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This is a fun episode of BEHIND THE LENS as I'm doing something this week that I haven't done before – and that is give you an interview with a film's director, followed by my interview with his cinematographer. The film is the thriller BARRON'S COVE. The director/writer is EVAN ARI KELMAN. The cinematographer is MATTHEW JENSEN. But hilarity also ensues today thanks to co-writers/directors DAVID JOSEPH CRAIG and BRIAN CRANO as they talk about their new laugh-filled collaboration, I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU. First up, I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU. Based on their own life experiences, David and Brian give us Dom (Nick Kroll) and Cole (Andrew Rannells), a couple on the verge of adopting a baby, embark on an Italian vacation — the perfect opportunity to reconnect before the new addition arrives. Everything is picture-perfect, the epitome of a European babymoon, when things begin to spiral out of control. Lost on the way to dinner, their car gets stuck in a ditch, stranding them in rural nowhere during a torrential downpour. These two Americans, who are used to being catered to, are now in a foreign land with no cell service, zero comprehension of the Italian language, and, as fear takes over, escalating turmoil that could explode at any moment. Co-Written and Co-Directed by Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig, I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU stars Nick Kroll, Andrew Rannells (who was a Grand Marshall in yesterday's pride parade in Hollywood), Morgan Spector, Nunzia Schiano, Eleanora Romandini, Paolo Romano, and Amanda Seyfried. Then we switch gears from laughter to the nail-biting tension of a thriller – BARRON'S COVE. Written and Directed by EVAN ARI KELMAN, BARRON'S COVE stars Garrett Hedlund, Brittany Snow, Christian Convery, Hamish Linklater, Stephen Lang, and Raul Castillo. BARRON'S COVE follows a father with a violent past (Hedlund) as he grieves the sudden loss of his only child. Convinced of a cover-up and intent on obtaining answers about his son's death, he kidnaps the troubled boy he holds responsible – the son of a prominent local politician, which ignites a media firestorm and frenzied manhunt. But as he grows ever closer to uncovering the truth, he is left to wonder whether his pursuers are really seeking to protect the boy or merely the secrets he keeps. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

A fun BEHIND THE LENS for you this week, thanks to writer/director CARLYLE EUBANK, who s me talking about his feature directorial debut, BROKE, and director JAMES BAMFORD, who breaks it all down for THE LAST GUNFIGHT. Some of you might recognize Carlyle's name and if you do, it's probably thanks to "The Signal" which was written by Carlyle and directed and co-written by his brother William, or "Muzzle" starring Aaron Eckhardt which he co-wrote with William and which was directed by John Stalberg, Jr. But as Carlyle now steps into the director's chair with BROKE, this is 100% Carlyle Eubank. BROKE is a contemporary western that follows the story of True Brandywine, played by Wyatt Russell, a bareback bronc rider clinging to his fading rodeo career. When True gets trapped in a freak spring blizzard, he must battle injuries, illness, and the bitter cold. While fighting for his survival, True is forced to face his choices and the circumstances that led him to his tenuous situation. Then we shift gears with THE LAST GUNFIGHT and yet another exclusive interview with one of my favorite directors and a fantastic guy in general, JAMES BAMFORD. We chat so often that letting only a couple of months go by without talking is like going through withdrawal. James is a fantastic director. He came up through the stunt world as a stuntman, stunt coordinator, second unit director, and ultimately feature director, so you know that his action is going to be spot on in every film. His films are always action-packed, boast excellent casting, superlative well-choreographed and executed action, and solid stories. Some of my fave Bamford films include "Shadow Land", "Air Force One Down", "Utopia", "Man With No Past", and "High Ground". http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

