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This March, Netflix is bringing you a lot of entertainment, from the highly anticipated murder mystery series The Residence to the star-studded sci-fi adventure film The Electric State. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Netflix this month and have an 85% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the seven best films that are coming to Netflix in February 2025 with an 85% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Beginners (March 1) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86% Credit – Focus Features

Beginners is a romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Mike Mills. The 2010 film follows Oliver, a young man still grieving the recent death of his father. He soon meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna and tries to use the memories of his father to motivate himself to open himself up to the...

An intimate documentary about the late, acclaimed Dutch actor Rutger Hauer, Like Tears in Rain, is making its US debut on the Viaplay streaming service on Thursday, March 13, 2025. The film, directed by Hauer’s goddaughter, Sanna Fabery de Jonge, features never-before-seen footage and interviews. Here’s the Lowdown: Despite his iconic roles in films like […]

Rutger Hauer Documentary Like Tears in Rain Gets US Premiere on Viaplay...

The late Rutger Hauer’s life is to be explored in the new documentary Like Tears In Rain. More details on its UK release here as well.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been nearly six years since the world lost Rutger Hauer. The enigmatic actor died at the age of 75, leaving behind a film career of nearly 200 films. Blade Runner grabbed a lot of the headlines, but what about Solider Of Orange and Spetters with Paul Verhoeven, genre joys Surviving The Game, The Hitcher and Split Second, or his later blockbusters, Sin City and The Dark Knight. He happily sold you Guinness, too.

But still, here’s an actor whose behind the scenes story stayed pretty much that throughout his life. The curtain is now being pulled back a little courtesy of a new documentary feature Like Tears In Rain. Wonder where they got that name from.

Content Warning: The following article contains mention of rape.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets may not be the most well-known movie, but the Valerian cast is certainly stacked with A-list talent. Based on the French science fiction comic series Valérian and Laureline and released in 2017, the movie takes place in the 28th century and centers on two operatives, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are tasked with traveling to the peaceful Alpha, the City of a Thousand Planets, to complete a mission. However, when an unknown force threatens the future of the entire universe, Valerian and Laureline must race against time to stop them.

Valerian had a hefty budget of over $177 million (via Box Office Mojo) and has the distinction of being both the most expensive independent movie and European movie ever made. Unfortunately, Valerian failed to make a splash at the box office, grossing just over $225 million worldwide,...

Sir Ridley Scott thinks ‘Blade Runner’ flopped because of “industrial espionage”.The Harrison Ford-starring sci-fi flick bombed at the box office when it hit cinemas in 1982, and the 87-year-old director has now pointed to bad reviews of the film from the likes of The New Yorker’s Pauline Kael as the main reason why ‘Blade Runner’ never got the chance to commercially succeed.In a roundtable interview for The Hollywood Reporter, Scott said: “It enters the realm of industrial espionage. You’re destroying the subject before it’s out and [Kael] wrote this for the very posh …The New Yorker.“I was actually kind of distressed, I mean enraged, so I wrote to the editor, saying, ‘If you hate me that much, just ignore me, don’t write anything.’ I never got a reply.”While its release didn’t impress financially, ‘Blade Runner’ got a second chance after it...

Blu-ray.com has just revealed that Capelight Pictures and MPI Home Video will be releasing a brand-new Blu-ray transfer of Paul Verhoeven’s period action film Flesh+Blood. The film was released back in 1985 and stars Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Susan Tyrrell, Tom Burlinson and Jack Thompson. The new 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray is slated to hit retailers early next year on February 11.

The description reads,

“Director Paul Verhoeven brings no-holds-barred action and sensuality to the Middle Ages. A band of mercenaries led by Martin (Rutger Hauer) triumph in battle for their leader Arnolfini. When Martin is betrayed by the tyrant Arnolfini, he seeks revenge! Martin’s mercenaries abduct Agnes (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a convent girl and the bride-to-be of Arnolfini’s son Steven (Tom Burlinson). She in turn manipulates Martin to protect her from his men. But is she feigning devotion in order to survive or has she fallen in love?...

Many factors are involved in crafting a compelling villain for a science fiction movie. After all, the bad guys often tend to be just as captivating than the heroes. Of course, one key element in designing a proper villain is giving them a purpose; a clear goal for them to be trying to achieve, particularly one that directly combats the objectives of the hero. Every so often, a film takes this idea so far as to include an antagonist who, when you think about it, actually has a very valid reason for doing what they do.

This is not to say that all of their actions are completely defensible; many villains are given that title because of the violent/excessive methods they use to achieve their goals. However, at the end of the day, it is difficult to deny that they did have understandable motivations. Having ideas that the viewers...

