The year was 2007. Their names were Chase Whale and Rusty Gordon (co-founder), two guys who love to discuss, and argue, all things film. Chase was soon hit with the idea of a movie website centered around reviews done in video. Rusty responded simply with “gordon and the whale dot com.”

With that, the site was launched that same year on October 12th, 2007. Now with a staff of 16, we are still going strong giving you the latest news and reviews, sponsoring advance screenings, throwing movie parties, attending film festivals, and interviewing today’s top creative minds in the film industry.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out GordonandtheWhale.com! Your voice and opinions are highly recommended here, so comment away! E-mail us at chasewhale@gmail.com for questions, suggestions, or if you just want to say hello!

GordonandtheWhale.com is:

Chase Whale

Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Member of the Austin Film Critics Association

Chase Whale’s entire life changed when his sweet mother took him to see TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY in the third grade. Fast forward to his early twenties, and Whale co-founded the little movie website that could, GordonandtheWhale.com. Through GATW, he’s covered Cannes, SXSW, Sundance, the Toronto International Film Festival, and Comic-Con, along with junkets in London, Toronto, and other parts of the world. In 2009, he was selected as one of NBC DFW’s 25 most interesting people in Dallas, next to Erykah Badu and Nolan Ryan. Also in 2009, he was chosen as one of The Wrap’s "30 Movie Insiders to Follow Right Now On Twitter". Whale is also a member of indieWIRE's criticWIRE network.

He’d like to take this time to thank his mother for letting him rent those "really weird movies” during junior high and high school.

Last modified on 2011-07-14 22:32:03 GMT. Top.

Kate Erbland

 

Managing Editor

At age five, Kate was famous in her first grade class for having seen DIRTY DANCING twelve times (a distinction which was only overshadowed by her other infamous trait of constantly running around with her skirt over her head). While her tastes have turned considerably more refined in the intervening twenty years, Kate still carries a serious torch for dance movies (and for skirt-head). She’s seen every James Bond movie in theaters since 1985 (A VIEW TO A KILL), has never walked out of or passed out during a film (CLOVERFIELD), truly believes movie theater popcorn should be its very own food group, and once told David Gordon Green, “you’re my very favorite director in the whole wide world.”

Kate came to Los Angeles for the weather and a writing program at Loyola Marymount University that allowed her to spend weeks on the road, pretending to be Kerouac while drinking a lot of cheap wine. She has stayed in Los Angeles because she can’t imagine living anywhere that doesn’t allow her to tell people, “Tara Reid and I go to the same grocery store.”

She lives her life like a French movie, Steve.

Last modified on 2011-03-31 00:25:33 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

James Wallace

Senior Editor

A / S / L?
25 / M / Dallas!

My life began on December 29th, 1984 as I was forged from a fiery pit deep in Mount Doom, in a very nice upscale area of Mordor. I was then taken across the galaxy to live on a farm in the desert with my aunt and uncle (shout out to my kin folk on Tatooine). That is until tragedy struck and they passed away from being murdered. Left with only hopes, dreams and a passion for magic, I decided to pursue my life long dream of getting a formal education. Succeeding in my dream, I am a recent graduate of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in which I earned a bachelor's degree in Magic Arts & Science. I now reside on the beautiful Isla Nublar, in the very pleasant suburb of Jurassic Park: Site 2. I am accompanied by my lovely paleontologist fiance, our two adopted children and hundreds of dinosaurs.

In my free time I enjoy recovering lost artifacts and putting them in their rightful place...a museum! I also enjoy traveling back in time with my kooky, older but wiser best friend, hunting killer shark, finding replicants, busting ghosts, and riding bikes with my homeboy Extra T.

My pet peeves are species that think they can get all in your face, implant their views into you and then just use you only to get rid of you and all your other space marine friends.

I am also a huge supporter of equal rights for humans and the fight to oppose the fascist government Skynet.

Last modified on 2011-03-08 22:17:55 GMT. Top.

Brian Kelley

Associate Editor

Brian (BK) grew up in the DC metro area watching horror movies, Westerns, and action flicks ad nauseam and to this day his thirst for genre material is insatiable. He quit his job in 2007 and moved to Austin, TX to express his undying love for the Alamo Drafthouse. His favorite director is Brian Trenchard-Smith (all the way from THE MAN FROM HONG KONG to MEGIDDO: THE OMEGA CODE 2 and beyond) and he collects VHS, DVDs, movie posters, and other memorabilia much to the chagrin of his wallet. He enjoys talking and writing about movies and watches them as often as possible. Brian has an unhealthy obsession with (read: sexual attraction to) Asian culture. If he could have one wish it would be that Fantastic Fest was every day of the year (and he didn't have to have a job…and he never got tired…okay, that's 3 but the second 2 are really sub-wishes of the first one).

