Considering Horror Cinema Ep. 007: The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Movie Podcasting

Posted on June 4, 2019 by producer

Happy June, and welcome to another episode of Considering the Cinema Podcast. Episode 007 is a short Considering Horror Cinema show, where your late-night Horror host, Jay of the Dead, introduces the very first edition of a specialty segment titled, Jay of the Dead’s Zombie Hive! The zombie movie under review for this segment is The ReZort (2015).

Also in Episode 007, Jay of the Dead teases some very exciting episodes coming up on the Considering the Cinema Podcast, including two incredible “Best of the Decades” shows: Top 10 Horror Movies of the 2010s Decade — and — Top 10 Movies of the 2010s (all genres), slated for late December, early January releases, respectively. Both of these episodes will include panels of guest hosts who will join Jay to bring you the very best of the 2010s decade. These shows will be FREE and only available here through Considering the Cinema Podcast, so be sure you subscribe to this feed.

Thanks for listening and Considering Horror Cinema! Don’t forget: You can call my new voicemail number at (801) 215-9704 or email me at ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com or post a comment in the show notes for this episode. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Movie Review: Aladdin (2019)

Posted on May 28, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

Just a quick, random note about this side-by-side artwork comparison: I was going to comment on this on Twitter, but I honestly didn’t have the energy. (Besides, Adam Frazier @AdamFrazier on Twitter, ended up doing it for me.) What can be said, really? Studios continually try to ride the wave of other successful films by emulating and imitating their poster art — down to every little detail, even color scheme — trying everything they can to strike gold again. It’s really a non-story, but I must admit that I noticed it instantly when I first saw this “Aladdin” poster art.

By way of preface, my family revisited the original, animated “Aladdin” from (1992) — on VHS, no less — just two days before seeing the new live-action version. And I should also mention up front that I have been a Will Smith fan since about 1988, even before his TV show, because I bought his cassette tape of “He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper.” I’ve been supporting Will Smith (as much as possible) ever since, though “After Earth” even pushed my limits.

Having said all of the above, following in the footsteps of Robin Williams to reprise this genie role is a thankless and futile endeavor. Will Smith does a fine job as the genie, don’t get me wrong, but nobody’s going to give him much credit, regardless of how good his performance is. The world would never let anyone top Robin Williams’ genie performance, especially now that he’s gone and under such tragic circumstances. It would be like remaking “Citizen Kane.” It’s a fool’s errand. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Horror Movie Review: The Perfection (2019)

Posted on May 27, 2019 by producer

By Jay of the Dead

There’s a wild little Horror flick that released on Netflix on May 24, 2019. I got up early and watched it that same morning before going to work. It was getting a lot of buzz, and I agree with what everyone says: Watch it before someone spoils it for you.

Rest assured, I will not spoil “The Perfection” for you, so you can feel completely at ease to finish reading this review, spoiler-free.

“The Perfection” stars Allison Williams (the girlfriend in “Get Out”) as Charlotte, a cellist who took a several-year sabbatical away from her blossoming career, in order to help care for her terminally ill mother. As the film opens, we are at the end of her mother’s life, so Charlotte is ready to return to her elite music conservatory, where another fantastic cellist, Elizabeth (Logan Browning), has stepped into Charlotte’s shoes. At this point in the film, only a few minutes in, we can tell two things: Charlotte obviously feels despondent about the detour her life has taken, and it seems that Elizabeth has taken her rightful place and perhaps all her opportunities.

And that is absolutely all I can reveal about the plot of “The Perfection.” The reason I can’t tell you more is “The Perfection” is full of surprises, twists and turns. It is the type of film that redefines itself as it unfolds, thereby redefining our expectations and conclusions about what it is or what it will become. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Horror Movie Review: Brightburn (2019)

Posted on May 27, 2019 by producer

By Jay of the Dead

“It may sound absurd, but don’t be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed, but won’t you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
And it’s not easy to be me

Up, up and away, away from me
Well, it’s all right, you can all sleep sound tonight
I’m not crazy
Or anything.”
— Superman (It’s Not Easy) by Five for Fighting

I’ve thought about it many times before. Everyone has. What would we do if Superman went on a rampage — and I don’t mean flicking peanuts at whiskey bottles? We’d all be screwed. Sure, Superman’s one weakness is Kryptonite, but who has that lying around? And even if you had some, how would you ever “use it on him”? I mean, Lex Luther is an evil super-genius, and even he’s had trouble applying the ill effects of the glowing green crystals to the Man of Steel.

