Tag: Independent Film

In Zach Green’s Foil, Where’s The Little Green Men?

Finding success isn’t easy, but when you’re Zach Green, perhaps making a film aptly named Foil is like therapy to show he’s got what it takes to be a success.

Zach Green's Foil (2023) Movie PosterAvailable on Amazon Prime

Zach Green could’ve easily made a film about two hasbeens getting abducted by aliens and through that experience, maybe get a second chance at life. Instead, what’s presented in Foil deals with how these two realise that they don’t have to live up to what others expect of them. When they go looking for the meaning of life in the middle of the desert, what they discover is a bit like Monty Python.

Usually, movie titles offer a hint at what to expect, and this work is a strange beast because I wasn’t sure what to expect. Here, most of the story is fixated on Rex (Devin O’Rourke) and Dexter (Green) as they hope to experience some 70s magic; that is, they hope to get some “Kum ba yah” going in the most hilarious way possible. When the former is a UFO nut who wants to be taken away and the latter, a failed filmmaker with no Hollywood cred to his name, both are ready to leave it all behind so they can start anew.

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Ross Munro’s The Moviegoer Aims for More Than A Reflection of Times Gone By

There’s no innocence lost in The Moviegoer, since it also includes recognising the various exploitation type films that became prominent for this era.

Ross Munro's The Moviegoer PosterRoss Munro‘s The Moviegoer is more than a love letter about his youthful experiences at the movie theatre. It’s also a look at what inspired him to start making films of his own, and what’s notable is the affection for Carlota Viva, an actress from Venezuela. He says she’s South America’s answer to Bridget Bardot and I can’t blame him for carrying that affection into his adult years.

Although this character is a fictional creation, I get what he’s going for; she symbolized a time much like Marilyn Monroe back in the 60s. Had the era been different, I’m sure not everyone will get it, and I feel the choice of which decade to make his own is important to sell this film. I grew up in this time too.

Although I thought of his short film as an autobiography, there’s a lot more going on. After watching it, I had to hit google and do some additional research just to reacquaint myself about the times. The only reference I could find is from the Jane the Virgin Wikipedia. And if I was to connect this character to anyone real, I’d place my money on him being infatuated with Eva Perón, The First Lady of Argentina.

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Remembering Roger Corman, the Marvel Comics Connection, and the Love for E.A. Poe. Part Two

The reason why Roger Corman is exceptional is because he’s willing to take chances, and also find creative ways to save a buck or two.

Roger CormanRoger Corman is a cinematic maestro who sadly passed away late last week, and the outpouring of affection continues. Even though he’s regarded as retired, there’s still some output. He’s executive producing and I can’t wait for the release of Little Shop of Halloween Horrors, a reboot of the movie that made me a fan of his works. Technically, I first saw the musical and upon learning right away that it was based on a darker version, I had to see it. Afterwards, I had a tough time deciding which one I loved more. Both have their merits.

As for being a filmmaker at the height of his career, the 60s, he gave many young talents getting into the industry that break. He also helped mentor them to be even more successful than he was. At the time of writing, the outpouring of affection from Ron Howard and John Carpenter say more than what I can put to words. There’s also bound to be more social media posts from other industry leaders. Even the heads from Shout! Studios, an early distributor of his works, have paid tribute. Continue reading “Remembering Roger Corman, the Marvel Comics Connection, and the Love for E.A. Poe. Part Two”

Remembering Roger Corman (Part One). The Beast from Haunted Cave Remastered.

Although Beast From Haunted Cave is not one of Roger Corman’s best, it’s notable for other reasons in this retrospective of this filmmaker.

Beast From Haunted Cave and Ski Troop Attack
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

The Beast from Haunted Cave (1959) won’t win awards for its schlock, but for B movie enthusiasts, to see it offered side by side with Ski Troop Attack (1960) can make for a fun weekend at the movies–especially if you’re the type who love those drive-in type affairs. Film Masters released this pairing back in October as a look at what the Corman brothers did early in their career. Roger produced the former and got his brother Gene to direct.

Strangely, what I wrote before and thought I had posted has disappeared. Perhaps that monster chewed it up because it didn’t like what I wrote. But after hearing of Roger’s passing, I had to delve into my library and select a sampling of works to remind myself about why this filmmmaker is revered.

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Going Behind the Scenes. Secrets From The Inventor as Revealed by Jim Capobianco

In order to make sure The Inventor would appeal to all ages, writer-director-producer Jim Capobianco spent more than a decade fiddling with getting all the details right, like the Maestro would do too!

Jim Capobianco, producer, writer, director of The Inventor (2023)For our readers unfamiliar with your work, can you please introduce yourself.

I’m Jim Capobianco and have worked in animation for something like 35 years and my latest film is The Inventor, which I wrote and directed. I got my start at Walt Disney Studios working in their story department, and my first work was with The Lion King–I stayed there for five years. Afterwards, I moved to the Bay Area to work at PIXAR (for 19) and have credits on many films, from Bugs Life to Coco.

One movie I’m particularly proud of was Ratatouille, where I wrote the first draft of it with Jan Pinkava, the director, and we were honoured with an Academy nomination. I left PIXAR in 2016, and then it’s proven pretty good. I worked on Mary Poppins Returns and directed the 2D animation segments, and then followed that up with a project called Philharmonia Fantastique–which was kind of a Fantasia piece, and directed the animation for that. And that plays with a live symphony orchestra.

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When a Movie Titled, “With Love and a Major Organ” is Constantly Beating, Who Can Stop Me Now?

Sometimes it’s tough to live and all that’s left may “not” be what people wants in the movie, With Love and a Major Organ. There’s lots to process in this film which packs a lot of social commentary.

With Love and a Major Organ Movie PosterPlaying at select movie theatres in Canada.

When machines are being used to tell people how to manage the everyday in the the sublime and thoughtful science fiction drama With Love and a Major Organ, sometimes that individual can’t get to live the life the way they want. It’s a problem today’s society may well face if social media platforms and AI get their way. If there are issues to be found, just what this drama reveals can be considered terrifying.

Thankfully, this film is more of a comedy romance than the other genre. Julia Lederer wrote the stage play that’s now a motion picture, and I’m glad she’s in full control of this adaptation. With director Kim Albright to navigate the cinematic version, what’s presented shows just how terribly lost some folks can get when they let technology do all the thinking. The performances are sublime, and a few of the characters we meet look like they’re simply lost in the quagmire known as life.

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