This post contains spoilers for the "Sharknado" franchise.
Why is the "Sharknado" franchise still culturally relevant? Well, for starters, the appeal of the stupidly entertaining combination of the words "shark" and "tornado" has come together to create a string of unforgettable movies with progressively ridiculous narratives. Moreover, all the "Sharknado" films are defined by a conscious "so bad that it's good" factor, with a deliberate bend towards schlocky exaggeration meant to be humorous and baffling.
The premise of the first "Sharknado" film is extremely simple: a tornado ravages Los Angeles, which floods the city, causing man-eating sharks to make their way into land. A group of survivors try their utmost to outlive this catastrophe, as they need to figure out a way to evade the sharks while steering clear of the aftereffects of the tornado. Even with this rather fat-fetched premise, this could have been a serious survival drama — thankfully,...
Why is the "Sharknado" franchise still culturally relevant? Well, for starters, the appeal of the stupidly entertaining combination of the words "shark" and "tornado" has come together to create a string of unforgettable movies with progressively ridiculous narratives. Moreover, all the "Sharknado" films are defined by a conscious "so bad that it's good" factor, with a deliberate bend towards schlocky exaggeration meant to be humorous and baffling.
The premise of the first "Sharknado" film is extremely simple: a tornado ravages Los Angeles, which floods the city, causing man-eating sharks to make their way into land. A group of survivors try their utmost to outlive this catastrophe, as they need to figure out a way to evade the sharks while steering clear of the aftereffects of the tornado. Even with this rather fat-fetched premise, this could have been a serious survival drama — thankfully,...
- 2/18/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
One cannot understate the strange cultural dominance Hugh Wilson's 1984 comedy "Police Academy" held over the pop zeitgeist throughout the 1980s. Clearly a child of "Animal House," "Police Academy" was a traditional snobs-vs.-slobs comedy that pitted winking wiseacres against their stern commanding officers at a police school in an unnamed city. I've long had a theory that the "Police Academy" movies take place in Metropolis, the city where Superman lives. With Superman taking care of major crimes, the local police force would likely become complacent, unused to enforcing the law.
None of the "Police Academy" movies were well-reviewed, recognized by critics as crass, dumb, and low-brow. This is a series that banks on misogyny, offensive stereotypes, and a lot of crotch/sex humor. There is no wit to the "Police Academy" movies. Roger Ebert famously gave the first film zero stars, citing merely how dreadfully unfunny and uninspired it is.
None of the "Police Academy" movies were well-reviewed, recognized by critics as crass, dumb, and low-brow. This is a series that banks on misogyny, offensive stereotypes, and a lot of crotch/sex humor. There is no wit to the "Police Academy" movies. Roger Ebert famously gave the first film zero stars, citing merely how dreadfully unfunny and uninspired it is.
- 2/10/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the release of the first Sharknado, and so far celebrations have included a screening on legendary movie host Joe Bob Briggs’ Shudder series The Last Drive-In and an all-day Sharknado franchise marathon on Syfy. If that wasn’t enough, The Asylum has now announced that they’ll be giving the movie a two-day theatrical re-release on August 15th and 16th! A new, Barbie-inspired poster has been created to promote this theatrical re-release, and you can check it out at the bottom of this article. The Hollywood Reporter got the exclusive first look at the poster.
Sharknado has been “fully remastered with hundreds of new special effects” for this event. The trailer for the re-release, which you can watch in the embed above, promises this version of the movie will deliver new kills, new thrills, more sharks, and more ‘nado.
Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante from a screenplay by Thunder Levin,...
Sharknado has been “fully remastered with hundreds of new special effects” for this event. The trailer for the re-release, which you can watch in the embed above, promises this version of the movie will deliver new kills, new thrills, more sharks, and more ‘nado.
Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante from a screenplay by Thunder Levin,...
- 8/7/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Marion Ramsey, best known for her role as the soft-spoken, demure Officer Laverne Hooks in the Police Academy franchise, died on Thursday at her home in Los Angeles, as Variety reports. She was 73. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed, but a rep from Ramsey’s management agency said that the actress had recently been ill.
Ramsey launched her professional career in the theater. She appeared in the 1964 Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! and its touring versions, and in 1974 she co-starred alongside Bette Davis in Miss Moffat. In...
Ramsey launched her professional career in the theater. She appeared in the 1964 Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! and its touring versions, and in 1974 she co-starred alongside Bette Davis in Miss Moffat. In...
- 1/8/2021
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Marion Ramsey, known for acting in the “Police Academy” films and gracing the Broadway stage in 1978’s “Eubie!,” died Thursday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 73.
Roger Paul of Roger Paul Inc., the agency that managed Ramsey, confirmed the news to Variety. Ramsey had recently fallen ill, but her exact cause of death is currently undetermined.
Though many may know Ramsey for her role as Officer Laverne Hooks in the “Police Academy” films, her career began much early. In 1964, she appeared in “Hello, Dolly!,” and in the 1970s she established herself as a theater, film and television talent. On stage, she acted in “Miss Moffat,” and on screen she took part in the variety show “Keep On Truckin'” on ABC and held a regular role on “Cos.”
But 1984 brought about the role that would mark Ramsey’s career success. With the first “Police Academy,” Ramsey found a film...
Roger Paul of Roger Paul Inc., the agency that managed Ramsey, confirmed the news to Variety. Ramsey had recently fallen ill, but her exact cause of death is currently undetermined.
Though many may know Ramsey for her role as Officer Laverne Hooks in the “Police Academy” films, her career began much early. In 1964, she appeared in “Hello, Dolly!,” and in the 1970s she established herself as a theater, film and television talent. On stage, she acted in “Miss Moffat,” and on screen she took part in the variety show “Keep On Truckin'” on ABC and held a regular role on “Cos.”
But 1984 brought about the role that would mark Ramsey’s career success. With the first “Police Academy,” Ramsey found a film...
