1st on Film

1st On Film

We love movies! The 1st Reviews team is dedicated to the casual moviegoers and film enthusiasts alike, with our mix of candid and fun approach to analyzing movies and all things happening in the film industry. We are focused on providing film reviews, movie news, interviews, and coverage of many film related events to an international movie loving audience.

  1. 1d ago

    A.J. Beckles & Ryan Colt Levy | The Voices of BLACK TORCH

    In this episode of the 1st on Film Podcast, we step into the world of BLACK TORCH, the supernatural action anime bringing ninjas, mononoke, and powerful new characters to life. We’re joined by A.J. Beckles, the voice of Jiro Azuma, and Ryan Colt Levy, the voice of Ryosuke Shiba, to talk about bringing these characters to the English dub. BLACK TORCH: Jiro Azuma is no average high schooler. A descendant of ninjas and trained in the ancient warrior art of the shinobi, Jiro is also able to talk with animals. After a mysterious encounter with an injured cat named Rago, Jiro discovers the feline is actually the legendary Black Star of Doom! Joined by the Bureau of Espionage, they fight off swarms of mononoke lying in wait to exploit Rago’s powers. About AJ Beckles (He/Him): AJ Beckles is a voice actor known for his work as Jiro Azuma (BLACK TORCH), Granit (Digomon Beatbreak), Kalim Al-Asim (Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation), Ataro (Synduality: Noir), Kaname Tosen (Bleach Rebirth), Okarun (DAN DA DAN), and more! About Jiro Azuma: He is a teenage shinobi with the power to communicate with animals. He makes a deal with a mysterious black cat named Rago, granting him special powers, and joins the Bureau of Espionage. About Ryan Colt Levy (He/Him): Ryan Colt Levy is a New York born, LA based actor/voice actor and musician known for his voice work in English dubs of anime & video games. He is best known as Ryosuke Shiba (BLACK TORCH), Denji (Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc), Shinji Kyoga (Dandelion), Tsubasa Igarashi (The Ramparts of Ice), Takejo Miwa (Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai), Raito Souda (Digimon Beatbreak), and Hans Axel von Fersen (The Rose of Versailles). About Ryosuke Shiba: He is the chief of the Special Operations Division 2 at the Bureau of Espionage. He founded the new squad that Jiro joined.

    A.J. Beckles & Ryan Colt Levy | The Voices of BLACK TORCH
  2. 6d ago

    Kevin McDonald on Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

    In this episode of the 1st on Film Podcast, we sit down with legendary Canadian actor and comedian Kevin McDonald to talk about his role in Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. McDonald takes us behind the scenes of the new horror-comedy, discussing his character, working alongside an incredible ensemble cast, collaborating with director Jane Schoenbrun, and what drew him to the film. We also talk about the unique tone of the movie and what it was like stepping into such an unconventional project. Toward the end of our conversation, Kevin looks back at one of his beloved television roles — Pastor Dave on That ’70s Show — and shares some memories from his time on the series. From The Kids in the Hall to animation, television, film and now Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, this is a conversation with one of Canada’s most recognizable comedy and acting talents. Kevin McDonald is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer and director best known as one of the founding members of the iconic sketch comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall. McDonald met Dave Foley at Toronto’s Second City Training Centre, and the pair eventually joined forces with Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson to form The Kids in the Hall. Their groundbreaking television series ran from 1988 to 1995 and returned for a critically acclaimed revival in 2022 Beyond The Kids in the Hall, McDonald has built an extensive career across film and television. His credits include Seinfeld, Friends, NewsRadio, Arrested Development, Corner Gas and That ’70s Show, where he played the recurring character Pastor Dave. He also became a prominent voice actor, most notably voicing Agent Pleakley in the Lilo & Stitch franchise and characters in animated series including Invader Zim, Johnny Bravo, Catscratch and Clerks: The Animated Series.

    Kevin McDonald on Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
  3. Aug 3

    Behind “Still Life” with Sophie King, Kate Radcliffe & Sarah Roy

    On this episode of the 1st on Film Podcast, we sit down with director Sophie King, writer and producer Kate Radcliffe, and producer Sarah Roy to discuss their powerful short film, Still Life. Starring Ophelia Lovibond and Jacob Anderson, Still Life follows Jess and Max as they navigate life after the stillbirth of their son at 24 weeks. Blending raw emotion with dark comedy and moments of uncomfortable absurdity, the film explores grief, parenthood, resilience, and the strange reality of trying to move forward when the world around you doesn’t always know what to say. Sophie King is an award-winning British director whose work spans television, short film and comedy, with a particular focus on darkly comedic stories with an emotional edge. Her narrative work has screened at BAFTA- and Oscar-qualifying festivals around the world, and she is a member of BAFTA Connect. King directed the Channel 4 pilot Disability Benefits, which won Best Newform Drama Series at the 2022 C21 International Drama Awards, as well as the second series of ITV comedy Buffering, starring Iain Stirling. Her short film Does Your Condom Make You Fat? has screened at festivals including the Austin Film Festival, HollyShorts and Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival. Kate Radcliffe is a British writer and producer with an extensive background in comedy and entertainment television. Her credits include work on The Graham Norton Show, The Russell Howard Hour, Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains, A League of Their Own, CelebAbility and The Overlap on Tour. Radcliffe wrote and produced Still Life, drawing upon her own experience following the loss of her son Dexter. Through the film, she uses dark comedy and emotional honesty to explore the often-unspoken realities of stillbirth, grief and life after loss. Sarah Roy is a British actor and producer and the founder of 19th Street Productions. She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and worked in Off-Broadway theatre before returning to the UK and establishing her production company. Roy produced, co-wrote and starred in the feature film Zebra Girl, which was released internationally and nominated for Best Thriller at the National Film Awards. Her producing work also extends to theatre, including acclaimed productions of David Ireland’s Yes So I Said Yes and Not Now, as well as serving as an associate producer on A Strange Loop at the Barbican.

    Behind “Still Life” with Sophie King, Kate Radcliffe & Sarah Roy

About

We love movies! The 1st Reviews team is dedicated to the casual moviegoers and film enthusiasts alike, with our mix of candid and fun approach to analyzing movies and all things happening in the film industry. We are focused on providing film reviews, movie news, interviews, and coverage of many film related events to an international movie loving audience.