Paul Prissell

Paul Prissell isn’t exactly a household name, but the dude’s filmography is a quirky little rabbit hole if you’re bored on a rainy Sunday. Let’s start with “Unreel: A True Hollywood Story” from 2001. It’s not your typical Hollywood “making of” documentary. No, this thing leans hard into the ridiculous, poking fun at the industry’s obsession with fame, the weird stuff actors do to get noticed, and how movies sometimes just go off the rails. There’s this meta vibe, almost like the film knows it’s a film about films, which is either clever or a bit much, depending on your mood. Jump to 2009, and you’ve got “Chapin Circle.” Now, this one’s a little more offbeat—think indie drama with a dash of small-town secrets simmering under the surface. It’s the kind of movie where everyone in town knows each other’s business, but nobody actually says what’s on their mind. The script hovers around friendships that’ve seen better days, and there’s a healthy dose of awkward silences and meaningful glances. It’s not flashy, but it sticks with you—like that one song you can’t get out of your head, even if you can’t remember the lyrics. And then there’s “Ladies in Waiting,” all the way back in ’95. This one’s got an old-school charm, mixing comedy and drama as it follows a group of women stuck in the world’s most boring waiting room. Sounds dull, sure, but the clever writing and sharp performances keep things moving. You get a bunch of personalities bouncing off each other—some sweet, some salty. Not exactly blockbuster material, but it’s got heart. That’s Paul Prissell’s lane: offbeat, a little rough around the edges, but oddly memorable.