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Following Films Podcast: Scott Adkins, Alanna De La Rosa, and Ernesto Diaz Espinoza on DIABLO

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4K Blu-ray Review: Drop (2025) — A Tense, Tech-Driven Thriller That Mostly Sticks the Landing

In Drop, director Christopher Landon (Freaky, Happy Death Day) crafts a nerve-wracking thriller centered on a devastating dilemma: would you take a life to save the ones you love? The story follows Violet, a widowed single mom attempting to re-enter the dating world after years of grief and recovery. Played with emotional precision by Meghann Fahy, Violet finds herself on a promising first date with the affable and seemingly genuine Henry (Brandon Sklenar) in an elegant, glass-walled Chicago restaurant. But their evening takes a sinister turn when Violet receives a disturbing message via a sleek, anonymous app called DigiDrop: if she doesn’t kill her date before the check arrives, her son and sister will die. What unfolds is a tightly wound 95-minute thriller that feels both classic and timely. The film builds its suspense through confinement, not action. Most of the story unfolds in real-time at their dinner table, creating a pressure-cooker environment that reflects Violet’s psycholo...

Following Films Podcast- Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho

Now available on major VOD platforms, Walls of Jericho is a powerful retelling of the biblical story from the Book of Joshua—a tale of faith, endurance, and divine triumph. Set after 40 years of wandering in the desert, the film follows Joshua and the Israelites as they confront the towering walls of Jericho with little more than their faith and God's instructions. What unfolds is a miraculous victory, brought to life through stunning animation and a moving score. The film has already garnered major festival recognition, winning “Best Animated Film” at the 2025 Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival and earning a top-three spot for “Best Picture” at the International Christian Film & Music Festival. It’s a cinematic achievement that blends timeless storytelling with artistic innovation. Today, Amir Kovacs joins us to talk about adapting this epic for the screen, working with a global creative team, and the vision behind Walls of Jericho. Whether you’re drawn to animation, ins...

4K Blu-ray Review: Swordfish

Some films don’t just ask for your attention—they seize it. Swordfish, Dominic Sena’s slick 2001 cyber-thriller, is one of those unapologetically brash entries in the action genre that embraces the excesses of the early 2000s while packing enough adrenaline, style, and intrigue to remain a fascinating watch even decades later. At the time of its release, Swordfish arrived in theaters with a storm of controversy and polarized critical reception. But from a modern lens, it’s easier to appreciate what the film was trying to do—and, in many ways, succeeded in doing. This is not a meditative character study or a grounded depiction of cyber-espionage. Rather, Swordfish is a kinetic, neon-lit opera of bullets, code, and moral ambiguity that explores the gray spaces between patriotism, terrorism, and the price of freedom. It’s ambitious, daring, and surprisingly layered if you’re willing to dive beneath the surface gloss. At its core, Swordfish spins a high-stakes tale of hacking and high-tech...

Following Films Podcast: HARLEY FLANAGAN: WIRED FOR CHAOS

I had the chance to sit down with Harley Flanagan — punk pioneer, founding member of the Cro-Mags, and the subject of the new feature-length documentary, HARLEY FLANAGAN: WIRED FOR CHAOS. Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award-winner Rex Miller, this no-holds-barred film dives into Harley’s life — from the violent streets of ‘70s New York to the hardcore scene that defined a generation. This isn’t just about music — it’s about survival. Abuse, addiction, squats, street fights, punk gigs, Jiu-Jitsu, fatherhood — Harley’s lived through it all. And the film, which features interviews with Flea, Henry Rollins, Ice T, Michael Imperioli, and the late Anthony Bourdain, shows a side of him many haven’t seen before. Now, quick heads up — there’s a slight audio issue on my end during this episode. I didn’t realize my mic wasn’t plugged in, so you’ll hear me through my laptop’s onboard mic. It’s definitely listenable, just a bit rougher than usual — but honestly, it kind of fits the vibe of this epis...

Tucson Comic-Con 2025 Welcomes Renowned Simpsons and Futurama Artist Bill Morrison

Tucson Comic-Con is raising the bar for its 16th year with an exciting guest announcement: acclaimed artist and writer Bill Morrison will be joining the festivities from August 29–31, 2025, at the Tucson Convention Center. Morrison has built a celebrated career in the worlds of comics and animation. He’s widely recognized for his contributions to The Simpsons and Futurama, where he played a major creative role through his work with Matt Groening’s Bongo Comics. In addition to producing iconic artwork for these two fan-favorite series, Morrison’s artistic journey began with painting movie posters for Disney, including titles like The Little Mermaid, Bambi, Peter Pan, and Cinderella. Beyond his work with familiar animated franchises, Morrison has shown his range across various forms of media—from merchandise and video games to limited edition prints and calendars. He co-developed Groening’s Disenchantment for Netflix and created the cult-favorite comic Roswell, Little Green Man. More rec...

Following Films Podcast: DANGEROUS ANIMALS Director Sean Byrne

   Today I’m joined by acclaimed horror filmmaker Sean Byrne — the visionary behind The Loved Ones and The Devil’s Candy. Sean is back with his most intense and ambitious film yet: Dangerous Animals — a razor-sharp fusion of shark thriller and serial killer horror, set against the vast, unforgiving waters of the Australian coast. With a bold script from screenwriter Nick Lepard, and haunting performances by Hassie Harrison and Jai Courtney, this is a film that doesn’t just scare — it lingers. Shot on location, loaded with tension, and layered with unexpected emotional depth, Dangerous Animals is a high-concept genre film that asks: What if the real monster isn’t in the water, but standing right beside you? Dangerous Animals opens exclusively in theaters tomorrow, June 6, 2025. You’ll want to see this one on the biggest screen possible, surrounded by people gripping their seats just as hard as you are. In today’s episode, Sean and I dive into the making of the film, the creativ...