Moviefone Editorial

Tag: darkman

  • Every Movie of Director Sam Raimi’s Career Ranked

    Every Movie of Director Sam Raimi’s Career Ranked

    (L to R) Director Sam Raimi and Rachel McAdams on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'Send Help'. Photo by Brook Rushton. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Director Sam Raimi and Rachel McAdams on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘Send Help’. Photo by Brook Rushton. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Sam Raimi is one of the most beloved and unique directors of his generation.

    Raimi’s career began in the early 1980s when he teamed with actor Bruce Campbell and producer Robert Tapert to make the groundbreaking horror film ‘The Evil Dead‘, eventually leading to the equally groundbreaking sequels ‘Evil Dead II‘ and ‘Army of Darkness‘.

    7722

    He would go on to direct such popular movies as ‘Darkman‘, ‘The Quick and the Dead‘ and ‘A Simple Plan‘, before making the box office hit ‘Spider-Man‘, which reinvented the genre.

    Raimi would follow that up with the successful sequels ‘Spider-Man 2‘ and ‘Spider-Man 3‘, before moving on to make ‘Drag Me to Hell‘, ‘Oz the Great and Powerful‘, and the MCU movie ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘.

    The director’s latest, ‘Send Help‘, opens in theaters on January 30th and stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien.

    In honor of ‘Send Help’, Moviefone is counting down every film Sam Raimi has ever directed, including his latest.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Benedict Cumberbatch Talks ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    17. ‘Spider-Man 3‘ (2007)

    (L to R) Thomas Haden Church and Tobey Maguire in 'Spider-Man 3.' Photo: Sony.
    (L to R) Thomas Haden Church and Tobey Maguire in ‘Spider-Man 3.’ Photo: Sony.

    The seemingly invincible Spider-Man goes up against an all-new crop of villains—including the shape-shifting Sandman (Thomas Haden Church). While Spider-Man’s superpowers are altered by an alien organism, his alter ego, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), deals with nemesis Eddie Brock (Topher Grace) and also gets caught up in a love triangle.

    18651

    16. ‘It’s Murder!‘ (1977)

    A scene from 1977's 'It's Murder!'
    A scene from 1977’s ‘It’s Murder!’

    The film tells the story of a family whose uncle is murdered. The son (Raimi) gets everything because he’s in the will. A detective (Scott Spiegel) is trying to find out who murdered the uncle while avoiding ending up dead as well.

    rLpP6qkEb6CnUPUmlXyVC5

    15. ‘Oz the Great and Powerful‘ (2013)

    2013's 'Oz the Great and Powerful'. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.
    2013’s ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

    Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus illusionist and con-artist, is whisked from Kansas to the Land of Oz where the inhabitants assume he’s the great wizard of prophecy, there to save Oz from the clutches of evil.

    10048527

    14. ‘Crimewave‘ (1986)

    (L to R) Sheree J. Wilson and Brion James in 'Crimewave'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    (L to R) Sheree J. Wilson and Brion James in ‘Crimewave’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    Fed up of his business partner, Ernest Trend (Edward R. Pressman) hires the services of two exterminators. When things go drastically wrong and they murder the wrong man, the race is on to frame an innocent video surveillance man.

    1007662

    13. ‘For Love of the Game‘ (1999)

    Kevin Costner in 'For Love of the Game'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Kevin Costner in ‘For Love of the Game’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    A baseball legend (Kevin Costner) almost finished with his distinguished career at the age of forty has one last chance to prove who he is, what he is capable of, and win the heart of the woman (Kelly Preston) he has loved for the past four years.

    6590

    12. ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ (2022)

    (L to R) Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.' Photo: Marvel Studios.
    (L to R) Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.

    Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

    Yn5kjVbedpQ4FE8rL2agE6

    11. ‘Drag Me to Hell‘ (2009)

    Alison Lohman in 'Drag Me to Hell'. Photo: Universal Pictures .
    Alison Lohman in ‘Drag Me to Hell’. Photo: Universal Pictures .

    After denying a woman (Lorna Raver) the extension she needs to keep her home, loan officer Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) sees her once-promising life take a startling turn for the worse. Christine is convinced she’s been cursed by a Gypsy, but her boyfriend (Justin Long) is skeptical. Her only hope seems to lie in a psychic (Dileep Rao) who claims he can help her lift the curse and keep her soul from being dragged straight to hell.

