Michael J. Epstein

Michael J. Epstein

Michael J. Epstein is a Los Angeles filmmaker known for social-satire-horror Clickbait (2019), 70s-Euro-vampire Blood of the Tribades (2016), psychotronic-sci-fi Magnetic (2015), and the avant-mystery Ten (2014). He often co-writes, co-directs, and co-produces with his wife, Sophia Cacciola, with their production company, Launch Over.

Movies for Michael J. Epstein...

Hacking at Leaves
Title: Hacking at Leaves
Character: Self
Released: April 6, 2024
Type: Movie
Hacking at Leaves documents artist and hazmat-suit aficionado Johannes Grenzfurthner as he attempts to come to terms with the United States' colonial past, Navajo tribal history, and the hacker movement. The story hones in on a small tinker space in Durango, Colorado, that made significant contributions to worldwide COVID relief efforts. But things go awry when Uncle Sam interferes with the film's production.
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Fat Fleshy Fingers
Title: Fat Fleshy Fingers
Character: Young Grandfather (segment: "The King of Carrot Flowers")
Released: January 12, 2023
Type: Movie
An anthology film that tells the tales of eight hapless souls infected with a monstrous sexually transmitted parasite that holds eldritch powers over its host’s mind.
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Salomé: Do Not Dance, My Daughter
Title: Salomé: Do Not Dance, My Daughter
Character: Bill
Released: December 21, 2022
Type: Movie
Salomé: Do Not Dance, My Daughter
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The Once and Future Smash
Title: The Once and Future Smash
Character: Repo Man
Released: August 29, 2022
Type: Movie
In 1970, Mikey and William both portrayed football cannibal Smash-Mouth in the influential cult hit, End Zone 2. Now, 50 years later, only one can wear the mask.
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The Devil's Tail
Title: The Devil's Tail
Character: Metal Guitarist
Released: December 11, 2021
Type: Movie
A young nurse begins her shift at an old city hospital. After a strange apparition one of the oldest nurse tells her that a patient, Mr. Moore, entered the hospital a few years ago. His body was completely burned after a fire. Mr. Moore was operated urgently by the doctors. But no one wanted to assist him. The pain and drugs had driven him mad... One night one of the nurses went to his room but his bed was empty ... Nothing was heard from him anymore. A bell interrupts the story. The call comes from Mr. Moore´s room…
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I Thought His Name Was Blarche
Title: I Thought His Name Was Blarche
Character: Juxtapositional Orienting Dimension
Released: December 9, 2021
Type: Movie
A woman and her questionable veterinarian search across dimensions to kill God in order to save Blanche the dog.
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Philia
Title: Philia
Character: Dave (segment: Mythophilia)
Released: November 30, 2021
Type: Movie
Eleven film directors explore how abnormal love and pushing the limits of obsession and danger can result in violent and unexpected endings.
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The Transformations of the Transformations of the Drs. Jenkins
Title: The Transformations of the Transformations of the Drs. Jenkins
Character: Dr. Jenkins / Dr. Jenkins / Self
Released: September 4, 2021
Type: Movie
Determined to create the ultimate pandemic film, Stephen (who apparently has never heard of an exquisite corpse) brings a team of filmmakers together, believing he has created a brand new genre of filmmaking, they recruit 20 of their friends to each shoot a segment of the film. A lot goes wrong! Michael convinces the team he can program an AI better than Amazon. Bob wasn't invited. Kate has regrets.
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Sitting Duck
Title: Sitting Duck
Character: Burglar
Released: September 3, 2021
Type: Movie
A short film.
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Micro-Budget Marauders 3: Marketing and Distribution
Title: Micro-Budget Marauders 3: Marketing and Distribution
Character: Himself
Released: December 12, 2020
Type: Movie
Third film in the documentary series that looks at low-budget filmmaking.
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Happy Horror Days
Title: Happy Horror Days
Character: Mr. Keane (St. Patrick's Day)
Released: November 1, 2020
Type: Movie
Voices...HORRIFIC Content...Right Here In The Holiday Of Horrors.
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Brides of Satan
Title: Brides of Satan
Character: Dewdrop
Released: October 31, 2020
Type: Movie
When a gang of satanic strippers kidnap an innocent young couple, a horrifying scenario ensues. Brides Of Satan is an Action Exploitation Horror film.
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Bloodhound
Title: Bloodhound
Character: Renfield
Released: October 24, 2020
Type: Movie
He's all bite and no bark!
