THE MUMMY writer/director Lee Cronin
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Lee Cronin, writer/director of *The Mummy*, joins *The Movies That Made Me* to reflect on the films that shaped his creative vision, sharing a deeply personal list of 10 movies he saw before turning 10. From the primal fear of *Jaws* to the chaotic joy of *Dead Alive*, Cronin traces how early cinematic experiences—often introduced by his older brother—instilled in him a love for genre filmmaking, family, and emotional spectacle. He discusses how *The Shining* terrified him as a child and taught him the power of sound and patience in horror, while *Planes, Trains and Automobiles* became a Christmas staple for its emotional manipulation and heart. Cronin also reveals how *Poltergeist*, *Evil Dead 2*, and *Robocop* influenced his own work, particularly in tone, structure, and genre subversion. He closes with two lesser-known but deeply impactful recommendations: Paul Verhoeven’s *Black Book* and William Friedkin’s *Bug*, both of which showcase masterful storytelling within genre frameworks. The episode is a heartfelt meditation on how childhood cinema shapes a filmmaker’s soul, punctuated by behind-the-scenes stories, including a legendary lunch with Friedkin that revealed the shocking truth behind *Bug*’s infamous sex scene.
The most formative films are often the ones seen at a vulnerable age, especially when shared within a family context.
Horror films are most effective when experienced with non-fans—watching their reactions amplifies the fear and joy.
Great genre films balance spectacle with emotional depth, using structure and sound to create lasting impact.
Filmmakers like Verhoeven and Friedkin masterfully blend satire, shock, and humanity, making their work timeless.
Revisiting old films in new formats (like 4K or IMAX) can reveal hidden details and new layers of meaning.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Mummy Swag & the Horror of Toenail Clippers
Josh Olson opens the episode with a humorous reveal of a tiny, horrifying toenail clipper from *The Mummy* swag, setting the tone for a conversation about the film’s visceral, audience-focused horror. The clipper, a callback to a grotesque scene in the movie, becomes a metaphor for the film’s blend of humor and terror.
Jaws: The First Fear That Burned Into Memory
“It's the first memory I have of a piece of entertainment frightening me. So up to that point, everything, not that I can remember it, but I guess it was all Care Bears. Right. And it was, it was all warm and fuzzy. And then it was the first time I remember being scared by something I watched on the TV and that burned into my mind.”
The Bizarre Double Header: Terminator 2 & The Commitments
“Terminator 2 and The Commitments are like joined hands together and they couldn't be more different. So Terminator 2, obviously for the pure spectacle, I had seen... Because Terminator 2 came out when I was... I guess about nine years old, if I saw it right after release.”
The Shining: Fear, Sound, and the Power of the Score
“I remember even all of the oddness of like the, just, you know, the guy with the cracked skull saying like, you know, cheers and all of that stuff. And then it set the tone for when I'm scared by a movie, which I still can be scared by a movie is it takes me about three nights to recover from it.”
Paranormal Activity & the Legacy of Real Fear
“When Sadako comes out of the TV, I was literally backing up the wall from my bed. That scared the living shit out of me, that movie. I love that.”
“He goes, well, there's a scene when they're having sex. He goes, and here's what I did. We took some of the blades, you know, cuts to like they're having sex and there's a shot of a ceiling fan. And he goes, we took the blades out of the fan and we replaced them with mirrors or we put mirrors on them or something.”
“When Sadako comes out of the TV, I was literally backing up the wall from my bed. That scared the living shit out of me, that movie. I love that.”
“He goes, well, you know, anybody could have made The Exorcist. Sorcerer is my masterpiece.”
Host
Guest
Lee Cronin
person
The Mummy
media
Jaws
media
Billy Friedkin
person
The Shining
media
The Commitments
media
Terminator 2
media
Paul Verhoeven
person
Evil Dead 2
media
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
media
FOR ALL MANKIND visual effects maestro Todd Sheridan Perry
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Severin Films' David Gregory
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TRAILER SHOW: Severin Films' David Gregory
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ONE SPOON OF CHOCOLATE writer/director RZA
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TRAILER SHOW: RZA
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