Villains from Sci-Fi movies are often portrayed as highly intelligent. From world-destroying megalomaniacs to sadistic robots, they all have one thing in common; they're incredibly smart. Some Science Fiction movies are still mind-blowing today and are often different from other genres because, instead of just focusing on the conflicts within the main characters, they're able to place them into fantastical worlds or situations.

Therefore, when you have a villain who is hellbent on destroying the world or turning people to the dark side, they are often less predictable because their environments are fictional. That's why some of the best Sci-Fi villains are so compelling, as they're mysterious, and audiences are often not prepared for the harsh realities of their evil nature. Some villains exist in movies simply to be obstacles that get in the way of the hero. But the very best Sci-Fi villains are the ones with a well-thought-out,...

Monster movies are a popular subgenre that often features unique, threatening creatures, resulting in exciting and thrilling narratives, but a few monster films over the years have taken longer to earn proper appreciation. Many of these films fall into the horror and science-fiction genre, from the underrated creature film Deep Rising to the now-deemed cult classic Anaconda. The reasons for the poor box office performances of these monster movies include unfortunate release dates, deceptive marketing, and unintentional campy tones audiences couldn't get behind.

Regardless of whether audiences have changed their tune about such monster movies, the response upon the films' release was less than enthusiastic. Though it's understandable why a handful of monster films were unsuccessful, it's a shame considering they contain enjoyable components that should have been more than enough to lead them to success at the box office.

Related 10 Monster Movies Where The Creature Wasn't The Point Of...

Quick Links Thanksgiving 2: Further News & Info Eli Roth's Thanksgiving brings terror to Turkey Day in a brand-new slasher film, and a frightening sequel, Thanksgiving 2, is on the horizon. Expanded from a fake trailer that originally appeared in 2007's Grindhouse, Thanksgiving is a classic revenge slasher in which a crazed ax-wielding murderer stalks the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts in order to get even for a violent Black Friday shopping riot. Made with Roth's signature penchant for gore, Thanksgiving is also a clever social satire about the rise of consumerism and how it ruins the spirit of the holidays.Despite its divisive subject matter and blood-soaked scenes, Thanksgiving has been warmly received by many critics who appreciate the film's subtext that plays out beneath the typical slasher movie mayhem (via Rotten Tomatoes). Thanksgiving is currently the third movie to be adapted from a fake trailer in Grindhouse,...

Earlier this year, we attempted to highlight some of the more obscure film titles that haven’t seen their day in the sun past a VHS release. In our list for 10 Hard to Find Movies, we included the 1989 post-apocalypse film The Blood of Heroes, which also carried the alternate title The Salute of the Jugger. This post-apocalyptic action movie comes from David Webb Peoples, the writer of Blade Runner, Unforgiven and Soldier. It was a rare directorial effort that reteamed him with Rutger Hauer, who stars opposite a young Joan Chen and Vincent D’Onofrio. Legal rights limbo has kept this one obscure in North America, with various cuts circulating in bad transfers.

The rights issues seem to have now been resolved, as Umbrella Entertainment announced on their Facebook page that they are releasing a new uncut 4K transfer of the film, which may sport the alternate title The Salute of the Jugger.

There are tons of titles to binge on the horror streamer, but our expert has picked out seven can’t-miss series.

Spooky season may be over, but that’s never the case at Shudder. This Friday, Nov. 15, the horror streamer will premiere the first two episodes of “The Creep Tapes,” a miniseries continuation of the acclaimed found footage franchise starring Mark Duplass. The six-episode series will continue releasing new episodes through Dec. 13, but if you’re looking to continue the tricks and treats during your subscription, there are plenty of other great shows to check out, from supernatural thrillers to drag competitions.

Beat the Christmas creep and check out the best series currently available to stream on Shudder!

7-Day Free Trial $6.99+ / month amazon.com Top 7 Series Streaming Right Now on Shudder:

No. 7: Queer for Fear

No. 6: Channel Zero

No. 5: The Terror

No. 4: Trickster

No. 3: The Last Drive-In

No.

Critics are possibly simultaneously the best and the worst thing to have ever happened to the world of art and literature. The deconstruction and analysis that goes into a piece of work takes away its creative individuality, instead substituting it with one person’s understanding of the subject.

Blade Runner [Credit: Warner Bros.]

Ridley Scott, one of the best directors Hollywood ever produced, has been unfortunate enough to face such extreme criticism that not only disillusioned him with the profession but made him bitter, reckless, vindictive, and somewhat transparent with his words. After all, a genius auteur who could make such a timeless epic as Blade Runner come alive on the big screen only to hear it being dismissed as ‘unimportant’ would rightfully lose his mind.

Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner Against the World

Pauline Kael, the most polarizing critic in the history of cinema has brought down the greatest of the greats like Stanley Kubrick,...

