Interviews

Killing Time With HARD KILL Director Matt Eskandari

Aging A-list stars showing up in low budget actioners is quickly becoming a genre unto itself. From Mel Gibson, to Russel Crowe, to Bruce Willis, these box office titans of yesteryear are finding a robust second life in the DTV and direct to streaming space. I had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Eskandari about his most recent directorial effort, Hard Kill with Bruce Willis and Jesse Metcalfe. He gave great insight into the unique challenges of making these types of films as well as the artistic opportunities the genre can provide. It’s been a crazy year for film, especially with the pandemic turning the entire industry upside down. Exactly. I’ve already had one film released during the pandemic, so to have a second one come out is really interesting. We’re not competing with any big budget Marvel movies, and people are in real need of things to watch. There’s […]

THANKS, BABY YODA: Catching Up With PAYDIRT Director Christian Sesma

Lee B. Golden III

We are eight months into what’s been a year of uncertainty for millions of people in various industries around the world. Invariably, movies are far from the exception with theaters forced to close for an indefinite number of months around the world, some of which reopend, though only to close again. It’s a sting felt by many a filmgoer, including independent filmmaker Christian Sesma whose own career now faces mitigating with certain rules and guidelines in order to maintain a safe working environment. Thus, the force was strong with the AWOL 72 and Vigilante Diaries director, as he was fortunate enough to finish one production earlier this year just before the state of California commenced a period of lockdown. That film, Paydirt, is now just days away from its release as of this Friday, and comes with the added benefit of Sesma’s own career prosperity getting to not only work […]

CAPTURING GHOSTS Part IV: Exclusive Poster Debut, And A Word With ‘Kung Fu Ghost’ Star And Director Jennifer Linch

Lee B. Golden III

Actress and filmmaker Jennifer Linch’s feature debut, Kung Fu Ghost, is still in the trenches with additional footage to be shot this summer. She’s back in our corner to offer a few more updates as well as to share her story and grueling experiences working on the set for eighteen days, and onward through the post-production process. Below is the fourth and final interview in our Capturing Ghosts series covering the film, in which we are proudly debuting the first official teaser poster which features Linch front and center, along with Noah Sargent, Rene Fernandez, and a heavily made-up David S. Dawson who plays the role of Linch’s ghoulish kung fu master Grandpa. Check out prior interviews here, here and here to learn more from the stunt team involved. You’re currently in post-production with Kung Fu Ghost, correct? Yes, I’m in charge of the rough cut right now, so I […]

CAPTURING GHOSTS Part III: A Word With Stunt Performer And ‘Kung Fu Ghost’ Stunt Coordinator Shane Alexander

Lee B. Golden III

View this post on Instagram BTS #KungFuGhost #aJenniferLinchFilm #martialarts #comedy #supernatural #romantic #featurefilm A post shared by Kung Fu Ghost (@kungfughostmovie) on Mar 22, 2020 at 12:48am PDT Post-production remains pending for Jennifer Linch’s debut martial arts comedy feature, Kung Fu Ghost. Additional photography is set to shoot later this summer consummate the film’s completion as Linch tentatively looks toward a strategic late 2020 presentation. For now, we turn to at least one other key stunt performer on the project, namely Shane Alexander, who serves as the film’s stunt coordinator. He joins us in the latest chapter of our ongoing Capturing Ghosts interview series to promote Kung Fu Ghost, as we hope to share the stage with Linch in the not too distant future. For previous reads, click here and here. Greetings Shane and thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for readers. How are you and […]

CAPTURING GHOSTS Part II: A Word With Actor And Stunt Coordinator Daniel Ford Beavis

Lee B. Golden III

Hopefully by now you’re following the official Instagram page for actress Jennifer Linch’s feature directing debut, Kung Fu Ghost. Currently in post-production, the project is the latest, empassioned labor of kung fu comedy and cinematic love by Linch, who has also been making the podcasts, and I encourage you to check out her latest chat with Film Reviews From The Basement’s own Jason Hewlett by clicking here. In the meantime, part two of our Capturing Ghosts interview series now brings actor, stunt performer and coordinator Daniel Ford Beavis into focus. He’s the proud owner of O’Shea’s Irish Pub in the provincial city of Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada, but when he’s not serving drinks to humble patrons, he’s plying his stunt trade as he has been for up to twenty-three years. His two latest stunt and screen credits include Kung Fu Ghost (performing this time under stunt coordinator Shane Alexander and […]

