Ms. Films - Movie Making, Reviews & News

Published November 5, 2021 by Penny Flores

Top 15 Best Monster Movies

When I decided to compile a list of my favorite monster movies, I had no idea how hard it would be. I mean, what is a monster movie? What defines a monster movie? Heck, what is a monster?
Do werewolves and vampires count? Or is it only about creature features? What about aliens? Animals? Halp!

In the end, I decided that a real monster movie contains monsters or creatures with no or nearly no human connection, so there’s no werewolves, no zombies, no vampires, and no transformation stuff à la “The Fly”. It’s all about monsters, animals, kaiju and aliens. Simple as that 😉

Oh, also, it’s not a list about what I think are the best monster movies, but rather about what are my all time favorites, especially in terms of re-watchability and nostalgia. There are movies like “Cujo” or “Gremlins” that may be better movies than some others on that list, but they don’t have the same re-watchibility as my Top 15, or I’m just not so emotionally connected to them.

The great thing is that you can probably watch ALL of these monster movies on a streaming service. Here’s a great resource for Horror Streaming Services.

Okay, without further ado, here are my Top 15 Best Monster Movies:

Horror

Top 5 Best Early Tim Burton Movies

Published October 31, 2021 by Penny Flores

Top 5 Best Early Tim Burton Movies

I’m not a hardcore fan of Burton’s work, but I have seen most of his movies, and enjoyed most of them… well, at least most of his his 80s/90s output. He made some neat movies afterwards, like “Corpse Bride” or “Sweeney Todd”, but I’m definitely more enthusiastic about his earlier work. In case you’re curious, here are my Top 5 favorite Tim Burton flicks:

Blog

I Spit On Your Grave – Reviews of the Entire Franchise

Published October 30, 2021 by Penny Flores

I Spit On Your Grave – Reviews of the Entire Franchise

Original / Remake / Sequel / Threequel / Savage Vengeance

I Spit On Your Grave was released in theaters in 1978. The horror film, about a woman seeking vengeance on four men who raped her and left her for dead, sparked outrage upon its initial release due to its content and subject matter.

Despite the backlash and mixed reviews, I Spit On Your Grave developed a cult following in video stores and spawned a series of films. This collection included a remake, a sequel, and several sequels to the remake.

Let’s take a look at the I Spit On Your Grave movies in order to understand the good, the bad, and the ugly about the series. This post divides the films into their respective continuities and includes information for the entirety of the franchise

Horror

Obscure Movie Facts for Parties

Published March 23, 2021 by Penny Flores

Obscure Movie Facts for Parties

We movie buffs pride themselves as virtual encyclopedias of movie facts. There are daily discussions on the Geeks floor, debating who, what, where, and when of movies. Debates can get heated when aficionados begin questioning the validity of IMDB. The film industry is riddled with conspiracy theories that have the most research-oriented in the group spending their personal time hunting down the truth behind movie trivia. They dig deep into the history of the production of the particular movie often reaching out to the directors and producers to determine the movie facts you didn’t know.

Movies

10 Best Bruce Lee Movies – Some May Surprise You

Published March 22, 2021 by Penny Flores

10 Best Bruce Lee Movies – Some May Surprise You

Getting his start as a child actor in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee eventually made his way to the United States and opened up several martial arts schools. He was devoted to the art of teaching and was successful. He gained recognition as an actor when he starred in The Green Hornet in 1966. From there, he and his family moved back to Hong Kong where he worked on a number of films. Bruce Lee set the standard as a kung-fu god which others strive to reach. Even after his death, Lee is known as the master of martial arts. With these 10 Bruce Lee movies, you can see Lee from all facets of life: as a writer, as an actor, and as a man.

Movies

Superhero Movie Flops – History of Bad Comic Book Movies

Published March 21, 2021 by Penny Flores

Superhero Movie Flops – History of Bad Comic Book Movies

Superhero films have been in the limelight for so long it’s hard to forget that just about a decade ago they were something that generally both audiences and comic book fans feared. It was a time before Marvel Studios introduced their cinematic universe and everyone was fighting to play catch-up. Back in those days, superhero movies weren’t connected by shared universes. The idea that you had to wait until the end of the credits for a post-credit stinger was completely foreign.

Reviews

Classic Movie Musical Biographies

Published March 16, 2021 by Penny Flores

Classic Movie Musical Biographies

Musical biographies were a popular theme in Hollywood during the Golden Age. Most of these are (apparently) factually inaccurate, but they generally feature a wonderful anthology of a musician’s work. Critics are quick to cast aside many of these films for their historical inaccuracies. But if you’re like me, that’s of secondary importance. If I want to learn facts about a musician’s life and career, I’ll read a book. If I want to see and hear his/her music in song and dance, I’ll watch a musical. Besides, in most cases, I’m more interested in the fruits of their labors than the cold hard facts of their lives. So, just take the story at face value and enjoy some outstanding musical entertainment!

