Bobby V. : The Most Positive Man in Comedy
On today’s episode of the Cinephellas podcast we’ve got my conversation with Bobby Venetz, known by his stage name Bobby V. He’s an up-and-coming stand up comedian in the Los Angeles area that performs regularly with the Rebels of Comedy revue organized by another insanely funny man that you’ve seen on shows like Comics Unleashed, TK Matteson.
Looking Beyond Eyes: An Interview with Aaron B. Koontz
Schedules can be hectic. My flight back to Los Angeles from a wedding in New York and director Aaron B. Koontz’s packed press schedule meant that we couldn’t talk directly. But our good friends at the Katrina Wan Press Agency had our backs. Samantha Arevalo and Camelia Adibi forwarded my questions to Aaron so the Cinephellas community could get some insight into his artistic process, being a first-time director, and why he wanted to tackle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the new film Camera Obscura. I’d like to thank Samantha, Camelia, and Aaron for taking time out of their busy schedules, and I hope Aaron’s answers get you as hyped for the movie as I am.
by Nile Fortner
Finally, a movie about the iconic DC Comics character, Wonder Woman has hit the big screen. A character that finally has her own big feature movie, a movie 75 years in the making!
When DC first launched their expanded-cinematic-universe, many fans were not thrilled with the start of this cinematic universe. I personally enjoyed Man of Steel, even though some people argued that Superman was too moody and depressing. That film was followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and fans as well did not react to well to that movie either. I have parts I like about the movie and other parts I can’t stand. I did not like the portrayal of Lex Luthor and how they forced Doomsday into the movie. Suicide Squad had its issues, and many people seemed to give up on DC Comics setting up this expanded-cinematic-universe. Many fans saw Wonder Woman as the last chance for this cinematic universe to work and finally give us a movie in this universe that blows audiences away with action, story, and character development.
by Nile Fortner
Most people who saw the original Alien film directed by one of my all time favorite directors, Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise) a horror classic. Not just in the sci-fi and horror department, but in all aspects of film. The first Alien film is more than just a creature feature that pounces out of the dark and kills our characters. It is a film that stands the test of time and considered a classic.
Surprisingly, critics were not all that kind to the film when it hit theaters way back in 1979. The Chicago Reader once described the film as “An empty – headed horror movie, with handsome cinematography.” I personally like most of the Alien films, and I was enthusiastic about the new film in the franchise, Alien: Covenant. However, before I went into this movie, I decided to go back and visit the Alien flicks (that means you too Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem) leading into Covenant.
BUSHWICK first premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2017 and will play the Cannes Film Festival tonight. The film stars Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect), Angelic Zambrana (Precious), and Jeremie Harris (“Legion”). BUSHWICK was directed by Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott and written by Nick Damici and Graham Reznick.
Removing Borders: A Conversation with Peter Spirer and Peter Baxter
On this episode of the Cinephellas podcast I’m talking to the Peter Spirer and Peter Baxter, co-directors of Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation. The documentary uses lacrosse, which the Iroquois nation calls its “medicine game,” as a lens through which to explore Iroquois history and indigenous peoples’ relationships with the United States and Canada. How is it, the film asks, that countless schools and universities across North America play teach the game to its students without relating its ceremonial past? To answer that question, the Peters and I discuss the Catholic Church’s oppressive Doctrine of Discovery, the Iroquois challenges to traditional ideas of sovereignty, and how sports can be used as a tool for activism. Spirit Game is a powerful statement about how popular culture can help change the world for the better.
It’s been five years since Prometheus and in that time the film has received a very mixed reaction. There were a lot of unanswered questions that have been waiting for a sequel to go into more detail about where these prequels fit into the Alien mythos and Covenant might be the film that puts things back on track. Anyone looking for concrete answers to Prometheus will be disappointed, but as it’s own beast that adds more layers to the universe and it’s as close to the original film as we’ve gotten in nearly 40 years.
Save the Galaxy Again with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
by Nile Fortner
Back in 2014, Marvel Studios attempted their riskiest adventure yet, releasing a film based on the not so popular superhero team known as The Guardians of the Galaxy. When the film hit theaters, it was a massive success, and turned characters such as Star Lord and Groot into prominent names. Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 has now hit cinemas, and many are wondering, “Do our favorite space ‘A-holes’ have what it takes to strike lightning in a bottle twice?” The answer is hell yes!
The Representation Game: A Conversation with Matthias Hoene
Pop culture products like movies and TV shows help us recognize social issues that need discussing. If we’re lucky, they enlighten us in entertaining ways. Sometimes they even make us uncomfortable because they force us question our own beliefs. Enter the Warriors Gate, the latest film from director Matthias Hoene, does all that work and more.
by Kevin Muller
The second trailer, or clip, has arrived for the anticipated new adaptation of Stephen King’s horror masterpiece. This one definitely has more footage than I expected, hell, it basically is a new miniature trailer. Let’s see what we got this time.
We hear Stan, standing in front of the attendees at his synagogue, talking about how children are supposed to be protected and how the unprotected ones become prey to evil. Accompanying this speech we see footage of a missing person’s photo along with an image of a very seedy looking adult. This gives of the feeling that Muschetti will indeed include how Pennywise’s presence does bring out the worst in the town. It is something that the mini-series didn’t really talk about. Readers of the novel know that Pennywise casts a very negative energy amongst the residents that definitely influences them to do evil acts.
Cinephellas 