Midwest Movie Maker

Samara Weaving as Edie in 'Eenie Meanie' Before James Gunn and the cast and crew of Superman took over Cleveland, another star-studded feature film was laying claim to the sights and sounds and gritty streets of Northeast Ohio: Shawn Simmons Eenie Meanie , debuting today on Hulu. While both films tell the tale of a misunderstood hero just trying to live an honest life, each production brought an entirely different vibe to Cleveland’s neighborhoods. And I say this from personal experience. As a cinephile working downtown during Superman ’s shoot, getting a peek behind the scenes was an exercise in watching from a distance, peering through second-story grocery store windows, or finding hidden spots in parking decks looking over Progressive Field. Eenie Meanie ? Well, all you had to do was ask, and the crew would point you to a good spot on set to watch the action. The set was so open and friendly on the one day I went exploring in Ohio City, I was too self-conscious to take pictu...

Keith Gerchak and Marisa Guterman >> Whatever chronic illness he was battling, it was a mystery to Keith Gerchak and his doctor - several doctors, if we’re being honest. For six months, he battled a host of vague symptoms, including fatigue and a lingering fever. Gerchak’s physicians ran him through the gauntlet - blood cultures, viral panels, X-rays and CT scans. They were hunting for infection, autoimmune disease, cancer, thyroid issues, and deep-seated inflammatory conditions. They were coming up with nothing. “Finally, one of them told me, ‘I think your body is rejecting the path you’re on.’” Gerchak let that sink in. His illness wasn’t from a virus. It wasn’t an autoimmune disorder. It was his career choice. Santino Fontana as Gary Lucarelli Facing the fever Doctors have a name for it: psychogenic fever . It’s a real, measurable, stress-induced fever that can persist for months, common among people dealing with burnout, depression and - get this - intense life dissatisfact...

Filming 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' on Route 2 - The Shoreway - downtown Cleveland >> What if one state could tell the story of American cinema through its people, its places, and its past? That’s exactly what Ohio Goes to the Movies sets out to do—bringing together a once-in-a-generation cultural celebration that’s as ambitious as it is overdue. As part of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, Ohio will take center stage in a never-before-attempted tribute to its cinematic legacy, with 250 days of film-focused programming across all 88 counties. From Edison’s early motion picture innovation s to the birth of Hollywood itself (yes, really—thank a visionary from Hicksville, Ohio), this project uncovers the hidden influence Ohio has had on the movie industry since its inception.  Actors, directors, composers, producers, costume designers, animators—you name it, and Ohio has played a part.  The state is responsible for some of the greatest behind-the-sce...

AI imagines the characters from 'Arnie' >>   The next juicy horror feature is about to creep onto the streets of Cleveland, and it comes from Chris “Casper” Kelly, creator of the cult classic Too Many Cooks . The feature, Arnie , is tentatively shooting from July through August in the Cleveland area, according to a casting call from Angela Boehm Casting . (It's a live-action film. We don't want our AI interpretation confuse you!) Arnie was one of 14 projects awarded more than $26 million of $33 million in tax credits from the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit Program (OMPTC) aimed at boosting production and infrastructure across the state. Northeast Ohio’s Low Spark Films will produce. Filmmaker Casper Kelly Who is Casper Kelly? Kelly is an American writer, director, and producer known for his work in television and film. His work often blends humor, horror and absurdity. He gained attention with the viral short Too Many Cooks and ...

Marisa Guterman and Keith Gerchak give direction on the set of 'Lost and Found in Cleveland' >>> Cleveland’s found its latest box-office sensation, and it isn’t sporting an ‘S’ on its chest or zipping through the city’s eenie-meanie streets . It’s entirely homegrown. The independent film Lost & Found in Cleveland made history at the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) , drawing nearly 2,500 moviegoers to its Midwest premiere on March 30, setting the record for the largest single-screening audience in festival history.  Not only did it outpace all previous CIFF screenings, but it also packed the house at Playhouse Square like no film has since the venue’s foundation was established in 1973, according to Cleveland.com Moviegoers who missed the opportunity will have to wait until Nov. 7 to see the film in theaters nationwide. (unless Lost & Found  enters more film festivals, of course). Double G Films announced Lost & Found 's theatrical releas...