Last week, we
Tone: maybe like 7 years ago it was reported that bill hader was writing or had written a horror/comedy screenplay, has there ever been any progress on that project? or development hell?
Per Hader himself on the Bill Simmons Podcast a few years ago, that project’s dead. He said they couldn’t make a slasher movie work as a comedy because a serial killer didn’t lend itself to humor as well as, say, zombies. But don’t worry, Hader’s currently working on an HBO series he created and stars in! –Adam
Sherie: I am struggling to understand AMPAS’s decision to allow anyone to nominate the best animated feature. Aren’t we going to lose awesome nominees likeThe Red TurtleandBoy and the Worldin favour ofSecret Life of PetsorMadagascar 3? Aren’t they throwing out art in favour of popularity?
It’s quite possible, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re right. I’m not entirely sure why this decision was made, but having a carefully curated nomination committee has been both a blessing and a curse depending on the categories. For some, like documentary feature or score, the nomination committee plays favorites and it’s not always fair. But Best Animated Feature always churned out exciting choices, like you mentioned. I suppose we’ll find out what happens this year but yeah, unfortunately it’s entirely possible we get a list of nominees that’s only major studio releases. –Adam
Ian: What is the news on the del Toro Haunted Mansion reboot?
That one’s still in development as far as we know. It’s a passion project for Del Toro, and Ryan Gosling has expressed interest in teaming up with the filmmaker on it, but it’s far from being greenlit. Right now it’s about A. Getting the script in a place where both Del Toro and Disney are happy with it and B. Convincing Disney it’s worth making. Since the studio is laser-focused on adapting their animated films at the moment I’m not sure there’s a huge impetus to get The Haunted Mansion off the ground ASAP, and of course Del Toro has a number of things he’s working on—including his Netflix series Trollhunters. –Adam
Quentin: How do you deconflict opinions between all your contributors? For example, you recently posted an article about how disappointing/bad the trailer for Star Trek: Discovery looked….then, days later, listed it among your Top 5 trailers for new tv shows.
We welcome it! One of the things that I’m most proud of with Collider is the variety of opinions we hold as a staff and among our contributors. We would never mandate that any property must be written about only positively or negatively. The important thing is to make your case for why you feel something is good or bad, successful or unsuccessful.
In the case you mentioned, as a long-time Star Trek fan, Matt Goldberg was disappointed in that trailer for Discovery. But Andrea Reiher, who wrote up the Top 5 trailer list, thought that it had a lot of promise just based on its own merits (especially when compared to so much of the network’s dreck this fall). I’m sure there are people who identified with each take depending on their own feelings, which is why we like to feature different opinions from different points of view. -Allison
James: This season ofArrowhas definitely seen the show head to more positive ground, but what would you say was the defining moment of this past season?
James, you are so right. I was ready to dropArrowlike a bad habit, and then Season 5 happened. The stakes with Prometheus’ story were really high because it actually caused Oliver to be accountable for his actions. I wasn’t completely sold on the new team, but they grew on me, and I think that overall the show really got back to its roots this season in a way that — somewhat surprisingly — made it one of the CW’s best again.
Choosing the most defining moment is tough. I’m tempted to look at the finale (with its surprise returns and that explosive finish), but I think for me it comes down to the reveal of Prometheus. For once, the show didn’t save the masked man reveal for the last episodes. We found out who he was and it changednothing. He still held all of the cards, he still was killing, and he still controlled Oliver completely. It was really thrilling, and showedArrowat its very best. -Allison
Alessandra: I was wondering a bit more about your job lifestyle. Could you describe a typical day, month or year?
Well, there’s a lot TV watching. Abnormal, somewhat insane amounts, in addition to a lot of general media consumption.
More specifically, my job for Collider is a combination of editor and critic, which means that I have to split my time between watching all of the new and upcoming shows (as well as what’s currently on the air or just dropped on streaming) alongside managerial tasks like working with our fabulous freelancers, building and editing their articles, planning out feature coverage, meetings, and finances, as well figuring out what to cover, when, and how. And that’s not even mentioning writing up the latest TV news every day! For a job that’s mostly about watching and talking about TV, all of that combined can actually be a little stressful. But I’m incredibly grateful to do it, and will never, ever tire of talking TV (even though occasionally the amount of shows piling up on my DV-R can beintense).
As for my personal work lifestyle, I have a desk where I can stand or sit, which helps me not turn into a lump while I’m watching all of this stuff. And since this job also requires a lot of night and weekend work when it comes to recaps and watching shows live, I also attempt to get as far away from the computer (and the TV too) as I can when possible. It’s important and necessary to set boundaries and take breaks from screens no matter what job you have! –Allison
Oscar: My question is this: Why aren’t we getting Green Arrow in the DCEU? Is it because of the tv series' success? Or is it because they have Hawkeye in the MCU? Or simply because his origin story is “similar” to Batman’s?