- 1/7/2021
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
Marion Ramsey, an actress and singer who appeared in the 1978 hit Broadway show Eubie! but is best known for her portrayal of the sweet, squeaky-voiced Officer Laverne Hooks in the Police Academy franchise, died today in her Los Angeles home. She was 73.
Her death was announced by her management team at Roger Paul Inc. A cause has not been determined, though the actress had been ill in recent days.
Born in Philadelphia, Ramsey began her show business career on the stage, appearing in both the original Broadway and subsequent touring productions of Hello, Dolly! In 1974, she starred opposite Bette Davis in the legendary flop musical Miss Moffat, an adaption of Davis’ classic 1945 film The Corn Is Green. Directed by Josh Logan, the Broadway-bound musical closed during out-of-town tryouts.
Ramsey’s stage career rebounded four years later with Eubie!, the lauded biographical musical about jazz pianist Eubie Blake starring Gregory and Maurice Hines.
Her death was announced by her management team at Roger Paul Inc. A cause has not been determined, though the actress had been ill in recent days.
Born in Philadelphia, Ramsey began her show business career on the stage, appearing in both the original Broadway and subsequent touring productions of Hello, Dolly! In 1974, she starred opposite Bette Davis in the legendary flop musical Miss Moffat, an adaption of Davis’ classic 1945 film The Corn Is Green. Directed by Josh Logan, the Broadway-bound musical closed during out-of-town tryouts.
Ramsey’s stage career rebounded four years later with Eubie!, the lauded biographical musical about jazz pianist Eubie Blake starring Gregory and Maurice Hines.
- 1/7/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Stars: Tom Arnold, Sean Astin, Martin Blasick, Natasha Blasick, Jake Busey, Rhys Coiro, Leisha Hailey, Michael Horse, Joi Liaye, David A. Lockhart, Nick Mason, Amber Martinez, Michelle Campbell, Angelica Cassidy, Ewart Chin | Written by Ron Carlson, Hank Braxtan, Dan Sinclair | Directed by Ron Carlson
Ron Carlson, director of the 2009 lesbian vampire film Life Blood and 2011′s “shockumentary” Midgets vs. Mascots (which I liked if nobody else did), teams with Hank Braxton, whose film Snake Outta Compton has just hit DVD here in the UK and who worked with Ron Carlson (with Carlson taking the lead) in the 2015 killer-bear movie Maneater, aka Unnatural for Dead Ant, a ridiculous monster movie in the style of Mike Mendez’s Big Ass Spider and 50s creature feature Them!
The 1989 ‘one-hit-wonder’ glam-metal band Sonic Grave embark on a trip to the No-chella rock festival with their long-suffering manager in the hopes of a comeback. Making...
Ron Carlson, director of the 2009 lesbian vampire film Life Blood and 2011′s “shockumentary” Midgets vs. Mascots (which I liked if nobody else did), teams with Hank Braxton, whose film Snake Outta Compton has just hit DVD here in the UK and who worked with Ron Carlson (with Carlson taking the lead) in the 2015 killer-bear movie Maneater, aka Unnatural for Dead Ant, a ridiculous monster movie in the style of Mike Mendez’s Big Ass Spider and 50s creature feature Them!
The 1989 ‘one-hit-wonder’ glam-metal band Sonic Grave embark on a trip to the No-chella rock festival with their long-suffering manager in the hopes of a comeback. Making...
- 3/4/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Missed The First Purge in theaters last July? Well, then, check out a few clips of Gerard McMurray's film, which kicks off today's Highlights. Also: Retro Nightmares returns with Sweet Sixteen and The Convent screenings and soundtrack release details for the RPG Vampyr.
Watch The First Purge Clips: From the Press Release: "Universal City, California – The origin story to the worldwide phenomenon that redefined horror, The First Purge, the fourth chapter in the thrilling franchise, arrives on Digital and the digital movie app Movies Anywhere on September 18, 2018 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on October 2, 2018 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. When the New Founding Fathers of America look to push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, a radical sociological theory that vents aggression is tested among an isolated community. But once the violence of oppressors clashes with the rage of the marginalized,...
Watch The First Purge Clips: From the Press Release: "Universal City, California – The origin story to the worldwide phenomenon that redefined horror, The First Purge, the fourth chapter in the thrilling franchise, arrives on Digital and the digital movie app Movies Anywhere on September 18, 2018 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on October 2, 2018 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. When the New Founding Fathers of America look to push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, a radical sociological theory that vents aggression is tested among an isolated community. But once the violence of oppressors clashes with the rage of the marginalized,...
- 10/3/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Simon Brew Jun 20, 2017
Steve Guttenberg headlines what's supposed to be a reunion of the Police Academy cast. Life doesn't always work out as promised, though...
To the nearest $1m, the final Police Academy movie – Police Academy: Mission To Moscow – took a tidy $1m at the box office. It brought to a tragic end a movie franchise that had delighted surely a few people in its latter years, and certain given the office photocopiers a workout, as jokes were religiously recycled en masse. The Hangover series would put a better gloss on the recycling jokes schtick, and repeat the trick across its sequels many years later, to better commercial return.
See related Dunkirk: where you can see the IMAX preview in the UK Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk: filming started, cast confirmed Dunkirk: set video shows scale of Christopher Nolan’s new film
See also: What went wrong with Police Academy: Mission To Moscow.
Police Academy producer Paul Maslansky – who also tried to turn Ski Patrol into a series, foiled by the fact that barely anyone went to see the first and only one – has talked about rebooting Police Academy since. Most of the original cast are still with us, too, save for the brilliant David Graf (Tackleberry), Bubba Smith (Hightower), and George Gaynes (Commandant Lassard). Basically, a chunk of the core ensemble are available, and have been waiting for the call to return for a fresh Police Academy adventure. But the call, unfortunately, never came.
Hence, Lavalantula.
