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Popular perception of Japanese horror, or J-horror, might be limited to "Ringu" and "Ju-on: The Grudge," but there's more to this thematically rich genre. The enduring image of Sadako crawling out of a television screen is preceded by decades worth of macabre folk tales, supernatural myths, and horror aspects drawn from traditional Kabuki theater. One of the earliest examples of J-horror is Kaneto Shindo's 1964 film "Onibaba," a tale of dread and betrayal set against the backdrop of civil war. At other times, these horror stories dive into deeply surreal waters, such as Nobuhiko Obayashi's "Hausu" aka "House," which has gained cult status over the years due to its inventive imagery.

Fast forward to a post-"Ringu" world, Takashi Miike made "One Missed Call," which features a straightforward horror plot revolving around strange cell phone messages. For those unfamiliar with Miike's brand of filmmaking, the "Audition" and "Ichi the Killer...

It’s been nearly a quarter of a century since Heath Ledger charmed audiences in 2001’s A Knight’s Tale as the peasant William Thatcher. The movie, also starring Paul Bettany, known for his turn as Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Alan Tudyk

(Andor, Resident Alien), Mark Addy (The Full Monty), Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat), and Shannyn Sossamon (Sleepy Hollow), is finally being released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Steelbook.

A Knight’s Tale, written and directed by Brian Helgeland, who won an Oscar for Best Writing for 1997’s L.A. Confidential, will debut on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Steelbook on May 20. Per Collider, the limited-edition Steelbook will includea newly restored Uhd disc and a single Blu-ray disc bundled into one package suitable for collectors.

Image via Sony

Set in the 14th century, A Knight’s Tale follows the late Ledger’s William Thatcher as he quests to change his path and...

Physical media enthusiasts who have been jousting to get their hands on a 4K release of A Knight's Talehave reason to celebrate because Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has just announced a new collectible steelbook that includes fully restored versions of both the Extended and Theatrical cuts of the rock-and-roll comedy, which stars Heath Ledger as the charming William Thatcher.

As reported by ComicBook.com, the 4K Blu-ray of A Knight's Tale will be released on May 20, 2025, with plenty of extras for movie fans to explore. The discs are not only loaded with both versions of the movie presented in 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio (approved by director Brian Helgeland), but there is also a slew of bonus features, including deleted scenes, extended scenes, cast and crew commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a gag reel, and more — detailed below.

Disc One – 4K Blu-ray

Special Features and Technical Specs:

New 4K Restorations...

The Heath Ledger period film that rocks out with a modern soundtrack is coming to physical media in a brand-new crisp ultra-high-definition transfer of both the theatrical edition and extended edition. A Knight’s Tale stars Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon, Paul Bettany, and Laura Fraser. The film is directed by Brian Helgeland and he brings a uniquely fun flavor to the Medieval jousting world. Blu-ray.com reports that the new home release from Sony Pictures is due to hit retailers on May 20.

The description reads,

“The 14th century takes a rocking new twist in A Knight’s Tale, a stylish, music driven, action packed adventure starring Heath Ledger, with heroic performances from Mark Addy and Rufus Sewell. Ledger plays William Thatcher, a peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a nobleman and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing that...

As one of the most affordable streaming services currently in the field, Peacock continues to offer its subscribers a slew of great movie options. As is the case with March, the platform is slated to provide viewers with a plethora of choices. In fact, there’s even a major award winner in the mix that audiences certainly won’t want to pass on.

With a host of action films, comedy films, and horror films, there’s bound to be something for everyone, no matter what their interests might be. Whether viewers want to laugh, cry, or lose themselves in a majestic fantasy world, the streaming service has something for them. As such, Peacock has everything audiences could possibly want next month.

'A Knight’s Tale' Stream on March 1

A medieval action comedy set in 14th-century England, A Knight’s Tale follows a peasant squire named William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) who...

The Romantic-Comedy genre has served cheeseballs to audiences who have often flocked to them for a pat on the back for years. It has not only provided the audience with the much-needed hope that love is around the corner but has also entertained them with neatly packed humor that makes a dolly out of life’s most lovable moments. However, with changing times, the genre has undergone a makeover of sorts. More films have established the idea of a rom-com but have twisted the narrative to serve the greater good. Subverting the genre has thus become a common trait. Indie films of late have often done wonders within the genre itself. The best romantic comedy movies of the decade have thus come out from the indie cinema. 24 of those are as follows:

24. Two Night Stand (2014) | Director: Max Nichols

“Two Night Stand” revolves around Megan (Analeigh Tipton) and Alec (Miles Teller...

Selma Blair is back.

The “Cruel Intentions” star is returning with three new movies, including the Israel-Hamas war drama “Stay Forte” with Judd Hirsch and the brothers Mark and Michael Polish’s “There There.” She will also star in supernatural thriller “Silent” from filmmaking duo Doron and Yoaz Paz.

Blair, who went public with her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018, hinted she had projects in the works when I spoke with her at the Elle Women in Hollywood dinner in November: “I started feeling really better this last year and I’m back at work and doing things so I will have things to announce.

