Matthew Essary
@wheelscritic.bsky.social
“Just a guy who likes movies” - Writer/Sometimes Editor/Podcaster/Gif Maker. Licensed counselor. Pretty much always tired.
Press contact: [email protected]
Portfolio: https://muckrack.com/wheelscritic/portfolio
Press contact: [email protected]
Portfolio: https://muckrack.com/wheelscritic/portfolio
Pinned
Collateral made Tom Cruise into a slasher movie villain
Michael Mann’s gritty L.A. thriller inches close to the horror genre
www.polygon.com
Thank you for all the new follows! I appreciate the love as I attempt to rebuild after fleeing the sinking u-boat that is Twitter. For anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m going to share a few of my favorite pieces of work. First, one on the horror themes of “Collateral” www.polygon.com/23006361/col...
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Dorks on forums back in the day: "ugh, why is John Woo always putting birds in his movies? Soooo dumb."
Me, hearing Woo talk about growing up in a slum and how birds represent beauty and freedom to him and how he'd draw doves on posters for his church: "Man, piss off nerds, this shit's beautiful."
Me, hearing Woo talk about growing up in a slum and how birds represent beauty and freedom to him and how he'd draw doves on posters for his church: "Man, piss off nerds, this shit's beautiful."
December 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Dorks on forums back in the day: "ugh, why is John Woo always putting birds in his movies? Soooo dumb."
Me, hearing Woo talk about growing up in a slum and how birds represent beauty and freedom to him and how he'd draw doves on posters for his church: "Man, piss off nerds, this shit's beautiful."
Me, hearing Woo talk about growing up in a slum and how birds represent beauty and freedom to him and how he'd draw doves on posters for his church: "Man, piss off nerds, this shit's beautiful."
Reposted by Matthew Essary
I think the obvious answer to the idea of a “desert island” filmography is Nicolas Cage. He has worked in literally every genre multiple times & had amazing highs & fascinating lows in each. He’s worked w/ legendary filmmakers & also creative novices. His body of work is a snapshot of cinema itself.
December 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I think the obvious answer to the idea of a “desert island” filmography is Nicolas Cage. He has worked in literally every genre multiple times & had amazing highs & fascinating lows in each. He’s worked w/ legendary filmmakers & also creative novices. His body of work is a snapshot of cinema itself.
I think the obvious answer to the idea of a “desert island” filmography is Nicolas Cage. He has worked in literally every genre multiple times & had amazing highs & fascinating lows in each. He’s worked w/ legendary filmmakers & also creative novices. His body of work is a snapshot of cinema itself.
December 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I think the obvious answer to the idea of a “desert island” filmography is Nicolas Cage. He has worked in literally every genre multiple times & had amazing highs & fascinating lows in each. He’s worked w/ legendary filmmakers & also creative novices. His body of work is a snapshot of cinema itself.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Koooooooontz! I watched/rewatched all 15 Koontz adaptations, and then I ranked them for your pleasure and convenience!
Dean Koontz is a best-selling author, but film and TV adaptations of his work haven't left much of a cultural footprint behind. Here's a ranking of the 15 best.
Every Dean Koontz Adaptation, Ranked - SlashFilm
www.slashfilm.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Koooooooontz! I watched/rewatched all 15 Koontz adaptations, and then I ranked them for your pleasure and convenience!
Reposted by Matthew Essary
For today's Christmas Movie A Day, I discuss one of the pinnacles of explosions cinema: I COME IN PEACE (1990)
November 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
For today's Christmas Movie A Day, I discuss one of the pinnacles of explosions cinema: I COME IN PEACE (1990)
Reposted by Matthew Essary
A couple years ago, my wife and I attended a short play/short film festival and met the organizer and he encouraged us to submit to it.
Today, she performed in TWO plays and our short MISOPHONIA concluded its festival run there to loving crowd. So proud and pleased.
youtu.be/buf1E3LdE34?...
Today, she performed in TWO plays and our short MISOPHONIA concluded its festival run there to loving crowd. So proud and pleased.
youtu.be/buf1E3LdE34?...
MISOPHONIA | A Loud Silent Comedy Short Film
YouTube video by Film Addicted
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 6:16 AM
A couple years ago, my wife and I attended a short play/short film festival and met the organizer and he encouraged us to submit to it.
