Any creature feature worth its salt will, predictably, generally follow a well-worn path and set of rules plucked from classics like “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” or any number of sequels to “Alien.” A similar structure exists within any memorable creature thriller and the challenge a filmmaker must face in trying to elevate what is essentially a well-known edifice into something more than ordinary. At a minimum, those same-ish results habitually wind up on the safe side of a fun, mindless viewing experience, with the unwritten rule that the slightest mark of an acceptable monster outing shouldn’t be anything one needs to process for longer than a millisecond.

Continue reading ‘Sting’ Review: A Familiar Monster Thriller Isn’t Without Its Arachnophobic Charms at The Playlist.

What happens when a beloved creature transforms into a terrifying monster? A  girl must fight against her mutated pet spider in the new film “Sting.” The intriguing project features practical effects from Weta Workshop and Creative Director Richard Taylor. Their work creates a result that is both believable and disturbing. “Sting” relies on a talented cast. The film stars Ryan Corr (“House of the Dragon,” “The Water Diviner”), Alyla Browne (“Three Thousand Years of Longing,” “Nine Perfect Strangers,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”), Penelope Mitchell (“Hellboy”), and Jermaine Fowler, known for “The Blackening” and “Coming 2 America” turns in a noteworthy performance as the exterminator.

Continue reading ‘Sting’ Trailer: Kiah Roache-Turner’s New Arachnophobia-Inducing Horror Arrives In April Via Well Go USA at The Playlist.

Well, that was certainly an Oscar ceremony. A long and relatively safe Oscar season looked to be culminating in a long and relatively safe evening, until a perfect storm of human error led to an unforgettable/mortifying/thrilling moment of live TV, and one weirdly fitting for a time in human history when everything seems to have gone bugnuts crazy.

It’s destined to be a ceremony remembered for being the one where two Best Picture winners were announced, but as ever, there were plenty of highs and lows beyond that, so beyond, you’ll find the Worst & Best of the 2017 Academy Awards (leading with worst, because, well, there’s some big stuff we’d have to get to first).

Continue reading The Best & Worst Of The 2017 Oscars at The Playlist.

It’s not the Oscars without a big of song, and this year, with “La La Land” entering the show with a historic 14 nominations, it was only natural that the show kicked off with a big musical number.

Justin Timberlake got the night going with “Can’t Stop The Feeling,” and the lively performance paved the way for the rest of the musical numbers, which were mostly solid.

Continue reading Oscars 2017: Justin Timberlake’s Opening Song, In Memoriam Tribute & Musical Highlights at The Playlist.

The Oscars are only days away, and while nominees anxiously wait to find out how their long awards-season journeys will end (spoiler: “La La Land” nominees will be happy), first-time producers Jennifer Todd and Mike De Luca are trying to keep as many aspects of the telecast they can secret. Of course, there are still a number of things we know about the world’s most prestigious awards show.

Continue reading What To Expect From The 2017 Academy Awards Telecast: Matt Damon, Sara Bareilles, Politics at The Playlist.

Continue reading Justin Timberlake, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sting And John Legend Will Sing For You At The 89th Academy Awards at The Playlist.