“Stay Forte,” directed by Israeli filmmaker Doron Eran, tells the story of Alon Shamiriz, Yotam Haim and Samer Tallaka, three Israelis taken hostage by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel.

“This film is not just a narrative; it’s a testament to the resilience...

Heath Ledger will always be remembered for his iconic portrayal as The Joker which won him a posthumous Oscar at the 2009 Academy Awards, but years before his tragic passing he teamed up with a current MCU star for a romance film that just landed a new streaming home. A Knight’s Tale, which has currently only been available to stream for those with a Prime Video membership, has been announced as one of the new additions coming to Vizio Watchfree+ on January 1. In addition to Ledger in the leading role, A Knight’s Tale also stars Paul Bettany and Alan Tudyk alongside Mark Addy and Shannyn Sossamon, and the film sits at a 59% score from critics but a 79% rating from general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

Quick Links The Rules of Attraction Cast Many Stars of the Day The Rules of Attraction Demonstrates a Dramatic Love Triangle Paul Is the Only Innocent In Rules of Attraction The Rules of Attraction Pairs Dark Themes With Humor

This article contains mentions of suicide.

The Vampire Diaries was at one time the focal point of The CW programming. Adapted from L.J. Smith's books of the same name, the series would catapult its stars to fame and spawn an extended universe of its own. The strength of its characters is the main reason that the horror romance was such a success. The chemistry between leads Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) eclipsed all other components of the series.

The Vampire Diaries, however, was not Somerhalder's main claim to fame at the time. In 2004, the actor was part of one of the biggest television phenomena of the time.

The latest in our series of comfort film recommendations is a look back to 2001’s absurdly enjoyable mix of romance, action and anachronistic music choices

There’s a neat little moment in A Knight’s Tale that I like to think speaks directly to how it became one of my favourite films. Having riled up the crowd before Heath Ledger’s imposter knight William rides into a joust, Paul Bettany’s boisterous Geoffrey Chaucer tells him: “I got their attention. You go and win their hearts.”

Brian Helgeland’s 2001 film is on paper absurd. It’s a medieval sports movie about jousting, filmed on cheapo sets in post-Velvet revolution Prague to an arena-rock soundtrack, which begins with peasants walloping wooden stands to Queen’s We Will Rock You. Peter Bradshaw wrote in his review at the time: “Is the film based on a dream he had after eating far too much cheese?...

Production has wrapped on the post-apocalyptic horror thriller (with a Halloween twist) The Hallowarrior, and Variety has unveiled a first look image of the lead character played by Milly Shapiro, who genre fans may know from the 2018 horror film Hereditary and this year’s Peacock series Hysteria! (and I highly recommend that you check that show out if you haven’t watched it already.) That’s the image at the top of this article.

The feature debut of writer/director Ben Sottak, The Hallowarrior is based on Sottak’s proof of concept short film Scavenger. Shapiro is joined in the cast by Shannyn Sossamon (A Knight’s Tale), Ajani Russell (Betty), and Aj Bowen (You’re Next).

The story Sottak crafted for the film centers on Pumpkin (Shapiro), the last girl on earth and sole survivor of a humanity-ending plague, scavenging the wasteland for supplies on the eve of Halloween. Pumpkin’s...

The star of Ari Aster’s Hereditary, Milly Shapiro returns to the horror genre in The Hallowarrior, and Variety shares the first news as well as a first-look photo today (above).

Directed by Ben Sottak and based on his own proof-of-concept short film Scavenger, upcoming horror film The Hallowarrior takes place on Halloween Eve… in an apocalyptic world!

Milly Shapiro stars as Pumpkin, the last girl on earth and sole survivor of a humanity-ending plague, scavenging the wasteland for supplies on the eve of Halloween…

“Pumpkin’s lonely holiday ritual is interrupted by the arrival of a savage gang of raiders at her doorstep, led by the fearsome Thalia (Shannyn Sossamon). Outnumbered and armed with candy, wit and weapons, Pumpkin must ferociously fight back to survive the night.”

Sottak wrote and directed The Hallowarrior, which has wrapped production. Variety notes, “Cinetic is handling North American rights, while Architect has pre-sold...

Variety has revealed that Milly Shapiro, celebrated for her role in ‘Hereditary,’ is set to star in a new horror-thriller titled ‘The Hallowarrior,’ alongside Shannyn Sossamon.

Directed by newcomer Ben Sottak, this post-apocalyptic horror-thriller promises a Halloween twist that could make it a staple for the spooky season.

The plot centers around Pumpkin, portrayed by Shapiro, who is the last girl on Earth following a catastrophic plague.

Living in a desolate wasteland, she faces her loneliest Halloween yet, until a brutal gang of raiders, led by Sossamon’s character Thalia, disrupts her solitude.

Armed with only candy, wit, and weapons, Pumpkin must defend herself against the overwhelming threat.

‘The Hallowarrior’ is not just a survival story but a nostalgic nod to the genre films that have delighted audiences every October.

“This movie is dripping with nostalgic fall atmosphere, cheer-inducing kills and a lovable ‘final girl,'” Sottak shared, expressing his...

