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Who would have wondered that Liam Neeson would be the perfect son to Leslie Nielsen‘s hilariously chaotic cop, Frank Drebin, in an all-new The Naked Gun? The 2025 film follows Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr, who must solve a hilariously convoluted case to stop his police department from shutting down. The Naked Gun also stars Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Huston, Cch Pounder, and Kevin Durand. So, if you loved the hilarious comedy, never-ending jokes, and entertaining characters in The Naked Gun, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

The Other Guys (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Sony Pictures

The Other Guys is a buddy cop action comedy film directed by Adam McKay, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Henchy. The 2010 film follows Terry and Allen, two overlooked cops who must work together...

In 2008, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) appeared in a post-credit sequence for "Iron Man" where he was startled to see a man dressed in black standing by a window in his home. "Who the hell are you?" Stark asks, prompting the man to step from the shadows and reveal himself: "Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D.," played by none other than Samuel L. Jackson.

This 30-second scene -- placed after the credits at the behest of director Edgar Wright -- shifted the pop culture landscape and all but ensured audiences would start sitting through lengthy end titles just to catch a few seconds teasing the next big adventure. The trend continues to this day, and it's almost disappointing when a movie, especially a big blockbuster, doesn't feature something at the very end.

So, well done, Marvel, for kick-starting the post-credit scene trend.

Except... they didn't. 

As...

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This July, Peacock is bringing you a lot of entertainment, from the highly anticipated return of the post-apocalyptic action comedy series Twisted Metal to the streaming release of Drop. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Peacock next month and have an 80% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the twelve best films that are coming to Peacock in July 2025 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Goodfellas (July 1) Rt Score: 91% Credit – Warner Bros.

Goodfellas is a biographical gangster film directed by Martin Scorsese, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Pileggi. Based on Pileggi’s 1985 nonfiction book Wiseguy, the 1990 film chronicles the rise and fall of mafioso Henry Hill over the course of 25 years. Goodfellas stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino.

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This July, Paramount+ is a little light on original content as nothing new is coming out on the streaming service aside from the new Dexter series and the third season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Paramount+ next month and have a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the 13 best films coming to Paramount+ in July 2025 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

A Soldier’s Story (July 1) Rt Score: 90% Credit – Columbia Pictures

A Soldier’s Story is a mystery drama film directed by Norman Jewison from a screenplay by Charles Fuller. Based on Fuller’s 1981 play titled A Soldier’s Play, the 1984 film is set during World War II, and it follows Vernon Waters, an officer of the United States Army,...

Comedy, of course, is subjective. There's no one film that's going to be universally funny to every human being, as comedy is based on social mores, history, politics, and a slew of other cultural factors that mutate quickly and differ from neighborhood to neighborhood. Indeed, what one found funny in 2005 may not be as funny in 2025, so time also plays a factor. And while certain comedies have lasted for centuries -- Shakespeare and Moliere are still being performed to this day -- some comedies from just a few decades ago are already dated. Heck, sometimes the time of day can be a factor. A midnight movie may be funnier than a Sunday matinée of the same flick. 

But there is an objective, scientific way to gauge the effects comedy has on us: our laughter. If a film makes us laugh out loud repeatedly, then we can take measurements, right? And...

One of John Carpenter's most underrated sci-fi films is about to get the 4K Uhd Blu-ray treatment.

Per GeekVibesNation, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially announced a 4K Uhd Blu-ray remaster of Carpenter's 1984 sci-fi romance - Starman. The film will be available in a Limited Edition SteelBook format on May 27, and will feature a 4K scan from the Original Camera Negative replete with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos upgrades, as well as a whole host of special features.

The bonus features are as follows:

4K Ultra HD Disc Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, restored from the original camera negative Dolby Atmos + 5.1 + 2-Channel Surround Blu-ray Disc Feature presented in high definition, sourced from the 4K master English 5.1 + 2-Channel Surround Special Features: Audio Commentary with Director John Carpenter and Actor Jeff Bridges Deleted Scenes Behind-the-Scenes Time Lapses They Came from Hollywood: Revisiting Starman Featurette Making-Of Featurette Music Video...

Since 1975 nearly a thousand hosts have graced the stage at Studio 8H at Rockefeller Center for “Saturday Night Live.”

Actors, comedians, musicians and even politicians have taken the stage to make America laugh on Saturday night for 50 seasons. Twenty five of these hosts have been inducted into the “Five Timers Club.” The club was first introduced during Tom Hanks’ 1990 monologue, featuring Steve Martin, Elliott Gould and Paul Simon.

During Martin Short’s December 2024 appearance, several Five Timers Club members popped up on the show to welcome him into the club, including Emma Stone, Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Kristen Wiig and more, to give him the ceremonial robe.

