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I Fought the Law - Maddwolf
The Prosecutor by Brandon Thomas Age isn’t much of a factor for action stars these days. Liam Neeson, Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford, and Tom Cruise (c’mon, dude is 63) are still throwing punches, shooting guns, and hanging off planes when most actors are looking for cushy dramas. However, guys like Donnie Yen take it to … Continue reading I Fought the Law →
A Mission Not Worth Taking - Maddwolf
Resurrection Road by Daniel Baldwin Genre mash-ups are a tricky thing. A consistent tone is hard enough to maintain when one is working in one genre, but once you add any additional genres into the mix, the odds of things going off of the rails increase exponentially. More often than not, they tend to fall … Continue reading A Mission Not Worth Taking →
Hunting Season - Maddwolf
Predator: Killer of Killers by Hope Madden In 2022, director Dan Trachtenberg reinvigorated the Predator franchise by taking the story back in time and investing in character. Prey (especially the Comanche language dub) unveiled thrilling new directions for the hunt to take—directions Trachtenberg picks up with three short, animated installments in Hulu’s Predator: Killer of … Continue reading Hunting Season →
Inconvenient Arrangement - Maddwolf
Sister Midnight by Rachel Willis Watching the trailer for writer/director Karan Kandhari’s film Sister Midnight did not prepare me for the wild ride I was about to take. It is best to go into this movie knowing as little as possible, so each change in direction allows for surprise. For that reason, I will give … Continue reading Inconvenient Arrangement →
Fun With Hand Grenades - Maddwolf
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina by Hope Madden Who are the greatest female action heroes? Ellen Ripley, obviously. Beatrix Kiddo makes a good case for herself. Viola Davis cut one badass figure in G20 last year. Let’s not forget Atomic Blonde. Ana de Armas is the latest to throw her hat in the … Continue reading Fun With Hand Grenades →
Fins to the Left, Fins to the Right - Maddwolf
Dangerous Animals by George Wolf When are they going to run out of ideas for new shark movies? Well, not today. Dangerous Animals – director Sean Byrne’s first film in a decade – rises above the glut of silly sharksploitation yarns by aggressively hunting an adventure thriller of abduction and survival. Jai Courtney stuffs his … Continue reading Fins to the Left, Fins to the Right →
Crane, Meet Dragon - Maddwolf
Karate Kid: Legends by George Wolf The success of cable’s Cobra Kai probably made a new Karate Kid movie pretty inevitable. So here we are, in the Kai universe, bringing Ralph Macchio, Jackie Chan and the ghost of Pat Morita all together for Karate Kid: Legends. Don’t expect “The Crane,” the new move is “Dragon … Continue reading Crane, Meet Dragon →
Jane Says - Maddwolf
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life by George Wolf The Cult of Jane is strong, for good reason. On film, Austen’s groundbreaking work has inspired faithful adaptations, inspired re-imaginings and even romance fantasy. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Jane Austen a gâché ma vie) gets filed behind door number three, a fanciful rom-com that finds its … Continue reading Jane Says →
Mother's Little Helper - Maddwolf
Bring Her Back by Hope Madden Damn, son. The Philippou brothers know how to unsettle you. Filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou drew attention in 2022 for their wildly popular feature debut, Talk to Me. Before releasing the sequel, due out this August, the pair changes the game up with a different, but at least equally … Continue reading Mother’s Little Helper →
Samurai West - Maddwolf
Tornado by George Wolf Less than ten minutes into Tornado, you’ll be wondering about the cinematographer behind the expansive beauty on the screen. That would be the Oscar-nominated Robbie Ryan (The Favourite, Poor Things), who elevates writer/director John Maclean’s Samurai survival thriller with consistently sumptuous framing of Scotland’s savage beauty. In the late 1790’s, young … Continue reading Samurai West →
