If you were around in the ’80s, few things defined “cool” like music did. And, film fan or not, the top of that list is most likely going to be Tangerine Dream: the German electronic music outfit who dominated airwaves and theaters with their cutting edge electric sound. One key member of that ensemble pushing the electronic side of the band was young Paul Haslinger who joined up with them after their big hits like Sorcerer and Risky Business. Bringing a younger video game sensibility, he helped change the course of their sound for the better and contributed plenty including scores to Near Dark, Miracle Mile and Three O’Clock High.…
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Interview…Composer Alex Heffes on the Fun, Feverish and Flavorful Score to ‘Mafia Mamma’
Alex Heffes is a Golden Globe, BAFTA and 3 x Ivor Novello nominated composer who has scored over 70 feature films and TV projects. He has worked with many of cinema’s top filmmakers including Kevin Macdonald, Steven Frears, Catherine Hardwicke, Mira Nair, Tim Burton & J J Abrams. His unique ability to collaborate with artists from different cultures has been been a trademark of his style. He collaborated closely with Burton on his screen adaptation of Sweeney Todd and Heffes’ solo album, FACE TO FACE, features collaborations with artists such as the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, Regina Spektor and Yasmin Levy. Notable TV projects include the 2016 award-winning reboot of TV…
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Sweet Trailer…’The Last Voyage of the Demeter’
Vampires, like zombies, will literally never die. This latest Universal picture dives into the world of Bram Stoker’s Dracula with an ultra tense story that is actually just one chapter from the beloved literary classic. Essentially, it’s like Alien on a ship and that kind of claustrophobic setting always yields explosive results. This looks like strong steps for the studio to lean back into their classic horror properties and put their Dark Universe in the rear view. We’re gonna bet that this has the sea legs to make some waves in theaters. Additionally, it’s helmed by André Øvredal which also seems highly promising. Ahoy, mate. There be a blood moon…
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Interview…Jessica St. Clair, David Gborie and Maile Flannagan Chat About ‘Royal Crackers’ on Adult Swim
Adult Swim has really jumped to the forefront of animation in the last twenty years. What was once the kind of thing that people would talk about in hushed tones – friends swapping grainy VHS copies of lewd shows in schools – is now in the mainstream and getting the attention these remarkable shows deserve. Sure, some of the output is an acquired taste with stories/characters/jokes as wild as they come. But the team here at GST are fans, and we recently talked to Casper Kelly (Too Many Cooks) as well as the team behind Aqua Teen Hunger Force (Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro) who help lead the zany charge…
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Interview…Composer Randy Edelman on Songs, Scores and Career Retrospective
Most of the time, a film would be nothing without the musical score. We hold the music in higher regard than the narrative itself, and our heroes have always been film composers. Getting to run this site for almost fifteen years, I can admit to just plain geeking out when speaking to people in the film music community. Case in point. Randy Edelman is a legendary singer, songwriter, orchestrator, conductor, and a seasoned music man who has quite literally scored our childhood. Just looking at the impressive list of titles to his credit (Dragonheart, Beethoven, Troop Beverly Hills, The Mask, My Cousin Vinny, Angels in the Outfield, Shanghai Noon, Daylight)…
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Interview…Quentin Dupieux on Absurd Characters and Non-Linear Storytelling in ‘Smoking Causes Coughing’
When people talk about oeuvres in film, they usually celebrate the rogue visionaries who change the landscape of cinema with each new feature. These are the kinds of filmmakers who are festival darlings and have some of the most unique tastes in the industry. One such creative is Quentin Dupieux and once you see his work, you’ll never be the same. I was a big fan of Wrong when it played at Fantastic Fest years ago. Well, like a fine wine he’s matured and in that time he’s taken his trademark style to the next level of absurdity. His latest is a farce about superheroes and there’s an inherent charm…
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Sweet Trailer…Owen Wilson in ‘Paint’
They say art reflects life, and this new comedy written and directed by Brit McAdams and starring Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, The Royal Tenenbaums) goes beyond the canvas to portray something beautiful in the lines between parody and sincerity. It look perfect. The film – obviously inspired by Bob Ross but not a biopic by any means – also stars Michaela Watkins (Werewolves Within), Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids, “The Goldbergs”), Ciara Renee (Hawkgirl from CW’s “Arrowverse”), Lusia Strus (Search Party, 50 First Dates), Stephen Root (HBO’s “Barry”, Office Space), and Lucy Freyer. It looks so good, all we can say is…Wow!!! In PAINT, Owen Wilson portrays Carl Nargle, Vermont’s #1 public television painter who is convinced he has it all: a signature perm, custom van, and…
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Sweet Trailer…’Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’
Hey dudes and dudettes, it’s been a while since the lean green machine has been on the big screen, but it looks like major league butt kicking is back in town! This trailer for the latest TMNT outing is incredible and might just be as big a hit as Miles Morales and Peter Parker’s foray into the spider-verse. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, man I love being a turtle, and we can’t wait to join Leo, Donnie, Mike and Raph for this all new adventure in August. Cowabunga!!! After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts…
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Interview…Director Kurt Wimmer on Remakes, Reverence and the Writing Process
Once in a while, we get the joy of speaking to the people whose works have brought us joy. Equilibrium is one of our favorite films. Today, we get to share with you the brief slice of cinematic glee we had chatting with Kurt Wimmer. He directed the above-mentioned Christian Bale-led actioner, and written a slew of stellar and substantive stories like Law Abiding Citizen, and remakes to Total Recall and Point Break. His latest is Childern of the Corn which is is based upon the short story “Children of the Corn” by Stephen King that gives the King short some poignancy amid tangible real-life character motivations. We had an…
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Interview…Composer James Allen Roberson on Horses, Hoedowns and ‘Heart of a Champion’
James Allen Roberson is a composer and multi-instrumentalist working in film and television. With a diverse background in pop, rock, contemporary, and orchestral music he has carved out a unique niche in the current media landscape. James grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee playing classical violin and electric guitar from an early age. He studied film scoring and composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he received a bachelors of music degree. And from there he moved to Los Angeles and began working at Remote Control Productions with renowned composer Rupert Gregson-Williams as well as helping out on projects for Heitor Pereira, Guillaume Roussel, Deborah Lurie, and Hans Zimmer.…
