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A wrestling legend producing a biopic about another wrestling legend? Dwayne Johnson is producing a film about Ric Flair called The Nature Boy.

Professional wrestling is a bit weird. From the overblown pageantry to the predetermined outcomes, it’s certainly unique, especially when you figure in the dark underbelly the strange hybrid of sport and entertainment possesses.

You may have seen in the news of late that Vince McMahon, the longtime billionaire owner of the WWE being the subject of intense media scrutiny having being accused of some particularly abominable behaviour. That may only be the tip of the iceberg, too.

The dark side of wrestling was previously explored in Barry Blaustein’s 1999 documentary, Beyond The Mat. In more recent years though, dramas such as Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler and this year’s The Iron Claw have explored the human cost of wrestling.

As well as being one of...

Those who don’t follow professional wrestling may not appreciate just how tough and grueling it is. It isn’t enough to be on the road 200+ days a year, getting dropped on your head or your back every night, dealing with injuries, losing your spot on the roster, and worse. If you’ve seen films like The Iron Claw, The Wrestler, or the old Beyond the Mat documentary, you know that professional wrestling is grind like no other.

But the other aspect that goes underappreciated is how much wrestling relies on acting. If you have any hope of making it big, it isn’t enough to be able to do a tope suicida or Texas Cloverleaf on the way to a 5-star mat classic. You have to be able to act your role, day in and day out. Often, you have to act live, in front of an audience of thousands,...

Terry Funk, the man Ric Flair called today, “A Great Wrestler, Entertainer, Unbelievably Fearless, And A Great Friend!” died Wednesday, according to Flair and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. He was 79.

In his tribute, Foley, a multiple time WWE champion, called Funk “the greatest wrestler I ever saw.”

“If you get the chance, look up a Terry Funk match or a Terry Funk promo, and give thanks that this incredible man gave so much, for so long, to so many,” Foley continued. “There will never be another like him. May God bless Terry, his friends, family and all who loved him. Rip my dear friend – it was an honor to know you. #RIPTerryFunk

Championships held by Funk include the Ecw World Heavyweight Championship, Nwa World Heavyweight Championship, Uswa Unified World Heavyweight Championship, WWF World Tag Team Championship, and Ecw World Television Championship. He headlined Ecw’s premier annual pay-per-view event,...

Four “Hunger Games” movies are coming to Fox’s free streaming service Tubi beginning May 1. The games begin with one girl and one boy from each district trained in the art of survival and ultimately, battling to the death. Unless your character is played by Jennifer Lawrence, in which case, all bets are off.

Watch the trailer for “The Hunger Games”:

Also coming is the Tubi original comedy “Pastacolypse” on May 21. When a global ban on gluten destroys the life of billionaire celebrity chef Alfredo Manicotti, he leads a pasta uprising that threatens humanity. It’s up to his spoiled heiress daughter to save the world.

The true-crime story of Joseph DeAngelo arrives May 10. A devoted family man and police officer, DeAngelo was also the Golden State Killer. For 40 years, he raped and murdered women in California. “Evil Among Us: The Golden State Killer” reveals how a genetic match...

Today is March 1st, which means we have a whole new set of titles to tell you about that just dropped on Netflix. The streaming service has 54 new movies/TV shows from nearly every major studio, including Warner Bros., Paramount and Sony, and while that number is still ten less than what we got last March, there’s far more original content on the service than there was a year ago. So, trust me when I say you’ve got plenty of options.

So many options, in fact, that I often find myself browsing for so long that I can’t decide on what to watch until it gets too late and I go to bed instead. First world problems, right?

In any case, below you’ll find the full list as well as a few descriptions of some personal favorites. Or some that I just felt like commenting on.

Netflix has confirmed that 55 new original series, movies and specials will be debuting on the streaming service in March. Leading off the lineup is the third season of the Emmy-winning crime drama “Ozark” starring Jason Bateman, Laura Linney and Julie Garner.

Among the original films is “Spenser Confidential,” a reboot of the 1980s crime series starring Robert Urich. This time around Mark Wahlberg plays the cop turned detective alongside rapper Post Malone who makes his acting debut.

Leading the list of documentaries is “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution,” which details the catalyst for the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. It is executive produced by the Obamas, who were also behind the recent Oscar winner “American Factory.”

Below is the full schedule of everything that is coming and leaving Netflix in March 2020.

Available March 1

Always a Bridesmaid

Beyond the Mat

Cop Out

Corpse Bride

Donnie Brasco

Freedom Writers

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past...

Netflix is adding a robust line-up of popular programs to its slate in March.

