"Uglies," Netflix's latest big movie adaptation of a young adult novel, takes place in a dystopian society in which teens are expected to go through an extreme cosmetic surgery at 16 to make them "pretty." (Spoiler alert: This system turns out to be bad.) The film originally caught some flak online for its choice to cast conventionally attractive actors for the main "Ugly" roles, but director Joseph McGinty Nichol (widely known as McG) has clarified that there's a pretty good reason for this. As he explained in an interview with The Wrap:
"We're saying it's never enough [...] I think, if you spoke to some of the most universally regarded beautiful people in the world, they're some of the people with the most intense body dysmorphia. Nobody's immune from this toxicity that's out there of 'It's never enough. You can always have a thinner waist, bigger hips, fuller lips.' Take your pick.
"We're saying it's never enough [...] I think, if you spoke to some of the most universally regarded beautiful people in the world, they're some of the people with the most intense body dysmorphia. Nobody's immune from this toxicity that's out there of 'It's never enough. You can always have a thinner waist, bigger hips, fuller lips.' Take your pick.
- 9/27/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
Canadian actor William Shatner began his professional career in the early 1950s, appearing in an obscure film called "The Butler's Night Off." He worked in theaters, both as a manager and as an actor, in Montreal and Ottawa, and acted in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the mid-1950s. He moved to the United States shortly thereafter to pursue a Broadway career, and made ends meet by appearing on an episode of the Canadian version of "The Howdy Doody Show." Shatner racked up dozens of credits in film and on TV throughout the '50s and '60s, appearing in adaptations of "The Brother Karamazov" and "Judgment at Nuremberg" and on notable programs like "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Twilight Zone." In 1965, Shatner starred in "Incubus," the only feature film ever made in Esperanto.
Then, in 1966, Shatner landed the lead role in a new science fiction series called "Star Trek.
Then, in 1966, Shatner landed the lead role in a new science fiction series called "Star Trek.
- 9/24/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The original "The Twilight Zone," created by Rod Serling and broadcast on CBS from 1959-1964, is quite simply one of the greatest television series in the history of the medium. It has been incredibly influential in so many areas, from television itself (providing a sterling template for the anthology series), to sci-fi and horror in general, to even popularizing its title into a catch-all slang term for the strange and unusual. Serling not only gathered the cream of the crop of then-up-and-coming genre writers, but he also put his own imitable talents to use, writing the bulk of the series' 156 episodes and establishing the entire series' tone and style.
While the anthology, one-story-per-episode structure of "The Twilight Zone" allowed the series to avoid many of the usual pitfalls of long-running lightly- or heavily-serialized shows, it doesn't mean that the show was at the top of its game for its entire run.
While the anthology, one-story-per-episode structure of "The Twilight Zone" allowed the series to avoid many of the usual pitfalls of long-running lightly- or heavily-serialized shows, it doesn't mean that the show was at the top of its game for its entire run.
- 9/21/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
James Earl Jones in ‘Coming 2 America’ (Photo Courtesy of Amazon Studios)
On September 9, 2024, we lost one of the great ones: James Earl Jones. Jones is one of the few people to achieve the Egot, but more important than awards was the passion, commitment, craft, and just sheer scale he brought to every role whether it was as the leading man, a supporting character, or just a voice. And he brought all that to the table whether he was doing Shakespeare or Sesame Street. He was truly a rare talent.
James Earl Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957 but gained acclaim for his work with the New York Shakespeare Festival taking on the Bard’s tragic heroes of Othello, Hamlet, Coriolanus, and King Lear. He would win a Tony Award for Best Actor for The Great White Hope (1968), a role that he reprised for the 1970 film adaptation, earning him his...
On September 9, 2024, we lost one of the great ones: James Earl Jones. Jones is one of the few people to achieve the Egot, but more important than awards was the passion, commitment, craft, and just sheer scale he brought to every role whether it was as the leading man, a supporting character, or just a voice. And he brought all that to the table whether he was doing Shakespeare or Sesame Street. He was truly a rare talent.
James Earl Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957 but gained acclaim for his work with the New York Shakespeare Festival taking on the Bard’s tragic heroes of Othello, Hamlet, Coriolanus, and King Lear. He would win a Tony Award for Best Actor for The Great White Hope (1968), a role that he reprised for the 1970 film adaptation, earning him his...
- 9/17/2024
- by Beth Accomando
- Showbiz Junkies
This post contains spoilers for "Harper's Island."
The horror anthology model is pretty commonplace in our current landscape, its core appeal lying in shifting tones and narrative motivations, along with a ton of variety to offer. Anthologies are not a brand-new phenomenon, as their enduring popularity can be traced back to shows like "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" or Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" series, proving that even the earliest days of network television held space for such a format — on the condition that the show could sustain good ratings. When "Harper's Island" premiered on CBS in April 2009, it was marketed as a horror/slasher series that would go on to follow the anthology format in the second season, replete with new characters and a fresh setting. Unfortunately, these plans did not come to pass, as the 13-part limited event received dwindling ratings as the episodes progressed — with a season-wide average of...
The horror anthology model is pretty commonplace in our current landscape, its core appeal lying in shifting tones and narrative motivations, along with a ton of variety to offer. Anthologies are not a brand-new phenomenon, as their enduring popularity can be traced back to shows like "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" or Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" series, proving that even the earliest days of network television held space for such a format — on the condition that the show could sustain good ratings. When "Harper's Island" premiered on CBS in April 2009, it was marketed as a horror/slasher series that would go on to follow the anthology format in the second season, replete with new characters and a fresh setting. Unfortunately, these plans did not come to pass, as the 13-part limited event received dwindling ratings as the episodes progressed — with a season-wide average of...
- 9/16/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
2024 got off to a very rough start at the box office, particularly in regards to mainstream horror releases. In 2022 and 2023, horror proved to be one of the most bankable genres that theaters could depend on in the aftermath of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the likes of "Night Swim," "Imaginary," "Abigail," and others disappointed earlier this year. Things have rebounded and we now have hits such as "A Quiet Place: Day One" and the unexpected $100 million hit that was "Longlegs." One movie stands tall above the rest though, and that movie is "Alien: Romulus." Even more crazy to consider? That movie nearly went straight to Hulu.
On its fourth weekend in theaters, director Fede Alvarez's "Romulus" added another $3.9 million to its ever-growing total domestically. "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" took the lion's share of the attention with a massive $111 million opening, but the latest "Alien" movie is still holding its own. To that end,...
On its fourth weekend in theaters, director Fede Alvarez's "Romulus" added another $3.9 million to its ever-growing total domestically. "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" took the lion's share of the attention with a massive $111 million opening, but the latest "Alien" movie is still holding its own. To that end,...
- 9/10/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Leonard Nimoy wrote his first autobiography in 1975, titling it "I Am Not Spock." It wasn't born out of hatred for his beloved "Star Trek" role, it was simply inspired by people conflating him with his character. Notably, Nimoy wrote a follow-up titled "I Am Spock" 20 years later.
Spock was Nimoy's breakout part and his most remembered role, but lest we forget that aforementioned memoir, he'd been acting for more than a decade before "Star Trek" came along. One of his more minor parts was in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" season 3 — "A Quality of Mercy." The episode is set in the Philippines on August 6, 1945 (the day the U.S. bombed Hiroshima). Nimoy plays Hansen, one of the American G.I.'s fighting the last days of an already-won war.
