Matt Reeves did wonders with the Apes. The filmmakers’ Planet of the Apes trilogy created a fantastical world that was surprisingly rich and beautifully crafted. With that, it was difficult to imagine another director taking on this exciting series. Enter Wes Ball. Coming off of the popular Maze Runner franchise, Ball has successfully continued the already impressive world with his latest, The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The film offers a fresh faced cast that includes, Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy. It is a bold sequel that continues what Reeves started with a smart and satisfying new story (which is getting great buzz).

Last Wednesday, I took a drive to the idyllic and incredibly peaceful Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge. It was a perfect day to get close to nature, and yes, talk about Apes. First up, I met a new friend, a hawk named Jasper. Did I mention it was also a perfect day for Falconry? After that incredible experience, one where I couldn’t resist the beauty of this incredible bird, I continued on my day.

The first interview was the wonderful Kevin Durand and Peter Macon. It was one of the easiest interviews I’ve ever done as the the two just told me these amazing stories about becoming Apes. Having interviewed Kevin recently for his excellent work in Abigail, it was fantastic to chat with him again. Right after speaking with these two, I sat down with both Owen Teague and Freya Allan. The two were incredibly charming, and they opened up about being a part of this legendary series.

To finish the day up, we talked with director Wes Ball. It was clear that bringing life to The Maze Runner prepared Mr. Ball for yet another franchise. He discussed taking on after what Reeves brought us, and the casting of this latest installment. It was a delightful conversation, but one could not end an Apes junket without learning how to become an “ape.” The final trip of the day included a conversation with Movement Coordinator/Choreographer Alain Gauthier. And yes, I try my best to learn to walk the walk. Luckily, Mr. Owen Teague made a brief cameo to help us out.

The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is heading to theatres this weekend, and it’s a sequel that manages to live up to the beauty of what came before.

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Hype can kill a great moviegoing experience. And frankly, there was a lot of hype even before I stepped into David Leitch’s take on the classic series, The Fall Guy. Thankfully, this time, it’s beyond well warranted. Starring the ridiculously charismatic Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, this love letter to the amazing world of stuntwork shines. The action is predictably glorious – it’s David Leitch, the man excels at this – and the performances are perfection. It’s that rare cinematic treat that manages to do nearly everything well, and it works. Whether or not you are familiar with the cool as hell Lee Majors series (1981-86), you will fall for Leitch’s amazing work. A couple of weeks back, I had the incredible chance to step onto the sound stages of Universal Studios. I was there to interview the cast and director about their latest. First up was Mr. Leitch. I can’t say enough about what a great guy he is. We talked about the references in the new film, one of which was especially fitting for my viewing experience. He discussed finding the right balance a humor and heart, without letting up on the brilliant stunt work and action set pieces.

Next up, we talked with co-stars Hannah Waddingham and Winston Duke and it was yet another treat. The two talked about working on a set with Leitch, and building grounded, yet entertaining characters. Both of these actors are terrific in the film. In fact, Hannah is so good in the movie, I was half expecting her to be drinking the same beverage during the interview as the person she plays in the film. She did not. In fact, she is about as far from that as possible. These two were terrific.

And finally, I made my way to my final interview with Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling. While waiting for Ms. Blunt, I had the chance to speak off camera with Mr. Gosling. Having had the pleasure before, the man is one of the nicest guys you could ever talk to. As is his wonderful co-star. The two talked about taking on this fantastic film. For Emily, she talked about playing out the real life stakes portraying an up-and-coming director. And Ryan talked about his experiences with stuntmen throughout his career. It’s hard to imagine a more pleasant couple of actors to sit down with, as Gosling and Blunt are lovely people on-screen and off.

The Fall Guy is one of the most engaging and thrilling movies so far this year. It’s the kind of big budget tale that will likely find the same success as Top Gun and Barbie. You all are going to dig this (check out our review HERE).

Let us know what you thought of our The Fall Guy interviews by leaving a comment below!

