Manborg, Father’s Day, The Void, Leprechaun Returns, and Psycho Goreman director Steven Kostanski’s horror comedy Frankie Freako, which is said to be a “commemoration of various practical FX-led projects including Gremlins 2: The New Batch and Ghoulies Go to College,” was given a limited theatrical release earlier this month, and now our friends at Bloody Disgusting have learned when we’re going to be able to watch this movie in the comfort of our own homes! They report that Frankie Freako will be getting a digital release on October 25th, with a Scream Factory Blu-ray release to follow on November 5th. The digital release is available for pre-order through Amazon at THIS LINK, while Blu-ray copies can be pre-ordered HERE.
The story of Frankie Freako follows Conor Sweeney (The Editor) as a workaholic yuppie with a dilemma: no one in his life respects him! Not his boss, not his coworkers, not even his wife Kristina, who thinks he’s an uptight “square”! Conor sees no way out of this existential rut until one night channel-surfing he catches a bizarre ad for a party hotline hosted by a strange dancing goblin: Frankie Freako. Conor is entranced by Frankie’s promises of wild and freaky adventures, just a phone call away – could this be the recipe to spice up his flavorless life? Home alone for the weekend, Conor works up the courage to dial the number for the Frankie Freako hotline. As soon as the call connects, it unleashes chaos into his white-collar world, releasing Frankie and his troublemaker friends from their dimensional prison. It’s a race against time as Conor must defeat the rambunctious ruffians and clean up their trail of destruction before Kristina returns from her trip, all while going on an unexpected journey of self-discovery.
Sweeney is joined in the cast by Adam Brooks (The Return) and Kristy Wordsworth (The Spy Who Never Dies).
The film comes to Blu-ray with the following special features: – Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Steven Kostanski, Actor Conor Sweeney, and Cinematographer Pierce Derks – Fasten Your Freakbelts: Behind the Scenes of Frankie Freako – Conor & Frankie: A Conversation Between Actors – Frankie Freako’s Funtime Phone Commercial – Antique Connoisseurs Segments – Trailer
Are you looking forward to the digital release and/or the Blu-ray release of Frankie Freako? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
As people continue waiting patiently for official news of the Switch 2, Nintendo has taken the unusual step of rolling out a public testing program for a secret new piece of Switch software. It filled up in seconds as players eagerly signed up to be guinea pigs for whatever the Mario maker is cooking up. No one knows…
As people continue waiting patiently for official news of the Switch 2, Nintendo has taken the unusual step of rolling out a public testing program for a secret new piece of Switch software. It filled up in seconds as players eagerly signed up to be guinea pigs for whatever the Mario maker is cooking up. No one knows…
The Yellowstone era of Kevin Costner’s career has come to an end, and the box office disappointment of his film Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 has left some wondering how he’s going to be able to complete his four-part Western epic (Chapter 2 has already been filmed, but Chapters 3 and 4 are left to go)… but Costner isn’t just sitting around, waiting to get back to the world of Horizon. The Hollywood Reporter has broken the news that Costner is set to star in a horror thriller called Headhunters – and not only will he have a lead role, but he’s also producing the film and co-writing the screenplay!
Cinematographer Steven Holleran will be making his feature directorial debut with this film, which is based on an idea he originated. Holleran took the idea to Costner, and they’ve crafted the script together. Costner will be playing a character called Lazer, a washed-up American ex-pat with a mysterious past who finds himself living in Bali, Indonesia. Lazer recruits a group of surfers led by Bima, a local photographer, on a journey to an uncharted island to pioneer a perfect wave. To their surprise, the island is home to an ancient tribe of headhunters guarding the land at all costs. What ensues is an adventure turned survival story of epic and bloody proportions on a tropical island which once seemed to be paradise… but is actually closer to hell. Sounds to me like this has the potential to be an awesome movie. Kevin Costner vs. headhunters!
