Movies In Focus

Short films are difficult. It's easy to tell a story across 90 minutes or a couple of hours, where plot and characterisation can expand and grow. However, it takes real skill to deliver something short, punchy (and more importantly) narratively cohesive within a couple of minutes. This takes us nicely along to Dakota Stone, a new short from director Sherice Griffiths and writer Alfie Scattergood (aka Paul Knight). Clocking-in at just nine minutes, the film features professional dancer, choreographer, and star of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, Nancy Xu as an ass-kicking ‘fixer'. Offering-up action and characterisation, Dakota Stone is an entertaining little flick that works well within its own confines, while also feeling like an amuse-bouche to a much larger story. Sherice Griffiths, Alfie Scattergood and Nancy Xu joined the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about Dakota Stone. During the course of the conversation, they discuss how the project came together, the logistics of making a short film in a limited timeframe - as well as teasing the future of the Dakota Stone character in a larger format.

Writer-director Torsten Ruether joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss his boxing drama, Uppercut. The film marks Ruether's English-language debut, adapted from his 2021 film Leberhaken, and features an impressive cast, including Ving Rhames, Luise Grossmann, Joanna Cassidy and Jordan E. Cooper. Uppercut tells the story of Toni, a determined female boxer, and her journey with Elliott, a tough ex-boxing champion played by Rhames. Torsten Ruether talks about making Uppercut, working with Ving Rhames and how the film developed and evolved from its early origins. Uppercut is out now in U.S. cinemas, On Demand and On Digital.

First-up there's Martin Campbell, the director of the acclaimed James Bond films Goldeneye with Pierce Brosnan and Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig. This is followed by a chat with Simon West, the director of the iconic '90s Nicolas Cage pic, Con Air and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie. Martin Campbell discusses his new film, Cleaner, a high-rise action pic starring Star Wars star, Daisy Ridley and Clive Owen. We not only talk about the practicalities of making an action film, but we also cover 30 years of Goldeneye, the legacy of the James Bond franchise, as well as why we haven't had a belated second sequel to his brilliant 1998 film, The Mask Of Zorro, starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. This was my third time interviewing the great Simon West, so we had great fun talking about keeping interviews fresh, as well as his new comedic action film, Old Guy. Shot and set in Belfast, the film stars the eclectic combination of Christoph Waltz, Cooper Hoffman and Lucy Liu. Simon talks about filming in Belfast and why he was so eager to ditch the stereotype of Northern Ireland's violent past and shoot the province as a contemporary European location.

Director Michael Polish joins the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about his latest action thriller, Alarum. Fresh off the heels of its January 17th release, this high-octane spy flick stars Sylvester Stallone, Scott Eastwood, and Willa Fitzgerald. The film sees two married spies - Joe and Laura Travers - who find themselves hunted by intelligence agencies after discovering a mysterious flash drive This conversation covers Polish's motivations for the project, his collaboration with Scott Eastwood, the intricate character dynamics that elevate this film beyond a typical spy pic - and the joys of online interviews. 

Kimball Farley, the star and co-writer of the new off-beat indie film Hippo joins this episode of the Movies In Focuspodcast. Directed by Mark H. Rapaport, Hippo is a black-and-white coming-of-age story set in the 1990s that explores the lives of two step-siblings. The film's quirky tone - reminiscent of the films of Wes Anderson - is complemented by Eric Roberts' excellent voice-over, which adds depth to the narrative's stylised storytelling. Kimball discusses the creative process behind Hippo, its unique storytelling approach, and uncovers what makes this film a standout in modern indie cinema

Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez, the directors of the iconic horror film The Blair Witch Project join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. Released in 1999, the film not only essentially created the found-footage genre but it also left an indelible mark on the landscape of independent cinema. Daniel and Eduardo share their insights on the film's production - everything from its unique marketing strategy to the challenges they faced in bringing their vision to life. This is a fascinating conversation with two filmmakers who pushed the boundaries of cinema and redefined horror storytelling. It's an engaging discussion that will illuminate the legacy of a film that continues to inspire filmmakers and frighten audiences around the world 25 years on. that continues to inspire filmmakers and frighten audiences around the world

Action superstar Scott Adkins joins this bite-sized episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about his latest film Take Cover - a high-octane one-location action flick that's a real must for fans of the genre. Known for his athletic turns in films like Accident Man, Undisputed, John Wick Chapter 4 and The Expendables 2, Scott has entertained audiences with his martial arts prowess and charismatic screen presence. Scott spoke over Zoom to discuss his work in action movies, CGI versus stunt work, his passion for film-making - as well as the potential of him suiting up as iconic superhero, Batman.

