Game Loop.
Trace and I inadvertently bookended our April discussions of John Landis’ An American Werewolf in London (listen) and Ciarán Foy’s Eli (listen) with Jude Law films. At the start of the month, we tackled Matt Damon’s Italian grifter in The Talented Mr. Ripley (listen) and now we’re closing out April with David Cronenberg‘s eXistenZ (1999).
The unofficial sequel to Videodrome (listen) and precursor to Crimes of the Future, eXistenZ takes place in the world of virtual reality and simulation. Game goddess Allegra Gellar (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is forced to go on the run with PR nerd Ted Pikul (Jude Law) through the Canadian backwoods when ‘Realist’ terrorists declare open season on her life.
Featuring no shortage of strange encounters and oddball characters, including Willem Dafoe‘s queer-coded Gas and Canadian film royalty like Don McKellar and Sarah Polley, Allegra and Ted must travel between the...
Trace and I inadvertently bookended our April discussions of John Landis’ An American Werewolf in London (listen) and Ciarán Foy’s Eli (listen) with Jude Law films. At the start of the month, we tackled Matt Damon’s Italian grifter in The Talented Mr. Ripley (listen) and now we’re closing out April with David Cronenberg‘s eXistenZ (1999).
The unofficial sequel to Videodrome (listen) and precursor to Crimes of the Future, eXistenZ takes place in the world of virtual reality and simulation. Game goddess Allegra Gellar (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is forced to go on the run with PR nerd Ted Pikul (Jude Law) through the Canadian backwoods when ‘Realist’ terrorists declare open season on her life.
Featuring no shortage of strange encounters and oddball characters, including Willem Dafoe‘s queer-coded Gas and Canadian film royalty like Don McKellar and Sarah Polley, Allegra and Ted must travel between the...
- 4/29/2024
- by Joe Lipsett
- bloody-disgusting.com
by Cláudio Alves
As far as I'm concerned, Existenz has Oscar-worthy production design.
Over the years, David Cronenberg has unleashed unimaginable visions onto the big screen, stretching the limits of body horror along the way. In the week the underrated eXistenZ celebrates its 25th anniversary, I was reminded of one name that should be nearly as recognized as that of the Canadian director. After all, Cronenbergian wouldn't be the same without the contributions of Carol Spier, his hard-working production designer whose mind has birthed such sights as Videodrome's flesh-like walls and the ruined tomorrow in Crimes of the Future. This year, the duo's new collaboration, The Shrouds, will premiere at Cannes in the official competition. Maybe Spier could even take the festival's Technical Grand Prize. It'd be a nice change of pace since, despite her genius, the artist has rarely been recognized by awards voters.
With all this in mind,...
As far as I'm concerned, Existenz has Oscar-worthy production design.
Over the years, David Cronenberg has unleashed unimaginable visions onto the big screen, stretching the limits of body horror along the way. In the week the underrated eXistenZ celebrates its 25th anniversary, I was reminded of one name that should be nearly as recognized as that of the Canadian director. After all, Cronenbergian wouldn't be the same without the contributions of Carol Spier, his hard-working production designer whose mind has birthed such sights as Videodrome's flesh-like walls and the ruined tomorrow in Crimes of the Future. This year, the duo's new collaboration, The Shrouds, will premiere at Cannes in the official competition. Maybe Spier could even take the festival's Technical Grand Prize. It'd be a nice change of pace since, despite her genius, the artist has rarely been recognized by awards voters.
With all this in mind,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Cláudio Alves
- FilmExperience
Science fiction has such flexibility and breadth as a genre that it should come to no surprise that so many popular sci-fi movies get released worldwide year after year. With so many sci-fi projects crowding the cinema and various streaming services, it's easy to miss some hidden gems in the genre that don't enjoy the same publicized fanfare. This oversight affects even the most critically acclaimed sci-fi movies which, despite the buzz, don't always get the general audience awareness they truly deserve.
From indie darlings to foreign films that don't receive major attention during their international distribution, there are plenty of overlooked sci-fi movies. For the purposes of this list, we've narrowed it down to movies that have scored exceptionally high with critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes, but don't seem to have the wider viewership or recognition, even among sci-fi fans. Here are some near-perfect sci-fi movies that you might...
From indie darlings to foreign films that don't receive major attention during their international distribution, there are plenty of overlooked sci-fi movies. For the purposes of this list, we've narrowed it down to movies that have scored exceptionally high with critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes, but don't seem to have the wider viewership or recognition, even among sci-fi fans. Here are some near-perfect sci-fi movies that you might...
- 4/21/2024
- by Samuel Stone
- Slash Film
Earlier this week, Carrie Coon became ever more beloved among film fans when she told Jimmy Fallon that she and her husband Tracy Letts have over 10,000 movies on Blu-ray, praising physical media. Recently, we sat down with Coon to discuss her role in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and couldn’t help but ask her to elaborate on her physical media comments. She took the opportunity to double down on the importance of collecting movies:
“I guess I didn’t understand what we would be losing with streaming. Tracy (Letts) really did educate me about the fact that so many of these films now are completely inaccessible if you don’t own them yourself.” She also took the opportunity to give a shout-out to boutique labels like Kino Lorber, Arrow Video, Criterion, Shout Factory and more: “And, of course, there are all these companies putting out new imprints of original films and doing beautiful work.
“I guess I didn’t understand what we would be losing with streaming. Tracy (Letts) really did educate me about the fact that so many of these films now are completely inaccessible if you don’t own them yourself.” She also took the opportunity to give a shout-out to boutique labels like Kino Lorber, Arrow Video, Criterion, Shout Factory and more: “And, of course, there are all these companies putting out new imprints of original films and doing beautiful work.
- 3/17/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Clay McLeod Chapman And Andrea Mutti Conjure The New Horror Series “SÉANCE In The Asylum”: "We’re receiving a message from the beyond! Dark Horse Comics presents Séance in the Asylum, a new historical horror series from renowned writer Clay McLeod Chapman and artist Andrea Mutti that will have you questioning what’s real and what’s not. Chapman will write the series and Mutti will illustrate, with Trevor Henderson, Francesco Francavilla, Lukas Ketner, and Jenna Cha rounding out the circle and providing variant cover art on issues #1-4.
“Years back, I uncovered an esoteric text -- The Homeopathic Principle Applied to Insanity: A Proposal to Treat Lunacy by Spiritualism by Dr. James John Garth Wilkinson -- written all the way back in 1857, and I knew within my bones, my blood, that this was destined to be a story,” said Chapman. “As a lifelong acolyte of the Fox Sisters,...
“Years back, I uncovered an esoteric text -- The Homeopathic Principle Applied to Insanity: A Proposal to Treat Lunacy by Spiritualism by Dr. James John Garth Wilkinson -- written all the way back in 1857, and I knew within my bones, my blood, that this was destined to be a story,” said Chapman. “As a lifelong acolyte of the Fox Sisters,...
- 3/15/2024
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Acclaimed filmmaker David Cronenberg's 1983 film "Videodrome" stars his frequent collaborator James Woods as Max Renn, the owner of a Canadian video channel that plays the raunchiest content Max can find, offering viewers things that they can't find on major networks. In his search for new material, Max stumbles across Videodrome, a shockingly violent program of sadomasochistic torture.
Max can't help but develop an obsession with the program — as does his thrill-seeking lover, the advice hotline radio host Nicki Brand. He inquires about Videodrome and is directed to the office of Professor O'Blivion at the Cathode Ray Mission, a place that offers people free access to television in confessional-like cubicles. Inside he meets the professor's daughter, Bianca O'Blivion, who offers to send him a taped message from her father.
In his tape, the professor explains that he helped develop Videodrome, but it caused him to develop a brain tumor. O'Blivion...
Max can't help but develop an obsession with the program — as does his thrill-seeking lover, the advice hotline radio host Nicki Brand. He inquires about Videodrome and is directed to the office of Professor O'Blivion at the Cathode Ray Mission, a place that offers people free access to television in confessional-like cubicles. Inside he meets the professor's daughter, Bianca O'Blivion, who offers to send him a taped message from her father.
