Movies In Focus

#61. Writers Joe Russo & Chris LaMont On THE INHERITANCE

Written by Joe Russo and Chris LaMont, The Inheritance delivers old-fashioned chills and offers up some slow-burn horror.

The quick pitch is to call the Alejandro Brugués directed film a well-balanced mix of Knives Out and The House On Haunted Hill by way of The Haunting Of Hill House and Succession. There’s a sophistication and understanding of the horror genre that shows a real understanding of how these things work on a story level.

Joe Russo and Chris LaMont joined the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about their writing process and how The Inheritance made it to the screen.

#60. Star Gilles Marini & Director Shane Dax Taylor Talk MURDER COMPANY

Shane Dax Taylor’s Murder Company is an old-fashioned World War II men on a mission movie. On Demand now in the U.S., the film stars  William Moseley, Pooch Hall, Gilles Marini, Joe Anderson and Kelsey Grammer.

The plot follows a group of US soldiers as they attempt to smuggle a member of the French resistance behind enemy lines so that he can assassinate a high-value Nazi target.

Star Gilles Marini and director Shane Dax Taylor joined the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about the film, the reasons for making it and the complexities of making a film set during the Second World War.

This is a fascinating episode - especially when Gilles Marini delves deep into his family history to talk about his grandmother’s resistance work during the war. It's heartfelt and passionate stuff. 

#59. Jake Allyn Talks About His Modern Day Western RIDE

Writer/director Jake Allyn's film Ride is now available On Demand in the US. It’s a wonderful modern day western that sees Allyn star alongside C. Thomas Howell, Annabeth Gish & Forrie J. Smith.

It's a beautifully shot & exceptionally well acted film that has dramatic highs alongside some strong tension.

Jake Allyn joins the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about making Ride, the complexities of not only writing and directing a film but also starring in the lead role, as well as how the success of television's Yellowstone helped the film come together.

#58. Isy Santini On Alexander Payne's ELECTION

Alexander Payne’s 1999 release Election was a film which took the filmmaker’s career to the next level. A biting satire, it features a great Matthew Broderick as a teacher with a grudge battling Reese Witherspoon‘s overly enthusiastic student, Tracy Flick.

As part of a special look back at some of the films released in 1999 - a year many believe to be one of the finest in cinema history - film critic and entertainment journalist Isy Santini joined the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about Election.

With bylines in The List, Film Stories, and Dirty Movies, Isy is a writer with a passion for feminist film analysis and 20th century cinema - which made her the ideal candidate to talk about Alexander Payne's well regarded black comedy.

#57. Drew Maxwell Weiss Talks About His Giallo Inspired Arrow Short ANATOMY MAESTRO

Arrow Shorts is a showcase for great short-form film-making. From the scary to the bizarre, Arrow highlights the amazing work being created by filmmakers in a shorter-length medium.

Film-maker Drew Maxwell Weiss joins this episode of the podcast to talk about his Giallo inspired short Anatomy Maestro.

With nods to the bloody thrillers of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, this short sees a stalker become the prey, in the filthy mean streets of New York.

Anatomy Maestro is a well executed thriller that more than delivers some very powerful imagery during its short running time.

#56. Alex Baro-Cayetano On His Small & Perfectly Formed Arrow Short KEITH

Arrow Shorts is a showcase for great short-form film-making. From the scary to the bizarre, Arrow highlights the amazing work being created by filmmakers in a shorter-length medium.

Film-maker Alex Baro-Cayetano joins this episode of the podcast to talk about his small, but perfectly formed short, Keith.

In the film, a little girl meets someone called Keith during difficult times. She doesn't know why he's there… yet.

Incredibly short and consisting of just one scene, Keith shows how you can achieve a lot with very little.

#55. Kristanna Loken & James Cullen Bressack On Making DARKNESS OF MAN With Jean Claude Van Damme

Darkness Of Man is a new action noir starring Jean Claude Van Damme as a former Interpol agent haunted by the actions of his past.  Visually striking, Darkness Of Man sees Van Damme give a nuanced turn - and it’s once again an indicator that the action icon can deliver good performances alongside bullets and flying kicks.

James Cullen Bressack, the director, producer and co-writer of Darkness Of Man is no stranger to working for legendary action heroes, having previously worked with Bruce Willis, Steven Seagal and Mel Gibson. He joins this episode of the podcast, to talk about the making of the neo-noir, working with Jean Claude Van Damme and what it’s like directing other iconic action stars.

Darkness Of Man co-star, Kristanna Loken also joins this episode.

Loken has had a storied career having played the evil T-X opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines and having starred in a variety of other films and TV shows including Bloodrayne, Burn Notice and Painkiller Jane.

Amongst other things, Kristanna Loken discusses how acting is changing in the face of new technologies, making Darkness Of Man and working with Jean Claude Van Damme.

#54. Ryan Irving On His Slasher Pastiche Arrow Short BARK

Arrow Shorts is a showcase for great short-form film-making. From the scary to the bizarre, Arrow highlights the amazing work being created by film-makers in a shorter-length medium.

Film-maker Ryan Iriving joins this episode of the podcast to talk about Bark, a witty, original and well-composed slasher pastiche which crams a lot into its short running time.

Bark sees two women desperately trying to escape a stalking axe murderer through a city park. Unfortunately for them their only eye-witness isn’t human… and he’s completely useless.

#53. Izzy Lee On The Gonzo 'Sesame Street On Acid' Arrow Short MEAT FRIEND

Arrow Shorts is a showcase for great short-form film-making. From the scary to the bizarre, Arrow highlights the amazing work being created by filmmakers in a shorter-length medium.

Film-maker Izzy Lee joins this episode of the podcast to talk about her incredibly fresh and original short film Meat Friend.

Meat Friend was nominated for a 2023 Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Short Film, and it follows an ex-con, sentient pile of hamburger meat (voiced by Steve Johanson) who teaches after-school lessons to a child (Marnie McKendry). 

It's a seriously gonzo piece of short film-making that plays like Sesame Street on acid - and it's unlike anything you've ever seen!

#52: Jeff Fisher On Erotic Thrillers & Bringing Adele Parks' THE IMAGE OF YOU To The Screen

The Image Of You is the screen adaptation of Adele Parks’ novel of the same name. Directed by Jeff Fisher and adapted by screenwriter Chris Sivertson, the film stars Sasha Pieterse, Parker Young, Néstor Carbonell and Mira Sorvino. It’s something of an outlier - a modern take on the erotic thriller - one with particular nods to masters of the genre like Brian De Palma and Paul Verhoeven.

Director Jeff Fisher joins this episode of the podcast to talk about The Image Of You, how he worked on the film’s visual style and was inspired by De Palma and Verhoeven and what it’s like bringing a best-selling novel to the screen.

The Image Of You will be released In Select Theatres and is Available to Buy on Digital on May 10, 2024.