Last modified on 2011-01-20 20:29:04 GMT. Top.

Joshua Brunsting

News Editor

Born in the tiny Michigan city known as Holland, and raised in the even smaller city known as Saugatuck, I have been a film geek for the majority of my life, and have known film was my passion ever since the final frame of THE LION KING. I’m a romantic with a thing for 60’s pop music (preferably French), John Keats poems, and an even bigger thing for film noir. Currently a Journalism Major at Grand Valley State University, I am using my love of film, and my deathly, ninja-like, skill behind the keyboard to slowly take over the world.

When I’m not writing about or watching film, I’m listening to music, particularly from the likes of TV on the Radio, Best Coast, and Semi Precious Weapons. I play the ukulele, and I also have a deep and intense love for Gustavo Santaolalla and Ennio Morricone, but then again, who doesn’t. I was drum major for my high school marching band for two years, I’m one of the four people who actually watched Dollhouse, and my favorite film of all time is Godard’s BREATHLESS.

I’m a wannabe screenwriter, a wild thing, a nerd, a geek, and most importantly, I’m a lover of film. Oh, and I want to be Captain Planet when I grow up.

Last modified on 2011-02-08 15:44:49 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

Allison Loring

Soundtrack Editor

Growing up, Allison had always been interested in entertainment from movies to music; concerts to film stages. Music always played a big role in her world from her favorite TV show (KIDS INCORPORATED) to her favorite birthday party theme (Rock ‘N Roll Birthday) to her free time (willingly going to piano lessons). Tuesdays (new albums) and Fridays (new movies) were the highlights of her week and many hours were logged sitting outside her local record store Saturday mornings before concert tickets went on sale. And after a telling trip to see a little movie (TITANIC) she realized music could carry quite the punch (she cried, something she rarely did) when used in movies and it was in this moment that Allison’s intrigue over the effect of music in movies began.

Only growing stronger as she got older, this love of music led Allison to Los Angeles for college to further immerse herself in the entertainment capital and major in “corralling rock stars” (i.e. studying the ins and outs of a recording studio). Never happy unless going, “Mach 5 with her hair on fire,” Allison also balanced a variety of jobs and internships in different aspects of the music industry while in school from record labels to management to concert booking. After a stint in the world of agencies after graduating (think Ari Gold), she fortuitously landed in music publishing and now spends her days providing music to different productions including, you guessed it, movies.

Although entertainment was always paramount, Allison also harbored a strong desire to write, but had no real outlet to do so. But thanks to fellow GATWer Kate Erbland (and real life best pal), Allison now gets to combine her two loves as a part of the GATW family.

Allison also enjoys tennis, live shows, good book recommendations, frozen yogurt, being inexplicably scared of/intrigued by hobos and drinking more coffee than is probably legal (or healthy).

Last modified on 2011-02-08 18:20:28 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

John Mulhern

Writer/Reporter

Maybe it was foreshadowing, but when I was four, I would always tell people my favorite director was Steven Spielberg. It might be because my parents took me to see Jurassic Park in theaters, even though I was way too young to see it. My love for film never died! I'm a film geek! I've seen Pulp Fiction over a hundred times (easily), I remember the most trivial film facts, I can connect any two actors (that I'm familiar with) through their acting careers (seriously, test me), and I can talk about James Bond for hours.

I'm currently a student at the University of North Texas pursuing a Radio, Television, and Film degree. FUN FACT: John Mulhern won a state award in 2007 for co-writing and co-directing a PSA!

Also, I'm a self professed tea guru, always looking for new teas to try out! If you wanna talk tea, I'm interested. I even have a tea blog, seriously.

Last modified on 2011-02-07 03:42:56 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

Will Schiffelbein

Writer/Podcast Co-Host

I've spent the greater part of my life traveling, as children of military parents usually do. Through this fortunate series of events, I have had the pleasure of spending time in nearly every corner of the world, from Australia to Germany. However, I've since settled down in Colorado where I'm currently pursuing a degree in Political Science. In the future, I hope to fulfill my idealist dreams of setting Washington ablaze with my passion for politics.

I'll never forget the moment that I fell in love with cinema. Within a single week, I saw Paul Thomas Anderson's THERE WILL BE BLOOD, and the Coen's NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. I was hooked. In those short three years, I've devoured every piece of film that's been put in front of me. My favorite films range from EVIL DEAD II to PLANET OF THE APES to Fellini's 8 1/2 and nearly every Bergman movie. My taste in film is extremely diverse and if you can describe it, please fill me in because I'd love to know.

I also enjoy Russian literature, a good cigar, back flips, and the wilderness.

Last modified on 2010-04-05 22:06:08 GMT. Top.

