Podcasts

Every now and then we talk about books on this site. It's rare, and it really has to be something I'm interested in reading. You see, a book takes up far more of my time than any single film. We get solicited at least once a week. Once in a while something will look interesting enough for me to give it a try. And once in a while the book turns out to be more than worth my while, and I'll want to talk to the author and share that with all of you. Such is the case with The Execution, Life & Times Of Patrick O'Donnell by Gavin O'Donnell. The book is part historical and part fancy. Most of all, it's 100% entertaining. It was a quick and easy read and left me thinking all the way up to the end. I can't recommend the tome to you enough. Read it. You're going to learn a few things. I promise you're going to be talking about it. I got to talk to the man behind the words. Now you get to hear what he had to say. Bang it here to eavesdrop on my conversation with Gavin O'Donnell all the way from the UK: Gavin O'Donnell.

Once you've heard the interview, make sure you hit the link to your right and pick up a copy for yourself.

All of us love to celebrate those moments in American history where there have been breakthroughs particularly in the way of our constitutional rights. We should celebrate those moments, but the latest film from Michelle Danner reminds us that there are also victims when it comes to rights of the accused. Miranda's Victim is a wonderful portrayal of just that situation. We all know about Miranda warnings given to suspects upon arrest. If you've seen enough cop shows, you've heard it a thousand times: "You have the right to remain silent..." This film explores the victim behind Ernest Miranda's landmark Supreme Court case. It's a rare film that looks at a rare side of our criminal justice system. I had a chance to see the film and then have a conversation with director Michelle Danner about the film. Bang it here to eavesdrop on our conversation, and you won't even need a court order to listen in. Interview with Michelle Danner.

Make sure you check out the film at the following places:

If you have been coming to the site for any length of time you know we also pay tribute, from time to time, to the written word. I'll often share the title of a good book when I find them. We also interview these writers when chance sends them our way. We scored 2 for 2 with Bruce McAllister. He's compiled a wonderfully enjoyable collection of some of his best short stories called Stealing God And Other Stories. He's the kind of writer you might find at your local university giving a master class on the craft. I had the opportunity to speak with him just after Thanksgiving, and the conversation was rewarding. His commentary on writing is insightful and compelling. You should give his collection a read. You won't regret it. I think you'll want to hear what he has to say on the subject of writing and Stealing God And Other Stories. Just bang it here to listen in on my chat with Bruce McAllister.

You can also explore the world of Bruce McAllister by going to his website Here

There have been many films about World War II. Some have been great. A few are considered classics. We're entering that moment in history where we will soon lose the last remaining fighter from that war. It's a hard subject for a small budget film, but every now and then someone comes along and pulls it off. Wolf Hound is not going to become a classic. That doesn't mean it isn't a stellar film. Director Michael Chait has a passion for the subject that starts with his father who was an award-winning aviator. Everything about Wolf Hound is touched by that passion. The aerial work is first rate and with minimal CGI. Don't take my word for any of this. See the film for yourself. As for that passion. Listen to Michael Chait express that in his own words. I was honored to spend some time talking to the promising young director. Bang it here and you can listen in on my conversation with Michael Chait.

Long before there was Gene Simmons and his Family Jewels or Living With The Kardashians there was Ozzie and his wife. No, not Ozzie Osbourne but Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. In 1952 they took their popular radio show and brought it to the rather new medium of television. The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet starred the entire Nelson family, including David and Ricky. The show became the first series to ever reach 10 years and remains the longest-running live action sit-com in television history. Now MPI is bringing you the first 2 seasons of the show in DVD. The episodes were restored with loving care. How do I know there was loving care? Because it was spearheaded by Ozzie and Harriet's grandson and Ricky's son Sam Nelson. I also happen to know a little bit of the passion he brought to the process because I had the opportunity to talk with him about the show and the new releases. The story about how all of this happened is a truly fascinating tale. Now you can hear it for yourself. Bang it here to listen to my interview with Sam Nelson.

When I was a kid, going to the drive-in movies was a pretty big deal. In those days your parents would hide you under a blanket on the back seat floor or even in the trunk just to shave off a buck from the admission price. But it was worth it to see many of the films I would not otherwise have experienced. One of those films that had kids sneaking in was The Brain From Planet Arous. A couple of days ago I felt just like I did sneaking into those movies. I had the honor and pleasure to talk with Joyce Meadows, who starred along with John Agar in the film. It's about to be released on Blu-ray from The Film Detective with a brand new introduction that stars ... you guessed it, Joyce Meadows. You can eavesdrop on our conversation. Just bang it here to listen to my interview with Joyce Meadows.

We mostly deal with movies and television shows here at Upcomingdiscs. As the name implies discs are what we're all about. But once in a while we find something we just have to tell you about. Many times we take a look at books written by or about the film industry folks. It's rare when I came upon a novel that I just have to tell you about. It's Alive is deserving of that rare post. Written by Julian David Stone the novel takes us back to the Hollywood of the 1930's. It's the very first days of the "talkies" when actors first spoke on film. It was the height of the "studio system" where stars were at the beck and call of the studios who paid their salaries. It was also the rise of Carl Laemmle, Jr. or Junior to those who knew him. His father, Carl Sr founded Universal Studios and now it was Junior's turn to shine. It's just days before the production start on Frankenstein and Junior still can't convince his father that these horror films are going to launch Universal into the future. Worse. He still hadn't decided who would play the pivotal role of The Monster. Bela Lugosi was intended for the role following his hit in Dracula but he was playing hard to get. There was this other guy discovered by the film's director, James Whale. He was an unknown small-bit actor by the name of Boris Karloff. We all know how it turned out. Now go deep inside and see how it almost didn't happen. I read the book and I loved it. I also got the chance to spend some of my Memorial Day Monday talking with the book's author. Now you get to eavesdrop on that conversation and let us take you back to 1931. Bang it here to listen to my interview with Julian David Stone.

Superhost is out on Blu-ray and DVD today from Shudder. A pair of vacation home bloggers find themselves facing sinking numbers, but that's going to be the least of their troubles when they pick the wrong house to review. Osric Chau and Sara Canning star in the new horror film, and I had a chance to talk with Osric about his experiences on the film. Osric Chau also played the lovable Kevin on Supernatural, and now he's appearing here at Upcomingdiscs. Bang it here to listen in on my chat with Osric Chau.

RLJE Films has just released their lycanthrope horror/comedy Werewolves Within on Dec 7th. It's a rather unique take on the often tired werewolf story. I had the chance to talk to the film's director, Josh Ruben. Josh took time out of his busy holiday schedule to talk about the film. I found his insights rather interesting, and I think you might agree. You won't need a wiretap warrant to eavesdrop on the call. Bang it here to listen to my chat with Josh Ruben.

After nearly 100 years the Universal Horror cycle stands as one of the most enduring collection of horror movies today. Their influence on modern horror is unmistakable. There have been literally thousands of incarnations of Dracula, The Wolf Man and Frankenstein's Monster, but the first image that comes to your mind will always be the nightmare creations of those Universal films. Now the first collection of Universal Horror classics finally comes to UHD Blu-ray and glorious 4K. It doesn't get any better than this. A while back I got to talk with Sarah Karloff, daughter to the legendary monster himself, Boris Karloff. Here what she had to say about those monsters of the past. Bang it here to listen to my interview with Sara Karloff