SideKickBack Radio

Tag Archive: film

Episode 29: The Meat in the Cotton Candy with Robin Riker

SideKickBack Radio
SideKickBack Radio
Episode 29: The Meat in the Cotton Candy with Robin Riker
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I am joined this week by veteran actress Robin Riker, who appeared in such series as BrothersThe Bold and the Beautiful and my personal fanboy geekout, the Disney Channel Original Movie Brink! We chat about her new book A Survivor’s Guide to Hollywood, steering clear of “soul-eaters” and the necessity of champagne.

Pick up a copy of Robin’s book here!

Episode 28: A Fight Against Boredom with Johnny 3 Tears aka George Regan

johnny 3 tears hollywood undead sidekickback
SideKickBack Radio
SideKickBack Radio
Episode 28: A Fight Against Boredom with Johnny 3 Tears aka George Regan
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This week George “Johnny 3 Tears” Regan of Hollywood Undead stops by for another Highway to Havasu episode. We chat about the hate/hate relationship between band and record label, his approach to writing lyrics, and how his doomsday preparations are going.

Although known for his music, J3T has got some pretty great acting chops. In the upcoming Spring Break comedy Johnny plays Jonathan/Ronathan, two frighteningly weird unrelated guys, a tow-truck driver and a boat rental shop owner respectively. It was a blast to work with George, errrr Johnny 3 Tears…he’s the kind of guy that cracks open a beer before we go for a take and man can he give one menacing stare down that will make you crap your pants.

Stay up-to-date on all the latest HU news here! I hear they have a new album coming soon…

Episode 26: Go at Your Own Pace with Tony Lovato

SideKickBack Radio
SideKickBack Radio
Episode 26: Go at Your Own Pace with Tony Lovato
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This week my guest is Highway to Havasu producer and music supervisor Tony Lovato of the pop punk band MEST.  We chat about growing up on the south side of Chicago, the challenges of life on tour, and I get his opinion on cheetahs.  MEST is hitting the road with Hawthorne Heights and The Ataris! Check out the dates here!

Mind Blown: Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang in Pyongyang

Every now and then I will come across a work, either a play, a film, or in this case a documentary, that fascinates the hell out of me. If it’s something that I don’t think is too well known, and I feel compelled to share it with you all, then I’ll do my best to convey why you must go and see it ASAP.  So, without further ado, I present to you my first “mind blown…” Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang in Pyongyang on Showtime.

I have always been intrigued by the whole North Korean situation and the complete mess of reports as to the actual state of things inside the country There is the government’s propagandized images of life in North Korea, making it look like a rich, bustling country.  And then there is actual footage that has been smuggled out, revealing the disparate nature of its starving citizens outside of the capital. Unjust executions, threats of nuclear war, and all centered around a boyish, pudgy dictator who couldn’t look less threatening.  It’s all stranger than fiction.

Enter Dennis Rodman. Yea…what? While he is the embodiment of strange, what could possibly relate him to one of the most mystifying countries in the world? Well he sort of became buddies with Kim Jong Un, the grand marshal himself.  When you watch the documentary, you’ll learn of the origins of this very odd friendship, but the important part to note is that somewhere along the way, Rodman proposed an exhibition basketball game between North Korea’s best players and some former players of the NBA in honor of Kim’s 31st birthday. Yea…what?

What I want to stress to you is how ridiculously unique the portrait of Dennis Rodman is in this story and how it should not be missed.  At first glance, Rodman seems completely naive, possibly blinded by Kim’s methodical hosting tactics. With lavish getaways complete with jet skiing and fine dining, the grand marshal knows that Rodman is the world’s biggest celebrity to visit his isolated nation, so he gives him the royal treatment in the hopes that Rodman will champion how great of a leader Kim is. But it’s not as if Rodman is politically unaware; he knows that as far as the United States is concerned, he is fraternizing with the enemy.  Rodman keeps repeating the phrase “I just want to open doors,” even through tears of frustration in the wake of death threats and personal strife with friends and family, all because of what he is trying to accomplish.  While he may not be completely tactful in his approach, Rodman is up to something, an idea, which isn’t the worst…there is precedent, after all, in Ping-Pong Diplomacy of 1971.

As the game draws closer, Rodman’s alcoholism comes back to plague him. He becomes confrontational and obnoxious far too frequently for someone who is trying to bridge an infinite chasm between two nations.  He is too out of his mind to coach the teams, he nearly blows a group interview with CNN amidst rumors that the game will be cancelled. But at the end of the day, the game is played. It is very competitive and filled with sportsmanship.  The teams mix up in the second half so as to have both nations play together, a very touching idea of Rodman’s.  Low and behold, after the final whistle, two groups of men, on the brink of war politically, shake hands and high five with nothing but respect for each other.

Should we cut Dennis Rodman some slack? Yea…what?

