Reject Radio

Transformative technology. Fips. The Marvel Model disrupting superhero movies (and how it can survive alongside perpetual reboots). The literal death of film. Megan Ellison saving movies. The sleeper hits of 2012 and a great movie year for every kind of fan. Emerging independent funding. Fans saving shows with their own money. The digital horizon. Here at the end of the year (and the end of this podcast) I’ve asked FSR associate editor Rob Hunter, Cinema Blend editor-in-chief Katey Rich, Movies.com managing editor Erik Davis and screenwriter Geoff Latulippe (Going the Distance) to talk about the things that will never be the same again in the movie world after 2012. They’ve come through with some incredibly interesting answers. Plus, your view on what’s changing and a look ahead to the future. Download Episode #156 On This Week’s Show: The End [Beginning – 13:25]: From higher frame rates to digital supremacy, Rob Hunter talks about technology changing the movie landscape. Superheroes United [13:25 – 26:30]: With The Avengers dominating, studios are keen to follow in their footsteps, but could it mean an end to visionary directors taking Nolan-style advantage of creative freedom? Katey Rich speaks on the end of big superhero movies as stand-alone projects. Make It Yourself [26:30 – 38:00]: Erik Davis on how crowdfunding has altered indie projects (and work from big names) and explains why 2012 was such a strong year for movies. The Beginning [38:00 – The End]: Geoff LaTulippe and I discuss the year’s surprises and your views on the end of […]

From placing Citizen Kane in a modern, Murdoch-filled context to getting really close up with Joan of Arc, Landon Palmer and I have been re-examining the Sight & Sound Top Ten, and we’re hoping we learned something. Today, we’ll compare notes and see how the list has rewritten history for silent films, elevated “serious” work and acted as a queue-filling reminder that there are always more amazing movies to discover. Download Episode #155 On This Week’s Show: Catching Vertigo: [Beginning – 19:30]: What watching the top ten movies of the Sight & Sound 2012 list taught us. Please go rate us on iTunes. Next Time on the Show: The End. Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio:

Although different in style and tone, celebrating Halloween and Suspiria together is an obviously great idea after speaking with Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, two horror writers who have created wicked traps for the Saw franchise, played lifeguard for Piranha 3DD and continue the terror of their own masked killer with the forthcoming The Collection. From grisly realism to stylized violence, we discuss how they both prove horror films can be beautiful and revel in Melton’s still-fierce fear of the plants outside his window. Plus, we check in with Bloody Good Horror co-host Casey Criswell to get his take on the new Evil Dead (2013) trailer. Download Episode #154 On This Week’s Show: Ashless [The Beginning – 6:00]: Horror expert Casey Criswell and I briefly break down our hopes for the remade Evil Dead. The Night He Came Home to the Ballet Academy [6:00 – The End]: Screenwriter Patrick Melton and writer/director Marcus Dunstan talk about their favorite scary movies. Please go rate us on iTunes. The Entire Filmmaker’s Fear Series: Radio Silence defends Joy Ride C. Robert Cargill praises In the Mouth of Madness Joe Dante celebrates The Exorcist Next Time on the Show: Vacation time. See you all in two weeks. Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio:

As it says on its website, The Black List — the annual guide to the most well-liked unproduced screenplays floating around Hollywood — is responsible for over 200 scripts getting made into films. The unique project was created by Franklin Leonard, a production executive working up until recently for Overbrook Entertainment, who drops the listing every year on the second Friday in December. In the past, it’s been a useful tool for both writers who want to get their work noticed and executives who want to find something worth making. If there’s been any true critique of The Black List, it’s that it’s too insular. As Slate’s David Haglund noted in 2011, it’s a project that celebrates work that’s already made its way inside the impossibly closed circle of the Hollywood studio system. Perhaps in response to that criticism (but probably born more from a broader, higher ideal), Leonard didn’t wait until Christmas to unveil a new mission: to open the Black List to everyone. If you’re an aspiring screenwriter, The Black List is now a machine for getting your work read by the right people. For $25 a month, per script, they’ll host your work in a database where 1200+ professionals (studio and non) will be able to read it, propelled by an algorithm of ratings. Obviously, nothing like this has been tried before, but because it’s such an exciting initiative, it also demands a high level of scrutiny. To that end, Leonard has penned a lengthy piece explaining his […]

Early work from J.J. Abrams! Paul Walker speaking in a high-pitched lady voice! Jaw-ripping pranks gone wrong! After gaining incredible popularity on YouTube and making one of the best sequences in V/H/S, the gang from Radio Silence goes out on a limb to celebrate the underserved horror classic movie, Joy Ride. Can they convince you to fall in love with it? Download Episode #153 On This Week’s Show: A Fast and Furious Joy Ride [The Beginning – The End]: Radio Silence worships at the feet of Steve Zahn. Please go rate us on iTunes. Last Time on the Show: Sinister writer C. Robert Cargill celebrates In the Mouth of Madness Next Time on the Show: Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton (Saw franchise, The Collection) share their favorite scary movies. Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio:

