Photosensitivity Warning: There are several sequences within the film (traveling to Hollow Earth; uses of breath abilities) that may prove triggering for photosensitive views. Take proper precautions before pressing play. What a time to be alive. Despite the claims that… Read More ›
The latest action thriller from The Sniper director Huo Suiqiang, Blind War, starring Andy On (100 Yards; Undercover Punch and Gun), initially released in 2022 before landing on Well Go USA’s martial arts streaming service Hi-YAH!. Now, Well Go USA is set… Read More ›
If you have been following my writing and my thoughts on things when it comes to media, it should be apparent that my stance is, and always will be, physical media is king. It is really hard to make the… Read More ›
16th century Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture of the Gods) is the inspiration for a number of adaptions in Chinese entertainment. Adaptations in written forms, television programs, and, of course, cinema. Sometimes it’s in individual portions, such as with studio… Read More ›
Open Dialogue welcomes Owen Teague (“Noa”) and Kevin Durand (“Proximus Caesar”) from Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes to offer insights on their characters and why they have tremendous respect for one another. Noel T. Manning II is host… Read More ›
The 16th century Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture of the Gods) has been told (and re-told) in portions in text, television, and film over the years with versions animated and live-action. In the fall of 2023, Wuershan’s Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom… Read More ›
Freya Allan (Mae) from Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes chats with Noel T. Manning II on Open Dialogue about stunt work, resonating themes, and the impact of the film franchise on society. Clips are used by permission for… Read More ›
Most Scooby-Doo films are just alright. They are often glorified hour-long episodes of the series, or Archie Comics-style cameo machines. But starting in 1998 and ending in 2003, there was a run of good-to-great straight-to-VHS films, Scooby-Doo! On Zombie Island… Read More ›
Author Frank Herbert reportedly got the spark for the concept of his book Dune after observing conservation attempts along the Oregon coastline, creating from this a science fiction action-adventure tale that would inspire readers for generations. Parts of this inspiration… Read More ›
When Matt Reeves concluded his prequel trilogy to Planet of the Apes in 2017 with the masterful War for the Planet of the Apes, it was basically understood that the story was ending there. It wrapped up the story of… Read More ›
Remakes are almost always met with the same reaction upon announcement: “why?”. To many, remakes are a sign of laziness on the part of studios, opting to lean-in on what audiences know or have a relationship with rather than taking… Read More ›
Event storylines in comics are not unusual. It’s a way to take on something that doesn’t quite fit in the everyday narratives, while also providing a means of both bringing characters together and altering their trajectory. In the world of… Read More ›
As satisfying as it can be to view one whole story when you sit down to enjoy a film, there are exceptions where a second (or more) is needed to really make it satiating. Especially when it comes to adaptations,… Read More ›
There is something inherently special about writing and directing your first feature film, I would have to assume. Having never crossed that bridge myself, but consuming a plethora of films throughout my life, there is always something special, at least… Read More ›
With the Oscars now firmly behind us, for better or for worse, one might technically believe that the season of awards films are also behind us, too, at least for the next few months before Cannes gives us some early… Read More ›
From 2013 – 2023, Warner Bros. Pictures has released 15 films featuring characters from DC Comics beginning with The Trinity — Superman (Henry Cavill), Batman (Ben Affleck), and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) — and now it’s all over with the… Read More ›
Making a movie that is geared to children but still appeases the parents and the adults who are curious about the film is always a dangerous balance to achieve with the high risk of becoming too adult that it’s no… Read More ›
Period/fantasy films offer opportunities to view the current world through a different lens. If you lived in a world of orcs, goblins, and magic, what role would you play in the greater hierarchy? If you existed at a time of… Read More ›
Warner Bros. Pictures released three films at the end of 2023: two musicals (one a prequel and one an adaptation of a Broadway show adapting a film version of a book) and one superhero story. Though WB did advertise the… Read More ›
Toward the end of Summer 2023, the new film from Along with the Gods franchise director Kim Yong-Hwa, The Moon, hit theaters as an action/adventure sci-fi drama about an astronaut trying to survive on a solo mission in space. Now, that… Read More ›