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The killers in the slasher sub-genre have been predominantly male, but occasionally we’re treated to the sight of a female blade-wielding maniac – and lately, it seems like we’ve been seeing more and more female slashers, which is a fun change of pace. Pearl is one example of the recent slasher resurgence on the big screen, and the title character was one killer lady! So it seemed like this would be a good time to look back at the previous female slashers and pick some favorites. Who had the best kills, the best reason behind her kills, and who was the mother of them all? Here’s our list of the top 5 best female slashers, based on preferences and impact on the genre.

Friday the 13th (1980): Pamela Voorhees

The original slasher matriarch, Pamela Voorhees. The Friday the 13th franchise has been built around her son, Jason, who quickly became a genre icon.

School is starting to get back in session for many, hammering in one of the final nails of summer’s coffin. It’s fitting that the new school year heralds in the arrival of Fall; few things are scarier than the hells of school. Students must deal with homework, teachers, parents, social structures, and puberty. Teachers must contend with unruly students, their unrulier parents, grading, and office stresses. And high school is a hell of its own.

Luckily, horror covers the terrors of school from every perspective, young and old alike. This week’s streaming picks head back to school to exploit all the academic anxieties and fears.

Here’s where you can stream them this week.

For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.

Battle Royale – freevee, Hoopla, Kanopy, Pluto TV, Tubi

Thanks to a government-mandated act to control Japan’s disorderly youth, class 3-b has been selected...

It’s prom night 2008 and Donna Keppel is planning to wear a champagne-colored dress. Corseted, with pink and gold beads. Unfortunately, it might also get splattered with blood and tears, because the teacher who’s obsessed with her has broken out of the mental hospital, tracked her down to the prom venue, and is ready to make sure she’ll be his forever. Even if that means having to slaughter her friends first. That’s the story of the 2008 version of Prom Night (watch it Here) – and if you haven’t seen this one, it might be the Best Horror Movie You Never Saw.

The Prom Night franchise began with the release of a 1980 slasher movie which starred scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis as a young woman who has to deal with a ski mask-wearing maniac crashing her prom. People are stabbed and hacked, knocked off a cliff, decapitated, throats are slit,...

Stars: Diane Foster, D’Andre Noiré, Kelly Grant, Zach Kanner, Allison Lobel, Adam Slemon, Zuri Starks, Jamie B. Cline | Written by Allison Lobel | Directed by Diane Foster

Look what’s come hopping down the bunny trail just in time for the holiday weekend, Easter Bloody Easter, the latest in the never-ending line of holiday horrors. We’ve already had our share of Easter-themed films from Faster Eater Bunny, Kill! Kill! and Easter Holocaust to Resurrection. But when it comes to low-budget horror, there’s no such thing as too many films on a subject, so what’s one more?

This one opens with a couple going at it in a church storeroom, “I want you to fuck me like some muffin top Jesus!”, being killed by a glowing-eyed rabbit that transforms into a glowing-eyed monster complete with Easter basket.

A week later Jeanie wakes up in her yard and tries to...

Spring is in swing and Easter is just around the corner. What better time than now for Gravitas Ventures to release their Easter-themed flick from WallyBird Productions? First-time director Diane Foster pulls double duty as lead actress in the horror-comedy Easter Bloody Easter, arriving just in time for Easter.

The peeps in Warburg, TX love them some Easter. And even though they seem to be devout Christian folk, their celebration around the holiday is more focused on the mythical bunny stuff versus the religious Jesus Resurrection theology. Easter to Warburg is kind of like Valentine’s Day for Valentine Bluffs in My Bloody Valentine, Fourth of July weekend for Amity Island in Jaws, Christmas in every town in a Hallmark Christmas movie. It’s their jam.

The Warburgonians’ passion for Easter knows no limit, as evidenced by their annual Easterpalooza weekend event with a wild agenda for all to partake in.

Mary Lou Retton says she’s “blessed” and “grateful” to be alive after being diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia that put her in the ICU and had her children at one point “saying their goodbyes to me.”

The former U.S. Olympic gymnast and gold medalist opened up about a near-deadly health scare that saw her nearly put on life support. It was an ordeal made all the more challenging by Retton’s lack of insurance.

