News

The '90s brought audiences numerous great movies. Many of these films were colossal box-office hits that audiences went to see repeatedly. From Dick Tracy to The Birdcage to Edward Scissorhands, these popular '90s movies were well-received upon their release, but never received the sequel they deserved.

Whether the movies' endings were open for a sequel or not, there are still plenty of opportunities to continue these stories. Recent releases like Top Gun: Maverick,Twisters, and Blade Runner 2049 have proved that audiences are interested in high-quality legacy sequels. Nostalgia and an updated story can bring original fans and newcomers alike to the theater for these '90s film sequels.

Small Soldiers Needs More Story

In Small Soldiers, mayhem ensues when a top defense contractor acquires a toy company, and one of their toy designers unwittingly installs a Defense Department microprocessor into the toys. As a result, two specific...

"Fantasy Island," Gene Levitt's ABC series that ran from 1977 to 1984, had a simple enough premise for it to be contained entirely within the show's title. An island where people come to live out their fantasies was enough of an idea to spawn two made-for-tv movies and seven seasons of fantasy drama, anchored by the great Ricardo Montalbán, who played the mysterious and distinguished Mr. Roarke. Roarke hosted the island's many guests and oversaw their fantasies coming to life, accompanied initially by his assistant Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize).

"Fantasy Island" became popular during its seven years on the air, and Tattoo's catchphrase "The plane, the plane," which he delivered at the top of every episode, was absorbed into the cultural lexicon. The show's popularity hasn't endured quite as well as some other series from the era, though, which is probably partly why Blumhouse's terrible horror getaway version of "Fantasy Island" failed...

The developers of Hypercharge: Unboxed, Digital Cybercherries, have made an announcement that will shatter every Xbox fan. It has been confirmed that the game is coming to PlayStation 5 next year, so it’s no longer an Xbox exclusive. The game was initially released for Nintendo Switch and Windows in 2020. In May 2024, the game was released for Xbox Series X/S, leaving PlayStation fans disheartened.

Gamers play as action figures in Hypercharge: Unboxed (Image via Digital Cybercherries)

The game was well-received by players all over the world and now, this PlayStation release will also allow the studio to integrate cross-platform support between Xbox and PlayStation. The entire concept of the game is inspired by 1998’s Small Soldiers.

Hypercharge: Unboxed is coming to PlayStation 4 and 5 in 2025

Digital Cybercherries has confirmed on X that Hypercharge: Unboxed is coming to PlayStation 4 and 5 in 2025. The game’s official X account asked PlayStation fans if they...

While Toy Story 5 is due to release in 2026, it isn't the toy-centric sequel that most desperately needs a sequel; that title goes to Small Soldiers, the 1998 action comedy starring Kirsten Dunst and Alan Abernathy that has evolved into a cult classic in the last two decades. The Toy Story movies focus on the perspective of toys that come to life whenever humans aren't around, and while Small Soldiers also features toys that come to life, they have no compunction about showing just how alive they are. In fact, some of them come into direct conflict with humans.

In the Toy Story universe, all toys come to life, while in the Small Soldiers universe, a select few are brought to life by a malfunctioning military microchip. The action was driven by a star-studded voice cast led by Tommy Lee Jones and Frank Langella in addition to the up-and-coming Dunst, and...

Plot: Two high school nobodies make the decision to crash the last major celebration before the new millennium on New Year’s Eve 1999. The night becomes even crazier than they could have ever dreamed when the clock strikes midnight.

Review: As a millennial, I’ve always gotten a kick out of the hysteria surrounding Y2K. The idea of all the computers going haywire simply because of the passing of a date always felt pretty wacky. But the event has never really gotten a proper cinematic telling. Until now. SNL’s Kyle Mooney makes his directorial debut with a film that feels like Small Soldiers on steroids. But if you’re not into nostalgia, then you may have to look elsewhere. Thankfully, nostalgia may as well be my middle name.

Mooney and co-writer Evan Winter provide a pretty fun story about an unexpected group of misfits banded together to take...

As 2024 starts to close out, Amazon Prime Video is bringing even more cinematic goodies to its slate for November.

TheWrap is here to give a list of the best of the best of what’s to come on the streamer and what’s already added that you can enjoy. From heart-warming dramas to fresh, animated flicks that will take you on an adventure and more, we’ve got it all here for you.

Check out the best new movies streaming on Prime Video this month below.

“Gladiator” (Universal Pictures) “Gladiator” (2000)

We had to add “Gladiator” to the list with its sequel being in theaters and all. So if you need to watch it before heading to the movies, check it out on Prime Video. In Ridley Scott’s action-adventure “Gladiator,” Maximus (Russell Crowe) is a former general who’s been enslaved and forced to fight for his life as a common gladiator.

Prime Video’s November programming will dip its toe into Christmas and other holiday offerings such as The Holiday (2006) starring Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jack Black. The streamer will also add some films with sequels arriving in theaters this month, like Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Ridley Scott’s 1992 film Gladiator.