This week on BEHIND THE LENS it's all about horror as we take a look at two distinctly different types of horror films and three talented filmmakers. One film, ROSARIO, is dark and twisted and steeped in ancient lore and curses and comes from FELIPE VARGAS. The other, A BREED APART, courtesy of THE FURST BROTHERS, NATHAN FURST and GRIFF FURST, has a lighter comedic bent that may have you rethinking getting yourself a cute, cuddly puppy, but is a horror film horror nevertheless, and with a bit of action thrown in. First up, NATHAN FURST and GRIFF FURST, aka THE FURST BROTHERS, co-writers, co-directors, and co-editors of A BREED APART. A BREED APART is the tale of a group of social media influencers who find themselves on a private island owned by the famous Vince Ventura. Expecting a weekend of unrivaled viral opportunity, it doesn't take long before our five "contestants" find themselves as part of their own horrific reality show when the guests are pitted against each other to capture the island's legendary man-eating dogs before they become victims of the monstrous canines. Succeed and win $1 million and the island itself. Plus, you're doing wonders for pet adoption! Then we switch gears and go deep and dark with director FELIPE VARGAS talking about ROSARIO. Directed by Felipe and written by Alan Trezza, ROSARIO is the story of a Wall Street stockbroker, Rosario Fuentes, who returns to her grandmother's apartment after her sudden death. While sorting through her Grandmother's belongings, Rosario uncovers a horrifying secret—a hidden chamber filled with occult artifacts tied to dark generational rituals. As supernatural occurrences plague her, Rosario must confront her family's buried secrets and face the truth about the sacrifices and choices they made. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

An interesting movie mix for you this week on BEHIND THE LENS thanks to director DUNCAN SKILES and his new film NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, and director LORCAN FINNEGAN and his latest THE SURFER. As different as night and day, both films showcase storytelling creativity and some incredible – and indelible – performances, most notably from Nic Cage in THE SURFER. First up, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH. Directed by DUNCAN SKILES, who you may know best for directing THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH rises and falls on the compelling mystery plot and the performances by Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Ed and Jack Quaid as Simon. As you will hear from Duncan in this pre-recorded exclusive interview, he was drawn to writer Sean Farley's script for its unique and heartwarming dynamic between Ed and Simon. Duncan found it sweet, bittersweet, and not overly sentimental. The script had a mix of elements – thrills, mystery, and comedy – which appealed to him, and which he brings to life with a naturalistic look and feel thanks to cinematographer Luke McCoubrey. After THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER, Duncan was looking for something lighter, and this script was an easy read where he found himself rooting for the characters and wanting to spend time with them. Then we switch gears and hit the western coast of Australia with the sun and the surf with director LORCAN FINNEGAN and THE SURFER with a total mind fuck, batshit brilliant performance by Nic Cage. Needless to say, I love this movie! A psychological thriller directed by Lorcan Finnegan, a man identified as "The Surfer" – played by Cage – returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son, played by Finn Little of "Yellowstone" fame. But his desire to hit the waves is thwarted by a group of locals led by Scally – maniacally played by Julian McMahon – whose mantra is "don’t live here, don’t surf here." Humiliated and angry, "The Surfer" is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising in concert with the punishing heat of the summer and pushes him to his breaking point. Take a listen as Lorcan breaks down THE SURFER from Cage to story to casting to cinematography to editing to sound to score, and even the appearance of native snakes and a kookabura. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

It's a fun BEHIND THE LENS this week thanks to writer/director/actor Rachel Suissa who I spoke with a few weeks ago specifically for today's show which is a salute to Mothers and Mother's Day courtesy of Rachel's new film GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE. Based on Rachel's own life, mapcap adventures, and mother-daughter angst, GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE is a love letter not only to Rachel's own mother, but mothers everywhere. Written, directed and starring Rachel Suissa, GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE is a delightful rom-com, brimming with Greek ion and plenty of family drama, as late bloomer Ella dreams of becoming a singer, but her overbearing Greek mother, Despina insists she take over the Gyros business and marry a Greek man. Rachel is animated, engaging, and thoughtful, all things that you'll hear in this exclusive conversation as we break down every element of the film, starting with highlighting its universal appeal and personal connections that it evokes. Rachel bares it all as she talks about the genesis and journey to make the film and shares anecdotes about her mother's influence, including a humorous scene where her mother bribed someone to hang out with her. We discuss the film's casting, particularly Abby Miner as Ella, which has a genuine and authentic feel. As we break down the production elements of GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE, we dive into the cinematography, editing process – and Rachel's unique method for selecting an editor, location and a favorite highlight of mine, the use of comic book graphics as scene interstitials, as well as the importance of music, which blends Greek and American themes. And Rachel even gives us some early intel on her next film, another fish out of water tale called "The American." http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

