There have been many collaborations throughout cinema history that have made a memorable and profound impact on moviegoers. Creativity can only mushroom if likeminded individuals join forces and put forth great art together. Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg is one such individual and he has been working with maestro and genius composer John Williams for over 40 years now. Their work has gone beyond just art and continues to endure in the collective consciousness of society. The New York Philharmonic recently brought the Spielberg / Williams masterpiece E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to vivid life as they performed the orchestral score live while the 1982 film screened simultaneously.
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Big Apple Comic Con 2017 – Recap
With every year, comic cons get increasingly popular. At this point, they are pretty much a staple of modern society and why shouldn’t they be? They bring people together, people with similar interests and a passion for all things pop culture. This past March saw the return of the Big Apple Con, a fun little con that has been around since 1996. The Penn Plaza Pavillion in New York City has once again played host to the con and once again, the results were pretty great. Movie, tv, comic book, and wrestling stars delighted attendees with their presence and it was certainly a weekend to remember.
Katsucon 2017 – Recap
Every February, a little bit of Japan comes to Maryland. Actually no, that’s not right. A LOT of Japan comes to Maryland. The annual anime and cosplay festival glow sticks comes to National Harbor and attracts a bevy of anime enthusiasts and professional and amateur costumers. It is a yearly celebration and with thousands of joyful participants, it is truly a time to treasure.
Interview: Liam Neeson Talks ‘A Monster Calls’
Over the decades, many actors have secured themselves as cinematic icons. To transcend the film screen and move into audiences’ hearts is no small feat. The hugely diverse Liam Neeson is one such actor and from Schindler’s List to Michael Collins to Star Wars to Taken, this is a man who is no stranger to diversity in terms of picking roles. His latest film is no exception and in A Monster Calls, Neeson takes on the role of a gigantic tree monster (in motion capture), only to help guide a young boy through a very difficult time. Neeson was kind enough to sit down with me and other members of the media in a very special roundtable interview. Here’s how that interview went:
Continue reading Interview: Liam Neeson Talks ‘A Monster Calls’
Interview: Director Darren Lynn Bousman Talks ‘Abattoir’
In his new horror-thriller, Abattoir, director Darren Lynn Bousman gives us a dark and disturbing film that poses many questions and puts the characters through the paces. Known for directing Saw II – IV, Bousman is no stranger to the macabre and creepy. Darren spoke with Unger the Radar recently and here’s how that conversation went:
Continue reading Interview: Director Darren Lynn Bousman Talks ‘Abattoir’
Interview: Special Effects/Makeup Artist Tom Woodruff Jr. Talks ‘The Monster’
Terminator, Predator, Aliens, Tremors, Pumpkinhead, Starship Troopers. These are just a few of the many creatures special effects/makeup wizard Tom Woodruff Jr. has conjured up during his career. He has been creating some of cinema history’s most memorable characters for over three decades and his latest work is featured in the indie horror/drama The Monster. Tom was nice enough to speak with Unger the Radar. Here’s how that conversation went:
Continue reading Interview: Special Effects/Makeup Artist Tom Woodruff Jr. Talks ‘The Monster’
Interview: Director Renny Harlin Talks ‘Skiptrace’
Action is a film genre where directors tend to get a little lazy and just include explosions and over the top gunfights. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with Renny Harlin, a gifted filmmaker who has en eye for action and has supplied the film industry with some of the most intense and exiting action movies there are. From Die Hard 2: Die Harder to Cliffhanger to The Long Kiss Goodnight, the man definitely knows what he’s doing. In Skiptrace (his latest action/comedy), we get a fun buddy adventure starring Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville. Renny was nice enough to chat with me about the film. Here’s how that interview went:
Continue reading Interview: Director Renny Harlin Talks ‘Skiptrace’
Interview: Actress Tovah Feldshuh Talks ‘The Walking Dead Season Six’ (Now Out on Blu-ray & DVD)
The Walking Dead may contain a bevy of flesh-hungry zombies but it’s really the human relationships that propel the action. Season five of the acclaimed television series introduced character Deanna Monroe (played brilliantly by seasoned actress Tovah Feldshuh. With season six now out on DVD and Blu-ray, Tovah was nice enough to speak with me about her work on the show, as well as her extensive career as a celebrated actress. Here’s how the interview went:
Shirley MacLaine & Jessica Lange Star in New Comedy ‘Wild Oats’ Coming to Home Video October 4, 2016
The concept of the aging adventurer who has fallen from grace, only to try and rise again is something film and television has embraced wholeheartedly over the years. To laugh at one’s self in the face of getting older provides for some really strong entertainment and the latest pair to embrace this concept is that of Academy Award-winning actresses Shirley MacLaine (Terms of Endearment) and Jessica Lange (Tootsie). They have a new film coming to home video and Wild Oats may very well be the next Grumpy Old Men, but flipped gender-wise.
Hell or High Water
The western film genre is something of a rarity these days. Sure, we get the occasional gritty cowboy adventure but when it comes to modern-day westerns, that concept is something that quite often eludes us. The new crime thriller Hell or High Water is a fresh take on the genre and with a very strong cast, top notch direction, and a razor-sharp script, this is one movie you’re going to want to check out.
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