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As the format continues to gain traction, here’s our regularly-updated list of upcoming 4K Ultra HD disc releases in the UK.

Sitting alongside our list of upcoming DVD and Blu-ray releases (that you can find here), we’re also keeping a calendar for those who support the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc format. As we learn of new UK releases, we’ll add them to this list.

We have started adding shopping links too. We’d be obliged if you clicked on them, as it really helps us in our quest to make the Film Stories project of magazines, website and podcast profitable. We’re a 100% independent publisher, and we quite like drinking coffee. It’d be lovely to afford some more.

Without further ado, here are the titles we know about…

Out now

7th October: The Boy And The Heron (Steelbook)

7th October: The Sword And The Sorcerer...

Five decades ago, a rip-roaring spoof Western came to town, with a six-shooter full of gags, a handful of ultra-catchy songs, and a roster of stellar performances to boot. It rode a blazing saddle, it wore a shining star – and it became one of the greatest cinematic comedies of all time. Yes, Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles has turned 50, holding on to its status as one of the funniest films ever made, with sharp satire to complement its pitch-perfect homage to the Western genre. Now, it looks even better than ever, thanks to a new 4K restoration – available to own on 4K Ultra-hd Blu-ray. Gentlemen, please rest your sphincters.

Blazing Saddles arrived in a period of major creativity for Brooks – it landed in February 1974, followed-up before the year was out by his Universal monster spoof Young Frankenstein. And it connected with audiences for all kinds of reasons – not just the barrage...

Teri Garr, the Oscar-nominated actress who capitalized on her adorable flightiness in such films as Tootsie and Young Frankenstein before her career was derailed by multiple sclerosis, died Tuesday. She was 79.

Garr, who started out as a background dancer working alongside Elvis Presley in several 1960s party films, died at her home in Los Angeles “surrounded by family and friends,” publicist Heidi Schaeffer told The Hollywood Reporter.

Garr revealed that she had Ms, the chronic, degenerative disease of the nervous system, on Larry King’s CNN show in October 2002, and she survived emergency surgery to treat a brain aneurysm four years later. Her final onscreen appearance came in 2011.

Garr’s career breakthrough came as Gene Wilder’s comely Transylvanian lab assistant in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (1974). She received her supporting actress Oscar nomination for playing Dustin Hoffman’s insecure actress friend in Sydney Pollack’s Tootsie (1982).

Those films ranked Nos.

Tubi’s lineup for November 2024 offers a diverse and exciting selection of content across genres, ensuring there’s something for everyone. With Tubi Originals like the heartwarming comedy “The Engagement Dress” (November 10) and the festive yet spicy “Hot Girl Winter” (November 24), holiday cheer takes a fresh twist. The thrillers keep the tension high, including the chilling ghost story “Still Here” (November 9) and the stormy suspense of “The Last Exit” (November 16). For documentary enthusiasts, “Behind The Crime: Self Defense or Slaughter” (November 15) and “Fresh Meat 2: Killing Dahmer” (November 22) dive into intense real-life investigations. Families can look forward to the magical fun of “Family Ornaments” (November 17), while anime fans can enjoy “Bunny Drop” on November 5. Classic action films like “Die Hard”, “Mad Max: Fury Road” (November 9), and “San Andreas” (November 22) return for adrenaline junkies, and horror lovers will appreciate the creepy lineup of “Annabelle: Creation”, “The Thing (1982)”, and more. Whether it’s nostalgic art-house classics,...

Warner Bros. is bringing two cinematic classics to a new physical media transfer this Thanksgiving season. Blu-ray.com has announced the 4K Ultra-High Definition Blu-ray releases of Alfred Hitchcock‘s spy thriller North by Northwest and Mel Brooks‘ irreverent western satire Blazing Saddles. Both releases will be hitting retailers on November 19.

North by Northwest stars Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, and Leo G. Carroll. The description reads, “Cary Grant stars as an innocent man mistaken for a spy in one of director Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest thrillers. While leaving New York’s Plaza Hotel, advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Grant) has the misfortune of standing just as the name “George Kaplan” is paged–starting a lethal case of mistaken identity and a nonstop game of cat and mouse as he is pursued across North America by espionage agents trying to kill him–and by police who suspect him of murder.

Blazing Saddles Ribald, tasteless and hilarious … this classic spoof of the Western genre by director Mel Brooks pokes fun at everyone and everything. Blazing Saddles (50th anniversary) will be released for the first time on 4K Ultra HD and Digital on November 19. A corrupt governor grants a reprieve to an African American convict if the condemned man agrees to serve as sheriff of a small Western town, believing that new sheriff will only live long enough to serve the needs of the governor and his nefarious railroad-baron backer. The film is directed by Mel Brooks. The screenplay is by Brooks, Norman ... Read more...

