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
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?!
But how else will they learn that penguins can't fly, Grant?
November 24, 2025 at 8:18 PM
But how else will they learn that penguins can't fly, Grant?
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.
Thanks! I think it's also important to be comfortable w/ brevity, & it helps w/ that. I have been real lazy w/ my Letterboxd too, though. So what do I know? I'm trying to recommit to knocking the rust off my keyboard however & Letterboxd makes a great practice field. Here is one of my micro reviews.
November 15, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Thanks! I think it's also important to be comfortable w/ brevity, & it helps w/ that. I have been real lazy w/ my Letterboxd too, though. So what do I know? I'm trying to recommit to knocking the rust off my keyboard however & Letterboxd makes a great practice field. Here is one of my micro reviews.
Wrestler Kris Statlander (totally worth a Google.)
November 13, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Wrestler Kris Statlander (totally worth a Google.)
I was booing the situation.
November 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I was booing the situation.
“Midsommar” (2019, dir Ari Aster)
November 13, 2025 at 3:16 PM
“Midsommar” (2019, dir Ari Aster)
Thinking about this Predator 2 poster I got on my 11th birthday, from a friend, and wishing I still had it. These were sold in places like Walmart back then, displayed next to New Kids on The Block and Lamborghini posters in those big, plastic “flip book”endcap displays. We were once kings…
November 11, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Thinking about this Predator 2 poster I got on my 11th birthday, from a friend, and wishing I still had it. These were sold in places like Walmart back then, displayed next to New Kids on The Block and Lamborghini posters in those big, plastic “flip book”endcap displays. We were once kings…
I hear you. There are many things I’ve never seen, yet I’ve watched tons of Wong Jing movies. 😅 I’d recommend starting with Hara-Kiri for a Nakadai dive. It’ll be a good one to see since you’ve already seen Sword of Doom.
November 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM
I hear you. There are many things I’ve never seen, yet I’ve watched tons of Wong Jing movies. 😅 I’d recommend starting with Hara-Kiri for a Nakadai dive. It’ll be a good one to see since you’ve already seen Sword of Doom.
I am going to just come out and say it, I don’t understand the vitriol flung at “Predators.” So many fans of the series rank it low or dead last and I’ve never seen one thoughtful explanation as to why that is.
November 7, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I am going to just come out and say it, I don’t understand the vitriol flung at “Predators.” So many fans of the series rank it low or dead last and I’ve never seen one thoughtful explanation as to why that is.
As a fellow old geek, I agree.
November 7, 2025 at 2:04 PM
As a fellow old geek, I agree.
“This is how I’m gonna look every time someone hits the dislike button on one of my posts”
November 7, 2025 at 12:10 PM
“This is how I’m gonna look every time someone hits the dislike button on one of my posts”
Do I need to come in there and set those wise guys straight? I’ll do it.
November 5, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Do I need to come in there and set those wise guys straight? I’ll do it.
I am beginning to think we aren't getting a physical disc release for the Scott Adkins/Markor Zaror joint, "Diablo." It's upsetting that this is happening to more and more mid-budget releases. Anyone heard anything on this? Am I going to have to settle for an Asian-sourced bootleg from eBay?
November 3, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I am beginning to think we aren't getting a physical disc release for the Scott Adkins/Markor Zaror joint, "Diablo." It's upsetting that this is happening to more and more mid-budget releases. Anyone heard anything on this? Am I going to have to settle for an Asian-sourced bootleg from eBay?
I haven’t seen this in nearly 30 years. I had forgotten that it’s basically “What if every one in ‘A Better Tomorrow’ was a huge dork?” Great action though.
November 2, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I haven’t seen this in nearly 30 years. I had forgotten that it’s basically “What if every one in ‘A Better Tomorrow’ was a huge dork?” Great action though.
There have been so many random HK movies that have, in the past few years, gotten HD remasters. I’m not talking about the big “canon” films. I mean the real deep cuts that you start wading through after you’ve seen all the big ‘uns— the hardcore shit. Anyway, I’m rewatching “Fury” (1988).
November 2, 2025 at 6:53 PM
There have been so many random HK movies that have, in the past few years, gotten HD remasters. I’m not talking about the big “canon” films. I mean the real deep cuts that you start wading through after you’ve seen all the big ‘uns— the hardcore shit. Anyway, I’m rewatching “Fury” (1988).
God, this site is like a wet blanket suddenly gained sentience.
October 30, 2025 at 9:57 PM
God, this site is like a wet blanket suddenly gained sentience.
I’ll just have to stick with the ol’ paper bag, I guess.
October 30, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I’ll just have to stick with the ol’ paper bag, I guess.
“Me in my house on Halloween night”
October 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM
“Me in my house on Halloween night”
I am not quoting the post because this is in no way DiabolikDVD’s fault (they rule and you should buy from them whenever you can), but Geeeeezus, does Shout Factory suck. They just can not help but screw up, even on what is likely the most important release they will ever put out. Buncha clowns.
October 28, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I am not quoting the post because this is in no way DiabolikDVD’s fault (they rule and you should buy from them whenever you can), but Geeeeezus, does Shout Factory suck. They just can not help but screw up, even on what is likely the most important release they will ever put out. Buncha clowns.
Since people are already asking for a gif of Powerhouse Hobbs smashing his laptop, here you go. It will also be available for download shortly from my Tenor account located at this link: tenor.com/users/wheels... #AEW #WrestleSky
October 27, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Since people are already asking for a gif of Powerhouse Hobbs smashing his laptop, here you go. It will also be available for download shortly from my Tenor account located at this link: tenor.com/users/wheels... #AEW #WrestleSky