Latest news with #Stefanie
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Final Destination Bloodlines' Directors On Elevating Franchise, Tony Todd And More
Brec Bassinger in "Final Destination Bloodlines." Warner Bros. Pictures Given the Rube Goldberg/Mouse Trap-like machinations of the first Final Destination Bloodlines trailer, it was clear that directors Zach Liposky and Adam Stein had a whole new game in mind for the latest chapter of the famed 25-year-old horror film franchise. And yet, while the directing team was having fun toying around, so to speak, with their prospective audiences, they were adamant about not losing the horrific edge that defined the previous films that went along with the new film's playfulness and humor. 'We love creating that experience of people sort of watching the movie through their fingers in terror, but with a huge smile on their face and there are a lot of moments that we kind of designed to be really fun,' Lipovsky, joined by Stein, told me in a recent Zoom conversation. 'The really unique thing about the Final Destination franchise is, yes, there's a lot of disaster and there are people dying,' Lipovsky added. 'Death is coming for all of these people that you love, but at the same time, there was a lot of fun and cleverness and a kind of depth to it. We worked really hard to design all these Rube Goldbergs to come after everyone.' Playing in Thursday previews and opening in theaters everywhere on Friday, Final Destination Bloodlines stars Kaitlyn Santa Juana as Stefanie, a college student traumatized by recurring dreams of the deadly collapse of the Skyview, a Seattle Space Needle-like tower in 1968 topped off with a fancy restaurant and lounge with a clear glass floor that shows the ground far below. As it turns out, Stefanie is the granddaughter of Iris (Brec Bassinger) — the woman she follows in the nightmare — who, in reality, had a premonition about the disaster and prevented the deaths. But death in the Final Destination movies makes good with those who cheat it, and in the case of Final Destination Bloodlines, it comes for not only every person who survived the Skyview disaster, but all the relatives in their bloodlines in the coming decades — unless Stefanie can find a way to break the cycle. As such, the biggest departure from the previous Final Destination movies is how death goes after families, and the faceless entity without a physical presence is as malevolent as ever. 'We had such a great time, definitely taking things to the next level,' Stein said. 'The fun opportunity of Final Destination is a horror movie where there's no villain. There's no guy with a mask hunting for people. It's all this disembodied force of death that comes for the characters in unexpected ways with those Rube Goldberg mousetraps that unfold like a domino effect.' In a unique way, Stein added, it was the movie camera that was the de facto villain in Final Destination Bloodlines. 'If you think about it, it's really the filmmaking that's coming for them with these close-up shots of objects touching other objects and becoming alive with death's presence,' Stein observed. 'We had such a fun time, figuring out how to do that in a way that also felt plausible.' Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein's collaborative partnership is that the two directors met as competitors on filmmaking icon Steven Spielberg's 2007 reality competition show On the Lot. Produced by Spielberg, Survivor creator Mark Burnett and prolific reality show producer David R. Goffin, the FOX show followed 16 filmmakers vying for a $1 million development deal at DreamWorks. However, On the Lot, as Lipovsky revealed, didn't yield the fierce sort of competitiveness that viewers see in other reality series. Instead, Lipovsky said, the filmmakers competing on the show had a common bond that fused them together instead of breaking them apart — a crucial element that led to his eventual partnership with Stein. 'The movie industry is kind of known as a cutthroat world, but I think that that's more on the business side than on the filmmaker side,' Lipovsky said. Scene from "Final Destination Bloodlines." Warner Bros. Pictures As such, Lipovsky believes, that's why On the Lot only lasted one season. 'The show was unpopular because you put filmmakers in a room and you're hoping they're all going to start yelling at each other and become good reality television,' Lipovsky explained. 'Instead, we all started nerding out about movies, supporting each other, encouraging each other and giving each other ideas — and that doesn't make for great reality television. We created a lot of lifelong friends through that series, though.' Lipovsky and Stein didn't start working with each other right away, but remained close friends who encouraged each other 'through all the ups and downs of trying to get movies made.' From the very beginning, though, the two directors discovered what became the key to their collective success. 'Most people don't expect that you'll meet your lifelong best friend on a reality show, but I think one of the keys to our partnership is a lack of ego,' Stein said. 'I think that's where a lot of people in Hollywood trip over themselves. It becomes about their ego instead of about the work." Eighteen years beyond their experience of On the Lot, the duo hopes that Final Destination Bloodlines somehow ends up in Spielberg's orbit, considering how his show brought the filmmakers together. 'We're definitely hoping Spielberg sees the movie. We think he'll find it fun,' Stein enthused. 'And of course we would love to work with him since he's always been such an inspiration.' While Lipovsky and Stein worked on smaller projects together in the ensuing years, their paths converged on the 2018 indie psychological horror sensation Freaks, starring Emile Hirsch, Lexy Kolker, Grace Park and Bruce Dern. 'Freaks changed our lives in a bunch of ways,' Lipovsky said. 