The Return of the Harold and Maudecast! Sarah Mason and Jake Essoe are back with a new episode of the podcast, Episode 372: Alien Franchise Retrospective. This episode breaks down and reviews every film in the Alien franchise (chronologically by release) starting with: Alien 1979 Aliens 1986 Alien 3 1992 Alien:Resurrection 1997 Alien vs Predator 2004 Alien vs Predator Requiem 2007 Prometheus 2012 Alien: Covenant 2017 For more episodes of The Harold and Maudecast and other great podcast from the HMC Network visit www.thehmcnetwork.com

The Age of Distraction Podcast is back with Episode 7: The Effects of Coronavirus on Hollywood. Writer/Producer, Sarah Mason along with screenwriters, Warren Lewis (Black Rain) and Stephen Godchaux (Dead Like Me), dive deep into the effects the pandemic is having on Hollywood and how it may change theatrical distribution and production forever. For more episodes of this podcast series and others from The HMC visit www.thehmcnetwork.com

On this episode of Conversations, hosted by Sarah Mason for The HMC Network, an interview with Josh Mankiewicz, correspondent for Dateline NBC. Groundhog Day 2020 marked 25 years that Correspondent, Josh Mankiewicz has been reporting for "Dateline NBC", "And it went by like that," remarked Mankiewicz. The Emmy-winning, unscripted, investigative series has been integral to the network’s programming since its 1992 debut. Mankiewicz joined in 1995. In its 28th season, the show covers stories ranging from mysteries to documentaries and in-depth investigations. Cases involving murders and missing people are frequent topics and have elevated Mankiewicz and his colleagues, Correspondents, Keith Morrison, Andrea Canning, Dennis Murphy and Lester Holt, to super stardom. Read the full article at https://www.thehmcnetwork.com/post/25-years-with-dateline-nbc-interview-with-correspondent-josh-mankiewicz

On this episode of Conversations with Cooler People than Me on The HMC Network, Sarah Mason and Sergio Pinheiro interview Cinematographer, Mihai Malaimare, about his work on the Golden Globe nominated film, JoJo Rabbit. Visit thehmcnetwork.com for more episodes of this and other podcasts.

On this episode of Conversations with Cooler People than Me, Sarah Mason an Sergio Pinheiro interview Oscar winning composer Michael Giacchino about his score for the Golden Globe nominated film, Jojo Rabbit. Michael Giacchino (pronounced “Juh-key-no”) has composed original scores for the some of the biggest feature films in recent history, including, The Incredibles, War for the Planet of the Apes, Ratatouille, Star Trek, Jurassic World, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Coco. Giacchino’s 2009 score for the Pixar hit Up earned him an Oscar®, a Golden Globe®, the BAFTA, the Broadcast Film Critics’ Choice Award and two GRAMMY® Awards. When writer/director, Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) reached out to Giacchino to score his film Jojo Rabbit, Giacchino was eager to do it. "I didn't know what the film was about but I am a huge fan of his work and how diverse and different it is," said Giacchino. When asked what direction he received Giacchino recounted Waititi saying, "Remember how you made us feel in Up? That's how I want to feel'. Read the full article at https://www.thehmcnetwork.com/post/scoring-jojo-rabbit-interview-with-oscar-winning-composer-michael-giacchino

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the True Field Test podcast brought to you by The HMC Network. True Field Test is a podcast from creatives for creatives -- filmmakers, cinematographers, editors, post production supervisors, and other storytellers putting gear through real-world tests, reviewing products and workflows and talking industry insights, news and forecasts. On this episode filmmaker Sergio Pinheiro will be discussing Anamorphic Lenses for Mirrorless Cameras, the challenges he faces both budgetary and production quality and the new company that may change everything for only $500. Workflow Engineer, Cutter Stevens discusses on the changing landscape of production distribution -- different deliverables for different outlets, where does it need to go, what do we need to budget for YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, theatrical, DCP or IMF, or just ProRes. He delivers solid tips on how to make sure you can cover the cost of distribution at the end of your production. Producer Sarah Mason discusses Award season -- Network TV shut out of the Golden Globes, what does this mean for their future. In a rare move the ASC Cinematography union nominates two women cinematographers for the ASC Awards honors are things really changing? For over 10 years The HMC has been producing award-winning, popular podcasts, digital content and events . Visit The HMC at thehmcnetwork.com for more episodes and other podcasts

