Joe Dante's "Gremlins" is a one-of-a-kind blockbuster from an era when studios hadn't quite yet developed the formula for producing hit movies. In the early 1980s, executives under pressure to find projects capable of breaking the coveted $100 million domestic mark relied heavily on movie stars or bestselling books, but to strike gold you needed vision. That meant finding a visionary.
There were two 30-something film brats who fit this profile during that period: George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. And since Lucas was, at the moment, a two-franchise man with "Star Wars" and the just-taking-off Indiana Jones series, Spielberg, who'd just set up his production company Amblin Entertainment at Universal Pictures, was the closest thing to a Walt Disney alive and unfrozen in Hollywood.
After scoring a one-two box-office knockout in 1982 with "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Poltergeist," Spielberg was eager to expand his burgeoning showbiz empire. For his first official,...
There were two 30-something film brats who fit this profile during that period: George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. And since Lucas was, at the moment, a two-franchise man with "Star Wars" and the just-taking-off Indiana Jones series, Spielberg, who'd just set up his production company Amblin Entertainment at Universal Pictures, was the closest thing to a Walt Disney alive and unfrozen in Hollywood.
After scoring a one-two box-office knockout in 1982 with "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Poltergeist," Spielberg was eager to expand his burgeoning showbiz empire. For his first official,...
- 6/7/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
In need of a new manga to read? If you’re like me, the answer is “yes,” even if you have a hefty pile of manga waiting to be read. That’s okay! There’s always room for more manga, manhwa and whatever else strikes your literary fancy. Related: New Manga to Read for April 2024 Because there’s so many books to choose from, we’ve put together a couple of picks to fill your shelves for March. From premium editions to classic series like Tokyo Babylon to Star Wars , Bl anthologies and mobsters, here are a few picks available at the Crunchyroll Store! A Breakdown of May Manga Releases After We Gazed at the Starry Sky, Volume 2 Manga | Yen Press | Release date: 5/21/2024 Synopsis: That fateful encounter at the planetarium changed Subaru Miyazawa’s life forever. After all, that’s where he met his true love, Tougo Amase, photographer extraordinaire!
- 5/13/2024
- by Briana Lawrence
- Crunchyroll
Kentaro Miura’s Berserk is one of the top dark fantasy anime/manga to date, and Gut’s Dragon Slayer sword is featured in every image of the franchise. It has now become almost like a trademark for the protagonist to slug around the huge slab of iron.
However, it is because of the sword’s massive size that Guts can use it to slay the apostles of God. Every fallen apostle adds to the sword’s strength, making it more and more effective every kill. Let’s say that Dragon Slayer is no less popular than Guts himself.
So, indeed it should be surprising for Berserk fans to know that Miura might not like Gut’s sword as much as everyone else.
Kentaro Miura’s Problem with Drawing Gut’s Sword in Berserk
In an interview, Kentaro Miura was asked what martial arts materials he had to collect to...
However, it is because of the sword’s massive size that Guts can use it to slay the apostles of God. Every fallen apostle adds to the sword’s strength, making it more and more effective every kill. Let’s say that Dragon Slayer is no less popular than Guts himself.
So, indeed it should be surprising for Berserk fans to know that Miura might not like Gut’s sword as much as everyone else.
Kentaro Miura’s Problem with Drawing Gut’s Sword in Berserk
In an interview, Kentaro Miura was asked what martial arts materials he had to collect to...
- 4/19/2024
- by Aaheli Pradhan
- FandomWire
Few genres are as synonymous with innovation as role-playing games. Many early RPGs were among the most ambitious gaming experiences of their era. Since then, the best RPG studios have aspired to raise the bar by producing increasingly advanced experiences. That expectation for innovations resulted in advancements that often benefited every other part of the medium.
It’s not easy to shine a proper light on all the RPGs that changed gaming forever (and for the better) no matter how much room you give yourself. Yet, these 20 RPGs do an admirable job of telling the story of one of gaming’s most important genres.
Before we get into that, though, please just note that this article is limited to video game RPGs. That means that obviously influential tabletop RPGs are only mentioned in passing.
pedit5 (1975)
Released in 1975 for the Plato computer network, pedit5 is one of (if not the) earliest known computer role-playing games.
It’s not easy to shine a proper light on all the RPGs that changed gaming forever (and for the better) no matter how much room you give yourself. Yet, these 20 RPGs do an admirable job of telling the story of one of gaming’s most important genres.
Before we get into that, though, please just note that this article is limited to video game RPGs. That means that obviously influential tabletop RPGs are only mentioned in passing.
pedit5 (1975)
Released in 1975 for the Plato computer network, pedit5 is one of (if not the) earliest known computer role-playing games.
- 3/12/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
It’s Millie Bobby Brown versus dragon in Netflix’s dark fantasy adventure. Here’s our review of Damsel:
By pure coincidence, Damsel arrives on Netflix almost exactly a century after German director Fritz Lang introduced what was likely cinema’s first dragon in 1924’s Die Nibelungen. Lang and his collaborators brought their fearsome creature to life with a mixture of rubber, mechanical joints and puppetry (plus a bit of cocaine if one account is to be believed), and the result has a physical presence that is still captivating 100 years later.
In Damsel, director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and production designer Patrick Tatopoulos used CGI to create their dragon, but it still has plenty of weight, personality, and most importantly, menace. Unlike the gigantic winged beasts of, say, 1981’s Dragonslayer (which had terrific animation from Phil Tippett) or 2002’s Reign Of Fire, Damsel’s dragon is also relatively compact – it’s...
By pure coincidence, Damsel arrives on Netflix almost exactly a century after German director Fritz Lang introduced what was likely cinema’s first dragon in 1924’s Die Nibelungen. Lang and his collaborators brought their fearsome creature to life with a mixture of rubber, mechanical joints and puppetry (plus a bit of cocaine if one account is to be believed), and the result has a physical presence that is still captivating 100 years later.
In Damsel, director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and production designer Patrick Tatopoulos used CGI to create their dragon, but it still has plenty of weight, personality, and most importantly, menace. Unlike the gigantic winged beasts of, say, 1981’s Dragonslayer (which had terrific animation from Phil Tippett) or 2002’s Reign Of Fire, Damsel’s dragon is also relatively compact – it’s...
- 3/8/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
Let’s be honest, what’s your all-time favorite dragon movie? Is it Dragonslayer? Dragonheart? Q: The Winged Serpent? Maybe it’s an animated feature like How to Train Your Dragon or Raya and the Last Dragon? No matter what your answer is, the unpopular opinion remains, Rob Bowman’s 2002 popcorn flick Reign of Fire is one of the most underrated movies featuring the mythic fire-breathing beasts. Never mind the fact that the flick boasts a lowly 39 Metascore and 42% Rotten Tomatoes score, the grim dystopian world-building, excellent visual effects, and big-d*ck swinging performances from Matthew McConaughey and Christian Bale remain a ton of fun to behold. Of course, Reign of Fire had the misfortune of running into the far more potent cinematic behemoth, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, which largely overshadowed the movie’s mild commercial success and eventually relegated the film into obscurity at worst,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Chicago – DVD editions from Paramount Home Entertainment’s most popular films are on tap for holiday and general gift giving, and several are in the latest 4K Ultra HD format … providing high definition pixel imagery that is Perfect for backyard or any projected film nights.
Anniversary DVDs include “Roman Holiday” (70th), “Flashdance” (40th), “Deep Impact” (25th), Titanic (25th) and “School of Rock” (20th).
Anniversary DVDs from Paramount Home Entertainment
Photo credit: Paramount Home Entertainment
Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com overview of DVD gifts from Paramount Home Entertainment (Anniversary DVDs) …
Special Edition DVDs include “Dragonslayer” (1981), “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986), “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “Chicago” (2002) and the “Transformers” 4K Ultra HD Box Set, all the Transformer films from 2007-2018.
Special Edition DVDs from Paramount Home Entertainment
Photo credit: Paramount Home Entertainment
Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com overview of DVD gifts from Paramount Home Entertainment (Anniversary DVDs) …
DVDs from Paramount Home Entertainment are available wherever DVDs are sold.
