The popularity of the Bandit The genre originated in the early 1930s, and countless undisputed crime classics were produced in the following decades. As the time just after the Prohibition era and proliferating crime due to the Wall Street Crash of 1929, it made sense that gangster movies captured the popular imagination because real-life crime bosses like Al Capone and John Dillinger were fresh in viewers. With acclaimed directors such as William Keighley, Raoul Walsh and Howard Hawks creating revolutionary crime films, it’s a testament to the appeal of the era that so many remain beloved to this day. Many…
Author: Stephen Holland
While plenty of Movies of the 1970s have since built a cult following, that doesn’t mean they haven’t aged in the subsequent decades. Whether due to outdated social and political content, poor special effects, or even scandalous concepts that do not hold up in today’s modern cinema landscape, it is interesting to note how much time can destroy an audience’s perspective on a particular film. While these movies may be old, that doesn’t necessarily make them bad, and it’s important to see them as products of the era in which they were made. Some of the best films of the…
While plenty of Horror Readers love to be scared by every book on their reading list, sometimes a horror story that keeps things a little lighter can be a welcome relief. There is indeed something to be said for horror books that are not too scary, as they can act as a good entry point for younger readers or give more room for thoughtful themes to be explored without being overwhelmed by terror. Other books are intended to be scary but were first published so long ago that they feel mild by modern standards. Although genuinely terrifying books have a…
It would be no surprise to see a picture of Charlie Chaplin Next to the word comic in the dictionary, more than any other actor, director, writer, or filmmaker, his movies have left an undeniable mark on movies and pop culture in general. Best known for his timeless characterization of the tramp, his signature toothbrush mustache, and his incredible slapstick and physical comedy talents, Chaplin encapsulated the silent film era and remained a vital figure after the sound revolution. Through thoughtful and hilarious movies, Chaplin pushed filmmaking into new territory and became a true icon in the process. As the…
There were so many fascinating things dark TV series that took viewers on mind-bending journeys and really played with their heads. While modern television has embraced much darker and more sinister stories in recent decades, it takes a truly great show to burrow beneath the surface of a series’ narrative and deliver philosophically rich stories that touch on its deep, investigative themes that leave a mark. in viewers’ consciousness long after the credits have rolled. A thought-provoking series that manages to meet viewers’ expectations often marks the difference between a simply good show and a truly great show. Many of…
Tommy Chong as Leo Chingkwake was one of the funniest characters in That 70s show who consistently delivered some of the series’ most memorable quotes. Over the course of eight seasons, Chong transformed Leo from a one-note stoner character into an engaging, insightful father figure to Steven Hyde and, at times, an oddly poetic speaker of philosophical wisdom. Chong was perfectly cast as aging hippie Leo because, as one half of the cult comedy duo Cheech and Chong, he was already an integral part of 1970s pop culture. Many of the best episodes of That 70s show featured Leo, and…
A pilot episode can make or break an audience’s opinion of a TV show, and it’s very rare that a show manages to exceed viewers’ expectations by creating a truly perfect episode. This is never easy to pull off, as season one premieres have the difficult task of not only introducing all the main characters, but also ensuring that the series remains interesting, character motivations make sense, and there is enough narrative potential to move the entire story forward. show. Without a great pilot episode, viewers may stop watching, even if subsequent episodes and seasons become much better. Many of…
When it comes to movie ratings, NC-17 or X certification has been as strict as it gets, meaning these horror movies were really only for adults. Although the already strict R rating meant that those under 17 required an accompanying parent or adult guardian to view the film, this classification prevented all young people from seeing these controversial, divisive, and extremely violent films. Many of these horror films went well beyond the normal boundaries of acceptability and were likely to give viewers nightmares no matter how old they were. Some of the scariest horror films of all time were rated…
Lots of incredible action movies Jason Statham turned him into one of the most popular modern action heroes in cinema, and he had many great films that still need sequels. While Statham has been part of his fair share of franchises, his filmography boasts countless slice-of-life films and heroic characters that audiences would love to see back on the big screen. Having proven his skills in hand-to-hand combat, intense car chases and death-defying stunts, Statham has a lot of characters to bring back for another movie. Statham has been at the forefront of some of the biggest action films of…
Some of the most effective and interesting TV show Recent years have also been so filled with gore that viewers often have to look away in pure horror and disgust. From thrilling dystopian sci-fi to intense psychological horror, just because the series was full of blood, murder, and violence didn’t stop it from being truly great. In many cases, the overly gruesome nature of these shows added to their appeal as they pushed the boundaries of what could be portrayed and accepted on mainstream television. Many of the most violent television shows were filled with bloody scenes and sinister characters…