CALVARY is a movie some might consider a tough sell. Set in Ireland and revolving around a priest (played by the great Brendan Gleeson), the story is a sort of potential murder mystery, leaving the audience to see if they can figure out who might be about to commit a horrible act. It’s also a sort of modern day Western, complete with a town full of colorful characters, some guns here and there, and a saloon where everyone always seems to end up. But in this critic’s opinion, it’s also one of the smartest and engaging films of the year. I had a chance to sit down with writer/director John Michael McDonagh, who previously worked with Gleeson on THE GUARD, and we discussed everything from casting to how important the location was in the film. He even touched upon his next project with Gleeson, which sounds really odd, but if it’s anything like his first two efforts I’m already good for a ticket. Check out CALVARY this weekend and thank me later.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