Anniversary DVDs include “Roman Holiday” (70th), “Flashdance” (40th), “Deep Impact” (25th), Titanic (25th) and “School of Rock” (20th).
Anniversary DVDs from Paramount Home Entertainment
Photo credit: Paramount Home Entertainment
Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com overview of DVD gifts from Paramount Home Entertainment (Anniversary DVDs) …
Special Edition DVDs include “Dragonslayer” (1981), “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986), “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “Chicago” (2002) and the “Transformers” 4K Ultra HD Box Set, all the Transformer films from 2007-2018.
Special Edition DVDs from Paramount Home Entertainment
Photo credit: Paramount Home Entertainment
Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com overview of DVD gifts from Paramount Home Entertainment (Anniversary DVDs) …
DVDs from Paramount Home Entertainment are available wherever DVDs are sold.
- 12/22/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Marc Thorpe, the visual effects artist who worked on various Star Wars and Indiana Jones films and created the Robot Wars concept in the early 1990s — around the same time he was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s — died November 24 of complications of the disease. He was 77.
His daughter Megan Feffer announced his death in a Facebook post. Thorpe’s official website confirmed the news.
A noted Hollywood model-maker and puppet engineer, Thorpe joined George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic in 1979 and went on to work on effects for Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom and other instal.ments of those franchises.
Other film credits through the 1980s include Dragonslayer, Poltergeist, Howard the Duck and, in 1990, The Hunt for Red October.
Thorpe developed the concept for what would become Robot Wars while...
His daughter Megan Feffer announced his death in a Facebook post. Thorpe’s official website confirmed the news.
A noted Hollywood model-maker and puppet engineer, Thorpe joined George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic in 1979 and went on to work on effects for Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom and other instal.ments of those franchises.
Other film credits through the 1980s include Dragonslayer, Poltergeist, Howard the Duck and, in 1990, The Hunt for Red October.
Thorpe developed the concept for what would become Robot Wars while...
- 11/29/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Marc Thorpe, the visual effects artist who worked on several “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars” films before launching the bot battling competition Robot Wars, has died. He was 77.
Thorpe died Friday of complications related to Parkinson’s Disease, his daughter Megan Feffer shared on Facebook.
“For him, early onset Parkinson’s disease started out with relatively mild tremors and then over time progressed toward less and less bodily autonomy — something particularly torturous for a fiercely independent artist like my dad whose joy in life was to create things with his hands,” Feffer wrote.
“While the disease itself is not technically considered terminal, it does eventually remove crucial functions like movement and swallowing – functions essential for life,” she continued. “To say the last few months, and especially the last few weeks, were challenging for my dad would be an understatement, and I am grateful that he is finally at peace.”
Thorpe...
Thorpe died Friday of complications related to Parkinson’s Disease, his daughter Megan Feffer shared on Facebook.
“For him, early onset Parkinson’s disease started out with relatively mild tremors and then over time progressed toward less and less bodily autonomy — something particularly torturous for a fiercely independent artist like my dad whose joy in life was to create things with his hands,” Feffer wrote.
“While the disease itself is not technically considered terminal, it does eventually remove crucial functions like movement and swallowing – functions essential for life,” she continued. “To say the last few months, and especially the last few weeks, were challenging for my dad would be an understatement, and I am grateful that he is finally at peace.”
Thorpe...
- 11/29/2023
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Marc Thorpe, the visual effects artist who created the hit television series “Robot Wars” in which customized radio-controlled robots fight in metal arenas, has died. Thorpe was 77.
Thorpe died on Friday at a hospice facility in Alamo, California, according to his daughter Megan Feffer. Thorpe’s death resulted from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Doctors first diagnosed Thorpe with the progressive nervous system disorder in 1993.
“But if there’s one thing I know for sure it’s that my dad would want to be remembered – and not for his Parkinson’s Disease. He would want to be remembered for his art,” Megan Feffer wrote on Facebook.
She added: “From being a model maker at Ilm on ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ to his creation of ‘Robot Wars,’ he made many, many beautiful, weird, detailed and strange things.”
In 1979, Thorpe started working at Industrial Light and Magic/Lucasfilm as a model maker and animatronic designer.
Thorpe died on Friday at a hospice facility in Alamo, California, according to his daughter Megan Feffer. Thorpe’s death resulted from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Doctors first diagnosed Thorpe with the progressive nervous system disorder in 1993.
“But if there’s one thing I know for sure it’s that my dad would want to be remembered – and not for his Parkinson’s Disease. He would want to be remembered for his art,” Megan Feffer wrote on Facebook.
She added: “From being a model maker at Ilm on ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ to his creation of ‘Robot Wars,’ he made many, many beautiful, weird, detailed and strange things.”
In 1979, Thorpe started working at Industrial Light and Magic/Lucasfilm as a model maker and animatronic designer.
- 11/29/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Marc Thorpe, who created special effects for Star Wars and Indiana Jones films before launching Robot Wars, which feature radio-controlled gladiators in events he called “festivals of destruction and survival,” has died. He was 77.
Thorpe died Friday of complications related to Parkinson’s disease at a hospice facility in Alamo, California, his daughter, Megan Feffer, told The Hollywood Reporter. He was first diagnosed with the progressive disorder that affects the nervous system in 1993.
“For him, early onset Parkinson’s disease started out with relatively mild tremors and then over time progressed toward less and less bodily autonomy — something particularly torturous for a fiercely independent artist like my dad whose joy in life was to create things with his hands,” she wrote on Facebook.
“While the disease itself is not technically considered terminal, it does eventually remove crucial functions like movement and swallowing — functions essential for life. To say the last few months,...
Thorpe died Friday of complications related to Parkinson’s disease at a hospice facility in Alamo, California, his daughter, Megan Feffer, told The Hollywood Reporter. He was first diagnosed with the progressive disorder that affects the nervous system in 1993.
“For him, early onset Parkinson’s disease started out with relatively mild tremors and then over time progressed toward less and less bodily autonomy — something particularly torturous for a fiercely independent artist like my dad whose joy in life was to create things with his hands,” she wrote on Facebook.
“While the disease itself is not technically considered terminal, it does eventually remove crucial functions like movement and swallowing — functions essential for life. To say the last few months,...
- 11/28/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York, NY (11/18/23) – Yen Press, LLC announced eleven new acquisitions at its Industry Panel at Anime NYC. Releasing in May 2024, this lineup includes eight manga, andthree novels (Brunhild the Dragonslayer; The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station; Guillotine Bride).
Bungo Stray Dogs Official Anthology
Original Story by Kafka Asagiri
Character Design by Sango Harukawa
Art by Various Artists
Presenting the first anthology of the popular supernatural action series Bungo Stray Dogs! Featuring a luxurious list of guest authors, these new Bungo stories include everything from gags to heartwarming moments in a charming collection that will leave you begging for more!
Days with My Stepsister
Story by Ghost Mikawa
Art by Yumika Kanade
Character Design by Hiten
After his father's remarriage, high school student Yuuta suddenly finds himself stepsiblings with his classmate Saki. However, unlike the plain and simple Yuuta, his new younger sister has an over-the-top sense of style and is known...
Bungo Stray Dogs Official Anthology
Original Story by Kafka Asagiri
Character Design by Sango Harukawa
Art by Various Artists
Presenting the first anthology of the popular supernatural action series Bungo Stray Dogs! Featuring a luxurious list of guest authors, these new Bungo stories include everything from gags to heartwarming moments in a charming collection that will leave you begging for more!
Days with My Stepsister
Story by Ghost Mikawa
Art by Yumika Kanade
Character Design by Hiten
After his father's remarriage, high school student Yuuta suddenly finds himself stepsiblings with his classmate Saki. However, unlike the plain and simple Yuuta, his new younger sister has an over-the-top sense of style and is known...