This is a film that centres on Steve Guttenberg, a washed-up movie star of the 90s who’s taken on a bug movie for $10,000. Going by the name of Colton West, we learn that he’s been the star of such movie franchises as Crazy Cops and Red Robot, and I know even typing this that nobody really cares. Instead, you’ve been drawn to this film for the same reason I was: it’s the cast of the Police Academy movies, just in a sort-of-horror film. Asda – and other supermarkets selling DVDs are available – had this next to Star Wars: Rogue One in my local store. One coin toss later, and Rogue One could wait.
It turns out, of course, that it’s a dose of trash that’s been doing the rounds for a little while. Spun out of the Sharknado series, Lavalantula was first shown on Syfy in the Us back in 2015, and I’ve barely found mention of it since. That notwithstanding, I armed myself with some of those new strawberry and vanilla Calippos (6/10 from me for them), and settled in.
Purveyors of The Asylum and Syfy attempts to recreate the feel of B-movies will know what they’re getting here. A perfunctory bit of plot, to get to some special effects that have been produced with second hand computers bought off Ilm. That’s less snooty than it sounds, mind. Lavalantula, a word that only seven of the 49 human beings who have ever tried managed to pronounce correctly the first time, is a solid audit as to what $20,000 or so’s worth of effects can buy you. Some lava and half-decent spiders is the answer. Given that London Has Fallen, for one, cost $105m to make and had effects that looked like Call Of Duty a generation back, Lavathingy does offer a decent recent in that sense. Don’t get carried away and start giving it awards or anything, though.
Thing is, it’s easy to look down on micro budget stuff like this. Yet who knows where the next big filmmaker is going to come from? Jennifer Yuh Nelson cut her teeth on the basic animated movies that used to go straight to bargain stores, and now she’s one of the highest grossing female directors of all time, courtesy of the Kung Fu Panda series. The late Jonathan Demme was one of many schooled by the low budget ways of Roger Corman – a model that Jason Blum has expanded on for his Blumhouse outfit, offering filmmakers low budgets in exchange for final cut – and whilst The Asylum has lower ambitions, everyone needs a break, right?
In this case, it’s director Mike Mendez, who worked on the likes of NCIS and CSI before giving the world Big Ass Spider! Here, he knows the trade off is he has to shoot lots of explanatory conversation scenes to stretch the budget (he does throw in a Raiders Of The Lost Ark boulder-rip-off at one moment, though, as well as a just on the right side of legal Pirates Of The Caribbean homage), reckoning he has but 10 minutes out of 80 that he can spend on effects. At one stage, he decides to have a man dressed as a spider fight a spider. Sadly, it’s less fun that it sounds.
The other concession to budget is you don’t actually get the cast of Police Academy for very long. This is less forgivable. Sure, you get shirtless Guttenberg stealing a bus, and in his own way giving us his own spin on Last Action Hero. His character also needs to reconnect with his son for reasons that are of no human interest. But everyone else? They’re shuttled in for quick cameos. You get them at the start, and then Winslow and Ramsey finally return an hour later. But by then, they’re plotting how to beat the big spiders, and – presumably fearing legal interest – the references to glories old are all but gone.
I can’t be the only person who put the DVD in to hear Michael Winslow recreate his collection of noises. But we get, what, five minutes with him in all? It’s like a Police Academy reunion where everyone but Steve Guttenberg got given the wrong time. There’s the odd concession and acknowledgement of the series elsewhere in the film - “they took out the Blue Oyster. I loved that place,” says pretend Captain Jack Sparrow (really) at one stage – but for Ramsey, Leslie Easterbrook and Winslow, the DVD packaging may as well provide you with a spotter book, so you can at least tick ‘em off once you see them.
Still, Ralph Garman is good fun here as the aforementioned Jack Sparrow knock-off, and 24 fans who wonder just what happened to that fella who played Tony Almeida Isn’t Dead Really will get their answer, as Carlos Bernard duly picks up his cheque. 24: Legacy couldn’t come along quickly enough, though.
On the plus side too, there’s little question that everyone’s in on the gag.
But when you yearn for the film to at least have an equitable number of laughs as a Police Academy sequel, it’d be fair to say a little alarm has long been going off. By the time the film is directly mirroring and quoting a moment from Jurassic Park, that old adage of invoke the memory of other, better films at your peril has long been proved.
The cheapest moment, incidentally, and this is a competitive contest, is the Basil Exposition-type Doctor/Professor/scientist character, clambering into a helicopter with the full chopper sound effect going. Only for the camera to leave the fact that the rotors aren’t turning fully in shot.
Yet I think I still want that horror movie with the Police Academy cast that I was sold. In fact, what I think what I’d like to see now is a big screen version of the PlayStation 4 game Until Dawn, but with Police Academy characters, to bring a bit of a choose your own adventure element to the fun. Plus, then you get to replay it, changing just a few plot elements next time you play, accurately reflecting one of the core components of the Police Academy business plan.
Guttenberg has since followed this up with a sequel, 2 Lava 2 Tarantula, where only two Police Academy alumni joined him. Another film is coming. But Lavalantula: Tokyo Drift is surely just a meeting and a beermat’s worth of plot away, where all of his co-stars will have deserted him, ready to rejoin him for the fourth film in the series. That’s how this stuff work, right? And then Statham will turn up two films later? Right?
Right?...
Steve Guttenberg headlines what's supposed to be a reunion of the Police Academy cast. Life doesn't always work out as promised, though...
To the nearest $1m, the final Police Academy movie – Police Academy: Mission To Moscow – took a tidy $1m at the box office. It brought to a tragic end a movie franchise that had delighted surely a few people in its latter years, and certain given the office photocopiers a workout, as jokes were religiously recycled en masse. The Hangover series would put a better gloss on the recycling jokes schtick, and repeat the trick across its sequels many years later, to better commercial return.
See related Dunkirk: where you can see the IMAX preview in the UK Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk: filming started, cast confirmed Dunkirk: set video shows scale of Christopher Nolan’s new film
See also: What went wrong with Police Academy: Mission To Moscow.