'The main reason we made that movie was because the type of work we were getting — which was still really great because as a filmmaker you're getting paid to make stuff — just wasn't exactly the type of thing we wanted to be doing.' What he and Stein wanted to do, Lipovsky said, was to show the world that they were making the sort of movie that they love. 'We love stuff that makes you laugh and scream and puts you on the edge of your seat, but also that your heart feels like it is bursting out of your chest, Lipovsky said. 'We love all those different emotions in an R-rated thriller.' Brec Bassinger in "Final Destination Bloodlines." Warner Bros. Pictures While Lipovsky said Freaks was a very low-budget movie, he said he and Stein were lucky enough for it to find an audience and have it do very well. Even better, the director added, 'It got noticed by different people who make movies in Hollywood, and one of those groups of people was New Line, which is the studio that makes the Final Destination movies.' Nailing the job of directing the new Final Destination movie wasn't going to come easy, though, as the team of Lipovsky and Stein had to compete with about 200 other filmmakers to win the directing gig. The clincher came in a Zoom meeting with studio executives where the filmmakers, a la Final Destination-style, covertly staged a fake death scene. Unfortunately, the live Zoom meeting was just that and was not meant to be archived. 'They didn't record the Zoom and they've been kicking themselves ever since,' Stein said with a laugh. While Final Destination Bloodlines has Easter eggs from the previous films in the Final Destination franchise, there's no question that Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein's new chapter has its own story and own identity. There is one common denominator, however, as legendary actor Tony Todd reprises his mysterious character William John Bludworth, who has been a fixture in the Final Destination franchise from the very beginning. Not only does Todd appear in a pivotal scene, but Bludworth's story, which won't be spoiled here, comes full circle. Todd, sadly, died in November of 2024 at age 69. 'He was very physically weak and ill. You could kind of see it just in how different he looks from how he used to look,' Stein recalled. 'So, we felt very emotional the day he arrived on set. 'What was interesting, though, was that he was very joyful. He was so excited to be there,' Stein added. 'He was sick, and he'd been in and out of doctors and all that stuff. But this was like a true highlight for him, and you could see just in the way that he interacted with the crew and the other actors. He felt so joyful to be there, which puts in context his final words on screen. He was living by the motto he said at the door, which is, 'Life is precious. Enjoy every single moment,' and that's what he was doing when he was on set for those scenes.' What makes Todd's appearance even more poignant in Final Destination Bloodlines was that that the horror film icon's dialogue was not scripted. 'We knew that this would probably be his last Final Destination movie because the movies take years to make, but we didn't realize it would be his last film,' Stein recalled. 'So, it was really important for the whole team to give that closure to the character and we came up with that idea to allow him to sort of speak from the heart. 'We basically said, 'Tony. What has all this been about? This stuff about death coming for you, and what do you want to leave the fans with as a final moment with Bludworth?' Stein added. 'And that's what he said at the door.' Rated R, Final Destination Bloodlines plays in Thursday previews before opening in theaters everywhere on Friday.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
An Orlando couple lost $38K in a home escrow scam after fraudsters hacked their email — 3 red flags to look out for
For many people, buying a home is a dream come true, but for Matthew and Stefanie Brock it quickly became a financial nightmare. The Orlando couple was in the process of closing on their new home when they wired a $38,000 down payment to their title company. "One of the happiest days of our life, on our way to the closing," Matthew recalled with Fox 35 Orlando. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) A near-record number of Americans are grappling with $1,000 car payments and many drivers can't keep up. Here are 3 ways to stay ahead Protect your retirement savings with these 5 essential money moves — most of which you can complete in just minutes But as the Brocks were on their way to pick up the keys to their new home, the title company called to inform them that the wire transfer never went through. The Brocks assumed there had to be some kind of mistake, but the real issue was much worse. "When we found out that it was fraudulent, it's like everything just sinks,' Stefanie told Fox 35 Orlando. "Like you feel the blood just drained from your body." As the Brocks would come to learn, they had fallen victim to a scam commonly known as home escrow wire fraud. They filed fraud reports with their bank, as well as the fraudsters' bank in North Carolina where the wire transfer was deposited, but the Brocks were only able to recover $5,000 that the fraudsters had not yet withdrawn. The Brocks thought they were doing everything by the book when purchasing a home for their growing family. They worked with a reputable title company and had even sent money earlier in the process without issue. What the couple didn't realize was that fraudsters had hacked Stefanie's email account, allowing them to successfully impersonate the title company. In fact, Stefanie had been unknowingly exchanging emails with the scammers for weeks. When it came time to wire the down payment, the instructions that Stefanie received via email looked legitimate. The couple only realized they had made a mistake when the actual title company called to