All throughout October, we’ll be hearing from horror filmmakers about their favorite scary movies. We’ve already heard from Joe Dante on The Exorcist, so we turn now to a newcomer on the horror scene. C. Robert Cargill (who some may know as Massawyrm from years of writing at Aint It Cool) is the co-writer of Sinister, which hits theaters tomorrow (10/12). In his film, Ethan Hawke plays a true crime novelist, so is it any wonder that Cargill has chosen to celebrate a horror flick with a writer at its giant, monstrous heart? You can go watch it right now online, or you can join us for a discussion of the last great John Carpenter film and best H.P. Lovecraft movie that isn’t based on anything Lovecraft wrote. Download Episode #152 On This Week’s Show: Mustache of Horror [The Beginning – 1:00]: A friendly reminder from John Carpenter. Sutter Cane Rules The World [1:00 – The End]: C. Robert Cargill talks In the Mouth of Madness. Please go rate us on iTunes. Last Time on the Show: Joe Dante’s Favorite Scary Movie Next Time on the Show: V/H/S filmmakers Radio Silence share their favorite scary movie. Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio:

Matthew Lillard was one of the iconic faces of high school life in the 1990s. His roles in Scream, SLC Punk, Hackers and She’s All That cemented that image throughout a broad base of genres. Now, he’s returned to high school for his first stint as a director. In Fat Kid Rules the World, an obese kid is brought back from the suicidal brink by punk rock music and a new friend. Lillard took the time to speak with me about the annoying passivity of film acting, what he has in common with Tyler Perry and the ten-year journey of bringing this adaptation to an audience. Check out the interview below: Download This Interview Enjoy More Reject Radio

All throughout October, we’ll be hearing from horror filmmakers about their favorite scary movies. First up is the legendary Joe Dante, whose new movie The Hole is available on DVD/Blu-ray and VOD. He’ll spread a little love to Val Lewton, talk about a movie with a very specific meaning to Catholics and explain how he makes horror work for ages 6 through 96. Download Episode #151 On This Week’s Show: What Stares Back [The Beginning – The End]: Joe Dante talks about The Hole and The Exorcist. Please go rate us on iTunes. Last Time on the Show: Our 150th Episode Celebration-aganza-palooza Next Time on the Show: Sinister writer C. Robert Cargill tells us about his favorite scary movie. Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio:

For our 150th episode, we decided to go back to the first show’s conversations, and we discovered something mildly depressing: that the discussions are pretty much the same. In 2012, we’re still talking about the topics of 2009; Transformers (a fourth is on the way), G.I. Joe (a delayed sequel is coming), Avatar (a dozen follow-ups will keep James Cameron busy until he retires), Marvel flicks (which have dominated) and remakes (which have not). Good thing we changed the format of the show a while back. Beyond the great repetition, reviewing the news from 3 years ago reveals a lot about the state of modern filmmaking through the lens of hindsight. Werner Herzog is a highlight, and revisiting the releases (Drag Me To Hell and Up) gives us an idea of what might actually endure. On this week’s show, we re-form the team from that pilot episode – site publisher Neil Miller and associate editor Rob Hunter – to dip ourselves in the cool waters of nostalgia and try to figure out what, if anything, is different about the movie-making landscape after 150 shows. Download Episode #150 On This Week’s Show: Segment 1: The Week of June 1, 2009 [0:00 – 27:30] First: A Little History Then: Iron Man might be an alcoholic Now: Marvel rules the world Then: The first images of The Fallen Now: Michael Bay returning for a fourth Transformers Then: The first Bad Lieutenant trailer is awesome Now: Werner Herzog continues to be awesome Then: The first Avatar concept art Now: The threat of many more Avatars to come Then: G.I. Joe gets a boring poster Now: G.I. Joe can barely get […]

In 2010, Jon Vickers was named the first director of the Indiana University Cinema, a bold initiative to build a world-class film screening program at the university. The hiring, much like the renovation of their 1930s theater into a THX-certified modern venue, was a noted combination of reverence for cinematic history and foresight into its future. In this interview, we sit down with Vickers to take a verbal tour of the new theater, to discuss the challenges of programming in an age between film and digital, to figure out how to entice Werner Herzog to your cinema, and to share a personal love of movies. Of course, there’s also the big question: how can an art house scene thrive in a city of only 80,000? Check out the interview below: Download This Interview Enjoy More Reject Radio

