RIP, Paul Reubens. He’s known for quite a few different roles but none more recognizable than that of the lovable rogue Pee-Wee Herman from the classic and endlessly quotable 1985 film Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.
No one knew this little film that could end up being so popular. It featured an actor that’s never carried a film before in Reubens, a brand new, untested director named Tim Burton, and a virtually unknown composer named Danny Elfman.
While critics were kind of divided on the film, audiences couldn’t get enough, and it became one of the most unconventional box office smashes of its time. As someone old enough (woof) to remember when the movie came out, so many lines from the movie just got baked into the popular vernacular.
Let’s go over ten of the best.
10. Why don’t you take a picture? It’ll last longer
This scene involves Pee-Wee dressed up as a woman and Mickey Morelli (Judd Omen), an escaped fugitive who tells Pee-Wee he ripped a tag off a mattress. They approach law enforcement, and Morelli realizes he’s going to be recaptured, so he takes out his gun to end his own life.
However, Pee-Wee saves the day but dressing up as a woman at the last minute. When asked to get out of the car, he twirls and says the famous line. Classic!
9. Be sure and tell ’em Large Marge sent you
This famous quote comes from a scene where Pee-Wee is picked up late at night by a woman driving a semi-truck. It’s a short scene, about 3 minutes, but it’s a memorable one.
One thing that stuck out to me was the part where she turns into a monster for a moment, which I can’t lie; it really scared me as a kid. Now that I’m a man, it only kinda scares me.
After she drops him off, she says the famous words and then cackles her way into the moonlight. The actress who played Large Marge, by the way, was a veteran character actress named Alice Nunn, who died in 1988 at 60.
8. Let’s talk about your big but
A little bit of, but it goes a long way. Some clever wordplay in the script made this line one of the more memorable ones in the whole movie. Simone, played by Diane Salinger, plays a truck stop waitress who has a special moment with Pee-Wee at the T-Rex roadside attraction.
During a quiet moment, she talks about something and then says “but,” and the script takes this to its logical conclusion. Say what you will; it turns a tender moment into hilarious in an instant.
7. Is there something you could share with the rest of us, Amazing Larry?
Amazing Larry only appeared in the scene briefly, but it was so memorable that people still talk about it to this day. Larry is an older man with an incredible, colorful mohawk who appears during the basement scene.
Larry is just there and talking, and Pee-Wee calls him out for it. One of the best things about this scene is we don’t really have much context for why Larry’s hair is like that.
Turns out, there was a previously deleted scene where Larry had normal hair and asked for advice on how to spruce up his act (he’s a magician). The payoff was the hair, but we only got that part of the scene. Still works!
6. That’s my name. Don’t wear it out
This iconic line was repeated ad nauseam for a certain generation of kids. I can remember annoying friends yelling it at each other constantly. The thing is, the Pee-Wee line was borrowed from Grease, which John Travolta used so effectively in that film.
This time it comes after a back-and-forth between Pee-Wee and Francis after the latter tells him he wants Pee-Wee’s bike for his birthday, which causes Pee-Wee to break down in hysterics.
5. I know you are but what am I?
Honestly, this is maybe the most annoying retort ever created. It was made for back-and-forth bickering and used extremely effectively in the same scene referenced above.
It’s no way to end an argument and only serves as a way to infuriate someone and make sure that you keep bickering for eternity. I wish I could say I never used it, but I am a product of my own upbringing.
4. You don’t wanna get mixed up with a guy like me. I’m a loner, Dottie. A rebel
Girls love a bad boy, and the ultimate bad boy is… Pee-Wee? Pee-Wee enters a bike shop to get a custom-made horn from Dottie, who works in the store. She obviously likes him and tries to use the horn to entice Pee-Wee into a conversation.
She asks him to come along to the drive-in, and he rolls his eyes. He then warns her, telling her there are things she “couldn’t” and “shouldn’t” understand about him before dropping the all-time classic letdown line.
3. Go ahead, scream your head off! We’re miles from where anyone can hear you!
This is one of the more pivotal scenes in the movie, where all of Pee-Wee’s pent-up aggression comes out when he finally decides to go after Francis. Right after he says the line, he jumps into the water like a hungry shark. Well, you know what I mean.
2. I don’t make monkeys. I just train them
This is another gem from the classic scene early on between Francis and Pee-Wee – which sets the stage for everything to come. This two-minute argument gave the children of America so many annoying ways to argue with each other.
This was after Francis tells Pee-Wee to “make me.” The retort is simple and effective, and honestly, it should make a comeback. Why not?
1. I meant to do that
This is one that I’ve probably used myself. Not as an adult, of course. Well, maybe. But as a kid, for sure. Mostly because I was prone to accidents. This snappy retort exemplifies the true irreverent spirit of the character, and it’s a reminder of what we lost.
When are they going to reboot this thing already?
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The Scream franchise has returned to its former glory thanks to 2023’s Scream, which won Best Movie at the 2023 MTV Awards. The original Scream, directed by Wes Craven, revitalized the horror genre in the late 1990s by deconstructing old horror clichés while delivering genuine thrills; a unique combination of intriguing characters, clever writing, and thrilling horror set-pieces, with outstanding performances from Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette.
As a result, the Scream franchise has become a staple of the genre, beloved by both die-hard horror enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. The series is notable for its meta-commentary on horror films, distinctive masked villains, and unique blend of horror and comedy. For fans of the Scream franchise, here are other equally terrifying films that have spawned their own franchises and garnered millions of fans.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
The first installment in the I Know What You Did Last Summer film series, released in 1997, was directed by Jim Gillespie and written by Kevin Williamson (who also wrote the Scream films). Based on Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel of the same name, the film stars Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Jennifer Love Hewitt in the original film about four high school buddies. After a night of graduation celebrations, one hits a pedestrian on a dark, winding road. Concerned about the possible fallout, they hastily dispose of the body and agree to forget what happened.
