My Quick Take On American Gladiators

 

Back in the late 80's-early 90's an athletic competition game show called American Gladiators, took the syndicated and world in general by storm. Featuring everyman contenders against physical specimens, it became a pop culture phenom. Having toys , video games , hell maybe even cereal. I remember faithfully watching the show during reruns on the USA network.

Well after a previous attempt at rebooting the series back in 2008 on NBC. Amazon decided to revisit the well and introduce it to a new generation. They probably should have kept it in the vault honestly.

The new version is over produced but lacks substance. Sure the action is in high definition and entertaining enough, and The Miz and Rocsi Diaz are serviceable hosts. However, nothing else really sticks. The editing of each episode is quite dizzying, and I often questioned if audience members were actually there.

The idea of a one man commentator in Chris Rose was asinine. He does the best he can but the editing just makes his commentary off. And again, despite the above photo showing him in the studio, I often questioned if he was truly there during taping.

My last gripe is the cast of Gladiators. Featuring five current or former pro wrestlers in Bull (Rick Boogz in WWE). Fang (Wardlow in AEW), Hurricane (Kamille in AEW), Supernova (J-Rod), and Steel (Jesse Godderz). Yet none of them display larger than life personalities here. 

In fact we know very little about the gladiators. They don't stand out like the original cast, and really show nothing that makes them stand out from one another. The competitiors are there for the audience to relate to, but the gladiators should be the true stars of the show.

If there is a season 2, I hope there is more focus on the gladiators. As well as more of an emphasis on a more "gritty" tone and not so stylized for a battle. That's just my two cents though.

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5 Horror B-Movie's To Check Out

Every year when spooky season comes around, folks put up their decorations, buy some candy, and often sit down and watch their favorites. Just as costumes and candy are synonymous with Halloween, so too are horror flicks. In particular bad and campy horror films, and some good B-Movies.

This article I'm focusing on some B-movies I watched this year. To help give you something new to check out as we edge closer to Halloweeen. Here are 5 B-movies to check out 

Takeout-Tubi

This Tubi original released last month is a gem of the B movie horror genre. Set overnight at a fairly remote diner, it follows three employees at the diner. After a substantial award is announced for a local serial killer, and recognizing the weirdos that already come to the diner. The three set out to see if any of their patrons are in fact the serial killer on the loose.

Bit-Prime

Think The Craft with lesbains and vampires and you have Bit. A new transplant to Los Angeles and falls in with a group of feminist vampires intent on staking their claim in the world. It's an OK B-movie horror film. I will give the film created for the backstory and lore of vampires in their universe.

Bit is available on Prime and tubi.

Last Night At The Terrace Lanes-Prime

Another B-movie gem for spooky season. This 2024 film is set at a bowling alley, due to close for good at the end of the night. A small group of cult members following something akin to a prophecy have to complete some sets at the the very location, the bowling alley resides. And to do they need to get rid of everyone inside. So a father and daughter duo are the only ones who can stop them.

Last Night At Terrace Lanes is available on Prime Video and tubi.

Haunt Season-Prime

Available on Prime Video 2024's Haunt Season takes place at a Haunted House attraction. Which unless I havent seen them, there aren't many Halloween movies set at those attractions. Anyway the film follows the cast of the attraction. Strange things occur at the attraction when random murders start occurring. It's clear there is a killer on the loose targeting the cast and crew.

Hell Of A Summer-Hulu

This 2023 film that just got a wide release this April, is co-written and co- directed by Finn Wolfhard better known as Mike in Stranger Things alongside  Billy Bryk. It is 100% inspired by horror film's of the 80's. Set at a summer camp before it opens for the summer. A group of counselors due to work there start picked off by a masked murder. While there are some moments that miss, and the tone can be all over the place. This is a great debut behind the camera for Finn and Billy.

It's currently available on Hulu and Disney +.

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Movies For Guys Who Like Movies: Streaming Edition

In the late 90's and early 2000's when cable ruled the media landscape, TBS use to run a movie block called Movies For Guys who like Movies. Movies played during this block were often action movies, high octane, high adrenaline and outside a rerun of a major Hollywood blockbuster. They were often B-level and cult classic movies as well, so I decided to take the concept and bring it to the streaming world. 

Here are 5 action filled B Movies streaming right now, if you want to watch some non sense action movies.

Aftermath

This 2024 movie currently airing on Netflix stars Dylan Sprouse, of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody all grown up. He plays an ex-Army ranger who must save the day, when the Tobin Memorial bridge is overtaken by radicals with a mission.

It definitely has the DNA of films like Die Hard and Under Siege. For a straight to streaming film has some solid action scenes. 

The Tax Collector 

This 2020 film starring Shia LaBeouf got caught up in the pandemic. Shia plays a "tax collector" basically an enforcer for a crime boss alongside his best friend played by Bobby Soto. When their crime boss business is in jeopardy, he senses a double cross. Well someone has to pay the price, and Cueva's played by Bobby Soto family is the target.

Written and directed by David Ayer who wrote films like Training Day, Dark Blue, the OG Fast and Furious, and End Of Watch. While this film may not be on the same level as those films, you definitely see similar DNA. It's worth the watch and is available on Hulu.

Havoc

Another Netflix film, this one starts with a bang and never ever slows down. It stars Tom Hardy as a police detective caught up in the middle of a war between criminal organizations. As he gets in the mix, he runs into corruption and political conspiracy.