During a 10-minute sit down with Today‘s Hoda Kotb, Retton revealed that following a divorce, and more than 30 orthopedic surgeries and other conditions classified by insurance as pre-existing, she was unable to afford her own health care as she was struck with a still unidentified form of pneumonia that saw her family and medical team discussing putting her on a ventilator.

“I mean, when you face death in the eyes — I...

ABC’s “20/20” will be airing a two-hour program that delves into the terrifying crime spree of Jason Dalton, a former Uber driver who brought terror to Kalamazoo, Michigan, during a deadly shooting rampage that lasted for eight horrific hours on February 20, 2016. Dalton’s actions resulted in the deaths of six people and left two others seriously injured. This episode of “20/20” will explore the events of that tragic day, shedding light on Dalton’s puzzling explanation to the police.

The program will include interviews with surviving victims, relatives of the victims, law enforcement officials, and individuals who had encounters with the killer. Matt Gutman, ABC News chief national correspondent, will conduct emotional interviews with two survivors of Dalton’s rampage: Abbie Kopf, who miraculously survived despite being shot in the head at the age of 14 and experiencing her heart stopping, and Tiana Carruthers, a young mother who was shot...

Mary Lou Retton’s daughter Shayla Schrepfer is providing an update on the former Olympian’s recovery from a rare form of pneumonia.

The 55-year-old former gymnast was hospitalized earlier this month for the illness and just suffered a serious complication.

On Wednesday (October 18), Shayla took to Instagram to explain the latest developments in her mother’s recovery journey.

Keep reading to find out what she said…

In her video, Shayla shared, “Basically at the beginning of this week we were going on the up and up…We were so excited, seeing so much progress and then yesterday we had a pretty scary setback.”

“She is still in ICU and we’re just working through some things as far as her setback goes,” she noted.

Shayla added, “She had a better day today, which is great.” She thanked everyone for their messages of support and love.

Earlier in October, Mary Lou...

Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton has suffered a major setback amid her current battle with pneumonia.

In a post to Instagram, her daughter, Shayla Schrepfer, shared an update on her mother’s condition, saying that she had experienced a “scary setback” but is still fighting for her life.

“Mom’s progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been felt and have been answered,” she said. “Although she remains in the ICU, her path to recovery is steadily unfolding. Her fighting spirit is truly shining!”

Retton’s condition was revealed on October 10, when her daughter Keller shared that her mother had been in the ICU for over a week.

“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy,...

Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast, is “fighting for her life” in the ICU with pneumonia, her daughter said Tuesday.

In an Instagram Story post, Retton’s daughter, McKenna Lane Kelley, shared the news that included a link to a Spotfund page dedicated to her mother.

“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is not able to breathe on her own,” wrote Kelley. “She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of...

Mary Lou Retton, a former Olympic gymnast, is “fighting for her life” in the intensive care unit with pneumonia, her daughter McKenna Kelley said.

Kelley shared the news on her Instagram Story Tuesday as well as a link to a Spotfund page dedicated to her mom.

In a message on the fundraising page, Retton’s daughters wrote, “My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she not insured.”

She added, “We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you Pray! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill. Anything, absolutely anything, would be so...

Mary Lou Retton is “fighting for her life” in the ICU, her daughter says.

The 55-year-old former Olympic gymnast is currently battling a “very rare form of pneumonia” and her daughter McKenna has taken to social media asking for help.

McKenna says that her mom is not insured and she’s seeking assistance with the hospital bills.

Keep reading to find out more…

“On behalf of my sisters and I, we need y’all’s help. My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she not insured,” she wrote in a SpotFund page.

She continued, “We ask that if you could help in any way,...

Looking for the 10 best Canadian horror movies that will send shivers down your spine? Canada is not only known for its stunning landscapes and warm hospitality (not to be too braggadocious), but also for its many killer contributions to the horror genre. In this article, we'll explore the top 10 films that have enthralled and terrified audiences, cementing their place as the best Canadian horror movies.

Get ready for a thrilling journey through the dark and terrifying world of Canadian horror!

Warner Bros. Black Christmas (1974)

Considered a trailblazer in the slasher genre, Black Christmas takes place in a sorority house stalked by a deranged killer during the holiday season. With its atmospheric tension and cleverly crafted scares, this cult classic continues to haunt audiences with its spine-tingling suspense.

Lionsgate Ginger Snaps (2000)

This unique werewolf tale follows two teenage sisters as one of them undergoes a horrifying transformation. Ginger Snaps blends coming-of-age themes with body horror,...