For the full list of Prime Video programming in November 2024, see below.

Related: New On Netflix For November 2024: Movies, TV Shows and More

Nov. 1

Movies:

12 Days of Christmas Eve (2004) 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995) 50 To 1 (2014) A Knight’s Tale (2001) Absolute Deception (2013) Across The Universe (2007) Agent Cody Banks (2003) Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004) Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) Airplane! (1980) All Saints (2017) Almost Christmas (2016) Anacondas: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid (2004) Anger Management (2003) Apache (1954) Bad Company (2002) Battlefield Earth (2000) Battleship (2012) Big Night (1996) Blizzard (2003) Blown Away (1993) Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004) Boomerang (1992) Bucky Larson Born To Be A Star (2011) Carrie...

For the past three decades, DreamWorks has been seen as the studio that challenged Disney and, in some cases, won. If you are still in business after so many years and are still making movies, then you are clearly doing something right. Originally founded on October 12th, 1994, by three innovators with different motivations, the studio has gone on to make some of the biggest franchises in film history.

Who founded Dreamworks?

Originally conceived by former Disney executive Jeffery Katzenberg, he sought the aid of fellow entertainment executives Steven Spielberg and David Geffen. The three would found DreamWorks Skg with the purpose of becoming a major force in the entertainment industry. The studio’s first release was The Peacemaker in 1997 with other films like Amistad and Mouse Trap releasing that same year.

Things really began to take off in 1998 with action films like Saving Private Ryan and Deep Impact, as well...

Director Joe Dante has expressed his surprise that his film The Burbs is set to be turned into a TV show. More here.

Last month, Peacock commissioned a straight-to-series order for a TV adaptation of The Burbs, the 1989 dark comedy that starred Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher. Despite being a worthy film, it’s often eclipsed by other movies from the same era, not least because both Tom Hanks and director Joe Dante both scored bigger hits around the same time.

In fact, nobody seems to be more surprised about the news than Dante himself, with the Gremlins director telling The Hollywood Reporter that, “I think my actual comment was ‘how are they going to make a whole TV series out of that story?’ As opposed to ‘I want to be the one to do it.’”

The original film saw Hanks, Bruce Dern and Carrie Fisher situated in a perfect...

In the real world, Phil Hartman could never have nearly cuckolded Arnold Schwarzenegger — the late, great star was too good of a guy to ever embarrass that beta.

When comparing Chris Columbus’ filmography of family-focused Christmas comedies, the critically panned but mildly commercially successful 1996 movie Jingle All the Way doesn’t quite command the nostalgic adoration of, say, a Home Alone or a Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. But while Columbus only served as the producer and rewrote the script of Jingle All the Way, the film about competing fathers, Arnold Schwarzenegger and stand-up legend Sinbad, desperately (and violently) trying to secure the hottest toy on the market in time to appease their young sons before Christmas certainly has Columbus’ comedy DNA embedded within it.

Case in point: Columbus’ decision to cast Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons star Hartman to play the nosy, divorced and charismatic neighbor...

Quick Links Why Small Soldiers is Gremlins' Secret Spiritual Successor What Happened to Joe Dante's Small Soldiers? Will We Ever See a Small Soldiers 2?

Fans had awaited a third Gremlins movie for over three decades when, all along, a '90s cult classic secret sequel that deserved better. Known for their dark humor and iconic designs, the Gremlins series possesses some of the best creature features in cinematic history. However, while the franchise is finding new life with the animated prequel Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, the same can't be said for Small Soldiers. Possessing as much heart, humor, and creativity as its antecedents, Small Soldiers seemed to be slated for bigger things. Yet, as some continue to look down on Small Soldiers, it raises questions about what happened to this ambitious film and whether audiences will ever see it receive another installment nearly 30 years later, much like its more successful sister series.

Quick Links What is Ray Bradbury's "The Veldt?" How The Veldt and M3GAN Made Playtime Deadly The Lessons and Legacy of "The Veldt" and M3GAN

Before M3GAN, a forgotten horror classic wove a terrifying toy story. Since its debut, M3GAN has become a beloved piece of horror, balancing chills and laughs in a way that left audiences locking up their children's dolls and glancing over their shoulders whenever they wandered through a toy aisle. Delivering sharp commentary on modern technology and a comedic, self-aware rivalry with Childs Plays Chucky, it shouldnt surprise anybody that M3GAN is neither the first nor the last to toy with these concepts. While some may trace its roots to the Childs Play series, The Twilight Zone, or even lesser-known media like Small Soldiers, few realize that the concerns surrounding deadly playthings have existed for over half a century. Master of horror Ray...

Sometimes you see a name attached to a project and you just say "How?" Frank Langella is one of those names when it comes to Star Trek. The man's been everywhere and done everything. Excelling as a theater actor, Langella spun out of the theater and started doing major budget films like the 1979 remake of Dracula, the 1998 cult classic Small Soldiers, and more modern films like Frost/Nixon.

