WGA Strikes… A Deal

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dig into the fallout from Jeff Shell’s exit as Paramount president, tied to allegations of leaking company information. The banter partners also spotlight a bit of good news in the industry following last week’s box office report: the Writers Guild’s unexpected four-year contract extension with studios, which could help build momentum ahead of SAG-AFTRA negotiations set to resume later this month.

Liftoff with Project Hail Mary Screenwriter Drew Goddard

This week, Kim sits down with Drew Goddard to discuss adapting Andy Weir’s novel Project Hail Mary for the big screen. He reflects on how his early days writing on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias, and Lost trained him to move fast, as he did when he was tasked with turning around the script for Cloverfield after Paramount greenlit the project from an outline. He also talks about being brought in to rescue World War Z, and shares the advice he gave Andy Weir about a potential Project Hail Mary sequel.

David Oyelowo on the dark reality of solitary confinement in Newborn

Actor David Oyelowo doesn’t shy away from taking on complex, groundbreaking characters, but the timing has to be right. He portrayed Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, the first Black U.S. marshal in the series Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and took on the role of Othello almost a decade ago on stage. His latest role is in the film Newborn, which is about a man struggling to reconnect with his family after years in solitary confinement. Oyelowo talks with Elvis about what drew him to the project, the lack of general awareness around the impact of solitary confinement, and what made him finally say yes to playing Othello years ago.

Aparna Nancherla: Should We All Ditch the Internet?

Aparna Nancherla is probably the funniest introvert doing comedy. Although Sam is a total extrovert, he’s admired her work for years. She tells Sam how she got comfortable on stage and why stand-up is the perfect activity to combat shyness. They also break down the excessive demands of modern life, the internet surveillance state, and why we all need to log off and touch grass. Plus, she shares her ‘vicious’ pop culture hot take. Her latest special, Hopeful Potato is out now.

Celebrate Global Independent Film in LA Every Month!

Discover the pulse of independent film at NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA). Each month, NFMLA brings together bold new voices from across Los Angeles and around the globe, presenting curated screenings of shorts, documentaries, and features that spark conversation and connection.

From its celebrated InFocus programs spotlighting underrepresented storytellers to dynamic Q&As and vibrant networking receptions, NFMLA offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with the artists shaping tomorrow’s film landscape. Loved by filmmakers and audiences alike, the festival is known for its welcoming, community-driven atmosphere and insider access to the industry. Join a passionate community of film lovers and experience the future of cinema, right here in LA!

WEEKEND FILM REVIEWS: Exit 8, Faces of Death, The Christophers, and Hamlet

What if you were stuck in an endless subway tunnel with no clear way out? That’s the premise of the new liminal horror movie Exit 8. Film critics Alissa Wilkinson and William Bibbiani review the film, calling it the “best video game adaptation,” full stop. Plus Faces of Death, The Christophers, and Hamlet.