Behind The Lens
JoinTomatometer-approved, veteran film critic debbie lynn elias and a line-up of talented and informed guests as she goes BEHIND THE LENS and below the line with movie reviews and interviews with an in-depth look at the filmmaking process from producing to performance to production design, directing, cinematography, costuming, scoring, editing, scripting, casting and more.
Episodes
It’s post-Oscar Monday on BEHIND THE LENS, and most of Hollywood is probably still recuperating from a night of celebration. Some big winners last evening, notably ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, SINNERS, and KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, and you'll hear me talk about the evening with the good, the bad, and, to borrow from Sigourney Weaver, the adorable.
But beyond Oscars, this week we're looking ahead with films that could be in contention f...
I love this week’s BEHIND THE LENS (and hope you will, too), and my interview with writer/director PAUL BOYD talking about his new film SCARED TO DEATH. But first, how about a bit of MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS and a new era of YELLOWSTONE with MARSHALS!
Moving into PAUL BOYD and SCARED TO DEATH, let me say at the outset, Paul is fantastic. He knows his craft, and he knows how to tell a story. He spent about 30 years directing mus...
It's a jam-packed show this week on BEHIND THE LENS with two fantastic films and two equally fantastic filmmakers, both of whom are enthusiastic, energetic, and excited about filmmaking. You’ll be hearing from writer/director CINQUE LEE in the second half of the show, talking about his new film LAST RIDE. But first up is my exclusive interview with writer/director NASTASYA POPOV, going in-depth about her narrative feature directo...
Welcome back to another week of BEHIND THE LENS! This week, we’re taking a look at WORLDBREAKER, an apocalyptic, action-oriented, sci-fi, creature feature with a dad and daughter dynamic that is told from the perspective of a young teenage girl, directed by BRAD ANDERSON.
Described as a pulse-pounding sci-fi action thriller about survival, sacrifice, and a young woman’s fight to step out of the shadows and into the war she was...
I’m very excited about this week’s BEHIND THE LENS and my special guest, director KEVIN LEWIS. This marks Kevin’s third appearance on #BTLRadioShow, following the brilliantly bonkers WILLY’S WONDERLAND and PIG HILL. Still, this time we’re talking about his new film MISDIRECTION, which, in many respects, is a big departure from the horror films you’ve come to know and love from Kevin.
Set over one long night in a glass-walled mod...
This week is a fun week for me with BEHIND THE LENS, given the two films that we’re talking about and the two filmmakers I’m speaking with. It’s a great way to kick off my 44th year as a film critic, although I was published with reviews going back 5 years before that! Today you’ll hear from one of my all-time favorite directors, RENNY HARLIN, as we talk about THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3, which now completes his trilogy of the reboo...
Welcome back to another week of BEHIND THE LENS!
I’m excited about today’s show and my exclusive interview with my special guest, director/writer/editor TOM BOTCHII, talking about his new film RELENTLESS. And let me tell you, RELENTLESS is exactly what its title promises: a sustained assault of motion, impact, and withheld meaning. It begins as a home invasion and refuses to let go, barreling forward as a near-wordless cat-and...
Welcome back to BEHIND THE LENS! This past weekend was Dances With Films Film Festival NY and from all accounts, it was a blast. You all know how much I love to champion indie films, which makes DWF one of my fave fests. And how lucky are we to not only have DWF in Los Angeles later in the year, but also an abbreviated version in NY!
I was privileged to screen a few of the fest films before their premieres and screenings at Da...
We're looking at another emotional film this week on BEHIND THE LENS as I chat with writer/director and actor STEVEN GRAYHM in this exclusive interview about his latest film, SHEEPDOG, one of the most important and powerful films you will see this year.
There have been a number of films over the years, especially since all of the Middle East conflicts, that address PTSD or some form of it. Some of those films “work”, while others ...
Welcome back to another year of BEHIND THE LENS and BTLRadioShow!! I’m excited to be back and kick off Year 12 of BTLRadioShow. I am beyond thrilled to start the new year with a very special guest and talk about the absolute “Must See” film of 2026. And that guest is none other than my friend of 40+ years - director RIC ROMAN WAUGH - and that film is GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION.
I first met Ric when he and his brother Scott, al...
