ReportWire

Tag: original features

  • Directors Who Followed a Classic Film With a Total Dud

    Directors Who Followed a Classic Film With a Total Dud

    [ad_1]

    Show me a great director and I’ll show you a great director who’s made a few missteps along the way. It’s inevitable, really; even the all-time legends of cinema had made their fair share of bad movies. Every single artist you love has a skeleton or two in their closet they’d rather forget and hope you never find out about. And sometimes those duds have come immediately following some of their biggest and most beloved hits.

    This is an interesting phenomenon to consider. Does success cloud an artist’s judgment? Once you’ve had a major hit, do you stop taking constructive criticism, or listening to your trusted collaborators? Do you try too hard to please the audience instead of yourself? Do you get distracted by the trappings of wealth and fame?

    READ MORE: Successful Movies That Switched Directors in the Middle of Production

    Who knows. All I do know is the 12 incredibly talented and hugely popular directors below all followed one of their biggest hits with one of their biggest commercial or critical flops. (Or, in a lot of cases, both.) To find your name on this list is not something to be embarrassed or ashamed about. In a weird way it’s actually more like a badge of honor. Because you had to be enormously successful to then have bombs this notable and famous. And if no one ever screw things up, how would we ever recognize and appreciate when they got things right?

    Directors Who Followed a Classic Film With a Dud

    Some of the greatest filmmakers of all time followed up beloved favorites with stinkers. It happens.

    The Best Sequels Not Made By the Original Movie’s Director

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • The 13 Scariest Movie Vampires Ever

    The 13 Scariest Movie Vampires Ever

    [ad_1]

    Vampires, immortal as they are, will always be a part of horror cinema, either sparkling in the sunlight to woo teen girlfriends or trapping real estate agents in their ancient castles so their army of undead wives can suck their blood. They’ve made their way from whispered warnings in fairy tales and folklore to the biggest movie screens, and we haven’t gotten bored with their undead antics yet. (Although we could do with more vampires in capes; no one has cool capes in movies these days.)

    With The Last Voyage of the Demeter offering yet another twist on the vampire genre, we figured we would honor the O.G. scary vampire (that’s Dracula, if you’re wondering) by counting down the scariest movie vampires of all time, starting with a classic from 1920s German Expressionism and traveling through Sweden, South Korea, snowy Alaska, and post-Apocalypse New York City to bring you the spookiest of the spooky, those fanged freaks that keep us up at night long after the credits have rolled. As one Abraham Van Helsing once said, “The strength of the vampire is that people will not believe in him.” Hopefully, this list will convince you otherwise.

    READ MORE: 10 Horror Classics That Probably Couldn’t Get Made Today

    The Scariest Movie Vampires of All Time

    From Dracula to Jerry (yes, Jerry), these are the vampires that’ll have you stringing garlic around your windows.

    Popular Movies That Were Supposed To Be Way Darker

    Things might have turned out differently for these hit films if they’d stuck with their original (darker) scripts.

    [ad_2]

    Emma Stefansky

    Source link

  • The Worst 2000s Movies, According to Letterboxd

    The Worst 2000s Movies, According to Letterboxd

    [ad_1]

    As of this writing, the invaluable movie social networking site Letterboxd lists 112,245 released from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2009. Ten years, over 112,000 movies. That means if you dedicated your life to watching every single movie released in the decade over the course of the entire decade, you would have to watch 30 movies every single day to watch them all. I don’t think that is physically possible, although it might be fun to try it.

    Regardless, the users of Letterboxd are free to rank any and all of these movies on a zero to five star scale. And it is possible for any user to arrange all 112,245 2000s titles in their database according to those rankings — either from highest to lowest or lowest to highest. Doing the latter gives you … well, frankly it gives you quite possibly the most cursed idea for a film festival ever.

    READ MORE: The Best Movies of 2023 So Far, According to Letterboxd

    So while I cannot in good conscience recommend you watch any of these movies, I am here to sate your curiosity about the titles Letterboxd users collectively consider the worst of the worst from this century’s first decade. If you are wondering how many films on the list you might have already seen, just scroll on down. (By the way, the correct answer to the question “How many of these movies have you seen?” is “None!” — although “Too many” is also an acceptable response.)

    The Worst 2000s Movies, According to Letterboxd

    According to users of the movie social networking site Letterboxd, these are the 20 worst feature films made in the 2000s.

    The Worst ’80s Movies, According to Letterboxd

    According to thousands of users on the movie website Letterboxd, these are the 15 worst movies released during the 1980s.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • 12 Movies That Were Changed Due to Controversy

    12 Movies That Were Changed Due to Controversy

    [ad_1]

    There are controversial movies and then there are movies that are so controversial that people get upset about them before they even see them. And then there are movies that are so controversial that people get so upset about them before they even see them to the point that the studios releasing those movies decide to change them before they get released to theaters.

    This is a list about that last kind of controversial movie.

    Some of the changes to these movies listed below amount to very little tangible differences in the grand scheme of things; swapping out some stock footage here or tweaking the look of something there. But in other cases, these pictures were given radical overhauls before the public were allowed to get a look at them. We’re talking characters getting totally redesigned — or actors being replaced after the entire film had already been shot — and delays of months upon months as creators scrambled to fix whatever had angered potential customers in the first place.

    READ MORE: 10 Movies That Became Infamously Bad Broadway Musicals

    Sometimes these changes amounted to much ado about nothing; even after they were altered to meet perceived viewer demands, they still bombed in theaters (or weren’t even released to theaters at all). But other times, these last-minute cuts turned potential bombs into massive hits. And that is why producers keep changing movies at the last minute when controversy arises. The potential long-term financial benefits outweigh the short-term costs.

