Reels of Cinema

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It's an Al Pacino double bill as Danielle and Woifi, the husband and wife co-hosting team behind the Collections of Cinema Podcast, join me for a look at 1973's Serpico and 1975's Dog Day Afternoon, both based on true stories and both directed by Sidney Lumet. Plus, poll results, the cooking segment Cinemunch, and the interactive listener trivia with shout-outs!

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In this episode, director and co-writer Paul Bunnell joins me to discuss his 2025 feature film A Blind Bargain, a dark comedy-drama-thriller set in 1970 that stars Jake Horowitz as a troubled Vietnam veteran and Crispin Glover as a questionable doctor who conducts nefarious experiments. Among other things, we talk about the film, the production, and even a little on his previous feature The Ghastly Love of Johnny X! You'll love hearing from this creative visionary.

www.ablindbargainmovie.com 

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In this episode, actress-writer-director Allison Marie Rogers joins me to discuss her 2023 live action short horror film Don't Wake Daddy, which you can find available in its entirety on YouTube at the link provided below. Among other things, we talk about the film, the different hats that she wore during the production, and her overall career to date!

YouTube link to Don't Wake Daddy: https://youtu.be/u5vyNrW2yHg?si=mngV7V_QDXUXsE2_ 

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On August 18, 1973, four youths in a Volkswagen van ran out of gas along a deserted Texas road. From there, they were plunged into the worst nightmare imaginable. And today is August 18, the perfect day to re-edit, repackage, and rerelease a 2024 episode on the Tobe Hooper-directed classic from my previous podcast (Silver Screeners), especially when the guest was Chris, the co-host of The Cinematic Travelers Podcast. Enjoy this rerun from 2024, the 50th anniversary of the grim but trailblazing horror flick!

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Something different for this episode - I have a great conversation with San Francisco movie and TV location tour guide Bryan Rice, owner of San Francisco Movie Tours! We talk about different location stops along his tour, amusing anecdotes from his experiences, and even his work as an extra in a few films shot in the area. Plus, poll results, movie news, the cooking segment Cinemunch, and the interactive trivia with listener shout-outs!

Email: [email protected]

Web: sanfranciscomovietours.com

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In this episode, filmmaker MJ Alhabeeb, Jr. joins me to discuss his unflinching, thought-provoking dramatic psychological thriller Plight, a story of grief and loss, revenge and retaliation, regret and conscience, and the theme of loved ones and how far you would go to protect them. Mr. Alhabeeb wrote, directed, and co-produced this independent feature, which you can find available on DVD and Blu Ray, as well as streaming on Tubi, Fawesome, and for rental and purchase on Amazon Prime.

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55 years ago, Gene Wilder delivered his iconic performance as Willy Wonka, aka 'The Candy Man'! Director Mel Stuart brought out the best in his cast and crew with this adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic book. Hear about the book, the film, the songs, behind-the-scenes fun facts, and what the child actors are up to now! Plus, poll results, entertainment news, the interactive listener trivia, and listener shout-outs!

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Award-winning actor and writer Tom Ward-Thomas guests to talk about his new independent feature, the AI-themed dramatic thriller Double Edge, as well as his acting experience in short films. Links to his showreel and two of his short films that we discuss below!

Tom Ward-Thomas. Showreel 2025

MAFIA (BIFA Qualified short film 2025)

Mail Man | Award Winning Short Film | (2023)

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Previous guest filmmaker Tommy Jay Dwyer returns to talk about his new documentary feature Burnin' down the House. It explores the living conditions and infrastructure of Massachusetts firehouses, as well as the health effects on the firefighters themselves. A personal project for him, as he comes from a family of firefighters, the film will premiere at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA (his home city) on Thursday, August 6, 2026. All listeners can get 10% off the ticket price by using the code "FIRE." Get ready to hear some surprising and thought-provoking discussion points that the...

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In this episode, filmmaker Glenn Garrabrant joins me to discuss his superb independent dramatic feature Local Area Network, the story of a group of millennials who rally in support of their friend who has attempted suicide. It is a tasteful, dignified, and nuanced story inspired by a real-life event. If you or anyone you know is struggling and having thoughts of suicide, remember there is hope and help. Call 988 or text "TALK" to 741741. Given the subject material that may be triggering for some, listener discretion is advised.

