Ellissinema Podcast

Episode 265: Twin Flames - featuring Jon Connor and Tootsie The Rapper

In this electrifying episode, we sit down with lyrical powerhouse Jon Connor and rising star Tootsie The Rapper to talk about their bold and genre-blending joint album, Twin Flames (2025). The duo opens up about the inspiration behind the project, how their distinct styles sparked creative chemistry, and much more.Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative process—from late-night studio sessions to philosophical debates on hip-hop’s evolution. Connor reflects on his journey from Flint to the global stage, while Tootsie shares how she's carving out her own lane with authenticity and raw emotion. Together, they break down key tracks, the symbolism of duality in their music, and how Twin Flames represents more than just a partnership—it’s a cultural statement.

Episode 264: Havoc - featuring Sunny Pang

Joining the show today, world-renowned actor, Sunny Pang. We delve into his gripping performance in Havoc (2025), the latest action-thriller from acclaimed writer-director Gareth Evans. Pang shares behind-the-scenes stories from the film’s production, his experience working alongside stars like Forest Whitiker, Yeo Yann Yann, Jessie Mei Li, and and how he approached his complex role in the gritty, high-stakes world of Havoc.We also touch on the film’s stunning visuals by cinematographer Matthew Flannery, a pulse-pounding score by Aria Prayogi, and the collaborative effort behind the film’s visceral impact, from Tom Pearce’s production design to editing by Sara Jones and Matt Platts-Mills. Take a deep dive into the artistry and adrenaline of Havoc through Sunny Pang’s unique lens.Havoc (2025)Starring: Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant, Forest Whitaker, Sunny Pang, Justin Cornwell, Quelin Sepulveda, Luis Guzmán, Yeo Yann Yann, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, and many more.Written and Directed by Gareth EvansCinematography by Matt FlanneryMusic by Aria PrayogiEdited by Sara Jones and Matt Platts-MillsProduction Design by Tom PearceAction Design and Stunt Coordinator: Jude PoyerNetflix Release: April 25, 2025Runtime: 107 minutes

Episode 263: Nosferatu - featuring Charles Urban and Kyle Bruehl

Nosferatu is a gothic horror film directed by Robert Eggers, offering a fresh yet authentic take on the classic vampire tale. Set in 1838, the story follows newlyweds Ellen and Thomas Hutter. Thomas, a real estate agent, embarks on a journey to the remote Carpathian Mountains to facilitate a property sale to the egnimatic Count Orlock. As Thomas ventures deeper into Orlock's world, Ellen becomes the object of the vampire's obsession, leading to a series of haunting and perilous events.Starring Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgard, Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Ralph Ineson.Music by Robin CarolanProduction Design by Craig LathropEdited by Louise FordDirector of Photography Jarin BlaschkeProsthetics and Visual Effects by David WhiteWritten and Directed by Robert Eggers

Episode 262: Exhuma

When a renowned shaman (Kim Go-eun) and her protege (Lee Do-hyun) are hired by a wealthy, enigmatic family, they begin investigating the cause of a disturbing supernatural illness that affects only the first-born children of each generation. With the help of a knowledgeable mortician (Yoo Hai-jin) and the country's most revered geomancer (Choi Min-sik), they soon trace the affliction's origin to a long-hidden family grave located on sacred ground. Sensing an ominous aura surrounding the burial site, the team opts to exhume and relocate the ancestral remains immediately. But as something much darker emerges, they soon discover what befalls those who dare to mess with the wrong grave.Starring Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yoo Hai-jin, Lee Do-hyun, and more.Director of Photography - Lee Mo-GaeWritten and Directed by Jang Jae-hyun

Episode 261: An Evening with Spooky Charles

Spooky Charles of thePicassos, The Lonesome Skeleton Band, and The Sad Hour Band joins the pod to discuss his upbringing, his musical influences, his future, with a quick detour into our love for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.Stream thePicassos wherever you get your music. And be on the lookout for his solo act The Lonesome Skeleton Band as well as the newly formed Sad Hour Band. He is truly one of my favorite musicians working right now.And, if you're in the area, make sure you check out one of the last couple of live performances of thePicassos before an indefinite hiatus.