Police Academy producer Paul Maslansky – who also tried to turn Ski Patrol into a series, foiled by the fact that barely anyone went to see the first and only one – has talked about rebooting Police Academy since. Most of the original cast are still with us, too, save for the brilliant David Graf (Tackleberry), Bubba Smith (Hightower), and George Gaynes (Commandant Lassard). Basically, a chunk of the core ensemble are available, and have been waiting for the call to return for a fresh Police Academy adventure. But the call, unfortunately, never came.
Hence, Lavalantula.
This is a film that centres on Steve Guttenberg, a washed-up movie star of the 90s who’s taken on a bug movie for $10,000. Going by the name of Colton West, we learn that he’s been the star of such movie franchises as Crazy Cops and Red Robot, and I know even typing this that nobody really cares. Instead, you’ve been drawn to this film for the same reason I was: it’s the cast of the Police Academy movies, just in a sort-of-horror film. Asda – and other supermarkets selling DVDs are available – had this next to Star Wars: Rogue One in my local store. One coin toss later, and Rogue One could wait.
It turns out, of course, that it’s a dose of trash that’s been doing the rounds for a little while. Spun out of the Sharknado series, Lavalantula was first shown on Syfy in the Us back in 2015, and I’ve barely found mention of it since. That notwithstanding, I armed myself with some of those new strawberry and vanilla Calippos (6/10 from me for them), and settled in.
Purveyors of The Asylum and Syfy attempts to recreate the feel of B-movies will know what they’re getting here. A perfunctory bit of plot, to get to some special effects that have been produced with second hand computers bought off Ilm. That’s less snooty than it sounds, mind. Lavalantula, a word that only seven of the 49 human beings who have ever tried managed to pronounce correctly the first time, is a solid audit as to what $20,000 or so’s worth of effects can buy you. Some lava and half-decent spiders is the answer. Given that London Has Fallen, for one, cost $105m to make and had effects that looked like Call Of Duty a generation back, Lavathingy does offer a decent recent in that sense. Don’t get carried away and start giving it awards or anything, though.
Thing is, it’s easy to look down on micro budget stuff like this. Yet who knows where the next big filmmaker is going to come from? Jennifer Yuh Nelson cut her teeth on the basic animated movies that used to go straight to bargain stores, and now she’s one of the highest grossing female directors of all time, courtesy of the Kung Fu Panda series. The late Jonathan Demme was one of many schooled by the low budget ways of Roger Corman – a model that Jason Blum has expanded on for his Blumhouse outfit, offering filmmakers low budgets in exchange for final cut – and whilst The Asylum has lower ambitions, everyone needs a break, right?
In this case, it’s director Mike Mendez, who worked on the likes of NCIS and CSI before giving the world Big Ass Spider! Here, he knows the trade off is he has to shoot lots of explanatory conversation scenes to stretch the budget (he does throw in a Raiders Of The Lost Ark boulder-rip-off at one moment, though, as well as a just on the right side of legal Pirates Of The Caribbean homage), reckoning he has but 10 minutes out of 80 that he can spend on effects. At one stage, he decides to have a man dressed as a spider fight a spider. Sadly, it’s less fun that it sounds.
The other concession to budget is you don’t actually get the cast of Police Academy for very long. This is less forgivable. Sure, you get shirtless Guttenberg stealing a bus, and in his own way giving us his own spin on Last Action Hero. His character also needs to reconnect with his son for reasons that are of no human interest. But everyone else? They’re shuttled in for quick cameos. You get them at the start, and then Winslow and Ramsey finally return an hour later. But by then, they’re plotting how to beat the big spiders, and – presumably fearing legal interest – the references to glories old are all but gone.
I can’t be the only person who put the DVD in to hear Michael Winslow recreate his collection of noises. But we get, what, five minutes with him in all? It’s like a Police Academy reunion where everyone but Steve Guttenberg got given the wrong time. There’s the odd concession and acknowledgement of the series elsewhere in the film - “they took out the Blue Oyster. I loved that place,” says pretend Captain Jack Sparrow (really) at one stage – but for Ramsey, Leslie Easterbrook and Winslow, the DVD packaging may as well provide you with a spotter book, so you can at least tick ‘em off once you see them.
Still, Ralph Garman is good fun here as the aforementioned Jack Sparrow knock-off, and 24 fans who wonder just what happened to that fella who played Tony Almeida Isn’t Dead Really will get their answer, as Carlos Bernard duly picks up his cheque. 24: Legacy couldn’t come along quickly enough, though.
On the plus side too, there’s little question that everyone’s in on the gag.
But when you yearn for the film to at least have an equitable number of laughs as a Police Academy sequel, it’d be fair to say a little alarm has long been going off. By the time the film is directly mirroring and quoting a moment from Jurassic Park, that old adage of invoke the memory of other, better films at your peril has long been proved.
The cheapest moment, incidentally, and this is a competitive contest, is the Basil Exposition-type Doctor/Professor/scientist character, clambering into a helicopter with the full chopper sound effect going. Only for the camera to leave the fact that the rotors aren’t turning fully in shot.
Yet I think I still want that horror movie with the Police Academy cast that I was sold. In fact, what I think what I’d like to see now is a big screen version of the PlayStation 4 game Until Dawn, but with Police Academy characters, to bring a bit of a choose your own adventure element to the fun. Plus, then you get to replay it, changing just a few plot elements next time you play, accurately reflecting one of the core components of the Police Academy business plan.
Guttenberg has since followed this up with a sequel, 2 Lava 2 Tarantula, where only two Police Academy alumni joined him. Another film is coming. But Lavalantula: Tokyo Drift is surely just a meeting and a beermat’s worth of plot away, where all of his co-stars will have deserted him, ready to rejoin him for the fourth film in the series. That’s how this stuff work, right? And then Statham will turn up two films later? Right?
Right?...