“Brightburn” has a great premise for a Horror movie. And since we’re in the midst of a tidal wave of superhero movies, I suppose a movie like “Brightburn” was inevitable. In fact, the cinema has been shifting this direction for some time now with all its anti-heroes, super villains and straight-up monsters: “The Punisher,” “Hellboy,” “Watchmen,” “Deadpool,” “Split” and “Glass,” “Suicide Squad,” “Venom,” “Brightburn,” coming soon “Dark Phoenix,” and in October, “Joker.”

Now with movies like “Split,” “Venom,” “Brightburn,” and “Joker,” we have two phenomena that we really haven’t seen very much previously: An evil super villain’s stand-alone origin story, and a comfortable slide down into the darkness of the Horror genre. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Horror Movie Review: The Hunted (2013)

Posted on May 26, 2019 by producer

By Jay of the Dead

When a film opens with the phrase, “Based on Actual Events” or something of the like, you can usually dismiss it altogether. We’ve learned over the decades that this typically means there is a kernel of truth that inspired the story.

Writer-director (and star) Josh Stewart was inspired by actual events that he experienced to write “The Hunted” (2013). I’ll come back to this story at the end of the review, but here’s the premise of the movie: Jake (Josh Stewart) is trying to launch a hunting reality TV show, so he travels to the woods of West Virginia with his camera man (Ronnie Gene Blevins) and tries to bag a large buck that’s been eluding hunters. Jake’s plan is to shoot a decent proof-of-concept, pilot episode that he hopes to sell to investors and a network.

But the two TV hosts become increasingly concerned when they keep hearing blood-curdling (and I mean blood-curdling) screams in the darkness of the woods. Is it an injured bobcat? Or is it a wailing ghost woman?

So, what you have here is a Found Footage film that’s in the vein of “The Blair Witch Project” (1999), but even better for my money. (Yes, co-directors Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick created a historically significant Horror film. Even Roger Ebert listed “The Blair Witch Project” among his “10 Most Influential Films of the Century”!) So, I’m not trying to take anything away from “The Blair Witch Project,” especially since it probably informed “The Hunted.” But 14 years later, we have a film that works even better to me. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Horror Movie Review: The Intruder (2019)

Posted on May 26, 2019 by producer

By Jay of the Dead

I know, I know. So much for principles. I caved and saw “The Intruder” (2019), that crazy Dennis Quaid film which I was publicly boycotting seeing in the theater because its marketing department carelessly revealed story beats from all three acts in the trailer. I won’t start ranting about that again, but I knew that trailer depicted the entire film in microcosm, and after seeing it, I was right. Sure enough, the trailer depicts all three acts, so there are very few surprises.

Many if not most modern-day narrative films are divided up into three acts. For “The Intruder,” the act breaks are so distinctive that the film changes genres with each act: The first act is a Drama. The second act becomes a Thriller. And the third act descends into Horror. Really, it’s a very natural progression because “Drama Is Conflict.” And if you escalate and intensify that conflict until it devolves into violence and death, then the tone changes and it becomes Horror. Therefore, my genre classification for “The Intruder” is Drama / Thriller / Horror, in descending order.