One cannot understate the pop culture stir caused by Matt Reeves' 2008 film "Cloverfield." Co-produced by TV impresario J.J. Abrams, "Cloverfield" employed an effective marketing campaign wherein information was widely withheld from audiences, to the point where many couldn't tell you exactly what the film was about. There were rumors at the time that "Cloverfield" might be a stealth Godzilla movie, a Voltron film, or some other major franchise picture marketed in disguise. Others began to form elaborate plots in their minds, positing that the unseen monster in the "Cloverfield" previews might actually denote a larger, interdimensional conspiracy story. 

As it turns out, the monster was merely a giant monster. The only striking and novel thing about "Cloverfield" was that it was a found-footage kaiju film, ostensibly shot in a shaky, handheld style by one of the characters within the movie. The shakiness of the film's camerawork reportedly made some audiences seasick,...

Hot on the heels of Terror Vision Records’ release of composer Paul Zaza’s My Bloody Valentine (1981) score on cassette comes another coveted collaboration between the label and Zaza: the first-ever pressing of cult favorite Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II‘s score on vinyl.

The original motion picture soundtrack by the legendary composer who wrote the music for 1980’s Prom Night will be available as a limited Record Store Day release.

The Record Store Day exclusive release will be limited to 1500 copies. That means you’ll want to keep track of the release through the Record Store Day site or by signing up for the Terror Vision mailing list to keep tabs on this highly coveted release.

In director Bruce Pittman’s wild cult sequel, high school mean girl and prom queen Mary Lou Maloney (Lisa Schrage) accidentally burns to death shortly after getting her prom queen crown...

So, I am not exactly adept at the ‘Harry Potter‘ universe. In fact, if I’m being honest, I probably know less about it overall than I do say–the McU or the Dceu–and I’ve never even read a comic book that took place in either of those universes (And for that matter, I have barely read a comic book). I’ve seen the first four movies in the ‘Harry Potter‘ franchise, really liked three of them, hated the second one and thought ‘Goblet of Fire‘ in particular was a damn-near great film. I haven’t gone back to seek out the rest of the films yet, I’m sure I’ll get to them at some point, at least I always said that before, although now it seems like I’m gonna have to put a rush on that sooner than later, ’cause oh Christ, they’re actually expanding the universe.

With Justice League imminent, it’ll be some time yet before Warner Bros. turns its attention toward Fantastic Beasts 2. But that hasn’t stemmed the tide of Instagram photos.

First spotted by Digital Spy, the sequel’s official social media account has now shared a rather intriguing photo to promote Newt Scamander’s upcoming book tour. It’ll be held at Obscurus Books, the fictional publisher that has been a cornerstone of Diagon Alley since 1926, though the Harry Potter faithful are more concerned with how this relates to the theory involving Ezra Miller’s Credence Barebone.

Soon after the release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them late last year, a deleted scene showed Credence escaping New York City (alongside Newt, perhaps?). That’s led some fans to believe that Miller’s character will go on to become an ally to Newt Scamander in time for Fantastic Beasts 2, while...

Since I showed some love to Netflix yesterday, I thought it was only proper today to put the spotlight on Amazon Prime and their vast streaming library that features hundreds of genre titles.

There’s no denying that it can be an overwhelming experience to try and navigate your way through over 200 different pages of movies, so I went ahead and put together a list of 31 different films that should help you get into the Halloween spirit throughout the month of October. And since variety is the spice of life, I tried to give you guys an assortment of different sub-genres, so that you should be able to find something to fit any horror-loving mood! Happy October and happy viewing, everyone!

Madman

At a summer camp for youths, a cocky pre-teen calls out the name of mass serial killer "Madman Marz". Suddenly, counselors are being maimed and slaughtered in various...

Even with the possibility of the first trailer for Avengers: Infinity War debuting tomorrow night being a reality, I think you may agree with me in saying that it doesn’t hurt to occupy the interim with other bits of news related to the monumental film that’s serving as the culmination of everything Marvel Studios have been building to since the release of 2008’s Iron Man.

Granted, principal photography for 2019’s as-yet-untitled follow-up may have already commenced, but that doesn’t mean everything regarding Infinity War itself is finished. After all, there’s a lot of time separating now from next spring, so it stands to reason that the second unit or other members of the crew will be filling in a few blanks. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise us if the approach the Russo Brothers are taking is somewhat nonlinear like other films that have shot back to back,...