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Music can transport you. When you hear a song that brings back memories, it can be an exceptionally moving experience. However, in the new feature The Greatest Hits, those songs from the past can quite literally move you to another place and time. Written and directed by Ned Benson, the film cleverly intermingles sci-fi elements such as time travel, in a beautifully grounded way. It also features an excellent lead performance from Lucy Boynton, as well as the terrific Justin H. Min, David Corenswet, and Austin Crute. The story is original, refreshing, and will likely connect to anybody out there that loves music. It certainly did with me.

The last time I spoke with Lucy Boynton, it was for another project that had a ton of music. That would be Bohemian Rhapsody. Here, she shines as a woman who desperately attempts to change the past. Both Justin H. Min and Ms. Boynton discussed working with Mr. Benson, and finding such an easy and effective acting partner with each other. We also sat down with Austin Crute, and it was a joy. Mr. Crute discussed his relationship to music, and a few wonderful memories he was kind enough to share. The Greatest Hits is currently available on Hulu, and it’s well worth seeking out if you’ve ever connected to a memory with music.

The film (you can read our review HERE) has the following synopsis: Harriet (Lucy Boynton) finds art imitating life when she discovers certain songs can transport her back in time – literally. While she relives the past through romantic memories of her former boyfriend (David Corenswet), her time travelling collides with a burgeoning new love interest in the present (Justin H. Min). As she takes her journey through the hypnotic connection between music and memory, she wonders – even if she could change the past, should she?

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Having spent many years as a fan of Jackass, I’ve always gravitated to the career of Johnny Knoxville. The actor has a new feature currently available for streaming or purchase on Prime, and frankly, he’s excellent in it. Sweet Dreams tells the story of Morris, a man who has found himself at a sober living facility. The film, written and directed by Lije Sparks, is a sweet, funny, and heartfelt tale, one that is utterly inspiring. The sports aspect is fun, as the group put together a ragtag softball team to save their place, but it’s also a serious work. Also starring Kate Upton, Bobby Lee, Jay Mohr, and Gata, it’s an inspiring film with a huge heart.

I’ve always enjoyed chatting with Mr. Knoxville, and this was no exception. Both Johnny and Mr. Sarki opened up about bringing a bit of positivity to those struggling with addiction. And yes, the performances are terrific all around. Yet it was the reason for Lije to make this film that truly tugged at my heartstrings during the interview. As well, we spoke with both Bobby Lee and GaTa, and it was a pleasure. The two discussed working with this group of actors, and building the relationships with them on-screen. It’s great to see a film that deals with addiction with hope and heart. If you are looking for a special flick, you may want to give this one a try.

Sweet Dreams has the following synopsis: Forced into rehab, a man reluctantly agrees to coach a misfit softball team of recovering addicts to win a cash prize and prove that everyone, despite their past, can hit a home run.

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In 2003, Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black introduced the world to the Grace family. After they move into the Spiderwick Estate, things get fantastical for twins Simon and Jared, as well as older sister Mallory. It was only the beginning of this magical story. With the books and a feature film release in 2008, the stories are back. After originally being produced for Disney Plus, The Spiderwick Chronicles series has found a home this weekend on Roku. Showrunner Aron Eli Coleite looked to expand on the world, with the help of its creators. And the impressive cast led by Christian Slater and Joy Bryant, are all in on the fantasy.

Recently, we had the great joy of speaking with the fine folks that brought Spiderwick to life. First up, we sat down with DiTerlizzi and Black. The authors discussed the excitement of expanding the world they created. During the conversation, Mr. DiTerlizzi showed JoBlo a little love during the course of the interview. And with the series hitting Roku, we spoke with Coleite about working with the creators of the series, and putting more focus on the characters than the feature film that came out before.

Next up, we spoke to Christian Slater and Joy Bryant. And they were fantastic. Even though I’d never interviewed Mr. Slater before, I did met him years before. After a nostalgic music store discussion, Joy and Christian opened up about taking on this magical tale. As well, we spoke to Lyon Daniels, Mychala Lee, and Noah Cottrell about playing the Grace family children. The three young actors were terrific to speak with, and they opened up about the excitement of being a part of this.