    38087

    10. ‘Send Help‘ (2026)

    (L to R) Rachal McAdams as Linda Liddle and Dylan O'Brien as Bradley Preston in 20th Century Studios' 'Send Help'. Photo by Brook Rushton. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Rachal McAdams as Linda Liddle and Dylan O’Brien as Bradley Preston in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Send Help’. Photo by Brook Rushton. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Two colleagues (Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien) become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it’s a battle of wills and wits to make it out alive.

    XZlnFSTGbBlYfsrFQWUo64 yfs69TaT

    9. ‘The Gift‘ (2001)

    Cate Blanchett in 'The Gift'. Photo: Paramount Classics.
    Cate Blanchett in ‘The Gift’. Photo: Paramount Classics.

    Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett), young widow and mother of three, makes her living foretelling others’ futures⁠—though her own has become cloudier than even she can see. Threatened by a client’s violent husband and plagued by visions of a missing local woman, Annie finds herself pulled into a thicket of lies and deception in which her extraordinary gift may ultimately get her killed.

    8387

    8. ‘A Simple Plan‘ (1999)

    (L to R) Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton in 'A Simple Plan'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton in ‘A Simple Plan’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Captivated by the lure of sudden wealth, the quiet rural lives of two brothers (Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton) erupt into conflicts of greed, paranoia and distrust when over $4 million in cash is discovered at the remote site of a downed small airplane. Their simple plan to retain the money while avoiding detection opens a Pandora’s box when the fear of getting caught triggers panicked behavior and leads to virulent consequences.

    4146

    7. ‘The Quick and the Dead‘ (1995)

    (L to R) Leonardo DiCaprio, Gene Hackman, Sharon Stone and Russell Crowe in 'The Quick and the Dead'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    (L to R) Leonardo DiCaprio, Gene Hackman, Sharon Stone and Russell Crowe in ‘The Quick and the Dead’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    A mysterious woman (Sharon Stone) comes to compete in a quick-draw elimination tournament, in a town taken over by a notorious gunman (Gene Hackman).

    1243

    6. ‘Darkman‘ (1990)

    Liam Neeson in 'Darkman'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Liam Neeson in ‘Darkman’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Dr. Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with a former love (Frances McDormand).

    3480

    5. ‘The Evil Dead‘ (1981)

    Bruce Campbell in 'The Evil Dead'. Photo: New Line Cinema.
    Bruce Campbell in ‘The Evil Dead’. Photo: New Line Cinema.

    In 1979, a group of college students find a Sumerian Book of the Dead in an old wilderness cabin they’ve rented for a weekend getaway.

    11596

    4. ‘Spider-Man‘ (2002)

    (L to R) Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in 'Spider-Man'. Photo: Sony.
    (L to R) Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in ‘Spider-Man’. Photo: Sony.

    After being bitten by a genetically altered spider at Oscorp, nerdy but endearing high school student Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is endowed with amazing powers to become the superhero known as Spider-Man.

    9894

    3. ‘Evil Dead II‘ (1987)

    Bruce Campbell in 'Evil Dead II'. Photo: Rosebud Releasing Corporation.
    Bruce Campbell in ‘Evil Dead II’. Photo: Rosebud Releasing Corporation.

    Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) and his girlfriend Linda (Denise Bixler) find a log cabin in the woods with a voice recording from an archeologist who had recorded himself reciting ancient chants from “The Book of the Dead.” As they play the recording an evil power is unleashed taking over Linda’s body.

    20005086

    2. ‘Spider-Man 2‘ (2004)

    (L to R) Tobey Maguire and Alfred Molina in 'Spider-Man 2'. Photo: Sony.
    (L to R) Tobey Maguire and Alfred Molina in ‘Spider-Man 2’. Photo: Sony.

    Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is going through a major identity crisis. Burned out from being Spider-Man, he decides to shelve his superhero alter ego, which leaves the city suffering in the wake of carnage left by the evil Doc Ock (Alfred Molina). In the meantime, Parker still can’t act on his feelings for Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), a girl he’s loved since childhood. A certain anger begins to brew in his best friend Harry Osborn (James Franco) as well…

    12588

    1. ‘Army of Darkness‘ (1993)

    Bruce Campbell in 'Army of Darkness'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Bruce Campbell in ‘Army of Darkness’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Ash (Bruce Campbell), a handsome, shotgun-toting, chainsaw-armed department store clerk, is time warped backwards into England’s Dark Ages, where he romances a beauty and faces legions of the undead.

