2018 New York Comic Con: Interview with Liz Heldens and Justin Cronin from “The Passage”

2018 New York Comic Con
Day 3 (October 6, 2018)

At this year’s New York Comic Con, we got a chance to speak with Liz Heldens, the Executive Producer and Showrunner of the upcoming Fox series, The Passage. Joining Liz was Justin Cronin, author of the 2010 sci-fi, dystopian, monster horror novel of the same name which the show is based on. The Passage premieres on Fox on January 14, 2019.

Liz and Justin sat at the roundtable for a long time, much longer than we’re usually given access to creatives at these types of things. I appreciate them for answering all of the questions tossed at them.  Liz and Justin spoke a variety of topics, including working together on adapting the novels to television; how people experience a story on a personal level; and the importance of telling a character driven story in a genre show.

“I certainly approached it as character first and genre second, which is how I think Justin approached the novels.” ~ Liz Heldens

“A book is an event and event happens every time it’s read.” ~ Justin Cronin

Justin Cronin and Liz Heldens. Taken at 2018 New York Comic Con. (Photo: M. Caputo)

After the jump, check out transcribed excerpts from the interview with Liz and Justin, as well as video of the full unedited interview!

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2018 New York Comic Con: Interview with Brianne Howey and Vincent Piazza from “The Passage”

2018 New York Comic Con
Day 3 (October 6, 2018)

At this year’s New York Comic Con, we got a chance to speak with Brianne Howey and Vincent Piazza, the stars of the upcoming FOX show, The PassageThe Passage, based on the 2010 sci-fi, dystopian, monster horror novel by Justin Cronin of the same name, premieres on FOX on January 14, 2019.

Brianne (who plays Shauna Babcock) and Vincent (who plays Clark Richards) were great and sat with us for a long time. They spoke on a number of things during our roundtable, including the enthusiasm for the show; how the writers have made a vampire-genre show relevant to 2018; the use of time and flashbacks in the storytelling; character development and character-specific episodes over the season; and getting to work on their own stunts.

“It kind of plays on truth and fiction, as well. Leading into a genre world. It’s interesting. I love the set-up.” ~ Vincent Piazza

Vincent Piazza and Brianne Howey. Taken at 2018 New York Comic Con (Photo: M. Caputo)

After the jump, check out transcribed excerpts from the interview with Brianne and Vincent, as well as video of the full unedited interview!

Continue reading “2018 New York Comic Con: Interview with Brianne Howey and Vincent Piazza from “The Passage””

2018 New York Comic Con: Interview with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Emmanuelle Chriqui from The Passage

2018 New York Comic Con
Day 3 (October 6, 2018)

At this year’s New York Comic Con, we got a chance to speak with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Emmanuelle Chriqui, the stars of the upcoming FOX show, The PassageThe Passage, based on the 2010 sci-fi, dystopian, monster horror novel by Justin Cronin of the same name, premieres on FOX on January 14, 2019.

Mark-Paul (who plays Brad Wolgast) and Emmanuelle (who plays Dr. Lila Kyle) were great and stayed with us for a long time. They spoke on a number of things during our roundtable, including adapting source material for TV and making changes to characters from novels; how The Passage exceeds being a typical genre show; and how ambitious in scope the production of the show has been.

“It took me a while, and because I’m such a huge fan of the books, it took me a while to understand that what we’re doing as a TV show, doesn’t have to be the exact adaptation of the books.” ~ Mark-Paul Gosselaar

 

“They’re so good, man. This is so much more than a genre show.” ~ Emmanuelle Chriqui

 

Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Emmanuelle Chriqui, 2018 New York Comic Con (Photo: M. Caputo)

After the jump, check out transcribed excerpts from our interview with Mark-Paul and Emmanuelle, as well as video of the full unedited interview!

Continue reading “2018 New York Comic Con: Interview with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Emmanuelle Chriqui from The Passage”

What To Watch Tonight – Tuesday, December 18, 2018

What To Watch Tonight?  Oh, friends, we’re deep into the Winter break already and it’s only just begin. There isn’t a new episode of scripted television anywhere you look. So, let’s plum the depths of Holiday shows with The CW’s  Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown 2018 and Greatest Holiday Video Countdown. Also on, a winner is announced on The Voice.
Greatest Holiday Commercials — Image: GHC_0004 — Pictured (L-R): Keltie Knight and Kevin Frazier — Photo: © 2018 Juma Entertainment. All rights reserved
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TV Recap: All American – As Good As It Gets …

All American
“Homecoming” (Episode 108)
December 12, 2018

After last week’s disastrous Homecoming dance, tonight’s mid-season finale of All American is full of ramifications for everyone and their season long choices! Catch up on all of last week’s action with our recap here!

Now, the mid-season finale of All American, “Homecoming” … after the jump! BEWARE SPOILERS!!

Photo: Eddy Chen/The CW

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Movie News: PCR’s Top 5 Favorite Movies of 2018!

PopCultureReview’s Top 5 Favorite Movies of 2018
Best of 2018 Lists
December 17, 2018

It’s the time of the year when people start thinking about the year that (almost) was and what their favorite things were (and not so favorite if you’re so inclined). PopCultureReview is not immune from these musings.

Over the next few days, we’ll be rolling out our “Best Of 2018” Lists and we are starting with our five favorite movies of 2018. Why five? Well, it really stems from the TV list which I need to physically restrain myself from adding all the ones I love. Three seems too little and ten, too many.  

Now, remember, these are not necessarily the five BEST movies of 2018, but rather, our Top Five Favorite.

So, here is the list of PopCultureReview’s top five favorite movies … after the jump! 

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What To Watch Tonight – Monday, December 17, 2018

What To Watch Tonight? A rough night for scripted television … there is NOTHING on in that department.  We’re looking to variety and holiday specials to get us through. With the finale of the holiday series, The Great Christmas Light Fight, and  start of the finale on The Voice, these are our big options tonight. At 10pm, check out past champions of America’s Got Talent doing … holiday things? I guess? Terry Crews is hosting so there is that. Also, you can watch a retrospective on famous people that died this year. Ho-ho-ho. Ugh.  Last, Monday Night Football!

(ABC/Byron Cohen)

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What To Watch Tonight – Sunday, December 16, 2018

What to Watch Tonight?!? Everything we normally watch first is in repeats now and so we’re excited to shine some light on shows we like but don’t normally promote … brand new Outlander and Counterpart on Starz and Dirty John on Bravo. Also on, the  iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2018 on The CW and Sunday Night Football

DIRTY JOHN — “Shrapnel” Episode 104 — Pictured: Connie Britton as Debra Newell — (Photo by: Michael Becker/Bravo)
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What To Watch Tonight – Friday, December 14, 2018

What To Watch Tonight? With no MacGyver, this is a pretty blech night of TV. We’ve got new Midnight, Texas (in a special 8pm timeslot), Hell’s Kitchen, and Van Helsing.  In the holiday specials sphere, we’ve got an I Love Lucy Christmas Special on CBS and The 87th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade on The CW.  What Are You Watching?!?

CR: FOX
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What To Watch Tonight – Thursday, December 13, 2018

What To Watch Tonight? Supernatural and Legacies are new. Top Chef too. But for us, the night is all about our Top Pick To Watch Tonight, the season finale of Nightflyers.  What are you watching?

NIGHTFLYERS — “All That We Have Found” Episode 110 — Pictured: Eoin Macken as Karl D’Branin — (Photo by: Jonathan Hession/Syfy)
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