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…
-
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Interview…Leo Baker Discusses Tangible Threats and Tantalizing Teleportation in ‘Red Rovers’
Legitimacy goes a long way when telling a story. Whether the tale being told is grounded or just plain tall, it is much more impacting and engaging when they involve tangible elements. Even far-fetched ideas like teleportation and space battles can feel real when they are based on, well, real things. While no one has figured out how to achieve quantum-anchored spatial relocation (that we know of anyway), the idea that a team of Special Missions Unit operators can warp to any point on Earth to deal with conflicts or terrorism can seem unbelievable. But when you base the action on actual rules of engagement, vernacular and the know-how that…
-
Interview…Nolan Gould on ‘The Liars of Black Mountain Road’
It’s always incredibly rewarding getting to speak with the people who make the things we enjoy. The main and most obvious reason for it is that we are often times treated to fun or interesting stories of creative struggles/triumphs. Those behind-the-scenes looks at how the tiniest decisions contribute to the whole are inspiring on a number of levels. Last year, we were thrilled to talk to Parker Croft – writer, director, producer of As Easy As Closing Your Eyes. It’s a short film that really hits home at it circles issues such as loss, addiction, and much more. It’s also wrapped up in a sci-fi vision of the future that,…
-
Interview…Luke Edwards Talks Acting, Producing and Stories From the Sets of ‘The Wizard’ and ‘Little Big League’
Once in a great while, we get to speak with our heroes, people who inspire us, or those we just wish we could hang out with. So enter one such individual who fits all three and let me ask you a question: How many times have you seen The Wizard and/or Little Big League? We won’t tell you our answer, but I will say I have actually and literally worn out the VHS of both of them. Yes, both. In this wide-ranging conversation, we spend time with Luke Edwards to discuss his experiences in film & television, his approach to acting, and experiences on set working with larger-than-life actors/personalities. For…
-
Interview…Oded Fehr Faces Fierce Fuzzy Frights in ‘Grizzly Night’
If you go down in the woods today, as the saying goes, you’re sure of a surprise. And that surprise comes in the form of a 9 foot tall brown bear. Suffice to say, staring down this fuzzy wuzzy is enough to make your hair stand up. All of them. And that is why Grizzly Night succeeds; it’s tale of just how scary nature can be, and in a true story no less. Oded Fehr is one of the stars in Burke Doeren’s film and it’s good role for him (even if he doesn’t have a majority of screen time). Playing a doctor on vacation with his family, he joins…
-
Interview…Author Thomas Ray On the Tension, Detail and Plausibility of ‘FLIGHT 47’
Wherever something new comes out from an artist you admire, it’s always reason to celebrate. So whether it’s turning up the volume on a new album, grabbing the remote to binge the latest season, or cannonballing onto your sofa with a new book, finding time to enjoy the things you love is one of life’s true zen-like experiences. Today, we get to share an interview with an author whose work literally makes the hairs on our necks stand up. And even though we’re siting in our living rooms, we can easily imagine ourselves tethered to any of Thomas Ray‘s far-flung but eerily plausible situations. The man writes some magnetic narratives,…
