HollywoodOutsider

Flavio Alves, the director and co-writer of the new film The Garden Left Behind, discusses his career, his film revolving around the trans experience, and much more on our latest exclusive interview. The Garden Left Behind is available in virtual theatrical locations now, and on VOD September 8th.

Carlie Guevara stars as Tina, an undocumented trans woman living with her grandmother, Eliana  in Queens. Eliana has brought Tina to America from Mexico, and though she both sternly and affectionately still refers to her grandchild by her birth name of Antonio, Tina’s relationship with her grandmother is one of unwavering love and devotion.

Tina is in the process of several major life decisions. She’s trying to juggle her shaky relationship with Jason, her job driving New York passengers to their next stop, and her burgeoning career as an activist following an assault on another trans woman; Tina is also confronting the very real possibility of gender reassignment. To fully become the person she knows she should be will take an enormous amount of support, which she has in her best friend Carol (Tamara M. Williams), as well as a hefty amount of cash, which she has far less of. The film revolves around Tina’s journey, and it’s equal parts sad and beautiful. The Garden Left Behind gives you an insight into the trans experience like few films have done.

Read our full review of the film HERE

This week began the reemergence of movies theaters across North America, as America catches up to the remainder of the civilized world. Having ventured out this past weekend to take in several films (including Russell Crowe's fiery Unhinged), Aaron and Amanda sat down to share their thoughts on experiencing movie theaters again, and specifically look at their safety precautions implemented. Did it feel safe? Did it feel like going to the movies always has? With several exciting titles hitting theaters soon, we are here to settle your nerves and inform your own decision on when theaters feel right for you. 

Also on this week's episode, we discuss DC's Fandome, a 24-hour event that covered numerous upcoming DC properties. These include The Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, Justice League: The Snyder Cut, and even Robert Pattinson's The Batman!

• (0:00 – 31:31) DC's Fandome
• (31:32 – 1:08:21) Welcome Back To Movie Theaters
• Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to [email protected]

We know who the directors, actors, and even recognize the composers sometimes. However, we want to pay special attention to the people that make a film successful and remain an underappreciated job. These 7 jobs are not ones we pulled out of a hat, we actually reached out to three very successful individuals in the entertainment industry - the ones who are invested in the business and understand the work required to pull off that movie and TV magic we love so much.

Also on this week's episode: Movie and TV news, finding HOpe in movies and TV, spoiler-free reviews of Random Acts of Violence, Project Power, The Blech Effect, and Tesla, upcoming releases, and our HO Teachable Minute.

• (0:00 – 26:50) Movie and TV News | Finding HOpe in Movies and TV
• (26:51 – 53:03) Reviews: Random Acts of Violence, Project Power, The Blech Effect, and Tesla | Upcoming Releases
• (53:04 – 1:20:13) From The Outside In: Underappreciated Jobs in Entertainment
• (1:20:14 – 1:28:57) Recommendations | HO Teachable Minute | Closing
• Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to [email protected]

For this special episode, we are speaking with Ralph D’Amato, the producer and visionary for the documentary, Pretending I’m a Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story.

Pretending I’m a Superman is a documentary that tells the story of how skateboarding became a part of the mainstream by focusing on the success of the “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” video game franchise. The film stars pro skateboarding legends Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, Steve Caballero, Chad Muska and Jamie Thomas.

Ralph started in production on the billion-dollar Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game franchise where he was a producer on the first 8 titles. During that time, his production tasks included character art, animation, legal, licensing and interacting with the skaters and their sponsors. His responsibility also included the soundtracks for the video games, one of which won the first ever MTV Video Music Award for Video Game Soundtrack, Tony Hawk’s Underground.

After departing the video game franchise, Ralph went on to become Director of New Media for Tony Hawk Incorporated. In 2017, Ralph founded an independent film production studio called D’Amato Productions, where he produced his first full-length, feature documentary –  Pretending I'm a Superman.

Ralph took some time to call in and discuss his career, why he wanted to tell the Tony Hawk story, and how this project came to be. Take a listen!

Summer camp movies are not completely rare, but the good ones arguably are. And we're not here to talk about movies that mention summer camp or simply take place during summer, but rather films that have the particular setting of summer camp. Examples like the iconic Friday the 13th, more kid-friendly options like SpaceCamp and Addams Family Values, and of course - the raunchy ones like American Pie: Band Camp and Wet Hot American Summer. Because we're fun and wish we could go to summer camp - or do anything, really - we figure, what better time than now to discuss these flicks.

Also on this week's episode: our "How Do You Survive?" game returns with a 2020 edition, reviews of I Used To Go Here and The Umbrella Academy: Season Two, a discussion on AMC and Universal's controversial and historical deal, Mulan hits Disney Plus instead of a planned theatrical release, and our HO Teachable Minute.