Black & Blue Hawaii - Maddwolf
Lilo & Stitch by Hope Madden As a general rule, I’m no fan of Disney’s live action remakes. Loved Jon Favreau’s 2016 reimagining of The Jungle Book, but not a single reboot since has lived up to the impressive fun of that one, and most just feel like a soulless cash grab. Can Lilo & … Continue reading Black & Blue Hawaii →
Running Man - Maddwolf
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning by George Wolf Remember that eye-popping train stunt in Dead Reckoning? How is this latest Mission: Impossible chapter possibly going to up that ante? Well, it takes two of the film’s nearly three hours to get there, but once Tom Cruise and director/co-writer Christopher McQuarrie break out the dual … Continue reading Running Man →
Stab Me With a Spoon - Maddwolf
Fear Street: Prom Queen by George Wolf If you’ve been waiting for Netflix to bring their bloody Fear Street fun to the 1980s, Prom Queen is here to gag you with a spoon (or stab you with a hatchet). But after some satisfying time traveling to the 90s, the 70s, and 1666, part four of … Continue reading Stab Me With a Spoon →
Get Your Drink On - Maddwolf
Fountain of Youth by George Wolf Knock, knock. Who’s there? Bab’s uvula. Bab’s uvula who? I don’t know, Babs, but I do know this: if you’re going to decipher the map to the fountain of youth, you’ve got to raise the wreck of the Lusitania and grab the long-lost Rembrandt painting that’s still in the … Continue reading Get Your Drink On →
Daddy's Little Girl - Maddwolf
The Surrender by Hope Madden At one point in writer/director Julia Max’s feature debut The Surrender, Barbara (the always reliable Kate Burton) tells her daughter, Megan (Colby Minifie), that their grief over the death of the family patriarch is not the same. After 40 years together, Barbara says, “I don’t know who I am without … Continue reading Daddy’s Little Girl →
That's His Name, Don't Wear it Out - Maddwolf
Pee-wee as Himself by Hope Madden If there’s one thing Matt Wolf’s 2-part documentary Pee-wee as Himself does, it reminds you what a cultural phenomenon Pee-wee Herman was in the 80s. Movies to TV to MTV to toys to talk shows, he was everywhere and he was beloved by children, college kids, and adults alike. … Continue reading That’s His Name, Don’t Wear it Out →
Fright Club: Punk Rock Horror - Maddwolf
There is a chaotic energy, a violence to punk rock that makes it a perfect score to horror. Like horror, punk frightens. It upsets the status quo, that’s its whole purpose. It’s inspired a lot of filmmakers and a lot of movies: Uncle Peckerhead, Class of 1984, Driller Killer and more. But here are our … Continue reading Fright Club: Punk Rock Horror →
This Is the End - Maddwolf
Final Destination: Bloodlines by Hope Madden I’ll give you three reasons Final Destination: Bloodlines is the best since James Wong’s clever 2000 original, if not the best in the whole franchise. Number one, gone is the nihilistic tone that had us all hating characters and waiting glibly for them to die. Instead, directors Zach Lipovsky … Continue reading This Is the End →
Voice of Experience - Maddwolf
Hurry Up Tomorrow by George Wolf After the chaotic mess that was The Idol, it would have been easy for Abel Tesfaye (aka The Weeknd) to craft Hurry Up Tomorrow as a safely commercial extension of his new album. To his credit, he doesn’t, and having Trey Edward Shults as his director and co-writer is … Continue reading Voice of Experience →
Flight of Fun - Maddwolf
Fight or Flight by Brandon Thomas Some might say we’re amidst a Josh Hartnett renaissance (Hartaissance?). 2023’s Oppenheimer saw the former teen heartthrob nearly steal the show in a more adult and subdued performance than we’re used to seeing from the actor. Last summer’s Trap was a complete 180 from the Oscar-winning drama, where Hartnett was allowed to lean … Continue reading Flight of Fun →
