Streaming services are the bane of my existence. It’s 2024 and there are so many options that it makes my head spin. Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, Prime Video, Peacock cover the main streamers but that’s not counting the niches. Like old cartoons? Check out Boomerang. Like anime? Then Crunchyroll is for you. But what about horror fans? Sure, Hulu has its “Into the Dark” label and Netflix is always releasing something horror-related (though I question the quality.) And the horror genre features multiple options with Screambox, Arrow Player, Full Moon Features, and even Tubi. But the subject of today’s spotlight is the best of them all, with a great UI and wonderful selection of films, nothing can compete with Shudder.

Shudder features the best catalog of horror films out there and is always partnering with horror greats. Just yesterday we saw the release of Infested, which may just be the best Spider film of the modern era. And this comes just two weeks after the wonderful Late Night With The Devil. It’s also the movie that got Sébastien Vanicek the job as the director of a new Evil Dead (turns out, one of two). And on that same day, Humane released to theaters. For those unaware, that’s Caitlin Cronenberg’s directorial debut (which you can check out my glowing review HERE) and it comes to Shudder in July. Shudder is allowing us to see these films when they would have otherwise either never gone into production or failed to reach the right audience.

And that’s not to say that everything they release is great. Baghead was one of the worst movies of the year but that doesn’t take away from Shudder’s mission statement. Nearly every Thursday/Friday you can expect a new horror film. And with exclusive content like Late Night With The Devil, Suitable Flesh, Destroy All Neighbors, Birth/Rebirth, and When Evil Lurks, you just never know when the next horror classic is waiting around the corner. There are sure to be flubs but that’s true of any service.

Then there’s the Joe Bob of it all.

I never thought we’d see the day when Joe Bob Briggs is back on my television introducing me to genre classics old and new. With Darcy the Mail Girl at his side, he has become a staple of the streaming service. Hell, there was an episode last night that put a spotlight on The Autopsy of Jane Doe (a film we’ve covered on the JoBlo Horror Originals channel). Much like our YouTube channel, it’s a great way to be introduced to horror films that may have passed you by. Plus, he always has interesting insight whether from his own research or from guests that range from the filmmakers to historians. Right now the series is airing every other Friday through August, so all the more reason to keep the service.

And if you’re wondering, this article is aimed at their actual Shudder streaming service. Not that AMC+ crap. Because as much as you’d think it’s just Shudder with bonus non-horror material you’d be wrong. Because AMC+ features the worst app I’ve ever experienced in my life. Adding movies/TV shows to a list only for them to be deleted the next time you join the app. So make sure you support Shudder directly, as it’s the least frustrating option. Not to mention that a full year only costs $71.88 a year. I spend more on toilet paper.

What do you think? Do you have Shudder? Is it the best horror streaming service? What can they do to improve? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Shudder And Why It’s A Necessity For Horror Fans appeared first on JoBlo.

Fallout 76 is getting plenty of attention in the wake of the hugely popular Amazon show, and we’re happy to see it. Also, we reflect on Final Fantasy 16’s DLC now that Clive’s journey is truly at an end, and recommend a fresh new Zelda-like that’s also a twin-stick shooter. Enjoy!

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Fallout 76 is getting plenty of attention in the wake of the hugely popular Amazon show, and we’re happy to see it. Also, we reflect on Final Fantasy 16’s DLC now that Clive’s journey is truly at an end, and recommend a fresh new Zelda-like that’s also a twin-stick shooter. Enjoy!

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As we predicted earlier this week, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers is set to lead the box office this weekend, with Deadline reporting that it’s on track for a $15 million opening. While that’s a bit below the $17 million we forecasted for the film, that’s still a decent start for a character-driven drama, with the Zendaya-led film an Amazon-MGM production that’s set for an eventual debut on Prime Video. Indeed, the studio has had a lot more luck with launching their fare theatrically than many of their competitors, with Challengers opening similarly to Air and The Beekeeper, both Amazon-MGM movies whose theatrical success paved the way to big streaming numbers. 

