Dark Discussions Podcast

Welcome once again to another addition of the Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews Podcast.  In this latest episode we were happy to be able to interview the filmmakers behind the great 2020 horror film, ANYTHING FOR JACKSON.  Joining us is screenwriter Keith Cooper and director Justin G. Dyck where they answered some unanswered questions we had.  The Dark Discussions News Network rated the film the second best horror film of 2020.

Afterwards, your co-hosts discuss a number of topics including the state of cinemas, the usage of trailers by marketing departments, as well as talk about such films as A QUIET PLACE PART 2 (2021), AWOL (2017), DON’T TELL A SOUL (2021).

M. Night Shyamalan’s career has spanned decades now and during that time he’s created some of the best genre cinema there is.  With his latest film, OLD (2021), he once again delves into existential matters such as each individual’s mortality.  Rather an original story, he takes the tale from the French cult graphic novel, Sandcastle, by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederik Peeters.

Groups of wealthy families head to an exclusive resort.  While there, the hotel host suggests a beautiful and private beach for each to visit.  While there, enjoying the beautiful scenery, one of their numbers dies.  For unknown reasons they soon discover they aren’t able to leave the location for help.  But as they try to devise how to get out, something more terrible begins to fall upon each and everyone of them.

The movie stars a number of fairly well known character actors as well as up-and-comers such as Alex Wolff, Abbey Lee, Rufus Sewell, among others.  Cinematography was done by Michael Giolakis who’s known for such films as IT FOLLOWS (2015), US (2019), and SPLIT (2016).  Dark Discussions takes a look at this critically lukewarm film and gives their thought.

When a movie is adapted from a novel, one can bet that the book is probably an interesting read.  In the case of D. Eric Maikranz, his novel The Reincarnationist Papers has been adapted into a brand new movie entitled INFINITE (2021) starring Mark Wahlberg, directed by Antoine Fuqua, and adapted to the screen by Ian Shorr and Todd Stein.  With its interesting premise, it isn’t surprising that it received attention from film producers.

The synopsis of the book from D. Eric Maikranz’s website:

Evan Michaels struggles with being different, with having the complete memories of two other people who lived sequentially before him. He fights loneliness and believes he is unique until he meets Poppy. She recognizes his struggle because she is like him, except that she is much older, remembering seven consecutive lives. But there is something else she must share with Evan -- she is a member of the secretive Cognomina. They are, in effect, immortals -- compiling experiences and skills over lifetimes into near superhuman abilities that they have used to drive history over centuries.

The author joins your co-hosts to discuss his novel.   Some of the interesting topics are the long journey from book to movie.  Further discussions include the interesting aspects of the various characters and their journey through time.  Among many more things.  For further information, check out D. Eric Maikranz’s website for his news letter and his entire catalog.  Find the movie INFINITE at Paramount+.

Russian science fiction horror films and shows have had a resurgence lately.  With 2020’s SPUTNIK and the television show TO THE LAKE, the European nation has recently shown some solid directing, performers, and writers.  Now, in 2021, another new movie has been released everywhere.  Its title is simply entitled THE SUPERDEEP.

Scientist Anna Fedorova (Milena Radulovic) is recruited in 1984 by the Soviet military to help in a rescue mission that’s eight miles deep in the ground.  When she and the crew arrive, they find that many of the staff of the underground facility have already been evacuated.  One survivor says that deep below is their interpretation of hell.  The Colonel leading the expedition is not alarmed.  He orders a continuation of the so-called rescue mission.  When the group reaches their destination, they discover that areas of the underground establishment have been sealed off for contaminant purposes.  A rescue mission suddenly turns into an investigation.

The film is the feature length debut for Arseny Syuhin against a script that he wrote.  Starring a group of well known Russian actors, the movie has been receiving mixed reviews.  Dark Discussions takes a look at this very interesting film and gives their thoughts.

With COVID shutting down cinemas and forcing major Hollywood films to push back their theatrical date later and later, some companies decided to release their movies on VOD platforms. Others actually gave up on the theatrical release and instead sold their films to other companies. Paramount which had numerous films ready to go, decided to sell off some of their movies, one was the big budget science fiction film THE TOMORROW WAR (2021) starring Chris Pratt. Amazon bought it for a reported $200M USD and released it to their platform on July 2nd, 2021.

Family man and biology teacher Dan Forester (Chris Pratt) is suddenly drafted into a new world militia after soldiers from the future arrive to warn of a future alien invasion. With a group of non-soldiers, he is transported into the future where he finds that humanity has been decimated by a white invading monster named the Whitespikes.

Though edging just at the outskirts of a true horror film, the movie is more a big budget blockbuster in the mode of JURASSIC WORLD (2015) or SAN ANDREAS (2015). Besides Chris Pratt, the film’s cast includes Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, among others. Chris McKay, known for THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (2017), directs from a screenplay by Zach Dean. Dark Discussions takes a look at this spectacle film and gives their thoughts.

