This horror director is making a new adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol. I am so confused.
Do you think the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel will be successful?
Spaceballs 2 has been confirmed! Just yesterday, many news pieces flooded the internet (and still are) pertaining to the Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis and Daphne Zuniga returning science fiction parody. Not only that, but we got Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman joining the cast. Personally, I think they'll be a nice fit. The one worry that I have though is these 80s movies which try to make a comeback in more modern times are usually a hit or a horrible miss. Now don't get me wrong, I loved the original - I randomly found a copy in the grocery store when I was younger and watched it again recently: "May the Schwartz be with you!" But then there are the remakes we don't talk about anymore - which I will bring up here, of course. 2011's The Thing, 2015's Point Break, 2017's Coming 2 America. The list goes on. Will Spaceballs 2 be one of them? Or will this sequel be the one that breaks this 80s return curse and be a hit for years to come? Let me know in the comments below!
Is Dogma overrated?
Before you ask, I did see the entirety of this beloved Kevin Smith movie - more than once, actually. The first time I watched it was for a college class, believe it or not - and the second time was for research into a piece I wrote right here on Movieweb. But both times, I felt like I was missing what everybody else saw. Yes, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's chemistry is amazing and the upside-down look at religion (the Catholic Church, specifically) is done perfectly. But, in my opinion, it's entertaining but not mind-blowing and the cheeky take on Catholicism has been done hundreds of times before. Jay and Silent Bob come into Dogma, so that's always fun though. What do you see that I don't? What should I take note of if I decide to watch the movie a third time? And finally, is Dogma overrated? Let me know in the comments below! I'd love to hear your thoughts?
The Backrooms movie adaptation now has stars attached. I don’t know how to feel.
IndieWire reported yesterday morning that The Backrooms - once a viral YouTube horror series - now a full-blown movie in the making - has filled out some of its cast. While the characters themselves are kept under lock and key for the moment, actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and actress Renate Reinsve are connected to the project. While I'm stoked that production is coming along (I was a huge fan of the original work), don't Ejiofor and Reinsve feel too big for an IP like this? Let's be real for a second, The Backrooms is a niche online series that has to pick up its own traction for the big screen. Ejiofor has been in Marvel movies, Disney movies and even has a great number of awards to his name. While Reinsve is not a huge name yet, her work in both A Different Man and The Worst Person in the World show that she's making wonderful strides. I just hope they rely on world-building, story and atmosphere instead of actor performances. If nothing else, The Backrooms needs those elements as its fou
Which movie was underwhelming for you but a 10 out of 10 for everybody else?
Every once in a while, a movie sticks out from the rest. Whether everybody knew this specific film was going to do great from the get-go or it was a sleeper hit which everybody eventually jumped on the hype train for, there’s always bound to be one feature that hits the right note for every moviegoer. Well, except you. Now listen, the same thing has happened to me. I’ll tell you mine, and then you tell me yours, deal? 2016’s Manchester By The Sea. A limited release and less than a ten million dollar budget. Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams star in this drama about a man who has to balance his PTSD with new guardianship over his nephew. . . . the film receives critical acclaim and is regarded as one of the best of 2016. I saw it, and it just didn’t hit me like others. The whole thing not only felt dreary.... but also dull.
If you could have any actor or actress star in an upcoming Godzilla film, who would it be and why?
With Shin Godzilla soon getting a 4k release soon (which will be absolutely terrifying to watch), it got me thinking. With stars like Millie Bobby Brown, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Taylor-Johnson all appearing in Godzilla movies, this American roster is certainly growing (and will continue to expand with Supernova). If you had the choice in your hands - which name would you contact to be in an upcoming Godzilla flick? My choice - and this would be a little ridiculous (but c'mon the movies always are) - would have to Nic Cage. Cameo or main role, the audience would certainly stay glued to their seats wondering how the king of the monsters and the Surfer star would interact, haha.
What's the most visually mesmerizing movie out there?
I could have easily picked 2006's The Fall, 2014's Interstellar or even the most recent adaptations of Dune. All lovely picks with regard to what they were trying to achieve, visually speaking. But by now, you know I have to pick something a bit more out there (spoiler art: it's in the picture above). If there is anything that 2008's Speed Racer will be remembered for, it's the high-paced, vibrant color palette. The very first time that I watched this Wachowski-directed movie was on a big projector screen (not in a movie theater) in an up-close seat - and it was amazing. Yes, the story and the acting needed some work, but the style was something else. Nobody could argue that. What's your pick for the most visually mesmerizing movie? Let me know in the comments below!
This new Matthew McConaughey shouldn’t premiere on streaming. That’s an injustice.
