Movies In Focus

A faux documentary that charts the chaos around the making (and therefore the unmaking) of a fictitious $500 million epic called Dissident, Chapter 51 positions itself as a true crime documentary which delves into the murder of three lead actresses during production. 

This is essentially flawless filmmaking, a rare cinematic gem that delivers on an intriguing premise. It would be great without the luscious visuals, but filmmaker and photographer Tyler Shield’s eye as a visual stylist takes Chapter 51 to a whole other level. This delivers on all fronts. It’s not only one of the most interesting films you’ll see this year, but it’s also one of the very best. 

I was thrilled to have director Tyler Shields join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about how Chapter 51 was made - the choices which help make it such a visually fascinating piece of cinema, film in general,  camera lenses and a whole lot more.

If you love cinema, you’ll love this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. 

John Brownell’s Coin is a crypto comedy that sees two slacker friends who, through a series of events, manage to misappropriate political campaign funds in order to launch a cryptocurrency so they can save their local park from developers. Things don’t quite go to plan and the pair find themselves pursued by a hitman.

A sort of modern day take on the type of films where Kevin Smith made his name, Coin is an energetic and entertaining comedy with a likeable central duo. Also - it just gives you enough detail on cryptocurrency - if you’re a crypto coin Luddite and know nothing about that sort of thing. . 

John Brownell joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast ahead of Coin's launch at the Dances With Films festival. The filmmaker talks about self-financing the comedy, keeping a low budget film on schedule, his passion for film and much more.

Filmmaker Jordan Ruttert joins the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about the first episode in a proposed independent TV series, The Reverb, which is premiering at the Dances With Films festival on June 27th, 

Pitched as a show written by Gen Z for Gen Z, the series will follow a band on the decline that is struck by an unexpected tragedy. They must then turn to old friends in a fight to uncover the truth.

A young filmmaker with a big vision, Jordan Ruttert discusses the grand design for The Reverb, being young filmmaker and writing for a specific audience - as well as her plans for the future. 

Director-producer Jay Silverman joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss his new film Yale. 

The comedy-drama launches at the Dances With Films film festival on June 18th and it’s a smart, well acted piece that feels like it was lifted straight from the 1990s - and I mean that in a good way. 

Starring Caitlin McGee and Kevin Dunn, Yale is based on a true story about a troubled author who must confront the deadbeat father who abandoned her as a child in an effort to find a kidney donor for her dying son.

It’s a film with good performances and a lot of heart - and it has the potential to be a real crowd pleaser when it reaches an audience. 

A veteran of film and TV, Jay Silverman joined the podcast to talk about the process of developing Yale with writer Van Billet, the personal connection of cinema, working in the independent film world and much, much more. 

Find out more about Yale at jaysilvermanproductions.com 

The wonderful David Morse and director Joseph T. Walker join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about their new film, Broken Land. 

An excellent small scale drama, the film sees Morse play a widowed Texas rancher who takes an injured migrant (played by Jaklyn Bejarano) under his wing. Broken Land features strong performances and it has a real 1970s feel with characters and performances at the forefront. Morse has long been a favourite character actor of mine and he really excels here, delivering a lot of emotion with very little dialogue. 

David Morse and Joseph T. Walker talk about how Broken Land came to be, the challenges of making a character driven cinema in today’s film climate and much more.

Morse also brought up a film which is a particular favourite of mine - the late, great Richard Donner’s Inside Moves - and I was excited to be able to tell him how much I admire his performance in that film. 

Broken Land hits On Demand on 12 June, 2026.

Legendary horror icon, Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, Chopping Mall, Castle Freak) and Desiree Staples (My Divorce Party), the stars of short film, The Blue Diamond, join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast, along with the film’s director and co-writer, Sam Fox (Fck'n Nuts).

The Blue Diamond is a quirky and energetic sci-fi short set in an 1980s ski resort which deals with personal loss, overbearing parents and… aliens. It’s a vibrant and punchy proof of concept short that hits the senses like cinematic energy drink. 

Barbara Crampton, Desiree Staples and Sam Fox go into detail on making the film, its origins, the film's 1980s fashion  - as well as discussing how The Blue Diamond will become a full length feature.

Jon Keeyes, the director of the new supernatural thriller, Speed Demon joins this special bite-sized episode of the Movies In Focus podcast.

A gonzo mix of The Exorcist meets Speed by way of Murder On The Orient Express, Speed Demon sees a Nun who has lost her faith battling demonic possession on a runaway train. Frankly, if that doesn’t make you want to watch the movie then nothing will! 

An ensemble film toplined by Katie Cassidy and William H. Macy, Speed Demond is a silly, but very entertaining twist on the Exorcism sub-genre. And when you’ve seen as many of those as I have, any variation on the concept is a very welcome.

Jon Keeyes discusses the film and its far-out concept, the joys of making a one location supernatural thriller as well as sequel potential and much, much more. 

Speed Demon hits U.S. cinemas, on Demand and on Digital on May 31.

Filmmaker Paul Bunnell - the man behind The Ghastly Love of Johnny X - joins this episode of the Movies In Focuspodcast to talk about his new film, an offbeat reimagining of the now lost Lon Chaney horror film, A Blind Bargain. 

Shot on Kodak film, this 1970s set horror comedy sees Jake Horowitz’s Dominic Fontaine make a Faustian pact with Crispin Glover’s mysterious Dr. Gruder. 

A fascinating guest with decades of filmmaking behind him, Bunnell talks about how he became attached to A Blind Bargain, working with the legendary Back To The Future star Crispin Glover  - and why he was insistent on shooting this quirky pic on Kodak film. We also get into the mechanics of what its like shooting on film, in an industry which is now so focused on digital filmmaking.

This is another must listen episode for film fans who really enjoy cult curiosities. 

Michael Schilf’s The Wolf And The Lamb is a real curio of a western-horror hybrid with a stacked cast that includes Cassandra Scerbo, Adrianne Palicki, Zach McGowan, James Landry Hébert, Q’orianka Kilcher and Clint Howard. 

A strange blend of western series, Deadwood and Stephen King's  Salem’s Lot, this a true ensemble film that really plays with the horror slow burn as a quiet evil begins to envelope a Montana town - when its children go missing one by one. 

Cassandra Scerbo, Adrianne Palicki, Zach McGowan, James Landry Hébert ganged up on Niall Browne when they joined this episode of the Movies In Focus to talk about making The Wolf And The Lamb. It’s a boisterous episode  - but one that’s must for fans of any of the actors involved or those who love westerns and/or horror films. 

You might have certain expectations when going into a film called The Yeti. However, filmmakers Gene Gallerano and William Pisciotta blow those expectations out of the water with their surprising new monster film. A horror pic with a difference, this period creature feature has a strong cast that includes Brittany Allen, Eric Nelsen, Jim Cummings, William Sadler and Corbin Bernsen.

The Yeti follows a group of explorers as they venture into the Alaskan wilderness - but the bleak elements are not the only danger they find lurking in the snowy mountains. Merging horror with adventure, The Yeti leads you on one journey and then takes you in a direction which is filled with some very intriguing twists and turns, 

Gallerano and Pisciotta joined Niall Browne on episode 99 of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about how they made this surprising horror. The pair discuss how they designed the look of this richly textured film, creating a monster for the screen as well as working with the ensemble cast. 

There’s a lot covered in this chat, which delves deep into the making of this excellent new genre film.