Alam Nyo Ba?

One of the most underrated movies of the nineties was undoubtedly Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners. When Universal released it in 1996, it came and went without much notice, but it proved to be an important film in Jackson’s career. It was his first big-budget Hollywood movie following Bad Taste, Braindead, and Heavenly Creatures, with its success behind the scenes paving the way for him to direct The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It starred Michael J. Fox as a con artist who uses his psychic abilities to eke out a living with the help of his ghostly pals, played by Jeffrey Combs, Chi McBride, and the great John Astin.

While a box office dud, The Frighteners found a second life following The Lord of the Rings, building a devoted cult following. It also became one of the standout DVD releases of the early format, thanks to a 14-minute-longer director’s cut and an exhaustive four-hour making-of documentary that was really the first of its kind. In many ways, it paved the way for the extensive special features Jackson would later include with his Lord of the Rings releases.

Now, Arrow Video is bringing The Frighteners to 4K, with the set arriving on October 26, just in time for Halloween. The three-disc release will include both the theatrical and director’s cuts in 4K Ultra HD, with the director’s cut also featuring an audio commentary by Jackson.

Uniquely, Arrow is also including open matte versions of both cuts on a separate Blu-ray. Because the movie was shot in Super 35, the open matte presentations reveal additional picture information, making them a fascinating alternative way to experience the film.

The third disc is loaded with special features, including:

• No Way to Make a Living: A Look Back at The Frighteners, a feature-length documentary produced in 2022 featuring new interviews with Dee Wallace, Jake Busey, cinematographer John Blick, production designer Grant Major, creature and miniature effects supervisor Richard Taylor, visual effects supervisor Wes Takahashi, and producer/editor Jamie Selkirk.
• The Making of The Frighteners, an exhaustive 225-minute documentary exploring every aspect of the film’s production, from script development and casting to post-production and release, originally produced in 1998 for the LaserDisc release, complete with Jackson’s 2005 retrospective introduction.
• A Conversation with Richard Taylor and Alexandre Poncet, a 2022 interview with the man behind the film’s creature and miniature effects.
• Image gallery.

Nearly thirty years after its release, The Frighteners remains one of Peter Jackson’s most entertaining and underrated films, and this looks like the definitive home video release.

Will you be picking up The Frighteners on 4K? Let us know in the comments!

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PLOT: Follows a grieving engineer tasked with testing a ruthless tech giant’s new artificially intelligent android. But when he attempts to program her to be a truly sentient soulmate, she develops needs of her own – unleashing a relentless spree of precision-engineered mayhem.

REVIEW: I’m not sure any franchise has had a stranger path than M3GAN. The first film took the world by storm, and it seemed like it would be a staple for Blumhouse. So a sequel and spinoff were quickly put into production. But once the sequel absolutely bombed, the spinoff was left in limbo. It didn’t help that films like Companion and Obsession have come, gone, succeeded, and followed similar plot beats. Now, Soulm8te is finally getting a direct-to-streaming release (it’s now available on all digital platforms). But was it really worth all this trouble?

Soulm8te (it physically pains me to type that number every time) follows a recently widowed engineer, David, who beta tests his company’s companion robot. When I say companion, I’m sure you know what I’m getting at. But it’s more than just sexy times, as he alters her code, allowing her more sentience than intended. Now, the robot is taking an unhealthy obsession with him, and things get deadly. In case you couldn’t tell, I’m really trying to hammer in the point that this is very similar to the previously mentioned films. But comparisons should never be enough to doom a film, so I tried never to hold the similarities against it.

I really felt for David, who manages to be a bit pathetic but never so far that you don’t want to root for him. And if there’s anyone who’s going to form a bond with an AI, it’s probably a grieving widow who can’t connect with other human beings at the moment. I wish this was more of the focus, as it’s a problem that’s currently going on in society. But it’s brushed past fairly quickly, and they don’t fully take advantage of the concept. The star of the show is Lily Sullivan as Sara, the AI Android who doesn’t fully understand the world around her but is trying to. With a lesser actress, this could have been a more one-dimensional villain but Sullivan really nails Sara’s curiosity.

