Every anthology TV show has high points and low points, and that includes the best one ever made. Rod Serling's seminal 1959 series "The Twilight Zone" broke new ground in small screen storytelling week after week, delivering sci-fi tinged homilies about the human condition. The show looked to the future frequently and to the past more often than you might remember, but its best stories still feel timeless in their acute understanding of fear, loneliness, love, hatred, and mortality. While most shows have a small handful of standout episodes, "The Twilight Zone" has dozens.
And yet, it's not perfect. Any total watchthrough of the series reveals a few distinct flaws, including repetitive plot points and the show's profound inability to pull off more humorous outings. "The Twilight Zone" is a monument in television history, one that's as daring and imaginative as the medium has ever been, but some seasons of...
And yet, it's not perfect. Any total watchthrough of the series reveals a few distinct flaws, including repetitive plot points and the show's profound inability to pull off more humorous outings. "The Twilight Zone" is a monument in television history, one that's as daring and imaginative as the medium has ever been, but some seasons of...
- 5/27/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Steven Spielberg has managed to make a fortune off of his contributions to cinema. But the acclaimed director felt he was better off not knowing how much money he accumulated over the years.
What Steven Spielberg wants to do with his money Steven Spielberg | Stewart Cook/Getty Images
Spielberg has become one of the richest figures in the entertainment industry, constantly topping lists like Forbes. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the director has a net worth of $8 billion and earns $150 million annually. Spielberg has spent his earnings on a few extravagant purchases. He’s owned expensive homes, including his massive Los Angeles compound equipped with its own vineyard.
Still, the filmmaker has always dedicated himself to investing his money in more altruistic endeavors. This included forming the Shoah Foundation, which aimed to further educate on the Holocaust through video footage from survivors, documents, and photographs. He’s also tried to...
What Steven Spielberg wants to do with his money Steven Spielberg | Stewart Cook/Getty Images
Spielberg has become one of the richest figures in the entertainment industry, constantly topping lists like Forbes. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the director has a net worth of $8 billion and earns $150 million annually. Spielberg has spent his earnings on a few extravagant purchases. He’s owned expensive homes, including his massive Los Angeles compound equipped with its own vineyard.
Still, the filmmaker has always dedicated himself to investing his money in more altruistic endeavors. This included forming the Shoah Foundation, which aimed to further educate on the Holocaust through video footage from survivors, documents, and photographs. He’s also tried to...
- 5/21/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Over the years, there have been a lot of filmmakers who have been game-changers when it comes to filmmaking. Michael Bay has been receiving audiences by presenting them with movies such as ‘Transformers’ and the ‘Bad Boys' series. Denis Villeneuve has been recently wowing his audiences with Sci-fi epics like ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and the 2021 adaptation of ‘Dune,". Steven Spielberg is well-known for being a movie maker who influenced filmmakers who rose to fame after him. Just like the director Ridley Scott, Spielberg is an adaptable screenwriter by experiments in almost any genre, and he continues to successfully do so. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here. Limited Time Offer – Free Subscription to The Hollywood Insider Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider...
- 5/18/2024
- by Marco Castaneda
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
To call Black Mirror a modern-day Twilight Zone is a failure to comprehend the metaphor of the series title.
A black mirror is the reflective black screen you stare into whenever your TV, phone, or laptop is turned off. It's whatever is left of the dream, the fantasy, that technology feeds you after you turn the mechanism off.
In other words, nothing.
The show's creator, Charlie Brooker, seems fascinated by the nightmare of our technologically driven society.
Since the show debuted in 2011, when AI was merely a speck on the horizon, we have transcended Brooker's nightmares of what we might become.
We have embraced AI to the point that we find human interaction boring, stressful, and anti-climactic compared to hyperbolic simulations of the human experience.
To watch Black Mirror's earlier seasons and to enter its universe is to see the worst aspects of ourselves reflected -- to experience the...
A black mirror is the reflective black screen you stare into whenever your TV, phone, or laptop is turned off. It's whatever is left of the dream, the fantasy, that technology feeds you after you turn the mechanism off.
In other words, nothing.
The show's creator, Charlie Brooker, seems fascinated by the nightmare of our technologically driven society.
Since the show debuted in 2011, when AI was merely a speck on the horizon, we have transcended Brooker's nightmares of what we might become.
We have embraced AI to the point that we find human interaction boring, stressful, and anti-climactic compared to hyperbolic simulations of the human experience.
To watch Black Mirror's earlier seasons and to enter its universe is to see the worst aspects of ourselves reflected -- to experience the...
- 5/13/2024
- by Michael Arangua
- TVfanatic
True lightning-in-a-bottle phenomena are immensely difficult to recapture. 60 years after "The Twilight Zone" completed its initial run in 1964, subsequent attempts to resuscitate the property -- either with an anthology film or reboot series -- have failed to match its cultural impact, even with vaunted directors Steven Spielberg, George Miller, Wes Craven, William Friedkin, Jonathan Frakes, Ana Lily Amirpour, Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, and Osgood Perkins lending their talents behind the camera. It's a testament to everything the late Rod Serling accomplished with his surreal amalgamation of genre storytelling and social commentary that we tend to overlook his many other significant contributions as an artist (which include co-penning the 1968 "Planet of the Apes" movie).
When the original "Twilight Zone" ended, however, its legacy seemed far from assured. Serling had burnt himself out after writing so many episodes for the series, with the consensus being that the show's final two seasons were...
When the original "Twilight Zone" ended, however, its legacy seemed far from assured. Serling had burnt himself out after writing so many episodes for the series, with the consensus being that the show's final two seasons were...
- 4/21/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Well, this is a semi-dangerous decision. Yes, I’m starting with The Twilight Zone 80s. Niki, haven’t we been telling you to do Og Twilight Zone… why are you doing this? A couple of reasons, the first being that this has been on repeat for me the past 6 months or longer, with Tales from the Crypt never being too far behind it. The other being that I felt like it. You’re lucky I didn’t start with Night Gallery, or maybe that’s what you wanted. So let’s talk 80s Twilight Zone, or New Twilight Zone, or Twilight Zone reboot/revival, whatever you choose to call it.
The reason to give it another go was simple. Rod Serling, my personal hero, sold the rights to Twilight Zone after the show ended its run in 1964. The studio bought the rights even though they weren’t exactly ready to start it up again.
The reason to give it another go was simple. Rod Serling, my personal hero, sold the rights to Twilight Zone after the show ended its run in 1964. The studio bought the rights even though they weren’t exactly ready to start it up again.
- 3/20/2024
- by Niki Minter
- JoBlo.com
Universal TV continues to develop a 'reimagining' of the 1969 Rod Sterling horror/supernatural anthology TV series "Night Gallery", from Jeff Davis ("Teen Wolf") and Universal Cable Productions:
"...the new series will explore the dangers of social media and modern nightmares in the digital age..."
The original "Night Gallery" aired 1969-1973, featuring stories of horror and the macabre, with Rod Serling of "Twilight Zone" fame as both on-air host and major contributor of scripts.
Serling appeared in an art gallery setting and introduced the macabre tales that made up each episode by unveiling paintings that depicted the stories. His intro usually was:
"Good evening, and welcome to a private showing of three paintings, displayed here for the first time.
"Each is a collector's item in its own way—not because of any special artistic quality, but because each captures on a canvas, suspended in time and space, a frozen moment of a nightmare.