Alec Baldwin has hosted the show 17 times, the most in the series’ history, with Martin, Hanks, Buck Henry and John Goodman following close behind.

As the show celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, we have rounded up every person who has hosted the sketch show.

We live in an era of streaming services with enough content to satisfy viewers for at least five lifetimes. Unfortunately, the content is spread across different platforms, each requiring monthly fees that can add up to hundreds of dollars if you're not careful.

(In Morpheus's voice) What if we told you there was a free way to watch many of your favorite movies? Well, there is. YouTube comes chock full of blockbuster movies, all available for the same price as a smile. That's right, gratis. Gratuit. Grátis. Kostenlos. In short, free.

Of course, the caveat is you might feel overwhelmed with over 200 films to choose from. Luckily, we've assembled a stellar list of the 15 best movies you can watch on YouTube for free, which should help pare down your Friday night options or, at the very least, help steer you down the right course.

Read more: Here's Why Movie Dialogue...

As one of the most popular and acclaimed American writers, Stephen King has crafted many novels that hook readers into different worlds with great characters, intricate prose and imaginative settings. At the same time, among the countless authors whose works have been adapted into films, Stephen King has had huge success with several of his novels being turned into movies. However, despite a variety of the author’s books given the cinematic treatment, not every motion picture best reflects the novel’s intent.

With the television landscape heightening and expanding storytelling in a way that film never could, Stephen King’s material is a perfect resource to turn into an episodic format. Given the author’s history of writing long and detailed narratives, a series can elevate a Stephen King novel and excite fans with every new episode. Moreover, several mishandled Stephen King films would thrive in this space and...

Jim Abrahams, one of the creative minds behind such comedies as Airplane!, three Naked Gun movies, and the TV series Police Squad!, died November 26, 2024, at his Santa Monica, California home, Deadline reports. He was 80 years old.

Abrahams was born May 10, 1944, in Shorewood, Wi. He grew up with the brothers David and Jerry Zucker, and the trio often referred to as "Zaz" got their start in Hollywood with The Kentucky Fried Movie. Written by Zaz and directed by John Landis, the film consists of a series of crude, sometimes offensive vignettes something which, by modern standards, could never be made today. Abrahams and the Zucker brothers appeared in the movie alongside James Bond actor George Lazenby, Donald Sutherland, and The Incredible Hulk star Bill Bixby, among others.

The trio got their big break in 1980 with Airplane!, a send-up of '70s disaster flicks like Airport and The Poseidon Adventure. Starring Leslie Nielsen,...

At the age of 80, filmmaker Jim Abrahams has sadly passed away. If you don't know his name, you certainly know his movies, because he's the comedic mastermind behind movies such as Airplane!, The Naked Gun, and Hot Shots! Airplane! is arguably the best of the bunch, as a hilarious spoof of 70s disaster films like Airport 1975. Abrahams not only wrote but directed the film, along with Jerry Zucker and David Zucker, which famously took a serious actor named Leslie Nielsen and turned him into an instant comedy icon. While that might have been a brilliant casting choice, another decision could have ended in disaster. Before Robert Hays was cast in the lead as Ted Striker, the trio were set on hiring talk show host David Letterman.

Filmmaker Jim Abrahams, whose work includes co-directing the iconic comedy movie Airplane!, has passed away.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Jim Abrahams died on Tuesday at his home in Santa Monica, California. According to his son, Joseph, the filmmaker's passing was due to natural causes. He was 80 years old.

Abrahams has long been known for his work on several popular slapstick comedy movies. He frequently collaborated with filmmaking brothers Jerry and David Zucker, and the trio co-wrote John Landis' 1977 comedy Kentucky Fried Movie. They followed this up by co-writing and co-directing Airplane!, the 1980 spoof of disaster movies starring Leslie Nielsen, Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Robert Stack.

With a budget of less than $4 million, the comedy earned over $171 million at the box office. The film also won a WGA Award for Best Adapted Comedy. It is still remembered fondly as one of the best slapstick comedies ever made, often quoted by...

Jim Abrahams, part of the writing-directing-producing team behind such comedy touchstones as Airplane!, the Naked Gun films, and Police Squad!, died Tuesday at his Santa Monica home. He was 80.

His son, Joseph Abrahams, confirmed the news to our sister site The Hollywood Reporter.

Along with brothers David and Jerry Zucker, Abrahams also was behind laugh-inducing — and often intentionally groan-inducing — comedy films including Top Secret! and the Top Gun spoofs Hot Shots! and Hot Shots! Part Deux. Students of the Mel Brooks School of Anything for a Laugh, the trio paired absurd situations with deadpan lines and fueled Leslie Nielsen’s unlikely rise to leading man after 30 years in the business.

The trio got their big-screen start writing The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), a series of decidedly un-pc vignettes directed by John Landis that ranged from silly to uproarious to “what the hell?!” and back. Sample: A TV news anchor deadpans from...

