The Inside Reel

Actors Mekki Leeper & Kahyun Kim talk to The Inside Reel about chemistry, timing, environment and a bit of life metaphor in regards to the final two episodes of the 2nd season of “St. Denis Medical” on NBC.

Director Adrian Grunberg & Producer/Star Milla Jovovich talk to The Inside Reel about approach, tone, balance and subject matter in regards to their new action thriller: “Protector” from Magenta Light Studios.

With "They Will Kill You", the movie starts off with a prologue meant to establish what Asia Reeves (Zazie Beetz) is fighting for. The trailer for this movie was bonkers and pretty much only teased the first twenty minutes which is a good trick. But the reasoning for the residents of their situation is never quite given the mythology it should given that Barbara and Andy Muschietti were shepherding this.

The intention of high concept depends on the texture of camp and stakes that play into the function of the story. With "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice", the approach, especially with a time machine construct (listed right out front), panders a little bit to an overt level of silliness which is not helped by the ancillary characters. While the cast involved do their best and try to make the progression of culture relevant, the silliness outweighs the coolness despite some great moments (specifically with Vince Vaughn who plays the two Nicks).

The interesting aspect of "Forbidden City" is its mix of Italian and Chinese to tell a story mostly set in Rome. The action optimizing Elisa Wong (known for the live action "Mulan") is fast and furious when it happens and yet the film is also balanced by the more cathartic Italian form of storytelling combined with a gangster picture. Written and directed by Gabriele Mainetti, it is an interesting mix since it moves different than a normal kung fu action film. There is a slickness and some Italian humor and yet retains a bit of the melodrama familiar in certain Far East cinema.

Special Creature Effects Supervisor Neal Scanlan talks to The Inside Reel about humanity, old school inspiration, the balance curve and cinematic scale in regards to the digital/in-home release of "Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker.”