He's also the first man to portray Skeletor on the big screen, so the man has range. Yet, for a short spell in 1993, Langella played the Bajoran politician, Jaro Essa. A key figure during the first half of the season. It was a big get for the show, as the man had already won a Tony, an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award. Not bad for a show that was airing on syndication.

It was a nice little three-episode run and a sign...

Because no ‘80s movie is immune to the Hollywood reboot trend (a $20 million-per-episode prestige TV remake of Weird Science will surely happen any day now), we’re now getting a new version of The ‘Burbs, the 1989 Tom Hanks comedy about a gang of middle-class suburbanites who begin to suspect that their new “Slavic” neighbors are murderous Satanic cultists.

Play

As we’ve pointed out before, The ‘Burbs has arguably never been more relevant, coming at a time when conspiracy theories are as rampant as ever, and American xenophobia has been cranked up to 11. And while the original was clearly riffing on the “Satanic Panic” paranoia of the 1980s, we’re currently living at a time when everything from Taylor Swift concerts to restaurants at Disney World have been accused of promoting demonic messaging.

At least people seem to have backed off from the idea that He-Man toys and Smurf dolls are the handiwork of Lucifer.

Although A24s Y2K has an original premise, the upcoming horror comedy also owes a creative debt to a more family-friendly spin on the same idea. It is pretty easy to work out the creative origins of A24s upcoming horror comedy Y2K. Y2K follows a pair of likable, nerdy teens who attend a booze-fueled party on New Years Eve 1999. In this movies reality, Y2Ks Millennium Bug turns out to be a very real fear as electronics all over the world go maliciously haywire at the stroke of midnight and begin massacring humans.

What follows is a classic genre mashup that blends a One Wild Night teen comedy with an apocalyptic horror. Y2K is effectively a horror version of Superbad, or an unlikely mashup of Cant Hardly Wait and Miracle Mile. While taking the robotic apocalypse of The Terminator movies and transplanting it into the world of Harold and...

At this year’s D23 entertainment showcase, new details were revealed about the upcoming fifth installment of the Toy Story franchise. Fans were given a simple title reveal and the announcement that Woody would be reuniting with the gang.

Get excited for their next chapter as Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the gang all return for #ToyStory5, coming to theaters Summer 2026! #D23 pic.twitter.com/w5yrlbkpYP

— Pixar (@Pixar) August 10, 2024

Following the controversial end of Toy Story 4, Woody left the gang to join his old flame, Bo Peep, after being separated for years. Many were unhappy with this decision as it went against what Woody had been about in the previous three movies — the loyalty a toy has for its owner.

After much speculation about whether or not we would see him appear in this new film, Woody is now back and tackling a new age threat that all toys face: technology.

Actress Kirsten Dunst, aka 'Mary Jane Watson' in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy and star of the new feature “Civil War”, poses for the latest issue of the “Violet Book”, photographed by Emma Summerton:

At the age of twelve, Dunst gained widespread recognition as vampire 'Claudia' in 'Interview with the Vampire' (1994), a role for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. She appeared in "Little Women" the same year and in "Jumanji" the following year.

After a recurring role in the NBC medical drama "ER" (1996–97) as 'Charlie Chemingo' and co-starring in films such as "Wag the Dog" (1997), "Small Soldiers" (1998) and "The Virgin Suicides" (1999), Dunst transitioned into romantic comedies and comedy-dramas, starring in "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1999), "Bring It On" (2000), "Get Over It" and "Crazy/Beautiful" (2001).

Following her work in Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy (2002–07), her films have included the romantic comedy "Wimbledon" (2004), the...

Led Zeppelin's evolving stance on licensing their songs for movies has led to some iconic cinematic moments. Films like "The Big Short" and "Thor: Ragnarok" effectively utilize Zeppelin songs to enhance key scenes and themes. From comedies like "School of Rock" to dramas like "Silver Linings Playbook," Zeppelin's songs create memorable movie moments.

As one of the most popular and influential rock bands of all time, the use of Led Zeppelin songs in movies always stands out. While there are a lot of great examples of their inclusion in the cinematic experience, there was a time when the English rockers' music would never be heard on screen. Famously, early in the bands career as one of the biggest musical acts in the world, Led Zeppelin refused to license out their songs for use in movies. However, as the years went on and the checks got bigger, they relaxed that policy more and more.

Exclusive: Filmmaker Adam Rifkin is set to direct his next feature, the stoner comedy, Toad, which he co-wrote with Bank of Dave scribe Piers Ashworth. Cameras will roll this autumn in New Mexico.

James Paxton

In the spirit of such pics like Cheech and Chong’s Up In Smoke, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, Toad tells the tale of two naive slackers, Sam (played by James Paxton of Twisters and Rifkin’s western Last Train to Fortune) and Alex (Oliver Wyman of Feeling Randy), who are hired by a frightening cartel boss to deliver a cardboard box from LA to Vegas for the tidy sum of $10k. The boys think it’s their lucky day. Instructed not to look in the box, the duo can’t contain their curiosity and as soon as they drive off the property they pull over and have a peek.

