Sifter: Recent Episodes
Jerry Williams aka TVJerry
If you were a movie fan from 1985 to 1995, you probably went to video rental stores to find new and old videos to watch at home. Today’s show features two new ones that are located in downtown Richmond. Holly Wright has Rewind Video (108 N. 7th St) and Cody Denzler just opened Monster Video in July (207 N. Third St.) We talk about:
– Their own experiences with video stores
– Starting their collections
– Opening a store
– Why people want physical media
– What age group is into it
– The quality of VHS
– Most unusual sale: jock straps
LINKS:
Monster Video Instagram
Rewind Vintage Instagram
Virginian William Haines become a worldwide movie star in the 20s. His career ended abruptly when he refused to marry a woman and give up his longtime boyfriend. This led to his successful and influential career as an interior designer. Sergei Troubetzkoy was on the show in 2023 talking about his experiences as a film liaison, including Staunton. Turns out Haines was born in there and Sergei has been studying the career of Haines and amassing a collection of his memorabilia. His fascinating history lesson includes:
– Meeting Haines at the Poe Museum
– Haines’ early years in Richmond
– Moving to Hollywood to start his career
– Pivoting to interior design
– His impressive commissions
LINKS:
The Arcadia Project
Sergei’s previous podcast
Sunnylands website
Donald Silverman’s podcast
Donald Silverman’s “More Oddball Thoughts”
Carol Connors started her career with The Teddy Bears and their worldwide #1 hit “To Know Him is to Love Him.” She went on to date Elvis and penned the lyrics for “Gonna Fly Now,” the iconic theme from “Rocky.” We talk about her new doc “ELVIS ROCKY & ME, The Carol Connors Story” and lots more:
– Her early musical influences
– How the doc came about
– Raising $16 so Phil Specter would record her
– Getting gifted a Shelby Cobra after writing the song
– Meeting her first boyfriend: Elvis Presley
– A special gift from Robert Culp
– Writing the “Rocky” theme lyrics in the shower
– Hanging with Hef at the Playboy Mansion
– Penning the theme for “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”
– What she had in common with O.J. Simpson
– The song she wrote for John Denver
– Her song in the new Broadway version of “The Piano”
LINKS
ELVIS ROCKY & ME, The Carol Connors Story (the doc)
ELVIS ROCKY & ME, The Carol Connors Story (the book)
Podcast with Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen
From June 25-28, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture presented IllumiNATION, an artful celebration of our nation’s 250th that was projected on the 250-foot-long front of the museum. More than 32,000 people showed up on the front lawn to enjoy this truly spectacular, history-defining event (pun intended). Sam Florer, Director of Public Programs at VMHC, is this show’s guest. We discuss:
– The germination of the idea of Sailfest and IllumiNATION
– How they created the outline and sourced the imagery
– Using AI to animate still photos
– The block party and other simultaneous events
– The enthusiastic audience reactions
– Why they stopped the timeline in 2020
– If it’ll ever be shown again
LINKS
IllumiNATION at the VMHC
The Community Foundation
Salon de Resistance event
My review of “Widow’s Bay”
Marc Weinberg & Victoria Fraser were on this show talking “Outrage,” the thriller they co-wrote and produced. This show will take them back to their time as writers in Hollywood:
– Getting a nasty letter from Leonard Nimoy
– Pitching a thriller to Dick Clark Productions
– Henry Winkler’s project on dyslexia
– What it means to have a script in turnaround
– Story credits: the difference between “and” and “&”
– The strike and AI
LINKS:
Scene in Virginia screenings at the Byrd
My first podcast with Victoria & Marc
“Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War” features the profiles of four unique individuals who were involved in the creation of our nation. This doc is part of our nation’s 250th anniversary and was produced locally by VPM PBS. Today’s podcast features producer/director Stacey L. Holman and her co-producer Maya Tepler. Our discussion includes:
– Their backgrounds and participation on the project
– How did VPM was involved
– The challenges of using AI to create imagery
– Recording a school class
– Shooting in historic locations
– The score and sound design
– VPM’s new building
LINKS
“Declarations” on the PBS App
“Declarations” on YouTube
Trailer for “Declarations”
The “JNX” (Jackson) Project
Musical on Sojourner Truth
My review of “Office Romance”
My review of “Running Point”
The 3rd annual Fredericksburg Film Festival runs from June 25 – 28. Today’s guests are Dalton Okolo, President and Executive Director, and Carlos Naranjo, Partnership Director of the festival. Our discussion includes:
– How the festival began?
– How it’s changed in 4 years.
– Working with the community
– This year’s theme
– Extended discussion of “Shallow”
LINKS
Fredericksburg Film Festival
1108 website
Lucas Huff’s website
My podcast with Melody Rocher about “Bird in Hand”
Silent Music Revival at Dogwood Dell
My review of “Obsession”
Jon Burkett started at CBS 6 as a photographer and worked his way up to become known as the “Crime Insider,” reporting on thousands of cases. He recently announced his retirement, which will be official on September 29, marking the day he started 26 years ago. We’ll talk about:
– Getting his start at Wendy’s
– A mistake that took him from radio to TV in the Navy
– Getting the job at CBS 6
– The creation of Crime Insider
– Witnessing executions
– The most unusual fan encounter
– Developing sources
– How crime & reporting has changed
– His next job
LINKS
Jon’s CBS 6 page
Crime Insider Facebook
Jeanne Meserve podcast
Filmmaker Sasha Waters was on this podcast in 2022 to talk about her previous doc: “Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable.” She returns with her new film, “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” about the acclaimed poet. It will air Aug. 26 on the on the PBS series “American Masters.” Our discussion includes:
– Where Pieshake Pictures got its name
– Making short films
– Why she chose Mary Oliver as her next project
– Landing interviews with Steve Colbert, John Waters, Oprah Winfrey, Maria Shriver, Lucy Dacus, Helena Bonham Carter and Steve Busemi
– A new editing workflow
– Dealing with thousands of fan letters
– Finding a middle school group who are now adult fans
LINKS
The trailer for “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” on PBS
Pieshake Pictures
Sasha’s podcast on “Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable”
Justin James Reed’s website
Lights in the Sky Gallery
My podcast with Departure Point Films
Good for Her Films
Victoria Fraser & Marc Weinberg are partners in life and work. They’ve written for numerous film and TV projects, the most recent being “Outrage.” It stars Reed Birney as a conservative talk show host who’s being held captive in a basement. They also served as Executive Producers. Our lively chat includes:
– Marc as a film critic for Richmond Magazine
– Victoria working for Disney
– How they met and decided to work together
– Their writing process
– The inspiration for “Outrage”
– Getting hate mail from Leonard Nimoy
– The difference between “&” and “and” for a writer credit
– Types of Executive Producers
NOTE: They’ll be back on the show to talk about their LA experiences.
LINKS
“Outrage” on Instagram
Branch Museum BEST movies (June 4)
My review of “Obsession”
Max Fischer is a Richmond cinematographer who’s worked on numerous commercials, movies and TV shows. In addition to shooting the new thriller, “Saturnalia,” Max also served as Executive Producer. We’ll discuss:
– The film’s idea born out of the strikes
– The meaning of the title & Easter eggs
– Giallo’s influence
– Shooting at Dover Hall & the Pump House
– Music by the best-known giallo composer
– Eating mutton as a vegetarian in Mongolia
– Getting the movie on streaming and beyond
LINKS
Saturnalia website
Daniel’s IMDB page
Podcast with Vivian Owen on being a script supervisor
Ashland Theatre
My podcast about the 75th anniversary of the Ashland Theatre
Richmond native Steve Segal started animating as a young boy and his first major project was “Futropolis” (my podcast about the movie with him and co-director Phil Trumbo is linked below). After he left Richmond, his career included:
– Creating animations on early computers
– Getting to meet John Lassiter
– Scenes he animated on “Toy Story”
– Being a scene planner on “A Bug’s Life”
– Working on animation for “Pee-wee’s Playhouse”
– Directing “It’s Tough to be a Bug” at Disney World
– Controversy teaching History of Animation
– What’s next (maybe even AI)
LINKS
Steve Segal’s website
My podcast with Steve & Phil Trumbo about “Futropolis”
“Futropolis” on YouTube
My podcast with Debra Freeman about “Finding Edna Lewis”
Brandon Shillingford started Exposure Cinema in 2024 for people to explore, watch, discuss and connect through film. There have been several screening events with the next one coming up this month, “One for the Money,” which he’ll describe in this interview. We’ll also discuss:
– Why he’s in Rome
– Taking film class in high school
– His previous jobs at NPR, CNN and VPM
– Why he started Exposure
– His podcast on cinema
– The event coming up
LINKS:
Exposure Cinema
My podcast with Hard Light Cinema
My podcast with Cinema Niche
My review of “The Drama”
Phil Trumbo was born and raised in Virginia and he started his career as an animator here with the movie he co-produced with Steve Segal, “Futropolis” (podcast with them about the movie is linked below). After he left Richmond, Phil’s career took him “careening” in several directions:
– Not getting accepted in VCU’s art program
– Being in bands, including The Orthotonics
– Working on national commercials & MTV spots
– Animating the opening and dinos for “Pee Wee’s Playhouse”
– Designing for “Doug” and other TV shows
– Creating the official video game of the 1996 Olympics
– Video game design for 100+ games including Harry Potter, Shrek & Spiderman
– Developing a bachelor’s degree in Game Design
LINKS
Phil’s website
”Futropolis” podcast
Frank Gresham’s website
Julian Glander is an accomplished designer, illustrator and animator who’s first feature, “Boys Go to Jupiter” is showing at this year’s Richmond Animation Festival (April 25 & 26). Julian will be here for the screening on April 26 at the Byrd and the animated shorts will show on the 25th at Studio Two Three. Julian has lots of cool things to say:
– Reciting the alphabet backwards on “Jepordy”
– Desiging for Disney, Cartoon Network & Nickelodeon
– The inspiration for “Boys Go to Jupiter” & what the title means
– Starting the film with a Dionne Warwick quote
– Animation using Blender
– Getting an impressive cast including Sarah Sherman, Cole Escola & Janeane Garofalo
– Animated frontal nudity
– Being nominated for a John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award
LINKS
Richmond Animation Festival
Julian’s website
Podcast with Dash & Jane about “Cryptozoo”
Podcast with the director of “Griffin in Summer”
Marvels of Media Festival website
Marvels of Media at the Byrd Theatre (Ap 1 – 4)
VCU’s Institute of Contemporary Art (or the ICA) opened in 2018 and has continually shown films in their auditorium. Amber Esseiva, Senior Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, and Mimi Luse, Head of Program Production, join me to talk about the numerous offerings that are available including:
– Why cinema programs at the ICA?
