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All About Al: The Pacino podcast
Episode 62: Dead Man's Wire with Austin Kolodney
Ep. 62
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Dead Man's Wire is the true-story about Tony Kiritsis (Bill Skarsgard - Nosferatu, The Crow, IT: Welcome To Derry) who, on February 8th 1977, entered the office of Richard Hall (Dacre Montgomery - Stranger Things, Elvis, Power Rangers), president of the Meridian Mortgage Company, and took him hostage with a sawed-off shotgun wired with a "dead man's wire" from the trigger to Tony's own neck.
Directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, My Own Private Idaho, Psycho) and also starring Coleman Domingo (The Running Man, Sing Sing, Rustin), Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride, Saw, Robin Hood: Men In Tights) and Al Pacino (The Godfather, Serpico, The Insider).
The film's writer, Austin Kolodney, joins the podcast to discuss what it was like adapting this bizarre true-story for the screen, why his relationship with the film's director Gus Van Sant was so relaxed and where he found the inspiration for the writing of new dialogue for Al Pacino's character M.L. Hall.
All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, produced and presented by Mark Searby.
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64. Episode 64: City Hall with Ben Mankiewicz
36:09||Ep. 64City Hall is directed by Harold Becker (Sea of Love, Malice, The Onion Field) and starring Al Pacino (The Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon, The Irishman) as New York Mayor John Pappas, whose career gets caught up when innocent boy is killed in a shootout between a policeman and a member of a mob. Even as tensions escalate, Deputy Mayor Kevin Calhoun (John Cusack - High Fidelity, Say Anything, Grosse Point Blank) steps in, only to discover that uncovering the truth has consequences.Television journalist and host for Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Ben Mankiewicz joins the podcast to discuss this 1996 political thriller. Mankiewicz explains how the politics in the film are still relevant today, why it is one of his favourite Pacino movies and what it's like interviewing Al Pacino through the years.All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, produced and presented by Mark Searby.
63. Episode 63: The Insider with Brian Saur
40:32||Ep. 63The Insider is based on the true story of former Big Tobacco executive Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe - Gladiator, L.A. Confidential, A Beautiful Mind). Seasoned TV producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino - Heat, The Godfather, Serpico) suspects a story lies behind Wigand's reluctance to speak. As Bergman persuades Wigand to share his knowledge of industry secrets, the two must contend with the courts and the corporations that stand between them and exposing the truth. All the while, Wigand must struggle to maintain his family life amidst lawsuits and death threats.The Insider was written and directed by Michael Man (Heat, Blackhat, Manhunter).Film critic Brian Saur joins the podcast to discuss this whistle blower political thriller. Brian talks about why it is his favourite Michael Mann film, how Mann seems to make films about men becoming friends in difficult circumstances and what he loves about Pacino's compassionate performance. All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, produced and presented by Mark Searby.
61. Episode 61: The Godfather Part III with Franc D'Ambrosio
49:33||Ep. 61The Godfather Part III was released on 26th December 1990. The final part of The Godfather saga that saw Michael Corleone (Al Pacino - Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico) decide to put an end to all the criminal activities his family is involved in. However, a mob leader refuses to let him go. Also, his nephew Vincent wants a piece of his criminal empire. It was a respectable hit at the box office. To mark the 35th anniversary of The Godfather Part III's release, Franc D'Ambrosio joins the podcast to discuss about appearing in the film as Anthony Corleone. During the chat, Franc talks about how he got the role at the very last minute, what it was like coming in as a singer not an actor and why Al Pacino & Diane Keaton took him under their wings during filming. All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, produced and presented by Mark Searby.