I think you'll enjoy this week's BEHIND THE LENS and the films we are discussing, but more than that, the filmmakers and actors I'm speaking with. Some jam-packed interviews today as we kick things off with my exclusive interview with actors CLAES BANG and JONAH HAUER-KING, together with writer/director NICK HAMM talking about his beautiful epic WILLIAM TELL. And then you'll hear from writer and executive producer CHARLENE DAVIS and director/producer DAFNA YACHIN discussing their new film, RELATIVE CONTROL. This first interview is one of those times I wish we could have done the interview in person; of course, I wish that with every interview. But in this case, these three gentlemen are so much fun and have such a wonderful rapport that I know that being together in person would have been an even bigger blast than what you're about to hear. I'm talking about CLAES BANG, JONAH HAUER-KING, and NICK HAMM and their wonderful film, WILLIAM TELL. Written and directed by Nick, based on the play by Friedrich Schiller, they have beautifully married history and legend and brought it to life in an indelible epic result. Then we shift gears and dive into RELATIVE CONTROL with the women behind this gem – director DAFNA YACHIN and screenwriter CHARLENE DAVIS. As you'll hear, Charlene and Dafna break down the film from script to screen. Written by Charlene, the script – her first after a decades long career as an attorney – is based on Charlene's personal experiences – was developed over a few years and speaks to not only the challenges of caring for aging parents, but caring for yourself as time marches on and the responsibility for caring for your parents overtakes one's own life. There is some magical casting here with Teri Polo as Sara and Patrick McDade as Sara's father Joe. Their chemistry truly captures the dynamic of a daughter and father navigating complex family dynamics. While Charlene focuses more on the script, Dafna dives into Anthony Berenato Jr's cinematography, developing a visual tonal bandwidth of lightness and bright tones versus the heavier subject matter, working with editor John Knapich, and some of the production challenges which involved a 14-day shoot, the impact of the pandemic, and shooting in 100 degree Delaware heat in July and August with the film set in the Fall/Winter. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we're going from the Old West down into the deep blue, or not so blue, sea, discussing two wonderful films with two terrific filmmakers – LAST BREATH and GUNSLINGERS. First up, take a listen to my exclusive interview with director ALEX PARKINSON talking about LAST BREATH. Currently in theatres, LAST BREATH is a heart-pounding film that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface. Based on a true story of events that occurred in 2012, as well as Alex's 2019 documentary on the incident, LAST BREATH is an electrifying story about teamwork, resilience, and a race against time to do the impossible. Then it's time to hear from writer, director, and editor BRIAN SKIBA talking about his new film, the rootin' tootin' western GUNSLINGERS. Talk about a fun film! Action packed, lots of shootouts, a hanging, a solid story with amazing cast, cinematic in scope thanks to widescreen scenes, and it's got Nicolas "Fucking" Cage(!!!!!) in another one of his unique, show stopping, and indelible roles. I always enjoy speaking with Brian, especially when it comes to westerns and he has outdone himself with GUNSLINGERS. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we're talking about a very special film about a very special woman that was made by another special woman. The film is AUDREY'S CHILDREN and that special woman is pioneering pediatric oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans and her groundbreaking work in the 1960s and 70s at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, or CHOP as it is more commonly known. And that special filmmaker is director AMI CANAAN MANN. AUDREY'S CHILDREN tells the untold true story of visionary British physician Dr. Audrey Evans, who burst onto the scene in 1969 as the first female Chief of Oncology at the world-renowned Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Battling sexism, medical conventions, and the subterfuge of her peers, Evans developed the first Neuroblastoma Staging System, co-founded the first Ronald McDonald House with the Philadelphia Eagles for families of CHOP cancer patients, and, ultimately, impacted the lives of millions of children and families around the world. It was wonderful to reconnect with AMI CANAAN MANN after more than a decade since we last spoke about her work with "Texas Killing Fields". And as you'll hear in this exclusive conversation, we cover everything from Mice to Ronald McDonald as Ami emphasizes the importance of capturing Audrey Evans's story, particularly her groundbreaking research in pediatric oncology. Mann praises the cast, particularly Natalie Dormer and Jimmi Simpson, for portraying Audrey and Dan. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