Costner is joined in the cast by Daniel Zovatto, whose credits include It Follows, Don’t Breathe, Beneath,The Pope’s Exorcist, Fear the Walking Dead, and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
Headhunters is currently in pre-production and is expected to start filming in Hawaii next month. Studios and streaming services are competing to secure the distribution rights. Costner and his producing partner Howard Kaplan are producing for Territory Pictures, while Scott Steindorff does the same for Stone Village Films, alongside the company’s Dylan Russell, Lindsay Davis, and Stacey Woods. Eric Hays is on board as physical producer. Steindorff provided the following statement: “For decades, my friend Kevin and I have been searching for the right project to collaborate on. This is one of the best scripts I have seen in my career. Kevin is a legendary actor who brings so much depth and charisma to his roles, and has written an iconic horror script with Steve.“
Steindorff added that Zovatto is “one of the finest young actors in Hollywood” and that Holleran “has a keen eye. He pitched me this idea which was so unique and original. Working with him in the past has been nothing short of amazing, so I’m really looking forward to shooting Headhunters this fall.“
Holleran, whose cinematography credits include Sympathy for the Devil, Missing, and Chick Fight, had this to say: “My filmmaking journey got its start in the ocean shooting surf videos in California as a teenager. Twenty years later, Headhunters brings things full circle and connects three life-long passions of mine — surfing, filmmaking, and adventure.“
Does Headhunters sound interesting to you? Share your thoughts on this Kevin Costner project by leaving a comment below.
PLOT: After finding the gold at El Dorado, the Pogues return to the OBX and commit to having a “normal” life. They’ve built themselves a new haven, officially dubbed “Poguelandia 2.0”, where they live together and run a fairly successful bait, tackle, and charter tour shop. But after some financial setbacks, John B, Sarah, Kiara, JJ, Pope, and Cleo take Wes up on his offer, drawn back into the “G” game for a whole new adventure.
REVIEW: There are few shows that Netflix has seen greater success with than Outer Banks. With its hot young cast and focus on fun over logic, it’s proven to be a great escape for many people. Following a group of friends known as The Pogues, each season has a different treasure to hunt down. Having already found the gold of El Dorado Now starting its fourth season with an 18-month time jump, there’s a new goal in its sights: Blackbeard’s sunken treasure.
I will be 100% honest: I’m not a day one Outer Banks fan and only was acquainted with the show over the last month. So I’m sure there’s going to be some subtle stuff that I miss or things that long-term fans care about, that I may simply not. And as much as I’m a big horror guy, I also have a soft spot for teen TV dramas so I’ll still give it a fair shake. And as a millennial, the clear comparisons to The OC made this one easy to digest.
Season Four picks up with the Pogues trying to put their lives back together and decide what to do with the money they earned from El Dorado. So they decide to open up a bait and tackle stand along the beach. Not sure how big of moneymakers those tend to be but they felt confident putting their million-plus reward into it. Pollyanna McIntosh is the season’s Big Bad, though we mostly see her right-hand man, Lightner (Rigo Sanchez). They’re properly over the top in their evilness. They’re also after Blackbeard’s treasure but, given the motivation of money, it’s hard to root for the Pogues either. I’d rather the treasure just not be found by either group.
Hilariously, one of the big conflicts for the season is that The Pogues have to get enough money to pay their property taxes on the business. You’d think they’d already have enough money left over from their treasure hunting expedition but that’s explained away through a lost beach race. The writers constantly have to put self-imposed roadblocks just to keep the characters’ backs against the wall. It comes across as extremely lazy writing. Most of the dramatic elements feel really silly and the show has a hard time presenting hard conversations. When things are lighthearted and fun, it’s a good time. But it can be a bit eye-roll-worthy when they try to do something more serious story beats. But I will give them credit, they handle romance well. For the most part.
John B. and Sarah Cameron tend to be the “A couple” but this season they take more of a backseat. Who’s to say if this was always the plan or just a logistical solution? I’ve always had a fascination with the fact that Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline had a very public breakup, yet have still had to perform as a couple on the show. It’s something I can’t help but notice in each episode, whether it’s body language or a lack of scenes with the two of them. There’s no doubt that it’s affected the trajectory of this couple on the show, but they don’t seem to be hinting at any trouble in paradise. So kudos to the actors for being so professional. But it means John B and Sarah are just kind of…there during the events this season.
