FOLLOWING FILMS

The American television series Shameless ran on Showtime from 2011 to 2021, delivering a mix of comedy and drama. Adapted by John Wells from the British original created by Paul Abbott, the show follows the tumultuous life of the Gallagher family, headed by their unreliable and alcoholic father, Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy). The series delves into issues like poverty, addiction, and familial dysfunction, balancing its dark humor with moments of raw emotion. Spanning 11 seasons, Shameless became a fan favorite for its unfiltered portrayal of working-class struggles on Chicago's South Side. Season 1: Meet the Gallaghers The premiere season introduces the Gallagher siblings: Fiona (Emmy Rossum), who assumes a parental role; Lip (Jeremy Allen White), a highly intelligent but troubled young man; Ian (Cameron Monaghan), who secretly navigates his identity and military aspirations; Debbie (Emma Kenney), a compassionate yet complex child; Carl (Ethan Cutkosky), the reckless troublem...

Monster from the Ocean Floor is a 1954 science fiction-horror film directed by Wyott Ordung and produced by Roger Corman in one of his earliest ventures into low-budget filmmaking. The movie presents a blend of science fiction, suspense, and classic monster horror, though it never quite achieves greatness in any particular category. However, it remains a fascinating piece of genre history, particularly as an example of early independent filmmaking in the 1950s. The film follows Julie Blair (Anne Kimbell), a young American woman vacationing in Mexico. While enjoying her time on the coast, she hears local rumors about a monstrous sea creature lurking beneath the ocean surface, one that is said to have terrorized the local population for years. Intrigued, Julie sets out to investigate, despite warnings from the locals and even some scientific-minded individuals who dismiss the legend as superstition. Julie soon encounters Steve Dunning (Stuart Wade), a marine biologist conducting research...

VENOM (1981) is a tense and gripping thriller that blends crime, horror, and suspense into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Directed by Piers Haggard and featuring an impressive cast including Klaus Kinski, Oliver Reed, Sarah Miles, and Sterling Hayden, Venom is a film that thrives on its claustrophobic setting and nerve-wracking tension. Though it may not be the most well-known thriller of its era, it delivers a potent mix of suspense and horror that keeps viewers on edge until the very end. The film's premise is simple yet incredibly effective: a group of criminals, led by the psychotic Jacques Müller (Klaus Kinski) and the ruthless chauffeur Dave Averconnelly (Oliver Reed), plan to kidnap a wealthy young boy named Philip (Lance Holcomb) from his London home. Their plan is carefully orchestrated, but a deadly twist of fate throws everything into chaos. Instead of smuggling Philip away easily, they become trapped in the house with a highly venomous black mamba snake—accident...

Leigh Whannell’s  WOLF MAN   is a masterful and deeply affecting reimagining of Universal’s legendary werewolf mythology. With an intense blend of horror, emotion, and jaw-dropping visuals, the film breathes new life into the classic tale while offering a fresh and terrifying take on transformation and familial bonds. By blending psychological horror with relentless tension and impressive practical effects, Wolf Man stands out as one of the most gripping monster films in recent years. Christopher Abbott delivers a powerhouse performance as Blake Lovell, seamlessly capturing the fear, rage, and heartbreak of a man losing himself to an ancient curse. His chemistry with Julia Garner, who plays his determined and resilient wife Charlotte, adds an emotional core to the film that elevates it beyond a standard creature feature. Sam Jaeger also impresses as Blake’s estranged father, tying the film’s themes of legacy and inherited trauma together in a meaningful way. Each performa...

  Welcome to Following Films, the podcast where we explore the art and craft of filmmaking through conversations with the people who bring movies to life. I'm your host, Chris Maynard, and today, we’re diving into The Silent Planet's haunting and atmospheric world (2024), a sci-fi thriller that blends psychological tension with existential dread. Directed by Jeffrey St. Jules, The Silent Planet follows two inmates sentenced to a lifetime of hard labor on a remote world. As isolation takes its toll, their grip on reality begins to slip, forcing them to confront the past they’ve tried to forget. It’s a film that raises deep questions about memory, identity, and what it means to be truly alone. In this episode, I sit down with Jeffrey St. Jules to discuss the inspiration behind the film, its unique approach to storytelling, and how they crafted such an immersive, otherworldly experience.  The Silent Planet is now available on digital

Tess & The Details have taken the 1983 Flashdance anthem "Maniac" and transformed it into a full-throttle punk rock frenzy—proving that some songs are just waiting for a high-energy, distorted rebirth. The San Francisco-based punk outfit, known for their raw intensity and infectious live performances, stumbled upon the idea in a moment of spontaneous inspiration outside Toot’s Tavern. What started as a joke quickly turned into a staple of their live set, and now, thanks to their collaboration with Wiretap Records and producer Jacob Light, it’s officially out for the world to hear. From the very first note, "Maniac" trades its original synth-heavy sheen for gritty guitars, relentless drums, and Tess Stevens’ dynamic vocals. The band injects an urgency that transforms the song from a cinematic dance track into a rebellious, sweat-drenched punk anthem. But more than just a sonic upgrade, their version gives the lyrics a whole new weight. Lines like “It can cut you ...