    Until the next scandal breaks, here are 12 notable examples of films that were changed as a direct result of loud public controversies.

    Movies That Were Changed Due to Controversy

    These movies were very famously changed after public controversies.

    Iconic Characters in the Public Domain

    These characters were created so long ago that their original texts are now in the public domain and no longer protected by copyright.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • The 10 Worst Fictional Planets to Live On

    The 10 Worst Fictional Planets to Live On

    [ad_1]

    These days, our home planet of Earth is looking a little dire. Climate change and a wobbly economy (and the Pentagon finally admitting that aliens exist) are causing some of us to look to the stars and wonder what’s out there, and if it could possibly be better than what we have going on down here. Movies like Avatar imagine lush extraterrestrial environments full of fantastical creatures and fascinating local inhabitants that seem like great places to take a quick vacation on, if only they existed. But the jungle moon of Pandora is an outlier: most science fiction takes place on planets you’d rather escape from as soon as possible.

    Because this phenomenon is pretty entertaining — and because it makes us feel much better about the world we live in now, we found the ten worst fictional planets you could possibly get stuck on, from the waterlogged death trap of Christopher Nolan’s most ambitious space opera to the volcanic setting of Star Wars’ greatest tragedy. While so many fictional worlds are meant to be places we’d want to escape to, these ten planets are places we’d rather escape from.

    10 Worst Fictional Planets to Live On

    Watching people try to survive on these cursed worlds will make you happy you live on Earth.

    READ MORE: The Worst Superhero Movie Costumes of All Time

    The Worst Disney Live-Action Remakes

    Disney has made billions repackaging their animated classics as live-action movies. But the results haven’t always been good…

    [ad_2]

    Emma Stefansky

    Source link

  • The Most Overrated Superhero Movies of All Time

    The Most Overrated Superhero Movies of All Time

    [ad_1]

    There was a time not that long ago that a comic book fan would endure whatever superhero slop Hollywood produced and respond with “Please sir, I want some more.” Maybe once a decade a studio would release something of merit. In between it was all Judge Dredds and  and Fantastic Fours so bad they were never officially screened in any legitimate format. Those were rough years.

    These days, the standards have changed. Back then, it was considered a victory if a movie superhero looked vaguely like the character from the comics and the people involved didn’t openly mock graphic novels while publicizing their films. These days, Marvel and DC regularly produce enormous blockbusters; often two or three mega-movies every single year. It’s not enough for a superhero film to be faithful anymore. In this hyper-competitive environment, basic competency just isn’t enough.

    Warner Bros.

    READ MORE: The Weirdest Marvel Merchandise Ever Made  

    Comic-book fans are so spoiled now, and have so many legitimately great films to choose from, that they can afford to be a little more critical about the rest. This list is about the rest — superhero movies of the past that have gotten to be a bit overrated.

    Now these movies are, in most cases, not bad. Most are at least okay; a few are solidly good. But all of them, for one reason or another, have garnered somewhat inflated reputations. I’ll get into the specific reasons why in the actual list. So let’s dive right in…

    The Most Overrated Superhero Movies

    While all of these films are varying degrees of okay to good, they’re not nearly as great as their reputations suggest.

    The Worst Superhero Movie Costumes

    Superhero movies costumes have gotten incredible sophisticated in recent years. But they weren’t always that way — and even today, there are still some costumes that don’t quite work out.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • 10 Comedies That Are Surprisingly Deep

    10 Comedies That Are Surprisingly Deep

    [ad_1]

    Sometimes, we’re in the mood to watch something that will make us feel all the big feelings. Other times, we want a movie that’s fun, light, and uncomplicated. In a couple of rare cases, we get both — a comedic, fast-paced film that still manages to incorporate a powerful message. In fact, some of your favorite feel-good comedies are surprisingly deep.

    Let’s take Greta Gerwig’s Barbie for instance. When the movie hit theaters in July 2023, fans of all ages rushed to see it. But not everyone knew that there were some hard-to-swallow truths right beneath the film’s bubblegum pink veneer. These unexpectedly complex comedies may be entertaining, but they can also teach us a thing or two about the meaning of life, love, and happiness.

    READ MORE: The Weirdest Animated Movies Ever

    We’ve come to expect this delicate balance of humor and depth from a majority of Disney Pixar films — they’re oftentimes hilarious and moving, joyous and serious. They’re comedies with a huge side of genuine life lessons. There are other films that aren’t made by Disney/Pixar that fall into this category, too. Below, you’ll find 10 popular comedies that may seem simple on the surface, but are actually much deeper than they let on.

    Comedy Movies That Are Surprisingly Deep

    These movies are good for a laugh — and a whole lot more.

    10 Romantic Movie Scenes That Are Actually Messed Up

    These supposedly swoon-worthy scenes don’t really hold up over time.

     

    [ad_2]

    Claire Epting

    Source link

  • The Worst TV Superhero Costumes of All Time

    The Worst TV Superhero Costumes of All Time

    [ad_1]

    Look! Up in the sky!

    On second thought, look away. Look away.

    Throughout the first century of the television medium, it has proven exceedingly difficult for many shows to accurately and convincingly create superhero costumes. To be fair, that’s been a tough task for a lot of major theatrical movies as well, and those are typically made with budgets many times larger than the ones available for TV shows. If a movie like Green Lantern — which had a reported budget of $200 million — couldn’t get a Green Lantern suit right, what chance does some cheapo TV pilot have?