Send In the Clowns - Maddwolf
Clown in a Cornfield by Hope Madden Adam Cesare’s novel Clown in a Cornfield won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Young Adult Horror Novel. So, there had to be something there, right? Eli Craig (of the utterly fantastic 2010 genre upending Tucker and Dale vs. Evil) handles directing duties. That seems like a good … Continue reading Send In the Clowns →
Tales From the Dark Side - Maddwolf
Thunderbolts* by George Wolf In the post-Avengers world, CIA Director Valentina is quick to tell America that there is no one to protect us. Well, make way for the Thunderbolts* (named for a peewee soccer team!) Valentina (Julie Louis-Dreyfus, a treasure as always) makes her declaration while testifying at her own impeachment hearing. It seems … Continue reading Tales From the Dark Side →
Unwelcome Back - Maddwolf
The Surfer by George Wolf Have you seen Wake in Fright, the 1971 Australian nightmare with Donald Pleasence? How about The Swimmer from ’68, where Burt Lancaster’s delusions of greatness are slowly punctured by the reality of his past? The Surfer will hit harder if you can appreciate how it blends the two for its … Continue reading Unwelcome Back →
Simply Resistible - Maddwolf
Another Simple Favor by George Wolf Five years ago, A Simple Favor delivered a pretty delicious slice of satire for the angsty modern woman/wife/mother. Buoyed by the chemistry of stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, it mixed B-movie trappings with in-the-moment irony for a fun, twisty tale of gaslighting, betrayal, murder, and mommy vlogs. Amazon … Continue reading Simply Resistible →
Miracle Misfortune - Maddwolf
The Gullspang Miracle by Brandon Thomas For devoutly religious sisters Kari and May, miracles are as real as the air we breathe. Thirty years after the death of their older sister Lita, Kari and May believe they witness their own miracle while sitting in a real estate office in Sweden. Before them sits a woman … Continue reading Miracle Misfortune →
Not All Who Wander Are Lost - Maddwolf
A Desert by Adam Barney The desert is a scary place and for good reason – it’s easy to get lost, there are poisonous reptiles underfoot, the conditions will kill you, and you might even run into the most dangerous thing – strangers who choose to live out there. Alex (Kai Lennox, Green Room) is … Continue reading Not All Who Wander Are Lost →
The Old Familiar Sting - Maddwolf
Until Dawn by Hope Madden Watching the 2011 genre classic Cabin in the Woods when it came out, you couldn’t help but think it would make a great video game. Each new level could bring on a different one of those beasties from the elevator, and you’d have to try to survive them all to … Continue reading The Old Familiar Sting →
Ballet of Bullets - Maddwolf
Havoc by George Wolf If you’ve seen The Raid or The Raid 2, you’re plenty familiar with the Gareth Evans brand of Gun Fu. With Havoc, he brings the same breakneck blood sport to Netflix. And by the time he’s done, you’ll be amazed none of that splatter got on your sofa. Expect violence, turned … Continue reading Ballet of Bullets →
Rock in the Ruins - Maddwolf
Pink Floyd at Pompeii by Hope Madden and George Wolf The gorgeous new restoration of 1972’s Pink Floyd at Pompeii delivers a beautifully discordant glimpse of a transitional period for one of music’s most important rock bands. Gorgeously restored image and sound immerse you in Floyd’s music. Adrian Maben’s doc focuses primarily on Floyd’s 1971 trip … Continue reading Rock in the Ruins →
Please Won't You Be? - Maddwolf
Neighborhood Watch by Hope Madden Director Duncan Skiles’s latest, Neighborhood Watch, delivers a tense and unpretentious thriller about a young man debilitated by childhood trauma who witnesses a kidnapping. When the police don’t believe him, he teams up with a disgraced campus security guard to find the victim. Jack Quaid (Novocaine, Companion) is Simon, so … Continue reading Please Won’t You Be? →
Death, Decomposition and the Maiden - Maddwolf
