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2001’s A Knight’s Tale, starring Heath Ledger, is coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray for the first time. More on the release here.

Fairly recently on the Film Stories podcast (in this episode here), I dug into the story of 2001’s much-loved A Knight’s Tale. Directed by Brian Helgeland and with a cast led by the much-missed Heath Ledger, it’s a really entertaining blockbuster, that’s very much stood the test of time. Attempts to get a sequel off the ground have failed, but there’s now a stage musical, and – relevant to this story – the film is making its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray debut.

Arriving in Steelbook form first, the movie has been scheduled for release on 19th May 2025. You can find the listing for it, and order yourself a copy, right here.

The previous DVD and Blu-ray releases of the film were generous when it came to extra features,...

In a lot of cases, the reaction to a given film from the moviegoing public mirrors the critical response to said motion picture. That makes a certain amount of sense because even though there’s a level of objectivity at play with cinema, a bad movie is a bad movie. However, there are still those occasions where the masses connect with a flick for which critics have absolutely no time. The Denzel Washington thriller Man on Fire is an excellent example of that.

Rotten Tomatoes has amalgamated 167 reviews from film scholars and the picture holds a below-average critical approval rating of 38%. However, the flick’s user rating is a far more positive at 89%. That’s quite the divide. Yet, that audience score is not an anomaly. The picture’s IMDb user rating is also well above average at 7.7/10. Holy cow!

A lot of critics called the film out as overly...

It’s been nearly a quarter of a century since Heath Ledger charmed audiences in 2001’s A Knight’s Tale as the peasant William Thatcher. The movie, also starring Paul Bettany, known for his turn as Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Alan Tudyk

(Andor, Resident Alien), Mark Addy (The Full Monty), Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat), and Shannyn Sossamon (Sleepy Hollow), is finally being released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Steelbook.

A Knight’s Tale, written and directed by Brian Helgeland, who won an Oscar for Best Writing for 1997’s L.A. Confidential, will debut on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Steelbook on May 20. Per Collider, the limited-edition Steelbook will includea newly restored Uhd disc and a single Blu-ray disc bundled into one package suitable for collectors.

Image via Sony

Set in the 14th century, A Knight’s Tale follows the late Ledger’s William Thatcher as he quests to change his path and...

Physical media enthusiasts who have been jousting to get their hands on a 4K release of A Knight's Talehave reason to celebrate because Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has just announced a new collectible steelbook that includes fully restored versions of both the Extended and Theatrical cuts of the rock-and-roll comedy, which stars Heath Ledger as the charming William Thatcher.

As reported by ComicBook.com, the 4K Blu-ray of A Knight's Tale will be released on May 20, 2025, with plenty of extras for movie fans to explore. The discs are not only loaded with both versions of the movie presented in 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio (approved by director Brian Helgeland), but there is also a slew of bonus features, including deleted scenes, extended scenes, cast and crew commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a gag reel, and more — detailed below.

Disc One – 4K Blu-ray

Special Features and Technical Specs:

New 4K Restorations...

The Heath Ledger period film that rocks out with a modern soundtrack is coming to physical media in a brand-new crisp ultra-high-definition transfer of both the theatrical edition and extended edition. A Knight’s Tale stars Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon, Paul Bettany, and Laura Fraser. The film is directed by Brian Helgeland and he brings a uniquely fun flavor to the Medieval jousting world. Blu-ray.com reports that the new home release from Sony Pictures is due to hit retailers on May 20.

The description reads,

“The 14th century takes a rocking new twist in A Knight’s Tale, a stylish, music driven, action packed adventure starring Heath Ledger, with heroic performances from Mark Addy and Rufus Sewell. Ledger plays William Thatcher, a peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a nobleman and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing that...

Opening on an idyllic montage of Los Angeles, narrated by Hush Hush Magazine editor Sid Hudgens (Danny DeVito), Curtis Hanson’s L.A. Confidential (1997) paints the picturesque view you’d expect of the city of dreams. The narration twists across the media image of the place, buoyed by the wholesome family values projected by the USA in the 1950s. However, as soon as he can, as he does for most of the narrative, Sid pulls back the layer of this façade and presents the dreary and dangerously corrupt place the City of Angels truly is. The glitz and glamour cover up the element of organized crime running rampant through the city and the LAPD’s inability to contain it despite its reputation as the best police force in the world.

Sid Hudgens ends this narration and his front-page article on the fact that the criminal element has marked a sizeable shift in dynamics,...

As one of the most affordable streaming services currently in the field, Peacock continues to offer its subscribers a slew of great movie options. As is the case with March, the platform is slated to provide viewers with a plethora of choices. In fact, there’s even a major award winner in the mix that audiences certainly won’t want to pass on.