However, when they start getting weird notes the following summer, it becomes clear that someone is aware of their secret. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) and I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) are continuations of the original film. The sequels included many of the same actors and continued the story in the same tense fashion as the original. However, none of the original actors returned for the third installment, though it maintained the series’ pattern of combining teen drama with suspenseful horror. The franchise’s TV show debuted on Amazon Prime in October 2021, demonstrating the concept’s continued viability.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The 1984 Wes Craven picture A Nightmare on Elm Street launched a successful horror franchise. The original picture stands out among its peers because of its novel premise, memorable antagonist, and deft combination of horror and psychological thriller elements. Freddy Krueger, portrayed by Robert Englund, is one of the most iconic horror movie villains. Krueger is a child murderer who was burned to death by the parents of his victims and now haunts the nightmares of the children of Elm Street.
With a charred face, a dusty fedora, a red and green striped sweater, and a glove armed with razor-sharp blades, his signature appearance has become a recognizable icon of horror. Numerous sequels to A Nightmare on Elm Street explored Freddy Krueger’s origins and the legends surrounding his abilities in greater depth than the first film. Among the best is A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, which many viewers consider the series’ pinnacle due to its unique dream sequences and in-depth examination of the franchise’s characters and themes.
Candyman
The original Candyman movie was released in 1992, directed by Bernard Rose, and based on Clive Barker’s short story The Forbidden. The franchise is known for its blend of horror and social commentary and its chilling antagonist, the Candyman himself. In the first Candyman, graduate student Helen Lyle (played by Virginia Madsen) examines urban legends for her thesis. She comes upon the story of Candyman (played by Tony Todd), a mysterious killer that haunts a Chicago slum area.
Candyman, legend has it, was the son of an enslaved person who fell in love with a white woman. Upon discovering their relationship, a lynch mob bathed him in honey and let bees sting him to death. Now, legend has it that Candyman will materialize and kill whoever says his name five times in front of a mirror. The film’s blend of otherworldly horror and real-world concerns, like racism and classism, makes it stand out from other entries in the horror genre. Instead of being a generic monster, Candyman represents the suffering of African Americans throughout history.
Halloween
John Carpenter’s 1978 film Halloween is a horror genre classic. The film has significantly impacted the evolution of the horror genre, especially the slasher subgenre, thanks to its minimalistic aesthetic, tense narrative, and memorable antagonist. Halloween revolves around Michael Myers, a six-year-old boy who murders his older sister on Halloween night. After spending 15 years in a mental institution, Myers escapes and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he begins stalking a group of teens, including Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis in her feature picture debut.
One of the most scary villains in horror, Myers wears a pallid, soulless mask and is an unrelenting, seemingly unstoppable force. His complete, unadulterated wickedness is amplified by the fact that he acts without any discernible motive. Halloween generated multiple sequels, remakes, and reboots, many of which continued Michael Myers and Laurie Strode’s feud.
Friday the Thirteenth
The first Friday the 13th film, directed by Sean S. Cunningham in 1980, kicked off a successful horror franchise. The Friday the 13th franchise has considerably impacted the horror subgenre with its trademark hockey mask killer, Jason Voorhees, and its campy, often horrific, slasher aspects. The original Friday the 13th occurs at Camp Crystal Lake, a haunted summer camp. The film follows a group of counselors preparing for the camp’s reopening, unaware that an unseen killer is hunting them.
Despite his iconic status, Jason Voorhees doesn’t become a major player in the franchise until subsequent installments. In the original film, the killer is Pamela Voorhees, Jason’s vindictive mother, who blames her son’s apparent drowning on the camp counselors. Even in Friday the 13th Part 2, Jason isn’t the main villain, and he doesn’t start wearing his iconic hockey mask until Friday the 13th Part III. The franchise is infamous for its high body count and gory death scenes. While this sparked debate and bad reviews from critics, it also helped the films gain a cult following among horror fans.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
In 1974, Tobe Hooper directed The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a movie that pushed the boundaries of horror with its visceral and intense depiction of terror. The plot revolves around friends traveling to rural Texas to check on one of their family’s historic homesteads. There, they come into a family of cannibals led by the terrifying Leatherface, who terrorizes the party with his characteristic weapon, a roaring chainsaw.
Leatherface, who wears a human skin mask, is one of the most horrifying villains in horror film history. Although the film was billed as based on an actual event, it is only partially inspired by the atrocities of real-life serial killer Ed Gein, who also wore his victims’ skin. This connection to real-life events increased the film’s shock effect upon release. The film spawned a franchise, with sequels, prequels, remakes, and reboots all contributing to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre mystique. However, none have quite matched the raw terror of the original film.
Child’s Play
The 1988 Tom Holland film Child’s Play launched a successful horror franchise. Chucky, a doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer, is one of the most known horror movie icons since his introduction in the first film. In Child’s Play, a little boy named Andy Barclay is the focus after he is given a “Good Guy” doll for his birthday. Andy and his mom have no idea that the doll is possessed by the ghost of serial killer Charles Lee Ray or the “Lakeshore Strangler.” Before his death, Ray used voodoo magic to transfer his soul into the doll.