If you’ve not heard of Hypercharge: Unboxed at this point, where have you been? Having been successful on multiple consoles, it finally came to Xbox this month and has absolutely dominated its release, all without having been on Xbox Game Pass, And whilst hitting some seriously good sales targets.

I was lucky enough to speak to Joe Henson the Creative Gameplay and Marketing Director for Hypercharge, over a written interview, about the game, the future, a sequel, and those sale targets (and much more besides!).

[Some answers have been edited for clarity and brevity]

For the readers of FandomWire who may not be aware of yourself, would you mind telling us who you are, your role with Hypercharge, and a little about yourself?

I’m Joe Henson, from the beautiful hills of West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. I’m a game designer and marketing consultant, working with my good friends at Digital Cybercherries. Right now, I’m...

Take a look at actress Kirsten Dunst, aka 'Mary Jane Watson' in director Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy and the star of the new feature “Civil War”, posing for the Spring 2024 edition of “S” magazine, photographed by Danielle Levitt:

"I live in pieces that make me feel good," said the former child actress (“Interview With The Vampire”).

At the age of twelve, Dunst gained widespread recognition as vampire 'Claudia' in 'Interview with the Vampire' (1994), a role for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. She appeared in "Little Women" the same year and in "Jumanji" the following year.

After a recurring role in the NBC medical drama "ER" (1996–97) as 'Charlie Chemingo' and co-starring in films such as "Wag the Dog" (1997), "Small Soldiers" (1998) and "The Virgin Suicides" (1999), Dunst transitioned into romantic comedies and comedy-dramas, starring in "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1999), "Bring It On...

Roger Corman & Joe Dante are teaming up for a new Little Shop of Horrors remake. Joe Dante returns to working with Corman, who he started his career working for. Expect a fresh take on the original movie, with no details yet on the upcoming Little Shop of Halloween Horrors, but stay tuned for updates.

Little Shop of Horrors looks to be getting a remake after all, with B-movie legend Roger Corman returning to his creation along with Gremlins director Joe Dante. This will be a reimagining of the story of an alien plant that attempts to take over the world, and follows the abandoned Chris Evans-starring remake that was in development but cancelled after pandemic delays.

The Little Shop of Horrors NRComedyFantasy Horror Release DateAugust 5, 1960DirectorRoger Corman, Charles B. Griffith, Mel WellesCastJonathan Haze, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles, Dick Miller, Myrtle Vail, Karyn KupcinetRuntime70Main GenreComedyWritersCharles B. GriffithTaglineThe funniest picture of the year!

Tonight, Shudder and AMC+ will be airing a special edition of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs that serves as a tribute to legendary producer Roger Corman – so it seems fitting that we have some Corman news to report today. Deadline has revealed that Corman and Brad Krevoy, CEO of Mpca, are teaming up to produce a reboot of Corman’s 1960 classic The Little Shop of Horrors called Little Shop of Halloween Horrors, with Joe Dante on board to direct!

Dante’s previous directing credits include Piranha, The Howling, Gremlins, Innerspace, The ‘Burbs, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Matinee, Small Soldiers, and Looney Tunes: Back in Action.

Gremlins 2 and Matinee writer Charles S. Haas has written the screenplay for Little Shop of Halloween Horrors, but plot details have not been revealed. The Little Shop of Horrors, which received a very popular musical adaptation (that was turned into a...

Exclusive: Iconic filmmakers Joe Dante and Roger Corman are teaming with Emmy-nominated veteran producer Brad Krevoy, CEO of Mpca, on Little Shop of Halloween Horrors, a reboot of Corman’s famed 1960 horror comedy, Little Shop of Horrors.

A reimagining intended to jumpstart a new franchise, Little Shop of Halloween Horrors will be directed by Dante, from a script by Charles S. Haas (Gremlins 2: The New Batch), with Corman and Krevoy co-producing. Also joining the project is independent producer Charles Cohen, who previously worked at T-Street, where he oversaw and executive produced the Republic Pictures release Snack Shack, in addition to developing other projects for the company.

Originating as a low-budget genre flick directed by Corman and co-starring a young Jack Nicholson, the first Little Shop of Horrors quickly cemented itself as a cult classic following its release in 1960. Shot on a shoestring budget, pic tells the...

Actress Kirsten Dunst, aka 'Mary Jane Watson' in director Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy and the star of the new feature “Civil War”, poses for the latest issue of “Marie Claire” magazine, photographed by Jonny Marlow:

"I live in pieces that make me feel good," said the former child actress (“Interview With The Vampire”).

At the age of twelve, Dunst gained widespread recognition as vampire 'Claudia' in 'Interview with the Vampire' (1994), a role for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. She appeared in "Little Women" the same year and in "Jumanji" the following year.