The idea of the episode came from writer Sam Rolfe, but the actual teleplay was written by "Twilight Zone" creator/narrator Rod Serling.
Spock was Nimoy's breakout part and his most remembered role, but lest we forget that aforementioned memoir, he'd been acting for more than a decade before "Star Trek" came along. One of his more minor parts was in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" season 3 — "A Quality of Mercy." The episode is set in the Philippines on August 6, 1945 (the day the U.S. bombed Hiroshima). Nimoy plays Hansen, one of the American G.I.'s fighting the last days of an already-won war.
The idea of the episode came from writer Sam Rolfe, but the actual teleplay was written by "Twilight Zone" creator/narrator Rod Serling.
- 9/8/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
In our latest Q&a, I catch up with writer Jonathan Chance to talk about his latest horror comic book release, Permadeath, from Dead Sky Publishing. Aside from talking about the creative process on this one-shot, he gives a significant update on upcoming projects you'll want to keep on your radar:
Permadeath instantly brings to mind classic horror anthology movies, TV, and comics. What are some of your favorites that inspired you to write Permadeath?
Jonathan Chance: For me personally what I didn't want to do was a horror host. I think there's a thin line before it becomes cheesy at least in comic books. Though I've always loved the original E.C Comics and the modern Creepshow comics. They represent how to do it right currently, but also why we shouldn't have more than a handful. For Permadeath I wanted it to be its own animal but channel something in...
Permadeath instantly brings to mind classic horror anthology movies, TV, and comics. What are some of your favorites that inspired you to write Permadeath?
Jonathan Chance: For me personally what I didn't want to do was a horror host. I think there's a thin line before it becomes cheesy at least in comic books. Though I've always loved the original E.C Comics and the modern Creepshow comics. They represent how to do it right currently, but also why we shouldn't have more than a handful. For Permadeath I wanted it to be its own animal but channel something in...
- 9/6/2024
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The X-Files is one of the biggest series of the 1990s, also regarded as one of the most influential series the Fox series follows Fox Mulder and Dana Scully investigating the most mind-bending paranormal activities. The series’ original run was for 9 seasons with the series being revived in 2016 for two more seasons making the total season number 11 seasons. So, if you miss the amazingly mind-bending stories, compelling characters, and thrilling mysteries in The X-Files here are some similar shows you should check out next.
The Twilight Zone Credit – CBS
The Twilight Zone is a sci-fi horror fantasy anthology series created by Rod Serling. The CBS series is a collection of mystical stories with sci-fi, horror, and fantasy elements, and in each episode, we get a new standalone story with a new set of characters. The Twilight Zone stars Rod Sterling, William Shatner, Burgess Meredith, Elizabeth Montgomery, Robert Redford, George Takei,...
The Twilight Zone Credit – CBS
The Twilight Zone is a sci-fi horror fantasy anthology series created by Rod Serling. The CBS series is a collection of mystical stories with sci-fi, horror, and fantasy elements, and in each episode, we get a new standalone story with a new set of characters. The Twilight Zone stars Rod Sterling, William Shatner, Burgess Meredith, Elizabeth Montgomery, Robert Redford, George Takei,...
- 8/30/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
"I have many names," the con artist formerly known as Halbrand sneers on multiple occasions throughout season 2 of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." It's a recurring statement that has the added bonus of putting J.R.R. Tolkien's most famous villain, the Dark Lord Sauron, at the forefront of the action. But the larger question of what, exactly, is in a name has dogged every step of production on this Prime Video series since the moment it was first announced. The first batch of episodes didn't exactly quell many concerns upon release in late 2022 about a mega-corporation leveraging the franchise brand to take expanded material and construct an entire narrative out of spare parts. The overall result was a promising, if uneven debut that provided tantalizing hints of a show that could, someday, live up to the full potential of Tolkien's beloved fantasy universe.
Two long years later,...
Two long years later,...
- 8/28/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Eagle-eyed anime lovers are buzzing with excitement: Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the renowned manga series One Piece has just announced that it cast an Emmy-nominated star for a pivotal role in its widely anticipated second season.
Katey Sagal, who is most recognized for her voice and film roles as Leela in “Futurama” and Peggy Bundy in “Married…with Children,” is the actress in question for this part. Sagal will provide the voice of Dr. Kureha, the much-awaited new character in the series.
Casting And Production Details
Sagal’s casting was officially confirmed by the streaming giant, following months of speculation. The role was first suggested as a potential fit for Jamie Lee Curtis, the Oscar-winning actress for her work in 2018’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
However, Deadline claimed that scheduling conflicts stopped her from participating. The part is believed to require a “significant commitment,” with filming scheduled to...
Katey Sagal, who is most recognized for her voice and film roles as Leela in “Futurama” and Peggy Bundy in “Married…with Children,” is the actress in question for this part. Sagal will provide the voice of Dr. Kureha, the much-awaited new character in the series.
Casting And Production Details
Sagal’s casting was officially confirmed by the streaming giant, following months of speculation. The role was first suggested as a potential fit for Jamie Lee Curtis, the Oscar-winning actress for her work in 2018’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
However, Deadline claimed that scheduling conflicts stopped her from participating. The part is believed to require a “significant commitment,” with filming scheduled to...
- 8/27/2024
- by Chijioke Chukwuemeka
- Celebrating The Soaps
Statue honoring Rod Serling to be dedicated during SerlingFest 2024: "The Rod Serling Memorial Foundation will dedicate a six-foot statue of the renowned Twilight Zone creator during the organization’s annual SerlingFest in his hometown of Binghamton, New York. Featuring presentations about Serling’s life and career, panel discussions and screenings, SerlingFest 2024 will run from Friday, Sept. 13, to Sunday, Sept. 15.
The culmination of a four-year effort by the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation, the larger-than-life statue depicts Serling in an iconic narration pose familiar to fans of his landmark fantasy anthology series, The Twilight Zone (1959-64). The bronzed figure of the celebrated writer stands in front of a slightly open door inscribed with words from one of his Twilight Zone openings: “You unlock this door with the key of imagination.”
The statue will be located in Recreation Park, near Serling’s childhood home on Binghamton’s west side. The dedication ceremony,...
The culmination of a four-year effort by the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation, the larger-than-life statue depicts Serling in an iconic narration pose familiar to fans of his landmark fantasy anthology series, The Twilight Zone (1959-64). The bronzed figure of the celebrated writer stands in front of a slightly open door inscribed with words from one of his Twilight Zone openings: “You unlock this door with the key of imagination.”
The statue will be located in Recreation Park, near Serling’s childhood home on Binghamton’s west side. The dedication ceremony,...
- 8/19/2024
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Few people know the highs and lows of fandom experience quite like fans of "The X-Files." One of the hottest shows of the '90s was also one of the messiest, featuring retconned central mythology, a sizzling will-they-won't-they relationship that culminated mostly in vaguely implied hookups, and way too many Mulder-less latter season episodes. The show also features a surprisingly complicated release order, with two movies, a revival series, and one spinoffs.
