Following Films Podcast

Welcome to another episode of The Following Films Podcast! I'm your host, Chris Maynard. Today we have a special treat for all the documentary/action/bodybuilding/political enthusiasts out there. In this episode, we delve into the captivating world of cinematography and explore the acclaimed Netflix documentary, ARNOLD.

Joining us today is the incredibly talented cinematographer, Logan Schneider, who played a pivotal role in bringing the life of the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger to the screen. Logan will be sharing his insights, experiences, and behind-the-scenes stories that went into the making of this remarkable three-part film.

ARNOLD is an inspiring documentary that offers an intimate and in-depth look at the extraordinary life and career of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Through a masterful blend of archival footage, interviews, and cinematic storytelling, the documentary unravels the various facets of Arnold's journey, from his humble beginnings in Austria to his rise as an iconic bodybuilder, Hollywood superstar, and political figure.

Welcome to another episode of the Following Films Podcast! In today's installment, we dive headfirst into the realm of true crime as we unravel the mysteries surrounding the intriguing docu-series, "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace." I'm your host Chris Maynard, and I couldn't be more excited to be joined by our special guest, legal expert Beth Karas. Beth has an extensive background in covering high-profile trials and has become a trusted voice in the true crime community.  "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" is a thought-provoking and controversial docu-series that delves into the puzzling story of a young girl whose true identity and age have been called into question. In this episode we take a look at the complex web of evidence, testimonies, and legal proceedings that surround Natalia Grace's case. Before we dive into our conversation, I want to take a moment to thank our sponsor, Bookmans. Bookmans is not just a bookstore; it's a community of book lovers, collectors, and enthusiasts. With their extensive selection of new and used books, movies, music, and more, Bookmans is a treasure trove for anyone seeking intellectual adventures. We appreciate their support in bringing you this episode.  If you’d like to support the Following Films Podcast one of the simplest ways you can do it, is by following the show on Spotify. It really does help! If you’d like to become a financial supporter of the show, check the show notes and click the support us link. "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" is currently available on ID.

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today I’m joined by Abel Ferrara to discuss his film PADRE PIO

Set in a politically tumultuous post-WWI Italy, PADRE PIO follows the titular young priest as he begins his ministry at a remote Italian monastery. Concurrently, the town welcomes home the broken but victorious soldiers from the war. Unrest stirs among the impoverished people of the village ahead of the first free election in Italy and Padre Pio struggles with a crisis of faith as he battles his own personal demons, as tensions build to an unforgettable climax. 

PADRE PIO will be in theaters June 2nd.

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today I’m joined by writer/director Berkley Brady to discuss her new film DARK NATURE.  The film tells the story of a therapy group that is forced to confront the monsters of their past when an isolated weekend retreat tests their emotional resilience and ability to survive. DARK NATURE will be in theaters today May 19th

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today I’m joined by Casper Van Dien to discuss his work on the new film County Line: No Fear. We also chat about Starship Troopers, stunt work on the new Roadhouse, and living in the shadow of your children.

In the action crime-drama County Line: No Fear, the third installment of the successful County Line trilogy, the ornery, yet devoted Alden Rockwell is back and on the verge of retirement.

When Zed Dalton, an ambitious and ruthless crime syndicate boss, sets up shop to enact revenge on Alden and Jo for involving themselves in his business, he isn’t quite prepared for the battle he’s up against. Alden, Jo and Interim Sheriff Dante Hill will go to any lengths to protect the counties they have vowed to serve. The action is non-stop, with many twists and surprising turns along the way!

Will Alden finally retire? Will Jo forgive her father for bringing this trouble to her doorstep? Will Zed get what’s coming to him? And what role does Zed’s mom play in all of this? Viewers will get answers to these questions, and more, on Saturday, May 27th at 8PM ET, when County Line: No Fear makes its exclusive television debut on INSP.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today I’m joined by Jalmari Helander to discuss his film SISU.

During the last desperate days of WWII, a solitary prospector (Jorma Tommila) crosses paths with Nazis on a scorched-earth retreat in northern Finland.  When the Nazis steal his gold, they quickly discover that they have just tangled with no ordinary miner.  While there is no direct translation for the Finnish word “sisu”, this legendary ex-commando will embody what sisu means: a white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination in the face of overwhelming odds.  And no matter what the Nazis throw at him, the one-man death squad will go to outrageous lengths to get his gold back – even if it means killing every last Nazi in his path.

SISU is available now on digital and VOD

Hope you enjoy the show! 

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today I’m joined by 'That's Our Time’ director Alex Backes. The film will screen at this years Panic Film Festival.

That’s Our Time stars Marque Richardson (Dear White People, Unprisoned, True Blood) as Danny and Debra Wilson (MadTV) as Dr. Miller.

In the film, Danny is unable to make connections with the people in his life. Now his sympathetic therapist tries to help him realize that it's more important to focus on the time you have left than the time you've already spent.

Big thanks to Bookmans for sponsoring this episode and to Fort Worth for letting us use their song at the end.