    (Wait, they spent $200 million on Green Lantern? Guys, I could have made you a terrible Green Lantern movie for $20 million! Hell, you could have given me $2 million, pocketed the other $198 million, and we all would have come out ahead.)

    READ MORE: Every Marvel TV Series, Ranked From Worst to Best

    Anyway, you can’t always say that if a TV show has bad superhero costumes it’s doomed to fail. Sometimes some really enjoyable superhero series have screwed this up — although there are definitely examples where a really hideous costume served as the kind of Black Canary in the coal mine.

    So the terrible TV superhero costumes below come from series (and TV movies [and busted pilots]) both good and bad. The suits themselves though? They are all uniformly terrible. (You heard me; uniformly! If we can’t enjoy a good clothing pun in a list of bad superhero TV suits, what are we even doing here?)

    And now, let’s get to our picks for the worst TV superhero costumes…

    The Worst TV Superhero Costumes

    These costumes from superhero television shows, films, and pilots, were absolutely awful.

    The Worst Superhero Movie Costumes

    Superhero movies costumes have gotten incredible sophisticated in recent years. But they weren’t always that way — and even today, there are still some costumes that don’t quite work out.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • 10 Misleading Trailers That Are Different Than the Movie

    10 Misleading Trailers That Are Different Than the Movie

    [ad_1]

    A well-crafted movie trailer gives the audience just the right amount of information about the film they’re going to see. And, perhaps even more importantly, it establishes what the overall mood of the movie is — whether it’s a lighthearted comedy or a dark, thrilling drama. But sometimes, a trailer doesn’t quite match the movie it’s selling. More often than not, this is a tactic that is done on purpose. A marketing team can target a surprisingly wide array of demographics through a trailer’s edit, and they may even nudge a particular group of people towards a film they wouldn’t normally go and see.

    This isn’t always a bad thing. After all, who wants to see a trailer that gives away too much of the movie? In some cases, being a little subversive isn’t a bad thing. As long as the trailer doesn’t feel too much like a bait-and-switch, viewers might actually be pleasantly surprised that the film isn’t exactly what they’re expecting. However, some audience members may end up feeling misled. Believe it or not, in some cases, they even end up suing over dishonest trailers.

    READ MORE: Bad Movies With One Great Scene

    Below, we’ve rounded up ten trailers that are strikingly different from the movies they’re advertising. The same way you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, these previews serve as a reminder that not every film can be judged by its initial trailer.

    • 1

      Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

      Anyone who’s seen Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind knows that it’s a different kind of Jim Carrey movie. His performance is far from his goofy, affable norm — he’s the straight man, perfectly matched by an against-type performance from Kate Winslet. What’s interesting, though, is that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was marketed as just the kind of Jim Carrey comedy you’d expect. The overall tone is offbeat, quirky, and light. It’s a perfect guise for the kind of movie that will actually make you cry and relive every heartbreak you’ve ever experienced. Don’t believe what you see — this is not a good flick to watch on a second date.

    • 2

      Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

      With its enchanting visuals, it’s easy to peg Pan’s Labyrinth as a straight-up fantasy movie — based on its trailer, that is. What the preview clip fails to mention, however, is that this film is also steeped in elements of horror. The film’s protagonist, a young girl named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), has a sadistic stepfather who brutally hunts down political rebels in the forest. The creatures Ofelia encounters are more terrifying than inviting. The overall tone is very dark, and while there is some version of a happy ending, it’s really not of the Disney variety.

    • 3

      Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

      While Bridge to Terabithia is rated PG — and was mainly marketed toward tweens — its subject matter isn’t exactly what you’d consider “light.” But by the looks of the trailer, you’d have no clue that there’s a grave tragedy at the very heart of the story. No, Bridge to Terabithia is not a charming fantasy adventure movie about a pair of friends who conjure up a magical realm to escape their turbulent reality. It’s really a coming-of-age movie about a boy named Jess (Josh Hutcherson) who must cope with the unexpected death of his closest companion, Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb). Not really the kind of family-friendly fare the trailer is presenting, is it?

    • 4

      Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

      To be honest, the problem with the trailer for Edge of Tomorrow is that it undersells what this film actually is — a smart, funny twist on the sci-fi genre and Groundhog Day-style movies. The trailer gives off the impression that this movie is bleak, and even somewhat generic. You won’t find any laughs, which is strange for a film that’s chock-full of them. There are probably people out there who saw the trailer for this movie and immediately thought that it wasn’t for them. But they might find themselves surprised at just how fun Edge of Tomorrow really is.

    • 5

      Kangaroo Jack (2003)

      With a name like Kangaroo Jack, this movie has to be for kids … right? Not quite. However, the trailer for this poorly received buddy comedy actually tried to appeal to children. The presence of the titular marsupial was amped up for the preview, in an attempt to lure more families into theaters. So much so, in fact, that critics even accused the studio of false advertising. Reviewing the film for The A.V. Club, Nathan Rabin wrote, “Kangaroo Jack’s premise, trailer, and commercials promise little more than the spectacle of two enthusiastic actors being kicked over and over again by a sassy, computer-animated kangaroo— and, sadly, the film fails to deliver even that.” Harsh. But true.