Brad Dourif’s outstanding voice performance as Chucky is one of the film’s notable elements. His eerie voice brings the murderous doll to life, making Chucky both horrifying and darkly hilarious. Child’s Play spawned a franchise with multiple sequels and a 2019 remake, each presenting a fresh perspective on the Chucky character and history. The franchise is notable for its blend of horror and dark humor, particularly in the later chapters, which lean into Chucky’s darkly funny side.
Psycho
Directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho is a horror genre classic. It was released in 1960 but has become a cinematic classic thanks to its groundbreaking story and performances. The story follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a thieving secretary on the run from her boss, who checks into the remote Bates Motel. There, she meets the motel’s proprietor, the strange but seemingly harmless Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). However, as the plot unfolds, Crane’s stay at the motel takes a chilling turn, leading to one of the most famous sequences in film history — the shower scene.
The film’s narrative structure was innovative in abandoning convention by killing off the film’s apparent protagonist. The film’s pervasive dread can be attributed to Hitchcock’s expert use of suspense and deception and Bernard Herrmann’s legendary, nerve-wracking music. One of Hitchcock’s best pictures and a masterpiece of horror cinema, Psycho was a box office success despite negative reviews and controversy surrounding its subject matter upon its initial release. Numerous following horror films and psychological thrillers can be traced back to it as an inspiration. More than that, Psycho has created a franchise that includes sequels, a prequel, a remake, and the TV series Bates Motel, which explores Norman Bates’s origins.
Saw
Saw is a horror film that launched the “torture porn” subgenre into mainstream cinema. The 2004 picture, directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, stands out for its powerful moments of psychological terror and creative, grisly traps. Saw depicts the Jigsaw Killer, the film’s primary antagonist, engaging in a sadistic game. Jigsaw, unlike most slasher villains, does not directly murder his victims.
On the contrary, he sets them complicated, lethal traps, or “games,” in which they must inflict great suffering on themselves or make unbelievable sacrifices to stay alive. If his victims are lucky enough to survive, he uses these games to teach them valuable lessons about life and death. Saw was financially successful, spawning a series of follow-ups and offshoots. Each installment provides more context for Jigsaw’s character arc and introduces sophisticated new traps. Although the subsequent films have varied in quality, the impact and originality of the first picture is undisputed.
Wrong Turn
The Wrong Turn franchise began with the 2003 film Wrong Turn, directed by Rob Schmidt and written by Alan B. McElroy. It is notable for its gruesome portrayal of rural terror and survival horror. The story centers around a group of six young people — Chris Flynn, Jessie Burlingame, Carly, Scott, Evan, and Francine — who, while on a road trip through West Virginia, make a wrong turn (hence the title) and find themselves stranded in the remote wilderness.
When they learn that they are not alone and that a pack of vicious cannibals is pursuing them, the real nightmare begins. Wrong Turn harkens back to the “hillbilly horror” flicks of the past. The suspense and mood of the picture are its strongest points. West Virginia’s deep, lonely forests create a claustrophobic and unsettling setting for the film’s tragic events.
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I went into this one knowing absolutely nothing about The Expanse — neither the books nor the TV series. The only thing I knew about the critical darling IP was that it, indeed, seemed to transcend every entertainment medium it found itself a part of. I typically dedicate a certain amount of prep when entering the atmosphere of such a revered giant, but I decided to go in blissfully ignorant for two reasons. For starters, I believe that an “outsider opinion” keeps the reviewer’s perspective fresh and prevents any initial biases that could sway a verdict one way or the other, especially for those like me who knew very little about The Expanse and may be intimidated by the viewpoints of a hardcore fanatic. And secondly, what I lack in any formal credentials for The Expanse, I more than make up for as someone with an intense adoration for Telltale Games.
When the narrative-driven juggernaut suddenly crashed and burned in 2018, I was devastated. On a “mainstream” scale, Telltale made the “graphic adventure” that harkened back to the classic point-and-click genre (which hadn’t been seen as financially viable for quite some time prior to the studio’s emergence) of gaming cool again. Once that first magical season of The Walking Dead was released, it was off to the races. If it was Telltale, I was there. The Walking Dead, Batman, Sam & Max, Guardians of the Galaxy, Game of Thrones, Tales from the Borderlands, The Wolf Among Us (my personal favorite) — I even gave the weird Minecraft game a chance!
So, when Telltale announced it was “back” in 2019, I joined the public consensus that agreed the prospect, at best, seemed too good to be true. Many of the former creative powers responsible for bringing the company’s best projects to life had been scattered to the wind — joining other game developers if not outright leaving the industry altogether — and it was difficult to be anything more than cautiously optimistic for a total reset. But to get to the point of this needlessly long introduction, it’s safe to say that with The Expanse, Telltale (alongside Deck Nine) has come back with a vengeance to reclaim its crown in a landscape where the graphic adventure subgenre now has some fierce competition abound.
Screenshot via Telltale Games
In Telltale’s version of The Expanse, you play as Camina Drummer, an XO (Executive Officer) aboard the Artemis spaceship tasked with keeping a ragtag scavenger crew in line with the promise of impending riches from the “heist of the century.” This isn’t the only time the group has had the proverbial golden carrot dangled in front of them, and after many lackluster gains from previous scavenging missions, tensions are reaching a boiling point. Supplies are running low. Morale is dropping to mutinous depths. The game’s opening scene wastes no time telling players that the ongoing situation has gone nuclear. But before Camina can make a life-altering decision, we’re snatched back hours earlier where Camina and Garrison Cox, the Artemis’ roguish captain, are discussing a nearby space vessel that may hold the answer to their problems.