Jim Abrahams, the writer-director who with brothers Jerry and David Zucker turned the comedy genre on its ear with such zany efforts as Airplane!, Police Squad! and The Naked Gun films, died Tuesday. He was 80.

Abrahams died of natural causes at his home in Santa Monica, his son Joseph told The Hollywood Reporter.

The trio made their first mainstream impression by writing the sketch-filled Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), directed by John Landis in his prelude to Animal House, and they also combined for Top Secret! (1984), starring a young Val Kilmer, and Ruthless People (1986), featuring Bette Midler and Danny DeVito.

Without his childhood buddies from Wisconsin, Abrahams directed Big Business (1988), starring Midler and Lily Tomlin, and co-wrote and helmed Hot Shots! (1991) and its 1993 sequel, both starring Charlie Sheen.

Joke-filled and laden with sight gags and puns, the humor of Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker, or Zaz as they came to be known, was fast,...

Prime Video, as one of the world's most popular streaming services, is a platform that offers a wide variety of films and television shows, making it an extremely worthwhile subscription to hold onto. Like Netflix and Disney+, Prime Video has a vast consumer base, with over 200 million active users who often enjoy its content. In fact, the streaming service is well-known for bringing new movies every month, with titles ranging from comedic classics to modern cinematic masterpieces.

In October 2024, for example, several highly anticipated films were added to the platform, including Luca Guadagnino Challengers, Brothers, and House of Spoils. Certainly, the following month will be equally impressive compared to the previous, with many incredible films available for streaming. With that in mind, here's a complete list of movies coming to Prime Video in November 2024.

Airplane! (1980) Streaming November 1

Airplane!, co-written and co-directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, is...

Not every actor is a Samuel L. Jackson, gladly signing an extensive superhero movie contract to play Nick Fury as many times as Marvel Studios wants him. Some are more like James Bond actor George Lazenby, securing an iconic part and then instantly worrying it'll cause typecasting. Meanwhile, some stars can't get along with the studio, while others, unfortunately, die before the role has run its course. No property or individual movie is immune to the possibility of recasting. It's just that some do it a lot better than others.

In the sci-fi realm, long-running franchises often pose unique casting challenges, but others are simply so difficult or so weird that they necessitated unexpected changes. The multiverse offers more recasting possibilities than most, as "Doctor Who" and its endless regenerations -- a sci-fi solution to a real-world problem -- regularly demonstrates. How the fans, the actors, and the studio react cannot always be predicted,...

This August, Paramount+ is bringing you a lot of entertainment with the highly anticipated streaming release of the biographical film Bob Marley: One Love and a very weird but humorous and heartfelt film Sasquatch Sunset, which follows the daily lives of a Sasquatch family. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Paramount+ this month and have a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the 10 best films that are coming to Paramount+ in August 2024 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Airplane! (August 1)

Airplane! is a disaster absurdist comedy film written and directed by Jim Abrahams, David, and Jerry Zucker. Based on the 1957 drama film Zero Hour! by Arthur Hailey, Hall Bartlett, and John Champion, the 1980 film follows Ted Striker, a former pilot with a fear of flying as he finds himself in the impossible situation of landing a...

Michael J. Fox has had a long and successful career in Hollywood, starring in a variety of films that showcase his comedic and dramatic talents. Here are some of his most notable roles: "Back to the Future" (1985) - As Marty McFly "Teen Wolf" (1985) - As Scott Howard

Michael J. Fox is a beloved movie star, and while most audiences easily recognize him from his starring role in the Back to the Future trilogy, his best movies encompass much more than that. Working as a romantic lead, a comedic actor, and lending his iconic voice to vocal work, Fox has never limited the kind of projects he'll work on. What comes through in all of his performances is the boyish charm and charisma that has never left him, even in his later years. His legacy will remain a vital part of cinema for years to come.

After his breakout movie role...

Bette Midler revisited her brief television series, Bette, during the latest episode of David Duchovny’s Fail Better podcast.

The actress played a version of herself on the CBS show, which saw Midler perform as an adored celebrity living in Los Angeles with her college professor husband, Roy (Kevin Dunn and Robert Hays), and 13-year-old daughter, Rose (Lohan). When recalling the tumult behind the scenes of the one-season sitcom, Midler called it a “big, big, big mistake.”

“I did a television show, Bette. Does it get any more generic than that?...

Dan Wilcox, the Emmy-winning TV writer and producer whose work on the last four seasons of M*A*S*H included the acclaimed 1983 series finale that attracted a record 106 million viewers, has died. He was 82.

Wilcox died Feb. 14 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his niece Julie Merson announced.