The Scorpion King movies ranked starts with the eponymous 2002 Dwayne Johnson vehicle before spawning a five-movie series of fantasy fun. Long before joining The Fast Saga as Hobbs, The Rock - as he was still credited at the time - was first seen as the Scorpion King in 2001's The Mummy Returns. Introduced as a conquering warlord in the film's beginning and a human-scorpion hybrid creature in its finale, the Scorpion King's backstory would be explored a year later in the spin-off, The Scorpion King.

In The Scorpion King, he is re-introduced as Akkadian assassin Mathayus, but in The Scorpion King's straight-to-video sequels would later pass the role on to Michael Copon, Victor Webster, and Zach McGowan, respectively. Each portrays Mathayus at different points in his life in different adventures involving magic, monsters, and swordplay. The Scorpion King movies aspire not to be grand art but simply silly sword-and-sorcery fun...

Alan Rachins was born on October 3, 1942 in Cambridge, Massachusetts and passed away on November 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The American actor is dead at age 82 from heart failure, according to our sister site The Hollywood Reporter. May his memory be a blessing.

Rachins had over 75 acting credits to his name, including on the TV shows “L.A. Law” (1986-94) as Douglas Brackman, “Dharma and Greg” (1997-2002) as Larry Finkelstein, and “Stargate Sg-1” (1997) as Colonel Kennedy, and in the movie “Showgirls” (1995) as Tony Moss.

SEECelebrity Deaths 2024: In Memoriam Gallery

The actor received awards nominations at the Emmys and Golden Globes for his role on “L.A. Law,” losing to Larry Drake (“L.A. Law”) and Rutger Hauer (“Escape from Sobibor”), respectively. He took on the character of managing partner Douglas Brackman Jr. for all eight seasons between 1986 and 1994, plus in the 2002 TV movie reunion, for a total of 172 episodes.

Younger audiences may...

As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, thoughts inevitably turn to Halloween and the spooky delights that come with it. For many, this means revisiting the classic Halloween movies that defined the holiday during their youth. The 1990s, in particular, saw a wealth of Halloween-themed movies that have since become nostalgic favorites, evoking memories of trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and late-night movie marathons.

From family-friendly fare to bone-chilling horror, the '90s had something for everyone when it came to Halloween entertainment. These films not only captured the spirit of the season but also reflected the unique cinematic landscape of the decade, with its blend of practical effects, genre-bending storytelling, and iconic performances. Still, some stand out for their nostalgia, making them go-to Halloween movies to rewatch every year.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Campy Precursor to a Cultural Phenomenon

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Director Fran Rubel KuzuiRelease...

No one has ever accused Sir Ridley Scott of being shy with his feelings, but when Letterboxd asked the director for his four favorite films at the premiere of "Alien: Romulus," he still managed to be a bit surprising by naming one of his own. To be fair, he also named Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey," George Lucas' "Star Wars: A New Hope," and Jean-Jacques Annaud's "Quest for Fire" alongside his own "Blade Runner," so he had some pretty fantastic picks to offer in addition to showing his 1982 cyberpunk opus a little love. There's definitely a bit of a science fiction thread through his four favorites, and each one is a look at humanity through a slightly tilted lens, but let's talk a bit more about "Blade Runner" and why it deserves just as much if not more love than Scott's more popular sci-fi film, "Alien." 

I'll...

Rutger Hauer’s bedraggled, trench-coated hitchhiker John Ryder is everything the Joker always wanted to be, just without the film bro philosophising and cosplay-friendly get-up. A true agent of chaos who exists outside of rules, society, and possibly even reality itself. The way he appears and disappears, floating in and out of the worst day of hopeless everyman Jim Halsey’s life, showing up just in time to send another calamitous domino tumbling, is, very plainly, supernatural. A character who’s so far beyond the realms of reason or humanity, he’s practically primordial; more of a lesson than a person. Don’t trust strangers – you will be dragged kicking and screaming into a cross-country cat-and-mouse game that will surrender your very soul, and potentially get a little bit homo-erotic too.

Famously written by Eric Red from the lyrics of The Door’s 1971 classic Riders on the Storm (“there’s a killer on the road…...

It was a few years in the making, but Second Sight Films recently sent their 4K and Blu-ray release of the 1986 classic The Hitcher out into the world, and you can pick up a copy of the 4K release at This Link. To celebrate this release, The Guardian got in contact with The Hitcher‘s director Robert Harmon and the film’s star C. Thomas Howell – and found that they both had some interesting things to say about Rutger Hauer’s contribution to the film and his approach to playing the homicidal John Ryder.

Directed by Harmon from a screenplay by Eric Red, The Hitcher has the following synopsis: While transporting a car from Chicago to San Diego, Jim Halsey picks up a hitchhiker named John Ryder, who claims to be a serial killer. After a daring escape, Jim hopes to never see Ryder again. But when he witnesses the hitchhiker murdering an entire family,...