Today, she performed in TWO plays and our short MISOPHONIA concluded its festival run there to loving crowd. So proud and pleased.
youtu.be/buf1E3LdE34?...
Today, she performed in TWO plays and our short MISOPHONIA concluded its festival run there to loving crowd. So proud and pleased.
youtu.be/buf1E3LdE34?...
Reposted by Matthew Essary
#ACenturyOfCinema continues, 1999. Japanese cult fave WILD ZERO is a mix of zombies, UFOs & punk rock. Real life band Guitar Wolf are caught up n it all, while punk biker Ace discovers the girl he rescued & fallen in love with is trans. But hey, "love has no boundaries, nationalities or genders!"
November 29, 2025 at 9:43 AM
#ACenturyOfCinema continues, 1999. Japanese cult fave WILD ZERO is a mix of zombies, UFOs & punk rock. Real life band Guitar Wolf are caught up n it all, while punk biker Ace discovers the girl he rescued & fallen in love with is trans. But hey, "love has no boundaries, nationalities or genders!"
Is Shout Factory actively trying to put out the worst possible cover art? Look at the cover for the upcoming “Prison on Fire” box set. Who are those people? Because they sure aren’t Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Roy Cheung, or Elvis Tsui. Also why are there guys fist fighting at the bottom?!
November 28, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Is Shout Factory actively trying to put out the worst possible cover art? Look at the cover for the upcoming “Prison on Fire” box set. Who are those people? Because they sure aren’t Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Roy Cheung, or Elvis Tsui. Also why are there guys fist fighting at the bottom?!
Reposted by Matthew Essary
I did a new set of subtitles for Arrow's just announced release of Peking Opera Blues coming next year. This one required taking certain creative risks to properly match the film's tone and energy (so I guess we'll see if that pays off).
November 28, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I did a new set of subtitles for Arrow's just announced release of Peking Opera Blues coming next year. This one required taking certain creative risks to properly match the film's tone and energy (so I guess we'll see if that pays off).
I, personally, don’t care about anything Tarantino has to say about …well… anything unless it’s, “Here’s the trailer for my new movie.”
November 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I, personally, don’t care about anything Tarantino has to say about …well… anything unless it’s, “Here’s the trailer for my new movie.”
Reposted by Matthew Essary
I wasn't a fan of the first one, but happy to see that Jalmari Helander learnt all the right lessons. Better pacing, better writing, better editing. Loved Jorma Tommila's acting. A couple of good laughs too. Could have gone further in the action insanity, but pretty satisfying.
November 27, 2025 at 8:18 AM
I wasn't a fan of the first one, but happy to see that Jalmari Helander learnt all the right lessons. Better pacing, better writing, better editing. Loved Jorma Tommila's acting. A couple of good laughs too. Could have gone further in the action insanity, but pretty satisfying.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Steven Kostanski told Bleeding Cool that he got the idea to cast Daniel Bernhardt in DEATHSTALKER because he was watching BLOODSPORT: THE DARK KUMITE.
bleedingcool.com/movies/death...
bleedingcool.com/movies/death...
November 26, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Steven Kostanski told Bleeding Cool that he got the idea to cast Daniel Bernhardt in DEATHSTALKER because he was watching BLOODSPORT: THE DARK KUMITE.
bleedingcool.com/movies/death...
bleedingcool.com/movies/death...
Reposted by Matthew Essary
What fight scene is your favorite in John Wick 4?
November 26, 2025 at 5:49 AM
What fight scene is your favorite in John Wick 4?
Reposted by Matthew Essary
‘Cheer up, dad. They’re making Rush Hour 4’
November 26, 2025 at 12:56 AM
‘Cheer up, dad. They’re making Rush Hour 4’
I have been off the Internet for a couple days. I come back to find out that the great Udo Kier has died. I interviewed him once (for the promotion of a shitty Puppet Master film that, like a lot of things, he was too good for). He was warm. personable, & utterly charming. RIP to a real film legend.
November 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I have been off the Internet for a couple days. I come back to find out that the great Udo Kier has died. I interviewed him once (for the promotion of a shitty Puppet Master film that, like a lot of things, he was too good for). He was warm. personable, & utterly charming. RIP to a real film legend.
This is 1000% accurate.
The two masters of the bonds of brotherhood in motion pictures are John Woo and Johnny Knoxville
November 22, 2025 at 7:09 AM
This is 1000% accurate.