First and foremost, it’s been made pretty clear that Warner Bros. and The CW have no intention of crossing over their TV and cinematic universes; the heroes all exist in their own isolated worlds, even if the characters themselves occasionally visit other worlds. The closest they get to crossing over is cross-promotion through ads.
Secondly, the writing teams for both the DCEU and the DCTV universes are distinct, except for Geoff Johns who has varying degrees of input on everything as Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics. Somewhere along the line in the early 2010s, the decision to greenlight Arrow kicked off the successful DCTV universe; around the same time, Man of Steel launched what would become the DCEU… without the Emerald Archer. Arrow star Stephen Amell himself has said that the DCEU team has no plans to introduce the Green Arrow anytime soon.
However, with Arrow likely to go off the air well before the DCEU runs out of movies, there’s a good chance that the Green Arrow will find his way onto the big screen before it’s all said and done. Arrow has certainly done an excellent job pumping up the character’s popularity, so Warner Bros. would be wise to recognize this. Perhaps they’re just waiting for the show to run its course, but I think it has more to do with the creative side of things than the fact that Hawkeye is the MCU’s archer or that the boy billionaire story has already been told, thanks to Batman. -Dave
Dean: Will we ever get to see a live action Exosqaud movie?
I’m going to be the bearer of bad news and say, probably not. Studios tend to greenlight either proven entities with strong nostalgia plays (especially when they already own the rights) or original ideas from within their own systems. Of course there are acquisitions of other properties that get turned into major productions, but Exosquad seems to exist outside studios’ usual margins.
Created by Universal Cartoon Studios (now Universal Animation Studios) back in the early 1990s, Exosquad was distributed through NBCUniversal Television. The parent company, Universal Pictures (themselves under Comcast/NBCUniversal), has the rights to Exosquad now. However, they just went through a major acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, so the squad let by J.T. Marsh probably isn’t even on their radar.
However, Exosquad did have a bit of franchising going for it back in the mid-90s with toys, a Sega Genesis game and a Topps Comics series hitting shelves. Episodes were temporarily made available on Hulu in the mid-2000s and most of the series is available on DVD. So it’s possible that some decision-maker at NBCUniversal is an Exosquad fan and knows how awesome an adaptation could be … but I wouldn’t’ get my hopes up. –Dave
Alex: Do you think we can have something asThe Exorcist,The Shining,HalloweenorScreamfor our generation? I think there are a lot of good movies aiming to build a new horror era, but not one that I can think of as a classic. Also, what are your thoughts on the remakes happening right now on TV and film? (the Scream series, Bates Motel, the new Halloween, etc). Thanks!
Hey, Alex! That’s a great question and I’m not sure that we do. But such things are hard to tell without the perspective of time. I think horror is in a fantastic place right now and has been for a few years. Instead of a rampant subgenre trend a la slashers, zombies, “torture porn”, etc, the biggest trend right now seems to be retro-tinged horror, not just in stylistic pastiche (though there’s certainly some of that), but a return to allegorical and character-driven scares over blood baths and gore gags. As a result, I think there are a lot of recent films that will endure the test of time (The Witch, The Invitation, The Conjuring, The Babadook, It Follows– loving the concise old school titles as well), but I’m not sure that they’re iconic on the level you’re talking about. The Witch might be. Looking back to the early 2000s, I thinkThe Descentis a strong contender to become a classic.
As for the remakes, I have a very unpopular opinion – I say bring it on. Maybe it’s because I grew up a theater kid and plays are infinitely remade every night on countless stages, but I take no issue with applying a new creative vision to old material. The problem comes in when a studio turns it into blatant IP profiteering with no thought or consideration put into reimagining it. There may be a lot of terrible remakes out there, but I’ll sit through a thousandThe Fogs andOne Missed Calls if it means we get oneThe Thing. Hell, I even go to bat for theFright Nightremake and the slick silliness ofBlack X-Mas. I thoughtBates Motelwas fantastic and a fascinating refashioning of the mythology, and I’m utterly thrilled by the unexpected creative team Blumhouse put together for theHalloweenremake. As long as you have a vision and conviction in the film you’re remaking, I’m excited to see what you do even if I don’t end up loving it. -Haleigh
Vincent: Do you have a list of horror movies (new or old) that are off the grid and worth watching?
Hi, Vincent! This is always a little tricky because what’s “unknown” or “off the grid” is always so subjective, so my apologies if these recs are a little pedestrian for some horror diehards. But opening it up a little to the more casual horror fan…
For newer films:Pontypoolis a wonderfully clever spin on zombies,Splinteris an excellent paranoid creature feature in the tradition ofThe Thing,100 Bloody Acresis a very sweet and twisted Australian horror comedy that pairs well withTucker and Dale vs. Evil,Triangleis a structural treat and a fun mind-bendy slasher time loop andSeveranceis a wry splatter satire from the same director,The Loved Onesis deliciously cheeky and fucked in the head,Detentionis pure unleashed cinematic insanity,Lake Mungois slow and methodical and way scarier than it has any right to be,Live!is a wicked thriller that doesn’t deserve to be so totally forgotten, andThe Final Girlsis a genuinely touching and clever meta-slasher on acid.