Sean Hunter

Writer/Funny Man

"I was born a poor black child, sittin’ on the porch with my family, singin’ and dancin’ down in Muscatine, Iowa. Pretty soon we moved to the good ol’ Rocky Mountains and I have never looked back."

- THE JERK

Growing up I knew something about me was different. Once puberty, braces, and glasses hit, I knew I had found my answer: I was a nerd! The first movie I ever bought was POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE and I still love it to this day. My love for comic books, Legos, video games, and film has carried me through the years. While I don’t have braces anymore, I still keep my heart and soul nerd-core.

My day job consists of making and serving smoothies to the masses. When I am not making blended drinks, I am building Legos and watching movies. Some of my favorite films are: I’M NOT THERE, 8 ½, THE DARK KNIGHT, OLDBOY, GHOSTBUSTERS, and WAITING FOR GUFFMAN. I will watch basically anything I can get my hands on and am always aiming to watch new and challenging films.

Music is my second passion. As anyone will tell you, I am always pushing music onto people. My favorite artists to kick back and listen to are: Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, Why?, Conor Oberst, and Say Anything. If you dare challenge my music taste, I will most definitely strike you down with great vengeance.

I’m a nerd and you will just have to deal with it because frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.

Last modified on 2010-12-26 22:20:02 GMT. Top.

Gwen Reyes

Writer/Reporter

Gwen Reyes is really terrible at writing bios. She honestly only writes in the form of Facebook status or 140 character Twitter updates. She has trouble talking about herself, but has absolutely no trouble telling friends, family, and complete strangers her opinions on all things important, primarily her views of good and bad movies. She enjoys working from home in her “work pants” (most people know those by their common name, pajamas) and making up stories about her neighbors.

When she’s not living the life as a film critic and sex writer for Reelvixens.com and NerdyPerv.com, she listens to really horrible music and reads pure smut in the form of romance novels (don’t worry, they aren’t about baby stealing pirates who rip ladies’ bodices…or are they?). She also practices her stand-up comedy every day by whipping out one-liners faster than Liz Lemon utters the phrase “oh, NERDS!” And finally, she couldn’t be happier to be a part of such a WHALEtastic team of film nerds. It’s like coming home, if home was a giant whale pod of awesome.

Last modified on 2011-02-07 03:42:51 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

J.C. De Leon

Writer/Reporter

There are few movie geeks like me. While I do love movies and am extremely passionate about them, my first love was and always will be sports, particularly basketball. Wait? Where you going? Come back...Ok good you're back. Like I said, I love movies. I love movies from any and all genres. My diverse list of favorites reflect that fact, from Say Anything, to HOOSIERS, FIGHT CLUB (all time favorite) to movies like HIGH FIDELITY. Yup, I have two John Cusack movies very high on my list of favorite movies. Some of my favorite genres are action, of course sports, but I also love foreign action, specifically Asian martial arts and crime dramas. I’ll occasionally watch a “chick flick” and even enjoy them (I love THE NOTEBOOK and LOVE ACTUALLY)

All that being said, I still have a lot to learn about movies. So a lot of you will be watching me grow as a truly savvy movie geek as I watch more and more things that I sadly have never seen, and will not list here for fear of ridicule.

But what about me the person? Well I currently study Exercise and Sport Science and Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. I grew up in South Texas in the Rio Grande Valley in a small town called Donna, Texas. My love of sports came from only being exposed to sports from the time I could walk. My love of movies grew as soon as I got to college and learned that movies like The Hot Chick are actually not good movies, and I should become a better movie watcher. So with that, I’ve become a basketball loving, football playing, chick flick watching, martial arts loving, John Cusack admiring badass of a movie geek!

Living in Austin I spend most of my time at work and at the Alamo Drafthouse, but when I can, I’ll take in the occasional music show, and I enjoy just hanging out at friends houses rather than the craziness of a club or anything like that. I love Austin, and all of my favorite people should live here. Good thing most of them do.

Last modified on 2011-02-07 03:42:24 GMT. Top.

Symon Cordova

Writer/Reporter

It all started with his mother…she gave birth and then Symon was all about movies. No, seriously, Symon and his mom like a lot of the same movies and would always watch sci-fi and action/explosions and Alfred Hitchcock; she was his biggest influence as far as movies. Young Symon saw THE FIFTH ELEMENT like four times in the theater within one week (so it’s his favorite movie, because it had such a large influence on him at the young age of 10).

After that, it’s your standard story of happiness and joy. He grew up in Green Gables and then was shipped to Isla Nublar, where some biological tinkering and through no fault of his own, dinosaurs wreaked havoc on some lost tourists (oops...). But then he grew up, got married, and lives in a garage where he is working on a small machine that will allow him to travel six hours back in time in order to cheat the stock market and find the perfect woman who will save the earth from extinction. Now why is Symon writing in third person? He has no idea.

Last modified on 2011-02-09 03:36:48 GMT. Top.

