Behind The Lens

  This is a fun episode of BEHIND THE LENS as I'm doing something this week that I haven’t done before - and that is give you an interview with a film’s director, followed by my interview with his cinematographer.  The film is the thriller BARRON’S COVE.  The director/writer is EVAN ARI KELMAN.  The cinematographer is MATTHEW JENSEN.    But hilarity also ensues today thanks to co-writers/directors...

A fun BEHIND THE LENS for you this week thanks to writer/director CARLYLE EUBANK, who joins me talking about his feature directorial debut, BROKE, and director JAMES BAMFORD, who breaks it all down for THE LAST GUNFIGHT. It’s long been said to write what you know.  Well, that’s exactly what writer/director CARLYLE EUBANK has done with BROKE, his feature directorial debut.  Some of you might recogn...

This week it’s all about horror as we take a look at two distinctly different types of horror films. One that is dark and twisted and steeped in ancient lore and curses - ROSARIO .  The other with a lighter comedic tone that may have you rethinking getting yourself a cute, cuddly puppy, but horror nevertheless and with a bit of action thrown in - A BREED APART. First up, NATHAN FURST and GRIFF FUR...

An interesting movie mix for you this week with director DUNCAN SKILES and his new film NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, and director LORCAN FINNEGAN and his latest THE SURFER.  As different as night and day, both films showcase storytelling creativity and some incredible - and indelible - performances, most notably from Nic Cage in THE SURFER. First up, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH. Simon, a young man grappling with me...

It’s a fun BEHIND THE LENS this week thanks to writer/director/actor Rachel Suissa who I spoke with a few weeks ago specifically for today’s show which is a salute to Mothers and Mother’s Day courtesy of Rachel’s new film GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE. Based on Rachel's own life, mapcap adventures, and mother-daughter angst, GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE is a love letter not only to Rachel’s own mother, but m...

I think you’ll enjoy this week's BEHIND THE LENS and the films we are discussing, but more than that, the filmmakers and actors I’m speaking with.  Some jam-packed interviews today as we kick things off with my exclusive interview with actors CLAES BANG and JONAH HAUER-KING, together with writer/director NICK HAMM talking about his beautiful epic WILLIAM TELL.  And then you’ll hear from writer and...

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we’re going from the Old West down into the deep blue, or not so blue, sea, discussing two wonderful films with two terrific filmmakers - LAST BREATH and GUNSLINGERS. First up, take a listen to my exclusive interview with director ALEX PARKINSON talking about LAST BREATH.  Currently in theatres, LAST BREATH is a heart-pounding film that follows seasoned deep-sea divers...

This week, we’re talking about a very special film about a very special woman which was made by another special woman. The film is AUDREY’S CHILDREN and that special woman is pioneering pediatric oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans and her groundbreaking work in the 1960s and 70s at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, or CHOP as it is more commonly known.  And that special filmmaker is director AMI CANAA...

  This week on BEHIND THE LENS is my exclusive interview with writer/director/costume designer/producer and actor COLIN HENNING as he talks about his feature directorial debut, the beautifully moody and metaphoric APPALACHIAN DOG. Not only am I enchanted by this sultry, post-WWII, Southern Gothic delight, but by Colin himself who is already one of my favorite filmmakers of the next generation. He...

Hilarity ensues this week on BEHIND THE LENS thanks to director/co-writer/actor ROB TAYLOR and co-writer/producer/actor NIC COSTA as they discuss their wild and wacky new comedy film RAGING MIDLIFE in this exclusive interview! And what a wild and wacky ride it is! RAGING MIDLIFE is the story of Mark and Alex (wonderfully played by Matt Zak and Nic Costa, respectively), two fanboys who are on a que...

We go from one end of the spectrum to the other this week as we take a look at writer/director Atom Egoyan’s dramatic new thriller SEVEN VEILS and everyone’s favorite (and looney) pig and duck, Porky and Daffy, in writer/director Peter Browngardt’s feature animated directorial debut LOONEY TUNES: THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP.  I love both films and think you will, too - especially LOONEY TUNES! First...

  It's a fun episode of BEHIND THE LENS as writer/director TIFFANY KIM STEVENS joins me in discussing her new dark comedy TRIGGER HAPPY, plus my exclusive interview with director DITO MONTIEL talking about his latest dysfunctional family comedy RIFF RAFF. First up is my exclusive interview with director DITO MONTIEL talking about the brilliantly conceived RIFF RAFF.  Boasting an A-list cast led by...

  A terrific BEHIND THE LENS for you this week to finish off Black History Month as you’re about to hear my exclusive interview with director JULIUS ONAH talking about CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, as well as my interview with actor turned writer/producer/and lo budget no budget micro-budget filmmaker ELLA THOMAS talking KNOW MERCY. CAPTAIN AMERICA is a first for Julius as while he is already...