• (0:00 – 31:05) Movie & TV Discussion: Mulan comes to Disney Plus, AMC and Universal's historical deal
• (31:06 – 55:30) How Do You Survive? Game | Reviews: I Used To Go Here and The Umbrella Academy: Season Two | Upcoming Releases
• (55:31 – 1:17:57) From The Outside In: Summer Camps in the Movies
• (1:17:58 – 1:25:12) Recommendations | HO Teachable Minute | Closing
• Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to [email protected]

As medical examiners Luis and Charlie explore a curious cadaver known only as John Doe, The Living Dead opens with the beginning of the end...and what happens after. An epic conclusion to the world created by legendary filmmaker George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead, Creepshow) and completed by celebrated author Daniel Kraus, this novel serves as the definitive cap on Romero's legacy of the undead. Visceral violence, taut emotions, and the magnitude of a clash of classes and identities permeate throughout this landmark accomplishment that finds its inherent themes as timely as ever. THIS is The Living Dead.

For our exclusive interview, Aaron sits down with author Daniel Kraus (The Shape of Water, Blood Sugar, Rotters) to discuss how an invitation from Romero's wife, Suzanne Desrocher- Romero, morphed into Daniel taking George A. Romero's story and utilizing his own words to bring this journey to a fitting conclusion. Romero created and popularized the modern zombie film, and the constraints of filmmaking limited his final vision for his world. Kraus, a vastly talented purveyor of fictional worlds in his own right, discusses molding this final novel from a glorious combination of visions from both artists into a seamless closure of five decades of societal horror. As well as his journey from a high school dreamer through many of his personal works, including the lauded stories conceived for The Shape of Water and Trollhunters, Romero's films and their impact on both society and Kraus himself, and much more. A candid discussion with an undeniable talent, our interview with Daniel Kraus is one you will not want to miss!

The Living Dead terrorizes book readers everywhere on August 4, 2020. Pre-order your copy before Aug 4th and upload your receipt HERE to receive an exclusive poster of The Living Dead created specifically for this release!

This year, the San Diego Comic-Con had to adjust, and for the first time ever, brought the convention home to us all! With the greatest event in popular geek culture finishing its 2020 run, it’s time for us to dive into the biggest news, panels, and trailers released at this year’s convention. Spotlighted on this special episode are details from Comic-Con 2020 on HBO’s Lovecraft Country, Star Trek galore, The Boys' new aftershow, Keanu Reeves' Bill and Ted afterglow, Walking Dead's World Beyond, NASA and Space abound, The Blacklist, the Dresden Files, Charlize Theron's ascension to action star, and so much more. If you’re a fan of entertainment, THIS is the podcast for you!

Don’t forget to listen to recent episodes like our Movie and TV Character Team Battles or our look at what makes a great movie dance sequence. Come back later this week for an interview with The Living Dead author Daniel Kraus as we discuss completing George A. Romero's legacy!

You can find more on Troy Heinritz at TheBlacklistExposed.com and Kyle Nolan at NoReruns.net.

• (0:00 – 14:21) Comic-Con At Home 2020: It's a whole new online world
• (14:22 – 36:50) Kyle's Panel
• (36:51 – 1:03:35) Troy's Panel
• (1:03:36 – 1:37:58) Aaron's Panel
• Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to [email protected]

We've all been there, watching a movie, getting absorbed into the proceedings...and then it happens! Music kicks up, toes start tapping, hips start moving, and before you know it, we're grooving along with a fantastic dance sequence that almost forces us to join in! Dance sequences don't always work, but when they do, it's some of the most exciting and joy provoking experiences a film can deliver. On this episode, we're discussing what we love about them, and even bring up some of our favorites like Dirty Dancing, Saturday Night Fever, Magic Mike, and so many more!

Also on this week's episode: our new game Cancel It!, reviews of Yes, God, Yes and Cursed, a discussion on Tenet's latest delay and what it means for movie theaters, our HO Teachable Minute, and a special message from Psych's Dulé Hill.

In this week's episode, we're taking teams of movie or TV characters and pitting them into a fight of sorts - however we want! The concept of this topic originated in our Facebook group from a listener of who would win between the crew of Alien vs the crew of Predator. We decided to expand this idea into a great topic on the show, taking our own battles and listener battles to the ring. With $3 billion dollars in cash getting stuffed into the little bit of clothing that’s left, between Hustlers and Magic Mike XXL, who takes home the most? When Shawn and Gus (Psych) and Monk and Natalie both end up on scene, who solves the mystery first? Can the Power Rangers fend off the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or will they face demise?

Also on this week's episode: reviews of The Old Guard, Dirt Music, and Relic, and The HO Teachable Minute. Don't forget to sign up to become a Patreon member so you can receive all of the bonus content that is only available on Patreon, like our "Raunchy Movie Night" for July on Wedding Crashers.

• (0:00 – 24:43) From The Outside In: Movie and TV Character  Team Battles: Part 1
• (24:44 – 39:39) Reviews: The Old Guard, Dirt Music, Relic

This week, we want to kick back, relax, and chat about our favorite TV catchphrases together. Every TV show has that great one-liner that sticks with us and we find ourselves repeating it in everyday life. The Simpson's "D'oh!", the infamous "How you doin'?" from Joey on Friends, and even more recent ones like "Come on son!" and "You know that's right" from Psych. Also on this week's episode: the movie hero game, reviews of Hamilton, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, Unsolved Mysteries, The Beach House, The Outpost, and The HO Teachable Minute.