The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: Masterpiece
The hosts take a deep dive into the 1974 horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, exploring why it is widely regarded as a masterpiece despite its low budget and brutal subject matter. They walk through the full plot beat by beat, then detail the movie's origins, inspirations, difficult production, and chaotic distribution history, including mob-linked financing and rating battles. The conversation also covers the film's critical reevaluation, influence on the horror genre, and why they believe its particular mix of naivete, constraint, and inventiveness can never truly be replicated.
"Edgar Wright"
The hosts talk with filmmaker Edgar Wright about his lifelong obsession with movies, from sneaking into age-restricted screenings as a kid and making Super 8 and video projects, to creating the TV series "Spaced" and the films in the so‑called Cornetto trilogy. Wright discusses his visual and musical style, his early DIY feature "A Fistful of Fingers," long‑time collaborations with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and the development of "Baby Driver." He also breaks down his new adaptation of Stephen King's "The Running Man," his writing process, formative British comedy influences, and his core philosophy of making the films he himself would want to see.
"Kirsten Dunst"
Kirsten Dunst joins the SmartLess hosts for a wide-ranging conversation about her life as a former child actor, her evolving relationship to auditions and awards, and her current slate of films including "Roofman" and Ruben Östlund's "The Entertainment System is Down." She talks about balancing a dual-actor household with parenting two young sons, her preference for a low-key life in the Valley, and an acting process that includes "dream work" to deepen characters. The group also digresses into food, TV habits, SNL memories, and why she now craves doing a big, fun comedy next.