In his tape, the professor explains that he helped develop Videodrome, but it caused him to develop a brain tumor. O'Blivion...
- 2/17/2024
- by Shae Sennett
- Slash Film
From prehistoric campfire tales to modern movies and video games, storytelling has come a long way since we first began expressing ourselves through fiction. In fact, it seems that every time we invent a form of communication, someone comes along and discovers a way to use it to tell stories in new and interesting ways. And if any medium comes close to defining the spirit of 21st century storytelling, it would have to be Alternate Reality Games.
Commonly defined as a kind of interactive fiction that incorporates several different forms of media into a cohesive narrative that supposedly takes place in real life, ARGs have been steadily growing in popularity since the 2000s – especially when it comes to horror. And with A24 currently developing a big screen adaptation of Kane Pixel’s immensely popular The Backrooms, we’ve decided to come up with a list highlighting six other ARGs that Hollywood should adapt next.
Commonly defined as a kind of interactive fiction that incorporates several different forms of media into a cohesive narrative that supposedly takes place in real life, ARGs have been steadily growing in popularity since the 2000s – especially when it comes to horror. And with A24 currently developing a big screen adaptation of Kane Pixel’s immensely popular The Backrooms, we’ve decided to come up with a list highlighting six other ARGs that Hollywood should adapt next.
- 2/15/2024
- by Luiz H. C.
- bloody-disgusting.com
I was a kid just as the drive-in craze was coming to a close. I can recall packing into our giant boat of a Chrysler station wagon and trekking out to see some first-run movies with my family back in the early 80s. I vividly remember seeing The Muppets Take Manhattan, Superman III (which terrified young me to no end), and Return of the Jedi on the massive screens of the Starlight Drive-In that stood for decades after the projectors were shut down and the lot converted into a gigantic swap-meet. Unfortunately, I was far too young to take in the legendary exploitation fare of the period. Sometimes I wish I had been born fifteen or twenty years earlier so I could have experienced the heyday of Aip, New World, and their ilk firsthand, but living through the dawn of the home video boom wasn’t a bad trade off.
- 1/29/2024
- by Brian Keiper
- bloody-disgusting.com
Blondie lead vocalist Debbie Harry opened up about her film career at International Film Festival Rotterdam.
“I am not really fluent in the film industry, but I have been fortunate to get scripts from the directors I admire and trust, and who scare me a little. It’s a small selection of interesting films that are a bit odd. I guess my oddness fits into that.”
Nothing was odder than David Cronenberg’s “Videodrome.”
“We didn’t know what ‘virtual’ was. We had no term [for it] back then. We didn’t know what my character was, but we knew who she was and what she was doing to others. I think Jimmy Woods had more of a problem with it than me. Let’s face it: Cronenberg is out there and always has been,” she said.
“There was no ending to the film and some people were getting pretty uptight about it.
“I am not really fluent in the film industry, but I have been fortunate to get scripts from the directors I admire and trust, and who scare me a little. It’s a small selection of interesting films that are a bit odd. I guess my oddness fits into that.”
Nothing was odder than David Cronenberg’s “Videodrome.”
“We didn’t know what ‘virtual’ was. We had no term [for it] back then. We didn’t know what my character was, but we knew who she was and what she was doing to others. I think Jimmy Woods had more of a problem with it than me. Let’s face it: Cronenberg is out there and always has been,” she said.
“There was no ending to the film and some people were getting pretty uptight about it.
- 1/28/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
M3GAN (Universal Pictures), Taken 3 (20th Century Studios), Paddington 2 (Warner Bros.), Cloverfield (Paramount Pictures)Graphic: The A.V. Club (AP)
Historically and annually speaking, January is a bad month for Hollywood movies. It’s a “dump month,” that time of year when the major studios offload the projects in which they have no faith.
Historically and annually speaking, January is a bad month for Hollywood movies. It’s a “dump month,” that time of year when the major studios offload the projects in which they have no faith.
- 1/19/2024
- by A.V. Club Staff
- avclub.com
JoBlo.com recently launched a new weekly documentary series called 80s Horror Memories, where each year of the 1980s has five episodes dedicated to it. Looking back at 1980, we discussed Maniac, Dressed to Kill, Alligator, Friday the 13th, The Shining, Prom Night, and The Fog. The second five episodes were a journey through 1981, covering The Funhouse, The Burning, Friday the 13th Part 2, My Bloody Valentine, Halloween II, The Evil Dead, The Howling, and An American Werewolf in London, as well as the careers of horror hosts Elvira and Joe Bob Briggs. The next five were, of course, all about movies that came out in 1982: Conan the Barbarian, The Thing, Halloween III: Season of the Witch, and Poltergeist, with an examination of the short-lived 3-D boom along the way. For 1983, we talked about a trio of Stephen King adaptations, Jaws 3-D, Sleepaway Camp, the rise of TV horror anthologies, and...
- 12/15/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Sofia Coppola, whose awards contender “Priscilla” is now in theaters, is just one of several filmmakers whose parents were already major names in the industry. Both her father, Francis Ford Coppola, and her mother, Eleanor Coppola, are directors, as is her brother Roman.
Here are some of the most notable second-generation directors in Hollywood, including Jason Reitman, Rob Reiner, Mario Van Peebles and Colin Hanks.
We’re also a big fan of Francesca Scorsese’s TikTok videos with her dad, Martin Scorsese, especially the one where he auditions the family dog.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Ivan and Jason Reitman
Jason has picked up the “Ghostbusters” mantle from his father, who died in Feb. 2022. He directed “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and the fourth film in the franchise is due in 2024. Jason’s films include “Up in the Air,” “Juno” and “Thank You For Smoking.”
Photo credit: Getty Images
Brandon and David Cronenberg
The...
Here are some of the most notable second-generation directors in Hollywood, including Jason Reitman, Rob Reiner, Mario Van Peebles and Colin Hanks.
We’re also a big fan of Francesca Scorsese’s TikTok videos with her dad, Martin Scorsese, especially the one where he auditions the family dog.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Ivan and Jason Reitman
Jason has picked up the “Ghostbusters” mantle from his father, who died in Feb. 2022. He directed “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and the fourth film in the franchise is due in 2024. Jason’s films include “Up in the Air,” “Juno” and “Thank You For Smoking.”
Photo credit: Getty Images
Brandon and David Cronenberg
The...
- 11/9/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Although analog technology has gone all but extinct in the 40 years since Videodrome first permeated viewers’ psyches, there’s no denying the prescience of its themes. Writer-director David Cronenberg, circa 1983, portended the exploitation of the internet age, virtual reality, and media manipulation. At its core, Videodrome confronts the viewer to examine their own relationship with entertainment.
As the head of Civic TV, Max Renn caters to the subterranean market, transmitting sex and violence into Toronto homes over Uhf airwaves. His appetite for depravity no longer fulfilled by the likes of softcore pornography, Max’s interest is piqued by a mysterious pirated broadcast called Videodrome. As he describes it, “It’s just torture and murder. No plot, no characters. Very, very realistic. I think it’s what’s next.”
Max’s perception of reality is altered from the moment he’s first exposed to Videodrome, as devious hallucinations — from a cancerous...
As the head of Civic TV, Max Renn caters to the subterranean market, transmitting sex and violence into Toronto homes over Uhf airwaves. His appetite for depravity no longer fulfilled by the likes of softcore pornography, Max’s interest is piqued by a mysterious pirated broadcast called Videodrome. As he describes it, “It’s just torture and murder. No plot, no characters. Very, very realistic. I think it’s what’s next.”
Max’s perception of reality is altered from the moment he’s first exposed to Videodrome, as devious hallucinations — from a cancerous...