Milly Shapiro (“Hereditary”) and Shannyn Sossamon (“A Knight’s Tale”) will star together in “The Hallowarrior,” Ben Sottak’s upcoming post-apocalyptic horror-thriller with a Halloween twist.

Production has just wrapped on the feature in Syracuse, N.Y., with the filmmakers releasing a first look still of a bloodied, Halloween jumper-wearing Shapiro (above).

“The Hallowarrior” follows Pumpkin (Shapiro), the last girl on earth and sole survivor of a humanity-ending plague, scavenging the wasteland for supplies on the eve of Halloween. Pumpkin’s lonely holiday ritual is interrupted by the arrival of a savage gang of raiders at her doorstep, led by the fearsome Thalia (Sossamon). Outnumbered and armed with candy, wit and weapons, Pumpkin must ferociously fight back to survive the night.

Based on his standout proof of concept short “Scavenger,” debut filmmaker Sottak wrote and directed the film. Sottak’s latest short, “Martillo” (co-directed with Alejandra Parody), premiered in August at...

A fan-favorite movie starring the late great Heath Ledger has found a new streaming home. A Knight's Tale will arrive on Prime Video on November 1.

Ledger, who won an Academy Award for portraying the Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, stars in 2001's A Knight's Tale as the main protagonist William Thatcher, a peasant squire posing as a knight to compete in tournaments. He earns victories and the friendships of notable historical figures like Edward the Black Prince and Geoffrey Chaucer. The film drew inspiration from Chaucer's "The Knight's Tale," part of The Canterbury Tales. The movie's ensemble cast includes Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, James Purefoy, Alan Tudyk, Shannyn Sossamon, Laura Fraser, and Mark Addy. A Knight's Tale opened to mixed reviews and grossed just over $117 million worldwide against a $65 million budget.

Related John Krasinski's Jack Ryan Returns, But Not in the Way You'd Expect

Tom Clancy...

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Teacup is a sci-fi mystery horror thriller drama series created by Ian McCulloch. Based on the 1988 book Stinger by author Robert R. McCammon, the Peacock series is set on an isolated ranch in rural Georgia and it follows the Chenoweth family and their neighbors who are trapped in an invisible barrier while they fight against a mysterious threat that wants to kill them. Teacup stars Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman, Chaske Spencer, Kathy Baker, Boris McGiver, Diany Rodriguez, Caleb Dolden, Émilie Bierre, Bill Heck, and Rob Morgan. So, if you loved the thrilling mystery, sci-fi horror elements, and compelling characters in Teacup here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Mist (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Netflix

The Mist is a sci-fi horror thriller drama series created by Christian Torpe. Based on the 1980 horror novel of...

Dark Matter's renewal is exciting, but it also means season 2 of the multiverse show could follow a similar trajectory that doomed another adaption of a book by the same writer. Blake Crouch is a renowned sci-fi author, and while only two shows have been created from his literary works so far, there is far more potential to come from his impressive back catalog. Although changes were made to 2016's Dark Matter book for season 1, the overall story remained the same in Apple TV+'s version. However, Dark Matter season 2's confirmation calls for a very different production process.

Joel Edgerton led the cast of Dark Matter season 1 as Jason Dessen. Although the inaugural run of episodes ends with the possibility of Edgerton's return in season 2, the story's continuation would also largely make sense without his presence. Dark Matter season 1's ending implies the focus will shift to other characters.

Yellowjackets is the latest mystery must-watch series that is driving fans wild with all of its exciting revelations. Created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, the Showtime series is a mix of horror and drama and it follows a group of highly talented girls high-school soccer team, whose plane crashes deep into the Ontario wilderness, and it quickly becomes a question of life and death for them. Yellowjackets stars Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, Ella Purnell, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty, Steven Krueger, Warren Kole, Christina Ricci, and Juliette Lewis. So, if you loved the survival thriller, horror drama, and mystery aspects of Yellowjackets here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Lost Credit – ABC

Lost is a sci-fi mystery adventure and survival thriller drama series created by Jeffrey Lieber, J.J. Abrams, and Damon Lindelöf. The ABC series revolves around a group of survivors of...

One of Heath Ledger's most beloved movies will hit Paramount+ next month. The late actor is perhaps most well-known for giving an iconic, Academy-award-winning performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Ledger's A Knight's Tale will arrive on Paramount+ on September 1. Co-produced and directed by Brian Helgeland and released by Columbia Pictures, the 2001 medieval action comedy stars Ledger as William Thatcher, a peasant squire posing as a knight to compete in tournaments. He earns victories and the friendships of notable historical figures like Edward the Black Prince and Geoffrey Chaucer. The film drew inspiration from Chaucer's "The Knight's Tale," part of The Canterbury Tales. The movie's ensemble cast includes Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, James Purefoy, Alan Tudyk, Shannyn Sossamon, Laura Fraser, and Mark Addy. A Knight's Tale opened to mixed reviews and grossed just over $117 million worldwide against a $65 million budget.

Related Joker Director Confirms the Fate of...

