FanboyNation

Arab-American Writer and Director Mike Mosallam Talks About His New LGBTQ+ Movie Breaking Fast, available today on VOD.

Mosallam first made the short film Breaking Fast in 2015 about a man on the holiest night of Ramadan attends his friend's birthday party and meets someone who catches his eye. Fast forward to 2020 and the full-length feature version of Breaking Fast follows the same premise where Mo (Haaz Sleiman) a devout and practicing Muslim meets Kal (Michael Cassidy), an All-American boy during the month of Ramadan.

Official Synopsis:

Set against the twinkling lights of West Hollywood, Breaking Fast is a romantic comedy that follows Mo, a practicing Muslim still reeling from heartbreak. When an All­-American guy named Kal offers to join him in his nightly Iftars­­ --the traditional meal eaten by Muslims during Ramadan­­-- meal after meal, the two start to discover they have more in common than meets the eye.

Mosallam and I chatted over the phone about the film, cracking jokes and busting each other's chops in typical Middle Eastern fashion while discussing a topic far too often ignored in Southwestern Asia.

We also discuss if there is a more polite term for homosexuals and homosexuality now used in the Arab World as the ones we grew up with once translated to English are far less than favorable language.

Mosallam finds a balance of humor and seriousness in Breaking Fast and takes the audience on a ride that although similar to his own personal experiences is not a semi-autobiographical film. Like most things in Middle Eastern cultures if something is considered taboo and is joked about by people, then they find it acceptable or at the very least tolerable, but if they shun you that's when you know they have a problem.

Breaking Fast is available today on VOD.

Follow Mike Mosallam on Twitter @mikemosallam and his production company @watchmmp. Follow Mike Mosallam Productions on Instagram @watchmmp. Visit his official website www.watchmmp.com.

#LGBTQ #Arab #ArabAmerican

Anytime someone gets to make fun of Modesto, CA, you know they already won me over as I have family from two towns over in Stanislaus County. Creators, writers and stars of The Movie Show, Adam Dubowsky and Alex Stone took time out of their busy production schedule to talk to me about just how they got series off the ground and got it on SyFy with a virtually non-existent budget.

Think part Crank Yankers, part Public Access and all around crazy, over the top funny.

Official Synopsis:

Taped deep in the heart of the entertainment capital of the world in Modesto, Calif., “The Movie Show” is hosted by polar opposites Deb and Wade (voiced by Adam Dubowsky and Alex Stone), both of whom have nothing in common other than their shared love of movies and that they’re puppets. Each week they’ll dish out hot takes on upcoming blockbusters, including “Wonder Woman 1984,” “Dune” and “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3,” as well as classic fan-favorites such as “Back to the Future,” “Jumanji” and “Apollo 13.”

The show will feature exclusive deleted scenes and a star-studded line-up of interview guests, including Bruce the shark from “Jaws” and Stephen King’s laptop. Deb and Wade will also catch-up with everyone’s favorite movie stars of yesteryear, such as the T-Rex from “Jurassic Park,” Splinter from “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and many more.

Update:

Since the time of our interview, The Movie Show, is moving to Wednesday nights 8:00 p.m. Pacific/11:00 p.m. Eastern.

For more information about The Movie Show, visit their official website at www.syfy.com/the-movie-show.

Follow Adam Dubowsky on Twitter @TheBigDubowsky. Follow Alex Stone on Twitter @alexstonecomedy.

#SyFy #TheMovieShow #FanboyNation

I had never heard the term DeafBlind until learning about the film Feeling Through starring Robert Tarango. I have a cousin who is deaf and I know many blind people, but I did not know there was a specific term for someone who has both conditions.

Filmmaker Doug Roland educated not only myself but everyone else though his fantastic film Feeling Through where Artie (Tarango) has a chance encounter with Tereek (Steven Prescod), a young man who is out late one night and sees that man carrying a sign stating he is both deaf and blind and if anyone who was willing to help him across the street could tap him on the shoulder. This chance encounter leads both men in sharing a real and intimate human moment that does not belittle or pity people of either the deaf community, the blind community or the DeafBlind community.

