
Why Do We Say “Trick or Treat” on Halloween?
The origins of the phrase (indirectly) involve smelly cabbage, Donald Duck, and several Canadian journalists.
2023-10-06 22:24

Rachel Bilson responds to Whoopi Goldberg's criticism of her on 'The View'
Rachel Bilson is responding after Whoopi Goldberg criticized her for her views on the sexual history of potential romantic partners.
2023-10-06 22:22

'The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial' makes the case for William Friedkin's final film
Mounted as the filmed version of a stage play, "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial" has more in common with "A Few Good Men" than the 1954 movie starring Humphrey Bogart, and might be as notable for its credit list as this sturdy but unspectacular production -- marking, as it does, the final film from director William Friedkin as well as co-star Lance Reddick, both of whom died earlier this year.
2023-10-06 21:58

Sarah Michelle Gellar underwent painful surgery, but she is smiling about it
Sarah Michelle Gellar has a new reason to smile.
2023-10-06 21:57

'Pet Sematary: Bloodlines' digs up part of Stephen King's book and brings it to life
"Pet Sematary" ranks among Stephen King's most terrifying books, which hasn't been reflected particularly well in movie versions of it. Yet the novel proved fertile enough that a small portion of it yields a decent little Paramount+ movie in "Pet Sematary: Bloodlines," a crisp and efficient reminder of King's line "Sometimes, dead is better," and that occasionally, sometimes prequels are too.
2023-10-06 21:57

Like 'Squid Game,' 'Bargain' trades on the life-is-cheap edge of South Korean drama
The unexpected success of "Squid Game" gave a green light to bringing more South Korean dramas to the US, with Paramount establishing a partnership with Seoul-based CJ ENM to do so. The latest fruit of that relationship, "Bargain," isn't as compulsively watchable as "Squid Game" but echoes it in one key respect, darkly reflecting a society where life is cheap, and the class divide can be fatal.
2023-10-06 21:52

'Escaping Twin Flames Universe' shines a dark light on a site for those seeking soulmates
Is Twin Flames this year's Fyre Festival or NXIVM cult in terms of media coverage and dueling docuseries? It sure feels that way, with competing (or really, complementary) streaming projects kicking off with Amazon's "Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe," to be followed in November by Netflix's more economical "Escaping Twin Flames."
2023-10-06 21:49

Mark Kermode savages 'dumb' Exorcist: Believer in explosive 8 minute rant
The latest Exorcist film, Exorcist: Believer, has been savaged by Mark Kermode, who tore apart David Gordon-Green's film. Movie buffs probably should have known what was coming when Kermode of Kermode and Mayo's Take posted a selfie earlier this week with his head in his hands. When it came to offer up his thoughts on Believer, Kermode didn't require much push from co-host Simon Mayo. "You have eight minutes to talk about The Exorcist: Believer," offered Mayo, before Kermode immediately delivered. "The Exorcist: Believer would like us to see it as a 'requel' to The Exorcist from the makers of the [new] Halloween series (David Gordon-Green). It is better seen as a 'requel' by the makers of Pineapple Express and Your Highness, but it is less funny and indeed less scary than either of those films. It is not good," he said. Ouch. After explaining the plot points and kitschy throwbacks of the new film, Kermode then explains the madcap final act. "Everything then goes completely formulaic, heads get turned, vomit gets spewed, bodies get levitated - we move towards an Avengers finale in which everyone decides to have a go [at exorcism]. "Despite the absolute stupidity of it all, it is staggeringly dull. Roger Ebert reviewing Beyond The Door said 'it's all trash, but it's scary trash', this is just trash. It is not scary at all. There's a Turkish 'Exorcist' called 'Şeytan' which fundamentally understands The Exorcist better than this." Mark Kermode reviews The Exorcist: Believer - Kermode and Mayo's Take www.youtube.com As for the future of the newly established film series that Believer begins, which will mirror the Halloween 'requels' as a ready-planned trilogy, Kermode had thoughts. "It is apparently the beginning of a trilogy, after which we have Exorcist: Deciever, presumably followed by "Exorcist: Asleeper". It is a movie made by people who have seen the original, but have not seen the original. "It is dumb, dumb, boring. Bad as it could've been, and then some." Kermode's scathing review should come as no surprise - the Exorcist is his favourite film. "It works for me, and it works every time. Every time I see it, it looks a different film. I've seen it 200 times, I've taken it apart, it works," said the film reviewer and Exorcist fanatic in 2011. You can watch the latest review in full here. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-10-06 20:57

10 Facts About Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios
In the weeks leading up to Halloween, the family-friendly characters that normally populate Universal Studios are replaced with killer clowns and chainsaw-wielding maniacs.
2023-10-06 20:28

Drake's For All The Dogs arrives! No sign of Nicki Minaj, but a second appearance from SZA
Drake has dropped the mammoth 23-song 'For All The Dogs'.
2023-10-06 20:26

Rock legends Manic Street Preachers and Suede announce 2024 UK and Ireland co-headline tour
The iconic rock groups will hit the road next June and July and take turns closing the concerts.
2023-10-06 20:26

Can a spotlight on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce help the NFL draw more Gen Z and female fans?
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have remained mum about their status since the pop superstar began attending the Kansas City Chiefs tight end's football games
2023-10-06 19:53