First, we threw a 50th anniversary bash for movies released in 1974. Then, a 40th fete for movies from 1984 and a 30th for 1994 films. And now, as this year gets closer to its own last call, we’re embarking on a 20th anniversary tour back to the 2000s.

That’s right, it’s time for the fourth edition of Netflix’s 2024 Milestone Movies: The Anniversary Collection, this time celebrating films that were released in 2004.

Milestone Movies first launched in January to celebrate films marking major anniversaries this year — award winners, guilty pleasures, and cult classics among them. The films now streaming in the US include Before Sunset, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Million Dollar Baby, The Notebook, and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

The first round of Milestone Movies, highlighting films released in 1974, included Blazing Saddles, Chinatown,and The Conversation. Then the clock rolled forward to 1984...

We lost Madeline Kahn, a farceur extraordinaire, far too soon. And her list of film appearances, especially ones that fully showcase her unique comedic talents, is tragically short. But thank goodness for that marvelously mad Mel Brooks for letting her loose in a quartet of some of the most gut-bustingly funny female performances in cinematic history.

Kahn, who passed away at age 57 in 1999, would have celebrated her birthday on September 29. What better way to salute her legacy on the big screen than to recall the two-time Oscar nominee’s 12 greatest movies, ranked from worst to best. Our photo gallery includes “Blazing Saddles,” “What’s Up, Doc?” and “Young Frankenstein.”...

Mel Brooks’ classic western comedy Blazing Saddles is getting a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release to mark its 50th anniversary. More here.

Mel Brooks’ much-loved and groundbreaking comedy favourite Blazing Saddles is arriving at its 50th birthday this year. And just as with other anniversary films this year such as North By Northwest and A Nightmare On Elm Street, Warner Bros appears to be pulling out the stops for a posh-looking 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray collector’s set.

The film hasn’t been on the 4K disc format before, so it’s enjoying a 4K remaster for a start. The set will always include a Blu-ray disc too, to carry across previous additional features too.

Then, the 50th anniversary set will come in Steelbook casing, and include an envelope with 10 art cards inside. There’s also a double-sided bookmark, a double-sided retro art card, three double-sided behind the scenes cards,...

Image Source: Amazon Fortunately, at the age of 98, Mel Brooks can still be called a living legend. Between his film, television, and recording careers, he’s been entertaining us for decades, giving us classics like The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and the Star Wars parody Spaceballs. And since Star Wars has stood the test of time, so has Spaceballs, which is still finding new audiences today. Daphne Zuniga played the film’s princess, and she still speaks glowingly of the experience. At a GalaxyCon Oklahoma City panel’s Q&a session recently, Zuniga expounded on what it was like working with someone who is as funny — and also as serious — as Mel Brooks. (Click on the media bar below to hear Daphne Zuniga) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Daphn_-Zuniga_Spaceballs_.mp3

Spaceballs is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K, and most digital platforms.

The post Daphne Zuniga Had...

The early box office results are starting to roll in, and as expected, it looks like The Gipper is no match for the MCU’s Deadpool & Wolverine, which seems set to top the charts one last time this Labor Day weekend. Indeed, the Dennis Quaid-led Reagan, a biopic of the 40th President of the United States, is performing more-or-less in line with what we predicted, with Deadline reporting its $500k preview night should land it somewhere around $7 or 8 million for the weekend. That’s not a bad result for an independently released movie. Critics don’t like the biopic much, and many complain that the faith-based film presents the president as a saint-like figure. However, the folks buying tickets seem to love it, with the movie having a terrific 98% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. So, there’s a chance word-of-mouth could propel this movie to a higher opening.

It was recently reported that the great Mel Brooks has been cast in the upcoming animated film The Land of Sometimes, based on the acclaimed audiobook by Francesca Longrigg. This is hardly the first time that Brooks has lent his voice to a family movie, lest we forget that he had a small role in the cartoon remake of Blazing Saddles that absolutely nobody saw, and played a fanged toilet-monster in Look Who’s Talking Too.

With The Land of Sometimes, which tells the story of two twins who “embark on adventures with mystical creatures after being transported to a magical island,” Brooks joins a cast that also includes Ewan McGregor, Helena Bonham-Carter and Monty Python’s Terry Jones. Which is a little weird, because Jones died four years ago.

Sadly, Jones passed away in 2020 at the age of 77 from complications associated with a rare form of dementia, known as Ftd.

Comedy legend Mel Brooks and “Sex Education” star Asa Butterfield have joined the voice cast of the upcoming animated feature “The Land of Sometimes.”

Based on an original audiobook by Francesca Longrigg with a screenplay by Tony Nottage, “The Land of Sometimes” follows twins Alfie and Elise as they embark on adventures with mystical creatures after being transported to a magical island by the Wish Collector. The story explores themes of family and self-discovery.

