To achieve true icon status in Hollywood, actors must consistently work to prove their abilities over years and decades, although this can also mean that some legacies end up better than others. While many artists are immediately associated with success and prestige, when looking at the final entries in some stars’ filmographies, certain films tarnish their incredible legacies. This could be due to an actor’s declining popularity in their later years or just strange creative decisions that led to the release of lackluster final films. Some of the greatest actors of all time had an unhappy ending film that failed…
Author: Stephen Holland
It can often take an entire career for A-list actors to earn major acclaim for their work, but others manage to win awards with their first film. While the list of incredible actors who have yet to win an Oscar is long, it’s also surprising how many incredible performers did some of their best work in their debut film. These wins often helped major actors gain widespread recognition and helped propel popular careers that spanned multiple genres and styles. Some of the best actors have won major awards for their film debuts, which has helped give them the fame and…
Film noir We’ve always leaned toward the darker impulses of human existence, and the desire for revenge has always been a cornerstone of the genre. From widowed police officers who relentlessly pursue those who have wronged their loved ones to old enemies who emerge from the protagonist’s past seeking revenge, sinister tales of revenge include some of the greatest film noir ever made. As corrupt thugs, fatalistic femme fatales, and vilified victims engage in conspiracies of murder and deceit, it is inevitable that those who have been wronged will desire revenge. Many must-see noir films explore themes of revengeas classic…
There have been many TV shows which surprised viewers with an incredible first season, only to quickly decline in quality and make them feel like it should have just continued as a big miniseries. This can often be the case when a show was initially planned as a one-off series, but became so popular that it was artificially extended, despite there being no real artistic drive to continue telling the character’s story. This also commonly occurred when a TV show based on a book was forced to drop its source material in later seasons. While many great shows have been…
As perhaps the most famous band of all time the Beatles have been the subject of their fair share of conspiracy theories. Yet between speculation about coded messages in “Helter Skelter” and urban legends about John Lennon meeting aliens, the idea that Paul McCartney died long ago and was replaced by someone else has endured longer than any other. This wild claim is said to have occurred at the height of the Beatles’ fame and proposes that John, George and Ringo somehow managed to find the perfect replacement for Paul in the blink of an eye. The notorious “Paul is…
While martial arts animated series are often associated with anime, many other animation styles have come to the fore in this type of programming. Although many of the most famous examples of martial TV shows, such as Dragon ball and narutoOriginated in Japan, Western animation studios have also produced some of the greatest examples of the genre. Martial arts as a discipline teaches its practitioners the virtues of consistency, mindfulness, and training, which makes it the perfect subject for the life lessons taught to young viewers in many animated series. Some of the biggest animated series have explored themes around…
Danny Boyle 28 days later helped revolutionize the zombie genre for a new generation and ushered in an era of clever undead tales that turned the genre’s conventions on their head. Although the gritty, realistic world seen in the post-apocalyptic landscapes of 28 days later led to many other dark and serious zombie films throughout the 2000s and beyond, there have also been many hilarious and unique zombie comedies that deconstructed the conventions of this style of cinema. From fast-paced zombie nightmares to self-referential, tongue-in-cheek creatures, the genre has seen a lot of creative releases in recent years. Many of…
A great film musical can truly stand the test of time, although this will only happen if the audience really wants the film to be a musical, unlike what happened with the highly controversial release of Joker: Folie à Deux. The commercial failure of Joker: Folie à Deux proved that not all viewers will respond well to a musical film sequel and that this is a big risk with a significant chance of backfiring. With that in mind, it’s interesting to look at the films that would benefit from the musical sequel and imagine how they could successfully carry on…
When a true acting legend has already become associated with a certain role in the public imagination, it will always be a tough act to follow for the new actor who takes on that role. In many cases, the recasting of screen legends with new actors can be poorly received, although there have been occasions when the stars aligned perfectly and the replacement was perfect for the role. From franchise films to beloved works of literature, it’s inevitable that characters will be played by multiple actors, though new actors must find a way to step into the role. The best…
The glam rock icon David Bowie may have had countless hit songs loved by rock fans around the world, but the truth is he had a complex relationship with his first hit single. “Space Oddity” was the track that put Bowie on the map, as its themes of alienation, loneliness and space travel helped lay the groundwork for his alien reputation as The Man Who Fell to Earth. Although Bowie continued to explore themes of time and space over the years, notably as Ziggy Stardust on songs like “Starman,” his feelings toward Major Tom’s story were more complicated. Bowie was…