The Running Wild Blog
Articles on the craft of filmmaking and the films we create.
Some Thursday Thoughts: What Does a Producer Really Do?
Just this past Sunday, I was having lunch with someone who asked what exactly I'm doing on this upcoming Kentucky production, M30 OXY MOVIE. "I'm one of the producers." "What does a producer do?" She inquired. I get asked this question all the time. Can you...
BONUS WESTERN MOVIE REVIEW: Destry Rides Again (1939)
I continue to study the Western genre. I have now launched a podcast about the making of Western films. Listen here Destry should have been the model for most comedic westerns to follow. Unfortunately, most of them chose a more farcical direction and turned...
MOVIE MONDAY: Reviews of The General’s Daughter, The Best of Times, True Believer, and Tango & Cash
My weekly movie reviews. You can also read these on letterboxd. Two Double Features: James Woods and Kurt Russell The General's Daughter (1999) Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars My suggestion is to skip the first ten to fifteen almost embarrassing minutes of...
MOVIE MONDAY: Western Movie Reviews – Week 169 – The Train Robbers
Each Monday, I continue to share Western movie reviews. I have now launched a podcast about the making of Westerns and the overall filmmaking process. Click here to listen. Week 169: The Train Robbers (1973) It's interesting to read other reviews and see...
MOVIE MONDAY: Western Movie Reviews – Week 168 – Welcome to Hard Times
Each Monday, I continue to share Western movie reviews. I have now launched a podcast about the making of Westerns and the overall filmmaking process. Click here to listen. Week 168: Welcome to Hard Times (1967) Burt Kennedy's adaptation of E.L. Doctorow's...
BONUS WESTERN MOVIE REVIEW: Silverado (1985)
I continue to study the Western genre. I have now launched a podcast about the making of Western films. Listen here This is definitely an 80s Western from the one-liners to kid-friendly cheese to the macho moments best exemplified by Danny Glover's two guns...
MOVIE MONDAY: Reviews of Killer Joe, The Hunted, Friedkin Uncut, and Conversation with Fritz Lang
My weekly movie reviews. You can also read these on letterboxd. This week's reviews focus on the work of William Friedkin. Killer Joe (2011) Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars It seems William Friedkin and Tracy Letts were a match made in heaven (or hell?). Between this film...
Some Thursday Thoughts: Typecasting is a Good Thing
The term is nearly always used in a negative light but typecasting is not only a good casting decision nine times out of ten, it is also the backbone of an actor's career. Back in 2011, I played the lead role in my second feature film, a neo-noir detective...
MOVIE MONDAY: Reviews of The Reef: Stalked, Old, and King of New York
My weekly movie reviews. You can also read these on letterboxd. The Reef: Stalked (2022) Rating: 2.5 out of 5 Stars The first half of this new shark thriller isn't too bad. It actually has a set up, some believable performances, some female characters who don't...
MOVIE MONDAY: Western Movie Reviews – Week 167 – The War Wagon
Each Monday, I continue to share Western movie reviews. I have now launched a podcast about the making of Westerns and the overall filmmaking process. Click here to listen. Week 167: The War Wagon (1967) The War Wagon doesn't have the best reputation. To...