Two very different directors talk about two very different films on this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. First-up, Kevin Smith talks about his 1980s set comedy, The 4:30 Movie and then later in the episode Euros Lyn discusses his vampire-comedy, The Radleys. Kevin Smith was one of the leading figures in the 1990s independent film scene. His self-financed low-budget comedy Clerks was a massive success and he went on to make the likes of Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl and others. Working with rep company that includes the likes of Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Jason Mewes and Matt Damon, Smith's films have also had a strong autobiographical bent, incorporating moments and characters from his own life and adding his own style of acerbic wit. His latest film, The 4:30 Movie is his most autobiographical yet- a 1980s set coming of age story that not only takes place within the confines of Smith's home state of New Jersey - but also his very own SmodCastle cinema. It's a witty and heartfelt film that delivers the goods for fans of his work and those looking for a well-honed comedy. Kevin Smith talks about digging into his past to make the film, shooting in your own cinema - as well as the possibility of a Mallrats sequel. To say that Welsh director Euros Lyn has had an illustrious career would be an understatement. His career as a director is littered with some of the television's top shows including - Casualty, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Sherlock, Broadchurch, Happy Valley, Daredevil, His Dark Materials and Heartstopper. Lyn's new film, The Radleys is based on Matt Haig's book of the same name - and it stars Damian Lewis and Kelly Macdonald as a married couple with a young family - and they all just happen to be vampires. Euros Lyn's chat about The Radleys covers bringing the material to the screen and getting such a great cast for his vampire film.

Director Mikael Håfström joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss his latest film, Slingshot, a space thriller starring Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne. Mikael is no stranger to crafting tense, atmospheric films, having directed works like his adaptation of Stephen King's 1408 starring John Cusack and the Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger team-up, Escape Plan . With Slingshot, he explores themes of isolation, survival, and the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. In our conversation, we explore the challenges of filming a space-based thriller, working with a stellar cast, and how Mikael approached the unique visual and narrative elements of this ambitious project. So strap in and prepare for launch as we take a deep dive into the making of Slingshot.

Directed by Adam Nelson and written by Chris Watt, The Mire is a well-honed dramatic thriller which grabs your attention and draws you into its tense plot. Essentially a one-location, three-hander,  the low-budget film knows exactly what to do with its limited resources and it keeps you hooked until its surprising finale. Returning guest Adam Nelson and newcomer Chris Watt both join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about the origins of The Mire, how the story developed and the challenges of making a low-budget independent film.

Director Joe Stephenson joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss his latest film, Doctor Jekyll. This film marks a significant moment for Hammer Studios, being their first horror release since the company's acquisition by the aptly named John Gore. Starring, Eddie Izzard and Scott Chambers, the film offers a fresh take on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale Joe shares insights into the creative process behind Doctor Jekyll, the challenges of reimagining such a beloved story, and his collaboration with Eddie Izzard in bringing this gothic story to life. He also discusses Midas Man, his forthcoming biopic of Brian Epstein, the manager of The Beatles.

Dog Soldiers, The Descent and Doomsday filmmaker Neil Marshall joins the Movies In Focuspodcast to talk about his new gangster film, Duchess alongside its star, co-writer and producer Charlotte Kirk. The pair previously collaborated on the action-horror The Lair and the mediaeval thriller, The Reckoning.  With Duchess, Marshall delivers a fast-paced revenge thriller where Kirk's working-class criminal dives into the glamorous – and sometimes not so glamorous – world of diamond smuggling. With strong visuals and explosive action, the film showcases her transformation into a fierce anti-heroine.  They pair talk the creative process behind the film, explore the characters, and discuss the challenges they faced along the way. It's always a pleasure to hear first-hand from the people who bring stories to life, as we uncover what makes Duchess a refreshing modern-day gangster pic with an old-school charm.