- 11/21/2023
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Clockwise from upper left: Superman II (Warner Bros.), Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (Paramount), Gremlins (Warner Bros.), The Last Airbender (Paramount), Twister (Warner Bros.), Prince of Persia: The Sands Of Time (Disney)Graphic: AVClub
What we think of today as summer blockbuster movies arguably began in 1975 with Jaws.
What we think of today as summer blockbuster movies arguably began in 1975 with Jaws.
- 8/21/2023
- by Luke Y. Thompson
- avclub.com
At the end of the 70s and beginnings of the 80s, Disney decided to take a turn into a darker side of cinema, at least for them. In 1979 they released The Black Hole, a sci-fi epic which had among its cast Anthony Perkins, best known for Psycho as well as a space station manned by animated corpse/robot hybrids. The film would include an ending which would literally show the villain of the piece in hell in penance for his crimes for all eternity. The following year would be another creepy sci-fi entry The Watcher In The Woods.
Following these films would be the gory fantasy epic Dragonslayer. That film actually showed a real Disney Princess being eaten by blind baby dragons on camera. So to round out a really fantastic run of Dark movies the House of Mouse went all in with a fantasy film that covered themes of death,...
Following these films would be the gory fantasy epic Dragonslayer. That film actually showed a real Disney Princess being eaten by blind baby dragons on camera. So to round out a really fantastic run of Dark movies the House of Mouse went all in with a fantasy film that covered themes of death,...
- 5/31/2023
- by Jessica Dwyer
- JoBlo.com
It’s no surprise that when the social experiment of “Survivor” began in 2000, it would produce some of reality TV’s sexiest flings ever. When Colleen Haskell and Greg Buis began flirting on Season 1 it was a bit of a surprise to viewers, but now the terms “showmance” and “power couple” are as common as “immunity challenge” and “tribal council.” Over the course of 44 seasons and more than two decades, contestants have put aside bad breath, limbs scarred from bug bites and their saggy, dirty swimsuits in order to find each other attractive enough to, yes, fall in love. In our photo gallery above, we detail 15 of the most iconic “Survivor” showmances of all time.
See‘Survivor’ deaths: Full list of castaways we’ve lost
Season 1: Colleen and Greg
The most famous showmance in series history is its first, between Colleen and Greg on “Borneo.” The two young members...
See‘Survivor’ deaths: Full list of castaways we’ve lost
Season 1: Colleen and Greg
The most famous showmance in series history is its first, between Colleen and Greg on “Borneo.” The two young members...
- 4/12/2023
- by John Benutty, Marcus James Dixon and Christopher Tsang
- Gold Derby
Well, well, well, if it isn't our Blu-ray column, back at it again! This latest round-up of the best new Blu-rays you should check out features a couple of Oscar-winning pics, a great practical effects-heavy fantasy epic, a solid B-movie, and a follow-up to the surprisingly wonderful "Searching." In other words, there's a little bit for everyone here, and I hope you'll check some of these titles out, folks. Keep spinning those discs. Streaming comes and goes. Physical media is forever.
All Quiet On The Western Front
War is hell in "All Quiet on the Western Front," the Oscar-winning Netflix adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's World War I novel. As an exercise in production, "All Quiet on the Western Front" is frequently staggering. The mud, blood, and overall chaos of life in the trenches is portrayed with stark, realistic horror. And Volker Bertelmann's droning, pounding, horror movie score...
All Quiet On The Western Front
War is hell in "All Quiet on the Western Front," the Oscar-winning Netflix adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's World War I novel. As an exercise in production, "All Quiet on the Western Front" is frequently staggering. The mud, blood, and overall chaos of life in the trenches is portrayed with stark, realistic horror. And Volker Bertelmann's droning, pounding, horror movie score...
- 3/31/2023
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Paramount Home Entertainment has announced that they will be giving the 1981 fantasy film Dragonslayer a 4K Uhd and Blu-ray release on March 21st – and copies are already available for pre-order at This Link! The discs will include over an hour of new special features, as well as an audio commentary with Dragonslayer director Matthew Robbins (who wrote the screenplay with Hal Barwood) and Dragonslayer fan Guillermo del Toro.
Robbins and del Toro have worked together several times over the years, co-writing the screenplays for Mimic, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Crimson Peak, and Pinocchio.
Dragonslayer has the following synopsis: Set in sixth-century England, an ill-tempered, fire-breathing creature—ominously known as Vermithrax Pejorative—terrorizes its citizens until a young sorcerer’s apprentice named Galen (Peter MacNicol) is reluctantly tasked with confronting the beast. For Galen to succeed, it will take more than magic to defeat the dragon.
A press release...
Robbins and del Toro have worked together several times over the years, co-writing the screenplays for Mimic, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Crimson Peak, and Pinocchio.
Dragonslayer has the following synopsis: Set in sixth-century England, an ill-tempered, fire-breathing creature—ominously known as Vermithrax Pejorative—terrorizes its citizens until a young sorcerer’s apprentice named Galen (Peter MacNicol) is reluctantly tasked with confronting the beast. For Galen to succeed, it will take more than magic to defeat the dragon.
A press release...
- 2/1/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
With only its second season underway, Prime Video’s animated adult fantasy The Legend of Vox Machina is proving to be one of the streamer’s latest and fruitful ventures into the medium and geek culture-at-large.
Debuting in 2022, its critically acclaimed first season — largely funded through a kickstarer campaign and produced in partnership with Amazon Studios and Titmouse — arrived in the same year as a few other epic, sprawling fantasy TV series. Most notably His Dark Materials, The Sandman, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon. After garnering an early third season renewal and just five days after the show’s Jan. 20 second season premiere, Amazon Studios announced a multiyear exclusive overall television and first-look film deal with Critical Role.
The deal will see the studio and streamer further investing in animated series — on the heels of its success with...
Debuting in 2022, its critically acclaimed first season — largely funded through a kickstarer campaign and produced in partnership with Amazon Studios and Titmouse — arrived in the same year as a few other epic, sprawling fantasy TV series. Most notably His Dark Materials, The Sandman, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon. After garnering an early third season renewal and just five days after the show’s Jan. 20 second season premiere, Amazon Studios announced a multiyear exclusive overall television and first-look film deal with Critical Role.
The deal will see the studio and streamer further investing in animated series — on the heels of its success with...
- 1/31/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Oscars: ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ could lead stop-motion renaissance in Best Animated Feature
From prestige critical darlings like “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” to gonzo arthouse fare like Phil Tippett’s “Mad God,” stop-motion filmmaking is in the midst of a renaissance. As opposed to traditional and computer-generated animation, stop motion is achieved by physically manipulating puppets, clay models, and other tangible materials between frames. While some level of CGI is necessary to simulate, for example, a natural disaster, the bulk of what audiences see on screen is designed by hand.
Gold Derby’s projected Best Animated Feature lineup poses an exciting possibility: With “Gdt’s Pinocchio” out front, “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” in third, and “Wendell and Wild” on the verge of breaking into the top five, stop-motion projects could outnumber computer-animated features for the third time since the category’s 2002 induction. It will be just the second time, however, that this has happened in a lineup of five.
See...
Gold Derby’s projected Best Animated Feature lineup poses an exciting possibility: With “Gdt’s Pinocchio” out front, “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” in third, and “Wendell and Wild” on the verge of breaking into the top five, stop-motion projects could outnumber computer-animated features for the third time since the category’s 2002 induction. It will be just the second time, however, that this has happened in a lineup of five.
See...
- 12/16/2022
- by Ronald Meyer
- Gold Derby
In the 1920s, Russian animator Władysław Starewicz, a.k.a. Lasislas Starevich, began experimenting with stop-motion animation techniques that would make the process look a little bit more natural. Traditionally for stop-motion, a doll, clay, or other plastic substance would be moved slightly, photographed, moved slightly again, and so on for 24 frames per second, creating the illusion of movement. The resulting animation takes a lot of painstaking work and a great deal of time, but it makes for an appealing style than allowed dolls and models to come to life. The issue Starevich had with stop-motion was that is possessed a "jerky," unnatural quality of movement. He combated this by moving his camera during the photography process to add a blur to the image. If an animated figure had the same photographic blur as a quick-moving human, Starevich figured, then the animated object would appear more real.
