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A year after starring in cult favorite Heathers, Christian Slater made noise with another movie that has since earned a loyal following. Decades before podcasters started using their medium for raw confessionals, writer-director Allan Moyle’s Pump Up the Volume featured Slater as a high school student and pirate radio DJ who causes a stir with candid commentary from his alter ego, “Hard Harry.”

Moyle, who would later helm the well-regarded 1995 teen movie Empire Records, had written an unpublished novel that became the basis for Pump Up the Volume. John Cusack was considered for the role before it went to Slater.

“I’m quite surprised that it got greenlit when it did, but I doubt very much that it would get greenlit today,” says producer Rupert Harvey, who notes that New Line’s later projects, including the Lord of the Rings franchise, were considerably more ambitious. Scott Paulin, Ellen Greene...

"Captain America: New World Order" is just a couple weeks away, bringing the star-spangled man back to the big screen in his own solo venture in nearly a decade. Of course, it will be Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson wearing the suit and throwing the shield this time, rather than Chris Evans' Steve Rogers. Regardless, any Marvel Cinematic Universe sub-series getting a fourth installment is a big deal ... although there have been more feature-length "Captain America" movies than just the ones produced by Marvel Studios.

Yup, today we're talking about 1990's "Captain America," the $3-million feature directed by late B-movie legend Albert Pyun. Although the film was conceived as a theatrical release, those plans changed when the production hit financial problems, leading to a direct-to-video rollout. A planned $40-million budget was canceled late in planning, dooming the project from the start. These days, the film is seen as little more than a hilarious curiosity,...

Michael J. Fox's best-known 80s film may be Back to the Future, but his 1985 comedy film Teen Wolf has had quite the impact itself. Teen Wolf lands on Max this upcoming January.

On January 1st, Fox’s coming-of-age comedy, Teen Wolf, will be available to stream on Max. The film was initially released on August 23rd, 1985, shortly after Back to the Future was released just a month prior, on July 3rd. Directed by Rob Daniel, the original Teen Wolf saw Fox as the titular teen wolf, Scott Howard. In a twist of the typical coming-of-age story, Scott’s life is changed by his newly discovered werewolf form.

Related Teen Wolf: How the 1985 Michael J. Fox Comedy Spawned a Drama Franchise

A look at how a goofy little satire of 1980s high school movies called Teen Wolf starring Michael J. Fox spawned Paramount+'s Teen Wolf: The Movie.

The original Teen Wolf,...

A long-lost Marvel movie has finally been found. While the MCU has now brought the likes of Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America to a much wider audience, these were far from the first efforts to bring these beloved characters to the screen in live-action. After several made-for-tv movies, director Albert Pyun was given the reins to Captain America in 1990 but, sadly, the movie was mauled by those who saw it, and currently stands at just 6% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the Marvel outing has since garnered something of a cult following, and now, various reports on social media have revealed that a myth surrounding the movie is indeed true: a director’s cut exists, and it has been found.

Directed by Albert Pyun, the late filmmaker known for low-budget, high-concept genre fare, and written by Stephen Tolkin, 1990’s Captain America stars Matt Salinger in the title role alongside Ronny Cox,...

Cult classics from the 1980s set new standards in horror, blending genres and introducing influential ideas. Films like Cat People and Gothic may not be mainstream, but they deserve recognition for their impact. The 1980s gave us underrated gems like The Return of the Living Dead, Christine, and From Beyond that deserve more credit.

The 1980s were a fantastic time for horror movies and were full of cult classics that just didn't get enough credit. While acclaimed horror movies like The Shining or massive franchises like Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street have dominated the conversation around 1980s horror, its important to shine a light on all the other great movies out there. The best cult classics were beloved by horror enthusiasts but sadly didnt have as much resonance for a mainstream audience and have been lying idle, just waiting to be rediscovered.

Many cult classics never got...

Red Skull's terrifying appearance in Captain America (1990) makes Scott Paulin's rendition the scariest live-action version of the villain. Despite critical reception of the movie, Scott Paulin's haunting performance as Red Skull adds a memorable and terrifying element to the film. Paulin's expressive villainous role contrasts with Hugo Weaving's portrayal, making the 1990 version of Red Skull more haunting and unforgettable.

Red Skull is one of Marvel Comics' scariest villains, and a 34-year-old Marvel movie helped to prove this fact with a comic-accurate rendition of the Captain America villain. Red Skull is one of the oldest villains in Marvel Comics and the arch-nemesis of Steve Rogers' Captain America. Red Skull's striking appearance resulted from the character being injected with an early and underdeveloped form of the same Super Soldier Serum that gave Rogers his powers and helped to make the character so memorable.

Red Skull made his MCU debut...