On this episode, Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the brilliant At The Flicks podcast discuss Kevin Costner's western epic, Horizon: An American Saga. We'll be putting our collective expertise to work as we explore Costner's latest directorial effort, examining its place within the western genre and its potential impact on cinema. So let's saddle up and ride off into the sunset with Jeff and Graham as we unpack the ambitious multi-part movie saga and what it means for Costner's legacy. Stay tuned for an insightful discussion that promises to be as expansive as the American frontier itself. Discover more from At The Flicks

Director Alejandro Brugués goes for old-fashioned chills and offers up some slow-burn horror with his excellent new horror, The Inheritance. It can be difficult to have sympathy for characters who have immense wealth and privilege – especially when you're not supposed to like them. However, The Inheritance gets the balance just right – and along with some good casting choices, you'll be somewhat conflicted when the Abernathys start to die - and Rachel Nichols and David Walton make for a particularly entertaining dastardly duo. Both star Rachel Nichols and director Alejandro Brugués join the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about The Inheritance. Alejandro goes into some wonderful detail about the making of the film - and Rachel delivers some truly fascinating insight into her process as an actress.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Adele Parks MBE has sold over 5 million plus copies and has been translated into over 30 different languages. Her 19th novel, The Image Of You has now been adapted for the screen by director Jeff Fisher and screenwriter Chris Sivertson. Starring Sasha Pieterse, Parker Young, Néstor Carbonell and Mira Sorvino, the film is a modern take on the erotic thriller that features nods to genre masters like Brian De Palma and Paul Verhoeven. Adele Parks joins this episode of the podcast for an in-depth chat about her writing process, how The Image Of You made it to the screen and what it's like having someone else bring your book to life. It's a great conversation - especially if you're interested in the craft of writing. The Image Of You released In Select Theatres and is Available to Buy on Digital on May 10, 2024.  

Sometimes a movie will come along and subvert expectations - and Francis Galluppi's brilliant feature film debut, The Last Stop In Yuma County is one of the movies. The set-up is that a travelling salesman is caught up with a pair of bank robbers in a remote diner - we've all seen that type of thriller a dozen times before but Galluppi takes things in many surprising directions. The last act is filled with tense kinetic energy and it's easy to see why Galluppi has been tapped to follow in Sam Raimi's shoes and direct the next Evil Dead film. Francis Galluppi, the writer and director of The Last Stop In Yuma County joins this bite-sized episode of the podcast to talk about the film. He goes into detail on writing the fresh and original thriller, its excellent cast and great music.

As its title suggests, Stefon Bristol's Breathe is a claustrophobic and tense film that will leave you gasping for air. A prescient science fiction piece, Breathe is set in the near future where the earth has a depleted oxygen supply. A small family eke out an existence, but when strangers arrive at their doorstep paranoia seeps into their lives. Are these new arrivals friends or foes? Bristol's film comes with a stacked cast - Jennifer Hudson, Milla Jovovich, Quvenzhané Wallis, Common, and Sam Worthington - and they all bring added gravitas to proceedings. Wallis in particular delivers an impressive turn as the film's central character. Stefon Bristol joins this episode of the podcast to talk about making Breathe, its powerhouse cast and he also drops some details on his upcoming Indiana Jones-style collaboration with Spike Lee.  

Unfairly dismissed in 1998, Paul W.S. Anderson's Soldier underperformed when it was released, grossing a paltry $14.5 million at the U.S. on a then substantial $60 million budget. In the UK the Kurt Russell starrer became the most expensive film to go straight to DVD/Video. Danny Stewart's book Soldier: From Script to Screen takes a serious deep dive into the making of Paul W.S. Anderson's film, covering every aspect of the film's production. However, over the years the reputation of Soldier has grown and what was once seen as a throwaway action pic now resonates as something totally different, offering up parallels to George Stevens' 1953 classic western, Shane.  Danny joins the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about Soldier's original failure and the growing legacy of the Paul W.S. Anderson science fiction actioner.