Thus, go-motion animation was born.
Thus, go-motion animation was born.
- 12/14/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Visual effects have come a long way since the first "Star Wars" trilogy premiered in the late 1970s and early 1980s. 1983's "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" broke ground in terms of effects, just as its two predecessors had. One of the people responsible for this was Industrial Light & Magic's Dennis Muren. He worked on the visual effects for both of the first films but had even more responsibility for "Return of the Jedi."
When you're in demand as a top visual effects artist, you often have to work on more than one project at a time. A while back, Muren spoke to StarWars.com about his experience on the film and how he simultaneously balanced doing work for George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.
To give you a taste of the work Muren has done, he's provided visual effects for films like "Jurassic Park," "War of the Worlds,...
When you're in demand as a top visual effects artist, you often have to work on more than one project at a time. A while back, Muren spoke to StarWars.com about his experience on the film and how he simultaneously balanced doing work for George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.
To give you a taste of the work Muren has done, he's provided visual effects for films like "Jurassic Park," "War of the Worlds,...
- 9/20/2022
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
Phil Tippett is one of the unsung heroes of modern cinema. Though not everyone knows his name, everyone knows his work: the At-at in "Empire Strikes Back," the titular dragon from "Dragonslayer," the robot sequences in "RoboCop," and some of the dinosaurs in "Jurassic Park."
Tippett helped revolutionize visual effects and stop-motion, as we recently saw in the excellent Ilm doc "Light and Magic." That documentary series shone a light on the artists behind the scenes that made the biggest movies of the past 40 years by mixing old-school techniques with cutting-edge technology, innovating at every turn. Though the documentary follows many people over the course of decades, one narrative stands out — that of Phil Tippett, his rise to the top, and then his fall once CGI starts dominating the visual effects industry.
Though we haven't seen Tippett's name featured prominently in movie credits for a while, he finally made the comeback he was due.
Tippett helped revolutionize visual effects and stop-motion, as we recently saw in the excellent Ilm doc "Light and Magic." That documentary series shone a light on the artists behind the scenes that made the biggest movies of the past 40 years by mixing old-school techniques with cutting-edge technology, innovating at every turn. Though the documentary follows many people over the course of decades, one narrative stands out — that of Phil Tippett, his rise to the top, and then his fall once CGI starts dominating the visual effects industry.
Though we haven't seen Tippett's name featured prominently in movie credits for a while, he finally made the comeback he was due.
- 9/20/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Berkeley, California-based visual effects and animation production company Tippett Studio, helmed by two-time Oscar winner Phil Tippett, is expanding into Canada with its first satellite office in Toronto, which will be called Tippett Canada.
The company’s recent projects include “The Book of Boba Fett,” Season 2 of “The Mandalorian,” Marvel Studio’s “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” all three on Disney+, and Season 2 of “Locke and Key” on Netflix.
Tippett’s Toronto operation, which will house a fully functioning post-production studio, will be headed by Gary Mundell, president of Tippett Canada, and current COO of Tippett Studio. Tippett Canada will be servicing clients including Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Disney, Showtime, New Line and Legendary, including “The Toxic Avenger.”
Projects in production include “The Orville” Season 3, “Black Adam” and “The Man Who Fell to Earth” on Showtime.
Canadian-born Mundell was promoted from head of production to COO of Tippett Studio in January.
The company’s recent projects include “The Book of Boba Fett,” Season 2 of “The Mandalorian,” Marvel Studio’s “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” all three on Disney+, and Season 2 of “Locke and Key” on Netflix.
Tippett’s Toronto operation, which will house a fully functioning post-production studio, will be headed by Gary Mundell, president of Tippett Canada, and current COO of Tippett Studio. Tippett Canada will be servicing clients including Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Disney, Showtime, New Line and Legendary, including “The Toxic Avenger.”
Projects in production include “The Orville” Season 3, “Black Adam” and “The Man Who Fell to Earth” on Showtime.
Canadian-born Mundell was promoted from head of production to COO of Tippett Studio in January.
- 5/4/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Several of the decade’s cinematic fantasy adventures are unimprovable but others – Dragonslayer, or The Neverending Story perhaps – are not
There will probably never be a reboot of The Princess Bride, the classic 1980s film fantasy which was adapted by William Goldman from his own novel and directed by Rob Reiner. Certainly not if star Cary Elwes has his way. The dapper face of Westley the farmhand, Aka Dread Pirate Roberts, Aka The Man in Black, confirmed this week that he remains wholly opposed to a new version, the prospect of which has been mooted once or twice over the past decade. “If a film has landed in the hearts of the public, then, to me, it is not a good idea to try and revisit it,” he told the Hollywood Reporter.
It’s a fair point. It is hard to imagine a remake of Reiner’s film ending up anything but a shallow retread.
There will probably never be a reboot of The Princess Bride, the classic 1980s film fantasy which was adapted by William Goldman from his own novel and directed by Rob Reiner. Certainly not if star Cary Elwes has his way. The dapper face of Westley the farmhand, Aka Dread Pirate Roberts, Aka The Man in Black, confirmed this week that he remains wholly opposed to a new version, the prospect of which has been mooted once or twice over the past decade. “If a film has landed in the hearts of the public, then, to me, it is not a good idea to try and revisit it,” he told the Hollywood Reporter.
It’s a fair point. It is hard to imagine a remake of Reiner’s film ending up anything but a shallow retread.
- 11/26/2021
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Easily one of the most strikingly bold films of this year’s Fantasia Film Festival, Phil Tippett’s Mad God feels like a journey into a realm filled with death and destruction, brimming with haunting visuals unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. And for those who may not know, Tippett is one of the greatest creative minds to have ever worked in Hollywood, lending his talents to a variety of projects including the original Star Wars trilogy, Jurassic Park, RoboCop, Dragonslayer, Willow, Howard the Duck, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and so many more.
For the last 30 years, Tippett has been working independently on Mad God, an audacious stop-motion project that feels like the love child of Ray Harryhausen’s work and The City of Lost Children, and now, the film is finally being released into the world. Daily Dead recently had the opportunity to speak with Tippett about...
For the last 30 years, Tippett has been working independently on Mad God, an audacious stop-motion project that feels like the love child of Ray Harryhausen’s work and The City of Lost Children, and now, the film is finally being released into the world. Daily Dead recently had the opportunity to speak with Tippett about...
- 8/24/2021
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
This week on Fantasizing About Fantasy Films, we're taking a deep dive into one of the strangest films ever to emerge from Disney - Dragonslayer - a co-production with Paramount Pictures that ranks as one of the darkest sword and sorcery movie of the eighties. Peter MacNicol (Ghostbusters 2!) stars as a young wizarding apprentice set to kill a terrifying dragon, Vermithrax Pejorative. Directed by Matthew Robbins, the great Ralph Richardson co-stars with Caitlin Clarke, with cutting-edge…...
- 6/3/2021
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
This article is sponsored by
If you’re lucky enough to live near Islay, Scotland, you may have heard the tale of the Islay Dragon, a myth that has inspired a new limited edition whisky from the legendary Scotch whisky distillery, Ardbeg.
Ardbeg Scorch is distilled in heavily-charred American oak casks for a super-smoky flavour, and will be released on this year’s Ardbeg Day— an online celebration which forms part of Islay’s annual Fèis Ìle festival of whisky and music.
The Ardbeg Day celebrations are free to join online, and open to all whisky lovers. For those who can’t yet taste the “fire-breathing beast of a dram” in person, you can celebrate with a taste of the best TV and movie dragons, and raise a glass of your own from home.
You can find out more about Ardbeg Day here, and consider joining the Ardbeg Committee here.
If you’re lucky enough to live near Islay, Scotland, you may have heard the tale of the Islay Dragon, a myth that has inspired a new limited edition whisky from the legendary Scotch whisky distillery, Ardbeg.