– Films from The Kadist Foundation
– The New Richmond Filmmakers Series (featuring Surprise Guest Ken Brisby’s film)
– Community Media Center Film Workshops
– Exposure Cinema Series
– First Friday Film Events
LINKS
The ICA website
To apply for the Community Film Project
The Trailer for “Mom, I’m on Drugs”
My review of “The Zone of Interest”
My podcast with Yossera Bouchtia
My podcast with Vivian Owen
My podcast with the directors of “Futropolis” (James River Festival this weekend)
University of Richmond professors Anthony Russell and Sonja Bertucci are the guiding forces behind the Italian and French Film Festival that’s running at the University from March 27 thru April 3. We discuss:
– Their early film inspirations
– Her documentary
– How this festival come about
– Why the French/Italian combo?
– What we can expect in addition to screenings
LINKS
Italian and French Film Festival
First podcast on the French Film Festival
Second podcast on the French Film Festival
Steve Segal and Phil Trumbo co-directed “Futuropolis” a zany animated sci-fi adventure that was released in 1984. It’s being screened at the 32nd annual James River Film Festival (March 29 – April 4). Steve went on to work at Pixar on the first two “Toy Story” movies and Phil won an Emmy for his work on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” but we’ll save those discussions for future podcasts. This show is about “Futropolis:”
– The VCU inspiration for the movie
– Their expectations and the results
– Being influenced by Red Grooms and Max Fleisher
– Shooting stop motion with people
– Drawing animation on the actual film
– Silent movie tributes all over Richmond
LINKS:
James River Film Festival
If you missed it at the Festival, here’s link to it on YouTube
A news report from the premiere at the Biograph
Steve’s website
Phil’s website
This year’s Indie Short Film Festival runs from March 20 – 22 in Charlottesville. Two directors from the festival talk about their films.
Jamal Hodge has 2 films: “Take it to the Grave” and “Mourning Meal”
Kelsey Nerrie is premiering her first short “Repurcussion(s)”
They’ll give us insight into their backgrounds, their inspirations and the challenges for their projects.
LINKS
Indie Short Film Festival
Jamal Hodge website
Kelsey Nerri’s social media link: @repercussionsfilm2025
The doc on Terry O’Neill of Penny Lane Pub
Andy Edmunds, Director of the Virginia Film Office, is back for this 5th year to talk about the activity in Virginia’s production industry last year. This also includes a discussion of the film that Andy wrote and directed here.
LINKS
Virginia Film Office
“The Cashier” on Insta
“The Cashier” on Facebook
The Byrd Theatre
Previous podcasts mentioned
Griffin in Summer
Bird in Hand
Daphne Reid
Bunt Young
Rex Teese
This year’s RVA Environmental Film Festival runs from 2/21 to 3/7 in venues all over town. Today’s show features 2 locally made docs. CATCHING PINECONES tells the story of Jan and Herb Conn, who were pioneering rock climbers, cavers and nature preservationists. Director Chad Heddleston discusses:
– The 10-year journey to get this made
– Inspiration from the lives of the Conns
– The meaning of the title
– Using jaunty jump cuts instead of pan and zoom
– Jan’s music in the soundtrack
ALL FORWARD profiles an intensive training program for river rafting guides in Richmond, which has the nation’s only class III/IV urban whitewater. Director Justin Black returns to talk about his new short:
– An update on “Headwaters Down”
– Being a raft guide
– Using a GoPro in his mouth
– Things that went wrong
LINKS
RVA Environmental Film Festival
Catching Pinecones website
Chad’s Mockumentary “Almost Alpine”
Headwaters Down website
Podcast with Justin Black about “Headwaters Down”
The Richmond Film Network (upcoming meeting)
My podcast with the creator of the SONG SUNG BLUE documentary
Patrick Michael has been acting since the 3rd grade. His big break came from “Travelers,” an early reality series that ran on the Discovery Channel from 1996 to 1998. He was one of the hosts who visited cities around the world to experience the culture. He later went to Hollywood where he worked in TV shows and movies before returning back here. We’ll cover:
– His real name
– What is “Travelers” and how he got the gig
– Some of the most unusual experiences on the show
– Working on “Beverly Hills 90210”
– Partying at the mansions of William Shatner and Aaron Spelling
– Landing a small part in “Star Trek 6”
– Being the TV spokesperson for Haley Auto Group
LINKS
Travelers on the web
Patrick’s IMDB page
Betty Bodine podcast
Exposure: Nu West film series at the ICA
My review of FALLOUT (includes a foto of Richmonder Annabel O’Hagan)
Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Richmond several times and the documentary “Echoes of a Dream: MLK’s Legacy in Richmond, Virginia” is playing around the state to celebrate his connections to our city. The film’s director is Tyrone Nelson, Jr., who’s the Founder and CEO of Newviews Agency, a local creative agency and production company. Our discussion includes:
– How he got noticed by Adidas
– The Newviews Agency explained
– How his former jobs for VCU sports & Dominion Energy prepared him
– What inspired Echoes of a dream?
– Tyrone what’s background and how did u start agency (16):
– Varina HS video got noticed by Adidas
– How jobs for VCU sports and Dominion Energy prepared him
– What inspired “Echoes of a Dream”
– Using motion graphics to increase interest
– The premiere at RIFF
LINKS
Newviews Agency
Echoes of a Dream: MLK’s Legacy in Richmond, Virginia
Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia
Podcast on Training actors to become Thespian Equestrians
Ward Howarth produces promotional videos for the Lockwood Broadcast Group. Lockwood is a television, digital and advertising company that owns and operates 13 television stations and programs 33 channels in eight markets. Our chat includes:
– How he started his career with skate videos
– Being a “dub cub”
– A creepy Halloween spot from “Family Feud”
– Challenging and cool aspects of his job
– Deciding to write novels
– Winning awards from Richmond Magazine and VMFA
LINKS
Lockwood Broadcast
Ward Howarth’s website
Community Authors Expo at the Fairfield Library
VPA State of the Industry 1/29
Nicholas Kleczewski is a Richmonder who edited the documentary “Song Sung Blue,” which inspired the current film of the same name starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. He’s had a varied career as an editor and director. Our discussion includes:
– Starting with extreme sports docs
– Two years creating videos for Beyoncé
– Getting the “Song Sung Blue” gig via Craigslist
– Comparing the Hollywood version to the original doc
– How Eddie Vedder saved it at Sundance
– Meeting Hugh Jackman at the premiere
– An immigration challenge in Zimbabwe
– Creating content for Audi
LINKS
Nick’s website
Song Sung Blue doc (free)
My review of Song Sung Blue (the Hollywood version)
James River Film Society Short Film Showcase
Walid Chaya is an actor, director, writer and teacher who worked in Richmond before moving to Los Angeles. He’s acted in TV shows and movies, as well as directed shorts and taught acting classes. Our lively discussion includes:
– Getting inspired as a child in Lebanon
– How he got to Richmond
– Moving to LA
– Being cast in stereotypical Middle Eastern roles
– Working on “Madam Secretary”
– Getting burned to death by Neo-Nazis
– Working with a dialect coach on “Blacklist: Redemption”
– Sitting in a makeup chair for 3 hours
– His shorts and upcoming feature
LINKS
Walid’s website
Driving Ms. Saudi
Darn It Darla
Crazy Rich Arabs
Lights, Camera, Conversation podcast
My podcast with Constance Wu
“Bad Shabbos” is a comedy about family that gathers for the traditional Shabbos dinner, when the son brings his new Catholic girlfriend. That’s just the beginning of what happens before it takes a surprising turn. Zack Weiner co-wrote this film with his director Daniel Robbins. It will be the first film playing at the 17th annual Israel and Jewish Film Festival at the Weinstein JCC. There will be a Red Carpet Opening Night Premiere Party on January 8 with Zack attending. Today, Zack will talk about:
– Starting his work relationship with director Daniel Robins
– Creating a BDSM video to run for City Council
– How much of story was from his life
– Sharing his scripts with his mother & father, co-creator of “Dora the Explorer”
– Casting Kyra Sedgwick & Method Man
– Shooting on location in New York
– His upcoming script on chess boxing
LINK:
The Israeli & Jewish Film Festival
Hard Light Cinema is run by 8 cinephiles who screen independent and international films in various venues around Richmond. Since founding last November, they’ve screened 35 films. They have 3 slated for January and the first is Frederick wiseman’s 1968 documentary “High School” (free at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch, 1/4, 2pm). For this interview Lewis Peterson, Warner West & Syd Miller join me to talk about:
– Who they are and how they got into cinema
– Hard Light’s beginning
– How it’s grown in 2 years
– Deciding what films to show
– Slow cinema
– How they finance the screenings
LINKS
Hard Light Cinema website
Instagram @hardlightrichmond
Charles D. Thompson Jr. is a prolific author and director. His most recent documentary is “Rock Castle Home,” which is about this unique community in the Blue Ridge Mountains and how it evolved and later vanished. It’s being screened as part of a series of programs at the Library of Virginia that highlight stories of displacement in Virginia communities, “House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History.” Charles will be in attendance on Fri, Dec 12 at 2pm. We’ll discuss:
– His Virginia connection
– Why his personal background inspired his books & documentaries
– Becoming interested in “the little man”
– Going from books to movies
– How this film come about
– What the title means
– Challenges of shooting
LINKS
Library of Virginia event
Charlie’s website
Link to the video on PBS
WRIC’s “Showcase” started a few years back, but was updated to a full one-hour show, when it launched September 8 with co-hosts Amie Carter & Melissa Chase. We had a lively discussion which includes:
– Their backgrounds and how they came to this show
– Melissa at Hamaganza
– Amie’s namesake
– Shooting in studio and on location
– Why it’s on mid-afternoon
– Planning their wardrobe
– The most interesting or unusual story
– How it’s different from other local news shows
– A character named Melissa Chase on Disney
LINKS
Showcase on WRIC
Showcase Facebook page
The Dirtwoman Documentary (with Melissa at Hamaganza)
David Crank is a Richmond-based film Production Designer. He was Oscar-nominated for “News of the World” in 2021 (there’s a link to that podcast below). His latest project was for “The Lost Bus (Apple TV),” which stars Matthew McConaughey as the bus driver who got a bus full of school children thru the horrific Camp Fire in 2018. We discuss:
– The origins of his last name
– Re-creating the interiors & exteriors
– Using 7 busses for the shoot
– Safety precautions for kids
– Working with McConaughey
– The real people who lived thru the fire
– Meeting Bad Bunny
LINKS
David’s website
Link to “The Lost Bus” on Apple TV
Our first podcast interview from 2022
Anthony’s doc on Paul Pope
My review of “The Lost Bus”