With a host of action films, comedy films, and horror films, there’s bound to be something for everyone, no matter what their interests might be. Whether viewers want to laugh, cry, or lose themselves in a majestic fantasy world, the streaming service has something for them. As such, Peacock has everything audiences could possibly want next month.

'A Knight’s Tale' Stream on March 1

A medieval action comedy set in 14th-century England, A Knight’s Tale follows a peasant squire named William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) who...

Fans now have the opportunity to rewatch Angelina Jolie's action-thriller Salt. The movie debuted in 2010 and was barely profitable, making just over $293 million at the worldwide box office against a $130 million budget.

Salt is now streaming on Peacock. Directed by Phillip Noyce, the movie stars Jolie as the eponymous Evelyn Salt, a CIA operative who, after being accused of being a sleeper agent for the Kgb, goes on the run to clear her name. The movie's ensemble includes Liev Schreiber, Daniel Olbrychski, August Diehl, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tika Sumpter, and Corey Stoll.

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Salt received mostly positive reviews upon its debut, with many critics lauding Jolie's performance and its action sequences while reserving criticism for the film's implausible and convoluted plot. The action-thriller holds a 62% critic rating and a 59% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Two of Denzel Washington’s best films are available to stream for free starting March 1. Both 2004’s Man on Fire and 2016’s Fences are now available to stream for free on Tubi.

Washington, who has won two acting Academy Awards, one in 1990 for Glory and one in 2002 for Training Day, leads Man on Fire, and is accompanied by a supporting cast that includes Christopher Walken, Marc Anthony, and a young Dakota Fanning. Man on Fire was directed by the late Tony Scott, the youngest of the three Scott brothers, including legendary director Ridley Scott (Gladiator).

RelatedNetflix's Miniseries Based on Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down Outperforms Cobra Kai's Final Season

The limited series topping the charts has a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.

Man on Fire was Based on a Novel

The screenplay for Man on Fire was written by Brian Helgeland (Finestkind), based on the 1980 novel of the same name by A.J. Quinnell.

Kim Basinger, the acclaimed actress with a career spanning decades, recently revealed why she almost rejected the offer for her sole Oscar-winning role in the 1997 crime drama L.A. Confidential. Having her breakout as a bond girl in Never Say Never Again, Basinger would go on to play several seductive, siren-like characters in films such as 9½ Weeks and Batman.

Kim Basinger in Never Say Never Again | Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

So when she received the offer to star as Lynn Bracken, a classic femme fatale, alongside Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe in neo-noir L.A. Confidential, she was hesitant, especially due to the fear of being typecast in overly s*xualized roles.

Kim Basinger nearly turned down the offer for L.A. Confidential

Starring alongside an ensemble cast in the 1997 film L.A. Confidential, Kim Basinger played the role of Lynn Bracken, a high-class escort who ends up playing...

In the mid-’90s, Kim Basinger was newly married to actor Alec Baldwin and had just given birth to their daughter, Ireland, when her William Morris agent sent her the script for “L.A. Confidential.” She was tired of playing the siren roles that had defined her — from a Bond girl in “Never Say Never Again” to a New York gallery owner in the erotic classic “9½ Weeks” to a barefoot Vicki Vale running through the streets of Gotham City in Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman.”

“I said, ‘Well, I’m not interested in playing a whore. Not doing it. I’m a mom, so I’m not going to play that,’” she recalls.

But her agent persisted, and she agreed to take a 3 p.m. meeting with the late director Curtis Hanson at the Formosa in West Hollywood. The lot was empty, and she drove around mulling the parking spaces...

Marvel Studios’ upcoming team-up movie, Thunderbolts*, will now do battle with an action thriller from the director behind the likes of The Grey and The A-Team, Joe Carnahan, as his story of a shady special forces team known as Shadow Force gets a release date. Shadow Force will now land in theaters on the same day as The Thunderbolts, May 2, 2025, meaning audiences will have two action outings to enjoy on the big screen this summer season.

Led by Kerry Washington and Omar Sy (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Shadow Force “follows the duo who once were the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force. They broke the rules by falling in love and go underground in order to protect their son. With a large bounty on their heads, and the vengeful Shadow Force hot on their trail, one family’s fight becomes all-out war.”

Related10 Crime Movies...

Quick LinksThe Vengeance-Filled Narrative of 'Man on Fire'Washington and Fanning Give Notable Performances in 'Man on Fire'The Split Between Critics and Audiences for 'Man on Fire'

Denzel Washington, a multi-talented Hollywood legend, has been dominating the world of acting, directing, and producing since his debut in the late 1970s. With an extensive filmography that highlights both action and drama movies, it is no surprise that the actor is beloved by critics and audiences alike. While Washington may be most recognized for his role as Robert McCall in the Equalizer films, his influence on the entertainment industry expands much further.

He has won various prestigious awards, including both Oscars and Golden Globes, for his roles in Glory and Training Day. He has also made an impact in theater, winning a Tony for his performance as Troy Maxson in Fences, a role he later reprised for the film adaptation.

