Also known as “A Pumpkin Full of Nonsense,” this animated short from the eighties is probably one of the more bizarre product tie ins I’ve ever seen. While it’s traditionally known as a Halloween special, the idea of Halloween is only minimal in what is a more unusual fantasy adventure. The entire narrative lives and breathes by the implementation of the trademark letter tiles, in so many unusual and baffling ways.
Tag Archives: Adaptation
Five More Promised Sequels That Never Happened
End of the movie stingers can be a double edged sword. They can be the promise of huge, great things to come. But often times if and when we never get a sequel or promised follow up, we’re always left hanging and begging studios for some kind of resolution or extension of a story. Nine times out of ten, the studios don’t oblige movie fans. These days studios are getting bolder, offering end of movie, mid-credit, and or post credit scenes, many of which promise new developments for sequels or spin offs. Sometimes they’re great and sometimes… they amount to nothing.
Here are five more movies that promised us sequels, but never delivered.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023) [Fantastic Fest 2023]
This is the third adaptation of Stephen Kng’s “Pet Sematary” and we’re still not in that area where King’s story is remotely interesting or comprehensible. Never really confirming if “Bloodlines” is a prequel to the book or to the movie, Lindsey Anderson Beer’s is a confusing, lethargic and often grotesque horror drama that never has any idea what kind of movie it wants to be. It has eighty five minutes to unfold the narrative of Jud Crandall and despite the implications that Jud had seen a lot of horrifying disturbing imagery in his lifetime, we’re given a dull glorified remake of “Deathdream.”
“Tiny Toons Looniversity” is an Entertaining Reboot of a 90’s Classic
“Tiny Toons Adventures” is one of the weirdest anomalies of the 1990’s. Once upon a time in 1990, it was introduced to a young audience and boomed in popularity. It took the old Looney Tunes and handed the torch over to younger, newer characters that were practicing to be the new Looney Tunes legends. For four or five years the Tiny Toons were everywhere. Then the show ended. And they disappeared languishing in obscurity for over twenty years. And the Looney Tunes just chugged along, never acknowledging the series at all. So imagine the surprise when Warner decided to reboot the series for a new generation.
The Exorcist (1973): 50th Anniversary Edition [4K UHD/Digital HD]
William Friedkin’s unfortunate passing in 2023 sadly came during the celebration of one of his all time greatest cinematic masterpieces. This year “The Exorcist” celebrated its 50th anniversary and its legacy has continued thriving. It’s heralded as a horror and cinematic masterpiece by some, it’s despised by religious circles, and it’s yet to be duplicated in impact and influence. This year the studios have pulled out all the stops with licensing merchandise, re-releasing the film in to theaters and of course the 50th anniversary edition of the film on 4K UHD.
The Nun II (2023)
I still think that James Wan and “The Conjuring” universe still has a great villain in the demonic nun Valak, and “The Nun II” is on the right track to fully realizing her potential. Despite still being sorely under utilized, “The Nun II” still crosses the finish as a solid horror thriller with some great mystery and some surefire scary images that should earn its place in the gamut of “The Conjuring” movie series. I also quite enjoy how the movie just has a better grasp on its tone, allowing for a movie that’s definitely scary, and not too concerned with its dramatic tone.
Cruising (1980) [LA&M Film Fetish Forum]
No other director was able to evoke such feelings of relentless doom and darkness like William Friedkin. “Cruising” is a bold movie from a director that no other studio would touch in this day and age. It’s a movie from a time that’s pretty ancient but also very relevant in modern times. Friedkin squares his lens on the unending darkness and bleak landscape that is New York City, side stepping any and all gloss in favor of unflinching realism. There’s so much to this New York City that’s still so familiar from seedy undergrounds, sub cultures, corrupt police, and a hopelessly broken justice system.