Joey Clift is a Los Angeles-based comedian, TV writer, director, Emmy-nominated producer and member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. His film “POW” is an animated short about a young native kid trying to charge his video game console at a powwow. He’s one of the featured directors at this year’s Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival (11/20-23), that presents projects from indigenous filmmakers from all over the world. We talk about:
– Where the Cowlitz Indian Tribe is
– How he got into storytelling
– Using 3 different animation styles
– Designing characters with different skin tones
– The community of native comedians
LINKS:
Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival
Joey Clift’s website Joey Clift “way too frequent podcast guest”
Joe’s “Gone Native” web series for Comedy Central
The first podcast with Peter and Francoise on the French Film Festival
Richmond Film Network Indie Fest (11/15)
Andrew D. Kaplan has made several documentaries about 19th century writers and “In Search of Edgar Allen Poe” is his latest. This extensive 3-hour doc is now streaming on PBS. We’ll talk about:
– His PhD in mass communications
– Acting as the on-camera narrator
– Touching up historical portraits
– Determining Poe’s accent for the voiceover
– Using Stephen Foster’s songs
– The Golden Age of illustration
– The mysterious man at his grave on Poe’s birthday
LINKS
In Search of Edgar Allan Poe on PBS
East Rock Films website
RONSTERBALMER Video Store Instagram page
My review of THE STUDIO
My review of YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
My review of BABY RAINDEER
Daniel Poler comes from Venezuela and Panama and his new film is coming to this year’s Virginia Film Festival (10/22-26). ESPINA is the film he made about and starring his best friend, Jonathan, who’s confined to a wheelchair. The movie explores the subject with an upbeat attitude. We discuss:
– How he got to the states
– When his filmmaking career began
– Creating fashion videos for designers like Prada, Carolina Herrera, Jason Woo and Saks
– Graduating from a doc to narrative
– The title’s meaning
– The surprise after the credits
LINKS
The Virginia Film Festival
Espina at the VFF
The documentary that Daniel produced about Jonathan
Daniel Poler’s website
Silent Movie Revival screening of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”
WRIR Fall Fund Drive
Jeff Rathner started his career shooting news at CBS6 right here in Richmond. He ultimately ended up in DC working for 36 years at the PBS Newshour. Our discussion includes:
– A wise mouth anchor at “PM Magazine”
– Sharing a cigar with Fidel Castro
– Covering Bill Clinton as his scandal started
– Putting a mic on Paul McCartney
– Sharing birthdays with Tom Hanks
– Getting a kiss from Baryshnikov
– The most challenging interviews
LINKS:|
Jeff’s IMDB page
The Rocky Horror report on CBS6 (that Jeff shot)
The 48 Hour Horror film Project (Oct 19 & 26)
“The American Miracle” is a docudrama inspired by Michael Medved’s book of the same title. It states that God’s “providential hand” intervened in the founding of the United States. Douglas B. Maddox had a number of jobs on the film, including producer. We discuss:
– Switching from physics to film in college
– How he got involved with this project
– Getting Pat Boone and Richard Dreyfuss
– Shooting in Virginia
– Visual effects to create crowds, snow and cold breath
– Results of the national screenings
LINKS
The American Miracle website
DBM Communications
Podcast with Al Underwood
Podcast with David Crank
IRL Movie Club
This is the 2nd year for the Inthrive Film Festival, which features the voices and talents of incarceration survivors. It’s coming to Richmond October 3-6 at various locations. We’ll meet the makers of 2 entries about the closing of prisons that take very different approaches. Ashley Hunt’s “And Water Brings Tomorrow” merges poetry and documentary, while Juicebox P. Burton’s short “Space to Breathe” is a futuristic look at life without prisons. Our discussion includes:
– Their backgrounds
– How water inspired the title
– A hybrid between doc and narrative
– Taking a futuristic approach to abolition
– Afro futurism design in the SFX and costumes
LINKS:
InThrive Festival
Virginia Film Festival
Belltower Pictures screenings
Bunt Young is a Richmond native who started his career as a cinematographer when he was still a teen. He’s worked on TV shows, motion pictures and commercials. We discuss:
– His affinity for impressions
– Differences between A camera, B camera, insert camera and more
– Getting fiery shots in the pit of a big race
– Landing the gig on Terrence Malick’s “The New World”
– Riding in the back seat with Jim Gaffigan
– Working with Mike Henry on a memorable commercial
– Cloris Leachman’s bold move
– Shooting with Amy Poehler before SNL
LINKS:
Bunt’s IMDB page
The Henry Brothers website features the Border Café commercial, some of the UCB clips and more (all of which Bunt shot, except the Friendly Farm spoof)
Podcast with Guy Spiller founder of BES Productions
Podcast with Bunt interviewing me as TVJerry
Richmonder Melody C. Roscher wrote and directed “Bird in Hand,” which she shot here. It follows Bird Rowe, a biracial bride-to-be who arrives unannounced at her hippie mother’s home to plan her wedding. The Virginia premiere will be at this year’s Richmond International Film Festival on 9/25 at 7pm at the Byrd. Our discussion includes:
– Her background in Richmond
– Going from wanting to be a zoologist to a filmmaker
– The experience at Sundance for her short film
– Where the idea for “Bird in Hand” originated
– The meaning of the title
– Casting Christine Lahti & James LeGros
– Showing her feature at Tribecca Festival
– Shooting in Virginia
LINKS
Richmond International Film Festival
My interview with Nicholas Colia (Griffin in Summer)
Cut & Run Video pop-up (Instagram)
Will Turner is the subject of the new documentary “Sierra 914,” which follows his extreme marathon event, where he swam, biked and ran 914 miles as a personal challenge. He’s joined by the film’s director Ryan Dugger. They talk about this incredible achievement and the grueling process for Will and the film crew:
– What started Will running
– How Ryan decided to shoot the doc
– Why it’s called Sierra 914
– How it was financed
– Will’s dedications to friends
– Why Will doesn’t wear headphones while running/biking
– Shooting for almost 24 hours
LINKS
RIFF (Richmond International Film Festival)
Trailer for Sierra 914
Sierra 914 website
Cat Video Fest 2025
Andrea Meyerson formed an online community of fellow lesbians during COVID, Women on the Net. She joined with director Kathryn L. Beranich to produce this documentary about this and the famous guests who were on the zoom group. “An Unexpected Community” will play at this year’s Virginia Queer Film Festival, which will run September 12 – 14 at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. We discuss:
– How the idea for the original show came about
– Shooting interviews all over the country
– Having famous comics and musicians on the zoom
– Funding the production
– Covering the big in-person meetup
– Challenges during post production
LINKS
Virginia Queer Film Festival
Women on the Net
The James River Film Society Silent Music Revival
“Griffin in Summer” is a coming-of-age feature about Griffin, a fourteen-year-old aspiring playwright (Everett Blunck). During the summer he tries to bring his ambitious artistic vision to life, while becoming enamoured by his mom’s handyman. It was shot in Virginia in 2023 and stars Melanie Lynskey (as mom) and Owen Teague (as the handyman). It also won the Founders Award for best U.S. narrative feature at last year’s prestigious Tribecca Film Festival. In our discussion we cover:
– How his own youth inspired the project
– Casting and working with young actors
– Finding Everett Blunck aka Griffin
– Casting Melanie Lynskey & Owen Teague
– Shooting in Virginia
– The response at Tribecca
LINKS
Griffin In Summer trailer
RFN’s Sonic Storytelling event
My review of “Pee-wee as Himself”
My review of “My Mom Jayne” (about Jayne Mansfield, as well as the Barbara Walters doc)
Reel Families for Change centers on work-life solutions that ensure career access and advancement for caregiving filmmakers, especially those who may be more vunerable or marginalized. Akima Brown is Founder and Executive Director of the organization and she explains the work they do:
– How this got started
– Her Virginia connection
– How inequity in production became real
– Informed consent protocols
– Why media access is important
LINKS
Reel Families website
Akima’s website
Beer, Beards &Broad: The Legacy of Admiral Zumwalt 8/ 4 in Norfolk
My review of “Washington Black”
“The Hitchhiker Effect” was produced in Virginia for under $20K. It features Michael Beardsley as a conspiracy theorist who struggles to understand paranormal events that begin when his neighbors drop by his remote cabin. He’s joined by the film’s writer/director Zack Van Eyck. The Virginia premiere will be at the Richmond Film Network’s day-long Indie Fest, noon, Saturday, 8/9 at The Park RVA. We’ll discuss:
– Zach’s first book in 6th grade
– Writing in Richmond
– Discovering the alien encounters that inspired the film
– Real experiences with a Ouija board
– Selling trees to finance the film
– Finding a Virginia actor
– Casting his mother and daughter
LINKS|
Richmond Film Network
Trailer for The Hitchhiker Effect
Making of the film video
Zack’s IMDB page
The Hitchhiker Effect IMDB page
Virginia Screenwriters Forum
My podcast on the Virginia Screenwriters Forum
After sold-out screenings at Charlottesville’s Indie Short Film Festival in March, “The Price of Resistance: Sala Udin, An American Agitator” will again be screened in Charlottesville on August 9, 7:30pm at Vinegar Hill Theatre. It will be paired with a companion documentary, “Uprooted,” that explores the displacement of a thriving Black neighborhood in Newport News. Today’s podcast features the directors of both films, Brandi Kallam and Ty Cooper and we discuss:
– How they found each other
– The story behind Sala Udin
– Why it was shot in B&W
– The importance of the FBI agent in the doc
– How she found the Johnsons
– Christopher Newport University’s involvement
LINKS
Indie Short Film Festival
My podcast with Annette Banks about “Freedom House Ambulance”
My podcast about Pine Grove School
My podcast with Ty Cooper on “Amanda”
After almost two years playing festivals, Northern Virginia director Joe Carabeo is releasing his “genre-bending cyberpunk noir revenge film” called Kira Vs Everyone. There will be a live YouTube watch party on November 18 at 7pm. Joe will be joined by gaffer Brian Sarvis and actor Ulysses Campbell and they discuss:
– Why the thugs have color names
– How Ulysses got cast
– Shooting in a parking deck
– Why there are red and blue lights
– The implied or out of focus violence
– Working with a fight director
– Where the series will go next
– The YouTube viewing party
LINKS
The teaser/trailer
To watch it live visit either of these sites:
joecarabeo.com
astrayproductions.com
OTHER LINKS
station 33
Previous podcast with Joe
Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival
Longtime Richmond actor/filmmaker Kahil Dotay wrote, directed and starred in his long-awaited film VAMPIRES IN VIRGINIA. Our discussion includes:
– My name in the credits
– What inspired him to set it in Virginia
– Why it took almost 10 years to complete
– How Tim Russ almost ended up directing
– Challenges to directing yourself
– Gun safety on set
– Shooting the nude scenes
– Special upcoming screening
Kahil has also has been in more than 200 movies and TV shows. This interview will continue in a few weeks, so he can tell us some of his stories as an actor.
