Travel with us back to 1988 as we examine Alien Nation, the high-concept sci-fi buddy cop film starring James Caan and Mandy Patinkin. Released during a boom of genre hybrids and high-stakes studio gambles, Alien Nation promised to be a bold allegory about race, immigration, and integration—but behind the scenes, it was plagued by rewrites, studio interference, and major third-act reshoots. In this episode we explore how director Graham Baker struggled to hold the project together, and how the original vision from screenwriter Rockne S. O’Bannon was reshaped in post, and how Alien Nation still managed to launch a a short-lived franchise legacy on television.

This time, we set our sights on The Predator (2018), Shane Black’s much-anticipated reboot of the iconic sci-fi franchise which originated with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and quickly devolved into one of the most chaotic productions in recent history. From extensive reshoots and drastic third-act changes, to test screening disasters and last-minute studio interference, this troubled entry was plagued from the start. We'll unpack the film’s messy road to release, the controversies surrounding its casting, and how a promising return to the franchise ended up alienating both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

For the first time we’re joined by a special guest: cohost of '90mins On Film' and 'Fairway Conversations,' Gabe "The Calilobo," who helps us as we journey into the chaotic production of 'The 13th Warrior,' starring Antonio Banderas — a film plagued by reshoots, a skyrocketing budget, and numerous creative clashes behind the scenes. From Michael Crichton's takeover, to a release date shuffle that pushed the film to "dump-month" of '99, this adaptation of 'Eaters of the Dead' was in serious trouble long before it ever reached audiences.