The Next Reel Film Podcast

Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our disease series with the second adaptation of Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend," Boris Sagal’s 1971 film, “The Omega Man.”

Show Notes

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"You are discarded. You are the refuse of the past."
Richard Matheson’s 1954 vampire horror novel “I Am Legend” helped influence the zombie genre (it was the inspiration for the ‘68 George Romero film “Night of the Living Dead”) and popularized the concept of a worldwide apocalypse due to disease. Yet for some reason, filmmakers haven’t been able to crack the story. It’s been made into three different films, and it doesn’t seem like any of them have gotten it right. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our disease series with the second of these adaptations, Boris Sagal’s 1971 film, “The Omega Man.”
We talk about why this movie doesn’t work for us and try to figure out what the movie has that gives it that ‘guilty pleasure’ feel. We discuss the actors, notably Charlton Heston, Anthony Zerbe and Rosalind Cash, as they all work together and deliver some terribly written lines. Speaking of lines, we discuss the script written by John William Corrington and Joyce Hooper Corrington, our problems with it and why it feels a bit like a soap opera. We also talk about Sagal’s direction and why the whole film really feels like a TV production. And we have to bring up the crazy amount of 70s zooms in the movie – definitely a sign of the times. 
It’s not a film that we love, even if Andy could see some of the guilty pleasure enjoyment with it. Regardless, it’s an interesting film worth discussing and opening up our disease films series. So check it out then tune in to this week’s show!
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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.