On this episode of The Harold & Maudecast, Sarah Mason and Jake Essoe interview Cinematographer, Lawrence Sher, for his work on Joker. Joker marks the sixth film Lawrence Sher has worked with director Todd Phillips. Their successful relationship began with The Hangover and, as you will hear in our interview, has become a critical and valued partnership for both Sher and Phillips. In addition to the Hangover triliogy, Sher's other credits include Godzilla King of the Monsters, Garden State, War Dogs, Father Figures (which he directed) and Kissing Jessica Stein. In this interview Sher discusses how the locations were key to Arthur/Joker's character arc, Joaquin's now iconic performance and his conversations with the actor, some insider info about the infamous scene with Mr Chow in The Hangover and whether or not more Joker in his the works. Read the full article at https://www.thehmcnetwork.com/post/2019/11/14/interview-cinematographer-lawrence-sher-joker

On Episode 362 of The Harold & Maudecast, Sarah and Jake review, Joker. Fledgling comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) has been bullied and disregarded his whole life. After an escalating series of abuse and a very public shaming by his comic idol, Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro), Arthur begins a bloody, destructive revolt against society. This dark path he chooses leads him to embrace his alter-ego: "The Joker". Director Todd Phillips' (The Hangover trilogy), take on the DC character is now the highest grossing R rated movie of all time. More Taxi Drive than Dark Knight, Joker unravels the layers of the character, driven by one of the greatest performances in movie history. Phoenix's Joker never diminishes the brilliance of Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson's performances. In his committed, conscientious performance he reminds us that the Joker is one of greatest fictional characters of all time. Please give this man an Oscar. Spoiler Level: Moderate For more episodes and other podcasts including our interview with Joker cinematographer, Lawrence Sher, visit thehmcnetwork.com and sign up for our updates!

Two of the hardest working real-life Avengers in the MCU are Jeffrey Ford, ACE and Matthew Schmidt. They shared Editor credits on four of the films -- Captain America: Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame and worked together on several more MCU films.  The actors and directors take the lions share of the accolades but its these guys who were literally on the front lines, manipulating the tone, pace, and comedic beats, crafting character archs, and storylines. Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame were shot at the same time often forcing the crew to bounce back and forth relentlessly between films and sequences, juggling constant script changing as they shot, "It was like an extreme sport more than filmmaking," stated Ford.  Read the full article at https://www.thehmcnetwork.com/post/2019/10/30/the-real-life-avengers-behind-endgame

With over 100 film credits, two Oscar nominations, two Golden Globe nods, three Grammy Awards, two Emmy awards and countless other film and music awards, Alan Silvestri has created some of the most iconic film scores in movie history.  Silvestri describes his 35-year collaboration with director Robert Zemeckis like a marriage, "You go through a lot, ups and downs. You develop a shorthand and a trust and then 24 films later. It's amazing." Those 24 films include Forrest Gump, Back to the Future trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Polar Express, Castaway and the upcoming adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches. Read the full article at https://www.thehmcnetwork.com/post/2019/10/30/the-real-life-avengers-behind-endgame

The HMC is launching a new production technology workflow series with The Creative COW and here is a preview - Sony FX-9: The Workflow Review. HMC Executive Producer, Sarah Mason along with Workflow Engineer, Cutter Stevens and Filmmaker, Sergio Pinheiro review the new Sony FX-9 and discuss the potential workflow challenges as well as the state of cinematography and cameras in the age of content. For more podcast episodes visit www.thehmcnetwork.com and www.creativecow.net

