True Film Fan

KTRH (KTRH-AM)
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  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A weekly deep dive for passionate film fans, including reviews, interviews and commentary on film topics.

  1. John and Frankie review the Oscar nominated Train Dreams and Midwinter Break

    3D AGO

    John and Frankie review the Oscar nominated Train Dreams and Midwinter Break

    John Wesley Downey and Frankie Westmoreland review TRAIN DREAMS, a movie nominated for four Oscars including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Original Song.  The movie stars Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones.   Plot. The film recounts the 80 years of the life of Robert Grainier around Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Arriving in the area on the Great Northern Railway as an orphaned child, Robert drops out of school and spends his younger years without direction or purpose, until he meets Gladys Olding.  This review is followed by Frankie giving his review for MIDWINTER BREAK, Starring Ciaran Hinds and Leslie Manville as a couple traveling to Amserdam and trying to heal their marriage.

    12 min
  2. Why don't the Avatar films affect people emotionally and culturally?

    3D AGO

    Why don't the Avatar films affect people emotionally and culturally?

    John Wesley Downey and Frankie Westmoreland of the True Film Fan podcast (and the 950 KPRC Radio show) discuss the effectiveness of filmmakers Christopher Nolan and James Cameron's big budget movies.  Do they only connect with audiences through spectacle and special effects or is there an emotional component to their storytelling.  Other projects such as Big Fish, True Lies and The Prestige also become a part of the exploration of the work of these major filmmakers.

    48 min

  3. 10/14/2025

    Alternative Cinema is alive and well as we explore indie filmmaking with filmmaker Tim Thomson

    This week John Wesley Downey interviews Tim Thomson, an independent filmmaker, film editor and post production supervisor, and creative artist. Tim is also active in supporting and doing design work in the local theater community, including the Catastrophic Theater.  The podcast takes a turn this week toward less mainstream filmmaking and a fun ride it was.  Turns out VHS films from the 80s and 90s, especially scifi and horror and new distribution and restoration of some of this DIY filmmaking is underway with companies such as Vinegar Syndrome.  Tim and John talked about film's enduring popularity and reach, including mainstream, independent and fringe.  Tim talked about his excitement that a film he made on the streets of Houston in 1992 with a rag tag team of film enthusiasts, as well as his writings about PROJECT OMICRON.  A wide ranging discussion with a seasoned filmmaker and creator well worth the time of anyone who wants to hear the latest on alternative filmmaking.  Tim's day job is with Staging solutions where he is Creative Director.

    49 min

  4. 08/11/2025

    Boomer, Gen Z and Gen X reviewers spotlight Jurassic World Rebirth, the Marvel Thunderbolts Movie and The Dirty Dozen from 1967

    THE TEAM John Wesley Downey, Frankie Westmoreland and Bret Gipson are the multi-generational contributors to the TRUE FILM PODCAST. From Gen Z to Gen X to the Baby Boomers, we give you a wide sampling of critical opinion.  What does the trio have in common?  They are all passionate movie nerds who share the same love of movies, from the silent era classics to the latest movies playing at the box office. DINOSAURS,CRIMINALS AND SOLDIERS This week John reviews the latest movie in the 32 year old Jurassic Dionosaur series, Jurassic World Rebith, Bret checks out the Marvel Studio's The Thunderbolts and Frankie climbs into a time machine to check out the 1967 war film classici The Dirty Dozen.  Surprisingly it turns out Thunderbolts and Diirty Dozen share similar story elements.  The idea of taking  criminals and giving them  a chance to reddem themsleves through performing a heroic mission is at the core of both films.  And that provides lots of fule for fun discussion. COMING ATTRACTIONS Next week we'll talk about the Naken Gun movie starring Liam Neeson, and a disastrous remake of War of the Worlds.  And in light of the death of astronaut Jim Lovell who was captain of Apollo 13, we'll discuss the Apoolo 13 film by rRn Howard that captured the true drama for all time. SOCIAL MEDIA If you enjoy our podcast, visit us on Facebook on the True Film Fan page for more information.

