Quaid's 1000 yard stare
Actor Amber Midthunder discusses what her "'Novocaine" co-star Jack Quaid went through to portray a man who feels no pain in the new action movie. (March11)
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Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Geek Tyrant
Director Dan Trachtenberg Confirms His Third PREDATOR Movie Will Continue Naru's Story — GeekTyrant
The future of the Predator franchise might just lie in its past… and its future. Dan Trachtenberg, the director behind Prey , isn't done with the Predator universe, and he's making it clear that Naru, played by Amber Midthunder, still has a story to tell. In a recent conversation with Fangoria, Trachtenberg said: 'I had a bunch of big ideas when I finished Prey, I would love to get to all of them. There's definitely a plan in mind, but the movie has to do well. So, we'll see.' While he's careful not to reveal too much, Trachtenberg confirmed that the third movie will continue Naru's story: 'The third story, which I can't speak to yet, is what would happen with Naru.' Naru already made an appearance In Predator: Killer of Killers , an animated anthology film now streaming on Hulu and Disney+, a reference to Naru is woven into the timeline-hopping story that spans Viking-era battles, 17th-century samurai duels, and WWII carnage. Trachtenberg previously revealed that both Killers and Badlands were fast-tracked because he couldn't wait to get to a third project, and it seems like that project will continue Naru's story. He said' 'After Prey came out, and I started thinking about sequel stuff, there were three ideas that I had. Killers is one, Badlands is two and the third one is something else. 'The reason why I felt possessed to make them and sort of why I rushed – I did two at once because I could do, I could multitask with animation – was because I was so eager to get to the third thing.' Trachenberg told Bloody Disgusting: 'The fun is that now we have the end of Prey set up something, and then there's this, and I love the slow play of it all. I think it's cool rather than smushing everything together inside one movie right away, we can really be elegant with our storytelling and hopefully aspire to that. So, it is not a setup for what's in Badlands, but it is a setup for what could happen afterward.' That 'afterward' is what has fans excited. While Killer of Killers plays the long game, Predator: Badlands is taking the franchise somewhere exciting and unexpected. Set in the far future, Badlands introduces Elle Fanning as Thia, a Weyland-Yutani android who teams up with Dek, a disgraced Yautja (voiced and mo-capped by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), in a story that could reshape Predator lore. So while Badlands takes us lightyears ahead, the seeds for a potential Prey 2 are quietly sprouting beneath the surface. Trachtenberg clearly has a long-term vision, and Naru's journey might not be over just yet. 'I had a bunch of big ideas… I would love to get to all of them.' Let's hope we get the chance to see where they lead.
Geek Girl Authority
12-06-2025
- Geek Girl Authority
Movie Review: COMPANION
by Ray Schillaci The Movie Guys Here is my conundrum – when reviewing a movie, one should avoid all trailers, reviews, and synopses…so you may be as completely caught off guard and thrilled as I was with Companion . Then there is the clever marketing ploy announcing that Companion was by the people that brought us the beloved romantic epic The Notebook and the evil minds that gave horror hounds something to howl about, Barbarian . This announcement had 'WTF' all over it, and writer/director Drew Hancock had me uttering that to myself as his film meticulously unraveled to an unexpected climax. It helps that our two leads Jack Quaid (The Boys, The Hunger Games) and Sophie Thatcher (Heretic, Yellowjackets) are so damn likable. Together they practically make the most romantic couple since When Harry Met Sally . But, when the two of them decide on a getaway with friends (at a remote cabin), you can't help but feel something could easily go awry. To say any more would be a disservice to the potential viewer. What can be said is that Sydney Sweeney may have her crown as the 'new It girl' handed over to the utterly charming Sophie Thatcher. After delivering a riveting, dramatic performance in Heretic , Thatcher proves her comedic skills (dark as they may be) in Companion . She easily caught me off guard with her unique smile and wholesome look, but there's a complex mindset she also brings to the table. RELATED: Movie Review: The Phoenician Scheme On the other hand, Jack Quaid easily slips into the role of the awkward and funny boyfriend until he demonstrates a darker side. His range goes from sympathetic to devious and pathetic. Kudos must go out to both leads for bringing everything they do to the table. It is within the chemistry of the two that writer/director Drew Hancock can work his magic. Hancock exudes romantic notions with such ease that anything going against this couple is jarring, to say the least. He not only plays the two leads as if they were masterful chess maneuvers, but also includes the other players