The Cinematic Flashback Podcast

Chinatown (1974) - Roman Polanski - Cinematic Flashback Podcast

🎙️ Forget it, Jake. It’s a podcast.This week on The Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck and Matt investigate one of the most haunting and influential films of the 1970s: Chinatown (1974). Directed by Roman Polanski and written by Robert Towne, the film stars Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston in a mystery steeped in corruption, secrets, and the illusion of control.
🔎 What We Talk About:
The powerhouse performances by Nicholson, Dunaway, and Huston
Jerry Goldsmith’s unforgettable score and how it shaped the film’s mood
The unexpected Star Trek connection hiding in plain sight
Polanski’s brilliance as a filmmaker and the long shadow of his off-screen crimes
Themes of power, abuse, and the futility of fighting a rigged system
Whether Chinatown still grooves or if it skips a beat in our final verdict
🎧 New This Episode:We share a listener’s take on the film and whether they think it grooves or skips a beat.
🎬 Why Listen?If you love morally complex films with razor-sharp dialogue, unforgettable final scenes, and stories that refuse to tidy up by the end credits, this conversation is for you.
📩 Get in Touch:Email: podcast@CinematicFlashback.comFacebook: The Cinematic Flashback PodcastX: @BackTo70sMoviesAll socials and streaming links: https://linktr.ee/CinematicFlashbackPodcast
🎵 Music by: “1975” – Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions🎥 Clips used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and analysis.

MASH (Robert Altman, 1970) Review | Cinematic Flashback Podcast

M*A*S*H (1970) – The Cinematic Flashback Podcast
Hosted by: Chuck and Matt Sargent
In this episode of The Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck and co-host Matt Sargent head into the chaos and dark comedy of M*A*S*H (1970), directed by Robert Altman and starring Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, and Tom Skerritt.
Set against the backdrop of the Korean War—but unmistakably speaking to Vietnam-era America—M*A*S*H shattered expectations with its irreverent humor, anti-authoritarian streak, and Altman’s now-signature overlapping dialogue. Chuck and Matt dissect how this film launched a new wave of 1970s satire, paved the way for Altman’s storied career, and became the unlikely seed of a long-running TV empire.
They dig into the film’s controversial tone, its improvisational style, and the strange alchemy that made chaos feel so controlled. And of course, they answer the big question in their “Did It Groove or Skip a Beat?” segment.
So grab your dog tags, tune up the loudspeaker, and scrub in with us as we head to the 4077th and explore the film that rewrote the rules of war comedies.
Contact & Follow
Email: podcast@CinematicFlashback.com
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Music: 1975 – Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions
All video clips featured in this podcast are the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and analysis. No copyright infringement is intended.

Cinematic Flashback: McCabe And Mrs Miller

In this episode of the Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck and co-host Matt Sargent journey into the misty frontier of McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), directed by Robert Altman and starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.
Far from your typical gunslinging western, Altman’s revisionist take paints a haunting portrait of ambition, capitalism, and isolation in a rugged Pacific Northwest town. Chuck and Matt break down the film’s dreamlike aesthetic, Leonard Cohen’s unforgettable soundtrack, and the understated brilliance of Beatty and Christie’s performances.
They also explore how McCabe & Mrs. Miller fits into the wave of anti-westerns of the early '70s, Altman’s signature use of overlapping dialogue and naturalistic style, and whether its slow-burning melancholy still resonates today in the “Did It Groove or Lose Its Beat?” segment.
Light a lantern and settle in for a quiet, snow-dusted classic that redefined what a western could be.
Email: podcast@CinematicFlashback.comFacebook: The Cinematic Flashback PodcastX: @BackTo70sMovies
Music: 1975 - Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions
“All video clips featured in this podcast are the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and analysis. No copyright infringement is intended.”

Cinematic Flashback: The Poseidon Adventure

🚢 In this episode of the Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck is joined once again by co-host Matt as they set sail on The Poseidon Adventure (1972), directed by Ronald Neame and starring Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, and Red Buttons.
One of the defining disaster films of the 1970s, The Poseidon Adventure turns an upside-down cruise ship into a tense, emotional journey of survival. Chuck and Matt dive into the film’s larger-than-life characters, the practical effects that raised the bar for the genre, and how this all-star ensemble navigates both chaos and character arcs.
Does The Poseidon Adventure still make waves over 50 years later—or has it sunk with time? Find out in our “Did It Groove or Lose Its Beat?” segment. Buckle up for a deep dive into a blockbuster that proved not even a capsized ship can keep a good movie down.
📧 Email us: podcast@CinematicFlashback.com📲 Facebook: The Cinematic Flashback Podcast🐦 X/Twitter: @BackTo70sMovies🔗 All our socials and links: https://linktr.ee/CinematicFlashbackPodcast
🎵 Music: 1975 - Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions🎥 “All video clips featured in this podcast are the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and analysis. No copyright infringement is intended.”