‘That’s Our Time’ will screen on Friday, April 14 at 8:30PM in person. Virtual tickets are also available at: https://panicfilmfest.com/attend/

Today I'm joined by legendary character actor William Fichtner. I had him on the show to discuss his latest film 88. Having appeared in a wide range of films along with television and theater roles over the course of his career, William Fichtner continues to carve out a distinctive reputation as one of our most versatile and talented actors, whether in comedy or drama, action or character study. He is one of Hollywood’s most distinct and familiar faces. Fichtner can next be seen in the Robert Rodriguez feature film Hypnotic alongside Ben Affleck and Alice Braga, and in 88 directed by Thomas Ikimi. Other recent films include The Birthday Cake, co-starring Ewan McGregor and Val Kilmer; The Space Between, opposite Kelsey Grammer and directed by Rachel Winter; Jack & Josie directed by Sarah Lancaster; Armed, written and directed by Mario Van Peebles; Finding Steve McQueen with Forest Whitaker, and opposite Jeffery Wright in the indie feature O.G. directed by Madeleine Sackler that premiered on HBO. Fichtner also starred alongside Jon Voight in the indie feature American Wrestler: The Wizard; Krystal directed by William H. Macy, and produced and starred in the indie feature The Neighbor. Pivoting to the other side of the camera, Fichtner directed, produced, co-wrote, and starred in his feature film Cold Brook shot mostly in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. Segueing between television and feature films, Fichtner led an ensemble cast in the original first 2 seasons of the international crime series Crossing Lines. He recurred on HBO’s Entourage from 2009-2011 and played ‘FBI Agent Alexander Mahone’ for three seasons on Fox’s hit drama series, Prison Break. William recently played Adam on CBS’s hit show Mom opposite Allison Janney, from creator Chuck Lorre. William can now be seen in the Peacock limited series Joe vs Carol where he stars alongside Kate McKinnon and John Cameron Mitchell. Other feature films include 12 Strong for producer Jerry Bruckheimer; Independence Day:Resurgence directed by Roland Emmerich; Paramount’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; director Gore Verbinski’s The Lone Ranger and Neil Blomkamp’s Elysium. He also co-starred in writer-director Paul Haggis’ Academy Award-winning Crash. For his performance in that film, he shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble Cast in a Feature Film. Other film credits include Drive Angry for director Patrick Lussier; Shawn Levy’s Date Night; Blades of Glory with Will Ferrell; Chris Nolan’s The Dark Knight; the remake of The Longest Yard; the comedy The Amateurs with Jeff Bridges; Rodrigo Garcia’s Nine Lives; Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down; What’s The Worst That Could Happen; Wolfgang Peterson’s The Perfect Storm; Drowning Mona; Ultraviolet and Equilibrium, both for writer-director Kurt Wimmer; Armageddon directed by Michael Bay; Michael Mann’s Heat; Robert Zemeckis’ Contact; Doug Liman’s Go; Strange Days directed by Katherine Bigelow; Passion of Mind; Steven Soderbergh’s The Underneath; Agnieszka Holland’s Julie Walking Home and The Settlement with John C. Reilly, among many others. As a member of the Circle Repertory Theatre, Fichtner won critical acclaim for his role in The Fiery Furnace, directed by Norman Rene. Other stage credits include Raft of the Medusa at the Minetta Lane Theatre, The Years at the Manhattan Theatre Club, Clothes for a Summer Hotel at the Williamstown Theatre festival and Machinal at The Public Theatre. 88 is currently available on VOD.

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today I’m joined by legendary director Uwe Boll.

I had Boll on the show to discuss his  return to filmmaking after a self-imposed early retirement. We also discuss what a pain in the ass it is to shoot car scenes, the pleasures of shooting in NYC, and I look for some recommendations on where to find some authentic German cuisine. 

Big thanks to Bookmans for sponsoring this episode and to Fort Worth for letting us use their song at the end.

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today I’m joined by Linda Yellen, Jill Eikenberry, Patricia Richardson, and Jobeth Williams the director and stars of the new film CHANTILLY BRIDGE. For the first half of the interview I’m joined by JoBeth Williams and after the break in the second half I have a group interview with Linda, Jill and Patricia. 

Chantilly Bridge reunites a group of lifelong, steadfast friends who are still – in their later years -- chasing their dreams, fighting injustices, and sticking up for their convictions. The women lay bare their lives and deal with important issues that impact all women with humor, humility, humanity, and love. No topic escapes the razor-like wit and insight of these women: equality, sex, menopause, mortality, feminism, parenthood, careers, love, and even “me-too” moments. While women often feel invisible in the world, this film highlights who they are and what they care about.  We experience what women are truly like and what they discuss in a setting where no men are present.  Chantilly Bridge is also about reconnecting with old friends from the past and the beauty of a shared history.

Today I'm joined by Chris Pratt and Charlie Day to briefly discuss their work on SUPER MARIO BROS.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is an animated movie produced by Nintendo in collaboration with Universal Pictures and Illumination, co-produced by Mario franchise creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination co-founder Chris Meledandri. It was first announced during a financial briefing on January 31, 2018, and is scheduled for theatrical release on April 5, 2023

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today, I’m joined by the directing and writing team Lucy McKendrick & Charlie Polinger of F*CK ME, RICHARD, which world premiered this week at SXSW.

