YVSS #36 - Johnny Kalangis (THE MAD)

Out today on video from Genius Entertainment is Johnny Kalangis’ The Mad, a zombie comedy starring a ’throwback 80s guy’ Billy Zane as a father forced to battle what are essentially zombies at a truck stop after some tainted meat triggers a deadly epidemic. This is the third feature film from Kalangis, although it’s the first where he’s actually crossing into the b-territory that we all love. The film has been garnering some real buzz lately, including quite a few positive reviews, so you should definitely both listen to this show and rent/buy the movie.

Among the topics discussed are the pronunciation of Kalangis’ last name, getting the chance to work with Peace Arch Entertainment, rewriting the film’s script, box art woes, the intricacies of Billy Zane’s acting method, what he believes to be important in the creation of a horror movie, what Zane brought to the role, going shopping with him, acting in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, why actors don’t usually appear on the Your Video Store Shelf Podcast, details on the Canadian-theatrical release for his second film Love is Work in June, skewing reality in the world of his films, and more.

Enjoy the show.