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Showing posts from August, 2017

Second Chances: Mulholland Drive (2001)

Sometimes we come across a movie we felt something the first time we watch, but on second viewing a few years later, we find that our opinion changes.  Movies we didn't like sometimes get a second chance to impress us. Often, they don't... but sometimes, they do.

Life Vs. Alien: Covenant - The Alien Showdown

There were two big alien-themed releases this year. One was the latest chapter in a much-revered franchise, the other a start-studded, science-based work of original sci-fi. On this episode, Jason, Shawn, Amy and special guest Nathan Bosa tackle Life and Alien: Covenant, and determine which is best.

Weekly Roundup: The Punisher teaser, Justice League "unwatchable" and that Obi-Wan Kenobi movie

Alright, the weekend is upon us and everyone's focused on some well-deserved R and R, and probably a liquor drink or six. But before we let you go -- at least until the next episode drops on Sunday -- we've got a few news items for your eye and ear holes. First up, how about that teaser for Netflix and Marvel's The Punisher that debuted at the tail end of The Defenders?

It's an alien showdown!

A new episode was recorded in The Basement this eve, one that pits opinions against two big alien-themed releases from earlier this year. In one corner, the Ryan Reynolds/Jake Gyllenhaal/Rebecca Ferguson flick Life. In the other, the Alien/Prometheus prequel/sequel Alien: Covenant.

Jason versus Lake Bodom

In the summer of 1960, four teenagers were brutally murdered on the shores of Finland's Lake Bodom. The killer was never caught. True story. Now we've got a creepy as fuck Finnish horror flick that uses these murders as a springboard for an off-the-walls horror flick that deserves to be ranked among the best of the genre.

Animated Godzilla flick streaming to Netflix

Shawn and Mike S have given me the gears for years about not being a fan of animation. Shawn loves the animated DC movies, and by now all of you should be familiar with Mike S's Animated Addict columns here in The Basement. Me? I have a hard time getting emotionally engaged in a story that's presented as a cartoon. Loved 'em as a kid, but not so much in the last 25 years or so. Cartoons leave me cold. However, that might be about to change.

A new clip from indie horror The Ice Cream Truck

I vaguely remember being excited whenever the ice cream truck rolled through our neighbourhood when I was boy. Looking back, it's a nostalgic moment from my youth, and almost unheard of in this day and age. Which kinda makes sense, because as an adult, there's something unsettling about the canned, cheery music and a grown man luring children to his vehicle with the promise of tasty treats.

The Animated Addict: "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" (2016)

Mike S back with another animated review!  This time, in honor of the late, great Adam West, I'm going to be discussing DC's 2016 release, " Batman: The Return of the Caped Crusaders "! When DC relaunched their comics under the banner of " The New 52 ", they produced a few series that weren't part of the new continuity.  One of them was " Batman '66 "- which was based on the old 1960's Batman TV series starring Adam West (as Batman/Bruce Wayne), and Burt Ward (as Robin/Dick Grayson).  If you get the chance- check out a few of the issues, they're quite fun and really encapsulated the spirit of the show.

Jason versus Annabelle: Creation

We all know there are a lot of bad horror movies out there that make some serious bank. Horror fans love the genre, and will pretty much go and see anything because they're starved for new content, inadvertently creating hits. But sometimes . . . just sometimes . . . a sequel to a crap horror movie can exceed the original in every way. Or, as has been the case recently, a prequel.

The Drunken Review: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Jay here. It's Friday night. I've had a glass of red wine, three Rum and Cokes and a bunch of beer . . . and I just watched King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. How does all this come together? Stick with me! First off, I'm convinced lamestream film critics and the general movie audiences are a bunch of idiots.  How did Guy Ritchie's take on the King Arthur legend only gross $140 million worldwide and run a deficit. That's just stupid to me!

