2024 marks the 25th anniversary of George Lucas' mediocre mega-hit "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace." One cannot understate the enormity of this film's release back in 1999; there were news stories for months postulating its content and what its success levels might be. People camped out for weeks wanting to be the first to buy tickets. When the film's trailer was released, people would pay a full ticket price to watch it and then leave before the feature it preceded. Others would watch the trailer online, but in the days before streaming technology, this took several hours of dial-up-supported downloading.
One also cannot understate how disappointing the movie was. The story was dry and difficult to follow, involving with a trade route blockade, a treaty signing, and a wicked conspiracy with no known conclusion. The characters were either shrill or thin, delivering dull, ridiculous dialogue that felt out-of-place in...
One also cannot understate how disappointing the movie was. The story was dry and difficult to follow, involving with a trade route blockade, a treaty signing, and a wicked conspiracy with no known conclusion. The characters were either shrill or thin, delivering dull, ridiculous dialogue that felt out-of-place in...
- 2/12/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In case the box office returns for director Rob Marshall's "The Little Mermaid" this weekend didn't tip you off, Disney is nowhere near done remaking its animated features as live-action/CGI films. Personally, I'm just hoping we get a live-action "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" or a "The Black Cauldron" remake that does proper justice to Lloyd Alexander's "The Chronicles of Prydain." To be clear, I'm in no way advocating for Disney to keep churning out these live-action remakes. But seeing as they're clearly not going to stop doing that anytime soon, we might as well try and get something interesting and unexpected out of this nonsense, right?
Anyway, The Hollywood Reporter has gotten wind that Thomas Kail has been hired to direct "Moana," a live-action take on the studio's hit 2016 animated musical film that was only just announced back in April. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role from...
Anyway, The Hollywood Reporter has gotten wind that Thomas Kail has been hired to direct "Moana," a live-action take on the studio's hit 2016 animated musical film that was only just announced back in April. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role from...
- 5/31/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Remember when "First Cow" came out in 2019, lighting Film Twitter on fire thanks to a combination of incredibly poignant storytelling, a strong and compelling bond between its two working class main characters, and an utterly (udderly? sorry) adorable bovine at the center of it all? Indie studio A24 did what they do best and leaned into those aspects (especially the bovine of it all) for as much as it was worth, driving up buzz online and helping turn writer/director Kelly Reichardt's quiet and unassuming movie into a film festival hit.
So how would the filmmaker hope to recapture that magic with the next A24 collaboration? Well, Reichardt remains blissfully unaware of the whims of social media and whatever marketing power it may or may not hold, allowing her and frequent writing partner Jon Raymond to concentrate solely on the needs of the script in front of them. That...
So how would the filmmaker hope to recapture that magic with the next A24 collaboration? Well, Reichardt remains blissfully unaware of the whims of social media and whatever marketing power it may or may not hold, allowing her and frequent writing partner Jon Raymond to concentrate solely on the needs of the script in front of them. That...
- 4/4/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
The late Philip Seymour Hoffman gave one of the most memorable performances of his career as rock critic and truth teller Lester Bangs in Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous." An autobiographical recounting of Crowe's own experiences as a teen journalist on tour with Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the film follows a wide-eyed writer named William Miller (Patrick Fugit) who finds a new home on the traveling bus of the fictional band Stillwater during the spring of 1973. Bangs never joins them on the road, but he does become the spiritual and moral compass for William, spouting out brilliant bits of wisdom over the phone to help the young scribe avoid the allure of an "industry of cool."
The real Lester Bangs was considered one of the most important voices in music criticism until his untimely death at the age of 33. His incendiary reviews for Rolling Stone and Creem magazine contained a new,...
The real Lester Bangs was considered one of the most important voices in music criticism until his untimely death at the age of 33. His incendiary reviews for Rolling Stone and Creem magazine contained a new,...
- 12/19/2022
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
The title of "best Michelle Williams performance in recent years" is officially up for debate. This much, everyone can agree on: she absolutely dazzles in Steven Spielberg's autobiographical ode to cinema, "The Fablemans," stealing the show as the free-spirited mother who encourages Sammy's artistic sensibilities. But that just makes it all the more stunning to catch a glimpse of her in "Showing Up," where she plays a frazzled Portland sculptor whose professional and personal lives are crumbling around her. Based on early reviews out of Cannes and NYFF, this is yet another masterclass performance from Williams and another showcase for the talents of director Kelly Reichardt.