Twin Peaks reshaped TV with its surreal horror and soap opera elements, influencing many shows like True Detective and Dark. Twin Peaks' atmospheric menace in a small-town setting and the central question of who killed Laura Palmer are uniquely haunting. Led by Kyle MacLachlan, Twin Peaks spawned imitations and homages, making it an incredibly important cult classic.

It's impossible to name every single horror movie or TV show inspired by Twin Peaks. Without a doubt, David Lynch and Mark Frost's mystery drama reshaped television and visual storytelling when the series premiered in 1990. Packed with surreal, horror, and soap opera elements, Twin Peaks has an incredibly distinct feel. The atmospheric menace that permeates the show's small-town setting is uniquely haunting, as is the cosmic nature of Twin Peaks' central question: Who killed Laura Palmer? Led by Kyle MacLachlan's Dale Cooper, Twin Peaks is a singular series, but it also spawned many imitations and homages.

Devery Jacobs shines as an obsessively competitive cheerleader in the well-made Backspot, executive produced by Elliott Page. Jacobs did her own stunts in this viscerally physical movie. The film addresses complex themes with an energetic approach, but some characters (such as the parents) are depicted unrealistically. A fierce Evan Rachel Wood coaches with menace in this intense character study that feels like Whiplash for cheerleading.

Devery Jacobs shines in an intense cheerleading drama that's markedly different from previous films about the popular sport. Backspot follows a pair of queer high school cheerleaders as they make a championship squad coached by a ruthless perfectionist. Their paths diverge as something that once brought them together becomes divisive and unhealthy. The film addresses complex themes with an energetic approach indicative of the steadfast commitment needed to succeed as an elite cheerleader. It's thrilling to see despite a questionable acceptance of the girls' intimate relationship.

The number of movies about gifted youngsters sacrificing the traditional teen experience in favor of artistic perfection or academic excellence is immeasurable. "Stick It" peered into the world of Olympic hopeful gymnastics, "Whiplash" pulled back the curtain of elite musicianship, and "Bring It On" turned the world of competitive cheerleading into one of the greatest teen films ever made. This is all to say, coming-of-age stories in this territory are well-tread, so finding a way to stand out among so many all-time greats is a massive undertaking. Fortunately, for D.W. Waterson's directorial feature film debut, "Backspot," this stylish, unapologetically queer look at the world of All-Star Cheerleading (not to be confused with high school cheerleading) is a soaring breath of fresh air.

Written by Joanne Sarazen, "Reservation Dogs" star Devery Jacobs commands the tale as star cheerleader Riley, who is given the opportunity to audition for the elite competitive squad,...

Your browser does not support the video tag. Screen Rant presents a clip from Backspot featuring stars Devery Jacobs and Evan Rachel Woods. Devery Jacobs brings authenticity to her performance in Backspot, drawing on her background as an award-winning gymnast. Backspot, a long-burning passion project for director D.W. Waterson, flips into theaters on May 31.

Backspot is a new cheerleading drama from director D.W. Waterson, written by Joanne Sarazen with a story by Waterson. The movie follows an ambitious cheerleader who is selected for an all-star cheer squad, only to face adversity in the competitive environment fomented by a demanding head coach. Backspot was executive produced by Elliot Page, and premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

Screen Rant is happy to debut a clip from Backspot featuring the films stars Devery Jacobs as Riley and Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld) as Coach McNamera. The clip showcases Jacobs gymnastic abilities and...

The 21st century cheerleader is an athlete unlike any other. With a wide-eyed grin, flashy makeup and a glittering bow to match, she is required to be sturdy yet feminine; pliant yet steely. In “Backspot,” D.W. Waterson’s feature directorial debut, the Canadian filmmaker has crafted a thrilling character portrait that puts those seemingly incongruent demands to the test. And, in the process, they have created a bold showcase for Devery Jacobs (“Reservation Dogs”), an actress who deftly captures the vexing tightrope walk required of young women in such a demanding, performance-driven, sport.

What’s immediately noticeable when you first meet Riley (Jacobs) are her eyebrows. Waterson doesn’t have us fixate on them but as you witness Riley going about her cheerleading practice with, among others, her girlfriend Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo), you can’t help but wonder why they’re so thinned out. She’s a capable athlete whose...

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Devery Jacobs shows extraordinary range in a physically grueling and emotionally intense performance. Backspot follows a pair of queer Canadian high school cheerleaders as they earn a coveted place on a champion squad. Their relationship becomes threatened when Riley (Jacobs) disagrees with Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo) over the harsh tactics of their coach. Eileen (Evan Rachel Wood) pushes the girls to their breaking point in a ruthless quest for glory.

Jacobs produced Backspot with director D.W. Waterson, her filmmaking partner, while also starring and doing her own stunts as a former gymnast. They (and executive producer Elliott Page) wanted to tell a story that incorporated multi-generational queer dynamics with "a badass sport" that doesn't get enough respect for being so demanding and competitive. Please watch above or read on for our complete interview with Devery Jacobs, where she also discusses her future projects...