    47 min

  5. 04/21/2025

    Minecraft movie debut dominates world wide box office

    Minecraft is a super popular vidoogame that has long been a favorite of video gamers world wide.  But the  movie version has debuted to huge tickets sales at theaters all over the world.  While it does star Jack Black and Jason Momoa and was directed by Jared Hess (Nacho Libre, Napoleon Dynamiite) it's not the stars or the director that's the appeal.  It's the Minecraft brand. To explain this phenomena, John Wesley Downey brings in Zach Killian, the creator of the highly popular You Tube Channel WOW SUCH GAMING to discuss the game's populaiirty and it's transfer to the big screen.   This is part one of a two part interview.  In part two, Zach will talk about his video gaming channel, Zombies and the classic Zombie movie, SHAUN OF THE DEAD. Enjoy this podcast on the giant box office success of Minecraft and follow this podcast channel (hit the follow button) so you won't miss part two and Zombies and Shaun of tghe Dead. Thanks for listening! JohnDowney2@iheartmedia.com

    10 min

  6. 03/07/2025

    Gun Safety on Film Sets - How it's handled and what went wrong on RUST and THE CROW

    On October 21, 2021, at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Bonanza City, New Mexico, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot and director Joel Souza was injured on the set of the film Rust when a live round was discharged from a prop revolver that actor Alec Baldwin was using. - Wikipedia This film set tragedy ignited a discussion in the world of film and video production on the handling of guns on sets as well as raising questions about how accidents such as this can be prevented. Now TRUE FILM FAN brings you a comprehensive 63 minute interview with Dutch Merrick, a long time property master and armorer with three decades of film industry experience. Both the RUST shooting as well as the 1993 death of actor Brandon Lee on the set of THE CROW are discussed in detail.  Dutch also talks about a book he wrote on film set gun safety practices and talks about the courses he offers in gun safety both in Los Angeles and touring the country. John Wesley Downey TRUE FILM FAN

    1h 3m

  7. 10/26/2024

    TRUE FILM FAN interviews documentary filmmaker on RUNAWAY RADIO about legendary radio station KLOL

    in this lengthy, in depth interview host John Wesley Downey interviews documentary filmmaker Mike McGuff about his movie RUNAWAY RADIO which focuses on Houston's rock station KLOL which for decades was Houston's feisty, unvonventional radio rogue complee with a cast of distinctive personalities who brokes the rules and gained a loyal audience.  Stevens and Pruett, Colonel St. James, Dayna Steele, Outlaw Dave, Crash and more along with the station's colorful logo and bizarre antics were a huge part of what Houston was from 1970 to the early 2000s.  Downey also discusses McGuff's 14 year journey and battle to get the film made and completed.  Houston radio fans and media buffs will find a lot to consider here, a trip down memory lane that is full of surprises.   IMPORTANT PROGRAMMING NOTE for next week's holiday Halloween weekend.  John will explore the horror classic THE EXORCIST from all angles, it's origins, behind the scenes trivia, John's unique experience with the film, lots of "how they did it" info and a full leplanation of the film for those who didn't get it the first time around.  It's called THE EXORCIST PHENOMENON - THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS next week on John Wesley Downey's TRUE FILM  FAN podcast. Don't forget to hit FOLLOW so you can hear future episodes covering the world of movies.

    51 min

  8. 09/10/2024

    Actor James Earl Jones dead at 93 star of movies, TV, stage and animation

    He voiced Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in the Lion King.  He appeared in over 80 movies including Field of Dreams, Conan\, The Hunt for Red October, Dr. Strangelove, Coming to America and more.  He had a Broadway career too.  He won all lthe big show biz awards, Emmy, Oscar, Tony and Grammy.  The podcast contains an interesting story about how James Earl Jones' family will benefit financially from Jones amazing voice, long after his passing. Please share this podcast and follow us for more great cinematic content on the I Heart Radio app.

    2 min
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About

A weekly deep dive for passionate film fans, including reviews, interviews and commentary on film topics.

Information

  • Creator
    KTRH (KTRH-AM)
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright KTRH (KTRH-AM)
  • Show Website
    True Film Fan