    • 6

      The Green Knight (2021)

      As is the case with many A24 films, The Green Knight’s trailer was responsible for generating a ton of hype — and bringing people into theaters. Once those viewers were planted, however, few really knew what they were getting themselves into. The preview for the film made one expect an epic, cinematic retelling of the 14th-century poem, “Sir Gaiwan and the Green Knight.” But this iteration of the tale strays far from the original, instead becoming an existential meditation on free will. And those cool giants shown in the trailer? They’re only in around 10 seconds of the movie. The Green Knight is beautifully shot and well-acted, but it’s much more of a philosophical mind-bender than a historical drama.

    • 7

      Catfish (2010)

      If you were to watch the trailer for Catfish with no context, you’d probably assume it was a true crime documentary — after all, the genre has become hugely popular in the last decade or so. The trailer even chooses to highlight a quote from the Financial Times, which reads, “The Best Hitchcock Film Hitchcock Never Directed.” Doesn’t it seem like we’re about to dig into a suspenseful real-life crime story? But in earnest, Catfish is a thought-provoking, engaging documentary that doesn’t vilify anyone on screen. Its director and star, Nev Schulman, processes his unique experience in a way that feels relevant to all of us living in the digital age. Put it this way — it’s not the next Blair Witch Project.

    • 8

      Drive (2011)

      If you went into Drive expecting thrilling car chases à la Fast and Furious, you were most likely disappointed. But it wasn’t entirely your fault — the trailer for the 2011 film depicted it as a high-octane action movie. In reality, however, it’s much closer to a neo-noir, art house drama. From the hyper-stylized imagery to the riveting violence, Drive is an exhilarating ride from start to finish. It’s just not the movie that the trailer depicted. In fact, one Michigan woman was so put off by her viewing experience, she sued the movie distributor over a “misleading” trailer.

    • 9

      Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

      While Sweeney Todd’s trailer perfectly captures the macabre tone of the movie, it fails to mention a crucial element — the fact that it’s a musical. Now, many viewers already knew that Sweeney Todd is based on a successful Stephen Sondheim musical, but there’s no way that everyone knew that. And for some, this might actually be a dealbreaker — plenty of people will head to the theater for a dark, chilling tale of vengeance, but not all would be ready to sit through a two-hour-long musical. Moviegoers should at least have been given a heads up.

    • 10

      The Cabin In The Woods (2011)

      Interestingly enough, The Cabin In The Woods’ subversive trailer was actually part of its marketing scheme. Anyone who’s seen the film knows that it’s not the stereotypical slasher film it appears to be on the surface. But the movie’s trailer cleverly downplays the meta elements, while amping up the clichés and conventional expectations. It’s very possible that, after viewing this trailer, you still would be plenty surprised by the movie’s genre-bending twist. So actually, the preview accomplished exactly what it intended to do. And that’s pretty cool.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Epting

    Source link

  • The Best Sequels Not Made By the Original Movie’s Director

    The Best Sequels Not Made By the Original Movie’s Director

    [ad_1]

    When you look at lists of the great movie sequels, most of the very top picks — The Godfather Part II, Bride of Frankenstein, The Dark Knight, Toy Story 2, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Mad Max: Fury Road, Spider-Man 2 — have something in common. They were all directed by same filmmaker who’d helmed the original movie; Francis Ford Coppola, James Whale, Christopher Nolan, and so on. In all these cases, a talented artist expanded on their own vision in making a follow-up film. They could deepen their existing themes, or continue plot threads they had left dangling,

    When a new filmmaker joins an existing franchise, they have a much harder job. They’ve got to give audiences an experience that lives up to their expectations based on the original movie, at the same time they adapt their own personal interests and ideas to the material. The results are frequently disappointing — but when this combination (existing material, freshman director) pans out, it yields a lot of interesting sequels, ones that feature a superb balance of old and new.

    READ MORE: Movie Sequels That Were Better Than the Original

    This list celebrates the best sequels of this sort, the ones made by directors joining franchises in midstream. The one caveat to keep in mind is that while I’m calling it the best sequels not made by the original director, I decided not to allow sequels by directors who had previously made a movie in a franchise — even if that movie was not the first one. So, for example, Justin Lin’s Fast Five is a pretty fantastic sequel, possibly worthy of inclusion on this list. But by the time Justin Lin had made Fast Five he’d already directed two previous Fasts: Tokyo Drift and Fast & Furious. He was hardly a newbie venturing into unknown territory; in fact, he’d made more Fasts by that point than anyone else on the planet.

    With that rule in mind, here are my picks for the best sequels directed by someone other than the person who originated the franchise…

    The Best Sequels Not Made By the Original Movie’s Director

    15 Movies That Were Banned Around The World

    Whether it was due to violence, explicit content, or negative depictions of one’s homeland, these movies were pulled from at least one foreign nation. Here are 15 movies that were once banned in countries around a world. 

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • Every ‘Mission: Impossible’ Ranked From Worst to Best

    Every ‘Mission: Impossible’ Ranked From Worst to Best

    [ad_1]

    It’s been over 25 years since Tom Cruise first played secret agent Ethan Hunt in 1996’s Mission: Impossible. For a film based on a long-dead television show, the M:I franchise has shown remarkable staying power — and so has Cruise. To put it into perspective, consider this: In the 25 years after the first James Bond movie, Dr. No, four different men played James Bond. By the time a quarter century had passed, the first Bond, Sean Connery, had long since retired as the character; that was around the time he played Indiana Jones’ bumbling father in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. 

    25 years later, Tom Cruise is still playing Ethan Hunt, in the first part of Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning.