LINKS
James River Short Film Showcase
Vampires in Virginia
Click here for event details
The special cast/crew screening is 11/16, 2:30pm with location to be announced.
Listeners and fans of TVJerry can get get tickets for 50% off for a limited time. These are only based on availability and are subject to selling out. Email: ticket@vampiresinvirginia.com and mention that you want the TVJerry 50% off discount.
This is the first major documentary on artist Georgia O’Keeffe since the 70s. Charlottesville filmmaker Paul Wagner directed the film and we have an interesting discussion about this fascinating woman, including:
– Why the film started in Basel, Switzerlan
– The meaning of the titl
– O’Keefe lived in Williamsburg and Charlottesvill
– 25,000 pages of letters between her and Alfred Stieglit
– Seeing O’Keeffe not wearing black and wearing makeu
– Getting Claire Danes and her husband Hugh Dancy to do the voiceover
– Using a graphic approach to the visual
– Her mental health issue
LIN
Virginia Film Festival (Oct 30 – Nov 3
Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light website
Paul Wagner Film
My podcast with the makers of Anahita se)KSssspzeed
In Your Ear is Richmond’s premiere sound facility. In addition to all manner of music and commercials, they regularly work on films and TV shows, often with stars who are visiting/working in Richmond. President and co-founder Carlos Chafin is joined by Chief Engineer Paul Bruski to talk about their work on some of these shows:
– How IYE sprang from Alpha Audio
– Using ADR & foley in movies
– Regular visitor Sissy Spacek
– Working with Anthony Hopkins
– Sharing cigars with Ridley Scott
– Claire Danes talks about IYE on Jimmy Fallon
– Mike Henry recording Family Guy– A studio made them install a camera to safeguard their recordings
– Why they have a box of dirt in 2 studios
– Working on a movie that just came out
LINKS:
In Your Ear
Modern Richmond’s tour of TILT
BK Fulton’s podcast
Songs From The Hole was the inspiration of JJ’88, who at 15 took a life. While serving a double-life prison sentence, he wrote the songs that become the genesis of this unique documentary visual album. It’s part of the InThrive Festival, which celebrates the voices and talents of incarceration survivors, and runs Oct 18 – 19 at First Baptist Church. The discussion with JJ’88 and the director Contessa Gayles includes:
– How Contessa got involved
– The story behind the characters
– Why this approach instead of regular “talking head” doc
– Using animation and other visual elements
– The complex combo of real people and actors
– Winning the SXSW Vision Audience Award
– A background on the festival
LINKS
InThrive Film Festival (Richmond event)
Songs from the Hole website
Virginia Film Festival
My review of the Offer (about making of The Godfather)
IATSE is the union that represents more than 168,000 technicians in the entertainment industry. Today’s show features Dave O’Ferrall, the Business Agent for IATSE Local 487. Our discussion includes:
– What IATSE is and what the acronym stands for
– How are they different from the Teamsters
– The financial and other benefits added to the new contract
– What’s involved with “Turnaround”
– How IATSE functions in a right-to-work state
LINKS
Website for IATSE Local 487
The trailer for the Bowman Body doc
SOLITUDE is a horror thriller that revolves around one woman who’s living alone in the wilderness for a survival competition show…with a supernatural twist. The world premiere will be September 21st at the Byrd Theatre. Today’s show features 3 of the creatives, Jeremy Brown, Mick Strawn and Dalton Pope and we discuss:
– Their previous Friday the 13th fan film
– What is Brownspace Films
– Where the idea originated
– Shooting in the woods for the entire project
– The Windigo!
– The cast member from ALONE that’s in this film
– The parallel story shot in Richmond
– The acting challenges for Sam Wren Vincent (the lead)
– A surprising answer for the photo of her daughter
LINKS:
The Byrd Theatre premiere tickets (Sat, 9/21)
Solitude trailer
Brownspace Films
Friday the 13th Vengeance (fan film)
The Magic of Horror Festival (Facebook page)
The Magic of Horror Festival (tickets)
SATURN is a sci-fi drama about a mysterious planet that appears in the sky on a crash course to earth. It follows a young father, who must decide between his family and saving the world. The world premiere is featured at the opening of this year’s Richmond International Film Festival on Tue 9/24 at the Byrd Theatre. Director Eric Esau & producer Douglas Haines talk about:
– The inspiration for this film
– The incredible talent of 7 year old Elijah Maximus
– Creating the visual effects
– Were the locations real or CGI?
– COVID showed up while shooting
– Shooting challenges on the beach
LINKS
Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF)
Saturn website
Richmond Folk Festival documentary on VPM
Mary, Her Journey from Pain to Purpose tells the story of Mary Almay, who transititioned at age 58. The documentary features interviews with her and others about the process and the politics of transgender life. It will screen at the 2nd annual Virginia Queer Film Festival in at Old Dominion University campus in Norfolk from Friday, 9/20 thru Sun 9/22. We discuss:
– Why there’s a period at end of movie’s title
– The decision not to use imagery before the transition
– Throwing herself to the crocodiles
– Why Andy Warhol is credited
– The surprise response from the straight community
LINKS
Virginia Queer Film Festival
SLA Video Productions
Call Me Miss Cleo (on Lifetime)
TAPAWINGO was shot in Virginia and features Jon Heder, best known as Napoleon Dynamite, in the lead and Amanda Burse as his mom. She’s had an extensive career as an actor and director, most notably as Marcy D’Arcy for 11 seasons on Married With Children. They’re joined by director Dylan K. Narang to talk about this unique film that’s showing at this year’s Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF). Our discussion includes:
– The name for the production company Foggy Bottom Pictures
– Responding to the inevitable comparisons to Napoleon Dynamite– Why shoot it in Virginia
– Editing the film long distance
– Amanda: Her suggestions for script changes
– Amanda: Her first movie role in 40 years
– Amanda: Acting with John Ratzenberger
– Jon: Enjoying Richmond
– Jon: Working with Gina Gershon & Billy Zane
LINKS
Richmond International Film Festival
Podcast with Rex Teese
Rocky Horror Picture Show tour with Patricia Quinn
This is the first of 3 interviews featuring films at this year’s Richmond International Film Festival (Sep 24 – 29).
Nelson Tracey wrote and directed Breakup Season, about a couple whose relationship ends on a Christmas family visit. The boyfriend is played by Chandler Riggs (best known as the son on The Walking Dead) and his girlfriend was played by Samantha Isler (Teen Molly in Molly’s Game and one of the daughters in Captain Fantastic). My interview is with Nelson, as well as the 2 actors who played Chandler’s siblings, Carly Stewart and Jacob Wysocki. Since they provide much of the comedy in this drama, their interview is lots of fun, including:
– The fascination with La Grande, Oregon (NOT La Grange)
– Inspiration for trains, vegetarianism & hatchet throwing
– Chandler and Samantha’s “love scene”
– Creating the Tik Tok dance
– Those Christmas PJs
LINKS:
Richmond International Film Festival
The Ashland Theatre
My Ashland Theatre podcast
Alex Martin is founder and CEO of Digital Video Group, an industry leading supplier and system integrator of broadcast and production systems. Our lively discussion includes:
– How he ended up in the biz
– His band and where they played
– What exactly DVG does
– How big is the company
– Some of the coolest installations in LA, NYC and DC
– How tech has changed the business
– Getting involved with Shockoe Records and Shockoe Sessions
LINKS
Digital Video Group
Shockoe Records
Shockoe Sessions Live
This Room Sounds Great (Shockoe Sessions Live Podcast)
RVA Documentary Group
Mike Taylor started his career as a producer in LA, but ended up back on the East Coast, where he started his own production company. Eventually, he ended up back in Richmond, where he decided to write and direct his first feature, There Is a Monster. We’ll discuss:
– Working “swing gang” for a Steven Segal film
– What he did for Disney
– The award-winning shorts he produced for Showtime
– When he decided to create his own feature
– Finding the locations
– Creating the visual effects for the “monster”
LINKS
Mike Taylor’s website
There is a Monster website
804 Day
NOTE: I said 804 Day is is Saturday, but it’s Friday 8/2.