"...the new series will explore the dangers of social media and modern nightmares in the digital age..."
The original "Night Gallery" aired 1969-1973, featuring stories of horror and the macabre, with Rod Serling of "Twilight Zone" fame as both on-air host and major contributor of scripts.
Serling appeared in an art gallery setting and introduced the macabre tales that made up each episode by unveiling paintings that depicted the stories. His intro usually was:
"Good evening, and welcome to a private showing of three paintings, displayed here for the first time.
"Each is a collector's item in its own way—not because of any special artistic quality, but because each captures on a canvas, suspended in time and space, a frozen moment of a nightmare.
- 3/14/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Steve Lawrence, a king among easy-listening crooners who rocketed to fame in the ’50s and ’60s as half of the duo Steve and Eydie, died Thursday at age 88. Lawrence died at home in Los Angeles, and the cause of death was complications from Alzheimer’s disease, according to a spokesperson for the family, Susan DuBow.
Lawrence’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis had finally put an end to his touring career in 2019, after a run in the public eye that spanned six and a half decades.
Lawrence was preceded in death in 2013 by his wife, Eydie Gormé, with whom he enjoyed nearly unparalleled success as a performing couple during their heyday as touring artists and TV stars in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The couple had continued to tour together through 2009.
His colleagues began to weigh in Thursday. “Steve was one of my favorite guests on my variety show,” Carol Burnett said,...
Lawrence’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis had finally put an end to his touring career in 2019, after a run in the public eye that spanned six and a half decades.
Lawrence was preceded in death in 2013 by his wife, Eydie Gormé, with whom he enjoyed nearly unparalleled success as a performing couple during their heyday as touring artists and TV stars in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The couple had continued to tour together through 2009.
His colleagues began to weigh in Thursday. “Steve was one of my favorite guests on my variety show,” Carol Burnett said,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Steve Lawrence, the charismatic Grammy- and Emmy-winning crooner who delighted audiences for decades in nightclubs, on concert stages and in film and television appearances, died Thursday. He was 88.
Lawrence, who partnered in a popular act with his wife of 55 years, the late Eydie Gormé, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, a publicidst announced.
With his boyish good looks, silky voice and breezy personality, Lawrence broke into show business when he won a talent competition on Arthur Godfrey’s CBS show and signed with King Records as a teenager. The singer chose to stay old school and resist the allure of rock ‘n’ roll.
“It didn’t attract me as much,” Lawrence once said. “I grew up in a time period when music was written by Irving Berlin and Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin and Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and Sammy Cahn and Julie Stein.
Lawrence, who partnered in a popular act with his wife of 55 years, the late Eydie Gormé, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, a publicidst announced.
With his boyish good looks, silky voice and breezy personality, Lawrence broke into show business when he won a talent competition on Arthur Godfrey’s CBS show and signed with King Records as a teenager. The singer chose to stay old school and resist the allure of rock ‘n’ roll.
“It didn’t attract me as much,” Lawrence once said. “I grew up in a time period when music was written by Irving Berlin and Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin and Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and Sammy Cahn and Julie Stein.
- 3/7/2024
- by Chris Koseluk
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chris Carter's 1993 TV series "The X-Files" is an undeniable staple of sci-fi television. However, it's also incredibly dated. It came out in the early years of the Bill Clinton administration, a few years after the end of the Cold War, right when Gen-x was growing up and America was experiencing something of an identity crisis. Without a war or a Great Depression to unite us, the sociological arguments went, America was culturally adrift. Having no enemies abroad to rally against, Americans began to look inward for enemies, sussing out where our violent impulses went. We found our own government to be suspect, and grew increasingly paranoid that a lot of dark information was being hidden from us.
In "The X-Files," '90s freeform paranoia manifested -- perhaps curiously -- as shadowy government conspiracies to cover up the existence of aliens, UFOs, and other unexplained paranormal phenomena. Only oddball FBI...
In "The X-Files," '90s freeform paranoia manifested -- perhaps curiously -- as shadowy government conspiracies to cover up the existence of aliens, UFOs, and other unexplained paranormal phenomena. Only oddball FBI...
- 3/2/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Avatar: The Way of Water, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Star Trek: Picard were among the main winners Sunday at the 51st Saturn Awards, which honor the best in genre entertainment.
Winners across film, TV and home media were revealed Sunday during a ceremony at the L.A. Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel hosted by Joel McHale. The awards are presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.
James Cameron’s Avatar sequel won a leading four awards on the film side for Best Science Fiction Film, Direction, Screenwriting and Visual Effects after coming in to the night with a leading 12 nominations. Oppenheimer, which had 11 noms, was named Best Thriller and won for Best Editing while the film’s Emily Blunt won Best Supporting Actress. Blunt also presented Nolan with the honorary Saturn Visionary Award.
Other honorary awards went to Life Career honoree Jodie Foster, Keanu Reeves, Seth MacFarlane,...
Winners across film, TV and home media were revealed Sunday during a ceremony at the L.A. Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel hosted by Joel McHale. The awards are presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.
James Cameron’s Avatar sequel won a leading four awards on the film side for Best Science Fiction Film, Direction, Screenwriting and Visual Effects after coming in to the night with a leading 12 nominations. Oppenheimer, which had 11 noms, was named Best Thriller and won for Best Editing while the film’s Emily Blunt won Best Supporting Actress. Blunt also presented Nolan with the honorary Saturn Visionary Award.
Other honorary awards went to Life Career honoree Jodie Foster, Keanu Reeves, Seth MacFarlane,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
"Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" is not everyone's favorite movie in the franchise, but it is an important one. Not only did it revive Spock after the events of the much-beloved "Wrath of Khan," but it also was an important first as Leonard Nimoy stepped behind the camera to direct the film as well. Before that, Nimoy had only directed select episodes of TV shows like "Night Gallery." But this was his feature directorial debut, and fittingly, it was within the franchise that made him famous. However, it did create a bit of awkward tension with his friend and co-star, William Shatner, who had starred as Captain Kirk since the beginning of the original series.
Nimoy and Shatner had worked together for nearly 20 years by the time the 1984 film rolled around. But with Nimoy behind the camera, the power dynamic was about to change in a meaningful way.
Nimoy and Shatner had worked together for nearly 20 years by the time the 1984 film rolled around. But with Nimoy behind the camera, the power dynamic was about to change in a meaningful way.
- 1/21/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Welcome to 2024! This, our first column of the new year, follows Oppenheimer, and Lots of Late Gift Ideas”>our December 2023 piece by offering more 2023 releases that deserve your time and attention.
Spielberg: The First Ten Years by Laurent Bouzereau (Insight Editions) and Steven Spielberg: All the Films by Olivier Bousquet, Arnaud Devillard, and Nicolas Schaller (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers)
I am not sure what Steven Spielberg obsessives like myself did to earn two lengthy, photo-backed, hardcover career appreciations, but I’m not complaining. Steven Spielberg: All the Films runs for nearly 500 pages and covers literally everything, from the director’s contributions to Rod Serling’s Night Gallery to The Fabelmans. Along the way are some unique insights, surprising facts (Leonardo DiCaprio was approached to play Tintin?), and the inclusion of some of his 1980s television work. And Spielberg: The First Ten Years is just as engaging, and even more in-depth.