It's usually hyperbole to say that someone does it all, but in the case of Larry Fessenden, it just so happens to be true. An award-winning actor, producer, writer, director and editor - Fessenden is a genre filmmaker with a real skill in delivering works that entertain but also have a fair amount of nuance and sophistication. Fessenden's latest film is Blackout, a werewolf horror with a top-notch cast that includes Alex Hurt, Addison Timlin, Marshall Bell and Barbara Crampton amongst its number. The film is not only a fantastic old-school horror pic, but it also features plenty of added social commentary - and this makes it a cut above other modestly budgeted genre films. Larry Fessenden joined the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about the Blackout, the inspirations behind the film and his love of werewolf movies.

Based on E.O. Chirovici's novel, The Book of Mirrors, Sleeping Dogs is a twisty and entertaining thriller starring the mighty Russell Crowe. Crowe plays Roy Freeman, a former cop undergoing treatment for Alzheimer's disease who starts to dig into an old case in the hopes of exonerating an innocent man. The type of film that used to be Hollywood's bread and butter, Sleeping Dogs' impressive cast also includes Karen Gillan and Tommy Flanagan. Adam Cooper the screenwriter behind films such as Tower Heist, Exodus: Gods And Kings and Assassin's Creed makes his directorial debut with Sleeping Dogs. Adam joined the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about making the film, working with Russell Crowe, shooting a U.S. set movie in Australia and much more.

Joe Stephenson's Doctor Jekyll was the first Hammer horror film released since the company was purchased by its new owner - the perfectly named John Gore. An entertaining throwback feature with a modern twist, this new imagining of Robert Louis Stephenson's iconic tale stars Eddie Izzard and Scott Chambers. Izzard is the titular Jekyll, while Chambers plays the young man hired to assist the reclusive doctor.  Izzard's take on Doctor Jekyll is creepy and subtle, but Scott Chambers impresses as the young man who is eager to make his second chance in life work. Chambers is an up-and-coming actor-producer who has produced over 100 low-budget films over the last ten years or so - one of those being the controversial cult success Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. Scott Chambers joined the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about Doctor Jekyll, the rebirth of Hammer films, the horror genre as well as Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2.

Writer-director Gabriel Abrantes joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss his new film Amelia's Children A slow-burning and delicately paced horror with Brigette Lundy-Paine, Carlota Cotta, Anabela Moreira, Alba Baptista, Amelia's Children sees a New York-based musician discover that he has a long-lost mother and brother in Portugal. Taking a trip with his girlfriend, he visits them in their secluded mansion but finds that his family has a dark and deadly secret.

In this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast, film director Andrew Davis talks about his long and prestigious career. Best known for directing the hugely acclaimed blockbuster The Fugitive with Harrison Ford, Davis' career has been as eclectic as it has been successful. From his excellent jazz-fused 1978 debut, Stony Island through to The Package with Gene Hackman and Under Siege with Steven Seagal to A Perfect Murder with Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow and the beloved screen adaptation of Holes, Davis has delivered across nearly all genres. He has also worked with some of Hollywood's biggest names with the likes of Kevin Costner, Keanu Reeves, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Morgan Freeman and Arnold Schwarzenegger being added to the aforementioned roster. This relaxed and candid discussion covers the length and breadth of Andrew Davis' rich career - it's well worth a listen. Find out more about Andrew Davis via his website www.andrewdavisfilms.com

Ruthless is a bone-crunching thriller starring an against-type Dermot Mulroney as a teacher trying to rescue one of his students from a gang of human traffickers. Eschewing preaching for entertainment, Ruthless is an enjoyable, no-frills throwback revenge thriller with a good turn from Mulroney. Best known for his romantic leads, Mulroney sells the badass action and shows an interesting side to his on-screen persona. In a fun and entertaining episode, the director and co-writer of Ruthless, Art Camacho joined the Movies In Focus podcast.  The stuntman-turned-director talked about making the revenge thriller, as well as discussing the practicalities of filming and training for stunt sequences. 