I was lucky enough to speak with Mr. Roland about Feeling Through, what it as like working the Helen Keller Center, the challenges that were faced in having a star that needed two interpreters because he is DeafBlind as well as having Marlee Matlin on board as an executive producer.

For more information about Feeling Through, you can follow them on Twitter @feelingthrough, Instagram @feelingthrough and Facebook at Feeling Though. You can also visit their official website at www.feelingthrough.com.

For more ininformation on Doug Roland follow him on Twitter @DougRoland and on Instagram @dougroland 

#FeelingThrough DeafBlind #Deaf #Blind #ShortFilm #Interview #FanboyNation

Man of Steel Star, Christina Wren aka Carrie Farris in the franchise, Talks About Role as J.P. Cutler on L.A. Macabre streaming Seasons One and Two on Amazon Prime Video.

Give Christina Wren and I about 20 minutes and we'll figure out how we are related, which is the most common joke Middle Eastern people tell each other, especially since we are both half-Lebanese.

Official Synopsis:

Featuring Twin Peaks’ Robert Broski and Batman v.Superman’s Christina Wren, all 15 episodes of the instant cult classic are now available to stream today.

L.A Macabre fixes on three filmmakers that interview a former member of the defunct cult "The New Family" leading them down a path of mystery, kidnapping, and murder.

Ryan Hellquist, Corsica Wilson, Aidan Bristow, Ryan Bartley, Christina Wren, Joel Bryant, Erika L. Homes, and Brandy Redd headline a gifted ensemble. Dan Ast wrote and directed the episodes. Ast produces via his Half Ast Productions alongside David Schatanoff, Jr. for D Studios Productions.

Ryan Hellquist, who plays Ryan Hollbrook in the series, ensures audiences will be on the edge of their seat.

“L.A. Macabre is such a thrill ride with a variety of growing suspense, creeping suspicions, twists, and turns, all-out jump scares and terrifying WTF! realizations, then at times it teases you with just enough horrifying mystery to send the darkest parts of your imagination into a frenzy.”

Wren and I spoke just before the Christmas break and although most of you people will be saying, "Hey, R.C., Christmas was December 25, why the delay?" My answer is, I'm Orthodox, so January 7 when we celebrate it on the Julian Calendar, so there!

L.A. Macabre streaming Seasons One and Two on Amazon Prime Video.

Follow L.A. Macabre on Twitter @LAMacabreTV and on Instagram @lamacabreseries. Visit their official website at www.lamacabre.com. Follow Christina Wren on Twitter @ChristinaSWren and on Instagram @christinawren. Visit her official website www.twokidswithacamera.com.

#lamacabre #interview #series #horror #thriller #fanboynation

Mark Towner is the Dean of the School of Visual & Performing Arts Edicott College in Beverly, MA.

Dean Towner's credentials in his bio Endicott page reads:

Dean Towner received his M.F.A. from Cranbrook Academy of Art, where his studies included aesthetics, photography, histories of photography and film, and printmaking. He received his B.A. from Columbia College, where he focused on two disciplines; museum studies and photography. He also studied filmmaking, grant writing, history of photography, and creative writing. Dean Towner continued his education at the American Law Institute-American Bar Association, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The International Center of Photography, and Visual Studies Workshop. A firm believer in internships, he has personal internship experience at Light Gallery, Inc., New York, and The Chicago Museum of Contemporary Photography.

I spoke with Dean Towner prior to the holidays to find out the struggles the new and existing students will be facing as well as how students and faculty have been able to adapt to the changing world.

One bright note was an international student was able to to perform her dance routine with her classmates via Zoom as the videos and in person performances were synced up to show not only the abilities of the dancers, but the audio visual department as well.

For more information on what is happening at Endicott College visit their Twitter @EndicottCollege and on Instagram @endicottcollege. For more information on the School of Visual and Performing arts visit: www.endicott.edu/academics/schools/visual-performing-arts.

The last time, I spoke with Ellen Hollman (Spartacus, The Scorpion King 4, 9-1-1), she had just gotten engaged, now in her new movie Army of One, she is avenging the death of of real life husband, Stephen Dunlevy, who plays Hank and was the stunt coordinator on the film.