For film actor Rutger Hauer, the bravado of his early Dutch films as Turkish Delight, Soldier of Orange and the thoughtful villainy of Blade Runner were his signature as an actor. In the 1982 science fiction film made by Ridley Scott, Rutger Hauer played the role of 'replicant' Roy Batty. Hauer said much later, in 2012, about it: 'I saw the future but I didn't know what I was looking at yet'. And the future in Blade Runner takes place - twist of fate - in 2019, the year the actor passed away. 'I saw the future'. It is almost the same sentence that Rutger Hauer came up with the night before filming for his character Roy, a sentence that will remain in film forever:...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

October has arrived, impossibly. Yes it’s already fall, and that means it’s getting darker earlier and earlier. Which means the ideal window of time in which to cozy up with a great movie is getting longer and longer. This month has no lack of options for what to watch on streaming, with new movies on Netflix, Max, Prime Video, Peacock and Hulu that are well worth checking out. Below, we’ve rounded up the best of the best, from brand new horror movies to comedies to some of the year’s biggest films that are arriving on your favorite streaming service for the first time.

Check out our picks for the best new movies streaming in October 2024 below.

“¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!” Casa Bonita, the Lakewood restaurant, purchased by the creators of “South Park” in 2021, renovated for reopening in Lakewood, Colorado on Thursday, May 25, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Paramount+ – Oct.

After a series of lengthy delays, Warner Bros. and New Line's remake (or re-adaptation) of Stephen King's Salem's Lot is now streaming on Max, and a first look at this latest take on the novel's head vampire, Kurt Barlow, has leaked online.

In the book, Barlow was described as a fairly ordinary-looking middle-aged man, but the character was reimagined as a bald, pale Nosferatu-inspired monster for Tobe Hooper's '70s miniseries. Then, in the 2004 adaptation, the late Rutger Hauer played an interpretation of the evil vampire that was a lot more faithful to the source material.

As you can see from the image below, this new Barlow takes at least some inspiration from the creature we met in the original miniseries - though this version is even more monstrous-looking.

Barlow is utilized in much the same way as he is in Hooper's film, but does have...

Maxs 2024 adaptation of Salems Lot includes a terrifying slew of new vampires for the titular town to contend with, including the creatures horrifying leader, Kurt Barlow. The new Stephen King movie adaptation is based on his 1975 vampire novel of the same name, which introduced a terrifying villain who would later appear in some of the authors other stories. The 2024 Salems Lot movie is now the third time that an actor has taken on the role of Kurt Barlow on-screen, with the previous two iterations appearing in the 1979 and 2004 miniseries adaptations.

Similar to horror movies like Jaws, Beetlejuice, or even Halloween, Salems Lot follows the tactic of reserving its main villain for opportune moments in the films more adrenaline-pumping story. Kurt Barlow has very little screen time in the latest adaptation, with the Max Original movie instead making the most of the terrifying moments when he does appear with the characters...

Batman has had countless interpretations in various movies and TV shows, which often make positive changes to the lore of the character and other Gotham city residents. Every comic book movie makes heavy changes to its inspiration, with many comic details often being too difficult to work into the runtime of a film. In many instances, filmmakers and showrunners present better ideas for Batman and his world than the comics themselves, improving on the source material.

There are a few ways in which the various Batman movies and series have changed the continuity of the comics for the better. Batman's origins are often expanded upon further in the films and TV shows, often adding interesting details that make for prescient changes to the classic formula of his beginnings as a superhero. The treatment of Batman's villains in movies is also a big area in which the adaptations offer improvements, better...

John Ryder may have wanted Jim to stop him, but you’re going to have a hard time stopping any fan from picking up the upcoming 4K Blu-ray of The Hitcher. Surprisingly, the movie has never been available on a Region 1 Blu-ray, but thankfully Warner Bros. is gassing up for exactly that.

As per The Digital Bits, Warner Bros. will release The Hitcher – which stars Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell and Jennifer Jason Leigh – on October 22nd.

Here is the official write-up: “In this 1986 cult classic, director Robert Harmon thrills the viewer with the story of young Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell), who stops on the highway to pick up a hitchhiker, not knowing that by doing so, he opens the door to terrible evil. The mysterious hitcher, unforgettably portrayed by Rutger Hauer, is a relentless slaughterer, preying on those who invite him into their lives. Somewhat dismissed at the time of its original release,...

The night is dark. In the distance a small speck of light speeds through jagged hills. The shadows in a car's cramped interior frame the driver as he strikes a match, smokes a cigarette. A storm is coming. He falls asleep. A flash of light, the headlights of an oncoming truck, wake him from the dreamworld. That's how The Hitcher starts. Before even one word of dialogue is spoken, it has packed in the much of the imagery that will permeate the rest of the film.