In addition to rom-coms like Matthew Mcconaughey’s “Ghosts of Girlfriend’s Past,” “He’s Just Not That Into You” and “Always a Bridesmaid,” the streamer is also adding a few classics like “Goodfellas” and “The Shawshank Redemption” starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. The latter film also serves as an analogy for actor Macaulay Culkin’s journey to freedom, according to his Esquire interview.

Original Netflix shows coming to the platform next month include “Lost Girls,” “Crip Camp” and Season 3 of “Elite.” Based on a true story, “Lost Girls” follows a mother who, in her desperate search to find her missing daughter, helps to uncover a string of unsolved murders. Amy Ryan, Gabriel Byrne and Thomasin Mckenzie make up the cast.

“Elite” follows three working-class teens who enroll in an exclusive Spanish private school. But once they arrive,...

With February 29th fast approaching – this is a Leap Year, remember – Netflix is preparing to roll out a fresh helping of new content for March 2020.

It’s a familiar combination of original series, time-honored classics and beloved franchise films, with next month set to herald the arrival of Resident Evil: Apocalypse and its undead sequel, Extinction. Sure, it’s a far cry from the quality and craft of The Lord of the Rings – speaking of which, both the Twin Towers and The Return of the King will be departing Netflix in four weeks’ time – but the saga of Alice still carved out an audience to call its own.

Also peppered throughout Netflix’s March 2020 catalog are some big-name horror titles and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, including Signs and the third season of Ozark. And then there’s the third season of Castlevania, which, it’s fair to say, has been a long time coming.

Alec Bojalad Feb 19, 2020

Here's what's new on Netflix in March 2020! We've got a complete list of what's leaving, too.

Normally the big story for each month of Netflix new releases are the exciting batch of Netflix original series and movies arriving. For Netflix's new releases for March 2020, things are a little bit different. Yes, there are some cool originals here but...look at those movies!

March 1 sees the arrival of Corpse Bride, The Shawshank Redemption, There Will Be Blood, and Goodfellas! Martin Scorsese likely can't unilaterally decide when and where his movies stream, but it is a happy coincidence that Goodfellas will now exist alongside The Irishman.

As for those Netflix originals...Ozark is the biggest returning hit in March. The story of a very corrupt family airs its third season on March 27. Also of note are Castlevania season 3 (March 5), Altered Carbon: Resleeved (March 19). But really after Goodfellas, nothing else was really necessary.

Netflix is out with its list of everything coming and going in March, and highlights include “Ozark” Season 3, coming March 27, and the Brazilian version of the popular reality competition “The Circle,” coming March 11.

There’s good news and bad news. The good news is we’re gaining some beloved mid-2000s films, like “He’s Just Not That Into You,” “Valentine’s Day” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Corpse Bride” and “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events,” plus some ’90s favorites like “Space Jam” and “GoodFellas.”

The bad news is that throughout the month we’re losing “Black Panther,” “Eat Pray Love,” “The Waterboy,” “P.S. I Love You,” “Batman Begins,” both “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and “The Two Towers,” and “Kill Bill” Volumes 1 and 2.

Also Read: Hulu in March: Here's Everything Coming and Going

Here’s the full list of everything coming and going throughout next month.

Exclusive: Imagine Documentaries has begun production on Dads, a feature documentary that Bryce Dallas Howard is directing. The film is described as a humorous look at what it means to be a father in the modern era across the globe. It’s the first feature length documentary set under the banner of the recently formed Imagine Documentaries division led by Justin Wilkes.

Imagine Entertainment Chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard will produce with Wilkes. Imagine Entertainment Co-Chairman Michael Rosenberg is exec producing. Howard, of course, is the daughter of actor-turned-director and Imagine principal.

Said Ron Howard: “Fatherhood has factored into so many of the stories – both comedies and dramas – I’ve directed and produced, and of course, my experience as a son and a father of four has defined me on a foundational level. But this project will go deeper and be much more revealing in its excavation of the...

Imagine Entertainment’s Documentaries president Justin Wilkes announced on Wednesday that the company has brought in Emmy and Peabody-winning producer Sara Bernstein to serve as the division’s new executive vice president.

Bernstein, previously an executive at HBO, joins Wilkes in leading the development and production of premium feature docs and non-scripted series while leveraging her longstanding relationships within the filmmaking community.

“I couldn’t possibly think of a better partner than Sara,” Wilkes said in a statement. “For years, I’ve admired her work as a producer, an executive and as someone who is beloved by talent across the board. I’m so excited that we get to work side-by-side and build this new venture together.”

Also Read: Imagine Entertainment Names Karen Lunder as Evp of Production

Bernstein spent 19 years at HBO as a senior vice president at HBO Documentary Films, responsible for overseeing various award-winning documentary films and nonfiction programming for the network.