60. Episode 60: Heat with Jerry Trimble
34:39||Ep. 60Heat is, arguably, one of the greatest action films of all time. An intense movie with some spectacular shoot-out sequences coupled with a cat & mouse game between the cops and robbers. Outstanding performances from Robert De Niro (Raging Bull), Al Pacino (The Godfather), Val Kilmer (Top Gun), Tom Sizemore (Natural Born Killers), Wes Studi (Dances With Wolves), Ashley Judd (Double Jeopardy), Amy Brenneman (The Leftovers) and many others in a huge ensemble piece. Expertly written and directed by Michael Mann (The Last of the Mohicans). It's a film that is still revered and copied endlessly decades later.To celebrate Heat's 30th anniversary, actor Jerry Trimble (Charlie's Angles) joins the podcast. Jerry talks about how he got the part of Detective Danny Schwartz, what it was like being on the cops side lead by the energetic Vincent Hanna and why getting to act with Pacino & De Niro was a real dream of his from very young.All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, produced and presented by Mark Searby.
59. Episode 59: The Recruit with Brandon Troy
44:00||Ep. 59The Recruit was released at a time where Al Pacino was playing a lot of surrogate father figures to young characters in his films. With this film he played Walter Burke, a recruiter for the CIA, who see's something in young computer graduate James Clayton (Colin Farrell - In Bruges). Burke takes Clayton under his wing to help weed out a mole in the agency. Released in North America at the start of 2003, it received mixed reviews from critics. However, it fared well at the global box office, pulling in over $100 million.Entertainment Journalist Brandon Troy joins the podcast to discuss this cyber thriller. Brandon talks about his familiarity with the locations, why some of the training in the film resembles actual CIA training and what the relationship between Pacino and Farrell's characters is really saying.All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, produced and presented by Mark Searby.
58. Episode 58: Two Bits with Scott Weinberg
34:24||Ep. 58Two Bits was released in North America in November 1995. It was directed by James Foley (Glengarry Glen Ross) and starred Al Pacino (Glengarry Glen Ross), Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Scarface) and Jerry Barrone. It told the story of Gennaro, a young boy, who wants his Grandpa's last quarter so he can go to the movies, but he must first deliver a message from his ailing Grandpa to a woman he loved years prior. Set in 1933's Philadelphia, and also shot in the city. Two Bits was not a hit. In fact, it was seen by very few. It was a small film during a big period for Pacino.Film Critic Scott Weinberg, a Philly native born & bred, joins the podcast to discuss Two Bits. Scott talks about what it would be like trying to film on the streets of his home city, why the film's title would only make sense to Americans and how the story might have meant something to the film's writer. All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, produced and presented by Mark Searby.
57. Episode 57: You Don't Know Jack with Logan Crawford
36:52||Ep. 57When You Don't Know Jack premiered on HBO in 2010 it caused a bit of a stir. A film about the real Dr. Jack Kervorkian, a man who helped the terminally ill and the profoundly disabled end their lives. Kervorkian was a polarizing figure, often referred to as Dr. Death. The film looked to discuss Kervorkian's work in a very open & honest manner. Written by Adam Mazer and directed by Barry Levinson, it starred Al Pacino in the role of Dr. Jack Kervorkian.Actor Logan Crawford appeared in the film as a shock jock who lambastes Kervorkian for his methods. Crawford joins the podcast to talk about that scene, what it was like chewing out Pacino to his face and why he is pleased with how obnoxious his character comes across. Crawford also discusses his time spent acting with Pacino on another project - The Irishman. All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, produced and presented by Mark Searby.
56. Episode 56: Angels In America with Brian Markinson
37:53||Ep. 56Angels In America was a huge success on stage and on TV. The HBO mini-series, adapted from the Tony Kushner play, was a huge critical and commercial hit. It won awards left, right and centre. It featured an incredible ensemble cast including Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Justin Kirk, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeffrey Wright, Patrick Wilson and many more. Actor Brian Markinson appeared in many scenes with Al Pacino. He joins the podcast to discuss the mini-series, what it was like watching Pacino work, why it was such an impressive piece of work and how he was disarmed when first meeting Al.All About Al: The Pacino Podcast is written, produced and presented by Mark Searby.