- 5/10/2017
- Den of Geek
Stars: Steve Guttenberg, Nia Peeples, Patrick Renna, Carlos Bernard, Michael Winslow, Marion Ramsey, Leslie Easterbrook, Ralph Garman, Danny Woodburn, Noah Hunt, Diana Hopper | Written by Neil Elman, Mike Mendez, Ashley O’Neil | Directed by Mike Mendez
Back in 2012 I reviewed a Syfy channel monster movie called Arachnoquake, which saw an earthquake in New Orleans unleash fire-breathing giant spiders. Flash forward to today and we have a Syfy channel monster movie called Lavalantula which… features giant fire-breathing spiders unleashed by an earthquake And erupting volcano in Los Angeles! Retreading old ground? Technically yes. But given that this is a movie by Mike Mendez, there’s guaranteed to be some air of originality about it.
As the cover art states, Lavalantula is something of a Police Academy reunion. Not only does the film star Steve Guttenberg, but also featuress Michael Winslow, Marion Ramsay and Leslie Easterbrook – who buys the farm in truly spectacular fashion,...
Back in 2012 I reviewed a Syfy channel monster movie called Arachnoquake, which saw an earthquake in New Orleans unleash fire-breathing giant spiders. Flash forward to today and we have a Syfy channel monster movie called Lavalantula which… features giant fire-breathing spiders unleashed by an earthquake And erupting volcano in Los Angeles! Retreading old ground? Technically yes. But given that this is a movie by Mike Mendez, there’s guaranteed to be some air of originality about it.
As the cover art states, Lavalantula is something of a Police Academy reunion. Not only does the film star Steve Guttenberg, but also featuress Michael Winslow, Marion Ramsay and Leslie Easterbrook – who buys the farm in truly spectacular fashion,...
- 5/5/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Throughout a career of playing diverse characters on screen, Dolph Lundgren has gone up against Rocky Balboa, an alien drug dealer, and an army of enemies, but in his latest film, Don't Kill It, Lundgren fights what is possibly his most dangerous opponent yet: a demon that thrives on death. With Don't Kill It now out in select theaters and on VOD, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Lundgren and director Mike Mendez about balancing vicious violence with blood-drenched humor, sequel possibilities, and much more.
Congratulations on Don’t Kill It. Dolph, Jebediah Woodley is such a great character for you. When did you initially find out about this role, and what about playing Jebediah appealed to you?
Dolph Lundgren: I found out about it probably 9–10 months before we shot the film because it was postponed a couple of times, which was actually a good thing because...
Congratulations on Don’t Kill It. Dolph, Jebediah Woodley is such a great character for you. When did you initially find out about this role, and what about playing Jebediah appealed to you?
Dolph Lundgren: I found out about it probably 9–10 months before we shot the film because it was postponed a couple of times, which was actually a good thing because...
- 3/3/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
What is growing inside of Lou (Natasha Lyonne)? Danny Perez’s Antibirth can be yours on Blu-ray and DVD beginning February 7th. Also in today’s Horror Highlights: The Field Guide to Evil crowdfunding campaign, a clip from Friday’s episode of Paranormal Lockdown, Volumes of Blood trailer and poster, and the poster for Dead Squad.
Antibirth Blu-ray / DVD Release Details: Press Release: “Hard-drinking, pill-popping, bong-ripping Lou (Natasha Lyonne, Orange in the New Black) and her best friend Sadie (Chloë Sevigny, Boys Don’t Cry, American Horror Story) spend their days adrift in a druggy haze. But one wild night out becomes a bad trip that never ends when Lou wakes up with symptoms of an unexplained, highly abnormal pregnancy. Who — or what — is growing inside of her? Making its Blu-ray and DVD debut February 7th, 2017 from Scream Factory, in conjunction with IFC Midnight, Anitbirth also includes psychedelic clips, storyboards,...
Antibirth Blu-ray / DVD Release Details: Press Release: “Hard-drinking, pill-popping, bong-ripping Lou (Natasha Lyonne, Orange in the New Black) and her best friend Sadie (Chloë Sevigny, Boys Don’t Cry, American Horror Story) spend their days adrift in a druggy haze. But one wild night out becomes a bad trip that never ends when Lou wakes up with symptoms of an unexplained, highly abnormal pregnancy. Who — or what — is growing inside of her? Making its Blu-ray and DVD debut February 7th, 2017 from Scream Factory, in conjunction with IFC Midnight, Anitbirth also includes psychedelic clips, storyboards,...
- 1/20/2017
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
"Volumes Of Blood: Horror Stories" is a sequel to the indie horror anthology "Volumes Of Blood", hailed by critics as “The best damn anthology of 2015!” The first project under the newly created Blood Moon Pictures, LLC. The film is produced by Pj Starks and Eric Huskisson ("The Confession Of Fred Krueger") and Christopher Bower ("The Dooms Chapel Horror"). The film features actor Moses Moseley best known for his role as one of Michonne's Pet Walkers on the hit AMC show "The Walking Dead", the acting debut of WWE legend Sir Mo from "Men On A Mission" and original music by Rocky Gray (drummer for We Are The Fallen, Living Sacrifice formerly of Evanescence) and Shane Prather ("Sharknado" franchise, "Sinister Squad", "Lavalantula"). "Murder Death Killer" – Directed by Nathan...
- 10/5/2016
- www.ohmygore.com/
One of the upcoming horror films we’re very much looking forward to is Big Ass Spider! and Lavalantula director Mike Mendez’s Don’t Kill It, which stars ultimate badass Dolph Lundgren as a demon-slayer. Mendez sure knows how to entertain us,… Continue Reading →
The post Shit Gets Crazy in Don’t Kill It Trailer and Image Gallery appeared first on Dread Central.
The post Shit Gets Crazy in Don’t Kill It Trailer and Image Gallery appeared first on Dread Central.