Exclusive: Emmy and Peabody-winning producer Sara Bernstein has been set as executive vice president at Imagine Documentaries, the recently launched division of Imagine Entertainment that is headed by president Justin Wilkes. Bernstein is a 19-year HBO vet, integral in many of the payweb’s seminal documentary films. Bernstein joins Wilkes in leading the development and production of premium feature docs and non-scripted series, and she will leverage her longstanding relationships within that community.

“I couldn’t possibly think of a better partner than Sara,” Wilkes. “For years, I’ve admired her work as a producer, an executive and as someone who is beloved by talent across the board. I’m so excited that we get to work side-by-side and build this new venture together.”

At HBO, the docus that Bernstein has produced and overseen include Judd Apatow’s Emmy-nominated The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, Laura Poitras’ Oscar and Emmy winner Citizenfour,...

Exclusive: Imagine Documentaries and White Horse Pictures have entered into a multi-year, non-exclusive partnership. The arrangement was brokered by Imagine Entertainment Co-Chairman Michael Rosenberg, Imagine Documentaries President Justin Wilkes and White Horse Pictures Chairman Nigel Sinclair and President Nicholas Ferrall.

They will generate documentaries, which Wilkes will oversee with White Horse’s Docu head Jeanne Elfant-Festa and partner Cassidy Hartmann. Imagine’s expansion into docus was initiated by co-chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.

“Brian, Ron and I have had a long and successful relationship with award-winning producer Nigel Sinclair and White Horse, from the film Rush to the documentary The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years and now on our documentary on world renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti, which is currently in production. We are excited for this opportunity and to be working together in this newly formed partnership,” said Rosenberg.

Said Sinclair: “We have had a great journey with Brian,...

Exclusive: Imagine Entertainment Chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard have launched Imagine Documentaries, a venture to develop and produce feature documentaries and non-scripted television projects. Grazer and Howard have set to Justin Wilkes to run the division, which will be based in New York. It marks Imagine’s first dedicated Gotham outpost.

Wilkes, who has been the long-time President of Entertainment and a partner at RadicalMedia, has worked closely enough with Grazer and Howard to have developed a shorthand. Wilkes collaborated with Grazer and Howard on Jay Z’s Made in America (on which Howard made his docu debut as director) and more recently on the hit National Geographic series Mars. Wilkes co-created and exec produced that series, whose second season debuts this fall. Imagine has always shown an interest in the documentary, with earlier efforts including Katy Perry: Part of Me, Inside Deep Throat, and Beyond The Mat.

Featured in today's Horror Highlights, we have Splathouse podcast's discussion of the 2001 movie The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, DVD release details for The Abduction of Jennifer Grayson, the SXSW Film Festival poster for Atomic Blonde, details on The Mason Brothers' upcoming theatrical run, a Q&A with Fashionista director Simon Rumley, and a look at the short film Nightmare.

Splathouse Podcast Discusses The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra: From Splathouse: "Sleepy skeletons, spirited space aliens, and super-scientists are the focus of this week's show! That's right, we're profiling Larry Blamire's excellent comedy "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra".

Two of the film's featured performers, Brian Howe ("Westworld") and Fay Masterson ("50 Shades Darker"), stop by to talk about their careers and their work on "Lost Skeleton..."

Our good friend Sarah Jane (aka @fookthis on Twitter and Letterboxed, and she of the Talk Film Society) stops by with her cinematic picks for fans of “Lost Skeleton.

It’s probably safe to say that the final handful of episodes of this past season of Supernatural left fans reeling and discussing what’s to come as they suffer through the summer hiatus. In many ways Season 11 felt like a spiritual sequel to Season 5, largely due to the return of characters such as Chuck/God and Lucifer. And for those wanting to revisit the season, on September 6 you can relive all 23 episodes on either Blu-Ray or DVD.

Below you will find the full press release featuring a detailed synopsis as well as a full rundown of featurettes and episodes to be included. Longtime collectors should be happy to see yet another gag reel incorporated. Whether or not Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles do “Blue Steel” remains to be seen.

Let us know in the comments section if you’ll be picking up the set and what you thought of...

Burbank, CA (June 1, 2016) – The series that spawned several novels, magazines, comics, games, and even an anime series continues with more thrilling adventures as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season on Blu-rayTM including Digital HD and DVD on September 6, 2016. The set contains all 23 gripping episodes from Season Eleven and is packed with over four hours of bonus content – including featurettes, commentaries, the show’s packed Comic-Con panel, deleted scenes, and a priceless gag reel. Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season is priced to own at $49.99 Srp on DVD and $54.97 Srp on Blu-ray including Digital HD.