From The Expanse’s starting moments, one lingering fear of mine was quickly dispelled; this is a Telltale that has committed itself to evolve from its old methods. Where there were noticeable jittery and janky animations and transitions in the “old days,” now scenes play out smoothly with crisp facial expressions that are better than ever. Just watching the minor grimaces, winces, and smirks between characters makes for a far more immersive experience than the previous expectation of merely accepting expected technical shortcomings. Additionally, the sound design is something that particularly impressed me. There are subtle auditory nuances between characters having a direct conversation, speaking to one another while wearing their helmets — slightly muffled speech and all — and crackling, static-lined long-distance radio communication.
Even the way Telltale tells Camina’s story is a major upgrade; The Expanse is more interested in giving players more autonomy than simply choosing dialogue options and enjoying characters’ random thoughts when selecting particular objects. Now (and with the ability to utilize your zero-g thrusters to greatly expand your exploratory capabilities), players are encouraged to take the “adventure” part of “graphic adventure” seriously and search areas for resources and other goodies. It’s possible that Camina will be able to bond with her other crewmates by finding something that taps into a character’s history or knowledge with specific findings. It’s also remarkable that so much attention was paid to rewarding players for thoroughly scouring places for precious loot, giving more purpose to the fact that you’re a gang of scavengers desperately picking through a vessel’s bones to live another day.
Screenshot via Telltale Games
Right, you’re likely curious about that zero-gravity part, huh? Yes, you’ll spend a significant portion of this first episode floating around gleefully while exploring — and better still, it controls like a dream! When the game initially introduced the concept, I admit to being afraid it’d be frustrating. But it’s easily the most fun I’ve had in a Telltale game to date. In fact, you need to diligently use zero gravity to reach some hidden nooks, and it was a fantastic way to make the zero-gravity mechanic more than just a mindless distraction.
What I cared the most about, above all else, was the meat and potatoes that was the story and characters. Though one could argue the standard was already set as the overall narrative serves as a prequel to the main happenings of The Expanse’s continuity, Telltale nailed the core cast of characters, especially Camina — someone who already has a mysterious past on her home planet and perfectly balances authority and badassery with lighthearted playfulness when the situation calls for it. During the two and a half hours I spent with Camina and the Artemis crew, enough time was given to endear each character to me and force my hand into the unenviable (likely unrealistic) goal to keep everyone alive — and from turning on each other.
As far as the pacing goes (and without touching upon major spoilers), there’s plenty of uncertainty throughout this first episode — among the Artemis crew and along the scavenger mission you’re tasked to complete. An unsettling mystery underpins the team’s endeavors, leading to Telltale’s signature major decisions where, in one instance, I prioritized the safety of a crewmate over the enticement of resources — a decision I may come to regret considering the overall sense I missed some essential items that may very well lead to certain death later.
Screenshot via Telltale Games
It’s entirely too early to say whether or not Telltale can maintain its momentum throughout The Expanse’s scheduled five (six including the bonus content) episodes. However, this was a phenomenal opening salvo proving that the last thing Telltale plans to do is go into that good night. Instead of a defeated former titan spoken about in frenzied, hushed whispers of its glory days, a resurrected legend has officially returned to rumble with the best narrative-driven games in town. I only hope that the end result is an authentic revival of one of the greats and not a pretender wearing Telltale’s hollowed-out husk to fool the masses into believing its lies.
This review is based on the PlayStation 5 version of the game. A copy was provided for review by Telltale Games.
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Every now and then, a movie comes along that hits all the right marks and becomes an instant classic. Pee-wee’s Big Adventure was that kind of movie.
Starring the late Paul Reubens as the man behind the titular fictional character, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure was a confluence of talent, luck, and preparedness. It catapulted Reubens’ alter-ego character into the stratosphere, one which the actor and comedian debuted years earlier in the critically acclaimed stand-up comedy show, The Pee-wee Herman Show.
In addition to being the silver screen debut for Reubens’ childlike alter ego, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure was also Tim Burton’s directorial debut, who had previously only directed TV shorts at that time. After the cult classic film took off, Reubens brought the character to living rooms around the world, creating Pee-wee’s Playhouse, the surreal, yet educational children’s show that aired Saturday mornings on CBS from 1986 to 1990.
Because cult classics never go out of style, and because Pee-wee Herman never fails to bring a smile to our faces, here’s where you can stream these oldies-but-goodies in this modern era of film and television entertainment.
Is Pee-wee’s Big Adventure available to stream on Max?
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is a Warner Bros. Pictures film, but it’s not on the streaming service Max if that’s what you’re thinking. Despite the streaming service being owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is only available to rent ($3.99) or buy ($7.99) on Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, Redbox ($13.99 to buy), or Google Play ($12.99 to buy).
If you have a public library card or belong to a university, you can stream Pee-wee’s Big Adventure for free on Kanopy, a streaming service alternative that partners with libraries and universities to bring you free entertainment.
Is Pee-wee’s Playhouse available to stream on Paramount Plus?
Similarly to Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, despite most CBS shows being available to stream on Paramount Plus, Pee-wee’s Playhouse is only available to rent or buy through Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu. However, the five-season show is not available on Apple TV, which only has the Christmas Special episode. Each episode cost $2.99 to rent and ranges from $5.98 to $34.99 for the whole season depending on how many episodes it has.
In the future, Warner Bros. Discovery may choose to release Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Paramount Plus may choose to upload all five seasons of Pee-wee’s Playhouse, but for the time being, your best bet is to purchase each property à la carte through the aforementioned platforms.
