Film
Bird Box Sequel in the Works at Netflix
Bird Box was the last type of movie that should be a hit during the holidays, and yet the post-apocalyptic flick was a Christmastime smash for Netflix back in 2018. Now, it looks like the streaming giant is eager to recreate that magic. According to Inverse, Netflix is already working on a Bird Box sequel. In a new interview with Josh Malerman, the author behind the sci-fi thriller novel that the movie adapted, he revealed that a follow-up to Bird Box sequel is currently “in development.” Technically, the new film is based on his upcoming book, Malorie, which takes its name from Sandra Bullock’s character and is a follow-up to the original novel, but Malerman isn’t sure if Bullock will return to play a role in the new film. “I can’t say much, but I can say that it is in developme...
Movie Theaters in California to Close Immediately Due to Coronavirus Spike
After a spike in COVID-19 cases during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered all movie theaters in the state to close immediately … again, reports Variety. The government mandate follows Newsom’s previous announcement that movie theaters in almost 20 counties, including Los Angeles County, would be closed for three weeks. After seeing the latest data, he decided to double down and closing all movie theaters across the state. Those numbers reveal that, over the past two weeks, California’s hospitalizations have risen by 28% and ICU admissions have increased by 20%. “This virus is not going away anytime soon,” explained Newsom during a news conference on Monday. “I hope all of us recognize that if we are still connected to some notion that somehow whe...
Ben Stiller, Darren Aronofsky to Adapt Stories From Stephen King’s If It Bleeds
Hollywood continues to devour Stephen King’s latest collection If It Bleeds. Last week, it was confirmed that Netflix, Ryan Murphy, and Blumhouse are adapting “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone”. Now, according to Deadline, we know where the other stories are going. The book’s second story, “The Life of Chuck”, has been scooped up by Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa. So far, the veteran filmmaker is only attached to produce, but the surrealist trifecta of a tale would be a perfect fit for the brazen auteur. Next up is Ben Stiller of all people, who has optioned the fourth story, “Rat”. If all goes to plan, Stiller would both star and direct the film, which follows a troubled writer who makes a Faustian bargain with, well, a furry critter. And finally is the titular novella featuring Holly Gibney. Details ar...
Epic Friday the 13th Blu-ray Box Set Announced for October
This October, Jason Voorhees comes home in a big way. Today, Scream Factory officially announced an epic Blu-ray box set collecting every film in the Friday the 13th franchise — from the 1980 original all the way to the 2009 reboot. Set for release on October 13th, the 12-film, 16-disc collection will contain both new material and all the supplemental goodies from prior home entertainment releases. What’s more, the set also includes a 40-page collectible essay booklet. “Each film inside the slipcover packaging will receive a dedicated Blu-ray case featuring original theatrical artwork,” a press release reads, noting the similarities to box sets for Halloween, The Omen, and The Fly. “Some films in the set will have reversible sleeves with alternative cover art, giving you the option to swap...
R.I.P. Kelly Preston, Jerry Maguire and Twins Actress Dies at 57
Kelly Preston, veteran actress of Jerry Maguire, Twins, and Nothing to Love, passed away on Sunday night (June 12th) after a two-year battle with breast cancer. She was 57. Her longtime husband, John Travolta, confirmed the news on Instagram: “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many. My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side. Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered. I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive...
We Can All Agree The Purge Was Ahead of Its Time
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher “This is your emergency broadcast system announcing the commencement of the Annual Purge, sanctioned by the U.S. Government. Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours.” It’s almost Purge time. We didn’t get invited to the neighborhood party this year, but that’s probably fine, right? We’ve enabled our emergency systems, so grab the control for your creepy robot camera and meet us in the panic room for The Purge. We hear the dip is good. This episode of The Horror Virgin is a bit of a heavy hitter as Jenn, Todd, and Mikey talk about politics, moral relativism, privilege, and Covid-19. Mikey tries to figure out Purge logic, Jenn loves Ethan...
