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Never Seen It PodcastAuthor: Justin Holden, Alex Callego, Anthony Ghirardi, Arnold Callego, Adrian DeLaTorre, Donald Guzman
There always seems to be that one person, in every group of friends, that hasn't seen a popular movie. On this Podcast, we gather our friends, and expose one another (wink) to the hit films that flew under somebody's radar. Sit back, enjoy the laughs, and it should go without saying, but Warning: Spoilers Ahead! Language: en Genres: Film History, Film Reviews, TV & Film Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Never Seen It Podcast — To Live & Die In L.A. ft. Allen Strickland Williams
Episode 96
Tuesday, 21 July, 2026
This week on the Never Seen It Podcast, we're joined by stand-up comedian Alan Strickland Williams (Conan, Adult Swim, Comics Unleashed) to dive into one of the greatest crime thrillers you've probably never seen: William Friedkin's To Live and Die in L.A. (1985). We discuss how this stylish neo-noir helped shape modern action movies like Heat, Drive, and The Departed, while examining why it still feels fresh more than 40 years later. We explore Friedkin's fearless filmmaking style, the movie's gritty depiction of Los Angeles, and the practical stunt work that makes its famous freeway chase one of the greatest car chases ever filmed. Along the way, we debate Willem Dafoe's chilling performance as counterfeiter Eric Masters, the film's shocking ending, buddy-cop tropes, and whether today's action movies have lost the practical craftsmanship that made '80s thrillers so memorable. Alan also shares stories about living in Los Angeles, filmmaking around the city, the evolution of Hollywood productions, and why LA remains one of cinema's greatest characters. We even compare classic action films to today's CGI-heavy blockbusters, discuss Wang Chung's iconic soundtrack, and revisit some of William Friedkin's wild behind-the-scenes directing methods. If you love crime movies, neo-noir, action cinema, film history, or deep movie discussions, this episode is for you. Topics include: To Live and Die in L.A. review William Friedkin's directing style Willem Dafoe's early career The greatest movie car chases Neo-noir films and LA crime movies Action movies of the 1980s vs today Practical effects vs CGI Wang Chung's unforgettable soundtrack Why this cult classic deserves a rediscovery