- 10/17/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
The enemy, as it seems it always has been, is within in David Cronenberg’s Videodrome, but its violence, gore, and torrential mayhem is hard to miss. Influenced by the writings of Marshall McLuhan, this 1983 vision of the intermingling ideas and functions of technology, the mind, and “the flesh” is, like a great deal of Cronenberg’s work, endlessly fascinated with decay, bodily fluids, wounds, and growths. All of which come to bear in one form or another on Max Renn (James Woods), a forager of outré entertainments at Civic-tv, a sleazy Uhf television station in Toronto that he helped to found, and whose motto, “The One You Take to Bed with You,” is more ominous than goofy.
But where softcore pornography would effectively crawl up the ass of any major network executive and start biting as if it were its last meal, Renn is bored by shots of Asian...
But where softcore pornography would effectively crawl up the ass of any major network executive and start biting as if it were its last meal, Renn is bored by shots of Asian...
- 10/9/2023
- by Chris Cabin
- Slant Magazine
These last few years the Criterion Channel have made October viewing much easier to prioritize, and in the spirit of their ’70s and ’80s horror series we’ve graduated to––you guessed it––”’90s Horror.” A couple of obvious classics stand with cult favorites and more unknown entities (When a Stranger Calls Back and Def By Temptation are new to me). Three more series continue the trend: “Technothrillers” does what it says on the tin, courtesy the likes of eXistenZ and Demonlover; “Art-House Horror” is precisely the kind of place to host Cure, Suspiria, Onibaba; and “Pre-Code Horror” is a black-and-white dream. Phantom of the Paradise, Unfriended, and John Brahm’s The Lodger are added elsewhere.
James Gray is the latest with an “Adventures in Moviegoing” series populated by deep cuts and straight classics. Stonewalling and restorations of Trouble Every Day and The Devil, Probably make streaming debuts, while Flesh for Frankenstein,...
James Gray is the latest with an “Adventures in Moviegoing” series populated by deep cuts and straight classics. Stonewalling and restorations of Trouble Every Day and The Devil, Probably make streaming debuts, while Flesh for Frankenstein,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
This October is a Massive month for horror movies on physical media.
The studios and physical media labels tend to save some of their best stuff for spooky season, and this year is no exception. The Criterion Collection, Kino Lorber, and Shout Studios all have a huge selection this month, and studios like Paramount, Universal, and Lionsgate are bringing forward some awesome releases with unique packaging that will appeal to collectors.
If you haven’t jumped back into the world of physical media, this is as good a time as ever to start a horror movie collection.
The Criterion Collection
‘Videodrome’
The team at the Criterion Collection have truly outdone themselves with horror releases for October. First up on October 3rd is Nicolas Roeg’s thriller Don’t Look Now in a new 4K Uhd release from a recent remastering of the film. This is followed by another 4K Uhd release...
The studios and physical media labels tend to save some of their best stuff for spooky season, and this year is no exception. The Criterion Collection, Kino Lorber, and Shout Studios all have a huge selection this month, and studios like Paramount, Universal, and Lionsgate are bringing forward some awesome releases with unique packaging that will appeal to collectors.
If you haven’t jumped back into the world of physical media, this is as good a time as ever to start a horror movie collection.
The Criterion Collection
‘Videodrome’
The team at the Criterion Collection have truly outdone themselves with horror releases for October. First up on October 3rd is Nicolas Roeg’s thriller Don’t Look Now in a new 4K Uhd release from a recent remastering of the film. This is followed by another 4K Uhd release...
- 9/21/2023
- by Jeff Rauseo
- bloody-disgusting.com
The most wonderful time of year is nearly upon us! With Halloween season just around the corner, Peacock unveiled an impressive lineup today of more than 100 Halloween, horror, thriller, and spooky season titles hitting the platform this September.
Get ready, the list is massive…
Whether you’re looking for recent releases like Hypnotic, or cult gems like Slither, Peacock invites you to face your fears in September. Binge complete freakish franchises like Chucky, Saw, and Amityville, or tune-in for fun family fare that includes Ghostbusters and Casper. Look for a variety of classic horror to arrive on the streaming service mid-September.
Speaking of “Chucky,” if you’re looking to catch up on the series ahead of season three, Peacock brings “Chucky” season two to their Halloween HQ on September 4. That gives you a whole month to catch up before the October 4 premiere of “Chucky” season three.
Full Peacock Halloween horror highlights below.
Get ready, the list is massive…
Whether you’re looking for recent releases like Hypnotic, or cult gems like Slither, Peacock invites you to face your fears in September. Binge complete freakish franchises like Chucky, Saw, and Amityville, or tune-in for fun family fare that includes Ghostbusters and Casper. Look for a variety of classic horror to arrive on the streaming service mid-September.
Speaking of “Chucky,” if you’re looking to catch up on the series ahead of season three, Peacock brings “Chucky” season two to their Halloween HQ on September 4. That gives you a whole month to catch up before the October 4 premiere of “Chucky” season three.
Full Peacock Halloween horror highlights below.
- 8/24/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Austin Jennings has made his name directing The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs on Shudder. For five years he has guided Joe Bob Briggs, Darcy the Mail Girl as well as a list of horror stars from the past 60 years. But now he has made his feature-film debut with Eight Eyes, a story that is bound to be shown on The Last Drive-In in 30 years’ time… because it has cult classic written all over it.
Cass (Emily Sweet) and Gav (Bradford Thomas) are on a trip through the Slavic region of Europe when they gate-crash a wedding, with Gav filming aspects of the festivities on his Super 8 camera. The following day the pair bump into another guest, Saint Peter (Bruno Veljanovski), who was at the wedding, although the pair don’t remember seeing him there. He is friendly and hospitable and slowly works his way into their vacation. He becomes their unofficial tour guide,...
Cass (Emily Sweet) and Gav (Bradford Thomas) are on a trip through the Slavic region of Europe when they gate-crash a wedding, with Gav filming aspects of the festivities on his Super 8 camera. The following day the pair bump into another guest, Saint Peter (Bruno Veljanovski), who was at the wedding, although the pair don’t remember seeing him there. He is friendly and hospitable and slowly works his way into their vacation. He becomes their unofficial tour guide,...
- 8/23/2023
- by James Doherty
- DailyDead
Ah, body horror. That exquisite subgenre that makes us squirm in our seats, cringe in delicious terror, and occasionally lose our lunch. These films are not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach. They probe, twist, and mutilate the human form in ways that are both horrifying and oddly fascinating. So, brace yourself and maybe keep a barf bag handy, as we dive into the 20 Most Disturbing Body Horror Films Ever Made.
20th Century Fox 20. The Fly (1986)
The Fly, directed by David Cronenberg, tells the story of scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), who invents teleportation, but of course, it’s not all Nobel Prizes. After an experiment with a fly goes horribly wrong, Brundle begins a grotesque transformation into a human-fly hybrid. What makes this film so disturbing is the gradual, inexorable alteration of Brundle’s body, culminating in a physical and psychological nightmare that’s impossible to forget.
20th Century Fox 20. The Fly (1986)
The Fly, directed by David Cronenberg, tells the story of scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), who invents teleportation, but of course, it’s not all Nobel Prizes. After an experiment with a fly goes horribly wrong, Brundle begins a grotesque transformation into a human-fly hybrid. What makes this film so disturbing is the gradual, inexorable alteration of Brundle’s body, culminating in a physical and psychological nightmare that’s impossible to forget.
- 8/19/2023
- by Jonathan Dehaan
Whether or not you agree with Quentin Tarantino’s unsparing assertion that “’80s cinema is, along with the ’50s, the worst era in Hollywood history,” there’s a curiously undeniable truth to his follow-up statement: “Matched only by now! Matched only by the current era.” Revisiting the defining movies of the ’80s from our current perspective at the height of Barbenheimer summer, two things become abundantly clear.
The first is that modern Hollywood would probably need a Barbenheimer every month in order to equal the creative output of a studio system that used to be capable of releasing “Blade Runner” and “The Thing” on the same night as if it were just another Friday. The second is that, in a wide variety of different ways both negative and not, the ’80s provide a perfect match for the movies of our current moment — if not the current moment itself.