Director Phillip Noyce and Morena Baccarin join the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about their new film, Fast Charlie. Brutal when it needs to be, funny when it wants to be and heartfelt when you least expect it, Fast Charlie is first-class entertainment for grown-ups. Master-craftsman Noyce has built a well-constructed revenge thriller around star Pierce Brosnan and the script delivers plenty of standout moments. Anyone looking for a good old-fashioned thriller will have to search far and wide for one that works better than Fast Charlie. Having enjoyed the film so much, it was great to talk with its maker and star. Returning guest Phillip Noyce discussed a range of topics - such as the power of positive reviews, it's what it's like working with Pierce Brosnan, the intricacies of balancing drama and comedy and we even touched on directing the James Bond franchise. Morena Baccarin talked about the complexities of building a strong character, the balance of romantic storylines, Deadpool 3 and more.

It's A Wonderful Knife is an entertaining slasher flick - with a difference. As the title indicates, the film is a riff on Frank Capra's 1946 Christmas classic, It's A Wonderful Life. Starring Jane Widdop, Joel McHale and Justin Long, the film has heart and laughs wrapped up against the film's bloody kills.  A year after saving her small town from a crazed killer, Jane Widdop's Winnie is down in the dumps by the way things have turned out. When she wishes she'd never been born, she finds herself in an alternate reality - and that's when she sees how bad life would be without her - and things are made even worse when the killer is still on the loose. Tyler MacIntyre, It's A Wonderful Knife's director and Michael Kennedy, the film's writer joined the Movies In Focusp podcast to talk about the trials and tribulations of making this quirky Christmas slasher.

Belfast-based director Dominic O'Neill joins the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss his new comedy horror, Haunted Ulster Live. A comedy of errors, Haunted Ulster Live uses the famed UK mockumentary Ghostwatch as a stepping-off point. Taking place in a supposedly haunted house, the broadcast is interrupted by things that go bump in the night – as well as the myriad of errors that can take place during any live TV recording. Yes, there are similarities with Ghostwatch, but Haunted Ulster Live is its own thing as a piece of well-honed entertainment. The laughs are well earned and the horror delivers some heft – especially the final moments which reminded me of the John Carpenter classic, Prince Of Darkness, as well as Prano Bailey-Bond's Censor.  Dominic talks about the origins of his new film, the trials and tribulations of making and releasing a low-budget horror and how television in his native Ulster helped influence this well-honed genre piece.  

Writer, film critic and visual artist Jaylan Salah joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. A woman of many talents, Jaylan is a passionate film lover with a keen insight into multiple genres. Delving deep into what frightens her, Jaylan discusses a selection of thrilling films including Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead, Werner Herzog's Nosferatu and Jennifer Kent's The Babadook.  

Douglas Schulze has been a friend of Movies In Focus since 2009, in the lead-up to the release of his David Carradine starring horror film Dark Fields - or The Rain as it was then called. Films like Mimesis: Night Of The Living Dead, Mimesis: Nosferatu and his experimental thriller The Dark Below show a director who wants to push the boundaries of low-budget storytelling with interesting and creative concepts. Douglas has now brought his new horror film, Thorns to FrightFest. A 1980s inspired genre film, Thorns has hints of Alien, The Thing and Hellraiser. A throwback piece, it's filled with practical effects and plenty of eye-watering moments of gore. Finally, Douglas Schulze joins the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about Thorns, his career as a low budget director and the highs of lows of independent filmmaking

Belgian filmmaker Daphné Baiwir's King On Screen is an excellent documentary that puts the focus on the many film and television adaptations that have been based on the work of Stephen King. A must-see for King fans, Baiwir looks at these adaptations from the perspective of people who made them - and the film features interviews with the likes of Frank Darabont, Mick Garris, Mike Flanagan, Tom Holland and many more. Daphné Baiwir joins the Movies In Focus to talk about the acclaimed author and detail how her documentary came together as well as discussing how she managed to score the film's many illustrious talking heads.