Welcome back to another week of BEHIND THE LENS! And it’s the final show of 2025!! And this week, we shine a light on a man who’s a producer, director, writer, and actor in his latest film, SPEED TRAIN - RYAN FRANCIS.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Ryan for over two decades. I reviewed his first short film and multiple feature films thereafter, and interviewed him. And over the years, he has moved from being an actor i...
Welcome to another week of BEHIND THE LENS. This week, it’s all about Christmas as I welcome director/co-cinematographer/co-editor ADAM VOLERICH, talking about his feature directorial debut, DRINK AND BE MERRY, and director CELIA ANISKOVICH, who is filled with the Christmas spirit as she talks about her documentary, THE MERCHANTS OF JOY.
So, let’s get that cinematic sleigh going with Adam Volerich and DRINK AND BE MERRY.
At a...
While today’s films and filmmakers may not be about holiday movies, they do fit with the love and laughter of the holidays as MICHELLE DANNER joins me talking about her new film, the beautiful and romantic UNDER THE STARS, while writer/director MICHAEL J. WEITHORN is on hand discussing his fantastic film, THE BEST YOU CAN.
First, let’s turn our attention to Puglia, Italy, and UNDER THE STARS with MICHELLE DANNER. Directed by Dan...
With it already Thanksgiving this week, it’s time for BEHIND THE LENS (and all of you) to haul out the holly, put up the tree, fill up the stockings, and grab those dreidels because the holiday season is here! And what better way to kick off the Yuletide than to get in the spirit of the season with #BTLRadioShow, talking about two wonderful films and four fabulous filmmakers. So get ready as MARISA GUTERMAN and KEITH GERCHAK tell u...
This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we’ve got a theme of mystery going on, and I love the films that we’re examining and the directors we’re hearing from. And who doesn’t love a good mystery? First up, you’ll hear from director STEPHEN SHIMEK talking about MURDER AT THE EMBASSY, the second film in the Miranda Green murder mystery franchise. Set in 1930s Cairo, with its pyramids and antiquities at the height of Egyptology and archaeolo...
This week on BEHIND THE LENS it’s all about action thanks to director SHANE DAX TAYLOR and his new film, EXIT PROTOCOL, and director MICHAEL DOWSE and his latest film, TRAP HOUSE.
First up, let’s take a look at TRAP HOUSE and my exclusive interview with director MICHAEL DOWSE. It's been years since I spoke with Michael about “Goon” so it's nice to reconnect with him now for TRAP HOUSE; a fun multi-generational action film that bo...
Extending Halloween a bit longer this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we chat with documentarians BRADFORD THOMASON & BRETT WHITCOMB about THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENTOWN. Plus, writer/director MATT WHITAKER discusses the powerful and important narrative film TRUTH & TREASON.
But first, let’s keep that Halloween feeling going with THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENTOWN. Who hasn’t seen or doesn’t know about the utterly charming HALLOWEENTOWN...
It’s my favorite week of the year for BEHIND THE LENS - Halloween Week! And to celebrate my favorite holiday of the year, I’ve got some chilling, spooky, terrifying tales for you as PEDRO KOS breaks down his new film, the horrifying IN OUR BLOOD, while JON BERARDO talks about the blood-drenched noirish THE MANNEQUIN.
First up, let’s take a look at IN OUR BLOOD. Directed by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker PEDRO KOS in his ...
A terrific show for you this week on BEHIND THE LENS as you’re about to hear from two directors of whose work I am a huge admirer and have been for years, both whom I love chatting with, and each with a new film out - NEIL MARSHALL joins me to discuss his new psychological erotic thriller COMPULSON, while BRANDON SLAGLE is back with me for the 5th or 6th time talking about his latest, the powerhouse martial arts-action-sci-fi film ...
BEHIND THE LENS is kicking off the Halloween season today with a terrific making-a-movie-within-a-movie full of blood and hacking, madness, mayhem, and ridiculum - THE WEEDHACKER MASSACRE. And joining me to talk about this bloody (and funny) gem are writer/editor RAY SPIVEY and actor/executive producer ALLEN DANZIGER. Recognize those names? Ray has been on the live show with me before. And as for Allen, did you ever hear of a li...
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