One of the best and biggest surprises of the festival is Mercedes Bryce Morgan‘s acid-fueled stunner, Spoonful of Sugar. People like to say that a movie sticks with them after seeing it, but in this case we really and truly mean it. Unsettling, stunning and serious as cancer, Spoonful of Sugar makes you question family, friends, even horticulture in a film that shows that monsters exist everywhere…even within each of us. But it also asks an important question: do we nurture a monster in an attempt to manifest the life that we want? Answer that how you will, but in the meantime check out the film which, in a mark…
-
-
Video Interview…Ema Horvath and Trey Tucker on Aliens and Paranoia in ‘What Lies Below’
In advance of the release of XYZ Films’ upcoming thriller, What Lies Below, we spoke to Ema Horvath and Trey Tucker about their characters and what they brought to the story. It’s an interesting film, and plays with ideas about paranoia and family troubles with aliens thrown in just to shake things up. It also, smartly, keeps the sci-fi elements in the periphery which puts focus on the tangible tension between the three main leads. In that respect, it’s got some similarities to The Twilight Zone. Written by Braden R. Duemmler, who is making his directorial feature debut, the film also stars Mena Suvari and Haskiri Velasquez. It’s sly sci-fi that succeeds…
-
Video Interview…Alisha Wainwright and Jason Ritter Discuss Themes and Characters of ‘Raising Dion’
This week, the stars of Raising Dion were in Dallas to promote their new Netflix show. It is so good! Adapted from a comic book of the same name, this is a wonderful and engaging story of a single mother dealing with her 8 year-old son, Dion, who just so happens to have super powers. There is a lot of heart in this sci-fi drama which is light and funny, but it also deals with some tough issues. Enjoy our time with Alisha Wainwright and Jason Ritter as we talk about the themes in the show, what they brought to their characters, and, of all things, funny ring tones. It…
-
[Fantastic Fest Interview]…Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman and Michael C. Hall on ‘In the Shadow of the Moon’
Fantastic Fest 2019 was packed to the gills with insane films, hotly anticipated titles, and legendary actors in large and small scale pictures. There were also a trio of Netflix titles from some pretty big directors making their premiere at the Fest. One of those is In the Shadow of the Moon which is directed by Jim Mickle (We Are What We Are, Stake Land, and Cold in July). Mickle’s latest is a brilliant hybrid of science fiction and a detective yarn. It’s also headlined by some very accomplished thespians, and we got to chat with them about the themes and concepts in this high-concept familial drama. Enjoy our time…
-
[Fantastic Fest Interview]…Director Jim Mickle on Filming ‘In the Shadow of the Moon’
Director Jim Mickle is no stranger to genre filmmaking. He’s made films about cannibals, vampires, and psychopaths and won plenty of fans along the way with We Are What We Are, Stake Land, and Cold in July. In his latest, the upcoming Netflix title, In the Shadow of the Moon, he explores the concept of obsession in a multi-generational familial drama. It’s also a murder mystery detective story that has an element of time-travel. So, yes, it’s ambitious to say the least, and it’s also Mickle’s largest production to date. The film stars Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman and Michael C. Hall who all play a part in this massive story line. We…
-
Video Interview…David Harbour on Hopper, Horror, and Big Hair in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 3
For most of this year, we’ve been getting ready for the upcoming season of Stranger Things. We’re still more than a week away, but one thing that took our mind off the wait was the chance to speak with David Harbour. That’s right, Police Chief Jim Hopper himself was in Dallas as part of a press event to promote the show. While in the Big D, he was treated to some of the best baseball and BBQ we could offer. Hey, it’s the least we could do. Thanks, Dallas, for making David feel at home. He’s already a pretty laid-back guy (I spent close to an hour with him in…
-
Video Interview…Ella Hunt on the Music and Jolly Good Fun in ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’
Anna and the Apocalypse may be the only “Zombie Christmas Musical” you’ll ever see, but it will also be the best one. As such, we were thrilled that the lead, one Ella Hunt, was in Texas to promote the festival darling. We had an absolute blast interviewing the actor/singer/zombie slayer about the jolly good, sing-songy ride. John McPhail‘s indie favorite is a love-letter to, obviously, many different genre films. But it’s also a charming endeavor that really offers up something endearing, energetic and substantive in addition to the ingenious zombie kills, witty jokes, and memorable musical numbers. And they certainly cast Anna right. Ella Hunt has a natural, fun-loving charisma that translates…
-
Video Interview…Rich Moore and Phil Johnston on ‘RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET’
Of all the Disney movies, princess or otherwise, Wreck-It Ralph is easily my favorite. And why wouldn’t it be? It is entertaining, highly inventive, hilarious, and infinitely quotable. Further, it was cast to perfection, has a fantastic score by Henry Jackman, and then, of course, there’s a great message for everyone – something Rich Moore and Phil Johnston seem to pull off effortlessly. We couldn’t wait for a follow up, but the above-pictured duo took a little detour from Litwak’s Arcade – to the lushly detailed animal kingdom of Zootopia – before outdoing themselves with Ralph and Vanellope’s second adventure on the big screen. But it was worth the wait, and it…
-
[Fantastic Fest Interview]…’You Might Be the Killer’ Creative Team Discuss Story and Love of ’80s Slasher Films
In the span of three and a half days at Fantastic Fest this year, I saw eleven films. That might not seem like much, but when you are covering the fest, writing reviews and interviewing talent, you run out of time real quick. To say that going to bed at 4:30 AM became the norm is an understatement. All that aside, I really want to tell you about the best film that played at the Fest this year – or at least my favorite. That honor goes to an ’80s era slasher send-up called You Might Be the Killer. Check out my review here. I was so taken with the…
-
[Fantastic Fest Interview]…Director Jim Hosking and Co-Writer David Wike on the Absurd Hilarity in ‘An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn’
In 2014, we spoke with Jim Hosking about his segment ‘G is for Grandad‘ in ABCs of Death 2 (check out that interview here). It was a brief glimpse into his mad style before he began work on the now divisive film The Greasy Strangler. Our good buddy Bryan Kluger (who runs BoomstickComics.com) loved it, so after thoroughly enjoying Hosking’s latest, the hilarious An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn, we had to partner up on an interview while Hosking and co-writer David Wike were in town at Fantastic Fest this year. It was just as odd and fun as their film. Enjoy!! An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn is written/directed by…
