Jon Voight is an acting legend. More than that, he’s kind, charismatic and an incomparable thespian. At 85, he’s still got wide range and is razor sharp. But whether he plays a bit part, leading man or anything in between, anyone who’s seen his films can easily cite Voight for being a standout. Think about Midnight Cowboy, Varsity Blues, Enemy of the State, Heat, Mission: Impossible, Deliverance, The Champ, or his Oscar-winning turn in Coming Home and it’s clear that Voight’s performance sticks with you years after the credits have rolled. There are a few constants established and maintained in his career beyond his towering 6’-2” frame and that’s his…
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Interview…Catherine Hardwicke on Rome, Romance and Toni Collette in ‘Mafia Mamma’
If you want a comedy that is as off-the-wall as it is refreshing, then look no further than Catherine Hardwicke’s Mafia Mamma. This fish-out-of-water actioner mixes The Godfather and Eat, Pray, Love into a wine vat and the result is an endearing farce that shines thanks to Toni Collette. Always one for detail and legitimacy, Hardwicke gives this film a boost by filming in Rome and casting real Italian actors who add a lot of body to the sauce. Yet the wonderful sets and locations would be noting if she didn’t understand the characters. Even with its implausible comedic set up, the film delivers because of the earnestness of the…
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[Fantastic Fest Interview]…Jason Eisener on ’Kids Vs. Aliens’
Jason Eisener’s passion for fun filmmaking oozes right through the screen. Fun, furious and fast-paced, KIDS VS. ALIENS is like a kids playset come to life. An inventive alien abduction flick that really commits to its concept with the right amount absurdly over-the-top elements. If you love Treevenge and Hobo With A Shotgun, this flick offers is a wild look into what makes Eisener’s mind tick is one of the best playing. You’re gonna want much more. Promise! Enjoy our fun chat with Jason about kids, aliens, toys and Rutger Hauer’s improv. If you weren’t at FF this year to enjoy all the pint-sized fun, worry not. It’s been picked…
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[Fantastic Fest Interview]…Carter Smith and Mark Patton on ’Swallowed’
Whether it’s at Fantastic Fest, or anywhere else, it’ll be hard to find a tighter or more claustrophobic narrative than Carter Smith’s Swallowed. With four key cast members thrown into a no-win scenario, it’s like a vice that tightens every second of this solid story. It gives me chills just thinking back on it. Of course it also doesn’t help (or maybe it does) that Smith shot this in 4:3 which only puts the characters that much closer to uncomfortable situations and Jena Malone‘s ferocity. That certainly amplifies the intensity and helplessness but man, oh, man it this a great ride. We sat with star/veteran horror icon Mark Patton and…
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[Fantastic Fest Interview]…Turmoil and Family Terror in ’Spoonful of Sugar’
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…
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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…
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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…
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[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…
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[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…
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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…