On this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast, director Yuval Adler talks about his latest film, Sympathy For The Devilstarring Nicolas Cage and Joel Kinnaman. Carter Smith also joins the show to talk about his latest Blumhouse release, The Passenger. Sympathy For The Devil is a Las Vegas set modern noir. It features an exceptional turn from Nicolas Cage - a performances which is one of his best in years. Yuval Adler talks about casting the film, taking Cage back to Vegas - the setting for his oscar-winning performance in Leaving Las Vegas and a host of other great details about making his dark thriller. Later in the podcast Carter Smith talks about his off-beat thriller The Passenger, starring Kyle Gallner and Johnny Berchtold. It's a film which is reminiscent of the 1980s cult classic Heathers and Smith talks about trying to subvert genre expectations when making his off-beat film.

Writer, producer, director and podcaster Joe Russo joins the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss the current strike by the Writer's Guild of America. An up and coming genre filmmaker, Russo has written a host of well regarded screenplays with his partner Chris LaMont, as well as directing the thriller, The Au Pair Nightmare. He also produced the horror anthology film, Nightmare Cinema, Peter Farrelly's The Greatest Beer Run Ever, as well as the fantastic podcast - Post Mortem With Mick Garris. Russo is a member of the WGA and a very vocal supporter of the current writer's strike - and his insights into the reasons for it are a real eye opener. The rise of streaming and Artificial Intelligence means that the world of entertainment is changing and artists face a whole new set of challenges both commercially and artistically. In this fascinating conversation, Joe Russo talks passionately and concisely about these challenges as well as giving surprising details on how Netflix's mysterious algorithm impacts creative decisions every stage of film production.

Get The Gringo and Rambo: Last Blood director, Adrian Grünberg joins the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about his new film,The Black Demon. The killer shark movie stars Josh Lucas as an oil company employee struggling to protect his family from a megalodon shark after they become stranded on a disused oil rig. An entertaining horror-thriller, The Black Demon plays around with the genre's tropes, as well as adding a little bit of mysticism into the plot. Films like Get The Gringo (also known as How I Spent My Summer Vacation) and Rambo: Last Blood show that Adrian Grünberg is a very earthbound director and during this episode he talks about how The Black Demon was a change of pace due to its special effects and aquatic location. He also discusses what it's like making a genre film, facing the looming shadow of Jaws during production - and burgundy shirts!

City University of New York lecturer and film historian James Kenney once again joins the Movies In Focus podcast. The last time he was on the show he talked about discovering the original cut of Peter Bogdanovich's Squirrels To The Nuts - and this time round he discusses Gee Malik Linton's surrealist religious drama, Daughter Of God. Starring Keanu Reeves and Ana De Armas, Daughter Of God was recut by producers - who removed almost forty minutes - and released it under the generic title of Exposed. This gutted release, diluted the performances of Reeves and De Armas and turned the film into a plodding and rudderless thriller that came and went with little fanfare.  In this episode, James Kenney reveals how he discovered this director's cut of Daughter Of God and how he's attempting to bring this ‘lost' film to audiences.

Running on HBO for seven seasons and 93 episodes from 1989 to 1996, Tales From The Crypt was a wonderfully ghoulish show that was based on Bill Gaines' EC Comics imprint of the same name. Executive produced by Joel Silver, Richard Donner, Robert Zemeckis, Walter Hill and David Giler, the show was a huge success due to its dark tales and even darker humour. From the second season onwards, Tales From The Crypt was produced by Gil Adler and A L Katz, a duo who oversaw the show's production and its rise glory - or as the Crypt Keeper would say, ‘rise to gory'. As the show was winding down on television, it made the leap to the big screen with Tales From The Crypt Presents: Demon Knight in 1995 and Tales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood in 1996. The later film's troubled production is what made A L Katz create the How Not To Make A Movie Podcast - essential listening for those who like Tales From The Crypt or have an interest in juicy stories on the making of movies and television. A L Katz joined the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about the making of Tales From The Crypt, how the How Not To Make A Movie Podcast came about as well as the new series that he hopes to make with Gil Adler.