A WGA member for more than 60 years and a guild board member since 2005, Wilcox won his Emmy in 1970 for Sesame Street, where he met Thad Mumford, who became his longtime writing partner. They worked together on M*A*S*H and received the 1980 WGA award for best episodic comedy.

They also wrote for What’s Happening!!, Alice, The Duck Factory, Good Times and the 1979 ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.

Wilcox was a writer and/or executive story editor on 36 episodes of M*A*S*H from 1979-83 as well as a producer, starting in 1981, on the CBS show’s last two seasons.

The native New Yorker...

Surely the making of one of the funniest movies ever made can’t be that serious…and it really isn’t! Ok, 1980’s Airplane! was a tough sell and there were minor clashes between the directors and Paramount and lawsuits from a rival studio threatened the casting of numerous stars. But there was also perfect against-type casting, clever workarounds to silly DGA regulations and a complete reinvention of the spoof movie, all of which made Airplane! one of the greatest comedies ever.. Oh, and there were fart machines, too!

And so let’s park the taxi, avoid the fish and check in on our drinking problem as we find out: Wtf Happened to this movie?!

Airplane! has its origins in the Kentucky Fried Theater, which the trio of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker (collectively known as Zaz) founded in 1971. One act the fellas grew fond of was dubbing...

And the number one reason Why David Letterman Didn’t Get Cast in Airplane!: he was awful! The titan of late night, top ten lists and “retirement” beards, Letterman once unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of Ted Striker, which would go to Robert Hays instead.

In an upcoming oral history book titled “Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True History of Airplane!” – due out on October 3rd – Letterman recalled, “I get out there, and they had set up a cockpit for the aircraft with chairs. I had a chair, and there was another chair where the copilot would be. We did the scene once, and then they came in and gave me some notes, and then we did it maybe two more times. And I kept saying all along, ‘I can’t act, I can’t act, I can’t act,’ and then one of them came to...

David Letterman relives his horrible “Airplane!” audition in the new oral history book, “Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True History of Airplane!,” an excerpt from which was published on Entertainment Weekly. Letterman was brought in to screen test for the lead role of Ted Striker, ultimately played by Robert Hays.

“He wasn’t an actor, but he was funny. And he looked great onscreen—like, leading-man good looks,” co-director Jeff Zucker says in the book. “But the thing about David is, he’s just really uncomfortable with the whole idea of acting. I think it all seems too phony to him, like he’s bullshitting. It just wasn’t him.”

Letterman adds that the “Airplane!” team was “really nice to consider me for a film,” but he tried to warn them that he was in no way shape or form an actor.

“I liked those guys, and when I saw the movie,...

David Letterman auditioned for the lead role in Airplane!, but crashed and burned, admitting he couldn't act. The role of Ted Striker was eventually won by Robert Hays, who portrayed the character with perfection. The upcoming book, Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True History of Airplane!, reveals more behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the film.

Is there anything more bizarre in Airplane! than seeing Los Angeles Lakers’ basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the aircraft’s co-pilot? Well, if David Letterman’s agent had gotten his way, the late-night talk show host would have been the one to save the day in the classic comedy, not actor Robert Hays. Yes, Letterman audition for the lead role of Ted Striker, but he crashed and burned during his tryout for the part. The reading is recounted in the upcoming book, Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True History of Airplane!

Comedian David Letterman's failed audition for the lead role in Airplane! revealed that he admitted he couldn't act during the funny yet disastrous audition. Airplane! is considered one of the greatest comedies ever made, with classic quotes and memorable physical gags that have cemented it in cinematic history. Despite the less successful sequel, the first Airplane! will forever be regarded as one of the greatest comedies, and even director David Zucker's upcoming film may bring back the same energy.

Comedian David Letterman has opened up about his failed audition for the lead role in Airplane! where he said that he can't act. The classic comedy film is a parody of the 1957 disaster film Zero Hour!, while also being a riff on disaster films like the Airport series in general. It has become memorable for many important scenes, some starring Robert Hays as the main protagonist, Ted Striker.

Now,...

The revelation of Hyde’s biological father was the worst twist in That '70s Show, which made That ‘90s Show’s decision to retcon the story a good choice. By the show’s final seasons, That ‘70s Show was running low on inspiration. Like many hang-out sitcoms before it, That ‘70s Show had become a victim of its success. When That ‘70s Show debuted, few could have guessed that the nostalgic comedy would still be on-air six years later. Unfortunately, it seemed as though the writers had not prepared for that eventuality either.

As a result, That ‘70s Show seasons 7 and 8 were a famously messy end to the series. Attempts to replace Topher Grace’s Eric led to the darkest That ‘70s Show storyline while, elsewhere, all manner of absurd twists vied for viewer attention. Jackie ended up with Fez, of all people, while Donna abandoned her series-defining relationship with...

