𝔽𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔽𝕚𝕝𝕞𝕤

Today I'm joined by Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King to discuss THE SPINE OF NIGHT.  THE SPINE OF NIGHT is an ultra-violent fantasy epic where ancient dark magic falls into sinister hands and unleashes ages of suffering onto mankind. A group of heroes from different eras and cultures must band together in order to defeat it at all costs. THE SPINE OF NIGHT will be available in theaters, on demand and digital October 29.

  OUR AMERICAN FAMILY is a radically honest, unfiltered portrait of a close-knit Philadelphia family fighting its greatest nemesis: generational addiction. Beginning with a pivotal, “nothing to lose” moment, then captured over the course of the following year, five family members tired of life plagued by addiction on center stage, each struggle to transcend their crippling histories: a mother who learned from childhood to enable her own mother’s addiction, a daughter who doesn’t know who she is without a substance, a son who learned everything about “Heroin 101” from his sister, a younger son who feels alone but acts content to ease the family’s burden, and a stepfather who wonders if addiction is really a disease or simply a by-product of laziness. What will it take to shift this entrenched, wrenching pattern in their lives? How will they each free themselves from their interlocking fates? Will they be able to make significant changes to help their next generation? The members of OUR

  Bill Yosses (born about 1952) is an American chef who is best known as co-author of the book  Desserts For Dummies  and for being the  White House Executive Pastry Chef  from 2007 to 2014. Yosses is now the owner of the pastry company Perfect Pie, which is based in New York City. I had Bill on the show to discuss his HULU original competitive baking show, BAKERS DOZEN.

A hardworking Maltese fisherman, Jesmark is faced with an agonizing choice. He can repair his leaky luzzu – a traditional, multicolored wooden fishing boat – in the hopes of eking out a meager living at sea for his wife and newborn son, just as his father and grandfather did before him. Or he can decommission it in exchange for an EU payout and cast his lot with a sinister black-market operation that is decimating the Mediterranean fish population and the livelihoods of the local families who depend on it. Luzzu won a Sundance Jury Prize for its nonprofessional lead actor Jesmark Scicluna, a real-life Maltese fisherman, and heralds the arrival of writer-director-editor Alex Camilleri.  His gripping film operates in the neorealist tradition of Luchino Visconti, Roberto Rosselini, and the Dardenne brothers and calls to mind the work of his mentor Ramin Bahrani (Man Push Cart, The White Tiger), also a producer of the film. Luzzu will release theatrically in New York (Oct. 15) and in Los A

Director of photography Checco Varese's most ambitious work yet can be seen in the gripping new limited series, Dopesick. The series is set to premiere Oct. 13 on Hulu. The eight, eye-opening episodes of the highly-anticipated show center around the opioid epidemic that is ravaging America and the corrupt Big Pharma, which created it. From the perspective of a distressed Virginia mining community to the hallways of the DEA, this true story is inspired by the New York Times bestselling book by Beth Macy. A teaser trailer is available  here . The series—starring and executive produced by Michael Keaton—is directed by Barry Levinsion, Michael Cuesta, Patricia Riggen and Danny Strong (also credited as creator, writer and executive producer). As sole director of photography, Varese photographed all eight episodes of Dopesick with the Sony Venice and Zeiss Lenses. You can hear our conversation by using the embedded player below 

In director Karen Cinorre’s bold new action fantasy film MAYDAY, Ana (Grace Van Patten) finds herself transported to a dreamlike and dangerous coastline. Once there, she joins a female army engaged in a never-ending war where the women lure men to their deaths with radio signals, like 20th century sirens. Though Ana finds strength in this exhilarating world, she comes to realize she is not the killer they want her to be. Also starring Mia Goth, Havana Rose Liu, Soko, Théodore Pellerin and Juliette Lewis,  MAYDAY was released by Magnolia Pictures on October 1st in theatres and on demand.  Today I had the chance to speak with MAYDAY cinematographer Sam Levy about his work on the film. We also discuss the rules artists impose on themselves, expressionism in film, and Sam avoids my questions about the upcoming Fletch film.  Quick note about this episode... this is the 3rd time I've had the chance to speak with Sam, the first time was around the release of MAGGIE'S PLAN, the 2nd was