Perhaps that...
The first is that modern Hollywood would probably need a Barbenheimer every month in order to equal the creative output of a studio system that used to be capable of releasing “Blade Runner” and “The Thing” on the same night as if it were just another Friday. The second is that, in a wide variety of different ways both negative and not, the ’80s provide a perfect match for the movies of our current moment — if not the current moment itself.
Perhaps that...
- 8/14/2023
- by IndieWire Staff
- Indiewire
The late, great Paul Reubens was an artist of incredible duality, a quality embodied by his most famous character, Pee-wee Herman. With his neatly-cropped hair, snazzy red bow tie, and stylin' grey suit and pants, Pee-wee looked like a member of The Little Rascals who had inexplicably grown up overnight. He wasn't all childish innocence and mischief, though. More than a bratty streak, there was something undeniably twisted about Pee-wee, even if, as a kid, I could never quite place my finger on what it was. I just knew that I liked it.
Reubens' brilliance in the art of dark absurdism made him a perfect match for Tim Burton, another artist who appealed to my off-kilter sensibilities before I was old enough to understand why. The pair would join forces multiple times over the course of Reubens' career, beginning with Burton's feature directing debut, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," in 1985. Looking back now,...
Reubens' brilliance in the art of dark absurdism made him a perfect match for Tim Burton, another artist who appealed to my off-kilter sensibilities before I was old enough to understand why. The pair would join forces multiple times over the course of Reubens' career, beginning with Burton's feature directing debut, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," in 1985. Looking back now,...
- 8/2/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Horror movies are known for their ability to scare us, make us jump out of our seats, and occasionally, make us question our decision to watch them alone at night. But did you know that some horror films have also eerily predicted the future? That's right, folks! These films have shown us that sometimes, the line between fiction and reality is thinner than we think. Get ready as we explore 10 instances where horror movies eerily predicted the future!
Paramount 1. The Truman Show (1998)
While not a traditional horror film, the existential dread that permeates The Truman Show is palpable. The film presents a man whose entire life is a reality TV show, with every moment broadcasted to millions of viewers. Fast forward to today, and we have an endless array of reality TV shows, from Big Brother to Love Island, where people willingly sign up to have their lives scrutinized 24/7. The...
Paramount 1. The Truman Show (1998)
While not a traditional horror film, the existential dread that permeates The Truman Show is palpable. The film presents a man whose entire life is a reality TV show, with every moment broadcasted to millions of viewers. Fast forward to today, and we have an endless array of reality TV shows, from Big Brother to Love Island, where people willingly sign up to have their lives scrutinized 24/7. The...
- 7/28/2023
- by Jonathan Dehaan
For as long as there have been horror movies, there has been body horror — and it’s not hard to see why the subgenre is unlikely to ever go out of style. Great horror movies tap into the darkest corners of our subconscious minds to poke at our deepest fears, and few emotions are more human than the fear of bodily harm. The human tendency to identify with our own bodies is so strong that watching transformations and mutilations can evoke the feeling that characters are being stripped of their very humanity.
While early filmmakers explored these themes in projects like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” the second half of the 20th century saw body horror elevated to the level of high art. Nobody deserves more credit for that shift in public perception than David Cronenberg, whose films like “Videodrome” and “The Fly” contained as much scientific and social commentary as blood and guts.
While early filmmakers explored these themes in projects like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” the second half of the 20th century saw body horror elevated to the level of high art. Nobody deserves more credit for that shift in public perception than David Cronenberg, whose films like “Videodrome” and “The Fly” contained as much scientific and social commentary as blood and guts.
- 7/23/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Nowadays a spooktacular Shocktober means 4K restorations––just look at the work from Arrow or Shout Factory (naming only the two most obvious) to elevate that most disreputable genre into incredible resolution and detail. Never one to miss an opportunity, Criterion will upgrade two of the greatest horror films ever made: David Cronenberg’s Videodrome and Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now, for those who want explosive tumors and Donald Sutherland’s penis (respectively and respectfully) in the finest possible quality home video affords.
While the Nicole Kidman-led Blockbuster Video classic The Others rounds out 4K selections, the Blu-only Tod Browning set boasts Freaks, The Unknown, and The Mystic. Lastly, Nikyatu Jusu’s 2022 Sundance winner Nanny is now among the newer titles in Criterion’s canon.
Find artwork below and more at Criterion.
The post The Criterion Collection’s October Slate Includes 4K Cronenberg, a Tod Browning Set & More...
While the Nicole Kidman-led Blockbuster Video classic The Others rounds out 4K selections, the Blu-only Tod Browning set boasts Freaks, The Unknown, and The Mystic. Lastly, Nikyatu Jusu’s 2022 Sundance winner Nanny is now among the newer titles in Criterion’s canon.
Find artwork below and more at Criterion.
The post The Criterion Collection’s October Slate Includes 4K Cronenberg, a Tod Browning Set & More...
- 7/17/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
The Deepest Breath Photo: Netflix
The Deepest Breath, Netflix, from July 19
Laura McGann brings home the sheer athleticism and courage of freediving as, for the first minutes of this film, you're likely to find yourself holding your breath like the participants as you watch a dive in real time. Her film interweaves the story of Italian freediver Alessia Zecchini and Irishman Stephen Keenan, who became the diver tasked with ensuring her safety on difficult dives. The level of danger involved - especially during the strenuous surfacing, when the divers are short of breath - is brought home as McGann charts Zecchini's dedication to the sport and the unusual route that Kennan took into it. This documentary proves gripping and poignant in equal measure.
Videodrome, 11.10pm, Legend (Freeview Channel 41), Tuesday, July 18
Jennie Kermode writes: Released in 1983, David Cronenberg's breakthrough hit has only become more relevant with time. It was inspired by the.
The Deepest Breath, Netflix, from July 19
Laura McGann brings home the sheer athleticism and courage of freediving as, for the first minutes of this film, you're likely to find yourself holding your breath like the participants as you watch a dive in real time. Her film interweaves the story of Italian freediver Alessia Zecchini and Irishman Stephen Keenan, who became the diver tasked with ensuring her safety on difficult dives. The level of danger involved - especially during the strenuous surfacing, when the divers are short of breath - is brought home as McGann charts Zecchini's dedication to the sport and the unusual route that Kennan took into it. This documentary proves gripping and poignant in equal measure.
Videodrome, 11.10pm, Legend (Freeview Channel 41), Tuesday, July 18
Jennie Kermode writes: Released in 1983, David Cronenberg's breakthrough hit has only become more relevant with time. It was inspired by the.
- 7/17/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
You know you are watching a David Cronenberg film within the first few minutes. His unique directorial vision and style are instantly recognizable. For over 50 years, Cronenberg has been pushing the boundaries of mainstream cinema with his unflinching explorations of the human body and psyche. His films delve into humanity’s deepest fears and darkest desires, all with his signature clinical precision and intellectual curiosity.
David Cronenberg Depostiphotos
Cronenberg emerged from the “Canuxploitation” era of Canadian B-movies in the 1970s to become one of the most influential auteurs in modern film. His early cult classics like Shivers and Scanners established his fascination with the physicality of human existence and all the ways our flesh and minds can mutate and transform. Cronenberg’s films are known for their disturbing body horror and surreal science fiction concepts, but at their core, they reveal fundamental truths about human nature and our relationship with our own physical being.
David Cronenberg Depostiphotos
Cronenberg emerged from the “Canuxploitation” era of Canadian B-movies in the 1970s to become one of the most influential auteurs in modern film. His early cult classics like Shivers and Scanners established his fascination with the physicality of human existence and all the ways our flesh and minds can mutate and transform. Cronenberg’s films are known for their disturbing body horror and surreal science fiction concepts, but at their core, they reveal fundamental truths about human nature and our relationship with our own physical being.