Recovering from a broken leg, Sally begins a phone relationship with Richard — a much-needed intimacy boost in her dreary haze of crushing loneliness and painkillers. They talk nonstop and fall head over heels. Things get kind of sketchy when Richard starts asking for money to pay for his mom’s “medical bills.” But Sally has some secrets of her own, and nothing is as it seems in this phone-sex-fueled psychodrama about the sick thrill of a good old-fashioned scam.

Big thanks to Bookmans for sponsoring this episode and to Fort Worth for letting us use their song at the end.

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today, I’m joined by director Remy Grillo to discuss his film THE RESURRECTION OF CHARLES MANSON. The film stars Frank Grillo and is currently available on VOD. The film is centered on a young couple who create an audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. However, when they choose an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality as they find themselves intertwined in an occult leader's sinister plot.

Big thanks to Bookmans for sponsoring this episode and to Fort Worth for letting us use their song at the end.

If you'd like to connect with the show, the best place to find us online is at followingfilms.com or on Twitter by following @followingfilms.

Please leave us a review and follow the show on Spotify. It really does help!!!

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today, I’m joined by cinematographer Jesse Feldman. I had him on the show to discuss his work on the AMC series INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE. All episodes of season one are currently available to stream on AMC+.

Big thanks to Bookmans for sponsoring this episode and to Fort Worth for letting us use their song at the end.

If you'd like to connect with the show, the best place to find us online is at followingfilms.com or on Twitter by following @followingfilms.

Please leave us a review and follow the show on Spotify. It really does help!!!

Thank you for listening to the following films podcast. Today, Chris is joined by Hopper Penn to discuss his work in the film DEVIL'S PEAK.

In the film, Penn co-stars with Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, and Jackie Earle Haley. The film is a tense family thriller set in the Appalachian Mountains where a local crime lord (Thornton) controls his family and his business with violence.

Big thanks to Bookmans for sponsoring this episode and to Fort Worth for letting us use their song at the end.

If you'd like to connect with the show, the best place to find us online is at followingfilms.com or on Twitter by following @followingfilms.

Please leave us a review and follow the show on Spotify. It really does help!!!

DEVIL'S PEAK is currently in theatres and on-demand.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Today I'm joined by Robbie Banfitch, the writer/director behind The Outwaters. The film takes viewers off the beaten path and into their own nightmares. The film plays out over three memory cards found in a sun-drenched section of the Mojave Desert. The footage within is that of a foursome, who set out to make a music video while camping, led by a charismatic LA filmmaker. Their trip starts out uneventful, though their peace is occasionally disrupted by unexplained sounds, vibrations, and unnatural animal behavior. Then one night everything changes, sending the foursome on a mind-bending trip through terror.

Today I'm joined by MURDER IN BIG HORN director and producer Razelle Benally and Matthew Galkin

MURDER IN BIG HORN investigates the disappearances and possible murders of a group of Native American women in rural Montana. Within the last decade, dozens of young Indigenous women and girls from the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Nations have been murdered or have gone missing from Big Horn County and its surrounding area; arrests are rare in these cases and convictions virtually non-existent. When grieving Native families press law enforcement for answers, they are met with either indifference or silence.

Elsewhere in America, these crimes would have shocked a community and the nation. National media would have picked up the story. But outside of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations, it barely registers, leaving a bereft circle of family, friends, and activists on their own, fighting for justice.

This harrowing three-part series examines the circumstances around each disappearance, the searches for the missing, the details of these deeply problematic law enforcement responses, and the challenges with bringing perpetrators to justice. The series also reveals the historical forces at play that make Native American women some of the most vulnerable people in the country, not just in Big Horn County.

Told solely through the perspectives of those involved – Native families, local Native journalists and local law enforcement – what emerges is a powerful portrait of tribal members and their community battling an epidemic of murdered and missing Indigenous women (MMIW) that was set in motion almost 200 years ago.

MURDER IN BIG HORN is available on Showtime

Today I'm joined by composer Andrew Gordon Macpherson to discuss his work on KIDS VS. ALIENS.

Andrew Gordon Macpherson is an award winning music composer and filmmaker. He has contributed original music to TV shows "Dark Side of the Ring," "Tales from the Territories," AAA video games "Far Cry 5", "Far Cry: New Dawn," "Starlink: Battle for Atlas" (Ubisoft), and feature films, "Kids vs Aliens," "Random Acts of Violence" (Manis/Elevation pictures), "Spare Parts" (Hangar 18/Raven Banner Entertainment), "the Ranger" (Glass Eye Pix/Shudder). In 2021, Andrew won an ASCAP Screen Music Award for Dark Side of the Ring.

Thank you for listening to the Following Films Podcast today we have a Slamdance double feature with the directors of Underbug and With Peter Bradley. 

First up I chat with Shujaat Saudagar about The Underbug

While nations came to a standstill during the pandemic, another more familiar kind of virus - xenophobia and sectarian violence - raged in India. Against that backdrop, “The Underbug” is a psychological horror that explores the psyche of people who live on the fringe of society. The film focuses on two men, who have stumbled on a deserted house where deadly trauma has clearly taken place, but what happened, who or what was responsible and are they next, are now the questions they need to solve in order to survive. A cinematic sibling to the style of  Romero, the film explores radical allegories reflecting relevant cultural and sociopolitical trends in the paranoid, fearful world of his characters. “The Underbug”  delivers what great horror cinema does best: sparking conversation and debate, and offering insight on socio-politics in our current world, while keeping us on the edge of our seats with impending dread.