Spielberg: The First Ten Years by Laurent Bouzereau (Insight Editions) and Steven Spielberg: All the Films by Olivier Bousquet, Arnaud Devillard, and Nicolas Schaller (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers)
I am not sure what Steven Spielberg obsessives like myself did to earn two lengthy, photo-backed, hardcover career appreciations, but I’m not complaining. Steven Spielberg: All the Films runs for nearly 500 pages and covers literally everything, from the director’s contributions to Rod Serling’s Night Gallery to The Fabelmans. Along the way are some unique insights, surprising facts (Leonardo DiCaprio was approached to play Tintin?), and the inclusion of some of his 1980s television work. And Spielberg: The First Ten Years is just as engaging, and even more in-depth.
- 1/2/2024
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
When the 1962-1963 American television season kicked off, there was a notable absence on CBS' schedule: "The Twilight Zone" had been bumped from its Friday 10 Pm timeslot and replaced by a new sitcom titled "Fair Exchange." This was quite the blow to its devoted fans, who adored the series for its unusually heady treatment of the science fiction, horror, and suspense genres. Though that itch would get scratched by the debut of ABC's "The Outer Limits," viewers looked forward to embarking on mind-bending journeys once a week with the show's creator and frequent writer Rod Serling.
Fortunately, CBS had no plans to cancel "The Twilight Zone." The show just needed to find a new sponsor before it could once again haunt the airwaves. Once this issue got settled, CBS was keen to trumpet its January 1963 return in any way it could -- and it hit upon a brilliant bit of...
Fortunately, CBS had no plans to cancel "The Twilight Zone." The show just needed to find a new sponsor before it could once again haunt the airwaves. Once this issue got settled, CBS was keen to trumpet its January 1963 return in any way it could -- and it hit upon a brilliant bit of...
- 1/1/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Trekkies and sci-fi nerds in the early 1990s were riding high. The original "Star Trek" cast wrapped up their final movie together with "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was striding through its best period. Most importantly, the Sci-Fi Channel launched within nerds' cable packages in 1992, and a panoply of riches opened up. Some previously inaccessible shows were suddenly regularly rotated through the Channel's calendar, and classic sci-fi movies were finally gathered under one umbrella. About 30 years ago, the Sci-Fi Channel slate was embarrassingly good, containing "Planet of the Apes" movies, "Star Trek" reruns, "The Incredible Hulk" reruns, airings of "Starman," and curious documentary shows like "Mysteries from Beyond the Other Dominion" and "Inside Space." Kids got to enjoy "Transformers," "Stingray," and "Space: 1999." Adults got to watch "Night Gallery" and "Tales from the Darkside." 1992 Sci-Fi Channel was truly TV at its peak.
Barry Schulman...
Barry Schulman...
- 12/4/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Previously we’ve covered the iconic Six Million Dollar Man on Gone But Not Forgotten. It’s only right that we also showcase Steve Austin’s equally amazing bionic co-hart. The Bionic Woman, who was as popular as The Six Million Dollar Man and was an important piece of TV history for a number of reasons. It would give women, girls, and guys a new perspective on just how powerful a woman could be, not only in a robotically enhanced strength but also in their character. Jamie Sommers was something special, and not even a TV death could keep her down. On this episode of Gone But Not Forgotten, listen close as we tell the story of The Bionic Woman.
The Bionic Woman herself was introduced in Season 2 of The Six Million Dollar Man already an important part of Steve Austin’s life. Jaime Sommers and Steve had a relationship...
The Bionic Woman herself was introduced in Season 2 of The Six Million Dollar Man already an important part of Steve Austin’s life. Jaime Sommers and Steve had a relationship...
- 10/23/2023
- by Jessica Dwyer
- JoBlo.com
If you saw "The Fabelmans" — and judging from the film's underwhelming box office, you probably didn't — you might think you know exactly how Steven Spielberg broke into show business. Snap Wexley hired him to work on the hit TV sitcom "Hogan's Heroes," he got great advice from an ornery John Ford, and the rest was history.
Except Steven Spielberg didn't really work on "Hogan's Heroes," and he didn't get advice from John Ford when he was actually starting out in the industry. Instead, he met the legendary director of "How Green Was My Valley" and "The Searchers" when he was only 15 years old. It turns out that Steven Spielberg isn't really above smudging the truth a bit in his movies, if he thinks the truth gets in the way of a good story.
And like all good stories, "The Fabelmans" had to end somewhere. It didn't take "Sammy Fabelman" into his actual,...
Except Steven Spielberg didn't really work on "Hogan's Heroes," and he didn't get advice from John Ford when he was actually starting out in the industry. Instead, he met the legendary director of "How Green Was My Valley" and "The Searchers" when he was only 15 years old. It turns out that Steven Spielberg isn't really above smudging the truth a bit in his movies, if he thinks the truth gets in the way of a good story.
And like all good stories, "The Fabelmans" had to end somewhere. It didn't take "Sammy Fabelman" into his actual,...
- 10/7/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
The episode of Revisited covering Dead & Buried was Written and Narrated by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Tyler Nichols and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
The slow burn is a somewhat lost and misunderstood art. I say somewhat lost because A24 sure tries their damnedest to give us that once or even a few times a year. Slow burn movies, when done right, are a thing of beauty. They take their time to get you where They want you to go but don’t have to skimp on things like gore, sex, violence, or shock. The Italians mastered it, particularly with their Giallo genre and some of the greatest slow burn horror comes from the early 70s to the mid 80s. When it was able to be translated to American audiences, it didn’t always stick the landing. Dan O’Bannon would give us...
The slow burn is a somewhat lost and misunderstood art. I say somewhat lost because A24 sure tries their damnedest to give us that once or even a few times a year. Slow burn movies, when done right, are a thing of beauty. They take their time to get you where They want you to go but don’t have to skimp on things like gore, sex, violence, or shock. The Italians mastered it, particularly with their Giallo genre and some of the greatest slow burn horror comes from the early 70s to the mid 80s. When it was able to be translated to American audiences, it didn’t always stick the landing. Dan O’Bannon would give us...
- 9/29/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Sad news to report as it was announced that David McCallum died this morning at New York Presbyterian Hospital at the age of 90. The actor was best known for playing Chief Medical Examiner Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS, as well as Ilya Kuryakin on The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
David McCallum’s son, Peter, released a statement on behalf of the family.
He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. He always put family before self. He looked forward to any chance to connect with his grandchildren, and had a unique bond with each of them. He and his youngest grandson, Whit, 9, could often be found in the corner of a room at family parties having deep philosophical conversations.
He was a true renaissance man — he was fascinated by science and culture and would turn those passions into knowledge. For example, he was capable of...
David McCallum’s son, Peter, released a statement on behalf of the family.
He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. He always put family before self. He looked forward to any chance to connect with his grandchildren, and had a unique bond with each of them. He and his youngest grandson, Whit, 9, could often be found in the corner of a room at family parties having deep philosophical conversations.
He was a true renaissance man — he was fascinated by science and culture and would turn those passions into knowledge. For example, he was capable of...
- 9/25/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Steven Spielberg worked his way up to directing features by making short films and episodes of TV shows like Columbo and Night Gallery. His earliest movies were also made for television – and the first feature-length TV movie he made that wasn’t part of a series was the classic 1971 thriller Duel (watch it Here). Forty-two years after Duel first aired, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is now set to give the film a 4K release on November 14th!