- 6/23/2023
- by Movies Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
This article contains some spoilers
In 1995, we screamed, “Hack the planet!” Today, my mom can watch any movie on her phone. When we walk around with computers in our pockets, fantasies about jacking into cyberspace and accessing vast amounts of information seem quaint, if not outright laughable. But it’s that very mundane nature that makes cyberpunk such an important genre, even in 2023.
The cyberpunk genre began in literature, first in stories published in the UK magazine New Worlds and later in novels from writers such as William Gibson (Neuromancer), J.G. Ballard (High Rise), and Philip K. Dick. These writers took a darker look at the technology of the future, showing how new inventions did nothing to change inequality and corruption, only reinforcing the worst parts of humanity.
For most people, cinematic cyberpunk is synonymous with 1982’s Blade Runner, an adaption of the Dick book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
In 1995, we screamed, “Hack the planet!” Today, my mom can watch any movie on her phone. When we walk around with computers in our pockets, fantasies about jacking into cyberspace and accessing vast amounts of information seem quaint, if not outright laughable. But it’s that very mundane nature that makes cyberpunk such an important genre, even in 2023.
The cyberpunk genre began in literature, first in stories published in the UK magazine New Worlds and later in novels from writers such as William Gibson (Neuromancer), J.G. Ballard (High Rise), and Philip K. Dick. These writers took a darker look at the technology of the future, showing how new inventions did nothing to change inequality and corruption, only reinforcing the worst parts of humanity.
For most people, cinematic cyberpunk is synonymous with 1982’s Blade Runner, an adaption of the Dick book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
- 6/9/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
This article contains spoilers for "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."
Spider-Man has faced many foes on the big screen, but none of them have been quite so confusing to fight as The Spot. Voiced by Jason Schwartzman, this villain's big-screen debut in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" sees him clumsily trying to use his new powers to rob an Atm (because the job market is unfairly hostile to candidates who have a void where their face should be).
We've seen characters that have the power to create portals before. In "X-Men: Days of Future Past," Blink (Fan Bingbing) used them to buy time during a doomed battle against the Sentinels. More recently, "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" staged a daring heist that hinged on a portal spell. But animation might be the best medium for exploring the infinite possibilities of portals -- as seen in the portal doors of "Monsters, Inc.
Spider-Man has faced many foes on the big screen, but none of them have been quite so confusing to fight as The Spot. Voiced by Jason Schwartzman, this villain's big-screen debut in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" sees him clumsily trying to use his new powers to rob an Atm (because the job market is unfairly hostile to candidates who have a void where their face should be).
We've seen characters that have the power to create portals before. In "X-Men: Days of Future Past," Blink (Fan Bingbing) used them to buy time during a doomed battle against the Sentinels. More recently, "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" staged a daring heist that hinged on a portal spell. But animation might be the best medium for exploring the infinite possibilities of portals -- as seen in the portal doors of "Monsters, Inc.
- 6/2/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Welcome to the mind-bending world of surreal horror movies, where the boundaries of reality are shattered, and nightmares come alive. In this list, we delve into ten captivating films that defy conventions and transport audiences into a realm where dreams and nightmares intertwine. From twisted narratives to mesmerizing visuals, these surreal horror movies will challenge your perception of what is possible and leave an indelible mark on your psyche.
Libra Films International Eraserhead (1977) A Nightmarish Descent into Madness
Enter the surreal and unsettling universe created by visionary filmmaker David Lynch. Eraserhead immerses viewers in the disturbing journey of Henry Spencer, a man trapped in a nightmarish existence. Lynch’s masterful use of dreamlike imagery and a haunting industrial soundscape turns ordinary experiences into harrowing nightmares.
International Classics Suspiria (1977) A Dance of Darkness and Witchcraft
Dive into the vibrant and atmospheric world of Dario Argento’s Suspiria, where an aspiring dancer...
Libra Films International Eraserhead (1977) A Nightmarish Descent into Madness
Enter the surreal and unsettling universe created by visionary filmmaker David Lynch. Eraserhead immerses viewers in the disturbing journey of Henry Spencer, a man trapped in a nightmarish existence. Lynch’s masterful use of dreamlike imagery and a haunting industrial soundscape turns ordinary experiences into harrowing nightmares.
International Classics Suspiria (1977) A Dance of Darkness and Witchcraft
Dive into the vibrant and atmospheric world of Dario Argento’s Suspiria, where an aspiring dancer...
- 5/26/2023
- by Kimberley Elizabeth
Welcome to the mind-bending world of surreal horror movies, where the boundaries of reality are shattered, and nightmares come alive. In this list, we delve into ten captivating films that defy conventions and transport audiences into a realm where dreams and nightmares intertwine. From twisted narratives to mesmerizing visuals, these surreal horror movies will challenge your perception of what is possible and leave an indelible mark on your psyche.
Libra Films International Eraserhead (1977) A Nightmarish Descent into Madness
Enter the surreal and unsettling universe created by visionary filmmaker David Lynch. Eraserhead immerses viewers in the disturbing journey of Henry Spencer, a man trapped in a nightmarish existence. Lynch’s masterful use of dreamlike imagery and a haunting industrial soundscape turns ordinary experiences into harrowing nightmares.
International Classics Suspiria (1977) A Dance of Darkness and Witchcraft
Dive into the vibrant and atmospheric world of Dario Argento’s Suspiria, where an aspiring dancer...
Libra Films International Eraserhead (1977) A Nightmarish Descent into Madness
Enter the surreal and unsettling universe created by visionary filmmaker David Lynch. Eraserhead immerses viewers in the disturbing journey of Henry Spencer, a man trapped in a nightmarish existence. Lynch’s masterful use of dreamlike imagery and a haunting industrial soundscape turns ordinary experiences into harrowing nightmares.
International Classics Suspiria (1977) A Dance of Darkness and Witchcraft
Dive into the vibrant and atmospheric world of Dario Argento’s Suspiria, where an aspiring dancer...
- 5/26/2023
- by Kimberley Elizabeth
It's astonishing to consider how quickly "Star Wars" rose to prominence in the pop culture consciousness. George Lucas, the director of the 1977 original, merely wanted to make a high-octane version of classical space opera stories like the ones seen in "Flash Gordon" serials of the 1940s. One could not have predicted the overwhelming response from young audiences, or their thirst for toys and tie-in products, a relative novelty at the time. Fast-forward to 1983, and there had already been one beloved sequel, a TV special, and more toys than the Earth's landfills knew what to do with. When the time came to make "Return of the Jedi," Lucas had become a mere executive producer and story writer, hoping to farm out the directing gig to ... well, to anyone who fit two certain criteria.
Many might know that several soon-to-be-prominent directors were approached to direct "Return of the Jedi." David Cronenberg had...
Many might know that several soon-to-be-prominent directors were approached to direct "Return of the Jedi." David Cronenberg had...
- 5/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It must be a daunting task to try to prank pop music’s reigning troll, but Eric Andre sure gave it his best shot. Lil Nas X had quite the visit at The Eric Andre Show, as you can see from a sneak-peek clip of the upcoming Season 6 premiere episode (via Rolling Stone).
Complete with a saucy new hairdo and decór reminiscent of an ’80s porno set, Andre welcomed Lil Nas X with a roar of audience applause and a jingle from the in-house band. The pair hardly had a moment to chat before a strange, screaming presence began bulging out of Andre’s desk like it was the haunted TV screen in Videodrome.
The host eventually got things back on track — that is, until some unidentified substance began misting from his microphone and made him very, very sleepy. A prankster himself, Lil Nas X surely knew what he was getting himself into,...
Complete with a saucy new hairdo and decór reminiscent of an ’80s porno set, Andre welcomed Lil Nas X with a roar of audience applause and a jingle from the in-house band. The pair hardly had a moment to chat before a strange, screaming presence began bulging out of Andre’s desk like it was the haunted TV screen in Videodrome.