Unlike other films, where the robot is so human-like, you practically can’t differentiate between the two, these Soulm8tes still act very robotic. It’s why David has to change her code, because he wants to have a more human experience. But whether it’s her cadence, posture, or even body movement, we never lose sight of the fact that Sara is a robot. And that’s all on Lily, who is always evolving the character as she moves through the story, learning more, while still keeping the core of who she is in plain sight.

I was surprised by the R Rating but it’s mostly for nudity versus violence. If anything, I was disappointed at how much is done offscreen. A few insert shots could have really gone a long way. Just like with M3GAN, there’s no impact with any of the kills. They just sort of happen, and there doesn’t seem to be enough resistance from the victim. Takes away some of the suspense when characters don’t even care about their own lives.

Soulm8te showcases why it’s a terrible idea to base your personality around wellness influencers. We see as Sara tries to better herself from watching these videos online, only to give herself weird complexes about herself, that weren’t there before. The best of horror has an underlying social commentary and moments like that are where it gets interesting. There are just too many other times where the film wants to handhold us and doesn’t trust the viewer enough to come to the right conclusion on their own. I’m not sure whether this is due to studio notes or what, but I will always hate overexplaining. Sometimes a little bit of mystery can go a very long ways.

I know this film was delayed half a year, but with plot beats like employees having a return to office mandate, this practically feels like it was made during Covid. My dislike for M3GAN means I may not have been the most eagle-eyed viewer when it comes to Easter Eggs or references to that series. I’m sure there’s something present, but this mostly just seems to be in the world of AI-powered robots. If anything, it was a little strange, as there were plenty of opportunities

Soulm8te is easily the most I’ve ever enjoyed an entry in the M3gan franchise so I’ll consider that a win. It’s more sincere than I was expecting and it features great performances from both Sullivan and Rysdahl. It’s just following very similar plot beats of two of the best horror films of the last decade, so it’s sure to invite comparisons.

SOULM8TE

AVERAGE

6

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Arrow Video is celebrating a batch of largely-forgotten direct-to-video action movies with Enter the Video Store: Video Vengeance, a new five-disc Blu-ray box set that puts the spotlight on cult revenge thrillers from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The biggest draw for many fans will likely be Joshua Tree (also released as Army of One), starring Dolph Lundgren as a man framed for murder who escapes prison and goes on the run while hunting the corrupt cop responsible for destroying his life. Directed by legendary stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong, the film receives a brand-new 2K restoration and includes both the R-rated theatrical version and the unrated cut through seamless branching.

But Joshua Tree is only one part of Arrow’s latest nostalgia trip. The collection also includes:

• Ministry of Vengeance (1989), starring John Schneider as a minister who trades the pulpit for an assault rifle after terrorists murder his family.
• The Final Alliance (1990), featuring David Hasselhoff as an ex-Marine battling a corrupt sheriff and a biker gang led by John Saxon.
• R.O.T.O.R. (1987), the infamous cult favorite about a rogue robotic police officer dispensing deadly justice across Texas.
• Hangfire (1991), with Brad Davis and Ken Foree teaming up against escaped convicts holding a family hostage.

Each film receives either a new or updated high-definition restoration along with a healthy slate of bonus features that include new audio commentaries, cast and crew interviews, visual essays, trailers, and image galleries. Joshua Tree also includes archival commentary with Vic Armstrong, new interviews with the director, alternate ending material, and retrospective featurettes. Check out the details on the Arrow Video website!

The limited edition package features newly commissioned artwork, reversible sleeves, and a collector’s book containing new essays on the films from Paul Lê, Jennie Kermode, Yasmina Ketita, Russell Lee, and John Torrani.

Arrow has built a reputation for giving overlooked genre titles the same deluxe treatment usually reserved for Hollywood classics, and Video Vengeance looks like another release aimed squarely at collectors who grew up browsing the action aisle at their local video store. I remember watching R.O.T.O.R. as a kid, but I think I missed out on the rest of these, and they all sound really cool.

Will you be picking up a copy of Enter the Video Store: Video Vengeance? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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The cast of The Conjuring: First Communion continues to grow. Just weeks after New Line announced that Garrett Wareing and Amanda Fix would be playing younger versions of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, a new report from TheWrap reveals that Charles Parnell, Marta Kessler, and Caleb Dolden have officially joined the supernatural horror prequel.