After that, I’m joined by Alex Rappoport to discuss his documentary film with Peter Bradley. 

“With Peter Bradley”  is a documentary celebrating artmaking, resilience, and the creative contributions of Black artists to American life. This timely and poignant narrative is unapologetically raw, tender, and emotional as it follows extraordinary trailblazer Peter Bradley. Audiences experience the artists life in real time, interwoven with stills, interviews, and additional striking visual imagery, telling a rags-to-riches to rags-and-back-again story of a truly iconic and innovative artist.  

THE STALKING FIELDS was written by Sean Crampton and Jordan Wiseley and directed by first-time filmmaker and Army veteran Ric Maddox.  The film stars Crampton in a breakthrough performance, as well as Taylor Kalupa, Adam J. Harrington, Rachael Markarian, Jordan Wiseley, and Richard O. Ryan.

Drawing from personal experience, both Crampton and Wisely grew up in military families and felt it was important to make a film about the ramifications of PTSD.

Gravitas Ventures will release THE STALKING FIELDS on digital platforms on January 17, 2023.

ONLY IN THEATERS, a film by actor/director Raphael Sbarge (Emmy Nominated for directing “LA FOODWAYS,”) is an intimate and moving journey taken with the Laemmle family, spanning nearly three years of challenges, losses, and personal triumphs.

There has been a Laemmle in the movie business since there’s been a movie business.  Their beloved Arthouse Cinema chain with an astonishing Hollywood legacy has, for four generations, been dedicated to elevating the art of filmmaking and the filmmakers who make them. Responsible for bringing foreign film to Los Angeles and popularizing countless foreign independent films and their filmmakers, the Laemmle Theatres’ impact on Hollywood and world cinema cannot be overstated. In a world of growing conglomeration, the Laemmle circuit of theatres has become even more of an anomaly: a family-owned and operated art house theatre chain.  Filmed over 2 1/2 years, Only in Theaters chronicles a family business, and their determination to survive.  But in a changing world this is also a story about the future of Cinema. Interviews with Ava DuVernay, Cameron Crowe, James Ivory, Nicole Holofcener, and others.

Opening in New York on January 20th
at the IFC Center and New Plaza Cinemas

Today I'm joined by London May and Eric Boccio to discuss their work on NIGHT OF THE BASTARD

Disgruntled hermit Reed lives a solitary life in the desert. After chasing away a group of youths trying to party near his home, Reed’s peaceful life is violently upheaved when a goup of savage cultists lay siege to his house.

Forced to partner up with one of the party-goers, Reed and his newfound colleague must defend themselves into the night, all while long-buried and disturbing secrets are revealed to him as part of the cult’s evil plan.

NIGHT OF THE BASTARD will be in theatres and on VOD Jan. 13th

Miranda Kwok is now best known as the Creator and Executive Producer of the U.S. television series adaptation "The Cleaning Lady," based on the Argentine series "La Chica Que Limpia." Produced by Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment, Miranda wrote the pilot script and developed "The Cleaning Lady" for the Fox Network.  Her first screenplay about the so-called military ‘comfort women,’ Miranda won the Grand Prize in the Slamdance Screenplay Competition. With her first spec script, Miranda landed a Staff Writer position on "Spartacus: Blood & Sand" on the Starz Network. She has worked as a writer and story consultant on several theme park attractions and immersive experiences, including Wanda Movie Park's 4D Film "Streets of Fury" and 5D Film "Ultimate Energy" which was produced by Industrial Light and Magic. More recently, Miranda served as a writer and Supervising Producer for "The 100" on the CW Network, working for four seasons on the Warner Bros. TV series.

Today I'm doing something a bit different. This is a press conference I took part in last weekend with the craft team behind the new Apple+ film EMANCIPATION. The team includes 

Ed Novick (Production Sound Mixer)

Mandell Winter (Supervising Sound Editor)

Naomi Shohan (Production Designer)

Conrad Buff, ACE (Picture Editor)

Robert Richardson, ASC (Cinematographer)

Steve Pederson (Re-Recording Mixer)

Marcelo Zarvos (Composer)

Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (Costume Designer)

David Esparza (Supervising Sound Editor & Re-Recording Mixer)

Robert Legato, ASC (VFX Supervisor)

Today I'm joined by Jimmy Hunt, star of the atomic-aged sci-fi classic INVADERS FROM MARS

Ignite Films has released s sensational 4K restoration of William Cameron Menzies’ 1953 Invaders From Mars. The sci-fi classic is available on Blu-ray & 4K UHD in time to celebrate the film’s 70th anniversary.

Special bonus features include a restored 4K version of the original 1953 trailer and a newly commissioned 2022 trailer, an interview with the film’s star, Jimmy Hunt, an in-depth look at the restoration process led by Scott MacQueen, Restoration Supervisor, plus a new documentary about the film featuring interviews with directors Joe Dante (Gremlins), John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), Multiple Visual Effects Academy-Award winner Robert Skotak (Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgement Day), and other luminaries. These extras and the documentary were produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jeremy Alter (David Lynch’s Inland Empire, Doug Ellin’s Ramble On).