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In a rare move, the official Japanese Barbie movie Twitter account issued a chastising statement in response to the American account posting a Barbenheimer meme with the caption “It’s going to be a summer to remember.” The Japanese account called the trend “extremely regrettable.”
For context, the movie Oppenheimer and Barbie are currently dominating the box office, and people have unofficially started using the term Barbenheimer to describe the cultural force of the two movies.
For deeper context (historical, this time): Oppenheimer tells the story of Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb.” Those bombs were dropped by the United States on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan on August 6 and 9, 1945. As a result, almost a quarter of a million people died – mostly civilians. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why Japan would be upset by people in the U.S. casually celebrating a movie that’s about the mass murder of Japanese civilians.
Is it insensitive? It’s hard to make the argument that it’s not, even if it doesn’t feel intentional on the part of U.S. moviegoers. Regardless, it’s pretty messed up. The Japanese response:
“About the SNS [Social Networking Service] posting of the movie ‘Barbie’
Currently, the movie ‘Barbie’ (Distributor: Warner Bros.) and the movie ‘Oppenheimer’ (Distributor: Universal Pictures) were both released in the United States on July 21. #Barbenheimer is happening, but this movement and activity is not official. On the other hand, we believe that the inconsiderate action of the official account of the US headquarters of the movie ‘Barbie’ to the social media posts by fans caused by this movement is extremely regrettable, and we take this situation seriously. We are asking the US headquarters to take appropriate action. We apologize to those who were offended by this series of inconsiderate reactions.
Warner Bros. Japan G.K.”
In response, people have been posting disturbing images from the bombing, including one where a person was vaporized so completely only a shadow remained. Others show fields of dead bodies or disfigured, radiation-poisoned children.
One person shared shredded clothing from dead children.
You guys should have been arrogantly giving lectures about political correctness, right? What is this ugliness?
Another said: “How dare can you, the official account, make fun of this unacceptable meme? You should visit the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima and get to know what actually happened there. It is one of the worst crimes against humanity.”
Others pointed out how Americans are seemingly preoccupied with politically correctness, but somehow not about this.
I absolutely can't condone the act of jokingly spreading tweets that make fun of the atomic bombing that killed so many people in Japan. I strongly demand that the related tweets be immediately retracted and deleted. #Berbenheimer#NoBarbenheimer
Music fans frequently discuss how good songs were in the early 2000s. And there is some truth to that. However, that was not the only thing that stood out about the decade. Honestly, I don’t know which would win if I had to choose between 2000s music and disaster movies. Even if you think the 2000s were fantastic just for music, you must acknowledge that the jaw-dropping visuals of widespread destruction in some of the decade’s best films were brilliant. The musical scores for the films, such as The Day After Tomorrow, were equally fantastic, so there’s that.
In truth, the disaster film genre expanded in exciting and creative ways during the twenty-first century’s first decade, as directors experimented with new story structures, special effects technologies, and themes. From apocalyptic virus outbreaks and rogue waves to invasions from extraterrestrial beings and catastrophic climate change, the 2000s provided audiences with various disasters and their effects on human lives and communities. So, let’s don our survival gear and revisit the top 10 disaster movies of the 2000s.
10. The Mist (2007)
The Mist is a terrifying thriller directed by Frank Darabont (of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile) based on Stephen King’s novel. It follows the inhabitants of a small Maine village as they struggle to cope with the abrupt appearance of a mysterious mist. Thomas Jane’s character, David Drayton, and his young son are among the town’s residents trapped in a grocery shop because of the bizarre and deadly creatures outside.
The study of human nature under duress sets The Mist apart. The picture examines not only the external horrors lying in the mist, but also the psychological horrors within the store, as panic and anxiety rise and people turn on each other. The film’s gloomy, haunting atmosphere, terrifyingly memorable creatures, and shocking ending have sparked debate among moviegoers since its premiere.
9. Contagion (2011)
Contagion is a chillingly prescient film depicting the spread of a lethal epidemic and the frantic efforts of health agencies and scientists to contain it. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film presents a multi-narrative drama that depicts a realistic global health crisis. In addition to Matt Damon and Kate Winslet, the film also stars Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Laurence Fishburne. From a father trying to shield his daughter to public health authorities fighting the outbreak and a journalist searching for conspiracy theories, these people all have unique insights into the pandemic.
The film is notable for its meticulous scientific correctness in presenting the methods used by epidemiologists to track and contain a new virus. The movie also highlights the political and societal repercussions of a pandemic, such as public panic, the proliferation of false information, and the urgent need for a vaccine. Contagion is a thrilling drama thanks to Soderbergh’s expert storytelling, intense realism, and the actors’ grounded performances. In the wake of the real-world COVID-19 outbreak, the film’s themes of civic responsibility, public health, and worldwide connectedness have generated a lot of conversation.
8. The Perfect Storm (2000)
Director Wolfgang Petersen’s The Perfect Storm is an exciting disaster drama based on Sebastian Junger’s non-fiction book of the same name, published in 1997. The plot follows the commercial fishing trawler Andrea Gail and its crew trying to survive a catastrophic storm in the Atlantic Ocean. Starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, and John C. Reilly, the film is a terrifying tale of man versus nature. Captain Billy Tyne, played by Clooney, is an experienced fisherman anxious to end his run of bad luck.
In contrast, Bobby Shatford, played by Wahlberg, is a young crew member with a romantic storyline on land. The film is well known for its violent, cutting-edge CGI storm sequences, which portray the overwhelming strength and magnitude of what the crew calls The Perfect Storm. Aside from the excellent spectacular effects, the film takes the time to flesh out its characters, providing a human element to the deadly situation at sea. The picture leaves the audience contemplating nature’s great force, the frailty of human life, and the bravery of those who venture out to sea despite the dangers.
