Category: Lists

How to Reference The King: Five Great References to Stephen King in Popular Culture

How to Reference The King: Five Great References to Stephen King in Popular Culture

Posted by | Sep 13, 2017 |

Stephen King has written 56 novels and nearly 200 short stories. He has been adapted many, many times for the big and small screen and has become such a name in the horror genre that he will probably never be dethroned as the king of scary stories. He has become so ingrained in our culture that we see his influence pop up all the time in sitcoms, music videos, video games, music, literature, cookery (he has a mean cheesecake recipe), and animation. It would be impossible to list every reference to him in popular culture, so I’ve narrowed it down...

Read More
10 Stephen King Novels That Deserve Modern Adaptations

10 Stephen King Novels That Deserve Modern Adaptations

Posted by | Sep 5, 2017 | |

If this year has showcased anything in terms of pop culture trends, it’s that we’re in the midst of a renaissance of sorts in terms of Stephen King adaptations. While not every adaptation this year has panned out in terms of critical or box office expectations, King’s name has certainly been on many tongues and minds this year as we saw a number of new star-studded adaptations of his work. With The Dark Tower, Mr. Mercedes released, and IT (so close!), Gerald’s Game, 1922, and television series Castle Rock and The Dark Tower still to come, it’s clear that...

Read More
5 Less Discussed Hitchcock Films That Need to Be Discussed

5 Less Discussed Hitchcock Films That Need to Be Discussed

Posted by | Aug 16, 2017 | |

Originally published August 13, 2016. If there’s a shorthand term in film journalism and conversation more useful than “Hitchcockian” I am yet to hear it. While terms like “Lynchian” are often misused, “Hitchcockian” is usually appropriate as a point of comparison because, well, whatever is being described, he probably did do it first. As far as I’m concerned there is no single director more influential to cinema, whose intellectual engagement with how an audience thinks and feels was more beneficial to the medium. Because of this, films like Psycho, Rear Window, The Birds and Vertigo have become essential viewing for the aspiring film buff, and rightly so. But Hitchcock didn’t...

Read More
6 Times Alfred Hitchcock Influenced Modern Masters

6 Times Alfred Hitchcock Influenced Modern Masters

Posted by | Aug 15, 2017 | |

Originally Published on August 13, 2014 There’s a meta-theatrical episode of the Comedy Central cartoon South Park wherein the characters labor under the frustration that the more-legendary cartoon The Simpsons has already made every joke available to make for a cartoon of crass adult themes.  As the boys of South Park pursue different comedic plot-lines, their neighbors quickly interject “Simpsons did it!” with increasing rapidness until the episode unravels into frustrated absurdity. When I watch that episode, I imagine it must be a relateable one for the modern filmmaker.  No matter how inventive the technique or fresh the storytelling...

Read More
The Best Movies of the First Half of 2017

The Best Movies of the First Half of 2017

Posted by | Jun 30, 2017 |

We’re six months into 2017, a year chock full of bad news and insufferable cultural breakdowns, but we’re still watching movies. Arguably, it could be said that we need good movies now more than ever. Luckily, so far, we’ve had them. It’s a bit too early to start making Oscar predictions, but we’ve certainly had our fair share of shining prestige flicks and high quality summer blockbusters. As a well-deserved celebration of our favorite sub-culture, we’re taking a break today to breathe and recollect on what has been, against all odds, a rather standout year for film. So join...

Read More
10 More DC Women Who Deserve a Movie

10 More DC Women Who Deserve a Movie

Posted by | Jun 1, 2017 |

With Wonder Woman making her way into cinemas and early reports declaring it an incredible movie, we can only hope that DC are smart enough to branch out and make movies with some of the other amazing female characters in their stories. With that in mind, we’ve chosen ten that we would like to see given the $200 million movie treatment. Poison Ivy Poison Ivy has, alas, been portrayed on screen before by Uma Thurman in 1997’s Batman and Robin. However, that performance failed to capture some of the nuance of Pamela Isley’s alter ego. In the modern world...

Read More
5 Short Films by David Lynch

5 Short Films by David Lynch

Posted by | May 18, 2017 |

So much has been said about David Lynch, and at the same time it feels like it’s never enough. Watching his films affects your brain in a unique way that is especially subjective and determined by your mood and life in the moment of consumption. His films stand the test of time and inspire countless creatives, speaking to a deeper level than many are willing to descend. It’s no surprise, then, that he is multi-talented in artistic fields, beginning with painting as a young man. Almost like a moment in Lynch’s evolution from painting to film, his shorts stand...