(Welcome to The Weekly Watchlist, a feature where we program everything you need to stream this week. In this edition: "History of the World, Part II" takes center stage, but we also offer up some silly comedies and less-silly historical epics to stream.)

The Series: "History of the World, Part II"

Where You Can Stream It: Hulu

The Pitch: Over four decades after the original sketch comedy movie "History of the World, Part I," legendary funnyman Mel Brooks is back to pay off on the tongue-in-cheek promise of that dangling subtitle. Nobody ever really thought we'd receive a follow-up to the 1981 film -- let alone one that's a whopping 40 years later, debuting as a series on a streaming service, and spearheaded by the same director who is now a sprightly 96 years young. But if we have no choice but to muddle our way through life in the year of our lord 2023, well,...

After bringing us some of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, Dale McRaven died on September 5, 2022 at the age of 83. His son, David McRaven, told The Hollywood Reporter that the creator of "Mork & Mindy" and "Perfect Strangers" passed away due to complications from lung cancer at his home in Porter Ranch, CA.

McRaven was born on March 5, 1939 in Pulaski, Illinois and was the fifth of six children. He lived with his family in Chicago and Phoenix before moving to Hollywood in 1957. Upon his arrival, he sold a script to Steve Allen, but his first major gig arrived in 1964 when he was hired by Gary Marshall and paired with Carl Kleinschmidt as staff writers on the final season of "The Joey Bishop Show" on NBC. After that show wrapped up, the duo would write for "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and win a WGA award for their work before...

Click here to read the full article.

Dale McRaven, the Emmy-nominated comedy writer and producer who created Mork & Mindy with Garry Marshall and then the long-running Perfect Strangers on his own, has died. He was 83.

McRaven died Sept. 5 of complications from lung cancer at his home in Porter Ranch, California, his son, David McRaven, told The Hollywood Reporter.

McRaven also served as a writer on the fifth and final season of CBS’ The Dick Van Dyke Show and as a writer-producer on ABC’s The Partridge Family during that musical comedy’s 1970-74 run. Plus, he and Marshall created the 1979-80 ABC sitcom Angie, starring Donna Pescow and Robert Hays.

Perfect Strangers, from Miller-Boyett Productions and Lorimar Television, debuted in March 1986 and starred Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot as mismatched cousins — one an American, the other from the fictional island of Mypos — who live together in a Chicago apartment.

Richard Roat, a character actor with 130-plus credits spanning nearly a half-century who appeared in many of TV’s biggest shows including Seinfeld, Friends, Cheers, Murphy Brown, Dallas, Hawaii Five-o and Happy Days, has died. He was 89.

Roat died August 5 in Orange County, CA, according to his family. No other details were available.

Hollywood & Media Deaths 2022: A Photo Gallery

Born on July 3, 1933, in Hartford, Ct, Roat had a couple of bit TV roles before being cast as Dr. Jerry Chandler in the 1962 pilot of NBC soap opera The Doctors. He appeared in more than 170 episodes during the first year of the which, would go on to air for two decades.

He guested on a 1965 episode of The Fugitive and became a busy character actor during the following decade. Roat appeared in memorable 1970s comedies and dramas as Hawaii Five-o, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Columbo, Cannon, Kojak, The Bob Newhart Show,...

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Superman: The Animated Series with a fully remastered Blu-ray box set. Superman: The Complete Animated Series, which includes several hours of bonus features headlined by an all-new documentary detailing the creation of one of the most beloved animated Super Hero cartoons in history, will be available starting October 12, 2021.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation (Wba), the Emmy Award-winning Superman: The Animated Series was the perfect follow-up to the landmark Batman: the Animated Series. Producers Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Alan Burnett elevated The Man of Steel's animated presence with an imaginative, heartfelt look at Superman's adventures in Metropolis alongside Lois Lane and opposite the villainous likes of Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Darkseid and more. Premiering on September 6, 1996, the series continued Wba's dominance in Super Hero animation, once again setting new standards for storytelling, art direction and acting performances - and...

Burbank, CA – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Superman: The Animated Series with a fully remastered Blu-rayTM box set. Superman: The Complete Animated Series, which includes several hours of bonus features headlined by an all-new documentary detailing the creation of one of the most beloved animated Super Hero cartoons in history, will be available starting October 12, 2021.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation (Wba), the Emmy Award-winning Superman: The Animated Series was the perfect follow-up to the landmark Batman: the Animated Series. Producers Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Alan Burnett elevated The Man of Steel’s animated presence with an imaginative, heartfelt look at Superman’s adventures in Metropolis alongside Lois Lane and opposite the villainous likes of Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Darkseid and more. Premiering on September 6, 1996, the series continued Wba’s dominance in Super Hero animation, once again setting new standards for storytelling, art direction...

‘Antebellum’ Leads Weekly Streaming Lists

Janelle Monae horror thriller “Antebellum” has topped the the lists of the week’s movies streaming on Fandango’s streaming services Vudu and FandangoNOW.