FIGHTING FOR FILM: An Interview With ‘Cagefighter: Worlds Collide’ Director Jesse Quiñones

Lee B. Golden III

It’s not often that the release of any film is as expedient as it is for director Jesse Quiñones‘s newest feature, Cagefighter: Worlds Collide. Indeed, the project had a much longer journey to tread up to this point, and so an online streaming premiere less than a month away feels certainly well earned here. Quiñones is taking his story to Film Combat Syndicate this week as Cagefighter: Worlds Collide, revs up for its exclusive online streaming premiere event and Q&A and fan chat only on FITE.tv on May 16. He talks the respective challenges of all phases on the project, along with the extenuating circumstances of post-production as Covid-19 leaves the global economy at a standstill. Jesse, it’s great to share a Q&A with you this month in lieu of your new achievements currently in bound. You have a new film on the way called Cagefighter: Worlds Collide, and before […]

SEEING ‘RED’: A Word With Actor And Filmmaker Beau Fowler

Lee B. Golden III

This month we were able to discuss the latest reveal for Red, a new concept from actor Beau Fowler and director David Newton. For this, the Coronavirus pandemic that’s currently gripped the world and put the film industry at large at a standstill is just one of the segues Fowler and I observe in our latest Q&A. Click here for the earlier coverage on Red, and enjoy the read below! Beau, it’s great to get in touch with you now about your work. How are you coping with things since the lockdown in your country? I can especially imagine it’s had an impact on the film industry next to just normal everyday life. Yeah, it’s pretty crazy. Tough not being able to go out and do the simple things. Though to be honest I’m still self-taping for projects, and I’m quite used to spending days in development wondering when my […]

CAPTURING GHOSTS Part I: A Word With Actor, Stunt Performer And Fight Choreographer Jason Truong

Lee B. Golden III

The stresses of cinema have definitely settled in as world tries to pick itself back up from a Coronavirus knockdown blow to nations and industries en masse beginning late last year. Meanwhile over in San Diego, time would ultimately be of the essence for award-winning filmmaker and Jennifer Linch. Her new film, Kung Fu Ghost, is an independent feature birthed from her own interests in classic kung fu cinema, as well as contemporary wuxia shows and films. Linch trained exponentially for the role last year, as she’s so documented for her followers on social media. She’s no stranger to cinematic action either, as I’ve covered her long before this project, and have even been in touch with her to exchange opinions on various aspects of film, as well as her own concepts (to date, I am also an associate producer on the film). For Linch, it’s been a dream to […]

TAKING THE WHEEL: A Word With Filmmaker Kurando Mitsutake

Lee B. Golden III

Japanese cinema is one of the most adoring caveats of sharing film discussions, and director Kurando Mitsutake is a highly welcome subject matter in that regard. I first read about him back in 2014 or so while reading a piece Twitchfilm (before the site rebranded as Screen Anarchy) promoting his blood-coated sexy assassin thriller, Gun Woman, and… well, I started jonesin’! It was a film that spoke inherently to a lot of my interests in Asian films in the early 2000s – the halcyon days of an otherwise ostracized college dropout then working for his dad, and least had enough money to spoil himself with DVDs at the Manhanttan Mall’s Suncoast outlet. It’s been maybe six years since then and having eventually seen Gun Woman, and ultimately keeping up with Mitsutake’s craft on my young little niche site during its time on Google’s Blogspot platform. And yep, he’s still at […]

Silver Harvest Talks Inspiration, Movies, Action And More With HYDRA Star And Director

Lee B. Golden III

Kensuke Sonomura’s feature directing debut, Hydra, is still circulating select film events and screenings. The Coronavirus outbreak may be a factor in its present movement for the time being, but I do know it has a screening pending in Spain last I heard. At any rate, while peddling this amazing thriller to other critics and bloggers for some coverage, I was able to pique the interest of my friends Therese Chen and Takashi Hara in Australia at Silver Harvest who’ve since unveiled both parts of their long-awaited interview with Sonomura-san, and the film’s star, Masanori Mimoto. The film really is a blast being such a concentrated, lo-fi independent actioner. The reactions are very much mixed from those who I know of have seen it given the varying tastes between most fans. I loved the film, and I’m not just saying because I’m friends with both Sonomura and Mimoto. There isn’t […]