Exclusive: Out at the Cannes market, LA-based production company Convergence Entertainment Group is launching There There, which is being written and directed by the Polish brothers in their first collaboration in more than a decade.

The film has begun principal photography and the duo are hopeful it will premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. This would be the sixth Polish Brothers film to premiere at the festival.

On There There, each of the twin brothers will write and direct one half of the movie without the other knowing anything about the other, resulting in two separate storylines that will be interwoven into a single feature-length film. This approach will enable each brother to explore the nature of the twin relationship from their own unique perspective without being influenced or constrained by the other’s vision.

The cast includes Gretchen Mol (Yellowstone), Shannon Sossamon (The Rules of Attraction), Corbin Bernsen (Major...

Adventure has served as one of the greatest underpinnings of storytelling since the earliest days of fiction, and that holds equally true in cinema. From quests to find lost treasures to heroes rescuing damsels in distress, the genre utilizes many of the most popular tropes and themes in fiction. However, as with any genre, adventure is incredibly versatile, and is often merged with other genres, including comedy.

The merger of comedy and adventure has led to some of Hollywood's most entertaining and uplifting films, from '80s classics to modern-day hijinks. These movies continue to be great, all-ages stories that combine some of the best ingredients in cinema, and include some fan-favorite franchises. Adding comedy to a movie is almost always a sign of mainstream success, and nowhere is this truer than in adventure.

A Knight's Tale Brings Rock 'N' Roll To The Middle Ages

A Knight's Tale PG-13ActionAdventureRomance...

A Knight's Tale sequel idea by Bettany and Tudyk was rejected by Netflix and Sony, likely for the best in preserving the original's charm. The idea of a sequel facing hurdles due to Netflix's concerns validates why A Knight's Tale 2 should not happen to honor Ledger's memory. The potential sequel plot involving William's daughter learning to joust brings a full-circle moment, better left as a nostalgic memory.

Paul Bettany and Alan Tudyk once pitched an A Knight's Tale sequel idea to director Brian Helgeland, and though it's the perfect sequel story, it's for the best that it never happened. The two actors, who starred alongside Heath Ledger in the original 2001 movie, inspired Helgeland to bring their pitch to Sony and Netflix, who entertained the idea before deciding it was unlikely to succeed. This is a bit of a disappointment, especially considering the ever-growing cult-classic status of A Knight's Tale. Still,...

Before AI started growing as a concern in the entertainment industry in many aspects, there was and still is a struggle with the way streamers promote works to certain viewers, with their algorithms spotlighting some content while leaving others in the dark. The technology is in almost every facet of the internet to customize exposure and availability to consumers. Studios seemingly make creative decisions based on what is trending or what spikes in activity. However, rarely do you hear of movie pitches getting turned down due to the unfavorable results of an algorithm.

That’s exactly what director Brian Helgeland claims happened with Netflix after he was pitching to them an idea to do a sequel to his 2001 period film A Knight’s Tale. The first movie starred the late Heath Ledger, and while his absence alone would play a big factor in working against a sequel, Helgeland says Netflix lost...

Despite growing popularity, a sequel to A Knight's Tale was rejected by Netflix due to lack of interest in the film. Director Brian Helgeland's pitch for turned down by Netflix testing algorithms. The unique blend of history and modern music in the original movie starring Heath Ledger continues to attract audiences.

While many sequel scripts have been scrapped in Hollywood, it seems that Brian Helgeland’s attempts to deliver a follow-up to the Heath Ledger movie A Knight’s Tale was scuppered by a Netflix algorithm.

In a new interview with the filmmaker, he explained that he had been keen to do a sequel to the medieval comedy but, despite continuing to be a popular choice among film lovers, his pitch to Netflix was denied on the basis that their algorithm didn’t think there was enough interest in it. Speaking to Inverse, Helgeland was asked about the potential sequel,...

Brian Helgeland reveals that a sequel to A Knight's Tale almost moved forward with a story involving Jocelyn being captured by pirates. A separate idea involved a story more similar to the first film about William's daughter training to be a knight, but Netflix passed on the idea due to algorithmic data. A Knight's Tale stars Heath Ledger and has since developed a passionate fan following.

A Knight's Tale director Brian Helgeland explains why a planned sequel to the Heath Ledger movie didn't move forward at Netflix. Released in 2001, A Knight's Tale tells the story of Ledger's William Thatcher, a peasant squire who poses as a knight and strives to achieve glory in jousting competitions. The film was a modest success at the box office, but it has since developed a passionate following due in part to Ledger's charismatic performance. Ledger tragically passed away in 2008.

In a recent interview for Inverse,...

Brian Helgeland's 2001 film "A Knight's Tale" is based on the first of the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, but it has as much to do with 14th-century medieval literature as "Wayne's World." The film features characters singing Queen songs and one of the characters invents the Nike "swoop" as a brand for her armor. The story involves William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) a handsome young cove who aims to win jousting tournaments and be welcomed as one of the king's knights. It's a raucous, lightweight, silly movie that is deeply beloved by a very specific age group, that is: those who were between 15 and 17 in May of 2001.

