Composer Henry Jackman is on the short list of seasoned composers who can concoct and deliver an elevated musical palette. Whether the story is about mutant, vigilantes, pirates or the mighty Kong, his work serves as more than the backdrop to the narrative. It is the jet fuel that courses through the picture and literally makes characters fly. We’ve spoken to him a handful of times over the years and his approach to composition and the ideas he manifests live on long after you’ve left the theater. To help make his latest cinematic confection oh so sweet, he enlisted an equally talented and courageous musician to try things that, as…
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Interview…Martin MacPhail on the Sound of Adventure in ‘Deathstalker’
We had a fun chat with composer Martin MacPhail. to talk about their work on the ultra rad reboot of Deathstalker. If adventure has one name, then music for the adventure needs two…BLITZ//BERLIN. We spoke to this highly talented and ultra prolific group last year to talk about their career and the trio of genre titles. This time, we dug deep to get into the nitty gritty (and the fun) of the Deathstalker reboot. From the mind (and hands) of Steven Kostanski, this fun throwback film is full of action, humor, excitement and some of the best practical effects & gore since, well, his last film. Herein, he has a…
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Interview…Luke Hemsworth on Elevating the Writing and Character Acting in ‘Beast’
Tyler Atkins’ Beast is full of heavyweight talent, brilliant acting and dialogue exchanges that leave you speechless. The jabs that hit you in the heart and make your jaw drop don’t just happen in the ring. It’s the back and forth between Luke Hemsworth, Dan MacPherson, Russell Crowe and the rest of the exceptional cast that will make this an instant classic. Today, we got a true thrill to talk with Luke about his experiences in this masterfully moving MMA themed drama. He and MacPherson have a long working relationship and are some of Australia’s best and brightest. While they don’t square off against each other (trading fisticuffs anyway) they…
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Interview…Daniel MacPherson on the Heart and Intensity of ‘Beast’
Sports movies are usually about overcoming the odds, redemption, etc. and sometimes a love story finds itself woven into the world of pastimes, pugilism, double headers or championship bouts. So it’s a rare feat when a story or film can pull off a win in multiple categories and please all the crowds. As such, Tyler Atkins’ Beast does just that. It also covers themes and topics that are deeper yet more unique and universal than we’re used to seeing. Dan “there is no fear in MacPherson” MacPherson commands the screen in Beast as he and the rest of the exceptional cast create something with TONS of heart. The film’s punches…
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G-S-T Review…The Pout-Pout Fish’s Big Screen Adventure is Blub Bluub Bluuub
This year, Deborah Diesen’s The Pout-Pout Fish makes its way from the stout cardboard pages to the big screen. Despite all the colorful scales, bubbles and iridescent colors, there’s something missing in this feature-length underwater adventure. Considering this animated feature comes from a children’s book (and series) that has less than 30 pages, credit where it’s due, the trio of writers created a more impacting tail, err tale than the eponymous fish turning his frown upside down. Living on a rundown shipwreck, Mr. Fish discovers a hyperactive young sea dragon Pip – who had mistaken his home for a junkyard – pilfering his belongings. The heated argument that ensues leaves both their…
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Interview…Writer/Director Addison Heimann on Relationships and Trojan Horses in Genre Cinema
Tell me if you can relate to this. You go to a frozen yogurt place and stare at all the toppings. While completely different, they all look appealing. You grab one, then another and before you know it, your cup is overflowing with insane combinations. Each bite is weird but enjoyable. This happens to me every time. So why they build up above? Well, sometimes unlikely and complicated pairings and combinations make for the most memorable experiences. And as far as experiences, nothing compares to the “taste” of how we navigate the waters of love, life, friendship, and the human condition – successfully or unsuccessfully. Hope that made sense because…
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Interview…Composer Tom Howe on Unfailing Optimism of Character and Honesty in Music
Tom Howe is an award-winning composer of over 100 films and television projects like Reminders of Him, Wonder Woman, Exodus: Gods and Kings, The Legend of Tarzan, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, and Dog Man. From sweeping orchestral scores and imaginative sonic landscapes to iconic main title themes and hit songs, his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist—combined with his expertise in classical, pop, rock, and electronic sound design—has made him one of today’s most in-demand composers. A gifted songwriter, and two-time Emmy nominee, Howe has collaborated with leading artists and songwriters on original main title themes and songs. He co-wrote the Ted Lasso main title theme with Marcus Mumford and the Shrinking main title theme…
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Exclusive First Listen: Jeff Russo & Perrine Virgile’s Sophisticated and Ominous Score to ‘Scarpetta’
They say that second chances are pretty hard to resist. And the “they” is Bobby Canavale in a line of dialog taken from Scarpetta, the newest series in the Prime Video catalog. This adaptation of the best selling novels from Patricia Cornwall follows a brilliant forensic pathologist who uses forensic technology to solve crimes. So, that’s great and all, but why is this ME procedural interesting? Well, the fact that the story is told in two time periods (a al This Is Us) is alluring and the cast is just tip-top. Yet there is one more reason to cheer and get the feels – a score from Jeff Russo &…
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Interview…Nathan Johnson on the Tense and Beautiful Gothic Score to ‘Wake Up Dead Man’
Towards the end of last year, writer/director Rian Johnson and Netflix released the third entry in the Benoit Blanc mystery series. As expected, it was thrilling, engaging, taught, layered, and chock full of the Kentucky-fried wit that makes the series and character so enjoyable. It was also the most complex head-scratcher in the saga. If you weren’t busy enough asking who? why? and how the hell? in this gothic whodunit, you were likely asking the same thing about elements of the score. And who is the culprit behind this soundtrack? That would be Nathan Johnson – series regular and usual suspect in the Johnson-verse. Their collaboration has spanned decades and…
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Interview…Creative Team Behind the Themes and Massive Mythology of ‘Storm Rider: Legend of Hammerhead’
In nautical terms, sometimes it’s the smallest fish who makes the biggest waves. And this seems to be very appropriate to describe the highly ambitious and very enjoyable tale from Croatian filmmakers Zoran Lisinac, Domagoj Mazuran, and Neb Chupin. This hydra of talent is a collective powerhouse bringing their spectacular story of visual and narrative splendor to the masses. Moreover, you don’t get grand tales like this too often, especially ones that feel highly unique. On that note, Storm Rider is steeped in original mythology and feels like the talented team had the likes of Tolkien, Bay and Singh on their minds for decades. And they are also very eager…