Guy Pearce's controversial noir crime film L.A. Confidential will soon have a new streaming home. The film hits Hulu on March 1.

L.A. Confidential starred Pearce, Kevin Spacey, and Russell Crowe and told the story of three police officers as they tackle corruption regarding an unsolved murder case in the early 1950s. Each of the men has different motives, with Detective Lieutenant Exley (Pearce) out to avenge his father's death. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $126 million against a $35 million budget. It maintains an impressive 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

RelatedLionsgate Sets Release Date for New Jason Statham Action Movie

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L.A. Confidential was nominated for nine Academy Awards, and took home the trophies for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Kim Basinger. It faced stiff competition from James Cameron's Titanic,...

Two decades before Kevin Spacey was hit with a series of sexual misconduct, the actor was at the top of his career, in between his two Oscar wins for 1995's The Usual Suspects and 1999's American Beauty. In 1997, he played Jack Vincennes in L.A. Confidential alongside Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kim Basinger.

In a new appearance on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast, Pearce reflected for the first time on his experience working with Spacey. The actor noted that, in the wake of the #MeToo movement, he had a "wake-up" call about all his encounters with Spacey on set. He had previously briefly addressed the actor in 2018 when he called Spacey a "handsy" guy.

Related'She Was Such a Tyrant': Modern Family Star Accused of Rude Behavior by Co-Star of 6-Year-Old Film

Sarah Hyland gets accused of acting very unpleasant on the set of a forgotten 6-year-old rom-com.

At the time,...

Guy Pearce, known for his role in L.A. Confidential, recently shared how close the movie came to getting a sequel. Released in 1997 and based on James Ellroy’s novel, the crime drama helped launch the international careers of Australian actors Russell Crowe and Pearce.

The film was a major hit, earning nine Academy Award nominations and winning two, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Kim Basinger.

In a chat with Business Insider, Pearce explained that around 2007, director Curtis Hanson told him about a sequel idea he had been discussing with Ellroy. Pearce was eager to return as Detective Ed Exley alongside Crowe, and the entire team seemed on board. But Hanson’s health took a turn, and he passed away in 2016.

The sequel concept wasn’t abandoned entirely, though. Plans emerged to set L.A. Confidential 2 in 1974, 21 years after the original story. The late Chadwick Boseman...

L.A. Confidential star Guy Pearce has recalled how close the critically acclaimed movie came to receiving a sequel. Based on the novel of the same name by James Ellroy, the 1997 crime movie served as one of the first US movies to bring Australian actors Russell Crowe and Pearce to widespread international attention. Generating considerable critical and commercial success, L.A. Confidential would also garner nine Academy Award nominations, ultimately winning Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Kim Basinger.

Speaking with Business Insider, Pearce was asked how close L.A. Confidential came to receiving a sequel. Recalling that director Curtis Hanson had called to tell him he was discussing a sequel with Ellroy about 10 years after the movie’s release, Pearce states he was keen to return alongside Crowe with the original movie’s whole team. Describing the project as “a no-brainer,” sadly Hanson would later fall ill...

When "10 Things I Hate About You" was released in 1999, it featured a cast of swoon-worthy young stars. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who wasn't sold on the movie at first), Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Larisa Oleynik were the film's core four, but the supporting cast was rounded out by actors like Gabrielle Union, David Krumholtz, Andrew Keegan, and Allison Janney, and everyone delivers a fun performance. The contemporary movie is actually an adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic play "The Taming of the Shrew," setting the romantic comedy at a modern high school instead of the olden days. It's about a pretty girl named Bianca (Oleynik) who isn't allowed to date until her uptight older sister Kat (Stiles) is taken; as a result, Cameron (Gordon-Levitt) pays the rambunctious Patrick (Ledger) to woo Kat. Hijinks ensue.

If you're a fan of the classic teen comedy, but you're getting tired of rewatching Kat recite the titular poem,...

Now available on Paramount+, Brian Helgeland's crime thriller Finestkind polarized audiences and critics upon release in December 2023. Popular Hollywood starlet Jenna Ortega stars in the film as Mabel, a petty drug dealer who meets a group of shipwrecked fishermen and drives a wedge between estranged half-brothers Tom (Ben Foster) and Charlie (Toby Wallace).

Although the film has fared better among general audiences and casual moviegoers than professional film critics, both groups cite similar reasons for its divisive detractors. Ortega fans on the fence about giving Finestkind a chance should prepare for excellent performances and a compelling family tale lost in a sea of confounding melodramatic storytelling and tonal inconsistencies.

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*Availability in US Release Date December 15, 2023Runtime 126 MinutesCast Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, Tommy Lee Jones, Ismael Cruz Cordova,...