This makes me think of a conversation starter for my HK movie-loving compatriots—which “stunt gone wrong that was left in” is worse? This one from Tiger on the Beat 2 or the end explosion stunt in Devil Hunters? I struggle to even watch the one from DH. (So if you want to see it, Google it yourself)
When the stunt goes wrong but they keep it in the movie anyway.
Tiger on the Beat 2 (1990) dir. Chia-Liang Liu
Tiger on the Beat 2 (1990) dir. Chia-Liang Liu
November 21, 2025 at 10:27 AM
This makes me think of a conversation starter for my HK movie-loving compatriots—which “stunt gone wrong that was left in” is worse? This one from Tiger on the Beat 2 or the end explosion stunt in Devil Hunters? I struggle to even watch the one from DH. (So if you want to see it, Google it yourself)
Reposted by Matthew Essary
I hate having to make a post like this every few months but this person is a deranged incel stalker who made direct threats against my physical safety some years ago and has it out for me and a friend because we didn’t remember talking to him on Tumblr over ten years ago. Please block accordingly.
November 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I hate having to make a post like this every few months but this person is a deranged incel stalker who made direct threats against my physical safety some years ago and has it out for me and a friend because we didn’t remember talking to him on Tumblr over ten years ago. Please block accordingly.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
The "Golgo 13" anime (from 1971) will be released on Blu-ray in Japan.
This series was considered lost until the masters were found two years ago.
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
This series was considered lost until the masters were found two years ago.
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
November 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The "Golgo 13" anime (from 1971) will be released on Blu-ray in Japan.
This series was considered lost until the masters were found two years ago.
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
This series was considered lost until the masters were found two years ago.
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
Every company looking at Shout Factory’s English subtitles for Chinese films and being like, “Naw. We can do better than this” is very funny to me.
Theatrical Trailer
Image Gallery
Audio: Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono + English DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono
Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
Optional English Subtitles from a NEW translation
Hardcover Booklet
Image Gallery
Audio: Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono + English DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono
Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
Optional English Subtitles from a NEW translation
Hardcover Booklet
November 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Every company looking at Shout Factory’s English subtitles for Chinese films and being like, “Naw. We can do better than this” is very funny to me.
If you don’t have these Jackie Chan films already, this is an *insane* deal. These are some of his very best films (plus “The Protector).
***DEAL***
#JackieChan Collection Volume 2 from #ShoutStudios is down to $48.49 on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4oZ2f6c
#BluRay #Ad #PhysicalMedia #BluRays #BoutiqueBluRay #CultMovies #DiscConnected
#JackieChan Collection Volume 2 from #ShoutStudios is down to $48.49 on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4oZ2f6c
#BluRay #Ad #PhysicalMedia #BluRays #BoutiqueBluRay #CultMovies #DiscConnected
Amazon.com: The Jackie Chan Collection, Vol. 2 (1983 - 1993) [Blu-ray] : Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Alan Tam, Danny Aiello, Joey Wong, Yuen Biao, Richard Ng, Rosamund Kwan, Richard Norton, Ken Lo, Gary Daniels: Movies & TV
Amazon.com: The Jackie Chan Collection, Vol. 2 (1983 - 1993) [Blu-ray] : Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Alan Tam, Danny Aiello, Joey Wong, Yuen Biao, Richard Ng, Rosamund Kwan, Richard Norton, Ken Lo, Gary Daniels: Movies & TV
amzn.to
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
If you don’t have these Jackie Chan films already, this is an *insane* deal. These are some of his very best films (plus “The Protector).
What a hero. (I’m serious. This guy is fucking rad.)
I’m howling.
November 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
What a hero. (I’m serious. This guy is fucking rad.)
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Good morning chat, you know what day it is.
November 20, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Good morning chat, you know what day it is.
Hmm.
In other news, if you follow Lorenz Hideyoshi on Instagram, you'll find he posted a reel comparing fight choreo he did for a Star Wars fan film in 2019 to a sequence used in a 2023 episode of Star Wars: Visions. In sum, it's reasonable to believe that Disney, allegedly, stole his work. What say you?
November 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Hmm.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Logan Paul is a fantastic wrestler if you don’t know a fucking thing about wrestling
November 18, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Logan Paul is a fantastic wrestler if you don’t know a fucking thing about wrestling