Lionsgate decided in early August to ditch a domestic theatrical release for “Antebellum” amid an uncertain outlook for launching movies at brick-and-mortar theaters due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The movie, directed by Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, had originally been set for an April 24 release that was delayed several times amid the outbreak.

Monae portrays a successful modern-day author who finds herself trapped during the era of American slavery and must find a way to escape from the horrifying reality. The cast includes Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons and Gabourey Sidibe.

‘Residue,’ ‘Feather & Pine’ Win at Mammoth Lakes

The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival has awarded its top prizes to Merawi Gerima’s “Residue” for top narrative feature and...

Most people smile just at the mention of this show … nothing is more healthy than an old fashioned laugh. Zucker, Zucker & Abrahams’ non-stop joke fest finds good fun in movie spoofery without malice, and is populated by a squadron of old pros that once made the originals fly right, no matter how clunky they were. All hail Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack and Peter Graves, the veterans of countless ‘keep a straight face and pretend it’s serious’ groaners. It’s a 40th Anniversary new restoration. Now, finally, do I park in the red zone or the white zone?

Airplane!

Blu-ray

Paramount Presents

1980 / Color / 1.78 widescreen / 87 min. / Street Date July 21, 2020 / 22.99

Starring: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Lloyd Bridges, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, Lorna Patterson, Stephen Stucker, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Barbara Billingsley, Ethel Merman, James Hong, Maureen McGovern, Kenneth Tobey, Jimmie Walker, Kitten Natividad.

Cinematography: Joseph F. Biroc

Film Editor: Patrick Kennedy

Visual Effects: Robert Blalack,...

The Goldbergs‘ next ’80s homage is ready for takeoff: The ABC comedy’s Season 8 premiere will pay tribute to 1980 parody film Airplane!, which starred Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty and Leslie Nielsen, it was announced during the show’s Comic-Con @ Home panel on Sunday.

“Murray’s gonna have some strong feelings about sitting in coach,” star Wendi McLendon-Covey teased, while executive producer Doug Robinson added, “The only thing crazier than having dinner with the Goldbergs is taking an airplane ride with the Goldbergs.”

More from TVLineLeslie Odom Jr. and 7 Others Cast in Freeform's Love in the Time of CoronaTV Ratings: Survivor:...

In Hollywood circles, Avi Arad was Marvel when Marvel wasn’t cool. Today, Marvel represents Hollywood’s gold standard for source material but that was hardly the case back in 1992 when Arad’s long odyssey with the brand got underway with Saturday morning cartoons like X-Men and Iron Man, the latter starring Robert Hays (aka Ted Striker of Airplane! fame) as the voice of Tony Stark.

“Yes, it’s come a long, long, long way,” Arad said of Marvel’s stature and brand mystique these days. In 2018, Marvel characters were featured in top film hits from three different studios: Fox’s No. 1 box-office performer was Deadpool 2; Disney’s two top-grossing releases were Avengers:Infinity War and Black Panther; and Sony’s No. 2 and No. 5 top-grossing hits for the year were Venom and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The amazing reign of Marvel IP and the unprecedented success of Marvel Studios (21 films...

The Bailey Baio Angel Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit charity dedicated to providing support to the children and families affected by metabolic immune disorders, announced that it’s 4th Annual Scott Baio Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament held, Monday, October 15th, at the Woodland Hills Country Club in Woodland Hills, California was a sold out event that exceeded fundraising expectations.

Renee Baio, President of Bailey Baio Angel Foundation, and Scott Baio

“This is more than a fundraising event, it is an opportunity for us to meet and introduce the families we support. We have raised significant funds and awareness,” said Renee Baio, Founder, and President of the foundation. She added, “With this support, we have been able to provide low-protein formula and medical supplies to help these children affected with this metabolic disorder.”

This event is the foundation’s largest fundraiser with all proceeds directly benefiting efforts to assist children and families impacted by metabolic immune disorder.

Cinema Retro has received the following press announcement:

Omaha, Nebraska,film historian Bruce Crawford has announced the film to be presented at his 40th anniversary tribute to classic films will be the 1980 comedy ”Airplane!.” The film will be screened on Friday, May 26th, 2017 at 7pm at the beautiful Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska. Special guest will be actor Robert Hays, who played Capt.Ted Striker in the film.

The American Film Institute lists it among the top 10 funniest films of all time. "Airplane!" has become a cult classic with a world wide following, and its success started the "Naked Gun" film and TV series and also helped to reinvigorate the careers of the late Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack and Lloyd Bridges.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the customer service counters of all Omaha-area Hy Vee food stores and go on sale Wednesday, April 26th. Proceeds...