Brooks and Butterfield join the previously revealed cast that includes Ewan McGregor (“Obi-Wan Kenobi”), Helena Bonham Carter (“The Crown”), Alisha Weir (“Matilda: The Musical”) and Jessica Henwick (“Glass Onion”). The film also features one of the final performances from the late “Monty Python” alum Terry Jones.

Leon Joosen (“Saving Santa”) is directing the project. The film is from Two Daughters Entertainment and Nottage Productions. Bonnie Arnold (“How to Train Your Dragon”) and Alan Yentob (“Billy Elliot...

You couldn’t make the original “because of woke” tweet today.

Of all the thousands of room-temperature-iq cultural discussions that are currently occurring on Twitter over popular TV and movies, at least 70 percent of them are about some property that premiered at least 10 years ago that, apparently, could not possibly get a green light in this cancel-cultured, trigger-warned, hypersensitive hellscape of snowflake cinema and trans-inclusive television. “You can’t make movies like this nowadays” is an all-too-common claim for some conservative Twitter user to make about classic overtly progressive projects like Blazing Saddles or All in the Family, and the reasoning is always the same: because of woke.

Two years and two days ago, writer and tweeter P.E. Moskowitz posted the perfect and enduring three-word summary of the same argument we’ve seen in every Twitter thread about a 2000s comedy film ever — and they didn’t even know it.

Box art designer only pawn in the game of life.

That could be the excuse that the artist responsible for the cover of the Blazing Saddles 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release uses if they were ever questioned about their confusing creative decision that takes the title of the film suspiciously literally — unfortunately, they’ve almost certainly never seen the movie and would never get the reference.

See, anyone who has actually watched Blazing Saddles understands that the title has nearly nothing to do with the Western comedy itself, and it’s just an evocative little name that catches the eye and sets the tone for the Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little-led satire of racism and the Old West as it’s portrayed in Hollywood.

Sadly, as Mel Brooks fans on Twitter recently discovered, the graphic designer who drew up the disc sleeve of the remastered re-release of Blazing Saddles...

Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk has moved to foreclose on Gene Wilder’s former home in Los Angeles after the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory star’s nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, bought the Bel-Air house in 2020.

Walker-Pearlman, however, is showing no animosity toward Musk, and looks to be cooperating in the legal procedure around his property. “I have absolutely no ill will towards Elon, quite the opposite. He gave me an opportunity to (along with my wife’s support) reclaim and restore this house as Gene, Gilda and I experienced it,” he said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

Four years ago, Musk sold the Los Angeles home at 10930 Chalon Road with four bedrooms and five bathrooms for $7 million, but only after lending Walker-Pearlman $6.7 million to complete the purchase so he and his wife could return to a home he’d also known in his childhood.

“It was...

A strong case could be made that Mel Brooks co-writing and directing "Young Frankenstein" and "Blazing Saddles" in the same year (1974) is one of the greatest filmmaking one-two punches of the 20th century. It's hard enough to make a single comedy that becomes a stone cold classic, but for both of them to have such fantastic reputations 50 years later (despite "Blazing Saddles" having some aspects in it that don't age well for modern viewers) makes this achievement downright legendary. Of course, the fact that these movies came out 50 years ago sadly means that most of the actors who starred in these projects are no longer with us.

For "Blazing Saddles," a film that was so controversial even upon its release that Brooks thought he might be killed because of its content, that means we've already lost towering performers like Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Corman, Slim Pickens, the great Madeline Kahn,...

Ah, the spoof movie – a delightful cinematic concoction that turns the serious into the ridiculous, often with hilarious results. From Mel Brooks’ timeless classics like Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles to the anarchic charm of the Zucker Brothers’ Airplane!, spoof movies have long been a beloved staple for audiences craving a good laugh. These films expertly parody genres, tropes, and iconic scenes, turning them on their heads with sharp wit and irreverent humor. The late ’90s and early 2000s saw a resurgence of this genre, most notably with the release of the wildly successful Scary Movie in 2000, which lampooned contemporary horror films with reckless abandon. However, while Scary Movie was making waves and redefining the horror-comedy landscape, another spoof film was quietly waiting in the wings. Made before the Wayans’ entry, this hidden gem took a similar aim at the horror genre, mixing self-aware humor with a keen eye for the absurd.

While taking a break from producing the upcoming Spaceballs sequel that somehow exists, this past weekend Mel Brooks presented a special screening of Blazing Saddles in L.A. to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary. Which might be the best possible way to view Blazing Saddles, other than on horseback in 1974.

Brooks was, according to IndieWire, full of great stories about the making of the film, as one would expect. For example, he described how the head of Warner Bros. once had him dragged by the nape of the neck into an office, at which point he was thrown a legal pad and a Sharpie and told, “Write: No hitting an old lady — out. No hitting a horse — out. No farting — out.”

