Interview with Sam de Jong

PRINCE, the breakthrough feature debut from acclaimed Dutch music video director Sam de Jong. After debuting at the 2015 Berlinale, where it received an honorary mention for the coveted Crystal Bear for Best First Feature, PRINCE will be opening theatrically and on VOD August 14.

The film follows Ayoub (Ayoub Elsari), a Moroccan-Dutch teenager on his journey into manhood in the low-income housing projects of Amsterdam. Vying for the love of the neighborhood beauty and the respect of the local gang of tough-guys, his big dreams lead him down a dangerous path toward the Lamborghini-driving Kalpa, neighborhood kingpin and alleged sociopath (played to great avail by Freddy Tratlehner, famed Dutch rapper and fashion designer). A deeply personal project that touches on issues of race and class specific to Dutch society, the film’s poignant portrayal of innocence, corruption, and young love promise universal appeal. With a playful visual style and a pulsing 80’s-inspired synth score by Dutch musician Kai Hugo (AKA Palmbomen), PRINCE at times recalls the aesthetics of Nicolas Winding Refn’s DRIVE with fairy-tale iconography reminiscent of WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.

In addition to his music video work, Sam de Jong has directed 4 short films (3 of which he also wrote the screenplays for). PRINCE establishes de Jong as an extraordinary new voice on the cinematic scene. The film will be available in North America in theaters and on all major VOD platforms starting August 14th, 2015.

Explaining the Ending of MULHOLLAND DRIVE

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is a complex and surreal film directed by David Lynch, known for its non-linear narrative and dreamlike sequences. The ending is open to interpretation and has been the subject of much debate among viewers. Here's a breakdown of the ending: Diane's Dream vs. Reality: Throughout the film, there are two main narrative threads: one follows Betty/Diane's dreamlike experiences in Hollywood, and the other delves into Diane's harsh reality. The ending reveals that the majority of the film has been a dream constructed by Diane Selwyn, a failed actress, as a means to escape the guilt and pain of her actions. Betty/Diane's Descent into Madness: Betty, played by Naomi Watts, represents Diane's idealized self—a hopeful and innocent aspiring actress. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Betty's story is unraveling, and her identity begins to merge with Diane's. This culminates in the revelation that Betty is merely a construct of Di...

Final Destination Bloodlines Set to Bring Fresh Horrors to the Franchise

The long-running and fan-favorite horror series Final Destination is set to make its return with Final Destination Bloodlines, bringing a new chapter of supernatural terror to the big screen. Scheduled for a theatrical and IMAX release on May 16, 2025, in the U.S. (and internationally beginning May 14), the film promises to continue the franchise’s tradition of chilling premonitions and inescapable fate. The upcoming installment features a fresh ensemble cast, including Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game, The Flash), Teo Briones (Chucky, Will vs. The Future), Richard Harmon (The 100, The Age of Adaline), Owen Patrick Joyner (Julie and the Phantoms, 100 Things to Do Before High School), and Anna Lore (They/Them, Gotham Knights). Also joining the cast are Brec Bassinger (Stargirl, Bella and the Bulldogs) and horror icon Tony Todd, who reprises his role from the original Final Destination films. Todd, best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the Candyman fra...

4K Blu-ray Review: Drop (2025) — A Tense, Tech-Driven Thriller That Mostly Sticks the Landing

In Drop, director Christopher Landon (Freaky, Happy Death Day) crafts a nerve-wracking thriller centered on a devastating dilemma: would you take a life to save the ones you love? The story follows Violet, a widowed single mom attempting to re-enter the dating world after years of grief and recovery. Played with emotional precision by Meghann Fahy, Violet finds herself on a promising first date with the affable and seemingly genuine Henry (Brandon Sklenar) in an elegant, glass-walled Chicago restaurant. But their evening takes a sinister turn when Violet receives a disturbing message via a sleek, anonymous app called DigiDrop: if she doesn’t kill her date before the check arrives, her son and sister will die. What unfolds is a tightly wound 95-minute thriller that feels both classic and timely. The film builds its suspense through confinement, not action. Most of the story unfolds in real-time at their dinner table, creating a pressure-cooker environment that reflects Violet’s psycholo...

FOLLOWING FILMS

Search This Blog