This week on BEHIND THE LENS is my exclusive interview with writer/director/costume designer/producer and actor Colin Henning as he talks about his feature directorial debut, the beautifully moody and metaphoric APPALACHIAN DOG. Not only am I enchanted by this sultry, post-WWII, Southern Gothic delight, but by Colin himself who is already one of my favorite filmmakers of the next generation. He is articulate and thoughtful both in discussing the film and with the film itself. Every frame shows Colin's care, thought, and purpose in the production and his performance. Written & Directed by Colin Henning, APPALACHIAN DOG stars, among others, Georgia Morgan, Hayleigh Hart Franklin, Brooke Elizabeth, Colin Henning, and Aaron J Stewart and was shot on location in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina and, as you will see on watching the film, in the dead of winter. APPALACHIAN DOG is a Southern Gothic tale about husband and wife, Marion and Teddy, and Marion's friends Peggie, Cate, and Andrew. It's post-war 1946 and Teddy has just returned after 5 years in the war. A tailor by trade, suffering from PTSD and poor eyesight, Teddy is unable to return to his work and must rely on Marion to them. Marion, a seamstress who worked with Teddy before the war, has honed her skills and built up the tailoring business in his absence, bringing on her friend Peggie as her assistant and fellow seamstress. In this extended exclusive conversation, COLIN HENNING and I dig deep into this moody, metaphoric film and its character study exploration, with the Appalachians very much as one of the main characters. As you'll hear, the strength of APPALACHIAN DOG lies in its location, Aidan Macaluso's exquisite cinematography, and Chad Hylton's magnificent sound design, which immerses viewers in the claustrophobic, isolated setting. Going beyond the production elements of the film, Colin also talks about wearing so many hats and how he maintained an emotional separation between his roles, including as a main actor, while staying true to the story's meaning. APPALACHIAN DOG is also the feature debut of Colin and Chad's company and what a debut it is! http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

Hilarity ensues this week on BEHIND THE LENS thanks to director/co-writer/actor ROB TAYLOR and co-writer/producer/actor NIC COSTA as they discuss their wild and wacky new comedy film RAGING MIDLIFE in this exclusive interview! And what a wild and wacky ride it is! RAGING MIDLIFE is the story of Mark and Alex (wonderfully played by Matt Zak and Nic Costa, respectively), two fanboys who are on a quest to recover a cherished 80s wrestling tank top worn by their idol, "Raging Abraham Lincoln," after Tyler, a grieving daughter determined to fulfill her late father's wish to be torched in the shirt, outbids them in an online auction. Hilarity ensues as Mark and Alex will stop at nothing to find and retrieve this beloved tank top they lost as children, except maybe romance, as sparks fly between Alex and Tyler, forcing Alex to choose between love and the ultimate piece of wrestling memorabilia, not to mention his lifelong BFF Mark. As you will quickly hear, it's not just RAGING MIDLIFE that's wild and wacky, but so are its creators NIC COSTA and ROB TAYLOR who bring so much laughter to this exclusive interview. Listen as we break down the entire film starting with its inception back in 2002 and the decade-long process to bring it into the present of 2025. Highlighting its unique blend of nostalgia and pop culture references, RAGING MIDLIFE features a large cast and approximately 20 different locations. Something that you may not hear any other filmmakers talk about are the challenges involved with securing a federal courthouse as a shooting location. Nic, who is also an attorney (although it didn't really help him in getting the courthouse) gives all the ins and outs and hoops he had to jump through for this important location. Rob dives into the cinematography and working with cinematographer Eric Macey and developing a visual grammar inspired by 1980s filmmakers. Similarly, composer Lisa Molinaro's score and the 1980s-influenced needledrops featured licensed tracks and original compositions which Nic discusses in of licensing challenges and costs. Another interesting topic that we touch on is film tax credits and their impact on productions, especially with lo budget/no budget/micro budget indie films. Of course, we spend quite a bit of time talking about casting and character development, most notably with Paula Abdul's Mary Todd. BTW, Paula delivers a really strong performance that is far different from "cameos" she has had in other films. And Star Trek fans will be tickled to hear what Nic and Rob have to say about Trek legend Walter Koenig and his role in RAGING MIDLIFE. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