In a small and naïve act of rebellion, Jim Halsey (C Thomas Howell), the driver, picks up a hitcher, John Ryder (Rutger Hauer). Ryder acts in a physically and psychologically intimidating way towards Howell. After Howell eventually expels Ryder from the car, a game of cat and mouse begins. Ryder murders a nuclear family almost in its entirety (later the little girl is briefly seen.

Rutger Hauer in The Hitcher

Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, Robert Harmon’s The Hitcher is one of those films that leaves an indelible mark on the viewer. The concept is simple – a young driver crossing the desert (played by C Thomas Howell) is targeted for a game of cat and mouse by a ruthless stranger (played by Rutger Hauer) – but somewhere along the way, a kind of magic happens, and it emerges as much more than the sum of its parts. Although it was underappreciated on its release, like many a film seen first and foremost as horror, word of mouth gradually saw it established as a classic. I was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss it with director Robert Harmon, for whom it was a feature début which exceeded all expectations.

The Hitcher

“I still can't believe it,” he says. “It's fantastic. I remember working on a film in very rural.

The phenomenal success of Tracker Season 1 was rewarded with the show’s renewal for a highly anticipated second season.

According to CBS, Tracker was the most watched new series since the 2004-05 season of Desperate Housewives.

Now that Colter Shaw and his Airstream are gearing up for their sophomore round of adventures, it’s the perfect time to suggest that the series shake up the formula that has served it so well — before it gets stuck.

(Michael Courtney/CBS)

The immediate and overwhelming success of Tracker’s first season was a pleasant surprise for its network and fans.

That success was built on many time-tested TV tropes, even before someone had the brilliant idea to feature Justin Hartley sans shirt in several (but not nearly enough!) episodes.

CBS has a reputation for conventional, long-running fare (despite its recent decision to cancel the much-beloved Blue Bloods).

Tracker seemed to fit right...

The upcoming show Blade Runner 2099 is taking the approach to the world of replicants that Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 should have. Though there isn't much information about Blade Runner 2099 yet, what is publicly known about the Amazon Prime Video show is extremely promising. Michelle Yeoh landed the lead role in Blade Runner 2099, and Hunter Schafer was also cast in a currently unnamed role. Yeoh's character, Olwen, in particular, seems to hint that the story of Blade Runner 2099 will be intriguing as well, as Olwen has been described as a replicant at the end of her lifespan.

Aside from the fact that it's a show instead of a movie, there are a few ways Blade Runner 2099 already seems very different from Blade Runner 2049. Ridley Scott, the director of the original Blade Runner, and his production company, Scott Free, are helping to produce 2099. Denis...

To celebrate Robert Harmon’s The Hitcher arrival on Limited Edition 4K Uhd/Blu-Ray Box Set and Standard Edition 4K Uhd & Blu-Ray on 30 September 2024, we are giving away a Limited Edition 4K Uhd/Blu-Ray Box Set!

Get ready for a horrifying ride with director Robert Harmon’s and screenwriter Eric Red’s killer thriller, starring the late, inimitable Rutger Hauer as the hitchhiker from hell, in a career-defining villainous role that was described by Empire as ‘The best Hannibal Lector that never was’ who terrorises innocent drivers as they drive along the deserted Midwest highways.

This gruesomely gripping cult favourite starring C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jeffrey DeMunn is set for its highly anticipated Limited Edition Dual 4K Uhd and Blu-ray release on 30 September 2024 alongside Standard Editions on 4K Uhd and Blu-ray.

The Limited set is presented in a stunning collector’s package with new artwork by Adam Stothard...

Brace yourself for the ultimate slasher road trip as The Hitcher returns in a stunning new 4K restoration, courtesy of Second Sight Films.

This cult classic from the 80s has been meticulously restored from the original camera negative, with the process supervised and approved by director Robert Harmon himself. Set to release on September 30, 2024, this Limited Edition Dual 4K Uhd/Blu-ray is a must-have for horror fans.

Win a Limited Edition Dual 4K Uhd/Blu-ray Copy of The Hitcher!

Directed by Robert Harmon and written by Eric Red, The Hitcher is a terrifying, edge-of-your-seat thriller starring the legendary Rutger Hauer in one of his most iconic villain roles. Described by Empire as “The best Hannibal Lecter that never was,” Hauer’s portrayal of John Ryder, a ruthless hitchhiker, will have you gripping your seat. Co-starring C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Jeffrey DeMunn, this is one hell of a ride you won’t forget.