Daniels Farrands returns to discuss his latest project ALIEEN WUORNOS: AMERICAN BOOGEYWOMAN Companion piece and ‘Monster' Prequel, AILEEN WUORNOS: AMERICAN BOOGEYWOMAN focuses on serial killer Aileen Wuornos stars Peyton List in the title role (Cobra Kai, Tobin Bell ("Jigsaw" from the Saw Franchise), Lydia Hearst (The Haunting Of Sharon Tate), Nick Vallelonga (Green Book), Swen Temmel (In Time, Backtrace), Meadow Williams (Boss Level. Den Of Thieves), and Andrew Biernat (Shadow's Edge)  In addition to ALIEEN WUORNOS: AMERICAN BOOGEYWOMAN, we discuss Dan's upcoming documentary work that will tell the stories behind the real life haunting that inspired POLTERGEIST and Debra Hill the producer of HALLOWEEN.   AILEEN WUORNOS: AMERICAN BOOGEYWOMAN will have its US VOD Release on October 8 (Dark Star Pictures). The film will also be released on DVD on October 15, 2021.  

Originally intended for Gene Autry, Under Western Stars was the first starring role for Roy Rogers The newly remastered Under Western Stars will premiere at the Lone Pine Film Festival on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 2:30 pm PST.    The screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Verdugo Post Producer, Steve Latshaw, and will feature Roger’s daughter Cheryl Rogers-Barnett along with film notable restoration and preservation experts.   The panel will provide a real behind the curtain view of preserving Under Western Stars, other films like it and the growing challenges faced as films age and formats evolve. If you happen to live near Lone Pine CA and would like more information about the screening  go to https://www.lonepinefilmfestival.org/   And just in time for the 2021 holiday season, Verdugo Entertainment will release a collectors Blu-ray Box Set featuring “King of the Cowboys” Roy Rogers’ first and final starring role films. The box set, which bookends Rogers’ c

Today I'm joined by writer/director Ryan Kruger to discuss his Shudder exclusive film FRIED BARRY  In FRIED BARRY, Barry is a drug-addled degenerate who, after yet another bender, gets abducted by aliens. Barry takes a backseat as his alien visitor assumes control of his body and takes it for a joyride through Cape Town.  What follows is an onslaught of drugs, sex and violence as Barry’s alien tourist enters the weird and wonderful world of humankind. FRIED BARRY is available On DVD, Blu-Ray and On Demand and Digital October 5, 2021 To hear my conversation with Ryan click play on the embedded player below 

  Today I'm joined by Cristina Rodlo and Marc Menchaca to discuss their top ten Netflix thriller No One Gets Out Alive. Ambar (Cristina Rodlo) is embarking on her American Dream after years spent dutifully tending to her terminally ill mother in Mexico. She arrives in Cleveland illegally, with very little money and unsuitable clothing for what’s expected to be the coldest winter on record. After finding cash-in-hand work at a local garment factory, she rents the cheapest room available from Red (Marc Menchaca) in a near derelict boarding house. Kept awake by the other tenants’ sobbing, disturbing nightmares and strange unearthly noises echoing from the basement, Ambar begins to wonder exactly who - or what - lives inside the house with them. Soon it becomes clear that Ambar has walked into a trap, one where she will soon be introduced to the evil that has been lurking in the basement. Ambar must fight to escape her living nightmare, but in a house where no one listens to the scream

  WITCH HUNT is directed and written by Elle Callahan (HEAD COUNT), the film stars Gideon Adlon (THE CRAFT: LEGACY, BLOCKERS), Abigail Cowen ("Fate: The Winx Saga," "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina"), Christian Camargo (THE HURT LOCKER), and Elizabeth Mitchell ("Lost," "The Expanse"). SYNOPSIS: In a modern America where magic is real and witches are persecuted by US authorities, teenager Claire and her family are part of an intricate network that helps these women escape across the border to seek asylum in Mexico. However, when their mode of transport is disrupted by federal witch hunters, trouble befalls the family as they struggle to hide two young witches within the walls of their home. As witch hunters close in and strange magic begins haunting the family, Claire discovers that she may have more in common with these witches than she could have ever imagined. Momentum Pictures will release the thriller/horror film, WITCH HUNT in Theaters, On De

  Today I'm joined by Peter Collins Campbell to discuss his film DIMLAND.  In an attempt to shake off her melancholy, a young woman escapes the city to her family's country cottage only to rediscover an old friend and a world she'd long forgotten. You can pre-order DIMLAND on iTunes today! To hear my conversation with Peter press play on the player below 

Harry is a broken man, struggling to come to terms with the murder of his wife and daughter 5 years previously. When he discovers the whereabouts of the killers he awakens from his grief and, like an avenging angel, resolves to never stop until they are all dead.

