Movies In Focus

Mark Vanselow, Liam Neeson’s long time stunt double joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about his feature directorial debut, The Mongoose. 

The high-octane thriller sees Neeson play a former special forces operative who finds himself on the run from the police and caught in a cross country pursuit. The film - which opens in U.S cinemas on October 30, 2026 also stars Marisa Tomei, Ving Rhames and Michael Chiklis. 

During the course of the discussion, Vanselow talks about stunt work, the intricacies of making a chase movie, the film’s high cali...

Matt Sukkar and Duke Nicholson, the director and star of the off-beat crime thriller The Deputy join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. 

A 1970s-tinged darkly comedic thriller, The Deputy sees a none-too-bright small town deputy uncover a local conspiracy after a routine night on the job goes horribly wrong.

The Deputy marks Sukkar’s feature film directorial debut and it also sees Nicholson (the grandson of the legendary Jack Nicholson) star in his first leading role. Along for the ride is a top tier supporting cast that includes William H. Macy, Tiffany Haddish, Step...

Ian Ogilvy is an actor who has entertained generations, having starred in a plethora of roles across film and television. He’s worked alongside iconic stars like Boris Karloff and Vincent Price in cult horror films The Sorcerers and Witchfinder General as well as having roles in everything from The Avengers and I, Claudius to Murder, She Wrote and Robin Of Sherwood. However, his most famous part is probably that of Simon Templar in The Return Of The Saint - a move which saw him take over the famed halo from Roger Moore.  

Ogilvy is now back on screens in the Brit...

Director Adam Rifkin and actor James Paxton join this episode of the Movies in Focus podcast to talk about their new film, Last Train To Fortune. 

Also starring Malcolm McDowell, Mary Steenburgen, Bernadette Peters and Laura Marano, Rifkin’s film is a comedy-western that plays with the genre's well-worn tropes - but it does so with a good heart and good characterisation. As I say in our discussion - it’s like the type of film that Disney would have made and released in the 1990s. 

During the course of this episode Adam talks about how Last...

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about his latest film, The Runner starring Gal Gadot and Damien Lewis. 

The Runner is a tense real-time thriller that sees a lawyer (Gadot) racing across London in attempt to save her abducted son at the behest of a mysterious caller (Lewis). 

Kevin Macdonald is a prolific filmmaker, adept at both documentaries and dramatic features – having directed the likes of One Day In September, Touching The Void, The Last King Of Scotland and State Of Play. 

On this episode...

Filmmaker Robert Gamperl joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about his enigmatic western short films, Darlin and Stubborn. A former football player (or soccer player, if you're that way inclined) and a very talented film director and director of photography, Robert discusses his love of the western and the effort that it takes to make a selection of short films which embrace the genre. 

This is yet another fascinating insight into the world of low budget films and the precise nature of short film-making - that offers up a great understanding of why th...

Film historian and author, Danny Stewart returns to the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about cult films - and his books Saluting The Blood of Heroes: Behind The Apocalyptic Film and Silent Trigger: Shooting The Film. 

Danny previously joined the podcast on episode 48 where he discussed his book on the under-appreciated Kurt Russell film, Soldier. This time around he delves into David Webb Peoples’ dystopian sci-fi sports movie, Salute Of The Jugger(aka The Blood Of Heroes) starring Rutger Hauer and Russell Mulcahy’s stylish Dolph Lundgren actioner Silent Trigger. 

Always a pleasure to chat to, Danny has pl...

Singer-songwriter Sean Rowe joins this 111th episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. Rowe wrote the songs on the soundtrack to Travis Mills’ excellent 2025 western, Frontier Crucible - and these punctuate the film as transitional pieces, much like the way that Leonard Cohen’s songs cut through the icy locales of Robert Altman’s McCabe & Mrs. Miller. It’s a fantastic suite of songs, which are available as an album from his website and on streaming services like Spotify. 

This conversation goes beyond the music for Frontier Crucible - and it delves into the process of writing and recording s...