One of the curious things about "The Twilight Zone's" enduring popularity is that Rod Serling's classic anthology series has been rebooted three separate times, and even spun off into movies, and yet the original series is still considered the gold standard. You'll hear "Star Trek" fans sing the praises of "The Original Series," sure, but you'll also find lots of them who think the franchise peaked with "The Next Generation," "Deep Space Nine," or "Enterprise." But the reboots of the "Twilight Zone" aren't nearly as well remembered or celebrated as the original series, no matter how many great filmmakers or actors appeared in them.

Take the first TV reboot, for example. That version of "The Twilight Zone" aired for three seasons between 1985 and 1989 — peak, influential pop culture years — and featured episodes directed by cinematic luminaries like Wes Craven, Joe Dante, John Milius, Curtis Harrington, Bill Duke, Martha Coolidge,...

To celebrate the release of Teen Wolf coming to Blu-Ray and DVD on September 4th we have 2 Blu-Rays to give away!

Teen Wolf is an outrageous comedy about a shy teenager with more than a changing voice to contend with- he’s a budding young werewolf! And when his newfound powers help him score at basketball – and with the popular girls – he has some pretty hairy decisions to make.

Cast: Michael J. Fox, James Hampton, Scott Paulin, Susan Ursitti, Jerry Levine and Jay Tarses.

What’s a high school kid got to do to be popular? Just let down his hair and howl! Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future Trilogy) stars in the 1985 classic 80s cult comedy Teen Wolf on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Extras: Never. Say. Die. The Story of Teen Wolf – A comprehensive documentary about the making and legacy of the film, including brand-new interviews with the writers Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman,...

Filmmaker William Friedkin forever changed horror with 1973’s The Exorcist, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. He returned to the genre again in 1980 with the Giallo-like thriller Cruising and fearlessly got weird with gory folk horror The Guardian in 1990. Fearless perfectly encapsulates Friedkin’s style and his approach to life; he was never afraid to speak his mind or direct productions too peculiar or niche for mainstream audiences. The not-so-easily defined psychological thriller Bug, and its mixed initial reception, speaks to this.

That likely stemmed from Friedkin’s upbringing and his early career start in nonfiction. Bridging his path from his earlier work in commercials and documentaries to his seminal horror effort was television. It was a single episode of a popular anthology series from a horror master that kickstarted Friedkin’s career in fiction, and Friedkin never seemed to forget it.

While the acclaimed director continued to trailblaze in film,...

Reginald VelJohnson will reprise his role as David Sutton in the Turner and Hooch sequel series on Disney+. The upcoming series, which stars Josh Peck as the son of Tom Hanks' character from the original movie, was developed by Burn Notice creator Matt Nix. Though the series will be following a new Turner and a new Hooch, VelJohnson's appearance marks at least one link back to the original movie.

Deadline reports that Reginald VelJohnson will be featured in a recurring role on the Turner & Hooch series, so he won't be limited to a one-off cameo appearance. Playing a cop in the original movie, VelJohnson's David Sutton is now the mayor of the city. Hanks is not currently attached to the project and there are not currently any plans to feature the original Scott Turner at this time. It's unclear if any other actors from the original movie will also be appearing.

The classic buddy comedy movie Turner and Hooch is getting a revival, as a TV series adaptation is in early development at Disney+. Released in 1989, the original starred Tom Hanks as a detective who partners up with a canine to fight crime. As part of a deal with 20th Century Fox TV, Matt Nix (The Gifted) has signed on to write and executive produce the series. Because the series is still in its very early stages, there aren't any additional details on the project at this time.

Turner & Hooch was originally supposed to be directed by Henry Winkler, who had a fued with Tom Hanks. Director Roger Spottiswoode stepped into replace Winkler, working with producer Raymond Wagner. Beverly Hills Cop writer Daniel Petrie Jr. also co-wrote and executive produced the movie. Along with Hanks, the movie starred Mare Winningham, Craig T. Nelson, Reginald VelJohnson, Scott Paulin, and Beasley the Dog as Hooch.

A “Turner & Hooch” television series is in the works at streaming service Disney Plus, bringing back to life the 1989 Tom Hanks buddy comedy that pairs a detective with a dog as they set out to solve crime.

Matt Nix, known for “The Gifted” and “Burn Notice,” is attached to write and executive produce the Disney Plus series. Nix has an overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV, the studio behind this TV re-imagination.

It is not yet clear how faithful the adaptation will be to the original film. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, the late ’80s story centered on Scott Turner, a “compulsively neat” detective whose “tidy world goes to the dogs when he’s forced to team up with a drooling slob of a junkyard dog named Hooch.” The original starred Hanks, Mare Winningham, Reginald VelJohnson, Scott Paulin, J.C. Quinn and Craig Nelson, and is currently available on Disney Plus.