Psychological thrillers and crime novels have become a staple of Sweden. With such books as the Millennium series along with many more novels following its success, Sweden has been a hot bed for suspense. Many of these stories have been turned into movies. But also other films are from original material such as the new movie RED DOT which debuted to North American audiences early Q1 on Netflix.

David (Anastasios Soulis) and Nadja (Nanna Blondell) decide to take a camping trip to view the northern lights to rekindle their failing marriage. After getting into an uncomfortable fender bender with some locals, they set up their tent in the wilderness. When a red laser pointer shines upon their tent’s canvas, the married couple think it is a prank by some troublemakers. Soon however they are running for their lives.

RED DOT is directed by Alain Darborg from a script co-written with Per Dickson. With Nanna Blondell now appearing in the Marvel film BLACK WIDOW (2021), RED DOT has suddenly gained extra attention from audiences. Dark Discussions takes a look at this thriller set in the winter months and gives their thoughts.

A small working class town; neighborhoods surrounding a local power plant; an environment far from the nuclear family and the American dream.  Such is the backdrop of the new psychological thriller, DON’T TELL A SOUL (2021). 

Joey (Jack Dylan Grazer) and his older brother Matt (Fionn Whitehead) live alone with their sickly mother Carol (Mena Suvari).  With little money or savings, Matt has an idea to rob the home of a local woman with dementia.  When the job is done, the two bump into a security guard (Rainn Wilson).  While trying to escape, they run through a forest where an accident occurs.  Joey must make a decision:  should he follow his conscious and get help or remain silent so neither he nor his big brother are arrested for the robbery.

The movie first played the festival circuit in 2020 before being released to general audiences in early 2021.  The movie is written and directed by Alex McAulay and weaves a tale of three people who may not be the individuals they say they happen to be.  Receiving generally positive reviews, Dark Discussions takes a look at this very intriguing film and gives their thoughts.

Megan Fox is a well known celebrity that has been in a number of big budget films like TRANSFORMERS (2007) and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (2014).  Many times she’s been typecast due to her extremely objective beauty.  But recently she has reinvented herself and has been in a few well received films such as 2020’s ROGUE.  Now her latest film TILL DEATH  has been getting a lot of buzz.

Emma (Megan Fox) and her husband Mark (Eoin Macken) have had a bit of a rocky marriage recently.  On their anniversary, they head out for a nice dinner and an eventual trip to their lake house.  When something horribly unexpected happens, Emma has to fight for her life. 

The movie is the feature film debut of director S. K. Dale, filmed from a script by screenwriter Jason Carvey.  Megan Fox takes on a very demanding role that has her in almost every scene of the movie.  Does she show that she’s more than a Hollywood celebrity and possibly one of today’s best actresses?  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film and give their thoughts.

One of the biggest directors over the last forty years is also one of the least prolific.  Michael Mann has been synonymous with thrillers, sometimes shockingly violent and most certainly very stylish.  Even prior to THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991), he had already directed Hannibal Lector in the adaptation MANHUNTER (1986) of Thomas Harris’ novel, Red Dragon.  However, one of his most effective films was surprising movie COLLATERAL from 2004.

Max (Jamie Foxx) is an LA cab driver with big dreams of one day owning a limousine service.  When a well-dressed man named Vincent (Tom Cruise) enters his taxi, Max is asked to drive around the city to five different locations.  While waiting for Vincent to return after the first stop, an unexpected incident occurs that turns a routine night of work into a struggle to stay alive.

The movie stars Tom Cruise in what some say is one of his most iconic performances.  Jamie Foxx also received a nomination for Supporting Actor.  Included in the cast is Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Bruce McGill, Peter Berg, and Javier Bardem.  Your co-hosts take a look at this remarkable film and give their thoughts.

Summertime for young people is the time to have fun, enjoy being out of school, and finding love.  Part of Pride Month, Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews takes a look at 2015's THE SUMMER OF SANGAILĖ, a film from Lithuania that, like our other art house film discussions this month, tackles much more than its themed lesbian relationship.

Austė (Aistė Diržiūė) is a 17 year old girl that Sangailė (Julija Steponaityte) meets at a festival air show.  When Austė lets her new acquaintance know that she works at the local cafeteria, Sangailė visits her there.  Soon their budding friendship turns into something more.  Austė learns that Sangailė has personal demons that are haunting her.  During their time together, Austė begins to bring out Sangailė’s inner self hoping to give her the confidence to achieve her dreams.

The movie is directed and written by Alantė Kavaitė.  With its beautiful photography and wonderful performances, Lithuania submitted the picture to the Academy Awards as a potential movie for the Best Foreign Film award.  Actress Aistė Diržiūė was also given a European Shooting Stars award (along with such individuals as Maisie Williams (GAME OF THRONES)).  Your co-hosts take a look this lesbian art house film during Pride Month and give their thoughts.