Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 9h

#NowWatching Flesheater

Tonight, the #FFBMovieNight folks and I are checking out a low-budget zombie movie that was directed, written, produced, and stars Bill Hinzman, the cemetery zombie from Night of the Living Dead. From the trailer, it looks both cheesy and fun.

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 17h

My favorite is Blue Velvet, but The Elephant Man was the film that introduced me to David Lynch. And ever since then, I've been a fan of his.

2

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 17h

#NowWatching Tron: Ares

Regarding the Tron franchise, I've seen the original, which was a pretty cool movie, and I never saw Tron: Legacy. However, since my best friend wanted to see this, I'm going on with very low expectations since I'm not expecting anything great.

3

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 22h

#NowWatching Il fiume del grande caimano aka The Great Alligator

For Day Ten of Hooptober 2025, I was tasked with finding a film that Ernesto Gastaldi wrote, and this also counts as an animals are pissed at us movie. Hopefully, this won't be as bad as Crocodile.

2

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 22h

Happy 45th anniversary to The Elephant Man, which is loosely based on the life of Joseph Merrick. Sir Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Dr. Frederick Treves is reportedly what inspired Jonathan Demme to cast him as the evil Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.

1 4

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 1d

#NowWatching Eyes of Laura Mars

For Day Nine of Hooptober 2025, I was tasked with finding a film with dreams or a dream as part of the plot. Many of my Letterboxd friends described this movie as an American Giallo and since I love giallos, I have high hopes for this one.

3

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 1d

Happy 33rd anniversary to Under Siege, which follows a former Navy SEAL who must fend off a group of mercenaries after they seize control of a battleship. Because the Navy doesn't allow hair longer than four inches, it’s why Steven Seagal doesn't have his signature ponytail.

1

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 2d

#NowWatching Shock Waves

For Day Eight of Hooptober 2025, I was tasked with finding one of five zombie movies. As a fan of both Peter Cushing and zombie films, this is right up my alley and hopefully, it’s as cool as the poster.

2

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 2d

Happy heavenly birthday to Kirk Alyn, who was most well-known for playing Superman in Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman, Blackhawk in Blackhawk: Fearless Champion of Freedom, Chris Calvert in Radar Patrol vs. Spy King, and Sam Lane in Superman (1978), among others.

1

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 3d

I have yet to see Midsommar, but I’ve heard it’s great.

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 3d

If you want another film that’s just as weird as The Wicker Man, I suggest Midsommar. It’s essentially The Wicker Man for people who think they're smarter than they actually are.

1 1

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 3d

I do agree that it’s weird, but it’s a fantastic movie. I’d argue it’s the best film to star Christopher Lee, and that’s saying something since he played Dracula in several movies.

1

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 3d

#NowWatching The Wicker Man (1973)

For Day Seven of Hooptober 2025, I was tasked with finding one of three cult or conspiracy horror films and like Rosemary’s Baby, this one is also based on a novel. I saw this many moons ago and I’ve been itching to rewatch it.

1 2 11

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 3d

Happy 20th anniversary to Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the fourth installment in the Wallace & Gromit series. Production started shortly after the release of Chicken Run and would end up taking five years to finish.

3

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 4d

#NowWatching Rosemary’s Baby

For Day Six of Hooptober 2025, I was tasked with finding one of three cult or conspiracy horror films, and another one based on a novel. I’ve had this movie on my watchlist for a long time, so I’m stoked to finally watched it.

1

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 4d

Happy birthday to Wendy Robie, who is most well-known for playing Nadine Hurley on Twin Peaks, Mrs. Robeson in The People Under the Stairs, Ms. Tebbit in Were the World Mine, and Karen Frank in Relative, among others.

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 5d

#NowWatching Bloodlust!

For Day Five of Hooptober 2025, I’m checking out a flick that's loosely based on The Most Dangerous Game. Since it was riffed on Mystery Science Theater 3000, I'll be watching it with the commentary provided by Mike Nelson and the Bots.

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 5d

Happy 63rd anniversary to Dr. No, the first film in the James Bond franchise. At the last minute, Maurice Binder designed the gun barrel opening by pointing a pinhole camera through a real gun barrel. The actor in the sequence is not Sir Sean Connery but stuntman Bob Simmons.

3

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 6d

#NowWatching I Walked with a Zombie

For Day Four of Hooptober 2025, I was tasked with finding the most popular film from the 1940s that you haven't seen and can access. This film is notable for being one of the inspirations for Shutter Island.

3

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 6d

Happy 40th anniversary to Commando, which revolves around a retired Special Forces colonel trying to save his daughter, who was abducted by his former subordinate. An Army consultant showed Arnold Schwarzenegger the move to quietly kill Henriques.

1

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 7d

#NowWatching Mute Witness

Today is Joe Bob Day and you know what that means? It's time for #TheLastDriveIn! Tonight’s movie is brand new to me and from what I've heard from my Letterboxd friends, this is a great flick.

4

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 7d

#NowWatching The Wizard of Oz (1939)

For Day Three of Hooptober 2025, I was tasked with rewatching the first film that scared me as a kid, one that is also based on a novel. Despite not being a horror movie, it was added to the list because the late David Lynch was a fan of it.

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 7d

Happy birthday to Neve Campbell, who is most well-known for playing Sidney Prescott in the Scream franchise, Bonnie Harper in The Craft, Julia Salinger on Party of Five, Suzie Toller in Wild Things, Loretta Ryan in The Company, and LeAnn Harvey in House of Cards, among others.

2

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 8d

#NowWatching The Mummy (1932)

For Day Two of Hooptober 2025, I was tasked with finding a film from 1932. This one will be a rewatch for me since I haven’t logged it on Letterboxd yet.

1 2 8

Michael R. @batquinn5801.bsky.social · 8d

Happy heavenly birthday to Groucho Marx, the third-oldest brother in the Marx Brothers comedy troupe. His distinctive appearance included an exaggerated stooped posture, spectacles, a cigar, a thick greasepaint moustache, and thick eyebrows.