Exclusive: Jake McDorman (What We Do in the Shadows) and Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones) are set to star opposite Patrick J. Adams in National Geographic’s scripted series The Right Stuff, based on Tom Wolfe’s best-selling nonfiction book. They will play three of the seven astronauts who comprised the famed Mercury Seven. Cast as the remaining four are Aaron Staton (Narcos: Mexico), Michael Trotter (Underground), Micah Stock (Escape at Dannemora) and James Lafferty (Castle Rock).

The Right Stuff, from Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, takes a look at what would become America’s first “reality show,” as ambitious astronauts and their families become instant celebrities in a competition that either will kill them or make them immortal in the quest to be a part of Project Mercury.

Adams plays Maj. John Glenn, a revered test pilot and committed family man with unwavering principles; McDorman portrays Alan Shepard,...

1981: General Hospital's Lesley had no shortage of admirers.

1985: Daniel confessed his love for Krystle on Dynasty.

1989: Gl's Reva and Sonni walked across a suspension bridge.

2009: The wedding of All My Children's Reese and Bianca began."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1939: Virgina Payne joined the cast of radio soap opera The Carters of Elm Street as Ms. Carter. Payne was best known for her 27-year run as "Ma Perkins".

1974: Joseph Gallison debuted on Days of our Lives as Neil Curtis, a role...

1981: General Hospital's Lesley had no shortage of admirers.

1985: Daniel confessed his love for Krystle on Dynasty.

1989: Gl's Reva and Sonni walked across a suspension bridge.

2009: The wedding of All My Children's Reese and Bianca began."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."

― Machiavelli

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1939: Virgina Payne joined the cast of radio soap opera The...

In addition to being a war hero and senator, John Glenn — who passed away late last week at the age of 95 — was an astronaut between 1958 and 1964. That tenure is part of the drama in 1983’s “The Right Stuff,” perhaps the best drama ever made about Nasa (sorry, “Apollo 13”). To honor Glenn, AMC Theatres is re-releasing the film between now and this Thursday, December 15.

Read More: Having ‘The Right Stuff’: Ed Harris and Jeff Goldblum Reflect On the Most Realistic Space Drama

Ed Harris plays Glenn in Philip Kaufman’s film, which is based on Tom Wolfe’s 1979 book of the same name; also aboard the ensemble cast are Charles Frank, Scott Glenn, Lance Henriksen, Scott Paulin, Dennis Quaid, Sam Shepard and Fred Ward. “The Right Stuff” won four Academy awards (Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing and Best Original Score) and was nominated for four more,...

Our series on remakes continues and this time we’ve got one that you may not even realize was filmed in live-action before. In honor of the release of Captain America: Civil War on Friday, we’re talking about the star spangled man with the plan. This week, Cinelinx looks at Captain America: The First Avenger.

It’s not too often that a remake is much, much, much better than the original but we have one of those rare instances in the case of Captain America. Years before Captain America: The First Avenger, the first movie version of the star-spangled hero of WW2 was filmed in 1990 and directed by Albert Pyun.

This movie…was awful! It has a 9% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and went directly to a video release, wisely bypassing theaters to prevent millions of people demanding their money back. Captain America is played in this mess by Matt Salinger,...

Lance Henriksen: A Survivor’s Tale

A seminal event happened to actor Lance Henriksen in his late teens that serves as the perfect metaphor for his life: Henriksen was working at a rural New Mexico gas station, and was taken in by the couple who owned it. They had a teenage daughter a couple years his junior. One day, figuring Lance and his daughter were getting a bit too chummy; the man drove Henriksen out to the middle of the desert. “All winter long, the frost has been pushing up these beautiful amethyst stones,” the man explained. “I’ll drop you off and you can collect them, then come back and sell them for a lot of money.” Henriksen stayed half the night, and then started to succumb to the desert’s freezing temperatures. “I dug a hole and buried myself up to my chest, with a fire in front of me.

Recently, ABC released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Castle" episode 6 of season 7. The episode is entitled, "Time Of Our Lives," and it sounds like things will get quite eerie As Castle finds himself in some sort of alternate universe where he never ever met Beckett, and it will end up, resulting in their long awaited marriage, and more! In the new, 6th episode press release: "A murder investigation is going to launch Castle into what seems to be an alternate universe where he's never met Kate Beckett. Castle is going to have to convince Beckett, Esposito and Ryan -- now complete strangers -- to let him participate in their investigation so he can find his way back to his own world. This will inspire Castle & Beckett to finally take a trip to the altar." Guest stars will feature: Julian Scott Urena as Renzo Conrad, David Francis Harris as Mathias Gensler,...

Well, the big day is finally here! After leading the Avengers in stopping an alien invasion Summer before last, our favorite shield-slinger returns to the multiplexes in an all new solo adventure (well, he’s got some help from the Black Widow and the high-flyin’ Falcon)! Before you head out, you may want to brush up on all things Steve Rogers (don’t worry, this won’t be on the final!)! Have fun and buy bonds!

