We sat down with Johnny Knoxville to talk about the latest entry in the ‘Jackass’ film series, ‘Jakcass Forever’.
In a documentary about thrash metal, it’s when we lift out the noise that we see the relationships, pressures, song development, and reflections. And yet there’s no other way to share a story like this.
It was an honor to meet and speak with Mr. Scott Mescudi also known by his stage name, Kid Cudi. His film A Man Named Scott directed by Robert Alexander is an intimate look at his life not only as the artist we all know him to be, but as a mere human being navigating this life and this reality. The film follows his discography in order from the very beginning of his career until the present day. We see archival footage of his early tour days in Australia, and interviews never before seen on the big screen. The documentary is raw and unfiltered, highlighting the cultural impact and shift Mr. Mescudi’s music has had on the music industry over the last decade.
With interviews from Kanye West, Shia Labeouf, Willow Smith, Schoolboy Q and many more, they each speak about his artistry as a musician with such regard and passion. Most notably, interviewee’s highlight Cudi’s ability to be so vulnerable in his music. Giving his listeners a safe space to feel their feelings. For some, this is the first time in their lives they would feel safe enough to do so.
With great success comes great struggle. Mr. Mescudi’s story begins with struggle, meets success, and once again finds himself fighting a battle within himself. Even while having world tours, financial gain, and a growing fanbase, Mr. Mescudi found himself plagued with challenges both with his mental health and drug misuse. With incredible courage and utmost strength he vocalizes his pain and seeks help. It is because of his bravery, he is able to get the help he needs to heal. Overall, the documentary is cut together as eloquently as his musical works. His voice transcends across mediums. A true gift. The film premieres this Friday, November 5th on Amazon Prime Video. I highly encourage you all to watch it.
Where do wild animals go after we see them on TV?
Adam Jones and Darby Duffin directed, produced, and assisted in writing the documentary Fish & Men.
On Monday, August 30, 2021, director Thomas Verrette held a VIP screening of his new documentary Zero Gravity at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Zero Gravity is a documentary that follows a diverse group of intelligent middle schoolers from San Jose, California, on their journey to competing in a nationwide satellite coding tournament at the International Space Station.
Throughout the course of the film, Zero Gravity highlighted three incredible students: Carol Gonzalez, an 11-year-old Mexican-American with a big heart and even bigger dreams of becoming a robotics engineer; Advik Gonugunta, a 10-year-old Indian-American with a natural inclination for coding and a fascination with the tech world; and Adrien Engelder, an 11-year-old American with a passion for all things under the sea and climate change prevention, with a drive to become a marine biologist.
These three amazing children and their coach Tanner Marcoida, a first-time teacher of the Zero Robotics middle school program, shared their intimate and personal journey into space with the audience. There were tears, there was laughter, and a lot of hard work as these three led their California team into the Zero Robotics finals by programming their SPHERES satellites.
Several real-life astronauts added to the educational element of this breathtaking emotional journey — Jack D. Fischer, Cady Coleman, and Steve Smith — lent their experience and expertise to this fascinating documentary.
Zero Robotics is a yearly competition in which thousands of students across the world compete in the ISS Finals
Tournament to see which region can bring the best codes to the contest. States and countries go head-to-head in live matches that are
performed by real astronauts in orbit. The mission behind this incredible program is to inspire a new generation of great minds by giving them access to space at middle school and high school levels. If you are looking for a touching, heartfelt, good feels but immersive educational documentary, Zero Gravity would be a fabulous choice.
For upcoming screenings, more information, or to get involved, visit zerogravityfilm.com.
Faya Dayi is a film written and directed by Jessica Beshir, and the film has won both the Grand Prix in the Nyon Visions du Réel and the FIPRESCI Prize. She has also directed He Who Dances on Wood (2016) and Hairat (2017), with the latter tying into Faya Dayi.
The film is a very personal medium, and to have an intimate connection with an independent cinema great is the stuff of legends. Or, at least the subject of an award-winning documentary.
Peter Nicks is an Emmy Award-winning director and cinematographer known for his works The Waiting Room and The Force, where the former won an Independent Spirit Award and was shortlisted for an Academy Award and the latter won the 2017 Sundance Director’s Prize. Peter Nicks has a B.A. in English from Harvard University and his master’s in journalism from UC Berkley.
Disclaimer: This interview was not sponsored by America Online no matter how enthusiastic Mr. McGrath is. ?
PS. Shoutout to my Mom who ALSO still uses AOL.