Review It Yourself

Ventriloquism, noir shadows, and murder mystery collide spectacularly.

In this episode of Review It Yourself – film reviews without the faff, we step into the strange, stylish world of The Dummy Detective, a bold independent film blending classic film noir with the art of ventriloquism.

Joining us are:
Jonathan Geffner – Writer, producer and star, plays Detective Van Trillo, and his wooden-partner Suede.
Ed Altman – Portraying enigmatic radio presenter Elliot Black
Deb Twiss – Bringing Femme Fatale Chloe Lake to life
This is a deep-dive conversation into independent filmmaking, character psychology, creative persistence, and the fine line between illusion and reality.

Inside The Dummy Detective (2025)
The Dummy Detective is no ordinary murder mystery. Fusing noir atmosphere with ventriloquism, the film introduces audiences to the unforgettable Van Trillo and Suede characters — creations that Jonathan Geffner developed decades ago before finally bringing them to the screen.

Jonathan discusses:
The 30-year journey of developing the characters
Writing and producing an independent feature
The challenges of self-financing and independent promotion
Balancing humour and darkness in a noir-inspired story

Ed Altman shares the unique acting challenge of portraying a ventriloquist entangled in a murder mystery — exploring themes of loneliness, dual identity, and perception.

Deb Twiss reflects on playing a modern femme fatale, the strength of the script, and how layered writing allowed her to fully inhabit Chloe Lake.

Together, we explore:
The collaborative atmosphere on set
Shooting on a tight schedule
Blending classic noir influences with contemporary indie filmmaking
Audience reactions and the film’s reception
Why ambiguity is central to the story’s power

If you’re searching for discussions on independent film, noir cinema, ventriloquism in film, murder mystery movies, indie filmmaking challenges, or actor interviews, this episode delivers.

Where to Watch
The Dummy Detective (2025) is available on major streaming platforms including Amazon Prime and Tubi.
Support independent cinema and experience this unique noir experiment for yourself.

Connect with the Guests
Jonathan Geffner
Writer, Producer & Actor – Detective Van Trillo
Follow his work and updates related to The Dummy Detective via official film channels and streaming platforms.
Ed Altman
Actor – Elliot Black
For professional updates and appearances, search Ed Altman via official film listings and casting platforms.
Deb Twiss
Actress – Chloe Lake
For career updates, film appearances and future projects, follow Deb Twiss through official industry listings and social media.

Follow & Contact Review It Yourself
We’re a proudly independent podcast spotlighting film and television — from blockbusters to hidden indie gems.
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Have a film to recommend? Want to appear on the show? Get in touch.

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Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen
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Your support helps independent podcasts thrive.

If you love noir, character-driven mysteries, and candid conversations about the realities of indie filmmaking, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Press play, explore the mystery, and as always… Review It Yourself.
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What happens when space exploration meets human emotion? Discover the Deep Impact effect in Part Two of our review.

Deep Impact Review — A Thoughtful Dive into Humanity and the Cosmos:
In this episode of Review It Yourself, we unpack the 1998 sci-fi drama Deep Impact, exploring how this disaster movie combines thrilling spectacle with emotional storytelling. More than just comets and chaos, Deep Impact asks profound questions about leadership, sacrifice, and the meaning of survival.
Listeners will gain exclusive insights into what makes Deep Impact stand out from other end-of-the-world films — from its grounded realism to its compassionate portrayal of humanity under pressure. Whether you’re a film buff, a sci-fi fan, or love character-driven stories, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways
How Deep Impact redefined the 90s disaster movie genre
The emotional core and moral dilemmas faced by its characters
Behind-the-scenes details that add depth to the film’s impact
Why its ending still resonates decades later

Guest Details
Just the classic combo of Sean and Sarah.

Follow & Contact Review It Yourself
Stay connected with Review It Yourself for more intelligent reviews, interviews, and deep dives into books and films:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reviewityourselfpodcast2021
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BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/reviewityourself.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@reviewityourselfpodcast2021
Email: [email protected]
For guest enquiries, collaborations, or listener feedback, email directly — the show welcomes thoughtful discussion and future topic suggestions.

Why You Should Listen
This isn’t just another movie review — it’s a smart, heartfelt exploration of how cinema mirrors our fears, hopes, and humanity. Tune in and rediscover why Deep Impact remains one of the most underrated sci-fi dramas of its time.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when space exploration meets human emotion? Discover the Deep Impact effect.

Deep Impact Review — A Thoughtful Dive into Humanity and the Cosmos:
In this episode of Review It Yourself, we unpack the 1998 sci-fi drama Deep Impact, exploring how this disaster movie combines thrilling spectacle with emotional storytelling. More than just comets and chaos, Deep Impact asks profound questions about leadership, sacrifice, and the meaning of survival.

Listeners will gain exclusive insights into what makes Deep Impact stand out from other end-of-the-world films — from its grounded realism to its compassionate portrayal of humanity under pressure. Whether you’re a film buff, a sci-fi fan, or love character-driven stories, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways
How Deep Impact redefined the 90s disaster movie genre
The emotional core and moral dilemmas faced by its characters
Behind-the-scenes details that add depth to the film’s impact
Why its ending still resonates decades later

Guest Details
Just the classic combo of Sean and Sarah.

Follow & Contact Review It Yourself
Stay connected with Review It Yourself for more intelligent reviews, interviews, and deep dives into books and films:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reviewityourselfpodcast2021
X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/YourselfReview
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/reviewityourself.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@reviewityourselfpodcast2021
Email: [email protected]

For guest enquiries, collaborations, or listener feedback, email directly — the show welcomes thoughtful discussion and future topic suggestions.