Read my original review of Captain America Here.

Here’s my original article that ran on Wamg before Captain America: The First Avenger was released in 2011.

The very first appearance of the sentinel of liberty.

Okay fellow movie geeks! Ready for a bit of pop culture history? Before you head out to the multiplex this weekend to see Paramount’s Captain America: The First Avenger, let’s get better acquainted with the story of this star-spangled superhero.

‘Gilda,’ ‘Pulp Fiction’: 2013 National Film Registry movies (photo: Rita Hayworth in ‘Gilda’) See previous post: “‘Mary Poppins’ in National Film Registry: Good Timing for Disney’s ‘Saving Mr. Banks.’” Billy Woodberry’s UCLA thesis film Bless Their Little Hearts (1984). Stanton Kaye’s Brandy in the Wilderness (1969). The Film Group’s Cicero March (1966), about a Civil Rights march in an all-white Chicago suburb. Norbert A. Myles’ Daughter of Dawn (1920), with Hunting Horse, Oscar Yellow Wolf, Esther Labarre. Bill Morrison’s Decasia (2002), featuring decomposing archival footage. Alfred E. Green’s Ella Cinders (1926), with Colleen Moore, Lloyd Hughes, Vera Lewis. Fred M. Wilcox’s Forbidden Planet (1956), with Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Warren Stevens, Jack Kelly, Robby the Robot. Charles Vidor’s Gilda (1946), with Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, George Macready. John and Faith Hubley’s Oscar-winning animated short The Hole (1962). Stanley Kramer’s Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), with Best Actor Oscar winner Maximilian Schell,...

Stars: Jesse Vint, Dawn Dunlap, June Chadwick, Linden Chiles, Fox Harris, Raymond Oliver, Scott Paulin, Michael Bowen, Don Olivera | Written by Tim Curnen, Jim Wynorski | Directed by Allan Holzman | Produced by Roger Corman

Set on a far off desert planet in a distant future, Forbidden World is a gory tale of a genetic experimentation that goes disastrously out of control. When Federation Commander Mike Colby (Jesse Vint) is sent to investigate reports that a scientific research team’s ambitious quest to create a brand new creature from human cells has gone horribly wrong, he makes a terrifying discovery. Now, there’s a monster on the loose and it’s threatening to wipe out all human life on the planet. Colby embarks on a desperate race against time to destroy the creature but unknown to him some people have a sinister interest in keeping the thing alive and completing the top...

Stars: Matt Salinger, Ronny Cox, Scott Paulin, Ned Beatty, Darren McGavin, Michael Nouri, Kim Gillingham, Melinda Dillon, Bill Mumy, Francesca Neri | Written by Stephen Tolkin | Directed by Albert Pyun

Some twenty-odd years ago I was an unassuming teenager who used to spend most evenings trawling the shelves of my local video store looking for the next “cool movie” to rent for the night. Also some twenty-odd years ago there was a brief flurry of Marvel-themed movies that, for the most part, debuted on VHS. Albert Pyun’s Captain America was one of those movies…

Produced by Menahem Golan under his 21st Century Film Corporation banner (after he split from his producing partner Yoram Globus and the Cannon Group) Captain America was helmed by a man who, even at the time, was (and still is) one of my all-time favourite directors, Albert Pyun. At the time Pyun was on something of a hot-streak,...

Shout! Factory has released a Blu-ray edition of the 1990 Captain America movie, a year after a DVD of the much-maligned film was released as a part of MGM’s Limited Edition collection. They deserve kudos for a nice, clean transfer but clarity and high definition cannot help a really weak story hampered by a low budget production.

As I wrote last year:

The film had actually been announced in the early 1980s from Cannon Films but in the intervening years, the studio folded and the right shifted a bit before Menahem Golan mounted it under his 21stCentury banner.

The movie languished in development until the rights were about to expire so director Albert Pyun urged Golan to let him take a crack at getting the film made for about $6 million. Marvel actually approved the script that was shot and Pyun loved its take on America’s fascination with heroism. If...

Hero Steve Rogers, a.k.a Captain America, can use his peak human powers to battle the forces of evil, but even he is no match for plot holes, budget constraints, and downright silly story choices. The 1990 Captain America film directed by Albert Pyun, the first live action film starring Marvel Comic’s iconic patriotic superhero, is a textbook example of what happens when a crew gives their all to a production that was doomed with an almost non-existent budget and tight filming schedule. Hit the jump for my Blu-ray review of Captain America. The story follows the exploits of sickly Steve Rogers (Matt Salinger), an all-American man who gives himself over to his country in order to battle the forces of Hitler in World War 2. He is the single candidate out of 600 that was deemed ideal to undergo the government’s secret Super Soldier program, developed to fill America...