After a recurring role in the NBC medical drama "ER" (1996–97) as 'Charlie Chemingo' and co-starring in films such as "Wag the Dog" (1997), "Small Soldiers" (1998) and "The Virgin Suicides" (1999), Dunst transitioned into romantic comedies and comedy-dramas, starring in "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1999), "Bring It On" (2000), "Get Over It...

Kevin Dunn played similar roles in Transformers and Small Soldiers, portraying frustrated fathers trying to connect with their teenage sons. Small Soldiers served as an inspiration for the Transformers movie, with both featuring elements of military satire, a bumbling teenage protagonist, and a romance subplot. Although Small Soldiers under-performed at the box office, it still had an impact on Bay's Transformers, with Kevin Dunn playing almost identical roles in both films.

While actor Kevin Dunn has made plenty of movies, the Transformers supporting star played a role that was bizarrely similar to his part in Michael Bay’s 2007 blockbuster some nine years earlier. It is not very uncommon for actors to get typecast in a role; plenty of actors have built careers playing specific archetypes or character roles. However, it is striking when an actor carves out a bizarrely specific, unique niche.

Screen veteran Kevin Dunn has appeared in a...

Fandoms everywhere can now rejoice, for in October Our Flag Means Death finally returns to our screens for its second season. Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi will be romancing the high seas once more thanks to an enormous outpouring of love and support from the show’s fans. The safety of the cult favorite is not yet known beyond season two, but if this one is as good as the first, it certainly won’t be for lack of trying.

Talking of little shows that could, Doom Patrol is back for its last ever block of episodes, having long outlasted the many of the other ill-fated DC streaming series. Season two of The Gilded Age is also streaming this month, with Bertha challenging both Mrs. Astor and the old system in this new run.

And if none of that is up your street, there’s always Jason Statham punching sharks in the face,...

Rhys Darby in ‘Our Flag Means Death’ season 2 (Photograph by Nicola Dove/Max)

Max’s 2023 October lineup of series includes new seasons of Our Flag Means Death, The Gilded Age, and 30 Coins, as well as the second half of Doom Patrol season four (the final season). A documentary focusing on the notorious Bling Ring premieres on October 1st, along with all five Final Destination films.

In addition to a batch of horror films joining the network’s lineup, Max is celebrating Halloween with new seasons of Ghost Adventures and The Haunted Museum.

Series & Films Arriving On Max In October 2023:

October 1

3 Godfathers (1948)

The Adventures of Pinocchio (1996)

All About the Benjamins (2002)

The Amazing Panda Adventure (1995)

Angels in the Outfield (1951)

The Answer Man (2009)

Anthropoid (2016)

Appaloosa (2008)

The Apparition (2012)

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

Badlands (1973)

Be Cool (2005)

Bee Season (2005)

Beetlejuice (1988)

The Benchwarmers (2006)

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Blindspotting (2018)

Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012)

Cesar Chavez (2014)

Charlie Wilson’s War...

The 1998 action-comedy Small Soldiers is looked upon fondly by a certain generation of moviegoers, and while a sequel has yet to materialize in the decades since, it’s never too late. As this new fan film proves. Conceived as a ‘Proof of Concept’ trailer by the video game company Comadran Studios using Unreal Engine 5, the 5-minute trailer imagines a return of the violent toys as Small Soldiers: War for the Nekron finds two different factions once again waging war. Check out the concept trailer below.

“Hey there, YouTube community! We are happy to announce the Proof of Concept trailer for our next big project at Comadran Studios,” a description alongside the footage reads. “Get ready to dive into the extraordinary world of Small Soldiers, an epic toy battle brought to life in Unreal Engine 5, pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling to new heights!”

While neither our hero Archer nor the...

Whether it's Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or even Ghostbusters, some series have become deeply ingrained in pop culture consciousness, making their return almost inevitable. However, for a neglected movie, second chances are rare. And the future of the entire Small Soldiers franchise depends on where a mysterious project goes.

Released in 1998 and headlined by noted names such as Phil Hartman, Kirsten Dunst and Tommy Lee Jones, Small Soldiers was a sci-fi comedy about artificially intelligent toys going to war in a suburban neighborhood. Directed by Joe Dante, renowned for his work on the Gremlins movies, the film received mixed reviews and struggled to establish a clear identity. Described as too intense for kids and not quite edgy enough for its intended older audiences, Small Soldiers faded into obscurity, mainly survived by its merchandising and through nostalgic retrospectives. Eventually, the series saw signs of a revival in June 2023 when...

Written and directed by Richard Linklater — one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed modern filmmakers — Dazed and Confused (1993) holds more name value than most films of its kind. Best classified as a comedy, it’s among the more famous instances of a “hangout movie” which, although isn’t a tightly defined genre, still boasts some well-known titles like Rio Bravo (1959), American Graffiti (1973), and Clerks (1994). But perhaps the best of the bunch is the film at hand.