Based on a short story by Richard Matheson, who also wrote the screenplay, Duel centers on a motorist terrorized by an evil truck. Dennis Weaver stars as the traveling salesman waging a desperate battle for survival after he is mysteriously singled out.
Jacqueline Scott, Eddie Firestone, Lou Frizzell, and Gene Dynarski are also in the cast.
A press release on Blu-ray.com notes, “Praised for its deft use of relentlessly mounting psychological tension,...
Based on a short story by Richard Matheson, who also wrote the screenplay, Duel centers on a motorist terrorized by an evil truck. Dennis Weaver stars as the traveling salesman waging a desperate battle for survival after he is mysteriously singled out.
Jacqueline Scott, Eddie Firestone, Lou Frizzell, and Gene Dynarski are also in the cast.
A press release on Blu-ray.com notes, “Praised for its deft use of relentlessly mounting psychological tension,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
One might see Rod Serling's 1959 sci-fi anthology series "The Twilight Zone" as an ambitious amalgam of all modern genre writers. Prior to production, Serling famously solicited scripts from some of the best-known sci-fi writers of his time, including the likes of Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, George Clayton Johnson, Malcolm Jameson, and several others. Serling typically wrote the scripts for "The Twilight Zone" himself ... which led to some occasional accidental plagiarism. "The Twilight Zone," then, was somewhat of a culmination of an entire generation's sci-fi literature.
Now handily condensed, many of the more striking speculative tales of the day could be easily consumed by a mass public. Serling's show was a huge hit and lasted five seasons before going off the air in 1964. Sering later wrote "Planet of the Apes" in 1968.
Thanks to syndication deals and Thanksgiving marathons, "The Twilight Zone" lingered in the pop consciousness for decades, eventually spawning...
Now handily condensed, many of the more striking speculative tales of the day could be easily consumed by a mass public. Serling's show was a huge hit and lasted five seasons before going off the air in 1964. Sering later wrote "Planet of the Apes" in 1968.
Thanks to syndication deals and Thanksgiving marathons, "The Twilight Zone" lingered in the pop consciousness for decades, eventually spawning...
- 9/10/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Although he had a career in theatre, radio, and feature films, writer/producer Rod Serling's legacy is inexorably tied to the medium of television. That's for very good reason, of course: not only did Serling create multiple television series that has withstood the test of time (such as "Night Gallery"), but he also was responsible for shaping a good deal about television as we've come to know it. For instance, the teleplay he wrote for an episode of "Kraft Television Theatre" entitled "Patterns" was so popular that the series decided to rebroadcast it in its entirety, thereby creating the concept of the "rerun."
As such, Serling was deeply entrenched in the rise of television, and that meant having to deal with growing pains and emerging annoyances. In order to continue experimenting with the form of TV and pushing the envelope of what types of stories could feature there, Serling...
As such, Serling was deeply entrenched in the rise of television, and that meant having to deal with growing pains and emerging annoyances. In order to continue experimenting with the form of TV and pushing the envelope of what types of stories could feature there, Serling...
- 9/9/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Stars: Joe Cornet, Natalie Denise Sperl, Eileen Dietz, Eric Roberts | Written by Craig Hamann | Directed by Joe Cornet
Night of the Caregiver sounds like a Lifetime movie about a psycho home health aid. It’s actually a new supernatural horror film from producer Alexander Nevsky and director/co-star Joe Cornet two men better known for Westerns and action films than scary stuff. Can they successfully make the switch?
Julia Rowe has been taken an assignment as an in-home caregiver for Lillian Gresham, a sweet old lady who, of course, lives in the middle of nowhere. It’s Friday night but, “It pays really well, more for one night than I make in a week”, which should also be a red flag.
And we know something isn’t right due to the prologue that gives way to a scene from “13 hours earlier” where Detective Roman Eckhart (Joe Cornet), of the NYPD,...
Night of the Caregiver sounds like a Lifetime movie about a psycho home health aid. It’s actually a new supernatural horror film from producer Alexander Nevsky and director/co-star Joe Cornet two men better known for Westerns and action films than scary stuff. Can they successfully make the switch?
Julia Rowe has been taken an assignment as an in-home caregiver for Lillian Gresham, a sweet old lady who, of course, lives in the middle of nowhere. It’s Friday night but, “It pays really well, more for one night than I make in a week”, which should also be a red flag.
And we know something isn’t right due to the prologue that gives way to a scene from “13 hours earlier” where Detective Roman Eckhart (Joe Cornet), of the NYPD,...
- 8/17/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
George Maharis, the Route 66 actor that left the series during the height of its popularity, died on Wednesday, May 24. He was 94.
“George is well known for his stardom in Route 66, stage productions, singing, artist, and above all a great guy would do anything for anyone. My dear friend, you’ll be terribly missed,” Maharis’ friend Marc Bahan shared in a Facebook post.
Maharis was born on September 1, 1928, in Astoria, New York. He studied at the Actors Studio and got his start working in off-Broadway productions.
His first television role came in 1958 with The Mugger. Maharis would go on to land other TV credits in shows like Naked City, Exodus and Search for Tomorrow. It would be until 1960 that he would land the role of Buz Murdock on Route 66, an indirect spinoff of Naked City that shared its same creator Stirling Silliphant. Maharis would be forced to leave the...
“George is well known for his stardom in Route 66, stage productions, singing, artist, and above all a great guy would do anything for anyone. My dear friend, you’ll be terribly missed,” Maharis’ friend Marc Bahan shared in a Facebook post.
Maharis was born on September 1, 1928, in Astoria, New York. He studied at the Actors Studio and got his start working in off-Broadway productions.
His first television role came in 1958 with The Mugger. Maharis would go on to land other TV credits in shows like Naked City, Exodus and Search for Tomorrow. It would be until 1960 that he would land the role of Buz Murdock on Route 66, an indirect spinoff of Naked City that shared its same creator Stirling Silliphant. Maharis would be forced to leave the...
- 5/28/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
George Maharis, who starred as the brooding Buz Murdock on Route 66 before he quit the acclaimed 1960s CBS drama after contracting hepatitis, has died. He was 94.
Maharis died Wednesday at his home in Beverly Hills, his longtime friend and caregiver Marc Bahan told The Hollywood Reporter.
Route 66, created by Stirling Silliphant and Herbert B. Leonard, featured the Hell’s Kitchen native Murdock and Martin Milner‘s Yale dropout Tod Stiles touring the highways of America in Tod’s Chevrolet Corvette, encountering adventure along the way.
The show “was really kind of a searching or what you may have seen hundreds of years ago where the people came over the mountains to go from one place to the other to find a better life, a place where they belonged, and they didn’t rely on anybody else to do it for them,” Maharis told The Seattle Times in 2008.
All 116 installments of...
Maharis died Wednesday at his home in Beverly Hills, his longtime friend and caregiver Marc Bahan told The Hollywood Reporter.
Route 66, created by Stirling Silliphant and Herbert B. Leonard, featured the Hell’s Kitchen native Murdock and Martin Milner‘s Yale dropout Tod Stiles touring the highways of America in Tod’s Chevrolet Corvette, encountering adventure along the way.
The show “was really kind of a searching or what you may have seen hundreds of years ago where the people came over the mountains to go from one place to the other to find a better life, a place where they belonged, and they didn’t rely on anybody else to do it for them,” Maharis told The Seattle Times in 2008.
