Having a bunch of interesting things to say does not necessarily mean that you're going to make an interesting movie. The way you opt to say them--or not say them--is hugely important. The Tom Hardy movie "Child 44" fails because it can't be bothered with choosing what to prune back and what to keep. It is, in the simplest terms, a story told just as my son would tell it.
Austin Stark is the writer-director of "The Runner," Nicolas Cage's latest film. In the movie, the actor plays a politician who truly believes in doing the right thing for his community and not getting corrupted by the system, but who can't get out of his own way.
Lass is More talks to Stark about how his own world views influence the film, why he chose a real-world disaster as the backdrop for the movie, and a whole lot more.
Is it an Australian story? Is it one of universal appeal? What makes Kim Farrant's first narrative feature film special? Certainly, it has a good cast, one led by Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving, and Joseph Fiennes. It also offers up a tale of parents whose children go missing and that is a horror we can all imagine.
What else? Kim Farrant tells all in our latest episode.
This week's minisode finds Josh struggling with writer's block and watching Wim Wenders' documentary about photographer Sebastio Salgado. Josh does, somehow, find the words to tell you what he thinks of the movie and thinks of the photographer's work and they are quite different. But, what of his own words for his writing? Will those come back?
Everyone knows that big budget, effects driven, films take a long time to make. From pre-production through post-, everything has to be thought out and considred. But, what about small features? How long do they take? The answer, as given to us by writer/director/producer John Chi, is that it can still be years, especially when you have to worry about distribution.
As people who know him will attest, Josh has a tendency to sometimes focus on small things that wouldn't bother anyone else in the world but which cause him great distress. He can tell you the moment that ruined "National Treasure" for him and which absolutely no one else in the entire world cares about in the slightest. Today, Josh looks at Al Pacino's new film, "Danny Collins," and allows himself to get completely sidetracked by one note that rings false in an otherwise enjoyable movie.
Kristen Wiig's comedy "Welcome to Me" is available on Blu-rary and DVD as of June 16th, and after watching it we're just not sure what to think. At times funny and at other times sad, the movie makes one feel, but feel what? There is little to no character growth and many issues go unresolved. Listen for our thoughts
When Josh first watched "Chappie," he really enjoyed it. He didn't think it was the greatest movie he had ever seen, but he thought it was good and said as much. Other people didn't see it the same way however, and now Josh has gone back to watch it once more.
Does he stand by his opinion upon viewing it a second time?
James McTeigue, whose first feature film as a director was "V for Vendetta," is back with his latest project, "Survivor." Starring Milla Jovovich and Pierce Brosnan, "Survivor" is the tale of one woman trying to stop a terrorist attack against the United States. Our discussion with the director centers on representations of 9/11, female protagonists, and McTeigue's view of the world.
Carl Boenish is known as the father of BASE jumping, and in a new documentary, Marah Strauch dives into her subject. Relying not just on new footage but also using film from Boenish's archives, she creates a picture of the man, his passions, and his life.
This minisode examines two relationships, one which is brilliantly portrayed and completely realistic while the other is something less than that. Each of these films tackle subjects that aren't always easy to discuss, but they approach them in very different ways. "Still Alice" works beautifully, while "Fifty Shades" fails on almost every level. Listen to our thoughts.
Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan star in Richard LaGravenese movie (currently available on DVD and Blu-ray) which is all about a the start and end of a couple's relationship. Naturally, I'm not entirely convinced about why it works out the way it works out. What they talk about when they talk about love? Their careers and what's happening--or isn't--in them. To me, there's more to life. Listen and see what you think.
This week, Daniel Fienberg of HitFix comes on "Lass is More" to discuss the television season that is ending, what next season may bring, and what we may be looking at even further down the line. Bundled vs. unbdunled cable packages, "Modern Family," "The Goldbergs," and superhero TV shows are all looked at on this "Lass is More."
The new Josh Gad-Kevin Hart comedy The Wedding Ringer has a great premise at its center -- it's a platonic Pretty Woman. However, at some point the filmmakers opted to not make that movie, choosing to abandon the film's heart and soul for jokes about other parts of people's anatomy.
Josh's children are young -- four and nearly nine -- but the way they see television and interact with it is radically different at their age than it was for Josh when he was that old or even today. How is it different? What does it all mean? We unpack some of those issues on this minisode.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra is a well known quantity in Indian cinema, having written, directed, and/or produced a number of hit movies both commercially and critically. Now, he's taken on a new challenge, directing a Hollywood film, and not just any sort of Hollywood film, a Western. We chat about his reasoning for taking on the challenge and how the process in the States differs from that in India.
If I go and see "Star Wars" on the big screen this year, but don't make it a point to see a smaller drama, am I telling Hollywood that I value "Star Wars" more even if I don't? I think I might be, I don't like the message that sends, and I'm just not sure what to do about it.
This time out, "Lass is More" sits down with Anna Mastro, who is making her debut as a feature film director with "Walter," a new movie starring Andrew J. West (the head cannibal at Terminus, if that helps). Why did she pursue this film to take the plunge and what did she learn?
"The Breakfast Club" is turning 30 this year and that means a new anniverary Blu-ray edition.
In this minisode, I spend a few minutes thinking about just how important that movie is to me, the number of times I've seen it, and the influence it, and other films, have played in shaping today's filmmakers.
On today's podcast, we have a talk with Joe Lynch, the director of "Everly." In fact though, Lynch is more than simply the director, he also helped develop the story itself. The movie, which stars Salma Hayek, is something of a brutal, bloody affair. Taking place almost entirely in a single location, it is different from many a traditional movie. Lynch explains to us where the idea came from and how it developed over time.
This week's first "Lass is More" features a discussion with the director and producer of the new Tinker Bell movie, "Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast." The wide-ranging discussion not only offers up a look at the collaborative process involved in the creation of the film, but also reveals a "Star Wars" connection.
Additionally, I give my thoughts on Foxcatcher as the five-time Academy Award nominee arrives on DVD.
What is it that makes people think it's okay to text during a movie? It isn't. It does in fact disturb other moviegoers, you are in fact wrong by doing it. Just listen as Lass is More explains.
Jonas Erod is the man behind OWN's "In Deep Shift." The series follows Elrod as he talks to people who have faced cataclysmic changes in their lives, changes which opened their eyes to a spiritual journey. Just what is this journey, how does Elrod understand it, and what does he take away from the folks he meets? We find out this week on "Lass is More."
Jay Black is on Lass is More today to talk about his new made-for-television movie, "Meet My Valentine" which he stars in and co-wrote. Airing February 6th on ION, the movie also stars Scott Wolf and Courtney Ford. Listen to Black talk about his experiences on the movie and whether his heart lies in stand-up or writing/acting.
In our first minisode, we explain just how it is that an absolutely average evening at the movies is going to run you more than $100. That is a whole lot of money, and the movie better be worth it.