It also depicted Ledger at the height of his heartthrob powers, as well as Paul Bettany (as Chaucer), Rufus Sewell as the villain, Shannyn Sossamon as Ledger's would-be paramour, and a trio of brilliant comedian sidekicks in Mark Addy, Laura Fraser, and Alan Tudyk.

'A Knight's Tale' sequel was scrapped by the Netflix algorithm, according to director Brian Helgeland.The 63-year-old filmmaker has been keen to shoot a follow-up to his 2001 medieval comedy classic - which starred Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany and Alan Tudyk - but despite the original movie's enduring popularity, the streaming platform has decided against it.He told Inverse magazine: "I pitched it to Sony because they own the rights, and it seemed like they were interested in making it with Netflix, releasing it as a Netflix movie.“My understanding is that Netflix tested this sequel idea through their algorithms, which indicated that it would not be successful."‘A Knight’s Tale’ seems to get more popular with every passing year; it’s the strangest thing.”Helgeland and the team already had big plans for a sequel almost 20 years ago when they finished work on the original movie.He recalled:...

“A Knight’s Tale” director Brian Helgeland revealed in a career retrospective interview with Inverse that his efforts to make a sequel to his 2001 medieval action-comedy classic were apparently thwarted by the Netflix algorithm.

“When we finished ‘A Knight’s Tale,’ we were already thinking about making the sequel as a pirate film,” Helgeland said. “The plot revolved around Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell) kidnapping Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) and taking her to Constantinople. They end up as galley slaves after their boat is captured by pirates. There’s a prisoner on the boat who has a treasure map tattooed on his back, but he keeps getting flogged for indiscipline. The guys volunteer to take turns getting flogged in this prisoner’s place, so the map isn’t erased. Sony didn’t want to do it.”

Sony released “A Knight’s Tale” to $117 million at the worldwide box office in summer 2001. Heath Ledger led the ensemble cast,...

A potential sequel to “A Knight’s Tale,” the 2001 period comedy that starred the late Heath Ledger as an aspiring knight, was killed by the Netflix algorithm, according to director Brian Helgeland.

“I pitched it to Sony because they own the rights, and it seemed like they were interested in making it with Netflix and releasing it as a Netflix movie,” the original film’s writer-director told Inverse in an interview published Monday. “My understanding is that Netflix tested this sequel idea through their algorithms, which indicated that it would not be successful.”

He said he was surprised at that, because “‘A Knight’s Tale’ seems to get more popular with every passing year; it’s the strangest thing.”

Helgeland’s idea was to make a pirate sequel right after the first film wrapped, he said, detailing the proposed plot.

“The plot revolved around Count Adhemar [Rufus Sewell] kidnapping Jocelyn [Shannyn Sossamon] and taking her to Constantinople,...

"This world is not kind to weak people." XYZ Films has revealed the trailer for a Canadian cheerleading film called Backspot, which plays more a serious drama or intense thriller than a sports comedy or satire. This is similar to that rowing film The Novice a few years ago. This premiered at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival last year and hits US theaters in May. Devery Jacobs (from "Reservation Dogs") stars as Riley, who is given the chance to cheer with the all-star squad, Thunderhawks. With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her crippling anxiety, her relationship with her girlfriend, and also her desperate need for approval from her new coach. One positive review states: “You may think you know your sports movie tropes, but you’ve never seen them used quite this way — that is, within a queer cheerleading drama firmly focused on complex female characters — and Waterson’s Backspot delights in skewing such expectations.

The Cleaning Lady fans, we’ve got a fresh off the press preview for the new Season 3 Episode 5 episode titled All of Me!

Find out everything you need to know about the All of Me episode of The Cleaning Lady, including a full preview, videos, release date, cast information and how to watch!

The Cleaning Lady All of Me Season 3 Episode 5 Preview

Get ready for a riveting episode of “The Cleaning Lady” titled “All of Me,” airing on Fox at 8:00 Pm on April 2, 2024. In this intense installment, viewers will be swept into a whirlwind of drama and suspense as Thony and Fiona find themselves confronting a terrifying situation head-on, determined to set things right before it’s too late.

Starring Elodie Yung as Thony and Adan Canto as Fiona, the dynamic duo leads the charge in navigating the challenges they face, showcasing their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Exclusive: XYZ Films has acquired U.S. and Australia/Nz rights to distribute the TIFF sports drama Backspot, directed by first-time feature filmmaker D.W. Waterson and starring Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs) and Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld).

XYZ Films will release the film domestically and has set a theatrical release for spring of 2024.

The rights deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group with James Emanuel Shapiro from XYZ Films.

In the film, an ambitious cheerleader (Jacobs) faces both new adversity and the increased drive for perfection and triumph when she and her girlfriend are selected for an all-star cheer squad with an overbearing head coach (Evan Rachel Wood).

The film was written by Joanne Sarazen with a story by D.W. Waterson, and is produced by Alona Metzer, D.W. Waterson, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs and Martin Katz, and is executive-produced by Elliot Page, Matthew Jordan Smith, J.C. Davidson and Katisha Shaw,...