Further to our "Avengers: Infinity War" casting calls, here and here, Sneak Peek the latest open call to appear in the Marvel Studios' feature shooting in Atlanta, Georgia, October 10 and 11, 2017:

"...Central Casting Georgia

"***Feature Film- Mary Lou*** (aka "Avengers: Infinity War")

"Work: October 10 + 11

"Location: Atlanta

"Rate: $68/8rs

"Secretaries: Looking for women who appear to be Caucasian, 20's-50's, to portray 1960's secretaries/clerks. Hair must be period-appropriate: no longer than shoulder length, no dye, no modern colors or cuts. Must be dress size 0-8.

"Must be available for both filming dates- Tuesday 10/10 + Wednesday 10/11 in Atlanta.

"A mandatory fitting will be required in Fayetteville on Monday 9/25. You Must be available for both fitting & filming- no exceptions!

"Please read this post carefully and Only Submit If You Actually Fit This Description And Are Available!

"To submit, send an email to MaryLou@CentralCasting.com and include: your name, phone number, height,...

Every week, we spotlight a kill that we just can’t get enough of. This is Kill of the Week. Just three years after the release of Prom Night 2, Mary Lou Maloney was brought back from the grave for 1990’s Prom Night 3: The Last Kiss. Actress Courtney Taylor took over the role for the franchise’s third […]...

If Avengers: Infinity War (Aka the biggest movie ever made?) is being kept locked away in the Marvel vaults, the prolific studio is really pulling out all the stops to ensure the unnamed Avengers 4 retains its status as one of the most secretive productions in Hollywood.

But all of the precautions in the world – the red tape, the NDAs, and coy codenames (“Mary Lou”) – won’t stem the flow of rumors (Black Widow and the Yakuza) and leaked documents (alleged call sheets) flooding the interwebs. However that may be, the latest McU-related tidbit hails from a more official source: Paul Bettany.

First introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Tony Stark’s snarky A.I., J.A.R.V.I.S., by harnessing the power of the Mind Stone, Bettany has since evolved into Vision, a god-like android capable of wielding Mjölnir and shooting concentrated beams of energy from his forehead.

Principal photography on Avengers 4 is officially underway, that much we know, but beyond alleged roll calls and rumors surrounding Marvel’s vague plans for Phase 4 – a Phase that will purportedly be shaped by the untitled Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel – Joe and Anthony Russo’s 2019 blockbuster is being kept under lock and key.

In the eyes of ardent fans, that’s both a blessing and a curse, and maintaining some semblance of secrecy simply means that we’ll just have to wait that little bit longer before our burning questions are answered.

But regardless of which side of the fence you find yourself on – the rumormonger; or the spoiler-sensitive that avoids all speculation as though it were the plague – the Marvel rumor mill is an unrelenting machine that tends to operate 24/7, and the latest purported tidbit for Avengers 4 comes to us by way of Omega Underground. Spoilers: it centers on Scarlett Johansson...

From “Wichita Lineman,” to “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Glen Campbell‘s wealth of hits too often overshadows his prolific early career as a session player in the 1960s. As member of the famed Wrecking Crew—an informal collective of highly sought-after studio musicians—he played on literally thousands of songs throughout the decade, many of them hits.

As the world mourns his death on Tuesday at age 81 after a long and brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease, People takes a look back at 10 huge songs you might not have realized featured Campbell’s playing.

“Hello Mary Lou” by Ricky Nelson (1961)

Son of...

Marvel Studios' upcoming feature "Avengers: Infinity War" is looking for actors to play 'military officers', filming August 28, 2017, with wardrobe fittings scheduled for the week of August 14, 2017:

***Feature Film***Mary Lou*** (working title)

**Working August 28**

**Fitting: week of August 14th

**Filming location Tbd (Atlanta area or Fayetteville)

New Faces Only!

Rate: $68/8 hours

"...Military Officers: Looking for men who appear to be 30’s-early 50’s, in good physical shape, to portray officers of various rankings. Must have short hair or be willing to get a military haircut. No Facial Hair! Military experience is preferred, but not mandatory. Filming will be Monday 8/28 with a mandatory fitting the week of August 14th- must be available for both!