Here’s the Premise: Scott and Annie want to move out of the city and find a nice home where they can start a family. Dennis Quaid plays Charlie, a seller who just wants to make sure his beloved home is purchased by a good family. So, the couple buys Charlie’s house, but the only problem is, Charlie doesn’t seem to want to let it go. Continue reading →

Considering Horror Cinema Ep. 006: Taken Children – The Prodigy (2019), The Curse of La Llorona (2019), The Head Hunter (2019)

Posted on May 19, 2019 by producer

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Thanks to a very generous donation by Sean Smith and an inspiring voicemail from Greg “The Gray Man” Bensch, here is an impromptu BONUS episode of Considering Horror Cinema. I am your late-night Horror host, Jay of the Dead, and I have three, brand-new 2019 Horror movies to review for you. Coincidentally, all three films share a common theme of “Taken Children.” That wasn’t planned. It just happened.

During Episode 006, I discuss a notable film that’s a must-see Horror flick this year called The Head Hunter (2019). And I bring you reviews of the wide theater releases, The Prodigy (2019) and The Curse of La Llorona (2019).

For those who join me to consider some Horror cinema, I delve into a few important distinctions. During these reviews I explore the creation of monsters. I also compare and contrast the monstrous motivations of Pamela Voorhees versus those of La Llorona (and why the latter is a problematic character). We’ll also listen to The Gray Man’s voicemail and talk about some 1980s Horror VHS box art. If you dig Horror film criticism, I hope you’ll join me! Thanks for listening. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Horror Movie Review: The Curse of La Llorona (2019)

Posted on May 15, 2019 by producer

By Jay of the Dead

Note: If you’d prefer to listen rather than read, here is my audio podcast review. (It starts around the 22-minute mark.)

Before I discuss “The Curse of La Llorona” (2019), I would like to begin this review with a preface about grief-stricken mothers and drowned children. Uplifting, I know. (Oh, and incidentally, for those who don’t speak Spanish, it’s pronounced “La Yo-Roh-Na.”)

Most monsters don’t start out monstrous. They are made monstrous by some terrible experience that happens to them or someone they love. The saddest love songs are always “somebody done somebody wrong” songs. Horror movies are built the same way: Somebody done somebody wrong… Just as vegetation grows out of nutrient-rich volcanic soil, the most potent Horror seems to grow from the fertile aftermath of deep sorrow or deep rage, usually both.

Spoilers for the original “Friday the 13th” (1980) ahead:

All Horror fans know that the slasher killer in the first “Friday the 13th” movie is revealed to be Jason’s mother, Pamela Voorhees. Presumably, she was not always a monster. She only became a monster after her little boy, Jason, drowned in Camp Crystal Lake, due to the negligence of distracted counselors who were too busy “gettin’ busy” to watch her son. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Movie Review: Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)

Posted on May 12, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

I can accept that “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” was not made for me. I’m older than most Pokémon hunters or whatever you call people who do such things. Therefore, I’ll confess right up front that I know nothing about this universe.

In fact, when I first heard of this film, I was very dismissive and even annoyed. But then my buddy Ryan told me to watch the trailer because I would be surprised by how “not terrible” it looks. To my shock, he was right! And the fact that Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”) was voicing Pikachu was another feather in this film’s cap, so to speak.

Even so, I probably would not have seen this movie. But I’m a dad, so I took my two kids and had a great time. Sure, there’s something to be said for seeing a movie when you’re in a great mood and already having a great day after some Chinese food, Wendy’s, movie shopping, and of course, Dairy Queen.

Sometimes when I read a Roger Ebert review where he seemed grouchy and incredibly dismissive, I just assume that he saw the film when he was tired or hungry or already having a terrible day. (This might not be true at all. But because I believe this, I am very mindful and careful about allowing my mood to affect my opinion of a movie.) Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Horror Movie Review: The Head Hunter (2019)

Posted on May 9, 2019 by producer

By Jay of the Dead

I am always impressed when filmmakers return back to the basic, fundamental roots of what makes the art of motion pictures so potent. For instance, the well-meaning duo of Danish directors Lars von Trier (“Antichrist,” “The House That Jack Built”) and Thomas Vinterberg created the stringent “Dogme 95 Manifesto” in 1995.