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7 Sins
Title: 7 Sins
Character: Pentheus (segment: Pride)
Released: July 28, 2020
Type: Movie
7 Sins is divided into seven segments, each one unique in its voice, acting, story, and style. While the seven deadly sins are cemented in Catholic Theology and are always the same, the interpretation by any single person is always different, and this assemblage is no exception. This film uses the themes within its subtext and introduces, and then wildly perverts, the punishments associated with the 7 Deadly Sins. The overall atmosphere is one of uneasiness that, in addition to a fair amount of disturbing visuals, is amplified by its pulse-pounding soundtrack.
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Dinogore
Title: Dinogore
Released: March 13, 2020
Type: Movie
A group of college friends head to a remote cabin for the weekend when a mysterious earthquake unleashes a horde of bloodthirsty, subterranean dinosaurs.
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Pride
Title: Pride
Character: Pentheus
Released: March 6, 2020
Type: Movie
A segment of the 7 Sins anthology, stand-alone for festival screening only.
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I Am an Addict
Title: I Am an Addict
Character: The Pyromaniac (Segment: "Pyromania")
Released: November 16, 2019
Type: Movie
An anachronistic public access TV channel plays host to a self-help guru with one goal — to scare viewers out of whatever addiction may be plaguing them. Using his trademarked "Eight Step Action Plan," he covers topics ranging from sex to gluttony, each of them glitching into a terrifying tale of addiction gone wrong. Eight international directors take on these stories, presenting horrifying shorts focused on the darkest and most surreal side of addiction.
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Half-Cocked
Title: Half-Cocked
Character: Hooligan
Released: August 10, 2019
Type: Movie
A science experiment gone horribly right.
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Merde
Title: Merde
Character: Inmate Harvey
Released: July 12, 2019
Type: Movie
An affable oddball comes home one day to find his house ransacked and his most prized possession missing. Two police officers bring him in for questioning and his day goes from bad to worse.
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Sugar Off The Button
Title: Sugar Off The Button
Released: June 23, 2019
Type: Movie
SUGAR OFF THE BUTTON is a short film about being in love. This film was my wedding gift to my husband, Douglas Burgdorff. With selected writing by Ruth Krauss from 1954, and shot on 16mm by Kansas Bowling.
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Clickbait
Title: Clickbait
Character: Hollywood Juggler, Donald Trump
Released: March 15, 2019
Type: Movie
A college student who will do just about anything for Internet fame is kidnapped by a fan, and her reluctant roommate is the only one who can save her.
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Behind the Force: Making the Streets Run Red
Title: Behind the Force: Making the Streets Run Red
Character: Self
Released: December 12, 2018
Type: Movie
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60 Seconds 2 Die: 60 Seconds to Die 2
Title: 60 Seconds 2 Die: 60 Seconds to Die 2
Character: safe cracker (segment: "Poisoned")
Released: October 31, 2018
Type: Movie
Horror Anthology "60 second short films that will scar you for a lifetime"
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A Taste of Phobia
Title: A Taste of Phobia
Character: Elijah (segment "Somniphobia")
Released: May 6, 2018
Type: Movie
15 international directors, 15 trips to hell. The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear...
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Dept. of Reincarnation
Title: Dept. of Reincarnation
Character: Urinator
Released: April 20, 2018
Type: Movie
After a selfie-taking mishap, a young woman must choose what fate awaits her in the next life. But she must choose wisely!
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2 Die For
Title: 2 Die For
Character: Barista (segment: "With Whip"), Murderer (segment: "Witness")
Released: April 9, 2018
Type: Movie
2 Die For is a horror anthology of short horror films from cult underground indie horror filmmakers from across the globe. This fast paced horror compendium of short horror films won't give you time to catch your breath, your heart will race, you will sweat uncontrollably, and you will be shocked to death. An anthology of horror stories helmed by more than 20 directors from the dark depths of horror's underground. What would you do if you only had two minutes to live? ...find out in 2 Die For.
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Glossary of Broken Dreams
Title: Glossary of Broken Dreams
Character: DeForest Schbeibi
Released: March 16, 2018
Type: Movie
Puppets! Pixels! Anime! Live action! Stock footage! Lumpennerd Johannes Grenzfurthner gives an ideotaining cinematic revue about important political concepts. Everyone is talking about freedom! Privacy! Identity! Resistance! The Market! The Left! But, yikes, Johannes can't tolerate ignorant and topically abusive comments on the "Internet" anymore! Supported by writer Ishan Raval, in this film, Johannes explains, re-evaluates, and sometimes sacrifices political golden calves of discourse. Not to be used with false consciousness or silicone-based lubricant.