Ardbeg Scorch is distilled in heavily-charred American oak casks for a super-smoky flavour, and will be released on this year’s Ardbeg Day— an online celebration which forms part of Islay’s annual Fèis Ìle festival of whisky and music.
The Ardbeg Day celebrations are free to join online, and open to all whisky lovers. For those who can’t yet taste the “fire-breathing beast of a dram” in person, you can celebrate with a taste of the best TV and movie dragons, and raise a glass of your own from home.
You can find out more about Ardbeg Day here, and consider joining the Ardbeg Committee here.
- 6/1/2021
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
Few people remember it now, but back in 2002 Matthew McConaughey, Christian Bale, and a young Gerard Butler starred in a post-apocalyptic dragon movie called Reign Of Fire. A hybrid of The Road Warrior and Dragonslayer, the film was a box office bust in that jam-packed summer. Those of us that saw it have some pretty fond memories of this action flick, which was produced by Disney's Touchstone Pictures back when they were still in the habit of making films such as this. Join us as we take…...
- 11/17/2020
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Scener, a Seattle-based startup that enables social viewing, has teamed with Comic-Con to become the exclusive co-viewing partner for its upcoming online event.
The company will host two tracks of library films and anime during Comic-Con@Home, which runs July 22 to 26, with a capacity of up to 1 million simultaneous viewers, featuring live community chat. (See full list of films below.)
Scener has also expanded the roster of services it can connect viewers with to seven in total: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Funimation and Vimeo.
In recent months, Google Chrome extensions like Netflix Party and Scener have gained traction as viewers have craved social experiences while also boosting streaming consumption during Covid-19 shutdowns. Hulu and Amazon Prime have recently announced they are adding “party” features to their services in response to the trend. The social function can be accessed only on laptops,...
The company will host two tracks of library films and anime during Comic-Con@Home, which runs July 22 to 26, with a capacity of up to 1 million simultaneous viewers, featuring live community chat. (See full list of films below.)
Scener has also expanded the roster of services it can connect viewers with to seven in total: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Funimation and Vimeo.
In recent months, Google Chrome extensions like Netflix Party and Scener have gained traction as viewers have craved social experiences while also boosting streaming consumption during Covid-19 shutdowns. Hulu and Amazon Prime have recently announced they are adding “party” features to their services in response to the trend. The social function can be accessed only on laptops,...
- 7/16/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Master of Horror Greg Nicotero takes us on a stroll through some of his favorite movies, as well as a trip through every home video format you’ve ever heard of… and some you haven’t.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Outbreak (1995)
Creepshow (1982)
The Howling (1981)
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Horror of Dracula (1958)
The Time Machine (1960)
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)
King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
From Russia With Love (1963)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Frankenstein (1931)
The Wolf Man (1941)
Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
The Towering Inferno (1974)
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954)
Thunderball (1965)
Broadcast News (1987)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Star Wars (1977)
Jaws (1975)
Bad Day At Black Rock (1955)
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1989)
What’s Up Doc? (1972)
Logan’s Run (1976)
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
Dragonslayer (1981)
Aliens (1986)
1917 (2019)
Gravity (2013)
Alien (1979)
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Outbreak (1995)
Creepshow (1982)
The Howling (1981)
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Horror of Dracula (1958)
The Time Machine (1960)
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)
King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
From Russia With Love (1963)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Frankenstein (1931)
The Wolf Man (1941)
Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
The Towering Inferno (1974)
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954)
Thunderball (1965)
Broadcast News (1987)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Star Wars (1977)
Jaws (1975)
Bad Day At Black Rock (1955)
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1989)
What’s Up Doc? (1972)
Logan’s Run (1976)
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
Dragonslayer (1981)
Aliens (1986)
1917 (2019)
Gravity (2013)
Alien (1979)
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein...
- 6/3/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
By Glenn Dunks
The Tribeca Film Festival is sadly a no-go for 2020, but the teams behind some of the festival’s documentary selections have made their films available for press so we’re going to take a look at a few and hope that one day they make their way to screens for you in the future.
Let us start with a delight of a drag kiki in P.S. Burn This Letter Please, tracing an underground circuit of drag queens, female impersonators and gender illusionists in 1950s pre-Stonewall New York City. Prompted by the discovery of a box of letters all addressed to a mysterious man named Reno -- I won’t spoil the fun, but the recipient has ties to Michelle Pfeiffer! -- who kept them secret, and in doing so has kept alive a part of queer history that is too fabulous to stay hidden away. Through...
The Tribeca Film Festival is sadly a no-go for 2020, but the teams behind some of the festival’s documentary selections have made their films available for press so we’re going to take a look at a few and hope that one day they make their way to screens for you in the future.
Let us start with a delight of a drag kiki in P.S. Burn This Letter Please, tracing an underground circuit of drag queens, female impersonators and gender illusionists in 1950s pre-Stonewall New York City. Prompted by the discovery of a box of letters all addressed to a mysterious man named Reno -- I won’t spoil the fun, but the recipient has ties to Michelle Pfeiffer! -- who kept them secret, and in doing so has kept alive a part of queer history that is too fabulous to stay hidden away. Through...
- 4/30/2020
- by Glenn Dunks
- FilmExperience
Each year for over a decade, the Cinema Eye Honors selection committees, comprised of filmmakers from the documentary community, help to whittle down an increasingly overwhelming list of must-see non-fiction film and television. The 2020 nominees for Outstanding Feature Film are lead by Oscar frontrunners “American Factory” and “Apollo 11”, with five nominations each, and “For Sama”, “Honeyland”, “Midnight Family”, and “One Child Nation”, with three apiece.
Also scoring three nominations were “Aquarela” (Sony Pictures Classics”), “The Cave” (NatGeo), and “Beyoncé’s Homecoming” (Netflix). “American Factory,” “Honeyland,” and “One Child Nation” also earned nods for Outstanding Direction, along with Feras Fayyad for “The Cave,” Mads Brügger for “Cold Case Hammarskjöld,” and Brett Story for “The Hottest August.”
Audience Choice nominees include “17 Blocks,” “The Amazing Johnathan Documentary,” “Ask Dr. Ruth,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “Knock Down the House,” and “Maiden.”
Netflix led all distributors/broadcasters with a record total of 17 nominations,...
Also scoring three nominations were “Aquarela” (Sony Pictures Classics”), “The Cave” (NatGeo), and “Beyoncé’s Homecoming” (Netflix). “American Factory,” “Honeyland,” and “One Child Nation” also earned nods for Outstanding Direction, along with Feras Fayyad for “The Cave,” Mads Brügger for “Cold Case Hammarskjöld,” and Brett Story for “The Hottest August.”
Audience Choice nominees include “17 Blocks,” “The Amazing Johnathan Documentary,” “Ask Dr. Ruth,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “Knock Down the House,” and “Maiden.”
Netflix led all distributors/broadcasters with a record total of 17 nominations,...
- 11/7/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Each year for over a decade, the Cinema Eye Honors selection committees, comprised of filmmakers from the documentary community, help to whittle down an increasingly overwhelming list of must-see non-fiction film and television. The 2020 nominees for Outstanding Feature Film are lead by Oscar frontrunners “American Factory” and “Apollo 11”, with five nominations each, and “For Sama”, “Honeyland”, “Midnight Family”, and “One Child Nation”, with three apiece.
Also scoring three nominations were “Aquarela” (Sony Pictures Classics”), “The Cave” (NatGeo), and “Beyoncé’s Homecoming” (Netflix). “American Factory,” “Honeyland,” and “One Child Nation” also earned nods for Outstanding Direction, along with Feras Fayyad for “The Cave,” Mads Brügger for “Cold Case Hammarskjöld,” and Brett Story for “The Hottest August.”
Audience Choice nominees include “17 Blocks,” “The Amazing Johnathan Documentary,” “Ask Dr. Ruth,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “Knock Down the House,” and “Maiden.”
Netflix led all distributors/broadcasters with a record total of 17 nominations,...