When "The X-Files" fans reminisce about the show, they typically seem to be talking about the seven seasons that ran between 1993 and 2000, when David Duchovny's Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson's Dana Scully were on the hunt for aliens, monsters, and cigarette-smoking men week after week. But while it might be easier to cordon off the "simpler times" section of the show and call it canon, the fact remains that the official "X-Files" story doesn't end...
When "The X-Files" fans reminisce about the show, they typically seem to be talking about the seven seasons that ran between 1993 and 2000, when David Duchovny's Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson's Dana Scully were on the hunt for aliens, monsters, and cigarette-smoking men week after week. But while it might be easier to cordon off the "simpler times" section of the show and call it canon, the fact remains that the official "X-Files" story doesn't end...
- 8/18/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Entertainment prophesied the future more often than you might believe.
We expect that from science fiction shows, but more often than not, comedy predicts events that come to pass.
TV has often gotten there first, whether it’s political events, global catastrophes, or which couples might split for drama. It creates a fictional future that later turns out to be uncannily accurate.
(]CBS/Screenshot], [Disney+/Screenshot[, [BBC/Screenshot], [NBC/Screenshot], [Fox/Screenshot])
Science Fiction Often Is Intended As Social Commentary Shows Like The Twilight Zone Warn Of Dangerous Futures
Unsurprisingly, both The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who were ahead of their time, predicting current events fifty or more years ago.
Ahead of Their Time: When Entertainment Prophesied the Futureby Jack Ori Watch Out Salem! Hurricane Sami Returns to Days Of Our Livesby Jack Ori Why I’m Ridiculously Excited That Homicide: Life On The Streets Is Coming To Peacockby Jack Ori
The Twilight Zone...
We expect that from science fiction shows, but more often than not, comedy predicts events that come to pass.
TV has often gotten there first, whether it’s political events, global catastrophes, or which couples might split for drama. It creates a fictional future that later turns out to be uncannily accurate.
(]CBS/Screenshot], [Disney+/Screenshot[, [BBC/Screenshot], [NBC/Screenshot], [Fox/Screenshot])
Science Fiction Often Is Intended As Social Commentary Shows Like The Twilight Zone Warn Of Dangerous Futures
Unsurprisingly, both The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who were ahead of their time, predicting current events fifty or more years ago.
Ahead of Their Time: When Entertainment Prophesied the Futureby Jack Ori Watch Out Salem! Hurricane Sami Returns to Days Of Our Livesby Jack Ori Why I’m Ridiculously Excited That Homicide: Life On The Streets Is Coming To Peacockby Jack Ori
The Twilight Zone...
- 8/13/2024
- by Jack Ori
- TVfanatic
Nico Mastorakis has an uncanny ability of pulling ideas from various sources and running them through the Cuisinart of his peculiar sensibility, producing something altogether idiosyncratic. The six films assembled in Arrow Video’s new box set—one evocative religious allegory and five bawdy action comedies—testify to Mastorakis’s skills as a pop-cultural bricoleur. As a result, they serve as a series of variably amusing time capsules, deploying plenty of medium-specific references that might just delight viewers who came of age in the 1980s and early ’90s. Others will have to spend some time doing due diligence on Wikipedia.
The Time Traveler, from 1984, stars Keir Dullea as a man who fell to Earth, found naked along the Mykonos shore by expat American widow Andrea (Adrienne Barbeau). The new arrival soon names himself Glenn (as in astronaut John Glenn) and proceeds to learn the ways of the world. Unsurprisingly, a...
The Time Traveler, from 1984, stars Keir Dullea as a man who fell to Earth, found naked along the Mykonos shore by expat American widow Andrea (Adrienne Barbeau). The new arrival soon names himself Glenn (as in astronaut John Glenn) and proceeds to learn the ways of the world. Unsurprisingly, a...
- 8/8/2024
- by Budd Wilkins
- Slant Magazine
In the modern era, video game trailers get criticized for the overuse of CGI cutscenes instead of using actual game footage. They are selling you an idea of what the game is, rather than the reality. It’s something that’s not all that necessary, as gaming and graphics have become so advanced over the decades that simple footage should be enough to get people interested.
Back in the ‘80s, we didn’t have that option. Yes, there were good games out there, but advertising was more of a challenge. Everything around the gameplay was going to have to do the heavy lifting and really get you to think that 2600 Pacman was going to be something special. The commercials that really put in the work at least stayed with children and helped paint a reality that the limited graphics were trying to push.
Here are some that truly stand out from our most fool-pitying decade.
Back in the ‘80s, we didn’t have that option. Yes, there were good games out there, but advertising was more of a challenge. Everything around the gameplay was going to have to do the heavy lifting and really get you to think that 2600 Pacman was going to be something special. The commercials that really put in the work at least stayed with children and helped paint a reality that the limited graphics were trying to push.
Here are some that truly stand out from our most fool-pitying decade.
- 8/3/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Warning: contains spoilers for…well, loads of stuff.
Before we start this article, we need to deliver possibly one of the most comprehensive spoiler warnings in the history of the site, as this article will contain spoilers for Doctor Who series 14, The Twilight Zone episodes “Five Characters in Search of an Exit”, “To Serve Man”, “Nothing in the Dark”, “Death Ship”, “Judgement Night”, “The Hitch Hiker”, “Eye of the Beholder”, the Black Mirror episodes “Playtest” and “Hang the DJ”, and the movies, Existenz, Vanilla Sky, The Thirteenth Floor, The Usual Suspects, Planet of the Apes, The Village, Citizen Kane, Memento, The Others, The Sixth Sense, Fight Club and the books La Planète des singes, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Cinderella, and the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan.
Twist endings have always been a bit of a double-edged sword. When they land right, they’re brilliant and clever and beloved,...
Before we start this article, we need to deliver possibly one of the most comprehensive spoiler warnings in the history of the site, as this article will contain spoilers for Doctor Who series 14, The Twilight Zone episodes “Five Characters in Search of an Exit”, “To Serve Man”, “Nothing in the Dark”, “Death Ship”, “Judgement Night”, “The Hitch Hiker”, “Eye of the Beholder”, the Black Mirror episodes “Playtest” and “Hang the DJ”, and the movies, Existenz, Vanilla Sky, The Thirteenth Floor, The Usual Suspects, Planet of the Apes, The Village, Citizen Kane, Memento, The Others, The Sixth Sense, Fight Club and the books La Planète des singes, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Cinderella, and the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan.
Twist endings have always been a bit of a double-edged sword. When they land right, they’re brilliant and clever and beloved,...
- 8/2/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
In the "Star Trek" episode "Spectre of the Gun", the U.S.S. Enterprise attempts to make contact with a xenophobic species of psychics called the Melkotians. When Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew beam to the surface, they are instantly told by a Melkotian that they are trespassing and will be punished. The Melkotian teleports them, bizarrely, to an abstract Old West village where the buildings have no walls. This is an extrapolation of Tombstone, Arizona. Kirk and company find themselves standing in for specific fighters at the notorious Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and are clearly expected to face off against Wyatt Earp (Ron Soble), Morgan Earp (Rex Holman), and Virgil Earp (William Maxwell).
Luckily, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) discovers that the laws of physics in this bizarre Old West mindscape don't operate the same as in real life, leading him to conclude that it's all an illusion.