Today I'm joined by Alison Star Locke the writer and director of THE APOLOGY 

Twenty years after the disappearance of her daughter, recovering alcoholic Darlene Hagen (Anna Gunn) is preparing to host her family's Christmas celebration with her best friend Gretchen (Janeane Garofalo). Late Christmas Eve, Darlene's estranged ex-brother-in-law, Jack (Linus Roache) arrives unannounced, bearing nostalgic gifts and a heavy secret. Soon, Darlene finds herself caught between reason and ruthless instinct. Trapped together by a dangerous storm, a battle of wits escalates to a violent game of revenge.

THE APOLOGY will be in theaters and streaming simultaneously on Shudder and AMC+ on December 16th.

Today I'm joined by writer/director Joe Begos (The Mind’s Eye, VFW), to discuss his work on CHRISTMAS BLOODY CHRISTMAS. The film stars Riley Dandy  (That’s Amor, The City of Gold), Sam Delich (Spiderhead), Jonah Ray Rodrigues (Mystery Science Theater 3000), Dora Madison (Everybody Wants Some, "Chicago Fire"), Jeremy Gardner (Offseason), with Jeff Daniel Phillips (3 From Hell), and Abraham Benrubi (The Call of the Wild).

In CHRISTMAS BLOODY CHRISTMAS, it’s Christmas Eve and fiery record store owner Tori Tooms just wants to get drunk and party, until the robotic Santa Claus at a nearby toy store goes haywire and makes her night more than a little complicated. Santa Claus begins a rampant killing spree through the neon-drenched snowscape against a backdrop of drugs, sex, metal, and violence, ultimately forcing Tori into a blood-splattered battle for survival against the ruthless heavy metal Saint Nick himself.

Shudder and RLJE Films will release CHRISTMAS BLOODY CHRISTMAS in Theaters and it will stream exclusively on Shudder on December 9, 2022.

Today I'm joined by Alex Phillips to discuss his film ALL JACKED UP AND FULL OF WORMS

Roscoe, a janitor for a scuzzy love motel, whose girlfriend has brought another man home for strange rituals, drifts through life until he discovers a hidden stash of powerful hallucinogenic worms. Guided by visions of a giant floating Worm, he encounters Benny, a moped enthusiast trying to manifest a baby from an inanimate sex doll. They fall in love with doing worms together on a downward spiral into the primordial ooze.

ALL JACKED UP AND FULL OF WORMS lands on Screambox and VOD Nov 8

Dallas Dupree Young is one of the breakout stars in Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series, “Cobra Kai”. Young shines as Kenny, a bullied new student in school, who turns to karate to defend himself and gain confidence.

I had Dallas on the show today to discuss his work on the new festival darling 1-800 HOT-NITE. The film is centered around Tommy (Dallas Dupree Young) and the night he loses his parents to a drug raid. On the run, he turns to a phone sex operator (his fairy godmother) for help as he embarks on an urban odyssey to escape foster care with his two best friends, Steve and O’Neill.

Don’t let the title deceive you, this is a great film that has far more on its mind than your average teen comedy. The film hits VOD on 11-4. Don’t sleep on this one make sure you check it out.

Levi has snagged a no-lease apartment sight unseen in the Hollywood Hills to crash at while he ties up loose ends for his exodus from Los Angeles. He quickly strikes up a rapport with his new neighbor John, swapping stories like old friends under the glowing, smoke-filled skies of the city. Soon after meeting, Levi and John witness something impossible in one of their apartments. Terrified at first, they soon realize this could change their lives and give them a purpose. With dollar signs in their eyes, these two eccentric strangers will attempt to prove the supernatural.

Today I’m joined by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson the co-directors, co-stars, co-editors, writers and cinematographers of SOMETHING IN THE DIRT. Their odd-ball chemistry shines on screen and in the script, as these two isolated and unfulfilled individuals spur each other toward wormholes and away from reality.

SOMETHING IN THE DIRT tells a tale of these paranoid times, where every answer imaginable is just a Google search away

Opens in Theaters November

Tom George is a director and sometimes writer of TV and film. He directed all three series of the acclaimed BBC comedy “This Country”. The show, which George also helped write, won four BAFTAs, including one for Best Scripted Comedy, as well as a host of other awards. His other credits include the BBC legal comedy “Defending the Guilty”, which starred Will Sharpe and Katherine Parkinson. George began his comedy career in short films, which screened at festivals around the world. He started out as a director filming music. Today I'm joined by Tom George to discuss his work on SEE HOW THEY RUN.  In 1950s London, plans for a movie version of a smash-hit play come to an abrupt halt after a pivotal member of the crew is murdered. When a world-weary inspector and an eager rookie constable take on the case, they find themselves thrown into a puzzling whodunit within the glamorously sordid world of underground theater, investigating the mysterious homicide at their own peril. The film features stellar performances from  Adrien Brody, Saoirse Ronan, and Sam Rockwell and will be available on-demand on 11-1.

Today I’m joined by cinematographer Stefan Duscio to discuss his latest work, the Apple TV+ series, Shantaram.