The host eventually got things back on track — that is, until some unidentified substance began misting from his microphone and made him very, very sleepy. A prankster himself, Lil Nas X surely knew what he was getting himself into,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Abby Jones
- Consequence - Music
A new episode of the Revisited video series has just been released, and in this one we’re looking back at a movie that some may not consider to be a horror movie, but at the very least it is an “experimental psychological thriller” from a highly respected genre director. The director in question is David Lynch, and the movie we’re talking about today is the 2006 release Inland Empire (get it Here). To revisit Inland Empire with us, check out the video embedded above.
Written and directed by Lynch, Inland Empire tells the following story over the course of its 180 minute running time: Nikki, an actress, takes on a role in a new film, and because her husband is very jealous, her co-star Devon gets a warning not to make any romantic overtures — especially since the characters they play are having an affair. Both actors learn that the project...
Written and directed by Lynch, Inland Empire tells the following story over the course of its 180 minute running time: Nikki, an actress, takes on a role in a new film, and because her husband is very jealous, her co-star Devon gets a warning not to make any romantic overtures — especially since the characters they play are having an affair. Both actors learn that the project...
- 5/21/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
This article contains spoilers for various sci-fi movies
“In the end? Nothing ends, Adrian. Nothing ever ends.” If you’re a geek reading Den of Geek, you probably recognize those words as the final ones between Dr. Manhattan and Adrian Veidt in Alan Moore and David Gibbons’s Watchmen. Manhattan’s statement comes as a warning to Veidt, who tried to save humanity from itself by manufacturing an alien invasion at the cost of nearly half of the world’s population. Viedt, of course, wants to know if it’s over, if he did truly save the world. But for Manhattan, who exists at all points on his timeline at once, the answer isn’t so simple. Nothing ends because nothing begins. It all simply is, at least from his perspective.
Get it? Yeah, me neither. But that’s part of the deal with sci-fi stories like Watchmen. Branching timelines,...
“In the end? Nothing ends, Adrian. Nothing ever ends.” If you’re a geek reading Den of Geek, you probably recognize those words as the final ones between Dr. Manhattan and Adrian Veidt in Alan Moore and David Gibbons’s Watchmen. Manhattan’s statement comes as a warning to Veidt, who tried to save humanity from itself by manufacturing an alien invasion at the cost of nearly half of the world’s population. Viedt, of course, wants to know if it’s over, if he did truly save the world. But for Manhattan, who exists at all points on his timeline at once, the answer isn’t so simple. Nothing ends because nothing begins. It all simply is, at least from his perspective.
Get it? Yeah, me neither. But that’s part of the deal with sci-fi stories like Watchmen. Branching timelines,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Feature examines film as conduit for humanity’s end-of-millennium fear, anxiety, elation and obsession.
New York and LA-based genre arthouse specialists Yellow Veil Pictures have acquired worldwide rights to Amanda Kramer’s cyberspace cinema documentary So Unreal narrated by Blondie singer and pop icon Debbie Harry and will launch sales in Cannes.
So Unreal puts cyberspace cinema from 1981-2001 like The Matrix, Tron, Tetsuo and eXisTenz under the spotlight and examines film as a conduit for humanity’s fear, anxiety, elation and obsession over the emerging technology at the end of the millennium.
“What a deep honour that Debbie Harry lent her legendary,...
New York and LA-based genre arthouse specialists Yellow Veil Pictures have acquired worldwide rights to Amanda Kramer’s cyberspace cinema documentary So Unreal narrated by Blondie singer and pop icon Debbie Harry and will launch sales in Cannes.
So Unreal puts cyberspace cinema from 1981-2001 like The Matrix, Tron, Tetsuo and eXisTenz under the spotlight and examines film as a conduit for humanity’s fear, anxiety, elation and obsession over the emerging technology at the end of the millennium.
“What a deep honour that Debbie Harry lent her legendary,...
- 5/9/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Film
At its most granular level, cinema is a delusion. By running still pictures in front of a projector at 24 frames per second, our brain is tricked into believing that they are moving. Further, each time we sit down in front of a film, we are asking to be transported away from our own world into one whose boundaries and conditions are set for us by the filmmakers, and to believe, for two hours or so, that this is a different reality that we are being allowed to experience.
At its broadest level, Arrebato is about two filmmakers. José (Eusebio Poncela) makes low budget horror. He doesn’t seem to like his films very much, but he’s clearly at least somewhat successful. On a location scout, he meets the other filmmaker, Pedro (Will More), who is in his late teens or early twenties, and makes experimental films playing around with frame rates.
At its most granular level, cinema is a delusion. By running still pictures in front of a projector at 24 frames per second, our brain is tricked into believing that they are moving. Further, each time we sit down in front of a film, we are asking to be transported away from our own world into one whose boundaries and conditions are set for us by the filmmakers, and to believe, for two hours or so, that this is a different reality that we are being allowed to experience.
At its broadest level, Arrebato is about two filmmakers. José (Eusebio Poncela) makes low budget horror. He doesn’t seem to like his films very much, but he’s clearly at least somewhat successful. On a location scout, he meets the other filmmaker, Pedro (Will More), who is in his late teens or early twenties, and makes experimental films playing around with frame rates.
- 5/4/2023
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
A new episode of the Revisited video series has just been released, and in this one we’re looking back at the 1987 Sam Raimi classic Evil Dead II (watch it Here)! To revisit Evil Dead II with us, check out the video embedded above.
Directed by Raimi from a screenplay he crafted with Scott Spiegel, Evil Dead II has the following synopsis: After a relaxing cabin vacation doesn’t go as planned, Ash is left with three dead friends, an undead girlfriend and an angry evil spirit on the loose. As nightfall approaches, Ash must prepare to again battle the legions of the damned if he wants to make it to dawn.
The film stars Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Danny Hicks, Kassie Wesley, Richard Domeier, Denise Bixler, John Peaks, Lou Hancock, William Preston Robertson, and Ted Raimi.
The Evil Dead II episode of Revisited was Written, Narrated, and Edited by Lance Vlcek,...
Directed by Raimi from a screenplay he crafted with Scott Spiegel, Evil Dead II has the following synopsis: After a relaxing cabin vacation doesn’t go as planned, Ash is left with three dead friends, an undead girlfriend and an angry evil spirit on the loose. As nightfall approaches, Ash must prepare to again battle the legions of the damned if he wants to make it to dawn.
The film stars Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Danny Hicks, Kassie Wesley, Richard Domeier, Denise Bixler, John Peaks, Lou Hancock, William Preston Robertson, and Ted Raimi.
The Evil Dead II episode of Revisited was Written, Narrated, and Edited by Lance Vlcek,...
- 4/25/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Considered the master of ‘body horror’, Canadian auteur David Cronenberg is the singular talent behind nightmarish classics including Videodrome, The Fly, Scanners, Shivers and more. Dead Ringers, which was loosely based on the lives of Stewart and Cyril Marcus, saw Jeremy Irons’ twin gynecologists descend into a codependent hell. It’s nigh-on perfect so a remake for TV, ‘but this time with women’ wasn’t necessarily a welcome concept.
Perhaps against the odds then, this version is excellent, expanding on the themes, going hard on the horror and showcasing the talent of Rachel Weisz who scorches the screen throughout.
As in the film, she plays twin gynecologists Elliot and Beverly Mantle, brilliant doctors wanting to revolutionize fertility and the childbirth processes. With backing from Jennifer Elhe’s wealthy investor the twins open a bespoke birthing center meant to destigmatize pregnancy and women’s bodies – the clients are referred to as ‘guests’ rather than patients because,...
Perhaps against the odds then, this version is excellent, expanding on the themes, going hard on the horror and showcasing the talent of Rachel Weisz who scorches the screen throughout.
As in the film, she plays twin gynecologists Elliot and Beverly Mantle, brilliant doctors wanting to revolutionize fertility and the childbirth processes. With backing from Jennifer Elhe’s wealthy investor the twins open a bespoke birthing center meant to destigmatize pregnancy and women’s bodies – the clients are referred to as ‘guests’ rather than patients because,...