Read More
10 More Horror Shorts to Freak You Out

10 More Horror Shorts to Freak You Out

Posted by | May 17, 2017 | ,

Last week we gave you a list of 10 Horror Shorts to watch while you’re tucked into bed and looking for a scare. This week we continue with another 10, maybe just to pass the time at work. Either way, it’s best if you close the door, turn off the lights, and put on your headphones for maximum fear. Not Alone – You may have heard of The Witching Season, an episodic show of sorts whose horror shorts include some of the best tropes the genre has to offer. If you haven’t, I touched on them briefly here. This...

Read More
David Lynch’s Best Soundtrack Moments

David Lynch’s Best Soundtrack Moments

Posted by | May 16, 2017 |

Music is a big part of David Lynch’s work, from the eerie soundscapes of his early films to his own studio releases. As his career continued and full length feature films became a rarer sight, he began to make his own music—and now has five albums and a record label to his name. Twin Peaks‘ season 3 revival looks to include more music than ever, with appearances by Trent Reznor, Sky Ferreira, Eddie Vedder, Sharon Van Etten as well as Lynch alumni Rebekah Del Rio and Julee Cruise. “Everybody and his little brother can get a song and cut it into...

Read More
10 Horror Shorts to Make You Afraid of the Dark

10 Horror Shorts to Make You Afraid of the Dark

Posted by | May 10, 2017 | ,

Horror shorts are special. They’re a wonderful introduction for those who are a little too nervous to sit in their own fear for two hours, and sometimes they even inspire feature-length versions or appear in anthologies (for better or worse!). Many filmmakers got their start making shorts, a more challenging feat than many realize. Here’s a list of 10 great horror shorts that aren’t Lights Out. For best results, turn out the lights, tuck into bed, and stay tuned for 10 more next week. Thresher gets an A+ for story and style. Featuring a man locked up in a...

Read More
7 Directors for Masters of the Universe

7 Directors for Masters of the Universe

Posted by | May 8, 2017 |

With the recent news that McG won’t be directing Masters of the Universe (that whooshing noise is the bullet we just dodged), it’s left the movie wide open for someone with talent to step into the breach and make an interesting, big budget, space fantasy extravaganza. For those not in the know, Masters of the Universe is the story of Prince Adam, a man from the planet Eternia, who can turn into He-Man, a super strong, shirtless hero. He, along with a team of quirk-filled, supporting characters must face off against the evil Skeletor. It’s like Star Wars with more...

Read More
Five Ideal Directors for ‘Venom’

Five Ideal Directors for ‘Venom’

Posted by | Apr 26, 2017 |

As predicted by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, Hollywood is learning the wrong lessons after the success of the very bloody, very rated R Deadpool film. Gunn warned of the possibility of greenlit R-rated superhero films that’ll try to be “like Deadpool.” The first confirmation of that came a few weeks ago when Sony Pictures announced their upcoming Venom movie for an October 2018 release. The film will have no connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which Venom foe Spider-Man is currently a resident of, and will aim to be very rated R. This news is strange...

Read More
Ranking the Fast & Furious Franchise

Ranking the Fast & Furious Franchise

Posted by | Apr 19, 2017 |

The Fast and the Furious franchise is ever-evolving. No movie is comparable to the series’ basic structure or to its excellently choreographed action. They’re loud and a little dumb, but they stay true to themselves with heart and bombastic action. To celebrate the ongoing saga that continues to pave the way for world peace, here is a ranking of the explosively lovable Fast family adventures. 8. The Fate of the Furious BETRAYAL. It’s the foremost feeling of The Fate of the Furious. While the set pieces are all radically fun in their own vacuums, they don’t feel related to the progression of familial...

Read More
Home Movies: What Film Reminds You of Home?

Home Movies: What Film Reminds You of Home?

Posted by | Apr 6, 2017 |

Last week I came across Amanda Arnold’s recent Lit Hub piece, “Why Literature and Pop Culture Still Can’t Get the Midwest Right.” As a born-Midwesterner, I instantly and intuitively understood what she meant by her title. Her ideas stayed with me, and the more I thought about it, the easier it was to think of pop culture—movies, TV, books—that missed the mark and managed to make unfamiliar terrain out of my everyday experience. Turns out there are too many of those to count (and what fun is that anyway?). So, instead, what about the films that got home right? I had...

Read More