In Army of One, Hollman plays Brenner, a Special Forces operative that ends up in the wrong place, at the wrong time and you know she's got to handle business when things go crazy (official synopsis below).

We talked to Hollman about life, love, co-writing and producing her own projects and if Keanu Reeves is really as nice as everyone believes...spoiler, HE IS!!! You'll hear what he did on the set of The Matrix 4, without Warner Bros getting mad at us for this touching reveal about the King of Kindness.

Hollman retains her sense of humor during this entire interview and it was like catching up with an old friend.

Official Synopsis:

Rising action star Ellen Hollman, star of the forthcoming The Matrix 4, is an Army of One this December.

Out hiking, Special Forces Brenner Baker and her husband stumble upon an illegal drug compound. The drug dealers capture them, kill her husband, and leave her for dead. They should have made sure they finished the job. Now, 1st Lieutenant Brenner Baker of the Army's 75th Ranger Division is on a one-woman killing mission carving up everyone in her path until there is only one person standing, her.

Matt Passmore (“Jigsaw”),  Geraldine Singer (“Get Out”), Gary Kasper (“Redwood Massacre: Annihilation”), and Cam Bowen (“Young Justice”) also star. Stephen Durham directs.

Army of One will be released on iTunes, Vudu, Xbox, Googleplay, Amazon, DirecTV, Dish Network, Fandango Now, iNDEMAND, and DVD December 15 2020 from Uncork’d Entertainment.

Army of One is available on DVD and Digital now from Uncork'd Entertainment.

Follow Ellen Hollman on Twitter @EllenHollman and on Instagram @ellenhollman. Follow Uncork'd Entertainment on Twitter @uncorkdent and on Instagram @uncorkdent. Visit their official website at www.uncorkedentertainment.com for more details about Army of One.

#Interview #EllenHollman #TheMatrix4 #ArmyOfOne #ActionMovie #FemaleLead 

Israeli born game creator, Ami Dayan talks to us about The Interview Game an interactive game that allows the youth to take charge.

Ami Dayan has been busy during 2020. Although the year hasn't been well for some, as he was originally scheduling to launch a board game version of The Interview Game, the world took a drastic turn and what was originally going to be the second wave of his creation became the first wave, an interactive version of The Interview Game, where the younger generation actually takes the lead through technology and seek out their elders to keep them company during the pandemic.

Dayan even created various holiday editions including a Hannukah version (which just so happens to be the first full day of Jewish Festival of Lights today).

We spoke with Dayan about The Interview Game and how something so simple can lead to hours of fun, all while interviewing the pitfalls of picking fights with siblings even as adults.

The two family editions of The Interview Game, 2020 Hanukkah edition and the special 2020 Holidays edition, are $25. All one-on-one editions of The Interview Game are $15. All games are available for download from TheInterviewGame.com/games.

Follow The Interview Game on Instagram @Interview_Game and on Facebook at The Interview Game.

#Chanukkah #Hannukah #Holidays #Christmas #Games

Lennox Lewis is one of the greatest Boxing Heavyweight Champions to ever step into the ring. He is the embodiment of what the sweet science and at 6'5", one of the only taller fighters to actually fight tall by keeping his distance.

A true tactician, Lewis won 42 of 44 fights, 32 by knock out and has an image all his own. Lewis was the first British world heavyweight champion in well over 100 years, giving glory to his native country even having grown up during on the worst economic crisis the nation had seen since World War II.

Lewis had migrated to Canada, fought in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea and won gold as a Super Heavyweight. There is so much more to this man that it would take several hours to write and in depth career review, but luckily for us, directors Rick Lazes and Seth Koch were able to do that for us in their documentary, Lennon Lewish: The Untold Story.

Official Synopsis:

Lennox Lewis: The Untold Story follows the three-time world heavyweight boxing champion, Lennox Lewis, as he defies all odds on his inspiring journey to become one of the most decorated boxers in history. From a modest and challenging upbringing to an Olympic Gold medal and reign as the undisputed heavyweight champion, Lewis’ inspirational story is one of perseverance and the strength needed to overcome obstacles. Narrated by Dr. Dre, the documentary features never-before-seen footage from Lewis’ personal archives, extensive interviews with Lewis and some of his greatest competitors including Mike Tyson, George Foreman, and Evander Holyfield.

