Author Archives
Gardner-Webb University Class of ’22 | Communications/Journalism Major | Ultra-Marathon Runner | Star Wars and Comic Book Genre Geek | Lover of All Things Film-Related
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Allow the joy of documentary “Lily Topples the World” to knock you over. [SXSW Film Festival]
Documentaries that manage to introduce a new audience to something niche and relatively uncommon (while retaining entertainment value and artistic excellence) instantly earn my admiration. From director Jeremy Workman and executive producer Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Topples the World shows… Read More ›
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Director Mary Wharton’s documentary “Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free” is good for the heart and soul. [SXSW Film Festival]
From director Mary Wharton, the documentary Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free feels like a secret glimpse into a lost part of history. Considering that we are less than three decades removed from the time period of this film’s focus,… Read More ›
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Flashes of brilliance in co-directors Mallory Everton and Stephen Meek’s “Recovery” are diminished by inconsistency. [SXSW Film Festival]
A little over a year ago, mentioning the term “COVID comedy” as a film genre would have probably brought looks of confusion. Of course, events within the last 12 months or so have changed the entire motion of the world… Read More ›
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A Conversation with “For The Record” showrunner/actor Julian De Zotti and Actress Anna Hopkins. [SXSW Film Festival]
Elements of Madness contributor Thomas Manning recently spoke with showrunner/actor Julian De Zotti and actress Anna Hopkins about the new anthology series For the Record, which premiered at SXSW 2021. Over the course of their 10-minute conversation, they discuss the… Read More ›
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Bonkers B-Movie gore fest “Jakob’s Wife” is brimming with bloodlust. [SXSW Film Festival]
Immediately after I finished watching Jakob’s Wife, I sat there in a state of confusion, perplexed by the madness of what I just witnessed. A jumbled mess of incohesive thoughts and emotions floated around in my mind as I tried… Read More ›
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Documentary “Hysterical” is a showcase of the sheer fearlessness and tenacity of female comics. [SXSW Film Festival]
There is a lot to take away from the official SXSW selection, Hysterical, a documentary feature directed by Andrea Nevins, which examines the culture of women in stand-up comedy. Just to set the scene, I am a straight, white male… Read More ›
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Q-Bits with author Jessica Bruder and Bob Wells of “Nomadland.”
During awards season, there are multiple opportunities for filmmakers and journalists to engage in cinema dialogue. Usually, studios will offer talent connected to films that are being pitched for awards’ consideration. During the pandemic, these events (film junkets) have transitioned… Read More ›
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Akira Kurosawa Series: A Look Back on “Stray Dog.”
By the end of Akira Kurosawa’s 1949 detective drama, Stray Dog, there is not a character that escapes the fray without rolling around in the mud, figuratively and literally. Every decision has consequences, and every action has a reaction. Some, more… Read More ›
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Writer/director Ben Hozie’s “PVT Chat” demonstrates admirable skill, creativity, and resourcefulness despite other shortcomings.
From writer and director Ben Hozie, PVT Chat is a story of urban loneliness and isolation along with lust and obsession. Peter Vack acts in the role of Jack, an online gambler who feels internally empty and without any clear… Read More ›
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Chloé Hung’s sci-fi short film “Signal” possesses eerie parallels to now. [Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival]
The symbiotic relationship between art and reality continues to prove itself as an essential component of our society and culture. The concept of post-apocalyptic storytelling has been delivered in various forms with creativity ebbing and flowing. With the turbulent events… Read More ›
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A Conversation with director Daniel Smith. [Real To Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Daniel Smith, director of the short film, Sideways. Exploring friendships, gravitational anomalies, and the challenges to keeping relationships… Read More ›
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A Conversation with Real to Reel Film Festival co-founders Will Eskridge and Noel T. Manning. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers and others featured in the 21st Annual International Real to Reel Film Festival. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Will Eskridge and Noel T. Manning II, cofounders of the Real to Reel… Read More ›
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A Conversation with Alfred Hitchcock scholar Laurent Bouzereau.
In this conversation, EoM contributor Thomas Manning sits down with documentarian, film historian, and Alfred Hitchcock scholar, Laurent Bouzereau, to discuss the new Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection. The brand new collection includes four iconic films from the universally recognized Master… Read More ›
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A Conversation with actors Jules Willcox and Marc Menchaca. [Fantasia Film Festival]
In this audio interview, Thomas Manning of The Run-Down On Movies speaks with Jules Willcox and Marc Menchaca, the stars of the 2020 Fantasia International Film Festival selection, Alone, directed by John Hyams. Alone tells the story of a recently… Read More ›
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A Conversation with writer/director/actor Donald Wilson. [Real To Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers responsible for some of the official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Donald Wilson, writer/director/actor for The Sound of Silence. The Sound of Silence explores the… Read More ›
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A Conversation with director Bao Tran. [Fantasia Film Festival]
In this interview, Thomas Manning speaks with Bao Tran, the writer and director of the new kung fu comedy and Fantasia Film Festival selection, The Paper Tigers. Three Kung Fu prodigies have grown into washed-up, middle-aged men, now one kick… Read More ›
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A Conversation with directors David Darg and Price James. [Fantasia Film Festival]
In this interview, Thomas Manning sits down with directors David Darg and Price James, the filmmakers behind the Fantasia Film Festival selection documentary, You Cannot Kill David Arquette. Branded as the most hated man in wrestling after winning a highly… Read More ›
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A Conversation with director Rebecca Kirsh. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Rebecca Kirsh, the co-director of the short film, A Mind’s Eye. A very personal project for Kirsh, she seeks… Read More ›
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A Conversation with writer/director Jim Picariello. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Jim Picariello, the writer/director for The Mushroom Huntress. Jim Picariello is a Real to Reel alumnus, and The… Read More ›
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A Conversation with the crew of short film “The Journal.” [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with the crew behind the short film The Journal, Including director/actor Sydney Rowlette, DP and editor Connor Thomas, and… Read More ›