Don’t worry. I won’t launch into a whole big thing, but for those who don’t know: In essence, Dogme 95 dictated that the cinema should be created by using the classic components of story, theme, performance, etc., while eschewing any reliance on the “vulgarity” of special effects or any other modern filmmaking technology. In short, the point was to “get back to the basics,” the bare bones heart of filmmaking, where the director remains free to be an artist without being henpecked by studio interference.

And that odd little preface brings me to a notable 2019 Horror film called “The Head Hunter,” formerly known as “The Head.” (Side note: “The Head Hunter” is an excellent title because its meanings are multi-faceted.) In fact, this film is not just notable for 2019; I would argue that it is also notable for the 2010s decade. “The Head Hunter” was released on April 5, 2019, and it just hit Redbox on May 7. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Horror Movie Review: The Prodigy (2019)

Posted on May 8, 2019 by producer

By Jay of the Dead

I have gained a little notoriety for suggesting the notion that I could handily dispatch the nefarious ankle-biters that play the “monsters” of Evil Kid Movies. My good friend, Dave “Dr. Shock” Becker, has often retorted and rebuffed my claims by arguing that evil kids catch their parents unawares, due to a presumption of innocence and harmlessness. (But I don’t care. I still watch my wily offspring with at least one suspicious eye, if not two.)

Dr. Shock’s assertion proves to be correct in “The Prodigy,” an ostensible Evil Kid Movie that was released in theaters on Feb. 8, 2019 (with a respectable, nine-week run, by the way), and then was released on video and at Redbox yesterday, May 7, 2019.

“The Prodigy” was directed by Nicholas McCarthy, a Horror director who also helmed “The Pact” (2012), “At the Devil’s Door” (2014) and the “Easter” segment of “Holidays” (2016). This film was written by Jeff Buhler, who wrote “Insanitarium” (2008), “The Midnight Meat Train” (2008), the “J Is for Jesus” segment of “ABCs of Death 2” (2014) and the most recent “Pet Sematary” (2019) remake. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Movie Review: Long Shot (2019)

Posted on May 4, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

All movie reviews are inevitably burdened (and occasionally blessed) with subjectivity. There is no such thing as a purely “objective” review, nor should there be.

So, I will confess up front that, while I fancy myself as a person who has a good sense of humor, I typically don’t appreciate films that are Comedies. I simply don’t find them very funny. And perhaps part of the issue is that I prefer films that are dark, violent, crime-infested and troubling.

This same weekend, “The Intruder” (2019), was released in theaters, starring Dennis Quaid, Meagan Good and Michael Ealy. That film appears to be a Horror film, or at the very least, a Thriller, but I “boycotted” supporting that film in the theater due to its egregiously, three-act-revealing trailer.

Therefore, I opted to see “Long Shot” Saturday night, a Comedy starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen. “Long Shot” was directed by Jonathan Levin, who also directed “Snatched” (the Amy Schumer / Goldie Hawn trainwreck). As ominous as that seems, I still had hope because Jonathan Levin wrote “Warm Bodies” and “The Wackness.” But most of all, I had faith in Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen. Continue reading →

Considering Horror Cinema Ep. 005: The Monster Problem, $5 Bargain Bin Gas Station Horror Movies, and Weekend Horror VHS Rentals From the Local Video Store

Posted on April 19, 2019 by producer

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Are you a Horror fan? Me too! I used to host three different Horror movie podcasts, so I love to explore this powerful genre and its many sub-genres. Therefore, some of my Considering the Cinema episodes are going to be dedicated to focusing solely on Considering Horror Cinema! So, Episode 005 is a long-form show, and it is entirely dedicated to exploring the Horror genre. And while I am expecting Horror fans to enjoy this episode, I am also hopeful that people who are typically non-Horror fans will also give it a listen. Above all, my underlying passion is always the cinema and film criticism. If you feel the same way, I still think you’ll enjoy your time Considering Horror Cinema with me. This is a solo podcast for people who don’t typically like solocasts…