    Paramount

    READ MORE: All the Outdated Technology in the First Mission: Impossible

    There has been some rumblings that Dead Reckoning Part One and Two will conclude the franchise. Tom Cruise himself has said he wants to keep playing Ethan Hunt until he’s 80. Either way, Dead Reckoning makes for a perfect time to take stock of 25+-year history of the series as a whole. The franchise has evolved quite a lot of over the last quarter century, from a twisty spy thriller, to an operating bullet ballet, to a dramedy about a spy trying to achieve the proper work-life balance, then totally shifting again into a showcase for incredible practical special effects.

    As a result, comparing Mission: Impossibles is a bit like comparing apples and oranges that happened to look like Tom Cruise and enjoy hanging off the sides of buildings or airplanes. Nonetheless, I did my best to rank the entire franchise from the worst to the best.

    Every Mission: Impossible Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

    The Worst Photoshopped Movie Posters

    These movie posters show that using Photoshop is a lot harder than it looks.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • The Worst Superhero Movie Costumes of All Time

    The Worst Superhero Movie Costumes of All Time

    [ad_1]

    As a great man once said, “clothes maketh the man.” (I think it was Harry Hart from Kingsman: The Secret Service, although maybe someone else said it first, I dunno.) And clothes maketh the Superman too. A great superhero costume is not only an integral part of any comic-book movie, it can be an incredible marketing tool for a movie. Just look back at the historical reaction to the Spider-Man costume in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. One promo image of that suit, designed by James Acheson, built an enormous amount of hype for that project. A few months later, Spider-Man had the biggest opening weekend of any movie to that time.

    But much like Deadpool’s katanas, superhero costumes can be a double-edged sword. When a character looks off in promo images it’s often interpreted by fans, fairly or unfairly, as a warning sign. If they could get something as simple as a superhero uniform wrong … what else did they screw up?

    Warner Bros.

    READ MORE: The Worst Superhero Movies Ever Made

    While there isn’t always a direct correlation between bad superhero costumes and bad superhero movies, the list below of the 20 worst superhero movie costumes suggests the two line up more often than not. Be aware, though, that we had some rules governing this list. For one thing, we only picked characters with a basis in previously existing comic-book heroes and villains. Like, sure, the Pumaman had a hideous costume. But it didn’t seem fair to compare that sort of thing to these mainstream projects based on beloved characters who had time-tested costumes from actual comics.

    We also gave a pass to TV shows and made-for-TV movies because, again, that seemed like comparing apples and other cheaply made apples. Of course, the costumes from the Justice League of America pilot looked like garbage. How could they not when they were made under those conditions?

    With those caveats, here are our picks for the worst superhero movie costumes…

    The Worst Superhero Movie Costumes

    Superhero movies costumes have gotten incredible sophisticated in recent years. But they weren’t always that way — and even today, there are still some costumes that don’t quite work out.

    Controversial Superhero Castings That Paid Off

    Fans were not into these actors playing these roles when they were first announced. But all was forgiven when they saw the finished product.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • The Best Movies of 2023 So Far

    The Best Movies of 2023 So Far

    [ad_1]

    It feels like just a few weeks ago we were counting down the top movies of 2022. Nope — 2023 is already half over. How did that happen? Where did half the year go so quickly? It was just here; now it’s vanished. I guess time flies when all you do every day is sit at a computer writing about movies.

    With summer solstice officially in the rear view — but before we look ahead to the fall’s major blockbusters and awards contenders — let’s take one more look back at the best movies of the year so far. It’s been a half-year filled with superheroes, hitmen, crusading archaeologists, guardians of the galaxy, killer sentient dolls, infinity pools, aging women rooting for Tom Brady, Magic Mike’s last dance, bears strung out on nose candy, dinosaurs trying to eat Adam Driver, dungeons and/or dragons, Italian plumbers saving mushroom kingdoms from giant turtles, and a couple dozen additional titles of varying interest and quality. As a great man standing in front of a muscle car once said: The Movies.

    READ MORE: The Worst Movies of the 2000s

    Here are my picks for the 10 best films of the year so far, ranked in order of personal preference. If you missed them in theaters, you’ll definitely want to catch up with all of them on home video (most are already available to rent; a few can even already be streamed) before we reconvene here in December for the final list of the year’s top films.

    The Best Movies of 2023 So Far

    Through the first half of the year, here are the movies you have to see.

    DVDs and Blu-rays That Are Still Very Valuable

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • The Best Movies Based On Toys

    The Best Movies Based On Toys

    [ad_1]

    When a movie geared toward children is particularly successful — think Frozen, The Little Mermaid, or Encanto — there will without a doubt be a line of toys to follow. Somewhere along the way, the link between kids’ movies and merchandise became intertwined — it’s nearly impossible for a movie to come out without an accompanying toy line. But sometimes, this process is reversed. The toy itself is so iconic, it inspires a movie (or several movies). Over the past few decades, we’ve seen just how enduring a popular franchise can be at the box office. Why dream up a brand new set of characters when you have plenty that kids already know and love?

    As we’ve seen with the incredibly enthusiastic response to Barbie’s ingenious marketing campaign this year, even adults get excited to rally behind an iconic toy. Typically, it’s something they grew up with (like Barbie), adding a layer of nostalgia that offers escapism in today’s weary world. And while it’s easy for a movie based on a toy line to come off as cookie cutter and uninspired, there are actually some titles out there that are really good. Sure, your age might impact your overall enjoyment level, but there’s no denying that these films are fun to watch.