- 4/21/2023
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
A new episode of the Revisited video series went online over the weekend, and with this one we took a look back at one of the most highly regarded horror movies ever made, the 1973 classic The Exorcist (watch it Here)! To find out what we had to say about The Exorcist, check out the video embedded above.
Based on a novel by William Peter Blatty (pick up a copy Here), who also wrote the screenplay, The Exorcist was directed by William Friedkin and tells the following story: One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan starts acting odd — levitating, speaking in tongues — her worried mother seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest, however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism,...
Based on a novel by William Peter Blatty (pick up a copy Here), who also wrote the screenplay, The Exorcist was directed by William Friedkin and tells the following story: One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan starts acting odd — levitating, speaking in tongues — her worried mother seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest, however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism,...
- 4/17/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
To celebrate the release of Naked Lunch – released on 4K Uhd and Blu-ray 17th April from Arrow Video – we have a 4K Uhd up for grabs!
In a career dedicated to seeing the unseeable and filming the unfilmable, perhaps only David Cronenberg could really do justice to William S. Burroughs’ controversial novel, Naked Lunch. Weaving together elements of Burroughs’ own remarkable biography with the content of the book, Cronenberg’s film steps inside the body and mind of an author to depict the dangerous act of imagination itself from the inside out.
Winner of Best Picture, Best Direction, and Best Screenplay at the 1992 Genie Awards and featuring an astonishing score by Howard Shore (Videodrome), Naked Lunch is provocative, transgressive, and surreal – a feast for the senses, where nothing is true and everything is permitted.
Former junkie William Lee makes ends meet as an exterminator. But when he and his wife...
In a career dedicated to seeing the unseeable and filming the unfilmable, perhaps only David Cronenberg could really do justice to William S. Burroughs’ controversial novel, Naked Lunch. Weaving together elements of Burroughs’ own remarkable biography with the content of the book, Cronenberg’s film steps inside the body and mind of an author to depict the dangerous act of imagination itself from the inside out.
Winner of Best Picture, Best Direction, and Best Screenplay at the 1992 Genie Awards and featuring an astonishing score by Howard Shore (Videodrome), Naked Lunch is provocative, transgressive, and surreal – a feast for the senses, where nothing is true and everything is permitted.
Former junkie William Lee makes ends meet as an exterminator. But when he and his wife...
- 4/16/2023
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The episode of Wtf Happened to This Movie? covering Videodrome was Written by Jake Dee, Narrated by Matthew Plale, Edited by Diane Baldwin, Produced by Chris Bumbray and Ben Cantler, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Have you ever considered how a movie becomes a bona fide cult classic? While many factors play a role, the phenomenon usually begins with a high-quality product that fails to resonate among the masses during its initial release due to ungraspable material ahead of its time, yet through its own undeniable merits, finds its passionate fanbase that grows over time and allows the film to become far more popular after the fact than it was in the present tense. In the case of David Cronenberg’s sci-fi body horror opus Videodrome, the film has overcome its notorious box-office failure to ascend as one of the most revered movies of Cronenberg’s illustrious career.
As...
Have you ever considered how a movie becomes a bona fide cult classic? While many factors play a role, the phenomenon usually begins with a high-quality product that fails to resonate among the masses during its initial release due to ungraspable material ahead of its time, yet through its own undeniable merits, finds its passionate fanbase that grows over time and allows the film to become far more popular after the fact than it was in the present tense. In the case of David Cronenberg’s sci-fi body horror opus Videodrome, the film has overcome its notorious box-office failure to ascend as one of the most revered movies of Cronenberg’s illustrious career.
As...
- 4/6/2023
- by Jake Dee
- JoBlo.com
A new episode of the Revisited video series has just arrived online, and in this one we’re looking back at one of my personal all-time favorite movies, the 1990 creature feature Tremors (watch it Here)! To find out what we had to say about Tremors, check out the video embedded above.
Directed by Ron Underwood from a screenplay by Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson (who also share story credit with Underwood), Tremors has the following synopsis: Handymen Val McKee and Earl Bassett are tired of their dull lives in the small desert town of Perfection, Nevada. But just as the two try to skip town, they happen upon a series of mysterious deaths and a concerned seismologist studying unnatural readings below the ground. With the help of an eccentric couple, the group fights for survival against giant, worm-like monsters hungry for human flesh.
The film stars Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward,...
Directed by Ron Underwood from a screenplay by Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson (who also share story credit with Underwood), Tremors has the following synopsis: Handymen Val McKee and Earl Bassett are tired of their dull lives in the small desert town of Perfection, Nevada. But just as the two try to skip town, they happen upon a series of mysterious deaths and a concerned seismologist studying unnatural readings below the ground. With the help of an eccentric couple, the group fights for survival against giant, worm-like monsters hungry for human flesh.
The film stars Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward,...
- 3/22/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
For Wes
After spending our birthday month talking about ‘Weird Sex’ films like Videodrome, 1981’s Possession, Tusk and Wolf, last week Trace and I jumped back to the 60s to tackle an iconic UK spooky flick with The Haunting.
With the release of Scream 6 this past week, it only made sense to open the Patreon vault and revisit Scream (2022), Radio Silence’s ode to Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson’s iconic slasher franchise.
In the film, 10 years have passed since the last massacre in Woodsboro. When Tara (Jenna Ortega) is attacked in her house, her estranged older sister Sam (Melissa Barrera) returns home with her faithful boyfriend (Jack Quaid) in tow. When more people are killed, a new generation of suspects and victims emerges with ties to legacy characters.
It’s quickly deduced by twins Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad (Mason Gooding), as well as Sheriff Judy Hicks...
After spending our birthday month talking about ‘Weird Sex’ films like Videodrome, 1981’s Possession, Tusk and Wolf, last week Trace and I jumped back to the 60s to tackle an iconic UK spooky flick with The Haunting.
With the release of Scream 6 this past week, it only made sense to open the Patreon vault and revisit Scream (2022), Radio Silence’s ode to Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson’s iconic slasher franchise.
In the film, 10 years have passed since the last massacre in Woodsboro. When Tara (Jenna Ortega) is attacked in her house, her estranged older sister Sam (Melissa Barrera) returns home with her faithful boyfriend (Jack Quaid) in tow. When more people are killed, a new generation of suspects and victims emerges with ties to legacy characters.
It’s quickly deduced by twins Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad (Mason Gooding), as well as Sheriff Judy Hicks...
- 3/13/2023
- by Joe Lipsett
- bloody-disgusting.com
What will survive of human civilisation when pandemics have stripped back the population, or the sun has swallowed our planet? A Hank Williams CD, perhaps, or Mortal Kombat II? These are the artefacts that survive the end times in Sky’s hit zombie thriller The Last of Us, which comes to its brutal denouement this evening. But for all the acclaim – all the gushing editorials about its place in the pantheon of TV shows that should be preserved from the apocalypse – can The Last of Us deliver an emotionally satisfying conclusion?
Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) are approaching their destination. Having dispatched the cannibalistic leader of a survivalist cult with a meat cleaver in the final minutes of last week’s episode, Ellie is struggling to stay upbeat. “Everything I’ve done,” she tells Joel, “it can’t be for nothing.” Out now on the West Coast, there...
Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) are approaching their destination. Having dispatched the cannibalistic leader of a survivalist cult with a meat cleaver in the final minutes of last week’s episode, Ellie is struggling to stay upbeat. “Everything I’ve done,” she tells Joel, “it can’t be for nothing.” Out now on the West Coast, there...
- 3/13/2023
- by Nick Hilton
- The Independent - TV
A new episode of the Revisited video series has just arrived online, and in this one we’re looking back at a classic from the 1980s: the horror thriller The Hitcher (watch it Here), which was released back in ’86. To find out what we had to say about The Hitcher, check out the video embedded above.
