Mato just raised pre-seed Read more
Podcast charts
Published by Luke Deckard & Matthew Booth
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.
On the charts
Every published chart this podcast appears in, in the snapshot behind this page. Each one links to the chart it came off.
The Mato Topic Intelligence Platform does not report this podcast as charting in a published category in this snapshot.
From the feed
The latest episodes published to this podcast’s own RSS feed. Titles and descriptions are the publisher’s.
For our 100th investigation, we head deep into the jungle for John McTiernan’s Predator (1987) — the iconic genre-busting science-fiction action movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and Kevin Peter Hall. At first, Predator looks like the ultimate testosterone-fuelled 1980s action movie! In this episode, we investigate what makes Predator such an enduring classic. How did John McTiernan transform a seemingly straightforward action movie into a tense science-fiction horror thriller? And how does it flip the action hero concept on its head? CASE FILE: PREDATOR (1987) Directed by: John McTiernan Written by: Jim Thomas and John Thomas Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and Kevin Peter Hall Genre: Action / Science Fiction / Horror / Thriller 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.*
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' succes s , 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 / Mystery Was 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? CREDITS Cinema 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.
Lanterns is the latest DC property that has enraged the internet. But has fan discourse gone too far? We discuss that and whether this show is really worthy of the hate. 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.*
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.
Often listed as one of the best film noirs, based on one of the most iconic hard-boiled novels by James M Cain. Your sleuths put the film to the test! 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?
The Devil of Hell's Kitchen and The Punisher are BACK! Luke Deckard and Matthew Booth return to the darker side of the MCU to investigate Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again and The Punisher: One Last Kill. Has Marvel finally rediscovered what made these characters so compelling? Or has the return of Daredevil and Frank Castle come too late? 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
Dead or alive, you're coming with us. Paul Verhoeven's RoboCop is remembered as one of the great action films of the 1980s — but beneath the blood, guts, and violence lies something far more subversive and your standard Canon flick. 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 with special guest is Skye, co-host and co-created FILM 89 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.*
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?
This week, we discuss some of this summer's blockbuster hits and flops. We investigate Supergirl 2026 starring Milly Alcock, Toy Story 5, and Steven Spielberg's DISCLOSURE DAY. 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.*
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!
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 14, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
Apple and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Pairs with
Bring this source into Mato to read its transferable patterns, then turn them into an original show for your own audience.