"If you are available for both Fitting and Filming, send an email to MaryLou@CentralCasting.com and include: your name, phone number, height, weight, clothing sizes, & 2 current photos- a head shot & full length shot. If you have military experience,...

While we’ve been repeatedly assured that every Marvel character that has already been introduced will appear in Avengers: Infinity War, we have yet to hear confirmation about the much anticipated Captain Marvel – due to be played by Brie Larson in the McU’s first female-led movie.

Though her casting was announced a full year ago, the popular comic book hero has yet to make her big screen debut. That could change though with the upcoming Avengers flick, as evidence is mounting that she might get a Spider-Man/Black Panther style introduction, before her even bigger moment in the spotlight in her own solo film.

Firstly, there was an Instagram post by Ryan Fleck, who will be co-directing the Captain Marvel movie with Anna Boden. While it’s been reported that filming on the character’s standalone effort is not due to begin until at least January 2018, Fleck posted a...

Brendon Connelly May 24, 2017

Benedict Cumberbatch is voicing The Grinch. And here's what he'll look like...

Illumination - the folks behind the Despicable Me films, of course - have been showing off some of their key characters to licensors over the past week, the better to encourage the continued manufacture, distribution, sale, enjoyment and, eventually, landfill-clogging destruction of their merchandise. And in a new piece of artwork - that you can see at the top there, and in full down at the bottom - that's been placed as an advert in Global License, we get our first look at the studio's CG take on The Grinch, from next year's The Grinch Who Stole Christmas do-over.

Following Boris Karloff, sort-of-Tim Curry, Jim Carrey and Seth Green, the latest actor to play (well, voice in this instance) Dr. Seuss' immortal, Christmas-derailing hermit, will be Benedict Cumberbatch. Seems only natural. Shame that...

Three generations of women from the same Michigan family are all obstetrics nurses — and they estimate between them they’ve helped deliver more than 10,000 babies.

“It just goes from generation to generation,” Christina Harms, 31, tells People.

Harms is a nurse at Spectrum Health Medical Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her mother, Sue Hoekstra, 56, works on the same floor, and her grandmother, Mary Lou Wilkins, 86, was also a nurse at the same hospital.

“It’s a happy place 99 percent of the time, It’s just a joy to go to work. I feel like I’m making a difference,” says Hoekstra,...

J.K. Rowling did a superb job creating her magical universe, populating it worldwide with schools, wizards, prisons, creatures, and muggles aplenty. She also gave her world a rich history and then has been mining it with spinoff works of varying lengths and media. One of the more popular has been Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, taking a reference book mentioned in her Harry Potter novels and telling the story of how Newt Scamander managed to pen such a fascinating work.

Warner Bros, seeking ways to continue to profit from the film series, optioned the title and has created a trilogy with Rowling taking her turn as screenwriter for director David Yates, who directed four of the eight films. He did a far more immersive and coherent job on last year’s Legend of Tarzan.

The resulting film has grossed over $800 million worldwide so the gamble seems to have paid off and yet,...

J. K. Rowling is back with a wizard world tale over which she has complete control — a diverting period adventure starring Eddie Redmayne and scores of fanciful magic creatures that belong on an endangered species list. Yep, it’s 2+plus hours of CGI illusions — in glorious 3-D for those so equipped, and Ms. Rowling has populated it with charming, personable actors. “You know — for adults.”

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

3-D Blu-ray

J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

2016 / Color / 2:40 widescreen /133 min. / Street Date March 28, 2017 / 3-D 44.95; Blu-ray & DVD 35.99

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Colin Farrell, Katherine Waterston, Samantha Morton, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Carmen Ejogo, Ron Perlman, Jon Voight, Josh Cowdery, Dan Hedaya, Johnny Depp. .

Cinematography: Philippe Rouselot

Film Editor: Mark Day

Original Music: James Newton Howard

Written by J. K. Rowling

Produced by J.K. Rowling, Lionel Wigram

Directed by David Yates

“And lo, the magical super-franchise of Harry Potter doth continue.

As one of Hollywood’s best-loved character actors, Bill Paxton — who died at the age of 61 over the weekend following complications from surgery — was a reliable supporting player throughout a wide range of feature films in the ’80s and ’90s. Mourned by fans and peers alike, Paxton was one of the only actors with the distinction of acting in the trilogy of “Big Bad” movies from the ’80s and ’90s — Aliens, Predator and The Terminator — and his scenery-chewing roles in movies like Weird Science and Near Dark made him a beloved presence across decades of cinema. (Paxton did eventually graduate to lead roles,...