Based on the internationally best-selling novel by Gregory David Roberts, the 1980s set drama follows a fugitive who escapes prison and reinvents himself as a doctor in the slums of Bombay.

Shantaram is the first Apple TV series that uses anamorphic lenses and frame in a 2.40 aspect ratio. When shooting the series Duscio pursued smooth camera movement and widescreen anamorphic because in his own words, “I wanted you to fall in love with Bombay, and unashamedly present it in a romantic way."

Duscio teamed up with production designer Chris Kennedy (Lion) for visual research into 1980s India. In addition to the novel, inspiration for the visual language and aesthetic came from a plethora of art that included street and fashion photography, National Geographic content, and per Duscio, "feelings of travel, wanderlust and philosophy."

Today I’m joined by Mena Suvari and director Kevin Lewis to discuss their work on the new film THE ACCURSED.

THE ACCURSED starring Mena Suvari (American Beauty), Sarah Grey (Power Rangers), Meg Foster (They Live), and Alexis Knapp (Pitch Perfect) is the follow-Up feature from director Kevin Lewis (WILLY’SWONDERLAND starring Nicolas Cage).

The Accursed follows a young woman who is forced to return home following the death of her mother. Consumed by guilt and desperate to escape the haunting visions playing out in her head, she takes a temporary caregiver position for a comatose old lady living alone in the woods.  It does not take long before she realizes that not all is as it seems and that the old lady harbors a demonic secret; an evil secret that the old lady’s daughter is intent on passing on.

THE ACCURSED is currently available on VOD.

Today I'm joined by THE LAIR Director Neil Marshall and Star Charlotte Kirk.

When Royal Air Force pilot Lt. Kate Sinclair is shot down over Afghanistan, she finds refuge in an abandoned underground bunker where deadly man-made biological weapons – half human, half alien – are awakened.

THE LAIR will be available in theaters, on-demand and digital on October 28th

Today I'm joined by Will Corona Pilgrim to discuss his work on The Godfather Tarot.

The beautifully illustrated, highly giftable deck comes with a full-color, 96-page companion book by Will Corona-Pilgrim, that profiles the key characters and events from the saga and pairs them with featured cards along with providing a basic introduction to tarot reading. Whether you are looking to add a unique deck to your collection or are a fan of the films, The Godfather Tarot Deck is a must-have addition!

Features:

Publishing October 18, 2022

Verona Blue is a classically trained actor from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Fully immersed in Goth culture as a teen, Verona spent countless nights running downtown alleys with a group of like-minded misfits and has been channeling the spirits of innumerable interesting characters ever since. Her commitment to her counter-culture roots and authentic ownership of her unique look makes her a standout on screen.

Verona Blue stars in V/H/S/99 as a punk rocker in the segment titled "Shredding," written & directed by renown genre filmmaker, Maggie Levin. The newest installment of the cult anthology franchise will had its world premiere at TIFF during Midnight Madness.

V/H/S/99 will be on Shudder on 10/20

Cleopatra Entertainment's  FROST, directed by Brandon Slagle (Battle of Saipan), based on James Cullen Bressack’s story and adapted for screen by Robert Thompson,  and starring Vernon Wells (Mad Max 2) and Devanny Pinn (House of Manson) is the story of a young woman and her father who have to fight for survival after being stranded on a remote mountainside during a storm, FROST will be released on October 11 on Digital and Blu-ray.

A full motion picture soundtrack for FROST is scheduled for both the CD and VINYL LP formats to accompany the film’s release and features contributions by Rick Wakeman (YES), Geoff Downes (YES/ASIA) and Terry Reid – amongst others - courtesy of Cleopatra Records.

Today I'm joined by the star of FROST, Devanny Pinn, to discuss her incredible work in the film. 

KING ON SCREEN

Directed by: Daphné Baiwir

KING ON SCREEN, which interviews the lion’s share of the filmmakers who have adapted Stephen Kings work to screen, includes Frank Darabont, Mick Garris, Mike Flanagan, Greg Nicotero and more. Directed by Daphné Baiwir, KING ON SCREEN is an intimate look at the unique relationship between Stephen King’s vast body of work and the directors famous for reimagining it for the screen.

With an ambitious fictional introduction packed with easter eggs, references, and other winks that constant readers will find delightful, this doc is a must-see for any King-head and casual viewer alike.

LIVING WITH CHUCKY

Documentary Feature

Directed by: Kyra Elise Gardner

LIVING WITH CHUCKY is an ode to a horror franchise and a movie monster icon directed by Kyra Elise Gardener, the daughter of one of Chucky’s longtime visual effects supervisors. Having grown up with a Chucky doll in her home since childhood, the filmmaker recounts the behind-the-scenes process of bringing the doll to life as well as the cultural impact of Chucky and his bloodthirsty family on modern horror.