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Swipe Right
Title: Swipe Right
Character: Bill
Released: November 23, 2017
Type: Movie
'Swipe Right' is a musical comedy set in the era of internet dating over the course of one night in New York City.
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What Metal Girls Are Into
Title: What Metal Girls Are Into
Character: Metal Guitarist
Released: October 28, 2017
Type: Movie
Three women going to a three day metal festival in the desert find something disturbing in the freezer of their isolated vacation rental.
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Hipster Ghost
Title: Hipster Ghost
Character: Michael
Released: April 22, 2017
Type: Movie
A woman moves into an apartment haunted by a mischievous twee apparition.
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Grindsploitation
Title: Grindsploitation
Character: Bad Guy #1 (segment "John Smith")
Released: July 1, 2016
Type: Movie
Exploitation anthology from the twisted minds of established and up and coming directors from across the globe.
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Weekend Vampire
Title: Weekend Vampire
Character: Goth band drummer
Released: June 29, 2016
Type: Movie
An ancient vampire is awoken and goes on a night on the town with a chatty millennial. Will she find a way to fit into her new life?
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The Blood Is the Life
Title: The Blood Is the Life
Character: music
Released: May 21, 2016
Type: Movie
A documentary about the making of Blood of the Tribades
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The Blood Is the Life
Title: The Blood Is the Life
Character: Self
Released: May 21, 2016
Type: Movie
A documentary about the making of Blood of the Tribades
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PATCH POLYESTER ~ EVIL CLOWN EVIL
Title: PATCH POLYESTER ~ EVIL CLOWN EVIL
Released: April 12, 2016
Type: Movie
PATCH POLYESTER is the only man that might save our world from the dumbing down of the clowns. 70's Faux Grind House trailer -- 2nd supplemental teaser for the main trailer, 'PATCH POLYESTER.'
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Idioms Origins Volume 1
Title: Idioms Origins Volume 1
Character: Store Clerk
Released: March 26, 2016
Type: Movie
Idioms Origins Volume 1
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Chainsaw Maidens from Hell
Title: Chainsaw Maidens from Hell
Character: Party Band
Released: January 1, 2016
Type: Movie
Blake is captain of the football team and destined for a career in the pro leagues - that is if he passes his chemistry class. But destiny has a way of tackling the toughest of players when demons invade his college and begin to enslave the student body. A divine angel descends to give Blake an invincible suit of super football pads and send him out to battle the forces of evil. Unfortunately, the suit is missing one vital piece - the jock strap. In order to get it back, Blake must descend into the underworld and face the guardians of doom known as The Chainsaw Maidens from Hell. And he's got to do all this while studying for a chemistry quiz.
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Planchette
Title: Planchette
Character: Killer
Released: June 27, 2015
Type: Movie
A carefully planned Halloween party takes a dark turn when the guests discover Ouija is more than just a game.
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Magnetic
Title: Magnetic
Character: Subject of painting (uncredited)
Released: March 29, 2015
Type: Movie
On December 31st, the Earth will be destroyed. Everything you know will become nothing. Maybe it already has.
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Bring Us Your Women
Title: Bring Us Your Women
Character: King Solomon (segment "Queen of Sheba")
Released: February 27, 2015
Type: Movie
Bring Us Your Women is an international anthology dedicated to women and the pursuit of divinity and freedom. The project seeks to tell existing and re-imagined stories of historic and mythical individuals, each presenting a message of humanity that transcends gender and religion.
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For the Love of Metamorphosis
Title: For the Love of Metamorphosis
Released: February 8, 2015
Type: Movie
Would you still love me if...? A couple explores a series of transformations to see if they would still love each other under unique circumstances, including if one was out of time sync, a fish, a Vulcan, or a log. This light-hearted short satires Twin Peaks, Star Trek, Blade Runner, and more...
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Ten
Title: Ten
Character: Subject of painting
Released: March 28, 2014
Type: Movie
Ten women spend the night in a supposedly haunted mansion on Spektor Island in December 1972. Crazy superstitions don't stop them from raiding the wine cellar and throwing a party, at least until the first murder.
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Fat
Title: Fat
Character: Dinner party guest #1
Released: September 5, 2013
Type: Movie
Ken is a man that won't change his ways. Addicted to food, and bad health in general, he is headed on a one way path to an early grave. Despite help from his friends, he does what he wants, until a chance encounter that might just give him the motivation he needs. Fat is a funny, and dramatic look at food addiction. It is an unflinching story based on Mark Phinney's own experiences and writings on the subject.