So Brooks promptly “crumpled up his notes” and “threw (them) in the waste basket,” reasoning, “Why listen to anything? I would’ve had an 11-minute movie.”

He also...

The rain beats down repeatedly in Shujun Wei’s Chinese noir murder-mystery so maybe it should come as no surprise that the plot feels liquid - best to let it flow over you than try to fully catch it in your hands, although repeat viewings seem a likely itch many will want to scratch.

Adapted by Wei and Kang Chunlei from the novel by Hua Yu, this is 1990s small-town China, where capitalism is washing over Communism and where inky rivulets of humour flow in unlikely places. Detective Ma Zhe (Zhu Yilong) appears to be the boss’ pet. Presumably this is because that leaves the Chief of Police (Hou Tianlai) more time to practise his ping-pong prowess, in what is surely the best employment of table tennis satire since Blazing Saddles.

Ma’s team are also relocated to a defunct local cinema for reasons that are never fully explained - but do.

“A fart joke is easy.”

This may be, but executed by Mel Brooks, it can get a crowd going more than anything on view at this summer’s Paris Olympics. So was the case this past weekend at a 50th anniversary screening of his western comedy classic, “Blazing Saddles,” which played at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and was followed by a Q&a with the 98 year-old filmmaker himself. Moderated by Brooksfilms producer Kevin Salter, Brooks dazzled and enraptured the audience with tidbits on the making of the film and stories from his colorful past. One such story involved his hard-to-believe Oscar win for his first film, “The Producers.”

“I didn’t have a speech because Stanley Kubrick was in the same category for ‘2001,’” Brooks said of being nominated for Best Original Screenplay. “There was a brilliant director called Pontecorvo who did ‘The Battle of Algiers,’ a great picture...

Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” (Disney) grossed $38.5 million in Thursday previews. Though not a record (“Avengers: Endgame” took in $60 million), it suggests an opening above the projected $150 million-$200 million. However, it guarantees the easiest of predictions: This will make it the best opening for an R-rated film ever.

“Deadpool and Wolverine” will be the biggest opening weekend for an R-rated film as not only an unadjusted gross, but also adjusted to relative ticket prices. It should also easily score the biggest domestic total for an R-rated release, but it will remain far down the list of R-rated hits based on attendance.

At $371 million, it will become the highest grossing R-rated film. But it will need to gross $464 million — $100 million more than either of the two earlier “Deadpool” films — to even make the top 15 when comparing adjusted ticket prices.

We reviewed the top 10 films from every year since the MPA initiated...

The trailer just dropped for A Complete Unknown, Hollywood’s latest attempt to turn your parents’ record collection into box-office gold. The upcoming film stars Timothée Chalamet as the legendary Bob Dylan, chronicling the young troubadour’s early years as he bums around the ‘60s New York folk circuit and (spoiler alert?) eventually freaks everybody out by playing an electric guitar.

Pfft, call us when there’s a movie about the making of Dylan’s Christmas album.

A Complete Unknown marks a return to the music biopic genre for director James Mangold, who previously helmed the Oscar-winning Walk the Line, which starred Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash, Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash and Robert Patrick as the T-1000, after he killed Johnny Cash’s father and took his place.

While Walk the Line was a critical and financial success, it was also painfully formulaic. And its structural triteness was...

Photo Credit: HBO Get ready to laugh! HBO and Judd Apatow are creating a two-part documentary on Mel Brooks, the mastermind behind Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. This look at Brooks’s life promises to be both funny and insightful. Judd Apatow, a lifelong fan, calls it “the dream of a lifetime.” Brooks has changed comedy from his early days on *Your Show of Shows* to his classic movies in the ’70s and ’80s. His wit and satire have left a lasting mark. A talented artist in film, TV, theater, music, and literature, Brooks is an Egot winner with Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar awards. The documentary will explore Brooks’s personal life, creative process, and influence with interviews, archival footage, and clips. Fans can celebrate Mel Brooks’s career and find out why he’s one of comedy’s most beloved figures. Stay tuned!

The post Mel Brooks: A...

A new documentary will look at the life and career of filmmaker Mel Brooks, whose films like The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Spaceballs defined comedy for several generations of people through the past seven decades. The docuseries, which is still in production, will air in two parts on HBO. Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio are co-directing it.

“I went into comedy because of my love for Mel Brooks,” Apatow said in a statement. “This project is the dream of a lifetime.”

Apatow, who’s best known for his own films,...

Mel Brooks’ life and career will be chronicled in a two-part documentary set up at HBO Documentary Films, with Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio. The project is already in production.

Per the official logline, the project will offer “an expansive yet intimate look at one of comedy’s most hilarious and influential minds, whose work has had audiences around the world laughing for more than 70 years.”