Denzel Washington is currently riding high on the success of Gladiator II, which has not only become the highest-grossing film of his career, but it's also garnering significant awards buzz. He's already picked up Critics Choice and Golden Globe Award nominations for his supporting turn and some believe an Oscar nomination could be a lock. Washington doesn't need a reason for anyone to rediscover his films, but the interest in him is at a high at the moment, which could be why one of his signature films, 2004's Man on Fire, has become a hit once again on streaming.

As of this writing, Man on Fire is currently ranked at number four on Tubi's Top 10. The big selling point about Tubi, compared to other streaming services, is that the platform is free—so users can enjoy their content without breaking the bank. Its presence has only grown since launching...

Guy Pearce, who can next be seen starring alongside Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones in the critically acclaimed Oscar favorite The Brutalist, has been reflecting on one of his most sought-after unmade projects. Speaking with Variety, Pearce revealed that a sequel to the 1997 neo-noir crime thriller L.A. Confidential was once in the works, but sadly never came together...for the right reasons.

Considering that L.A. Confidential is based on one of several novels by James Ellroy, it’s surprising that a sequel to the movie, which follows a trio of LAPD detectives as they investigate multiple homicides and was met with critical acclaim, Oscar glory, and box office success, never materialized. But, as Pearce explains, they were only ever going to do it if they could do it right.

“We talked about setting a sequel, [that would take place] in 1963, but Curtis was clear: it had to involve the same team. If...

Jenna Ortega rose to the ranks of A-listers, and she is now working with the biggest stars in the industry. In fact, her collaboration with Oscar awardee Tommy Lee Jones is proof that she has made it big in Hollywood. However, their movie together did not prove to be successful.

Credits: Tommy Lee Jones in Finestkind / Paramount+

What’s more upsetting is that they worked on this project called Finestkind with famed producer Taylor Sheridan. Chances are, you haven’t watched or heard about this movie until today. Or, if you’re familiar with this, it means you know it flopped critically.

Jenna Ortega and Tommy Lee Jones’ Finestkind Failed to Impress the Critics

Finestkind premiered on Paramount+ last year, and many critics aired their frustration over the film. The majority described it as a mess, but more importantly, they blamed director and writer Brian Helgeland for wasting such a stellar cast.

The latest in our series of comfort film recommendations is a look back to 2001’s absurdly enjoyable mix of romance, action and anachronistic music choices

There’s a neat little moment in A Knight’s Tale that I like to think speaks directly to how it became one of my favourite films. Having riled up the crowd before Heath Ledger’s imposter knight William rides into a joust, Paul Bettany’s boisterous Geoffrey Chaucer tells him: “I got their attention. You go and win their hearts.”

Brian Helgeland’s 2001 film is on paper absurd. It’s a medieval sports movie about jousting, filmed on cheapo sets in post-Velvet revolution Prague to an arena-rock soundtrack, which begins with peasants walloping wooden stands to Queen’s We Will Rock You. Peter Bradshaw wrote in his review at the time: “Is the film based on a dream he had after eating far too much cheese?...

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This December, Paramount+ is bringing you a ton of entertainment with the highly anticipated new series in the Dexter universe alongside a ton of great shows and movies. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Paramount+ this month and have a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the 13 best films coming to Paramount+ in December 2024 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Boogie Nights (December 1) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94% Credit – New Line Cinema

Boogie Nights is a period coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The 1997 film is set in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, and it follows Eddie Adams, a young nightclub dishwasher who became a big name in the adult film industry in the 1970s. Boogie Nights stars Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore,...

It’s always interesting to see big time directors go against type and into a genre we don’t necessarily associate them with. We have Mount Rushmore type horror directors like John Carpenter and Wes Craven giving us thoughtful entries into their catalogues like Starman and Music of the Heart. On the flip side of that, what happens when a director known for Oscar worthy drama, gangster, and period piece movies goes all in on a scary movie? How did that movie miss out on any major awards nominations even with it being considered prestige horror? How many different adaptations of Denis Lehane’s novel would we get? Take the boat over before the storm hits as we find out what happened to Shutter Island.

Denis Lehane is an American author who began writing in the early 1990s. While he had success with a series of novels with repeating characters early,...

Hollywood icon Denzel Washington is currently lighting up the silver screen once again in Gladiator 2, with one of the actors most divisive movies all set to land on free streaming next month. The action thriller Man on Fire is considered a fan-favorite among Denzel admirers, and boasts a magnetic performance from the Oscar winner, but at the time, the movie drew a stark line between audiences and critics.

Directed and produced by Tony Scott from a screenplay by Brian Helgeland, Man on Fire is based on the 1980 novel of the same name by A. J. Quinnell. The action outing sees Denzel Washington take the lead as a deeply damaged former CIA agent and U.S. Marine turned bodyguard with Dakota Fanning as his charge. The rest of the stellar cast includes Christopher Walken, Radha Mitchell, Giancarlo Giannini, Marc Anthony, Rachel Ticotin and Mickey Rourke. Man on Fire is all...

