True Film Fan

By KTRH (KTRH-AM)

A weekly deep dive for passionate film fans, including reviews, interviews and commentary on film topics.... more

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FAQs about True Film Fan:

How many episodes does True Film Fan have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.

True Film Fan episodes:

August 11, 2025 Boomer, Gen Z and Gen X reviewers spotlight Jurassic World Rebirth, the Marvel Thunderbolts Movie and The Dirty Dozen from 1967

THE TEAM
John Wesley Downey, Frankie Westmoreland and Bret Gipson are the multi-generational contributors to the TRUE FILM PODCAST. From Gen Z to Gen X to the Baby Boomers, we
give you a wide sampling of critical opinion. What does the trio have in common? They are
all passionate movie nerds who share the same love of movies, from the silent era
classics to the latest movies playing at the box office.

DINOSAURS,CRIMINALS AND SOLDIERS
This week John reviews the latest movie in the 32 year old Jurassic Dionosaur series, Jurassic
World Rebith, Bret checks out the Marvel Studio's The Thunderbolts and Frankie climbs into a
time machine to check out the 1967 war film classici The Dirty Dozen. Surprisingly it turns out
Thunderbolts and Diirty Dozen share similar story elements. The idea of taking criminals and
giving them a chance to reddem themsleves through performing a heroic mission is at the core
of both films. And that provides lots of fule for fun discussion.

COMING ATTRACTIONS
Next week we'll talk about the Naken Gun movie starring Liam Neeson, and a disastrous remake of War of the Worlds. And in light of the death of astronaut Jim Lovell who was captain of Apollo 13,
we'll discuss the Apoolo 13 film by rRn Howard that captured the true drama for all time.

SOCIAL MEDIA
If you enjoy our podcast, visit us on Facebook on the True Film Fan page for more information.
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47min
April 21, 2025 Minecraft movie debut dominates world wide box office
Minecraft is a super popular vidoogame that has long been a favorite of video gamers world wide. But the movie version has debuted to huge tickets sales at theaters all over the world. While it does star Jack Black and Jason Momoa and was directed by Jared Hess (Nacho Libre, Napoleon Dynamiite) it's not the stars or the director that's the appeal. It's the Minecraft brand.

To explain this phenomena, John Wesley Downey brings in Zach Killian, the creator of the highly popular You Tube Channel WOW SUCH GAMING to discuss the game's populaiirty and it's transfer to the big screen.

This is part one of a two part interview. In part two, Zach will talk about his video gaming channel, Zombies and the classic Zombie movie, SHAUN OF THE DEAD.

Enjoy this podcast on the giant box office success of Minecraft and follow this podcast channel (hit the follow button) so you won't miss part two and Zombies and Shaun of tghe Dead.

Thanks for listening!
[email protected]
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10min
March 07, 2025 Gun Safety on Film Sets - How it's handled and what went wrong on RUST and THE CROW
On October 21, 2021, at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Bonanza City, New Mexico, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot and director Joel Souza was injured on the set of the film Rust when a live round was discharged from a prop revolver that actor Alec Baldwin was using. - Wikipedia

This film set tragedy ignited a discussion in the world of film and video production on the handling of guns on sets as well as raising questions about how accidents such as this can be prevented. Now TRUE FILM FAN brings you a comprehensive 63 minute interview with Dutch Merrick, a long time property master and armorer with three decades of film industry experience.

Both the RUST shooting as well as the 1993 death of actor Brandon Lee on the set of THE CROW are discussed in detail. Dutch also talks about a book he wrote on film set gun safety practices and talks about the courses he offers in gun safety both in Los Angeles and touring the country.

John Wesley Downey
TRUE FILM FAN

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1h 4min
October 26, 2024 TRUE FILM FAN interviews documentary filmmaker on RUNAWAY RADIO about legendary radio station KLOL
in this lengthy, in depth interview host John Wesley Downey interviews documentary filmmaker
Mike McGuff about his movie RUNAWAY RADIO which focuses on Houston's rock station KLOL which for decades was Houston's feisty, unvonventional radio rogue complee with a cast of distinctive personalities who brokes the rules and gained a loyal audience. Stevens and Pruett, Colonel St. James, Dayna Steele, Outlaw Dave, Crash and more along with the station's colorful logo and bizarre antics were a huge part of what Houston was from 1970 to the early 2000s. Downey also discusses McGuff's 14 year journey and battle to get the film made and completed. Houston radio fans and media buffs will find a lot to consider here, a trip down memory lane that is full of surprises.

