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Brian Levant's 1994 film version of "The Flintstones" is a classic example of how major studio blockbusters, no matter now successful, can vanish entirely from the public consciousness. "The Flintstones" is rarely regarded in 2024, often seen only as footnote in its actors' careers, or perhaps a whimsical blunder not worth remembering. Those of us alive in 1994 recall the massive advertising glut that came with "The Flintstones," as well as the toy tie-ins, the magazine covers, the Universal Studios attractions, the Williams pinball machine. "The Flintstones" was a studio tentpole writ large, boasting a beloved, decades-old IP and a dazzling cast of celebrities; John Goodman, Rick Moranis, Rosie O'Donnell, and Elizabeth Taylor appeared, while the film boasted cameos from Laraine Newman, Jay Leno, and the B-52's.

Notably, "Jurassic Park" cinematographer Dean Cundey shot the film, while "Jurassic Park" Michael Lantieri similarly served as SFX supervisor. Everything was super-slick and polished nearly to death.

The late, great John Ritter would have turned 72 years old today, and fans across the world are remembering the legendary performer with tribute posts on social media. From Three's Company to 8 Simple Rules and everything in between, Ritter was among Hollywood's most beloved actors. Sadly, the veteran actor passed away suddenly at just 54 years old due to an aortic dissection in 2003, but it's clear from a quick look online that Ritter is still very loved and missed by his many, many fans.

"Happy birthday, John Ritter. I'm stopping at the Regal Beagle on the way home to honor your memory," one fan quips.

"Happy Birthday to John Ritter (1948-2003)! Best known to Three's Company fans as the lovable Jack Tripper, he was a gift to the world. We love and miss you, John," a Three's Company fan account tweeted.

"Wow, John Ritter would have been 72 today," another fan writes with an emotional Twitter post.

Junior is all grown up! Michael Oliver memorably played John Ritter's adopted son in the two "Problem Child" films, the first of which came out 25 years ago today. The film was a surprise success, quickly spawning a sequel -- but Oliver all but vanished from showbiz shortly after, thanks to a lawsuit filed against his family from Universal Pictures. To mark the film's 25th anniversary, costar Gilbert Gottfried tracked Oliver down for his podcast, where the former child star opened up about working with the late John Ritter, his swift exit from Hollywood and revealed what he's up to now. "He was a sweetheart. I remember he got me a radio controlled car right after we met," Oliver, now 33, says of Ritter. "He was really nice to me on the set and I think he kind of knew that I was very new to all of it. It’s...

Pilot season is currently in full swing, with NBC issuing a pilot order for Problem Child. The half-hour sitcom is based on the 1990 feature film comedy of the same name, which starred John Ritter, Amy Yasbeck and Michael Oliver as the title character. The original movie followed a couple who get conned into adopting a seemingly-normal 7-year-old boy, before learning that he leaves destruction everywhere he goes.

The series is described as a family show, following two parents' "cat-and-mouse game" with their brilliant yet devilish child. Scot Armstrong, who wrote features such as Road Trip, Old School and The Hangover Part II, wrote the pilot script. The writer will also serve as an executive producer alongside Imagine Television's Brian Grazer, Tbd Entertainment's Peter Traugott and Universal TV's Rachel Kaplan.

The original Problem Child movie, which also starred Jack Warden, Gilbert Gottfried, Michael Richards and Peter Jurasik, earned $72 million...

Today's 90s nostalgia story finds the hit comedy Problem Child being adapted for TV by Scot Armstrong, the writer behind The Hangover Part II and Old School.

NBC is developing Problem Child as a single-camera sitcom. The comedy will be based on the original Problem Child released in 1990, starring John Ritter, Jack Warden, Amy Yasbeck, Michael Richards and Michael Oliver as the title character. Originally envisioned as an R rated romp, the final film was rated PG and took a more family friendly stance on the story of an adopted 7 year-old child, compared to Damien from The Omen, who can't keep himself out of trouble. The first film was a big hit, grossing $72 million on a $10 million budget.

Problem Child was followed by the 1991 sequel Problem Child 2 and continued on in the 1995 sequel Problem Child 3. There was also a short lived animated TV series that launched in 1993.

The...

It seems Problem Child has been adopted from the orphanage once more as NBC are reportedly in talks to bring back the 90s family comedy to the small screen.

News comes by way of The Hollywood Reporter, who tell us that the network is currently putting out the proverbial feelers in search of a screenwriter.

Based on the John Ritter film of the same name, Problem Child is a half-hour, single-camera comedy that orbits around a couple’s trials and tribulations with a young adopted prankster named Junior — a devil in disguise that has been adopted from a local orphanage thirty times.