Luckily, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) discovers that the laws of physics in this bizarre Old West mindscape don't operate the same as in real life, leading him to conclude that it's all an illusion.
- 7/27/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
What do we say to the God of Spoilers? Not today. Warning: This article discusses major spoilers from the latest episode of "House of the Dragon."
The hit HBO fantasy series "House of the Dragon" plays with time a bit more than its predecessor, "Game of Thrones." The George R. R. Martin book it's based on, "Fire & Blood," was written like a historical document, cobbled together from the various accounts of Westerosi historians, and it spans hundreds of years to cover all of the major doings of the Targaryen family. "House of the Dragon" is specifically based on the section "The Dying of the Dragons," which spans around 40 years, give or take, which means that the series is full of flashbacks and time skips. All of this means that actors whose characters have been killed off (or aged up) can still potentially appear. There is one other way for actors...
The hit HBO fantasy series "House of the Dragon" plays with time a bit more than its predecessor, "Game of Thrones." The George R. R. Martin book it's based on, "Fire & Blood," was written like a historical document, cobbled together from the various accounts of Westerosi historians, and it spans hundreds of years to cover all of the major doings of the Targaryen family. "House of the Dragon" is specifically based on the section "The Dying of the Dragons," which spans around 40 years, give or take, which means that the series is full of flashbacks and time skips. All of this means that actors whose characters have been killed off (or aged up) can still potentially appear. There is one other way for actors...
- 7/22/2024
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
Guillermo del Toro’s boundless imagination, from the gothic horrors of “Crimson Peak” to the creature-feature-inspired “The Shape of Water,” has been cultivated by a lifelong love of cinema. The Mexican filmmaker proudly wears his influences on his sleeves, while championing the past and future of moviegoing and movie-making. Just take his latest projects.
There’s the stunning, stop-motion “Pinocchio” reimagining, which is leagues better than Disney’s straight-to-streaming competitor — far too slick for its own good (no matter how much Tom Hanks tried). And, also at Netflix, there’s the “Cabinet of Curiosities“: an eight-part horror anthology that unfortunately does not include any directing from del Toro, but does feature his writing, producing, and a Rod Serling-like “Twilight Zone” style intro for each episode.
Before that, the 2021 show business noir “Nightmare Alley” saw del Toro loosely remake a 1947 classic, but he also imbued plenty of his own...
There’s the stunning, stop-motion “Pinocchio” reimagining, which is leagues better than Disney’s straight-to-streaming competitor — far too slick for its own good (no matter how much Tom Hanks tried). And, also at Netflix, there’s the “Cabinet of Curiosities“: an eight-part horror anthology that unfortunately does not include any directing from del Toro, but does feature his writing, producing, and a Rod Serling-like “Twilight Zone” style intro for each episode.
Before that, the 2021 show business noir “Nightmare Alley” saw del Toro loosely remake a 1947 classic, but he also imbued plenty of his own...
- 7/17/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
When CBS renewed the beloved anthology series "The Twilight Zone" for its fourth season, the network made the boneheaded decision of increasing each episode's runtime from about 30 minutes to around an hour. That upended the successful formula Rod Serling and his collaborators had landed on, resulting in the worst season of the original run. Still, despite the episodes losing some of their immediacy, there was plenty of room for Serling and company to explore fascinating ideas.
The 17th episode of the season, "Passage on the Lady Anne," has a ton on its mind. The story follows a couple, Eileen (Joyce Van Patten) and Alan Ransome (Lee Philips), who have been married for six years but have lost the spark in their relationship. Eileen convinces Alan that she should accompany him on a business trip from New York to London so they can spend some time together and potentially save their relationship,...
The 17th episode of the season, "Passage on the Lady Anne," has a ton on its mind. The story follows a couple, Eileen (Joyce Van Patten) and Alan Ransome (Lee Philips), who have been married for six years but have lost the spark in their relationship. Eileen convinces Alan that she should accompany him on a business trip from New York to London so they can spend some time together and potentially save their relationship,...
- 7/15/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Getting into "The Twilight Zone" is easy, but picking the perfect "Twilight Zone" episode for newcomers to the series? Not so much. The show has plenty of excellent episodes, but not all of them appeal to every audience. Some are the favored choice of horror fans, while others lean more sci-fi. Some aim to moralize, while others simply entertain with twisty, ironic, and sometimes silly stories.
There are dozens of viable entry points for the greatest anthology series in TV history, but one has consistently worked best for me over the years: "Five Characters in Search of an Exit," an existential yet optimistic one-room play of sorts that's nestled in the middle of the show's third season. If you haven't seen this episode, it's best to go in blind: its final twist is one of the show's best, not only for its cleverness, but the rare "Twilight Zone" perspective shift that delights rather than terrifies.
There are dozens of viable entry points for the greatest anthology series in TV history, but one has consistently worked best for me over the years: "Five Characters in Search of an Exit," an existential yet optimistic one-room play of sorts that's nestled in the middle of the show's third season. If you haven't seen this episode, it's best to go in blind: its final twist is one of the show's best, not only for its cleverness, but the rare "Twilight Zone" perspective shift that delights rather than terrifies.
- 7/14/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Rian Johnson's "Looper" is not your standard issue time travel flick. It's also a neo-noir crime yarn that veers into a man-on-the-lam thriller before unexpectedly integrating elements of telekinetic horror. It's a full 118-minute meal that more than satisfies on every subsequent viewing. And while you can easily rattle off its numerous movie influences, the film that most inspired Johnson's crafting of the narrative, particularly as it settles into its second act, is a quieter kind of genre tale.
Most moviegoers probably didn't anticipate what was sold as a Bruce Willis sci-fi action movie to head off in so many surprising directions, but Johnson has been infusing his films with all kinds of unexpected flavors since his critically acclaimed debut "Brick" –- and, frankly, even most cinephiles familiar with Johnson's oeuvre up to that point were caught off-guard by the younger version of the movie's protagonist (Joseph Gordon-Levitt...
Most moviegoers probably didn't anticipate what was sold as a Bruce Willis sci-fi action movie to head off in so many surprising directions, but Johnson has been infusing his films with all kinds of unexpected flavors since his critically acclaimed debut "Brick" –- and, frankly, even most cinephiles familiar with Johnson's oeuvre up to that point were caught off-guard by the younger version of the movie's protagonist (Joseph Gordon-Levitt...
- 7/13/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
As "The Twilight Zone" was nearing the end of its third season in 1962, creator Rod Serling was feeling the strain of having to generate over half of the series' scripts. Though Serling was fortunate to have a regular network outlet through which he could prick the increasingly troubled consciences of an American public confronted with the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, and the military's expanding involvement in the Vietnam conflict, he was, off-camera at least, a very funny man. He liked to laugh. And if he had his druthers, he'd have a separate network outlet to make television viewers laugh as well.
So, late in the third season, Serling revisited "Mr. Bevis," a pilot premise he'd attempted in the first season of "The Twilight Zone," and gave it broader comedic spin. The result was "Cavender Is Coming," which, if it pleased his CBS overlords, would've become a sitcom vehicle...
So, late in the third season, Serling revisited "Mr. Bevis," a pilot premise he'd attempted in the first season of "The Twilight Zone," and gave it broader comedic spin. The result was "Cavender Is Coming," which, if it pleased his CBS overlords, would've become a sitcom vehicle...