It certainly helps that Zendaya’s become a big star in the wake of Dune: Part Two’s blockbuster run this winter. However, whether the $50 million film is ultimately judged to be a box office success depends on how well its word-of-mouth allows it to hold up in the coming weeks. Next weekend sees the release of the first would-be summer blockbuster of the year, The Fall Guy, so hopefully the movie doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

Sadly, another pretty good new release this weekend is dying, with Boy Kills World only looking like it will open with $1.6 million. It will be outgrossed by the theatrical re-release of Ridley Scott’s Alien, which celebrates its 45th anniversary with a limited theatrical run set to gross $1.8 million this weekend. Not bad for a movie literally everyone has seen, with it undeniably a special experience on the big screen. Meanwhile, the Christian biopic Unsung Hero looks like it will open in second place with $8 million. Last weekend’s new horror release, Abigail, will likely be beaten by Alex Garland’s Civil War, which has become a major word-of-mouth hit in recent weeks, with it passing the $55 million mark by the time the weekend ends.

What are you seeing this weekend? Let us know in the comments. 

The post Challengers set to lead a quiet weekend at the box office with $15 million appeared first on JoBlo.

With a career that has lasted over 50 years, it’s expected that Al Pacino would have some stinkers. But nothing is worse on the resume of Pacino than 2011’s Jack and Jill – hey, at least Gigli streamed on the Criterion Channel. For his performance as himself, he earned the Worst Supporting Actor Razzie…but also gave us one of the best ads in history.

In Jack and Jill, Al Pacino is recruited by Adam Sandler’s Jack to do a commercial for the Dunkaccino, a coffee/hot chocolate blend that Dunkin’ Donuts actually discontinued last year. Although he doesn’t have a credit, much of that scene came about because of Robert Smigel, who came onboard before Pacino was even cast. As he remembered,  “The Dunkaccino thing was just something I thought of while I was doing the rewrite. The whole premise was already there — that Adam worked at an ad agency and needed a famous actor for a corny product tie-in and the only way he’s able to get the guy is that he’s smitten by his twin sister. Dunkin’ Donuts wasn’t originally in the script though. The original idea was Starbucks, and the drink was Frappuccino…At the end of the day, it’s funnier that Al Pacino did a commercial for Dunkin’ Donuts. That way there’s no pretense that he ever thought this was a classy gig.”

Banking on the over-the-top, Scent of a Woman-type Pacino, the Jack and Jill team found that the Oscar winner (for, ironically enough, that 1992 film) was more than willing to give it his all, even acknowledging how damaging it might be for his career, just like the Pacino in the movie. As one extra remembered, “During one of the takes, Pacino flubbed a line or a dance move, and he jokingly said, ‘This is going to ruin me. I can’t believe you got me to do this.’” Even still, he was in on the joke of it all, requesting more takes and having fun on the set, in turn making sure the extras were game. As Smigel put it, “All the extras knew how to deliver the lines in a super-corny, whitebread kind of way, and Al just sunk his teeth into it. I didn’t know he was that good a dancer! Working with him every day was a joy, but that day in particular was heaven. Writing that song and seeing him do it was one of my favorite moments in show business.”

It was such a successful spoof that some people actually thought Al Pacino starred in a Dunkin’ commercial. But that was only the Pacino of Jack and Jill; the real Pacino has only ever endorsed Vittoria Coffee, which is considerably classier…

The post Al Pacino went all in for his Jack and Jill Dunkaccino commercial appeared first on JoBlo.

This week’s gaming news saw Helldivers 2 continue its efforts at world domination, Fallout 4’s big next-gen patch cause problems as well as fix them, and much more.

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This week’s gaming news saw Helldivers 2 continue its efforts at world domination, Fallout 4’s big next-gen patch cause problems as well as fix them, and much more.

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Some cliche somewhere said that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ This has proven to be the case for me and especially when it comes to fan art. I have always sought out great fan art and have wanted to share it with as many people as possible. “Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net” is the outlet for that passion. In this column, I will showcase the kick-ass artwork of some great artists, with the hopes that these artists get the attention they deserve. That’s the aim. If you have any questions or comments, or even suggestions of art or other great artists, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.