The film spawned two sequels — Problem Child 2 and Problem Child 3: Junior in Love — that were released in 1991 and 1995, respectively. In fact, the franchise also resulted in a spin-off TV show that was sandwiched in between the two aforementioned sequels, which underpins the IP’s lasting appeal — in the 90s,...

The Terminator came out in 1984. Terminator 2: Judgment Day arrived seven years later. In the interim, Arnold Schwarzenegger became a new kind of action megastar, headlining a string of era-defining beefcake blockbusters. Commando, Predator, The Running Man, and Total Recall: The very titles echo down through history, dripping with gunsmoke and bicep sweat. But that era was coming to an end. The ’80s were over. Always a savvy operator, Schwarzenegger was already planning his pivot: Twins and Kindergarten Cop offered a kinder, gentler Arnold. (He loves kids! He loves De Vito!)

And so the essential twist that led to...

It's hard to believe but the hilarious "Problem Child" films came out over 20 years ago!Starring John Ritter, Amy Yasbeck, Michael Oliver as the troublesome title character, and Ivyann Schwan as his girl equivalent in Part 2, the films weren't well-received by critics but went on to become cult hits and classic '90s movies.Our friends over at Snakkle.com just reunited the cast of the films, where not only do we get to see what the stars look like now, but they've even recreated several scenes and images from the films!Michael Oliver and Ivyann Schwan Recreate a Publicity Shot from "Problem Child 2"    Michael, now 30, and Ivyann, now 28, starred as the child troublemakers of the films, Junior and Trixie. Neither had really been seen since the early 90s!Click here to see more shots of the "Problem Child" cast reunion at Snakkle.com. Amy Yasbeck Poses with a...

If you find yourself with fifteen minutes to kill this evening, you can go to YouTube and pull up the video that is currently causing murder and mayhem and destruction in the Middle East this evening. No, it isn’t Gangnam Style. It’s that strange new cinematic sensation, Innocence of Muslims.

I’m not going to put up the link, for a number of reasons that are obvious at least to me. I’m also going to steer clear of any type of free speech arguments, and the ethics of propaganda filmmaking in the 21st century made for the sole purpose of getting under the skin of already touchy Muslims. In terms of quality, The Innocence of Muslims falls far below the mark set by Theo van Gogh with Submission, the intentionally provacative short film which ultimately led to Van Gogh’s decapitation.

In terms of sheer quality, the...

Earlier today I posted a trailer for a film called Vanishing Waves, and while I haven’t seen the movie yet I was extremely moved and excited by the trailer itself. The result? I’m really looking forward to seeing the film. But sometimes a trailer can have the opposite effect. Sometimes a trailer can make you wish someone would immediately rip out your eyes and rape your skull with Tchéky Karyo’s bad right arm. This is that trailer. Still here? First off, I’m so sorry for suggesting you watch that. Truly. But second off, what the hell are these people thinking? Forget the fact that the lightning in a fishnet-covered bottle that is the original A Christmas Story will never be captured again. Forget the fact that Daniel Stern is no Darren McGavin and Braedon Lemasters (?) is no Peter Billingsly. Forget that it appears to feature little more than recycled gags and dialogue from...

1.) The first images from Ron Howard's Formula One biopic Rush were released on the movie's official website. The film stars Daniel Bruhl (Inglourious Basterds) as legendary driver Niki Lauda returned to compete against rival James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) in the 1976 F1 World Championship, just weeks after a near-fatal crash. The film has set a September 20, 2013 release date. You can check out all four new pictures right here. 2.) Jesse Eisenberg and Dakota Fanning are trying to make some front page drive-in news, entering talks to join writer/director Kelly Reichardt's Night Moves. The indie thriller's plot, which centers on three eco-terrorists who plan to blow up a dam, leads me to believe it actually isn't based on the classic Bob Seger song. I know, that disappointed me at first too, but Reichardt's previous two films (Wendy and Lucy and Meek's Cutoff) each made a bit of a splash so...

 

To this day, even as a grown man, whenever I see a race car bed in a T.V. show or a movie I still think to myself, "That would be so cool!." That arcade bed in Problem Child 2 freakin' blew my mind. Well, Derek Dutilly's four year-old son is living the dream. His dad just built him a loft bed that puts any race car bed to shame. After 61/2 weeks of work, the At-at bed is fully operational. It comes complete with Entry/Exit Stairs, that double as a secret stash compartment that would make Han Solo and the Millenium Falcon proud. We salute you Derek. Keep up the good work training your padawan learner... just don't put braids in his hair.

There's a reason you've recently had the urge to bust out your plaid shirts, Celine Dion albums and dial-up modems, as this week sees the release of two relics of the 1990s: "Titanic 3D" and "American Reunion."