Given Reichardt's track record with contemplative dramas about the American working class, the premise of "Showing Up" should be no surprise. Per the synopsis, "A sculptor (Williams) preparing to open a new show must balance her creative life with the daily dramas of family and friends,...
Given Reichardt's track record with contemplative dramas about the American working class, the premise of "Showing Up" should be no surprise. Per the synopsis, "A sculptor (Williams) preparing to open a new show must balance her creative life with the daily dramas of family and friends,...
- 12/15/2022
- by Shania Russell
- Slash Film
Did you know that Batman's famous and devout Butler, Alfred Pennyworth, has his own spy show on HBO Max (after airing on Epix) from the creators of "Gotham"? And it's on season 3? Maybe the recent extended retitling of "Pennyworth" to "Pennyworth: The Origins of Batman's Butler" could alert you to that.
In 1960s London with alternative sameish-but-different history, former British Sas soldier, Alfred Pennyworth (Jack Bannon) sought to found his own security company. He later ends up working for young billionaire Thomas Wayne. In season 2, Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge) marries Martha Kane (Emma Paetz) and she gives birth to their daughter (in a curveball for Batman fans who were expecting to see Bruce Wayne sooner). Last season, a civil war ended, and season 3 is making a five-year time jump into the '70s.
/Film writer Caroline Cao sat with executive producers and co-showrunners Bruno Heller and John Stephens, Jack Bannon,...
In 1960s London with alternative sameish-but-different history, former British Sas soldier, Alfred Pennyworth (Jack Bannon) sought to found his own security company. He later ends up working for young billionaire Thomas Wayne. In season 2, Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge) marries Martha Kane (Emma Paetz) and she gives birth to their daughter (in a curveball for Batman fans who were expecting to see Bruce Wayne sooner). Last season, a civil war ended, and season 3 is making a five-year time jump into the '70s.
/Film writer Caroline Cao sat with executive producers and co-showrunners Bruno Heller and John Stephens, Jack Bannon,...
- 10/7/2022
- by Caroline Cao
- Slash Film
This article contains major spoilers for The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf
There are many good reasons why The Witcher doesn’t feature Geralt of Rivia beheading a vampire and then quipping, “Fangs for the memories.” His sense of humor is more cutting and direct, definitely not as snarky as when his mentor Vesemir fights the leshen in the opening scene of Netflix’s animated spinoff, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. That difference may partly be explained by the movie’s ending, which enlightened fans about a number of worldbuilding details that cross over into the main series.
The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf presents an interesting dilemma in its premise: if the profession were more common, then there would be more competition for monsters to kill in order to earn a living. In the present time of the movie, Vesemir has made a lucrative haul before heading to Kaer Morhen,...
There are many good reasons why The Witcher doesn’t feature Geralt of Rivia beheading a vampire and then quipping, “Fangs for the memories.” His sense of humor is more cutting and direct, definitely not as snarky as when his mentor Vesemir fights the leshen in the opening scene of Netflix’s animated spinoff, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. That difference may partly be explained by the movie’s ending, which enlightened fans about a number of worldbuilding details that cross over into the main series.
The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf presents an interesting dilemma in its premise: if the profession were more common, then there would be more competition for monsters to kill in order to earn a living. In the present time of the movie, Vesemir has made a lucrative haul before heading to Kaer Morhen,...
- 8/23/2021
- by Michael Ahr
- Den of Geek
Although it’s common for any show to shift its characters into new arcs from year to year, The Witcher season 2 is about to completely alter the lives portrayed on screen for a couple of its most important characters. Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich spoke to reporters along with Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan, who play Yennefer and Ciri, about how massively different the two women will be in the coming chapter, especially when compared to the seemingly unchangeable titular character, Geralt of Rivia.
Viewers could be forgiven, in fact, for thinking the powerful sorceress Yennefer had died at the end of The Witcher season 1 when she sacrificed everything to defeat the Nilfgaardian army. “After her victory at the Battle of Sodden, she’s captured,” Chalotra reveals. “Her whereabouts are unknown and she has to survive being a prisoner of war… She goes back to Aretuza and she has to navigate...