Before 1998's Blade, Marvel Comics couldn't seem to catch a break when it came to movie versions of their different properties. In the wake of Iron Man 3 and The Avengers, I know that's very hard to believe. There was a serial for Captain America released in 1944 through Republic Pictures. George Lucas executive produced a live-action adaptation of Howard the Duck in 1986.

The next few years up to Wesley Snipes' take on the legendary vampire slayer were plagued with low-budget versions of the comic book publisher's characters. Dolph Lundgren's The Punisher couldn't even muster a theatrical release in the U.S. Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four never officially saw the light of day anywhere, although bootleg copies float around.

21st Century Film Corporation released Captain America straight to video in the middle of those two disasters. For many years, the movie was hard to get a hold...

Sneak Peek new footage, images and synopsis from the Season Finale "Castle" episode, titled "Watershed", written by Andrew Marlowe and directed by John Terlesky, airing May 13, 2013 on ABC, starring Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan, Molly Quinn, Penny Johnson Jerald, Tamala Jones, Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever:

"...an interview with a high-profile federal law enforcement agency forces 'Beckett' to reconsider what she wants out of her job -- and out of her relationship with 'Castle'.

"Meanwhile a body is found floating inside the water tank of a skid row flop house.

"But as the team investigate, they discover that her final resting place is just one of many strange things about her death..."

Also appearing in the episode are Kyle Secor, Scott Paulin, Niko Nicotera, Stacy Edwards and Mekenna Melvin.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Castle: Watershed"...

Sneak Peek new images and synopsis from the Season Finale "Castle" episode, titled "Watershed", written by Andrew Marlowe and directed by John Terlesky, airing May 13, 2013 on ABC, starring Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan, Molly Quinn, Penny Johnson Jerald, Tamala Jones, Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever:

"...an interview with a high-profile federal law enforcement agency forces 'Beckett' to reconsider what she wants out of her job -- and out of her relationship with 'Castle'.

"Meanwhile a body is found floating inside the water tank of a skid row flop house.

"But as the team investigate, they discover that her final resting place is just one of many strange things about her death..."

Also appearing in the episode are Kyle Secor, Scott Paulin, Niko Nicotera, Stacy Edwards and Mekenna Melvin.

Click the images to enlarge...

Steve Rogers happens to be the best candidate out of six hundred volunteers. He has the power to save millions. Only he could defeat a superhuman madman. But saving the world let him trapped in an icy grave until fate released him to finish a battle that started decades ago. Now an evil genius in on the verge of global domination and only Captain America can stop him! On May 21, 2013, Shout! Factory will unleash the long-awaited 1990 action sci-fi movie classic Captain America, starring Matt Salinger (What Dreams May Come), Ronny Cox (Total Recall, RoboCop), Ned Beatty (Toy Story 3, Superman), Darren McGavin (The X-Files), Michael Nouri (NCIS, Damages) and Scott Paulin (Castle, Jag), in a specialCollector’s Edition Blu-ray™. Available for the first time on Blu-ray™, Captain America Collector’S Edition features widescreen movie presentation in astonishing high-definition and insightful new interview with director Albert Pyun and actor...

What’s the best way to repair a botched “meet the parents” dinner? If you’re Castle writers, you let your headlining couple get called away to a murder and have them spend the rest of the hour on the run from a pack of ruthless mobsters. Throw in a plot twist or two and some warm fuzzies at the end and you’ve got an episode as satisfying as a full belly after Thanksgiving dinner.

As cliché as the token joint family dinner is at the beginning, Martha (Susan Sullivan) and Jim (Scott Paulin) make it more than bearable. Their keen timing and sly digs are enough to make anyone who has ever been in Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett’s (Stana Katic) shoes wish they could have dashed off to a crime scene too. It’s an ...

Click to continue reading ‘Castle’ Season 5, Episode 8: ‘After Hours’ Review...

As fans anxiously await the start of Castle Season 5, I chatted up Susan Sullivan on the phone today, asking the actress behind Rick's larger than life mother about the episode that almost got her killed and why she thinks the curse of Moonlighting will finally be broken by this ABC smash...

-------------------------------------------

As the season opens, is Martha in the dark like everyone else about the new relationship between Castle and Kate?

Yes, but you know Martha's a pretty wise, experienced old soul. I doubt that she would stay in the dark for too long.

Why would Castle keep it from Martha? It seems as though his mother is the one person he actually confides in.

Yes. There you go. Well, I'd really be ruining it if I told you. It's a very charming turn, the way that it all comes to the surface. And you're right. They do have...

Castle Season 5 is still two months away, and it was only this past week that production started on the premiere. Nonetheless, when TVLine visited the popular ABC procedural’s Hollywood soundstage on Wednesday, there was a criminally good amount of intel to be secured, as I spoke to series creator Andrew Marlowe and cast members Stana Katic, Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever.