We go from one end of the spectrum to the other this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we take a look at writer/director Atom Egoyan's dramatic new thriller SEVEN VEILS and everyone's favorite (and looney) pig and duck, Porky and Daffy, in writer/director Peter Browngardt's feature animated directorial debut LOONEY TUNES: THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP. First up today is my exclusive interview with one of my longtime favorite directors – ATOM EGOYAN. Written &mps; Directed by Atom, SEVEN VEILS stars Amanda Seyfried who reunites with Atom after their 2015 film Chloe, as well as Rebecca Liddiard, Douglas Smith, Mark O'Brien, Vinessa Antoine, Ambur Braid, Michael Kupfer-Radecky. Premised on the biblical tale of Salome, which has been told in countless ways over the years, most notably as a 19th-century opera by Richard Strauss and written by Oscar Wilde, Atom has taken his love for the tale which he has directed on the stage numerous times since 1996 and now explores what a production of Salome would mean in our current culture. This led him to write SEVEN VEILS about a remount of Salome that he filmed at the same time the opera was being performed on stage by the Canadian Opera Company in 2023, using the opera singers from Salome in the film. Switching gears now, we go from the seductive and sensual to sarcasm, satire, slapstick, and pure unadulterated joy with Porky Pig and Daffy Duck in LOONEY TUNES: THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP and my exclusive conversation with writer/director/animator PETER BROWNGARDT. Listen as Peter talks about animation and dialogue going hand in hand aka what came first the pig or the duck egg and working with 11 writers/animators to develop the emotion through drawing, dialogue and voicing, the classic hand-drawn visuals, paying homage to the past – including many classic films – while adding some contemporary notes, melding genres, music and score, getting a greenlight from Warners to make the film, and of course Peter's own learning curve with his first feature after hundreds of Looney Tunes shorts. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

It's a fun episode of BEHIND THE LENS as writer/director TIFFANY KIM STEVENS s me in discussing her new quirky comedy TRIGGER HAPPY, plus my exclusive interview with director DITO MONTIEL talking about his latest dysfunctional family comedy RIFF RAFF. First up is my exclusive interview with director DITO MONTIEL talking the brilliantly conceived RIFF RAFF. Boasting an A-list cast led by Jennifer Coolidge and Ed Harris, along with Gabrielle Union, Lewis Pullman, Miles J. Harvey, with Pete Davidson and Bill Murray, RIFF RAFF is laugh-out-loud chaos with a wife, an ex-wife, a disowned son with a pregnant girlfriend, an innocent teen on the cusp of college, and a couple of gangsters named Leftie and Lonnie coming for them all. Needless to say, Leftie and Lonnie are played by Murray and Davidson, respectively. Listen as we break down the film and Dito's creative process covering everything from casting and character development to storyboards to cinematography to editing, as well as the film's kinetic energy and strong ensemble performances. Then I'm ed by writer/director TIFFANY KIM STEVENS talking about her outrageously fun and quirky comedic TRIGGER HAPPY; the tale of poor George Decker who dreams of escaping his boring and humdrum life and escaping to the Bahamas. But to do so means getting rid of his wife, crushing debt, his 9-to-6 job, and everything else that he believes has held him back and prevented his true bliss. A clever story that melds decades to create a timeless feel, Tiffany and I discuss character, story, production design, color palette, editing, and more. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