Japanese-American director Yoko Okumura makes a punchy feature film debut with Unseen, a new genre-bending comedy-thriller from Blumhouse Productions. Running a tight eighty minutes, Unseen stars Midori Francis as Emily, a woman escaping from a boyfriend who wants to kill her. Lost in the woods, and without her prescription glasses, she relies on the help of Jolene Purdy's put-upon cashier, Sam to guide her to freedom by video call. Funny when it needs to be and brutal when you least expect it, Unseen is an assured debut from Okumura. At the centre of the film is the great chemistry between Midori Francis and Jolene Purdy - no mean feat when they don't even share the screen! Yoko Okumura joins the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about Unseen, the complexities of making a film where the leads are in different locations. as well as what it's like working for the biggest horror producer in Hollywood.

Corey Deshon, the talented multi-hyphenate writer-director joins the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about his new film, Daughter. Daughter is an intense psychological thriller that stars Vivien Ngô as a young woman who is abducted and then inducted into a family as their new daughter. Casper Van Dien plays the mysterious Father, the man who will stop at nothing to keep his family unit intact. A small film with great performances, Daughter is a piece which plays with genre and expectations. It's an incredibly well acted film with standout performances from Ngô and a career best Van Dien. Writer/director Corey Deshon discusses how Daughter came to be and how he made this unexpected dramatic thriller.

Released in the summer of 1991, Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves was a monster success that grossed over $165 million at the US box office and more than $390 million globally - a number which made it one of the biggest hits of the year. The success of the film, along with the massive Bryan Adams hit, (Everything I Do) I Do It for You means that it still resonates today.  The classic Kevin Reyndolds directed adventure gives Kevin Costner's Robin Hood plenty of swash and buckle alongside Morgan Freeman's Merry Man, while a villainous Alan Rickman chews the scenery as the Sheriff of Nottingham.    Hot on the heels of a fantastic new release by the aptly named Arrow Films, Pen Densham and John Watson, the writers of Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves join the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about how the film came to be, its enduring legacy  - and the sequel that never happened.

Manifest West is a coming of age survival drama starring Milo Gibson, Annet Mahendru and Lexi Kolker. A film about a family ditching civilisation and seeking a new life in the American wilderness, Manifest West is an incredibly timely movie which looks at family values, the broken economy and the search for a better way of life. The film's writer-directors Joe Dietsch and Louis Gibson joined Niall Browne on the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about how the film came to be and the struggles of making such a close-knit drama. Louis Gibson (the son of actor Mel Gibson) also talked about what it was like making the film which stars his wife Annet and his brother Milo in the lead roles.

Sam & Kate is a heartfelt family dramedy from writer-director Darren Le Gallo. It's a low-key piece, which features a collection of strong performances from its cast - Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Jake Hoffman, Schuyler Fisk and Henry Thomas. They all manage to cover a wide range of emotions, delivering plenty of light-hearted moments amongst the very honest dramatic beats. Aside from the well honed screenplay, Sam & Kate is notable because it not only features the pairing of Hoffman and Spacek - but because Jake Hoffman is the son of The Graduate star, while  Fisk is the daughter of the acclaimed Badlands actress. Darren Le Gallo, Schuyler Fisk and Henry Thomas all joined the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about their time working on film. Le Gallo discussed the film's long gestation period and how it came to star two Hollywood greats and their offspring. Fisk discussed working with her mother as well as her musical career and Thomas touched on everything from his upcoming projects to well the pros and cons of streaming and the theatrical releasing.

This episode of the Movies In Focus podcast sees a pair of directors join Niall Browne to talk about their latest movies. First up is French filmmaker Romuald Boulanger who is discussing his new thriller On The Line. The film sees Mel Gibson star as a radio host whose evening show is thrown into chaos when he gets caught-up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a deadly caller. It's a hugely enjoyable film with plenty of twists and turns which will keep audiences guessing right to the end. This spoiler free chat sees Romuald talk about working with Mel Gibson, shooting the L.A. based movie in Paris and what it's like shooting a thriller in a confined location. The second guest in Chuck Russell, director of the Jim Carrey breakout comedy The Mask, the Arnold Schwarzenegger action film Eraser and the Dwayne Johnson vehicle, The Scorpion King. Chuck joins the podcast to discuss Paradise City, a new film which reunites Pulp Fiction stars John Travolta and Bruce Willis. It's a chat which covers everything from working with two of the biggest screen icons of the last 50 years to the complexities of filming an action movie on location in Hawaii.