Musicals

Published February 20, 2021 by Penny Flores

Famous People Who Died Young

They weren’t around long, but their lights keep shining brightly. The planet has been graced by magnificent talents who left us so early, whether they be rock gods or screen goddesses. The most famous musicians and actors who have died tragically young are here.

Many prominent actors stay forever young despite their premature deaths, including Heath Ledger, whose shocking death shook the world in 2008, to Kurt Cobain, who joined the tragic fraternity of stars who died at the age of 27 (including Jimmy Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Brian Jones).

Blog

Published February 20, 2021 by Penny Flores

Celebrity Mugshots

Even though celebrities may be richer and more attractive, that doesn’t make them better than us. Check out these celebrity mugshots!

Note: They aren’t necessarily guilty, even if they look guilty.

Blog

Civil War Films of the Silent Era (1913,1915)

Published February 9, 2021 by Penny Flores

Civil War Films of the Silent Era (1913,1915)

Silent Films about the Civil War

Sometimes, you just have to go back, and I mean *way* back for some interesting war movie action.

Well, maybe not action so much, but the 2000 issue of Civil War Films of the Silent Era takes us back to the time before World War I, before the notion of a “war movie” had even become ingrained in our culture. These three films provide an interesting perspective but still seem to carry similar themes you’d see today. I’ll cover each of these separately, and then end with my complaints about this nearly-excellent collection….

War Movies

Movie Making Outside of Hollywood

Published January 30, 2021 by Penny Flores

Movie Making Outside of Hollywood

Five Other U.S. Cities That Have Embraced Film and Television

Filmmaking in the U.S. is no longer relegated to Hollywood and New York. Explore a little about five other cities that can make their claim to film and television fame.

While most people think of Hollywood and New York City as the centers for movie making in the U.S., there are plenty of other cities throughout the States that can boast with pride the number of films that have used their skylines as backdrops. In fact, MovieMaker.com recently ranked the top ten cities to live, work in, and the film is based on a number of criteria including available local support for talent and financial incentives.

Film Making

Silent Film Star Louise Brooks

Published January 30, 2021 by Penny Flores

Silent Film Star Louise Brooks

Silent Movie Star and Writer

A short biography of the 1920s actress known for her captivating beauty, style, and intelligence.

With her sleek, bobbed hair and gloriously heedless allure, actress Louise Brooks remains one of the most distinctive stars of the 1920s. Mary Louise Brooks, also known as Brooksie, was born in November 1906 in Cherryvale, Kansas. Louise’s father Leonard was a lawyer who would later become Assistant Attorney General of Kansas, while Louise’s mother Myra was a cultured and accomplished woman, not interested in traditional wifely duties.

Profiles

Mary Pickford Biography

Published January 30, 2021 by Penny Flores

Mary Pickford Biography

Silent Film Star and Hollywood Pioneer

A short biography of the actress once known as America’s Sweetheart. Along with Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, Pickford was a co-founder of United Artists Studio.

Profiles

The Breakfast Club – A Look Back At A Movie Classic

Published January 30, 2021 by Penny Flores

The Breakfast Club – A Look Back At A Movie Classic

Directed by John Hughes, the movie featured Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, and Molly Ringwald – five of the then soon-to-be Brat Pack members who later became well known for flicks such as St. Elmo’s Fire and About Last Night. Yet, though I remember those equally impressive credits, it’s The Breakfast Club that I’ll most remember them for, if only because the characters all hit so close to home.

Reviews

Ryan Gosling: The Artist Bio

Published January 29, 2021 by Penny Flores

Ryan Gosling: The Artist Bio

Though still quite young, Ryan Gosling has managed to resist the temptation of Hollywood. He has remained true to himself and has continued to deliver great performances.

Ryan Gosling is deeply committed to his craft. His focus appears not to rely on success in terms of finances but rather, in regards to artistic merit. This is clearly indicated by his choice of film roles. He rarely selects films that are typical of Hollywood and instead focus on smaller, deeply intimate films which help to reveal his many talents according to Imdb.com.

Profiles

Ms. Films Posts

Original / Remake / Sequel / Threequel / Savage Vengeance

Silent Films about the Civil War

Five Other U.S. Cities That Have Embraced Film and Television

Silent Movie Star and Writer

Silent Film Star and Hollywood Pioneer