"I feel like I'm on top of the world, because this is just mind-blowing." Marvel has released a new behind-the-scenes production featurette for Avengers: Infinity War, the next big superhero crossover movie hitting theaters in the summer of 2018. The video is more of an announcement of the start of production - filming began on January 23rd, 2017, under the working title Mary Lou, at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Georgia. Filming is expected to last until October/November 2017 - which is an extremely long shoot, but they're shooting the next two back-to-back. The Russo Brothers are directing, and instead of being split into two parts, it will be one big movie. This video features Kevin Feige, with appearances by Chris Pratt (Star Lord), Tom Holland (Spider-Man) and Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man) as well as a few others. Fire it up. Here's the first production featurette for the Russo Bros' Avengers: Infinity War,...

Burbank, CA, January 27, 2016 – Immerse yourself in the wizarding world when Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them arrives onto Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them takes us to a new era of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, decades before Harry Potter and half a world away. Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything, The Danish Girl) stars in the central role of Magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them also stars Katherine Waterston (Steve Jobs, Inherent Vice) as Tina, Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as Jacob, Alison Sudol (Transparent) as Tina’s sister, Queenie, Ezra Miller (Trainwreck, Justice League) as Credence, two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton (In America,...

Mike Connors passed away today of leukemia at a hospital in Tarzana, CA. He was 91.

Connors is best known for his role as Joe Mannix on the CBS series Mannix that ran from 1967-1975.

He was good guy, a private detective who could take a punch like none other. 

Kreker J. Ohanian was born in Fresno, California in 1925. Of Armenian descent, the actor was told to change his name because it sounded too much like George O'Hanlon.

Connors began his film and television career in 1952 under the name Touch (a nickname he earned in college) Connors. 

Early on in the 1950s, he had a bevy of small roles in westerns such as Gun Smoke, Have Gun, Will Travel and Maverick. 

In 1959, Connors got his first series regular role in Tightrope.

Tightrope was originally going to be called Undercover Man, and that makes sense. Connor's character was an undercover agent who...

Mike Connors, who starred as a brawling L.A. private eye on the long-running CBS crime drama Mannix, died today of leukemia at a hospital in Tarzana, CA. He was 91. Connors had been diagnosed only a week ago with the disease. He died surrounded by the love of family, including his wife Mary Lou of 68 years whom he met while they were students at UCLA. “He was a wonderful father, a wonderful husband, a wonderful father-in-law and a wonderful friend,” his son-in-law Mike…...

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher will be buried among many other famous stars at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

Reynolds’s son and Fisher’s younger brother Todd Fisher told ABC’s 20/20 that he is planning a joint service with Billie Lourd, 24, his niece and Fisher’s daughter. According to Todd, his mother and sister will be buried “among friends,” at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Fisher, 60, was aboard an 11-hour flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 23, when she went into cardiac arrest. She later died that following Tuesday in the hospital. Reynolds died a...

Mark Harrison Nov 22, 2016

With spoilers, we look at the questions Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them left behind...

This feature contains spoilers for Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them and other Harry Potter films.

For fans of Jk Rowling's Wizarding World, the newest adjunct to the Harry Potter franchise has been refreshingly unknown up until release. Although the new spin-off Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is set before the previous films, we don't expect that Rowling's planned five films will dovetail directly into The Philosopher's Stone and aside from a couple of references to wizarding history, it's uncharted territory.

The book version of Fantastic Beasts was published for Comic Relief in 2001 and purports to be an abridged, Muggle-worthy edition of Newt Scamander's in-universe work on magical creatures. On the other hand, the plot of the film is brand new, taking place during Newt's research into writing the book,...

It’s usually reserved for summer, but for the next few weeks it’s “prequel” time at the multiplex. Of course summer has the “tent poles” and the “franchise” flicks, but two special cases are making a most momentous exception. In about six weeks (December 16 to be exact), film fans will all be abuzz, waiting to journey to that “galaxy far, far away” with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, an action fantasy set just before the events of 1977’s much beloved Episode Four. In the meantime, we’re getting a trip back to another movie fantasy world, that of Harry Potter. Actually it’s a history of that setting where “muggles” (human beings) and magical beings mix. This new film peaks behind the pages of one of the textbooks that Harry and his class mates studied at Hogwarts School. Its title? This beloved tome is Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.

