October Fun Continues . . .
While we descend further into fascism.
Siyo Friends,
There is a lot to protest, and a lot of protests going on this weekend. Be safe and loud and there (if you can).
THE ORIGIN STORY PODCAST - OCTOBER
I’ve had a great time revisiting two films from my youth, CHILDREN OF THE CORN and SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES, and talking about them with Stan Merritt and Matt Hirsch, two friends from high school who also revel in this time of year. Check out the episodes below, and stay tuned for third and final film in the “nostalgia tour” series: THE OMEN II.
I re-watched THE OMEN last night, and it lived up (mostly). I really dug that film as a teen or tween (can’t remember), and still love it, but as happens when young eyes age, some of the mystery and sheen of darkness has faded a bit. Just a bit.
I hope you’ll check out the two we’ve released, and give THE OMEN II a watch soon. I’m excited to give it a shot. Big thanks to Stan and Matt for doing this once again.
And big thanks to Jennifer Lee for also once again doing this. Jennifer and I are reading (re-reading for her) SALEM’S LOT by Stephen King. I’m still near the beginning, but it already is bringing joy and chills, and some of that ole SK 80’s goodness. Yes, it was published in 1975, but I wasn’t reading King until later. I’m not that old. Or a reading prodigy.
THE ORIGIN STORY PODCAST - NOVEMBER
And the hits just keep on coming. My November guest on TOSP is none other than Joseph Mancuso!!
Joe acts, writes, directs, and produces. You’ve seen him in a dozen commercials, and as guest and co-stars on your favorite shows.
His latest script was made into a movie soon to be hitting festivals: SMILE: THE WORST IS YET TO COME. It was co-written with Chloe Lenihan.
In the quiet refuge of Big Bear Lake, loss becomes their escape until it becomes their reckoning.
Smile… the Worst is Yet to Come follows Ben and Birdie, a Los Angeles-based couple battered by personal and professional heartbreak: business failure, IVF heartbreak, and the passing of their beloved dog. When Birdie pushes for a weekend retreat in the mountains, they hope for rest and maybe a spark. Instead, they find confrontation.
Their plan for solace is upended when they meet January and Jerek, two social media influencers whose presence cracks open hidden wounds. An alcohol-fueled game of truth-telling leads to confessions, facades, and exposed truths they thought were long buried.
Directed by Chloe Lenihan and co-written by Joseph Mancuso with Chloe Lenihan- it is a darkly comedic, heartfelt exploration of grief, identity, and the messy business of trying to love when everything feels broken.
Joe’s Instagram is fun and educational, with videos titles including: “Five Under- Appreciated Debut Films” and “Film and Fiction, and the Focused Mind.”
His substack is also worth your time. THE MOST HUMAN OF THINGS always delivers insight, entertainment, and inspiration for any of us who need a boost or a pleasant distraction from creative work.
I admire Joe a lot, and when I’m feeling especially good about myself, like to think we are brothers in arms, fighting against Resistance, trying to make the world a little better through our art.
He is a voracious reader of fiction and non-fiction, his cinema knowledge is on point, and he and I have extremely similar tastes.
I cannot wait to see what he chooses to introduce me to.
I’ll let y’all know.
Don’t forget to follow The Origin Story Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to hear more.
That’s it for now.
Until we meet again,
Michael Owl