say the money never arrived. "So many different emotions," Stefanie recalled. "Thinking, 'there had to have been some kind of mistake. Like, it's there somewhere.'" The Brocks immediately contacted their bank, but because they willingly sent the money, recovering the funds was nearly impossible. Law enforcement did step in, and at one point the North Carolina bank called the Brocks to say someone was attempting to withdraw the stolen funds at one of their branches. Yet despite this promising lead, the scammer got away. The Secret Service later retrieved $5,000 that hadn't been withdrawn, but the Brocks never got the remaining $33,000 back. Now, the Brocks are speaking out to warn other homebuyers. "We had this awful moment happen," Matthew said. "How do we turn it into something positive? And my thought was: awareness." Read more: Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here's the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10) Since real estate wire fraud is on the rise, the Brocks' efforts to spread awareness couldn't come at a better time. According to FBI data, 13,638 Americans were victims of real estate wire fraud in 2020, which is a 17% increase from 2019. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to trick buyers, making these scams harder — but not impossible — to spot. The best way to protect yourself is to always call your title company, attorney or real estate agent to verify wiring instructions before you send money. Call a trusted number — like one from which they've called you before or from their website — to verify the instructions. And while you're at it, keep your eyes peeled for these red flags: If you receive wiring instructions that direct funds to a different account name, location or bank than previously discussed, it could be a sign of fraud. Always call to verify any changes by using a trusted phone number, and never use contact information from an email. If you receive a message or email changing any of the closing details — including the date, time or wiring instructions — it could be a sign of wire fraud. Scammers often pose as real estate agents, attorneys or escrow officers to send fraudulent instructions. Always verify any changes over the phone using a trusted phone number before wiring money. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into action before they can think things through. If you receive a message insisting the money must be sent now to avoid delays in closing or losing the property, don't act. Legitimate real estate deals have to follow a specific process with legal requirements. Make sure to double-check any changes and call your mortgage provider, escrow agent or real estate agent before wiring money. If you think you've been scammed, contact your bank and the authorities immediately. In some cases you may be able to stop the transfer. With real estate scams on the rise, homebuyers need to stay vigilant. As the Brocks learned the hard way, a simple mistake can cost you dearly. Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are 'kind of inflated.' Crashproof your portfolio with these 3 rock-solid strategies 'I like this stuff': Self-made $500M mogul and YouTuber reveals his 'essential' US portfolio that he says Amazon 'can't hurt' — here's his secret formula and how you can copy it in 2025 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Couple hoping to save others from the fate they suffered: $38,000 lost in a home escrow wire fraud
The Brief Matthew and Stefanie Brock lost $38,000 in a Home Escrow Wire Fraud scam after a fraudster hacked into their email and impersonated their title company. Despite reporting the fraud to their bank, the FBI, and the Secret Service, they were only able to recover $5,000, while authorities continue investigating. The Brocks are now raising awareness about real estate scams, urging homebuyers to verify wire instructions directly with trusted professionals to avoid similar fraud. ORLANDO, Fla. - A scam targeting people going after the American Dream has been happening more and more. People looking to buy a home are getting duped out of tens of thousands of dollars. The backstory Matthew and Stefanie Brock can add themselves to that list. "We rode the rollercoaster from the highest high to the lowest low," Matthew told FOX 35. The Brocks are feeling the way a lot of people do after realizing they've been scammed. "I don't know what the word I'm looking for is," Stefanie said. "Shame, maybe." Let's back up a little. Matthew Brock is a part-owner of a food village in Lake Wales. It's got a burger joint, a taco stop, a pizza place, and a beer garden all right there. With a baby on the way, the Brocks decided they wanted a home closer to Matthew's work… somewhere with enough space for their little boy to grow. "We came out here immediately and fell in love with the house," Matthew said. "It's perfect for us." So they worked everything out with the banks, wired $38,000, and headed over to get the keys. "One of the happiest days of our life, on our way to the closing," Matthew remembered. But as they were headed over, the title company called to tell them the money never went through. The Brocks were frantic. "So many different emotions," Stefanie recalled. "Thinking, 'There had to have been some kind of mistake. Like, it's there somewhere.'" And suddenly, it all clicked into place. "When we find out that it was fraudulent," Stefanie said, "it's like everything just sinks. Like you feel the blood just drained from your body." The Brocks fell victim to what's called a Home Escrow Wire Fraud. The wiring instructions from the Orlando-based law firm handling the Brocks' title trust account say right up top, "Never trust wiring instructions via email. Always call verbally to confirm." Stefanie had actually seen those instructions before - she'd sent the title company earnest money earlier on in the home-buying process. But the wiring instructions Stefanie got when it came time to send the down payment had no disclaimer up top. And those are the instructions she followed this time. Someone had hacked into Stefanie's email and impersonated the title company. She'd been emailing with a fraudster for weeks. "We were destroyed," Matthew said. They filed fraud reports with their bank, and the bank they wired the money to in North Carolina. They didn't get much help in the end from either, since they'd sent the money willingly. And actually holding someone accountable isn't as easy as you might hope. The North Carolina bank even spotted someone they think might be the fraudster. "I just got a phone call. 