Cinematic Flashback: Westworld

In this episode of the Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck is joined by special guest Jeff Johnson from A Film By Podcast to saddle up for a ride into Westworld (1973), written and directed by Michael Crichton and starring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin.
Before Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton warned us about the dangers of theme park tech gone rogue—and Westworld was the first shot fired. Chuck and Jeff explore the groundbreaking blend of sci-fi and western, discussing the film’s eerie tone, Brynner’s menacing performance as the original killer robot, and the revolutionary use of digital effects that made cinematic history.
They’ll also break down how Westworld fits into the genre mashups of the 1970s and whether its android-fueled thrills still groove today in the “Did It Groove or Lose Its Beat?” segment. Plus, Jeff shares behind-the-scenes tidbits and why Westworld continues to influence modern sci-fi.
Plug in for a tech-noir throwback that proves sometimes, the machines don’t just rise—they shoot first.
Jeff Johnson
@AFilmByPodcast
https://www.afilmbypodcast.com
 
Email: podcast@CinematicFlashback.comFacebook: The Cinematic Flashback PodcastX: @BackTo70sMovies
Music: 1975 - Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions
“All video clips featured in this podcast are the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and analysis. No copyright infringement is intended.”

Cinematic Flashback: The Conversation

In this episode of the Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck and co-host Matt Sargent tune in to The Conversation (1974), directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, and Cindy Williams.
A masterclass in paranoia and surveillance thriller storytelling, The Conversation follows expert wiretapper Harry Caul as he becomes entangled in a moral crisis over a recording he’s made. Chuck and Matt dive into Hackman’s subdued yet powerful performance, Coppola’s meticulous direction, and how the film’s themes of privacy and guilt remain eerily relevant today.
They also explore how The Conversation fits into the psychological thrillers of the 1970s and whether its quiet intensity still resonates in the Did It Groove or Lose Its Beat? segment.
Plug in for a deep and suspenseful discussion—and maybe double-check who's listening in!
Email: podcast@CinematicFlashback.comFacebook: The Cinematic Flashback PodcastX: @BackTo70sMovies
Music: 1975 - Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions
"All video clips featured in this podcast are the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and analysis. No copyright infringement is intended."

Cinematic Flashback: The Great Train Robbery

In this episode of the Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck and co-host Matt Sargent take a thrilling ride through The Great Train Robbery (1978), directed by Michael Crichton and starring Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland, and Lesley-Anne Down.
Set in Victorian England, this stylish caper follows a team of master thieves as they attempt an audacious heist aboard a moving train. Chuck and Matt break down the film’s clever set pieces, its historical inspirations, and Crichton’s unique approach to blending suspense with charm.
They also explore how The Great Train Robbery fits into the heist genre of the era and whether its mix of wit and adventure still holds up today in the Did It Groove or Lose Its Beat? segment. Plus, Wayne Whited joins the show to review Jerry Goldsmith’s excellent score. Oh, and you might learn a thing or two about riding side saddle!
Hop aboard for a fun and insightful discussion on one of the decade’s most entertaining capers.
Email: podcast@CinematicFlashback.comFacebook: The Cinematic Flashback PodcastX: @BackTo70sMovies
Music: 1975 - Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions
All film clips used are for illustrative purposes under fair use.

Cinematic Flashback: Sorcerer

In this episode of the Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck and co-host Matt Sargent take a deep dive into Sorcerer (1977), directed by William Friedkin and starring Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, Francisco Rabal, and Amidou.
Often overshadowed by Star Wars upon its release, Sorcerer has since been rediscovered as a masterful, tension-filled journey into desperation and survival. Chuck and Matt discuss Friedkin’s uncompromising vision, the film’s nerve-wracking set pieces, and how its reputation has evolved over time.
They also explore how Sorcerer fits into the gritty, auteur-driven cinema of the 1970s and whether its raw intensity still resonates today in the Did It Groove or Lose Its Beat? segment.
Tune in for an in-depth conversation on one of the most gripping films of the decade.
Email: podcast@CinematicFlashback.comFacebook: The Cinematic Flashback PodcastX: @BackTo70sMovies
Music: 1975 - Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions
All film clips used are for illustrative purposes under fair use.

Cinematic Flashback: Black Sunday

In this episode of the Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck and co-host Matt Sargent take a tense ride into Black Sunday (1977), directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Robert Shaw, Bruce Dern, and Marthe Keller.
This thriller follows a terrorist plot to attack the Super Bowl using a Goodyear blimp rigged with explosives. Chuck and Matt break down the film’s pacing, its performances, and how it reflects the anxieties of the 1970s.
Does it still Groove through the Ages, or did it skip a beat?
Tune in for an in-depth look at this suspenseful film—shot at Super Bowl X!
Email: podcast@CinematicFlashback.comFacebook: The Cinematic Flashback PodcastX: @BackTo70sMovies

Cinematic Flashback: Kelly's Heroes

In this episode of the Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck and co-host Matt Sargent take a look at Kelly’s Heroes (1970), directed by Brian G. Hutton and featuring Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, and Don Rickles.
Set during World War II, the film follows a group of soldiers as they embark on a risky mission to retrieve a hidden stash of gold behind enemy lines. Chuck and Matt discuss the film’s mix of war drama and comedy, its ensemble cast, and its unique take on the heist genre.
They also explore how Kelly’s Heroes fits into the war films of its time and whether its humor and themes still hold up today in the Does it still Groove segment.
Email: podcast@CinematicFlashback.comFacebook: The Cinematic Flashback PodcastX: @BackTo70sMovies
 
Music: 1975 - Josh Kirsch_Media Right Productions
All film clips used are for illustrative purposes under fair use.