A family of four isolated against a global pandemic that spreads through the internet and robs a person of their ability to perceive reality--often with violent results--begins to unravel when they suspect that one, or all, of them, may be infected. Shot under Covid lockdown by a real family serving as the entire cast and crew.   RED RIVER ROAD stars the Schuyler family; Paul, Jade, Shaw, and Quinn. Paul Schuyler wrote, directed, shot, and edited the film. It is produced by Paul and Jade Schuyler.   Today I’m joined by Paul to discuss his multi-hyphenated work on RED RIVER ROAD

Gravitas Ventures will release the film on digital platforms on October 4, 2022

When I Consume You marks the third feature for New York-based filmmaker Perry Blackshear following his award-winning psychological horror feature debut They Look Like People and celebrated sophomore effort, the aquatic supernatural horror romance The Siren. All three of his films have been widely embraced and praised both on the festival circuit and upon release, with They Look Like People winning a Jury Honorable Mention at the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival upon its premiere.

Blackshear again teams up with creative collaborators MacLeod Andrews, Evan Dumouchel, and Margaret Ying Drake for When I Consume You, who, alongside Libby Ewing, deliver a heartfelt family drama about grief and redemption. Ewing and Dumouchel play brother-sister duo Daphne and Wilson Shaw. Troubled since childhood, the two have struggled to find stability as they’ve grown older, and while Daphne seems to have finally gotten her life together, the darkness that’s followed their family all along begins to close in more aggressively than ever before.

A unique urban folktale set and filmed in Brooklyn, When I Consume You confronts the vulnerabilities that people struggle with every day through a genre lens to create a chillingly intimate indie horror nightmare.

The film is written, directed, and lensed by Blackshear, who also produced alongside Andrews, Dumouchel, and Ewing.

At Holy Cross Boys School in Belfast, Northern Ireland schoolyard conflicts are resolved at the Philosophy board where the youngsters learn to reason and think for themselves. School Principal Kevin McArevey, a Stoic who sings along to Elvis Presley, is rocking the status quo by teaching Philosophy to students in a community plagued by urban decay, sectarian violence, poverty and drugs. In an atmosphere of deep caring and support, his students learn new ways to manage their emotions based on Ancient texts. YOUNG PLATO  deftly addresses the social division and intergenerational trauma of a city divided by Peace Walls where "the troubles" are more than a memory in a story filled with the mischievous charm of young boys learning to question the mythologies of war and violence.  "Young Plato" shines a positive light on contemporary Northern Ireland, offering a model for building a culture of peace in these troubling times.

Today I’m joined by director Neasa Ní Chianáín and subject Kevin McArevey to discuss YOUNG PLATO.

YOUNG PLATO WILL OPEN THEATRICALLY IN NEW YORK (ANGELIKA FILM CENTER) ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 WITH A REGIONAL EXPANSION TO FOLLOW ON SEPTEMBER 30th 

Zach Kuperstein, a New York-based cinematographer listed among Variety's Artisan Elites, has a passion for visual storytelling. He burst onto the field with the southern gothic film, "The Eyes of My Mother," premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016. His work earned him nominations at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Camerimage International Film Festival. Since then he's lensed many more features including "The Climb," winning the jury's heart award at 2019's Cannes Film Festival followed by screenings at Telluride and Sundance, then together with his most recent work, "The Vigil," at the Toronto International Film Festival and the would-be 2020 SXSW Film Festival. With his never-say-never attitude, he's ready to lift any narrative off the page and onto the screen.

I had Zach on the show today to talk about his work on the box-office hit BARBARIAN.

Welcome to Westerberg High, where Veronica Sawyer is just another one of the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true.  Until JD shows up – the mysterious teen rebel who teaches her that everyone fears being a nobody, but its murder being a somebody...

Today I'm joined by HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Director Andy Fickman

HEATHERS THE MUSICAL will premier on the Roku Channel September 16th 

Today I'm joined by writer/director Duncan Birmingham to discuss his work on the incredible Shudder original film WHO INVITED THEM.

Adam and Margo's housewarming party is a success. One couple linger after the other guests, revealing themselves to be wealthy neighbors. As one night cap leads to another, Adam and Margo suspect their new friends are duplicitous strangers

Hoping to escape their past, Daniel and Theresa Snyder move their troubled young daughter Rosalie to a quaint Midwestern town, but they are followed by the evil they tried to leave behind. When locals begin to die, the Snyders turn to a Native American seer and uncover a legend that may hold the key to saving their family, or a path to a grisly end for them and all they hold dear.

Today I'm joined by Will Klipstine to discuss his work on THE HARBINGER. The film is currently in select theatres an on demand. 

Addiction is an all-encompassing force, in not only of the lives of the afflicted, but also those around them. OUR AMERICAN FAMILY provides an honest, unfiltered look at a close-knit Philadelphia family dealing with generational substance abuse. Captured at a pivotal “nothing to lose” moment, for over the course of a year, five family members tired of life with addiction on center stage, each struggle to transcend their crippling histories.

What will it take to shift this entrenched, wrenching pattern in their lives? Will they be able to make significant shifts to help their next generation? The members of  OUR AMERICAN FAMILY  invite us into their lives to find hope and to explore what’s possible. Though they often falter, their familial loyalty is powerful, demonstrating how through love and dedication people can rise out of the deepest depths. For a touching, eye-opening look into one of America's most pressing crises, look no further.

OUR AMERICAN FAMILY opens in September timed to National Recovery Month, a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.

Finally, a documentary about scientists who get misrepresented by the media.

Those TV documentaries you see, and the science experts they feature? Did you know that producers often edit them out of context, and twist their words, to make it seem like they promoted some pop sensationalism instead of the real facts?