Set in Los Angeles during Christmas, Above The Line sees six Hollywood wannabes get the invite of a lifetime when a mysterious messenger gives them the opportunity to steal the Best Picture Awards belonging to an unscrupulous film producer, played by Gregg Henry. 

Directed by Jeffrey Scott Collins, Above The Line is an on-point black comedy that takes plenty of potshots at Hollywood and the film business. It’s well shot, with a few nice plot points and good performances. It’s a good comedy in its own right, but it has added zing if you know a little...

Over the course of the last half century, Gregg Henry has become one of the most prolific - and one of the best character actors around. A man who has notched-up five guest-starring roles in Murder, She Wrote alone and who has starred in six Brian De Palma projects as well as movies like Payback, Jason Bourne and the Guardians Of The Galaxy films - to name but a few. 

I first noticed him opposite Mel Gibson in Payback - where he more than held his own on screen against that A-list star - and I know that he...

A faux documentary that charts the chaos around the making (and therefore the unmaking) of a fictitious $500 million epic called Dissident, Chapter 51 positions itself as a true crime documentary which delves into the murder of three lead actresses during production. 

This is essentially flawless filmmaking, a rare cinematic gem that delivers on an intriguing premise. It would be great without the luscious visuals, but filmmaker and photographer Tyler Shield’s eye as a visual stylist takes Chapter 51 to a whole other level. This delivers on all fronts. It’s not only one of the most interesting films you’ll see...

John Brownell’s Coin is a crypto comedy that sees two slacker friends who, through a series of events, manage to misappropriate political campaign funds in order to launch a cryptocurrency so they can save their local park from developers. Things don’t quite go to plan and the pair find themselves pursued by a hitman.

A sort of modern day take on the type of films where Kevin Smith made his name, Coin is an energetic and entertaining comedy with a likeable central duo. Also - it just gives you enough detail on cryptocurrency - if you’re a...

Filmmaker Jordan Ruttert joins the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about the first episode in a proposed independent TV series, The Reverb, which is premiering at the Dances With Films festival on June 27th, 

Pitched as a show written by Gen Z for Gen Z, the series will follow a band on the decline that is struck by an unexpected tragedy. They must then turn to old friends in a fight to uncover the truth.

A young filmmaker with a big vision, Jordan Ruttert discusses the grand design for The Reverb, being young filmmaker and writ...

Director-producer Jay Silverman joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss his new film Yale. 

The comedy-drama launches at the Dances With Films film festival on June 18th and it’s a smart, well acted piece that feels like it was lifted straight from the 1990s - and I mean that in a good way. 

Starring Caitlin McGee and Kevin Dunn, Yale is based on a true story about a troubled author who must confront the deadbeat father who abandoned her as a child in an effort to find a kidney donor for her dyin...

The wonderful David Morse and director Joseph T. Walker join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about their new film, Broken Land. 

An excellent small scale drama, the film sees Morse play a widowed Texas rancher who takes an injured migrant (played by Jaklyn Bejarano) under his wing. Broken Land features strong performances and it has a real 1970s feel with characters and performances at the forefront. Morse has long been a favourite character actor of mine and he really excels here, delivering a lot of emotion with very little dialogue. 

David M...

Legendary horror icon, Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, Chopping Mall, Castle Freak) and Desiree Staples (My Divorce Party), the stars of short film, The Blue Diamond, join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast, along with the film’s director and co-writer, Sam Fox (Fck'n Nuts).

The Blue Diamond is a quirky and energetic sci-fi short set in an 1980s ski resort which deals with personal loss, overbearing parents and… aliens. It’s a vibrant and punchy proof of concept short that hits the senses like cinematic energy drink. 

Barbara Crampton, Desiree Staples and Sam Fox go into de...

Jon Keeyes, the director of the new supernatural thriller, Speed Demon joins this special bite-sized episode of the Movies In Focus podcast.

A gonzo mix of The Exorcist meets Speed by way of Murder On The Orient Express, Speed Demon sees a Nun who has lost her faith battling demonic possession on a runaway train. Frankly, if that doesn’t make you want to watch the movie then nothing will! 