The Forbidden Worlds Film Festival is set to return with a bang this October, promising two nights of classic horror and a very clear message: beware of strangers. Taking place at Bristol’s former IMAX, now known as the Bristol Megascreen, the festival will run from 11th to 12th October 2024 and is themed around the ominous concept of ‘Stranger Danger’. With a line-up that includes restored cult favourites, modern classics, and eerie international hits, this year’s festival promises to be an amazing cinematic experience for horror fans.

Audiences will be treated to six handpicked horror films, each focusing on the terrifying consequences of interacting with the unknown. Headlining the event is the UK premiere of a 4K restoration of Dario Argento’s Opera, one of the Italian maestro’s most visually stunning and audacious works. Also in the line-up is a freshly restored version of the 1986 cult thriller The Hitcher,...

Kurt Russell was everywhere in the '80s, but there was one 1985 film he can't be spotted in despite having originally signed on for it. It's "Ladyhawke," the largely forgotten fantasy epic starring a pre-"Ferris Bueller" Matthew Broderick alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer. Directed by "The Omen" and "The Goonies" filmmaker Richard Donner, "Ladyhawke" received a lukewarm welcome at the box office and critical reviews to match.

So, how did Russell end up dodging this bullet? Well, apparently, by sticking to his no-tights rule. The actor once spoke about exiting the film in an interview with Whitney Scott Bain for Starburst Magazine, and confessed that a few factors led to his decision not to see the project through. "When I got there, I see wardrobe and the character has to wear tights," Russell explained, adding plainly: "I don't wear tights. That's not for me." Coming from anyone else,...

It's hard not to love Leonard Nimoy. The gifted actor, writer, director, and photographer was not just the absolute perfect person to bring Spock to life on "Star Trek," but he was also, by all accounts, a genuinely wonderful human being. Nimoy always brought a sense of kindness and respect to those he met, and feedback from fans would indicate that he was always a genuine soul, right up until the day he passed.

Although fans will likely debate this fact until the sun burns out, Spock is what elevated "Star Trek" beyond "good" into "great," and his character laid the groundwork for how "Trek" stories should be told in every iteration moving forward. His character was the embodiment of how logic and emotion are at the core of just about every conflict a being could face, making him both an outsider to the humans he worked alongside ... yet, given...

Ridley Scott's 2012 "Alien" prequel "Prometheus" has been criticized for its vague lore and screenplay that wraps mysteries inside enigmas. I'm a fan of the picture — and Scott's 2017 sequel "Alien: Covenant" — but I will concede I remain frustrated that the movies didn't dig deeper into the alien Engineers. These ancient and inscrutable beings created us in their image, "Prometheus" reveals with its opening scene, yet now they want to destroy us. The movie doesn't answer why. Did the Engineers always intend humans as Xenomorph breeding stock? Did our ancestors fail their parents (perhaps by killing one of their emissaries)?

"Prometheus" ends with Dr. Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and android David (Michael Fassbender) flying off to the Engineers' homeworld, intent on getting answers. "Covenant" doesn't give them, for David wiped out the Engineers with their own bio-weapons and then killed Shaw. Just like the main characters of "Prometheus," I keep wrestling...

Filmmaker Ethan Hawke will be honored at this year’s Lucca Film Festival in Italy with the event’s Golden Panther Award and will present his latest film Wildcat, in which he directs his daughter Maya, at Lucca on September 26.

Hawke will also hold a public masterclass at the Italian festival and present Lucca’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Paul Schrader, who directed Hawke in the critically acclaimed film First Reformed.

The festival will also screen an extensive retrospective of Hawke’s filmography, including Dead Poets Society, Gattaca, Boyhood, and the Before trilogy (Sunrise, Sunset and Midnight).

Hawke is a four-time Academy Award nominee: for best supporting actor for Training Day (2002) and Boyhood (2015), and for best adapted screenplay for Before Sunset (2005) and Before Midnight (2014).

“At the age of 14, he made his debut in the film Explorers (1985) alongside River Phoenix,” Lucca organizers highlighted about Hawke on Wednesday. “He studied acting at...

Peter Weyland's presence onboard the ship and his role in the mission are hinted at early in Prometheus. Vickers questioning if anybody died during the journey is secretly about her elderly father. The medical pod in Prometheus was only for Weyland's use, reflecting his top priority status on the mission.

The reveal that Guy Pearce's Peter Weyland has been on the ship the entire time is a big reveal in Prometheus, but the story drops some clues prior to this reveal. Despite marking Ridley Scott's long-awaited return to the Alien movie franchise, Prometheus remains a divisive entry. The film is more of a spinoff than a direct sequel and covers some fascinating themes and concepts, like the relationship between creators and their creations. Unfortunately, some puzzling screenwriting decisions and unlikable characters hurt the final product.

Prometheus also introduced the Engineer's Black Goo and Michael Fassbender's android David,...