Season Eleven plunges Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) into extreme peril as they face The Darkness, a sinister new menace unleashed upon the Earth. They continue their monster-hunting missions, battling the usual werewolves, black-eyed demons and even a vengeful ghost in a stuffed bunny costume, but with...

The Winchester brothers battle The Darkness in the eleventh season of Supernatural, hitting Blu-ray (including Digital HD) and DVD on September 6th courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. The high-def home media release contains all 23 episodes from Season 11 as well as over four hours of special features:

Press Release: Burbank, CA (June 1, 2016) – The series that spawned several novels, magazines, comics, games, and even an anime series continues with more thrilling adventures as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season on Blu-rayTM including Digital HD and DVD on September 6, 2016. The set contains all 23 gripping episodes from Season Eleven and is packed with over four hours of bonus content – including featurettes, commentaries, the show’s packed Comic-Con panel, deleted scenes, and a priceless gag reel. Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season is priced to own at $49.99 Srp on DVD and $54.97 Srp on Blu-ray including Digital HD.

Season Eleven...

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The Winchester boys have been waiting for God, oh, and season 11's penultimate episode shows what Supernatural does best...

This review contains spoilers.

11.21 All In The Family

Having revealed himself to Dean and Sam, Chuck finds himself with a lot of explaining to do, though his plan as far as Amara goes may not be quite what the brothers are expecting. Metatron returns to clue them in to how God intends to take down his sister, but that’s not going to end well for just about anybody. Meanwhile, the Darkness begins to spread, taking another town out in her deathly fog, but also revealing a new Prophet of the Lord. Sam and Dean use him to track down where Amara is keeping Lucifer and set about getting him back.

After last week’s corker of an episode, All In The Family has the tricky job of...

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This week's Supernatural takes a strong philosophical slant, and reminds us why we fell for this show in the first place...

This review contains spoilers

11.20: Don't Call Me Shurley

Metatron is still struggling with his human existence, his only companion a dog he ruefully passes his food to. He’s suddenly magicked into a bar and, to the strains of The Beach Boys, finally comes face to face with a character oft-referred to and long absent from the world, God. Meanwhile, Amara’s making her move against the human race as Sam and Dean investigate a mysterious murder-suicide that points to a soulless individual doing the deed.

In the beginning, there was a writer. That writer’s name was Chuck. Chuck wryly smiled and disappeared in a flash of light at the end of the fifth season finale, Swan Song. Ever since that moment and his...

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Mark Pellegrino reappears in this week's Supernatural episode, before the show takes a fortnight's break...

This review contains spoilers.

11.18 Hell's Angel

Crowley’s out and about, searching for a Hand of God to tackle Amara with, getting his hands on the Horn of Joshua to bargain with the Winchesters. He wants his revenge on Lucifer, Dean wants Castiel to get out alive and Sam’s trying desperately to be the voice of reason at the heart of all of this. The gang decide to trick Lucifer, exorcise him from Cas and somehow stop Amara. Meanwhile, Rowena, alive and well after her neck-cracking encounter with the Devil, has got herself close to Amara, pretending to be interested in healing her in order to gain the trust of the entity she suspects is going to win this showdown. It also happens that the boys need Rowena and her magic to help them out too.

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The latest episode of Supernatural has a survivor horror feel and cleverly stops the Winchesters from repeating the same old trick...

This review contains spoilers.

11.17 Red Meat

On a routine werewolf hunt, Sam and Dean tussle with the culprits whilst tied-up hostages look weakly on. Surprised by a werewolf they thought was dead, Sam is shot in the stomach and badly wounded. They’re stranded in a forest with no signal and little hope with two wounded people, one of whom is Sam and the other is the second hostage, Michelle. Her husband, Corbin, is desperate to keep her safe and goes to extraordinary lengths to do so, suffocating Sam and seemingly killing him in order to convince Dean to leave him behind and get them all to safety. It’s not the wisest decision and forces Dean to make an even stupider one. Meanwhile, Corbin may...

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A new foe allows Supernatural season 11 to play with some classic and more recent horror references...

This review contains spoilers.

11.16 Safe House

Returning after a few weeks’ break, Sam and Dean find themselves investigating a mysterious house in which a young girl was attacked by her mother. It turns out that the house has been investigated before by none other than Rufus and Bobby. The two investigations play out in parallel as what seems to be a regular haunting but actually turns out to be a soul eater. Of course, Rufus and Bobby don’t leave many notes behind to help out Sam and Dean, so the brothers have to piece together what they can to help out the current victims.