In Episode 005, your host Jason Pyles (aka Horror moniker “Jay of the Dead”) will discuss “The Monster Problem,” video rental store nostalgia and looking for Horror movie gems in the $5 bargain bins at truck stops and gas stations. And to help me reminisce about video store nostalgia, the Gillman Joel Robertson of Horror Movie Podcast, Retro Movie Geek and Universal Monsters Cast appears as a guest contributor! I will also bring you Feature Reviews of I Trapped the Devil (2019), Jordan Peele’s Us (2019), Sole Survivor (1984) on VHS, and for some reason, Camp Death III in 2D (2019). You will also get to hear two of my three specialty segments, Jay of the Dead’s Beastly Freaks, when I’ll review Night Wolf (2012), and Jay of the Dead’s Perishable Predicament, when I review a Survival Horror film called Thirst (2010).

You are welcome to call my new voicemail number at (801) 215-9704 or email me at ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com or post a comment. Be sure to join me for my upcoming Episode 006, when I bring you a recap of the 2019 movies I’ve seen from January through April! Join me! Continue reading →

Us (2019) and Triple Frontier (2019)

Posted on April 18, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

*This column was originally printed in the April 2019 edition of The BP Times newspaper.

Us (2019) – Most people probably know writer-director Jordan Peele from his comedy duo TV series, “Key and Peele,” though he has many prior credits. In 2017, Peele wrote and directed a noteworthy Horror film titled “Get Out,” which was worthily praised for its razor-sharp social commentary about race and its exceptional performances.

Then on March 22, we got another Horror movie that Peele wrote and directed called “Us.” Here’s the premise (without spoilers): A family’s beach vacation becomes horrifying when they encounter doppelgängers — exact replicas of themselves — who try to harm and terrorize them.

Upon seeing the trailer, at first blush, the film appeared to be a Jordan Peele-worthy exploration of how sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. I wondered if the themes had something to do with self-sabotage, self-loathing or maybe even perfectionism. Continue reading →

Summer 2019 Preview: Toying With Scary Prospects

Posted on March 7, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

Technically, the first day of summer arrives with the summer solstice, which for 2019 will be Friday, June 21, in the Northern Hemisphere. But for Hollywood, June 21 is already nine weeks into summer movie blockbuster season.

Somehow, the Hollywood marketing machine has unofficially pushed summer back to late April, which is where I’ll begin this month’s Summer Movie Preview. (By the way, this preview will only be dismissive, not exhaustive.)

April 26 is when we’ll finally get to see the gripping conclusion to a remarkable, 11-year story arc that will finish with “Avengers: Endgame.” Or will it? Let the backpedaling begin! Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Ep. 004: Creep Van (2012), Rituals (1977) and Once Upon a Time in Queens (2014)

Posted on February 20, 2019 by producer

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Welcome to the Episode 004 show notes for Considering the Cinema, the official (albeit occasional) podcast of the Considering the Cinema blog. My name is Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”), and this is where I consider the cinema and muse about movies.

The first three episodes of this podcast were released under the Movie Podcast Network. I have since amicably parted ways with the Network and my “full-time” podcasts. Now I maintain this blog and its occasional podcast episode releases as a mere hobby, purely for fun. So, if you want to listen to this podcast — I’d love that — but I have three fair warnings up front:

1. This podcast has no release schedule. Since it is just for fun and a genuine hobby, I’m only going to work on it when the mood strikes me. So, the two best ways to make sure you don’t miss any releases are to: subscribe to this FREE podcast feed or follow me on Twitter: @ConsiderCinema.

2. This show is a solocast, meaning, I’m the one and only host. Who knows? I may have a guest join me, once in a blue moon, but for the most part, you’re only going to hear from me. Having said that, I plan to keep the episodes short, and if they’re not short, I’ll try to find a way to spice up the solocast.

3. My third and favorite warning: Considering the Cinema is the epitome of freedom in movie podcasting, which means, there is no set theme or format for this show, so I can podcast about anything I want. The reason this is a warning is, it will probably get weird sometimes. There are some really bizarre episodes that I’d like to do, so you can’t say I didn’t warn you.