- 7/12/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Some television shows seem to disappear almost the second they first air, while others have reasonably solid runs, but then they fade into obscurity.
Then there are the shows that smash records, revolutionize genres, give us moments we remember for decades, or otherwise achieve unprecedented success.
Here are 17 of those incredible shows.
I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
I Love Lucy was pioneering in many ways. It featured an interracial couple married in real life, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and Lucy's unique brand of physical humor drew everyone in.
Iconic moments from the CBS show, like Season 1 Episode 30: Lucy Does a TV Commercial, also called the Vitameatavegimen episode, have become permanent parts of American culture.
Related: Classic TV is the Perfect Binge Watch for So Many Reasons
We all remember seeing that and other remarkable moments like Lucy working at a candy factory, stomping grapes, or giving birth to Ricky.
Then there are the shows that smash records, revolutionize genres, give us moments we remember for decades, or otherwise achieve unprecedented success.
Here are 17 of those incredible shows.
I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
I Love Lucy was pioneering in many ways. It featured an interracial couple married in real life, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and Lucy's unique brand of physical humor drew everyone in.
Iconic moments from the CBS show, like Season 1 Episode 30: Lucy Does a TV Commercial, also called the Vitameatavegimen episode, have become permanent parts of American culture.
Related: Classic TV is the Perfect Binge Watch for So Many Reasons
We all remember seeing that and other remarkable moments like Lucy working at a candy factory, stomping grapes, or giving birth to Ricky.
- 7/8/2024
- by Jessica Kosinski
- TVfanatic
Independence Day is here. Not only is this the holiday to dust off the grill, take a trip to the pool, and gather all of your loved ones, but this is also the movie and TV marathon weekend of the year – my family personally would always turn on the annual Twilight Zone marathon, leaving Rod Serling as the omniscient voice of our family barbecue. This Fourth, there are plenty of options—from sit-coms like The Office to dramas like Yellowstone—ensuring there will be the perfect watch for everyone in the family. Here’s the 2024 watch guide for this July 4th, from movies to marathons to fireworks. Happy watching! Best 4th of July TV Marathons This year, TV networks planned the perfect shows to binge with the family or to throw on in the background of your holiday party with friends and loved ones, guaranteeing there’s a show for everyone.
- 7/2/2024
- TV Insider
When a story enters "The Twilight Zone," it can traverse genres ranging from fantasy to science-fiction to horror. My favorite episode of the series is one that fits mostly into the last category: season 2 episode 5, "The Howling Man," which takes a classic "don't judge a book by its cover" premise into creepy (and theological) directions.
Five years after World War 1, American traveler David Ellington (H.M. Wynant) is lost in a storm and stumbles on a monastery. The men — clad in robes, carrying staves, and using only candles for light — turn away Ellington's request for shelter. While leaving he hears a horrible howling and finds the source is a ragged man (Robin Hughes) who is locked in a cell. Brother Jerome (John Carradine) warns that this prisoner is Satan himself, imprisoned by his brotherhood to prevent evil on the scale of the Great War. A disbelieving Ellington frees the Howling...
Five years after World War 1, American traveler David Ellington (H.M. Wynant) is lost in a storm and stumbles on a monastery. The men — clad in robes, carrying staves, and using only candles for light — turn away Ellington's request for shelter. While leaving he hears a horrible howling and finds the source is a ragged man (Robin Hughes) who is locked in a cell. Brother Jerome (John Carradine) warns that this prisoner is Satan himself, imprisoned by his brotherhood to prevent evil on the scale of the Great War. A disbelieving Ellington frees the Howling...
- 7/1/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
The first episode of the fourth season of "The Twilight Zone" — titled "In His Image" — opens with a startling act of violence. Alan Talbot (George Grizzard) is approached by an evangelist while waiting at a subway station, and his simmering irritation with her triggers a strange sensation: electronic beeps zap his brain, leading him to push her on the tracks. The woman is killed by the oncoming train, and Alan flees, reappearing a while later with his fiancée Jessica (Gail Kobe) near his hometown. He seems to have no recollection of his transgression at the subway.
As series creator and host Rod Serling states in the episode's opening narration, this is just the beginning of the nightmarish hell Alan is about to experience, as he stands at the cusp of a world both real and dream-like. Alan's tale is based on Charles Beaumont's captivating short story "In His Image,...
As series creator and host Rod Serling states in the episode's opening narration, this is just the beginning of the nightmarish hell Alan is about to experience, as he stands at the cusp of a world both real and dream-like. Alan's tale is based on Charles Beaumont's captivating short story "In His Image,...
- 6/30/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
When the big-budget sci-fi/boxing flick hybrid "Real Steel" brawled its way into theaters on October 7, 2011, it was ridiculed by some as "Rock'em Sock'em Robots: The Motion Picture." On one hand, the $110 million-budgeted film's blockbuster pedigree of star Hugh Jackman and director Shawn Levy did little to suggest the film was anything more than this. But anyone who grew up gorging on Rod Serling's original run of "The Twilight Zone" in syndication or reading the novels and short stories of Richard Matheson knew there was more to "Real Steel," at least in theory, than family friendly mechanical mayhem.
Obviously, with that budget, Disney (which distributed the DreamWorks production) wasn't going to sell the film primarily on its connection to a nearly 50-year-old black-and-white television show. As for Matheson, while he's considered a god of 20th century sci-fi/fantasy/horror literature by publishing heavyweights like Stephen King and Neil Gaiman,...
Obviously, with that budget, Disney (which distributed the DreamWorks production) wasn't going to sell the film primarily on its connection to a nearly 50-year-old black-and-white television show. As for Matheson, while he's considered a god of 20th century sci-fi/fantasy/horror literature by publishing heavyweights like Stephen King and Neil Gaiman,...
- 6/30/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Wedged in the back half of the final season of "The Twilight Zone," during an era that saw Rod Serling's classic sci-fi series begin to wind down after five influential years, "I Am the Night -- Color Me Black" features a deceptively simple premise. In the half-hour episode, a probably innocent man is due to be hanged, and as locals relish the idea of a public execution, the sun refuses to rise over the town in which he's imprisoned.
The man in question is called Jagger (Terry Becker), and it soon becomes clear that there's more to his case than meets the eye. The self-proclaimed activist, we learn, killed a member of the KKK who had previously participated in bombings and attacked at least one person of color. He also aimed to injure the man who ended up killing him, as a local reporter notes that the dead man...
The man in question is called Jagger (Terry Becker), and it soon becomes clear that there's more to his case than meets the eye. The self-proclaimed activist, we learn, killed a member of the KKK who had previously participated in bombings and attacked at least one person of color. He also aimed to injure the man who ended up killing him, as a local reporter notes that the dead man...
- 6/29/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Some of the most memorable ventures into "The Twilight Zone" are bottle episodes in spirit if not exact definition. "The Invaders" follows a woman in a remote cabin menaced by tiny aliens. "Nothing in the Dark" features not only a young Robert Redford but also an elderly woman (Gladys Cooper) scared that death will be arriving at her door.