    READ MORE: Watch Our Full Recap of the Transfornmers Movie Series

    Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, there’s something so familiar and fun about watching a beloved plaything come to life on screen. With more of these films happening all of the time, let’s catch up on the best movies so far that are based on toys.

    The Best Movies Based On Toys

    Although they’re sometimes associated with craven financial motives, there have been some really good movies based on children’s toys.

    Popular Movie Franchises That Should Have Ended Sooner

    These franchises were fun in their day — but they all outstayed their welcome.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Epting

    Source link

  • 10 Movie Franchises That Should Have Ended Sooner

    10 Movie Franchises That Should Have Ended Sooner

    [ad_1]

    When a movie is successful, that’s a pretty clear indicator that audiences would enjoy a second installment. Especially if that movie can be classified as science fiction, action, or children’s entertainment. These are the types of films that lend themselves well to franchises — simply add a few new characters, incorporate a new location, and you’ve got yourself a sequel. And it doesn’t just stop there. As long as a movie is hitting its box office quotas, you can bet your bottom dollar there will be another of its kind out in a few years. But just because studios can churn out more films in a franchise doesn’t mean they should. If we’re talking about the integrity of art, that is.

    There comes a point where every franchise runs its course. Maybe the director has run out of existing source material to draw from. Maybe the lead actors have exhausted their contracts. Or maybe simply too much time has gone by between films. Unfortunately, it feels like these signs are often ignored in pursuit of another win at the box office. Even if a film receives negative reviews from critics, that doesn’t mean people aren’t going to see it — especially if they’ve seen every movie in the franchise up until this point. But, imagine a world where ticket sales didn’t matter. A world where a movie franchise could end naturally, simply because the story had been told to completion. In that world, these movie series wouldn’t be nearly as long.

    Here are 10 popular movie franchises that should have ended sooner.

    Popular Movie Franchises That Should Have Ended Sooner

    These franchises were fun in their day — but they all outstayed their welcome.

    READ MORE: The Worst Movie Titles in History

    12 Movies That Were Supposed To Start Franchises But Didn’t

    A lot of factors can affect the cancellation of a sequel, but it can typically be chalked up to poor box office numbers and/or bad reviews. Here are 12 movies whose sequels or franchises were cancelled following their disappointing releases.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Epting

    Source link

  • Movies That Suddenly Change Genres In the Middle

    Movies That Suddenly Change Genres In the Middle

    [ad_1]

    Is there anything more enthralling than a movie that keeps you on your toes? While it makes sense for some films to stick to one primary genre — such as comedy, historical drama, or romance — others are able to blend more than one genre seamlessly. In some very specific cases, however, the shift in genre is very noticeable. Essentially at some point during the movie, the plot becomes something else entirely, and as the audience, we must be ready to adapt. When done correctly, this subversive move can give an otherwise formulaic film an exciting edge.

    Now, to preface, we’re not talking about movies that balance two different genres the entire time. There are plenty of dramas that also manage to be wildly funny — and there are comedies that cut straight through to the heart. Some genres, such as “romantic comedy” or “science fiction” have two elements built right into their names. There’s the central romance, and there’s the comedic relief. There’s the science element, and there’s the fictional aspect. But there’s something special about a movie that’s able to pull a fast one on you, transforming into something unexpected right before your eyes.

    READ MORE: TV Shows That Should Have Ended After One Season

    From charming comedies that devolve into gruesome slasher films to romance movies that morph into thrillers, we’ve rounded up 10 films that completely switched genres during their runtimes. While all these movies are pretty different from one another, they all have one thing in common — watching them from start to finish is one wild ride.

    Movies That Changed Genres Halfway Through

    These movies looked like one thing — only to shift into a totally different genre in the middle.

    Popular Movies That Were Supposed To Be Way Darker

    Things might have turned out differently for these hit films if they’d stuck with their original (darker) scripts.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Epting

    Source link

  • 10 Bad Movies With One Great Scene

    10 Bad Movies With One Great Scene

    [ad_1]

    There’s no such thing as a “perfect” movie — although some films definitely come close. More often than not, movies have their strengths and weaknesses.  Some are consistently great throughout, while others fail to hit their marks. A film’s quality is not black and white — there is a lot of room for that gray area. There are plenty of fantastic films that have subpar scenes. On the other hand, even movies that are widely considered to be “bad” may have glimmers of greatness — or, at least, one incredible scene. Let’s take a look at some, shall we?

    Maybe it’s an epic opening scene that sets up what could have been an amazing drama. Or maybe it’s a shocking plot twist that energizes the narrative. Perhaps it’s even just a pleasant break from the movie’s main events. It’s important to remember that even though you may not be particularly enjoying the movie you’re watching, there’s always a chance that a truly memorable scene might be just around the corner. The right camerawork or a mesmerizing performance can elevate an otherwise lackluster film, if only for a few, brief minutes.

    While a movie’s greatness is subjective based on the viewer’s personal taste, there are certain movies that have gained a reputation for being, well … not good. Still, we’ve singled out one scene from each that stands out as being captivating. From elaborate chase scenes to show-stopping musical numbers, here are 10 well-executed, re-watchable scenes from movies that were panned by critics.

    READ MORE: The Worst Broadway Shows Based on Classic Movies

    • 1

      Suicide Squad (2016)

      The Scene: Harley Quinn’s Elevator Fight

      Suicide Squad was all over the place. The characters are thinly written, the story structure is chopped up… It fails to deliver on several levels. But Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn managed to be a bright spot. She was perfectly cast in the role, and watching her beat bad guys to a pulp with a baseball bat will always be fun. In one scene, she rides in an elevator, ruthlessly killing her opponents while simultaneously fixing her hair. When she strolls out of the elevator, she walks right past a crew of rough-looking characters, swaying her hips without a care in the world. It’s pretty badass.

