Maltin on Movies

Sean Gunn has scores of TV and movie credits to his name and two distinct fan followings: those who watched him for seven seasons on Gilmore Girls and others who marvel at his work for Marvel in such movies as Guardians of the Galaxy, where he stands in for Rocket Raccoon. He is a versatile actor who just happens to be the brother of writer-director James Gunn. His latest film, Appofaniacs, drops this weekend and it deals with the world of Deep Fakes. But let us assure you: Sean Gunn is the real thing.

John Knoll has a list of credits as long as anyone's arm, serving as visual effects supervisor on such movies as The Abyss, Star Wars Episodes I, II and III, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and most recently The Mandalorian and Grogu. He also holds the title of Creative Director at George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic company, otherwise known as ILM. Oh, and one more thing: he and his brother are the inventors of Adobe Photoshop.

After some years in the business world, Jim Curtis decided to become a writer and specialize in biographies. Since then he has turned out superior, often definitive books about Spencer Tracy, W.C. Fields, and Preston Sturges, among others. His latest book is the biography of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, charting the colorful tale of how this "comedy to end all comedies" came to be. It's called Comedy is a Grim Business and Leonard, for one, likes it better than the film itself!

The same man who directed such cherished films as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (his feature debut), October Sky, Hidalgo, andThe Rocketeer started out as an artist and designer. His creations include the Millennium Falcon and…wait for it… Yoda! Joe Johnston has had a remarkable career in many phases of movie production and has stories to go with all of them. Leonard and Jessie listened in rapt attention, and we suspect you will, too.

If he had don't nothing beyond production design for E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Jim Bissell's name would shine in movie history. Happily for us he has no intention of changing careers or slowing down. His other credits include Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, 300, Good Night and Good Luck, and The Spiderwick Chronicles. He was also a founding member of the Art Directors Guild, which subsequently presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He is one of the unsung heroes of Hollywood and doesn't have to brag: his resume speaks for itself.

A five-time nominee for the Tony Award, Brian is a young Broadway veteran who has performed in every imaginable kind of show, from Macbeth to Hamilton. He also played the leading character in Shrek the Musical for one full year. Filmmaker Edward Burns has just cast him as a sibling in Finnegan's Foursome, which you can watch now on Video on Demand; it marks their fifth film together. Brian is the kind of actor other actors and directors want to work with, and our lighthearted look behind the curtain will tell you why.

Drew Goddard is having an exceptionally good year. He wrote the screenplay for the hit movie Project Hail Mary and is in production for a third season of the TV series High Potential. But he is the first to say that "good luck" is often the a result of hard work. This has been true from the beginning of his multifaceted career, writing shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and movies like Cloverfield. He has directed for both media, as well, but gives Ridley Scott credit for taking his script for The Martian and making it come alive. Goddard is a role model for any novice who's paying attention: work with people you like on projects you love.

If you still associate Kevin Nealon with Saturday Night Live, it's no wonder: he was a vital cast member for nine years. But he's also an author, video producer, banjoist, savvy second banana (on such series as Weeds and Man With a Plan), dedicated standup comic, and member of Adam Sandler's comedic stock company. And if you haven't seen his spectacular caricatures, you're missing out: his book is called I Exaggerate: My Brushes with Fame. He talks about the adventure of playing supporting roles in indie films of all kinds. His latest, Mermaid, drops on digital platforms May 26.

As admirers of "working actors" who bring their experience to each new assignment, Leonard and Jessie are pleased to share their chat with John Pyper-Ferguson, who is now on theater screens in Casa Grande, a feature based on a popular miniseries starring Lou Diamond Phillips. Jon has made a vivid impression in shows like The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. and Suits as well as features including Unforgiven, where he was directed by Clint Eastwood. You've seen him in Agents of SHIELD, The 100, and The Last Ship. Now meet the man who fills those roles so well.

It's been a long time since we caught up with Bruce Davison, a lifelong actor whose latest film, Casa Grande, is now available on digital platforms. He talks about the pride and perils of guiding a career that incorporates theater, films and television—and how he keeps that fire burning within. From Ozark and The Lincoln Lawyer all the way back to Willard (where he worked with a rat named Ben, sung about by Michael Jackson) to X-Men, he continues to distinguish himself as a performer of enormous skill and range. He also shares the career-defining advice he got early on from Robert Aldrich, who observed him trying to compete with the charismatic Burt Lancaster.