Actors refusing to return for sequels can lead to characters being written out, recast, or sequels failing. Notable recasts in movie sequels include Katie Holmes in The Dark Knight and Rachel Weisz in The Mummy 3. Actors leaving can be due to personal decisions, disputes, script concerns, or not wanting to be part of unnecessary sequels.

Movie sequels have cut main characters from the story when the actor who played that character refused to return for the sequel. Rather than risk a replacement actor failing a major movie franchise, they decided to write the character out with the most serviceable explanation they could muster. However, sometimes the character is too important to the story, and the producers are forced to recast and hope for the best.

Movie recasts that work are not impossible or even especially rare, but that is not to say they are easy. Actors refusing to return for...

Borderlands is an action sci-fi action comedy adventure film directed by Eli Roth from a screenplay co-written by Eli Roth and Joe Crombie. Based on an action role-playing first-person looter shooter video game franchise of the same name developed by Gearbox Software, the 2024 film follows the story of a group of misfits led by Lilith, an infamous bounty hunter as she returns to her home planet of Pandora. Together they fight against alien monsters and dangerous bandits to uncover one of the most dangerous secrets. Borderlands stars Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramirez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Haley Bennett, Bobby Lee, Olivier Richters, Janina Gavankar, Cheyenne Jackson, and Charles Babalola. While, Borderland isn’t getting much love from the critics or the audience, but if you love the action and bonds between the team in Borderlands here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Quick Links Thanksgiving 2: Further News & Info

Warning! This Post Contains Spoilers For Thanksgiving

Eli Roth's Thanksgiving brings terror to Turkey Day in a brand-new slasher film, and a frightening sequel, Thanksgiving 2, is on the horizon. Expanded from a fake trailer that originally appeared in 2007's Grindhouse, Thanksgiving is a classic revenge slasher in which a crazed axe-wielding murderer stalks the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts in order to get even for a violent Black Friday shopping riot. Made with Roth's signature penchant for gore, Thanksgiving is also a clever social satire about the rise of consumerism and how it ruins the spirit of the holidays.Despite its divisive subject matter and blood-soaked scenes, Thanksgiving has been warmly received by many critics who appreciate the film's subtext that plays out beneath the typical slasher movie mayhem (via Rotten Tomatoes). Thanksgiving is currently the third movie to be...

Rutger Hauer and Ridley Scott only made one film together, the 1982 classic Blade Runner – but Hauer went on to make two more movies that were scripted by Blade Runner screenwriter David Webb Peoples; the 1985 medieval fantasy film Ladyhawke (where Peoples went uncredited) and the apocalyptic 1989 film The Blood of Heroes, which Peoples also directed. Now War Is Hell: Making Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth and Soldier: From Script to Screen author Danny Stewart has dug into the making of The Blood of Heroes with his new book Saluting The Blood of Heroes: Behind the Apocalyptic Film, and copies are available for purchase on Amazon!

Also known as The Salute of the Jugger, The Blood of Heroes has the following synopsis: In a future where most of mankind and technology is wiped out, six people travel from place to place playing a brutal form of football with a dog skull.

It’s been a few years in the making, but now Second Sight Films is finally ready to send their 4K and Blu-ray release of the 1986 classic The Hitcher (watch it Here) out into the world! A release date of September 30th has been announced for the limited edition 4K / Blu-ray set and the standard edition 4K and Blu-ray releases. Copies are available for pre-order through the Second Sight website.

A press release informs us that “the Limited set is presented in a stunning collector’s package with new artwork by Adam Stothard and a 200-page hardback book. All three versions come complete with a truckload of special features including new interviews and a new commentary plus tons of archive material, two short films and much more.“

Directed by Robert Harmon from a screenplay by Eric Red, The Hitcher has the following synopsis: While transporting a car from Chicago to San Diego,...

The Hitcher: "You’ll definitely want to pick up The Hitcher as the seminal eighties’ slasher gets the full Limited Edition overhaul from experts in the field Second Sight Films. They present a brand-new restored 4K version from the original camera negative supervised and approved by director Robert Harmon, that’s set for release on 30 September 2024.

Get ready for a horrifying ride with director Robert Harmon’s and screenwriter Eric Red's killer thriller, starring the late, inimitable Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner, Sin City) as the hitchhiker from hell, in a career-defining villainous role that was described by Empire as ‘The best Hannibal Lector that never was’ who terrorises innocent drivers as they drive along the deserted Midwest highways.

This gruesomely gripping cult favourite starring C. Thomas Howell (The Outsiders, E.T.), Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight, Single White Female) and Jeffrey DeMunn (The Green Mile, The Mist...

One of the most hotly anticipated releases for physical media collecting horror fans in recent years has been Second Sight’s 4K upgrade of The Hitcher, and we finally have a date this week.

The 1986 horror movie comes to 4K Uhd & Blu-ray on September 30 from Second Sight.