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It's a Jack Black double bill with School of Rock and Tenacious D: Pick of Destiny! D.C. of The Full Circle Podcast guests for a look at two of Black's most prominent comedy feature films. Plus, poll results, entertainment news, the cooking segment Cinemunch, and interactive listener trivia!

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An actor, a writer, a director, a producer, and an editor all combined into one creative mind ... that is this episode's special guest, Sean Michael Gloria. His acting credits alone are wide and varied, ranging from guest spots on shows like Law and Order and FBI to live action short dramas and comedies to campy fun slasher films like Halloween at Aunt Ethel’s. But his latest project is a dramatic series with social and cultural significance called _civilian. He and I talk about all of this, and more!

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Aussie Xavier Coy, an award-winning writer, director, and actor for film, TV, and live theater, guests to talk about his new independent feature, the mockumentary-comedy-drama Unremarkable, available for streaming on Amazon Prime! The considerable time difference between Australia and Boston did nothing to stop this discussion about his career, his filmmaking experience, and the production itself. Plus, poll results, the interactive listener trivia, and listener shout-outs!

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Author Nathan Gibson guests to discuss his debut novel, the LGBT mystery/romance The Missing Heart. Among other things, the Colorado native and advocate for “queer fiction” and I talk about his creative process and the films that have inspired his writing. Read more about him and purchase his book at the links below!
www.ngibsonauthor.com
https://a.co/d/042hvA33

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Celebrating Pride Month with a look at two comedy-dramas, both, ironically, with a lead character named Simon. From singles clubs and wedding banquets to Ferris wheels and first kisses, these stories come straight from the heart. Plus, poll results, entertainment news, the interactive listener trivia, and listener shout-outs!

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Are pink and gold your favorite colors? Would you say that French fries and ketchup is your favorite food? How'd you like some ice cream, Doc? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you've come to the right place. Liz M., my sister-in-law, with whom for years I've been playing a Shining quote game every chance we get, joins me to talk about the 1980 Stanley Kubrick-directed classic, as well as the largely-forgotten Stephen King-penned TV miniseries remake from 1997. Just don't go into room 237 or else Grady will have to ... correct you.

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Iranian filmmaker Saeid Ghasemi guests in this episode, and with his thought-provoking short film Blood Enough, he proves that there is power in cinematic storytelling, fiction and non-fiction. A semi-finalist for Best Screenplay for Live Action Short at the Oscar-qualifying Dallas International Film Festival, Blood Enough encompasses themes of internal and external moral conflict, controversial traditions, and the pressures of the societies in which we live.

https://www.instagram.com/blood_enough?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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What if the lead P.I. at a murder scene were a ventriloquist with a dummy as his sidekick? Writer-star-professional ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner and co-stars Deborah Twiss and Ed Altman bring their talents to the screen in an offbeat, quirky, and thoroughly entertaining spoof of the murder mystery genre in their comedy-mystery-thriller The Dummy Detective! Sean Young (1982's The Blade Runner, 1984's Dune, 1994's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective) joins a solid cast for an entertaining whodunnit that flips expectations on their head! Currently streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Plex, and other channels. Plus...

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Co-directors and co-stars Adam Burke (who also wrote the screenplay) and Jud Nichols bring to the screen a story about the possibility of change in a person in their psychological drama-thriller Wet Paper Bag. From the film's official logline: To find her missing sister, a journalist infiltrates a psychedelic therapy center and uncovers a treatment far more dangerous than the trauma it claims to heal. If you loved Midsommar, Saltburn, or The White Lotus, this is your next watch.

Instagram: @wetpaperbag_film (underscore matters)
Facebook: @WetPaperBagfilm
Site: wetpaperbagfilm.com<...

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If student loans drag you down, don't do what Tomas Varley (played by Haulston Mann) does in writer-director-co-producer Wes Clark's dark comedy-satire-thriller How to Start a Cult in 5 Easy Steps! Clark joins me for an eye-opening conversation about his inspiration for this story, his own filmmaking background, and his thoughts on the dos and don'ts for aspiring filmmakers. Enjoy this episode on repeat with 0% interest! Plus, the interactive listener trivia segment with listener shout-outs!

