Cinema Yūgen

Join us for a thrilling journey as we dive into the untold stories of martial arts cinema with the legendary Loren Avedon. In this first part of a captivating series, we explore the fascinating world of seasonal films like "King of the Kickboxers," "Raging Thunder," and "Blood Brothers," with insights straight from the man who brought these characters to life. Known for his iconic roles as Jake Do...

Join Cinema Yugen as we delve into a captivating conversation with the Emmy-award-winning actor, Bill Oberst Jr., renowned for his chilling roles in horror and cult films. Set against the serene backdrop of his sunlit balcony, with the American flag gently waving, Bill shares insights into his career, collaborations, and the personal philosophy that drives his passion for storytelling. From his on...

Dive into the fascinating story of how the cult classic film Explorers came to be in this insightful episode of Cinema Yugen. Join host Kent Hill as he sits down with Eric Luke, the visionary screenwriter of this iconic 80s film, to discuss the serendipitous journey that led to its creation. From the initial concept—a trio of boys building a spaceship with the ultimate dream of reaching the stars—...

Join us for an enthralling conversation with Kevin Keppy, a towering figure in the world of character and creature acting. With a foundation in computer animation design, Kevin embarked on a colorful journey from the theatrical stages of Missouri to the bright lights of Los Angeles. Known for his roles in horror and thriller genres, Kevin shares behind-the-scenes stories of bringing monstrous char...

Embark on a captivating journey through the cinematic universe with Paul M. Sammon, a legendary figure in the world of film journalism and Hollywood's multifaceted insider. In this riveting episode, we delve deep into Sammon's extraordinary career, chronicling his evolution from a passionate film enthusiast to a respected authority in the industry. Join us as we uncover the secrets of Sammon's jou...

Join us in this captivating episode of Cinema Yugen, where we delve deep into the vibrant and inspiring world of Lizette Santiago, a remarkably talented actress whose roots trace back to Spanish Harlem in New York City. Discover how Lizette's passion for performing ignited at the tender age of three, leading her on an extraordinary journey from Shakespeare in the park to the dynamic realm of voice...

Join us in this captivating episode of Cinema Yugen, where we delve into the fascinating world of filmmaking with our distinguished guest, Michael Coulombe. An award-winning writer and director, Michael's cinematic journey is anything but conventional. He began his career as a writer, aspiring to be a novelist and playwright. However, life had other plans as he ventured into the film industry, fin...

Join us for an exhilarating episode of Cinema Yugen, where we unravel the extraordinary journey of Christy Crandall, a woman whose life story reads like a riveting screenplay. From her humble beginnings in Santa Rosa, California, to a prestigious military career, Christy's path took a thrilling turn when she transitioned to the film industry post-retirement. With a lens focused on her latest ventu...

Join us in this captivating episode of Cinema Yugen as we sit down with the renowned director and artist, Philippe Mora. From his groundbreaking documentaries to his eclectic film endeavors, Mora shares his journey through the cinematic landscape, weaving tales of unexpected collaborations and infamous productions. Explore the influential career of a filmmaker who refused to be pigeonholed. Learn...

In this spellbinding episode of Cinema Yugen, join us as we delve deep into the dark and intriguing world of Cory DeAn Cowley, a visionary filmmaker known for her daring approach to horror. Raised in Hendersonville, Cory grew up with an insatiable fascination for the macabre, a passion that led her to create some of the most riveting horror films in independent cinema. From her groundbreaking work...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Cinema Yugen, where the spotlight is on the dynamic journey of Joe Hammerstone, a versatile actor with over 200 credits to his name. From an intriguing pot-smoking delinquent to a heartwarming proud father, Joe's impressive repertoire covers an expansive array of characters, each brought to life with his distinct touch. Dive into the world of an actor whose p...

Welcome back to another compelling episode of Cinema Yugen, where host Kent Hill catches up with Domenic Migliore. After a five-year hiatus since his last interview, Dominic returns to discuss his latest creative endeavors. Known for his distinctive style, reminiscent of influences like Jim Jarmusch and Hunter S. Thompson, Dominic delves into his latest anthology of speculative fiction, 'Frame Sto...

Welcome to the first episode of Cinema Yugen in 2025, where action filmmaker and motion capture stuntman Eric Jacobus joins the show with host Kent Hill to discuss his new book, "If These Fists Could Talk." Over the past 15 years, Jacobus has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, working on projects like "God of War Ragnarok" and "Mortal Combat 1." In this episode, Jacobus not onl...