LIFE AFTER: A Word With LIFE XP Star, Actress And Stuntwoman Cassandra Ebner

Christina Ortega

One of my many hobbies is playing video games so when I was told about a web series that focuses on a female gamer, I had to give it a try. I was so hooked I finished it in two days (it would’ve been less, but real-life demands kept getting in the way). After viewing Life XP, I was eager to talk with Cassandra Ebner, the creator, writer, executive producer, and lead actor of the series. But her talents don’t stop there; she’s also performed stunts for Game of Thrones, Batwoman, Flash, Supernatural, and more. Want to learn more about her? Read on: You’re a gamer, an actor, a writer, and a stuntwoman. How did you get started in these roles?I was forced as a child to play the video game quake with my dads friends. Once they could beat his 5 year old daughter, he allowed his friends to […]

WAVELENGTH: A Word With ‘The Wave’ Writer Carl W. Lucas

Christina Ortega

About a week ago I was given the opportunity to see The Wave before it’s limited theatrical and video on demand release (January 17th, mark your calendars). I enjoyed the film so much that I just had to request an interview with the writer, Carl W. Lucas. He was kind enough to take the time to answer my emailed questions. If you’re curious about the writer of the sci-fi comedy, read on to learn more about him: I just watched The Wave and thoroughly enjoyed it. I know this is probably too common of a question, but where did you get the idea from for this film? So glad you enjoyed it! The inspiration came from multiple sources. I was incredibly inspired by the surreal and trips visuals that Gille Klabin was making for his low budget music videos and I really wanted to write a script that showcased those […]

RUSH HOUR: A Word With ‘Blood Rush’ Writer/Director Ranjeet S. Marwa

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaker Ranjeet S. Marwa is betting it all on his latest Indiegogo campaign these days to help make one of his biggest dreams come true with the new action thriller, Blood Rush. I first found out about this project and was astounded that a new name in the craft had emerged with such an ambitious talent roster on hand, featuring the incomparable Yayan Ruhian, Singaporean actor and action star Sunny Pang, and actor Zack Lee who has proven himself immensely as an actor capable of delivering a performance caliber worthy of audience praise. The Blood Rush campaign runs for about another month, and so I was compelled to help introduce this particular unknown director who has since continued to push his campaign in a series of videos on YouTube. For a more written record though, you’re welcome to acquaint yourselves with Marwa in the following exchange. Check it out, and […]

NOTES FROM THE COCKPIT: An Interview With Daniel Roebuck

Christina Ortega

What do The Love Boat, Only You, Bubba Ho-Tep, Lost, and The Man in the High Castle have in common? If you have no idea, this interview will help introduce you to a talented actor with an eclectic resume. If you know the answer and said Daniel Roebuck, you are correct and should read on anyway. You might learn something new about him. As you can already tell by the above-listed works, Roebuck has quite the filmography. I recently interviewed him via email, so other geeks like myself could get to know him better: Why did you want to become an actor and storyteller? I believe from the bottom of my heart, the answer to that question, is because it was God’s intention for me from the very beginning to become an actor and storyteller. From the time I was 6 years old, some how I knew I would be […]

CULTIVATION, FORGED: An Interview With DEAD END Star, Actor Julian Gaertner

Lee B. Golden III

Working with actor and filmmaker Bryan Larkin to promote his latest shortfilm sequel, Dead End 2: A Justified Kill, I’ve finally managed to get some dialogue going with actor Julian Gaertner, the second half of Larkin’s explosive hitman shortfilm saga now currently running in festivals. I can only imagine what would entail if he and I could sit face-to-face given the man speaks several languages, and I know quite a few folks who would be enamored by this as well. That, and speaking about Hong Kong, working with Larkin, the process of independent filmmaking and the enrichening factors of art and culture and how they coalesce – that Gaetner is a biproduct of that sort of cultivation is something I find very intriguing, and I reckon as much you won’t find that everywhere. He’s got part three coming very soon with Ross Boyask behind the lens, as well as other […]