To kick off our multi-part in-depth look at the new season — which among other things will reveal the aftermath (afterglow?) of the Castle/Beckett coupling, deal with a rather acrimonious break-up and perhaps afford closure on Johanna Beckett...

This past weekend saw Marvel reveal “Phase 2″ of their film line-up at the San Diego Comic Con so I thought what better film to pick for today’s Movie of the Day than a movie based on a Marvel character. Only this film is one of the most vilified, yet at the same time celebrated, of the early Marvel movies, Captain America.

I know what you’re thinking “Hang on, Captain America only came out last year”. Well yes, That Captain America movie came out last year, but there have been numerous other Captain America films released over the years – a Republic serial, two TV movies in the 70s starring Reb Brown and the movie that is my pick for Movie of the Day, 1990′s Captain America.

Directed by prolific talent Albert Pyun, who in the late 80s and early 90s was an unstoppable force in low-budget movie making – Cyborg,...

Albert Pyun's long gestating Tales of an Ancient Empire has been picked up for distribution by Liongate, but apparently the version we'll all be able to see starting January 24th isn't exactly the director's own vision for the film so he's decided to release the first 18 minutes of his cut for comparison's sake. Check it out!

Synopsis:

The sword and sorcery epic, written by Cynthia Curnan, tells the story of a princess forced on a quest to recruit the greatest warriors of the ancient world to save her kingdom from a demonic sorceress. But the odyssey to find them reveals a secret past for all.

Michael Pare plays "Oda", father of Kevin Sorbo's character - Aedan - as well as Victoria Maurette's Kara (via Whitney Able's Xia - the vampire sorceress). He also fathers Princess Tanis (Melissa Ordway) and Rajan (Janelle Taylor) amongst others. The film...

NCIS: Los Angeles Pursues a Lone Wolf

The NCIS: Los Angeles team investigates when former Naval Intelligence agent Stephanie Walters is gunned down on a sidewalk. At the time of her death, Walters had been involved with efforts to bring clean drinking water to developing regions of the world, but she was also keeping a double life from her boyfriend.

Walters’s double life may have been planned as this episode’s first twist, but it was no surprise to me that an intelligence agent would be leading a double life; that’s what spies do, after all.

Some of Walters’s last known work was for Larry Basser (Scott Paulin), an ex-Army officer, Nsa agent, and friend of Hetty’s who now ran a private intelligence firm. While Hetty interviewed Basser directly, Callen and Sam took the opportunity to sneak into his house. I had a hard time believing...

Fox Home Entertainment is releasing The Heart Specialist on Blu-ray and DVD October 4, which stars Zoe Saldana and Brian J. White. We have a contest running where we're giving away copies of this DVD to our readers. You know these discs will go fast, so enter this new contest today.

Winners Receive:

The Heart Specialist DVD

Here's How To Win!

Just "Like" (fan) the MovieWeb Facebook page (below) and then leave a comment below telling us why these prizes must be yours!

If you already "Like" MovieWeb, just leave a comment below telling us why these prizes must be yours!

Smooth-talking lothario Ray Howard (Brian J. White, Men of a Certain Age), a young Harvard Medical School graduate, arrives for his internship at a hospital in South Florida to pursue his ex-girlfriend Valerie (Grammy Award-winner Mya, Chicago) who can't forgive his womanizing ways. When his supervisor, Dr. Sidney Zachary (NAACP Image Award-nominee Wood Harris,...

Win a DVD copy of the Heartwarming Romantic Comedy Featuring an All-Star Ensemble Cast Headlined by Zoe Saldana, Wood Harris and Brian J. White

In the world of modern romance, there are players and there are experts. But when you want to trade your swagger for a sweetheart… you need a specialist. Get ready for some heart-stopping, jaw-dropping comedy when the hilarious romantic indie film The Heart Specialist drops onto Blu-ray and DVD on October 4 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Making its debut at the Boston Film Festival (“Audience Award” winner) and the Urban World Film Festival (“Best Film” winner), The Heart Specialist tickles the funny bone as it resuscitates the love lives of a sassy cast of characters.

Smooth-talking lothario Ray Howard (Brian J. White, “Men of a Certain Age”), a young Harvard Medical School graduate, arrives for his internship at a hospital in South Florida to pursue...

Win a DVD copy of the Heartwarming Romantic Comedy The Heart Specialist featuring an All-Star Ensemble Cast Headlined by Zoe Saldana,Wood Harris and Brian J. White, available on Blu-ray and DVD October 4.

