𝔽𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔽𝕚𝕝𝕞𝕤

Thank you for listening to the Following Films Podcast. Today I am joined by legendary comic book creator Jimmy Palmiotti. Jimmy has worked on several iconic characters and runs. He inked titles like the Punisher, and Ghost Rider and often inked the work of his friend and collaborator Joe Quesada. Together, they created Ash and Painkiller Jane. He also worked on Daredevil, a run especially known for the "Guardian Devil" arc scripted by Kevin Smith.

Today I'm joined be Michael Mendelsohn, the CEO of Patriot Pictures, an organization that packages film production, financing, and distribution elements.  Upcoming projects include LOST IN WONDERLAND written and directed by Daniela Amavia, starring Ella Bleu Travolta, Edouard Philipponnat, Sasha Luss, James Cromwell, and Terrence Howard; and GHOST SHIPS, an underwater dive shipwreck documentary directed by Markus Blunder, and many more projects currently in production.  Recent releases include the seasonal hit THE GRINGO WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS (2023) starring George Lopez, Emily Tosta, Mariana Treviño, and Jack Kilmer. GOD IS A BULLET (2023) is based on a book by Boston Teran, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, January Jones, and Jamie Foxx. BLACKOUT (Netflix released October 2022 to #2 worldwide) directed by Sam Macaroni, starring Josh Duhamel, Abbie Cornish, Omar Chaparro, and Nick Nolte; THE MATRIX starring Keanu Reeves; Icon Pictures and Nancy Meyers direc

Today on the podcast we have two interviews! First up, I'm joined by Benjamin China and Paul China to discuss their film NIGHT SHIFT. While working her first night shift at a remote motel, a woman begins to suspect that the property is haunted. NIGHT SHIFT is currently available on VOD. Then after the break, I chat with Adam Cooper about the Russell Crowe thriller SLEEPING DOGS. An ex-homicide detective (Russell Crowe) with memory loss is forced to solve a brutal murder, only to uncover chilling secrets from his forgotten past. SLEEPING DOGS will be in theatres this Friday, March 22nd.

Inspired by actual events, THE BLACK MASS takes place over the course of 24 hours and recounts the grisly murders that occurred over winter of 1978, when a serial killer attacked multiple victims on an undisclosed college campus. The film, which premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, marks the directorial debut of award-winning actor/producer Devanny Pinn (Frost, The Dawn).    Today I'm joined by Devanny Pinn to discuss THE BLACK MASS.

Thank you for listening to The Following Films Podcast. Today, I’m joined by Dawn Mikkelson, Keri Pickett, and Jennifer Weir, the co-directors and subject of the new documentary film FINDING HER BEAT. In the midst of a frozen Minnesota winter, a Japanese drum master and a Korean adoptee from North Dakota join forces to assemble the world’s greatest Taiko drummers in a bold effort to claim a cultural spotlight that has historically been reserved only for men. Through grueling rehearsals, Jennifer weaves together their disparate voices and styles as vulnerability, pain, and joys are shared—and we quickly see bonds of friendship form as these talented women navigate through differences in culture, age, language, and performance styles. As the clock ticks toward their first performance, it becomes clear that their story has become much larger than Taiko. FINDING HER BEAT is currently available on Amazon Prime.

  Thank you for listening to The Following Films Podcast. Today, I’m joined by Carlson Young to discuss her latest film UPGRADED. In the film, Ana Santos (Camila Mendes) is a smart and ambitious art enthusiast with dreams of running her own gallery. She is currently paying dues as an unpaid trainee at a premiere NYC auction house, run by the influential and demanding Claire Dupont (Marisa Tomei). When Ana is sent on her first work trip and gets unexpectedly upgraded to first class, she meets the handsome and well-connected Will (Archie Renaux), who mistakes Ana for her boss– a white lie that sets off a series of fortuitous events and VIP introductions that suddenly have Ana winning at work and caught up in a whirlwind romance she never expected. However, this little white lie begins to unravel, threatening to ruin Ana’s career and newfound romance. UPGRADED is streaming on Amazon Prime where it is currently the number one film. I had a great time chatting with Carlson about her film, r