A Knight's Tale is a well-rounded film that combines action, romance, comedy, and a heartwarming story of triumph over adversity. The movie includes historical figures such as Geoffrey Chaucer and Edward the Black Prince, adding a sense of historical representation to the 14th-Century setting. The deliberate use of classic rock music creates a unique and enjoyable soundtrack that enhances the viewing experience.

The 2001 film A Knight's Tale tells the story of a peasant squire named William Thatcher (portrayed by the late great Heath Ledger). William takes over for his knight, Sir Ector, when the man passes away unexpectedly. Alongside his fellow squires, Roland and Wat (Mark Addy and Alan Tudyk), William continues to compete under a false name and faked nobility papers, leading to an adventure unlike any other. During their travels and jousting tournaments they come across a slew of people — including a noble lady named Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon...

If you’re looking for recent movies about the uniquely harrowing experience of female perfectionism, there’s the Taylor Swift documentary Miss Americana, Lauren Hadaway’s gut-punching feature debut The Novice, and now Backspot, the debut feature from Canadian DJ and director D. W. Waterson. Backspot has all the trappings of an impactful story, putting capable actors like Devery Jacobs and Evan Rachel Wood in the pressure cooker of competitive cheerleading. Unfortunately, this movie is far more concerned with bassy beats and showy camerawork than it is with making a point.

Our protagonist is Riley (Jacobs), a neurotic backspot who gets recruited into an elite squad, the Thunderhawks, just before a big competition. Together with her girlfriend Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo) and friend Rachel (Noa Diberto), Riley tries to withstand the brutal new standards set forth by their exacting coach, Eileen (Evan Rachel Wood). Riley, who shares her home with an aggressive,...

Canadian distributor LevelFilm has hired two executives from Sphere Films in leadership roles.

Olivier Gauthier-Mercier joins as VP, distribution and Lainie Elton as VP, sales and acquisitions. Gauthier-Mercier was previously VP, distribution at Sphere Films where he oversaw the releases of Ari Aster’s “Beau is Afraid,” Kelly Reichardt’s “Showing Up” and Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun.”

Lainie Elton returns to LevelFilm after heading up licensing and digital strategy at Sphere Films as a vice president. Elton was previously VP, sales at LevelFilm for five years shepherding “Firecrackers,” “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” and “The Assistant.” The executive was also instrumental in establishing LevelFilm’s relationships with Netflix and Rogers.

Upcoming LevelFilm releases include musical biopic “Dreamin’ Wild,” starring Casey Affleck, Zooey Deschanel, Chris Messina and Walton Goggins and Ben Kingsley-led drama “Jules.’ At the Toronto International Film Festival 2023, LevelFilm has Elliot Page-produced queer cheer drama “Backspot,...

The premise of Nancy Meyers' 2006 romance "The Holiday" is rather high concept. Iris (Kate Winslet), a reporter in England, has just broken up with her cheating boyfriend. Amanda (Cameron Diaz), a Los Angeles native and showbiz impresario, has just done the same. By chance, the two heartbroken women discover a want-ad in the newspaper wherein they would swap homes for the holidays and live in each other's respective towns. Amanda, while in England, finds some unexpected romantic company with Iris' visiting brother Graham (Jude Law). The two decide to have a fling, but end up seeing each other more and more. Iris, meanwhile, settling in L.A., finds herself drifting closer and closer toward a friend of her ex, a charming and funny dude named Miles (Jack Black). The film also features Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon, Kathryn Hahn, and John Krasinski. Lindsay Lohan makes a cameo. 

The reviews weren't overwhelmingly...

It felt good didn’t it? Watching a fantasy film where folks could crack a smile and actually enjoy their adventure. There was certainly danger and monsters in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves—not to mention the roleplaying tabletop game’s namesakes!—but that didn’t mean you couldn’t enjoy the ride.

In the last 20 years, fantasy has largely come to take itself exceedingly seriously where the fate of kingdoms or the entire world often hangs in the balance, and the central heroes who may start merry end the story broken, traumatized, and in a few instances ready to murder their homicidal lover… who is also their aunt.

This past weekend’s winsome D&d movie did away with all that, instead favoring some good old-fashioned romping to go along with a pure cut of high fantasy. If you enjoyed the experience, here are some other fantasy movies we recommend to continue the fun.

Principal photography has kicked off on “Backspot,” the upcoming queer cheerleading film starring Devery Jacobs (“Reservation Dogs”) and newcomer Kudakwashe Rutendo as the leads. It will mark helmer D.W. Waterson (“That’s My DJ”) directorial feature debut. The film is expected to shoot until mid-March in the Toronto area.

The film hails from Elliot Page’s Page Boy Productions, Night is Y and Prospero Pictures, and was written by Joanne Sarazen, based on a story by Waterson. Page, Matthew Jordan Smith, John Davidson, and Katisha Shaw executive produce; Alona Metzer, Waterson, Jacobs and Martin Katz board as producers.