So, if you can live with a solocast that has no release schedule and no typical format, then welcome to Considering the Cinema — A Podcast About Movies and Film Criticism. Continue reading →

91st Academy Award Best Picture Nominees

Posted on February 4, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

*This column was originally printed in the February 2019 edition of The BP Times newspaper.

Feb. 24 is the 91st Academy Awards ceremony (aka “Oscar Sunday”), when the film industry awards its winners with the most prestigious honor in the business. Here’s a quick overview of the “Best Picture” nominees to help with your Oscar ballot.

A Star Is Born – Co-writer and director Bradley Cooper stars alongside Lady Gaga in a tale about a famous musician who falls in love with an unknown singer and helps to launch her career. Excellent performances. Stirring but melancholy.

BlacKkKlansman – A wild Spike Lee film that’s based on actual events, this Crime Comedy Biopic is about two police officers — one who’s African American and the other Jewish — as they somehow infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan! It stars John David Washington (Denzel’s son). Continue reading →

Top 10 Movies of 2018

Posted on February 4, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

*This column was originally printed in the January 2019 edition of The BP Times newspaper.

During 2018 more than 600 films were released in the United States. I only saw about 150 of those new releases. Therefore, while I admit that my Top 10 Movies of 2018 list isn’t exhaustive, I can assure you that the list below contains my favorite filmic experiences of the year.

10. The Clovehitch Killer – A teenage boy begins to suspect that his very own father might be an infamous serial killer who’s still at large. Is he or isn’t he? You’ll be waffling more than IHOP!

9. Bodied – Asian filmmaker Joseph Kahn’s razor-sharp social commentary doubles as a ruthless and unflinching comedy about a Caucasian dude who’s drawn into the world of battle rap! This film is potentially offensive to everybody, as it explores political correctness, racism and who can say what and to whom. Continue reading →

Eighth Grade (2018) and The Clovehitch Killer (2018)

Posted on February 4, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

*This column was originally printed in the December 2018 edition of The BP Times newspaper.

Drama is conflict. If you examine any engaging story with a protagonist that you’re rooting for, you will discover that your lead character is probably beset with conflict.

For this month’s column, I have two movie recommendations that you can stream right now on Amazon. Each movie has a protagonist whose plight elicits sympathy, due to having to face overwhelming conflict.

Eighth Grade (2018) – Do you remember middle school, or have you tried to block that experience from your memory? Many people consider middle school a brutal period in their lives. That’s mostly the case with Elsie Fisher’s character, Kayla, in Bo Burnham’s wince-inducing “Eighth Grade.” This film captures and painfully depicts the awkwardness and insecurity that Kayla feels every day at school. But remarkably, it also shows us the courage and resilience of a young person who’s trying to successfully assert herself into the social stratum. Continue reading →

Movie Conversation Pieces

Posted on February 4, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

*This column was originally printed in the November 2018 edition of The BP Times newspaper.

Want to spice up your Thanksgiving dinner conversation? This month’s Considering the Cinema gives you fascinating movie trivia. You won’t believe these films exist! Some of these tales are sad, but all of them are true.

Roar (1981) – Considered “the most dangerous film shoot in history,” “Roar” is a bizarre Drama film in which a family lives among wild lions (with leopards, tigers, cheetahs and elephants nearby). During the 11-year film production, the actors were in genuine peril, with reports of 70 crew members getting injured by the predators. No one was killed, but some of the attacks actually appear in the film. “Roar” may be rated PG, but the blood and violence depicted onscreen is real. Continue reading →

Creepy October Movie Recommendations

Posted on February 4, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

*This column was originally printed in the October 2018 edition of The BP Times newspaper.

Even movie lovers who aren’t horror fans want a creepy watchlist for October, so this first edition of Considering the Cinema has 17 easy-to-find recommendations.

Amazon: “Summer of 84” follows a youth who worries that his policeman neighbor might moonlight as a serial killer.