IMPORTANT PROGRAMMING NOTE for next week's holiday Halloween weekend. John will explore the horror classic THE EXORCIST from all angles, it's origins, behind the scenes trivia, John's unique experience with the film, lots of "how they did it" info and a full leplanation of the film for those who didn't get it the first time around. It's called THE EXORCIST PHENOMENON - THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS next week on John Wesley Downey's TRUE FILM FAN podcast.

Don't forget to hit FOLLOW so you can hear future episodes covering the world of movies.
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52min
September 10, 2024 Actor James Earl Jones dead at 93 star of movies, TV, stage and animation

He voiced Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in the Lion King. He appeared in over 80 movies including Field of Dreams, Conan\, The Hunt for Red October, Dr. Strangelove, Coming to America and more. He had a Broadway career too. He won all lthe big show biz awards, Emmy, Oscar, Tony and Grammy. The podcast contains an interesting story about how James Earl Jones' family will benefit financially from Jones amazing voice, long after his passing.

Please share this podcast and follow us for more great cinematic content on the I Heart Radio app.
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2min
September 07, 2024 TRUE FILM FAN Tim Burton doubles the fun in BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE sequel

This podcasts focuses on The Wizard of Odd, American film director Tim Burton,
the filmmaker who launched the modern era super hero blockbuster with Batman
in 1989, has created such memorable characters as Edward Scissorhands and
Jack Skellington in his Halloween/Christmas stop motion animated classic
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and brought the Broadway musical
SWEENEY TODD to cinematic form. Prolific, creative and practically his own
genre, Tim has a sequel to his 1988 comedy horror film BEETLEJUICE in the
theatres and John Wesley Downey, host of True Film Fan, GIVES YOU LOTS OF
so you can decide if you want to see it.
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13min
August 04, 2024 Rob Saucedo talks about the re-opening of iconic River Oaks Movie Theatre

Cinephile Rob Saucedo is already well known to movie fans in Texas for his 13 year tenure as Manager, booker and creative director at the popular upscale Alamo Drafthouse Theater chain.

Now Rob has taken on a new challenge. When the effects of covid shut down the legendary
Ricer Oaks theater, passionate Houston film fans were devastated. This landmark venue had been playing movies in Houston since November 1939. It appeared it would not survide the covid era.

But now, a new company has rescued the property and hired Rob Saucedo to put the River Oaks theater back on the map with all the flair he demonstrated in his previous position at the Alamo Drafthouse.

If you're a film fanatic you'll enjoy this 35 minute journey into film with host John Wesley Downey and author/cinephile Rob Saucedo. Please like, share and follow for the latest uploads of True film Fan.

Don't forget to like, subscribe (follow) for the movie podcast all of Houston is talking about,
TRUE FILM FAN.

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36min
May 27, 2024 Memorial Day Salute to Saving Private Ryan

Memorial Day is when we remember and pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. military in order for us to be free. In the film world, no movie does that better than SAVING PRIVATE RYAN .

Director Steven Spielberg has said he made Schindler's List for his m other and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN for his father. His father Arnold served in India and the Pacific in World War II in the Signal Corps. The film puts the compassion for a mother who has lost three sons on display alongside the horrors of war and the price of freedom. Please listen to my commentary on this great film and reflect on and appreciate the sacrifices of American soliders on this Memorial Day.

Thanks for listening and please follow the podcast so you never miss what's going on here on TRUE FILM FAN. Thanks!

John Wesley Downey
[email protected]
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6min
May 16, 2024 An epic film starting shooting 63 years ago today
On May 15th, 1961 the cameras rolled for the first time on one of the greatest
achievements in movie hitosry, the epic LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. Get the basics
on this landmark film and it's incredible influence on today's filmmakers such as
Steven Spielberg. Listen to the podcast and use the share button to ciculate it
among your fellow film fans.

John Wesley Downey
TRUE FILM FAN
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3min
May 12, 2024 Gollum gets his own Lord of the Rings movie!
Warner Brothers has announced a new Lord of the Rings movie will be
made called "The Hunt for Gollum." You'll never guess who directs it.
It's a few years away, but the irony is, a bunch of fans already did this
years ago. Huh? Listen to the podcast for all the details from your host
John Wesley Downey as well as a glimpse into the EXCITING future of the
True Film Fan FULL LENGTH episodes coming this summer that will delight
every serious, true film fan.

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8min

FAQs about True Film Fan:

How many episodes does True Film Fan have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.