Cinema Retro has received the following press release from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment:

Horror fans are sure to rejoice when a terrifying trio of Stephen King’s screen adaptations -- “Salem’s Lot,” “Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye” and “Stephen King’s It” (a best-seller on DVD and one of King’s most popular TV miniseries) – debuts with all-new 2016 high definition masters on Blu-ray™ from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, just in time for a haunting Halloween on September 20.

The three films based on the best-selling author’s novels and short stories are among his most popular and feature a variety of film and TV stars, including Drew Barrymore, Tim Curry, James Mason, Richard Masur, Annette O’Toole, John Ritter, David Soul, Richard Thomas and James Woods, among others. Each title will be available to own on Blu-ray for $14.97 Srp.

Stephen King is the author of more than 50 books, all of them worldwide bestsellers.

Brian DePalma’s Carrie (1976) has cast a very wide shadow since it hit theatres. Many horror films have used the trope of telekinesis for the greater bad following its release, including Jennifer, The Fury, Patrick, The Medusa Touch (all ’78), Scanners (’81), and several more. (You can’t make me mention Friday the 13th Part VII. Oh. Dammit.) Of course, television is anything if not inclusive, and the networks scrambled to come up with their own takes on teenage angst. However, ABC’s The Initiation of Sarah (1978) took a slightly different tact and sent the girl off to college – and ended up serving a strong dose of female empowerment.

First broadcast on Monday, February 6th, Sarah had her work cut out, not so much from NBC, who provided their own Monday Night at the Movies, but from CBS’ juggernaut of M*A*S*H/One Day at a Time. Regardless of ratings,...

Before launching his late-night legacy in the 1980s, David Letterman had a few forays into the acting world, appearing in an episode of Mork & Mindy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and a few other programs in the late 1970s and the early 1980s. As it turns out, though, the actor/comedian actually auditioned for a role that may have changed his career. The iconic 1980 comedy Airplane!. Through the magic of the internet, the video of his screen test for the Ted Striker role has surfaced, which is well worth watching.

The video surfaced on YouTube last week, and is actually taken from a 1982 episode of Late Night with David Letterman, the first year of this landmark NBC program, where the host welcomed Airplane! writer-directors Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker as guests. During the episode, the filmmakers showed the audience David Letterman's 1979 screen test for Ted Striker, a...

Combining Sharknado, Sharknado 2: The Second One, and Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! – Sharknado: The Collection is a 3-disc boxset filled with shark-infested splatter-fest action! With the set due for release on May 2nd, here’s our review of all three Sharknado movies…

Sharknado

Stars: Ian Ziering, Jaason Simmons, Tara Reid, Cassie Scerbo, John Heard, Alex Arleo, Neil H. Berkow, Heather Jocelyn Blair | Written by Thunder Levin | Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante

When a freak tornado swamps Los Angeles, thousands of man-eating sharks are sucked into the swirling vortex, terrorizing the waterlogged populace and flooding the city with shark-infested seawater. Surfer and bar-owner Fin (Ziering) sets out with his friends Baz (Simmons) and Nova (Scerbo) to rescue his estranged wife April (Reid) and teenage daughter Claudia from the sharks raining down from the skies. With nature’s deadliest killer ruling sea, land, and air, they soon realise that...

There are few movies as quotable as the 1980 disaster-movie parody Airplane! — and of the movie's many memorable gags, arguably the most enduring is the moment when reluctant pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) tells Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen), “Surely you can’t be serious,” and Rumack replies, “I am serious — and don’t call me Shirley.” As part of our weeklong 100 Jokes That Shaped Comedy series, we dug into the origins and execution of that exchange — as well as the overall comedic mechanics of Airplane! — with the trio who wrote and directed the film, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker.What was the origin of “Don’t call me Shirley”? Jerry Zucker: The origin of that joke is similar to the origin of a lot of jokes in the movie: While we were writing, we used to watch a lot of old, serious movies that had a lot of...

Looks like we picked the wrong week to quit celebrating milestones.

Hard to believe it's been 35 years since "Airplane!" took flight (on July 2, 1980) and taught us all to speak jive, order the chicken instead of the fish, and avoid calling each other "Shirley." Three and a half decades later, the airline disaster parody remains one of the funniest films ever made, one that generations of viewers have watched over and over -- though probably never as an in-flight movie.

Still, as many times as you've seen it, there's much you may not know about how it was made. In honor of "Airplane!" turning 35, here are a few facts every fan must know about the comedy classic.

1. Strip away all the jokes, and "Airplane!" is essentially a remake of a little-known 1957 air disaster movie called "Zero Hour!" The writing/directing team of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker lifted the plot,...