as well, making the film both funny and shocking. Needless to say, once everything is revealed, the film bears repeat viewing, just to catch what you might have missed. Visually, this is a lovely 4K presentation with a great attention to detail. You have this beautiful house deep in the woods with a stunning view of the lake. Colors are vibrant on the outside. Inside, the color palette tends to be warm and inviting, which almost gives you a carefree feeling. For a fairly 'low-budget' movie, $10 million, the film has very few effects. The great part about that is writer/director Hancock relies on his storytelling and his actors rather than relying on CGI. RELATED: Movie Review: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina Sound-wise, this is a subtle mix with not a lot of bangs and whistles. But, there is a great foreboding sense within the remote area. The Dolby Atmos sound provides a great sense of tension during a few important scenes. This is not an action film, the dialogue is the key and it remains crystal clear. It's not a disc where you'd be referencing the advantages of what 4K can provide, but it suits its purpose. Where are the bonus features, Warner Home Video? We get less than fifteen minutes' worth sans a gag reel, which would have been a lot of fun. Aside from that bit of disappointment, the company has decided not to include a Blu-ray with the 4K or a Blu-ray with a DVD. Sad day for some physical medium fans. But a digital download is included. As far as the story itself, have I said too much? I hope not. Because, as mentioned, Companion should be enjoyed with as little knowledge about it as possible. The 'R' rating at least gives enough of a warning that this is not a family-friendly affair. But, it is a film I highly recommend watching with (discerning) family and friends. RELATED: Bring Her Back Spoiler Review Lowest price – 4K – $27.95, Blu-ray – $22.95 at Amazon & Walmart Companion is also available for streaming. Visit Ray's blog at Directed by: Drew Hancock Release Date: January 31, 2025 Run Time: 97 Minutes Rated: R Country: U.S.A. Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Geek Tyrant
09-06-2025
- Geek Tyrant
PREDATOR: KILLER OF KILLERS Directors Tease Future ALIEN vs. PREDATOR Plans and PREY Crossover Potential — GeekTyrant
The co-directors of Predator: Killer of Killers are stirring the Yautja pot, and the fans are ready for what they are looking to deliver. Spoilers ahead if you haven't watched the movie yet. Dan Trachtenberg ( Prey ) and Josh Wassung recently sat down with Screen Rant and dropped some interesting hints about where the Predator franchise might be headed next, including a surprise connection to Prey and a subtle nod to the Alien vs. Predator legacy. If you caught the animated anthology film, you know it's not just another hunter-hunted story. Killer of Killers takes us through three distinct time periods that include the Viking Age, feudal Japan, and WWII, each centered around a warrior facing off against a relentless Yautja. But then it flips the script: These warriors have actually been plucked from their time and cryogenically frozen, only to be revived in the far future to fight in an arena for the twisted entertainment of the Grendel King, a Predator overlord with a flair for theatrical brutality and carnage. The biggest surprise? Prey protagonist Naru, played by Amber Midthunder, is shown in one of those stasis pods. It's a moment that reframes the 2022 film's hopeful ending into something far darker. Trachtenberg made one thing clear: "I mean, I'll clearly say it is not time travel. They are not time-travelling. That is the benefit of the cryo pod—they are plucked from their time period and then put into stasis and then unleashed when decided upon for that evening's delightful entertainment." So what does that mean for Naru and others? The door is wide open. She could return in a future story, perhaps forced to fight alongside or against other characters from throughout the Predator mythos. But the Alien question looms large, especially with fans pointing out that the Grendel King's cape appears to be stitched together from Xenomorph tails. When asked if this was a nod to a future Alien vs. Predator project, Wassung responded: "I would say the fans should interpret that the way they want to interpret it. I mean, we wanted to design that Predator with a regal elegance mixed with brutality. And that's what spoke to us about that. And we honestly were having fun imagining where they might've come from." He added: "But we really wanted to leave it to the fans to imagine where each of those skeletons and pieces of various creatures that he clearly has conquered and where they might've come from." Predator: Badlands is on the horizon, with Elle Fanning set to play a Weyland-Yutani android, which is a massive connective tissue between the Alien and Predator worlds. There's clearly something brewing behind the scenes at 20th Century Studios and Disney. While we wait to see what that is, one thing's for sure: Predator: Killer of Killers just opened up a whole new arena of possibilities. The film is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