Since both of these movies make us think back to a more innocent time when Monica Lewinsky was an eager young White House intern, our money wasn't on fire and Twittering was a weird body tic, we're reminiscing about that decade's most influential and essential cinematic treasures for future generations. It wasn't easy to narrow down the list (next time, "Problem Child 2," next time ...) but if we were to preserve only 25 flicks from the '90s in a time capsule, they would be these (listed in alphabetical order).

1. 'American Pie' (1999)

Losing your virginity on prom night is a rite of passage as American as … well, you know. Jim, Stifler and...

L to r: Meryl Streep, Billy Crystal, Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz

The Oscars is probably my favorite award show that takes place next door to a Claire's. I'm serious. Have you been to the Kodak Theatre? It's basically a big recess in a Hollywood Boulevard mall, one with a Claire's and a Guess and an Express for Men. I remember watching Kate Winslet pick up her Oscar in 2009, the year I moved to L.A., and saying aloud, "So she basically walked past a Claire's to win that." It's tragic and telling. And kind of appropriate, because the Oscars -- much as I literally can't stop thinking about them -- are a mall-brand affair. The nominees are palatable, the format is bland, and the whole ceremony is devoted to mainstream flattery and appeal. But here's the other thing: I shop at the mall. It's at least clean.

And thankfully,...

The biggest laugh in Carnage, Roman Polanski’s chaotic ensemble comedy, doesn’t come from one of the verbal barbs spewed between the group of ill-mannered New Yorkers. Rather it’s a gut-busting scene (quite literally) that involves, well, spew. And it’s from Kate Winslet, no less. In fact, the actress is so believable in the moment that if the Golden Globes were to vote on a vomit curve, she’d have this thing in the bag. (Bridesmaids’ Kristen Wiig’s near-puke in the bridal shop would be a close second.)

Is it the fact that you’re watching...

A Cimmerian warrior! Giant robots hell bent on destroying Chicago! A midlife crisis! Three horrible bosses! A wimp on steroids for his country! James Bond and Indiana Jones fighting Aliens in the Old West! Winnie the Pooh! And a bloody wizard m&#234l&#233e that will bring one of cinema's greatest sagas to a close forever! That's what July and August have to offer during the second half of our summer movie season.

It doesn't really matter how fast and furious things get on the big screen, the summer movie season doesn't officially kick off until May 6th. And this year Thor opened things with a lighting bolt blast of Marvel excitement. It doesn't come to an end until August 31st, when Sam Worthington sends us all back to school with The Debt. Between then and now, we will see some of the biggest movies of the year hit hard.

Secret agent Bob Ho faces his most challenging mission yet in action-comedy The Spy Next Door, now out on DVD and Blu-ray from Momentum Pictures.

Leading the cast is ultimate martial arts stunt-master Jackie Chan, who also stars in new UK cinema release The Karate Kid.

Starring alongside Chan is Amber Valletta (Hitch, Gamer), Katherine Boecher (Mad Men, Heroes), Billy Ray Cyrus (Hannah Montana), Aaron Shiver (Hamlet 2), George Lopez (Valentine's Day, Beverly Hills Chihuahua) and Magnús Scheving (Sportacus in Lazy Town).

While baby-sitting his girlfriend's three children, former secret agent Bob (Chan) is forced out of retirement when one of the kids accesses top secret information that places them all in danger.

But before he can take on the bad guys, he has to get three unruly youngsters to behave. Bob has to achieve the seemingly impossible without revealing his secret identity.

Directed by Brian Levant (Are We There Yet?...

Today Universal released Get Him to the Greek, a sort-of sequel to 2008's Forgetting Sarah Marshall as it uses Aldous Snow who had a small role in the original. Beyond that, there is only a brief reference to Sarah Marshall, which has me thinking it's not really a sequel as much as it is a spin-off. The same could be said for a movie like Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)... Same characters, but not really a sequel to Clerks, which ended up having its own sequel in 2006.

In a debate with a group of fellow Seattle critics trying to decide if Get Him to the Greek was a sequel to Forgetting Sarah Marshall or not, the topic turned to comedy sequels in general and I was asked to name a great comedy sequel. Should be easy... right?

I started mining my memory banks, and started thinking of movies with...

There is something very sad about watching The Spy Next Door. The moment the film begins we are treated to clips of Jackie Chan kicking serious ass. On closer inspection it is obvious these clips are lifted from his previous films. The sad part comes directly afterwards when we see a present day Jackie Chan looking much older.

All the opening montage does is remind us of how awesome the star once was. Admittedly I had already judged the film before I had even seen it. Coming out of the cinema one day I spotted the films poster and couldn’t stop laughing. What can I say, the name Billy Ray Cyrus never fails to make me chuckle.

Anyway, I now found myself sitting down at a screening for the film and so I was ready to give it (and Billy Ray) a chance. The Spy Next Door isn’t...