While romcoms and black comedies may have more sophisticated plots, satires are the films that guarantee us the most laughs. Sometimes you want permission to laugh at movies rather than with them, and satires remind you that familiar movie conventions are strange and sometimes hilarious.  We just noticed that one of our all-time favorite Mel Brooks movies has hit Netflix, so without further ado, let's celebrate this nutty genre. "Airplane!": Insanity at 20,000 Feet The bawdy sight gags and astounding one-liners of "Airplane!" run together in a nonstop medley, but I'd like to point out another highpoint of this disaster satire: You can't pick a single Mvp in the ensemble. Every actor is perfectly cast and perfectly effing weird. Robert Hays is stone-eyed and slyly ridiculous. Julie Hagerty is a wide-eyed cuckoo. Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, Leslie Nielsen, Stephen Stucker, Barbara Billingsley, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and even Maureen McGovern (as the singing nun,...

There’s good reason why “Airplane!” holds Empire Magazine’s title for Funniest Comedy Ever. The 1980 film is a nonstop riot. Written and directed by Jim Abrahams and Jerry and David Zucker, the comedy delivers one endlessly quotable laugh after another for nearly 90 minutes straight. Even if you’ve watched the classic a hundred times, there’s a bit of “Airplane!” trivia you might not know. Granted, the movie is a parody of the disaster flick genre, but it’s specifically a spoof of “Zero Hour,” a 1957 Paramount film in which an air force veteran must fly a passenger jet after everyone else on board succumbs to a bad case of food poisoning. Sound familiar? “Airplane!” borrowed the plot exactly, but went even further. The flying ace protagonist in “Zero Hour” is named Ted Stryker, while in “Airplane!” Robert Hays plays Ted Striker, air force veteran. Even dialogue is lifted...

StreamFix has gotten your latest updates on new Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Crackle streams. Check out these titles before they inevitably go back into the endless interweb secret vault.    Netflix "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (Season 9) I'd hate to burden you with a reminder about injustice during this Election Day, but it must be noted: It is insane that Kaitlin Olson has gone eight seasons without garnering an Emmy nomination for this show. Have you heard this woman dry-heave? It is sensational.  "Total Recall" Did you know? Arnold Schwarzenegger > Colin Farrell, at least in terms of dystopian thriller heroism. I wouldn't want to see Arnold attempt Farrell's role in "Saving Mr. Banks" or anything like that though. "Altman" This documentary gives an incisive, insightful look at Robert Altman, whose best movie is not "Nashville" or "Gosford Park" or "Mash" or even "The Player." Nope. It is "McCabe and Mrs. Miller,...

Stars: Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Vivica A. Fox, Mark McGrath, Kari Wuhrer, Courtney Baxter, Dante Palminteri | Written by Thunder Levin | Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante

Fin Shepard (Ziering) and his ex-wife April (Reid) are flying to New York City when their plane enters the most unnatural of storms and is battered by airborne sharks. As blood is shed and passengers are maimed in the skies, New York awakens and people spill onto the streets, unaware of the peril descending rapidly towards them… a sharknado is about to hit the big apple! Armed with weapons and explosives, Fin realises he must risk all to save his sister’s family from the greatest of danger as floods and storms crash into the city.

The first Sharknado was something of an unexpected phenomenon. Your typical monster-movie produced by The Asylum, it captured the imagination of more than just those of who usually tune-in...

Here's a fact that I only just learned today: directors David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, and Jim Abrahams all originally hail from the great state of Wisconsin. By itself, this probably can't even be qualified as "fun" trivia, but it does create a bit of context for this new Airplane!-themed ad put together to try and help increase tourism in the Badger State: The Zuckers and Abrahams (best known by the directing-team acronym Zaz) lent their filmmaking skills to Wisconsin's tourism board to make this fun little TV spot, and they brought along some impressive friends to help the whole thing be that much more special. Robert Hays reprises his famous role as ex-fighter pilot with a drinking problem Ted Stryker, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is back to play himself a.k.a. pilot Roger Murdock (who just can't seem to get enough of Wisconsin's beautiful landscapes). There's even a special...

It's Bank Holiday Monday, and that can mean only one thing... parking yourself on the sofa for an epic movie marathon. There really is something for everyone, from shaggy dogs to sorcerers and space adventures.

Digital Spy rounds up nine films worth watching on TV today.

1. Beethoven - 9.25am, ITV2

Charles Grodin and Bonnie Hunt head up the Newton family, who find their lives flipped upside down with the arrival of a puppy who swiftly grows into a slobbering, troublemaking St Bernard. This is just about the best way to kick off Bank Holiday Monday!

2. Flash Gordon - 11.15am, More4

Arriving hot on the heels of Star Wars, this sci-fi adventure got panned by critics on initial release but has since acquired cult status thanks to some booming performances from thesps like Timothy Dalton and Brian Blessed, and Queen's thundering soundtrack.

3. The Sorcerer's Apprentice - 1.30pm, BBC One

Nicolas Cage...