For older films,The Sentinelis a fun and oft-ignored 1970s supernatural psychologicalthriller,Cemetary ManorDellamorte Dellamoreis delightfully mad zombie surrealism,Parentsserves suburban cannibal realness,Tourist Trapis dumb but I always get a kick out of it and youwillfind yourself imitating the singing mannequins,Who Can Kill a Child?is a benchmark in the creepy kid genre, andShe Killed in Ecstasyis style over substance but there’s plenty of appeal in its swinging indulgence. -Haleigh
Kevin: Yeah does Goldberg still stand by his rating of Schiendlers list based on the best of Steven Spielberg, or did the Collider staff want to throw hot coffee on his pants? Munich much? Also why did you stop using Disqus?
Hi, Kevin! Great question, and thank you for inquiring about my pants. I still stand by rating of Schindler’s List because I think it only skims along the surface of the Holocaust, and then it tries to retrofit it into a hero narrative. It’s a film that assumes that showing a lot of horrible things is the same thing as understanding why those things happen. I’m not opposed to films that take on the Holocaust, but I’d prefer it if they have some depth likeSon of Saulor historical significance likeJudgment at Nuremberg.
Also, we stopped using Disqus because there were too many anonymous commenters. We believe that if you feel your opinion is good enough to share online, you shouldn’t be afraid to put your name to that opinion. -Matt
Heston: When was the last time the site has been updated, specifially design?
Good question, Heston! The site underwent its last major overhaul in January 2015. I remember because Steve, Adam, and I were all at Sundance and thinking, “This probably isn’t the ideal time for an overhaul.” That being said, I really like the design of the site and the aesthetic we’ve acquired since joining Complex. I’ve been with Collider since 2007 and I think this is the best the site has ever looked. -Matt
Слава: Why didn’t you post anything about the upcoming Contra (oldschool game by Konami) movie? It’s because it’s chinese movie (but there will be Hollywood actors. “The Great Wall” was the same and you did posted information about it)? Or ‘cause there’s a very little information about it (there’s official synopsis, release year, first poster and studios name - IMAO, there’s just enough of information to write at least one post)? Or you simply not like CONTRA games (blasphemy!BLASPHEMY!!)??
P.S. Sorry ‘bout my english, it’s not my native language (I’m from Ukraine).
No need to apologize, Слава! Glad to have a Ukrainian reader! As to your question,Contracompletely flew under our radar. It’s hard to get to every movie made in America let alone ones directed primarily at China (The Great Wall, by comparison, was always made for an international audience, hence the involvement of Legendary Pictures and putting an A-lister like Matt Damon in all the marketing). As for my feelings on the Contra games, I can only respond up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start. -Matt
Vincent: Be honest with me…Do you derive pleasure from upsetting the Collider community?
I do not, Vincent! I don’t consider the community one way or the other. It’s the only way to be honest with readers. If I tried to gauge my writing based on the unknowable opinions of a faceless ego-mass, it wouldn’t serve anyone. The best policy is just honesty. If it doesn’t sit well with people, so be it. At least they’ll know that I’m being straight with them. –Matt
Nathaniel: Is there a film that you loved when it was released that time has made you reconsider - or vice versa?
When I sawEvil Dead IIin high school, I didn’t like it at all because I didn’t know the project’s history or what Raimi was trying to do. It was confusing as a sequel because it’s really more of a second pass where Raimi ditches the hardcore, low-budget horror and instead move more into a darkly comic realm. When I revisited the film a few years back, it worked much better and I like seeing how it fits into Raimi’s larger filmography. -Mat
I always struggle withHook(and wrote about it).Eyes Wide Shutis a movie I wasn’t crazy about but came to admire over repeat viewings in recent years. There’s always going to be a nostalgia factor tied to movies I saw as a kid that I can’t get over, but I’ve made piece with it. Sometimes you like what you like! –Adam
-DefinitelyThe Hobbit. I was able to see it in the 48fps or “high frame rate” format and was all excited for a return to Middle-earth; I got caught up in the spectacle at the time. On repeat viewings, not only does the high frame not add much to the experience beyond some incredible shots of New Zealand’s landscape, the rest of the movie is a bit of a mess and lacks the magic ofThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy. –Dave
- Oh, god.Jay and Silent Bob Strike Backis definitely the worst movie I used to adore.Space Jamis… not great.Mac and Meis even worse. Time has not been kind toSin Cityeither.