A terrific BEHIND THE LENS for you this week to finish off Black History Month as you're about to hear my exclusive interview with director JULIUS ONAH talking about CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, as well as my interview with actor turned writer/producer/and lo budget no budget micro-budget filmmaker ELLA THOMAS talking KNOW MERCY. First up is ELLA THOMAS with KNOW MERCY, a film that is rooted in faith while exploring good versus evil, immortality versus mortality, and what it means to be human. Many of you are already familiar with Ella, notably for her most recent role in "Nightbitch". What I love about this conversation with Ella is not only how we break down the film from her perspective as a writer and producer, but we delve into casting and performance – including her own – and the emotional depth of the characters, along with emphasizing the importance of grounded motivation and real interpersonal dynamics. Reflecting on her collaboration with Perdell Richardson with this project, Ella also speaks to the challenges of guerrilla filmmaking, the necessary flexibility required due to funding constraints, and the from the film's distributor, Gravitas Ventures. Then, I bring out the big guns and my exclusive interview with director JULIUS ONAH discussing CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD which has taken the world by storm as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, finds himself in the middle of an international incident and must discover the motive behind a nefarious global plan. What I particularly appreciate with BRAVE NEW WORLD is that Julius gives us thoughtful dramatic moments that allow us to get to know Sam as his own person and not part of an entire group of personalities (aka Avengers) but see him wrestle with his own conscience and self-worth, trying to step out of Steve Rogers shadow and make Captain America his own. I love that Julius stayed true to himself as a filmmaker with the dramatic personal aspects of the story and then cocooned that with some explosive razzle dazzle action. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

It's a Slamdance Special on BEHIND THE LENS this week as we look at two films marking their world premieres at the Slamdance Film Festival and chat with their respective filmmakers— CAMERON S. MITCHELL talks about DISPOSABLE HUMANITY while CORY SANTILLI discusses IN THE MOUTH. Kicking things off is my exclusive interview with CAMERON MITCHELL writer/director/cinematographer and co-editor of DISPOSABLE HUMANITY, an eye-opening documentary about how the Nazis used disabled people to train killing staff and design the concentration camp apparatus for the Holocaust. Listen as Cameron discusses DISPOSABLE HUMANITY and exploring the Action T4 program during the Third Reich. His parents, who researched American eugenics, inspired him to document the T4 centers, where disabled individuals were systematically killed. The film features Mitchell's family home movies and interviews with survivors and historians. The score, composed by Andre Barros, enhances the cinematic experience. As you'll hear, Cameron emphasizes the importance of ing T4's role in catalyzing the Holocaust and the need for inclusive memorialization. Turning our attention to something lighter is my exclusive interview with CORY SANTILLI talking about his world premiere feature narrative IN THE MOUTH. Shot in black and white, IN THE MOUTH boasts some wonderful production elements as well as outstanding performances from Colin Burgess and Paul Michael. As you'll hear in our conversation, Cory talks about how his own agoraphobia led to this story, shooting in black and white, and amassing a total of 164 scenes shot in 11 days. Cory and cinematographer Mike Magilnick meticulously planned the visual grammar, emphasizing shadows and negative space. The music score, created by composer Kubilar Uner, blends whimsy and genre elements. And of course, you'll discover what Cory learned as a filmmaker in making IN THE MOUTH. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

A fun BEHIND THE LENS show for you this week as we take a look at two very different action films – one in present day and another in the medieval era – thanks to my exclusive interviews with writer/director STEVE BARNETT talking VALIANT ONE and writer/director/editor MATTHEW NINABER talking A KNIGHT'S WAR. First up is my exclusive interview with writer/director STEVE BARNETT discussing VALIANT ONE, an often nail-biting edge-of-your-seat action flick based on a true story and the premise of "What If?" – what if the leaders or special ops of a military mission that lands in enemy territory die, and it's left to the surviving lower ranking team and civilian specialists to figure out how to get out of enemy territory and survive, and maybe even complete the mission? Here, the "what if" involves a US military team intending to land in South Korea but crashes on the North Korean side leaving survivors to work together to protect a civilian tech specialist and find their way out without the help of US military . Then we keep the action going with writer/director/editor MATTHEW NINABER and his wonderful medieval tale A KNIGHT'S WAR. I love a good action piece as do many of you, especially an action piece that's steeped in lore, armor, some horror, and lots of broad sword battles and that's just what Matt gives us here starting with the story and the love of medieval since childhood by Matt and his brother Jeremy, who is co-writer and star of the film as our knight in shining armor Bhodie. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