Furiosa by G.R. David

Godzilla by Huan Do

Invincible by John Dunn

Jaws by Choots

The Land Before Time by Contact Patrick

Late Night With The Devil by Chris Berning

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin by Jerry Padilla

Tomb Raider by Ton Lima

V For Vendetta by Bryan Johnson

Watchmen by Mike Fitzgerald

The post Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net: Furiosa, Invincible, Jaws, Late Night With The Devil, The Last Ronin appeared first on JoBlo.

Sony Pictures is playing a little release date shuffle this Friday evening. Kraven the Hunter, the upcoming Spider-Man spin-off starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, was originally slated to hit theaters on August 30th, but the film has now been pushed back to a December 13th release. Kraven the Hunter‘s fresh release date was already occupied by the new Karate Kid movie, which has now been bumped to May 30, 2025.

Kraven the Hunter has been delayed several times already, but hopefully, this will be the last move. Coming on the heels of the less-than-impressive debuts of Morbius and Madame Web, this Spider-Man spin-off has a lot to prove, but with an R-rated edge, it could just turn the tide. Director J.C. Chandor has previously described the movie as a tragedy. “Sony probably doesn’t want me to lead with this. but the story is a tragedy,” Chandor said last summer. “When the final credits roll on this film, if you’ve been paying attention, you won’t have the feeling that this is all going to end great.” In addition to Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the title character, the film also stars Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Christopher Abbot, Alessandro Nivola, and Russell Crowe.

As for the new Karate Kid movie, it will blend together the Cobra Kai universe and the reboot universe. The film will star Ben Wang (American Born Chinese) as a young teenager from China who finds identity and strength in martial arts. During his journey of self-discovery, Wang’s character meets a disciplined martial arts master. The coming-of-age drama will also find Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio reprising their roles of Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso. Joshua Jackson (Fatal Attraction) and Ming-Na Wen (The Mandalorian) will also appear in the movie, alongside Sadie Stanley (Cruel Summer) as the romantic lead. Jonathan Entwistle (The End of the F***ing World) will direct from a script by Rob Lieber (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day).

The post Kraven the Hunter release pushed to December while Karate Kid jumps to 2025 appeared first on JoBlo.

Larry Dalrymple is no more. The frequent regular of Moe’s Tavern was killed off in a recent episode of The Simpsons and fans are quite upset with the death of the long-time character.

While speaking with Variety, The Simpsons co-executive producer Tim Long apologizes for the death of Larry but offers an explanation for why they did it. “I’m sorry if some fans are upset, but we really wanted to use Larry’s death as a way to show that even the most peripheral people in our lives have dignity and worth, and that we really shouldn’t take anyone for granted,” Long said. “To paraphrase Shakespeare, nothing became Larry’s life like the way he left it: drunk, lonely, and with a butt full of sapphires.“

Long continued, “To me, it’s sort of fitting that some fans are taking Larry’s demise as hard as Homer and his friends do. It’s just a measure of how much the show still means to people. I mean, nobody would have been upset if the Flintstones had killed off the Great Gazoo. If anything, they would have been thrilled. The episode is about a lot of things, but mostly it’s about the fear of death. Simpsons characters have always had unusually rich emotional lives, and this episode is really about their anxiety over ‘what comes next’ (and I don’t mean ‘Krapopolis’). What I think is bittersweet about this episode is that it took Larry’s death to make Homer and his friends appreciate him — and each other.“

The producer pointed out that while they “certainly didn’t kill the character off lightly,” Larry wasn’t exactly one of the show’s breakout stars. “I don’t remember any kids wearing a ‘Larry’ t-shirt of doing a ‘Larry the drunk lonely barfly’ dance,” he said. “It would have been cool if they had.“

Despite speaking very few times on The Simpsons over the last thirty years, Larry’s history on the series goes back to the very first episode. With his death, he joins the exclusive ranks of Simpsons characters who have been killed off, including Maude Flanders, Frank Grimes, Mona Simpson, and Edna Krabappel.

The post The Simpsons producer apologizes for shocking death of long-time character appeared first on JoBlo.