Unsung Cinema

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This episode we talk with filmmaker Neil Marshall. Whether you were introduced to him through "Dog Soldiers" or "The Descent". Whether you saw "Doomsday" or "Centurion"… however you came to know this director - it was an impressive undertaking. Because over the last twenty five years he has not only directed movies, but worked tirelessly as a screenwriter, editor and producer on his own projects while also lending his talents to other collaborative projects on both film and TV. So we'll learn more about Neil's early influences all before discussing one of those inspiring movies - Russell Mulcahy's "Razorback".

And while we realize that a horror movie could be beautiful, we also mention… a zombie, action, sci-fi thing, magical light sources, wonderfully surrealist moments, Highlander, story boarding stunt and special effect sequences, The Cars That Ate Paris, having access to the kit, it's not Crocodile Dundee that's for sure, cinematographer Dean Semler, shot in story order, Terry Gilliam-esque, Mike Johnson, the Universal classics, had to make it… nobody else was gonna, Picnic at Hanging Rock, a wacko performance of two psychopaths, Michael Fassbender, Starlog, an expensive mechanical pig, in the Highlands of Scotland, Star Wars, it all kind of made some insane logic to me, werewolf movies, I miss the filters, Ridley Scott, you can't go wrong with a good monster, Raiders of the Lost Ark, spray-on foam, Blockbuster: How Hollywood Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Summer, seared itself into my mind, what the hell are these things going to look like, and I believe in the razorback.

This episode we talk with actor Garret Dillahunt. A chameleon-like performer who has spent the last few decades not only working with some of the biggest names in the business, but also turning in phenomenal performances along the way. So we'll discuss his decision to get involved in acting as well as some key films along the way. All before we round things out with an examination of Jerry Schatzberg's "Scarecrow".

And while we make plans to hop a freight train and see America, we also cover… Deadwood, print journalism, Ride a Wild Pony, Gene Hackman, different approaches to acting for different people, The Last House on the Left, Tommy Lee Jones, being a trucker, Vilmos Zsigmond, a cartoonist, working with the Coen brothers, Eileen Brennan, Lou Grant, Army of the Dead, how to make your plays actor-proof, Roger Deakins, Ann Wedgeworth, Winter's Bone, Ryan Gosling, playing Jesus, Raising Hope, Al Pacino, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Any Day Now, Jerry Schatzberg, Badlands, Aaron Paul, a real calvinistic approach to acting, No Country for Old Men, reading, Alan Cumming, Disney animated movies, Ella Purnell, Oliver Sherman, Richard Lynch, comic books, Cormac McCarthy, and being a cork in the ocean.

This episode with talk with actor Justine Nelson star of the new film "Turn It Up!", a sci-fi horror film about an indie rock band that opens a portal between dimensions. Then we round out the episode with a discussion of Joachim Trier's "The Worst Person in the World".

And while we reminisce about dorky childhoods, we also bring up… Renate Reinsve, photography, Backrooms, chemistry between actors, Like Crazy, physical things are a representation of our lives, questionable teachers, Gwenlyn Cumyn, practical effects, The Boxcar Children, the exploding head, animation, how she's interpreting her everyday life, personalized memories, Jonathan Craig, Sentimental Value, a heartbreaking film, slice of life, younger generations having easy access to all media, we're all so human and we make mistakes, ignorantly confident, new directors changing the industry, Ace of Wands, shift through their ugliest parts, being overwhelmed, dealing with the goo, Mind Fudge, the pursuit of the most healthy outlook… is to try to find that, Kris Siddiqi, it's not all so literal, Joan Jett records, tiny specific details, Hacks, and when have you crossed a line in your relationship?

This episode we welcome Syd Heller and Olivia DeLaurentis. Writers, actors, producers, directors and the hosts of "Syd & Olivia Talk Sh*t". Listen as they share stories from their crazy ride only to round things out with an even crazier endeavor - a lengthy discussion of Corbin Bernsen's "Christian Mingle".

And as we also try to decide if we're all pining for the sea, we also delve into… the auditioning process, Lacey Chabert, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, Stephen Tobolowsky, The Haircutters, Hannah Montana, a story of aliens attempting to fit in on Earth, Ice Cube and the War of the Worlds, just not the right chin, Love on a Leash, well-written fan fiction, this is nothing there's no conflict here, putting love into a hate-watch, planning your bad movie in memorium, he woke up from an egg this morning, dog voice part, Pure Pure Syd, do you guys have a leaf blower, Morgan Fairchild, cute stories from your mom, digitally exploding our heads, wait… I do need Skyrizi, Steak and Cake, a giant metal trash can, secret Christians, our Kelly, Owl City, being completely landlocked, her Christian senses are tingling, and Papa warned me it would be my undoing.

This episode we're talking with W. Earl Brown to reminisce about just a few of his many projects over the years and then round out the episode with a discussion of Miguel Arteta's "Cedar Rapids".

And as we marvel at the wisdom of Grogu, we also address… Scream, Deadwood, There's Something About Mary, Ibsen's Ghosts, The Last of Us, Bloodworth, Amanda Arcuri, Preacher, Hacks, David Pasquesi, Excessive Force, Kris Kristofferson, Wes Craven, Steve Earle, Rookie of the Year, I had to wear a cowl walking between sound stages, John Sayles, Timothy Olyphant, James Earl Jones, Jon Favreau, we didn't know that we were capturing lightning in a bottle, The Mandalorian, Nick Castle, Provinces of Night, I think storytelling is a sacred part of existence, Star Wars, Shane Taylor, I'll never forget that feeling, Pedro Pascal, John C. Reilly, Mannix, Cannon, Morena Baccarin, the NDA was 14 pages long and Sheriff Country.

We welcome our guest Milana Vayntrub as we discuss her work in a couple of different films and then round out the episode with a discussion of Jeff Tremaine's "Bad Grandpa".

And as we reminisce about connecting with the TV as a child, we also mention… Werewolves Within, Bad Shabbos, Project Hail Mary, Method Man being charming, an example of human psychology, wearing out a VHS, Polly Pocket, improve shows, Catherine Curtin, going fishing, Johnny Knoxville, how do I get out of this, Beethoven, waitressing, resting in a body of water, Kyra Sedgwick, the Jackson five, special effects make-up, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Polly Pocket, injuries and concussions, Catherine Keener, betraying your morals and integrity, frustrated and enraged Charles Grodin, social media strategy, David Paymer, a prosthetic face, Meghan Leathers, the beauty pageant, Ryan Gosling and a great message about killing somebody on Friday night.