 Today I'm joined by Skyler Lawson to discuss his film WHELM. Set during the Great Depression, two Midwest brothers get tangled in a rivalry between a legendary bank robber and an eccentric young criminal. WHELM is currently available on all VOD platforms. To hear my conversation with Skyler press play on the embedded player below

Today I'm joined by Maximiliano Contenti to discuss his neo-giallo slasher film THE LAST MATINEE. A crazed killer begins to pick off audience members attending the last showing of a horror film in a small downtown cinema. Meanwhile, the only person to notice that something strange is going on is the projectionist's daughter. Dark Star Pictures and Bloody Disgusting will release the Uruguay-Argentinian horror film THE LAST MATINEE on VOD, Digital and DVD on August 24th. To hear my conversation with Maxi press play on the embedded player below

  Russell (AJ Bowen - You're Next, The Signal) is a driver in Los Angeles who’s reeling from a series of bad decisions. While his life seems to be caught in a downward spiral, a business proposition from an alluring but enigmatic passenger named Charlotte (Sophie Dalah - Unbroken, Dead Night) proves too good to turn down. A simple ride turns deadly, catapulting Russell into an even darker place, but Charlotte may be the key to a second chance he thought he’d never have… if he can make it through the night. Surprising at every turn and with a wickedly dark sense of humor, directors Meghan Leon’s and Bradford Baruh’s Night Drive is an unforgettably shocking ride-along with a seemingly normal man and the most abnormal of passengers. Today I'm joined by AJ Bowen, Sophie Dalah, Meghan Leon, and Bradford Baruh to discuss the genre-bending indie NIGHT DRIVE.  Night Drive will be in Theatres and on VOD Friday, Aug. 6th

  In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a Bible study to help each other leave the "homosexual lifestyle." They quickly received over 25,000 letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. But leaders struggled with a secret: their own “same-sex attractions” never went away. After years as Christian superstars in the religious right, many of these men and women have come out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start. Focusing on the dramatic journeys of former conversion therapy leaders, current members, and a survivor, PRAY AWAY chronicles the “ex gay" movement’s rise to power, persistent influence, and the profound harm it causes. Today my guest is the producer of PRAY AWAY Jessica Devaney to hear our conversation press play on the embedded player below 

  Today my guest is Harry Greenberger, the director and writer behind HERE AFTER. The film is a dark fantasy-comedy about searching for love in the afterlife and acts as something of a Rorschach test. Depending on how you feel about love, death, and existential dread will greatly impact how you react to this film. It would be easy to see the film as a simple rom-com but I genuinely feel that film has far more on its mind. I highly recommend you check it out this Friday 7/23 when it will be available on VOD. To hear our conversation press play on the embedded player below 

  Today my guest is Jayson Crothers. I had Jayson on the show to discuss his work on the hit Freeform series Cruel Summer. The show is told over three summers in the 1990s and is about a girl who goes missing and another who  mysteriously takes over her life. We also discuss our shared love of Battlestar Galactica and Jayson convinces me to take the plunge on 300+ episodes of Supernatural…. Well dip my toes in at the very least.  We had some technical issues the first time we recorded so you will notice an abrupt ending in the first half of our conversation. I could have spliced the two pieces together and made the episode feel like it all took place at once but there were about 4 days in  between the two halves that had a slightly different feel. I’d prefer to expose the warts and put out a more honest representation of our conversations. Or I’m lazy and all the “honesty” nonsense is a way to justify my hatred of the editing process. And yet another reason I’d make a terrible filmmake

Today I'm Joined by the director of God Exists Her Name is Petrunya. The film is based on a true story. It takes place in Stip, a small town in Macedonia. Every 19th of January for the holiday of Epiphany, the throwing of the cross event takes place in almost all the Orthodox world of Eastern Europe. The local priest throws a wooden cross into the river and hundreds of men dive after it. Good fortune and prosperity are guaranteed to the man who retrieves it. This time, the young woman Petrunya dives into the water on a whim and manages to grab the cross before the others. Her competitors are furious, the local population as well as religious establishments are outraged as women aren’t allowed to take part in the ritual.  All hell breaks loose, but Petrunya holds her ground. The next day, in an interview to the local television station she encourages more women to jump for the cross in the future. She is labelled by the population as a "crazy/disturbed/troubled" young woma