Kiara and JJ have really taken over as the main characters of the group. Sure, the show still does a good job of balancing between all of the Pogues, but they seem to have the most interesting plotlines. Even during a heated moment on the beach, Sarah and John B simply stay behind, allowing Kiara and JJ to have a big dramatic standoff with the Kooks. They have the most to do and have some of the more dramatic reveals of the season. Pope and Cleo are paired off but mostly feel like characters used for plot advancement. Need exposition or an info dump? Use Pope. Need a damsel in distress? Use Cleo. Their characters feel a bit shortchanged because of it.
The first half of the season ends on quite the cliffhanger, with JJ’s parentage finally being addressed in a more concrete way. There are clearly going to be some interesting revelations in the second half of the season. I think your enjoyment is going to hinge on just how much you can suspend your disbelief. One big issue with Netflix splitting up their seasons (in an effort to stretch out subscription lengths) is that the narratives feel cut off at the knee. Just as the season is getting into the swing of things, it’s already over. And honestly, not a whole lot even happened. Sure, the Pogues have their new mission, but everything is still developing to the point where it’s hard to tell where the second half will even end up. But the first half was very average, devoid of any major plot developments save for a brief moment to intrigue viewers for Part 2.
OUTER BANKS: SEASON FOUR PART ONE STREAMS ON NETFLIX ON OCTOBER 10TH, 2024.
Plot: In a society where heroes and villains continuously battle in the name of peace and chaos, Izuku Midoriya, a U.A. High School student who aspires to be the best hero he can be, confronts the villain who imitates the hero he’s long admired.
Review: School is out for Izuku Midoriya and his fellow U.A. High School classmates in My Hero Academia: You’re Next, a high-powered, inspirational, and visually explosive feature that takes many of the anime and manga franchise’s best elements on a mission to rescue a young woman capable of amplifying quirks to untold levels. Newcomers could feel lost amidst the film’s massive cast and already-established lore, but that doesn’t keep My Hero Academia: You’re Next from offering audiences a front seat aboard a non-stop roller coaster of character highlights and superhero spectacle.
Before diving into the details, I want to explain my familiarity with My Hero Academia so you know where I’m coming from for this review. My Academia journey started roughly two months ago when I bought the Himiko Toga skin in Fortnite. I love her character design and quickly found the aesthetic of My Hero Academia to be up my alley. I began watching the anime shortly after, though I’m only 27 episodes deep into the series, barely scratching the surface of the epic saga. Thankfully, two-ish seasons are enough to give me a solid foundation for meeting You’re Next at its accelerated level.
Considering my brief history with the series, My Hero Academia: You’re Next is like meeting someone in their first year of high school, not seeing them for four years, and then crossing paths with them during senior year. They’re more experienced, mature, on the verge of graduating, and no longer the doe-eyed kids you remember. I couldn’t help but feel like I’d missed a significant period of growth in the students’ lives, but that’s because I did. Regardless, My Hero Academia: You’re Next is nothing if not inviting for those with even the most basic knowledge of the series. Full disclosure: I watched the movie with my wife, who’s never seen a single frame of My Hero Academia, and she loved it.
My Hero Academia: You’re Next finds Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugo, and Shoto Todoroki leading teams of students into a destructive melee with superpowered villains intent on kidnapping Miss Anna Scervino, a young woman capable of amplifying quirks to untold levels of power. The criminal group, led by Dark Might, a crime boss who’s stolen All Might’s face, makes up the Gollini Family, a mob-like collective of ne’er do wells with incredible gifts.
While deciphering the Gollini family’s intent, Midoriya meets Giulio Gandini, a tortured, steadfast marksman whose mission is to protect Miss Anna from harm. Their relationship is a classic enemies-to-friends yarn, with Midoriya’s pure disposition eventually breaking down Giulio’s defenses. Watching Midoriya, Giulio, Bakugo, Todoroki, Ochaco Uraraka, Mina Ashido, and many others join forces to save Miss Anna and match powers with Dark Might is an effort sure to please fans of the series and perhaps compel newcomers into checking out the core series.
Like any other anime film with an overwhelming number of characters, My Hero Academia: You’re Next tries its best to give fan-favorite students (and U.A. High School faculty members) a chance to shine, though most go underused. The story focuses mainly on the core cast members, with others dropping in and out of the fight to lend their unique abilities to the skirmish. While balancing character participation could become a problem in most anime features, the little time some characters get to shine is enough to give you a taste of their talents. If nothing else, it will make people new to the series curious about seeing more action from specific players. That’s what the anime series or manga is for.