MaryAnn’s quick take…

Forget about magical creatures: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them could use some help finding itself, and in figuring out who its protagonist is. I’m “biast” (pro): love the Harry Potter saga, love most of the movies

I’m “biast” (con): not a fan of Eddie Redmayne

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

Forget about magical creatures: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them could use some help finding itself. I can’t figure out what this movie is about. Worse, I don’t think director David Yates or screenwriter J.K Rowling even know what their movie is about. It’s barely even about fantastic beasts and where to find them, except to the degree that wizard naturalist Newt Scamander accidentally lets a few escape from his mobile collection lab–research library–menagerie in 1926 New York City and...

Taking a closer look at the cast of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemTaking a closer look at the cast of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemAdriana Floridia11/17/2016 9:56:00 Am

This November, we'll be meeting a whole new cast of characters from the mind of J.K. Rowling when Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits Cineplex theatres on November 18th. When Harry Potter first came out, the films didn't just give us Harry, Ron and Hermione, but also Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.

While some of the members of this new cast are familiar faces, for many of them this is the biggest project they've yet to be a part of, and the film is bound to introduce these actors to a whole new audience. We're taking a closer look at the cast, one by one.

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne has been in the...

Something wicked this way comes when J.K. Rowling & Co. dive back into the magical universe of witchcraft and wizardry in the latest in the Harry Potter franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It’s a brave new world, literally, as the action has now shifted to New York from Hogwarts and a well-intentioned wizard by the name of Newt Scamander (the affable Eddie Redmayne) is in town with a PETA-friendly mission on his shoulders and a briefcase full of intriguing creatures at his feet. The nomenclature is purportedly different—Muggles are called NoMajs and the Ministry of Magic is replaced with the Magical Congress of the United States—but the setting is intimately familiar.

And Newt is in for more than he bargained for. Dark forces lurk in the gloomy buildings of the Big Apple while the world of magicians is in turmoil, faced with exposure to NoMajs.

J.K. Rowling is so much more than just a literary talent. Brilliant writer? Check. Inspirational dreamer? Double check. Certifiable marketing genius? She might as well be called Mrs. Draper after her latest adventure into the Harry Potter extended universe.

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them faced a certain conundrum – how do you keep Potterheads excited without Daniel Radcliffe, Hogwarts or even Hedwig for that matter? Simple. Take advantage of a cultural phenomenon like Pokémon Go, and spin it with a wizarding twist. I mean, that’s what’s going on here (with a little lot of Men In Black nostalgia). Some boy runs all over New York City capturing “fantastic beasts” while stuffing them inside an ever-expansive magic containment device (the briefcase substitutes as a Pokeball). Like the Potterverse needed any more pop-culture appeal, right? It’s not like director David Yates wasn’t familiar with Rowling’s world already…...

Where are the fantastic beasts in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? Author J.K. Rowling has made it easy for you. She sprinkles them across 1926 Manhattan, where they scuttle about with furtive energy, as if they were tourists fumbling for their passports or immigrants worried about their visas.

The creatures here include the Niffler, which looks like a duck-billed platypus and has a predilection for shoplifting; the Bowtruckle, a spindly green plant that suggests a tiny version of those wind socks you see at car dealerships; and the rather alarming Erumpent, which resembles a rhino with a pool of lava glowing beneath its horn.

The Harry Potter universe returns to the big screen with Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. Here's our review.

This review is spoiler-free.

From the familiar warm tingles of John Williams’ theme, to a wonderfully cinematic filling in of backstory through magical newspapers, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them’s opening isn’t shy about its Harry Potter roots. Nor should it be. Bringing back together director David Yates (who helmed the final four Potter films), producer David Heyman and author J K Rowling – this time as a debut screenwriter – it’s a tantalising reunion, a platform for a quintet of films set some 70 years before the Harry Potter stories we already know.

The setting this time is 1926 New York, brought lavishly to life with the skill and production design integral to this particular cinematic world (the sheer craft is quite incredible). Within ten minutes, I found myself settled back,...

So many goodies in the cinemas candy store this upcoming Awards Season! Oh,boy, oh boy.