- 9/21/2016
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
After battle big spiders with Lavalantula and Big Ass Spider!, horror director Mike Mendez is behind Don’t Kill It, which stars Dolph Lundgren (The Expendables, Universal Soldier, Rocky IV). In the film, “An ancient evil is unleashed in a small Alaskan town leaving a trail of death and destruction as it passes from host to host. The only hope of survival lies with […]...
- 9/21/2016
- by MrDisgusting
- bloody-disgusting.com
After battle big spiders with Lavalantula and Big Ass Spider!, horror director Mike Mendez is behind Don’t Kill It, which stars Dolph Lundgren (The Expendables, Universal Soldier, Rocky IV). In the film, “An ancient evil is unleashed in a small Alaskan town leaving a trail of death and destruction as it passes from host to host. The only hope of survival lies with […]...
- 9/7/2016
- by MrDisgusting
- bloody-disgusting.com
The official trailer has been released for Mike Lombardo’s I’m Dreaming of a White Doomsday, giving fans who have been dreaming of the film’s upcoming release an atmospheric tease of what’s to come. Also in this morning’s Horror Highlights: a trailer / release details for Syfy’s Lavalantula sequel 2Lava 2Lantula and a look at Dark Horse’s Harrow County #15.
Watch the Official Trailer for I’m Dreaming of a White Doomsday: “From Reel Splatter Productions, writer/director Mike Lombardo and Horror Grandmaster Award winning author Brian Keene (executive producer), comes a nihilistic tale of survival during the most wonderful time of the year. I’m Dreaming of a White Doomsday is the story of Kelly and her son Riley, weathering the end times in a bomb shelter amidst the ruin that once was the world. With supplies and hope steadily declining, Kelly makes a horrifying...
Watch the Official Trailer for I’m Dreaming of a White Doomsday: “From Reel Splatter Productions, writer/director Mike Lombardo and Horror Grandmaster Award winning author Brian Keene (executive producer), comes a nihilistic tale of survival during the most wonderful time of the year. I’m Dreaming of a White Doomsday is the story of Kelly and her son Riley, weathering the end times in a bomb shelter amidst the ruin that once was the world. With supplies and hope steadily declining, Kelly makes a horrifying...
- 8/6/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Reviewed by Shannon Hilson
MoreHorror.com
It’s a wonderful thing – the way horror comes in all flavors and varieties these days. Whether you’re into slashers and serial killers, ghosts and monsters, old school classics or found footage, there’s something out there that’s just right for you.
The same goes for those of us that think horror goes perfectly with a little bit of cheesy, spoofy comedy every once in a while. The Comedy/Action/Creature Feature 2 Lava 2 Lantula is exactly this type of film. Directed by Nick Simon (Removal, The Girl in The Photographs) and starring Steve Guttenberg, it’s the sequel to Syfy creature feature Lavalantula.
Simon, known more for his darker themed horror thrillers wanted to do a comedy, and told MoreHorror that "I really have a strong love for Corman and Troma films and I kind of always wanted to do one. We...
MoreHorror.com
It’s a wonderful thing – the way horror comes in all flavors and varieties these days. Whether you’re into slashers and serial killers, ghosts and monsters, old school classics or found footage, there’s something out there that’s just right for you.
The same goes for those of us that think horror goes perfectly with a little bit of cheesy, spoofy comedy every once in a while. The Comedy/Action/Creature Feature 2 Lava 2 Lantula is exactly this type of film. Directed by Nick Simon (Removal, The Girl in The Photographs) and starring Steve Guttenberg, it’s the sequel to Syfy creature feature Lavalantula.
Simon, known more for his darker themed horror thrillers wanted to do a comedy, and told MoreHorror that "I really have a strong love for Corman and Troma films and I kind of always wanted to do one. We...
- 8/2/2016
- by admin
- MoreHorror
The fourth installment of Syfy's mega-popular Sharknado series premiered Sunday. And in case there was any question that The 4th Awakens would be a slight Star Wars parody, the film answered that right away by opening with an "Episode IV" scrolling prologue reminiscent of George Lucas' space franchise.
Ian Ziering was back as chainsaw-touting Fin Shepard, alongside Tara Reid and David Hasselhoff. With a new team of allies by their side, they battled the Sharknados – which this time have evolved into fire-breathing, hail-throwing, sand-blasting threats.
They also spewed their fair share of Star Wars puns, including a "May the force be with you" line,...
Ian Ziering was back as chainsaw-touting Fin Shepard, alongside Tara Reid and David Hasselhoff. With a new team of allies by their side, they battled the Sharknados – which this time have evolved into fire-breathing, hail-throwing, sand-blasting threats.
They also spewed their fair share of Star Wars puns, including a "May the force be with you" line,...
- 8/1/2016
- by Dave Quinn, @NineDaves
- People.com - TV Watch
The fourth installment of Syfy's mega-popular Sharknado series premiered Sunday. And in case there was any question that The 4th Awakens would be a slight Star Wars parody, the film answered that right away by opening with an "Episode IV" scrolling prologue reminiscent of George Lucas' space franchise. Ian Ziering was back as chainsaw-touting Fin Shepard, alongside Tara Reid and David Hasselhoff. With a new team of allies by their side, they battled the Sharknados - which this time have evolved into fire-breathing, hail-throwing, sand-blasting threats. They also spewed their fair share of Star Wars puns, including a "May...
- 8/1/2016
- by Dave Quinn, @NineDaves
- PEOPLE.com
Los Angeles is under attack by Lavalantulas, again. This one is more like a gargantulantula… Syfy has set August 6 as the premiere date for 2Lava2Lantula, which brings Steve Guttenberg back as Colton West, a 90s action movie star who battles the volcanic creatures once again. “In Lavalantula, “Steve Guttenberg starred as Colton West, a […]...
- 6/14/2016
- by MrDisgusting
- bloody-disgusting.com
Few filmmakers can squeeze optimum entertainment out of a fun premise like Mike Mendez, who directed films such as Big Ass Spider! and Lavalantula, and also contributed one of the most fun segments to last year’s anthology Tales of Halloween.… Continue Reading →
The post Dolph Lundgren Hunts Demons in Bloody Don’t Kill It Trailer appeared first on Dread Central.
