In the mood for kickass old-school stunt work? John Stewart’s Action U.S.A. from 1989 will scratch that itch for you, right after it drops you off a helicopter from a hundred feet up into a lake below! Stewart spent most of his career as a stunt coordinator, and his directorial debut pays tribute to the underappreciated folks who put their bodies and lives on the line for our entertainment.
Read MoreConan the Destroyer (1984) #RetroReview
For a long time, I was reluctant to revisit Richard Fleischer’s Conan the Destroyer from 1984. I remember thinking it paled in comparison to its predecessor. These days, I still think that. However, I also think that there’s quite a bit of fun to be had, once I decided to stop comparing it to John Milius’ masterful original and just go along for the ride.
Read MoreHoney, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) #RetroReview
I first saw Joe Johnston’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids at a drive-in during its initial release in 1989. I was 11 and already a sci-fi junkie, so of course I loved it. Looking back, it’s not surprising that I took to this film as much as I did, as two men who I would come to admire later in life for their imaginative efforts in the horror genre shepherded this production through its earliest stages.
Read MoreBuying Time (2024)
No matter your thoughts on the whys and wherefores of the pandemic era, there’s no denying its ongoing impact on our culture. That being said, I’m somewhat surprised by the seeming reluctance of filmmakers to explore themes related to the situation. This brings me to producer/director Kris Smith and producer/writer/editor Andy Blithe’s no-budget near-future thriller, Buying Time.
Read MoreMad Max: Fury Road (2015) #RetroReview
I doubt I’ll ever get tired of watching George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road from 2015. I’m definitely a fan of the whole series and after what was probably my sixth or seventh watch of the film, I’d still place it firmly as second best of the franchise after 1981’s Mad Max 2 aka The Road Warrior. The film is something of a throwback, with its reliance on practical effects and invoking of classic Western genre imagery, but that’s part of why the film is so damn good.
Read MoreThe Return of Swamp Thing (1989) #RetroReview
My love for DC Comics’ Swamp Thing began in the mid-’80s when I started picking up Alan Moore’s run on the series from my local newsstand. I was probably too young to be reading some of that stuff, but I suppose that was par for the course in a Gen X childhood. By the time Jim Wynorski’s The Return of Swamp Thing debuted in 1989, I was already a full-fledged Swamp Thing fanatic.
Read MoreNo Escape (1994) #RetroReview
Seemingly forgotten, Martin Campbell’s No Escape from 1994 offers up dystopian thrills on a medium-sized budget. Prescient in its discussion of private prisons, the film also seems like a bit of a throwback, taking inspiration from ‘80s action films and ‘70s exploitation fare. Seeing as how it’s celebrating its 30th anniversary on April 29th, I thought I’d take a look back!
Read MoreArcadian (2024)
Arcadian surprises with its polished production value, challenging the expectations of an indie film with its seemingly high-budget appearance. Directed by Benjamin Brewer and penned by Mike Nilon, this film offers a refreshing take on horror and sci-fi, bolstered by an ensemble cast led by the ever-reliable Nicolas Cage. Set in a hauntingly familiar yet eerily dystopian future, Arcadian centers around Paul and his two sons, Thomas and Joseph, navigating a world ravaged by an unexplained evil.
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