Also scoring three nominations were “Aquarela” (Sony Pictures Classics”), “The Cave” (NatGeo), and “Beyoncé’s Homecoming” (Netflix). “American Factory,” “Honeyland,” and “One Child Nation” also earned nods for Outstanding Direction, along with Feras Fayyad for “The Cave,” Mads Brügger for “Cold Case Hammarskjöld,” and Brett Story for “The Hottest August.”
Audience Choice nominees include “17 Blocks,” “The Amazing Johnathan Documentary,” “Ask Dr. Ruth,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “Knock Down the House,” and “Maiden.”
Netflix led all distributors/broadcasters with a record total of 17 nominations,...
- 11/7/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Spencer Mullen Aug 26, 2019
Enter for a chance to win a set of the eight books featured in the Magic X Mayhem bundle!
2019 is a year for breaking all the rules, both in the world and on our bookshelves. Gone are the days of simple good-versus-evil narratives; these are complicated times that call for complicated characters. Henceforth, 2019 shall be known as our year of magic and mayhem.
An impressive array of writers are fueling all this chaos and charm. Featured authors include Seanan McGuire (Middlegame), Cate Glass (An Illusion of Thieves), Sarah Gailey (Magic for Liars), Duncan M. Hamilton (Dragonslayer), Tamsyn Muir (Gideon the Ninth), Brian Naslund (Blood of an Exile), Saad Z. Hossain (The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday), Jy Yang (The Ascent to Godhood) and more.
These books have everything: murder, dragons, alchemical twins, regular twins, godhood both forgotten and newly attained, schools for sorcerers, lesbian necromancers, magical heists,...
Enter for a chance to win a set of the eight books featured in the Magic X Mayhem bundle!
2019 is a year for breaking all the rules, both in the world and on our bookshelves. Gone are the days of simple good-versus-evil narratives; these are complicated times that call for complicated characters. Henceforth, 2019 shall be known as our year of magic and mayhem.
An impressive array of writers are fueling all this chaos and charm. Featured authors include Seanan McGuire (Middlegame), Cate Glass (An Illusion of Thieves), Sarah Gailey (Magic for Liars), Duncan M. Hamilton (Dragonslayer), Tamsyn Muir (Gideon the Ninth), Brian Naslund (Blood of an Exile), Saad Z. Hossain (The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday), Jy Yang (The Ascent to Godhood) and more.
These books have everything: murder, dragons, alchemical twins, regular twins, godhood both forgotten and newly attained, schools for sorcerers, lesbian necromancers, magical heists,...
- 8/26/2019
- Den of Geek
Bridget Lamonica Jul 31, 2019
We look at how Dragonslayer by Duncan M Hamilton fits into the long-running fantasy subgenre involving dragons.
When Guillot is tasked with slaying the last of the dragons in Duncan M. Hamilton's Dragonslayer, the first in a planned fantasy trilogy, the character is way past his prime. All bets should be on the dragon, but a semblance of that knightly duty remains—even though Guillot struggles with alcoholism and is actively thwarted by someone high in power, there's tension in the narrative. Could Guillot actually win?
read more: Ruin of Kings is Must-Read Epic Fantasy
Knights and dragons -- it’s a tale as old as fiction and mythology. The traditional sort of dragon—winged, fire breathing—was popularized in the Middle Ages, the most famous story being St. George slaying the dragon. That story was immortalized in a Raphael painting, circa 1506, titled "Saint George and the Dragon,...
We look at how Dragonslayer by Duncan M Hamilton fits into the long-running fantasy subgenre involving dragons.
When Guillot is tasked with slaying the last of the dragons in Duncan M. Hamilton's Dragonslayer, the first in a planned fantasy trilogy, the character is way past his prime. All bets should be on the dragon, but a semblance of that knightly duty remains—even though Guillot struggles with alcoholism and is actively thwarted by someone high in power, there's tension in the narrative. Could Guillot actually win?
read more: Ruin of Kings is Must-Read Epic Fantasy
Knights and dragons -- it’s a tale as old as fiction and mythology. The traditional sort of dragon—winged, fire breathing—was popularized in the Middle Ages, the most famous story being St. George slaying the dragon. That story was immortalized in a Raphael painting, circa 1506, titled "Saint George and the Dragon,...
- 7/30/2019
- Den of Geek
Bridget Lamonica Jul 25, 2019
We got some insights into the world of Dragonslayer from fantasy author Duncan M. Hamilton.
The first in a planned trilogy, Dragonslayer is the story of Guillot, a dragonslayer in a seemingly now-dragonless world.
Once a great swordfighter, following the death of his wife five years prior and feeling purposeless without, Gill has struggled with alcohol abuse and a purpose-less life. When a dragon—a species formerly thought extinct, begins terrorizing nearby towns—Gill is ordered by the king to slay it, unbeknownstly pulling him into a larger plot that could have repercussions across the entire kingdom.
read more: Ruin of Kings is Must-Read Epic Fantasy
We had the chance to chat with Hamilton about creating the world of Dragonslayer. Here's what he told us...
Den of Geek: In this novel, we get several chapters where we see from the dragon's point of view. Since discovering his mate and brood were killed,...
We got some insights into the world of Dragonslayer from fantasy author Duncan M. Hamilton.
The first in a planned trilogy, Dragonslayer is the story of Guillot, a dragonslayer in a seemingly now-dragonless world.
Once a great swordfighter, following the death of his wife five years prior and feeling purposeless without, Gill has struggled with alcohol abuse and a purpose-less life. When a dragon—a species formerly thought extinct, begins terrorizing nearby towns—Gill is ordered by the king to slay it, unbeknownstly pulling him into a larger plot that could have repercussions across the entire kingdom.
read more: Ruin of Kings is Must-Read Epic Fantasy
We had the chance to chat with Hamilton about creating the world of Dragonslayer. Here's what he told us...
Den of Geek: In this novel, we get several chapters where we see from the dragon's point of view. Since discovering his mate and brood were killed,...
- 7/25/2019
- Den of Geek
Amazon Prime Video has confirmed that several original shows will be debuting new episodes on the streaming service in April, including the fifth season of the crime drama “Bosch,” the sophomore season of the comedy “The Tick” and the first edition of the children’s animated show “Bug Diaries.”
Likewise, there will be plenty of movies making their first appearances on Amazon Prime Video in April including the Oscar-nominated horror film “A Quiet Place,” a slew of films in the Bond franchise and all three entries in the “Blade” trilogy.
Below is the full schedule of everything that is coming to Amazon Prime Video in April 2019. Unlike Netflix, Amazon does not disclose the shows and movies leaving the service in any given month. We’ve done some digging and unearthed a few titles that will be exiting Amazon Prime Video in the first week of April.
See Netflix schedule: Here...
Likewise, there will be plenty of movies making their first appearances on Amazon Prime Video in April including the Oscar-nominated horror film “A Quiet Place,” a slew of films in the Bond franchise and all three entries in the “Blade” trilogy.
Below is the full schedule of everything that is coming to Amazon Prime Video in April 2019. Unlike Netflix, Amazon does not disclose the shows and movies leaving the service in any given month. We’ve done some digging and unearthed a few titles that will be exiting Amazon Prime Video in the first week of April.
See Netflix schedule: Here...
- 4/1/2019
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Amazon Prime Video has released its roster of new content coming to it April, and the list includes a new Prime Original along with new seasons of “Bosch,” “The Tick,” and “Diablo Guardián.”
The first season of “Bug Diaries,” a Prime Original animated series for preschoolers, follows Spider, Fly and Worm on their daily adventures recorded in their bug diaries. From riding on a dog’s back to dodging raindrops, the three bug buddies will appear on the streamer starting April 12.
Season 5 of “Bosch” picks up 15 months after Det. Harry Bosch caught his mother’s killer. Per the streamer’s description, new evidence in an old case leaves everyone wondering whether Bosch planted evidence to convict the wrong guy. And a murder at a Hollywood pharmacy exposes a sophisticated opioid pill mill, sending Bosch down a dark and perilous path in pursuit of the killers. It drops April 19.
Also Read:...