    7722

  • Best Liam Neeson Movies of All Time Ranked

    Liam Neeson plays Frank in 'The Naked Gun' from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Liam Neeson plays Frank in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Actor Liam Neeson has appeared in some of the most popular franchises ever made!

    Neeson’s resume includes films in such popular franchises as ‘Star Wars‘, ‘The Dark Knight‘ Trilogy, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia‘, ‘Men in Black‘, ‘Clash of the Titans‘, ‘Anchorman‘, ‘Lego‘ and his own popular action series, ‘Taken‘.

    The actor is now adding another popular franchise to that list with his role as Lt. Franks Drebin Jr. in ‘The Naked Gun‘, which opens in theaters on August 1st.

    In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the top 25 movies of Liam Neeson’s long and impressive career, including his latest.

    Let’s begin!

    25. ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West‘ (2014)

    (L to R) Liam Neeson, Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron in 'A Million Ways to Die in the West'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Liam Neeson, Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron in ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    As a cowardly farmer (Seth MacFarlane) begins to fall for the mysterious new woman (Charlize Theron) in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband (Neeson), a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival.

    10121657

    24. ‘Men in Black: International‘ (2019)

    The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.

    s8dg9Bh8yCFqgPFfVez3h1

    23. ‘Clash of the Titans‘ (2010)

    Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Neeson) and unleash hell on earth. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, Perseus and his warriors will only survive if Perseus accepts his power as a god, defies fate and creates his own destiny.

    36930

    22. ‘The Dead Pool‘ (1988)

    Dirty Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) returns for his final film adventure. Together with his partner Al Quan (Evan C. Kim), he must investigate the systematic murder of actors and musicians. By the time Harry learns that the murders are a part of a sick game to predict the deaths of celebrities before they happen, it may be too late…

    21233

    21. ‘Kingdom of Heaven‘ (2005)

    After his wife dies, a blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) is thrust into royalty, political intrigue and bloody holy wars during the Crusades.

    17799

    20. ‘The Commuter‘ (2018)

    (L to R) Vera Farmiga and Liam Neeson in 'The Commuter'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Vera Farmiga and Liam Neeson in ‘The Commuter’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    A businessman (Neeson), on his daily commute home, gets unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy that threatens not only his life but the lives of those around him.

    oEYzGwA6jplO8LzlSdjHU3

    19. ‘A Walk Among the Tombstones‘ (2014)

    Private investigator Matthew Scudder (Neeson) is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife.

    10134104

    18. ‘Taken 2‘ (2012)

    In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills (Neeson) and his wife (Famke Janssen) are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter (Maggie Grace).

    10059888

    17. ‘Run All Night‘ (2015)

    Brooklyn mobster and prolific hit man Jimmy Conlon (Neeson) has seen better days. Longtime best friend of a mob boss (Ed Harris), Jimmy is haunted by the sins of his past—as well as a dogged police detective (Vincent D’Onofrio) who’s been one step behind Jimmy for 30 years. But when Jimmy’s estranged son (Joel Kinnaman) becomes a target, Jimmy must make a choice between the crime family he chose and the real family he abandoned long ago. Now, with nowhere safe to turn, Jimmy has just one night to figure out exactly where his loyalties lie and to see if he can finally make things right.

    37887

    16. ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues‘ (2013)

    With the 70s behind him, San Diego’s top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to take New York’s first 24-hour news channel by storm.

    10083158

    15. ‘Non-Stop‘ (2014)

    Liam Neeson in 'Non-Stop'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Liam Neeson in ‘Non-Stop’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Bill Marks (Neeson) is a Federal Air Marshall for whom every day is the same until this one. On this plane ride, he starts receiving text messages from someone claiming to be on the flight and threatening to kill passengers. In a race against the clock, he must identify and stop the killer to save everyone on board.

    10084255

    14. ‘Taken 3‘ (2015)

    Ex-government operative Bryan Mills (Neeson) finds his life is shattered when he’s falsely accused of a murder that hits close to home. As he’s pursued by a savvy police inspector (Forest Whitaker), Mills employs his particular set of skills to track the real killer and exact his unique brand of justice.