Why You Should Listen
This isn’t just another movie review — it’s a smart, heartfelt exploration of how cinema mirrors our fears, hopes, and humanity. Tune in and rediscover why Deep Impact remains one of the most underrated sci-fi dramas of its time.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside the mind of a Nazi—and the psychiatrist who studied him.

In this powerful episode of Review It Yourself, Sean sits down with acclaimed author and journalist Jack El-Hai to discuss his gripping and deeply researched book, The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.
This is not just another Second World War/World War II book review. It’s a psychological investigation into evil, power, ego, and moral reckoning at the aftermath of history’s darkest chapter.

A Psychological Duel at Nuremberg
In The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, Jack El-Hai explores the extraordinary relationship between Hermann Goering, the highest-ranking Nazi captured alive, and Douglas M. Kelley, the U.S. Army psychiatrist tasked with evaluating him during the Nuremberg Trials.

During our conversation, we unpack:
How Kelley psychologically assessed leading Nazi defendants
Why Goering fascinated and manipulated those around him
The concept of the “banality of evil” in practice
The absence of a single psychiatric diagnosis to explain atrocity
The moral and professional toll the Nuremberg experience took on Kelley
Why these questions still resonate today
Jack reveals how Kelley’s pioneering psychological work challenged simplistic narratives about madness and evil — and how America struggled to process the uncomfortable conclusions.

Why The Nazi and the Psychiatrist Matters Now
With the upcoming 2025 film Nuremberg renewing interest in this story, El-Hai’s book has never been more relevant.
In a world still grappling with extremism, ideology, and the psychology of power, this episode asks:
Are monsters born—or made?
Can ordinary individuals commit extraordinary evil?
What responsibility does psychology bear in interpreting history?

About Our Guest: Jack El-Hai
Jack El-Hai is an award-winning author and journalist specialising in narrative non-fiction, medical history, crime, and ethics.

📘 Featured Book
The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Goering, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds
Originally published in 2013, the book examines the psychological chess match between Goering and Kelley — and its tragic aftermath.

🔎 Learn More & Connect
🌐 Website: https://www.jackelhai.com
🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jackelhai
Jack also discusses his ongoing commitment to telling stories rooted in justice, ethics, and the darker corners of history.
If you’re interested in World War II history, the Nuremberg Trials, forensic psychology, or the moral complexity of historical biography, this book is essential reading.

Why You Should Listen to This Episode
This episode of Review It Yourself delivers:
A thoughtful, in-depth author interview
Insight into the psychology of Nazi leadership
Historical analysis grounded in primary research
A discussion on how history is interpreted — and misinterpreted
Reflection on how the past informs our present

Perfect for listeners interested in:
World War II history
Holocaust studies
Nuremberg Trials
Psychology and ethics
Historical biographies

Follow, Contact & Support Review It Yourself
If you value independent, honest book and film reviews without corporate spin:
🎙️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all major platforms
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Find us here:
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Support the Podcast
Review It Yourself is proudly independent.
You can support the show by:
🔁 Sharing this episode with fellow film, history and psychology enthusiasts
📝 Leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Your support keeps independent podcasting alive.

Listen now to this compelling discussion with Jack El-Hai — and decide for yourself what The Nazi and the Psychiatrist reveals about evil, responsibility, and the human condition.
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Violence escalates, loyalties fracture, justice turns brutally personal.

In Part Two of their deep dive into The Untouchables, Sean and co-host Sarah break down the explosive second half of Brian De Palma’s Prohibition-era crime classic. If Part One explored myth-making and morality, this episode tackles consequence, sacrifice, and the film’s unforgettable climax.

From the emotional weight of Sean Connery’s Oscar-winning performance to the operatic violence that defines De Palma’s directing style, we analyse how the story of Eliot Ness versus Al Capone reaches its dramatic peak.

We explore the tension between justice and revenge, the cost of incorruptibility, and whether the film earns its legendary status among gangster cinema greats.
Starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, and Robert De Niro, this 1987 crime epic blends Hollywood spectacle with historical myth.

But does the courtroom finale deliver? Does the violence feel operatic or excessive? And does The Untouchables still hold up for modern audiences?

In this episode, we discuss:
The emotional impact of Malone’s arc
The morality of Ness’s final choices
The famous Union Station sequence and De Palma’s visual storytelling
The balance between historical fact and cinematic legend
Whether The Untouchables deserves its classic status

If you’re searching for:
The Untouchables 1987 review
The Untouchables podcast discussion
Brian De Palma film analysis
Sean Connery Oscar performance breakdown
Gangster movie deep dive podcast
…this episode delivers sharp film criticism, humour, debate, and honest takes.
Sarah returns as co-host for this two-part breakdown. (No external projects to plug this week—just pure film conversation and classic cinema appreciation.)

Why Listen?
Whether you’re a long-time fan of The Untouchables or revisiting it decades later, this episode will make you rethink its themes, performances, and cultural legacy. Expect passionate disagreement, strong opinions, and thoughtful analysis of one of the most iconic crime films of the 1980s.
If you enjoy deep-dive movie reviews, classic film discussion, and spirited debate — this is the podcast for you.

Please Note: There are direct quotes used in this review, which include the use of contextual slurs/stereotypes. These are used purely as quotes from the film and to aid discussion, as the film's dialogue reflects the bigoted, harsh atmosphere of 1930's Prohibition-Era Chicago. There is no intention to cause offence or distress.

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Email: [email protected]
We love hearing your thoughts, episode suggestions, and hot takes.

Support the Podcast
If you enjoy Review It Yourself and want to help us grow:
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Your support helps the show reach new listeners and continue producing in-depth film reviews every week.

Listen now and decide for yourself: is this crime epic truly untouchable?
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