Then there’s the Gollini family, led by Dark Might, an over-the-top character who is extra AF. He aims to become stronger than All Might while wearing his face, erasing the legendary hero’s legacy with his rise to power. His criminal organization consists of several villains with cruel and manipulative powers, like Debra’s daydream quirk, the teleporting Mosquito Man, his silent behemoth, a Plague Doctor-like cohort capable of nullifying quirks, another jerk who can create time-distorting bubbles and more.
I found Dark Might a joy to watch. He’s a monologue master who wields beautiful dark magic that causes trouble for Midoriya and his party. He’s always one speech away from busting out an oddly aggressive dance number, and his power is a villain’s wet dream. When you think you’ve seen all he can throw at Midoriya and his friends, think again. If the students of U.A. High School weren’t so capable, I’d figure Dark Might was an unstoppable entity in a world overpopulated by omega-level villains.
Visually, My Hero Academia: You’re Next does what all animated features do when you’ve got a more significant budget: go big or go home. You’re Next couples the series’ 2D hand-drawn aesthetic with selective CG imagery, marrying both styles to varying degrees. The mixture of 2D and computer-generated assets is slightly distracting, with specific character and vehicle movements looking superimposed or stiff. While some environmental interactions are questionable, the CG elements go a long way in giving everyone’s quirks some extra juice. Dark Might’s powers look incredible, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t get giddy when Bakugo and Todoroki went nuclear on the Gollini Family.
When My Hero Academia: You’re Next ended, I wanted to return to the core series and catch up. The film gave me a glimpse of the future for characters I genuinely care about and included a romantic arc between Giulio and Miss Anna that felt earned and compelling. You’re Next is a thrilling addition to My Hero Academia lore, highlighting the heroism and heart of Midoriya and his friends while giving long-time fans of the series plenty of reasons to pump their fists in exhilaration.
Two years ago, we heard that American Horror Story regular Sarah Paulson had signed on to star in a horror thriller called Dust, which would be released as a Hulu Original. That film has since made its way out into the world under the title Hold Your Breath, having been released through the Hulu streaming service on October 3rd – and not only do we have a review of the movie that can be read HERE and press day interviews that can be found HERE, but we also caught up with the cast and filmmakers when they were on the red carpet at the film’s premiere! JoBlo’s own Ryan Cultrera was able to speak with the film’s stars Sarah Paulson, Amiah Miller (War for the Planet of the Apes), and Alona Jane Robbins (Law & Order), directors William Joines and Karrie Crouse, plus Natasha Ofili of The Politician and Creed III. To find out what they had to say, check out the video embedded above!
Coming to us from Searchlight Pictures, Hold Your Breath marks the feature directorial debut of Joines and Crouse. Crouse wrote the screenplay for the film, which has the following synopsis: In 1930s Oklahoma, amid the region’s horrific dust storms, a woman is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family. Another synopsis let us know that the story centers on a woman who is trapped by increasingly perilous dust storms and is haunted by her past encounters with a threatening presence and takes extraordinary measures to protect her family.
Paulson, Miller, and Robbins are joined in the cast by Bill Heck (I Know What You Did Last Summer TV series), Annaleigh Ashford (Masters of Sex), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear). In addition to American Horror Story, Paulson’s credits include American Crime Story, Ratched, Mrs. America, Run, Glass, Bird Box, Ocean’s Eight, 12 Years a Slave, Mud, New Year’s Eve, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Cupid, The Spirit, Diggers, The Notorious Bettie Page, Serenity, Deadwood, Down with Love, What Women Want, The Other Sister, and American Gothic, among other things.
Alix Madigan and Lucas Joaquin produced Hold Your Breath, with Paulson serving as executive producer. Searchlight Production heads DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas oversaw the project with the company’s Director of Development Zahra Phillips.
Have you watched Hold Your Breath? If so, let us know what you thought of it by leaving a comment below – after taking a look at our red carpet interviews, of course.
I am 34 years old and I will still randomly blurt out a soundbite from a game that was released when I was seven. A “That’s my sister!” will escape my lips when I reunite with my younger sibling after not seeing her for months, or I’ll utter an “I like candy, everybody likes candy” while walking through the…