Cooper returned for a similar "Twilight Zone" in the show's fifth and last season: "The Night Call" Cooper plays Elva Keene, an aged widow living in a Maine cabin who is dealing with repeated phone calls that always go silent whenever she picks up. Is it just a technical error, like her nurse assures her? Or is something sinister and supernatural lurking in the phone lines?
On "The Night Call," the guest talent wasn't only in front of the camera. The episode was directed by Jacques Tourneur, one of the first...
Cooper returned for a similar "Twilight Zone" in the show's fifth and last season: "The Night Call" Cooper plays Elva Keene, an aged widow living in a Maine cabin who is dealing with repeated phone calls that always go silent whenever she picks up. Is it just a technical error, like her nurse assures her? Or is something sinister and supernatural lurking in the phone lines?
On "The Night Call," the guest talent wasn't only in front of the camera. The episode was directed by Jacques Tourneur, one of the first...
- 6/29/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
The world recently lost one of the greatest actors to ever do it, when Donald Sutherland passed away at the age of 88. A legendary performer with an on-screen career spanning more than half a century, Sutherland brought to life countless characters that could all be considered "his best." Vernon Pinkley in "The Dirty Dozen," John Baxter in "Don't Look Now," Hawkeye Pierce in "M*A*S*H*," Matthew Bennell in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," Mr. Bennet in "Pride & Prejudice," and John Klute in "Klute" would all be career-making roles for any other performer, but for Sutherland, they were just another day at the office. However, there's an argument to be made that his greatest performance came with one of his most recent roles -- one that helped introduce him to a much younger generation. I'm talking, of course, about President Corolanius Snow in "The Hunger Games" series.
President...
President...
- 6/20/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
As a viewer born in the blurred area between Millennial and Gen Z, my relationship with "The Twilight Zone" has always been complicated. I love the original series, and definitely consider it to be stronger than any of the revivals, but I'm also frustrated with the sheer extent to which its flaws are glossed over. Despite what haters of Jordan Peele's 2019 revival might tell you, Rod Serling's original run wasn't shy of the occasional bit of preachy writing. It also had no shortage of clumsy exposition or questionable acting, as well as the occasional twist ending that either barely made sense or was way too easy to predict. The classic series has plenty of gems, but as Rod Serling himself will tell you, it had plenty of clunkers that were simply forgotten over time.
This dissonance was the biggest obstacle the 2019 revival of "The Twilight Zone" had to deal with.
This dissonance was the biggest obstacle the 2019 revival of "The Twilight Zone" had to deal with.
- 6/16/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
There are few things as recognizable in pop culture than Godzilla. Case in point, even divorced from the legendary kaiju and his instantly identifiable, the King of the Monsters' roar is something one knows the second they hear it. Yes, the roar has changed a bit over the years, but the franchise has largely stayed true to what we got in 1954's seminal classic "Godzilla," which utilized a leather glove across the strings of a contrabass to create the roar we all know. When the franchise was rebooted by director Gareth Edwards for American audiences in 2014, the sound team took a different approach.
In a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, sound designers Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn explained how they crafted a new roar for 2014's "Godzilla." The duo spent six months in total over a three-year period trying to find the perfect combination of sounds. Ultimately, they used...
In a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, sound designers Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn explained how they crafted a new roar for 2014's "Godzilla." The duo spent six months in total over a three-year period trying to find the perfect combination of sounds. Ultimately, they used...
- 6/16/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Reconnecting with a childhood friend is always a little strange, but "The Wasp" takes it to a whole other level. This psychological thriller is all about Heather (Naomie Harris), a seemingly put-together, well-off woman who reaches out to Carla (Natalie Dormer), a standoffish pregnant former classmate who barely seems to remember her. Heather wants to hire Carla to do a dangerous, morally dubious task, but more importantly she wants to talk through everything that happened back when they were kids. Their childhood friendship fell apart the day young Carla killed a wounded bird in front of young Heather; as we learn throughout a suspenseful, emotional 96 minutes, things are weird between them for reasons far more complicated than that.
I hesitate to say more about the plot, because "The Wasp" is one of those movies where it's best to know as little as possible going in. It's a film split into three clear acts,...
I hesitate to say more about the plot, because "The Wasp" is one of those movies where it's best to know as little as possible going in. It's a film split into three clear acts,...
- 6/14/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
With DVD boxsets of landmark series like The Wire and Mad Men now gathering subtle layers of ambient cabinet-dust whilst the buffering wheel endlessly churns on your bug-ridden streamer of choice, it’d be fair to say that the so-called “Golden Age” of TV drama has passed. Of course, there were other golden eras of TV before Walter White broke bad or Lena Dunham’s Girls terrorized New York. And there will be golden eras again–full of unforgettable stories and distinct, signature creative perspectives.
Of course, at Film Independent we’re not just going to sit around and wait for the next big episodic storytelling residence to occur out of thin air. No, we’re actively working to make it happen–most recently via this year’s inaugural Imaginar TV Incubator. Or more specifically “The Imaginar TV Incubator for Fearless Latinx Creators”, launched together with our partners at FX and in collaboration with Nalip,...
Of course, at Film Independent we’re not just going to sit around and wait for the next big episodic storytelling residence to occur out of thin air. No, we’re actively working to make it happen–most recently via this year’s inaugural Imaginar TV Incubator. Or more specifically “The Imaginar TV Incubator for Fearless Latinx Creators”, launched together with our partners at FX and in collaboration with Nalip,...
- 6/14/2024
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is currently filming a secretive show called Wycaro in Albuquerque. Here’s what we currently know about it.
Having immersed himself for years in the darkly thrilling crime world of Breaking Bad and its spin-off, Better Call Saul, creator Vince Gilligan is making a somewhat different-sounding TV series, this time for Apple TV+. The show, said to be called Wycaro, is currently being kept in a heavily-padded jiffy bag of secrecy – all we know is that it’s set in Albuquerque, much like Breaking Bad, spin-off film El Camino and Better Call Saul, and will star Rhea Seehorn, who played Kim Wexler in the latter.
According to World of Reel, the series is currently filming on location in Albuquerque, and repeats a longstanding rumour that it might be a sci-fi show or some form of return to the style of...
Having immersed himself for years in the darkly thrilling crime world of Breaking Bad and its spin-off, Better Call Saul, creator Vince Gilligan is making a somewhat different-sounding TV series, this time for Apple TV+. The show, said to be called Wycaro, is currently being kept in a heavily-padded jiffy bag of secrecy – all we know is that it’s set in Albuquerque, much like Breaking Bad, spin-off film El Camino and Better Call Saul, and will star Rhea Seehorn, who played Kim Wexler in the latter.
According to World of Reel, the series is currently filming on location in Albuquerque, and repeats a longstanding rumour that it might be a sci-fi show or some form of return to the style of...
- 6/14/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
Ranker is a popular place on the Internet where people can rank whatever they want, however, they want, and whenever they want. This is always a fan-focused ranking system, and it is never officially tied to the people behind the projects in question. Recently, a large survey was organized on Ranker, whose goal was to determine the best movies of all time. The list includes more than 2,500 series, but in our report, we have decided to list the top ten titles from the site to provide you with better insight, combined with our original comments and opinions, which will add flavor to the whole report.
Of course, since this is indeed an important list, we have decided to report on it, so we are going to bring you the results by listing the top 10 series on this list, from 10th to first place. We hope you’ll enjoy it!