ALL-IN: Catching Up With Filmmaker Wych Kaosayananda

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been seventeen years since director Wych Kaosayananda’s Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever put him on the radar for many a filmgoer for several reasons. For someone pennamed Kaos for the film’s marketing, I totally expected Wych to stick around and blow minds. Of course, that was how my fanboy brain worked at the time. Wych and I spoke of this and more back in 2014 for our first interview, and he certainly gave an in-depth perspective about his career to keep in mind. Around this time, he had just finished a seething murder mystery thriller called Angels along with serving as director of photography for a few projects from directors like Daniel Zirilli and actor Dustin Nguyen. I don’t plan on re-editing it like recent reprints given the time-sensitivity, but I welcome anyone willing to check it out if it provides any current and needed context. For this, the director […]

KILLER STUDIES: An Interview With Filmmaker/Author John Borowski

Christina Ortega

In early September, I attended HorrorHound Weekend in Indianapolis. Hosted by the magazine of the same name, it is a horror movie, television, and pop culture convention. A whole weekend full of all things horror! It was at this convention that I met independent filmmaker/author John Borowski. I’m not a stalker or anything, but since I heard him lecture, I’ve picked up a book of his, watched two of his films, and have followed him on three forms of social media. Nope, not stalking. If you are interested in true crime tales, you may already be familiar with Borowski’s work. He has written books and made films about Ed Gein, H.H. Holmes, and Albert Fish. I recently interviewed him via email, so other true crime geeks like myself could get to know him better: What drew you into the true crime genre? It was my love of horror films and […]

DUELING DESIGNS: An Interview With ‘Wu Assassins’ Fight Coordinator Dan Rizzuto

Lee B. Golden III

Nowadays, Twitter seems to be the most bustling window into activity among fans interacting with the cast and crew of hit series, Wu Assassins. Now one of the most viewed martial arts action dramas streaming this summer, hopes are high for a second season returning actor Iko Uwais into the mystical fantasy urban millieu of the show’s San Diego, Chinatown setting. The show has bolstered some hopes and prospects (I know I have mine) – particularly for another season following the conclusion of season one. Either way, it’s a milestone success for everyone involved – specifically stuntman, fight coordinator and choreographer Dan Rizzuto who, along with stunt coordinator Kimani Ray Smith and Indonesia’s own Uwais Team, joined forces in steering the show’s requisite stunt and fight scenery. I initally crossed paths with Rizzuto on Instagram where he manages social media for his professional stunt fighting and performance community, M1 Fight […]

MAKING DEAD END’S MEET: A Word With Actor, Producer And Filmmaker Bryan Larkin

Lee B. Golden III

It’s only a matter of weeks before fans attending this month’s 2-day induction of the Fighting Spirit Film Festival will be able to check out at actor, producer and maverick filmmaker Bryan Larkin’s latest gritty short duration entry, Dead End II: A Justified Kill. I had the privilege of seeing the first two installments in the last few years and I’ve enjoyed them both thusfar in my own excitement of wondering just what would become of this ambitious shortfilm series. For this, I can earnestly say that this was one of the most enjoyable Q&A’s I’ve done, as Larkin’s story is one of tested mettle, faith and tenacity – having pounded the pavement and strived for the very platform he has to maintain his growth. He’s proven himself to be a leader as much as he is an artist in multiple facets. He talks the walk and walks the talk, […]

TRULY AMERICAN INDIE: A Word With AMERICAN FIGHTER Director Shaun Piccinino

Lee B. Golden III

The 23rd Fantasia Festival just wrapped while my review coverage of the event is also finally culminating. Click and you’ll find at least one review for director Shaun Piccinino’s latest hard-hitting action drama, American Fighter, billed as a non-canonical follow-up to Alex Ranarivelo’s notable hit, American Wrestler: The Wizard. About six years since our first interview, I finally got to reacquaint with Piccinino over last few weeks about his work just as film screened in Montreal for the festival. Needless to say, there’s more to come from him and his at Truly Indie Studios, and I’ll be sure to help spread the word. Enjoy our conversation below! Hey Shaun, I’m glad we can catch up again in the wake of your latest premiere. How have you been? Thanks Lee, I’ve been great! Working on so many wonderful projects, I feel truly quite lucky actually and grateful for all the great […]