Directed by Robert Harmon from a screenplay by Eric Red, The Hitcher has the following synopsis: While transporting a car from Chicago to San Diego, Jim Halsey picks up a hitchhiker named John Ryder, who claims to be a serial killer. After a daring escape, Jim hopes to never see Ryder again. But when he witnesses the hitchhiker murdering an entire family, Jim pursues Ryder with the help of truck-stop waitress Nash, pitting the rivals against each other in a deadly series of car chases and brutal murders.
The film stars C. Thomas Howell,...
Directed by Robert Harmon from a screenplay by Eric Red, The Hitcher has the following synopsis: While transporting a car from Chicago to San Diego, Jim Halsey picks up a hitchhiker named John Ryder, who claims to be a serial killer. After a daring escape, Jim hopes to never see Ryder again. But when he witnesses the hitchhiker murdering an entire family, Jim pursues Ryder with the help of truck-stop waitress Nash, pitting the rivals against each other in a deadly series of car chases and brutal murders.
The film stars C. Thomas Howell,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Wallace the Walrus
February has truly been a ride as Trace and I venture through the wilds of Weird Sex Month. After spending the last few weeks of January buried in films of the 2000-2010s with remake House of Wax (2005) and Crimson Peak (2015), February has been dedicated to the early 1980s with Videodrome (1983) and Possession (1981).
Now we’re up to 2014’s Tusk, Kevin Smith‘s second foray into horror. The film stars Justin Long as Wallace, a d-bag podcaster who travels to Canada to mock a boy who cut off his leg on the internet. When the story falls through, Wallace travels to a remote mansion to meet with Howard Howe (Michael Parks), a recluse with plenty of stories and…odd interests.
When Howard goes missing, it’s up to his girlfriend Ally (Genesis Rodriguez) and Not-See Party podcast co-host Teddy (Haley Joel Osment), along with a bizarre French...
February has truly been a ride as Trace and I venture through the wilds of Weird Sex Month. After spending the last few weeks of January buried in films of the 2000-2010s with remake House of Wax (2005) and Crimson Peak (2015), February has been dedicated to the early 1980s with Videodrome (1983) and Possession (1981).
Now we’re up to 2014’s Tusk, Kevin Smith‘s second foray into horror. The film stars Justin Long as Wallace, a d-bag podcaster who travels to Canada to mock a boy who cut off his leg on the internet. When the story falls through, Wallace travels to a remote mansion to meet with Howard Howe (Michael Parks), a recluse with plenty of stories and…odd interests.
When Howard goes missing, it’s up to his girlfriend Ally (Genesis Rodriguez) and Not-See Party podcast co-host Teddy (Haley Joel Osment), along with a bizarre French...
- 2/20/2023
- by Joe Lipsett
- bloody-disgusting.com
Subway Screaming.
After closing out January with a revisit of the Dark Castle slasher remake House of Wax, Joe and I settled into our birthday month with Videodrome, kicking off four weeks of ‘Weird Sex’ films! Next up is Andrzej Żuławski‘s 1981 classic Possession, which is finally available to stream on Shudder again!
In the film, Anna (Isabelle Adjani) reveals to her husband, Mark (Sam Neill), that she is having an affair. Mark is devastated, and seeks out Heinrich (Heinz Bennent), the man who cuckolded him, only to receive a beating. After a series of violent confrontations between Mark and Anna, Mark hires a private investigator to follow her. Anna descends into madness, and it’s soon clear that she is hiding a much bigger secret — one that is both inexplicable and shocking.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts,...
After closing out January with a revisit of the Dark Castle slasher remake House of Wax, Joe and I settled into our birthday month with Videodrome, kicking off four weeks of ‘Weird Sex’ films! Next up is Andrzej Żuławski‘s 1981 classic Possession, which is finally available to stream on Shudder again!
In the film, Anna (Isabelle Adjani) reveals to her husband, Mark (Sam Neill), that she is having an affair. Mark is devastated, and seeks out Heinrich (Heinz Bennent), the man who cuckolded him, only to receive a beating. After a series of violent confrontations between Mark and Anna, Mark hires a private investigator to follow her. Anna descends into madness, and it’s soon clear that she is hiding a much bigger secret — one that is both inexplicable and shocking.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts,...
- 2/13/2023
- by Trace Thurman
- bloody-disgusting.com
For many, Videodrome (1983) remains David Cronenberg’s signature film. It is not his most successful or necessarily even his best, but it does most thoroughly define the descriptor “Cronenbergian.” It is a distillation of many of the themes and motifs he would explore throughout his filmography. Along with The Fly (1986), it is perhaps his greatest depiction of the subgenre that he is most often associated with—body horror, but it also explores a number of philosophical ideas that thread their way through much of his body of work. Above all, Videodrome is an often uncomfortable interrogation of humanity’s relationship with violence, entertainment, and media, and forty years after its release, that interrogation has only become more disturbing and prescient.
Videodrome is an idea movie wrapped up in a mystery/conspiracy plot. That the plot makes any sense at all is rather remarkable considering, due to Canadian tax shelter policies,...
Videodrome is an idea movie wrapped up in a mystery/conspiracy plot. That the plot makes any sense at all is rather remarkable considering, due to Canadian tax shelter policies,...
- 2/9/2023
- by Brian Keiper
- bloody-disgusting.com
Long Live The New Flesh, Bitch!
And just like that, we’re into February. After starting the new year with a redo of our episode on The Perfection, followed by AIDS metaphor Safe, del Toro’s Gothic Romance Crimson Peak and slasher remake House of Wax, Trace and I are settling into our birthday month with four weeks of ‘Weird Sex’ films.
First on the docket: David Cronenberg‘s iconic body horror film Videodrome, which just celebrated its fortieth anniversary last week. In the film, Max Renn (James Woods) works at a Toronto TV station that programs sexy, violent content and he’s always on the hunt for new fare. Enter Videodrome: a pirated signal originally thought to originate from Malaysia (but is actually from Pittsburgh) that is basically snuff.
The trouble is that Videodrome is also a weapon, causing physical changes in the body of viewers (tumors), as well as vivid hallucinations.
And just like that, we’re into February. After starting the new year with a redo of our episode on The Perfection, followed by AIDS metaphor Safe, del Toro’s Gothic Romance Crimson Peak and slasher remake House of Wax, Trace and I are settling into our birthday month with four weeks of ‘Weird Sex’ films.
First on the docket: David Cronenberg‘s iconic body horror film Videodrome, which just celebrated its fortieth anniversary last week. In the film, Max Renn (James Woods) works at a Toronto TV station that programs sexy, violent content and he’s always on the hunt for new fare. Enter Videodrome: a pirated signal originally thought to originate from Malaysia (but is actually from Pittsburgh) that is basically snuff.
The trouble is that Videodrome is also a weapon, causing physical changes in the body of viewers (tumors), as well as vivid hallucinations.
- 2/6/2023
- by Joe Lipsett
- bloody-disgusting.com
In 1983, Canadian director David Cronenberg made a science fiction thriller called "Videodrome." Although only employing the technology available at the time — Betamax cassettes, terrestrial TV signals, and the like — "Videodrome" remains a salient and timely essay on the effects of media and technology on the human consciousness. In "Videodrome," James Woods plays a character named Max, who's made a living picking up stray, often pornographic TV signals from around the globe — signals that were completely unregulated — and broadcasting the pirated signals on his late-night TV station.
Although dubiously legal, Max goes on daytime TV talk shows to defend his business, and to have McLuhan-inflected conversations about the grasp modern media technology has on the mind. He talks with a curious intellectual named Brian O'Blivion (Jack Creley), who only appears on TV sets. He also begins having an intellectually inspired, rough-sex-infused affair with media star Nicki Brand (Debbie Harry).
Max finds...
Although dubiously legal, Max goes on daytime TV talk shows to defend his business, and to have McLuhan-inflected conversations about the grasp modern media technology has on the mind. He talks with a curious intellectual named Brian O'Blivion (Jack Creley), who only appears on TV sets. He also begins having an intellectually inspired, rough-sex-infused affair with media star Nicki Brand (Debbie Harry).
Max finds...
- 2/5/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
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