An ensemble film toplined by Katie Cassidy and William H. Macy, Speed Demond is a silly, but very entertaining twist on the Exorcism sub-genre. And when you’ve see...

Filmmaker Paul Bunnell - the man behind The Ghastly Love of Johnny X - joins this episode of the Movies In Focuspodcast to talk about his new film, an offbeat reimagining of the now lost Lon Chaney horror film, A Blind Bargain. 

Shot on Kodak film, this 1970s set horror comedy sees Jake Horowitz’s Dominic Fontaine make a Faustian pact with Crispin Glover’s mysterious Dr. Gruder. 

A fascinating guest with decades of filmmaking behind him, Bunnell talks about how he became attached to A Blind Bargain, working with the legendary Back To The Future star ...

Michael Schilf’s The Wolf And The Lamb is a real curio of a western-horror hybrid with a stacked cast that includes Cassandra Scerbo, Adrianne Palicki, Zach McGowan, James Landry Hébert, Q’orianka Kilcher and Clint Howard. 

A strange blend of western series, Deadwood and Stephen King's  Salem’s Lot, this a true ensemble film that really plays with the horror slow burn as a quiet evil begins to envelope a Montana town - when its children go missing one by one. 

Cassandra Scerbo, Adrianne Palicki, Zach McGowan, James Landry Hébert ganged up on Niall Browne...

You might have certain expectations when going into a film called The Yeti. However, filmmakers Gene Gallerano and William Pisciotta blow those expectations out of the water with their surprising new monster film. A horror pic with a difference, this period creature feature has a strong cast that includes Brittany Allen, Eric Nelsen, Jim Cummings, William Sadler and Corbin Bernsen.

The Yeti follows a group of explorers as they venture into the Alaskan wilderness - but the bleak elements are not the only danger they find lurking in the snowy mountains. Merging horror with adventure, The Yeti lea...

Returning guest Pen Densham joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. Pen is a hugely talented writer, producer and director, who is probably best known for writing and producing Kevin Costner’s iconic 1991 adventure,  Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves alongside his film-making partner, John Watson. 

He also has a whole host of other interesting film credits to his name - including: Blown Away with Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones, cult favourite Tank Girl, Bill Murray comedy Larger Than Life and submarine thriller Phantom with David Duchovny and Ed Harris. On the TV front, Pen has also been...

Kathryn Ferguson’s Nostalgie is an exceptional short film that was given an Honourable Mention in the competition shorts section at the Belfast Film Festival, where it was

Based on the short story by author Wendy Erskine (and adapted by Stacey Gregg), Nostalgie follows Drew Lord Haig (Aidan Gillen), a former ’80s pop star who is given a shot at reliving his glory years by taking a gig at a gathering of a small Belfast men’s club. Things aren’t quite what they seem, and Drew’s night of glory takes a dark turn.

Nominated for...

Jeremiah Kipp, the filmmaker behind the film adaptation of the video game, The Mortuary Assistant joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. 

Now, as I admit in my chat with Jeremiah, I haven’t played the video game - but I did enjoy the film! It’s an atmospheric horror that reminded by quite of a bit of the 1962 genre classic Carnival of Souls. It's a small, contained chiller that creeps along and gets under your skin. 

The Mortuary Assistant sees Willa Holland star as Rebecca Owens, a newly appointed assistant to Paul Sparks’ mort...

Jesse V. Johnson’s Thieves Highway is a modern day western about cattle rustling, that sees Aaron Echkart’s cow cop tracking down a a bunch of seriously bad hombres. 

Written by Travis Mills - the director of the recent Frontier Crucible - Thieves Highway has hints of Fred Zinnemann’s High Noon and Carl Franklin’s One False Move. It’s a small, character-based thriller that has a strong central performance from Eckhart - who’s always great - and the film is also notable for the odd-ball characterisation of the villains. 

As a longtime fan of both Aa...

