Kevin M. Flanagan received his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015 in English/Film studies (his dissertation: The British War Film, 1939-1980: Culture, History, and, Genre). A book based on this project is under contract with Palgrave (part of the Britain and the World series). Flanagan is also the editor of 2009’s Ken Russell: Re-Viewing England’s Last … Continue reading Discussing THE DEVILS (1971) with Kevin Flanagan
The Doors Are Always Open at The Phantom Playhouse
A gentle reminder that The Phantom Playhouse - Cinebeats' sister site focused on horror cinema - is open for business and the tickets are always free. Its been updated recently and collects articles or links to all of my horror focused writing. If you know me you know that horror is my favorite film genre … Continue reading The Doors Are Always Open at The Phantom Playhouse
It’s Lovecraft Season!
Like many horror aficionados, I enjoy reading horror fiction as well as watching horror movies. And as summer makes way for autumn I’ve been indulging in a bit of both. Much like my fellow Morlock Richard Harland Smith, I eagerly await this time of year. It gives me an excuse to spend my free time focused … Continue reading It’s Lovecraft Season!
MISTRESS OF MENACE: BARBARA STEELE IN THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961)
“There was a depth to her. On the surface she was a beautiful brunette woman. Beneath that–and you could almost get poetic here looking into her eyes–you could see layer, upon layer, upon layer. I could probably best, and inadequately, describe it as a kind of exotic mystery.” – Roger Corman on Barbara Steele … Continue reading MISTRESS OF MENACE: BARBARA STEELE IN THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961)
10 Fun Facts About THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1952)
THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (’52) is available to stream on FilmStruck until October and if you haven’t seen this science fiction classic it’s a terrific opportunity to get caught up with one of the most acclaimed genre films released during the 1950s. If you have already seen it, you’ll find that it’s a great … Continue reading 10 Fun Facts About THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1952)
Introducing Laurence Harvey: House of Darkness (1948)
A few weeks ago I wrote about Anthony Mann’s last film (A Dandy in Aspic) featuring Laurence Harvey in one of his best roles. At the time I expressed how much I liked Harvey even though many critics are quick to dismiss him. His reputation has been badly tarnished over the years thanks to shoddy … Continue reading Introducing Laurence Harvey: House of Darkness (1948)
NEW ON BLU-RAY: ROGER CORMAN’S THE TRIP (1967)
Republishing this in honor of the late Peter Fonda who passed away on August 16, 2019 In 1966, Roger Corman was enjoying the surprising success of The Wild Angels (1966), a trailblazing biker film that he directed and produced for American International Pictures. The studio had made the film for a mere $360,000 and it netted more … Continue reading NEW ON BLU-RAY: ROGER CORMAN’S THE TRIP (1967)
LOOKING INTO THE EYE OF THE DEVIL
EYE OF THE DEVIL (1966 aka 13) opens with an imaginative minute-long montage that reduces the entire film down to a series of disorientating images. It’s an impressive and beautifully edited beginning that you might expect to see at the start of an Ingmar Bergman film or in the middle of an Eisenstein picture and it … Continue reading LOOKING INTO THE EYE OF THE DEVIL
OUT OF THE CLOSET: TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL (2015)
On September 19 TCM is airing a Tab Hunter double feature. More info about programming can be found at the end of my post. Everyone loves a Hollywood tragedy. The violent murders of Sharon Tate and Sal Mineo generate more press and web articles than the body of work they left behind while the estates … Continue reading OUT OF THE CLOSET: TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL (2015)
REMEMBERING BRUCE LEE ON HIS 75TH BIRTHDAY
“Here we are . . . still talking about him. And for good reason. He tried to live what he believed. When you see him on screen you’re not just seeing a performance, you’re seeing the real human being.” – Shannon Lee, Bruce Lee’s daughter. Tomorrow, November 27, marks what would have been Bruce Lee’s … Continue reading REMEMBERING BRUCE LEE ON HIS 75TH BIRTHDAY
THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED… “MURDER!”
Narciso Ibáñez Serrador’s THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED (1969) is often cited as one of Spain’s most important and influential horror films but its audience is typically restricted to genre fanatics. The highly sexualized content and graphic murders depicted in this gothic thriller limit its appeal. But the commercial success of THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED during the late 1960s … Continue reading THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED… “MURDER!”
Celebrate LGBT+ Pride Month with Cinema
This an update to my original LGBT+ Pride Month post first published in 2015 that you can find here. As a film journalist, I have often tried to focus my attention on underappreciated films, unsung actors and lesser-known directors. Unsurprisingly, this has led me to write about a number of LGBT+ films and television programs … Continue reading Celebrate LGBT+ Pride Month with Cinema