    20057076

    13. ‘Gangs of New York‘ (2002)

    In early 1860s New York, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) is released from prison and returns to the Five Points, seeking revenge against his father’s killer, William Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), a powerful anti-immigrant gang leader. He knows that revenge can only be attained by infiltrating Cutting’s inner circle. Vallon’s journey becomes a fight for personal survival and to find a place for the Irish people.

    10062

    12. ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe‘ (2005)

    Siblings Lucy (Georgie Henley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell) and Peter (William Moseley) step through a magical wardrobe and find the land of Narnia. There, they discover a charming, once peaceful kingdom that has been plunged into eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis (Tilda Swinton). Aided by the wise and magnificent lion, Aslan (Neeson), the children lead Narnia into a spectacular, climactic battle to be free of the Witch’s glacial powers forever.

    19417

    11. ‘The Grey‘ (2012)

    Following a grueling five-week shift at an Alaskan oil refinery, workers led by sharpshooter John Ottway (Neeson) are flying home for a much-needed vacation. But a brutal storm causes their plane to crash in the frozen wilderness, and only eight men, including Ottway, survive. As they trek southward toward civilization and safety, Ottway and his companions must battle mortal injuries, the icy elements, and a pack of hungry wolves.

    20016788

    10. ‘The A-Team‘ (2010)

    (L to R) Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, Quinton Jackson and Bradley Cooper in 'The A-Team'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, Quinton Jackson and Bradley Cooper in ‘The A-Team’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    A man who loves when a plan comes together, Col. Hannibal Smith (Neeson) leads a close-knit team of elite operatives and Iraq War veterans. Framed for a crime they didn’t commit, Smith and his men, Capt. H.M. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock (Sharlto Copley), Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus (Quinton “Rampage” Jackson), and Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck (Bradley Cooper), break out and go rogue, using their special talents to clear their names and find the perpetrator. Hot on their trail is Capt. Charissa Sosa (Jessica Biel), who was once involved with a member of Smith’s team and has sworn to capture them, no matter what it takes.

    33338

    9. ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace‘ (1999)

    Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.

    5220

    8. ‘Excalibur‘ (1981)

    A surreal adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory’s “Le Morte d’Arthur” chronicling Arthur Pendragon’s (Nigel Terry) conception, his rise to the throne, the search by his Knights of the Round Table for the Holy Grail, and ultimately, his death.

    20000272

    7. ‘The Lego Movie‘ (2014)

    An ordinary Lego mini-figure (Chris Pratt), mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil Lego tyrant (Will Ferrell) from conquering the universe.

    10075021

    6. ‘Darkman‘ (1990)

    Dr. Peyton Westlake (Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with a former love (Frances McDormand).

    3480

    5. ‘The Naked Gun‘ (2025)

    (L to R) Eddie Yu plays Detective Park, Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. and Paul Walter Hauser plays Ed Hocken Jr. in 'The Naked Gun' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Eddie Yu plays Detective Park, Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. and Paul Walter Hauser plays Ed Hocken Jr. in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.

    Only one man has the particular set of skills…to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in ‘The Naked Gun’, directed by Akiva Schaffer and from producer Seth MacFarlane. Joining the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, and Danny Huston.

    1Uotx6tgQ7L2wZWhChd6q3 9XidaYfZ

    4. ‘Batman Begins‘ (2005)

    Driven by tragedy, billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) dedicates his life to uncovering and defeating the corruption that plagues his home, Gotham City. Unable to work within the system, he instead creates a new identity, a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld – The Batman.

    18647

    3. ‘Love Actually‘ (2003)

    Eight very different couples deal with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.

    14949

    2. ‘Schindler’s List‘ (1994)

    The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler (Neeson) saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.

    8716

    1. ‘Taken‘ (2009)

    Liam Neeson in 'Taken'. Photo: EuropaCorp Distribution.
    Liam Neeson in ‘Taken’. Photo: EuropaCorp Distribution.

    Bryan Mills (Neeson), a former government operative, is trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). After reluctantly agreeing with his ex-wife (Famke Janssen) to let Kim go to Paris on vacation with a friend, his worst nightmare comes true. While on the phone with his daughter shortly after she arrives in Paris, she and her friend are abducted by a gang of human traffickers. Working against the clock, Bryan relies on his extensive training and skills to track down the ruthless gang that abducted her and launch a one-man war to rescue his daughter.

