Horror and thrillers are nothing new to Christopher Landon. The filmmaker has been at since the late 90s, and the man just knows how to roll with the times. His script for Paranormal Activity showcased how to bring horror back to its Blair Witch roots, and Landon decided to leap into director to realize fully his creative voice. Drop, the latest film from Landon, is another example of the director taking a simple premise and making it a wild ride. Drop, directed by Landon and written by Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, pits a widowed mother against the wall with…
Author: Mark Salcido
You know what you’re getting with a Fox Searchlight-produced or disrupted film. The studio is primarily known to bring independent and often unique films that generally do well during the film festival circuit. Slumdog Millionaire, Juno, Suburbia, and Slums of Beverly Hills are just some of the bangers cinephiles have connected with, and another is around the horizon. Although filmmaker Michael Angarano’s sophomore film, Sacramento, may not be a Fox Searchlight movie, it certainly earns the respect that many of those films have garnered over time. Yet, it still has several glaring issues. Sacramento, directed by Angarano and written alongside…
I want to start by saying that I’ve been a massive fan of Flying Lotus, also known as Steven Ellison, and his music since 2007’s Reset. I remember hearing the hypnotic beats from ‘Tea Leaf Dancers’ on an Adult Swim promo and became hooked. So, naturally, I was excited when the trailer for Ash dropped online from the music producer turned director. The preview showcased a heavily inspired sci-fi Cronenberg-esque style horror mixed with 2001: A Space Odyssey that oozed with promises of stunning visuals and a hell of a sophomore entry from FlyLo. Upon viewing, I saw a fantastic…
Steven Soderbergh has a style with his filmmaking that’s often imitated but never truly replicated. One of the prominent figures of the early 90s indie film movement has a signature look recognized by many cinephiles. His movies align with realistic dialogue that’s cleaver and poignant with hints of cheeky humor and tonally shot akin to a jazzy bebop session with enough coolness to wear shades in a dimly light room. The filmmaker’s filmography has been eclectic all these years, but he’s returned to his spy thriller ways with his latest movie, Black Bag. Thankfully, the movie is a reminder of…
Daredevil has had an interesting ride to becoming a fixture in television. The character appeared in the 1989’s The Trial of the Incredible Hulk and has inched his way into the pop-culture zeitgeist with other appearances. The creation of Marvel Studios and its partnership with Netflix cemented the Man Without Fear series in the “required viewing” category. This, in turn, made the character a major player in the era of comic adaptation. With the Netflix series put to rest, Marvel Studios had a chance to either reboot or bring the well-established storyline, tone, and actors to their Disney Plus streaming…
Ke Huy Quan has been riding high since returning to the acting world with Everything Everywhere All At Once. The Academy Award-winning has been popping up in other projects here and there, and it was only a matter of time before he starred in a leading man role. Stunt coordinator and performer Jonathan Eusebio finally heard the call to direct his first feature film, and that’s when the stars began to align. The script for Love Hurts, known initially as With Love, wound up in both men’s hands, and everything clicked. Eusebio and Quan saw something special in the script written…
87North Productions is generally known for its action films. The studio behind the John Wick franchise, Atomic Blonde, and Violent Night tends to make stylish action with some well-choreographed fights from veteran stunt performers. Stunt coordinators David Leitch and Chad Stahelski helped usher in this type of action movie by getting behind the lens and making films that almost instantly land in the center of pop and film culture every time. Now, fellow seasoned stunt coordinator Jonathan Eusebio has hopped into the director’s chair to bring his spin on the rom-com genre with Love Hurts. He teams up with Oscar-award-winning actor…
1997’s Con Air has a stacked cast, quotable lines, action galore, and a fantastic performance by Nicolas Cage. The film, directed by Simon West, came out during the 90s when studios knew what filmgoers wanted in a summer blockbuster. Many people behind and in front of the camera have gone on to successful careers in different fields, but several can’t escape the legacy of Con Air. One such person is West, who has toyed with the idea of a sequel to the film from time to time. Yet, it seems like one key factor could bring the filmmaker back to…
Leigh Whannell is one of those filmmakers who gets better with each project in some form or fashion. The director made a name for himself when he cowrote 2004’s Saw alongside fellow filmmaker James Wan. Whannell skill as a director has only grown since his directorial debut, Insidious: Chapter 3, and the highly underrated Upgrade. Along with the 2018 film and 2020’s Invisible Man, Whannell showcases his willingness to challenge himself with each new project. Now, tapped by Blumhouse Productions to take on the well-known Universal Monster, the Wolf Man, Whannell puts another foot forward on the path of creative…
Pamela Anderson is a figure in pop culture dating back to the late 80s and was pretty much all over the place in the 90s. The celebrity has had her hand in modeling, writing, media, and acting in various ways, making her a household name. True that her most notable acting gig was the hit action drama series Baywatch, but she’s had a go at other lesser-known projects. Yet, her encounter with filmmaker Gia Coppola and writer Gersten brings her acting to a new level with The Last Showgirl, and it might be the comeback she’s been looking for. However,…