Episode 25: Looking for Instinct with Kyle Patrick Alvarez

SideKickBack Radio
SideKickBack Radio
Episode 25: Looking for Instinct with Kyle Patrick Alvarez
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This week I sit down with the brilliant, award-winning director Kyle Patrick Alvarez,  whose films include C.O.G., Easier with Practice and most recently The Stanford Prison Experiment (starring Billy Crudup, Ezra Miller, Michael Angarano and Tye Sheridan) which opens July 17th. We chat about the realities of directing an independent film in today’s market, Jewish/Cuban relations, and how he accomplished the seemingly unaccomplishable, securing film-rights to a David Sedaris story.

Check out the trailer here!

Episode 24: Zero F**ks Given with Jeff Janke

SideKickBack Radio
SideKickBack Radio
Episode 24: Zero F**ks Given with Jeff Janke
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Back to back Highway to Havasu episodes! And it’s the big one…I sit down with our writer/director Jeff Janke and talk about how this whole crazy story began, hitting the road with Good Charlotte, and how you can have some fun while getting fired from a job.

Get more info on our movie here!

Episode 23: Join the Squad with Amber Goetz

SideKickBack Radio
SideKickBack Radio
Episode 23: Join the Squad with Amber Goetz
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My guest this week is Highway to Havasu wonder woman producer Amber Goetz, just in time for the next installment of the H2H series! We talk about casting the film, her not so secret identity in photography, and why you do not want to drop her dirt bike helmet. Rest in peace BOT sign 🙁

Get more info on our movie here!

The Sidekicks of Havasu (and Beyond)

For those of you whose first experience with SideKickBack is this post, welcome! And thanks for reading 🙂 I just want to take a moment to set up the forthcoming gratitude by explaining one of the founding principles of the main squeeze here, SideKickBack Radio, the podcast in which I interview friends and colleagues who are doing really amazing stuff. I strongly believe in altruism, in people helping people. I wanted to provide a platform for my friends and colleagues to talk passionately about their various endeavors and record it for you fine folks to hear about. As they promote themselves, new points of view are shared, great stories are told, and there is a guaranteed educational experience with each new guest. As corny as it sounds, it is the SideKickBack way. Everybody wins.

During a recent phone call with Amber Goetz, one of the producers of the forthcoming mega-hit comedy film Highway to Havasu, we brought up how simply amazing some of the citizens of Havasu (and some beyond its city limits) were in helping us achieve our dreams of making an iconic movie. Food, boats, private residences and businesses, even a golf course and hovercraft were offered to us, all by people looking for little or nothing in return. Perhaps the smallest of financial compensations and/or a shout-out in the credits of what could very well be a major breakthrough independent film sensation. People helping people.

I’ll never forget riding around on Gary Meyers’ hovercraft. He emailed our producer Amber, offering  up his awesome little vehicle. We had no place for it in the story, so we made one.  Three hours later I was gliding across Lake Havasu, with cool and fresh Colorado River water spraying in my face as we spun a couple 360’s; all whilst sporting a sweet Jet Tribe life jacket. I’ll never forget the delicious tacos of Javelina Cantina or Vinnie’s Pizza, a lot of Vinnie’s pizza. The fellas and their Commander Boats, whose intimidating rides flanked our Backyard Beauty as we pulled into the channel to celebrate spring break Lake Havasu style.  And then the other fellas of Sea Tow, who helped out with our water shots. And let’s not forget SWAT for letting us partake in the partiest of parties.

Then there’s simply the good individual people who dedicated their time and support to us. The students of Lake Havasu High School who hung around WELL AFTER SCHOOL LET OUT to be background actors. The people walking by set who asked us what was going on, and then left as a new Twitter/Instagram/Facebook follower. Whether it was one minute of time, a whole day, or its still going, your support in our endeavor is so much appreciated.

I’m sure my list is incomplete, and that’s what’s so great about all this. So many folks offered a helping hand in so many ways, big and small. To you all I can only say, a very big thank you. Lake Havasu City was my home for two crazy months and it will always have a special place in my heart, because of all your kindness and generosity. Can’t wait to see you all again soon and eat your food.

SideKickBack blog post…WA-CHA!!!

Episode 22: The Future of Entertainment with Julie Young

SideKickBack Radio
SideKickBack Radio
Episode 22: The Future of Entertainment with Julie Young
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We are back and we missed you all! Thank you to Amber Goetz at AMP Creative for helping to keep SideKickBack intact. My guest on our triumphant return is another Sundance friend, virtual reality content producer Julie Young of Emblematic Group. We talk about Project Syria, working with the great Nonny de la Pena and the battle of CG vs. 360.

Stay up-to-date on all things Emblematic Group by visiting their website here!

Episode 21: Slap That Explicit On with Melani Carroll

SideKickBack Radio
SideKickBack Radio
Episode 21: Slap That Explicit On with Melani Carroll
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WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT! I sit down with my old pal comedienne Melani Carroll. We celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style by getting all nostalgic on old memories, talking perfect 10’s and the tragedy of 1-ply toilet paper.