We dive into the UK film Eat Locals. Jam packed with big names, this vampire horror/comedy delivers on a great many levels. We had a lot of fun watching it the first time, and just as much fun watching it for the episode. A fairly low budget is maximized with a large single location, vampire effects that are done when needed and not overplayed, and a take on vampires that is fresh but familiar. We talk about the benefits of having a group of actors who have a long history of working together, and a brilliant first-time out for Jason Flemyng.

Eat Locals can be found on Amazon Video.

It’s a new release of an older film. Firefly hails from 2005, from our friends at Failureboys Productions. This version has been remastered in 5.1 surround, and it’s fantastic. This is a solid wrap-around plot that comes together magnificently towards the end. There are a lot of layers here, and a lot of character building. When it was over we both felt good for having watched it. Pete Marcy shows that early on he had a solid style and grasp on storytelling. Direction in this movie is just one great aspect. A micro-budget that sails with the big boys, Firefly proves you don’t need money to make good film.

Firefly can be found on Amazon Video.

It’s been a long time on the list, but we finally get to The Toxic Avenger. A foundation cult-classic with a loyal following, this movie birthed the Tromaverse. A solid B-movie, there are great lessons on simplified story, creating a unique hook, and some examples of what was acceptable in film 30 years ago that would not work well today. With differing opinions on its merits, we have a great conversation with some interesting tangents.

The Toxic Avenger can be found on YouTube.

It’s another random find in the sea of films, but a well-liked find. It’s Absentia, a film written and directed by Mike Flanagan, who you may know as the director of Doctor Sleep. There are a lot of great things in here we talk about. A straight-up horror, it is a little before its time. We have loudly exclaimed our disdain for jump-scare reliant films, but this 2011 movie takes jump-scares in a different direction. There are some story issues, which we cover, but overall this is a great set of lessons and an excellent watch.

Absentia can be found on Amazon Video.

Another long-time on the list favorite, Rubber proves that the most ridiculous, obscure hook can work and work well. Years ago we thought this would be a laughable junk film for bad-movie-night, but we were wrong. This movie is fun, beautifully shot, excellent practical effects, and a masterclass of lessons for everyone. We have a lot of fun talking about this film and its lessons. It’s a killer tire, people. Listen to this episode. Watch this movie. Now.

Rubber can be found on Tubi.

We have for the first time a script doctor on the show. Terry McFadden is a long-working script doctor who has worked as a script analyst for production companies and studios since 1998. A genuinely wonderful man, Terry talks about the important aspects of scripts for features and television, what he looks for, and has some great advice on where stories commonly fall short in script form. We loved listening to him and look forward to a future chat. This is a must for all writers. Terry’s links are below, be sure to check them all out. Dive in writers!

www.storybuilderswrite.comhttps://twitter.com/Storybuilderzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/storybuilders/http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsM/mcfadden-terry.phphttps://www.facebook.com/storybuilderswrite/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1079896/

A Norwegian film that has long been on our list, Trollhunter is a great movie with surprising special effects. The recent release of the English dubbed version made it possible to watch and review for the show. Troll lore is taken to a new height, and the lessons of simple story mixed with little-used folklore make for some great lessons. We even get into some local folklore, though it’s not about trolls.

Trollhunter English dubbed version can be found on Tubi. The original Trollhunter can be found on Amazon Video.

How can you pass up something called Bunnyman Grindhouse Edition? We couldn’t. A re-release of Bunnyman, this indie horror has had a Grindhouse treatment. The original Bunnyman looked to be a fun ride, but the re-edit of it to make this version transitioned from fun to perplexing, then to distracting. The core story is still a fun backwoods killer romp, and there are some lessons we each point out. Not the least of which is if you have characters in a terrible situation, have them actually do something rather than sit in a car for hours doing nothing.

Bunnyman Grindhouse Edition can be found on Amazon Video.

Folks! This is a wonderful, jam-packed episode. We have Eric Schumacher, Nathan Campbell, Bradford Trojan, Marty Ketola, Clif Campbell, and Geoff Notkin, all from Revenge of Zoe! This was such an amazing talk, with some truly wonderful and fantastic people. We laugh, we cry, we pray for Nathan as his connection warbles. Join us for this odyssey into creative brilliance, nerd-dom, and some solid lessons for creatives. Also make sure you check the links below to see what these giants of indie film are doing!

Revenge of Zoe can be found on Tubi.

Links to the gods:

Eric SchumacherSeelie Studios: www.seeliestudios.comIMDB: http://www.imdb.me/ericschumacherFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eric-Schumacher-54210757834/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricSchumacherLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eschumacherfilm/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schumacher.eric/

Clif CampbellPondo Enterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pondoenterprises/IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2529057/

Nathan CampbellIMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3979297/

Marty KetolaIMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2527757/Pondo Enterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pondoenterprises/

Bradford TrojanIMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2617031/

Geoffrey NotkinDesert Owl Productions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesertOwlFilm/Meteorite Men: http://meteoritemen.comGeoff’s website: http://www.notkin.net

Revenge of Zoe is a micro-budget film from 2018 that is a must see. A self-proclaimed “Nerd Comedy” that pays tribute to the 80s nerd films, this movie takes us on a fun ride through the lives of two comic store owners, an alcohol and drug addled writer, and imaginary or hallucinatory friends as they navigate the ominous task of writing a sequel to a successful comic adaptation. This movie proves you don’t need big budgets to make a fun, relatable film. Great performances, not the last of which is from our good friend of the show, Eric Schumacher. It’s one of those movies that gets us into some tangental conversations, all attributed to the context of this fun film.

Revenge of Zoe can be found on Tubi.