Thank you for listening to The Following Films Podcast. Today, I’m joined by John Shevchenko better known by his online moniker, Hyphonix. Known for pushing the boundaries of live streaming with his hilarious and unpredictable content, Hyphonix has garnered a massive following of millions on his YouTube channel and significantly impacted the live-streaming community. (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)  In this episode we chat about how Hyphonix rose to prominence, take a look at his creative process, and discuss the future of streaming. Before our conversation with John, I would like to thank our sponsor, Bookmans, an independent bookstore that believes in the magic of storytelling and the cinematic arts. To expand your collection of films, music, or books, visit your nearest Bookmans and discover something truly wonderful. If you haven't already, please follow the Following Films podcast on Spotify to show your support. This will help us continue to bring you in-depth conversations with

Today on the podcast, we are joined by SUNRISE director Andrew Baird. In the movie, Fallon, a former police officer, returns to the site of a terrible crime. The people of a rural town soon discover that this mysterious visitor is actually a vampire who feeds on blood and fear. After being befriended by a kind immigrant family, the instinctive killer is faced with a choice between seeking revenge and seeking redemption. Guy Pearce and Alex Pettyfer star in this thrilling tale written by Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Ronan Blaney. If you haven't already, please follow the Following Films podcast on Spotify to show your support. This will help us continue to bring you in-depth conversations with the talented individuals who shape the world of cinema. SUNRISE is currently in theatres and available on demand.

  Today, we have a special episode featuring William Hellmuth and J. Scott Worthington the director and writer of DIXELAND. DIXIELAND is set in the civl war and centered on a black Union physician, Charles Colster, played by Tony Todd. After his regiment is destroyed, Charles flees into the Virginian woods, stumbling on a Confederate soldier hiding in a cave; they share a fire, and try to find a moment of understanding before the sun comes up.

Today we are joined by AHSOKA DP Eric Steelberg.  AHSOKA is a television miniseries created and written by Dave Filoni for Disney+. It is part of the Star Wars franchise and a spin-off from the series The Mandalorian, taking place in the same timeframe as that series and its other interconnected spin-offs after the events of Return of the Jedi, while also serving as a continuation of the animated series Star Wars Rebels. The series follows Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to the galaxy following the fall of the Empire. AHSOKA is currently streaming on Disney+.

  Today we are joined by Chris Gore to discuss Film Threats 2023 AWARD THIS! award show. Film Threat’s Award This!  is an independent film industry staple celebrating the best in independent cinema. In its fifth year, with a live in-person event on Sunday, December 10th at the Frida Cinema, the 2023 AWARD THIS! Promises to be one of the most exciting to date. For tickets and more information go to awardthis.com . Now, without further ado, here’s my conversation with Chris Gore

Today we are joined by screenwriter Dennis Paoli. Known for his work on horror films, specifically those directed by Stuart Gordon. He has written or co-written five of Gordon's films, including Re-Animator and From Beyond. I had the pleasure of speaking with Dennis about his latest film SUITABLE FLESH. The film stars Heather Graham, Barbra Crampton, and Bruce Davison. The film follows a psychiatrist who becomes obsessed with one of her young patients and later discovers they are linked to an ancient curse. Suitable Flesh is available everywhere you rent movies.

Today we have two interviews on the episode. First up we have SHOT IN THE ARM, Executive Producer Neil deGrasse Tyson and Director Scott Hamilton Kennedy. SHOT IN THE ARM is a critically renowned documentary that examines vaccine hesitancy and the impact it has had on public health.  After the break I’m joined by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Kristi Jacobson to discuss her film NO ACCIDENT. The film examines the aftermath of the deadly Charlottesville, Virginia “Unite the Right” white nationalist rally in 2017, following a lawsuit that aimed to hold the aggressors accountable. The lawsuit alleged that the event was not an isolated, spontaneous gathering, but rather a well-planned and coordinated conspiracy to incite racially motivated violence and to advance an anti-Semitic, race-war agenda. What follows is a courtroom drama that provides insight to an astonishing moment in history. SHOT IN THE ARM will be in theaters Nov 3rd. NO ACCIDENT is currently streaming on MAX

  Thank you for listening to this episode of the FOLLOWING FILMS podcast. A movie podcast that takes you on a weekly journey into the world of cinema and the minds of the talented individuals who shape it. I'm your host, Chris Maynard, and today I’m joined by director Pierre Morel to discuss his latest film FREELANCE. The film is centered on an ex-special forces operative (John Cena) who takes a job to provide security for a journalist (Alison Brie) as she interviews a dictator (Juan Pablo Raba), but, a military coup breaks out in the middle of the interview, they are forced to escape into the jungle where they must survive.  FREELANCE will be in theatres this Friday, October 27th.