Having the two investigations is a clever way of bringing back beloved characters, especially Bobby, without having to get too heavy into lore or disturbing the...

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The Winchester boys get to relive one of the few happy aspects of their childhood in this week's wrestling-themed episode of Supernatural...

This review contains spoilers.

11.15 Beyond The Mat

Burnt out on lore-reading and Darkness-hunting, the Winchesters decide a little break is in order and the opportunity arises to pay their respects at the funeral of the Hangman, a wrestler they used to watch with John growing up. However, the Hangman died in deeply ironic and mysterious circumstances and when a father in the audience with his son is killed during a show, Dean and Sam realise there’s a case on. Elsewhere, Lustiel has turned Hell into a cheerier Glengarry Glen Ross with less shouting and more soul-dealing. His torment of Crowley continues, but the demon thinks he has a way to getting his groove back.

Every now and again, the show offers a glimpse back...

We have your first look at the next brand new episode of Supernatural, which is titled “Safe House,” and can be viewed at the top.

Unfortunately, no official synopsis for the episode in question is available at this time, but we can peer into the future thanks to the trailer provided, as well as major developments that occurred in recent episodes such as “The Vessel” and “Beyond The Mat.”

The Darkness is (still) coming: Aside from a creature posing as her, we have not seen or heard much from Amara/The Darkness lately. The new footage given implies that we will see her shortly, although it is always important to remember that when a promo video hits for an episode that is a month away, the footage may be culled from several yet to be aired episodes. Regardless of whether or not she does appear in “Safe House,” things are...

Ever since Castiel said yes to Lucifer on Supernatural, Crowley has been the devil's pet, but that changes in season 11 episode 15, "Beyond the Mat." Crowley gets out of his chains and out of hell, but he ends up facing off against Casifer over a Hand of God. While it could've ended better for him, Crowley does at least get away in the end.

Here's what leads to Crowley escaping from Casifer in "Beyond the Mat."...

Tonight’s Episode 11.15 of “Supernatural” features a guest appearance by WWE Superstar The Miz, and if you’re as excited to go “Beyond the Mat” as Dean is, then check out this new sneak peek of the ep. “Supernatural” Episode 11.15… Continue Reading →

The post Dean Meets His Wrestling Idols in this Sneak Peek of Supernatural Episode 11.15 – Beyond the Mat appeared first on Dread Central.

Official photos from the 15th episode of Supernatural season 11, "Beyond the Mat," airing Wednesday, February 24 at 9pm on the CW.

Official Synopsis from the CW: "Dean (Jensen Ackles) sees an obituary notice for a wrestler he and Sam (Jared Padalecki) used to watch when they were kids. Deciding they need a break from tracking the Darkness, the brothers decide to attend the funeral to pay their respects. The funeral is full of wrestlers, including Shawn Harley (guest star Mike "The Miz" Mizanin), a hot shot new wrestler with a fiery temper who pushes everyone?s buttons, and veteran wrestler Gunner Lawless (guest star Aleks Paunovic). Sam and Dean attend the next match to re-live one of their fondest childhood memories but when another wrestler turns up dead, play time quickly turns to work."...

Today we have your first look at next week’s brand new episode of Supernatural, which is titled “Beyond The Mat.” It looks as though this will be a pretty solid episode that will continue the momentum from last night’s offering, “The Vessel,” which surprised even this honorary Man of Letters with its sheer awesomeness.

Although the show has made a pro wrestling reference or two in the past, it will be interesting to see Sam and Dean attend a show. Obviously there is a mystery to be solved though, as wrestlers start turning up dead. Be sure to keep an eye out for WWE Superstar Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, who is certainly no stranger to film these days.

What really caught my attention in the new trailer, however, was Castiel/Lucifer laying the smack down on Crowley. If you hadn’t noticed, Crowley is back in his formal attire,...

Recently, CW revealed the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Supernatural" episode 15 of season 11. The episode is entitled, "Beyond The Mat," and it turns out that we're going to see some pretty interesting and intense stuff go down as Dean and Sam hit up what's supposed to be a fun pro wrestling world adventure only to find out that death is lingering around there too, and more! In the new, 15th episode press release: WWE Champion Mike "The Miz" Mizanin Guest Stars. Press release number 2: Dean (Jensen Ackles) is going to see an obituary notice for a wrestler he and Sam (Jared Padalecki) used to watch when they were kids. Deciding they need a break from tracking the Darkness, the brothers are going to to attend the funeral to pay their respects. The funeral will be full of wrestlers, including Shawn Harley (guest star Mike "The Miz" Mizanin...