It's a big day for BEHIND THE LENS as we're kicking off Year 11 of BTL Radio Show AND my 43rd year as a film critic! And what better way for "moviesharkd" to start a new year and new decade than with a shark movie. And what a shark movie I have for you today – INTO THE DEEP! Directed by CHRISTIAN SESMA and written by Chad Law and Josh Ridgway, INTO THE DEEP stars Scout Taylor Compton, Callum McGowan, Stuart Townsend, Jon Seda and Richard Dreyfuss. An action-packed thriller where pirates on the hunt for sunken drugs kidnap a boat of tourists, including husband and wife Cassidy and Gregg, and force them to dive into shark-infested waters to retrieve the drugs (and anything else they might find of value). Listen as Christian and I discuss the making of INTO THE DEEP and the challenges it presented to him. Well accomplished with action films on land, diving into a movie that is 90%, if not more, both underwater and on the water proved to be a steep learning curve for Christian, but one that he and his team successfully mounted to deliver this taut nail-biter. It's an interesting interview discussing not only the making of the film and shooting in Thailand but having Richard Dreyfuss involved in the film and notably with a compelling call to action for sharks during the end credits. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

If you're a reader, listener, viewer, or follower of BEHIND THE LENS, then you know that this week is a very special show as it's the last show of 2024 AND the last show of the first TEN YEARS of BTL!!! And I think this is a special befitting the occasion thanks to my special guest w/d JOHN CORCORAN talking about his debut short film SKYFOREST, plus my exclusive interview with JACK HUSTON talking all things DAY OF THE FIGHT. We kick off the show with my exclusive interview with writer/director JACK HUSTON discussing his narrative feature directorial debut, DAY OF THE FIGHT. A truly knockout directorial that shows me that as good as Jack is acting onscreen, he's even better as a director and writer behind the lens. Written and directed by JACK HUSTON, DAY OF THE FIGHT boasts a megawatt cast including, among others, Michael Pitt as "Mikey", Ron Perlman as MIkey's trainer and father figure "Stevie", John Magaro as "Father Patrick", Steve Buscemi as Mikey's uncle, and Joe Pesci as Mikey's dad, along with Nicolette Robinson and Cameron Williamson. Then writer/director JOHN CORCORAN s me live fresh off his West Coast premiere, discussing his directorial debut with the short film/concept film SKYFOREST, a sci-fi thriller that will have you wanting more as soon as it ends. Hard to believe that so much tension and anticipation can be built within 15 short minutes, but John together with his editor Jordan H. Johnson does just that. Truth be told, I didn't want to see this short end! http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

In this week's episode of BEHIND THE LENS we welcomed in the holiday season with our very special BTL friend, SIMON PHILLIPS talking SILENT BITE while giving a big hello to NICO SANTUCCI who makes his feature directorial debut with SAROGETO. Leave it to SIMON PHILLIPS to fill us with the Christmas spirit and get us in the holiday mood with his latest film, SILENT BITE. Written and produced by Simon, with Simon also starring alongside several other talented folks and friends of his, only Simon could come up with a film that melds a bank heist, Christmas, and vampires! This film is so much fun!! And of course, a conversation with Simon is always more fun than a sleigh full of Santas. Listen as we talk SILENT BITE and its inspiration, Simon's secrets to writing this particular film, casting and characters (and what characters they are!), melding Christmas with lusty vampires, the secrets to shooting in snow-filled -20 degree weather, what led him to his first-time feature director Taylor Martin and her team for SILENT BITE, and more. Plus, we get a teensy weensy tidbit about THE MOUSE TRAP: WELCOME TO THE MICKEYVERSE, a sequel to the horror hit THE MOUSE TRAP. And as we bid adieu to Simon, writer/director NICO SANTUCCI s me in talking about his new film, the exquisitely delicate and moving narrative SAROGETO; a meeting of East meets West philosophies on life, past life, future life, and mortality. An insightful and thoughtful conversation with Nico as we cagily break down the film without giving away spoilers and discuss the cinematography, color palette and lighting, casting and some very specific character requirements, the editing process, a special location Nico was allowed to shoot in, using the beauty of Mother Nature as powerful yet serene and calming element within the film, the beauteous score, and more. A delicate, elegant, and quiet film from a very thoughtful and meticulous filmmaker whom I hope to hear more from in the future. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