Letterboxd review: https://boxd.it/cDZG4j

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Actor-writer-director-stunt performer Chris Guttadaro guests for a conversation about his career in both entertainment and as a NYC firefighter. We discuss his acting credits, his upcoming projects, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from some of his films. Plus, poll results, interactive listener trivia, and listener shoutouts! Watch his indie horror films and visit his website at the links below:

Watch The Omicron Killer (2024) - Free Movies | Tubi

Watch Stream (2024) - Free Movies | Tubi

Chris Guttadaro

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Award-winning writer-director Braden Barton guests for a conversation about his 2022 live action short Waltz of the Angels (HollyShorts Film Festival winner for Best Sci-Fi) and his upcoming feature The Fiddler's Stroke, currently in pre-production. We discuss his filmmaking background to date, his creative process, and the production of his work. Plus, poll results! Watch Waltz of the Angels at the link below!

WALTZ OF THE ANGELS | Videos & Movies on Vimeo

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Filmmaker Devlin Blevins is joined by two actresses in his company, Marleigh Arnold and Amber Brooke, for a conversation with me about their Halloween fan films, their proof of concept Dasher Slasher, and their movie The Forsaken Few, currently in pre-production! Among other things, we discuss the inspirations for these stories and their filmmaking and acting backgrounds. Plus, poll results and the interactive listener trivia! Watch Devlin's films on YouTube at the links below!

Halloween Genesis: https://youtu.be/VtsWLlwbyLM?si=Z6I73SWYztsKE_4N

Halloween Ultimatus: https://youtu...

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Producer Caitlin Weis, writer-leading actor Daniel Figueroa, and leading actor Derek Vaudry join me for a conversation about their first live action short film, the upcoming The Last Favor, a crime thriller that they promise pushes independent filmmaking to the limit! Among other things, we discuss their labor of love and passion, as well as inspirations for their original story. Plus, the interactive listener trivia!

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Writer-director Thom Harp joins me to talk about his family comedy-drama Home Delivery, featuring a pitch-perfect ensemble cast delivering quality dialogue about a plus-sized supermodel who, with her husband, invites her eccentric family to their home for the delivery of their first child. Old conflicts and tensions arise, battle lines are drawn, character idiosyncrasies bring on the laughs, and then there's that child's pull-along wagon. Plus, the interactive listener trivia!

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What if a traumatized young man finds himself shunned by his religious community because of their twisted beliefs? And what if those who do take it upon themselves speak to him mysteriously vanish? Writer-director Matthew G. of the M.T. Grave Studio joins me to talk about his upcoming folk horror film Exiled! Plus, poll results, the cooking segment Cinemunch, and interactive listener trivia!

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"Reach the stars, fly a fantasyyyyy, dream a dream, and what you see will beeeee, cuz rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds, and there upon a rainbow is the answer to a never-ending storyyy." And maybe even the Purple Buffalo Atreyu is hunting. And just what is Bastian's mother's name that he hollers into the rainstorm? As for Jim Henson's labyrinthian Muppet-populated world of goblins and David Bowie music, why does Sarah hate Baby Toby so much? Dive into 1984's The Neverending Story and 1986's Labyrinth! Plus, poll results...

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The 98th annual Academy Awards may be over, but let's allow for one final round of predictions that was recorded before Hollywood's big night! Writer-director-producer Brendan Manning and producer Zak Tauscher, both former high school film studies students of mine, join me to continue our annual tradition started on my previous podcast, Silver Screeners, to make predictions for this year's nominees. In this second of a two-parter, we predict Cinematography, Adapted and Original Screenplays, International Feature, Director, the four acting categories, and Best Picture. What did we get right? What did...

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Writer-director-producer Brendan Manning and producer Zak Tauscher, both former high school film studies students of mine, join me to continue our annual tradition started on my previous podcast, Silver Screeners, to make predictions for the current Academy Award nominees! In this first of a two-parter, we look at the new category of Best Casting, as well as Live Action Short, Sound, Visual Effects, Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Production Design, Editing, Musical Score and Best Song.

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