The post Dolph Lundgren Hunts Demons in Bloody Don’t Kill It Trailer appeared first on Dread Central.
- 5/13/2016
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
After battle big spiders with Lavalantula and Big Ass Spider!, horror director Mike Mendez is behind Don’t Kill It, which stars Dolph Lundgren (The Expendables, Universal Soldier, Rocky IV). In the film, “An ancient evil is unleashed in a small Alaskan town leaving a trail of death and destruction as it passes from host to host. The only hope […]...
- 5/13/2016
- by MrDisgusting
- bloody-disgusting.com
After battle big spiders with Lavalantula and Big Ass Spider!, horror director Mike Mendez is behind Don’t Kill It, which stars Dolph Lundgren (The Expendables, Universal Soldier, Rocky IV). In the film, “An ancient evil is unleashed in a small Alaskan town leaving a trail of death and destruction as it passes from host to host. The only hope […]...
- 4/26/2016
- by MrDisgusting
- bloody-disgusting.com
Director Mike Mendez (Big Ass Spider!, Lavalantula) is currently filming Don’t Kill It over in Mississippi, and in the film Dolph Lundgren will play an ass-kicking demon hunter. We can’t wait to check it out, and today brings one last… Continue Reading →
The post Miles Doleac Joins Dolph Lundgren in Don’t Kill It appeared first on Dread Central.
The post Miles Doleac Joins Dolph Lundgren in Don’t Kill It appeared first on Dread Central.
- 12/23/2015
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
We’re huge fans of Mike Mendez here on Dread, as he’s delivered nothing but entertainment over the years. Up next, Mendez follows up films like The Gravedancers, Big Ass Spider!, and Lavalantula with Don’t Kill It; and on tap today… Continue Reading →
The post Check Out Bloody Set Photo from Mike Mendez’s Don’t Kill It appeared first on Dread Central.
The post Check Out Bloody Set Photo from Mike Mendez’s Don’t Kill It appeared first on Dread Central.
- 12/22/2015
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
You may know Mike Mendez as the madman behind such giant spider flicks as Big Ass Spider and SyFy's Lavalantula, but he's also been doing the horror genre justice with great low key films like Gravedancers, which was part of the original 8 Films to Die for Series, and The Covenant.
In Tales of Halloween, Mendez offers what is perhaps the most refreshing of all the shorts in "Friday the 31st" - a genre mashup that will bring a smile to any true fan of horror or scifi.
Here, Mendez talks inspiration and what makes horror so funny.
Qe: Between "Friday the 31st" and your last movie, Big Ass Spider!, you're obviously into old school fx movies. Which ones are you influenced by the most?
Well, I wanted to be a [Continued ...]...
In Tales of Halloween, Mendez offers what is perhaps the most refreshing of all the shorts in "Friday the 31st" - a genre mashup that will bring a smile to any true fan of horror or scifi.
Here, Mendez talks inspiration and what makes horror so funny.
Qe: Between "Friday the 31st" and your last movie, Big Ass Spider!, you're obviously into old school fx movies. Which ones are you influenced by the most?
Well, I wanted to be a [Continued ...]...
- 10/14/2015
- QuietEarth.us
To celebrate the October 16th release of the horror anthology Tales of Halloween, Daily Dead spoke to the filmmakers behind the movie to discuss the project, their individual contributions and more.
Mike Mendez is best known as the director of films like The Convent, The Gravedancers, Big Ass Spider! and, most recently, the horror comedy Lavalantula for Syfy. He’s both a producer and a director on Tales of Halloween, contributing the ’80s slasher-inspired “Friday the 31st.”
This project started with you and Axelle Carolyn, right?
Mike Mendez: It’s Axelle’s concept and she’s the one who got the ball rolling. She told a few of us about it, and I brought in Epic Pictures and got it financed. From that point on, it’s been Axelle’s and my burden to bear, for better or worse. A very fun burden to bear.
Was it a case of,...
Mike Mendez is best known as the director of films like The Convent, The Gravedancers, Big Ass Spider! and, most recently, the horror comedy Lavalantula for Syfy. He’s both a producer and a director on Tales of Halloween, contributing the ’80s slasher-inspired “Friday the 31st.”
This project started with you and Axelle Carolyn, right?
Mike Mendez: It’s Axelle’s concept and she’s the one who got the ball rolling. She told a few of us about it, and I brought in Epic Pictures and got it financed. From that point on, it’s been Axelle’s and my burden to bear, for better or worse. A very fun burden to bear.
Was it a case of,...
- 10/7/2015
- by Patrick Bromley
- DailyDead
The pint-sized burlap-clad Sam is back in the four-part graphic novel Days of the Dead from Michael Dougherty, the creator of Trick 'r Treat. Also: release details for Lavalantula, an excerpt from Mark Morris' The Society of Blood, and a special Halloween weekend iTunes release for Crazy Bitches.
Trick 'R Treat Graphic Novel: "From the twisted imagination of Trick ‘r Treat creator Michael Dougherty (director of the upcoming Krampus and Trick ‘r Treat 2 and screenwriter of X-Men 2 and Superman Returns) alongside a top-notch team of creators including writers Todd Casey and Zach Shields (Krampus), Marc Andreyko (Batwoman) and artists Fiona Staples (Saga), Stephen Byrne (Buffy/Angel), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker’s Death Ship) and Zid (Son of Merlin) comes this 4-part collection that paves the way for the Trick ‘r Treat film sequel.
Days of the Dead takes readers on a journey through Halloween history with 4 chilling new Trick ‘r Treat tales.
