INTERVIEW: Michael Biehn talks about his new movie The Divide

I recently had the opportunity to chat with cult icon Michael Biehn about his cataclysmic new movie The Divide. Under the unconventional and often claustrophobic watch of director Xavier Gens, Biehn crafts one of his most interesting and complex roles in recent years.

He plays Mickey, a paranoid tough guy who finds himself stuck with a handful of survivors who have sought shelter in a tenement building basement after a nuclear attack. It’s not long before the fists start to fly as this stressed situation reaches boiling point. From there, things go from bad to worse as the group slowly discovers the dark fate of the world they once knew.

Check out the full chat below in which Biehn discusses Xavier’s unique directing style, developing his character Mickey and what qualities he looks for in a director and a role. What’s more, The Termintor star also explains whether or not he’d consider joining Stallone’s Expendables team and reveals what he has planned for the near future. Enjoy!

INTERVIEW: Tom Woodruff Jr – SFX Creator for The Thing – released on DVD/Blu-ray today

I recently had the chance to chat with special effects whizz Tom Woodruff Jr. While you may not know they name, you’ll definitely know his work. Tom is an Academy Award winning SFX designer and over the years he’s helped create the stunning visual effects featured in the likes of The Terminator, Pumpkinhead and Jumanji just to name a few. What’s more, he’s played the iconic Xenomorph alien in every sci-fi sequel since James Cameron’s Aliens. With 2011′s The Thing remake arriving on DVD and Blu-Ray today, I quizzed Tom on how he went about creating the movie’s dazzling creature effects.

Casa De Mi Padre director Matt Piedmont reveals casting details of his next movie King Dork

With Casa De Mi Padre, director Matt Piedmont has created a crazy Spanish spoof that brings the laughs whilst proving that Will Ferrell’s comedy transcends language barriers. For his next project, he’ll tackle King Dork, an adaptation of the Frank Portman coming of age rock-comedy of the same name. IReviewToo sat down with Piedmont to discuss what he has up his sleeve for this Will Ferrell and Adam McKay produced movie.

The Walking Dead: Beside The Dying Fire (Season Finale)

“Christ promised a resurrection of the dead, I just thought he had something a little different in mind…” These words mumbled from a world weary Hershel in this week’s climactic final instalment of The Walking Dead sum up season two perfectly. Throughout the past thirteen episodes we’ve seen the group struggle from one catastrophe to the next and one by one have their hope irreparably shattered. This week’s explosion of a show forces our heroes to run for their lives, desperately trying to escape the chaos set in motion by the revelatory events of last week’s final moments.  However as we watch the group scatter into the darkness we’re reminded that there’s no clear path out of this undead mess.

The Walking Dead: Better Angels (Episode 12)

At last, the one we’ve all been waiting for. Last week, the ill-fated Dale proclaimed that the group was well and truly split. He was right. This week we see it reform somewhat, but not without one final struggle. All those who doubted the inevitable collision of these farmyard stragglers need look no further than this week’s opening montage. Sombre scenes of Rick leading a traditional funeral service are intercut with the hard-nosed brutality of Shane leading an all out attack on a gaggle of rogue Walkers loose on the farm. Never have the priorities of our two leaders been more black and white, once again proving that they’re two very different sides of the same coin.

EXCLUSIVE: Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement responds to Bret McKenzie’s ‘Oscar card’ quip

 

Jemaine Clement is worried about his bandmate’s new found power. During a chat this week, Clement revealed he has no doubt that his award winning partner Bret McKenzie will pull the Oscar card on him during Conchords practice which commences this week in their native New Zealand. “He would, yes. He would,” answered Jemaine, ” He was already like that because he’s had music lessons and I haven’t, He already pulled that on me. with an Oscar he’ll be unstoppable.”

The Walking Dead: Judge, Jury, Executioner (Episode 11)

Rick’s compassion has gotten the group into another tricky situation.  Last week we saw an ill-fated attempt to abandon enemy-turned-tag-along Randall (Michael Zegen) on a remote schoolyard only to discover that he knew Maggie and the location of Hershel’s farm. This week we discover the gang that abandoned Randall are 30-strong, armed to the teeth and not inclined to play nice. Too much of a liability to set lose, not quite guilty enough to execute – the group must decide their prisoners fate, forcing each of them into becoming the judge, jury and executioner.

The Walking Dead: 18 Miles Out (Episode 10)

Well, we can’t say we didn’t see it coming. As characters clash and tensions reach boiling point, us viewers are treated to what’s possibly the best instalment of The Walking Dead so far. Hot off the heels of last week’s antics, Rick and Shane are escorting their recently recuperated tag-along to a remote area in order to give him a fighting chance of survival. The plan’s simple. Find a location that’s far away from Hershel’s farm; dump the guy and leave. However when the dead walk the earth, simplicity’s the first thing to jump out the window.

Workety work work…

Another few months have passed and a few of my features have finally made it onto store shelves. Here’s another freelance article round-up…

Here’s the second film section that I did for Front issue 165. It covers a selection of February’s cinema and DVD releases and also includes an exclusive Q+A with The Muppets’ director James Bobin.

The Walking Dead: Triggerfinger (Episode 9)

Things just won’t let up on The Walking Dead. The events of the past few weeks have strained relationships and pushed people to their limits. This week proves to be no different, as we get ever closer to that inevitable moment where all hell breaks loose.  Rick may have saved Glenn and Hershel from a deadly encounter at the bar but his necessary actions weren’t without consequence. It’s not long before the buddies of the two recently deceased drifters start sniffing around forcing Rick to overcome yet another tricky situation.