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Check the Gate

Check the Gate is a recurring column in which Brad Gullickson goes one-on-one with directors in an effort to uncover the reasoning behind their creative decisions. Why that subject? Why that shot?

Explore the entire Check the Gate archive below

Mickey Reece Country Gold

“Rip it off the best you can.” Mickey Reece Steals From Classics for ‘Country Gold’

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We chat with the director about his country music satire and why he sought the aesthetics of movies like ‘The Last Picture Show’ and ‘Paper Moon.’

Aliens Abducted My Parents And Now I Feel Kinda Left Out Sundance

‘Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out’ Is A Lot of Title and Tones

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We chat with Will Forte, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Jake Van Wagoner about the new Sundance indie and why tonal balance only works when collaboration is total.

Christmas Blood Christmas Joe Begos

Joe Begos on How 16mm Saved ‘Christmas Bloody Christmas’

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We chat with the director about his new Robo-Santa slasher and why it had to be shot on 16mm. Ho-Ho-Ho-Holiday Grain!

Alexander Skarsgard in The Northman

Robert Eggers On How ‘The Northman’ Made Him a Real Filmmaker

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We chat with the filmmaker about the anxiety he carried into ‘The Northman’ and how the shoot guarantees that his next films will only be better.

Blood Relatives Noah Stegan Victoria Moroles Interview

Noah Segan Explains Why It’s Necessary to Wink at Your Audience

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We chat with Noah Segan and Victoria Moroles about ‘Blood Relatives,’ their new vampire dramedy that stares directly down the camera barrel.

Kids Vs Aliens

Jason Eisener Reveals How Stuart Gordon Inspired ‘Kids vs. Aliens’

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We chat with the director about his new kiddies-in-peril movie and how an often-forgotten motion-simulator ride influenced its brisk runtime.

Werewofl By Night Michael Giacchino Fantastic Fest Interview

How Michael Giacchino Thrust ‘Werewolf by Night’ Upon the MCU

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We chat with the composer and director about his new Marvel Halloween special and how he convinced Kevin Feige to interrupt his MCU Phase Four plans.

Goodnight Mommy Matt Sobel Remake

Matt Sobel Explains Why He Remade ‘Goodnight Mommy’ After Rejecting It

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We chat with the director about initially dismissing the idea of a ‘Goodnight Mommy’ remake and how a friend changed his mind.

Honk For Jesus Save Your Soul

The Ebo Sisters Discuss Bringing a Gut-Check to ‘Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul’

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We chat with the filmmaking duo about their new film and how they relied on their sibling bond to get it done.