The documentary will be edited by Joe Beshenkovsky, reuniting him with Apatow and Bonfiglio, as the three were also behind the HBO documentary “George Carlin’s American Dream.” Kevin Salter serves as executive producer.

“I went into comedy because of my love for Mel Brooks,” Apatow said in a statement. “This project is the dream of a lifetime.”

Among the best known films Brooks wrote and directed during his 70-year career are “The Twelve Chairs” (1970), “Blazing Saddles” (1974), “Young Frankenstein” (1974), “Silent Movie” (1976), “History of the World...

HBO is working on a two-part documentary about comedy legend Mel Brooks.

Judd Apatow is directing the untitled doc with Michael Bonfiglio after the pair directed George Carlin’s American Dream together. It is now in production.

The docu is an “expansive yet intimate look at one of comedy’s most hilarious and influential minds, whose work has had audiences around the world laughing for more than 70 years”, per HBO.

It comes from HBO Documentary Films and Apatow Productions with Kevin Salter exec producing and Joe Beshenkovsky editing.

It marks the latest Mel Brooks doc to air on HBO; the network aired Mel Brooks: Unwrapped, originally a BBC production, in 2020.

“I went into comedy because of my love for Mel Brooks. This project is the dream of a lifetime,” said Apatow.

It is the latest documentary for Apatow, who directed Bob and Don: A Love Story and The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling.

A two-part documentary about comedy legend Mel Brooks from directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio has been set at HBO.

The HBO Documentary Films and Apatow Productions project, now in production, will trace Brooks’ journey from Brooklyn to Hollywood and Broadway. Joe Beshenkovsky, who last worked with Apatow and Bonfiglio on HBO’s four-hour documentary George Carlin’s American Dream, will edit the documentary.

Apatow promises a career-spanning film about the comedy legend behind classic movie farces and parodies. “I went into comedy because of my love for Mel Brooks. This project is the dream of a lifetime,” the Hollywood writer-director-producer said in a statement.

Brooks’ career began with Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows where he worked alongside the late Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, and Larry Gelbart. That’s after the teenage comedian in the Catskills conquered the entertainment world with his satirical comedy.

Brooks earned an Oscar...

Few names (if any) loom larger over the world of comedy than Mel Brooks. Now, his eight-decade career will be the subject of an upcoming two-part HBO special from co-directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio.

The documentary project, which is being produced through Apatow Productions, will reunite the two men with editor Joe Beshenkovsky, who collaborated with them on their recent documentaries “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling” and “George Carlin’s American Dream.”

“I went into comedy because of my love for Mel Brooks,” Apatow said in a statement announcing the documentary. “This project is the dream of a lifetime.”

While the film does not yet have a title or release date, Brooks’ remarkable career will offer no shortage of material to pull from. After launching his career in the 1950s on the storied writing staff of Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” and collaborating with Carl Reiner on...

A short while into Mel Brooks' 1974 comedy Western "Blazing Saddles," the smug a-hole cowboy Lyle (Burton Gilliam) takes a break after a hard day of abusing railroad workers to have a dinner of beans by a campfire. He is surrounded by many other a-hole cowboys, also enjoying their fire-roasted baked beans. As we all know beans to be the musical fruit, the inevitable happens, and one of the cowboys unleashes an audible explosion of flatulence. No one acknowledges it, perhaps knowing that it is a natural part of a bean dinner. Audience members watching "Blazing Saddles" likely rolled their eyes at the fart, feeling that Brooks had stooped a little low in order to employ a fart joke.

The audience's eyerolls become more pronounced with the release of a second fart. A second cowboy affects a strained look of intestinal clenching. Ha, ha, Mel. That's also not funny.

But then there's a third.

As we move into the second half of the summer, if you are in need of some indoor entertainment in order to stay cool — or to relax after a long day playing outside — then Paramount+ has a great deal for you. For a limited time through Wednesday, July 17, you can get two months of Paramount+ with Showtime for just $5.99 per month. Normally, the service’s ad-free subscription tier costs $11.99, so the deal will save you $50% for two months. With a price increase coming to the service next month, this is the perfect time to sign up and save.

How to Get 2 Months of Paramount+ with Showtime for Just $5.99 per Month Click here to get the deal from Paramount+ with Showtime. Click “Select Plan” on the Paramount+ with Showtime offer. Enter or confirm all of your account details. Click “Confirm.” 2 Months for just $5.99 per Month $11.99+ / month amazon.com Enjoy your first two...

A glimpse at upcoming UK Steelbook release dates until early 2024: here’s what’s getting the fancy treatment and when.

The incredibly fancy Steelbook format is the only choice for those needing a physical media release that doubles as a table tennis bat in a pinch. If that’s you, this list of all the upcoming UK Steelbook releases will be right up your alley.