'He's in a branch right now trying to take money out and he's wondering why he can't get the money,'" Brock recounted. "I'm like, 'Call the police. Get this guy!'" The Brocks and their title company reported this to the FBI. The Secret Service did wind up taking the case up for a bit and got them back $5,000 the scammer hadn't withdrawn from the account yet. What they're saying Now, Lake Wales Police are looking into it, and they think they have some leads. For their part, the Brocks are trying to protect others. "We had this awful moment happen," Matthew said. "How do we turn it into something positive? And my thought was: awareness." The North Carolina bank declined to comment on this. But the Brocks' bank, Truist, told FOX 35 scams like this are on the rise. They said in a statement, "To help avoid the potentially devastating effects of becoming a fraudster's next victim, we encourage consumers to be vigilant in protecting their funds and personal information, including independently verifying any wire instructions sent via email or by phone with a verified source or a phone number found on the title company's website or other official correspondence." The title company the Brocks used also had some advice about avoiding scams: Before you send any money, verify all wire instructions directly with your trusted professionals. Be cautious of last-minute changes. Be leery of any urgent requests to wire money quickly. If you believe you've been scammed, contact your bank immediately to try and stop the wire transfer. And of course, report suspicious activity to local law enforcement and the FBI. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source The information in this article comes from reporting done by FOX 35's Marie Edinger.
NBC News
12-02-2025
- NBC News
January disappearance of North Carolina veteran Clinton Bonnell alarms loved ones
'My brother is a Green Beret and perfectly capable of taking care of himself,' Stefani Firkins told Dateline. 'There's very suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance.' Stephanie's brother, Clinton Bonnell, has been missing for nearly a month. The 50-year-old was last seen on January 27, 2025, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. 'I think there's somebody out there that potentially knows something,' Stefanie said. The siblings are originally from Texas. 'We grew up in the Austin area, specifically a small town called Dripping Springs,' Stefanie said. Clint had once worked for Motorola but eventually made his way to the Army. 'After 9/11, he joined the military,' Stefanie said. Not only was he a Green Beret, 'he was also the spokesperson for the Gold Star Families.' The last place Clint had been stationed was Fort Bragg in Fayetteville. He retired in December 2024. 'He was happy. He was excited,' Stefanie said of her brother's plans for life after the Army. 'He was a Green Beret medic so he wanted to pursue medicine. He worked really hard to get into this PA school program at Methodist College in Fayetteville.' Stefanie says not only did Clint get in to the school, he quickly became the president of his cohort. 'He was completely enamored with medicine and excited about his career path,' she said. Stefanie says she last spoke to her brother when he came to Texas in December for a visit. 'He was in good spirits. He seemed great. He seemed good,' she recalled. On January 29, less than a month into the new year, something happened that immediately caused alarm. 'I got a Facebook message from his wife asking if I had spoken to my brother and then telling me that he had not shown up for class two days in a row and that the sheriff had been out to her house four times,' Stefanie recalled. Stefanie says she learned that Clint's school had called the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and asked them to conduct a welfare check on him. 'They were taking exams and labs and it was so out of character for Clint to not be in class,' she said. According to Stefanie, it's out of character for her brother to be a no-show for anything. 'He was in the military for 20 years. He would've been kicked out of the military for just disappearing, she said.' On January 30, the Cumberland County Sheriff posted about Clint's disappearance, asking for the public's help in finding him. On February 7, the post was updated with additional details. It now says Clint was last seen in the Gray's Creek area on the evening of Monday, January 27, 2025, and he was last seen wearing a plaid button-up shirt, a black hoodie, and brown pants. Dateline reached out to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office for the latest updates in the case but has yet to receive a response. 'My understanding is that they have done searches of the property,' Stefanie said. Although she lives in Texas, Stefanie says she's doing everything she can to help find her brother. 'He would not walk away from his life and his school and his daughter,' she said. If Clint is out there, Stefanie wants him to know everyone is looking for him. 'We are praying every day for his safety,' she said. 'We will not stop looking for him or looking for answers.' Clint is 6' and 195 lbs. He has brown hair and eyes. He was last seen wearing a plaid button-up shirt, a black hoodie, and brown pants.
