FOLLOWING FILMS

Released in 1996, Twister, directed by Jan de Bont and written by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin, is an electrifying disaster film that takes audiences on a turbulent ride through the perilous world of storm chasing. With groundbreaking special effects, a talented ensemble cast, and a pulse-pounding score, Twister remains an iconic entry in the disaster movie genre. Though its plot occasionally gets swept up in its own whirlwind of spectacle, the film delivers a thrilling and unforgettable cinematic experience. Twister follows estranged storm-chasing duo Dr. Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Bill Harding (Bill Paxton), as they join forces to test an innovative storm-monitoring device called Dorothy. This device, designed to release sensors into the heart of a tornado, promises to revolutionize storm prediction and save lives. As they chase a series of increasingly dangerous tornadoes, the team battles both natural and emotional turmoil, navigating lingering

In 1984, Wes Craven unleashed a nightmare that would haunt audiences for generations. A Nightmare on Elm Street not only established itself as a classic but also reshaped the slasher genre with its innovative premise, memorable villain, and unsettling dreamlike atmosphere. Over three decades later, it remains a benchmark in horror cinema, blending psychological terror with visceral scares in a way that feels timeless and still deeply affecting. The story centers around a group of teenagers in the fictional town of Springwood, Ohio, who are plagued by terrifying dreams of a burned man wielding a glove with razor-sharp blades. This man, Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), doesn't just haunt their dreams—he kills them within them. When Tina (Amanda Wyss) is brutally murdered in her sleep, her friends Nancy (Heather Langenkamp), Glen (Johnny Depp), and Rod (Jsu Garcia) are left scrambling for answers. As Nancy delves deeper, she uncovers a dark secret about her town and her parents' c

Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) is a breathless concoction of thrills, romance, and wry humor, deftly blended into one of the most exhilarating specimens of Hollywood’s Golden Age. This stylish caper stands out as a quintessential exercise in controlled chaos in a filmography rife with masterful suspense. Starring Cary Grant at his debonair best, alongside Eva Marie Saint and James Mason, Hitchcock crafts a cat-and-mouse game that careens from Manhattan’s concrete jungle to the windswept plains of South Dakota. From its kaleidoscopic Saul Bass opening titles to Bernard Herrmann’s pulsating score, North by Northwest announces itself as a film in perpetual motion. The screenplay, penned with razor-sharp wit by Ernest Lehman, is an ingenious series of escapades sparked by mistaken identity. Grant’s Roger Thornhill, a Manhattan ad man in perpetual command of quippy rejoinders and martini orders, is mistaken for George Kaplan, a non-existent government agent, by a cabal of sua

January 3, 2025, will bring a chilling new entry into the psychological horror canon with the theatrical release of The Damned. Helmed by Icelandic director Thordur Palsson (The Valhalla Murders), the film is set to deliver an icy dose of tension and terror rooted in moral dilemmas and haunting isolation. The official synopsis sets the stage: The Damned unfolds in a 19th-century coastal fishing village battered by an unforgiving winter. Odessa Young (Shirley) stars as Eva, a widow grappling with a gut-wrenching decision after a shipwreck leaves a crew stranded near her struggling community. With scarce resources and survival on the line, the villagers must confront their humanity—or lack thereof. Guilt and fear begin to fester, giving way to an ever-deepening paranoia and the eerie sense that something otherworldly is exacting retribution for their choices. The ensemble cast is brimming with talent. Odessa Young leads opposite Joe Cole (Gangs of London), with Siobhan Finneran (Downton

  Today, we’re taking a close look at a true cult adaptation by one of indie cinema’s most fearless filmmakers. That’s right--we’re diving into Alan Rudolph’s take on Breakfast of Champions. For those who don’t know, Breakfast of Champions is one of Kurt Vonnegut’s most satirical and surreal novels, a whirlwind exploration of American culture, consumerism, and the absurdity of modern life. The novel has long been considered “unfilmable,” with its meta-narratives, wild characters, and existential commentary. But in 1999, Alan Rudolph took on the challenge, casting Bruce Willis as the unraveling car dealer Dwayne Hoover in a film adaptation that swings for the fences, capturing the novel's surreal humor and chaotic energy. So, how did Rudolph tackle the impossible? What did he capture from Vonnegut’s world, and where did he veer off in his own direction? And, perhaps most importantly, how did audiences and critics react to this strange, audacious take on an American classic? Today, w

  This is part 3 of my dive into the much-anticipated Shawscope Volume 3, a Limited-Edition Blu-ray box set poised to thrill martial arts aficionados and cinephiles alike. Today we'll be looking at Jade Tiger, Sentimental Swordsman, The Avenging Eagle, Killer Constable, Buddha’s Palm, and Bastard Swordsman. Jade Tiger (Disc 6) Jade Tiger (1977), directed by the legendary Chu Yuan and produced by Shaw Brothers, is a compelling blend of martial arts action and intrigue, offering a visually stunning and thematically rich story. Starring the charismatic David Chiang, Jade Tiger delivers an intense and atmospheric journey filled with betrayal, vengeance, and the unrelenting pursuit of justice. While the plot may seem like a familiar tale of revenge, the execution—driven by strong performances and meticulously choreographed fight sequences—elevates the film, making it an underrated gem in the wuxia genre. The film follows the story of a skilled swordsman, Mu Ren (David Chiang), whose lif