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It’s a sad fact of human nature that in the last two decades, we’ve used the vast power of the Internet to do three things: look at naked people, hurl abuse at total strangers, and gossip about professional wrestling. If we can do two or more of those things at once, it’s a party.

And wrestlers give us plenty of ammunition for gossip – that’s how the idea of the dirtsheet has remained so popular over the years. Written for the most part by fans, they’re the wrestling industry’s equivalent of fanzines with the insider jargon and news of trade magazines and the relentlessly exploitative amorality of tabloids… and now they’ve moved from print to websites and mailing lists, their circulation only limited to people with a broadband connection.

So while sixteen-odd years ago we had to watch backstage documentaries like Beyond The Mat...

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With WWE Studios churning out films like Jingle All The Way 2 and The Marine 4 with all the grace of a diseased sea lion vomiting mackerel onto the backseat of a Toyota Yaris, you’d be forgiven for thinking that wrestlers and movies were not meant to mix.

But everyone from Dean Ambrose to Paige to Brodus freakin’ Clay has taken time off to shoot some film or another, and the wrestlers of the WWE show no signs of halting their nefarious plan to impersonate actors. But what about the other way around, when actors strap on tights and do their best impressions of wrestlers for the big screen?

The wrestler biopic has been a fairly barren field up until now, with the dark private lives of grapplers instead being limited to shoot interviews and Beyond The Mat-style documentaries. Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke, wasn...

To those who follow it, the wrestling world is often taken for granted. A sweeping generalisation of the wrestling audience, for sure, but there’s an element of truth to it. For proof of this, it’s critical to examine just how folks outside the grappling bubble react to this form of entertainment, often looking on with grim fascination, mixing statements such as, ‘how can you watch this?’ with, ‘Is it even real?’.

Make no mistake about it, becoming a professional wrestler is extremely tough, and not for the faint-hearted. The absolute dedication required to even become (somewhat) trained would turn most people off, and as much as millions of people around the world are captivated by the industry, millions more wonder exactly what’s so gripping about it.

Somewhere along the line, pro wrestling started pulling back the curtain. Many fingers have been pointed at Vince McMahon for ‘exposing...

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Ever since Triple H married Stephanie McMahon in October, 2003, thus marrying into the McMahon family, fingers have been pointed at ‘The Game’ for strategically securing his spot in WWE for years to come. Legends as respected as WWE Hall Of Fame announcer Jim Ross have remarked that the idea Triple H wouldn’t be a top star if he didn’t marry the boss’s daughter is “complete nonsense”.

Regardless of such words, many fans still bring the topic up every now and then. Personal opinion on the reasons for the couple’s relationship is one thing, but few can deny the impact such a union has had on WWE. It seems that Triple H & Stephanie are now poised to fully take over the reigns of the wrestling juggernaut once Stephanie’s father, Vince McMahon steps down, retires or passes on.

Another WWE Hall Of Fame inductee, Jake...

Mick Foley is a former WWE Champion and one of the most recognizable names in wrestling lore. However, he is no stranger to projects outside of the squared circle and has pursued comedy, book writing, TV shows and many other things. Mick is the star in holiday documentary, I Am Santa Claus and recently chatted with BuzzFocus to share all things from being Santa to being beaten down by The Rock.

Thanks Mick for chatting with us today. So the first question is how does I Am Santa Claus stand out against everything else you’ve accomplished on TV and movies.

Mick Foley: Oh man, any documentary is a labor of love and you set out with realistic goals to make a really good movie that you hope people will eventually find. I really enjoyed being a part of it not only on screen, but also behind the scenes helping to shape it.

Do you remember when it felt like you couldn't turn a corner in any Asian film culture without stumbling across something utterly horrifying? It wasn't that long ago, after all, when directors in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Thailand were firing on all cylinders with a string of fantastic, high end horror pictures coming from all of those nations but as bright as the movement burned it also flared out quickly. Vietnam's Van M Pham, though, he certainly seems to remember.A producer on Victor Vu's 2004 effort Spirits and director of last year's Beyond The Mat, Pham now moves into horror territory with Chung Cu and while he's playing an old song here it would appear that he's playing it very, very well. Excellent production...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

WWE.com

Here’s a relevant anecdote for you: the first ever WWE event I ever saw was the 1999 Royal Rumble. I was 8 years old at the time. Imagine that, an 8 year old kid, totally unaware that pro-wrestling was scripted, watching the 1999 Royal Rumble blind and specifically the “I Quit” Match between Rock and Foley. The curses, the handcuffs, the “electrical circuit board!” dive… and those chair shots. 11 chair shots to the head.