Science Friction exposes this practice and gives the scientists a chance to clear the record. The film was financed by private grants and donations.

The film is currently available on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi

Theodore Michael Shapiro is an American film composer from Washington D.C. who is known for composing various films such as Jennifer's Body, Old School, Safe Men, Idiocracy, Wet Hot American Summer, Zoolander 2, Year One, DodgeBall, Tropic Thunder, On the Ropes, 13 Going on 30, Girlfight, Captain Underpants and The Devil Wears Prada.

I had the chance to chat with Teddy about his Emmy-nominated work on the Apple+ series Severance. 

Wild Eye Releasing will release a Special Edition Blu-ray of Daniel Benedict’s The Bloody Man, a supernatural horror film reuniting A Nightmare On Elm Street 4 : The Dream Master stars Lisa Wilcox and Tuesday Knight, this December. The film is currently available on VOD.

Penned by Daniel and Casi Benedict, and produced by Red Serial Films, the film tells of a young boy who, after the death of his mother, becomes obsessed with a comic book she gave him that ultimately summons the ancient monster found in its pages.

Today I'm joined by Lisa to discuss her work on THE BLOODY MAN, returning to work after a self imposed hiatus, and our dogs.  

What Josiah Saw  is the third feature from American filmmaker Vincent Grashaw (Coldwater, And Then I Go) and world premiered to high praise at the 2021 Fantasia Film Festival and went on to win awards at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, Screamfest, and more.

In What Josiah Saw, after two decades, a damaged family reunites at their remote farmhouse, where they confront long-buried secrets and sins of the past. The film stars Robert Patrick (The Terminator), Nick Stahl (Sin City), Scott Haze (Child of God) and Kelli Garner (Lars And The Real Girl).

Today I’m joined by Vincent to discuss his work on WHAT JOSIAH SAW. The film is currently streaming on SHUDDER. Big thanks to Bookmans for sponsoring the show and to Fort Worth for letting me use their song at the end.

In an effort to heal after witnessing her sister’s horrific murder, Nic travels to a tropical resort with her friends for a kayaking and diving adventure. Only hours into their expedition, the women are stalked and then attacked by a great white shark. To survive they will need to band together and Nic will have to overcome her post-traumatic stress, face her fears and slay the monster.

Starring: Teressa Liane, Ann Truong, Saskia Archer, Kate Lister, Tim Ross 

Written and Directed by: Andrew Traucki

Theaters, On Demand and Digital and Streaming on Shudder July 29, 2022

George Jung, the drug smuggler immortalized by Johnny Depp in “Blow,” left Weymouth for California in the late ’60s with pennies in his pocket, two cases of Budweiser in the backseat and his best pal riding shotgun.

Forty years – and four prison stints later – Jung returned to visit his boyhood home at   30 Abigail Adams Circle. He was unsure if neighbors would throw rocks or tell him to “politely leave town.”

Jung’s homecoming can be seen in the documentary “Boston George,” which charts his improbable journey from Patriot Ledger newsboy to Weymouth High football star to cocaine trafficker for Pablo Escobar’s Medellin Cartel.

Subtitled “Famous Without the Fortune,” the documentary’s first two episodes premiere Friday, July 22, on Fandor, with one episode per week each  successive Friday. Cinedigm will make each episode available on demand the next day.

Today I’m joined by Chris Chesson and Georgette Angelos to discuss their work on BOSTON GEORGE: FAMOUS WITHOUT THE FORTUNE.

This episode is sponsored by Bookmans. If you would like to support the Following Films Podacst please go to https://anchor.fm/followingfilms/subscribe

Conceived as a way to interrogate processes of neo-colonialism, and highlighting the alienating effects of technological progress, Palo Alto native Jake Wachtel's KARMALINK is a mind-bending tale of reincarnation, artificial consciousness, and the search for enlightenment.

KARMALINK will be released in the US Theatrically in major cities and on VOD in the US and Canada on Friday, July 15.

Directed by Rouzbeh Heydari (Together Again), Dana Abraham (Prisoner of Fear) wrote the film and stars in the movie along with Brenna Coates (“Coroner”), Brit MacRae (“The Eden Theory”), Stephen Tracey (“Good Sam”), Rene Escobar, Jr. (“Air Crash Investigation”), Erika Swayze (“Workin’ Moms”), Lauren Howe (“Reacher”) and Kim Coates ("Sons of Anarchy").In NEON LIGHTS, guests begin disappearing in an off-grid location, during a family reunion of misfit siblings and their offspring.

Momentum Pictures will release NEON LIGHTS On Demand and Digital on July 12, 2022.

Today I'm joined by Ash Gordon to discuss her self-titled double album

After 10+ years working behind the scenes as a song stylist for some of your favorite artists, tv shows, and movies, LGBTQIA+ music maven Ash Gordon is ready to take the leap into the spotlight with her debut double album, Ash Gordon & Ash Gordon II. Complete with collaborations from drag legends like Trixie Mattel, Alaska Thunderfuck, BONAVEGA, Bob the Drag Queen, and many others, the albums provide sixteen psychedelic songs that perfectly encompass Ash’s lipstick garage-rock vision.

Ash Gordon & Ash Gordon II will be available on July 15