7. I Am Legend (2007)
Francis Lawrence’s I Am Legend, adapted from Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name, is a post-apocalyptic film. Although this isn’t the first movie based on the Matheson novel, thanks in large part to Will Smith’s portrayal, it’s probably the most well-known. Smith portrays Dr. Robert Neville, a virologist who finds himself alone in New York City — and, maybe, the globe — after a cancer-curing virus developed by humans destroys humanity. The infection also turns many remaining humans into nocturnal mutants known as “Darkseekers,” leaving Neville fighting for his life daily.
With a bleak New York City as its backdrop, I Am Legend examines themes of isolation, survival, and the burden of being humanity’s final hope. Smith gives a stunning performance as the film’s protagonist, who struggles with loneliness and needs to find a solution. Neville’s sole company in the abandoned city is a German Shepherd named Sam. Their relationship adds an emotional dimension to the story, boosting the film’s investigation of human (and non-human) connection in the face of the world’s end.
6. Poseidon (2006)
The 2006 catastrophe thriller Poseidon combines an exciting story of survival with breathtaking special effects. Based on the 1972 classic The Poseidon Adventure, Poseidon is a modern retelling directed by Wolfgang Petersen, who is adept at building tension on the high seas (think: The Perfect Storm). The action occurs on New Year’s Eve aboard Poseidon, a luxury ocean liner.
A big rogue wave capsizing the ship and turning it upside down abruptly ends the celebration. A handful of survivors, including professional gambler Dylan Johns (Josh Lucas) and ex-firefighter Robert Ramsey (Kurt Russell), must navigate the ship’s perilous, now-upside-down interior as the vessel sinks. Poseidon‘s spectacular set pieces and visual effects help create a genuinely horrific catastrophic scenario. The film also reveals the varied abilities and flaws of the survivors.
5. 28 Days Later (2002)
A scary post-apocalyptic horror film that revolutionized the zombie subgenre, 28 Days Later was directed by Danny Boyle. The plot, which unfolds with the speed of a thriller and the depth of a drama, begins with the escape of a highly contagious virus from a research facility. The virus, which causes affected people to explode into fits of wrath, wipes off most of the population of the United Kingdom in just two weeks.
After waking up from a coma, Jim, a bicycle courier played by a fresh-faced young Cillian Murphy, discovers an eerily deserted London and bands together with a tiny number of other survivors. 28 Days Later stands out for its unusual perspective on zombies: the “infected” in 28 Days Later are shockingly swift and aggressive monsters rather than the slow, shambling creatures common in films. The film uses this twist to produce incredibly suspenseful and horrifying situations that have become iconic.
4. War of the Worlds (2005)
Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds is an exciting, epic disaster picture that provides a fresh twist on the classic extraterrestrial invasion story as told in H.G. Wells’ novel of the same name, published in 1898. New Jersey dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is suddenly thrust into the role of parent to his estranged children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin), as a fleet of alien tripods emerges from beneath the planet and begins wreaking havoc. A terrifying ordeal of survival begins as Ray races against time to secure his family’s safety and keep them from harm.
In War of the Worlds, Spielberg demonstrates his flair for spectacle with a series of impressively choreographed scenarios of alien destruction and human despair, which for some viewers and critics deftly evoked post-911 existential uncertainty. Massive alien tripods, eerie foghorn noises, and gripping visuals of widespread panic do an excellent job of conveying the scope and terror of the invasion. However, Spielberg’s picture is, at its core, about a guy who must do all it takes to protect his family in a society gone mad. Cruise gives a powerful performance as a regular guy thrown into unusual circumstances, while young Fanning shines as a frightened kid trying to make sense of the world around her.
3. 2012 (2009)
The Roland Emmerich disaster movie 2012 is a visual extravaganza that takes viewers on an exciting, high-stakes journey against a global calamity. Emmerich, who has a history of making large-scale disaster films like Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow, pulls no punches in this depiction of the world’s end based on the Mayan calendar prediction. The film follows Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), a failed novelist and limousine driver who tries to protect his family from a sequence of tragedies brought on by the Earth’s core unraveling.
Using cutting-edge CGI and displaying Emmerich’s talent for generating breathtaking devastation, 2012 offers one aesthetically beautiful disaster sequence after another. The performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, and Woody Harrelson, among others, elevate the film’s tense plot to new heights. Ejiofor’s performance as the sincere scientist Adrian Helmsley stands out, adding weight to the coming calamity.
2. Cloverfield (2008)
Cloverfield, directed by Matt Reeves and produced by J.J. Abrams, stands out for its fresh take on the genre and its original storytelling. The film depicts a terrible beast attacking New York City using a found-footage approach. It opens with Rob’s (Michael Stahl-David) farewell party, which is rudely interrupted when a mysterious creature begins causing devastation to the city. Rob’s friend Hud (T.J. Miller) operates a camcorder to record the mayhem and confusion as they try to stay alive and save Rob’s girlfriend, Beth (Odette Yustman).
To its benefit, Cloverfield works within the constraints of the found-footage style. The handheld camerawork gives the film a gritty, realistic look, and the restricted point of view heightens the tension and mystery. Only the characters’ points of view are presented to us, promoting a sense of anxiety and uncertainty. The actual appearance of the monster is obscured, adding to the mystery and dread.
1. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Directed by Roland Emmerich, known for his epic-scale depictions of global catastrophes, The Day After Tomorrow is a visually striking disaster picture. The film depicts a thought-provoking scenario of a planet facing catastrophic climate change, resulting in a new ice age, albeit factually exaggerated. Climate scientist Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) warns that a cataclysmic climatic shift is on the horizon, but no one listens to him.
When the disaster strikes, bringing superstorms, tornadoes, tsunamis, and a colossal snowstorm, Hall must embark on a dangerous journey to rescue his son, Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal), trapped in a frozen New York City. The transformation of North America into an icy wasteland is horrifying and fascinating, painting a haunting picture of a planet in the throes of ecological collapse.
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Fresh-faced directors Danny and Michael Philippou have reached box office success following the public release of their debut film, Talk to Me. This indie horror movie not only surpassed box office predictions but it is also now A24’s second-biggest movie debut.
Talk To Me earned over $10 million during its domestic opening and earned itself an average audience score of 82 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. According to Deadline, Talk To Me was A24’s best debut since 2018’s Hereditary, which made $3.5 million more. It ranked sixth at the domestic box office over the weekend.
Talk to Me is the debut film of The Philippou Brothers, also known as RackaRacka — a pair of Australian online content creators known for viral stunts and visual effects. This indie horror blockbuster made its debut during the Adelaide Film Festival before its world premiere at Sundance. Since then, the directing duo have been reached out to by multiple studios, including DC and Marvel.
It was revealed back in April that horror isn’t the only genre that these directors will be dipping their toes into. The Philippou Brothers had talks with Legendary Entertainment to potentially direct a Street Fighter movie. It was rumored that the duo scored a “low- to mid-seven-figure deal,” and it’s still unknown if the two directors accepted the project.
Talk to Me is an indie horror film about a group of teenagers who communicate with the dead through the use of an embalmed hand. The film was acquired by A24 following its Sundance premiere and currently holds the title of the highest-rated horror movie in 2023.
If you want to catch this successful indie horror flick for yourself, Talk to Me is now showing in theaters.
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Happy International Friendship Day, one and all! For more than 10 years but fewer than 13, the world has come together every 30th of July to honor the bonds of platonic kinship. There’s no wrong way to celebrate – buy your pal a paddleboard, or shoot them out of a cannon. Shoot them out of a cannon and onto the paddleboard you just bought them. Shout from the highest mountain, “I have friends!” and then call your friends to see if they’ll give you a ride off the top of the highest mountain. The odds are good that they won’t. Friendships don’t usually work that way.
So, here’s a better idea: Why not pull up some sofa and feast your eyes on one of the most enviable friendships in motion picture history? Living vicariously through your favorite movie characters is easier than mountain climbing anyway, plus you won’t get a reputation in your social circle as “the one who keeps asking us to drive up Mount Hood and pick them up.” Hey! Maybe your friends could come and watch one of these movies with you. They’d probably like that option better.
Kirk and Spock, The Wrath of Khan
Image via Paramount
Yes, it’s basic. It’s the nerd friendship equivalent to a pumpkin spice candle. And no, I’m not sorry. Here’s why:
Enjoying science fiction has always been about picking your shots. On a good day, maybe 40% of a franchise is something you can recommend to your friends without feeling embarrassed. That said, if your best buds can’t get behind the reactor scene in Wrath of Khan, they’re not really your friends. 16 years after the debut of Kirk and Spock, the former finally faces a genuine no-win scenario, while the latter admits he caught feelings. A friend that’ll hemorrhage internally from radiation exposure to keep you safe is a rare thing, but a friend who’ll watch you do it? That’s once in a lifetime. Twice if you’ve got a Genesis Device.
Shaun and Ed, Shaun of the Dead
Image via Rogue Pictures
Everybody’s got a zombie survival plan, even if it’s a rough draft. It’s been stewing in the back of your head since the first time you watched a character in a Romero movie biff it and thought “I could do better than that.” What most people don’t have, however, is a plan for what they’re going to do once everything cools down. Great, you might spend a few months as the Wasteland King of the Lacrosse Aisle at Dick’s Sporting Goods, but who’s going to clean up your lawn once it’s time to go home?
Shaun of the Dead takes that question and molds it into a metaphor for adulthood: The responsibilities you take on, learning that relationships take work, watching your parents die, and seeing old acquaintances disappear into the crowd. Most importantly, it shows how an adult friendship progresses, necessarily, from adolescent shenanigans to mature compartmentalization. Your best friend can’t stay your roommate forever, but you can keep his undead remains in a shed playing Call of Duty. That’s a lesson we can all get behind.
Harry Burns and Sally Albright, When Harry Met Sally
Image via Columbia Pictures
One of the harder truths that we face in life is that friendships, like all things, are impermanent. That doesn’t make them any less worth celebrating. Take Harry Burns and Sally Albright in When Harry Met Sally. Their friendship, defined by a shared sense of humor and a mutual willingness to drop everything to take care of one another, was a slice cut out of time. It was a sedimentary layer of platonic affection, wedged between their introduction, when they hated each other, and the movie’s third act, when they ruined everything by getting married.
Also, maybe movie interpretations are subjective.
Frodo and Sam, Lord of the Rings films
Image via New Line
Frodo Baggins and Samwise “The Truckinator” Gamgee have spent more than 20 years as the public’s go-to example of comradery through bad times. Maybe you see Sam’s choice to carry Frodo up the side of a volcano as analogous to supporting a friend through depression, hardship, illness, or trauma.