The trio joins an ensemble that already includes Wareing, Fix, and Matthias Schweighöfer. While the identities of the newly announced characters remain a secret, the additions show that the project remains on track for its September 10, 2027 theatrical release.

The Conjuring: First Communion explores the early years of Ed and Lorraine Warren

The Conjuring: First Communion will tell an early story centered on Ed and Lorraine Warren, years before the events of The Conjuring (2013), where the paranormal investigators were portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga (who returned for all of the sequels).

New Line has yet to reveal plot details, but the film will focus on the younger versions of the Warrens as they begin the journey that eventually turns them into the world’s most famous paranormal investigators.

Rodrigue Huart is directing the film from a screenplay by Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg, the writers behind The Conjuring: Last Rites. Franchise architects James Wan and Peter Safran are producing through Atomic Monster and The Safran Company, with John Rickard, Natalia Safran, Romel Adam, Michael Clear, and Judson Scott also involved behind the scenes.

Charles Parnell leads the latest casting additions

Among the new cast members, Charles Parnell is the biggest name. He’s well known for his performances in Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, The Killer, The Mandalorian, and The Last Ship.

Joining him are rising young actors Marta Kessler, who earned a Children’s & Family Emmy nomination for The Mysterious Benedict Society and also appeared in The Santa Clauses, and Caleb Dolden, who horror fans may recognize from Peacock’s Teacup, produced by Atomic Monster.

The Conjuring Universe remains horror’s biggest franchise

Although The Conjuring: Last Rites was promoted as the conclusion of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s storyline, it proved there is still audience interest in the franchise. The film earned nearly $500 million worldwide on a $55 million budget.

Since launching with James Wan’s original The Conjuring in 2013, the franchise has expanded to include four mainline films, the Annabelle trilogy, both The Nun movies, and The Curse of La Llorona. Combined, the films have generated more than $2.7 billion worldwide, making the Conjuring Universe the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time.

A television expansion is also in development, with Nancy Won attached as writer, executive producer, and showrunner for a streaming series set within the franchise.

What do you think of the latest additions to the cast of The Conjuring: First Communion? Are you looking forward to seeing the younger Ed and Lorraine Warren take center stage? Let us know in the comments below.

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I feel like a broken record at this point with my “there’s been a lot of shark movies this year” spiel. It’s gotten pretty out of control but we’re in the deep end and just taking them as they come. Some are okay while others are absolute dumpster fires. Now, Kathryn Newton and Lana Condor are facing off against a bull shark and trying to get out with their lives in The Devil’s Mouth. I like shark movies, so despite the overabundance of them currently, I’ll always be open to giving them a shot. You can check out my review of the film HERE.

I was fortunate enough to spend a little time with Kathryn Newton and Jeff Wadlow discussing the film. Kathryn is one of the most charismatic people I’ve spoken with and she was sure to give horror fans their props. I’ve always been impressed with how actors are able to maintain high energy level during production, especially when it involves action and swimming. Turns out, according to Kathryn, the key is food. Both Jeff and Kathryn are fans of JoBlo so this was a great talk, that you can check out in the embedded video above.

The Devil’s Mouth plot:

A group of college friends’ Thailand adventure turns deadly when they become trapped in submerged caves with a dangerous predator. As oxygen runs low, past conflicts emerge in their desperate fight for survival.

The Devil’s Mouth is streaming on Prime Video on July 29th, 2026.

The post Kathryn Newton and director Jeff Wadlow talk the challenges of their new shark film, The Devil’s Mouth appeared first on JoBlo.

After making its debut at San Diego Comic-Con last weekend, the official trailer for Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence has finally been released online, giving fans their best look yet at the first new Killer Tomatoes movie in more than three decades. Check it out in the embed above!

The fifth film in the long-running cult franchise embraces modern technology while staying true to the series’ absurd roots, combining classic B-movie insanity with tech satire.

Here’s the synopsis:

A young biotech prodigy develops a revolutionary genetically engineered vegetable designed to solve humanity’s problems. But when the experiment spirals out of control, it unleashes a new generation of killer tomatoes, setting the stage for another outrageous chapter in the long-running cult franchise.

