Flavio Alves, the director and co-writer of the new film The Garden Left Behind, discusses his career, his film revolving around the trans experience, and much more on our latest exclusive interview. The Garden Left Behind is available in virtual theatrical locations now, and on VOD September 8th.

Carlie Guevara stars as Tina, an undocumented trans woman living with her grandmother, Eliana  in Queens. Eliana has brought Tina to America from Mexico, and though she both sternly and affectionately still refers to her grandchild by her birth name of Antonio, Tina’s relationship with her grandmother is one of unwavering love and devotion.

Tina is in the process of several major life decisions. She’s trying to juggle her shaky relationship with Jason, her job driving New York passengers to their next stop, and her burgeoning career as an activist following an assault on another trans woman; Tina is also confronting the very real possibility of gender reassignment. To fully become the person she knows she should be will take an enormous amount of support, which she has in her best friend Carol (Tamara M. Williams), as well as a hefty amount of cash, which she has far less of. The film revolves around Tina’s journey, and it’s equal parts sad and beautiful. The Garden Left Behind gives you an insight into the trans experience like few films have done.

Read our full review of the film HERE

Direct download: Flavio_Alves_The_Garden_Left_Behind.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47am PST
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Movie theaters are back in business...are you ready?

This week began the reemergence of movies theaters across North America, as America catches up to the remainder of the civilized world. Having ventured out this past weekend to take in several films (including Russell Crowe's fiery Unhinged), Aaron and Amanda sat down to share their thoughts on experiencing movie theaters again, and specifically look at their safety precautions implemented. Did it feel safe? Did it feel like going to the movies always has? With several exciting titles hitting theaters soon, we are here to settle your nerves and inform your own decision on when theaters feel right for you. 

Also on this week's episode, we discuss DC's Fandome, a 24-hour event that covered numerous upcoming DC properties. These include The Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, Justice League: The Snyder Cut, and even Robert Pattinson's The Batman!

Discussed on this episode

Direct download: HO407_Welcome_back_to_movie_theaters.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:22pm PST
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What are those jobs in film-making that don't receive enough attention?

We know who the directors, actors, and even recognize the composers sometimes. However, we want to pay special attention to the people that make a film successful and remain an underappreciated job. These 7 jobs are not ones we pulled out of a hat, we actually reached out to three very successful individuals in the entertainment industry - the ones who are invested in the business and understand the work required to pull off that movie and TV magic we love so much.

Also on this week's episode: Movie and TV news, finding HOpe in movies and TV, spoiler-free reviews of Random Acts of Violence, Project Power, The Blech Effect, and Tesla, upcoming releases, and our HO Teachable Minute.

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 26:50) Movie and TV News | Finding HOpe in Movies and TV
  • (26:51 – 53:03) Reviews: Random Acts of Violence, Project Power, The Blech Effect, and Tesla | Upcoming Releases
  • (53:04 – 1:20:13) From The Outside In: Underappreciated Jobs in Entertainment
  • (1:20:14 – 1:28:57) Recommendations | HO Teachable Minute | Closing
  • Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to feedback@thehollywoodoutsider.com
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content, by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO406_Underappreciated_jobs_in_entertainment.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:03am PST
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For this special episode, we are speaking with Ralph D’Amato, the producer and visionary for the documentary, Pretending I’m a Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story.

Pretending I’m a Superman is a documentary that tells the story of how skateboarding became a part of the mainstream by focusing on the success of the “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” video game franchise. The film stars pro skateboarding legends Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, Steve Caballero, Chad Muska and Jamie Thomas.

Ralph started in production on the billion-dollar Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game franchise where he was a producer on the first 8 titles. During that time, his production tasks included character art, animation, legal, licensing and interacting with the skaters and their sponsors. His responsibility also included the soundtracks for the video games, one of which won the first ever MTV Video Music Award for Video Game Soundtrack, Tony Hawk’s Underground.

After departing the video game franchise, Ralph went on to become Director of New Media for Tony Hawk Incorporated. In 2017, Ralph founded an independent film production studio called D’Amato Productions, where he produced his first full-length, feature documentary –  Pretending I'm a Superman.

Ralph took some time to call in and discuss his career, why he wanted to tell the Tony Hawk story, and how this project came to be. Take a listen!

Direct download: Ralph_DAmato_Interview.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:35am PST
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Do you remember that one time, at Summer Camp?

Summer camp movies are not completely rare, but the good ones arguably are. And we're not here to talk about movies that mention summer camp or simply take place during summer, but rather films that have the particular setting of summer camp. Examples like the iconic Friday the 13th, more kid-friendly options like SpaceCamp and Addams Family Values, and of course - the raunchy ones like American Pie: Band Camp and Wet Hot American Summer. Because we're fun and wish we could go to summer camp - or do anything, really - we figure, what better time than now to discuss these flicks.

Also on this week's episode: our "How Do You Survive?" game returns with a 2020 edition, reviews of I Used To Go Here and The Umbrella Academy: Season Two, a discussion on AMC and Universal's controversial and historical deal, Mulan hits Disney Plus instead of a planned theatrical release, and our HO Teachable Minute.

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 31:17) Movie & TV Discussion: Mulan comes to Disney Plus, AMC and Universal's historical deal
  • (31:18 – 55:48) How Do You Survive? Game | Reviews: I Used To Go Here and The Umbrella Academy: Season Two | Upcoming Releases
  • (55:48 – 1:18:14) From The Outside In: Summer Camps in the Movies
  • (1:18:15 – 1:25:26) Recommendations | HO Teachable Minute | Closing
  • Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to feedback@thehollywoodoutsider.com
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content, by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO405_Summer_Camp_Movies.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:33am PST
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