Kirk Jones Interview (Director of "I Swear")

2027 Oscars Predictions with Angelique Acuña

Angelique Acuña joins the show for the 2027 Oscars Fantasy Draft. She and Zack will each draft 10 films that they think will be nominated for Best Picture at the 99th Academy Awards. Check out Angelique's Substack for some great film writing and Survivor coverage. Link: https://shorturl.at/bOjGo [https://shorturl.at/bOjGo] Angelique Acuña's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelique.acuna/ [https://www.instagram.com/angelique.acuna/] Angelique Acuña's Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/35YDZ [https://boxd.it/35YDZ] Zack's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/zackbaki [https://linktr.ee/zackbaki]

Zachary Donohue Interview (Writer of "Passenger")

Screenwriter Zachary Donohue joins the show to discuss the new horror film, PASSENGER, currently playing in movie theaters around the world. The film follows a young couple who witnesses a gruesome highway accident and soon realizes they did not leave the crash scene alone. A demonic presence called the Passenger turns their van life adventure into a nightmare. Donohue discusses the inspiration behind the story and how the screenplay evolved from first draft to finished film. 🎬 Passenger is currently playing in movie theaters everywhere. Get your tickets now. Passenger trailer: https://youtu.be/eNIn8kW1kyE?si=mGduyo8o4LUBPJKx [https://youtu.be/eNIn8kW1kyE?si=mGduyo8o4LUBPJKx] Zachary's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donohuezach/ [https://www.instagram.com/donohuezach/] Passenger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passengermovie/ [https://www.instagram.com/hokum.movie/] Special thanks to Mortimer PR for making this interview possible.

Damien McCarthy Interview (Director of "Hokum")

Writer-director Damien McCarthy joins the show to discuss his new horror film, HOKUM, currently playing in cinemas everywhere. The film follows Ohm Bauman, a troubled writer who retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents' ashes, only to be consumed by tales of a witch haunting the honeymoon suite. Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance force him to confront the dark corners of his past. McCarthy discusses how he crafted Ohm's character arc, turning an unlikeable protagonist into someone the audience roots for by the end. We also dive into the filmmaking craft behind Hokum, including its stunning cinematography, practical effects, and the creative production design that brings the inn to life. 🎬 Hokum is currently playing in cinemas everywhere. Get your tickets now. Hokum trailer: https://youtu.be/jP2nDyQWBOU?si=0qIkw0G03KDKMxw9 [https://youtu.be/jP2nDyQWBOU?si=0qIkw0G03KDKMxw9] Damien's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hows_themovie_goin/ [https://www.instagram.com/hows_themovie_goin/] Damien's Website: https://www.hediesattheend.com/ [https://www.hediesattheend.com/] Hokum Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/film/hokum/ [https://letterboxd.com/film/hokum/] Hokum Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hokum.movie/ [https://www.instagram.com/hokum.movie/] Damien's short films: https://www.youtube.com/@millerkarras/videos [https://www.youtube.com/@millerkarras/videos] Get your tickets now: https://www.fandango.com/hokum-2026-244804/movie-overview [https://www.fandango.com/hokum-2026-244804/movie-overview] Special thanks to Neon and the Ginsberg Libby for making this interview possible.

Sean O'Connell Interview

Film podcast legend, Sean O'Connell, joins the show. He is the deputy editor of CBR (Comic Book Resources), former co-host of the beloved ReelBlend podcast, and author of three essential film books: Release the Snyder Cut, With Great Power, and Bruce Willis. Zack and Sean go deep on the legacy of ReelBlend and Sean breaks down his work at CBR. Then the conversation turns to his books: the grassroots fan movement behind the Snyder Cut, the untold history of Spider-Man on film, and what it was like writing a career retrospective on one of Hollywood's most prolific stars, Bruce Willis. Plus: the results of the legendary 2025 ReelBlend Fantasy Draft are finally revealed. Timecodes: 01:10 ReelBlend Memories 11:00 CBR: Comic Book Resources 13:32 Release the Snyder Cut 18:49 With Great Power: Spider-Man 23:55 Bruce Willis: A Career Retrospective Links: Order Sean's books: https://spider-man-with-great-power-book.kit.com/ [https://spider-man-with-great-power-book.kit.com/] Sean's CBR page: https://www.cbr.com/author/sean-o-connell/ [https://www.cbr.com/author/sean-o-connell/] Sean's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sean_oconnell33/ [https://www.instagram.com/sean_oconnell33/] Sean's X: https://x.com/Sean_OConnell [https://x.com/Sean_OConnell] CBR YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@cbr/videos [https://www.youtube.com/@cbr/videos] ReelBlend YouTube archive: https://www.youtube.com/@ReelBlend [https://www.youtube.com/@ReelBlend]

Kirk Jones Interview (Director of "I Swear")

Filmmaker Kirk Jones joins the show to discuss his award-winning film I Swear, opening in cinemas on April 24. The film follows John Davidson, a man living with Tourette's syndrome, as he grows from a misunderstood teenager in the 1980s into someone who discovers purpose through the kindness of others. Jones shares the origins of the story and how he carefully balanced humor and emotion to create a film that's both deeply moving and genuinely funny. We also dive into the filmmaking craft behind I Swear, including its cinematography, editing choices, and Robert Aramayo's BAFTA-winning performance. 🎬 I Swear hits U.S. theaters on April 24th. Kirk's Website: https://www.kirkjones.com/ [https://www.kirkjones.com/] Kirk's IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428600/ [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428600/] I Swear Trailer: https://youtu.be/10ynpduiRpM?si=8ToKbv7xPYV3_2Me [https://youtu.be/10ynpduiRpM?si=8ToKbv7xPYV3_2Me] I Swear Website: https://www.iswearfilm.com/home/ [https://www.iswearfilm.com/home/] I Swear Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/film/i-swear/ [https://letterboxd.com/film/i-swear/]