Sylvester Stallone is one of the biggest action movie stars on the planet and has an astounding career playing brave heroes, skilled assassins, and even traumatized veterans. While Stallone gained his breakout role as the underdog fighter Rocky Balboa in his famous sports franchise, following this success, he carved out another career as a true action movie star chasing bad guys and bringing crooks to justice. Spurred by his longstanding rivalry with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stallone has continually pushed himself toward more over-the-top, chaotic, and wildly entertaining action movie releases.

Many of Stallones best films were in the action movie genre, as he excelled in the Rambo franchise and portrayed countless heroes across prison movies, thrillers, sci-fi films, and more. With an often underappreciated skill for portraying tough guy characters as well as layered and noble lawmen, Stallone has proved his skills by acting opposite everyone from Antonio Banderas to Robert De Niro.

Let’s talk about Tom Cruise, shall we? You know, that guy who’s been running on our screens since forever. From his breakout role in Taps (1981) to becoming Hollywood’s go-to action superstar, Cruise has pretty much nailed the whole “movie star” thing. With mega-hits like Top Gun (1986), Mission: Impossible (1996), and Jerry Maguire (1996) he’s basically become a one-man box office machine, casually raking in billions of dollars worldwide.

Tom Cruise in a still from Knight and Day (2010) | 20th Century Studios

But here’s the thing, you’d think someone with his track record would have a perfect batting average when it comes to picking scripts, but nope! Even The Tom Cruise has let some pretty decent roles slip through his fingers. Ready for a fun dive into the parallel universe of Tom Cruise’s career? Here are ten times he probably kicked himself for saying “Thanks, but no thanks.

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Kevin Costner has had a long, fruitful career in Hollywood that spans more than four decades dating back to his early roles in films like "The Big Chill" and "Silverado." That career has included some wildly high highs, including his Best Picture winning Western epic "Dances With Wolves," which is still regarded as one of his best films. "Dances With Wolves" also started Costner's career as a director, kicking off his time behind the camera on a high note. Unfortunately, his follow-up -- which came in the form of 1997's "The Postman" -- didn't go nearly as well.

With a big budget, heralded source material and the world on his side, Costner's "The Postman" seemed destined for success. Instead, it became a box office bomb that derailed his career for years and was arguably an even bigger Costner-led flop than...

As Marty McFly once prophetically claimed after his game-changing appearance at 1955's Enchantment Under the Sea dance, "I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it." This phrase pretty perfectly sums up the phenomenon of reappraisal in the arts, especially cinema. Whether a film is truly something pioneering and ahead of its time, or whether it's just lost in the shuffle due to extenuating circumstances, the (relative) immortality of movies allows them to be periodically rediscovered and newly appreciated for what they are, once removed from the weight of expectation and other contemporary factors. This doesn't just happen to films that fly under the radar, either; even the most high-profile releases, movies featuring A-list megastars made by big name directors, can initially receive a tepid response only to become bonafide classics years, perhaps even decades, later. For examples of this, just take a...

Phillip Noyce's 2010 spy thriller "Salt" is a corker of an action movie, with all the requisite thrills, fights, and plot twists that should come naturally to the genre. It's not until you watch a film like "Salt" that you realize how poorly other spy films have done it. It's that good. Angelina Jolie plays Evelyn Salt, an experienced CIA operative who has seen a lot of time in the field. At the beginning of the film, the CIA takes in a Russian defector and Evelyn is assigned to interrogate him. He reveals that there's a secret Russian mole inside the CIA, stating that her name ... is Evelyn Salt. Oh no!

Salt evades capture from her CIA colleagues and goes on the lam, hoping to clear her name. Does she have Russian sympathies or has she been wrongfully accused? There are many additional twists throughout, and I will leave them for you to discover.

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Trouble is a Swedish action crime comedy film directed by Jon Holmberg who also co-wrote the screenplay with Tapio Leopold. The Netflix film follows the story of a clumsy divorced electronic salesman who is wrongfully convicted of murder and sent to prison. To prove his innocence he escapes from prison with other convicts. Trouble stars Filip Berg, Amy Deasismont, Eva Melander, Måns Nathanaelson, Dejan Čukić, Joakim Sällquist, and Sissela Benn. So, if you loved the blend of crime and comedy, compelling characters, and a thrilling story in Netflix’s Trouble here are some similar movies you should check out next.

The Lovebirds (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Netflix

The Lovebirds is a romantic crime comedy film directed by Michael Showalter from a screenplay co-written by Aaron Abrams and Brendan Gall. The 2020 film revolves around a young couple...