It’s “Good Movie Season” when we get Hollywood heavy-hitters (both top popcorn entertainment and Oscar wannabees), and the best of the film festival circuit, most recently from Toronto. Many films will have an awards qualifying run in 2016 and open officially in 2017.

While we have not seen some of these (although we have seen some trailers), some movies are sure to disappoint. That said, here is Wamg’s list of highly-anticipated films, both big blockbuster entertainment and seriously meaty cinema.

©2016 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.

Doctor Strange – Nov. 4

The Sherlock supreme becomes the sorcerer supreme as one of the founding Marvel comics heroes finally arrives in the Marvel “movie-verse”.

While other Marvel Studios flicks have explored the worlds of hi-tech, Norse mythology, and space opera, director Scott Derrickson guides us through the realms of magic.

Newly released character posters for Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them reveal some very interesting facts about the new witches, wizards, and muggles but they also provide lots of fodder for fan theories. The Harry Potter series is returning to theaters for one week to celebrate the release of its spinoff, Fantastic Beasts, but I honestly wouldn't even need that to get excited. Pottermore also recently had Eddie Redmayne take the Patronus test (as did we all) which was pretty cute. (He got a Basset Hound.) J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts is set to hit theaters November 18th with an all-star cast of Redmayne, Samantha Morton, Ezra Miller, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, and Ron Perlman but Entertainment Weekly posted nine new posters of them today. Of note? Remember Morton's Mary Lou Barebone was said to be the adoptive mother of Miller's Credence?...

As we get closer to the mid-November release, we finally get a truly in-depth look at Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and it turns out that it was worth waiting for.

Anything related to the Harry Potter franchise really needs no further sell, but even though the book and film series is almost universally loved, some films are better than others, and certainly some books leave something to be desired. Moreover, some installments aim toward the simplistic, while others (especially when considering the films) look to broaden the scope of the dialog.

They’re all good, but that means something different in some cases. For example, Alfonso Cuarón’s Prisoner of Azkaban stands out among the film as the richest effort, which hoped to elevate the text and its themes.

If the trailer can be believed, it looks as though this one is moving in a similar direction,...

The Beasts are coming!

Ahead of the November 18th release of the magical new adventure Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Warner Bros. Pictures has released the final trailer and poster.

Fans will be treated to a Special Preview of new footage from the film in IMAX, and can be part of a Live Interactive Q & A with the Stars and Director.

The worldwide fan event will kick off on Thursday, October 13th, at 8:30 p.m. GMT (3:30 p.m. Edt, 12:30 p.m. Pdt) and simultaneously in major cities in the U.S. and internationally.

The announcement comes on the heels of today’s debut of the brand new trailer for the film.

Attendees will first be treated to a never-before-seen reel featuring some of the thrilling moments from the much-anticipated film. Talent from “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will be joining the celebration, in person,...

The latest—and most extensive so far—look at the Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them dives into Newt Scamander’s (Eddie Redmayne) briefcase, a world filled with creatures majestic, fearsome, and cute. That little green twig dude is especially sweet-looking. Well, if we want to get technical, he’s a Bowtruckle. But outside of the wonders of Scamander’s luggage, it’s clear the film has a bunch of magical political intrigue at play. Samantha Morton’s on hand railing against witches, and Colin Farrell’s whispering in the ear of a withdrawn Ezra Miller. The function of Miller’s character—Credence Barebone, the son of Morton’s Mary Lou Barebone—has been kept deliberately obscure, but according to Entertainment Weekly his mom’s none too nice. Meanwhile, Redmayne’s mumblecore Scamander comes off sheepish and clueless here, while Katherine Waterston’s Porpentina Goldstein has...

Ezra Miller is set to play The Flash for Warner Bros. in both Justice League and his solo film, but he's also working with the studio on the Harry Potter spinoff, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. How was he able to make that work? With a little help from Humphrey Bogart. It's been a long time since the Golden Age of Hollywood when the studio system was still in use. While actors and other creatives are free to work with whomever they choose, we still see a type of brand loyalty these days whether that's due to contracts or just enjoying the team at a certain studio (Disney/Marvel comes to mind). Miller is currently set to play in two of Warner Bros' biggest franchises. Growing up a big Harry Potter fan, the actor thought he'd never get a chance to play in that world telling Pottermore, "I thought it was over.