And finally, we talked to one of my favorite fellas to interview, Jack Dylan Grazer, and his talented co-star, Alyvia Alyn Lind. It’s always a joy to chat with Jack, and he talked about playing the magical little creature, Thimbletack. As for Ms. Lind, she opened up about playing an original role to the television series. Since they could expand the stories, with the help of the original authors, it made it easier to build an even bigger world for these characters. Check out The Spiderwick Chronicles, available on Roku now. Read our review of the show HERE.

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Vampire films in the past decade or so have been hit or miss. With every Renfield, you have something
subpar sent straight to VOD. Lately, Universal Pictures has been killing it by dipping their toes back into their vampire lore with the above-mentioned Renfield and last summer’s The Last Voyage of the
Demeter.

As fun as those films were, Universal’s latest release, Abigail, is something on another level. Recently, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Matt Betinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett about their latest film. I also had the joy of speaking with the cast, including a paired-up Melissa Barrera and Alisha Weir (who were a power force together in both film and on-screen), Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, and Kevin Durand. Frankly, I’m expecting to see major things for young Ms. Weir. Her performance here is incredible.

We discussed the film, which our own Michael Conway raved about, and we also got a little more insight into their roles. Having seen the film, I tend to agree with our review in saying it’s a damn good time at the movies and one that demands to be seen with a crowd. If you are fans of the directing duo’s previous work like Ready or Not or their Scream sequels, you are in for quite the bloody treat. It’s a well-set-up heist film that just so happens to involve a vampire. While it is indeed tense at times, there is a perfect balance of comedy to counteract the horror. If you are in the mood for a fun thrill ride of a picture, I highly recommend checking out Abigail, which opens today.

Here’s the official synopsis: Children can be such monsters. After a group of would-be criminals kidnap the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, all they have to do to collect a $50 million ransom is watch the girl overnight. In an isolated mansion, the captors start to dwindle, one by one, and they discover, to their mounting horror, that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.

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One of the interesting aspects of press screenings is that you see a film early, and you don’t have a series of trailers in front of the feature. There is beauty in this. You can walk into a film with very little knowledge of what will happen. And for the new film, Sasquatch Sunset, I had that very experience. Knowing the cast and seeing a picture of a “Sasquatch,” was all I knew going in. Happily, it was one of the most unique films I’ve seen in a while. It is simply the story of a group of mysterious creatures trying to survive in an ever-changing world. Frankly, this flick has so much heart and humanity, and there is not a single line of dialogue.

Recently, I had the joy of speaking with filmmakers David and Nathan Zellner. I also spoke with cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Riley Keough, and Christophe Zajac-Denek. Nathan Zellner also takes on Sasquatch duties as one of the characters in the film. It was a fascinating conversation. It is one that slightly goes into spoiler territory regarding one character in the film, so be warned. Mr. Eisenberg discussed taking on a role as producer as well as star. And his co-stars discussed bringing the family together.

Nathan and David Zellner discussed taking on such an ambitious project. Nathan also opened up about being part of this unusual on-screen family. And yes, he is certainly a highlight in this surprisingly grounded and emotional feature. This is an impressive and very original story that is far different from your usual Friday night at the movies. Yet Sasquatch Sunset is well worth the journey and a terrific feature film. Once again, watch out for a slighty spoilery conversation about the world of a Sasquatch family in the interview above. If you are seeking out something new and engaging, check out Sasquatch Sunset, which is opening this Friday.

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Growing up, The Omen franchise was one of my favorites. And like many a film series, the subsequent sequels couldn’t come close to the original. Even still, I appreciated the first three films. I was doubtful this would be remotely good. That is until me and my horror loving buddy Matt Van Winkle were happily shocked after seeing the new flick. The prequel is frankly one of the best franchise horror films I’ve seen in a long while. Arkasha creates a wonderful sense of dread with a final act that will creep you the f*ck out. Add to that, Nell Tiger Free is utterly sensational as a young idealistic nun facing true evil – and dare I say it’s an award worthy performance. I absolutely loved this film.