This two-parter features Brandon and Brandi:
Part One:
Brandon Adams is the host of the Emmy award-winning series The Life Of A Musician on PBS Appalachia. It features small house concerts and interview with acoustic musicians. We’ll talk about:
– Where the idea come from
– How he finds artists
– Deciding between concerts and interviews
– The short history of year-old PBS Appalachia
– Selecting the venue and crowds
– Attending the Emmy ceremony
Part Two:
Calvin Fields is also know by his drag name, Brandi. This Emporia VA native had a small part in the new film National Anthem (my review). He discusses:
– When he started doing drag
– How he get cast
– Working with Charlie Plummer
– The dress and makeup
LINKS
The Life of a Musician (Brandon’s website)
The Life of a Musician (PBS site)
Calvin “Brandi” Fields on Facebook
Deb Freeman is an award-winning writer, specializing in Black foodways throughout America, particularly in Virginia. She also hosts Setting the Table, a critically-acclaimed podcast that explores Black culinary history. Deb is now working on a documentary about famed influential Black chef Edna Lewis. It’s starting as a series of shorts on VPM’s YouTube channel and will evolve into a full-length doc to be released in February. Our topics include:
– Being named a “snailblazer” by Slow Food USA
– How she discovered Edna Lewis
– Being a guest for On Chasing Flavor with Carla Hall
– Preparing a dinner to honor Edna at the Roosevelt
– How the full-length doc will be different from the episodes
– Her article “Vegan is the new Black”
LINKS
The first episode will premiere on the VPM Culture YouTube Channel Friday, July 19
Deb’s website
Chasing Flavor featuring Deb (Ep. 4)
Podcast on Picturing the Obamas with Hannah Ayers
Richmond 48 Hour Film Project
Vivian Owen has been a screenwriter, script supervisor and producer for several years and is currently working on 2 features, both thrillers. We’ll get into some of the specifics of these on-set jobs while looking at her new projects, including:
– Frenchy Waters & Booger Sugar
– The responsibilities of a script supervisor
– Difference between Executive Producer, Producer and Production Manager
– Her job as a Post Production Supervisor
– Producing Saturnalia with Max Fischer
– Her personal project, Occult Detective
LINKS:
Vivian’s IMDB
Frenchy Waters
Trailer for Booger Sugar
Trailer for The Drove (screening at RIFF)
Max’s Gearhead Camera
Saturnalia Instagram: @saturnalia_film
Alan Sader is best known for his 23 years as the spokesperson for Christian Children’s Fund (later renamed ChildFund). He’s also had an extensive career on stage and screen. We talk about his past adventures and his plans for a future series of staged readings with actors he’s never had an opportunity to work with. It’s titled “A Few More For the Road—Alan Sader’s Bucket List” and will be presented July 20 & 21 at Richmond Triangle Players. Admission is free, but donations are suggested. Our discussion includes:
– How he came to own the Tidewater Dinner Theatre
– How he prepped the audition for the Christian Children’s Fund
– Why they were told to stay away from the kids in these countries
– Reactions to the satirical SNL sketch
– Using an ear prompter
– Being the villain on a Christian soap opera
– Auditioning for Barbra Streisand for The Prince of Tides
– Michelle Williams’ negative reaction to him on Dawson’s Creek
– Andy Griffith almost cut him out of Matlock
– How his cancer diagnosis inspired his “Bucket List”
Remembering Gene Wilder looks at the comic actor’s films, including interviews with Mel Brooks, Alan Alda and Harry Connick, Jr. It played Richmond as part of the Weinstein JCC’s Israeli & Jewish Film Festival last January. Since it just dropped on Netflix, I’m “remembering” my interview with Ron Frank (billed as the director) & Glenn Kirschbaum (writer). Topics include:
– Mel Brooks and his great stories
– Why Harry Connick. Jr.?
– Using Wilder’s own voiceover
– Finding hilarious outtakes from Young Frankenstein
– The Alzheimer’s connection
LINKS
Remembering Gene Wilder (Netflix)
48HR Film Project
Paul Serwitz has made his career as a film buyer, including 25 years for Regal Cinemas and most recently, President and COO of Landmark Theatres. He’s now consulting as a distributor for Roadside Attractions and has lots of interesting insights into the biz of buying and distributing films, including.
– Outlook for 2025 and beyond
– Upcoming films from CinemaCon
– Musical trailers with no music
– Theatrical windows
– The 4-audience quadrants
– How movies are marketed now
– Why horror movies open almost every week
– What is Day and Date releasing
– Attending the Oscars
LINKS
Good 4 Her (film screening)
Donald Silverman spent his years in Richmond as a producer/director for numerous commercials and videos. He recently published a book titled Oddball Thoughts, a collection of random thoughts and observations. We’ll look back at the flush days of the production industry plus:
– How he happened into directing commercials
– Creating spots for Howard Stern
– Going to school with Billy Crystal
– Getting into the stock footage business
– The “Other Donald” campaign
– Becoming a painter
– Why he wrote a book (plus an excerpt)
LINKS
Donald’s book ODDBALL THOUGHTS on Amazon
Donald’s painting website
Chrissy Offutt’s podcast
In UNFROSTED Bailey Sheetz is discovered by Jerry Seinfeld’s character in a dumpster eating what would become a Pop-Tart. This young actor has a funny part in the new Netflix hit that was written, directed and stars Jerry Seinfeld. Our lively interview covers much more than any of the local print stories, including:
– His relationship to the gas station/restaurant with the same last name
– His love of antiques, esp. vacuum cleaners
– Being called “an old soul” on Big Little Shots with Melissa McCarthy
– His first role as the voice of a squirrel for Apple
– Working with Seinfeld, McCarthy and Jim Gaffigan
– Flying on top of a truck
– Almost getting strangled by a candy necklace
LINKS
My review of UNFROSTED
Podcast on Pine Grove School
The vacuum cleaner episode was on How to with John Wilson, Season 3, Ep 4 of (my 5-star review)
Paul Serwitz has made his career as a film buyer, including Regal Cinemas for 25 years and most recently, President and COO of Landmark Theatres. He’s now consulting as a distributor on a new comedy opening this weekend called Summer Camp. Paul will talk about that movie, but he’s also got lots of interesting insights into the biz of buying and distributing films.
– The difference between buying & booking a film
– The sliding scale and bidding process for film rentals
– Negotiating with film companies to get the right films in the right cinemas
– How Landmark Cinemas is different and how they coped with Covid
– Why art house theaters are suffering
On Part 2, he’ll talk about booking issues for various genres, what’s coming in 2024 and going to Oscars.
LINKS
Summer Camp trailer
Ray Bentley’s podcast about the Midnight Movies
Joe Masher podcast Part One
Joe Masher podcast Part Two
My review of Anyone But You
DANVILLE 1963, LEGACY OF A MOVEMENT is a documentary featuring first-hand accounts of the peaceful Civil Rights protest in Danville on June 10, 1963, that was met with shocking violence by the local police department. It became known as Bloody Monday and was an event that would shape Civil Rights history. There’s a free screening at the Library of Virginia on June 6 from 5:30 to 8:30pm with a panel discussion. Producer Jonathan Parker talks about making the doc.
LINKS
Register for the Virginia Library screening
Where else you can watch THE MOVEMENT
THE MOVEMENT trailer
Parker Productions
Our History Matters
BEYOND WILDER DREAMS is a new film about L. Douglas Wilder, who was the first Black governor in the country. There’s already one documentary about his political career, but this one puts the emphasis on his personal experiences, including his painting skills. I’m joined by writer/director Brian Bullock and DP Ryan Pace.
LINKS
The trailer for BEYOND WILDER DREAMS
Wilder: An American First (the 2006 doc from PBS)
Hidden History with Brian Bullock
Pine Grove School served Black students in Cumberland County from 1917 to 1964. Since then, it’s been restored, but is now being threatened by a proposed mega-landfill nearby. Janelle Proulx and Tyler Kirby from Departure Point Films worked with Muriel Miller Branch from the school’s Board of Directors and UVA’s School of Law to create a short documentary about the school’s past and the upcoming challenges. Topics include:
-An explanation of Departure Point Films
– How and why UVA was involved
– The challenges of production, including no electricity
– Shooting photos in an unusual style
– The fight against the new nearby landfill
LINKS
The documentary website
AMMD Pine Grove Project
Departure Point Films
Good for Her Screening
My podcast on the Central Lunatic Asylum for Colored Insane
My podcast with Hannah & Lance re: Picturing the Obamas
Mark Lambert got his break in special effects when he developed proprietary rendering software for Pixar. He went on to create visual effects for numerous movies. More recently, he’s pivoted to work in virtual reality, which has taken him around the world to shoot incredible footage. Our discussion is crammed with interesting info, including:
– Creating “flying type” for Oprah
– Developing proprietary rendering software for Pixar
– How Air Force One get him “bit by the bug”
– Breaking his arm in a Buddhist temple
– An upcoming project with The Poe Museum
– Creating the 3-headed dog for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
– Photo-realistic animation in “The Polar Express”
– Designing a talking wolf for “The Chronicles of Narnia”
– Keeping the crew out of 360-degree virtual reality
– Shooting from the top of the Burj Khalifa
– Working with veterans for VR therapy
LINKS
LighthouseXR
VArtisans
My podcast with Craig Martin on The Good Road
Al Underwood teaches a class called Thespian Equestrian, which helps actors learn how to handle horses. He pairs up with Liquid Talent for these classes and there’s a link to the next session below. Our discussion includes:
– How the concept came about
– Getting into horses in the Army
– Parading with William Shatner
– Getting a dog to ride a horse (see foto)
– Horses for The Patriot
– The new Cinematic Cowboy class
LINKS
Liquid Talent (next classes May 24 & 25)
Sina Khani is a Tehran-born filmmaker and a VCU grad student who’s already made his first feature film, TELL THE WIND TOO. He’ll be presenting it on May 3 as part of the First Features Screening Series that showcases emerging filmmakers at the ICA. We’ll talk about:
– How he went from math to movies
– Why he chose to shoot in black & white
– How color grading made a difference
– Working with a donkey
– Using a “Zolly” shot
LINKS
Sina Khani screening at ICA
48 Hour Film Project – Richmond
Podcast with Cocoa Brown (The Big Door Prize)
Yossera Bouchtia is a Moroccan-American filmmaker who teaches at VCU. Three of her shorts will be screened at this year’s James River Film Festival on Sunday, April 14 at the VMFA. This is the 30th year of the Festival, which features foreign, indie and experimental films. It runs at various venues all over town from April 11-14 and finishes up on the 20th. We’ll discuss:
– How she got to the US and why she stayed
– Shooting Afri, The Coming Night in an old Club Med in Morocco
– Creating an otherworldly planet
– The autobiographical elements in I Am Selma
– How the film’s surprise ending came about
– Discovering the unappreciated woman scientist for Into The Void
– Finding the ideal 50s home for the shoot
LINKS
James River Film Festival (April 11 – 20)
Yossera’s website
Even with the strikes, Virginia had some production activity in 2023. Andy Edmunds, Director of the Virginia Film Office, makes his annual visit to talk about last year and what’s coming up in 2024, including:
– How we made it thru the strikes
– The comedy shot here starring Melanie Lynskey
– What a strike waiver involves
– How our film incentives compare to other states
– Ways the film office helps famous people coming here
– Our state’s popular promotion at Location Expos
– A mystery movie that starts production soon (identified!)