The deadliest fire in California's history. A busload of kids. Matthew McConaughey (as Kevin McCay) at the wheel. Crazy combination, isn't it? The Lost Bus is an upcoming survival drama film from Apple TV+ with a release date that has yet to be announced. The teaser trailer is up on YouTube though, and I can already see that this film should not have a streaming release. This movie is meant for the big screen. There's fiery, elemental danger (smoke and all) coming for our main characters. An enclosed, intimidating space - the only safe space, that is. Imagine seeing that on the big screen. The feeling would be something else. Fingers crossed a theatrical release will be announced soon. What do you think? Should The Lost Bus be put into theaters before appearing on Apple TV+? Let me know in the comments below!
Did you watch 'The Continental'? Do you think the show got a fair shake?
I love the John Wick franchise - let me start by saying that as clearly as can be. I've watched every theatrical entry more than once and over-analyzed every fight just to see how it was put together (thanks to Wick is Pain for helping me out there, haha). Now regarding The Continental - I certainly don't think it's on the level of the movies, but as a stand-alone streaming series - it felt like its own little Wick world. The fight scenes were just as good. I have to admit, the set design was bland as can be most of the time, but that can be forgiven with the action. What did you think of The Continental? Is it just as bad as everyone says it is? Or is it redeemable in some way? Let me know in the comments below!
Have you ever seen a movie more than once in a movie theatre? If so, what was it?
Personally, I've never done such a thing in my life (for me, it's more so the cost) - but I have had friends tell me about doing such a thing when it came to films like Avengers: Endgame or any of the Harry Potter films. First, they saw it with friends...then family...then extended family. I just think it's absurd at some point. Have you ever done the multiple movie deed? Haha - yes, that's what I'm calling it. Which film was it, and why were you so connected to it? Let me know in the comments below! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
The Black Phone 2 seems to have more supernatural elements than last time. Are you still going to watch?
In the first Black Phone, one of the ghost callers to Finney tells him that the grabber can hear the phone. I get that, and it's a cool little underlying element to the villain. Maybe he's paranormal, maybe he's not. You can't really believe someone who you don't even know is real. But now in the trailer for The Black Phone 2 - the grabber seems to be an all-out Freddy Krueger type of horror movie villain. He's a ghost that glides on ice and kills people from the afterlife. OK. I'm not sure if I like the writers and producers going THERE with the character, but I want to hear from you. What do you think of the grabber's transformation for The Black Phone 2 trailer? Love it? Hate it? Let me know in the comments below!
'Animal Farm' but in cute and animated form on Netflix? I don't understand but let's do it.
I don't know how you can possibly water down Animal Farm in this way. The timeless story of farm animals turning against their owner but failing to create a worthy society of their own is just not something that should mix with Dreamworks or Pixar-like animation. In the original novella, starvation, executions and murder all take place (mimicking the events of World War II). Will this be watered down for Andy Serkis' upcoming version on Netflix? Or would you like to see this iteration of Animal Farm go all the way and show every last bit of the mature content? Let me know in the comments below!
Do you honestly care about Robert Downey Jr being Doctor Doom - or do you just want to see Doctor Doom?
Being a lifelong MCU fan, I really want to know - where does your interest in the future of the MCU lay? The following big hitters (that is Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday, Avengers: Secret Wars) all have one big thing in common... Doctor Doom. I read an interesting post on Reddit the other day regarding the villain's inclusion into the MCU and the comments were thought-provoking. A lot of people were saying how they really don't care about Robert Downey Jr. being the man under the mask - they more so care about seeing Doctor Doom grace the screen. Long green cape, the silver and metallic mask. Basically, the presence more than the person. Which do YOU care more about? Do you want to see how the MCU handles the Tony Stark variant being the villain? Or do you want to see Doctor Doom wreak havoc on the universe?
Would you want to see a True Detective (season one) sequel? It might just happen.
Let's face the facts - as much as there are audiences for the later seasons of True Detective, there is nothing like the Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson first season. The acting, the writing, the plot elements, that finale (cult stuff mixed with just a bit of mysticism) - it's all superb. Lightning in a bottle or something more? Well, it looks like we might just find out. Creator of the show, Nic Pizzolatto says he talked to the two actors about a return to the original story and said that even though nothing is fleshed out, the guys are open to it. Would you want to leap back into the story of Detective Rustin "Rust" Cohle and Detective Martin "Marty" Hart? Let me know in the comments below!
Tom and Jerry will never be the same.