10. Better Call Saul...
Of course, since this is indeed an important list, we have decided to report on it, so we are going to bring you the results by listing the top 10 series on this list, from 10th to first place. We hope you’ll enjoy it!
10. Better Call Saul...
- 6/9/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Before he wrote such memorable lines as, "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone" and "death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities," novelist George R.R. Martin helped pen another instantly quotable turn of phrase: "It's rock and roll, you dumb son of a b***h!"
This quote is hilarious on its own, but even funnier when put in context: it comes partway through a now-forgotten episode of a once-popular "Twilight Zone" reboot series that aired from 1985 to 1989. The speaker of the quote is Gary Pitkin (Jeff Yagher), a spot-on Elvis impersonator. The subject of his ridicule? It's the King himself, also played by Yagher in a time travel plot that sees the two men come face to face on the eve of Elvis' first studio session. It doesn't go well. The episode, "The Once and Future King," was written by Martin from a story by Bryce Maritano.
This quote is hilarious on its own, but even funnier when put in context: it comes partway through a now-forgotten episode of a once-popular "Twilight Zone" reboot series that aired from 1985 to 1989. The speaker of the quote is Gary Pitkin (Jeff Yagher), a spot-on Elvis impersonator. The subject of his ridicule? It's the King himself, also played by Yagher in a time travel plot that sees the two men come face to face on the eve of Elvis' first studio session. It doesn't go well. The episode, "The Once and Future King," was written by Martin from a story by Bryce Maritano.
- 6/2/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Mark Johnson has produced some of the most distinctive movies and TV shows of the past 40 years. Think “Good Morning, Vietnam,” “Rain Man,” “The Notebook,” “The Holdovers,” “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.”
Yet Johnson was a surprise choice by AMC Networks to lead its massive investment in building out the Anne Rice literary universe in multiple TV series. AMC bought the TV rights to Rice’s literary vault of Southern Gothic vampire tales in 2020.
Four years later, AMC has two successful Rice-based series on the air — “Interview With the Vampire” and “Mayfair Witches” — and a third hot prospect in development: “Talamasca,” which explores a mysterious society within the Rice universe. Johnson had little experience with the fantasy and horror genres. But he was the perfect person to steer the Rice initiative, in part because he’s not steeped in the conventions and tropes of fantasy fiction, according to Dan McDermott,...
Yet Johnson was a surprise choice by AMC Networks to lead its massive investment in building out the Anne Rice literary universe in multiple TV series. AMC bought the TV rights to Rice’s literary vault of Southern Gothic vampire tales in 2020.
Four years later, AMC has two successful Rice-based series on the air — “Interview With the Vampire” and “Mayfair Witches” — and a third hot prospect in development: “Talamasca,” which explores a mysterious society within the Rice universe. Johnson had little experience with the fantasy and horror genres. But he was the perfect person to steer the Rice initiative, in part because he’s not steeped in the conventions and tropes of fantasy fiction, according to Dan McDermott,...
- 5/30/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
The bleak blockbuster that is "Dune: Part Two" finished up Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" duology in spectacular fashion. After 2021's "Dune" provided a more muted, subtle introduction to the world originally created by author Frank Herbert in his 1965 novel, the sequel delivered epic action, depicting Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet)'s transformation into the messianic leader of the Fremen, whom he leads in battle against the evil House Harkonnen. While there's a marked difference between the two movies in terms of pace, one thing that remained consistent was Villeneuve's meticulous attention to detail.
The director didn't want outside interpretations interfering with the design of "Dune" or its sequel, and implored his creative team to refer to Herbert's book for inspiration. But that didn't mean the look of "Dune" and "Part Two" came exclusively from the book. Production designer Patrice Vermette consulted a wide array of sources, leading to sets...
The director didn't want outside interpretations interfering with the design of "Dune" or its sequel, and implored his creative team to refer to Herbert's book for inspiration. But that didn't mean the look of "Dune" and "Part Two" came exclusively from the book. Production designer Patrice Vermette consulted a wide array of sources, leading to sets...
- 5/27/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Every anthology TV show has high points and low points, and that includes the best one ever made. Rod Serling's seminal 1959 series "The Twilight Zone" broke new ground in small screen storytelling week after week, delivering sci-fi tinged homilies about the human condition. The show looked to the future frequently and to the past more often than you might remember, but its best stories still feel timeless in their acute understanding of fear, loneliness, love, hatred, and mortality. While most shows have a small handful of standout episodes, "The Twilight Zone" has dozens.
And yet, it's not perfect. Any total watchthrough of the series reveals a few distinct flaws, including repetitive plot points and the show's profound inability to pull off more humorous outings. "The Twilight Zone" is a monument in television history, one that's as daring and imaginative as the medium has ever been, but some seasons of...
And yet, it's not perfect. Any total watchthrough of the series reveals a few distinct flaws, including repetitive plot points and the show's profound inability to pull off more humorous outings. "The Twilight Zone" is a monument in television history, one that's as daring and imaginative as the medium has ever been, but some seasons of...
- 5/27/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
This year, acclaimed British filmmaker Christopher Nolan has finally received his first Oscar for his work on Oppenheimer and everyone agreed that it was deserved, but also that it should not have been his first Oscar, seeing how many masterful movies Nolan had made before Oppenheimer. In that aspect, the filmmaker officially became a part of history and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many of his colleagues speak very highly of him and his achievements over the years.
Although modern cinema is much more diverse than it was decades ago, and there are several equally innovative and important approaches to filmmaking, we cannot deny that Nolan definitely changed cinema. His visionary approach, as well as his unshakeable stance in defending his own approach to his craft, make Nolan one of the most important filmmakers in history.
This is also something that many other filmmakers have noticed, as...
Although modern cinema is much more diverse than it was decades ago, and there are several equally innovative and important approaches to filmmaking, we cannot deny that Nolan definitely changed cinema. His visionary approach, as well as his unshakeable stance in defending his own approach to his craft, make Nolan one of the most important filmmakers in history.
This is also something that many other filmmakers have noticed, as...
- 5/26/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Christopher Nolan and The Dark Knight Trilogy are two peas in a pod, and people know it quite well. Finding fame and love for giving the world Christian Bale’s Batman alongside Heath Ledger’s Joker, Nolan created a unique version of Batman that the world didn’t expect.
Christian Bale in The Dark Knight. Credits: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
With iconic and intriguing storylines across the trilogy and some heavenly music by Hans Zimmer, The Dark Knight Trilogy solidified Chris Nolan as a visionary director. Despite the praise that the film received, people seem to think that the fight sequences in the film… aren’t that great.
The Fight Scenes In Batman Begins Were Not That Great!
It was the year 2005 when veteran director Christopher Nolan released the first film of his iconic franchise titled Batman Begins. Starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne aka Batman and Liam Neeson as Ras-al Ghul,...
Christian Bale in The Dark Knight. Credits: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
With iconic and intriguing storylines across the trilogy and some heavenly music by Hans Zimmer, The Dark Knight Trilogy solidified Chris Nolan as a visionary director. Despite the praise that the film received, people seem to think that the fight sequences in the film… aren’t that great.
The Fight Scenes In Batman Begins Were Not That Great!
