DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Co-Writer/Director Will Canon and Co-Writer Doug Simon (BROTHERHOOD)

BROTHERHOOD is the first feature by co-writer/director Will Canon and co-writer Doug Simon. It’s the story of some fraternity brothers who, after an unfortunate accident during their final initiation, end up dealing with a shot brother. Instead of reporting it, taking the heat, and possibly losing their charter, they try to hide it at all costs. Who wants to get in trouble, right?

As I discussed in the SXSW episode of our Podcast, BROTHERHOOD was my favorite film out of the festival. Many SXSWers agreed, as the film won the Audience Award (Narrative). The film also screened at Dallas International Film Festival and won the Audience Award (Narrative) there, so we thought that would be the perfect opportunity to talk to the gents about the film. Check the interview after the break. Continue reading “DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Co-Writer/Director Will Canon and Co-Writer Doug Simon (BROTHERHOOD)” →

DIFF 2010 Video Interview: Writer/Director Ryan Piers Williams and Actor Wilmer Valderrama (THE DRY LAND)

THE DRY LAND is the first feature written and directed by native Texan Ryan Piers Williams. The film is the story of a soldier (Ryan O’Nan) returning to his wife (America Ferrera) and their home in El Paso, Texas. After a traumatic tour of duty, he is dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and having a hard time coping. A fellow Veteran, (Wilmer Valderrama) becomes an important part of the healing process and helps him through it, as they cope in very different ways.

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and is now one of the big films playing at the Dallas International Film Festival. Yesterday I sat down with Williams and Valderrama and we talked DRY LAND and topics surrounding the film. It’s very clear in the answer to my questions that they’re both very proud and passionate about this project (as they should be).

Check out the interview after the break. Continue reading “DIFF 2010 Video Interview: Writer/Director Ryan Piers Williams and Actor Wilmer Valderrama (THE DRY LAND)” →

SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Steve Hicks (AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY)

This was a really unexpected experience for me. After my interview with the directors of AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY (which you can watch HERE), I was chatting with director Paul Thomas about Bill Hicks. He mentioned that he was impressed that I was such a fan of Hicks (maybe because of my age) and said he wanted to set me up with Bill’s brother Steve, who was also at the restaurant. It turned out that Steve came to SXSW along with Hicks’ mother in support of the documentary.

As I sat down with Steve, I admitted to him that I wasn’t expecting this interview, and that I was completely unprepared for it. So I asked him if he just would talk about Bill, and the effect the making of the film had on his family. He graciously agreed and the following interview happened. You can check it out after the jump! Continue reading “SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Steve Hicks (AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY)” →

SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas (AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY)

One of the documentaries that made some big buzz at SXSW this year was AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY. During the festival, I sat down with the directors of the film, Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, to discuss the trials and tribulations of bringing Bill Hicks’ life to the big screen. The film tells the story of legendary stand-up comedian Bill Hicks through the eyes of his family and friends and sheds some light on aspects of his life that many people might have misunderstood. We discuss being impartial while making such a film, the influence of Hicks even after his death and how the animated segments came to be. You can check out my our interview after the jump! Continue reading “SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas (AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY)” →

SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Director Toni Myers and Astronaut Michael Massimino (HUBBLE 3D)

In 2002 I saw a little err…big IMAX film called SPACE STATION 3D. The film was directed by Toni Myers and narrated by none other than Tom Cruise. Eight years later she has brought us another great space-themed IMAX film, HUBBLE 3D.

I spoke with Myers and Michael Massamino, one of the astronauts from the film at this year’s SXSW. They were very fun to speak with and happy to open up about the making of the film. We discuss what it takes to be an astronaut, and the narrative structure of HUBBLE 3D. Myers also lets us in on what might be next for her and Massamino tells us what he thinks might be the next great space achievement.

Check out my interview after the jump!

Continue reading “SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Director Toni Myers and Astronaut Michael Massimino (HUBBLE 3D)” →

SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Director Malcolm Ingram (BEAR NATION)

Malcolm Ingram is a documentary filmmaker who previously directed SMALL TOWN GAY BAR. His new film, BEAR NATION, was such a nice look at the Bear community, and what Malcolm sees as its upsides and downsides. Malcolm himself is a Bear, and although he may not be in the film at all, he is very much the backbone.

Right out of the gate, he called me a Cubby and made me start cracking up. The entire time we talked, he was very funny and extremely nice to be around. BEAR NATION premiered at SXSW a few days ago and with all of the positive gossip (including mine) going around post screening, I wouldn’t be surprised if this got picked up by a distributor very soon.

You can check out the video interview after the jump!
Continue reading “SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Director Malcolm Ingram (BEAR NATION)” →

SXSW 2010: Trailer for CHERRY

Every now and then, a film comes along that has this certain charm that completely wins over audiences. GARDEN STATE comes to mind as one of these films, and I certainly get that vibe from the trailer of CHERRY. The film portrays a wild child mother, her equally wild daughter, and their peculiar and inappropriate relationship with a boy.

The film was written and directed by Jeffery Fine, and stars Kyle Gallner, who previously showed his acting chops in HBO’s “Big Love,” and is one of the stars of the upcoming A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET remake. The film’s world premiere is at SXSW next week. Continue reading “SXSW 2010: Trailer for CHERRY” →

TRON LEGACY trailer is finally here

This has been a long time coming and Disney has been mercifully teasing us with a very interesting viral campaign that turned out to be a list of 25 cities they were holding an event in, and the countless images showing off the lightcycles, the outside of Flynn’s Arcade, and the deserted inside. Now after making us wait for such a long time, Disney has finally given us the full theatrical trailer.

Click the jump to see the theatrical trailer of TRON LEGACY in all its beautiful glory and hit up the trailer in HD HERE. Continue reading “TRON LEGACY trailer is finally here” →

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE red band trailer

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE should not look good at all, but it surprisingly does. Even the green band trailer had me cracking up, but this new red band trailer is killer. It gives you a better idea as to what to expect from the movie. This movie could have just as easily been an unfunny PG-13 movie, but luckily for us they went for the R-rating.

You can check out the red band trailer after the jump! Continue reading “HOT TUB TIME MACHINE red band trailer” →

Video Interview: Ben McKenzie ("Southland")

I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t an avid fan of “The O.C.,” I watched the show religiously throughout its run. So when I was presented the opportunity to interview Ben McKenzie (Ryan Atwood on the show), I of course accepted. And it was a pleasure, because he was incredibly nice and gracious. I made the offhand comment that this was my first interview, and he loved it. After his attempt to make me nervous (jokingly), we did the interview. Continue reading “Video Interview: Ben McKenzie ("Southland")” →