Following Films Podcast

Welcome back to The Following Films Podcast.Before we get into it, if you like what we do here and want to help the show grow, please take a quick second to subscribe. And if you’re feeling extra generous, leave us a review on whatever platform you're listening on—it seriously goes a long way and helps other movie lovers find us.Today we are talking about Above the Line, a film that hits digital and VOD today. The story follows six struggling Hollywood hopefuls who decide the ultimate way to make a comeback is to team up and literally rob the Academy Awards from the crooked producer who crushed their dreams. But as you can imagine, in a town completely built on make-believe, trying to pull off a real heist might just be the toughest role of their lives.It’s got a fantastic ensemble cast—Cedric the Entertainer, Gregg Henry, Sophia Ali, Jackson Pace—and it’s just a great, fast-paced 90 minutes.Joining me today to chat about how he put this whole wild ride together is the co-writer and director of the film, Jeffrey Scott Collins. I hope you enjoy the show.

Welcome to the Following Films Podcast. I’m Chris Maynard.This Friday, a chilling new nightmare arrives on Shudder, and it explores the dark, complicated, and sometimes supernatural bonds of family. The film is TheVoices of our Mother, and it follows Harriet Scaflen after the death of her 95-year-old mother. When Harriet suffers an unexplainable health scare, her four estranged children return to the ancestral family home to care for her. But as old animosities and long-buried secrets come to light, they quickly realize their mother’s illness is anything but medical. There is a supernatural evil awoken inside her—one seeking revenge on her own children just to survive.Joining me today to discuss this tense, 93-minute psychological horror film is its writer, director, and co-star, Mark O'Brien.You know Mark from his incredible work in front of the camera on shows like Perry Mason, Your Honor, and Halt and Catch Fire, as well as his recent role opposite Simu Liu in Peacock's The Copenhagen Test. But he is also one of the most exciting filmmaking voices in modern horror. His debut feature, The Righteous, was ranked one of the top 100 horror movies of 2022 by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is back behind the camera with this incredible cast, including Sheila McCarthy and Georgina Reilly.We’re going to talk about building tension, balancing family drama with supernatural terror, and bringing this eerie vision to life.Before we dive into the interview, if you enjoy the show, please take a quick moment to support us by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform and telling a friend about the episode. Word of mouth means everything to an independent show like ours.Now, let's welcome Mark O'Brien to the Following Films Podcast.

Today on the Following Films Podcast, we’re joined by Zainab Azizi, producer at Sam Raimi’s Raimi Productions and one of the key creative forces behind the upcoming film Send Help. We talk about working inside Raimi’s production company, developing elevated genre films, and what it’s really like collaborating with one of the most iconic voices in modern horror. From behind-the-scenes process to navigating the studio system, this is a conversation about making bold films and surviving the chaos that comes with them.Send Help will be in theatres on Jan. 30th

Welcome back to The Following Films Podcast, where we dive into the stories behind the films that move us, challenge us, and stay with us long after the credits roll.Today’s episode brings us a powerful new drama that explores trauma, resilience, and the complicated journey home after war. Sheepdog, written and directed by Steven Grayhm, arrives in theaters January 16, 2026, and it’s a deeply human story about what it really takes to heal.The film centers on Calvin Cole, a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran who is court-ordered into treatment under the care of a VA trauma therapist in training. Just as he begins confronting his past, his estranged father-in-law—a retired Vietnam veteran recently released from prison—arrives at his doorstep, forcing Calvin to face everything he’s been trying to outrun. Through community, tough love, and compassion, Sheepdog becomes a story about putting yourself back together again—for your family, and for yourself.The film features an extraordinary ensemble, including Steven Grayhm, Vondie Curtis Hall, Dominic Fumusa, Lilli Cooper, Matt Dallas—and today’s guest, Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen, whose work continues to bring depth, grace, and emotional truth to every project she touches.Madsen, best known for films like Sideways, brings a remarkable presence to Sheepdog, helping ground the story in empathy and emotional realism. Her performance is part of what makes this film resonate so deeply, especially as it tackles the generational impact of war and the quiet battles that continue long after soldiers come home.I’m thrilled to welcome Virginia Madsen to The Following Films Podcast to talk about her work on Sheepdog, what drew her to the project, and why stories like this feel so vital right now.Let’s get into it.

Actor Jon Heder joins host Chris Maynard for a wide-ranging conversation about his new film Tapawingo. Best known for his iconic role in the cult classic Napoleon Dynamite, Heder talks about choosing meaningful projects, the creative process behind Tapawingo, and where he’s at in his career today. The episode also looks back at his collaboration with Billy Zane in Waltzing With Brando, with behind-the-scenes stories and reflections on independent filmmaking. Tapawingo is available on Blu-ray starting today, December 16th. A great listen for movie lovers, film fans, and anyone interested in the art of acting.