A Cult Franchise Returns

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence marks the long-awaited fifth entry in one of the world’s strangest franchises.

The original Attack of the Killer Tomatoes debuted in 1978 as a low-budget parody of creature features and became a cult sensation. It eventually spawned three sequels, an animated television series, and a Nintendo game. You can even see an early performance from George Clooney in 1988’s Return of the Killer Tomatoes!

Returning Faces and New Cast

Longtime franchise fans will be pleased to see John Astin return once again as Professor Gangreen, alongside an ensemble cast that includes:

• David Koechner
• Eric Roberts
• Catherine Corcoran
• Dan Bakkedahl
• Myrna Velasco
• Vernée Watson
• Paul Bates
• Zachary Roozen
• Samantha Bailey
• Noor Razooky

The film is directed by David Ferino, with producers Michael Polis and Roger M. Mayer overseeing the latest chapter of the franchise.

In Theatres Beginning August 7

The film will begin rolling out in select U.S. theatres starting August 7, launching in cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and San Diego before expanding to additional markets later in the month. Fans can also sign up through the film’s official website to request screenings in their area.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or someone discovering the franchise for the first time, one thing is certain: the Killer Tomatoes are back, and they’re smarter than ever. What did you think of the trailer? Are you excited to see Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence, or do you think some cult classics are better left untouched? Let us know in the comments below.

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Netflix has released the first teaser trailer for Below, a new horror series starring Josh Hartnett, Charlie Heaton, and Mackenzie Davis that blends small-town mystery, creature horror, and psychological suspense. The series premieres October 8, and the newly released footage teases a terrifying force emerging from the waters off the coast of Newfoundland. Check out the trailer in the embed above.

What is Below about?

Here’s the official synopsis:

Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett) is a big‑hearted but stubborn fisherman living in a small Newfoundland town, who’s still haunted by his father’s mysterious death from decades ago. When an unidentified sea creature begins terrorizing his hometown, Calvin must fight to hold his close-knit community together. Determined to keep his son Wade (Charlie Heaton) and the rest of his family safe, he teams up with a visiting marine researcher (Mackenzie Davis) to confront the creature and reveal the island’s buried secrets before it’s too late. Blending local myth, thrilling suspense, and heartfelt humour, this twisty six-part limited series dives into themes of family, community, and change – both terrifying and inevitable.

Josh Hartnett says he was hooked immediately

Speaking with Netflix’s Tudum, Hartnett said he immediately knew he wanted to be part of the project.

“I read the first two scripts so quickly, in less than an hour. The voice was so clear, the concept was so engaging, and the character was fantastic. I’d never read anything like it before.”

Series creator Jesse McKeown said the setting was inspired by his love of Newfoundland and its dramatic coastline.

“It’s such a unique landscape and so rugged, dangerous, isolated, and scary in a lot of ways. But then there’s also this other side to it — the community is so warm, and the people are so funny, and there are many eccentricities about the place.”

Filmed on location in Newfoundland

Rather than relying heavily on soundstages and visual effects, the production shot extensively on location in Newfoundland to capture the region’s rugged coastline and fishing culture. Hartnett immersed himself in the local community while preparing for the role.

“[One of the actors] and I went off with a couple of lobsters, a pot, grabbed some water out of the sea, and he told me all these stories. He had so much knowledge of the history of the island and the people; listening to him speak helped a lot.”

To perfect the local accent, Hartnett listened to Newfoundland radio every day, while Charlie Heaton spent time meeting locals in neighborhood bars.

The actors also spent time filming on the open ocean rather than on green-screen sets.

“We were out with the Coast Guard on the water, driving these boats, and I’m actually out in the ocean kayaking,” Heaton said. “I’ve done a lot of work on practical locations in Stranger Things, but I’ve never been out on the ocean like that, which is insane.”

For Mackenzie Davis, the project offered something different from her previous work.

“Josh and I were like two buddy cops solving a mystery. I’ve never done that in anything else … I like being in that world so much. Below is a show I’d want to watch. I want to watch shows that are funny and scary and smart and propulsive and have a brain behind them. It has all those things, which is rarer than you might think.”

What did you think of the first trailer? Will Below be your next horror binge? Let us know in the comments.

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