– A promising screenplay
Tom Belgrey was born and raised in Richmond, but moved away for his career, which included numerous movies and TV shows. We discuss:
– Acting on every soap opera but one
– Auditioning in NYC and LA while living here
– Making Spielberg laugh on the set of Lincoln
– Using a variety of accents from German to Russian to Australian
– Playing foreign villains so many times
– Sitting a limo in Rome with Bob Dylan’s son
– Meeting Sir Richard Attenborough on Chaplin
– What he and Will Farrell have in common
– Being an 8-foot worm on Star Trek Next Generation
LINKS:
Tom’s IMDB page
Byrd Theatre (Ghibli Fest)
Donna Bailey runs ProPrompting, a company that provides teleprompting services for TV, movies and speeches. We talk about:
– How she got into prompting
– Those “sneeze guard” prompter for speeches
– The one client she’d refuse to work for
– Working with Tom Hanks, Rob Reiner, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Dick Clark and Lily Tomlin
– Turning down Matthew McConaughey
– The governor practicing with his spittoon
– Prompting for Barack & Michelle Obama two times|
LINKS
ProPrompting
Dave Park Video
Ampersand International Arts Festival
PJ Sykes, Jeff Roll and Shane Brown have launched CinemaNiche, a film group that presents movies in the Studio Two Three’s newly occupied building in Manchester. Their next screening is March 8 with the documentary Sisters with Transistors, celebrating International Women’s Day with a look at the women who were involved in the early days of electronic music. Jeff and PJ talk about:
– What led them to this venture
– The expertise each of them brings
– The meaning of the name
– Buying a new sound system and special projector
– Prepping the screen with paint that costs $100 a can
– About the screening of Sisters with Transistors
– How they’re different from the Bijou Cinema
– BONUS: Their new logo was to be unveiled at the March 8 screening, but they allowed SIFTER to preview it here!
LINKS
CinemaNiche screening on March 8
CinemaNiche Facebook
Sisters with Transistors (movie website)
PJ Sykes Mixcloud
PJ Sykes website
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Tom Sanchez Prunier lives in Richmond and works as a location manager or location assistant on films and TV series shot in the area. He’s also written and directed some film shorts, written poetry and created a YouTube channel that features diecast cars. Our discussion includes:
– Getting into the business
– Location scouting is more than finding a site
– Protecting a $1million piano for Mercy Street
– Hanging with zombies on The Walking Dead
– What is Spork Syndicate
LINKS
Tom on IMDb
Tom on Vimeo
Spork Syndicate on YouTube
Sisters with Transistors screening on March 8
Crissy Offutt worked in Richmond’s production community before heading out to LA, where she was involved with lots of shows and people. Most notably, she was an enjoyable side character in Denise Richards’ reality show. She’s got lots of dish (and a few expletives), including:
– An office encounter with Rob Reiner
– Buying guitars for the Naked Brothers Band
– Hanging with Matt Bomer at her dog’s birthday party
– Adopting Denise Richards’ pigs for It’s Complicated
– Gene Simmons crawling over Denise to meet Crissy
– Attending a Super Bowl party at the Playboy Mansion
– Being in Celebrity Fit Club and Housewives of the CIA
– Smoking with Jennifer Anniston, Katherine Keener and Drew Barrymore
– Brad Pitt’s grandmother vs Christine’s grandmother
– Her puppeteer husband on Friends
– Keeping her olives from Kelsey Grammer
Nikki Giovanni is one of the world’s best known Black poets. She became famous in the 60s as part of the Black Arts Movement and went on to write more than 2 dozen volumes of poetry and 11 illustrated children’s books. She’s received the NAACP Image Award seven times and has taught at Virginia Tech from 1987 until she retired in 2022. We talk about the new documentary about her that’s on Max, GOING TO MARS: THE NIKKI GIOVANNI PROJECT:
– Why a trip to Mars can be understood by Black women
– Who determined the artistic design and concept of the film?
– Getting Taraji Henson to read the narration
– Watching her interviews from the 70s
– Lighting James Baldwin’s cigarette during a TV interview
– Why she refused to answer a question
LINKS:
Nikki’s website
Going to Mars (on Max)
The poem that Paula wrote for Nikki
Screening of CURRENT, A Descendant’s Journey for Truth at the Library of Virginia
and here’s a poster with the dates/times for the other screenings in Virginia.
Driving Madeleine takes a charming cab ride with a 93-year-old woman headed to her nursing home. Christian Carion is the director of the film, which goes deeper into drama than expected. He talked with me from Paris:
– Transitioning from being a farmer to a director
– How the friendship of Dany Boon and Line Renaud helped during the shoot
– Line sang “Relaxez-vous” with Dean Martin in Las Vegas
– Shooting the cab scenes in “The Volume” (new technology)
– Casting the younger version with different color eyes
– Shooting the flashbacks in a reference to American films
– How he used Barnard Herrman’s music to set the mood
– The dance sequence that ends the film
– Showing Spielberg’s DUEL at the screening of his movie
LINKS
Driving Madeleine at Movieland
My review of Driving Madeleine
Line Renaud sings Relaxez-vous with Dean Martin
This clip features stills from the Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis movie You’re Never Too Young, but the song was deleted from the film.)
Indie Short Film Festival (in C’ville)
This is a double featuring 2 entries at this year’s Richmond International Film Festival (9/26 – 10/1). Rick Wallace was a producer on L.A. Law & Hill Street Blues and EP on The Closer & Major Crimes. He talks about the new film DOUBLE DOWN SOUTH, which he produced with writer/director Tom Schulman (Oscar winner for Dead Poet’s Society). We cover:
– How he started on Hill Street Blues
– Working on this film with friend Tom Schulman
– Keno Pool and why it’s illegal
– Shooting on real plantations
– Teaching the cast to play pool
Richmonder Justin Geldzahler offers insight into GLUE TRAP, which he wrote and directed in his family cabin. We discuss:
– What he does as “script and continuity”
– Writing the election scenes for Succession
– Watching a rehearsal of Fosse/Verdon
– Where he got the idea for Glue Trap
– Working without water
– His western recognized by GLAD
LINKS
48 HR Film Horror Project
Richmond International Film Festival
Justin Geldzahler’s Website
Larry King reads Justin’s mean tweet
RIFF screening teaser featuring the classic Byrd anti-littering trailer
BK Fulton is Founding Chairman and CEO of Souldifly Productions right here in Richmond. The company specializes in uplifting stories for film, stage and books. Bk talks about:
– What famous actor he’s named after
– Transitioning from Verizon to producing
– Upcoming THE KILL ROOM with Uma Thurman & Samuel L. Jackson
– Tony-nominated revival of THE PIANO LESSON
– National tour of THE WIZ
– A new musical about August Wilson that he co-wrote
LINKS:
Soulidifly Productions
Freedom’s Path (opens nationwide 9/8)
The Wiz (starts national tour in Baltimore 9/23)
The Richmond.com article about Richmonder Nichelle Lewis (playing Dorothy in The Wiz)
The Kill Room (opens nationwide 9/28)
Come with Me (song from From August with Love)
VPM’s YouTube Channel (The Music Scene
Email Mason Mills for details mmills@vpm.org.
Andrea Detwiler has been involved with puppets since graduating from VCU. She’s worked on projects for Sesame Street, Jim Henson Studios and two new Star Wars series. In contrast, there’s a GWAR connection. We cover:
– Working at Kings Dominion with the “walkarounds”
– Starting at Sesame Street Live
– The “skins” department for Walking with Dinosaurs
– Being a wrangler for Kermit on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
– Working on Happy Time Murders
– Being a “suit performer” in Obi-Wan Kenobi
– Animatronics vs. puppets and other technology
LINKS
48 Hour Film Project
Bob Gorman’s website
Moschino Marionette Fashion Show (begins at :59)
My review of Cabinet of Curiosities
Terry Rea was the first manager of Richmond’s iconic repertory cinema, The Biograph from 1972 to 1987, bringing all manner of foreign and art film to its Grace St location near VCU (see foto below of the location). Terry joins me to reminisce about:
– Developing the concept of repertory shows
– Creating the iconic calendars
– Launching midnight movies, including The Rocky Horror craze
– Showing Deep Throat and other X rated films
– Fighting the state on censorship
– Famous people who visited including Tom Wolfe, Martin Sheen & Elizabeth Taylor
– Finding a dead man in the theater
LINKS
My Rocky Horror video story for CBS6
Interview with Tyler Trumbo (Phil’s nephew)
My first review in the Richmond Times-Dispatch (below)
In August 2009, John Heidel and his wife, Kristina, opened The Goochland Drive-In Theater. It’s been going strong since then, propelled by their love of movies and a modernized movie-going experience. John takes for a tour that includes:
– How and why they wanted to open a drive-in
– Defying the nay sayers, including the banks and realtors
– What’s different about the experience now
– The solutions to car battery drain and mosquitos
– The viewing options: Main Screen and The Grove
– Why tickets are only available online
– Fun special programming
LINKS:
Goochland Drive-In
Their Facebook page
Fathom Events
My review of AIR
Anahita fled Afghanistan in August 2021 with her 5 children. This documentary features her interview as she explains her plight, then follows her as she creates a new life in the US. Director Martin Montgomery and Belltower Films producer David Power discuss:
– What inspired this story
– How they found Anahita
– Matt Lively’s illustrations helped tell the story
– Working with a translator for interviews and editing
– Shooting in snowy Minnesota
Local nonprofit ReEstablish Richmond is hosting a premiere screening of “Anahita – a Mother’s Journey” at the Byrd Theatre on Sunday, April 23 at 7 p.m. A portion of proceeds will go towards the group’s work to support refugees and immigrants in our city.
LINKS:
Link to tickets for the showing at the Byrd
Belltower Pictures
Martin Montgomery’s website
WRIR’s Fund Drive is April 19 – 29. Click here to donate.