Releases in this list cover Blu-ray and 4K, and are marked as such. Note that some Steelbooks sell out quickly, so just because they’re listed as upcoming here, there’s no guarantee of availability. Some store exclusives are also harder to track.

Also: We’ve started adding affiliate links. If you click on those, we benefit, and can spend more money paying more people to write more things for this website. No pressure, just hugely obliged.

Obviously in the current climate everything is subject to change,...

Mel Brooks has been a whirling dervish of comedic invention for over 70 years. Okay, he's slowed down a tad at the age of 97, but he just wrote and produced the long-awaited "History of the World, Part II" last year. You try doing that at the age of 96. How about you simply try living until 96? Until then, you shall marvel at this man's longevity and continued relevance.

That latter quality is perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Brooks' brilliance. We're constantly judging art produced prior to last week on the basis of how well it's aged. What was deemed open to ridicule or even just a slight ribbing in the past might now strike some as mean-spirited or downright offensive. And yet Brooks, who made films considered vulgar at the time of their release, is still considered an unimpeachable master of his craft. And his movies, especially the wildly provocative "Blazing Saddles,...

Who says 1994 was a classic year for cinema? Netflix begins today to make that argument, curating a release of 17 films that turned 30 this year. The streamer has its list below. I have mine, and with the exception of the seminal Farrelly Brothers-directed Dumb & Dumber with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, and Luc Besson’s Leon: The Professional, the film that stars Jean Reno and a sinister Gary Oldman and introduced the world to the outsized talent Natalie Portman, and maybe Ron Howard’s The Paper, there’s a lot missing. How about Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, The Lion King, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Clear and Present Danger, Sicario, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Interview With the Vampire, Speed, Ed Wood, and the other two films in a starmaking year for Jim Carrey, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask. Speed, Once Were Warriors, and Ang Lee...

Get ready to pay more for “Tulsa King,” “1883,” “Survivor,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “Yellowjackets.” Paramount+ just announced it will increase its prices on August 20.

When the price hikes kick in, the ad-supported Paramount+ plan will go up $2 to $7.99/month. Subscribers who want Paramount+ with Showtime will pay another $1 to $12.99/month.

7-Day Free Trial $5.99+ / month ParamountPlus.com

For a Limited Time, Get 1 Month of Paramount+ With Code: V5Z82W750Z

Importantly, existing subscribers will be able to dodge some of the pain. Current Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers won’t see the increase until the next bill after September 20. Existing ad-supported subscribers get to keep their price of $5.99/month. So if you think you might want the service, it’s worth jumping into a free trial now to see if it’s worth keeping at the lower rate.

What Can You Watch on Paramount+?

Paramount+ leans on the world of Taylor Sheridan...

“Oh baby, you are so talented,” exclaims Bart (Cleavon Little), the wily protagonist of Blazing Saddles. The first Black sheriff in the Old West town of Rock Ridge, Bart had to escape the genteel, devout, and very racist citizens by pulling a gun on himself and pretending that he is both his own captor and hostage. The ruse works, leading to Bart’s self-praise into the camera… he also acknowledges “they are so dumb.”

Bart’s broad shenanigans match not only the stupidity of the townspeople but also the tone of the Mel Brooks classic. Written by Brooks and a host of co-writers (including an uncredited Richard Pryor), Blazing Saddles combines Looney Tunes humor with biting social commentary, and a genuine love of the Hollywood Western, making for a movie at once eternal and immediate.

Little, Brooks, and all the writers contributed to the success of Blazing Saddles. But holding...

The best parody movies do a great job of mimicking other films. Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs got the look and feel of a Star Wars movie right, but Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill is nowhere to be seen. During an interview, Hamill explained why he didn’t appear in Brook’s space opera.

Mark Hamill wanted to be in Mel Brook’s ‘Spaceballs’

Hamill has played some iconic roles, such as The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series and Chucky in the remake of Child’s Play. However, he will always be associated with Star Wars first and foremost. He also appeared in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, a film that alludes to Star Wars in its title. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was directed by Kevin Smith, who has referenced Hamill’s signature franchise in his work on several occasions.

During a 2019 interview with Empire, he was asked why...

A “Spaceballs” sequel is in development at Amazon MGM Studios. Josh Gad is set to star, and will produce alongside Mel Brooks.

Josh Greenbaum will direct the film from a screenplay by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Gad, while Kevin Salter will executive produce. The project is in early stages, and plot details are being kept under wraps. Amazon declined to comment.

Writing duo Samit and Hernandez are best known for their work as screenwriters for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” “Pokemon Detective Pikachu,” “Addams Family 2,” and the upcoming Disney+/Lucasfilm special “Lego Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy.”

The original 1987 MGM film “Spaceballs” starred Bill Pullman as Lone Star, John Candy as Barf, Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa, Rick Moranis as Lord Dark Helmet and Brooks as President Skroob and Yogurt. The space opera is a parody of both the “Star Wars” franchise and other popular sci-fi franchises like “Star Trek” and “Alien.