It was a long wait (2 years) for fans of the Netflix original series, Mindhunter for Season 2 but it was worth it. David Fincher takes us back into the mind of serial killers, this time some super famous ones, Son of Sam and Charles Manson, focusing predominantly on the Atlanta child murders which paralyzed the city from 1979-1981. On Ep 359 of The Harold & Maudecast, Sarah and Jake take a deep dive into Season 2, detailing and reviewing every episode. Yes, Spoilers. Also in this episode, a preview of the Amazon original series, Carnival Row, starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevigne. Is this Amazon's Game of Thrones?We preview the series and review episode 1. Spoiler level: almost zero. For more episodes of The Harold & Maudecast visit thehmcnetwork.com

On Episode 358 of The Harold & Maudecast, Too Bad to Stream? Sarah Mason and Jake Essoe review several movies that received Rotten scores and give their take on whether or not they're too bad to stream or worth a watch. HELLBOY, the 2019 reboot starring David Harbour (Stranger Things), DOMINO, directed by Brian de Palma starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, IN COLD PURSUIT starring Liam Neeson and THE PERFECTION starring Allison Williams and Logan Browning. Also our tribute to Rutger Hauer. For more podcasts visit www.thehmcnetwork.com

Episode 6 of the Age of Distraction podcast, "Choose Your Player: How Fortnite is Transforming Hollywood." Host Sarah Mason along with screenwriters Warren Lewis (Black Rain) and Stephen Godchaux (Dead Like Me), discuss video games and the impact on Hollywood. The box office has been on the decline with competition from Amazon, Netflix and Hulu but the popular game, Fortnite is more of a threat then any of them. Fortnite creator, Epic Games, claim that the game has over 250 million registered users. Most recently a 16 year old player won $3m dollars in a Fortnite tournament. With those kind of numbers and incentives, how can movies compete? We discuss! For more episodes of Age of Distraction visit www.thehmcnetwork.com

On Episode 356 of The Harold & Maudecast, co-hosts Sarah Mason and Jake Essoe review Quentin Tarantino's 9th film, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. Set in 1969 Hollywood, Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) is an aged-out movie/TV start demoted to playing the Heal in popular TV shows. Cliff Booth (Pitt) is Dalton's longtime stunt double and now driver. If Dalton good just get the attention of his neighbors, Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha), the hottest young director in Hollywood and his actress/ingenue wife Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), he could get back in the game. The film is centered on Rick and Cliff's stories, separately and together amidst the backdrop of one of the most horrific crimes in American history, the Manson Murders. Tarantino masterfully wades you through the boredom and melancholy that is Dalton's life trying to hold onto his place in Hollywood. All the while, the tension is building as you cannot stop wondering how Tarantino is going to handle what you know has happened in real life. Will he rewrite history as he did in INGLORIOUS BASTARDS? The ending is worth every mundane moment in the film--not to say it is not entertaining. It is purposeful, as Tarantino always is, in its stillness focusing on the story of these two men with the larger point looming about the changing of the guard. It's impossible to discount the parallels to today's Hollywood; the death of the theater experience and actual film in the wake of streaming and digital. It's a grand FU to those trying to dismiss the genius of those who have come before them. The film is filled with great Quentin-cameos including Michael Madsen, Kurt Russell, Bruce Dern, Al Pacino, Timothy Olyphant, Dakota Fanning, Tim Roth (who's part was cut) and Luke Perry in his last film appearance. Tarantino's longtime Cinematographer, Robert Richardson adds to the beauty and brilliance of this very thoughtful, surprising and thought-provoking film that you will want to see more than once. SPOILER ALERT! This review and commentary contains them. You've been warned. For more podcast episodes visit www.thehmcnetwork.com

It's the 50th anniversary of San Diego Comic-Con ! Sarah and Jake go through the biggest announcements from SDCC50 and their favorite moments on Episode 355 of The Harold & Maudecast. For more podcast episodes, articles and news visit www.thehmcnetwork.com

On Episode 354 of the Harold & Maudecast, Sarah and Jake dissect Stranger Things Season 3 (SPOILERS!). The Hawkins kids are growing up, much to the dismay of Chief Hopper ( David Harbour) who is struggling to keep Eleven "El" (Mille Bobbie Brown) and Mike (Finn Wolfhard) 3 inches apart. Meanwhile Joyce (Winona Ryder) is busy trying to uncover the secret to the falling refrigerator magnets, Steve (Joe Keery) is scooping ice cream in a sailor uniform with Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman's daughter Maya Hawke (who plays Robin), Dustin has a girlfriend! Billy's been invaded by the Mindflayer body snatcher, Lucas and Max are on again off again, nobody wants to play D&D with Will anymore, and Russians have landed in Hawkins, Indiana. We get into it all the awesome details of Season 3 and countdown to Comic-Con's 50th anniversary with some previews of the Hall H panels and ConanCon 2019. For more episodes visit thehmcnetwork.com