Trick 'R Treat Graphic Novel: "From the twisted imagination of Trick ‘r Treat creator Michael Dougherty (director of the upcoming Krampus and Trick ‘r Treat 2 and screenwriter of X-Men 2 and Superman Returns) alongside a top-notch team of creators including writers Todd Casey and Zach Shields (Krampus), Marc Andreyko (Batwoman) and artists Fiona Staples (Saga), Stephen Byrne (Buffy/Angel), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker’s Death Ship) and Zid (Son of Merlin) comes this 4-part collection that paves the way for the Trick ‘r Treat film sequel.
Days of the Dead takes readers on a journey through Halloween history with 4 chilling new Trick ‘r Treat tales.
- 10/6/2015
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Police Academy is the latest classic '80s comedy in line for a remake - and original star Steve Guttenberg approves.
Key and Peele creators Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are currently at work producing the latest film in the comedy franchise, rumoured to be titled Police Academy: Next Generation.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Guttenberg revealed that he'd love to be involved in the new Police Academy in some form.
"Of course," he said. "Police Academy is so dear to my heart and has given me such great success - I was very lucky to be in four of the seven of them and they were extraordinarily successful, and added a great amount of heat to my career - so I'm thrilled that they're going to do another one."
Guttenberg, who played rascally cop Mahoney in Police Academy, added that he sees the planned remake as a compliment to his original comedy.
Key and Peele creators Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are currently at work producing the latest film in the comedy franchise, rumoured to be titled Police Academy: Next Generation.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Guttenberg revealed that he'd love to be involved in the new Police Academy in some form.
"Of course," he said. "Police Academy is so dear to my heart and has given me such great success - I was very lucky to be in four of the seven of them and they were extraordinarily successful, and added a great amount of heat to my career - so I'm thrilled that they're going to do another one."
Guttenberg, who played rascally cop Mahoney in Police Academy, added that he sees the planned remake as a compliment to his original comedy.
- 7/31/2015
- Digital Spy
Syfy is looking to build another monster mashup franchise, greenlighting a sequel to original movie Lavalantula, which premiered on Saturday as part of Sharnado week. Set for summer 2016, the Lavalantula sequel, from Cinetel Films, will be titled 2 Lava 2 Lantula! The original movie saw Steve Guttenberg star as Colton West, a 90s action movie star who is on the waning end of his career and in trouble with the law when volcanoes erupt in the Santa Monica mountains. The…...
- 7/29/2015
- Deadline TV
Sharknado 3 may be the big buzzed-about Syfy movie premiere this week, but sharks aren’t the only scary creatures hitting that network’s airwaves. That other go-to standard for animal horror movies — spiders — also make an appearance with the debut of the original film Lavalantula on July 25. As you can tell from its name, the film — directed by apparent spider-movie expert Mike Mendez, who also helmed Big Ass Spider! — is about tarantulas that spit lava, naturally. “It’s based on a true story,” deadpans star Steve Guttenberg during our interview. “A volcano erupts in the Santa Monica Mountains, and … Continue reading →
The post Interview: Steve Guttenberg talks about Syfy’s “Lavalantula” appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post Interview: Steve Guttenberg talks about Syfy’s “Lavalantula” appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 7/20/2015
- by Jeff Pfeiffer
- ChannelGuideMag
The third installment in the so-silly-it's-awesome "Sharknado" series now has its final lineup and is getting a special premiere week slate of programming, which Syfy announced on Thursday.
"Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!" (love the subtitle) reunites viewers with original stars Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, who are reprising their roles as estranged spouses/sharknado survivors Fin and April. Joining them this time around is original "Sharknado" star Cassie Scerbo (who sat out last summer's "Sharknado 2: The Second One"), along with some new faces: David Hasselhoff (playing Fin's father, Gil), Bo Derek (April's mother, May), Ryan Newman (taking over the part of April and Fin's daughter, Claudia Shepard, from original star and current "Nashville" cast member Aubrey Peeples), and Jack Griffo (Claudia's friend, Billy).
Those main characters join previously-announced cameos from a random assortment of "stars" (we use that term lightly), including Mark Cuban (President of the United...
"Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!" (love the subtitle) reunites viewers with original stars Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, who are reprising their roles as estranged spouses/sharknado survivors Fin and April. Joining them this time around is original "Sharknado" star Cassie Scerbo (who sat out last summer's "Sharknado 2: The Second One"), along with some new faces: David Hasselhoff (playing Fin's father, Gil), Bo Derek (April's mother, May), Ryan Newman (taking over the part of April and Fin's daughter, Claudia Shepard, from original star and current "Nashville" cast member Aubrey Peeples), and Jack Griffo (Claudia's friend, Billy).
Those main characters join previously-announced cameos from a random assortment of "stars" (we use that term lightly), including Mark Cuban (President of the United...
- 4/23/2015
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
While some Afm buyers were sitting on their wallets and spilling blood this year in hopes of scoring Quentin Tarantino’s Hateful Eight, others were ponying up for the schlock and genre awe that still sells in Santa Monica. This year a new trend brought heat to the halls of the Loews: Ebola. Not just ebola, but ebola zombies. Is anyone out there ready to see ebola spread to the undead?
Here’s one way to defuse the tacky sensationalism of Afm schlock-hawking: Apologize in advance. “Is it too soon?” genre seller Rob Hauschild asked the buyers and lookyloos who stopped, did double takes, and even took selfies with the poster for Ebola Zombies this year. He’d break the ice with a smile and a sheepish shrug. “I’m sorry!”
The audacity worked; Hauschild sold Ebola Zombies to Germany and is closing a deal with a Japanese distributor for his Wild Eye Releasing,...
Here’s one way to defuse the tacky sensationalism of Afm schlock-hawking: Apologize in advance. “Is it too soon?” genre seller Rob Hauschild asked the buyers and lookyloos who stopped, did double takes, and even took selfies with the poster for Ebola Zombies this year. He’d break the ice with a smile and a sheepish shrug. “I’m sorry!”
The audacity worked; Hauschild sold Ebola Zombies to Germany and is closing a deal with a Japanese distributor for his Wild Eye Releasing,...
- 11/15/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
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