ONE SPOON OF CHOCOLATE writer/director RZA
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In this episode of *The Movies That Made Me*, host Josh Olson welcomes writer/director RZA to discuss his new film *One Spoon of Chocolate*, a high-octane, stylistically rich action thriller that pays homage to the gritty, genre-blending cinema of the 1970s and 80s. RZA reflects on the film’s roots in classic revenge tales like *Walking Tall* and *Billy Jack*, as well as the influence of Spaghetti Westerns, Kung Fu epics, and cult horror. He shares personal stories about his grandfather’s love of Westerns, the emotional weight of casting racially charged roles with authenticity, and the challenges of directing a cast through intense, uncomfortable dialogue. The conversation dives deep into cinematic double features—such as *Walking Tall* with *Billy Jack*, *Enter the Dragon* with *36 Chambers*, and *White Lightning* with *Taking a Pelham 1, 2, 3*—highlighting how these films shaped his visual language and storytelling rhythm. RZA also reflects on the legacy of Bruce Lee, the power of memory in filmmaking, and the importance of letting raw emotion live on set. The episode closes with a heartfelt exchange about fatherhood, legacy, and the quiet joy of shared cultural experiences through film. Key takeaways include: (1) The power of double features to shape a filmmaker’s visual and narrative DNA; (2) The importance of emotional authenticity in casting racially charged roles, especially when the director and cast are not from the same background; (3) Using memory and nostalgia as creative fuel, even when reality doesn’t match childhood recollection; (4) The lasting impact of genre films like *Enter the Dragon* and *The Spook Who Sat By The Door* on modern storytelling; and (5) The idea that not knowing the truth can be a gift—allowing imagination to flourish. The overall tone is warm, reflective, and deeply reverent toward cinema’s cultural legacy.
Double features are not just entertainment—they’re a cinematic language that shapes a filmmaker’s visual and narrative DNA.
Emotional authenticity in casting requires preparation, trust, and respect, especially when dealing with racially charged material.
Memory is a creative tool: childhood recollections of films often surpass their actual quality, and that idealized version can inspire art.
Genre films like *Enter the Dragon* and *The Spook Who Sat By The Door* are not just entertainment—they’re cultural touchstones with lasting impact.
The unknown is a gift: not knowing the truth allows imagination to thrive, which is essential for storytelling.
Opening: The Dark Pulse of Cinema
The episode opens with a dramatic, atmospheric intro from SpectreVision Radio, setting a tone of dark storytelling and horror. Host Josh Olson welcomes back Joe Dante (who is in Europe) and introduces RZA as the guest for this episode, teasing his new film *One Spoon of Chocolate* as a high-energy, nostalgic action thriller.
RZA’s Journey: From Philly to the Director’s Chair
RZA shares personal anecdotes about his early life in Philadelphia, his love for film, and his connection to the underground music and cinema scene. He recalls renting movies from a Manhattan Beach video store and being inspired by the work of Jerry Martinez, who designed the red apple cigarettes in *Pulp Fiction*—a detail now featured in his own film.
The Soundtrack of Memory: Blondie’s ‘Rapture’ and the Birth of Rap
“I think Mick Jagger is the first white guy at least to rap on a record in Miss You. He raps. After dark, people think I'm crazy. Right. He actually wrote it.”
The Weight of the N-Word: Casting and Emotional Authenticity
“It was one of the most hilariously uncomfortable sets if you will... for about a minute studios because with that we didn't do makeup we didn't hair actors would get out of the car come in and they're standing there they got their script at hand and they go to work and when these two white actors come in it was mostly black cast.”
Double Features That Shaped a Director’s Vision
“I put a spoonful of these films we're about to talk about. There's a spoonful in them in my movie at some capacity.”
“Our brains try so hard to manufacture certainty and in our attempts to manufacture certainty, I think we get stuck. And that causes us often to ignore what is real for one person, which may be completely unreal for someone else. So how do we know what's real? We don't. Not knowing what is real allows us to peer more deeply into what could be. And that is a gift in and of itself.”
“He said to me a couple months before he died... you know, I'm really happy that it worked out that like both of us loved Westerns because that really was a good part.”
“It was one of the most hilariously uncomfortable sets if you will... for about a minute studios because with that we didn't do makeup we didn't hair actors would get out of the car come in and they're standing there they got their script at hand and they go to work and when these two white actors come in it was mostly black cast.”
Host
Guest
RZA
person
One Spoon of Chocolate
media
Bruce Lee
person
Clint Eastwood
person
Enter the Dragon
media
Walking Tall
media
Billy Jack
media
Blondie
other
Joseph Sargent
person
The Spook Who Sat By The Door
media
FOR ALL MANKIND visual effects maestro Todd Sheridan Perry
The Movies That Made Me • 1h 23m • 4/7/2026
Severin Films' David Gregory
The Movies That Made Me • 1h 28m • 4/14/2026
THE MUMMY writer/director Lee Cronin
The Movies That Made Me • 1h 21m • 4/21/2026
TRAILER SHOW: Severin Films' David Gregory
The Movies That Made Me • 26m • 4/24/2026
TRAILER SHOW: RZA
The Movies That Made Me • 53m • 5/1/2026
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