & Out (1997). This movie has a nice little place in my heart, and I think it has so much to dig into, so be sure to tune into this episode to hear me gab about this littlest piece of heaven.
Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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1 hr 49 min
Sunset Blvd (1950) with special guest Beau
Episode 223
Show notes
Aging stardom, delusion, ambition, and the ruthless machinery of Hollywood collide in Billy Wilder’s Sunset Blvd, one of cinema’s most haunting masterpieces. In this episode, me and my guest Beau, dive deep into the shadowy world of Norma Desmond — the forgotten silent‑film icon whose hunger for relevance spirals into obsession — and Joe Gillis, the struggling screenwriter who becomes trapped in her gilded cage. We also talk about all sorts of other stuff, too!
Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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2 hr 6 min
Mulholland Drive (2001) with special guest Joseph Anthony Ruiz
Episode 222
Show notes
On today's episode, we dive into David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive — the cult‑cinema cornerstone that turned Naomi Watts into a star, gave us the unforgettable Club Silencio moment, and rewired how pop culture talks about identity, fame, and the dark side of Los Angeles dreams.
We unpack the film’s iconic scenes, its influence on everything from prestige TV to internet fan theories, and why it remains the ultimate “you have to see it twice” movie. Whether you’re a Lynch diehard or a confused first‑timer, this episode breaks down the mystery with style, humor, and a little Hollywood chaos.
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Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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46 min
Interview - Amanda Jane Stern Bonus
Episode 221
Show notes
On a bonus episode of the show, I talk to actress, director and podcaster Amanda Jane Stern all about her movie Perfectly Good Moment (2023). We talk about the influences on this film, the process of getting this film off the ground, and just how much it means to Amanda as a female creative. We had a great conversation, and I hope you enjoy it.
Donate to NSVRC, RAINN, and MCASA
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Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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1 hr 30 min
Hard Candy (2005) with special guest Amanda Jane Stern
Episode 220
Show notes
CONTENT WARNING: This particular film we're discussing deals with the issue of sexual assault/pedophilia, so if that's a topic you're sensitive to, then you totally don't need to listen to this episode. See you next week! :)
On today's episode, we're finishing up April and bringing a close to our coverage of REVENGE movies on the pod, by covering one of the best revenge movies out there that only takes place in one location and stress everyone the fuck out; we're putting on our obligatory red sweatshirt and torturing a rapist as we cover Hard Candy (2005). Joining me for today's conversation is actress, writer and podcaster Amanda Jane Stern!
We go all over the place for this episode, but me and Amanda had a wonderful conversation all about this wonderful movie and just how important it is to this specific genre. You don't wanna miss this one.
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Donate to NSVRC, RAINN, and MCASA
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Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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Follow Amanda Jane Stern on Instagram, Bluesky and Letterboxd
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1 hr 1 min
Ms. .45 (1981)
Episode 219
Show notes
"Sister!!"
CONTENT WARNING: This particular film we're discussing deals with the issue of sexual assault, so if that's a topic you're sensitive to, then you totally don't need to listen to this episode. See you next week! :)
On today's episode, in observance of April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we're covering REVENGE movies on the podcast, and this one is a fucking banger! We're heading to the gritty New York streets and shooting fuckers up in our long, black coat as we visit the revenge film, Ms. .45 (1981).
We discuss the careers of some of the cast and crew of the movie and a WHOLE lot about our titular character of Thana. You don't wanna miss this one!
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Donate to NSVRC, RAINN, and MCASA
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Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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Follow Cult Cinema Circle on Instagram, Bluesky, and Letterboxd
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1 hr 15 min
Valley Girl (1983)
Episode 218
Show notes
"Bitchin'! Is this in 3-D?"
"No, but your face is."
On today's episode, we're finishing up our month of covering female directed movies, and heading down to Hollywood with our new punk boyfriend as we cover one of the ultimate 80s teen movie classics, Valley Girl (1983).
We talk about teen movies of the 80s, how this is a fun play on the Romeo and Juliet story, and yes, we even talk about the maligned musical remake of the film from the late 2010s. Buckle up and let's go for a ride!!
Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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1 hr 9 min
Do Revenge (2022)
Episode 217
Show notes
"Peaking in high school is cringe anyway"
On today's episode, we're heading into Women's History Month by covering films that are directed by women, and this one is a total banger!!! We're covering the Netflix Original Do Revenge!!!
This movie is a fun, self-aware pastiche of 90s and 00s teen movies made by someone who obviously love that genre and those movies, and It's so refreshing to see that in a more recent film. We've got great performances, fun costumes and a fairly good soundtrack through the whole film.
Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com
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