At the time, I remember not really knowing what to think; perhaps I was a natural skeptic but I don’t remember feeling overly concerned for Mick, nor offended or sickened. Perhaps it was because Mick was such a tough Sob, he sold it as best he could without any noticeable signs of the bone-shuddering agony he must have been in. It wasn’t until years later, when I saw the Beyond The Mat documentary that the...

Anybody who reads my WWE reviews know that I’m not a Cena fan. When I write them though one thing I do is to not let my opinion on him bias my view on the actual release, I will mention if his performance affected the match for me, but I will also point out if his performance was good (and many times it is). If anything, I just don’t like the way that WWE market him and constantly push him in our faces as the “Superman” of WWE. John Cena is not marketed for a fan like me, he is a wrestler that has been toned down for kids, and they love him. The company know how to use the Cena product and make money, so that is how things have to be. When looking at WWE: The John Cena Experience some would say this should be my worst nightmare,...

Last night’s Raw revealed that Jake “The Snake” Roberts will be joining the Ultimate Warrior in the 2014 Hall of Fame.

The real-life Aurelian Smith Jr. has had his fair share of controversy, issues and ups and downs in not just his career but in his life in general. From being on the cusp of the then-wwf main event scene to the down-and-out waster that fans saw in Beyond the Mat, the originator of the Ddt has certainly had a colourful life.

It goes without saying that Jake Roberts is a wrestling legend. Here I take a look at 5 reasons just why this man with one of the best minds for the business is fully deserving of his spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.

5. His Promos

Most wrestling fans associate Jake Roberts with his ’80s WWF run. At that time, the roster was dominated by larger than life, energetic...

Vertigo Films

“Hopefully that simply will only be used as an entrée to incur someone’s interest to then find out what we’re really about. We make movies.” – Vince McMahon, Beyond the Mat

Pop culture has, and always will be, the primary motivator for the product that professional wrestling churns out. The writers, bookers, and workers themselves, will always adapt storylines and characters based upon the latest trends in mainstream entertainment.

Hulk Hogan’s name was lifted from The Incredible Hulk comic book and TV series, of which body builder Lou Ferrigno had been the star. Magnum Ta’s name and character was in ode to Tom Selleck’s role as Magnum Pi. Sting’s resurgence in late 90s WCW saw his character dramatically change to an adaptation of Eric Draven from The Crow. Legendary tag team The Road Warriors received their name from the popular 1981 Mel Gibson flick of the same name.

Hunger Games DoP Tom Stern and 12 Years a Slave cinematographer Sean Bobbitt among those chosen for jury duty.

The 21st Camerimage, the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography (Nov 16-23), has revealed the competition jurors who will judge entries at this year’s event in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Jury members of the main competition jury are:

Tom Stern, cinematographer (Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, The Hunger Games);Ed Lachman, cinematographer (Erin Brockovich, The Virgin Suicides, I’m Not There);Todd McCarthy, journalist and film critic;Denis Lenoir, cinematographer (Paris, je t’aime, Righteous Kill, 88 Minutes);Adam Holender, cinematographer (Midnight Cowboy, Smoke, Fresh);Timo Salminen, cinematographer (The Man Without a Past, La Havre, The Match Factory Girl);Franz Lustig, cinematographer (Don’t Come Knocking, Land of Plenty, Palermo Shooting);Jeffrey Kimball, cinematographer (Top Gun, Mission: Impossible II, The Expendables).Polish Films Competition

Jost Vacano, the cinematographer behind several Paul Verhoeven films including Total Recall, RoboCop and [link...

We’re about six months away from Christmas, so why not highlight a film about Santa Claus? Actually it’s a very appropriate time to discuss this particular film, because it’s about the off season for guys who play the role of St. Nick. Titled I Am Santa Claus, it’s a documentary that follows six Kris Kringles, including none other than pro wrestling legend Mick Foley. WWE Raw fans may be familiar with his appearances in the ring dressed as the jolly old icon, but for this film he went a bit further by even dying his hair and beard and fully trying out the gig as many men do every December. Additionally Foley is a producer of the doc, which is directed by relative newcomer Tommy Avallone. He’s been thanked in the credits for the films Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles and Indie Game: The Movie, which...

Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts was a guest on the Busted Open radio show this week and among other subjects discussed whether or not he sees himself being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at some point in the future.

“In the past, I was angry, I said stuff I shouldn’t have said, blew some things out of proportion, and – guess what? – nobody’s 100 percent right all the time. I’ve made some pretty bad remarks about certain people going in that I didn’t think should be in there and I’ve got to learn to shut my mouth. It’s not up to me who goes in. All I will tell you is this – I appreciate the things WWE did for me. I’m ashamed of myself in a way that I threw away opportunities for whatever reason, whether it was the drugs, or whether I got pissed off,...