It was the year 2005 when veteran director Christopher Nolan released the first film of his iconic franchise titled Batman Begins. Starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne aka Batman and Liam Neeson as Ras-al Ghul,...
- 5/26/2024
- by Visarg Acharya
- FandomWire
Social criticism is the foundation of The Twilight Zone. If there has ever been any confusion about the show’s true purpose, it’s probably because the original Twilight Zone episodes often had to disguise their messages. Inspired by his battles with network censors who were quick to cut anything that may upset even the worst kinds of people, Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling decided that his show would address the human core of social issues rather than exactly what was happening at the time. The sci-fi genre offered the perfect camouflage for Sterling’s ambitions. As Serling once said, “You can put these words in the mouth of a Martian and get away with it.”
Fascists could look like aliens, bigots could be literal monsters, and censorship could occur on some other planet. Those who knew the horror of such real-life atrocities could watch The Twilight Zone and understand what was being said.
Fascists could look like aliens, bigots could be literal monsters, and censorship could occur on some other planet. Those who knew the horror of such real-life atrocities could watch The Twilight Zone and understand what was being said.
- 5/25/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
"One-Eyed Jacks" might have been Marlon Brando's sole directing stint, but the 1961 western comes as close to perfection as possible within the confines of the genre. A high-stakes robbery acts as a catalyst for the dramatic ebb and flow that defines the unforgettable story, where a man contends with the heinous betrayal by his mentor, the father figure who has shaped him into the person he is today. This brooding, brokenhearted man, Rio (Brando) flits between vengeance and forgiveness, with a budding romance complicating the instinctual need to settle scores the old-fashioned way. The film is also stunning to behold, its gaze lingering on beautiful landscapes that blend the romanticism of Westerns with the naturalistic impulses within its complicated characters.
The making of such an intense, kinetic drama was filled with roadblocks, and Brando was not involved with it from the get-go. "One-Eyed Jacks" was initially intended to function...
The making of such an intense, kinetic drama was filled with roadblocks, and Brando was not involved with it from the get-go. "One-Eyed Jacks" was initially intended to function...
- 5/24/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
Denis Villeneuve has flown through the ranks of Hollywood very quickly. Although he has been making massively successful and critically acclaimed projects for years, his name has only recently entered the mainstream media after he started working on the Dune series. Since then, his filmmaking has been appreciated for the gift that it is, and respect has been put in his name.
Bene Gesserit in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two [Credit: Warner Bros.]Several other directors have experienced similar treatment in Hollywood, and it would seem that Villeneuve has a special place in his heart for one of them. Recently, the director was asked about his favorite director, and his answer might shock many.
Who is Denis Villeneuve’s Favorite Director?
When it comes to Hollywood, there are several directors who are frequently talked about as some of the greatest. Among them, Martin Scorsese has been given the highest regard.
Bene Gesserit in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two [Credit: Warner Bros.]Several other directors have experienced similar treatment in Hollywood, and it would seem that Villeneuve has a special place in his heart for one of them. Recently, the director was asked about his favorite director, and his answer might shock many.
Who is Denis Villeneuve’s Favorite Director?
When it comes to Hollywood, there are several directors who are frequently talked about as some of the greatest. Among them, Martin Scorsese has been given the highest regard.
- 5/23/2024
- by Ananya Godboley
- FandomWire
Over the course of his career, Christopher Nolan has become more than just a director – he’s practically a genre within himself. Whether he’s making historical dramas or mind-bending thrillers, or superhero crime sagas, all of his works are… well, Nolan-esque. And if there’s a filmmaker who feels like a true contemporary of Nolan, who’s risen to similarly cerebral blockbusterdom in recent years, whose films sometimes contain noticeably Nolan-esque touches, it’s Denis Villeneuve. Like Nolan, Villeneuve began with ambitious indie fare, before entering the studio system and conjuring seismic cinematic feats like Dune.
Now, in Empire’s Christopher Nolan Special Collector’s Edition, Villeneuve has paid tribute to his fellow filmmaker – writing exclusively for Empire on his trailblazing friend. And, in his own words, Villeneuve likens Nolan to some of the all-time greats. “Chris Marker, Rod Serling, Tarkovsky, Kubrick… Christopher Nolan belongs to this group of artists: the time explorers,...
Now, in Empire’s Christopher Nolan Special Collector’s Edition, Villeneuve has paid tribute to his fellow filmmaker – writing exclusively for Empire on his trailblazing friend. And, in his own words, Villeneuve likens Nolan to some of the all-time greats. “Chris Marker, Rod Serling, Tarkovsky, Kubrick… Christopher Nolan belongs to this group of artists: the time explorers,...
- 5/23/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
Every genre has its own iconic TV series that made it legendary and turned the viewers into the obsessed fans even though they thought they were not as interested before. In the case of science fiction, there is one and only TV show that had the capacity to manage to do so.
Of course, we are talking about The Twilight Zone, created by Rod Serling in 1959. The series followed its characters through many different, often disturbing events, an experience described as entering the ‘Twilight Zone’.
Although the main genre the show works in is described as science fiction, it went way beyond the format and often introduces occasional episodes in dystopian fiction, absurdism, black comedy, even horror.
The main thing was to introduce the unexpected plot twist in every episode and end the story with a moral epilogue. In many ways the show became the trendsetter in the industry, giving...
Of course, we are talking about The Twilight Zone, created by Rod Serling in 1959. The series followed its characters through many different, often disturbing events, an experience described as entering the ‘Twilight Zone’.
Although the main genre the show works in is described as science fiction, it went way beyond the format and often introduces occasional episodes in dystopian fiction, absurdism, black comedy, even horror.
The main thing was to introduce the unexpected plot twist in every episode and end the story with a moral epilogue. In many ways the show became the trendsetter in the industry, giving...
- 5/19/2024
- by [email protected] (Rachel Bailey)
- STartefacts.com
This post contains spoilers for "The Twilight Zone" season 1, episode 5: "Walking Distance."
One of the most beloved episodes of "The Twilight Zone" was also one of its least terrifying. "Walking Distance," a season 1 episode about a man who unwittingly travels back in time and revisits his childhood, is widely praised for its melancholy, nostalgic themes. The show's creator, Rod Serling, also generally looks back at it fondly. As his daughter Anne Serling explained in a 2019 interview:
"There are so many pieces of my father in 'Walking Distance.' When he was in the war, his father had a heart attack, and he wasn't able to get leave to go see him. By the time he got home, his father had died. Those trips to Binghamton were his way of going back in time. He would sit at the park and just remember the idyllic childhood that was cut short by going into the war.
One of the most beloved episodes of "The Twilight Zone" was also one of its least terrifying. "Walking Distance," a season 1 episode about a man who unwittingly travels back in time and revisits his childhood, is widely praised for its melancholy, nostalgic themes. The show's creator, Rod Serling, also generally looks back at it fondly. As his daughter Anne Serling explained in a 2019 interview:
"There are so many pieces of my father in 'Walking Distance.' When he was in the war, his father had a heart attack, and he wasn't able to get leave to go see him. By the time he got home, his father had died. Those trips to Binghamton were his way of going back in time. He would sit at the park and just remember the idyllic childhood that was cut short by going into the war.
- 5/19/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
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