The 29th annual James River Film Fest runs from April 20 – 23. This week’s show is another triple feature with:
– Ben Cronly, new Executive Director of the Byrd Theatre Foundation talking about the changes and the future of the Byrd
– Susan Donnelly (director) & Ted Salins (DP/co-editor) of ALLIANCE a doc about a farming community in New Jersey founded by immigrant Russian Jews in the 1800s
– Kevin Hosmann, director of THE ALBUM, a doc featuring artists who created iconic record album covers
LINKS:
Byrd Theatre video with former Executive Director Gibson Worsham
James River Film Festival
Podcast with Craig Martin and Earl Bridges from The Good Road
This week’s show is a triple feature.
1. Jasmine Elmore from Oakwood Arts talks about their documentary workshops and monthly film society
2. Director Dave Hobbs and actor Chris Korkalo discuss their new indie film THE MARDI GRAS MAN, which was just at Movieland last weekend (and has upcoming viewings in other areas of the state)
3. VPM’s new docuseries is called LIFE IN THE HEARTLAND and we’ll talk with Director Lysandra Petersson and Executive Producer Mason Mills
LINKS:
Oakwood Arts
Email for Jasmine Elmore (questions re: East End Film Society)
Mardi Gras Man Facebook page
VPM’s Life in the Heartland
Andy Umberger was born in Portsmouth, went to VCU and ended up in New York on Broadway before moving to LA, where’s he’s appeared in more than 100 movies and TV shows. Our lively discussion includes:
– His Broadway credits including City of Angels, Passion & Company
– His wife played Christine in Phantom of the Opera
– His first gig on The Drew Carey Show
– The difference between a Guest Star & a co-star
– All the makeup as D’Hoffryn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
– The hilarious story about Cloris Leachman on Malcolm in the Middle
– Being January Jones’ shrink on Mad Men
– Being Connie Britton’s gynecologist
– Playing yet another doc on Friends
– Getting bloody in Waco
– Working with Ben Affleck & Jean Smart on The Accountant
– Judging on Perry Mason
– Intimidated by Oliver Stone
LINKS
Andy’s Website
Little Mermaid Challenge
Mardi Gras Man (showing at Movieland April 2 & 3)
Richmonder Rex Teese has worked in the editing department for major films and TV series. We discuss:
– How a fateful car ride turned into his career
– Starting as a projectionist
– Creating videos for Carbon Leaf
– Post producer on The Bronx is Burning
– Working for Ridley Scott & getting a personal narration
– How Director’s cuts came about
– Editing on the AMC series Kevin Can Fck Himself
– Dailies supervisor on Walking Dead: World Beyond*
LINKS
Rex’s IMDB page
Carbon Leaf website
Kirk Schroder Podcast
Richmond native Caroline Aaron is best known for her role as Shirley Maisel in Amazon’s Primetime Emmy Award-winning series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (which enters its 4th and final season on April 15). She’s also the featured speaker at the Adolf-Adams JCC Forum on March 16. This 2nd episode of our 2-part discussion includes:
– A look at her mother, Richmond icon & activist Nina Abady
– Getting cast in Maisel thanks to her daughter’s love of Gilmore Girls
– Wearing a girdle and garters as Shirley Maisel
– The challenges of Maisel’s long dialogue sequences
– Her one-woman play that became a movie
– Her reaction to the changes on Monument Avenue
– Shooting a sitcom in Israel with Henry Winkler
– Playing a character in the video game Fallout
– Seeing Lea Michele in Funny Girl
LINKS:
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
Tickets for Caroline’s evening in Richmond
Richmond native Caroline Aaron is best known for her role as Shirley Maisel in Amazon’s Primetime Emmy Award-winning series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (which enters its 4th and final season on April 15). She’s also the featured speaker at the Adolf-Adams JCC Forum on March 16. The first episode of our 2-part discussion includes:
– Shooting the Wonder Wheel sequence and funnel cakes
– Getting in teen trouble with her best friend
– Losing her Southern accent
– Auditioning for Robert Altman with Cher
– Getting cast by Mike Nichols for Heartburn
– Working with Woody Allen in movies & Broadway
– Being a Guest Artist on popular TV shows
– The relative she bases Shirley Maisel on
(There’s lots more about Mrs. Maisel next time)
LINKS:
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
Tickets for Caroline’s evening in Richmond
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline was to run from West Virginia to North Carolina thru Virginia, but was cancelled in 2020 thanks partly to the opposition from localities affected by it. This year’s Richmond Environmental Film Festival will feature a video about Nelson County’s response. We’ll discuss:
– How it was started
– Why the approach to the doc is so basic
– What well-known Virginians wrote and performed the theme song
– More about the festivals free screenings
LINKS:
RVA Environmental Film Festival (To volunteer join their mailing list and indicate that on the form)
The first episode of Friends of Nelson: Lessons Learned
Trailer for Lessons Learned
Bad Sisters
Pachinko
Wild Cat podcast
IFC’s YouTube Channel (Independent Spirit Awards 3/4
Steve Lack is a sound designer, mixer, engineer and composer. He started his career in LA for shows like Seinfeld and Who’s the Boss and later moved to DC to work on documentaries, including How It’s Made, Myth Hunters, Shark Week and the Puppy Bowl IX. He now makes his home in Richmond and has great stories to tell, including:
– What is a re-recording mixer and a dialogue editor
– Being the music production director on Seinfeld
– Creating “soundalikes” on Who’s the Boss?
– Running into Tony Danza on the street
– Working for The Puppy Bowl
– Converting TV shows to podcasts
– Difference between a sync master and a music license
– Tips for podcasters
LINKS
Steve’s website
Steve’s IMDB page
Ampersand International Arts Festival
Shows we discussed:
Our Body Politic
Your Honor (my review of Season 1, which is much more gripping than Season 2)
The Last of Us
Mayfair Witches
John Mitchell Jr. founded The Daily Planet in 1904 to chronicle life in Richmond’s Black community. This week’s show features people behind the making of BIRTH OF A PLANET, a documentary about Mitchell and his newspaper: Sylvester Tucker, the Director and Jack Nester, the Producer. The doc will air on VPM Feb 28 at 9pm. We discussed:
– What is Tilt?
– How this project started as a mural
– Challenges of stock photos and film
– Choosing Daniel Jones for the VO
– Premiering for the Mitchells at Lily Black (and what that means)
LINKS:
Tilt Creative
Website for Birth of a Planet (with option to view the doc free)
VPM (showing the doc at 9pm on 2/28)
The Magic Shed
Michigan Hell House debuts February 19 on the Travel Channel and streaming on Discovery+. This house has one of the most documented and violent paranormal cases in history and we’re featuring 4 people who were involved in the re-enactments that were shot here: director Kevin Hirshberger and 3 actors: Kera O’Bryon, Brian Landis and Chris Korkalo:
We discuss:
– The history behind the house
– How this gig came about
– If they believe in ghosts
– Creating their characters
– Getting into the 70s
– Staging a realistic house fire
LINKS
Discovery Channel with a link to the show
Higgins Ridge | Montana PBS (Chris’ father’s doc about smoke jumpers)
IMDB links to the actors
Kevin Hersberger
Kera O’Bryon
Brian Landis
Chris Korkalo
Shows we discussed
Slow Horses
Wednesday
Avatar: The Way of Water
The Big Conn (not reviewed)
Virginian Gene Poe spent most of his career as an extra in movies and TV. In this second episode he covers:
– Working on Ellen, including the famous “coming out” episode
– Standing in for Anthony Hopkins on Thor
– Kenneth Branagh climbed onto his chest
– How he got seats for extras on sets
– Being in bed with Ann Margaret
– Sneaking in to meet Lucille Ball
– Working on numerous soap operas
– Being pregnant on Alien Nation
– Playing Audie Murhpy in Raging Bull
– His pursuit of painting
LINKS
Lights/Camera/Jobs
Gene’s website (with lots of paintings)
Gene’s IMDB page
My review of Amsterdam
Inspector Montelbano
In case you missed it, here’s Gene’s first interview
Virginian Gene Poe spent most of his career as an extra in movies and TV. He recounts numerous experiences including:
– Posing for Playgirl Magazine
– Being a hand model on 1000+ commercials
– Being in a porno…or not
– Getting cast in the first Star Trek movie by Robert Wise
– Playing an American hippie in Fellini’s “Roma”
– Being Corin Redgrave’s dresser in London
– Spending 2 weeks with Andy Warhol after meeting him on “The Love Boat”
Part 2 will feature additional stories about working on Ellen (5 years), Anthony Hopkins’ stand-in for Thor, playing Audie Murphy in Raging Bull and more.