All 116 installments of...
- 5/28/2023
- by Mike Barnes and Duane Byrge
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Steven Spielberg has worked on a variety of projects during his long and prolific career as a filmmaker. But there was one project he did in his very early years where he had to team up with one of cinema’s iconic acting legends.
The only problem was the actor didn’t see Spielberg as a professional enough director at the time.
The Acting Legend that almost quit after learning she had to work with Steven Spielberg Steven Spielberg | Angela Weiss / Getty Images
Everyone has to start somewhere, including Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Spielberg’s first paying job was on The Twilight Zone writer Ron Serling’s Night Gallery. Similar to Twilight Zone, the show was an anthology series, but focused on supernatural and horror instead of sci-fi.
A very young Spielberg was tapped to direct an installment for the series which starred Joan Crawford. But in the beginning, Spielberg...
The only problem was the actor didn’t see Spielberg as a professional enough director at the time.
The Acting Legend that almost quit after learning she had to work with Steven Spielberg Steven Spielberg | Angela Weiss / Getty Images
Everyone has to start somewhere, including Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Spielberg’s first paying job was on The Twilight Zone writer Ron Serling’s Night Gallery. Similar to Twilight Zone, the show was an anthology series, but focused on supernatural and horror instead of sci-fi.
A very young Spielberg was tapped to direct an installment for the series which starred Joan Crawford. But in the beginning, Spielberg...
- 5/16/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It may not feel like it, but the ratings system used for movies that is administered by the Motion Picture Association of America is still an ongoing work in progress. Granted, the system has seemingly been fully established for the last 30-odd years or so, with the last major hiccup being the creation and controversial usage of the Nc-17 rating during the 1990s.
Still, it only takes a cursory glance at the recent cinematic landscape to see that there's a remarkable imbalance in the way the ratings system has been used over the past couple decades. Upon the introduction of a "middle ground" rating between PG and R, the PG-13, the system began to slowly be skewed to the point where now G and PG-rated films are almost exclusively the purview of children's movies (with the G rating itself nearly fully retired by circumstance). PG-13 has far and away become the most common rating,...
Still, it only takes a cursory glance at the recent cinematic landscape to see that there's a remarkable imbalance in the way the ratings system has been used over the past couple decades. Upon the introduction of a "middle ground" rating between PG and R, the PG-13, the system began to slowly be skewed to the point where now G and PG-rated films are almost exclusively the purview of children's movies (with the G rating itself nearly fully retired by circumstance). PG-13 has far and away become the most common rating,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Michael Lerner, the character actor known from films like “Godzilla,” “Elf,” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” and who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Barton Fink,” has died, as per a report in Variety. He was 81 years old.
The news was broken by his nephew, actor Sam Lerner, a series regular on “The Goldbergs.” He wrote on his Instagram page that “it’s hard to put into words how brilliant my uncle Michael was, and how influential he was to me. His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting. He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special.” He added, “Rip Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon.”
A carousel of images included pictures of Lerner on set in various costumes over the years,...
The news was broken by his nephew, actor Sam Lerner, a series regular on “The Goldbergs.” He wrote on his Instagram page that “it’s hard to put into words how brilliant my uncle Michael was, and how influential he was to me. His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting. He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special.” He added, “Rip Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon.”
A carousel of images included pictures of Lerner on set in various costumes over the years,...
- 4/10/2023
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
At the end of Steven Spielberg's 1989 film "Indiana Jone and the Last Crusade," Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr. (Harrison Ford), his father (Sean Connery), Sallah (John Rhys-Davis), and Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliott) have escaped the now-collapsed temple where the Holy Grail rests. Breathing a sigh of relief, they mount horses and choose to simply go home, literally riding off into the sunset. It seemed that was going to be the final word on Indiana Jones; it was his last Crusade. But, just like "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare," "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter," "Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday," "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," and "The Final Destination," the promise of "Crusade" being Indy's final adventure was broken. In 2008, Spielberg returned for "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," a film that the director seemed painfully uninterested in.
Because that film wasn't widely beloved, and...
Because that film wasn't widely beloved, and...
- 4/7/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Rod Serling's horror anthology series "Night Gallery," a spiritual follow-up to his hit show "The Twilight Zone," began its life as a 1969 TV movie, consisting of three separate episodes directed by Boris Sagal, Barry Shear, and an up-and-coming novice named Steven Spielberg. Sagal and Shear were a long-term TV veterans at the time, having worked on "The Twilight Zone" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." between them. "Night Gallery" was Spielberg's very first professional directing job. Spielberg's segment, called "Eyes," starred Joan Crawford as a wealthy blind woman who pays a huge amount of money for an experimental eyeball transplant that will give her perfect vision for a mere 11 hours. As she removes her bandages following the surgery, there is a blackout in her apartment. Cue the disappointed "Price is Right" trombone.
The "Night Gallery" TV movie was a success, and it led to a full-blown...
The "Night Gallery" TV movie was a success, and it led to a full-blown...
- 3/10/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Get out your tan raincoats, Peter Falk fans: "Columbo" is making a comeback with a special features-packed Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. The announcement of the new home video release comes via the official Twitter account for the distributor, with news first breaking on the "Cereal At Midnight" podcast.
"Columbo is coming to @KLStudioClassic as two box sets later this year chock full of special features," Kino Lorber posted, along with a picture of the raincoat-wearing, cigar-wielding investigator himself. Kino Lorber Studio Classic VP of Acquisitions Frank Tarzi spoke to the podcast about the release, explaining that the first box set is anticipated this summer, with the second due a bit later. "We have 'Columbo,' that's going to be coming out very soon," he told the podcast. "We're going to release it as two box sets."
"Every episode is going to include an audio commentary," Tarzi shared. "We're going...
"Columbo is coming to @KLStudioClassic as two box sets later this year chock full of special features," Kino Lorber posted, along with a picture of the raincoat-wearing, cigar-wielding investigator himself. Kino Lorber Studio Classic VP of Acquisitions Frank Tarzi spoke to the podcast about the release, explaining that the first box set is anticipated this summer, with the second due a bit later. "We have 'Columbo,' that's going to be coming out very soon," he told the podcast. "We're going to release it as two box sets."
"Every episode is going to include an audio commentary," Tarzi shared. "We're going...
- 3/9/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
What was the last film to have three of its stars all win Oscars? How long has it been since Steven Spielberg has won an Oscar? Who was the first posthumous nominee? These questions are answered, along with more fun facts, tidbits and trivia.
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” would be just the third film to earn three Oscars in the acting categories. Michelle Yeoh is the favorite to win best actress, as is Ke Huy Quan in the supporting actor race. And Jamie Lee Curtis or Stephanie Hsu ould pull out a win as supporting actress. The first time that happened was at the 1952 ceremony when Vivien Leigh, Karl Malden and Kim Hunter won for “A Streetcar Named Desire,” followed 25 years later with Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight winning for “Network.”
Steven Spielberg has been nominated 22 times including three this year for “The Fabelmans”: best picture,...
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” would be just the third film to earn three Oscars in the acting categories. Michelle Yeoh is the favorite to win best actress, as is Ke Huy Quan in the supporting actor race. And Jamie Lee Curtis or Stephanie Hsu ould pull out a win as supporting actress. The first time that happened was at the 1952 ceremony when Vivien Leigh, Karl Malden and Kim Hunter won for “A Streetcar Named Desire,” followed 25 years later with Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight winning for “Network.”
