Behind The Lens

debbie lynn elias
  • 5.0 (6)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Behind The Lens

Join noted film critic debbie lynn elias and a line-up of talented co-hosts and informed guests each week as she goes BEHIND THE LENS and below the line with in-depth looks at films and filmmaking with the movers and shakers and up and comers of the industry, along with movie reviews, interviews, box office round-ups, awards, festival coverage, specialty segments like Tech Talk, Legalese and Classic Corner, and more every Monday at 11am PT/2pm ET - only on Adrenaline Radio!

  1. JUN 30

    BEHIND THE LENS #481: Featuring Nick Verdi, Daniel J. Clark and Joe Kwaczala

    This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we're taking a look at a new indie film that just released in select theatres and on Eventive VOD on Friday, SWEET RELIEF, with writer/director/editor NICK VERDI. And we'll take one more look at Dances With Films 2025 with the oh-so-funny mockumentary AMERICAN COMIC with director/cinematographer/editor DANIEL J. CLARK and writer/actor JOE KWACZALA. AMERICAN COMIC helped close out the festival last night. First up, let's turn our lens to SWEET RELIEF. Written and directed, and edited, by NICK VERDI, SWEET RELIEF is a film that starts as a slow burn, gaining momentum as seemingly unrelated characters and storylines begin to interweave until the shocking, explosive climax in this arthouse thriller. Parents and teachers in a small New England town are in a panic over kids playing SWEET RELIEF, an online murder challenge in which the player must nominate someone they'd like to see die. Three teenagers play the game as a joke, unaware of the dire consequences awaiting them. Meanwhile, Jess and Nathan are a bored, millennial couple struggling to get by. Nathan is annoyed with his mother, and Jess is annoyed with Nathan. Jess's curiosity and boredom lead to a dangerous situation of her own when she meets Gerald, a confidential police informant and perhaps a sadistic child killer. Switching gears now, let's bid farewell to Dances With Films 2025 with one of its closing night films – the hilarious mockumentary AMERICAN COMIC and my exclusive conversation with director/DP/editor DANIEL J. CLARK and writer and actor JOE KWACZALA, who I had a chance to speak with on Saturday before the world premiere of AMERICAN COMIC debuted last night. AMERICAN COMIC is a verité-style mockumentary that follows two up-and-coming stand-up comedians, who, despite their superficial "cultural" differences, share remarkable similarities when it comes to egotism, self-destruction, and social ineptitude. As the film satirically pulls back the curtain on the unique subculture of stand-up comedy, self-absorbed competitiveness intensifies, leading to some shocking and unexpected revelations. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

    1h 34m

  2. JUN 23

    BEHIND THE LENS #480: Featuring Jesse Cowell, Sergio Comacho and Jonathan Adelson

    This week it's all about DANCES WITH FILMS on BEHIND THE LENS, which is taking place right now at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. Get ready for one of the most fun-filled and hilarious, yet philosophical, conversations about filmmaking as writer/director/editor/cinematographer JESSE COWELL breaks down his award-winning short film B!TCH I'M EARLY. B!TCH I'M EARLY is brought to us by JESSE "JESKID" COWELL, and is a comedy short that follows two women in the corporate world vying for a promotion. Their conflict escalates from arguments to a race to the office. The six-minute film satirizes corporate culture with effective comedic timing and increasing tension while also providing tacit commentary on ageism, racism, and diversity. Now we shift gears for the thirst-quenching tasty treat, the series pilot. Directed by SERGIO COMACHO and written by JONATHAN ADELSON, UNITED CRAFTS OF AMERICA offers an intimate look into America's most vibrant craft beer cities, uncovering the country's most innovative breweries and the passionate people behind them. The journey begins with New York City's Interboro Spirits & Ales, where co-owners Laura Dierks and Jesse Ferguson blend beer and hip-hop to create one of NYC's most influential breweries, breathing new life into the city's rich brewing heritage. In this exclusive interview, Sergio and Jonathan break down this pilot episode discussing the inspiration for the series, finding Interboro Spirits & Ales, research, developing a through line, filming (which is simply gorgeous thanks to DP Joel Froome and the Sigma Cine Series and Laowa 2x macro lenses used), beer styling!!!, calling on author/ journalist/and beer critic John Holl to serve as a guide, musical score, and creating an intimacy with the storytelling and the imagery, among others. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

