Stories work well when they serve two purposes. Entertainment is one thing, but if you can use a narrative as a chance to do something deeper and more meaningful, so much the better. In what is probably our favorite film at Fantastic Fest, Eduardo Casanova‘s Silencio is a shining example of how a genre (in this case, horror) can be a Trojan horse for getting to the heart of a socially impacting topic. Imagine, if you will, a film with a hook about vampirism is actually a means to convey how (among other ideas) how AIDS has affected many people. Oh, this is also about coming out from under the…
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[Fantastic Fest Interview]…Kyle Misak and Jon Petro on Dancing Psychopaths, Perfect Casting Choices and Narrative Tone in ‘Bad Haircut’
Sometimes, a film can hook you from the very first frame, and you just know you’re gonna love the ride. As a film fan, that’s the best you can hope for. Beyond that, if something has high replay value and staying power, it means that particular film it’s on its way too greatness or, at least, cult status. One such feature that meets all of the above and more is Bad Haircut, and having its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest is a badge of honor. Everything in this 110 minute runtime is primed for maximum enjoyment from this fervent and genre-loving crowd. All the elements we love are there (check…
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[Fantastic Fest Interview]…Director Kenichi Ugana on Brooding Horror in ‘The Curse’
Horror comes in all shapes and sizes. Some elements come and go, while others stick around and are constantly with us. On that note, Kenichi Ugana‘s latest film, The Curse, gives us frights that not only go bump in the night, they follow us around in broad daylight. Similar to how there are no safe zones in films like The Babadook and It Follows (which also raised eyebrows and pulses at Fantastic Fest), a curse is not something that subscribes to any rules other than this: unrelenting pursuit and peril that usually ends in tears. So, if you have a taste for something with long hair, tall shadows and sticks…
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Interview…Composer Dan Deacon on Creating Symphonies in the Mundane in ‘Task’ on HBO
There’s an old saying that the object of any art is the transfer of emotion. That is true, regardless of the medium, the artist, or the exhibition. Now the art we love most on this site is the art of entertainment, specifically the alchemy created when making music for moving pictures. Over the years, we’ve been very lucky and honored to have spoken to dozens upon dozens of creatives who craft sonic atmospheres for film and TV. And because music can take any shape form, duration, style, etc., you never know what’s going to move the mercury of your soul. That brings us to today’s show. One of the absolute…
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Interview…Director Joe Hill Discusses the Honesty and Personal Journey of ‘Match In A Haystack’
In the world of documentaries, it’s not easy to standout in the crowd. That said, we were taken with Joe Hill‘s documentary about a troupe of dancers in Ukraine. His film, Match In A Haystack, is intimate, well-crafted and tells a unique story amid a war that affects all aspects of these citizen’s lives. Hill’s eye for story and capturing the moment has made his work noteworthy, whether it is in the mountains, the arctic, or a war-torn country. He has extensive experience directing documentary projects, and he’s also a cinematographer and producer. That aids in his ability to share a cohesive and compelling slice of life of a great…
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Interview…Director John McPhail on Family, Fun and a Few Friendly Frights in ‘Grow’
John McPhail is an award-winning writer and director known for crafting bold, heartfelt, and hilarious stories that connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level. A firm believer that laughter and tears go hand in hand, he specializes in high-concept comedies that balance absurdity with genuine heart. A lifelong horror fan raised on a steady diet of John Carpenter and Stephen King, John has a deep love for genre storytelling, often fusing horror, comedy, and heartfelt drama in unexpected ways. His films thrive on contrast, the ridiculous and the real, the hilarious and the heartbreaking because, as he sees it, the best way to make someone laugh is to first…
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Interview…Jeff Russo Brings Method and Mythology to Noah Hawley’s ‘Alien: Earth’
A few weeks back, we got to share an exclusive “first listen” of composer Jeff Russo‘s themes for Alien: Earth. It really set the stage for what Noah Hawley and the rest of the team would give us with this stunning addition to the Alien universe Ridley Scott built. Now that the show is out in the world, fans and those new to the franchise are loving every acidic drop of the expanded mythology. You can credit a lot of the success to the auditory component. We’re not talking about the ooey-gooey sound engineering, but the deft and complex sound palette Russo assembled. Russo is used to scoring varied and…
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Interview…Director Sean Ellis on the Physical and Psychological Anguish of ‘The Cut’
How far will you go to get something you think you want? At what cost do you keep pushing? And do the obsessive ends justify the means? These are some of the heavy and impacting building blocks of Sean Ellis‘ latest film. And coming from the man whose career is built on movies where characters make life-changing sacrifices, this might be the crown jewel in his CV. The Cut is an exploration into what drives someone. With nothing but training and instincts to lean on, it’s easy to imagine how much weight a boxer carries in their minds each time they enter the squared circle. After all, the mind is…
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Interview…Writer/Producer Erik Bork on ‘The Elephant in the Room’ – Finding Common Ground and Emotional Narratives
As human beings, we have a real tough time seeing eye to on a lot of issues: sports, food, fashion, politics, etc. In fact, the list goes on and on. But what can we agree on (or at least understand and put up with) to be able to share a country, a state, an office or even a relationship with? Can we disagree and still connect? Such is the idea behind writer/director Erik Bork‘s new film. The cleverly named The Elephant in the Room gives audiences Nora Ephron–style political rom-com that is both funny and thought-provoking. Leah is a smart, driven social media strategist reeling from the 2020 election. Vincent…
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Interview…Composer Stuart Michael Thomas Digs Deep For ‘The Cut’
Life-long musician and composer Stuart Michael Thomas has amassed over 100 feature film and television credits during his time in Hollywood including international blockbusters such as Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1, Iron Man 3, and The Dark Knight. He was also one of the featured guitarists on Top Gun: Maverick. Imagine getting to shred out that theme for the world to enjoy. Yeah, that’s just one of Stuart’s many super cool stories about his “day job” working on these sensational projects. Over his 20-year career he’s developed a unique and versatile style blending elements of Classical orchestration with modern techniques resulting in a sound that is both timeless and…