Steven Spielberg has been nominated 22 times including three this year for “The Fabelmans”: best picture,...
- 3/8/2023
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Steven Spielberg wasn’t convinced that one of his most renowned films would succeed when it was first released.
The lauded director said that he had his doubts about whether his 1975 classic Jaws would resonate with audiences.
Based on a 1974 novel by Peter Benchley, Jaws starred Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody who works with a marine biologist (played by Richard Dreyfuss) and a shark hunter (Robert Shaw) to catch a shark terrorising the beach of a resort town.
The film is often regarded as one of Speilberg’s best, and won three Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Original Dramatic Score, and Best Sound. It was also nominated for Best Picture, but lost out to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
In an interview with W for the magazine’s Director’s Issue, Spielberg admitted that he “never would have guessed that so many people would have gone to see” the film.
The lauded director said that he had his doubts about whether his 1975 classic Jaws would resonate with audiences.
Based on a 1974 novel by Peter Benchley, Jaws starred Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody who works with a marine biologist (played by Richard Dreyfuss) and a shark hunter (Robert Shaw) to catch a shark terrorising the beach of a resort town.
The film is often regarded as one of Speilberg’s best, and won three Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Original Dramatic Score, and Best Sound. It was also nominated for Best Picture, but lost out to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
In an interview with W for the magazine’s Director’s Issue, Spielberg admitted that he “never would have guessed that so many people would have gone to see” the film.
- 3/1/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - Film
Even Steven Spielberg, one of the most important filmmakers in the world, “never” truly knows whether or not a film will succeed.
The acclaimed director who helmed a number of classic films, including 1975’s “Jaws” when he was just 26-years-old, admits that he “never would have guessed that so many people would have gone to see” the popular film about hunting a killer shark.
“In my mind, the shark looked dumb,” Spielberg tells W for the magazine’s Directors Issue. “When I went to the first preview, in Dallas, and people were screaming and popcorn was flying at the screen, my first feeling was—Oh my god! I didn’t think any of this was going to work. The truth is, you never ever know.”
Read More: Steven Spielberg Talks ‘Reliving Trauma’ While Directing ‘The Fabelmans’: ‘Often It’d Take Me 5 Min To Collect Myself’
Looking back on the start of his career,...
The acclaimed director who helmed a number of classic films, including 1975’s “Jaws” when he was just 26-years-old, admits that he “never would have guessed that so many people would have gone to see” the popular film about hunting a killer shark.
“In my mind, the shark looked dumb,” Spielberg tells W for the magazine’s Directors Issue. “When I went to the first preview, in Dallas, and people were screaming and popcorn was flying at the screen, my first feeling was—Oh my god! I didn’t think any of this was going to work. The truth is, you never ever know.”
Read More: Steven Spielberg Talks ‘Reliving Trauma’ While Directing ‘The Fabelmans’: ‘Often It’d Take Me 5 Min To Collect Myself’
Looking back on the start of his career,...
- 2/27/2023
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
Steven Spielberg has directed some of the biggest movies of all time, but could he turn his eye to television in the not-too-distant future? While speaking on the Smartless podcast (via The Playlist), Steven Spielberg said that he would like to direct a TV series.
“I do have an appetite for long-form, and someday, I will direct a long-form series,” Steven Spielberg said. “I mean, if someone would have brought me Mare of Easttown, I would have done that. That was a beautifully directed story.” The director added that he was close to expanding his Abraham Lincoln movie starring Daniel Day-Lewis into a six-hour series for HBO. “I was willing to do Lincoln as a six-hour [show] because I couldn’t raise all the financing for it. No one believed in it…I went around town and everyone turned me down,” Spielberg said. “I was ready to make a deal with...
“I do have an appetite for long-form, and someday, I will direct a long-form series,” Steven Spielberg said. “I mean, if someone would have brought me Mare of Easttown, I would have done that. That was a beautifully directed story.” The director added that he was close to expanding his Abraham Lincoln movie starring Daniel Day-Lewis into a six-hour series for HBO. “I was willing to do Lincoln as a six-hour [show] because I couldn’t raise all the financing for it. No one believed in it…I went around town and everyone turned me down,” Spielberg said. “I was ready to make a deal with...
- 1/18/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
There are times when something that’s almost human is more terrifying than an actual monster. After all, uneasiness often stems from things that come eerily close to resembling humanity. Roboticist Masahiro Mori explained why people feel this way with his 1970 essay about the “uncanny valley” effect, and ever since, society has better understood why they feel uncomfortable around things such as lifelike dolls.
The living doll shows up infrequently in the horror genre, but when it does, people take notice. They’re ultimately torn between curiosity and repulsion as these puppets gain sentience and carry out their sinister missions. Chucky and others have all skittered across the big screen, but these stories, from five different anthology series, are a reminder of how toy terror also lives on television.
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
Living Doll
Even on its last legs, Twilight Zone — by then, the series had already dropped the...
The living doll shows up infrequently in the horror genre, but when it does, people take notice. They’re ultimately torn between curiosity and repulsion as these puppets gain sentience and carry out their sinister missions. Chucky and others have all skittered across the big screen, but these stories, from five different anthology series, are a reminder of how toy terror also lives on television.
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
Living Doll
Even on its last legs, Twilight Zone — by then, the series had already dropped the...
- 11/30/2022
- by Paul Lê
- bloody-disgusting.com
When Guillermo del Toro walks out of the darkness to introduce his “Cabinet of Curiosities,” he’s also walking directly out of the year 1969.
The eight-episode horror anthology has been in Netflix’s top 10 since its release Oct. 25. Each beautifully crafted episode begins with creator and host del Toro pulling an objet d’art from his elaborate cabinet to introduce the tale and its director, as well as a chess-piece-sized carving of each director.
In a tweet, del Toro explained some of the inspiration of his Cabinet: “First night: EC vibes,” he wrote, referring to the massively influential EC horror comics of the ‘50s such as Tales from the Crypt and The Vault of Horror. “Second night: unsettling and ‘now’, Third night: period/pulp classics and Final night: voices that, in my estimation, are clear and loud in the symphony of our genre.”
But del Toro goes much deeper in his introduction to the upcoming,...
The eight-episode horror anthology has been in Netflix’s top 10 since its release Oct. 25. Each beautifully crafted episode begins with creator and host del Toro pulling an objet d’art from his elaborate cabinet to introduce the tale and its director, as well as a chess-piece-sized carving of each director.
In a tweet, del Toro explained some of the inspiration of his Cabinet: “First night: EC vibes,” he wrote, referring to the massively influential EC horror comics of the ‘50s such as Tales from the Crypt and The Vault of Horror. “Second night: unsettling and ‘now’, Third night: period/pulp classics and Final night: voices that, in my estimation, are clear and loud in the symphony of our genre.”
But del Toro goes much deeper in his introduction to the upcoming,...
- 11/11/2022
- by Mark Rahner
- The Wrap
Set in a supernatural museum decorated by foreboding artworks, Rod Serling’s Night Gallery premiered in 1969 on NBC. The pilot episode featured three stories, The Cemetery, with Roddy McDowall, Escape Route with Richard Kiley, and, its most celebrated effort, Eyes, starring Joan Crawford, and directed by Steven Spielberg. The show went on to a three season run, an uneven affair with moments of inspiration that were Twilight Zone-worthy.