Not only did I love the film, talking to both Arkasha Stevenson and Nell Tiger Free was a marvelous experience. For Arkasha, it’s almost hard to believe someone could pull off a successful continuation to the franchise. Yet Stevenson showed her expertise on the genre during our interview. She talked about her own inspiration, and finding the right story to tell. She discussed bringing body horror elements into the new film, and telling a story that feels relevant for today. I cannot wait to see what this amazing talent does next.

Instantly, I was engaged the second I sat down opposite the ridiculously talented Nell Tiger Free who you may know from the acclaimed series Servant and Game of Thrones. Nell is incredible in this film. Sometimes horror offers performers the chance to truly takes risks, and she does so marvelously. This incredible talent discussed taking on a role with absolutely none of the regular tools that actors often use, research into the world they are diving into. Instead, she just trusted her director. I had major doubts about The First Omen. And now, I’m planning on seeing it again tonight. It’s an excellent horror film, and it’s perfect to see with a large audience in a packed theatre. Check out our review here!

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It’s nice to see so many original stories heading to theatres as of late. And one that is likely on your radar is the thrilling Monkey Man. Not only is Dev Patel taking on an intense leading performance, as well, it is his feature film directorial debut. And let’s just say he has learned a thing or two from the great action flicks we’ve seen over the past few years starting with John Wick. Monkey Man is a lean and mean revenge thriller that is a potent mix of violence and culture. And yes, Mr. Patel does a marvelous job both behind and in front of the camera. The film also features a terrific performance from Sharlto Copley, and if you like action, you are in for a treat.

We recently had the wonderful opportunity to sit down face to face with Dev and talk about his latest. Yet even before the conversation began, he joined a few of us waiting to speak to him just to chat. Mr. Patel couldn’t be any nicer. The man is wonderfully charming, and he took great pleasure in talking about the new film. One of the things we discussed before going on-camera is an excellent training sequence that occurs in the action packed feature. During the interview, Dev discussed that, and taking on such a massive project for his directorial debut. Monkey Man opens this Friday, and action fans are going to have much to get excited for with this one.

The film has the following synopsis: Monkey Man is an action thriller about one man’s quest for vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to victimize the poor and powerless systemically. Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash.After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him. Packed with thrilling and spectacular fight and chase scenes, Monkey Man is directed by Dev Patel from his original story and his screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World).

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In the latest feature from Luc Besson, a young man seeks revenge in an original fashion. Caleb Landry Jones is fantastic as the DogMan. As ‘Douglas Munroe,’ the actor is given the chance to take on the role fearlessly. The story revolves around a man who was horribly abused. His love and appreciation of dogs follows him into his adult years, leaving him angry at the world around him. And thankfully, he trains man’s best friend to take care of other, not-so-nice, people in his life. The film also stars Jojo T. Gibbs and the two are terrific together.

Recently, we spoke with Caleb Landry Jones and Jojo T. Gibbs about the film. Caleb opened up about working with Luc Besson and taking on such a powerful role. For Ms. Gibbs, she discussed working with Caleb and both of the two seemingly found inspiration working off of each other. Luc Besson‘s latest is certainly original, and it’s also quite intense considering what this character and his dogs go through, especially in the flashbacks. Either way, this is an impressive feature, one that is original, intense, and thought-provoking. DogMan opens this weekend and is worth seeking out for Besson fans.

The film has the following synopsis: In DogMan, having just been arrested, Douglas opens his heart to tell the moving story of his life. As a survivor of childhood trauma, with a violent father who forces him to live in the family kennel, he develops a bond with dogs that defies understanding. Out of this hell, he grows to discover love, theatre, and cabaret, but also the injustice and disillusionment of the human world. In a life that’s been broken a thousand times, only the love of his dogs can bring salvation.

Will you be watching DogMan? Let us know – and tell us what you thought of this interview – by leaving a comment below.

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