    1h 44m

  3. JUN 16

    BEHIND THE LENS #479: Featuring Greg Porper, John Schimke, Jon S. Baird and Steven Rogers

    This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we've got a lotta laughs thanks to director/writer/producer GREG PORPER and co-director/co-writer/ and editor JOHN SCHIMKE, who talk about their new, and often side-splitting comedy that opens this Friday, DON'T TELL LARRY. And who doesn't love musical theater, especially fresh off last week's exhilarating Tony Awards? Also on hand talking about their new film and first collaboration, EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE GREAT, are two filmmakers whose work I have long admired, director JON S. BAIRD and writer/producer STEVEN ROGERS. Kicking things off is my exclusive interview with director JON S. BAIRD and his partner in crime for EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE GREAT, writer STEVEN ROGERS. EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE GREAT is a love letter to the theater and everyone who had a dream. A dramedy at heart, as we hear with the rousing opening strains "There's No Business Like Show Business", we meet the Smart family. Led by Buddy and Macy Smart, theirs is an unpredictable life of regional theatre while trying to raise their sons, Les and Derrick. Les dreams of nothing but a future in the theatre (and dare I say that his dreams also include conversations with Tallulah Bankhead, Noel Coward, and Ruth Gordon) while Derrick wants only to stay in one place, go to school, have friends, and play football. Often living on a shoestring, if even that, Buddy refuses to give up on his dreams for the family, while Macy has to try and keep the family together and afloat. A true journey of self-discovery while grappling with identity and belonging, each member of the Smart family learns the power of owning the spotlight, no matter what stage of life you're in. Shifting gears, we move on to laugh-out-loud hilarity with DON'T TELL LARRY, a film that I like to describe as "I Love Lucy" on crack, and my exclusive conversation with co-director/co-writers GREG PORPER and JOHN SCHIMKE. John also serves as the film's editor. Talking with them, I understand completely how the comedic tone of this dark comedy arose. Greg and John are a barrel of laughs themselves. DON'T TELL LARRY is the story of Susan, who tells a harmless little white lie about an office party to her truth-obsessed co-worker Larry in order to secure a promotion. It doesn't take long before she finds herself in over her head when tragedy strikes, and all signs point to Larry as responsible. Terrified her secret will be exposed, Susan ropes in her well-meaning but clueless co-worker Patrick to help cover up her tracks—but every move they make unleashes a whirlwind of chaos. From random drug tests and car explosions to a suspicious detective and a rising body count, Susan's workweek spirals into a full-blown clusterf*ck. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

    1h 13m

  4. JUN 9

    BEHIND THE LENS #478: Featuring Evan Ari Kelman, Matthew Jensen, David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano

    This is a fun episode of BEHIND THE LENS as I'm doing something this week that I haven't done before – and that is give you an interview with a film's director, followed by my interview with his cinematographer. The film is the thriller BARRON'S COVE. The director/writer is EVAN ARI KELMAN. The cinematographer is MATTHEW JENSEN. But hilarity also ensues today thanks to co-writers/directors DAVID JOSEPH CRAIG and BRIAN CRANO as they talk about their new laugh-filled collaboration, I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU. First up, I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU. Based on their own life experiences, David and Brian give us Dom (Nick Kroll) and Cole (Andrew Rannells), a couple on the verge of adopting a baby, embark on an Italian vacation — the perfect opportunity to reconnect before the new addition arrives. Everything is picture-perfect, the epitome of a European babymoon, when things begin to spiral out of control. Lost on the way to dinner, their car gets stuck in a ditch, stranding them in rural nowhere during a torrential downpour. These two Americans, who are used to being catered to, are now in a foreign land with no cell service, zero comprehension of the Italian language, and, as fear takes over, escalating turmoil that could explode at any moment. Co-Written and Co-Directed by Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig, I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU stars Nick Kroll, Andrew Rannells (who was a Grand Marshall in yesterday's pride parade in Hollywood), Morgan Spector, Nunzia Schiano, Eleanora Romandini, Paolo Romano, and Amanda Seyfried. Then we switch gears from laughter to the nail-biting tension of a thriller – BARRON'S COVE. Written and Directed by EVAN ARI KELMAN, BARRON'S COVE stars Garrett Hedlund, Brittany Snow, Christian Convery, Hamish Linklater, Stephen Lang, and Raul Castillo. BARRON'S COVE follows a father with a violent past (Hedlund) as he grieves the sudden loss of his only child. Convinced of a cover-up and intent on obtaining answers about his son's death, he kidnaps the troubled boy he holds responsible – the son of a prominent local politician, which ignites a media firestorm and frenzied manhunt. But as he grows ever closer to uncovering the truth, he is left to wonder whether his pursuers are really seeking to protect the boy or merely the secrets he keeps. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