The new 4K restoration features D​olby Vision grade, Atmos audio and hours of new bonus material, plus a hardback book, script book and more. Standard Editions are also available.

Of particular note, this is a Region Free release.

Special Features include:

Dual format edition including both Uhd and Blu-ray with main feature and bonus features on both discs A new 4k restoration by Second Sight Films from the original camera negative supervised and approved by Director Robert Harmon Uhd presented in Hdr with Dolby Vision Features Dolby Atmos and original stereo audio mixes New audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas Audio commentary with...

The first episode of the fourth season of "The Twilight Zone" — titled "In His Image" — opens with a startling act of violence. Alan Talbot (George Grizzard) is approached by an evangelist while waiting at a subway station, and his simmering irritation with her triggers a strange sensation: electronic beeps zap his brain, leading him to push her on the tracks. The woman is killed by the oncoming train, and Alan flees, reappearing a while later with his fiancée Jessica (Gail Kobe) near his hometown. He seems to have no recollection of his transgression at the subway.

As series creator and host Rod Serling states in the episode's opening narration, this is just the beginning of the nightmarish hell Alan is about to experience, as he stands at the cusp of a world both real and dream-like. Alan's tale is based on Charles Beaumont's captivating short story "In His Image,...

CBS has come out the winner in a bidding war to become the home to a new TV series based on Dracula’s legendary foe Dr. Abraham Van Helsing… and no, this project does not (despite the image above) have anything to do with the 2004 Hugh Jackman movie. Or the Van Helsing show that ran on Syfy for five seasons, wrapping up in 2021. Or any previous version of Van Helsing, a character who has been played by the likes of Edward Van Sloan, Peter Cushing, Anthony Hopkins, Mel Brooks, Rutger Hauer, and many others over the decades. This is a fresh take on the character that’s coming our way from Elementary creator Rob Doherty, Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman and Lionsgate Television.

Deadline reports that this contemporary version of monster hunter Dr. Abraham Van Helsing uses his uniquely inquisitive mind working alongside his ex, relentless FBI special agent Mina Harker,...

In case you forgot one of our earlier reports, a live-action Blade Runner series is in the works and has been shooting since April. Titled Blade Runner 2099, the series was confirmed as far back as 2021, when Ridley Scott himself confirmed that a concept had been made and written. The series was officially announced in 2022; filming was set to begin in 2023 but was postponed to April 2024 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The series is currently being filmed and about a month ago, we confirmed that Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh would be playing the main role in the series, which means that Blade Runner 2099 will be the first female-led feature live-action work in the franchise.

Today, we have yet another casting update for you – and it’s a great one! Popular American actress Hunter Schafer, known for her roles in Euphoria (2019–present), Belle (2022), The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes...

Ridley Scott wanted to tell the story of “Gladiator 2” with as many cameras as possible, according to actor Joseph Quinn.

The “Stranger Things” star told GQ that Scott would film with eight cameras at once for even just a single scene. Scott would then piece together the desired shots.

“I was like, ‘Eight cameras?’ and he’s like ‘You gotta know where to fucking put ’em,'” Quinn said. “Clearly he does. Watching that puzzle, watching him harness all those pieces and put them together was fascinating, truly.”

“Gladiator 2” stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, the nephew of since-deceased Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) who was killed by Russell Crowe’s Maximus. Lucius is the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and grandson of Marcus Aurelius, and originally played by Spencer Treat Clark in the 2000 feature.

Quinn plays the new Caesar deciding the fate of the warriors, while Pedro Pascal is a...

The first Gladiator film starring Russell Crowe was a seminal film that ushered in the beginning of the new century. The film showcased Crowe at his best as an actor, while also reminding audiences of the brilliance of Ridley Scott as a director. The film went on to win Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. Many still rewatch the film and celebrate its narrative triumph.

Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator | Universal Pictures

Scott is gearing up for the release of the sequel to the film titled Gladiator II, which is scheduled to hit theatres in November of this year. Paul Mescal plays the lead of the film with Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn also playing prominent roles. Quinn was a big fan of the first film and he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the epic size and scale of the sets...

While it is a little early to say that Glen Powell‘s Hit Man is the best film of 2024 it is sure to end up in the top 3 for many people. Directed by Richard Linklater, who also co-wrote the film with star Powell. Loosely based on the real-life of Gary Johnson, Hit Man follows the story of a psychology professor who moonlights as a pretend hit man for the police, but Gary’s life takes a complete 180 when he meets a beautiful woman who comes to him to have her husband killed. Hit Man also stars Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, Molly Kate Bernard, Evan Holtzman, and Morgana Shaw. So, if you loved the romantic comedy and dark thriller aspects of Hit Man here are some similar movies you could watch next.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Warner Bros.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a neo-noir...