Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 16th, 2017
"I'm going to tell you a story. Maybe it'll sound familiar. There was this kid. Sixteen, alone and running for his life. He couldn't see them but he could hear them getting closer. They had guns, crossbows. They were hunting him. It came on the night of the full moon. Something came at him. Something bit him, and it changed his life. It changed everything."
And it's all about to change once again. Teen Wolf started in 1985 as a horror/comedy film featuring then-rising Michael J. Fox as a high school basketball player who discovers that he's a werewolf. It was one of those awkward coming of age films with a lycanthrope twist.
Posted in: The Reel World by Gino Sassani on November 13th, 2017
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."
Going to see Wonderstruck is like going to see two movies at the same time. It's a rather clever narrative that tells somewhat parallel stories from two different ages. There is a story that happens in Minnesota in 1977, while the other takes place in 1929 New Jersey. It isn't hard to know which period you happen to be in, because they are filmed with distinct styles that match the environments of each time and place. The film is often beautiful to look at.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 10th, 2017
Hans Zimmer has composed the music for some of the most iconic films of the last 20 years. That list includes Gladiator, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Crimson Tide, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Dunkirk, and even some of The Lion King. He's the go-to composer for directors like Ridley Scott and Christopher Nolan. His music is on par with household names like John Williams. I own a few scores that I've felt compelled enough to pick up over the years, and one of my favorites has been Gladiator for some time. When I heard that Eagle Rock Entertainment was going to release a Blu-ray containing a tour stop of this incredible music live, I was quick to sign up to review.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 8th, 2017
"I'm about to commit a moving violation."
When I go to a Pixar film, I always find myself in a situation where I'm predisposed to love the movie. There have been so many greats like Toy Story and Monsters Inc and so few horrible examples like Ratatouille. So I never really expect a Pixar film to be bad, and Cars 3 certainly wasn't bad. There are more than a few things to love about the latest collaboration between Disney and their Pixar division. The animation company also continues to push the boundaries of digital animation technology.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 7th, 2017
This is quite a step up for the History Channel folks. They've certainly produced a great number of historical dramatizations and documentaries, but nothing they've ever done before compares with this series. We used to review a ton of their stuff here for years, so you know I've liked a lot of the things they've done. But Vikings puts them in a totally new stratosphere. This is historical drama that you've only seen before in the likes of Rome or The Tudors. Of course, there's a very good reason for that. Michael Hirst created the series and is the creative force behind it. He served the same positions on The Tudors. That puts expectations here very high, and the show has met or exceeded them all.
Posted in: The Reel World by Gino Sassani on November 3rd, 2017
"Well, I tried to start a revolution, but didn't print enough pamphlets so hardly anyone turned up. Except for my mum and her boyfriend, who I hate. As punishment, I was forced to be in here and become a gladiator. Bit of a promotional disaster that one, but I' m actually organizing another revolution. I don't know if you'd be interested in something like that? Do you reckon you'd be interested?"
DC has finally gotten a recent comic superhero movie right with Wonder Woman. We'll know in just a few days if they can bring the streak to two films when Justice League hits the box office this month. Marvel, on the other hand, has a streak going that dates back to 2008
Posted in: Release Announcements by Gino Sassani on October 31st, 2017
**World Premiere – Toronto International Film Festival 2016**
**Official Selection - Sitges Film Festival 2016**
Posted in: The Reel World by Gino Sassani on October 29th, 2017
"Once upon a time there was a great war that brought so much sadness to so many people. Hardly anyone could remember what happiness was like. But something happened that changed all that..."
“Winnie the Pooh doesn't know what to do …” starts a popular song written by Kenny Loggins, recorded first in 1970 by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with a more popular and enduring version by Loggins And Messina a year later. Hundreds of millions of children since the 1920's know who Winnie the Pooh is. He's the happy-go-lucky bear who lives in the 100 Acre Wood with Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Rabbit, Eeyore, Kanga, and Roo. But Pooh's best friend of all was a young boy named Christopher Robin.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on October 27th, 2017
31 Nights Of Terror delivers it's final contest. Our very good friends over at Barron’s want to share some reading that’s to die for. Yes, we’re giving away a copy of their wonderful book: 101 Horror Movies You Must See Before You Die. We’ve reviewed 2 editions of their 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. It’s a perfect companion for your frightening book shelf. These Barron’s books are a ton of fun and are sure to start the debates flying when you share it with your friends. A new edition of the 1001 book is here and we'll be reviewing it just in time for Christmas.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
Posted in: Site News by Gino Sassani on October 26th, 2017
Anyone who is a fan of horror or science fiction knows who Forry Ackerman was. He gave more to the industry than anyone else. He coined the term sci-fi and inspired the likes of Stephen King, John Landis, Steven Spielberg, and many others. He was the editor of Famous Monsters Of Filmland and held the largest collection of movie memorabilia anywhere in his famed Ackermuseum.
I've been lucky enough to have counted Uncle Forry as a friend since 1991, when I first visited the Ackermuseum. I've spent many hours and meals with him and miss him greatly.