    1h 17m

  5. JUN 2

    BEHIND THE LENS #477: Featuring Carlyle Eubank and James Bamford

    A fun BEHIND THE LENS for you this week, thanks to writer/director CARLYLE EUBANK, who joins me talking about his feature directorial debut, BROKE, and director JAMES BAMFORD, who breaks it all down for THE LAST GUNFIGHT. Some of you might recognize Carlyle's name and if you do, it's probably thanks to "The Signal" which was written by Carlyle and directed and co-written by his brother William, or "Muzzle" starring Aaron Eckhardt which he co-wrote with William and which was directed by John Stalberg, Jr. But as Carlyle now steps into the director's chair with BROKE, this is 100% Carlyle Eubank. BROKE is a contemporary western that follows the story of True Brandywine, played by Wyatt Russell, a bareback bronc rider clinging to his fading rodeo career. When True gets trapped in a freak spring blizzard, he must battle injuries, illness, and the bitter cold. While fighting for his survival, True is forced to face his choices and the circumstances that led him to his tenuous situation. Then we shift gears with THE LAST GUNFIGHT and yet another exclusive interview with one of my favorite directors and a fantastic guy in general, JAMES BAMFORD. We chat so often that letting only a couple of months go by without talking is like going through withdrawal. James is a fantastic director. He came up through the stunt world as a stuntman, stunt coordinator, second unit director, and ultimately feature director, so you know that his action is going to be spot on in every film. His films are always action-packed, boast excellent casting, superlative well-choreographed and executed action, and solid stories. Some of my fave Bamford films include "Shadow Land", "Air Force One Down", "Utopia", "Man With No Past", and "High Ground". http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

    1h 15m

  6. MAY 19

    BEHIND THE LENS #476: Featuring Felipe Vargas, Nathan Furst and Griff Furst

    This week on BEHIND THE LENS it's all about horror as we take a look at two distinctly different types of horror films and three talented filmmakers. One film, ROSARIO, is dark and twisted and steeped in ancient lore and curses and comes from FELIPE VARGAS. The other, A BREED APART, courtesy of THE FURST BROTHERS, NATHAN FURST and GRIFF FURST, has a lighter comedic bent that may have you rethinking getting yourself a cute, cuddly puppy, but is a horror film horror nevertheless, and with a bit of action thrown in. First up, NATHAN FURST and GRIFF FURST, aka THE FURST BROTHERS, co-writers, co-directors, and co-editors of A BREED APART. A BREED APART is the tale of a group of social media influencers who find themselves on a private island owned by the famous Vince Ventura. Expecting a weekend of unrivaled viral opportunity, it doesn't take long before our five "contestants" find themselves as part of their own horrific reality show when the guests are pitted against each other to capture the island's legendary man-eating dogs before they become victims of the monstrous canines. Succeed and win $1 million and the island itself. Plus, you're doing wonders for pet adoption! Then we switch gears and go deep and dark with director FELIPE VARGAS talking about ROSARIO. Directed by Felipe and written by Alan Trezza, ROSARIO is the story of a Wall Street stockbroker, Rosario Fuentes, who returns to her grandmother's apartment after her sudden death. While sorting through her Grandmother's belongings, Rosario uncovers a horrifying secret—a hidden chamber filled with occult artifacts tied to dark generational rituals. As supernatural occurrences plague her, Rosario must confront her family's buried secrets and face the truth about the sacrifices and choices they made. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