We've had Tom and Jerry cross over with Willy Wonka. There's also been a time when Tom and Jerry went to Oz. These are two of the more absurd ones. But now - I think we have reached peak. The trailer was released seven days ago on the official Warner Brothers YouTube channel, and it's not necessarily racking up the views, but it is coming. Tom and Jerry Gokko? I'm not fluent in international trends but Gokko basically transforms the iconic cat and mouse (and their entire world) into little, adorable and bite-sized hello-kitty caricatures (well, not officially that brand) - but you'll see what I mean once you watch the trailer. Do you think these shorts will somehow grab an audience? I mean an abrupt reroute in style worked with Teen Titans, right? Maybe that's what WB is going for. What do you think? Are you into the cutesy change of Tom and Jerry? Let me know below!
Favorite movie where the hero turns into the villain?
These movies hurt, man - so, so much. The viewer is led to believe that they're witnessing some sort of hero's journey only to get stabbed in the back and see the complete opposite take place. I'll admit that some of these flicks are super memorable in the way that they handle the story, though. Of course, there's Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith with Anakin's story and The Shining with Jack's transformation from father into a possessed evil. What's your favorite film where the supposed hero turns into the villain? Let me know in the comments below! My personal favorite has to be - if you haven't guessed from the picture above - Jake Gyllenhaal's Nightcrawler from 2013. Louis' manipulation slowly seeps out of him until the whole world (of the movie) is in his hands. It's super unsettling to watch but also you just can't look away either.
The Wizard of Oz and The Las Vegas Sphere: a good combination?
Las Vegas is going crazy again - and it has all to do with the Sphere. First coming to theaters in 1939, Judy Garland's The Wizard of Oz was immediately a massive success, becoming a hit at the box office and in syndication. Now (with the help of A.I) and American producer Jane Rosenthal - that theatrical experience is going to be much more encompassing, with Dorothy's small Kansas-based town and all of Oz more fleshed out and seen than ever before. She also says that they are working closely with WB to have the film's authenticity intact. I'll hand it over to you - is this something you're interested in? Or is this just another failed experiment for the sphere? Let me know in the comments below!
What’s the best “hero lets the villain live” scene?
There are many instances in movie history where the hero displays his resolve and does the morally right thing. There's John Wick and Cassian, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin, T'Challa and Killmonger - the list goes on regarding these character-defining scenes. But one that sticks out to me - and this may be harkening back to a childhood movie - is Treasure Planet. Jim and Silver, that is. Silver tricks Jim (the main protagonist) all throughout the movie and a deceiving kind of father and son relationship develops. All the lying and trickery to Jim's honorable mind, and he still lets Silver escape at the end of the movie. Even as a kid, I was like - what the heck kind of ending is this? I even think about it to this day sometimes, haha. According to YOU, what is the best "hero lets the villain live" scene? Let me know in the comments below!
If Stanley Kubrick was still alive today, what would be his next movie after Eyes Wide Shut?
There's no movie out there like 1999's Eyes Wide Shut. Nothing. Director Stanley Kubrick certainly had a knack for creating a tense and surreal type of environment with his movies. Look at A Clockwork Orange or The Shining - same exact thing. It's still a very tragic death - he passed only six days after he showed a cut of Eyes Wide Shut to his family and the cast. I wonder from time to time what his next film would be like. At that point, he had already covered so many different genres and themes. Would he potentially go for something in the science fiction genre or maybe crime? To put Stanley Kubrick's filmmaking style around any genre is a tough task - but what do you think his next film would have have been? Let me know - I'd love to hear everybody's thoughts on this one.
Has there ever been a smart character in a slasher horror movie?
Let the trope of the clueless horror movie victim live on! But seriously though, I was thinking about this the other day. It would probably subvert and potentially derail every horror movie in the existence of humankind - but has there ever been a character in this genre (that's not the killer) who has enough intelligence to plan accordingly? Yes - I know - time is of the essence in these sort of horror-centric events (watch any Friday The 13th or Scream entries, for example), but all I think of with these movies is how high they can scream, not how smart they were in trying to evade the killer. Has there ever been an intelligent character in a slasher movie? I don't know for sure, but if you think you have one in mind - let me know in the comments below!
Is there a streaming platform out there that you use that no one else seems to talk about? Tell us about it!
As much as we can talk about Netflix, Max, Prime Video or any of the other giant streaming platforms out there, there are also new apps popping up every day that seem to deliver a curated selection of movies and television shows that no one has heard about. Just on my Facebook feed alone - I've seen advertisements for Kanopy (which is connected to public and academic libraries), Mubi (for more international selections) and Eternal Family (a very odd and bizarre selection of old surreal movies). These are all worth a dive if you haven't heard of them. Is there a streaming platform that you'd wish the world would talk about some more? Tell us all about it right here!