The Shrouds by Hope Madden Cronenberg’s gonna Cronenberg. Isn’t that why we love him? Whether it’s 1983’s Videodrome or 2022’sCrimes of the Future, Dead Ringers (1988) or A Dangerous Method (2011), 1996’s Crash, 1986’s The Fly, or his first feature, Shivers (1976), David Cronenberg is fascinated by the human body, sex, technology, and conspiracies in … Continue reading Death, Decomposition and the Maiden →
Your Roots Are Showing - Maddwolf
Frewaka by Hope Madden It’s 1973. Men in black suits with wicker cages on their heads lead a goat up a path to a wedding. “Who invited them?” asks the bride. “Nobody invites them. That’s the whole point.” OK. I am in. Writer/director Aislin Clarke’s Frewaka—Irish folk horror told in the ancient tongue—grabs you early … Continue reading Your Roots Are Showing →
Fright Club: Best Canadian Horror - Maddwolf
We love Canada! As that nation’s proud neighbors to the south, we were thrilled to welcome Joey from horrorfacts.com to Fright Club to parse out the 5 best Canadian horror films. What makes it Canadian? It has to be directed by a Canadian, shot in Canada and, to the degree it’s possible to tell, set … Continue reading Fright Club: Best Canadian Horror →
Excellent Day for an Exorcism - Maddwolf
Shadow of God by Hope Madden To Michael Peterson’s credit, he tried something new within the exhausted exorcism subgenre. Working from a script by Tim Cairo, Peterson’s Shadow of God wonders whether God’s will is really such a great deal for humans. Mark O’Brien (Ready or Not) is Father Mason, an exorcist forced to take … Continue reading Excellent Day for an Exorcism →
Hellhound on My Tail - Maddwolf
Sinners by Hope Madden Ryan Coogler can direct the hell out of a movie, can’t he? For Sinners, he reteams with longtime creative partner Michael B. Jordan to sing a song of a 1932 Mississippi juke joint. The Smokestack twins (Jordan) are back from Chicago, a truckload of ill-gotten liquor and a satchel full of … Continue reading Hellhound on My Tail →
Fatherhood of the Future - Maddwolf
Daddy by Rachel Willis In a sterile conference room, a man speaks to a disembodied voice coming from a speaker. The voice is trying to determine if the man is the right kind of person to go on a government retreat that will decide if he would make a suitable father. If he’s not chosen, … Continue reading Fatherhood of the Future →
Beauty and the Beatings - Maddwolf
The Ugly Stepsister by George Wolf Are we done clutching our pearls about the recent Snow White update? They’re about to get plenty gooey. Really, writer/director Emilie Blichfeldt doesn’t care either way, she’s too busy infusing her feature debut with an impossible-to-ignore blast of sharp wit, subdued rage, and grotesque bodily horrors. Yes, The Ugly … Continue reading Beauty and the Beatings →
Wait a Minute, Mr. Postman - Maddwolf
Dead Mail by Hope Madden Welcome to Peoria, IL sometime in the mid-1980s. A little mystery has taken hold of the post office. Letter sorters found a necklace in an envelope with the wrong address on it. It looks valuable, so that means Jasper (Tomas Boykin) will put his skills to the test to try … Continue reading Wait a Minute, Mr. Postman →
I Dos and Don'ts - Maddwolf
The Wedding Banquet by Hope Madden Back in 1993, Ang Lee scored his first Academy attention when The Wedding Banquet was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. The marriage of convenience farce reimagined rom-com tropes and landed emotional hits thanks to nuanced direction and generous characterizations. A generation later, director Andrew Ahn reimagines once again. … Continue reading I Dos and Don’ts →
Fright Club: Female Rage in Horror Movies - Maddwolf
Some of the greatest films in horror do not dwell on women in terror, but women in the throes of righteous fury. Ginger Snaps, Revenge, Alucarda, Possession, Teeth, Jennifer’s Body, The Love Witch, She Will, A Wounded Fawn, Immaculate, Ms. 45, The Craft, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster, The Substance, American Mary—it’s a … Continue reading Fright Club: Female Rage in Horror Movies →