One of the most famous scenes in Peter Weir's "Dead Poets Society" finds unorthodox prep school English teacher John Keating vilifying an essay written by the fictional Dr. J. Evans Pritchard that seeks to determine the excellence of individual poems via the application of a geometrical formula. The works of Byron and Shakespeare are measured in terms of their importance and degree of technical perfection; those that score highly on both counts cover a large area, and are thus considered truly "great." The horrified Keating therefore commands his teenage pupils to tear Pritchard's laughably square introduction out of their textbooks.

Art is not math. Creative works can't be measured on a numerical scale, or, worse, by up- or downturned thumbs. When you walk out of a movie or hash out your feelings about a novel with your book club compatriots, you don't quickly assign whatever it is you've just engaged a number,...

John Woo, the director of such classic action movies as The Killer, Hard Boiled, Face/Off, and A Better Tomorrow, is swapping guns for song-and-dance routines in his next movie. Partnering with the cult music duo the Sparks, Woo is looking to venture into the musical genre in his next untitled project. While the announcement comes as a surprise from those expecting another action thriller, for fans who love how bonkers Woo's movies can be, it marks a welcome surprise as the filmmaker continues to evolve.

Speaking to Empire, John Woo addressed his new musical movie. Apparently taking a page out of Lady Gaga's book, the director was hesitant to label his next film as a full-blown musical. "My next project is actually a half-musical," Woo said, which is currently undergoing re-writes. Most surprisingly, the Sparks brothers (the duo behind the '70s hit "This Town Ain't Big Enough for...

The Hulu half-hour comedy series Chad Powers has added Clayne Crawford (The Finestkind), Xavier Mills (Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire), Colton Ryan (Poker Face) and Toby Huss (Fatal Attraction) to its recurring cast.

They join previously announced series regulars Glen Powell as Russ Holliday/Chad Powers, Perry Mattfeld as Ricky, Quentin Plair as Coach Byrd, Wynn Everett as Tricia, Frankie A. Rodriguez as Danny and Steve Zahn as Jake Hudson.

In the series, when bad behavior nukes hotshot Qb Russ Holliday’s college career, he disguises himself and walks onto a struggling Southern football team as the talented, affable Chad Powers.

Chad Powers is based on an Eli Manning sketch that aired on ESPN+. Glenn Powell and Michael Waldron co-created the series, co-wrote the pilot and executive produce for Barnstorm Productions and Anomaly Pictures, respectively. Adam Fasullo also EPs for Anomaly Pictures. Eli Manning executive produces along with Omaha Productions’ Peyton Manning,...

It’s been long enough since Sparks revealed their Annette follow-up X Crucior that you’re forgiven for thinking it might’ve been shelved. I talked to them about it, briefly, in 2021, and a little over a year passed before Focus Features announced they’d acquired the project. Making today a major occurrence: after a tease on the band’s Twitter last week, it’s been confirmed (via Empire) that John Woo will direct the “half-musical,” which the director calls his first project “where I don’t need to hire a stuntman.”

Details remain sadly scant, even as Woo acknowledges some rewrites (from what or why) are underway. Terribly exciting all the same, not only as a collision of two super-distinct sensibilities but a kind-of-fulfillment of the brothers’ longtime love for (and occasional dabbles with) Hong Kong cinema. And it continues a surprisingly verdant time for Woo, who followed last...

John Woo movies always have a spark – the legendary Hong Kong director is responsible for some of the greatest (and most bonkers) action ever committed to the screen, in Hard Boiled and Face/Off and The Killer, to name but a few. But we’ve never had a John Woo movie with Sparks – the legendary cult pop duo also known as Ron and Russell Mael, behind such earworms as ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us’. Until now, that is. Because, as the filmmaker tells Empire in a major upcoming interview, he’s currently working with the art-pop icons on a very different kind of Woo movie.

“My next project is actually a half-musical,” Woo confirms to Empire. “I’m going to be working with the Sparks Brothers, who wrote the script and songs — we are just starting work on some changes to the script.” While the...

Rebel Ridge is a crime action thriller film written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier. The Netflix film is set in the town of Shelby Springs and it follows the story of Terry Richmond, a former marine as he comes to town to post bail for his cousin but when his savings are unlawfully taken by corrupt local police officers led by Chief Sandy Burnne, he decides to fight against the ones spreading corruption. Rebel Ridge stars Aaron Pierre in the lead role with Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Steve Zissis, Dana Lee, and James Cromwell starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the brutal action, thrilling story, and compelling characters in Netflix’s Rebel Ridge here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Wrath of Man (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – MGM

Wrath of Man is an action thriller drama film directed by Guy Ritchie from a screenplay co-written by Ritchie,...

Back in 2014, Sony found itself amidst a devastating hacking attack, leading to the leak of a boatload of confidential data from Sony Pictures Entertainment. This involved an appalling exchange between producer Scott Rudin and the former Sony studio head Amy Pascal, in which the former had some less-than-thrilling words about Angelina Jolie.

