“Super Mario Bros: The Movie” 30 Years Later: The Baffling Feature Film Adaptation

Kids today will soon know their Mario Brothers as CGI animated sprites in the upcoming “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” I, for one, am psyched. But back in 1993, my Mario Bros. (beyond the video games) were found on television and in the movies. After Captain Lou Albano and Danny Wells ended their run as Mario and Luigi in “The Super Mario Brothers Super Show!” in 1989, the studios decided to finally bring the Super Mario world to the big screen in 1993. Said movie was called “Super Mario Bros: The Movie.”

You’d probably think: “How they could possibly get such an easy concept so wrong?”

But they did. They really did.

Continue reading

My Fan Casting for James Gunn’s “Superman: Legacy”

I, for one, am excited to see what director James Gunn is going to do with Superman in 2025 when “Superman: Legacy” flies to theaters. I liked Henry Cavil as Superman, but with this new vision of the man of steel, there is a call for new blood. I, like every other comic book nerd and Superman geek, have compiled a list of actors I think should star in “Superman: Legacy.” They all could and would bring something fresh to the table in what I am certain is going to be an epic return for Superman on the big screen.

Let me know your own choices in the comments!

Continue reading

Leather Archives & Museum Announces New Film Series “Fetish Film Forum” March-December 2023

The Leather Archives & Museum is thrilled to announce Fetish Film Forum, a new monthly screening series about non-normative sex, relationships, and art. These ten erotic films spanning nine countries and six decades are visceral explorations of fetish, kink, leather, and BDSM, kicking off in March with the whimsical Sundance winner Secretary (2002) and concluding with nunsploitation stunner Cristiana: Devil Nun (1972) in December.

Screenings are March-December, 2023, held the 3rd Saturday of the month at 7pm at the Leather Archives & Museum (6418 N Greenview Ave, Chicago, IL), and post-screening discussions are included with all screenings. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the LA&M’s website and cost $10 per screening, or $8 for LA&M Members with an active membership. A Season Pass to see all ten films costs $80 for General Public, or $70 for LA&M Members. General Admission tickets include a 30-day membership to the LA&M.

Continue reading

Children of the Corn (2020)

So we’re two reboots and eleven movies in to the god awful “Children of the Corn” movie series, and the studios simply will not let it die. “Children of the Corn” 2023 stinks of the studio trying its best to retain the IP for the sake of more cheapo sequels down the road. It shows with what is a pointless and painfully dull reboot of the series that features none other than director Kurt “Gunkata” Wimmer slumming it, big time.

Continue reading

My Five Favorite Keanu Reeves Action Films

March 24th, fans of the “John Wick” movie series will be treated to the fourth installment of the titular character’s journey to escape his roots as a covert assassin. After the events of “Chapter 3,” Wick finds himself again under fire from a global group of killers. Reeves is an actor who is no stranger to action cinema, and along his very seasoned career spanning the 80’s and in to the aughts, he’s accumulated an impressive filmography. Among them: action films. These are five of what I consider to be his best action films, to date. 

Do you have a favorite Keanu Reeves film?

Continue reading

Every Bugs Bunny Ever: The Heckling Hare (1941)

2023 marks the 85th Anniversary of Bug Bunny’s first animated appearance in 1938’s “Porky’s Hare Hunt.” Debuting originally as Happy Rabbit, Bugs eventually became one of the most iconic animated characters of all time. In honor of the landmark anniversary, we’re discussing every animated appearance by Bugs Bunny. We’re big fans of Bugsy and we hope that you are, too.

Follow us on this massive journey where we discover and re-discover Every Bugs Bunny Ever

The Heckling Hare (1941)
Directed by Tex Avery
Written by Michael Maltese
Music by Carl W. Stalling
Animation by Bob McKimson

So this is it, the penultimate Tex Avery/Warner Bros. animated short, before he’d move over to MGM and continue his iconic animation work. Avery’s animation at MGM is in a league of its own, and he really did bring a lot to the medium. During his time at Warner and Looney Tunes, he also managed to contribute a lot to Bugs Bunny and the Merrie Melodies cartoons in general. He’s easily one of the greatest animators, and this is the apparent production that led him to part ways with Leon Schlesinger after “All This and Rabbit Stew.”

Continue reading

Cocaine Bear (2023)

With “Cocaine Bear” you’re either in for the ride, or you aren’t. Going in to Elizabeth Banks’ horror comedy, I knew exactly what I was getting, so I had a blast with it, suffice it to say. Everyone in the film seems to know what kind of movie they’re in as it wears everything about itself on its sleeve. It’s a movie about a rampaging black bear on a coke trip. What more are you expecting?

Continue reading