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Following Films Podcast: Dee Wallace on E.T., Cujo, the creative process, and Rob Zombie

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Killers Blu-ray Review

Mike Mendez’s Killers is not the kind of film that lets you walk away unscathed. Released in 1996, the movie emerged at a time when the indie scene was still riding the wave of Tarantino-inspired grit and raw, low-budget energy. But while some may lump it in with other hyper-violent crime films of the era, Killers distinguishes itself by digging deeper into the dark psychology of its characters. Mendez’s directorial debut is a bleak, unrelenting dive into the minds of two deeply broken men, and while the film isn’t perfect, it’s an impressive first feature that showcases the filmmaker’s willingness to get his hands dirty—both figuratively and literally. Killers follows the story of two serial killers, Raymond (Dave Larsen) and Kyle (David Gunn), who embark on a brutal killing spree across the Midwest. The duo, though united by their violent tendencies, have distinct approaches to their horrific deeds. Raymond is older and more calculating, a veteran of depravity who derives a sick sati

The Convent 4K Blu-Ray Review

Mike Mendez's 2000 cult classic The Convent is a film that blends horror, comedy, and a dose of nostalgia into a wildly entertaining ride. Though it might not have garnered the mainstream attention of its counterparts in the early 2000s horror-comedy resurgence, it has built a loyal following over the years. With its self-aware tone, an unrelenting dedication to camp, and buckets of blood, The Convent is a love letter to horror fans who don’t take themselves—or their films—too seriously. Set in a creepy, abandoned convent, the film opens with a flashback to the 1960s where a rebellious young woman, Christine (Adrienne Barbeau), storms the convent with a shotgun and a Molotov cocktail, taking out a group of nuns who seem possessed by some demonic force. Fast forward forty years, and the dilapidated convent is now a local legend, a hotspot for urban explorers, misfit teenagers, and fraternity initiations. Our central group of college students, led by the reluctant Clorissa (Joanna Ca

The West Wing: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review

"The West Wing," created by Aaron Sorkin and airing from 1999 to 2006, stands as one of the most critically acclaimed political dramas in television history. Set in the heart of the White House, the series offered a deeply immersive and at times idealistic look at the inner workings of American politics. With a strong ensemble cast led by Martin Sheen as President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet, the show was equal parts policy wonkery, personal drama, and inspiring rhetoric. It consistently balanced complex storylines with engaging characters, solidifying its place in the pantheon of great television. Across its seven-season run, "The West Wing" oscillated between moments of brilliance and occasional stumbles, largely following the trajectory of Sorkin’s involvement. From sweeping social issues to the personal dilemmas faced by the staffers in the West Wing, the series remained politically resonant, even prescient. Below is a closer look at each season, charting the

Blumhouse’s ‘Speak No Evil’ Set for Digital Release, with James McAvoy in a Career-Defining Performance

Blumhouse’s latest thriller, Speak No Evil, which has been sending chills down the spines of theatergoers, is making its way to digital platforms tomorrow, October 1, 2024, courtesy of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The unsettling psychological horror film, starring James McAvoy will also be available on Blu-ray™ and DVD on November 19, 2024. Directed and written by James Watkins, known for helming hits like Eden Lake and The Woman in Black, Speak No Evil takes inspiration from the screenplay of the 2022 Danish horror sensation GΓ¦sterne by Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup. This American adaptation stays true to the original's creeping tension while infusing it with Blumhouse's signature brand of discomforting horror. The film follows American couple Ben and Louise, played by Scoot McNairy (A Quiet Place II) and Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate), who, after befriending a British couple on vacation, accept a seemingly innocent invitation to spend a weekend at thei

Caligula: The Ultimate Cut Blu-ray Review

In a world where IP reigns supreme, the multiplex is dominated by safe bets and familiar franchises, “Caligula: The Ultimate Cut” emerges as a bold and provocative re-examination of one of the most infamous films in history. Directed by Tinto Brass and released in 1979, the original Caligula has long been mired in controversy, notorious for its explicit content and its turbulent production involving adult film stars and a star-studded cast that included Malcolm McDowell, Peter O’Toole, and Helen Mirren. With the release of this newly re-edited version, audiences are invited to revisit the Roman Empire through an audacious lens that seeks to reconcile artistic ambition with moral outrage. “Caligula: The Ultimate Cut” seeks to reframe the narrative surrounding its titular character, the infamous Roman Emperor Caligula, whose reign was marked by excess, decadence, and brutality. McDowell’s portrayal of Caligula is mesmerizing—a blend of charm and chaos that encapsulates the duality of pow

Following Films Podcast: Paul Reiser & Colm Meaney on THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE

  Today I'm joined by Paul Reiser & Colm Meaney to discuss their film THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE. Honouring his father’s last wish to reunite with the American side of his family, Irishman CiΓ‘ran calls his cousin, Barry, out of the blue with the offer for him to visit his homeland. Barry, keen to escape from the daily grind of his New York real estate firm, agrees to make the long trip over. However, after an initially warm welcome, tensions soon boil over when it’s discovered that Barry has unexpectedly been left half the money in CiΓ‘ran’s father’s will. With the two men now torn apart by greed and jealousy, resulting in a feud that spirals into a series of pretty squabbles and disastrous hijinks, will they ever be able to give peace a chance again? The Problem With People will be released on October 4th