Join us for a captivating foray into the world of film composition and editing with the Academy Award-winning powerhouse, John Ottman. In this revealing episode, we share a rare and unfiltered conversation with Ottman—exploring his roots, his collaboration with Bryan Singer, and his unparalleled journey from a childhood passion to becoming a revered maestro in cinema. Uncover the challenges and tr...

Get ready to plunge into the unparalleled realm of sharksploitation with the upcoming release of "Punk Shark." This episode unravels the creative journey behind this thrilling new entry that promises to redefine the genre. Meet James Simon, the visionary filmmaker who brings to life a world where robotic sharks and hellish creatures coexist in a battle for Earth. Listen as James shares his inspiri...

Join us for the landmark 100th episode of Cinema Yugen as we delve into the world of indie film-making, persistence, and the power of dreams. Host Kent Hill reunites with filmmaker and confidant, Con Christopolous, reflecting on their journey through the cinematic universe and the milestones achieved together. From the heart-pounding excitement of independent storytelling to the relentless pursuit...

Step into the intriguing world of John Bruni, a prolific author with a flair for the bizarre and the captivating. In this episode, we unravel the mystique surrounding his work, as we explore his newest dedication-filled release, "Something to Consider," a collection of Slate Junior stories. These tales, originally part of the Straight to Video saga, showcase Bruni's unique blend of science fiction...

Join us on an exhilarating adventure through the life of Andrew Bryniarski, the towering actor whose journey from a summer vacation to an illustrious Hollywood career is nothing short of remarkable. Discover how fate and chance encounters led Andrew from the gym to the silver screen, where his six-foot-five presence and remarkable talent caught the eye of industry giants. Relish in captivating ane...

Join us on a nostalgic cinematic journey as Kent Hill catches up with long-time friend and renowned film editor David Napier. In this week's episode of Cinema Yugen, we delve into the roots of a budding filmmaker's career, exploring Kent's early days out of film school and the invaluable lessons learned in David's cutting room. Napier shares his passion for film and storytelling, recounting the fa...

Join us as we delve into the thrilling world of '12 to Midnight,' where the enigmatic filmmaker, Mark Savage, unravels the secrets behind his latest Bronzploitation masterpiece. Known for his relentless pace and diverse directorial ventures, Savage delivers not just an action-packed adrenaline ride, but a gripping narrative that weaves supernatural elements seamlessly into a familiar Bronson-inspi...

Welcome to Cinema Yugen, where Kent Hill dives deep into the intriguing world of Bronzploitation. This month, bask in the cinematic marvels of Robert Bronzi, the enigmatic figure who breathes life into this unique genre. Join us for part one of the Bronzploitation tapes, featuring an exclusive interview with Jeff Miller, co-writer and producer of the latest sensation, 12 to Midnight. Explore a nar...

Welcome back, Yugenites! In this episode, we embark on an exhilarating journey with the multifaceted Jeff Bollow—an actor, writer, director, producer, and visionary in the world of screenwriting. Jeff brings a wealth of experience and insight, having authored "Writing Fast: How to Write Anything with Lightning Speed," and delivered a TED Talk aimed at expanding imaginations exponentially. As the f...

Step into the eerie, yet comically bizarre world of Crust, where a washed-up child actor, Vegas Winters, finds an unlikely companion in a sock monster born from his own tears. In this enchanting episode of Cinema Yugen, we delve into the depths of this quirky horror comedy that marks Sean Whalen's directorial debut. Join our host as he unravels the tale of Vegas, portrayed by Whalen himself, who s...

Join us as we delve into the gripping world of Cursed in Baja, a horror noir thriller from the creative mind of filmmaker and actor Jeff Daniel Phillips. Known for his work in the recent Munsters film and other collaborations with Rob Zombie, Phillips takes on the role of Pirelli, an ex-lawman turned private investigator, tasked with uncovering the secrets of a Los Angeles fortune. As Pirelli vent...

Step into the wasteland with the latest episode of Cinema Yugen, where host Kent Hill is joined by the indefatigable David J. Moore, a maestro of post-apocalyptic cinema. In this compelling narrative, they dive deep into Moore's magnum opus, "World Gone Wild: 2nd Edition," a treasure trove for film lovers featuring over 1,200 movie reviews, 600 images, and a plethora of interviews with filmmakers...