You couldn't make "Blazing Saddles" today. 

For one, it's already 12:30, and you haven't eaten lunch yet. Then you said you'd take that pile of old clothes to the Goodwill, and also swing by the pharmacy to pick up your dad's ear medicine. By then, it would already be about 2:30 or 3pm. There just wouldn't be enough time to make "Blazing Saddles." 

When Mel Brooks made "Blazing Saddles" in 1974, however, he had plenty of time. He also had access to a brilliant script, a wonderful cast of comedic geniuses, and a healthy willingness to rip apart every halcyon tradition associated with the American Western. "Blazing Saddles" spoofed Westerns to within an inch of their lives, examining the horrid racism that the genre tends to overlook or even romanticize. 

"Blazing Saddles" is a comedy about racism but never makes light of it, putting all the racism into the mouths of...

Our top pick for a movie awards contender to stream this weekend is “I Saw the TV Glow,” writer-director Jane Schoenbrun’s and producer Emma Stone’s buzzy A24 horror drama.

The film stars Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine as Owen and Maddy, suburban teenagers who bond over their love of a TV show called “The Pink Opaque,” which follows psychic teenagers Isabel and Tara as they battle monsters. Eventually, it becomes clear that they are Isabel and Tara, which freaks Owen out. The film is a surrealistic trans allegory with unique visuals and an excellent contemporary indie rock soundtrack that cements Schoenbrun as a filmmaker to watch. The cast also includes Danielle Deadwyler, Conner O’Malley, and Fred Durst. “I Saw the TV Glow” will be a darkhorse Oscar contender and a likely Independent Spirit Award nominee. It’s available on VOD now.

Here are some other movies to stream...

I rarely have the opportunity to call any actor sweet, but I think that term certainly applies to the beloved Gene Wilder, who passed away in 2016. It’s remarkable how a gentle man like Wilder survived and prospered in the cut-throat world of film acting but survive he did in an esteemed film career that lasted nearly four decades.

Wilder was one of those rare actors nominated at the Academy Awards for both acting (Best Supporting Actor for 1967’s “The Producers”) and writing. Wilder was also nominated for two Best Actor Golden Globe Awards (for 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and 1976’s “Silver Streak”) and won an Emmy in his final on-screen work in 2003 for his guest performance on “Will and Grace.”

So let’s raise a glass of something wild to toast and remember the great Wilder. Tour our photo gallery featuring his 12 greatest film performances, ranked worst to best.

Put on any action movie made between 1903’s The Great Train Robbery and 2017’s John Wick, pay attention to the risks playing out before you, and you’ll never stop asking why the hell aren’t stunt performers lauded for their efforts by the Academy Awards. In the 1970s, one of the greatest and most underrated decades for action movies, you could still see every danger to life and limb on screen. CGI wasn’t around yet, and the law was barely paying attention.

The result is an era where bloody martial arts imports and Blaxploitation commentary blended with tight-wire action and terrifyingly real stunts. The very best remain iconic, from the Dirty Harrys to 1979’s global phenomenon, Mad Max. But with the passage of time comes forgetting, and the ‘70s hide some of the best, wildest, and sometimes even edgiest movies waiting for fans to rediscover.

Get Carter (1971)

Once upon a time,...

The genre of Western movies can be considered the most serious one as its characters are almost always cold and tough as steel. However, what if we take a typical Wild West plot and make a comedy that will mock all the genre’s obvious tropes of it?

Such an attempt was made by Seth MacFarlane, who is famous for creating the Family Guy sitcom (since 1999) and two of Mark Wahlberg-starring Ted movies (2012 and 2015). Indeed, the filmmaker has the required comedy potential, so let’s learn about this movie.

The plot of MacFarlane’s Western flick centers on Albert Stark, a farmer who lives his calm life near the notorious Western frontier. After breaking up with his girlfriend, he loses all his temper but, luckily, is then helped by Anna, a brave female gunfighter.

Stark starts finding his inner courage under the woman’s surveillance, and it’s high time to show himself off,...

I don’t think it’s an unpopular opinion anymore to say trigger warnings have gone too far. When you have people like Dame Judi Dench complaining about them, maybe the plot has gotten lost somewhat, so to speak. While many have taken issue with the wrong-headed warnings before movies like Blazing Saddles (a famously anti-racist movie) and the pretty tame early James Bond movies, perhaps the moment trigger warnings truly overstepped happened last week, when AMC aired Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas and attached the following disclaimer:

“This film includes language and/or cultural stereotypes that are inconsistent with today’s standards of inclusion and tolerance and may offend some viewers.”