The first season of “Bug Diaries,” a Prime Original animated series for preschoolers, follows Spider, Fly and Worm on their daily adventures recorded in their bug diaries. From riding on a dog’s back to dodging raindrops, the three bug buddies will appear on the streamer starting April 12.
Season 5 of “Bosch” picks up 15 months after Det. Harry Bosch caught his mother’s killer. Per the streamer’s description, new evidence in an old case leaves everyone wondering whether Bosch planted evidence to convict the wrong guy. And a murder at a Hollywood pharmacy exposes a sophisticated opioid pill mill, sending Bosch down a dark and perilous path in pursuit of the killers. It drops April 19.
Also Read:...
- 3/15/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Hulu’s list of comings and goings for the month of April is out, and the roster for new content on the streaming service includes two Hulu Originals — the first season premiere of “Ramy,” and the seventh episode of “Into The Dark: I’m Just F*cking With You,” with other highlights including Season 3 of Freeform’s “The Bold Type” and John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place.”
“Ramy,” debuting April 19, tells the story of first generation Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan as he finds himself in his New Jersey neighborhood, stuck at a crossroads between the morals of his Muslim community and the moral ambiguity of his millennial generation. “Into The Dark: I’m Just F*cking With You,” coming April 1, finds two siblings in a secluded motel, where they become subject to practical jokes of an increasingly frightening nature.
Also Read: Oscar-Winning Documentary 'Free Solo' Now Available for Streaming on Hulu...
“Ramy,” debuting April 19, tells the story of first generation Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan as he finds himself in his New Jersey neighborhood, stuck at a crossroads between the morals of his Muslim community and the moral ambiguity of his millennial generation. “Into The Dark: I’m Just F*cking With You,” coming April 1, finds two siblings in a secluded motel, where they become subject to practical jokes of an increasingly frightening nature.
Also Read: Oscar-Winning Documentary 'Free Solo' Now Available for Streaming on Hulu...
- 3/15/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
In Warning Sign, a deadly virus not only infects its victims, it turns them into cold-blooded killing machines as well. Starring Sam Waterston, Kathleen Quinlan, and Yaphet Kotto, Warning Sign is coming to Blu-ray on May 26th from the team at Scream Factory, and they've provided us with the full release details for the Blu-ray, including a new interview with director/co-writer Hal Barwood.
Press Release: When tampering with the natural order of things, man must not ignore the Warning Sign. Making its Blu-ray debut on March 26th, 2019 from Scream Factory, the suspenseful thriller Warning Sign also includes a number of bonus features, including a new interview with director/co-writer Hal Barwood and a new interview with producer Jim Bloom, as well as a still gallery, theatrical trailers and more! Fans can pre-order their copies now by visiting ShoutFactory.com
In the rolling Utah countryside, a small town is host to a fortress-like research facility,...
Press Release: When tampering with the natural order of things, man must not ignore the Warning Sign. Making its Blu-ray debut on March 26th, 2019 from Scream Factory, the suspenseful thriller Warning Sign also includes a number of bonus features, including a new interview with director/co-writer Hal Barwood and a new interview with producer Jim Bloom, as well as a still gallery, theatrical trailers and more! Fans can pre-order their copies now by visiting ShoutFactory.com
In the rolling Utah countryside, a small town is host to a fortress-like research facility,...
- 2/8/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
With 2018 coming to an end, Scream Factory is giving horror fans plenty of titles to get excited about in 2019 with a bunch of new Blu-ray announcements for March, including 1955's Tarantula, Man's Best Friend (1993), 1966's The Witches (starring Joan Fontaine), and more!
From Scream Factory: "We’re being attacked by giant insects next Spring as the 1950s cult favorites Tarantula and The Deadly Mantis both scuttle to Blu-ray on March 19th!
Tarantula (1955) – Biochemist Gerald Deemer has a plan to feed the world by using a growth formula on plants and animals. Instead he creates terror beyond imagining when his work spawns a spider of mammoth proportions! Feeding on cattle and humans, this towering tarantula has the people of Desert Rock, Arizona running for their lives. Can this horrifying creature be stopped or will the world succumb to its giant claws? This classic sci-fi film from director Jack Arnold stars John Agar...
From Scream Factory: "We’re being attacked by giant insects next Spring as the 1950s cult favorites Tarantula and The Deadly Mantis both scuttle to Blu-ray on March 19th!
Tarantula (1955) – Biochemist Gerald Deemer has a plan to feed the world by using a growth formula on plants and animals. Instead he creates terror beyond imagining when his work spawns a spider of mammoth proportions! Feeding on cattle and humans, this towering tarantula has the people of Desert Rock, Arizona running for their lives. Can this horrifying creature be stopped or will the world succumb to its giant claws? This classic sci-fi film from director Jack Arnold stars John Agar...
- 12/4/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
A funny thing happened at the premiere of “The House With a Clock in Its Walls” at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday: Several minutes into the movie, the screen abruptly froze on an image of Colleen Camp, who plays Jack Black’s nosy neighbor, Mrs. Hanchett, and her little dog, too.
Eli Roth jumped out of his seat and went into director mode to downplay what turned out to be an issue with the back-up projector, according to a Universal rep. “During a really, really scary scene, if we all hear Jack Black burping, it’s probably not going to work as well,” Roth explained to the packed house. “So if you can all bear with me, I think that we need [child star] Owen Vaccaro to stand up and lead us in a magical spell for us to restart the movie.”
Some of the younger audience members protested,...
Eli Roth jumped out of his seat and went into director mode to downplay what turned out to be an issue with the back-up projector, according to a Universal rep. “During a really, really scary scene, if we all hear Jack Black burping, it’s probably not going to work as well,” Roth explained to the packed house. “So if you can all bear with me, I think that we need [child star] Owen Vaccaro to stand up and lead us in a magical spell for us to restart the movie.”
Some of the younger audience members protested,...
- 9/17/2018
- by James Patrick Herman
- Variety Film + TV
I confess that the first two parts of Phil Tippett's Mad God completely passed me by, but now that a kind reader has tipped us off to the existence of Part 3, all I can say is ... wow! Tippett has enjoyed a long career as a visual artist, receiving Academy Award nominations for Dragonslayer, Return of the Jedi, Willow, Jurassic Park, Dragonheart, and Starship Troopers, and taking the Oscar home three times. Of course, that's only the tip of the iceberg; his credits include all three original RoboCop movies, House II: The Second Story, and "demon supervisor" on The Golden Child. Tippett has been increasingly focusing his efforts on Mad God, an epic stop-motion animation project that looks absolutely fantastic, judging by the video...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 5/23/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Ryan Lambie Mar 3, 2019
Fearsome monsters, grasping hands, and a suggestive tree. Here are 10 fantasy movie moments that scarred us as kids...
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Sooner or later, you're going to see a scary movie. Whether you sneak down and watch a horror film on late night television, watch a Nightmare on Elm Street sequel at a friend's house or watch clips of slasher movies on YouTube, horror movies are always out there, waiting in the wings for the young and curious. But long before most of us graduate to the stage in our lives where we start seeking out R-rated movies of gore and terror, we reliably encounter scary moments in what might initially seem to be harmless family adventure films.
The 1980s was an unusually fertile period for dark fantasies where the seeming lightness of their subject matter--dragons, unicorns and other mythical beasts--was joined by odd jabs of darkness,...
Fearsome monsters, grasping hands, and a suggestive tree. Here are 10 fantasy movie moments that scarred us as kids...
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Sooner or later, you're going to see a scary movie. Whether you sneak down and watch a horror film on late night television, watch a Nightmare on Elm Street sequel at a friend's house or watch clips of slasher movies on YouTube, horror movies are always out there, waiting in the wings for the young and curious. But long before most of us graduate to the stage in our lives where we start seeking out R-rated movies of gore and terror, we reliably encounter scary moments in what might initially seem to be harmless family adventure films.
The 1980s was an unusually fertile period for dark fantasies where the seeming lightness of their subject matter--dragons, unicorns and other mythical beasts--was joined by odd jabs of darkness,...