In the world of modern romance, there are players and there are experts. But when you want to trade your swagger for a sweetheart. you need a specialist. Get ready for some heart-stopping, jaw-dropping comedy when the hilarious romantic indie film The Heart Specialist drops onto Blu-ray and DVD on October 4 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Making its debut at the Boston Film Festival (.Audience Award. winner) and the Urban World Film Festival (.Best Film. winner), The Heart Specialist tickles the funny bone as it resuscitates the love lives of a sassy cast of characters.

Smooth-talking lothario Ray Howard (Brian J. White, .Men of a Certain Age.), a young Harvard Medical School graduate, arrives for his...

DVD Playhouse—September 2011

By Allen Gardner

In A Better World (Sony) Winner of last year’s Best Foreign Film Oscar, this Danish export looks at two fractured families and the effect that the adult world dysfunction has on their two sons, who form an immediate and potentially deadly bond. Director Susanne Bier delivers another powerful work that maintains its drive during the films’ first 2/3, then falters somewhat during the last act. Still, well-worth seeing, and beautifully made. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Commentary by Bier and editor Pernille Bech Christensen; Interview with Bier. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.

X-men First Class (20th Century Fox) “Origins” film set in the early 1960s, traces the beginnings of Magento and Professor X (played ably here by Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy), and how the once-close friends and colleagues became bitter enemies. First half is slam-bang entertainment at its stylish best,...

Chicago – You’re probably going “Huh? There was another Captain America movie? Before Chris Evans?” Believe it or not, yes. Before people like Bryan Singer and Sam Raimi turned the Marvel-verse (and really all of Hollywood) on its head by proving that superheroes could not only be profitable but critically viable as well, there were some honest train wrecks, including an incomplete version of “Fantastic Four” and an awful adaptation of “Captain America,” recently released on DVD to tie in with the success of “Captain America: The First Avenger.” Don’t get them confused.

Blu-Ray Rating: 1.5/5.0

Honestly, even looking at the case, much less seeing a minute of footage, clarifies the differences between the high-budget 2011 blockbuster and the 1990 movie that was supposed to be a summer movie tentpole but ended up going straight-to-video and was essentially forgotten by history. There’s a reason many of you probably didn’t know...

DVD Review

Captain America (Re-released 1992 Edition)

Directed by: Albert Pyun

Cast: Matt Salinger, Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty

Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins

Rating: PG-13

Due Out: Aug 23, 2011

Plot: The American crusader, Captain America (Salinger), is forced to confront a fellow super soldier gone wrong in the form of Red Skull.

Who’S It For? My instinct says this movie is for people who’ve already had quite a bit to drink, but comic book fans might enjoy this movie for a good laugh if nothing else.

Movie:

It’s funny to me that Captain America tackles fascism in the way that it does. Mainly because the film’s closing credits are marked with a distinctly pro-environmental message. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for it, but indoctrination is indoctrination just the same, regardless of the message.

Still, if the film’s heavy-handed moralizing isn’t enough to turn you off of the film,...

In the wake of Batman’s success in 1989, it appeared to renew interest in movies based on comic books. One of the first, and one of the worst, was the 1990 version of Captain America. The film had actually been announced in the early 1980s from Cannon Films but in the intervening years, the studio folded and the right shifted a bit before Menahem Golan mounted it under his 21st Century banner.

The movie languished in development until the rights were about to expire so director Albert Pyun urged Golan to let him take a crack at getting the film made for about $6 million. Marvel actually approved the script that was shot and Pyun loved its take on America’s fascination with heroism. If only some of that love found its way onto the screen.

The movie was shot in 1989 but wasn’t released theatrically and was finally dumped on video...

It's been making the festival rounds lately, and in advance of its release around the world soon, an international trailer has hit the Internet for Albert Pyun's long awaited Tales of an Ancient Empire, and of course we have it for you right here!

The trailer was edited by Daniel Gutierrez, and as Pyun said on his Albert Pyun Movies Facebook page, "I really like Daniel's creative point of view!" Check it out below and see if you agree with him.

Synopsis:

The sword and sorcery epic, written by Cynthia Curnan, tells the story of a princess forced on a quest to recruit the greatest warriors of the ancient world to save her kingdom from a demonic sorceress. But the odyssey to find them reveals a secret past for all.

Albert told us previously that Michael Pare plays "Oda", father of Kevin Sorbo's character - Aedan - as...

Captain America (1990)

Directed by Albert Pyun

Written by Stephen Tolkin, based on a story by Stephen Tolkin and Lawrence Block, based on characters created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

USA, 1990

Fantasia imdb

Dismissed by comic-book fans (those who know of it at all) as the Captain America with the Italian Red Skull, this was a film that I had publicly mused about going to see when I took a look at the Fantasia line-up.

To my surprise, I got the following comment on July 13th from Albert Pyun, director of Captain America, not to mention The Sword and the Sorcerer and Cyborg, “Hey Michael – hope to see you at my screening of Captain America and Tales of an Ancient Empire. Think you will enjoy both. They are sort of throwbacks to the 1980′s cinema and I think a lot of fun and laughs… And I really want to read...