It's Musical Monday on BEHIND THE LENS as we look at two fun new musicals – SPELLBOUND with director VICKY JENSON and 1660 VINE with actor KHEMUNI NORODOM. Yes, musicals! Plus, my mini-review on the amazing BONHOEFFER: PASTOR. SPY. ASSASSIN, and some thoughts on the epic and masterful Roman spectacle GLADIATOR II. First, listen to my exclusive interview with director VICKY JENSON talking about the new animated musical from Netflix – SPELLBOUND. Beautiful animation, thoughtful and entertaining story, fun fun characters, creative and imaginative from beginning to end, and filled with music from the legendary Alan Menken, this is a film – and an interview – not to be missed. At the show's midpoint is actor, musician, and Prince of the Cambodian Royal Family, KHEMUNI "MUNI" NORODOM. He s me live discussing his new film (and incredible breakout performance) – 1660 VINE. Now streaming on Prime, 1660 VINE is a Broadway-style high-octane energy musical with terrific cinematic elements thanks to director Patricia McGregor and unforgettable songs and performances. Muni is the fish-out-of-water protagonist with dreams of stardom, Danny, who moves from North Carolina to Hollywood and takes up residence at 1660 Vine along with other dreamers, Vloggers, and influencers seeking social media stardom. Talk about a fun and joy-filled conversation! Muni is a delight and his ion for his crafts, music/acting/musical theatre, is undeniable. A wonderful and insightful conversation as Muni talks about his background and the importance of education and training, making the leap into music and acting, the of his family, the casting experience, insights he discovered about the production process once shooting starts, the fun of taking a cake in the face, working with an ensemble, being choreographed by Paula Abdul, dividing time between music and acting, his creative process and collaborations, and so much more. MUNI NORODOM is one person you want to put on your radar now! http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

This week on BEHIND THE LENS it's all about the great outdoors and survival as we take a look at two wonderful films with two fantastic filmmakers as director GEORGE NOLFI discusses ELEVATION and ANDREW KIGHTLINGER talks about LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE. First up, is my exclusive interview with director George Nolfi talking about his thrilling action film – ELEVATION. Set in the post-apocalyptic Rocky Mountains, a single father and two women venture from the safety of their homes to face monstrous creatures to save the life of a young boy. Written by John Glenn, Jacob Roman, and Kenny Ryan, ELEVATION stars Anthony Mackie, Morena Baccarin, Maddie Hasson, and Danny Boyd Jr. Shot entirely on location at elevations above 8200 feet and as high as 11500 feet above sea level, this is a nail-biter. Take a listen as George and I discuss the film's structure, visuals, thematic elements, and the importance of shooting in real locations to create an authentic, naturalistic world. Another thrilling adventure comes to us courtesy of Andrew Kightlinger and his latest film, LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE. Written by Luke Paradise and based on the book by the same name, the film tells the inspiring story of 12-year-old Donn Fendler, who, while climbing to the top of a famed local mountain, separated from his family by a fast-moving storm, and then had to fight to stay alive during his nine-day adventure lost in the backwoods of Maine. A true story based on the events of 1939, this marked the largest manhunt in the history of Maine up to this point. The local community and state mobilized, with media jumping in as well, to find young Donn. When he finally made it down from the mountain top he was 80 miles from where the family trek had started. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com