LINKS
Gene’s website (with lots of paintings)
Gene’s IMDB page
Andy Edmunds, Director of the Virginia Film Office, kicked off the first podcast last year and he’s back to look at productions in 2022 and what’s coming up, including:
– How “super tourists with a payroll” worked during COVID
– Movies, TV shows & commercials shot here in 2022
– The Golden Globes
– Two interns who went on to great things
– Two incredible stories about the making of The New World
– Making Donnie Darko a hit
– Building a Ukrops Grocery Store in Boston
– Shooting an HBO series at Reagan Airport
LINKS
David Crank Interview (he discusses working on The New World with Jack Fisk)
White House Plumbers (Premiers in March on HBO)
Most people don’t know that a Jewish family owned Monticello for 89 years (after Jefferson’s death). Director Steven Pressman is bringing his doc to this year’s Israeli & Jewish Film Festival (Jan 19 – 29 at the WJCC and several other venues). Before he comes to town, Steven and I talked about:
– Transitioning from being a print journalist
– The 2 docs he’s directed about the Holocaust
– How he found this film’s subject right in front of him
– The conflicts of religious freedom and slavery
– What happened to the Levy’s furniture
– How he got Peter Riegert to do voiceover
LINKS
The Israeli & Jewish Film Festival
Pressman’s production company
50 Children (HBO Max)
50 Children (Amazon rental)
Holy Silence (PBS)
Holy Silence (Amazon rental)
James River Film Festival Shorts Showcase
George & Tammy
Slow Horses (my review of Season 1)
Wildcat is one of the top films streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It follows a young British Afgan war vet who travels deep into the Peruvian rainforest where he works to reintroduce ocelots in the wild. This documentary was created by Richmonders Melissa Lesh & Trevor Frost. We talk about:
– Their backgrounds and meeting on the James River
– The mental health issues beyond the animal rescue – How they found Harry
– Shooting in the rainforest: getting power, good sound and other challenges
– Melissa’s brain surgery during production
– Trevor’s experience with depression
LINKS
Wildcat on Amazon Prime Video
Emerging Earth Films (their production company)
Hoja Nueva (Protecting Endangered Wildlife)
Re:wild (Protect & restore the wild)
Here’s a list of favorite films and series from 2022:
Guest Reviewer NATHAN LIVELY
- Everything Everywhere All At Once
- The Banshees of Inisherin
- Nope
- X
- Barbarian
- The Northman
- Top Gun: Maverick
- Bodies Bodies Bodies
- The Batman
- Jackass Forever
Honorable Mentions
Prey
Violent Night
JERRY’S MOVIES
DOMESTIC (in no particular order)
Confess, Fletch John Hamm as an investigative journalist on a murder case is wonderfully amusing with his sly delivery and off-kilter reactions. The funniest movie of 2022. (4.5 / 5) Showtime link
Elvis Austin Butler creates is charismatic as The King in this flashy, fascinating package. (4.5 / 5)
Vengeance B. J. Novak wrote/directed/stars as a New York podcaster who travels to Texas and gets involved in a murder mystery that turns into a truly engaging comedy. (4 / 5)
TÁR Playing an orchestra conductor, Cate Blanchett shines with steely pressure and weighty authority in this intellectual yet passionate deep dive into a complex and compelling individual. (4 / 5)
The Fabelmans Steven Spielberg semi-autobiographical story is a completely captivating example of heartfelt storytelling. (4.5 / 5)
Bones and All Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell meet and bond over their shared love of devouring human flesh, which evolves into a sweetly touching romance. (4.5 / 5)
Banshees Of Inisherin Writer/director Martin McDonagh pairs Colin Farrell & Brendan Gleeson as best friends who have a falling out, but his deceptively simple writing and the lovely performances merge into a quietly quirky & utterly amiable relationship story. (4 / 5)
Triangle of Sadness Writer/director Ruben Östlund sets most of the action on a luxury yacht with a bunch of insufferably rich passengers, but things go in unexpected directions with fascinating results. (4.5 / 5)
The Northman Robert Eggers’ unique vision of a Viking prince in a dark, dramatic adventure with hallucinatory visuals and violent outbursts that’s always bleakly fascinating and sometimes more. (4.5 / 5)
Babylon This is Damien Chazelle’s love letter to Hollywood’s Golden Era with a side of decadence. (4 / 5) Movieland link
The Adam Project Ryan Reynolds has met his match, literally, in young actor Walker Scobell, who plays his 12-year-old self in this amusing sci-fi adventure. (4.5 / 5) Netflix link
FOREIGN
Athena After the release of a video showing police killing a young Algerian boy, the neighborhood erupts in an angry protest, but . It’s the impressive skills of director Romain Gavras that gives the film its bravura to create a stirring story with ominous consequences. (4 / 5) Netflix link
Riders of Justice What starts as a revenge story featuring Mads Mikkelsen, it’s unique for its engaging characters and surprising plotting. (4.5 / 5) Hulu link
Flee This doc is animated to protect the identity of the lead character who was gay man in a Muslim country. His narrative is fascinating and his resilience is incredible. (4.5 / 5) Hulu link
GUILTY PLEASURES
RRR (Rise Roar Revolt) This was an enormous hit in India and the action scenes and EFX easily rival any from Hollywood. There are moments of beautiful visual imagery and enjoyable songs to keep it continually entertains in a big way. (5 / 5) Netflix link
Carter Joo Won plays a man who wakes up to himself in a conflict between North & South Korea as a zombie-adjacent virus spreads, shot as if it was one take with dizzying drone camerawork. The spectacular staging is over-the-top, visceral and sometimes spectacular. (4.5 / 5) Netflix link
Ambulance Jake Gyllenhaal plays a gruff, seasoned bank robber who hijacks the titular vehicle when the heist goes bad. Michael Bay has directed one long chase with impressive stunts and dozens of cars crashing with fast, fluid camerawork for an over-the-top wild ride. (4 / 5)
JERRY’S STREAMING (starts with four 5-star picks then the rest in random order)
The Tourist Jamie Dornan ends up with amnesia while driving thru the backcountry of Australia. This has echoes of the Coen Brothers, namely Fargo: It’s stylishly shot without being arty, the tension ebbs and flows, the violence is solidly staged and there are eccentric characters. (5 / 5) HBOMax link
The Offer Miles Teller heads the cast as the producer of The Godfather. This series explores the challenges with fascinating insight, while boasting an impressive cast of spot-on performances. (5 / 5) Paramount Plus link
Pistol Director Danny Boyle is in top form as he examines the rise and fall of the The Sex Pistols in 70s London. The excitement of the period and the band infuses every episode with unruly, unabashed punk pleasure. (5 / 5) Hulu link
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Emma Thompson steals the show as the Head Mistress, but the catchy songs, clever choreo and inventive staging make this dark fun for the whole family. (5 / 5)
As We See It This show involves three 20-somethings on the spectrum who share an LA apartment, BUT all 3 of the actors also identify as autistic. The performances of this trio are not only genuine, but vulnerable and truly affecting. A heartfelt drama. (4.5 / 5) Amazon Prime Video link
Reservation Dogs It takes place on a Native American reservation in Oklahoma and follows Indigenous teens thru their daily lives. The quirky approach to storytelling and characterization infuses this show with flights of fantasy and wacky personalities. (4.5 / 5) Hulu link
Abbott Elementary Quinta Brunson created this mockumentary staged in an underfunded Philadelphia elementary school that follows a group of teachers and the hilariously clueless principal. The characters all have endearing, amusing traits, while their interactions provide much of the comedy. (4.5 / 5) Hulu link or ABC link
The Andy Warhol Diaries This is an imminently fascinating and sometimes heartfelt look at Warhol’s various iterations of an artist and the decadent world he inhabited. (4.5 / 5) Netflix link
Julia The series revolves around the creation of Julia Childs’ famous TV show and Sarah Lancashire has succeeded beautifully in creating the famed chef as a sweet, charming, peculiar and delightful character. (4.5 / 5) HBOMax link
Killing It Craig Robinson heads the cast of this unique comedy as he enters a contest to kill pythons for cash in Florida. Robinson’s hapless delivery and the spiraling situations provide some absurdly outrageous situations and plenty of genuinely funny moments sweetened with a touch of heart. (4.5 / 5) Peacock link
The Rehearsal Deadpan comic Natha Fielder helps people prepare for major moments in their lives by staging elaborate rehearsals for the event. This is an absurd version of reality show that explores human nature in unusual ways that’s surprising, endlessly fascinating and truly unique. (4.5 / 5) HBOMax link
Black Bird Dennis Lehane created this series with Taron Edgerton as an incarcerated drug dealer who’s only hope for release is to pry information from a suspected serial killer (Paul Walter Hauser, whose creepy killer makes the show). The writing, direction and performances combine to create a truly compelling and sometimes creepy exploration. (4.5 / 5) AppleTV link
This Fool Chris Estrada based this series on his life with his intergenerational Mexican American family. The show is at times clever, touching and genuinely amusing, while capturing a slice of life that’s unique yet universal. (4.5 / 5) Hulu link
Bad Sisters Sharon Horgan plays one of 5 close-knit sisters in Dublin. One of their husbands (Claes Bang, who’s deliciously despicable) is so mean and hateful that they ALL have reasons to set about trying to kill him. This is a cleverly-written murder mystery with the audience pulling for the criminals. (4 / 5) AppleTV+ link
Five Days at Memorial This series focuses on the catastrophic situations that took place at one New Orleans hospital after the flooding from Hurricane Katrina. Vera Farmiga and Cherry Jones head a cast that’s loaded with powerful performances, while the writing and direction create situations that are simply devastating to watch. (4.5 / 5) Apple TV+ link
Sprung Garret Dillahunt is in prison for a 30-year-old cannabis charge. When Covid hits, they let non-violent offenders out and he ends up at the home of his cellmate’s mom (Plimpton who’s delightfully raunchy). The characters are eccentric, while Garcia’s writing and direction add plenty of zany elements. (4 / 5) Look for local actor Bridget Gethins as the noisy neighbor (and listen to my podcast with her). Freeve link
My Favorite Shapes Julio Torres is a Salvadorian writer/comic/actor who sits at a desk with a conveyor belt that brings him various objects for comment. Torres has a clever and genuinely unique approach. (4.5 / 5) HBOMax link
Inside Man Stanley Tucci plays a convicted killer who also helps solve murders from his cell. Across the pond, a vicar (David Tennant) has an early encounter with a troubled parishioner. Once things start to roll, it’s a fascinating exploration of 2 very different sets of characters and the bad things we’re all capable of doing. (4 / 5) Netflix link
Welcome to Chippendales Kumail Nanjiani is compelling an Indian American who established the famed club with male strippers. There’s also a shady side peering around the edges and Nanjiani’s deep performance makes that clear from the start. (4 / 5) Hulu link
Joe Masher is the Chief Operating Officer of Bow Tie Management, which owns and operates Bow Tie Cinemas in 6 states. On the previous podcast, Joe discussed the origins of the family that started and still owns the chain, as well as the evolution of Movieland in Richmond. Subjects this time include:
– How streaming affects movie theaters
– His collection of thousands of vinyl records
– Meeting John Waters & his guest
– Getting an apology from Madonna
– Upcoming movies he’s excited about
LINKS
Bow Tie Cinemas
The British Breakfast with Gene Pembleton
Trailer for Megan
Dead to Me (my review of the 1st season)
Stigma (produced by Charles B. Moss, Jr)
Kathleen Ermitage (Mixtape Trilogy) plus Joan Borsten Vidov & Nadia Tass (Oleg) [powerpress]
Richmonders Jane Samborski & Dash Shaw made the Sundance Award Winning film [powerpress]
Meet the book's author and hear Oscar snubs with a guest reviewer. [powerpress]
A delightful interview with my favorite star of HARLEM, who was raised in Richmond [powerpress]
The Director of the Virginia Film Office talks about shows that have shot here and will soon. [powerpress]
This short audio file (1:18) gives you a quick sample of the new SIFTER Podcast. [powerpress]