Many filmmaking elements came into perfect fruition to create one of the best and most iconic movies of the nineties, regardless of region or director. Its cast performs brilliantly, putting several actors like Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, Renée Zellweger, and Mila Jovovich on the Hollywood map. The script from Linklater works perfectly from the start, creating a tangible tone with proper pacing and whip-smart dialogue.

But among the more noteworthy qualities of Dazed and Confused...

The summer movie season of 1998 actually began twelve months previously. While the Jurassic Park sequel The Lost World was still marauding around the multiplexes, a teaser trailer suddenly appeared showing a group of schoolchildren in a museum staring up in awe at the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Suddenly a gigantic lizard’s foot crashes through the ceiling and crushes the T-Rex as if it were an ant. Guess who’s coming to town…

Sony TriStar

Kicking off a marketing campaign like that, a full year before Godzilla rose up from the depths was pretty much unprecedented back in 1997. It signalled the arrival of the age of internet marketing. You could even download the trailer to watch at home if you didn’t mind waiting eleven hours for the privilege.

After months of hype, Godzilla finally arrived on Memorial Day. It was Roland Emmerich’s first movie since reinventing the...

Jim Brown has passed away at the age of 87. A titanic figure in the world of sports, the former Cleveland Browns fullback has been inducted into both the NCAA Hall of Fame and the NFL Hall of Fame. On top of his sports stardom, Brown was a staunch Civil Rights activist, a fact that was highlighted by the 2020 movie One Night in Miami, which depicted an evening he spent in the company of Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Muhammad Ali, in which he was played by Aldis Hodge.

A few years after being named the greatest college football player of all-time, a tragic post was shared on Brown's official Instagram account.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jim Brown (@jimbrown)

The post, seen above, contained a message from Brown's wife Monique Brown, who confirmed that he passed away last night at his home in L.A. at...

Jim Brown, the incomparable Cleveland Browns fullback who quit the NFL at the peak of his prowess to become a Hollywood action hero in such films as The Dirty Dozen, Ice Station Zebra and 100 Rifles, has died. He was 87.

A staunch advocate for civil rights, Brown died in his Los Angeles home Thursday night with wife Monique by his side, his family’s spokesperson told the Associated Press.

In a statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell praised Brown’s skills on the field, in addition to calling him a “cultural figure who helped promote change.” The message continued, “During his nine-year NFL career, which coincided with the civil rights movement here at home, he became a forerunner and role model for athletes being involved in social initiatives outside their sport. He inspired fellow athletes to make a difference, especially in the communities in which they lived.”

A synthesis of speed,...

Bloody Disgusting has learned this week that special effects artist Bill Basso, whose work can be seen in a handful of genre favorites, passed on May 4, 2023 at the age of 60 years old.

“William Anthony Basso Jr. was a sculptor, painter, and special effects makeup artist. He was born on December 8, 1962, in Manalapan, and attended Christian Brothers Academy for high school and Parsons School of Design for college,” his obituary reads.

Primarily working for the legendary Stan Winston Studio throughout the 1990s, Bill Basso’s special effects credits include “Monsters,” Tremors, Bride of Re-Animator, Edward Scissorhands, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Batman Returns, Jurassic Park, Interview with the Vampire, Congo, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Relic, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Creature, Lake Placid, Inspector Gadget, Lost Souls, and Reign of Fire.

Basso was also on the special effects makeup crew for Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, and he did puppeteer work on Predator 2,...

April on Prime Video is stacked with returning favorites, the launch of one of Amazon’s biggest shows ever and a bevy of great movies to watch. The fifth and final season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” launches on April 14, while Amazon will premiere the globe-trotting action-thriller series “Citadel” – starring Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and Richard Madden – on April 28. The show hails from “Avengers: Endgame” filmmaker Joe and Anthony Russo.

Noteworthy movies arriving on April 1 include the “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” movies, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “The Big Lebowski,” “Looper,” “Vanilla Sky” and “Top Gun.”

You can also stream the Billy Eichner rom-com “Bros” starting April 4 and the George Clooney/Julia Roberts rom-com “Ticket to Paradise” on April 11.

Check out the full list of what’s new on Amazon Prime Video in April 2023 below.

Also Read:

The 41 Best Movies on Amazon Prime (April 2023)

April 1

American Gigolo

At the Gate...

As befitting its status as one of the world’s biggest companies, every now and then Amazon likes to take a big swing with its Prime Video originals. With its list of new releases for April 2023, the streamer is taking one of its biggest swings yet.

Though it’s not quite as vast or expensive as fellow Prime Video series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Citadel (premiering April 28) is a massive, massive undertaking. Starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, this spy series is described as “an expansive and groundbreaking global event comprising a mothership series and several local language satellite series.” This means that the Russo Brothers-produced project will eventually feature several spinoffs in multiple countries and languages around the world. Neat-o!

The only other major TV original of note this month is Dead Ringers, based on the 1988 David Cronenberg film of the same name,...