For 8 years The Harold & Maudecast has been covering movies, entertainment and fan lifestyle around the globe. Listen to this preview of the popular podcast and visit www.thehmcnetwork.com for more.

Episode 353 of The Harold & Maudecast features Sarah and Jake's guide to Summer 2019 Movies that won't suck (fingers crossed). We go through the list of what's dropping June, July and August and give our picks for ones to go see in the theaters. We also review two movies now streaming, Deadwood: The Movie and Bad Times at the El Royale. It's been a long time coming for Deadwood fans but the feature length film, Deadwood: The movie, gives the award-winning HBO series its badly deserved sunset ride. It's been 10 years since we visited the outpost in South Dakota, now a fully formed town equipped with a telephone and other modern amenities. All the residents (and we mean, all the entire cast re-assembled for the movie), gather to commemorate Dakota's statehood in 1889. Everyone's favorite saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) and Marshal Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant_ clash with now Senator George Hearst (Gerald McRaney). The story doesn't tie up loose threads, per say, rather choosing to move forward with the story as it has been 13 years since the show met its untimely demise. It's a smart choice. Seeing how progress has affected Deadwood and its residents seems fitting. The script, penned by show creator David Milch, is as brilliant as Shakespearean as ever in its tragic brilliance and unapologetic ugliness. We highly recommend this film, must-see for fans of the series. If you haven't seen it, go binge it immediately then watch the film. You have the advantage of being able to see it instantly rather than being left hanging over a decade. All three seasons and Deadwood: The Movie are now streaming on HBO. Bad Times at the El Royale is a mash up of Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None and the film Four Rooms. Set on the Nevada/California border circa 1969, a group of strangers ascend upon the El Royale motel in Tahoe. Each has a secret and a past, unveiled throughout the course of one stormy, violent night. The film is written and directed by Hollywood powerhouse Drew Goddard, (The Martian, World War Z, Daredevil, Lost, Buffy the Vampire, Lost, Cabin in the Woods) and stars Jeff Bridges, Chris Hemsworth, Dakota Fanning, Jon Hamm, Nick Offerman, Cynthia Erivo and Lewis Pullman (Bill Pullman's son) in a breakout role. From the open sequence the film looks both cool and creepy, which is exactly what you want in a mystery. The first half continues to allude with the promise of classic mystery twists and turns. Unfortunately, the introduction of Hemsworth, who is horribly miscast as the Manson-esque psycho killer, re-routes the story in a trite and predictable direction. Still worth watching for the performances, Bridges, Pullman and British actress Erivo who charms with her renditions of Motown classics. Also in this episode, highlights from E3 2019. For more episodes, articles and info visit www.thehmcnetwork.com

Episode 352 of The Harold & Maudecast: Ghost vs John Wick's Dog for the Throne Sarah and Jake review JOHN WICK 3: PARABELLUM and the much anticipated Game of Thrones Finale. After 8 seasons, millions of memes, cosplay and viewing parties, Game of Thrones has come to an end. The finale episode aired on HBO, Sunday, May 19th breaking records with 19.3m viewers. Lucky for the Showrunners, a plastic water bottle (like its predecessor the Starbuck's cup) managed to out Trend the overwhelming negative reaction to the finale. The finale left many threads untied for the potential spinoffs and prequel that is already in pre-production. We found ourselves amongst those who were less than satisfied with the hectic, deliberate tie-up of this incredible story. But we can back up up every point. Our Game of Thrones finale review is first up on the podcast, John Wick 3 Review Starts @ 43:52. For more movie reviews and our entire We Talk Thrones library, dissecting Seasons 1-8, visit www.thehmcnetwork.com