“Backspot” revolves around two young cheerleaders, Riley (Jacobs) and Amanda (Rutendo). Both are impressive members of their mid-level cheerleading squad until a professional coach gives them a chance to level up with The Thunderhawks. There, they must learn to “negotiate their space, find their voices, and come to an understanding with the...

“The Holiday” (2006) falls in the fan-favorite canon of Christmas films every year for its sincerely heartfelt story of love found in the least-expected places. And given that it’s a yearly tradition for many, you might be wondering where to stream “The Holiday” right now.

A classic switcheroo from romantic comedy filmmaker veteran Nancy Meyers trades Amanda (Cameron Diaz) for Iris (Kate Winslet) as the two women decide to participate in a home swap when they aren’t having luck with love. Iris’ love for Jasper (Rufus Sewell) remains unrequited while Amanda’s longtime boyfriend Ethan (Edward Burns) has cheated on her, and she doesn’t exactly feel sad about it, so she kicks him out of her fancy LA mansion (she cuts movie trailers for a living).

Amanda heads to Iris’ cozy cottage just outside London, where Iris’ brother Graham (Jude Law) comes calling drunk late one night. Of...

Horror movies like Deep Fear take place underground, and they are often the most effective as far as compelling scares go. They evoke a fear that everyone can understand. Trap someone in a confined, dark space below ground, then have them be pursued by someone (or something) — it’s a simple but winning formula.

Screambox‘s latest release Deep Fear, as well as the nine other movies below, reinforce feelings of claustrophobia and remind you of what possible evils could be hiding below the surface. As Above, So Below, The Descent, C.H.U.D., Creep and The Midnight Meat Train are all familiar examples of this subgenre, but this list focuses on underseen movies set underground.

Deep Fear (2022)

Grégory Beghin‘s movie Deep Fear follows three friends and their guide (Joseph Olivennes) into the Paris Catacombs. Set in the early ’90s, the main characters have recently graduated from college,...

For anyone that's into Creepypasta, you'll want to make sure that Grimcutty is on your radar. A scary internet meme that takes on a life of its own, Grimcutty is now available on Hulu and I recently talked with the films director/writer and stars all about the new horror film!

"In this modern creature feature, a scary internet meme called “Grimcutty” stirs up panic amongst all the parents in town, convinced it’s making their kids harm themselves and others. When a real-life version of Grimcutty starts attacking teen Asha Chaudry, her parents believe that she’s cutting herself as part of a challenge. With her phone taken away and no one who believes her, Asha has to figure out how to get through to her parents and stop the Grimcutty once and for all."

Directed and written by John William Ross (“The Birch”), Grimcutty stars Sara Wolfkind, Callan Farris,...

Stars: Joel Ezra Hebner, Sara Wolfkind, Callan Farris, Usman Ally, Shannyn Sossamon, Tate Moore | Written and Directed by John Ross

Grimcutty begins with a young boy, his hands and wrists covered in bandaids, sneaking out of his room as his mover reads articles about internet challenges. As he makes his way downstairs and gets a knife a half-glimpsed figure, Grimcutty, slips into the house. The boy then stabs his mother, apparently at the creature’s command.

After that we meet our main characters, Asha Chaudhry, her younger brother Kamran, and their parents Leah and Amir. Asha has recently quit the track team to devote her time to creating Asmr videos.

Rather than encourage her they blame “internet addiction” for her decision. Which leads to mandatory phone-free outings and other measures. Of course, they don’t give up their group chats, one of which warns them about something called the “Grimcutty...

Can you believe we’re already less than three weeks until Halloween? What does that mean for horror fans? Well, it means A Whole Lot of brand new releases are headed our way!

In fact, another 14 Brand New Horror Movies are releasing this week alone, including the return of a horror master and the final battle between two iconic horror legends.

Here’s all the new horror releasing October 10 – October 16, 2022!

Another Hulu Original horror movie has arrived for the Halloween season, with Hulu unleashing the meme-based Grimcutty to kick off the week’s new releases just yesterday.

In the new Hulu horror movie, “A suburban teen girl and her little brother must stop a terrifying internet meme brought to life by the hysteria of their parents.”

John Ross (“The Birch”) directed Grimcutty for Hulu’s “Huluween” lineup this year.

Usman Ally (Veep, A Series of Unfortunate Events), Shannyn Sossamon (Wayward Pines,...

There’s a compelling kernel of something interesting at the heart of Grimcutty, the new Hulu film by writer/director John Ross. The film is a treatise on hysterical helicopter parents, the dangers of social media challenges and the growing concern about how much screen time is healthy. These are valid (albeit not entirely new) concerns, and horror is a great lens through which to explore them.

The issue isn’t Grimcutty’s premise, but rather its execution. This is a messy film, complete with substantial logic gaps, more than one scenery-chewing performance, and a run time that isn’t earned by its relatively thin, repetitive script.

The film opens solidly: mother Melinda Jaynes (Alona Tal) locks her young son Brandon (Kayden Alexander Koshelev) in his bedroom at night, seemingly in an effort to protect him from the lurking figure of Grimcutty (Joel Ezra Hebner) outside. When Brandon sneaks out...