Netflix: As beautiful as it is scary, “The Wailing” is a haunting South Korean horror film about a mysterious sickness that overtakes a village. Also from South Korea, “Train to Busan” is a full-bore, action-zombie flick that’s a fun and violent crowd-pleaser. But if you prefer more low-key zombies, I’d recommend “Cargo.” Martin Freeman plays a virus-infected father who only has a couple of days to find a suitable caretaker for his baby before joining the ranks of the mindless undead. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Ep. 003: Ephraim Katz and The Film Encyclopedia

Posted on February 3, 2019 by producer

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Considering the Cinema is a podcast about movies and film criticism hosted by Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”), from Salt Lake City. This audio podcast is a free, usually short-form solocast for cinephiles and anyone with an interest in movie news, film theory, movie trivia, cinema history, movie reviews and film criticism. The topic for Episode 003 is “Ephraim Katz and The Film Encyclopedia.”

Follow Jason here:
On Twitter: @ConsiderCinema
Website: ConsideringTheCinema.com
Email: ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com
Letterboxd: Letterboxd.com/ConsiderCinema

Considering the Cinema Ep. 002: A Very Scary Guy (Who Sleeps With the Fishes)

Posted on February 3, 2019 by producer

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Follow Jason here:
On Twitter: @ConsiderCinema
Website: ConsideringTheCinema.com
Email: ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com
Letterboxd: Letterboxd.com/ConsiderCinema

Considering the Cinema Ep. 001: The Sympathetic Antagonist

Posted on February 3, 2019 by producer

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Follow Jason here:
On Twitter: @ConsiderCinema
Website: ConsideringTheCinema.com
Email: ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com
Letterboxd: Letterboxd.com/ConsiderCinema

Considering the Cinema: Its History in a Nutshell

Posted on February 3, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

The first incarnation of this Considering the Cinema blog was launched way back in July of 2008, nearly 11 years ago. This was the first post. It began as a way for long-distance friends to keep in touch and continue to enjoy movies together.

My original partner in crime was a guy named Andy. We discussed unusual films, cinematic oddities. The site had a few great contributors whose opinions about film I respect. Believe it or not, that initial site was somewhat active for three years until July of 2011.

It was June of 2010 when I launched my first audio podcast, Considering the Sequels. We more or less took our blog and transformed it into a monthly podcast where we reviewed movie franchises.

Very long story short, that first show began a nine-year odyssey of podcasting for me. I hosted and produced several successful shows, most notably Movie Podcast Weekly and Horror Movie Podcast. Both belong to the illustrious Movie Podcast Network, which I helped to create. I also recorded a small solocast called Considering the Cinema. You can hear those four free episodes here:

MoviePodcast.Network/category/podcast/considering-the-cinema/
– Special Features 021: Considering the Themes of Batman Begins (2005)
– Considering the Cinema Ep. 003: Ephraim Katz and The Film Encyclopedia
– Considering the Cinema Ep. 002: A Very Scary Guy (Who Sleeps With the Fishes)
– Considering the Cinema Ep. 001: The Sympathetic Antagonist

Presently, at my day job, we have an in-house, company newspaper. Naturally, my film column for that monthly publication is called Considering the Cinema. Most of the blog posts that follow will be from that newspaper column, which I would note, is written for a broad, workplace audience rather than a bunch of cinephiles…

Recently, I’ve unplugged my podcasting microphone, so to speak, and I’m focusing my time and attention on other matters. But I will always love the cinema, film criticism and our community of friends and fellow cinephiles. Therefore, this humble website — my fourth incarnation of Considering the Cinema — will serve as my remaining home base for my occasional and irregular musings about film. This blog will have no set schedule, and in time, it may have a little audio podcast content, too. Nothing regular, but you’re welcome to join me.

On Twitter: @ConsiderCinema
This website: ConsideringTheCinema.com
Email: ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com
Letterboxd: Letterboxd.com/ConsiderCinema

Thanks for checking in.

Sincerely,
Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”)