The very first appearance of the sentinel of liberty.

Okay fellow movie geeks! Ready for a bit of pop culture history? Before you head out to the multiplex this weekend to see Paramount’s Captain America: The First Avenger, let’s get better acquainted with the story of this star-spangled superhero. Pencils ready! This may be on the finals!

Let.s go back a few years to Cap.s original glory days. He literally exploded on the comic scene in 1941 with Captain America Comics #1 from Timely Comics. That company had been trying to carve out a slice of the big super hero comics market pie since National Periodicals had caused a sensation with Superman in 1938 and Batman the following year. In 1939 they had a big seller with Marvel Mystery Comics #1 and introduced their two breakaway stars: The Human Torch and The Sub-Mariner. Who would come up with the next great super hero?...

Before he becomes known as the first avenger in Captain America: The First Avenger for Paramount/Marvel and director Joe Johnston this summer, the character had fought the Red Skull for truth, justice, and the America Way, once before in 1990′s Captain America from Cannon Films and vet director Albert Pyun.

Largely forgotten by today’s comic book fans, especially since the film never made it to theaters as promised in that summer, it’s time to dig this film out of the Arctic snow and re-examine this long-lost superhero film, as Action Packed Flashback continues with Captain America (1990) as Killer Film is chatting once more with director Albert Pyun (Cyborg – here).

Menahem Golan had lost out developing a Spider-Man film due to Cannon Films losing the rights to the Marvel character, but prior to this, screenwriter Stephen Tolkin already had worked on a Captain America story that intrigued director...

Back in 1990, MGM developed a "Captain America" film that never made it to Us theaters. Now that Joe Johnston's "Captain America" is set to hit theaters on July 22nd, the studio has decided to release their silly version on DVD on July 19th. And it has unveiled a trailer for it. Check out that trailer below. Plot: During World War II, a brave American soldier (Matt Salinger) volunteers to undergo experiments to become a new super-soldier, codenamed "Captain America." Infiltrating Germany to sabotage Nazi rockets pointed at the Us, Captain America faces off with Nazi superhuman warrior Red Skull (Scott Paulin) who defeats the hero, throwing him into suspended animation. Frozen for 50 years, Captain America is found and revived only to find that Red Skull has changed identities and has targeted the President of the United States (Ronny Cox) for assassination. With America on the verge of utter chaos,...

Depending on how devoted you are to the world of comic books, you may or may not know that Captain America: The First Avenger won't be the first live-action adaptation of the patriotic hero's exploits. Back in 1990 (oh, so long ago), Director Albert Pyun made a campy Captain America film starring Matt Salinger as the titular avenger and Scott Paulin as the Red Skull with Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox, and Kim Gillingham rounding out the cast. While it's nowhere near as hard to get a copy of 1990's Captain America as it is the 1994 Fantastic Four and it's not nearly as bad as David Hasselhoff's Nick Fury: Agent of Shield, it's been a hard to find title up until now, or rather July 19th, when MGM will release it as part of their Limited Edition Collection that has so far seen the likes of The Destructors, The Call of the Wild,...

During World War II, a brave American soldier (Salinger) volunteers to undergo experiments to become a new super-soldier, codenamed “Captain America.” Infiltrating Germany to sabotage Nazi rockets pointed at the U.S., Captain America faces off with Nazi superhuman warrior Red Skull (Scott Paulin, The Right Stuff) who defeats the hero, throwing him into suspended animation. Frozen for 50 years, Captain America is found and revived only to find that Red Skull has changed identities and has targeted the President of the United States (Ronny Cox, RoboCop) for assassination. With America on the verge of utter chaos, it is up to one man to save the day! Captain America will be released on DVD on July 19th, later this year. Meanwhile, with an all star cast which includes Chris Evans as Captain America, Sebastian Stan as Bucky, Hugo Weaving as Red Skull, Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Tommy Lee Jones as Col.

Fans are anxious to finally see Marvel’s iconic superhero Captain America on the big screen next month when Joe Johnston’s Captain America: The First Avenger hits theaters July 22nd. But did you know that a feature film version of Captain America already exists? From the director of Bulletface and Kickboxer 4: The Aggressor, the film was shot in Yugoslavia and was never officially released in theaters in the U.S. However, Captain America is now coming to DVD on July 19th thanks to MGM’s Manufacturing On Demand program, and they’ve released a trailer and some images in anticipation of its release. A 90’s action film wouldn’t be complete without Ronny Cox, so he’s in it, alongside Ned Beatty, Scott Paulin and Matt Salinger as Cap. The trailer manages to be both understated and action-packed simultaneously, which is quite impressive. We’re also treated to a super cool 90’s voice-over.