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Post Apocalypto

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Books, Film, Review

Post-apocalypse movies have been a popular genre for decades, largely thanks to that ‘Mad Max’ movie that came out in 1979, a movie that defined the genre. These films depict what the world would be like after a catastrophic event, and how humanity survives or perishes in the aftermath. They often employ a distinct visual style, the gritty wastelands standard established by the ‘Mad Max’ trilogy, characterized by a distinctive visual style that immerses viewers in a world of desolation and survival. Barren and desolate landscapes, such as parched deserts or urban ruins, dominate the scenery, often rendered in muted, dusty tones.

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The Fence

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Film, Review

Which side of the fence are you on? When making a film about a civil war, it’s a good question to ask.

So, when a director attempts to craft a harrowing and immersive experience set in a dystopian near-future America, deploying evocative cinematography, art-house editing and eclectic use of music, against a screenplay so bereft of logic and meaning, the result is some of the dumbest shit committed to film. This is quite an achievement considering how bad cinema has devolved since 2016.

It’s not that formidable a task, and yet here we are.

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Tarantino 10

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Film, Review

Quentin Tarantino is undeniably one of the most distinctive and influential filmmakers of our time. With his unique blend of genre-bending storytelling, razor-sharp dialogue, and unapologetic style, Tarantino has carved out a niche for himself in the world of cinema that is entirely his own. However, perhaps equally as intriguing as his films themselves is his decision to limit his directorial career to just ten movies.

Tarantino has been vocal about his intention to retire from filmmaking after completing his tenth feature film. This decision has sparked curiosity and speculation among fans and critics alike. Why would a filmmaker at the peak of his career choose to impose such a strict limit on his output?

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Demigod (Part 3 – The Nine-Headed Lernaean Hydra)

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in History, Mythology

In the ancient kingdom of Tiryns, the mighty King Eurystheus, felt a little less mighty having his cousin and potential rival return wearing the Nemean Lion’s coat as a trophy. The hero had proved his reputation for unparalleled strength and valour, a situation Euystheus couldn’t allow to stand. So, Heracles was summoned to face another terrible and cunning foe – the Lernaean Hydra. Eurystheus, driven by both fear and envy of Heracles’ power, had devised this perilous quest as the second of his twelve labours.

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The Belmondo Effect

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Film, Review

Cinema, as a medium, has undergone a remarkable evolution since its inception, with various genres adapting and transforming over time to capture the ever-changing tastes and sensibilities of audiences. One of the most dynamic and enduring is the action genre, having matured into a multifaceted cinematic realm that explores complex themes, character development, and innovative storytelling techniques. As visual entertainment, the action genre has continuously evolved, reflecting the shifting cultural, and societal dynamics involving thrills and violence on the screen. Within this evolution, certain individuals have left an indelible mark on specific genres, forever altering the trajectory of filmmaking. One such luminary is the iconic Jean-Paul Belmondo, whose charismatic presence and groundbreaking performances have left an enduring influence on the action genre, including stunt work, car chases, and martial arts in cinema.

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Cargo

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Novel

In the scorching desert heat, a spirited delivery man ventures into the vast emptiness, unaware of the horrifying fate that awaits him. With his present cargo tightly secured, he has no inkling that within its confines lay a mystery too gruesome to comprehend. And then, as the cargo is unveiled, a ghastly truth is revealed – a man-eating beast, more sinister than any nightmare, lurks behind those timber slates. The desert becomes an arena of terror, where life and death hang in the balance.

Left trapped in a bone-chilling dilemma, his every move determines his own survival. The stakes had never been higher, and the desert bears witness to a harrowing battle for survival, as the hunter becomes the hunted, and fear carves its path amidst the arid wasteland.

This horror sci-fi story is part one of the series, The Sell Outs, based on the short story.

Cargo

The Asimovian Cosmos

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Auther, Books

It could sound like a clique stating my first ever science fiction read was Isaac Asimov back in the late ’70s, but this may have been unavoidable. This guy was an iconic American writer and professor who dominated the genre for half a century. He even boasted he was the “Best Science Writer” backed up by none other than Arthur C. Clarke. They had agreed with each other, negotiated as they shared a cab in New York, the so-called “Clarke–Asimov Treaty of Park Avenue”.

The treaty stipulated that Asimov would always proclaim Clarke as the greatest science fiction writer in the world, with himself as runner-up, and Clarke would similarly proclaim Asimov as the best science writer, with himself as runner-up.

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The Iberian

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Film, History, Writing

Why is Russell Crowe not in the upcoming Ridley Scott Gladiator movie? As Paramount and Scott Free prepare for the new venture into the world of ancient Rome once again, with a late 2024 release, it seems that they’ve settled on making this a sequel.

Maximus Decimus Meridius meets his end at the end of the original 2000 epic historical drama film after the general is betrayed by the new Emperor Commodus, has his family killed, and is forced into slavery. After serving in the gladiatorial arena, and getting his revenge on Commodus, Maximus succumbs to his wounds and dies a hero.

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