An evil Elmo is on the loose in Puppet Killer

OK, it's not THE Elmo every child from the 90s adored, but the "loveable" Sesame Street character is the first thing I thought of when I watched the trailer for the upcoming horror flick Puppet Killer. And hey, if you can't kill Elmo, you might as well have him whack a bunch of people in an indie horror movie! Produced by former Basement guest and constant Scream Queen Jessica Cameron, Puppet Killer is about a group of six friends stalked by a killer who's obsessed with horror movie icons during Christmas vacation.

Tracey Birdsall talks Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter

We've entertained the beautiful and talented Tracey Birdsall twice before in The Basement. First with a print interview here on the site, and later on the podcast/radio show. She's been a great interview both times. As we reported last week , her new flick Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter hits VOD next week. So it was only fitting that we'd have her back once more to share a some further details about this sci-fi flick.

Godzilla actor dead at 88

Before CGI revolutionized special effects, there was the era of the Man in Suit. That's right, many times when there was a monster on the screen, it was played by a guy wearing a costume. Hands down the most famous Man-in-Suit monster is Godzilla. And on Monday, the guy who played him in 12 films -- from the original Godzilla in 1954 to Godzilla Vs. Gigan in 1972 -- passed away. Haruo Nakajima died at age 88.

Mike S's Top Five Canadian Shows That Deserve a Reboot or Movie

I am a Canadian.  As a Canadian, I am well aware of the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC).  As a Canadian, I am also aware of the many great Television shows produced for the CBC over the years. Which brings me to this list.  These are the top five Canadian Television shows I think deserve a reboot or a movie!

Will Karl Urban return for Judge Dredd TV show?

The fact the 2012 big-screen Judge Dredd reboot, appropriately enough called Dredd, didn't take off is a damn shame. Damn. Shame. It remains one of the best comic-book movies ever made, and a damn fine sci-fi/action flick. Damn. Fine. Fortunately, the film has developed a cult following. This is largely due, I would assume, to Karl Urban's spot on portrayal of Judge Dredd. And all the cool action.

Zygote and the return of Amy Wickenheiser

The Basement is two bastards and a bastardette once more as everyone's favourite female Spider-Man fan -- Amy Wickenheiser -- returns to the studio! What's Amy been up to and what does she have to say? Stick with us!

Tracey Birdsall and Rogue Warrior come home

There are few cooler things for Shawn, Amy and I than seeing something we've endorsed, or someone we've interviewed, succeed. That was the case with Matt Sconce and his flick Altar, and it turns out that's also the story with Tracey Birdsall and her flick Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter. Not that Tracey, who like the movie's director, Neil Johnson, hasn't been in the business for years. But we learned today that their movie Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter -- which we discussed with them on the show last season -- has had a successful theatrical run and is heading home via VOD.

The return of Amy Wickenheiser

Jason and Shawn have been back at it for more than a month now, but one key player in their podcast game has been missing... Amy Wickenheiser!

Halloween star joins Joe Dante's Camp Cold Brook

Paranormal reality shows still seem to be all the rage these days, despite the genre peaking with Paranormal State almost a decade ago, and that show's demise now years behind us. However, it's still an interesting premise for a horror film. I mean, TV crew explores alleged creepy incident, alleged creepy incident turns out to be real, cue the screaming.

Mike S's Top Four Graphic Novels to Adapt!

We live in an age where comic books are a major source of television and cinematic entertainment. In light of this, I would like to submit my "Top Four List of Graphic Novels to Adapt"  For this list, I'm going to focus on stand-alone stories that have no connections to mainstream comic book series (ie- no Batman story arc, no Marvel "What If?" stories, etc).

David Fincher's Mindhunter TV series gets a promo

No one, but no one, handles the topic of serial killers quite like David Fincher. The man made his mark on the subject with 1995's Se7en, and then took it to new heights of cinematic greatness with Zodiac a decade ago. Now he's taken John Douglas's fantastic true-crime book, Mindhunter, and brought it to the small screen via Netflix, who Shawn and I have pimped so much lately we should be getting royalties.