Viewers could be forgiven, in fact, for thinking the powerful sorceress Yennefer had died at the end of The Witcher season 1 when she sacrificed everything to defeat the Nilfgaardian army. “After her victory at the Battle of Sodden, she’s captured,” Chalotra reveals. “Her whereabouts are unknown and she has to survive being a prisoner of war… She goes back to Aretuza and she has to navigate...
- 8/20/2021
- by Michael Ahr
- Den of Geek
Like other explorations into the world of The Witcher, the upcoming spin-off prequel The Witcher: Blood Origin both expands upon and provides context for the main series. With Netflix announcing the limited series’ cast, most of whom are playing elven characters, a few questions arise. How are the elves involved in the creation of the witcher race, and why is the so-called “conjunction of the spheres” at the center of not only this origin story but also the beginning of the fall of the elves?
UK fans may recognize a few faces among the cast, including comedian and children’s television cult star Lenny Henry who will play Balor, Dylan Moran (Black Books) who will play the humorously named Uthrok One-Nut, and Huw Novelli (The Capture), playing Callan “Brother Death.” But there are also several stage actors such as Zach Wyatt who will play the role of Syndril and Amy Murray who will portray Fenrik,...
UK fans may recognize a few faces among the cast, including comedian and children’s television cult star Lenny Henry who will play Balor, Dylan Moran (Black Books) who will play the humorously named Uthrok One-Nut, and Huw Novelli (The Capture), playing Callan “Brother Death.” But there are also several stage actors such as Zach Wyatt who will play the role of Syndril and Amy Murray who will portray Fenrik,...
- 8/16/2021
- by Michael Ahr
- Den of Geek
You know what everyone could use in the sweltering summer months? A nice, cold glass of…anime. At least that’s the particular theme that comes up in Netflix’s list of new releases for June 2021.
Netflix has been quietly expanding their anime offerings for awhile now but June is a particularly anime-heavy month. The absolutely metal sounding Record of Ragnarok arrives this month. So too do parts 1 and 2 of the newest Sailor Moon film on June 3 and Godzilla Singular Point on June 24.
Read more TV Yasuke Review: Netflix Anime Reclaims The Story of a Black Samurai By Caroline Cao TV Anime For Beginners: Best Genres and Series to Watch By Daniel Kurland
But for those who aren’t ready to dip their toe in the anime pool yet, Netflix has some other originals of note in June. Sweet Tooth, the ambitious comic adaptation starring Will Forte premieres on June 4. Then,...
Netflix has been quietly expanding their anime offerings for awhile now but June is a particularly anime-heavy month. The absolutely metal sounding Record of Ragnarok arrives this month. So too do parts 1 and 2 of the newest Sailor Moon film on June 3 and Godzilla Singular Point on June 24.
Read more TV Yasuke Review: Netflix Anime Reclaims The Story of a Black Samurai By Caroline Cao TV Anime For Beginners: Best Genres and Series to Watch By Daniel Kurland
But for those who aren’t ready to dip their toe in the anime pool yet, Netflix has some other originals of note in June. Sweet Tooth, the ambitious comic adaptation starring Will Forte premieres on June 4. Then,...
- 5/31/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
For many anime fans, Jujutsu Kaisen shone as the highlight of the Fall 2020/Winter 2021 season. There are many possible reasons for this hype: The series delivered more sought-after supernatural action on the heels of 2019’s breakout hit Demon Slayer. Its darker approach both set Jujutsu Kaisen apart from its predecessor and offered a cathartic escape during a global pandemic. Studio Mappa adapted Gege Akutami’s original manga with memorable visuals and smooth animation. After all, who can forget the first time Gojo tangled with Sukuna or used his mind-bending domain expansion technique?
But what’s most striking about Jujutsu Kaisen are its fight scenes. Even the show’s detractors will agree that, through clever action cinematography, the series showed us how well-executed sequences can elevate the otherwise simple premise of a boy who gets possessed by a demon. Less remarked upon, however, is how those same fight scenes utilize Jujutsu Kaisen’s female characters.
But what’s most striking about Jujutsu Kaisen are its fight scenes. Even the show’s detractors will agree that, through clever action cinematography, the series showed us how well-executed sequences can elevate the otherwise simple premise of a boy who gets possessed by a demon. Less remarked upon, however, is how those same fight scenes utilize Jujutsu Kaisen’s female characters.
- 4/23/2021
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
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