A Crackle Original, Lennox Lewis: The Untold Story expands to Amazon, Apple TV/iTunes, Comcast, Cox, FandangoNOW, Google, Microsoft, Redbox Digital, Spectrum, Verizon, and Vudu platforms today.

The film continues to be available on Crackle.

For more information about Lennox Lewis: The Untold Story follow Seth Koch on Twitter @SethKoch_films and Rick Lazes at his official website www.ricklazes.com.

#Boxing #LennoxLewis #Olympics #WorldHeavyweightChampion #MikeTyson #Documentary

Jess Harnell is the Rock N' Roll voice actor that can be heard in a plethora of animated films, shows and video games, but the absolute most legendary character that gets talked about the most is Wakko Warner from the series Animaniacs.

Initially beginning in 1993, the series ran for 99 episodes (100, if you count Wakko's Wish) and has now been relaunched for 2020 on Hulu with all the original cast members including Tress McNeille, Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche.

Official Synopsis:

They’re back! The Warner brothers, Yakko and Wakko, and the Warner sister Dot, have a great time wreaking havoc and mayhem in the lives of everyone they meet.  After returning to their beloved home, the Warner Bros. water tower, the siblings waste no time in causing chaos and comic confusion as they run loose through the studio, turning the world into their personal playground. Joining Yakko, Wakko and Dot, fan-favorite characters Pinky and the Brain also return to continue their quest for world domination.

We spoke with Harnell about Animaniacs returning, if the new version counts to the original count rate for episodes of the first incarnation and how modern sensibilities still pay tribute to the classic version.

Harnell spoke about how he developed his craft, his recent one year wedding anniversary, Rock N' Roll music, his band Rock Sugar and really how Animaniacs took well over two years to finally be completed in the version we see today on Hulu.

Animaniacs, the 1993 verion and the 2020 run are both streaming now on Hulu.

Follow Jess Harnell on Twitter @JessHarnell and on Instagram @jessharnell_. Follow Rock Sugar on Twitter @RockSugarBand, Instagram @rocksugarband and Facebook at Rock Sugar Band. Visit Rock Sugars' official website at www.rocksugar.com check out their kickstarter via www.saverocksugar.com for new on their latest album.

#JessHarnell #Animaniacs #Wakko #WakkoWarner #FanboyNation #RockSugar

Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Godspell) allows you to Be A Broadway Star with his new board game of the same name that also includes a free, print at home, 30 page expansion pack found by clicking here.

We spoke with Davenport about the game play, the design and how he took it too all aspects of theatre works from the lighting person, to the stage hand, to the understudy, to the stars, directors and as far as the ticket takers to give Be A Broadway Star   the most authentic feel possible. We even try to convince Davenport to let us in behind the scenes when he brings one of shows to the Los Angeles area.

Official Synopsis:

Be A Broadway Star isn't your typical board game. This is a Broadway board game starring YOU in the spotlight. Roll the dice, move through the board and pick cards that challenge them to sing, dance, or act out lines from their favorite Broadway shows. Start out in acting school and work your way up to the top, buying pictures and resumes, earning an Equity card, getting an agent and publicist, going to auditions, getting cast in shows, and maybe even winning a Tony Award. The star who accumulates the most fans along the way to the Broadway Hall of Fame wins the game.

Engaging even the most au courant Broadway aficionado, a new, 18-card holiday edition expansion pack is now available as a free digital download. The expansion pack includes challenges inspired by recent Broadway hits including Moulin Rouge, Hadestown, Six, Jagged Little Pill, Beetlejuice and Tina; holiday favorites like White Christmas, Elf The Musical, and Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas; as well as perennial favorites Rent, Grease, The Sound of Music, Annie and more.

Follow Be A Broadway Star on Twitter @BeABwayStar Instagram @BeABwayStar and Facebook @BeABroadwayStar. For more information visit www.beabroadwaystar.com.