Collins' Mel Gibson starrer, Hunting Season is something of surprise. Yes, it gives you want you want from a Mel Gibson thriller, but it’s also a film that features some excellent and finely tuned performances. Gibson, as you would expect is great, but so is the supporting cast. There’s a lot going on here and it’s sure to really engage viewers. 

The plot sees a reclusive survivalist (Gibson) and his daughter (Sofia Hublitz) rescue a mysterious, wounded woman (Shelley Hennig) from a river. The pair soon become entangled in a deadly web of violence and revenge...

This is an exciting episode of the Movies In Focus podcast - because I’m not only joined by the mighty Thomas Jane (The Mist, The Punisher, Deep Blue Sea), the star and producer of the new western, Frontier Crucible - but I'm also also speaking to the film’s director, Travis Mills. 

Travis Mills embraces the western and delivers an interpretation of the genre that not only looks back to the past, but also takes a punchy modern-day approach that echoes the brutality of S. Craig Zahler’s Bone Tomahawk.

I’ve been a fan of Thomas J...

Scott Martin, Michael Jai White, Charlotte Kirk and Stephanie Beran join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss their new film, Exit Protocol. 

Interviewed separately, these conversations offer thoughtful insights into the production of Exit Protocol, creative decisions, and the collaborative energy that shaped the film.

It’s an interesting look at bringing the Dolph Lundgren film to the screen as each of the guests share their perspectives on filmmaking, working with the ensemble and what sets Exit Protocol apart from other action thrillers.

James Badge Dale (13 Hours, The Standoff At Sparrow Creek) and Michael Mando (Better Call Saul, Spider-Man) join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about their roles in John Swab’s latest film, King Ivory. 

Swab’s drug thriller explores the dangerous world of fentanyl trafficking in the U.S., offering a gritty glimpse into a society fighting for survival.

In this interview, Dale and Mando discuss the challenges of portraying characters caught in the crossfire of the opioid crisis, what it was like working under Swab’s direction and the personal impact of br...

Filmmaker and actor Caleb Alexander Smith (The Catch, Modern Family) and his co-star David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer, The Santa Clause, Supergirl) join his episode of the the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss their thought provoking new film, Forelock. It’s a work that could easily slip under the radar in today’s crowded cinematic landscape - and that would be a massive shame.

Forelock strikes an impressive balance: it deftly engages with the modern superhero conversation while simultaneously echoing the raw humanity and urban melancholy of the 1969 classic, Midnight Cowboy.

This conversation dives into the Forelock's...

British film producer and the man behind Shogun Films, Jonathan Sothcott joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss his impressive and varied career in the film industry.

 One of the most prolific figures in British genre cinema, Sothcott discusses his latest horror movie Helloween, the realities of producing independent films and how he’s built a career telling stories that connect with audiences worldwide. 

This conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and rewards of film-making, as well as Jonathan’s ongoing passion for creating bold and entertaining movies.

Film composer and singer-songwriter Tom Schraeder joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast for an in-depth conversation. Known for his emotionally charged music, Schraeder has built a career that bridges the worlds of songwriting and film scoring with ease.

Composing music for films like The Dark And The Wicked, We’re Not Safe Here and Vicious, Schraeder is a musician who can add multiple layers to a film with the subtlest of scores.

In this discussion, Tom reflects on his creative process, the transition from performing artist to composer, and how storytelling shapes his appr...

Writer-director Kiah Roache-Turner’s Beast Of War isn’t just another entry in the long tradition of shark films - it’s a pulse-pounding WWII thriller that delivers on both fronts.

This Australian production stands out with its commitment to practical effects over CGI, keeping viewers on edge as a group of soldiers faces both a battle-scarred predator and the harsh realities of survival at sea.

Kiah Roache-Turner joins this episode of the podcast to discuss the film’s cinematic inspirations, the challenges of shooting in an indoor water tank, and how Beast Of War channels the...

This time around, Charlotte Kirk and Zach McGowan, the stars of Neil Marshall's new erotic thriller, Compulsion join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast.