Angelina Jolie | Credits: Universal Pictures

But despite being at the end of the insults in the exchange, she was unshaken by the producer’s comments, who claimed the actress was a minimally talented spoiled brat.

Angelina Jolie Doesn’t Let Personal Attacks Get Under Her Skin Angelina Jolie in Maleficent. Credits: Disney Enterprises, Inc

Back in 2011, Angelina Jolie was attached to Brian Helgeland’s canceled Cleopatra movie, which was initially set to be directed by David Fincher. However, per the leaked email exchange between Amy Pascal and Rudin, the latter was hellbent on getting Fincher onboard for his Steve Jobs biopic.

One of Heath Ledger's most beloved movies will hit Paramount+ next month. The late actor is perhaps most well-known for giving an iconic, Academy-award-winning performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Ledger's A Knight's Tale will arrive on Paramount+ on September 1. Co-produced and directed by Brian Helgeland and released by Columbia Pictures, the 2001 medieval action comedy stars Ledger as William Thatcher, a peasant squire posing as a knight to compete in tournaments. He earns victories and the friendships of notable historical figures like Edward the Black Prince and Geoffrey Chaucer. The film drew inspiration from Chaucer's "The Knight's Tale," part of The Canterbury Tales. The movie's ensemble cast includes Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, James Purefoy, Alan Tudyk, Shannyn Sossamon, Laura Fraser, and Mark Addy. A Knight's Tale opened to mixed reviews and grossed just over $117 million worldwide against a $65 million budget.

Related Joker Director Confirms the Fate of...

Quick Links Breaking Good: The Killer and Her Conscience The Cool Nathalie Emmanuel & Omar Sy Have Great Chemistry The Pacing Falls Apart and the Villain's Generic The Killer Is Good Enough (If You Forget the Context)

Action icon John Woo reimagines The Killer, his seminal 1989 masterpiece for modern audiences, with decidedly mixed results. The plot updates the setting from Hong Kong to Paris with Nathalie Emmanuel playing the role that immortalized Chow Yun-fat as a genre legend. That in itself shouldn't be controversial except to the legion of misogynistic haters who become apoplectic every time a woman steps in the shoes of something previously done by a man. Emmanuel is good here and not the film's primary problem. The lack of creativity in the action is where the fault lies. The Killer ticks every stylistic box for die-hard enthusiasts, but doesn't do anything we haven't seen before.

Breaking Good: The...

The Killer is an engaging action flick, spinning a narrative around the complex relationship between a contract killer and a skilled detective. The film boasts a stellar cast, captivating plot, and exciting action sequences that culminate in a thrilling final showdown. While the central premise of Zee's moral code may raise some questions, the overall experience is entertaining and well worth a watch.

The Killer is an exciting action flick starring Nathalie Emmanuel as Zee, a skilled assassin with a strict moral code that gets her into trouble. The movie is actually a remake of director John Woo's 1989 hit film of the same name. While the film follows a largely similar plot, the action, the scale and the tension of this remake are all scaled up in a way that makes this a standout action film with a difference.

The Killer (2024)

Director John WooRelease Date August 23, 2024Writers Josh Campbell,...

If you were waiting for John Woo‘s latest action thriller film The Killer, featuring his signature action style and a thrilling story. Then the wait is finally over as the Nathalie Emmanuel and Omar Sy-led film is finally available to stream on Peacock. Based on Woo’s 1989 film of the same name, the Peacock film is co-written by Brian Helgeland, Josh Campbell, and Matt Stuecken and it follows the story of a deadly assassin as she refuses to kill a young blind woman and in turn her employer puts out a hit on her, forcing her to kill the people coming after her while being hunted by a relentless cop. So, if you loved the high-octane action, thrilling story, and interesting characters in The Killer here are some similar movies you should check out next.

The Killer (Buy DVD on Amazon) Credit – Magnum Presentation

The Killer is a...

Plot: Zee is a mysterious and infamous assassin known, and feared, in the Parisian underworld as the Queen of the Dead. But when, during an assignment from her shadowy mentor and handler, Zee refuses to kill a blinded young woman in a Paris nightclub, the decision will disintegrate Zee’s alliances, attract the attention of a savvy police investigator, and plunge her into a sinister criminal conspiracy that will set her on a collision course with her own past.

Review: Before coming to Hollywood and delivering modern action movies Broken Arrow, Hard Target, Face/Off, and Mission: Impossible II, John Woo revolutionized action cinema with the one-two punch of The Killer and Hard Boiled. Both films starred Chow Yun-fat and changed the landscape of action movies forever. In the years since their release, John Woo’s signature style has been copied ad nauseam, resulting in the appearance of slow motion, doves,...

