RKSS, collective team behind Turbo KId

[SXSW Interview] RKSS (Writers/Directors of Turbo Kid)

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Video by Elijah Alvarado.

If you missed my review of Turbo Kid, I highly recommend reading that soon. It was, hands down, my favorite film out of SXSW 2015, and one I'll have no problem championing and supporting in the upcoming months as it begins to play across the rest of the country. It's been such a long while since a film's hype and buzz was lived up to, making Turbo Kid that much more enjoyable.

During SXSW, we had the chance to sit down with Yoann-Karl Whissell, Anouk Whissell, and Francois Simard, the writers and directors behind Turbo Kid that collectively go by the name RKSS (short for Roadkill Superstar). Watch our video interview where we discuss the influences behind the film, the struggle to make Turbo Kid tonally sound, and more!


Bert Marcus and Mike Tyson of Champs

Bert Marcus (Champs)

Bert Marcus and Mike Tyson of Champs

Watching boxing when I was little was kind of a bonding experience between my parents and I. We used to watch every major heavyweight bout during the '90s, so it's no surprise to say that Mike Tyson was one of my favorite boxers growing up. Recently, the man formerly known as Iron Mike has experienced a renaissance of sorts with his various ventures in entertainment. One such venture saw Tyson produce Champs, an exceptional documentary that explores the socioeconomic issues that plagued Bernard Hopkins, Evander Holyfield, and Tyson during their boxing heydays.

I had the chance to speak with Bert Marcus, the writer/director/co-producer of Champs, where we discussed the documentary's focus, working with Tyson, his production company's plans for the future, and more. Read on for the full interview, and keep an eye out for our review of the documentary later.

Champs is in theaters, on Demand, and on iTunes today, March 13th!


Photo of Spike Lee

[Video Interview] Spike Lee and Zaraah Abrahams (Da Sweet Blood of Jesus)

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Whether you're a fan of his work or not, everybody knows who Spike Lee is. His name alone ushers a sense of reverence thanks to his spectacular debut and long filmography, as well as his penchant for always bringing positivity to his depictions of Brooklyn and New York, in general. With his next film, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, releasing in theaters today, I am pleased to release a video interview we shot with the director and lead actress Zaraah Abrahams. In it, I ask Lee about his feelings on Kickstarter and its future in filmmaking, the influences and themes of Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, as well as Abrahams' character, Ganja, and working with Lee.

 


Jim Strouse and Jemaine Clement

[Sundance Roundtable Interview] Jim Strouse and Jemaine Clement (People, Places, Things)

Photos by J. Frank

During Sundance this year, we had the chance to sit down with Jim Strouse and Jemaine Clement, writer/director and star of People, Places, Things, respectively. Throughout our roundtable interview, the two shared their experiences working on the film, with Strouse sharing exactly how close the film was to him on a personal level, and how the film was able to succeed with Clement in place as the lead actor. We also decided to share the audio from the interview rather than transcribe it to see how it would be received. Hopefully, you'll be able to enjoy actually listening to the conversations we have behind-the-scenes rather than reading everything. Be sure to check out some of the photos J. Frank took of the interview below, as well!


Jason Isaacs and Saoirse Ronan

[Sundance Roundtable Interview] Jason Isaacs and Saoirse Ronan (Stockholm, Pennsylvania)

Photos by J. Frank

During this year's Sundance Film Festival, I had the opportunity to talk to Jason Isaacs and Saoirse Ronan, two of the stars of the psychological indie drama, Stockholm, Pennsylvania. During our conversation, the two discussed their approaches to acting and how it differs from American actors, their on-set rapport with one another, and the drive behind their characters. We also decided to share the audio from the interview rather than transcribe it to see how it would be received. Hopefully, you'll be able to enjoy actually listening to the conversations we have behind-the-scenes rather than reading everything. Be sure to check out some of the photos J. Frank took of the interview below, as well!


Justin Kelly, director of I Am Michael

[Sundance Interview] Justin Kelly (Director of I Am Michael)

Video shot and edited by J. Frank.

I Am Michael, the upcoming film featuring James Franco as Michael Glatze, a former gay rights and LGBT icon who famously renounced his homosexuality to become a Christian pastor, is set to for its worldwide premiere tonight during this year's Sundance Film Festival. The film, which is based on the New York Times article "My Ex-Gay Best Friend" written by Glatze's former best friend, Benoit Denizet-Lewis in 2011, explores Glatze's relationship with his long-time ex-boyfriend, Bennet (Zachary Quinto), and his religious awakening.

We had the chance to interview the film's director Justin Kelly about the film, working alongside Franco and Quinto, whether Glatze and Denizet-Lewis had any involvement with the film, and more. Be sure to come back later this weekend for our full review of I Am Michael.


The cast and writer/director of Cronies

[Sundance Interview] Cast and Director of Cronies

Video shot and edited by J. Frank.

When I said really enjoyed Cronies in my review, I meant it. The film embodies the complexities of camaraderie, friendships, and city life in a simple, digestible way that anybody can relate to it. During this year's Sundance Film Festival, J. Frank and I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Zurich Buckner, George Sample III, Brian Kowalski, and Michael J. Larnell about the film. Cronies is bound to find distribution soon enough, so keep it on your radar over the year and make sure you catch it the first moment you get a chance.


Paige VanZant

[Interview] UFC Fighter Paige VanZant

They say first impressions are important, and if Paige VanZant's debut appearance in a UFC ring this past November is of any indication, she just might become the future of the sport. VanZant got the TKO victory over Kailin Curran in her first UFC bout, receiving Fight of the Night honors and setting the tone for a career that could be destined for glory. Just this week, the UFC announced that VanZant will return to the octagon on April 18th against Felice Herrig in the undercard for UFC on FOX 15: Machida vs. Rockhold, allowing the rising star to show that second impressions can be just as important.

During the media blitz following the fight's announcement, I had the chance to speak with VanZant over the phone about her brief time in the UFC, her MMA background, her biggest influences and inspirations, and much more. Read on to learn more about "12 Gauge" Paige VanZant, and don't be surprised if she becomes your next favorite MMA fighter, let alone the sport's most popular female fighter.