The Inside Reel

Actors Mekki Leeper & Kahyun Kim talk to The Inside Reel about chemistry, timing, environment and a bit of life metaphor in regards to the final two episodes of the 2nd season of “St. Denis Medical” on NBC.

Director Adrian Grunberg & Producer/Star Milla Jovovich talk to The Inside Reel about approach, tone, balance and subject matter in regards to their new action thriller: “Protector” from Magenta Light Studios.

The interesting aspect of "Forbidden City" is its mix of Italian and Chinese to tell a story mostly set in Rome. The action optimizing Elisa Wong (known for the live action "Mulan") is fast and furious when it happens and yet the film is also balanced by the more cathartic Italian form of storytelling combined with a gangster picture. Written and directed by Gabriele Mainetti, it is an interesting mix since it moves different than a normal kung fu action film. There is a slickness and some Italian humor and yet retains a bit of the melodrama familiar in certain Far East cinema.

In the lexicon of Pixar, "Hoppers" is an interesting swing but, like "Onward", is a little uneven and at times not as sure of itself as it should be. But like "Inside Out", one of its best, it is a supporting character like Richard Kind's elephant that really brings the story to bear. Here it is a character called George.

With "The Bride", writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal takes a surefire swing that is uneven and not for everyone but it is strong in its viewpoint and its artistic vision. Setting the tale and giving its own tendencies starting off in 1930s Chicago there is definitely a blend of "Bonnie & Clyde" and "True Romance". Christian Bale is good as always playing more brooding and quiet as Frank (until he bursts) but opposite him Jessie Buckley as Ida/The Bride really shines like the sun.

Special Creature Effects Supervisor Neal Scanlan talks to The Inside Reel about humanity, old school inspiration, the balance curve and cinematic scale in regards to the digital/in-home release of "Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker.”