A remake of John Woo’s groundbreaking action movie “The Killer” has been in the works since shortly after it premiered in 1989, but it took until 2024 for it to finally materialize — from Woo himself.

Over the years a number of filmmakers took a stab at adapting the beloved Hong Kong action movie, about a hitman (played by frequent Woo collaborator Chow Yun-Fat) who accidentally blinds a young girl, including “Alien” principals Walter Hill and David Giler, “Top Gun” writers Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr., and Korean-American filmmaker John H. Lee. There would be announcements made every so often, but very little forward momentum.

While development creeped along, Woo made his way to Hollywood, directing a series of highly regarded, star-filled action movies like “Hard Target,” “Broken Arrow” and “Mission: Impossible II,” which grossed more than half a billion dollars worldwide back in 2000. The style he developed in Hong Kong...

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Actors Omar Sy and Nathalie Emmanuel spoke with MovieWeb's Julian Roman about leading John Woo's remake of his own action masterpiece from 35 years ago. The pair discussed working with the iconic director and how Peacock's version of The Killer is extremely different from the original Hong Kong classic.

Legendary action director John Woo, the visionary filmmaker of Face/Off, Mission: Impossible II, Paycheck, Broken Arrow and Hard Boiled returns with a radical reimagining of his 1989 Hong Kong classic, The Killer.

From the Oscar winning producer of Oppenheimer, the kinetic action thriller stars Emmy nominee Nathalie Emmanuel as Zee, a mysterious and infamous assassin known, and feared, in the Parisian underworld as the Queen of the Dead.

But when, during an assignment from her shadowy mentor and handler (Avatars Sam Worthington), Zee refuses to kill a blinded young woman in a Paris nightclub,...

The director revisits his 1989 classic with a Paris-set update that doesn’t attempt anything all that daring but reconfirms his action credentials

It’s only fair: after years of the world ripping off the action-movie style of Hong Kong film-maker John Woo, why not let Woo take a crack at one himself? The idea for an English-language remake of The Killer, Woo’s seminal 1989 action picture starring his frequent muse Chow Yun-fat, has been kicking around Hollywood for the vast majority of the original movie’s lifespan, and now arrives as an experiment of cross-cultural translation: American writers Josh Campbell, Matt Stuecken and Brian Helgeland have adapted Woo’s original Hong Kong screenplay to a Paris setting, featuring characters of English, Irish, French and American origins, handed back to Woo for re-reinterpretation. (And – fittingly for such an odd project but unfortunately for the big-screen grandeur of even the lower-rent Woo movies – a streaming-exclusive debut.

If you ask any action fan hailing from any country, that has some kind of internet connection or cable television, about the most influential director in the genre, they’ll definitely talk endlessly about John Woo. Before checking out his Hong Kong productions, I was watching his Hollywood films on loop. I was mesmerized by Woo’s use of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s mullet in Hard Target. I was forced to watch Broken Arrow multiple times by one of my friends, and even though it didn’t hit me during the first few viewings, eventually, the utter insanity on display blew me away. Obviously, I wasn’t ready for the bonkers premise of Face/Off and the even more bonkers performances from Nic Cage and John Travolta. I didn’t like Mission: Impossible 2 initially because it was so different from Brian De Palma’s work, but now I think it’s a masterpiece.

It’s been more than 30 years since John Woo first came to Hollywood, and it often feels like he’s been looking for a way back to Hong Kong ever since — or at least a way back to the iconic action filmmaker he was when he worked there in the ’80s and early ’90s. Orgiastically blending the muted cool of a Jean-Pierre Melville neo-noir with the explosive melodrama of a Martin Scorsese crime epic and the florid grandiosity of a Chinese opera, Woo’s elevated style clashed with the meat-and-potatoes ethos of American blockbusters. The same ecstasy that defined Cantonese-language classics like “Hard Boiled” and “A Better Tomorrow” seemed more like self-parody after being translated into “Mission: Impossible 2,” and last year’s dreadfully generic “Silent Night” suggested that Woo had lost whatever was left of his voice as an artist.

Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly filled with...

John Woo’s Hollywood remake of his 1989 Heroic Bloodshed masterpiece The Killer, after languishing in development hell for almost as long as the original has existed, at long last sees the light of day. Relocating the setting from Hong Kong to Paris, Woo otherwise sticks to the original story, in which a contract killer, Zee (Nathalie Emmanuel), inadvertently blinds bystander Jenn (Diana Silvers) during a hit, and her refusal to murder the woman to tie up loose ends ultimately brings her into an unlikely alliance with a noble cop, Sey (Omar Sy).

Woo wastes little time showcasing his visual signatures, stuffing the first few minutes of The Killer, depicting Zee inside a church, with gliding tracking shots and low-angle compositions that immediately paint Zee and Sey as heroic. Oh, and there are doves—or, at least, one dove and two pigeons. The action also comes early and often, and Woo still delivers it with panache.