The Pink Ladies of “Grease,” the most colorful Rydell High students, are back on April 6 on Paramount+. However, this won’t be the same collection of young women from the original film — or even its cult classic sequel. This round, we see how the popular clique got its start. The girls now have a show of their own: “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,” a salute to 1950s teens who refuse to conform to conventional standards. The new musical series shows us Rydell High before Sandy and Danny start strutting down the halls. The show stars Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Ari Notartomaso, and Tricia Fukuhara.

Watch the “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” trailer:

Paramount+ is also producing an original series “Fatal Attraction,” based on the 1980s hit thriller. The TV version refocuses the lens, exploring a modern approach to women, infidelity, personality disorders, and coercive control. It’s...

Prime Video is hoping to launch its own extended franchise universe in April with the premiere of international spy series “Citadel” from the minds of the Russo Brothers. The show stars Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra, and Stanley Tucci, and is intended to be the first block of an interconnected story with different spinoffs in countries and regions around the world. The first version will begin streaming on April 28. In the show, the world is in the grips of Manticore, a criminal organization, and several former spies are recruited to restore order despite having their memories erased.

Watch the trailer for “Citadel”:

Beloved young adult author Judy Blume opened the door to discussion about difficult subjects for generations of kids. Now, the writer is the subject of a new documentary, “Judy Blume Forever,” coming to Prime Video on April 21. The doc looks at her trajectory — from a scared kid to...

Gremlins is known for being a relatively family-friendly horror comedy movie, but it was originally much darker with much bigger deaths. Joe Dante's Gremlins franchise is more irreverent than it is horrific, with the mischievous horde of Gremlins killing people is cartoonish over the top ways. However, Gremlins' initial script was much more akin to a true horror movie, with the film featuring one death so gruesome that it got cut from the final film.

1984's Gremlins is the movie that got many young viewers into the horror genre, with the Gremlins franchise pushing the line to the point where it was edgy while still being appropriate for children. This made the film quite controversial, with Gremlins being behind the PG-13 rating's implementation alongside Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. However, the final version of the movie was actually significantly toned down, with the original Gremlins script going for a much darker attitude.

(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)

The Movie: "Small Soldiers"

Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max

The Pitch: Two iterations of toy lines that reigned over the 1980s — G.I. Joe and Masters of the Universe — go head-to-head in a battle for American dominance in "Small Soldiers," Joe Dante's 1998 skewering of an American public obsessed with make-believe fantasies of war. Its Everytown, USA is filled with characters concerned more with might and supremacy than community; Manifest Destiny materializes in neighbors' lopped-off tree limbs that block satellite reception. Leavened with Stan Winston-crafted animatronics and the dark comedy of "Gremlins," Dante's "Small Soldiers" contains one of the most acerbic portraits of gung-ho America to be found in the decade's cinema.

Denis Leary injects his signature cynicism into Gil Mars,...

Kids of the ‘90s certainly got more out of their movies! Where family films of the ‘80s had often been darkly whimsical with titles like, The Never Ending Story and The Dark Crystal, the ‘90s was all about action and technology — a trend far from exclusive to kids’ entertainment. It was the time of smart-mouth children like Kevin McCallister, big evil corporations and clunky gadgets. But where James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day quickly defined the action movie market and reminded everybody what a summer blockbuster really looks like, one director particularly adept at creating the edgy family movie vibe brought about the kids’ equivalent in the form of Small Soldiers, a movie full of entertainment value that actually prompted a bit of reflection.

“Top Gun: Maverick” isn’t the only noteworthy new title streaming on Paramount+ in December. While the wait for the Tom Cruise blockbuster’s streaming debut has been long, plenty will be happy to throw on the acclaimed sequel just in time for the holidays when “Maverick” starts streaming on Dec. 22.

But in addition to “Top Gun,” December also brings the premiere of a new “Snow Day” movie and the next Taylor Sheridan show in the “Yellowstone” universe, “1923” starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.

Check out a full list of what’s new on Paramount+ in December below.

Also Read:

How Ryan Tedder Secretly Taped ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ to Write the Hit ‘I Ain’t Worried’ Originals, Exclusives and Premieres

12/1: Bose

12/6: The Check Up with Dr. David Agus premiere

12/6: Liam Gallagher: Knebworth 22 premiere

12/13: Sampled premiere

12/15: The Game Season 2 premiere

12/16: Snow Day premiere

12/18:...

Director Penny Marshall's "Big" was, in many ways, the film that made Tom Hanks. Released in 1988, Marshall's hit comedy centers on Josh (David Moscow), a 12-year old boy whose wish to be "big" results in him falling asleep one night only to wake up a 30-something adult (Hanks). Thanks to his child-like outlook, Josh is quickly able to snag a high-profile job at a lucrative toy company. He even begins a romance with his co-worker Susan (Elizabeth Perkins), who finds his sincerity and innocence a welcome balm after years of dating self-absorbed, insecure men.

Yes, Josh and Susan's relationship is kind of weird and creepy when you ignore the magical realist conceit, but Marshall was well-aware of that and took care to handle their love story as sensitively as possible. "Big" is equally thoughtful in the way it shows Josh struggling to adjust to the harsh realities of adult...