Here’s the tweet that started it all:

Now I’ve seen it all. AMC message before the classic film Goodfellas. pic.twitter.com/QxTXXz4tex

— ken lovett (@klnynews) May 12, 2024

So, let’s take a minute to take all that in.

"Vanishing Point" isn't exactly a mainstream classic, but for a portion of moviegoers who like to see cars go fast and people do drugs, it's pretty much unmissable. Based on that description alone, it makes sense that the cult film's audience grew when it was directly referenced in Quentin Tarantino's 2007 road slasher film "Death Proof." Other directors who are major fans of the film include Edgar Wright and Steven Spielberg, who once told Entertainment Weekly it was one of his favorite movies.

The 1971 film didn't feature many stars, but did include a handful of actors who would become famous for other projects in the years following the film. Cleavon Little, who played radio DJ Super Soul in the film, went on to star in Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles" three years later, while actress Charlotte Rampling, who was Oscar nominated for her work in "45 Years" in 2016, apparently appeared as...

Trying to sell someone on the indie comedy "Hundreds of Beavers" is an exercise in comedic persuasion. Do you talk about how it's a black-and-white movie without dialogue evoking the approach of Charlie Chaplin? Do you highlight the slapstick physical comedy that would make "The Three Stooges" proud? Or do you simply say, "This dude fights people in animal mascot suits in the snow" and let the universe work its magic? First debuting on the festival circuit in 2022 and now finally available on VOD, "Hundreds of Beavers" has quietly become the must-see oddball indie flick for cinephiles everywhere. It's a seemingly algorithm-proof movie that, as /Film's Matt Donato described in his review, exists at the crossroads of Looney Tunes, Benny Hill, "Cannibal: The Musical," "Blazing Saddles," and Adult Swim mindsets. It's also a delightfully Midwest movie, embracing a sense of humor that has been missing from major comedy films for far too long.

Mel Brooks will receive this year’s Career Achievement Award at the 84th Peabody Awards, and Quinta will be honored with the Peabody Trailblazer Award. Both received a unanimous vote of the Peabody Board of Jurors and will be recognized at the June 9 awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

“Mel Brooks is not only one of the most beloved comedians of all time, but he literally set the standard for television comedy from its earliest days. Across TV, film, theater, and recordings, Mr. Brooks is in a league of his own. And Quinta Brunson has emerged as a refreshingly creative force in network television comedy,” said Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody. “Peabody is proud to honor Mel and Quinta not only for their extraordinary contributions as storytellers, but particularly for their use of comedy to tell stories that matter, enriching the lives of so many.”

The Career Achievement Award is...

The Peabody Awards will honor actor, comedian, writer, and director Mel Brooks with this year’s Career Achievement Award, while “Abbott Elementary” award-winning writer, producer, actor, and comedian Quinta Brunson will receive the org’s Trailblazer Award. Both Brooks and Brunson were chosen by the Peabody Board of Jurors in a unanimous vote and will be recognized at the 84th Annual Peabody Awards ceremony on June 9 in Los Angeles.

“Mel Brooks is not only one of the most beloved comedians of all time, but he literally set the standard for television comedy from its earliest days. Across TV, film, theater, and recordings, Mr. Brooks is in a league of his own. And Quinta Brunson has emerged as a refreshingly creative force in network television comedy,” said Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody, in a statement. “Peabody is proud to honor Mel and Quinta not only for their extraordinary contributions as storytellers,...

There's a certain type of actor that likes to brag about performing their own stunts. Obviously, this kind of bravado is a given — and a source of tremendous excitement — when we're talking about martial arts stars like Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, and Scott Adkins. They can make physical combat look elegant and playful, or, in the case of guys like Adkins, just flat-out brutal. But we also hear likewise about folks like Harrison Ford, Angelina Jolie and, of course, Tom Cruise — folks who like to mix it up as much as they can.

As someone who can no longer ride a rollercoaster without fainting, I envy these people for their fearlessness. What a gift — or a touch of madness — it must be willing to jump off a speeding van onto a moving car (as Michelle Yeoh did in "Police Story 3: Super Cop").

You'd think Ryan Gosling would be of...

10. Not Another Teen Movie (2001)

Tired of the repetitive teen rom-coms of the 1990s, director Joel Gallen decided to make his own — and arguably, one of the best by far. In perhaps the most classic teen movie tale, a popular high-school jock gets challenged by his friends to turn a shy and bullied girl into a prom queen… And hopelessly falls in love with her.

You can watch Not Another Teen Movie on Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video.

9. Scary Movie (2000)

A very similar thought occurred to Keenen Ivory Wayans, the director of Scary Movie who pumped his flick full with the most popular horror cliches of the 1990s — and still produced a greatly entertaining film. A group of teenagers who accidentally killed a man is haunted by a mysterious mumbling killer who picks them off one by one.

You can watch Scary Movie on Max, Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video.

8. This Is Spinal Tap...