Or, depending on your outlook, you could look at Sam and Frodo as behaviorally identical to those two buddies who stay out too late celebrating a birthday. One of them gets super bummed and starts talking about how pointless everything is. A weird third party invites himself along halfway through the proceedings and won’t put on a shirt. At the end of the night, it’s up to the stronger person to make sure everyone gets where they’re going. “I can’t carry your pain for you, but I can get you an Uber,” they seem to say, and then politely ask the driver to leave the window rolled down.
Shang-Chi and Katy, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings
Image via Marvel Studios
Phase Four of the MCU has a lot to answer for, but one of the most pleasant surprises was the friendship it introduced between Katy and Shang-Chi back in 2021. You don’t get a ton of male/female friendships in pop culture, especially not ones where the end goal isn’t “they were in love the whole time.” Maybe I’ll wind up eating these words when The Kang Dynasty ends with a white wedding officiated by Lockjaw from Inhumans, but for now, ya done good, Marvel.
Han and Chewie, Star Wars IV-VI, the Holiday Special, and that’s all
Image via Lucasfilm
The best friendships are, and always have been, based around an ancient pseudo-religious form of culturally mandated indentured servitude. Maybe that’s what makes Han and Chewie’s partnership so enduring for as long as you don’t watch The Force Awakens or Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Molly and Amy, Booksmart
Image via United Artists
It was 2019. Nobody in America had developed a strong opinion about the Ant-Man movies yet, Don’t Worry, Darling was still a bad dream that Olivia Wilde had on a night when she ate curry and fell asleep watching Black Mirror under too many blankets, and a new standard was set for big screen female friendships thanks to Booksmart.
If you’ve seen Booksmart, you know why Molly and Amy are on this list. If you haven’t seen Booksmart, go watch Booksmart. The central friendship and story in general are pretty remarkable in that they keep improving, right up until the last two syllables of dialogue in the film.
Wyatt and Doc, Tombstone
Image via Buena Vista
It’s not easy, being a jerk. More often than not, you wind up on your own, too afraid of your own failings to reach out to others. Paralyzed by your own inadequacy, you ice out more and more of the people in your life. Maybe you get a job as an entertainment writer and deflect from your own shortcomings by taking easy shots at Don’t Worry Darling. Maybe you’ve been drinking.
Unfortunately for Doc Holliday in Tombstone, they didn’t have entertainment news websites back in the 19th century. They just had tuberculosis and a shockingly solid handle on mustache maintenance.
They also had Wyatt Earp, the only guy in the whole movie who smiles when Doc walks into a room. Upon being asked why he’s following Wyatt on his revenge ride, Doc says “Wyatt Earp is my friend.” “I’ve got lots of friends,” his cohort replies. “I don’t,” says Doc. What that movie lacked in historical accuracy, it more than made up for in making you care about a dentist.
Jay and Silent Bob, The Askewniverse
Image via MGM
Read the holy texts – more specifically, the words superimposed over the opening shot of 2001’s Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back – and you’ll be struck by how long Jay and Bob have been hanging out. They met in the ‘70s. They staked their claim outside of the Quick Stop. They built a home for themselves against the wall of a VHS rental establishment and spent the next five decades being borderline inseparable.
And that’s what real friendship is, isn’t it? It’s not about staying close when things are easy. It’s about committing to your life mate through it all. Through the good times and the bad. Through Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. From the early, optimistic days, chronicled with a handheld camera and a boom mic taped to the end of a hockey stick, to Clerks III, a movie so relentlessly onanistic that air marshals are legally required to zip tie Kevin Smith’s hands to his armrests if he tries to watch it on a plane.
Barb and Star, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Image via Lionsgate
You think you’ve got a best friend? Really? What’s the longest that the two of you have talked about a hypothetical storm chaser named Trish and her valiant battle with skin cancer? Less than the length of an entire cross-country flight? You know nothing of friendship.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is a perfect movie in its own right. Seriously, no notes. And what drives it – more than Yoyo or seagulls or the promise that Jamie Dornan might one day be a part of an official couple – is the friendship between its title characters. It’s a friendship that can survive anything, even a lot of mosquitos and a banana boat ride that HR says we’re not allowed to describe here.
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Have you ever had one of those friends whose ex puts them through the wringer during the divorce, but somehow, like, a couple of years later, he’s hanging out with her and her new fiance Kyle that nobody likes, and talking about how Kyle seems like a great guy and how this is best for the kids?
SnyderVerse fans might take forever to forgive Warner Bros. but ‘Blue Beetle’ confirms Zack Snyder already has.
That news again: Zack Snyder took to Twitter today to let fans know how pumped he is to take his kids to see Blue Beetle, the DC comic book adaptation currently projected to do lemonade stand numbers at the box office. It’s a twist that took many fans by surprise, given, you know, everything.
And by “everything,” we of course mean the contentious and inescapable goings-on in the SnyderVerse, the franchise of DC films spearheaded by Snyder from 2013 to 2021. The only game in town for live-action Batman, Superman, and Batman-v-Superman movies for nearly a decade, the film series was scuttled in a series of shady corporate decisions, beginning with Snyder’s ouster from Warner Bros. in 2017. His final project for the company, Justice League, wound up cut and recut into a Frankensteinian mess, until fan outrage prompted the studio to release Snyder’s original vision as a streaming offering in 2021.
But somehow, after all of that, the fan-favorite director is still out in these social media streets, propping up Blue Beetle because, to quote his hashtag, “#RepresentationMatters.”
Reactions to Snyder’s tweet spanned the spectrum from disappointment…
For all the different takes, one thing is clear: Zack Snyder might have made his peace with Warner Bros., but his fans won’t stop fighting. Not until the 18-hour cut of Justice League where Superman kills Darkseid in a 180-minute slow-motion slap finally hits theaters.
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