Kristal Bailey

Writer/Reporter

Growing up in sunny San Fernando Valley (just 30 minutes from the bright lights of Los Angeles!), Kristal escaped the heat and blazing sun by hiding in movie theaters for days at a time. Well, not literally, but the truth is very close to that. Her love for movies is only eclipsed by her love for television and In-N-Out Burger (see picture).

With a soft spot for movies that fall into the "So Bad They're Good" category, she regularly watches B-movies (THE BLOB), 80s comedies (EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY), and sci-fi from the 50s and 60s (THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL). She also refuses to grow up if that means she has to hide her love for Disney and Pixar films. And yet, her favorite movies of all time don't fall into any of these categories (FIGHT CLUB, MOULIN ROUGE). Go ahead, ask her why!

In her free time, she enjoys reading graphic novels or books that are soon to be turned into movies, watching hours and hours of television, and spending way too much time on Twitter.

Last modified on 2011-02-10 05:29:50 GMT. Top.

Ryan Mahoney

News Writer

INT. RYAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The floor is a sea of empty bottles. Cigarette smoke lingers in the air like a toxic cloud of uncertainty. RYAN MAHONEY, 24, stares at his computer screen as if it were an unsolvable Rubik's Cube. His hand POUNDS the desk which he occupies.

RYAN

How does one write a bio about himself? Who am I? What have I accomplished with my life?

He moves the computer to the side, grabs a pen, and speaks the words aloud, moments before writing them down.

RYAN

Ryan Mahoney was born in Houston, grew up in Plano, and currently resides in Austin, TX. From a very young age he was an avid movie watcher, wearing out VHS copies of Blank Check and Surf Ninjas. Fast forward to the year 2010, and his love for film has only blossomed. Some of his favorite films include: MAGNOLIA, DAYS OF HEAVEN, THE THING, A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE, NAKED, BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, AGUIRRE: THE WRATH OF GOD, and CRIES AND WHISPERS. Ryan is also borderline-obsessed with buddy cop films (TANGO & CASH, SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO), as well as films that are "so bad they are good" (THE ROOM, TROLL 2). In addition to watching films he loves television (The Wire, Arrested Development, Buffy, Battlestar), food, and sports. He also does not like SCHINDLER'S LIST.

Last modified on 2010-12-11 00:57:47 GMT. Top.

Rudie Obias

East Coast Correspondent/Associate Film Critic

Rudie’s humble origin began in Cleveland, Ohio. At age six, he fell in love with movies when he was introduced to a certain movie called BACK TO THE FUTURE. Since then, this love affair with movies has been abusive, passionate, and the most wonderful thing in his life. When he was 14, he discovered independent film by being introduced to PULP FICTION and a love affair with strange movies began. When he was 16, he discovered foreign films with the introduction of CHUNGKING EXPRESS. The rest is history.

In 2008, Rudie moved to New York City to join the other ambitious freaks in following their dreams. Soon after, in 2009, Rudie! co-founded the movie blog CriterionCast.com and started a career in movie blogging and film criticism. He loves this job! Watching movies all day to feed his love affair has done wonders for his skin.

If you see a bearded Asian hipster in your neighborhood movie theater, then that's most likely Rudie!, wishing you'd talk to him because he's really shy and adorable. He'll spend hours with you discussing the merits of CRANK and the films of Paul Verhoeven and Luchino Visconti. He is currently a contributor to The L Magazine and GordonandtheWhale.com (duh).

Last modified on 2011-03-22 19:52:32 GMT. Top.

Kacey Close

Coding Ninja/Movie Goer

In his youth, Kacey's daydreams were all envisioned in CinemaScope with sweeping camera movements and often impossibly dramatic angles. His entire history can be punctuated with powerful scores and soundtracks. Every moment of his life, he has re-envisioned in his head as scenes from a film. From humble beginnings in a nearly non-existent town in southern Connecticut, Kacey has found himself deposited in Denton, Texas.

What followed was a wending path to a degree in Radio, Television, and Film with a minor in photography. He has worked on a handful of movies and television shows in the DFW area only to eventually abandon the dreams of becoming a film maker, indefinitely. Still, years after achieving his now disused film degree from the University of North Texas, he has homesteaded in the area and has become a full time computer technician for the same said university.

Established in his safe, middle-class lifestyle, Kacey works a 40 hour job simply to pay the bills and live a simple life with his wife and son. Movies are never far away from him and he is constantly digesting more cinema from all eras and genres. And, most recently, as a member of Gordon and the Whale, he volunteers his talents with web design to help build the best up-and-coming movie site on the net.

Kacey considers himself a filmmaker, a photographer, a web designer, a gamer, a husband, and a father; not necessarily in that order.

Last modified on 2011-02-07 20:19:37 GMT. Top.