The post Night Gallery appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
The post Night Gallery appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
- 10/31/2022
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Steven Spielberg famously got his start as a director via the trial by fire of guiding Joan Crawford through the pilot episode of Rod Serling's "Night Gallery." The screen diva put him through his paces but good, but the filmmaker hung in there, likening the experience to "pitching to Hank Aaron your first time in the game." The only performer who might've been more daunting for a tyro director during that era was Bette Davis. Ron Howard learned this when he was assigned to manage the two-time Oscar-winner in the 1980 made-for-television drama "Skyward."
Howard was not quite as wet behind the ears as Spielberg was when he took on Crawford. The "Happy Days" star had been in show business his entire life stretching back to "The Andy Griffith Show." He made his feature-directing debut with 1977's action-comedy "Grand Theft Auto," and called the shots on a TV movie called "Cotton Candy" a year later.
Howard was not quite as wet behind the ears as Spielberg was when he took on Crawford. The "Happy Days" star had been in show business his entire life stretching back to "The Andy Griffith Show." He made his feature-directing debut with 1977's action-comedy "Grand Theft Auto," and called the shots on a TV movie called "Cotton Candy" a year later.
- 10/31/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Guillermo del Toro knows a thing or two about ghosts, ghouls, and monsters, so the idea of the Academy Award-winning filmmaker shepherding a horror anthology series feels too good to be true and is too good to pass up. While del Toro himself doesn't helm any of the short films that are part of "Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities," he does have a hand in writing some. And more than that, he serves as our host, stalking out of the shadows like Rod Serling on "Night Gallery." The filmmaker is no actor, and his introductions are quite stiff — but that's part of the charm. There's something sweet about this lovable artist doing his best to read ominous introductions while decked out in his best black suit, looking like an undertaker having a great time at a wake.
It would've been nice to have del Toro helm one of the...
It would've been nice to have del Toro helm one of the...
- 10/24/2022
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Ghosts, vampires, mummies and the Devil are not things you would necessarily associate with a show like Quantum Leap.
Yet the premise behind creator Donald P. Bellisario’s cult favorite was one that required Scott Bakula’s body-snatching protagonist, Dr. Sam Beckett, to wear many hats – and, in one instance, a set of fangs.
Having leapt through spacetime during an experiment gone awry, Sam spent the show’s 97-episode run inhabiting a wild array of characters, always with the aim of “putting right what once went wrong” and aided by Dean Stockwell’s Al, a hologram only Sam can see.
It was a setup that allowed Bellisario and the show’s writers to get creative and, every now and then, spring a supernatural surprise.
“The great thing about Quantum Leap was that every episode could be vastly different,” writer and producer Chris Ruppenthal told Den of Geek.
“You weren’t...
Yet the premise behind creator Donald P. Bellisario’s cult favorite was one that required Scott Bakula’s body-snatching protagonist, Dr. Sam Beckett, to wear many hats – and, in one instance, a set of fangs.
Having leapt through spacetime during an experiment gone awry, Sam spent the show’s 97-episode run inhabiting a wild array of characters, always with the aim of “putting right what once went wrong” and aided by Dean Stockwell’s Al, a hologram only Sam can see.
It was a setup that allowed Bellisario and the show’s writers to get creative and, every now and then, spring a supernatural surprise.
“The great thing about Quantum Leap was that every episode could be vastly different,” writer and producer Chris Ruppenthal told Den of Geek.
“You weren’t...
- 10/11/2022
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
"Rick and Morty" is a series that's suffused with references to numerous films, TV shows, books, and other forms of pop culture. After all, the show itself began life as co-creator Justin Roiland's skewed riff on "Back to the Future," and co-creator Dan Harmon's previous series as showrunner, "Community," was continually pushing the envelope when it came to parodying and homaging films.
Yet the fact that "Rick and Morty" is now in its sixth season means that the show has to keep digging deeper for homages and references that not only haven't been done to death, but that the series itself hasn't attempted yet. Despite the show's science fiction premise, "Rick and Morty" is no stranger to horror, with episodes like season 1's "Rick Potion No. 9," season 2's "Total Rickall" and season 4's "Promortyus" all riffing on horror creatures and tropes.
Yet those episodes involve sci-fi/horror concepts,...
Yet the fact that "Rick and Morty" is now in its sixth season means that the show has to keep digging deeper for homages and references that not only haven't been done to death, but that the series itself hasn't attempted yet. Despite the show's science fiction premise, "Rick and Morty" is no stranger to horror, with episodes like season 1's "Rick Potion No. 9," season 2's "Total Rickall" and season 4's "Promortyus" all riffing on horror creatures and tropes.
Yet those episodes involve sci-fi/horror concepts,...
- 9/30/2022
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products released each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Nosferatu & Metaluna Mutant Action Figures from Super 7
Super 7 will add Nosferatu and This Island Earth’s Metaluna Mutant to its Ultimates action figure line in October 2023. They’re available to pre-order for 54.99. Shipping is free with the code FALLFREE22.
Nosferatu comes with three interchangeable heads, eight interchangeable hands, rat, and key ring, while Metaluna Mutant includes two interchangeable heads and four interchangeable hands. Each 7” figure is packaged in a slipcase-style collector’s box.
Halloween Posters from Vice Press
Vice Press has released Halloween 24×36 lithograph prints by Florey. Two variants are available: one with an autumnal, daytime aesthetic and the other with a spooky, nighttime atmosphere. My favorite detail is the subtle reflection of Michael Myers’ mask in the window.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Nosferatu & Metaluna Mutant Action Figures from Super 7
Super 7 will add Nosferatu and This Island Earth’s Metaluna Mutant to its Ultimates action figure line in October 2023. They’re available to pre-order for 54.99. Shipping is free with the code FALLFREE22.
Nosferatu comes with three interchangeable heads, eight interchangeable hands, rat, and key ring, while Metaluna Mutant includes two interchangeable heads and four interchangeable hands. Each 7” figure is packaged in a slipcase-style collector’s box.
Halloween Posters from Vice Press
Vice Press has released Halloween 24×36 lithograph prints by Florey. Two variants are available: one with an autumnal, daytime aesthetic and the other with a spooky, nighttime atmosphere. My favorite detail is the subtle reflection of Michael Myers’ mask in the window.
- 9/23/2022
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Henry Silva, who starred in Johnny Cool, fought Frank Sinatra in The Manchurian Candidate and was one of Sinatra’s fellow thieves in Ocean’s 11, among dozens of screen roles spanning a half-century, died Wednesday of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Hospital in Woodland Hills, CA. He was 95.
An actor whose distinctive face often led to typecasting as the heavy, his 130-plus film and TV credits also include The Bravados, starring Gregory Peck (1958); Cinderfella, with Jerry Lewis (1960); the Rat Pack-led Western Sergeants 3 (1962); Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979); Love and Bullets with Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland and Rod Steiger (1979); the Burt Reynolds pics Sharky’s Machine (1981) and Cannonball Run II (1982); Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy (1990); Steven Seagal’s first film Above the Law (1988); and Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai with Forest Whitaker (1999).
Along with the title role opposite Elizabeth Montgomery in Johnny Cool...