    • 2

      The Prom (2020)

      The Scene: Trent Gives It His All With“Love Thy Neighbor”

      Ryan Murphy’s adaptation of Broadway musical The Prom hit a lot of flat notes during its 131-minute runtime, despite its lineup of world-class talent. It’s hard to blame any of the actors for the poor creative choices — although several critics didn’t love James Corden’s overly flamboyant performance as Berry Glickman. Regardless, the movie was the most fun to watch when the stars were given the chance to do what they do best — sing and dance their hearts out. The obvious standout is Andrew Rannells’ performance of “Love Thy Neighbor” in the Midwestern town’s local mall. Rannells, known for his work on Broadway in The Book of Mormon (as well as his role of Elijah on the HBO comedy Girls), reminds us that any movie musical should, first and foremost, be fun.

    • 3

      The Happening (2008)

      The Scene: Central Park Suicide

      M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening is, quite frankly, a mess. But its initial premise is actually intriguing — the world is overrun with a mysterious disease that causes mass amounts of people to commit suicide. The movie opens in New York City’s iconic Central Park on an ordinary day, until crowds of people mysteriously freeze in their tracks. It starts with a girl on a park bench, who promptly puts down her book, pulls out her hairpin, and stabs herself in the neck. From there, it devolves into violent chaos. While as a whole, The Happening is incredibly silly, the opening scene is genuinely chilling.

    • 4

      Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

      The Scene: Opening Sequence

      As the follow-up to Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice flounders amidst a potentially powerful story. It’s more frustrating than anything — there was so much potential for a movie where Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) go head to head. One thing the movie got right, however, was the opening sequence. In a flashback, Bruce Wayne runs from his parents’ funeral and falls into a cave, where he’s lifted up by a vortex of bats. The scene is cut with Bruce’s memories of his mother and father at the hands of an armed mugger, resulting in a stylish, moody sequence that helps humanize the Caped Crusader for the rest of the film.

    • 5

      Twilight (2008)

      The Scene: The Baseball Game

      Based on Stephanie Meyer’s best-selling novel of the same name, Twilight was not so much destined to be a cinematic masterpiece as it was to be fan service for a specific demographic of vampire-loving teens and tweens. While it’s become a campy cult classic for millennials, it was never really taken seriously. But we can all agree, that baseball scene during the thunderstorm is pretty epic, right? Set to Muse’s 2006 single “Supermassive Black Hole,” the scene depicts the Cullen family participating in what might be the coolest family sporting event of all time. Their superhuman strength and speed — combined with Alice’s iconic high kick pitching, is enough to fully engage any viewer.

    • 6

      X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2003)

      The Scene: Deadpool’s Fight Scene

      Despite Hugh Jackman’s compelling lead performance, X-Men Origins: Wolverine can’t overcome its cliched, overblown plot. One exception? Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)’s fight scene. Not only is his showdown with Wolverine incredibly tight and well-choreographed, the scene also serves as Deadpool’s cinematic debut. While the Wade Wilson we see here is so different from the persona we meet in Deadpool, it’s still exciting to see an iconic character first come to life on screen.

    • 7

      Wonder Woman 1984

      The Scene: The Invisible Jet

      While Wonder Woman struck just the right tone, its follow-up, Wonder Woman 1984 was a much more uneven affair. The pacing is off, the story is convoluted, and any promising premises are abandoned as soon as they’re introduced. However, the movie shines whenever Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) shares the screen with Steve Trevor (Chris Pratt). The scene where they steal an invisible jet is sweet and romantic — and the moment when they fly through the fireworks display is downright magical. Gadot and Pine have great chemistry, and it’s a shame that the movie didn’t lean into that more.

    • 8

      Cats (2019)

      The Scene: Grizabella Belts Out “Memory”

      Once the absolutely abysmal reviews for the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Cats came rolling in, the film’s A-list cast understandably distanced themselves from the horrible buzz. But besides the uncannily fuzzy human bodies and charmless dancing cockroaches, viewers could rally together behind one bright spot — Jennifer Hudson’s performance as Grizabella. Hudson is tasked with singing the musical’s most famous number, “Memory,” a song which has eclipsed even the tremendous popularity of Weber’s Broadway mainstay. And we’ll just say this — even obscured by a coat of scraggly CG fur, Hudson has some serious pipes. Her performance is raw, grounded, and ethereal, a sole highlight in a movie that disturbs more than it delights.

    • 9

      Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (2002)

      The Scene: The Duel of the Fates

      The Star Wars prequel trilogy often leaves fans divided — but nearly all can agree that compared to the original trilogy, they’re simply not as good. The Phantom Menace gives us a glimpse of greatness, but ultimately, there’s just too much Jar Jar Binks and not enough depth and character development. That being said, the lightsaber duel between Obi Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Darth Maul is hands-down one of the franchise’s most thrilling sequences. An honorable mention goes to Anakin’s pod racing scene on Tatooine — it’s pretty dazzling.

