FOLLOWING FILMS

VENOM (1981) is a tense and gripping thriller that blends crime, horror, and suspense into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Directed by Piers Haggard and featuring an impressive cast including Klaus Kinski, Oliver Reed, Sarah Miles, and Sterling Hayden, Venom is a film that thrives on its claustrophobic setting and nerve-wracking tension. Though it may not be the most well-known thriller of its era, it delivers a potent mix of suspense and horror that keeps viewers on edge until the very end. The film's premise is simple yet incredibly effective: a group of criminals, led by the psychotic Jacques Müller (Klaus Kinski) and the ruthless chauffeur Dave Averconnelly (Oliver Reed), plan to kidnap a wealthy young boy named Philip (Lance Holcomb) from his London home. Their plan is carefully orchestrated, but a deadly twist of fate throws everything into chaos. Instead of smuggling Philip away easily, they become trapped in the house with a highly venomous black mamba snake—accident...

Leigh Whannell’s  WOLF MAN   is a masterful and deeply affecting reimagining of Universal’s legendary werewolf mythology. With an intense blend of horror, emotion, and jaw-dropping visuals, the film breathes new life into the classic tale while offering a fresh and terrifying take on transformation and familial bonds. By blending psychological horror with relentless tension and impressive practical effects, Wolf Man stands out as one of the most gripping monster films in recent years. Christopher Abbott delivers a powerhouse performance as Blake Lovell, seamlessly capturing the fear, rage, and heartbreak of a man losing himself to an ancient curse. His chemistry with Julia Garner, who plays his determined and resilient wife Charlotte, adds an emotional core to the film that elevates it beyond a standard creature feature. Sam Jaeger also impresses as Blake’s estranged father, tying the film’s themes of legacy and inherited trauma together in a meaningful way. Each performa...

  Welcome to Following Films, the podcast where we explore the art and craft of filmmaking through conversations with the people who bring movies to life. I'm your host, Chris Maynard, and today, we’re diving into The Silent Planet's haunting and atmospheric world (2024), a sci-fi thriller that blends psychological tension with existential dread. Directed by Jeffrey St. Jules, The Silent Planet follows two inmates sentenced to a lifetime of hard labor on a remote world. As isolation takes its toll, their grip on reality begins to slip, forcing them to confront the past they’ve tried to forget. It’s a film that raises deep questions about memory, identity, and what it means to be truly alone. In this episode, I sit down with Jeffrey St. Jules to discuss the inspiration behind the film, its unique approach to storytelling, and how they crafted such an immersive, otherworldly experience.  The Silent Planet is now available on digital

Tess & The Details have taken the 1983 Flashdance anthem "Maniac" and transformed it into a full-throttle punk rock frenzy—proving that some songs are just waiting for a high-energy, distorted rebirth. The San Francisco-based punk outfit, known for their raw intensity and infectious live performances, stumbled upon the idea in a moment of spontaneous inspiration outside Toot’s Tavern. What started as a joke quickly turned into a staple of their live set, and now, thanks to their collaboration with Wiretap Records and producer Jacob Light, it’s officially out for the world to hear. From the very first note, "Maniac" trades its original synth-heavy sheen for gritty guitars, relentless drums, and Tess Stevens’ dynamic vocals. The band injects an urgency that transforms the song from a cinematic dance track into a rebellious, sweat-drenched punk anthem. But more than just a sonic upgrade, their version gives the lyrics a whole new weight. Lines like “It can cut you ...

  Acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez is breaking new ground in independent filmmaking with the launch of Brass Knuckle Films, a revolutionary initiative that invites fans to invest in high-impact action films and actively participate in the filmmaking process. This bold venture will not only allow everyday investors to share in the profits but also provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their own movie ideas brought to life by Rodriguez and his team at Troublemaker Studios. Brass Knuckle Films is redefining the way action movies are made by enabling fans to invest in film projects, offering them exclusive behind-the-scenes access, and even the chance to submit their own movie concepts. Each investor will have the opportunity to pitch a film idea, with ten finalists selected to present their concepts directly to Rodriguez. One lucky winner will see their vision developed into a full-length feature as part of the studio’s upcoming slate. "Across my work, I’ve always sough...

Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage leads an ensemble cast in a new Western thriller directed and written by Brian Skiba. Joining him are Stephen Dorff, Heather Graham, Randall Batinkoff, and Tzi Ma, among others. Set in a small Kentucky town, the film follows the return of America's most wanted man, whose past draws him into a deadly conflict involving a vengeful mob and a king’s ransom. As tensions mount, brothers find themselves on opposing sides of a battle that threatens to tear their town apart. The film premieres in theaters, on-demand, and on digital platforms starting April 11. Blending themes of vengeance, justice, and survival, this Western brings together a compelling cast and a gripping story.

  Today, I’m joined by the incredible Paul Tremblay—acclaimed horror author of The Pallbearers Club and The Cabin at the End of the World, the novel that became M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin. We dive into his hauntingly brilliant work, his love of punk rock, and his involvement in the upcoming documentary series First Word on Horror. Plus, in a fun twist of fate, we chat about how he ended up with a t-shirt from a used bookstore in Tucson—the very one that happens to sponsor this show. For more on First Word on Horror, be sure to visit etchstudio.substack.com/s/first-word-on-horror.