United International Pictures Archives

Is Gladiator II a Sequel Worthy of Strength and Honor?

More than 24 years ago, Sir Ridley Scott created a remarkable historical epic with his film, Gladiator. Released in 2000, it became the second highest-grossing movie of that year, earning nearly $500 million worldwide, just behind Mission: Impossible II. The… Continue Reading →

Trauma Terrorizes a Pop-Music Prima Donna in Smile 2

How do you top a sleeper hit featuring the slow-burn psychological terrors of an unseen antagonist, haunting and wrecking the lives of its victims to the point that death is their only escape route? You focus your franchise on a… Continue Reading →

October 17, 2024

The Wild Robot is the Must-See Animated Feature of the Year!

There has been considerable Oscar buzz surrounding DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot from critics who have previewed it in the film festival circuit. While I have not traditionally followed the nominees for a best-animated film, the extensive acclaim for this… Continue Reading →

September 26, 2024

Feel It, Chase It: Twisters Brings the Storm and the Sentiment

As a fan of the 1996 film, Twister, I eagerly anticipated how the sequel, Twisters, would capture the thrilling and nostalgic essence of its predecessor. The original was a groundbreaking film that combined state-of-the-art special effects with a gripping story… Continue Reading →

July 18, 2024

A Quiet Place: Day One Brings Lupita Nyong’o’s Best Performance Yet

In a movie landscape where the horror genre often relies on overt scares and relentless gore, A Quiet Place emerged as a refreshing film that was both suspenseful and minimalistic. Directed by John Krasinski, the original film captivated audiences with… Continue Reading →

July 12, 2024

The Fall Guy Doesn’t Know What It Is

Growing up in the ’80s was a time of vibrant, iconic television shows that left a lasting impression on my childhood. Among these, The Fall Guy stood out as one of my absolute favorites. I was enthralled by Lee Majors’… Continue Reading →

May 14, 2024

Dan Aykroyd’s Paranormal Pop-Culture Renaissance

Per Matt If there’s something strange, and it don’t look good… who ya gonna call? Well, it’s usually Dan Aykroyd who answers the bell. You may recognize the Not Ready for Prime Time Player from old-school Saturday Night Live seasons…. Continue Reading →

March 22, 2024

Madame Web Spins a Film of Silly String

Making a movie is like a spider spinning its intricate web; both require tons of planning, patience and creativity. Just as a spider carefully selects the right location to build its home, filmmakers must choose the perfect setting for their… Continue Reading →

February 23, 2024

The Tiger’s Apprentice Learns Disappointment

In the realm of animated adventures, there is a recurrent exploration of Chinese culture, often centered around the Chinese zodiac and its associated animals. An illustrative example is found in Minions: The Rise of Gru, where the storyline revolves around… Continue Reading →

February 8, 2024

The Awards Season Deserves The Holdovers!

Per Matt Alexander Payne is a filmmaker who just gets it. He seemingly understands every element of the industry (or at least he has the self-awareness to hire the very best employees to make up the difference). That’s high praise… Continue Reading →

January 25, 2024

Geek Culture, Zombies... and Other Monsters

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