    41 min

  7. MAY 12

    BEHIND THE LENS #475: Featuring Duncan Skiles and Lorcan Finnegan

    An interesting movie mix for you this week on BEHIND THE LENS thanks to director DUNCAN SKILES and his new film NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, and director LORCAN FINNEGAN and his latest THE SURFER. As different as night and day, both films showcase storytelling creativity and some incredible – and indelible – performances, most notably from Nic Cage in THE SURFER. First up, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH. Directed by DUNCAN SKILES, who you may know best for directing THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH rises and falls on the compelling mystery plot and the performances by Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Ed and Jack Quaid as Simon. As you will hear from Duncan in this pre-recorded exclusive interview, he was drawn to writer Sean Farley's script for its unique and heartwarming dynamic between Ed and Simon. Duncan found it sweet, bittersweet, and not overly sentimental. The script had a mix of elements – thrills, mystery, and comedy – which appealed to him, and which he brings to life with a naturalistic look and feel thanks to cinematographer Luke McCoubrey. After THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER, Duncan was looking for something lighter, and this script was an easy read where he found himself rooting for the characters and wanting to spend time with them. Then we switch gears and hit the western coast of Australia with the sun and the surf with director LORCAN FINNEGAN and THE SURFER with a total mind f**k, batshit brilliant performance by Nic Cage. Needless to say, I love this movie! A psychological thriller directed by Lorcan Finnegan, a man identified as "The Surfer" – played by Cage – returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son, played by Finn Little of "Yellowstone" fame. But his desire to hit the waves is thwarted by a group of locals led by Scally – maniacally played by Julian McMahon – whose mantra is "don’t live here, don’t surf here." Humiliated and angry, "The Surfer" is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising in concert with the punishing heat of the summer and pushes him to his breaking point. Take a listen as Lorcan breaks down THE SURFER from Cage to story to casting to cinematography to editing to sound to score, and even the appearance of native snakes and a kookabura. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

    59 min

  8. MAY 5

    BEHIND THE LENS #474: Featuring Rachel Suissa

    It's a fun BEHIND THE LENS this week thanks to writer/director/actor Rachel Suissa who I spoke with a few weeks ago specifically for today's show which is a salute to Mothers and Mother's Day courtesy of Rachel's new film GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE. Based on Rachel's own life, mapcap adventures, and mother-daughter angst, GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE is a love letter not only to Rachel's own mother, but mothers everywhere. Written, directed and starring Rachel Suissa, GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE is a delightful rom-com, brimming with Greek passion and plenty of family drama, as late bloomer Ella dreams of becoming a singer, but her overbearing Greek mother, Despina insists she take over the Gyros business and marry a Greek man. Rachel is animated, engaging, and thoughtful, all things that you'll hear in this exclusive conversation as we break down every element of the film, starting with highlighting its universal appeal and personal connections that it evokes. Rachel bares it all as she talks about the genesis and journey to make the film and shares anecdotes about her mother's influence, including a humorous scene where her mother bribed someone to hang out with her. We discuss the film's casting, particularly Abby Miner as Ella, which has a genuine and authentic feel. As we break down the production elements of GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE, we dive into the cinematography, editing process – and Rachel's unique method for selecting an editor, location and a favorite highlight of mine, the use of comic book graphics as scene interstitials, as well as the importance of music, which blends Greek and American themes. And Rachel even gives us some early intel on her next film, another fish out of water tale called "The American." http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

    1h 16m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Join noted film critic debbie lynn elias and a line-up of talented co-hosts and informed guests each week as she goes BEHIND THE LENS and below the line with in-depth looks at films and filmmaking with the movers and shakers and up and comers of the industry, along with movie reviews, interviews, box office round-ups, awards, festival coverage, specialty segments like Tech Talk, Legalese and Classic Corner, and more every Monday at 11am PT/2pm ET - only on Adrenaline Radio!

Information

  • Creator
    debbie lynn elias
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2025
  • Episodes
    477
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Elias Entertainment Network
  • Show Website
    Behind The Lens

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