    28725

  • Beyond Fest Announces Full 2024 Line Up

    Beyond Fest runs September 25th - October 9th, 2024.
    Beyond Fest runs September 25th – October 9th, 2024.

    Preview:

    • Beyond Fest is back in Los Angeles for its 12 year later this month.
    • ‘Salem’s Lot,’ ‘The Brutalist’ and more will receive premieres.
    • Filmmakers including Sam Raimi, Shane Black and more will present retrospectives.

    Now entering its 12th year, the highest-attended genre film festival in the US, Beyond Fest is back offering even more exciting screenings and talks with filmmakers.

    The event, which has brought first looks at new movies and more to fans for years, is back this month, boasting 82 features, including 16 World Premieres, 4 International Premieres, 1 North American Premiere, 3 US Premieres, and 25 West Coast Premieres.

    Related Article: Beyond Fest’s Full 2023 Line Up Includes ‘The Creator’, ‘The Toxic Avenger’ and More

    When and where is Beyond Fest 2024 happening?

    (L to R) Danny Glover and Mel Gibson in 'Lethal Weapon'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Danny Glover and Mel Gibson in ‘Lethal Weapon’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    This year’s event runs between September 25th – October 9th.

    In partnership with the American Cinematheque and presented exclusively by distributor NEON, Beyond Fest will screen at the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre, Los Feliz 3, and Vista Theatre.

    Here’s what Head of Programming Evrim Ersoy has to say about this year’s fest:

    “Combining a celebration of cinema whilst firmly focusing our gaze on the next generation of filmmakers has always been at the heart of the Beyond Fest. And this year we have even more opportunity to bring together the full spectrum of genre filmmaking to the community that is at the core of everything we do: from Kiyoshi Kurosawa to Brady Corbet, Jennifer Kent to Sam Raimi, we have created a program that embraces all corners of the cinematic spectrum.”

    What could I see at the 2024 Beyond Fest?

    2024's Salem's Lot. Photo: Warners Bros.
    2024’s Salem’s Lot. Photo: Warners Bros.

    In its inimitable style, Beyond Fest is blending exciting new movies with the chance to experience old favorites and listen to the people who made them.

    Among the new movies on offer are ‘Salem’s Lot,’ the Stephen King adaptation directed by ‘It’ scribe Gary Dauberman (which opens this year’s event), Brady Corbet’s latest audacious indie ‘The Brutalist,’ the 35mm debut of Palme D’or Winner ‘Anora’ with writer/director Sean Baker and Mikey Madison in person and Marielle Heller’s scathing ‘Nightbitch’ starring Amy Adams hosted by Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus of The Bechdel Cast.

    Guy Maddin launches a special retrospective with his new film, ‘Rumours,’ Jesse Eisenberg brings road trip pic ‘A Real Pain’ and there is the Los Angeles Premiere of Ali Abbasi’s cutthroat origin story ‘The Apprentice,’ starring Sebastian Stan (as Donald Trump), Jeremy Strong, and Maria Bakalova.

    (L to R) Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan in 'The Apprentice'. Photo: Briarcliffe.
    (L to R) Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan in ‘The Apprentice’. Photo: Briarcliffe.

    Closing the event will be Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s ‘Cloud‘ with the legendary Japanese auteur joining in-person to launch a 7-film retrospective.

    And for those craving a look back? Get a load of the retrospective screenings boasting more great filmmakers… Sam Raimi returns with a 35mm triple feature of ‘Darkman,’ ‘The Quick and the Dead,’ and ‘Drag Me to Hell,’ Shane Black showcases his pugilistic excellence with a quadruple bill including ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ and ‘The Nice Guys’, while Australian genre expert Jennifer Kent makes a rare U.S. appearance to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ‘The Babadook,’ paired with ‘The Nightingale.’

    Walter Hill revisits the murderous swamps of ‘Southern Comfort,’ Paul W.S. Anderson attends for a rare showing of his cosmic-cult-space-horror, ‘Event Horizon,’ and Indian auteur Tarsem Singh joins to showcase two stunning restorations: the World Premiere of ‘The Cell’ and the West Coast Premiere of ‘The Fall’.