Zendaya and John David Washington Filmed a New Movie During Quarantine
While everyone was busy socially distancing and following quarantine rules, Zendaya and John David Washington were filming a new movie — and not from the comfort of their computer screens or private homes either. The movie is called Malcolm & Marie and it’s directed by Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria. The group shot scenes discreetly between June 17th and July 2nd at the Caterpillar House, an “an environmentally conscious glass architectural marvel” in Carmel, California, reports Deadline. What’s more, production on the film is apparently already completed. The idea first came from Zendaya, who called Levinson asking if he could write and direct a movie during quarantine. Within six days, he had a script ready to go and the hope of casting the Tenet star alongside her. The next b...
The Rise and Evolution of the Female Action Hero
Blockbuster Month is celebrating the true titans of the genre. In the weeks ahead, you’ll read through a variety of features digging deep into the greatest hits of Hollywood, from popcorn classics to underrated gems. Today, Jenn Adams traces the rise, evolution, and many tropes of the female action hero. Action movies are the bread and butter of the summer blockbuster. There’s just something about spending a hot summer night in an air-conditioned theater, watching jaw-dropping explosions and epic fight scenes. At the center of these movies is the Action Hero. The trope has been through many iterations over the years. From the brute strength of Rocky and Rambo to the realism of Jason Bourne. The tech savvy of James Bond, the wit of Will Smith, and the otherworldliness of Superman. But argua...
Netflix to Adapt Stephen King Short Story “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone” as Feature Film
Mere weeks after Stephen King released his new novellas collection, If It Bleeds, prolific producers Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum have already called dibs on “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone”, a short story from the book. According to The Hollywood Reporter, their feature film adaptation is being created in partnership with Netflix. Things are coming together quickly it seems. John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Saving Mr. Banks) has already been tapped to write and direct. In addition to Murphy and Blum, Carla Hacken will serve as a producer. Plus, Blumhouse Television’s Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold have joined as executive producers, too. For those who have yet to read the story, “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone” follows a young boy who befriends an aging billionaire who lives in his small-town neighborhood afte...
Brie Larson Covers Ariana Grande’s “Be Alright” in Stripped-Down Performance: Watch
Captain Marvel just might be the biggest Ariana Grande stan in Hollywood. Last year, Brie Larson covered “My Everything” and “God Is a Woman”. Now, she’s back with a new spin on another Grande classic: “Be Alright”. The breakout single from Grande’s 2016 album Dangerous Woman is light and catchy, and Larson upholds those qualities while giving it a stripped-down sheen. Armed with her own guitar and the quiet background of her peaceful home, the actress nails each note and vocal scale, proving once again that she’s just as good at singing as she is at acting. Watch her cover below. It’s not just a coincidence that Larson semi-regularly shares cover songs on social media and totally nails them. Back in 2005, before she was an A-list movie star, she dropped an album called Finally Out of...
Robert De Niro Says He’s Going Broke Due to Coronavirus
Not even a celebrity whose last name translates to “money” is safe from coronavirus-related pay cuts. Over the last few months, Robert De Niro has allegedly lost millions of dollars because the pandemic temporarily closed both Nobu and Greenwich Hotel, a restaurant chain and an upscale lodge that the actor has stakes in. De Niro revealed his financial losses in court where his estranged wife, Grace Hightower, called for an emergency order to bump her monthly American Express card credit limit from $50,000 to $100,000, reports Page Six. The divorce case took place over Skype where The Irishman actor had to explain why he was cutting back on her allowance. According to Caroline Krauss, his lawyer, De Niro is only required to pay Hightower $1 million a year if he’s making $15 million or more....
The Batman Spin-Off TV Series Coming to HBO Max from Matt Reeves
It’s long been known that the forthcoming Batman film starring Robert Pattinson is intended to launch a new trilogy. But it turns out there’s even more story to tell, as director Matt Reeves has signed on to bring a spin-off TV series to HBO Max. The streaming service today announced it has given a series commitment to the project from Reeves, The Batman producer Dylan Clark, and Boardwalk Empire creator Terence Winter. The police procedural will be set in the universe Reeves and Pattinson establish in the upcoming film. Winter will write the script, which will follow members of the Gotham City Police Department as they wrestle with Gotham’s colorful cast of ne’er-do-wells. A press release describes it as building “upon the motion picture’s examination of the anatomy of...