It’s a Slamdance Special on BEHIND THE LENS this week as we take a look at two films marking their world premieres at Slamdance Film Festival (www.slamdance.com) this week and chat with their respective filmmakers. First up is my exclusive interview with Cameron S. Mitchell talking about his documentary DISPOSABLE HUMANITY, followed by Cory Santilli discussing the wonderfully quirky narrative feat...

A fun BEHIND THE LENS show for you today as we take a look at two very different action films - one in present day and another in the medieval era - thanks to my exclusive interviews with writer/director STEVE BARNETT talking VALIANT ONE and writer/director/editor MATTHEW NINABER talking A KNIGHT’S WAR. Both are terrific and made with patience and a great deal of thought, research, and attention t...

It's a big day for BTL Radio Show as we're kicking off Year 11 of the show AND my 43rd year as a film critic. And what better way for "moviesharkd" to start a new year and new decade than with a shark movie. And what a shark movie I have for you today - INTO THE DEEP! Directed by Christian Sesma and written by Chad Law and Josh Ridgway, INTO THE DEEP stars Scout Taylor Compton, Callum McGowan, Stu...

If you follow #BTLRadioShow , then you know that this a very special show as it's the last show of the year AND the last show of the first TEN YEARS of BTL!!!  And I think this is a special befitting the occasion thanks to my special guest w/d JOHN CORCORAN talking about his debut short film SKYFOREST, plus my exclusive interview with JACK HUSTON talking all things DAY OF THE FIGHT.   We kick off...

On this episode of BEHIND THE LENS we welcome in the holiday season with our very special BTL friend, SIMON PHILLIPS talking SILENT BITE, while giving a big hello to NICO SANTUCCI who makes his feature directorial debut with SAROGETO.   Leave it to SIMON PHILLIPS to fill us with the Christmas spirit and get us in the holiday mood with his latest film, SILENT BITE.  Written and produced by Simon, w...

It's Musical Monday today as we look at two fun new musicals - SPELLBOUND and 1660 VINE.  Yes, musicals!  Plus, a mini-review on the amazing BONHOEFFER: PASTOR. SPY. ASSASSIN, and my thoughts on GLADIATOR II. First, listen to my exclusive interview with director VICKY JENSON talking about the new animated musical from Netflix - SPELLBOUND.  Beautiful animation, thoughtful and entertaining story, f...

This week on #BTLRadioShow it’s all about the great outdoors and survival as we take a look at two wonderful films with two fantastic filmmakers as director GEORGE NOLFI discusses ELEVATION and ANDREW KIGHTLINGER talks about LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE.   First up, is my exclusive interview with director George Nolfi talking about his thrilling action film - ELEVATION.  Set in the post-apocalyptic...

It’s a wonderful mixed bag this week on BEHIND THE LENS thanks to director TERRY LOANE and his beautiful new film THE LAST RIFLEMAN, and actor COLIN CUNNINGHAM with his scene-stealing performance in HE NEVER LEFT (not to mention his ongoing role in Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga”). Kicking off the show is the perfect film for this Veteran's Day - THE LAST RIFLEMAN - and my exclusive in...

What a BEHIND THE LENS we've got for you with this episode as we take a look at two films as different as night and day thanks to writer/director ANTHONY REPINSKI and his film, HEATHER; plus, XAQUE GRUBER talks about the fabulous SALLYWOOD! Joining me at the top of the show is writer/director ANTHONY REPINSKI to discuss his new horror film, HEATHER. Brutal, and graphic but with a fascinating chara...

It's a fun Halloween-week BEHIND THE LENS thanks to our special guest JANE CLARK and her new film WITCHY WAYS; plus my exclusive interview with ROEL REINE discussing CLASSIFIED. Kicking off the show is my exclusive interview with director/DP/composer ROEL REINE disclosing all the secrets about making his new film, the action thriller CLASSIFIED starring Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin and Tim Roth....

With Halloween fast approaching, we keep the spooky going and toss in some alien fun, thanks to VIVIAN KERR and her new film, SEANCE, and RENNY GRAMES & BOSTON McCONNAUGHEY with their fun-filled alien encounter, ALIEN COUNTRY. Writer/director/actor VIVIAN KERR is kicking off the show and discussing her psychological thriller SEANCE.  With only four actors, Scottie Thompson (who dazzles in peri...

An interesting show this week as we look at the hot-button documentary NO ONE ASKED YOU with writer/director RUTH LEITMAN; a doc that is not only timely but should be mandatory viewing with elections looming.  And we'll take a look at THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT with writer/director MICHAEL FELKER; a film that's a thriller, with a touch of noir, along with some supernatural sci-fi-esque elements and...