    7748

    That’s just a small sampling of what’s on offer. Visit beyondfest.com and americancinematheque.com for more details.

    How can I get tickets for the 2024 Beyond Fest?

    Tickets will be on sale via americancinematheque.com on Friday, September 13th at 10AM PST.

    Al Pacino in 'Scarface'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Al Pacino in ‘Scarface’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Some of the Movies Playing at Beyond Fest 2024:

    Buy ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Movies On Amazon

    2vinzgSL

  • Best Original Superhero Movies

    Owen Wilson as Jack in 'Secret Headquarters' from Paramount Pictures.
    Owen Wilson as Jack in ‘Secret Headquarters’ from Paramount Pictures.

    While Marvel and DC certainly have a stronghold on releasing popular superhero movies, Hollywood has produced its own original superhero films over the years.

    For example, the original superhero movie ‘Secret Headquarters‘ premieres on Paramount+ August 12th and stars Owen Wilson and Michael Pena. In honor of ‘Secret Headquarters,’ Moviefone is counting down the ten best original superhero movie of all time.

    To qualify for this list, the movie must include superheroes but cannot be based on a previously published book, comic book, or other type of media.

    Without further ado, let’s begin!

    My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006)

    When New York architect Matt Saunders (Luke Wilson) dumps his new girlfriend Jenny Johnson (Uma Thurman) – a smart, sexy and reluctant superhero known as G-Girl – she uses her powers to make his life a living hell!

    23158

    Push (2009)

    After his father, an assassin, is brutally murdered, Nick Gant (Chris Evans) vows revenge on Division, the covert government agency that dabbles in psychic warfare and experimental drugs. Hiding in Hong Kong’s underworld, Nick assembles a band of rogue psychics dedicated to destroying Division. Together with Cassie (Dakota Fanning), a teenage clairvoyant, Nick goes in search of a missing girl and a stolen suitcase that could be the key to accomplishing their mutual goal.

    30937

    Hancock (2008)

    Hancock (Will Smith) is a down-and-out superhero who’s forced to employ a PR expert (Jason Bateman) to help repair his image when the public grows weary of all the damage he’s inflicted during his lifesaving heroics. The agent’s idea of imprisoning the antihero to make the world miss him proves successful, but will Hancock stick to his new sense of purpose or slip back into old habits? Also starring Charlize Theron.

    34545

    Sky High (2005)

    Set in a world where superheroes are commonly known and accepted, young Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano), the son of the Commander (Kurt Russell) and Jetstream, (Kelly Preston) tries to find a balance between being a normal teenager and an extraordinary being. Also starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Danielle Panabaker, Bruce Campbell and Lynda Carter.

    21449

    Chronicle (2012)

    20th Century Fox
    20th Century Fox

    Three high school students (Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, and Michael B. Jordan) make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over.

    56268

    Super (2011)

    After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt (Rainn Wilson), a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills. Also starring Elliot Page, Liv Tyler, and Kevin Bacon.

    10046468

    Darkman (1990)

    Dr. Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with a former love (Frances McDormand).

    3480

    Unbreakable (2000)

    An ordinary man (Bruce Willis) makes an extraordinary discovery when a train accident leaves his fellow passengers dead — and him unscathed. The answer to this mystery could lie with the mysterious Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), a man who suffers from a disease that renders his bones as fragile as glass.

    8155

    RoboCop (1987)

    In a violent, near-apocalyptic Detroit, evil corporation Omni Consumer Products wins a contract from the city government to privatize the police force. To test their crime-eradicating cyborgs, the company leads street cop Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) into an armed confrontation with crime lord Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith) so they can use his body to support their untested RoboCop prototype. But when RoboCop learns of the company’s nefarious plans, he turns on his masters. Also starring Karen Allen, Ronny Cox, and Miguel Ferrer.

    15979

    The Incredibles (2004)

    Walt Disney Pictures
    Walt Disney Pictures

    Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) has given up his superhero days to log in time as an insurance adjuster and raise his three children (Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, and Eli Fucile and Maeve Andrews) with his formerly heroic wife (Holly Hunter) in suburbia. But when he receives a mysterious assignment, it’s time to get back into costume.

    15960
  • The 9 Best Superhero Movies Not Based on a Comic

    The 9 Best Superhero Movies Not Based on a Comic