Co-starring Anna-Maria Sieklucka, Compulsion delivers a throwback punch, homaging the shadowy style of Italian giallo and the sleazy vibe of 80s and 90s erotic thrillers. Kirk and McGowan discuss what drew them to its dark, complex characters and the film’s tightly wound, high-stakes narrative.

The pair dive into the challenges and rewards of working on a film loaded with moral - and both Kirk and McGowan talk about wo...

Neil Marshall’s Compulsion is not only a homage to the blood-soaked Italian giallo, but also a throwback to the kind of erotic thrillers that Hollywood churned out in the 1980s and 1990s - think Dario Argento meets Brian De Palma,

Starring Anna-Maria Sieklucka, Charlotte Kirk and Zach McGowan, the Malta set pic is a twisty and turny thriller that throws in a lot of left turns - and it will keep you guessing until the end.

Compulsion’s writer-director, Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, The Descent), returns to the Movies In Focus podcast along with the...

Actors Hayley McFarland and Sharmita Bhattacharya, the captivating leads of writer/director Solomon Gray’s quietly unnerving horror We're Not Safe Here, join this episode of Movies In Focus podcast.

We're Not Safe Here is a horror film that sidesteps typical genre tropes, offering a carefully crafted, slow-burning chill that lingers well beyond the closing credits.

Hayley and Sharmita delve into their richly layered performances, unpacking the emotional weight and human fears that elevate the film above conventional horror fare.

They explore the creative nuances behind the film’s unsettling atmosphere and haunting stor...

Action Auteur, Renny Harlin joins this special bite-sized episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. In the 1990s, Harlin delivered some of the decade’s most memorable and entertaining films like Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, The Long Kiss Goodnight - and my favourite go-to killer shark film, Deep Blue Sea.

Now he’s turning his attention back to horror with The Strangers: Chapter 2 - the follow-up to last year's hit entry in the home invasion franchise.

Harlin discusses what drew him to the material, how he approached building tension in this new chapter, and reflects on a ca...

n this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast, writer-director Bill Fishman talks about his sun-soaked comedy Waltzing With Brando - the true story of Marlon Brando’s quest to build an eco-paradise in Tahiti, brilliantly brought to life by Billy Zane’s note-perfect and layered performance.

Fishman, known for celebrating quirky real-life tales, discusses how Waltzing With Brando sidesteps weighty drama in favour of breezy high jinks and zesty energy, with Jon Heder playing the straight man as Bernard Judge, Brando’s bewildered architect. Together, they recreate iconic Brando moments in a relaxed, 'holiday of a film...

Solomon Gray, writer and director of the quietly unsettling horror film, We're Not Safe Here, joins the Movies In Focuspodcast for an in-depth conversation.

We're Not Safe Here is deft little chiller that is notable for its ability to get under your skin with subtle psychological horror rather than cheap shocks.

Solomon discusses the inspirations behind the film, the creative challenges of crafting a slow-burn thriller, and the emotional depths explored through the nuanced performances of Hayley McFarland and Sharmita Bhattacharya.

Fans of intelligent, atmospheric genre cinema won’t want to miss this in...

Director M.J. Bassett and actor Matilda Lutz join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about their new fantasy adventure film, Red Sonja.

The movie brings the cult comic-book character back to the screen, and as noted in the Movies In Focus review, it’s a bold reimagining that puts Lutz front and centre as the sword-wielding warrior. Her performance as Red Sonja grounds the film and gives real weight to a character that’s had a complicated history in cinema.

M.J. Bassett’s career has always explored genre storytelling, from a...

Actress and filmmaker, Megan Tremethick joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to discuss her acclaimed low-budget epic, The Reign Of Queen Ginnarra (read the Movies In Focus review). Megan explores the inspiration behind the Roger Corman-esque film and how she ended up bringing the enigmatic queen to life on screen. 

Megan also discusses her journey as a filmmaker, her approach to storytelling, and what drives her passion for cinema. Whether you’re a fan of low-budget genre films or just love hearing about the artistic and creative process, this is a conversation you won’t wan...