The Nice Guys (2016)

The Nice Guys (2016)

Author: Film Trace April 25, 2021 Duration: 49:22

Shane Black was the wunderkind and whipping boy of screenwriting in the 1980s and 90s. His instant massive influence was only surpassed by his sudden fated fall. The scriptwriting maestro ran for the hills when his fame and wealth became a target-rich environment for snippy critics and jealous peers. His guardian angel, producer Joel Silver, let Shane direct his script Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in 2005, and this helped the stars align for 2016's The Nice Guys, a slick nostalgic noir featuring the comedy duo Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. None of this works on paper, but on the screen it shines bright and helped bring Shane Black back into the good graces of the backstabbing Hollywood elites.

Special Guest: Gary Horne from the fantastic Cinema Shock Podcast

Join us as we trace the life of The Nice Guys from conception (modern-day detective tv show for CBS) to production (Crowe going method as fat man) to release (snoozy summer release) to reception (muted in theaters, elevated on home video)


Ever find yourself falling down an internet rabbit hole after the credits roll, clicking from a film’s trivia page to the director’s biography and then to some obscure piece of production history? That’s the exact feeling Film Trace aims to capture and expand upon in audio form. This isn't just another review show. Instead, each episode is a deep, meticulously researched excavation of a single movie’s entire journey. We start with the initial spark of an idea-the script found in a drawer, the chance meeting that got it greenlit-and follow every twist and turn through casting, chaotic production, and post-production. The story continues to the film’s release, its critical and cultural reception, and what legacy it holds now. Think of it as a comprehensive, narrative-driven biography of a film, built on primary sources and genuine curiosity. The hosts at Film Trace use their collective nerd superpowers to do all that obsessive digging for you, weaving together context, history, and behind-the-scenes details into a compelling story about how art gets made. You’ll come away from each installment of this podcast not just with an opinion on a movie, but with a real understanding of its place in the wider world of TV and film. It’s for anyone who believes the story off-screen is just as fascinating as the one projected on it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 131

Film Trace
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