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The Top 10 Most Romantic Films of All Time

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Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie Set for Exclusive Theatrical Release on April 25

  Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie will hit theaters nationwide on April 25, with special engagements on April 20, distributor Keep Smokin’ announced Thursday. Directed by David Bushell and produced by Bushell (Sling Blade, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Dallas Buyers Club) and Robbi Chong, the film features comedy legends Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, along with Lou Adler. Executive producers include John Paul DeJoria, Gary Haseley, Cleo Segura Sherrel, and Christian Selleron. The film had its world premiere at SXSW 2024, earning strong critical reception and enthusiastic audience reactions. It also screened at the Mill Valley Film Festival and AFI. “Last Movie was born out of the failure to make a scripted Cheech & Chong comedy that I was set to produce almost 20 years ago,” Bushell said in a statement. “Cosmically, that wasn’t meant to be, so I took my passion and ambition to direct, coupled it with my love of documentary, and convinced these two road dogs to let me t...

Sabrina Elba Joins Cast of Scythia Films’ ‘Nuur’ From Director Lula Ali Ismaïl

  Sabrina Elba (Three Thousand Years of Longing) has joined the cast of Nuur, the upcoming feature from director Lula Ali Ismaïl (Dhalinyaro), Scythia Films announced Thursday. Adapted from Hassan Ghedi Santur’s novel The Youth of God, Nuur follows the story of a sensitive and academically gifted 17-year-old boy growing up in Toronto’s Somali community in Dixon. Torn between his faith, intellectual aspirations, and complicated family dynamics, Nuur embarks on a perilous journey that explores themes of migration, identity, and belonging. Elba will portray Haawo, Nuur’s resilient Somali mother, who is struggling with the challenges of cultural displacement and family turmoil. Once a flight attendant in Mogadishu and married to a prominent architect, Haawo’s life takes a difficult turn after emigrating to Canada. Now working a dead-end job at Walmart and dealing with depression after a failed marriage, she clings to the hope of reuniting with her estranged husband. However, when Nuur ...

Karan Kandhari’s Sister Midnight Marks a Bold Debut with Radhika Apte in a Defiant Lead

London-based Indian artist and filmmaker Karan Kandhari makes a striking debut with SISTER MIDNIGHT, a film that defies convention with its unflinching portrayal of female autonomy in an unforgiving world. The feature, which had its world premiere in the prestigious Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes, has already begun making waves, recently winning Best Film in the Next Wave section at Fantastic Fest. Set against the chaotic sprawl of Mumbai, SISTER MIDNIGHT follows Uma (played by the acclaimed Radhika Apte), a rebellious small-town misfit who arrives in the city only to find herself stifled by domestic expectations. As she grapples with nosy neighbors and the oppressive heat and noise of the metropolis, Uma realizes she is not cut out for the role of a submissive housewife. What follows is a riveting journey of defiance, self-discovery, and unpredictability, laced with dark humor and an unfiltered view of modern urban life. Kandhari, known for his audacious visual style, brings a sin...

Following Films Podcast: Stephen Graham Jones on FIRST WORD ON HORROR

Welcome to another episode of the Following Films Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Stephen Graham Jones, celebrated author and horror mastermind, to discuss his recent participation in the documentary series First Word on Horror. We’ll unpack his unique perspective on the genre, I ask highly specific questions about The Only Good Indians, we chat about Wes Craven’s iconic Scream, a film that redefined the slasher genre—along with some fun tangents, including my (possibly) miscredited nod to the house from Wes Craven’s New Nightmare. Is that Mike DeLuca's house? So sit back, relax, and join us for a conversation full of surprises, insights, and, of course, a little horror. For more information on First Word on Horror, visit etchstudio.substack.com .

Following Films Podcast: Philip Gelatt on FIRST WORD ON HORROR

Welcome to The Following Films Podcast, where we explore the minds behind the movies we love. On today’s episode, I’m joined by Emmy and WGA-winning writer and filmmaker Philip Gelatt to discuss his latest project, FIRST WORD ON HORROR—a fifteen-part documentary series that delves into the lives, inspirations, and writing philosophies of five of the most celebrated horror authors working today. This season, the series spotlights Stephen Graham Jones, Paul Tremblay, Elizabeth Hand, Laird Barron, and Mariana Enriquez. They take us on a journey from the icy peril of the Iditarod to the shadows of Argentina’s past, from the raw energy of the early DC punk scene to the eerie isolation of the Montana wilderness. Along the way, these authors share their stories—both real and imagined—blurring the lines between fact and fiction and offering a rare glimpse into the alchemy of storytelling. Philip, whose work includes The Spine of Night, Europa Report, They Remain, and Love, Death + Robots, brin...

Cruising 4K Blu-ray Review

Few films in Al Pacino’s career have been as controversial as Cruising (1980). Directed by William Friedkin, best known for The French Connection (1971) and The Exorcist (1973), Cruising is a psychological thriller that explores the underground leather and S&M subculture of New York City in the late 1970s. The film was met with strong backlash from LGBTQ+ activists upon its release, who feared it perpetuated negative stereotypes about gay men. At the same time, it was a commercial curiosity due to Pacino’s involvement and Friedkin’s track record. Four decades later, Cruising remains a complex and fascinating artifact of its time. The film follows Steve Burns (Al Pacino), a young and ambitious NYPD officer tasked with going undercover in the gay leather bar scene to catch a serial killer targeting gay men. Burns, who is in a relationship with Nancy (Karen Allen), immerses himself in the subculture and soon finds his identity and sense of morality challenged. As he delves deeper, the...