This week, WWE dropped the bombshell that The Rock would be returning to the ring at November’s Survivor Series PPV event for his first match since 2004. Not since the “Rock and Sock Connection” put over “Evolution” at Wrestlemania Xx has The Rock been in a competitive match. And not since then has he sported that questionable goatee.

At next year’s Wrestlemania, The Rock will step in the ring with John Cena as his opponent in what has been dubbed a ‘dream match’. Come November however, the two will be partners as early WWE advertising points towards them teaming up in a 5 on 5 Survivor Series Elimination Match. So what better time than now to examine the best matches “The People’s Champion” has ever had.

Here’s ten of the best from The Rock’s wrestling career.

10. The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin III – Wrestlemania 19

The Rock of...

I can’t remember the last TV pilot to come around that had this much potential, I’m talking about of course the news that Deadline is reporting: NBC has bought the rights to an untitled fictional TV movie drama set in the world of wrestling in the 1980s; about the boom the business experienced back then thanks to MTV and WrestleMania. Jerry Bruckheimer and Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) are set to produce the pilot. The series will depict the growth of cable TV and the death of the traditional wrestling territories.

This could be awesome. The golden age of pro-wrestling was dramatic to say the least but right now there’s no word on the direction the series would take. The question I have is how far they will be able to go to depict real life wrestlers and promotions (WWF, WWE, Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan etc…) I...

Real wrestling fans know anyone hoping to make a television show based on the professional wrestling boom of the 1980s will be hard pressed to beat Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling. The Saturday morning cartoon series featured Hogan and some of the World Wrestling Federation's other good guys battling Rowdy Roddy Piper and a team of bad guys. And while it might seem like I'm joking, it was the first thing I - and many other wrestling fans - will think of when they hear the news that super-prodcuer Jerry Bruckheimer has teamed up with former wrestling superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to produce a pilot based on professional wrestling in the 1980s for NBC. The series will be a drama and explore the golden age of wrestling where the sport went from a regional attraction to world wide sensation. Read more after the jump. Deadline [1] broke the news of this deal,...

Any horror movie that reunites former "Saved by the Bell" graduates Screech and Lisa Turtle is automatically newsworthy. Toss in Maniac Cop, Joe Estevez, and Eighties pro wrestling superstar Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and you’ve got a serious case of the Little Creeps

Michigan indie filmmaker Brad Leo Lyon sent over a press release regarding the status of Little Creeps, his low budget horror comedy with a cast more impressive than the current season of Dr. Drew’s “Celebrity Rehab”. I’ll pass it along to you since it tells the tale better than I can.

From Brad Leo Lyon, the director behind such horror comedies as Beach Vacancy & College Fright Night, comes Little Creeps where the terror is "half the size, double the trouble".

Little Creeps features an all star cast including Joe Estevez (Soultaker), Robert Z'Dar (Maniac Cop) and Aurelian Smith aka Jake the Snake Roberts (Beyond the Mat). Most importantly though,...

Little Creeps Get set! Get ready for the world premier of the teaser trailer (seen below, after the jump) for Little Creeps exclusively here at Big Daddy Horror. From Brad Leo Lyon, the director behind such horror comedies as Beach Vacancy & College Fright Night, comes Little Creeps where the terror is "half the size, double the trouble". Little Creeps features an all star cast including Joe Estevez (Soultaker), Robert Z'Dar (Maniac Cop) and Aurelian Smith aka Jake the Snake Roberts (Beyond the Mat). Most importantly though, Little Creeps reunites Saved by the Bell stars Dustin Diamond (Screech) & Lark Voorhies (Lisa) for what is going to be side splitting, edge of your seat rollercoaster ride filled with plenty of thrills, chills and humor.

Long considered a mockery with his fellow professors Cordell (Robert Z'Dar) & Donnely (Dustin Diamond), professor Vern Drake (Joe Estevez) becomes obsessed with finding the Demonicron, a book said...

Here is the official trailer for the comedy Peep World from director Barry Blaustein for IFC Films. Blaustein previously directed such films as Beyond the Mat, The Ringer and Guys 'N Divas: Battle of the High School Musicals.

Peep World follows four siblings whose lives are ruined when a book exposes all of their secrets and embarrassing problems of their dysfunctional family. It has a great cast that includes, Michael C. Hall, Sarah Silverman, Kate Mara, Rainn Wilson, Judy Greer, Ben Schwartz, Taraji Henson and Ron Rifkin. 

IFC is releasing the film in theaters on March 25th with a VOD debut on February 9th. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think!

 

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