An actor whose distinctive face often led to typecasting as the heavy, his 130-plus film and TV credits also include The Bravados, starring Gregory Peck (1958); Cinderfella, with Jerry Lewis (1960); the Rat Pack-led Western Sergeants 3 (1962); Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979); Love and Bullets with Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland and Rod Steiger (1979); the Burt Reynolds pics Sharky’s Machine (1981) and Cannonball Run II (1982); Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy (1990); Steven Seagal’s first film Above the Law (1988); and Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai with Forest Whitaker (1999).
Along with the title role opposite Elizabeth Montgomery in Johnny Cool...
- 9/16/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Universal TV is developing a 'reimagining' of the 1969 Rod Sterling horror/supernatural anthology TV series "Night Gallery", from Jeff Davis ("Teen Wolf"):
"...the new series will explore the dangers of social media and modern nightmares in the digital age..."
The original "Night Gallery" aired 1969-1973, featuring stories of horror and the macabre, with Rod Serling of "Twilight Zone" fame as both on-air host and major contributor of scripts.
Serling appeared in an art gallery setting and introduced the macabre tales that made up each episode by unveiling paintings that depicted the stories. His intro usually was:
"Each is a collector's item in its own way—not because of any special artistic quality, but because each captures on a canvas, suspended in time and space, a frozen moment of a nightmare."
The series was introduced with a pilot airing November 8, 1969, featuring the TV directorial debut of Steven Spielberg, starring Joan Crawford...
"...the new series will explore the dangers of social media and modern nightmares in the digital age..."
The original "Night Gallery" aired 1969-1973, featuring stories of horror and the macabre, with Rod Serling of "Twilight Zone" fame as both on-air host and major contributor of scripts.
Serling appeared in an art gallery setting and introduced the macabre tales that made up each episode by unveiling paintings that depicted the stories. His intro usually was:
"Each is a collector's item in its own way—not because of any special artistic quality, but because each captures on a canvas, suspended in time and space, a frozen moment of a nightmare."
The series was introduced with a pilot airing November 8, 1969, featuring the TV directorial debut of Steven Spielberg, starring Joan Crawford...
- 9/13/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Bram Stoker once envisioned his most successful novel, Dracula, as a stage play. The actor he wanted to play the title role, Sir Henry Irving, walked out of the table read, yawning and griping about wordiness. It was probably the most auspicious walkout in horror entertainment history. Had Irving starred in a bomb, Bela Lugosi, Frank Langella, Gary Oldman, and quite a few other actors wouldn’t have been able to don the cape.
Dracula wasn’t the first book about vampires, but it was the first time Vlad “the Impaler” Tepes was portrayed as one. Until then, people thought of him as a cruel tyrant who nailed hats onto the heads of monks, and dipped his bread in the blood of vanquished soldiers. That is if they thought of him at all, outside of Romania, which celebrates him with pride as a freedom fighter and national protector, the “son...
Dracula wasn’t the first book about vampires, but it was the first time Vlad “the Impaler” Tepes was portrayed as one. Until then, people thought of him as a cruel tyrant who nailed hats onto the heads of monks, and dipped his bread in the blood of vanquished soldiers. That is if they thought of him at all, outside of Romania, which celebrates him with pride as a freedom fighter and national protector, the “son...
- 9/10/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
I won’t quibble. Yes, we live in a golden age of horror television. There are so many horror series available for streaming, you’d drown in special effects blood long before you were able to binge watch them all. So maybe I can forgive you if haven’t heard of Night Gallery. But those of us who were digging up costly bootlegs long before YouTube not only know about Night Gallery, it is an indelible part of our creature-feature consciousness. Notice, I mentioned bootlegs. I’m talking VHS bootlegs, whippersnapper. None of this DVD shit. Grainy, out of focus, warbly sounding bootlegs. It was all worth sitting through if you could just go back in time to have the holy hell scared out of you by Rod Serling...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 8/25/2022
- Screen Anarchy
The legendary Steven Spielberg is perhaps the most recognizable director in cinematic history and definitively the most financially successful. The acclaimed filmmaker honed his craft with 8mm home movies before landing his first paid gigs on television, first with series such as Night Gallery and then his feature debut, Duel. His major breakthrough came with 1975’s Jaws, the box office smash that famously became the first movie to gross 100 million. After essentially creating the modern-day blockbuster, he has directed more than 30 movies, most of which have also crossed that coveted line including one adventure 65 million years in the making — Jurassic Park.
Jaws and Jurassic Park stand as two of Spielberg’s most beloved, exciting, and profitable films, delighting and thrilling audiences for decades as well as standing the test of time in a career that has enthralled moviegoers for over half a century. But before Spielberg reflects on his own...
Jaws and Jurassic Park stand as two of Spielberg’s most beloved, exciting, and profitable films, delighting and thrilling audiences for decades as well as standing the test of time in a career that has enthralled moviegoers for over half a century. But before Spielberg reflects on his own...
- 8/18/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Like most hardcore horror fans, Guillermo del Toro loves a good anthology series. From "The Twilight Zone" to "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark," which del Toro produced, the notion of getting a completely different tale of terror each week is too tantalizing to resist. So genre fans should be giddily anticipating the October 25, 2022, Netflix premiere of "Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities," which boasts eight episodes of spine-tingling fright from some of the most talented horror directors working today.
In the newly released teaser, del Toro promises, "Each of the episodes has a whole world." Though he is presenting the series, he has given all eight directors free rein to tell their stories on their own creative terms. Perhaps the most exciting element of the series is its focus on the construction of "beautiful, practical creatures." In an industry where CG dominates, it's an absolute joy to hear...
In the newly released teaser, del Toro promises, "Each of the episodes has a whole world." Though he is presenting the series, he has given all eight directors free rein to tell their stories on their own creative terms. Perhaps the most exciting element of the series is its focus on the construction of "beautiful, practical creatures." In an industry where CG dominates, it's an absolute joy to hear...
- 8/15/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Roger E. Mosley, best known for his role as the helicopter pilot Theodore “T.C.” Calvin in the CBS television series “Magnum P.I.,” died early Sunday morning. He was 83 years old. No further details about Mosley’s death are available at this time.
Mosley’s daughter confirmed the news of his death through a tribute post on her Facebook.
“Roger E. Mosley, my father, your friend, your ‘coach Mosley’ your ‘Tc’ from Magnum P.I., passed away at 1:17am,” she wrote. “He was surrounded by family as he transcended peacefully. We could never mourn such an amazing man. He would hate any crying done in his name. It is time to celebrate the legacy he left for us all. I love you daddy. You loved me too. My heart is heavy but I am strong. I will care for mommy, your love of almost 60 years. You raised me well and she is in good hands.
Mosley’s daughter confirmed the news of his death through a tribute post on her Facebook.
“Roger E. Mosley, my father, your friend, your ‘coach Mosley’ your ‘Tc’ from Magnum P.I., passed away at 1:17am,” she wrote. “He was surrounded by family as he transcended peacefully. We could never mourn such an amazing man. He would hate any crying done in his name. It is time to celebrate the legacy he left for us all. I love you daddy. You loved me too. My heart is heavy but I am strong. I will care for mommy, your love of almost 60 years. You raised me well and she is in good hands.
- 8/7/2022
- by Thania Garcia
- Variety Film + TV
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