Vice versa, I hatedBlade Runnerwhen I first saw it and now it’s one of my favorites. I was horrified byBurn After Readingas a youth, but find it hilarious now that I’m old and jaded. I likeHail, Caesermore everytime I watch it.Eyes Wide Shuttook time to grow on me. -Haleigh
Karl: For all of you: what is one movie you love that is widely rubbished or disregarded?
I’ll keep going to bat for the Coen Brothers’The Ladykillers. I love the performances, I love how every character’s main weakness comes back to get them, and I think it’s one of the most fun performances in Tom Hanks’ career. Is it as good as the original? No, but it still has a great energy all its own, and I get annoyed when its cast aside as one of their few misfires (for me, their only bad film isIntolerable Cruelty) –Matt
I’ll go to bat for Gore Verbinski’sPirates of the Caribbeansequels any day. Recently I also really had fun with Guy Ritchie’sKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword. –Adam
It’s not exactly “rubbished” or disregarded, but I loveNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationway more than any human should, to the point of obsession. –Dave
A LOT ofJean-Claude Van Dammemovies, but especiallyStreet Fighter. -Haleigh
Lauren: What movie you believe will garner the title of, “Biggest Summer Blockbuster of 2017.”
In terms of domestic box office, probablyGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2; in terms of worldwide box office, it’s going to beTransformers: The Last Knight; in terms of long-term impact on the industry, I’d sayWonder Woman. –Matt
Depends on your definition of biggest, but I have a feeling Wonder Woman is gonna be a touchstone film for years to come that’s gonna inspire some great female filmmakers and actresses. In terms of box office, who knows (Transformers probably? Sigh), but when it comes to impact I’d bet on Wonder Woman. –Adam
-Wonder Womancertainly deserves it, but the honor will probably go toTransformers: The Last Knight. The last twoTransformersmovies have each earned over $1.1 billion worldwide; I expect this new installment to be in the ballpark.Spider-Man: Homecomingwill be an interesting one to watch but none of them have crested past $900 million.Despicable Me 3might also surprise some folks, so we’ll see how that animated, family friendly film plays out. –Dave
- I thinkGuardiansorDespicable Me 3will make the most money, butWonder Womanwill be seen as the biggest win. -Haleigh
Kristian: What’s your favourite horror movie?
-The Mist. It upset me at a level that no other horror film has ever managed. I love it and I will never watch it again. -Matt
I still contend thatThe Shiningis the scariest movie ever made. Terrifies me to this day. –Adam
I really want to pick something relatively obscure likeGraveyard Shift,Man’s Best Friend,The Killer Shrews,Night of the Lepus, orKiller Klowns from Outer Space, but I have to go withThe Exorcist. It’s just too good on too many levels. But I highly recommend checking out those other titles for fun! –Dave
Too many to name, butScreamandNightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriorsare the movies that made me a horror fan so they are very dear to my heart. -Haleigh
James: What is each of your guilty pleasure movies and why?
I don’t really have guilty pleasure movies. You shouldn’t be ashamed to just love a movie. –Matt
I don’t really buy into the notion of a “guilty pleasure”—I don’t really feel ashamed about deriving pleasure from movies other people don’t like. I will watch the hell out of just about any Nancy Meyers movie though. –Adam
-I can pop in just about anyDragon Ballmovie fromCurse of the Blood Rubiesall the way up toResurrection ‘F’. They’re not all great, but that doesn’t stop me from loving them (in secret)! –Dave
- Many of my favorite movies are what other folks would consider guilty pleasure movies, so I don’t have many. I feel pretty guilty about how much I love earlyJames Bondfilms since they’re so flagrantly misogynistic, but they’re of a different time. I do get a trash cinema delight out of the first and lastTwilightmovies. I loveDirty Dancing: Havana Nightsmore than I should, but I challenge you not to love a dancingDiego Luna. -Haleigh
Ian: Who’s the best director with less than 3 movies in the can?
Right now, I think I’d go withJennifer KentorBarry Jenkins. –Matt
Tough question, but gotta go with Barry Jenkins orRobert Eggers. -Adam
I almost went withJordan Peeleon this one, butRyan Cooglerhas two incredible feature films under his belt with what’s certain to be a box-office buster as his third. This is a great time to check outFruitvale StationandCreedif you haven’t yet. Everyone expects big, big things from Coogler for years and years to come. –Dave
Well I’d have to sayPatty Jenkinsis the queen of this category right now. Horror is often the proud home of blazing feature debuts, and I can’t wait to see what (The Babadook), (Get Out) and (The Witch) have up their sleeves.Julia Ducournau(Raw) andBen Young(Hounds of Love) had fantastic feature debuts this year.Martin McDonaghtechnically has 3 in the can, but I’m sneaking him in since we haven’t seenThree Billboardsyet. -Haleigh
