Interviews
Jeff Finn seeks the truth in new Jim Morrison documentary – Interview
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 Moore, Gayle Enochs, Judy Huddleston, and Suzanne Roady-Ross, friends, Mirandi Babitz and Salli Stevenson, Elektra Records founder, Jac Holzman, The Doors booking agent, Todd Schiffman, The 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 Adams, Florida State University roommates, Bryan Gates and John McQueen, FSU professor, Ralph Turner, Alameda 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 Morrison, Robyn Wurtele, Morrison’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.
It’s been 25 years since Spy Kids first hit theaters, and the adventure still isn’t over! In this special interview, Alexa PenaVega (Carmen Cortez) and Daryl Sabara (Juni Cortez) look back at the legacy of the iconic family action film, share behind-the-scenes memories, and talk about what it’s like revisiting the Spy Kids universe decades later.
The duo also discuss working with visionary director Robert Rodriguez, how he is helping the Texas film industry, and how their friendship has evolved after all these years. From wild gadgets to unforgettable moments on set, Alexa and Daryl reflect on the impact Spy Kids has had on them—and on a whole generation that grew up with the Cortez family.
If you grew up with Spy Kids, this conversation is a nostalgic trip you won’t want to miss!
On Thursday, March 5th the Austin Film Society hosted the 26th annual 2026 Texas Film Awards at Troublemaker Studios in Austin, TX with guests attending including honorees Julian Schnabel, Sydney Chandler, Sonny Carl Davis and Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellán, Daryl Sabara, and Alexa PenaVega with the 25th Anniversary of Spy Kids into the Texas Hall of Fame. Presenters included Kyle Chandler, Mike Blizzard, Richard Linklater, and Gabriel Luna.
Interviews
Director Minos Papas brings to life folklore from his homeland and forgotten languages in ‘Motherwitch’ – Interview
In this exclusive interview, visionary filmmaker Minos Papas sits down to discuss his haunting new feature, MOTHERWITCH (2026) — a dark, atmospheric descent into folklore, motherhood, and psychological terror.
Papas opens up about the origins of the story, the symbolism behind the film’s chilling imagery, and the emotional core that drives MOTHERWITCH. We explore the creative process, on-set challenges, casting choices, visual style, and how Minos and his team reincarnated a lost Greek dialect from the 19th century to bring a level of authenticity to the project.
The film is currently playing at the European Film Market (EFM) and will later be showcased at Marché du film de Cannes in May.
Synopsis: Eleni, a painter in Cyprus in 1882, reaches into the shadows to resurrect her lost children, but instead summons the ancient Kalikantzari of Cypriot lore. She must now confront the storm of her grief and anger and lift the curse.
Interviews
Director Jeremiah Kipp talks embalming procedures and playing video games ahead of the release of ‘The Mortuary Assistant’
The trend of video game adaptations is once again gaining momentum in Hollywood. From Minecraft and Five Nights at Freddy’s to the latest Resident Evil installment—and now a film adaptation of the acclaimed indie horror game The Mortuary Assistant—studios are continuing to explore the storytelling potential of the gaming world.
I recently sat down with director Jeremiah Kipp to discuss the unique challenges of translating an interactive horror experience to the big screen, the creative collaboration with Willa Holland (Arrow), and what it was like working alongside the legendary creature performer Mark Steger to bring the film’s terrifying presence to life.
The Mortuary Assistant arrives in theaters on February 13 and will be available to stream on Shudder beginning March 27.
Synopsis: During her first overnight shift at the morgue, newly hired mortician Rebecca Owens falls victim to possession from a demonic entity.
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