    • 10

      The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

      The Scene: Gwen Stacy Dies

      The Amazing Spider-Man film series — while beloved by some diehard fans — didn’t receive a ton of praise at the time of its release. But ever since Andrew Garfield reprised his role of Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home, viewers have reminisced on his tenure in a more forgiving light. And, not to mention, the scene where Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) falls to her untimely death is genuinely moving. Peter attempts to rescue Gwen as she descends from the clock tower, but his web grasps onto her body just a second too late — she makes contact with the pavement, and dies on impact. He utters the lines “You’re okay,” and “Stay with me.” He tries in vain to bring her back, but it’s too late. He doesn’t even get to say goodbye. It’s a heartbreaking moment that adds some much needed gravitas to the film.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Epting

    Source link

  • Every DC Extended Universe Movie Ranked

    Every DC Extended Universe Movie Ranked

    [ad_1]

    Love it or hate it, the DC Extended Universe was a unique creation in the history of Hollywood: An ongoing series of interconnected franchises overseen, at least at its inception, not by an executive but a filmmaker: Zack Snyder, who launched the DCEU with his Man of Steel in 2013, and wound up directing three films in the franchise — four if you count his Zack Snyder’s Justice League director’s cut separately.

    Snyder left the DC Extended Universe after that, and now that the franchise has given way to a new DC movie and TV universe overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran, it’s fair to say that the DCEU never lived up to its full potential. The highs were high, but the lows were low. (Who could have predicted a movie called Wonder Woman 1984 would turn out feeling so dystopian?!?)

    READ MORE: A Batman Animated Movie and Series Are Headed to Amazon

    As of this writing, there are still two DCEU movies due in theaters in the months ahead — Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. But for all intents and purposes, the DCEU formally concludes with The Flash, a movie that was conceived as an in-story way to reconfigure this cinematic universe into something new.

    While we wait for Gunn to fully unveil his own DC universe, let’s take stock of all 14 DCEU movies to date, which encompasses 10 different DC franchises and no less than four sequels (five once Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom comes out). I’m not sure I would say I will miss this cinematic universe when it’s officially gone. But I’ll give it this much: Through all the ups and downs, it was never boring.

    Every DCEU Movie Ranked From Worst to Best

    From Man of Steel to The Flash, we ranked every movie in the DC Extended Universe.

    Actors Who Turned Down DC Roles

    These major stars could have played some of your favorite DC Comics’ heroes onscreen. But they all said no for one reason or another.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Singer

    Source link

  • 12 Shocking Disney Character Cameos In Other Movies

    12 Shocking Disney Character Cameos In Other Movies

    [ad_1]

    One hallmark of Disney movies? Easter eggs. The creators behind some of the most beloved animated films have always had a knack for weaving in blink-and-you’ll-miss it moments that make you do a double take. Sometimes, they’re inside references to other movies — but other times, they’re full-on character cameos. In fact, some of your favorite Disney movies feature quick appearances from other movies’ characters. It’s all about keeping your eyes peeled.

    Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work of tracking down these cameos in some of the most popular Disney films. Once you see them, you won’t be able to watch these movies again without taking notice. There are some cameos that are quite prominent — you don’t need to do any hunting to find them. Others are way more subtle, blending into the background so effortlessly, it’s a wonder anyone discovered them at all. It definitely helps that some of Disney’s most recognizable characters live a double life as inanimate objects. Just saying.

    READ MORE: The Best Disney+ Movies You Haven’t Seen

    In the world of Disney, nothing is ever an accident. A carefully placed cameo might not just be a delightful Easter egg, either. According to one elaborate fan theory, there’s a case that multiple Disney films actually exist in the same universe. Whether or not you believe that all Disney movies are connected, one thing’s for sure — the animators put a ton of effort and meticulous detail into crafting each and every shot.

    Below, you’ll find 12 surprising character cameos in Disney movies that you might have missed on the first watch.

    12 Surprising Character Cameos In Disney Movies You Might Have Missed

    These iconic Disney characters showed up in other Disney movies — did you spot them?

    The Most Underrated Disney Movies Of The Last 25 Years

    No one considers these Disney movies “classics” — but they should.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Epting

    Source link

  • Actors Who Used Body Doubles For Nude Scenes

    Actors Who Used Body Doubles For Nude Scenes

    [ad_1]

    It’s not uncommon for actors to employ a double for particularly intense stunts — not to mention, a good stand-in comes in handy while the lights and camera are being positioned. But there’s another reason why an actor or director might request a body double on set: Nude scenes. While some actors are ready to strip down in front of the camera, others have good reasons to be a bit more reserved — which is fine, since there are professionals who will gladly bare it all in their place.

    There are some cases, however, where the decision to fly in an anonymous actor’s body part is purely practical. For example, an star may have a tattoo that their character wouldn’t. Or, the actor is required to skinny dip in a freezing body of water. Whether it was for logistical or personal reasons, these actors skipped the disrobing for pivotal movie scenes — and the audience was none the wiser. To be honest, very few of us would notice the difference if these actors didn’t share their experiences using body doubles.

    READ MORE: The 25 Most Important Sex Scenes in History

    Some actors have even revealed that they were allowed to pick their own butt doubles. Keep in mind that there aren’t unlimited options, however. A couple of stars stressed the importance of finding someone with a similar build and height — in one certain actor’s case, it was a matter of trusting the performer to get the job done right. Below, discover ten famous actors who opted to use body doubles for nude scenes in movies, as well as their reasons for doing so.

    Movie Actors Who Used Body Doubles For Nude Scenes

    Seeing is not always believing when it comes to movie sex scenes…

    Sex Scenes People Thought Were Real

    These love scenes were so convincing, some audiences thought the sex wasn’t simulated.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Epting

    Source link