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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Interview…Nick Urata on DeVotchKa, Unique Instruments and ‘The True Adventures of Wolfboy’
Formed in Denver by multi-instrumentalists Nick Urata (vocals, guitar, trumpet), Tom Hagerman (violin, accordion), Jeanie Schroder (sousaphone, bass), and percussionist Shawn King, DeVotchKa is a four-piece multi-instrumental and vocal ensemble. Originally a backing group for local burlesque shows, they take their name from the Russian word meaning “girl” and recorded their debut album, SuperMelodrama, in 2000. The band finds their groove as a cross-pollination of numerous influences, and styles of gypsy punk, dark cabaret, indie folk, and indie rock. We spoke to Urata about his amazing career which has been just as varied and unique as his musical tastes. Nick comes from a musical family and his love of music…
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Interview…Composer Jeremy Turner on Saying Yes to Everything and ‘Marvel’s 616’ Docuseries
Composer, conductor, and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Turner is known for creating innovative and diverse music for the moving image and the stage. He is a two time EMMY nominee, has won the Music + Sound Award, the International Documentary Association Award, the AICP Award, and has been named in NPR Music’s Favorite Songs of the Year. Jeremy recently completed scores for shows on Disney+, HBO, and Netflix. Jeremy began his musical studies on the piano at the age of 5 and started playing the cello when he was 8 years old. After growing up in Michigan, he attended The Juilliard School as a pupil of Harvey Shapiro and studied chamber music with…
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Interview…John Debney on Holiday Magic and the Spirit of Adventure
John Debney is a composer we’ve admired for years, and were lucky enough to speak with him in 2013 about his work on Bonnie & Clyde. This year, he’s got two projects that give him a fanciful canvas to weave his magic. In Come Away, the fantasy drama directed by Brenda Chapman blends key elements from Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. In this emotional ‘what if?’ story, Debney employs lush strings, tender piano, playful cellos, angelic choral work, even a full Irish band. All of those pieces blend and dance while underscoring the children’s active imaginations or, conversely, can pretty near break your heart…even in the same cue. Yes,…
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Interview…Michael Abbott Jr. Dives Into Horror with ‘The Dark and the Wicked’
Halloween is over, but that doesn’t mean 2020 is done with its tricks and treats. There are still several horror films left and we’ve got a line on a couple coming down the pike that are worth your time. One such ghoulish delight is RLJ Entertainment‘s The Dark and the Wicked. The pensive thriller from Bryan Bertino (The Strangers) is an exercise in tension and pacing. It relishes the concept of less-is-more as grief stricken siblings return to their childhood ranch to deal with their parents’ end of life affairs…and, maybe, the devil. One of the most interesting actors we’ve interviewed in recent years is, hands down, Michael Abbott Jr.…
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Interview…Remy van Kesteren on the Alternative Album to ‘The Red Turtle’
On October 30th, Snowstar Records will release a very special album by Remy van Kesteren. The renowned harpist composed and produced an alternative soundtrack to The Red Turtle – the 2016 movie from Studio Ghibli – made by Dutch animator, director and illustrator Michael Dudok de Wit. This album is the first solo harp album by Remy van Kesteren as well, and De Wit even made the artwork for the album and wrote liner notes specific to this release. Earlier this month, we spoke to Remy to get info and insight on his passion project. The album is a serene and hypnotic showcase of his talents which transport the listener…
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Sweet Trailer…Tom Hanks in ‘News of the World’
Seems that even in a pandemic, you can’t keep a good Hanks down. First of all, he and his wife Rita beat the Coronavirus. And shortly after that, his WWII actioner, Greyhound, was released in early Summer. And for his third feat of 2020, he headlines a moving period-piece, set in the plains of Texas, about a war veteran helping return a young girl to her family. Paul Greengrass’ new film – a Western written and directed by Greengrass (based upon the novel by Paulette Jiles) – finds him reuniting with his star from their 2013 Best Picture nominee Captain Phillips. Looks like another winning project for the both of…
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Interview…J.C. Chamboredon On the Legacy and Future of Milan Records
Founded over 40 years ago by Emmanuel Chamboredon, Milan Records has released the soundtracks to renowned and critically acclaimed classics such as Ghost and Backdraft. Scan your shelves – it’s a good bet that a sizeable chunk of titles bear the fanciful logo of the winged man with a heart-shaped head. Fitting image as that’s how I feel whenever I listen to a soundtrack. Since 2004, Jean-Christophe Chamboredon continues the legacy for his father who started Milan in 1978. In this week’s podcast, we got to speak with Chamboredon about the iconic company which was recently acquired by Sony Music Masterworks. This business venture offers even more opportunities to put…
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Sweet Trailer…Mel Gibson as Chris Cringle in ‘Fatman’
The Grindhouse revival has fallen off in the past several years, but that’s just what makes this trailer so surprising. It’s unexpected, outlandish, and a really inventive take on a mythic figure like Santa Claus. It’s always a laugh when genre films play with holidays (see Anna and the Apocalypse), and this looks to be jolly good fun…especially with him how serious they are taking it. The film might not have the legs for a full feature, but for a trailer it’s highly intriguing. I’m all in. Enjoy Mel Gibson and Walton Goggins in the trailer for Saban Films’ Fatman. To save his declining business, Chris Cringle (Mel Gibson), also…
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Sweet Trailer…Steven Yeun in A24’s ‘Minari’
When it comes to studios that deliver hit after hit after hit, it’s tough to compete with A24 who are one of the few who constantly bring the goods. Their brand of cinemagic is realism and, further, one with tangible human stories that make a real connection. As such, we’re really looking forward to this one from Lee Isaac Chung. Sometimes you just need a movie that gets right to your heart, right? If so, then enjoy the trailer for the Steven Yeun-led Minari. A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own…
