Writer / Director Martin Koolhoven

Martin Koolhoven Talks About His New Western Feature, Brimstone

Austin Film Festival Co-Founder Barbara Morgan

Barbara Morgan Talks About Writing Fiction Podcast Scripts

Writer/Producer Tylor Bohlman

Tylor Bohlman Talks About His Horror / Thriller Feature Jake's Dead

DC Comics’ “Wonder Woman” adaptation is one of the best comic book movies ever.

After the last few dour big screen efforts coming from the DC universe, “Wonder Woman” breaks the cycle with its upbeat origins story. Director Patty Jenkins, screenwriter Allan Heinberg, and star Gal Gadot have delivered an instant classic. It’s smart, funny, moving, and with World War I as its backdrop, it has genuine stakes that mean more narratively. Gadot, very much like Christopher Reeve in his 1978 “Superman” debut, makes virtue compelling and attractive. Her earnest Amazon princess Diana wants to save the world and that goodness drives how the story develops and every action set piece within. To put it simply, the film is wondrous.

The new “Twin Peaks” is as revolutionary a show today as it was in the 90’s.

Anyone expecting the return of “Twin Peaks” to be a warm and cuddly trip down memory lane doesn’t get David Lynch. The series he created with Mark Frost in 1990 revolutionized television with its complex “Who killed Laura Palmer” storyline. The show challenged narrative norms with its slower pace and trippy blend of horror, melodrama and mysticism. Today, the show is even more daring, adding Dadaism, surrealism, and scathing societal commentary to the mix. “Twin Peaks” remains a show that must be seen to be believed. It’s the water cooler of the summer.

“Alien: Covenant” is well done if all too familiar.

Ridley Scott is one of the greatest filmmakers working today. So why does “Alien: Covenant” feel so “been there, done that”? All the tropes from the franchise are there – face huggers, acidic blood, a plucky female heroine – but little is done to make them feel truly fresh. Scott’s heart seems to lie with the philosophical arguments about man vs. god explored, but clichéd horror action keeps getting in his way. Characters act incredibly dumb and die, plot twists are telegraphed a mile away, and the audience is left laughing or groaning instead of being terrified. And despite impeccable production values and smart turns by Michael Fassbender and Katherine Waterson, this prequel could have used more of what those alien double mouths have - more bite.

SYS Episode 167

Dallas discusses how he found the screenplays for some of the most recent films he's produced.

Excerpt from the podcast...

"...If you listened to my podcast on Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 1, you know that I’m a huge fan of James Gunn’s writing. Not just for the brilliant execution of pretty much every moment of his scripts, but also for his overarching use of Theme to give real emotional resonance to these goofy action sci-fi comedies.

So, it’s interesting to watch Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2 to see James Gunn both succeeding and struggling in the places he’s most strong…"

SYS Episode #166: Interview with Academy Award Winning Producer Tony Bill

Tony discusses how he finds the scripts he intends to produce

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is a hilarious, heartfelt second chapter.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is already a huge hit at the box office worldwide and it’s easy to see why. Marvel Studio’s 2015 predecessor established a raucous, yet character-driven superhero franchise that was equal parts snark and heart. Now director/writer James Gunn has done it again with this sharply conceived sequel. He honors the comic book source material, raises the adventure stakes, and expands each character. Gunn even gives each one of his secondary characters a lot to do, including standout turns by Karen Gillan, Elizabeth Debicki, Michael Rooker, and new-to-the-franchise Kurt Russell. Most impressive is how Gunn incorporates old school shtick and repetition to make the gags even funnier, as well as how he creates genuine pathos throughout. This tent pole is chock full of both hilarity and heart.