Marcel The Shell With Shoes On director/co-writer/co-editor Dean Fleischer-Camp discusses some of his favorite movies with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Marcel The Shell With Shoes On (2022)

Marcel The Shell With Shoes On (2010)

The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980)

San Andreas (2015)

Airplane! (1980) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Ghost (1990)

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

Beetlejuice (1988) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s review

Batman (1989)

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Batman Returns (1992) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s review

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Ed Wood (1994)

Mars Attacks (1996)

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Planet of the Apes (2001)

The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

8 ½ (1963) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Westworld (1973) – Ed Neumeier’s trailer commentary

Robocop (1987) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray reviews

Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

Alien (1979) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

Aliens (1986) – Glenn Erickson’s...

Producer Mike Finnell (Joe Dante’s long time producing partner) joins Josh and Joe to discuss a few of his favorite movies.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Avalanche (1978)

Airport (1970)

Earthquake (1974) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Matinee (1993) – Illeana Douglas’s trailer commentary, Dennis Cozzalio’s review, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Hollywood Boulevard (1976) – Jon Davison’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing

Deceived (1991)

Newsies (1992)

Milk Money (1994)

Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) – Eli Roth’s trailer commentary

The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

Gremlins (1984) – Glenn Erickson’s 4K Blu-ray review, Tfh’s 30th anniversary celebration

Explorers (1985) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Innerspace (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

The ’Burbs (1989) – Ti West’s trailer commentary, Tfh’s ’Burbs Mania

Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

Small Soldiers (1998)

A Matter of Life and Death (1946) – Glenn Erickson’s...

Veteran actor and frequent scene stealer Bruce Davison joins Josh Olson and Joe Dante to discuss a few of his favorite films.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Extra School (2017)

Gone With The Wind (1939)

Willard (1971) – Joe Dante’s review, Lee Broughton’s Blu-ray review

Fortune And Men’s Eyes (1971)

Short Cuts (1993) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Longtime Companion (1989)

Last Summer (1969) – Larry Karaszewski’s trailer commentary

Short Eyes (1977)

The Manor (2021)

Ulzana’s Raid (1972) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review and All-Region Blu-ray review

King Solomon’s Mines (1950) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937)

Them! (1954) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary

Tarantula (1955) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Spartacus (1960) – Larry Cohen’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Ben-Hur (1959) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

Psycho (1960) – John Landis’s trailer commentary,...

The new year is continuing apace at Hulu. The streamer’s list of new releases for February 2022 is highlighted by one very interesting project.

Pam and Tommy is set to premiere on Feb. 2. Perhaps the Groundhog Day release date is intentional as the show will cover a particular moment of celebrity, sex, and exploitation from the early ’90s that seems to have repeated itself over and over. Sebastian Stan and Lily James star as Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson and the series follows the events and fallout of their homemade sex tape being stolen and unleashed on a nascent internet. If nothing else, getting the promo photos of Stan and James as the ’90s stars was worth it.

Read more Movies Willem Dafoe on Noir, Fate and Geeks in Nightmare Alley By David Crow Movies Matthew Vaughn on Finding The Man Who Would Be King’s Man By David Crow

Another Hulu original,...

The extraordinary Jonathan Ross discusses his favorite movies with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Kick-Ass (2010)

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) – Dennis Cozzalio’s 2015 year-end list

The Woman in Black (2012)

Stardust (2007)

The Green Knight (2021) – Our podcast interview with director David Lowery, Dennis Cozzalio’s best-of-2021-so-far list

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

The Astro-Zombies (1968) – Dennis Cozzalio’s drive-in director list

The Corpse Grinders (1971) – Dennis Cozzalio’s drive-in director list

Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living And Became Zombies (1964) – Dennis Cozzalio’s drive-in director list

Blood Feast (1963) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

The Wizard of Gore (1970)

Police Story (1985) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989)

Re-Animator (1985) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

Society (1989)

Eraserhead (1977) – Karyn Kusama’s Blu-ray review

Faster Pussycat Kill Kill (1965) – Randy Fuller’s wine pairing

Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970) – Michael Lehmann’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review, Randy...

We were this close to getting a Marvel TV show featuring Squirrel Girl, and it could’ve been one of their most heartfelt adventures.

“Back in 2017, Marvel started developing New Warriors, another Marvel superhero series centered on a team of young adults, with the cable network Freeform. Though the project never made it past the pilot stage and had been officially shuttered by 2019, showrunner Kevin Biegel (Cougar Town) is finally opening up about what was meant to be.”

Read more at Inverse

Will Dexter be able to redeem itself from the disappointment of the previous series finale?

“The beloved series starring Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan, forensic technician by day and avenging serial killer by night, was on a downward slope in later seasons, but truly fumbled the finale by killing off fan-favorite character Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) and seeing Dexter abandon his son Harrison to be a lumberjack in a remote town.