Think of the movie Crank and how it never slows down. Mixed with a plot along the lines of Street Kings and its that this film. Non stop action amidst the corruption.

Boss Level

Another movie that was lost in the midst of the pandemic, released in March of 2021. This Hulu original stars Frank Grillo and Mel Gibson, that throws you for a loop. A time loop at that, imagine Groundhog Day but action packed. Grillo is a former delta force soldier, who everyday is thrawting an assassination attempt on his life. He continually repeats the cycle, until he searches to break it.

A modern crime drama with some sci-fi mixed in. It has action and suspense and for a straight to streaming movie, keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Heads Of State

This prime video original just released earlier this month. It stars John Cena as a former movie star who is now President of the United States. And Idris Elba who is the United Kingdom's prime minister. While the two don't get along, they must team together on the run after an assassination attempt on their lives. They must team up with a MI6 agent played by Priyanka Jonas to save the day.

It's absurd and silly, funny and has some good action scenes. Give it a chance, you won't be disappointed.

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5 MGM Films Amazon Should Remake

 

Amazon/MGM Studios just released a remake of the 1980's classic film that starred Patrick Swayze Roadhouse. The updated version stars Jake Gyllenhaal and UFC star Connor McGregor. I plan to watch the film this weekend, but it has already got me wondering about remakes.

Amazon bought MGM Studios for $8 billion back in 2021, with the deal completing in 2022. That's alot of coins that still hasn't been fully utilized yet. I previously wrote about how I would like to see The American Ninja series rebooted. Amazon is sitting on alot of intellectual properties right now, so here are five films from the MGM library that could be good material for a reboot.

5. MadHouse

MadHouse released in 1990 stars Kristie Alley and John Larroquette as Mark and Jessie, a yuppie couple who live a perfect life that works for them. That is until their lives are turned upside down when relatives come to visit at different intervals, and one by one for whatever reason they end up having extended stays. 

Until the couple loses their shit and can't take it any longer. If you ask the average person if they have heard of this movie, I guarantee the overwhelming answer will be no. That's what makes it perfect for a reboot, most people wouldn't have anything to compare it to. And getting rid of unwanted house guests is a story that stands the test of time.

4. Delirious 

This 1991 film starred John Candy as a soap opera writer who takes a bump on the head. He wakes up in the world of his soap opera where everyone assumes he is a new main character he created. He has to stop a nefarious plot while keeping his cover and realizing he can still write his story as he goes along.

I love a good meta movie that works like Pleasantville The movie is often overlooked among Candy's films. I'll admit it's not one of his best, while the humor in the movie is kind of dry, and the villains are typical scheming rich men. The plot of a writer waking up in a world he created is always ripe for good material and opportunity.

3. Cutthroat Island

One of the biggest box office bombs in movie history, Cutthroat Island is infamous for the film's budget bankrupting it's production company. The film was released in 1995 and starred Geena Davis and Matthew Modine as swashbuckling pirates.

Ok, so the scripts dialogue is very stiff and campy (not sure if that was by design), the plot gets wonky. However the movie fits the bill of a roller coaster ride, and if you turn your brain off you may like it. Pirate movies aren't the top of the heap right now but the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise proved there is a market for it, if done right. With such a bad stench on it, a remake could be given a fair chance.

2. The Beastmaster

A film losely based on a 1959 novel and made  in the mold of Conan The Barbarian. This 1982 film starred Marc Singer as Dar a warrior during an ancient time who is very skillful with a sword, and can communicate with animals. 

The film spawned two sequels Beastmaster: Through The Portal Of Time which was a limit theater release and Beastmaster III: Eye of Braxus (made for TV movie) and a syndicated television series. The potential is there to revive this property and maybe bring sorcery themed properties back into pop culture.

1.Hackers

Out of all the film's mentioned Hackers is the one most ripe for the picking. Especially with the digital world we live in now and technical geniuses with the potential to change the world getting younger and younger. Released in 1995, the film is best known for being Angelina Jolie's breakout film.

It involves a group of teen hackers who get themselves caught up in something way bigger than they anticipated. We now live in a world of ethical hackers, cyber security analysts, and breaches left and right. A updated film touching on digital concerns and social media playing a part in our everyday lives. Could really spark a new cult favorite or potential franchise.

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Subscribe To It: Black As Night

 

It's spooky season which means the air is getting crisp, leaves are falling, and it's time to sit down to watch some Halloween classics, cult classics, horrible B-movies, and hidden gems. I stumbled onto a new hidden gem available on Amazon Prime Video called Black As Night. Black As Night is a movie about vampires, and I love a good vampire movie. Even greater to see an vampire movie with a majority Black cast which is rare.

Black As Night follows a teenager Shawna played by Asjha Cooper over one weird summer where she notices vampires are lurking in New Orleans. After a traumatic event caused by these new neighbors,she along with some reliable friends set out to enact revenge on the creatures of the night. Headed by the always welcome Keith David who is creepy enough and loves to ham it up.

The movie has some socio-economic and political tones to it while the vampires are being hunted. The city of New Orleans with it's unique style and it's rich history of citizens practicing voodoo is shown some love. The vampires themselves even have a nice backstory that intertwines with the horrors of this country. 

Some of the dialogue is a little cringy, but Shawna will remind you of a modern day Buffy only with more style and flair. It's an relatively short film clocking in under 90 minutes, but it will be worth every minute. Every Halloween from here on out you will turn it on as part of your routine.

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