gophotographer

Kent Smith is no stranger to the set, he has worked behind the camera on many different Hollywood productions including shows like Homeland, Mr. Mercedes, and Outcast as well as movies such as Max, Tusk, and American Animals. Over the years, he has developed his own style of making people feel comfortable in front of the camera. His interest in film started at an early stage by staying up late and consuming movies. He then turned this love of storytelling into screenplays about situations that could actually happen in real life. The first feature film that Kent directed and co-wrote, The Last Passport, went on to win Best Director and Best Actor at the Solstice Film Festival in Minneapolis. His latest short film which he directed, wrote, produced, edited, MIKE, has been on the film festival circuit, winning six best film awards and nominated for six more. He also directed another short comedy film called Little Package which is taking the festival circuit by surprise, and has already won Best Comedy Short and the Audience Award at film festivals. When Kent is not on a Hollywood set, he can be found directing national and international commercials for some of the biggest companies around the world. Kent has worked for Shell, Electrolux, Hooters, Pepsi, Cato Fashions, and many more. He currently has three feature films in the works at different stages in the comedy and horror genres, plus a feature-length documentary that's in production. He is also one of the Host on the Adult Beverage Film Podcast.

Sinners: Where Southern Gothic Meets Questionable Communion Wine (and Fangs!)

By gophotographer 12 months ago

Alright, grab your favorite questionable vintage, because on today’s Adult Beverage Film Podcast, we’re diving headfirst into a cinematic experience that might just make you question your life choices: the aptly named, Sinners.

Now, when you first clap eyes on the poster for Sinners (and yes, we’ve got it right here for you, folks!), you might think, “Oh, a moody, atmospheric horror flick! Perhaps a deep dive into the human condition, or maybe just some good old-fashioned vampire shenanigans.” And bless your innocent hearts, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. But you wouldn’t be entirely right either.

Let’s be real, the poster promises a lot: intense stares, a guitar-wielding bluesman, and a dude in the background who looks like he just remembered he left the oven on… and also, he’s a vampire with glowing red eyes and a serious dental plan. It screams “Southern Gothic meets ‘Blade’s estranged cousin who went to seminary’.”

So, what’s the real story of Sinners? Well, imagine if a church retreat decided to host a talent show, but then someone accidentally spiked the communion wine with existential dread and a dash of vampirism. It’s less about the actual sins, and more about the vibe of sinning, if that makes sense. It’s the kind of film where you’re constantly asking, “Wait, is he a vampire because he’s evil, or is he evil because he’s a vampire, or is he just really, really hangry?”

The film does a fantastic job of keeping you on your toes, mostly because you’re constantly trying to figure out if you missed a crucial plot point or if the characters are just as confused as you are. There are moments of genuine tension, and then there are moments where you just want to hand everyone a pamphlet on conflict resolution and maybe a garlic bagel.

Our recommendation for pairing? A strong, dark stout. Something that can stand up to the film’s brooding atmosphere, and also something that will help you forget you just spent 90 minutes wondering if the blues music was a metaphor for eternal damnation or just a really long jam session.

In conclusion, Sinners is a ride. A slightly bumpy, occasionally confusing, but ultimately memorable ride. It’s perfect for a podcast like ours because it gives you plenty to talk about, especially after a few sips of your chosen adult beverage. So, if you’re looking for a film that will make you ponder faith, fangs, and the perils of small-town secrets, grab your drink and give Sinners a watch. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you about the teeth.

🎧 Episode: Emilia Pérez — Crime, Identity, and Catchy Tunes… Wait, Is This a Musical?!

By gophotographer 1 year ago

In this no-holds-barred episode of the Adult Beverage Film Podcast, your favorite cocktail-fueled crew takes on Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard’s genre-bending, gender-exploding, narco-musical that’s equal parts Scarface, Les Misérables, and RuPaul’s Drag Race: The Redemption Arc.

Set in the gritty underworld of Mexican drug cartels, this film flips every expectation on its head—starting with a ruthless cartel boss who secretly wants to transition and become… Emilia Pérez. Yes, you read that right. But instead of gritty crime beats and tough-guy tropes, Audiard delivers the transformation with Broadway ballads, pastel colors, and some of the most moving sequences ever set to choreographed violence. Oh, and did we mention it’s a musical? With full-blown showstoppers and synchronized prison dancing?

Selena Gomez steps in as the conflicted wife, Karla Sofía Gascón absolutely slays in a history-making performance as the titular Emilia, and Zoë Saldaña shines as the burned-out lawyer who accidentally signs up for the wildest client of her career—and possibly her spiritual awakening. There’s crime. There’s glitter. There’s justice. And there are questions about identity, forgiveness, and what it really means to change.

🎙️ On the mics:

  • Laura gushes over the emotional core and calls dibs on the soundtrack for her next karaoke night.
  • Patrick wonders if we’ve entered a post-genre world where everything’s a musical… and he’s here for it.
  • Squeaker raises an eyebrow, mutters something deep about duality and reinvention, and then takes the film apart with the precision of a philosophy professor in a leather jacket.
  • Kent tries to keep the group sober enough to land a point… fails… but ends up championing this wild ride as one of the most original films of the year.