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Kaiju Big Battel: Shocking Truth
Title: Kaiju Big Battel: Shocking Truth
Character: Alien Horde
Released: April 12, 2005
Type: Movie
A shocking peak into the world of high stakes monster combat. Shocking Truth features a visit to Dino Kang Jr's Cave, the rise and fall of Silver Potato, Kaiju epic The Swarm, and much more.
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Micro-Budget Marauders: Micro-Budget Mentality
Title: Micro-Budget Marauders: Micro-Budget Mentality
Character: Himself
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Micro-budget filmmakers
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Microbudget Marauders 3
Title: Microbudget Marauders 3
Character: Self
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Several independent Filmmakers explain what micro budget movies are and how they make, distribute and market them.
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An LA Christmas Story
Title: An LA Christmas Story
Character: Felix Finklestein
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
When Sophie, a well-known internet lifestyle video blogger, posts a video searching for a "man who's not an idiot" after a break-up a month before Christmas, the video goes viral and her life is comically up-heaved into many hilarious situations. She ultimately meets Danny, a struggling stand-up comic and actor. Will the two find love deep in the heart of the craziness of Los Angeles? Find out in the edgy romantic comedy that centers itself around the most wonderful time of the year.
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Robot Dracula
Title: Robot Dracula
Character: Reynolds / Bobby Zombert / RoboCock
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
A scientist with nefarious intentions seeks to dominate the world using his vast expertise in robotics.
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Wake Not the Dead
Title: Wake Not the Dead
Character: You Guys
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Directed by Matt Stuertz
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Solvent
Title: Solvent
Character: Nazi
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
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El Loco Ojo
Title: El Loco Ojo
Character: Number 6 / Subject of Painting
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
A spy tries to steal a cybernetic eye.
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Los Locos Manos
Title: Los Locos Manos
Character: Subject of Painting
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
A former spy is interrogated by a sinister organization.
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Los Locos Dientes
Title: Los Locos Dientes
Character: Patients
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
A man goes to a late night dentist...who might just be a vampire.
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The Shackling
Title: The Shackling
Character: couch TV couple
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
When super model and movie star Victor is shot on the fashion runway, he is sent to a purgatory chasm where he must journey through a TV archway and confront the demons of fame, fetish and vanity on his quest to redemption, amidst media saturation of the coverage of his apparent death. The Shackling is an experimental independent feature, shot entirely on Super VHS and Super 8 film, which comments on celebrity in a surreal, horrific and hysterical style, complete with comedic commercials interspersed throughout the main plot.
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Leopard (Part II)
Title: Leopard (Part II)
Character: Dave
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Leopard (Part II)
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Worthless
Title: Worthless
Character: Gary
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
A distressed Flint and complacent GT pursue love interests while relishing in the sweet gains of worthlessness, but all bliss comes with a cost as they come to grips with their place in society.
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Leopard (Part I)
Title: Leopard (Part I)
Character: Dave
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Leopard (Part I)
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El Loco Nihilismo
Title: El Loco Nihilismo
Character: Pierre Kubiak, Paper Connoisseur
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
A man searches for the meaning of life
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The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library: Amylee
Title: The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library: Amylee
Character: Animated band member
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
The band fights space dolphins!
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A Trip to Spektor Island: Behind-the-Scenes of TEN
Title: A Trip to Spektor Island: Behind-the-Scenes of TEN
Character: Self
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
A Trip - is a behind-the-scenes feature giving an inside look into the making of TEN.
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Uncut
Title: Uncut
Character: Self - Red Team Captain
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
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In the Dark
Title: In the Dark
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
A documentary exploring fears and experiences in the indie horror community.
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Magnetostatic Systems Training Video No. 108: The Making of Magnetic
Title: Magnetostatic Systems Training Video No. 108: The Making of Magnetic
Character: Self
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Magnetostatic Systems Training Video No. 108: The Making of Magnetic
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Darling Pet Munkee Presents: Creature Double Feature
Title: Darling Pet Munkee Presents: Creature Double Feature
Character: Dirt Thief
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
In the style of drive-in film and late-night horror television, comprised of two horror spoofs, MONSTER S-I-Z-E MONSTERS and Genuine Soil From Dracula's Castle. Of course, no b-horror schlock-fest is complete with a host! Darling Pet Munkee has got its very own, Dalya, Mistress of the Munkee to introduce this terrifying twosome!
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The Big Steep
Title: The Big Steep
Character: Keeper of the kettle
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
A gentleman is horrified to find his AirBnB does not have an electric tea kettle.