  Thank you for listening to this episode of the FOLLOWING FILMS podcast. A movie podcast that takes you on a weekly journey into the world of cinema and the minds of the talented individuals who shape it. I'm your host, Chris Maynard, and today I’m joined by director Franck Khalfoun to discuss his film NIGHT OF THE HUNTED. The film is centered on an unsuspecting woman who stops at a remote gas station in the dead of night, she’s made the plaything of a sociopathic sniper with a secret vendetta. To survive she must not only dodge his bullets and fight for her life, but also figure out who wants her dead and why…  This is a smart genre film with far more on its mind than body count. A socially relevant horror thriller that will inspire conversations and happens to be fun as hell. Don’t sleep on this one.  NIGHT OF THE HUNTED will stream on Shudder October 20th. 

  Today I’m joined by Cinematographer and friend of the show Sam Levy. I had Sam on the show to discuss his work on his latest film SHE CAME TO ME. The film features Anne Hathaway, Peter Dinklage, and Marisa Tomei. The film is centered on a composer who is creatively blocked and unable to finish the score for his big comeback opera. At the behest of his wife, Patricia, formerly his therapist, he sets out in search of inspiration and finds much more than he bargained for. SHE CAME TO ME is currently playing in theaters everywhere and is worth your time. Make sure you check this one out. It was nice to leave a film (in October) feeling better than when I walked in. Sam is one of my favorite guests to have on the show and I’m always looking for an excuse to chat with him for an hour or so.  

  Thank you for listening to this episode of the FOLLOWING FILMS podcast. A movie podcast that takes you on a weekly journey into the world of cinema and the minds of the talented individuals who shape it. I'm your host, Chris Maynard, and today I’m joined by Production Designer Gavin Bocquet.  We chat about Gavins work on the Star Wars Prequels, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, The Drak Crystal, Mute, and the Apple TV+ series Silo. Season 2 of Silo is currently streaming on Apple TV+.  Enjoy the show.

  Thank you for listening to this episode of the FOLLOWING FILMS podcast. A movie podcast that takes you on a weekly journey into the world of cinema and the minds of the talented individuals who shape it. I'm your host, Chris Maynard, and today I’m joined by UNCHARITABLE director Stephen Gyllenhaal. The film is an illuminating look at how, in our ever-changing world, corporations are still consumed by the bottom line and charities are left to solve our world’s greatest issues while routinely facing pushback every step of the way. Offering an opportunity to address our own bias and reevaluate the way we think about charities, applying the same common sense that you when we evaluate any multinational corporation. The film leaves one with hope and a roadmap for the future. UNCHARITABLE will be released in theaters September 22nd in New York and September 29th in Los Angeles, before beginning its nationwide rollout. 

  Today I’m joined by William Goldenberg to discuss his work on AIR. William has edited more than twenty film and television projects since 1992. He won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for the film ARGO, and has been nominated for THE INSIDER, SEABISCUIT, ZERO DARK THIRTY and THE IMITATION GAME. He has also received nominations for nine other editing-related awards. Recent credits include AIR, DETROIT and TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS. AIR is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

  Thank you for listening to this episode of the FOLLOWING FILMS podcast. A movie podcast that takes you on a weekly journey into the world of cinema and the minds of the talented individuals who shape it. I'm your host, Chris Maynard, and today I’m joined by Michael Jai White. A highly trained martial artist and actor, Michael Jai White has broken barriers as a Hollywood star and international box office sensation.  With his dynamic personality, agile abilities and a physique of a bodybuilder, Michael has earned respect for his versatile talents both on and off screen. I had the privilege of speaking with Michael about his latest film OUTLAW JOHNNY BLACK. The film follows a man hell bent on avenging the death of his father and in the process becomes a wanted man. He goes into hiding, posing as a preacher in a small mining town that's been taken over by a notorious Land Baron.   OUTLAW JOHNNY BLACK will be in theaters on September 15th