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Jeff Finn seeks the truth in new Jim Morrison documentary – Interview

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Jeff Finn is a documentary filmmaker who has set out to uncover the real story surrounding the death of Jim Morrison of The Doors. Before the End: Searching for Jim Morrison is a first of its kind “documystery” series that will make its global TVOD/Digital release on January 13, 2025, following Morrison’s 81st birthday, and will be available on all the major platforms of Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube TV, with more to follow.

A dozen years in the making, Before the End’s cryptic tagline encapsulates its investigative approach: “One Man. Countless Myths. And in between lies the truth.” Z-Machine founder, Jeff Finn’s extraordinary detail work breaks the decades long hermetic seal on the traumatic formative years that forged a brief hellacious life, through Morrison’s controversial career as lead singer of legendary 1960s rock band, The Doors, to his reported 1971 death by “heart failure” in Paris at age 27. Morrison’s ostensible demise, technically an unsolved cold case, formed its own rabbit hole of reasonable doubt, which inspired Finn to consult with private investigators and forensic analysts.

Before the End transcends “rock doc” in the same sense that Jim Morrison was more than a rock star. Featuring unprecedented content, from shocking corroboration about Morrison’s early life, to harrowing revelations about his stardom, and fresh evidence that contradicts his professed death, Before the End: Searching for Jim Morrisonisproudly unauthorized because it “seeks the unvarnished truth.” The documystery reverse-engineers long-controlled narratives while it explores the notion of Morrison the nonconformist as neurodivergent, and deconstructs – through on-camera interviews with family, friends, lovers, classmates, and associates – key distinctions between Jim Morrison, rock god,” and James Douglas Morrison, introverted outsider.

Among those interviewed and/or featured are Morrison’s cousins, Ellen Edwards and David Backer, lovers, Anne MooreGayle EnochsJudy Huddleston, and Suzanne Roady-Ross, friends, Mirandi Babitz and Salli StevensonElektra Records founder, Jac HolzmanThe Doors booking agent, Todd SchiffmanThe Doors roadie, Gareth Blyth, screenwriter, Randall Jahnson, rock critics, Ellen Sander and Richard Meltzer, UCLA classmates, Philip Oleno and Richard Blackburn, UCLA roommate, Ron Cohen, UCLA professor, Dick AdamsFlorida State University roommates, Bryan Gates and John McQueen, FSU professor, Ralph TurnerAlameda High School swim coach, Ash Jones, childhood friend, Jeff Morehouse, Paris-era acquaintances, Philippe Dalecky and Gilles Yepremian, and exclusives via Jim’s brother, Andy MorrisonRobyn WurteleMorrison’s enigmatic Paris-era assistant, and “Mr. X,” a mind-blowing anonymous source.

Z-Machine is a truly independent production company helmed by writer and filmmaker, Jeff Finn, whose tie-in book, 127 Fascination: Jim Morrison Decoded, is forthcoming.

Ted aka Steady is a film critic and the managing editor forCountdownCityGeeks.com. He has covered some of the largest pop culture events in the world including SXSW and San Diego Comic-Con. He has also hosted a variety of events such as eSports Tourneys, film festivals, to moderating panels for some of the biggest names in entertainment including Josh Brolin, Rosario Dawson and Giancarlo Esposito.

Interviews

Kill Code Interview: Justin Price & Franzi Schissler Talk New Action Thriller

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Join us for an interview with writer and director Justin Price alongside actress Franzi Schissler as they discuss their latest film Kill Code. With the film set to debut on digital platforms on July 24, the duo shares an inside look at bringing this intense project to life, from the story’s origins to the challenges of independent filmmaking.

In this conversation, Justin Price dives into his vision as both writer and director, while Franzi Schissler talks about her role, character preparation, and on-set experience. Together, they break down the film’s themes, its stellar cast, and what audiences can expect when Kill Code arrives this week on digital July 24th.


Synopsis: Kill Code is set in a fractured crime-ravaged future where a power-hungry corporation has taken over the conventional prison system and made the criminals the new law enforcers. The owner of this corporation, nanoscientist Eion Prescott (Harvey Keitel), created a deadly nano-virus which is distributed through lethal watches. These prisoners, soon infected with the virus, are forced to eliminate each other in exchange for their own freedom. When cyber-operative Elera (Franzi Schissler) uncovers a shocking truth, she turns against her creator, sparking a rebellion to destroy the system before it enslaves humanity.

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Apple TV Star City: DP Brendan Uegama on Visual Storytelling & this week’s finale

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In this interview, we sit down with Brendan Uegama, Director of Photography for Apple TV’s ‘Star City’, to explore the visual storytelling behind one of the platform’s most compelling new series. Uegama shares insight into crafting the show’s distinct look, balancing cinematic scope with intimate character moments, and the creative collaboration that brings the world of ‘Star City’ to life.

Throughout the conversation, he discusses the technical and artistic choices that define the series. From lighting and camera movement to building atmosphere and tone across each episode. As the story builds toward its highly anticipated conclusion, Uegama also reflects on the journey of Season 1 and what audiences can expect as the narrative reaches its peak.

Don’t miss the Season 1 finale of Star City, airing July 10th on Apple TV.



“Star City” is a propulsive paranoid thriller that takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race – when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon. But this time, we explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers, and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program, and the risks they all took to propel humankind forward.

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Indie Horror Spotlight: Britt Bankhead and Grace Patterson on ‘The Town That Takes’

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Join us for an interview with writer, director, and lead star Britt Bankhead alongside co-star Grace Patterson as they dive into their indie horror film The Town That Takes. The duo shares an inside look at bringing this chilling story to life, from the film’s eerie concept and creative inspirations to the challenges of producing independent horror.

The film itself is based on American folklore. That inspiration led the creative team and the cast to make an ambitious project that’s part drama, horror and suspense.

Catch the film in select theaters July 10th and for more info visit TheTownThatTakes.com.


Synopsis: The film follows Dean Richardson, a troubled Army veteran attempting to rebuild a relationship with his estranged twelve-year-old son, Wyatt, following the sudden death of his ex-wife. Their journey takes a terrifying turn when they stop in a remote backwoods’ town haunted by whispers surrounding the word CROATOAN. After a brutal murder leaves Dean as the prime suspect and Wyatt suddenly disappears, he is forced into an uneasy alliance with veteran Detective Douglas O’Shea and rookie Detective St. Clair as a series of unexplained deaths, disappearances, and impossible encounters begin spreading throughout the region. As evidence points toward something far older and more sinister than a simple murder investigation, Dean races to uncover the truth behind the legend before an ancient evil claims another victim.

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