Neil Berkeley‘s new documentary, Beauty is Embarrassing, invites us into the blissful insanity of Wayne White – the artist behind Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, several iconic music videos and a ton of incredible prints. Both men join me to discuss the nature of art, why it could possibly be embarrassing, and then I try to get them to say the word of the day. Download Episode #149 On This Week’s Anthology Show: Handsomeness [The Beginning – The End]: Wayne White and Neil Berkeley on Beauty is Embarrassing. Please go rate us on iTunes. Last Time on the Show: 4 Things Movies Can Learn From the Video Game Industry Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio:

Is the chasm between active participation in video games and passive observation in movies too wide to cross? It’s undeniable that the major studios have stumbled a bit when it comes to adapting video games into movies, but are there lessons from the video game industry itself that producers can learn? To answer this question, we turn to movie reviewer, Wizard World managing editor, and producer of Planet of the Apps over at Machinima, Kevin Kelly. Download Episode #148 On This Week’s Anthology Show: Error 37 [The Beginning – 2:30]: One video game lands like a big budget movie complete with anticipation and disappointment. One Up [2:30 – The End]: Kevin Kelly offers 4 lessons movies can learn from video games. Please go rate us on iTunes. Last Time on the Show: The V/H/S Filmmakers on Making Found Footage Fun Again Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio:

“Fangoria” as a gateway drug, YouTube fame leading to feature work, a magical 1998 Camry, the way porn plays with our minds, filming “Safety Second” style, and most of all trying to make found footage horror not feel like boring home movies. The filmmakers behind V/H/S (which is available on iTunes and VOD today) wanted to increase the ratio of scares per minute by combining the new popular subgenre with a throwback anthology style. On this week’s podcast, we mirror that anthology style in order to talk with many of the minds behind the punk horror explosion. Download Episode #147 On This Week’s Anthology Show: The Wrap Around Segment [The Beginning – 6:10]: With violence in the news, do we really need horror as an escape? Producers Brad Miska and Roxanne Benjamin as well as director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett explore disbelief suspension and a genuine outlet for real-world tension. You Are Not the Only Predator [6:10 – 23:30]: David Bruckner on the sexual politics and pack mentality of his V/H/S installment. The Slasher Silhouette  [23:30 – 37:00]: Glenn McQuaid discusses tackling a subgenre and a filming style he’s never done before and invites us to go camping. Crowded Haunted House [37:00 – 60:00]: Radio Silence explains the freedom to be stupid on Halloween. Podcast #56 [60:00 – The End]: Here’s hoping you haven’t thrown up yet. Rating us on iTunes is good for your heart. Go check out Radio Silence’s work and explore David Bruckner’s excellent video projects at his site. Plus, Netflix members can […]

In The Words, Bradley Cooper stars as a writer who builds a bit of success off of another man’s work and sees that decision spiral outward (and downward). With Jonah Lehrer and Fareed Zakaria making headlines for not being completely honest with readers, plagiarism is a hot topic in our information-fueled culture, so writer/directors Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal join me to discuss their new movie where theft becomes a metaphor for ambition in a society short on patience. They also pass down the lessons they learned making their first feature and reveal the one item every director should own. Download Episode #146 On This Week’s Show: True Romance [The Beginning – 1:00]: A brief remembrance of Tony Scott. Good Running Shoes [1:00 – The End]: Klugman and Sternthal talk The Words. Rating us on iTunes is good for your heart. Last Time on the Show: What the Movie World of 2017 Will Look Like Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio:

Movie theaters downloading their films from a secure studio-run cloud; inexpensive high-quality cameras at the fingertips of creators; fans as front-end financiers. It may represent 5 short years, but technology and culture are shifting so quickly that the movie world of 2017 has the potential to look radically different than our own. How will studios respond to an influx of independent films? Will a rejection of owning physical discs lead to a ballooning rental business? Will actors and creator be able to earn millions without stepping foot on a studio lot? We’ve asked Tugg CEO and Terrance Malick production partner Nicolas Gonda as well as savvy, forward thinking indie producer Keith Calder (The Wackness, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Thunder Soul) to mentally step into a time machine and report back on what that world might look like. From production to exhibition and everything in between. The only sure thing is that cars will be driving us to the theater themselves. And that Men in Black V is probably going to kick ass. Download Episode #145 On This Week’s Show: Tugg CEO Nicolas Gonda Envisions The Future [The Beginning – 18:30]  Producer Keith Calder Envisions The Future [18:30 – The End] Rating us on iTunes is good for your heart. Last Time on the Show: How One Website Plans to Digitally Connect Fans to Filmmakers Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio: