Scott Thurlow

Film & TV: IT: Chapter 2

TLS returns to the root of their childhood nightmares to confront and overcome them in Part 2 of the modern film adaptation of Stephen King’s IT.
[Aggregate score: 8.3]

Film & TV: The Distinguished Citizen

Stopping down in South America on their global cinema tour, TLS hangs out with a renowned author returning to his hometown to find out what people really think of him and his work.
[Aggregate score: 10]

AFI Top 100 #030: Apocalypse Now

After exploring the original story of Heart of Darkness, we review with extreme prejudice what is perhaps its greatest successor, Apocalypse Now.
[Aggregate score: 10]

Literature: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

“Droll thing life is — that mysterious arrangement of merciless logic for a futile purpose. The most you can hope from it is some knowledge of yourself — that comes too late…”
With those words in mind, join TLS for Part 1 of 2 in which we analyze and critique Joseph Conrad’s influential novella, Heart of Darkness, followed by perhaps its most famous contemporary adaptation, Apocalypse Now.
[Aggregate score: 8]

Interview with Filmmaker Andres Rovira

TLS sits down with writer/director Andres Rovira to chat about his recently released film, Between the Darkness (see trailer here) as well as his filmmaking experiences leading up to it.

About Andres: Originally from Miami, Florida, I’m an LA-based filmmaker. My writing/directing work spans films, digital shorts and commercials for brands such as Forbes, J. Wakefield Brewing, JoJo Tea, and B12 Love. In 2018 I directed my first feature film, “Come, Said the Night,” starring Lew Temple and Danielle Harris and acquired by DirectTV. The film was an Official Selection at Cinequest Film Festival and Dances With Films 2019. My scripts have placed in the 2016 Austin Film Festival (Finalist) and the Academy Nicholl Fellowship (Semi-Finalist). I’m always looking for my next filmmaking adventure.

Between the Darkness is available for rent or purchase at:
Amazon
DirecTV

Note: We didn’t have video of this interview, but we have added a bunch of promo pics from Between the Darkness, just so you won’t have to stare at a blank screen if you’re watching on YouTube. Though the dulcet tones of Andres’ voice should be enough for you. Stop being so greedy.

Games & Gaming Culture: NPC/AI Companions

Tag along with TLS as we attempt to parse out what exactly counts as a companion in videogames, and which ones were integrated well, and which ones definitely were not.

Film & TV: Timbuktu

TLS travels to the troubled land of Timbuktu in this nuanced look at the life and times of the city and its citizens under extremist occupation. [Aggregate score: 8]

Film & TV: Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

In Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film release, TLS salutes the fading days of Golden Age tinsel town through a meta-Western bent.
[Aggregate score: 9]

Literature: Byzantine Empathy by Ken Liu

TLS discusses and debates the intricacies and pitfalls of charity work, blockchains, cryptocurrencies, statism and much more in Ken Liu’s polarizing story, Byzantine Empathy.
[Aggregate score: 7.75]

Film & TV: The Art of Self Defense

TLS attempt to become “real men” in the off-beat quirky dark comedy, The Art of Self-Defense.
[Aggregate score: 8]