- 3/22/2017
- Den of Geek
Ryan Lambie Mar 22, 2017
Fearsome monsters, grasping hands, and a suggestive tree. Here are 10 fantasy movie moments that scarred us as kids...
Sooner or later, you're going to see a scary movie. Whether you sneak down and watch a horror film on late night television, watch a Nightmare On Elm Street sequel round a friend's house or watch clips of slasher movies on YouTube, horror movies are always out there, waiting in the wings for the young and curious.
See related The Last Kingdom series 2 episode 1 review The Last Kingdom series 2: politics, battles and arselings What can we expect from new BBC drama, The Last Kingdom?
But long before most of us graduate to the stage of our lives where we start seeking out 18-rated movies of gore and terror, we reliably encounter scary moments in what might initially seem to be harmless family adventure films.
The 1980s was an...
Fearsome monsters, grasping hands, and a suggestive tree. Here are 10 fantasy movie moments that scarred us as kids...
Sooner or later, you're going to see a scary movie. Whether you sneak down and watch a horror film on late night television, watch a Nightmare On Elm Street sequel round a friend's house or watch clips of slasher movies on YouTube, horror movies are always out there, waiting in the wings for the young and curious.
See related The Last Kingdom series 2 episode 1 review The Last Kingdom series 2: politics, battles and arselings What can we expect from new BBC drama, The Last Kingdom?
But long before most of us graduate to the stage of our lives where we start seeking out 18-rated movies of gore and terror, we reliably encounter scary moments in what might initially seem to be harmless family adventure films.
The 1980s was an...
- 3/21/2017
- Den of Geek
Ryan Lambie Dec 7, 2016
Space horror in The Black Hole. Animated death in The Black Cauldron. Ryan looks back at a unique period in Disney's filmmaking history...
When George Lucas started writing Star Wars in the early 70s, the space saga was intended to fill a void left behind by westerns, pirate movies and the sci-fi fantasy of old matinee serials. "Disney had abdicated its rein over the children's market," Lucas once said, according to Peter Biskind's book, Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, "and nothing had replaced it."
See related Close To The Enemy episode 4 review Close To The Enemy episode 3 review Close To The Enemy episode 2 review Close To The Enemy episode 1 review
Indeed, Disney was one of many Hollywood studios that Lucas had approached with Star Wars and they, just like Universal, United Artists and everyone other than 20th Century Fox boss Alan Ladd Jr, had turned it down flat.
Space horror in The Black Hole. Animated death in The Black Cauldron. Ryan looks back at a unique period in Disney's filmmaking history...
When George Lucas started writing Star Wars in the early 70s, the space saga was intended to fill a void left behind by westerns, pirate movies and the sci-fi fantasy of old matinee serials. "Disney had abdicated its rein over the children's market," Lucas once said, according to Peter Biskind's book, Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, "and nothing had replaced it."
See related Close To The Enemy episode 4 review Close To The Enemy episode 3 review Close To The Enemy episode 2 review Close To The Enemy episode 1 review
Indeed, Disney was one of many Hollywood studios that Lucas had approached with Star Wars and they, just like Universal, United Artists and everyone other than 20th Century Fox boss Alan Ladd Jr, had turned it down flat.
- 12/6/2016
- Den of Geek
“The pilot and the first couple of two-hour movies were the thing that really cemented it as legitimate science fiction. … Then we sort of got off the rails a little bit.” — Patrick Duffy to Famous Monsters magazine
Dallas and Step By Step television star Patrick Duffy returns to his underwater roots with an all-new adventure in book form based on his first major prime-time TV show, The Man From Atlantis, to be published in June. He spoke exclusively to Famous Monsters of Filmland editor David Weiner.
From marathon underwater filming sessions in which he had to hold his breath for up to two minutes at a time to those revealing yellow swim trunks — and how they “neutralized” his gender details for television — the candid Duffy reflects on his classic ’70s show and also previews his new novel — with plans to write a trilogy — based on Man From Atlantis.
Duffy with...
Dallas and Step By Step television star Patrick Duffy returns to his underwater roots with an all-new adventure in book form based on his first major prime-time TV show, The Man From Atlantis, to be published in June. He spoke exclusively to Famous Monsters of Filmland editor David Weiner.
From marathon underwater filming sessions in which he had to hold his breath for up to two minutes at a time to those revealing yellow swim trunks — and how they “neutralized” his gender details for television — the candid Duffy reflects on his classic ’70s show and also previews his new novel — with plans to write a trilogy — based on Man From Atlantis.
Duffy with...
- 5/25/2016
- by Harker Jones
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
“People are always going to react the way they react, and that’s the joy and terribleness of the Internet.” — Paul Feig to Famous Monsters magazine
The all-new Ghostbusters are powering up their proton packs for a big-screen summer release on July 15. While many franchise fans are excited for the female-driven reset of the beloved ’80s comedy starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, a very vocal faction of the Internet has expressed its distaste for the reboot concept and its first teaser trailer.
At Famous Monsters of Filmland, we always give any film the benefit of the doubt before watching it, and wanted to give accomplished Ghostbusters director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, The Heat, Spy) an opportunity to not only share his creative inspirations for approaching the new film — along with sharing his comedy-casting criteria — but to address those adamantly opposed to his film, despite not having even seen the finished product.
The all-new Ghostbusters are powering up their proton packs for a big-screen summer release on July 15. While many franchise fans are excited for the female-driven reset of the beloved ’80s comedy starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, a very vocal faction of the Internet has expressed its distaste for the reboot concept and its first teaser trailer.
At Famous Monsters of Filmland, we always give any film the benefit of the doubt before watching it, and wanted to give accomplished Ghostbusters director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, The Heat, Spy) an opportunity to not only share his creative inspirations for approaching the new film — along with sharing his comedy-casting criteria — but to address those adamantly opposed to his film, despite not having even seen the finished product.
- 5/19/2016
- by Harker Jones
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Jim Knipfel Apr 17, 2019
The legend of King Arthur has never been more stylized or strange than it was in John Boorman's Excalibur.
After so many centuries as an inescapable figure in literature, art, poetry, comics, movies, cartoons, and on TV, it still seemed in 1975 Monty Python had offered the final word on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I mean, after the holy hand grenade, what more was there to say?
Then six years later along came Excalibur.
As directors go, John Boorman has always been a weirdie, and a tough one to pin down. In the late ’60s he gave us two of the most fundamental pictures of Lee Marvin’s career with Point Blank and Hell in the Pacific. He then moved onto the unforgettable backwoods savagery of 1972’s Deliverance. Throughout the rest of...
The legend of King Arthur has never been more stylized or strange than it was in John Boorman's Excalibur.
After so many centuries as an inescapable figure in literature, art, poetry, comics, movies, cartoons, and on TV, it still seemed in 1975 Monty Python had offered the final word on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I mean, after the holy hand grenade, what more was there to say?
Then six years later along came Excalibur.
As directors go, John Boorman has always been a weirdie, and a tough one to pin down. In the late ’60s he gave us two of the most fundamental pictures of Lee Marvin’s career with Point Blank and Hell in the Pacific. He then moved onto the unforgettable backwoods savagery of 1972’s Deliverance. Throughout the rest of...
- 4/5/2016
- Den of Geek
A few years ago the editors of Shadowlocked asked me to compile a list of what was initially to be, the ten greatest movie matte paintings of all time. A mere ten selections was too slim by a long shot, so my list stretched considerably to twenty, then thirty and finally a nice round fifty entries. Even with that number I found it wasn’t easy to narrow down a suitably wide ranging showcase of motion picture matte art that best represented the artform. So with that in mind, and due to the surprising popularity of that 2012 Shadowlocked list (which is well worth a visit, here Ed), I’ve assembled a further fifty wonderful examples of this vast, vital and more extensively utilised than you’d imagine – though now sadly ‘dead and buried’ – movie magic.
It would of course be so easy to simply concentrate on the well known, iconic,...
It would of course be so easy to simply concentrate on the well known, iconic,...
- 12/28/2015
- Shadowlocked
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