BOOKWORM - WE CATCH UP WITH STAR ELIJAH WOOD and DIRECTOR ANT TIMPSON

Elijah Wood returns to New Zealand for his heart warming and touching new film, Bookworm.

It’s been a few year’s since Elijah Wood shot the Lord of The Rings in New Zealand, but the actor could not resist the temptation to return to the stunning location to shoot his new film, Bookworm.

Wood reunites with his Come to Daddy director Ant Timpson for the leading role in the filmmaker's first expedition into the adventure-comedy genre. Bookworm is a family adventure focusing on 12-year-old Mildred ( played wonderfully by Nell Fisher ) whose life is upended following the hospitalization of her mother.

With no one else to care for her, Mildred's "American magician father, Strawn Wise (Wood)," is tasked with caring for his bookish pre-teen daughter. In an attempt to keep her entertained — and her mind off her ailing mother — Strawn plans a camping trip into the New Zealand wilderness.

Timpson says the story is like ".. an escapist 70s cinema we grew up with, non-pandering cinema where adults and kids enjoyed all the onscreen shenanigans equally." The script takes a turn into whimsy when the pair embark on a quest to discover the "mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther," though Mildred bears only camping knowledge, sans experience, and Strawn is less accustomed to the Southern Alps than the Las Vegas Strip.

The chemistry between Wood and Fisher is undeniebly real and gives a true family feel to the film. Now that Elijah Wood is a dad, his real life experience is clearly shown in this film.

I had the opportunity to chat with Elijah Wood and Director Ant TImpson about working together again, having the film debut at the Fantasia Film Festival and shooting in New Zealand.

BOOKWORM opens theatrically across Canada October 18, 2024

NOTICE TO QUIT - WE TALK TO STARS MICHAEL ZEVEN and KASEY BELLA SUAREZ AND WRITER DIRECTOR SIMON HACKER

Prepare to be charmed by the stars of, Notice To Quit.

Notice to Quit is a charming film about a guy who is just trying to do the right thing. Michael Zegen (The Marvelous Mrs Maisel) play Andy Singer, a resilient yet struggling New York City rental agent ironically caught in the midst of his own eviction crisis.

As his world begins crashing down around him, his estranged 10-year-old daughter, Anna (played by newcomer Kasey Bella Suarez), appears unannounced on his doorstep just as he's being thrown out of his apartment.

The film marks the feature debut of How to With John Wilson producer Simon Hacker who decided to shoot Notice To Quit naturally in NYC on a 35mm film which gives a gritty but realistic feel to the film. The chemistry between Kasey Bella Suarez and Michael Zegen is real, raw and touching making the paring of these two actors pretty incredible.

I spoke with stars Michael Zegen and Kasey Bella Suarez and Writer/Director Simon Hacker about working on the film in New York City.