This ain’t your typical narco thriller. It’s a cinematic unicorn—part political fable, part identity opera, part cabaret confession—and it’s impossible to forget.

Pour yourself something strong. Tune in. And prepare to have your idea of genre (and justice) lovingly smashed into glittery pieces.
This is Emilia Pérez, and this episode might be our most outrageous deep dive yet.

Exploring Late Night with the Devil: A Horror Film Podcast

By gophotographer 1 year ago

Step aside, Johnny Carson—this late-night talk show isn’t just entertaining, it’s downright possessed! In our latest episode of the Adult Beverage Film Podcast, we dive headfirst into Late Night with the Devil, a devilishly fun and spine-chilling horror film that takes the traditional talk show format and cranks up the chaos to supernatural levels.

Picture this: It’s the groovy, polyester-clad 1970s, and a struggling late-night host will do anything for ratings—even if it means inviting something… otherworldly onto the stage. Think The Tonight Show meets The Exorcist, with a dash of found footage eeriness and a full serving of demonic delights.

We break down the film’s wickedly clever mix of satire and scares, the nostalgic nods to classic talk shows, and—most importantly—just how much we’d sell our souls for a few more episodes of this nightmare-fueled late-night madness. Join us as we sip on some strong drinks, swap theories on the film’s deeper meanings, and try not to summon anything we can’t banish back to the underworld.

So, grab a cocktail, dim the lights, and tune in—because this episode of the Adult Beverage Film Podcast is one hell of a show!

Poor Things: A Victorian Fever Dream with Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe

By gophotographer 2 years ago

Poor Things is the kind of movie that would make Mary Shelley grin mischievously while sipping tea and giving a knowing wink. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos—yes, the same mind behind The Lobster and The Favourite—this film is like a delightful stroll through a Victorian fever dream. Imagine if Frankenstein’s monster was reimagined by Tim Burton after a particularly strong cup of absinthe, and you’ve got the general vibe of Poor Things.

Plot? What Plot? The movie follows Bella Baxter, played by Emma Stone, who is resurrected by the eccentric Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). But hold onto your monocles, because Bella isn’t your typical reanimated corpse. Instead of the usual moans and groans, she’s full of life, energy, and a childlike curiosity that makes you wonder if she’s been binge-watching Pee-wee’s Playhouse while in the afterlife.

Dr. Baxter, who looks like he’s auditioning for a steampunk version of The Phantom of the Opera, has his hands full trying to keep up with Bella. She’s on a quest to discover what it means to be alive, and she’s doing it with the enthusiasm of a sugar-loaded toddler in a toy store.

The Cast: A Carnival of Characters Emma Stone’s Bella is a revelation. She’s like a human jack-in-the-box, constantly surprising you with her whimsical, offbeat take on a woman who’s been brought back from the dead. Willem Dafoe’s Dr. Baxter is every bit the mad scientist you’d hope for, complete with wild hair and a penchant for pontificating in ways that are both profound and utterly absurd.

Then there’s Mark Ruffalo, who plays Duncan Wedderburn, a lawyer with a moral compass as wobbly as a Jenga tower in an earthquake. Ruffalo’s chemistry with Stone is electric, like watching two people trying to out-weird each other—and succeeding marvelously.

Visuals: Like a Hallucination in HD Visually, Poor Things is a treat. The film is drenched in color and packed with bizarre imagery that makes you feel like you’ve wandered into a Salvador Dalí painting and can’t find your way out (not that you’d want to). The cinematography is so luscious you’ll want to lick the screen—though I don’t recommend it.

Why You Should Watch It Poor Things isn’t just a film; it’s an experience. It’s the kind of movie that’s so unapologetically weird, you can’t help but be charmed by its audacity. It’s like going to a circus and finding out the clowns are also philosophers—and surprisingly deep ones at that.

So, if you’re tired of the same old reboots, sequels, and superhero sagas, Poor Things might just be the cinematic palate cleanser you didn’t know you needed. Just be sure to leave your expectations at the door and prepare for a wild, wonderfully weird ride.

Trailer Time! And for those of you who prefer a sneak peek before diving headfirst into the weirdness, here’s the official trailer for Poor Things: Watch the Trailer on YouTube.

Get ready to laugh, gasp, and occasionally scratch your head in confusion—Poor Things is a film you won’t forget, no matter how hard you try.

Spine-Chilling Adventure: The Descent Film Podcast Review

By gophotographer 2 years ago

Welcome to the Adult Beverage Film Podcast, where we dive into movies like it’s the last drop in the bottle! Join your hosts, Kent Smith, Laura Truman, Patrick Keenan, and our resident cave-dweller expert, Carlisle “Squeaker” Hamrick, as we squeeze through the tight spaces of the spine-chilling horror classic, The Descent. We’ll share laughs, screams, and maybe even some survival tips—all while sipping on our favorite adult beverages.

The Descent is the story of six adventurous women who think a fun weekend means crawling through claustrophobic caves in the middle of nowhere. Little do they know, their spelunking trip is about to turn into a nightmare with creatures straight out of their worst hangovers. Picture it: tight tunnels, total darkness, and a bunch of cave-dwelling monsters who haven’t seen daylight—or a toothbrush—in centuries. It’s a girls’ night out gone horribly, hilariously wrong, proving once and for all that some places are just better left unexplored.