One of my favorite films of the summer is on it’s way into theaters with a bang. 30 Minutes or Less starring Jesse Eisenberg is a fast-paced, easy-to-watch, extremely funny comedy with some fine performances and a storyline that won’t leave you hanging. Though we were able to speak to the film Ruben Fleischer while he was on the set of the film (read interview), I also had the chance to catch up with him recently for a one on one to find out more now that the film is all said and done and what he has going on in the future (it’s really cool!)…

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This week in theaters, Jesse Eisenberg, one of the most serious actor working in comedies, impresses audience once again with his keen wit and layered performance, as he reunites with director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) once again in the fast-paced, easy to watch comedy 30 Minutes or Less. A short while ago we published our interview with him from the set of the film, now that he’s had some distance, an Oscar nod, and some time to reflect, find out what he loves about comedy, how he stays true to his indie roots, and how appreciative he is of everything that he’s worked for…

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Another Sundance film hits theaters this weekend, and trust me, this is no indie darling, this bad boy has teeth. Bellflower is a flow of raw emotions with honest performances set in some of the most realistically, imaginative circumstances. I grant you that sentence is confusing, but it’s hard to describe a film that literally emotes from the screen. This film is not just about telling a story, but expressing the struggles and feelings of the filmmaker himself — which apparently consisted of a frustration, anger, fear and of course a bit of love.

Evan Glodell, the films writer, director, editor, actor and probably a little bit of everything else, started with an idea and the conviction to get his career started no matter how many challenges arouse. He never gave in, he was determined to finish the film with absolutely no help from any real investors…

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Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds are changing things up with their new body-switching movie The Change-Up. The premise may seem a little cliche, but Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin has managed to put together a good comedy film. This summer we’ve seen good comedies like The Hangover II, Bridesmaids, and Horrible Bosses – now it’s time to get ready for The Change-Up. This film has an all-star cast including the always funny Leslie Mann. Check out the interview below where the two leads and their director talk about making The Change-Up, working with strong female characters, and pushing barriers in comedy.

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Miranda July is no ordinary filmmaker. Even though it has been six years since her directorial debut Me and You and Everybody We Know, July has kept a busy schedule with other projects including the publishing of her book of short stories No One Belongs Here More Than You. Her second film The Future is about a thirty-something couple who realize they aren’t satisfied with their lives after adopting a wounded cat. The idea first came to July in a performance piece back in 2007. The film definitely feels like it has the Miranda July stamp on it, in that it embodies this indie, quirky, weird feeling. We got a chance to chat with Ms. July about the making of her film, her creative process, and more.

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You’re in for a VERY special treat this weekend, and I’m in for my third viewing of one of my new favorite films, The Guard (read Sundance review). This is one of the most finely performed, hysterical and well made films that I’ve seen in years thanks to a phenomenal performance from the big man himself, Brendan Gleeson, who stars as an instigating, unpredictable, bored cop or “guard” as they say in Ireland.

There’s no doubt in my mind that this film will become a classic and that his lines will be quoted for some time to come. Find out what it was like for him to pair up with another McDonagh and create such a fine character…

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At this weekend’s Comic-Con, the cast of AMC’s The Walking Dead gathered with series creator Robert Kirkman, director and co-creator Frank Darabont, and producer Gale Anne Hurd to present fans with a look at the upcoming season of the new smash series.  With an order for more than double the previous season’s episodes, and a rabid and expanding fan base, the team of survivors and the crew steering the ship have quite an undertaking ahead of them.  Check out what they had to say about making the new season after the jump, but beware some 1st season spoilers…

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Earlier this year at Sundance Film Festival, Kevin Smith shocked everyone with his film Red State (the camera is finally off the sticks! And there are no talking heads in this bad-boy), as well as with his own personal, live performance that went along with it. Some people called it a stunt, some people questioned why he had called “the auction” when he had no intent on selling it, members of the press got pissy because he wouldn’t do a press conference like everyone else, others wondered if it was true if Harvey Weinstein was ever in the building… and rightly so.

There was a lot going on that day and quite obviously, a lot that none of us knew about. We were seeing the results of Kevin Smith developing into a new kind of filmmaker and finally getting to the point where he was able to separate from his father figure Harvey Weinstein, and tell him to fuck off. It’s only now that we really understand exactly how far Smith has come. He is currently part of the group of pioneers (Robert Rodriguez has something similar going on at Comic-Con) that are forging the way forward for independent filmmakers in a style that I’ve been in awe of since Sundance. Indie filmmakers have been trying to release their films like Smith, but it took someone ballsy and bold enough and with an established name to really break new ground.

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Yesterday, ScreenCrave had the pleasure of being able to sit down with the bold and visionary director, Nicolas Winding Refn at this years Comic-Con while he was promoting his film Drive after sharing a panel with Guillermo del Toro and his film Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. An odd combination when you think of the films, but not the filmmakers. Though Refn is far less likely to make a “crap in your paints” joke/comment, he and del Toro both thrive on originality and creating a world of their own for audiences to enjoy. Watch our interview with him below where we primarily talk to him about his film Drive, but also his up and coming collaborations with Ryan Gosling, including the possibility of Logan’s Run… Continue Reading