The origins of Ideal’s S*T*A*R Team and how one toy company is giving the short-lived toy line new life.
S*T*A*R Team: A Beloved ‘Star Wars’ Knockoff’s Origin & Rebirth
‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’: The Flick Flack Movie Review
It’s a heist film, a love story, a coming-of-age flick, a mentor-protégé study — and a blast.
Time to Disrupt the ‘Star Wars’ Franchise
With fans sharply polarized over THE LAST JEDI, does the STAR WARS franchise need to change?
A Conversation with SHAG: The Influence of ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Planet of the Apes’ & More on His Pop-Culture Painting
EXCLUSIVE: Talented artist SHAG talks pop-culture influences, licensed character work, what he refuses to paint, and what’s next!
The Force is With These 1977 ‘Star Wars’ Lobby Cards
I have very specific memories of waiting in line to see STAR WARS and staring at the lobby cards, images that sparked my imagination and remind me of how patient I had to be as a nine-year-old until I could get through those doors and see the movie.
My ‘Star Wars’ Story and Mark Hamill Musings on the Blockbuster’s 40th Anniversary
STAR WARS first arrived in theaters 40 years ago today. Like so many of my generation, the movie rocked my world and changed the trajectory of my future aspirations. This is my story, along with excerpts of my first interview with Mark Hamill.
‘Star Wars’ and the End of Famous Monsters
I’ve assembled a bunch of fun STAR WARS-themed covers of Famous Monsters, classic and contemporary, for your viewing pleasure.
Happy Star Wars Day!
Happy STAR WARS Day! Enjoy a few curated links to exclusive interviews and general excitement related to the film that changed fandom 40 years ago.
‘Star Wars’ Early Bird Kit Nostalgia
The other day, I was overcome by a wave of nostalgia as I was perusing the shelves of my local toy store. I had to reclaim a lost piece of my childhood. I just couldn’t help it.
‘Star Trek’ Model Memories
I miss having model spaceships hanging from my ceiling…
Shatner & Trumbull Detail How ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ Almost Crashed and Burned
William Shatner and Douglas Trumbull recall script woes, production delays and the disaster that almost stopped the TREK franchise in its tracks.
‘Star Crash’ Crush
After revisiting it on the new MST3K, I’ve come to realize that STAR CRASH gloriously transcends the craptastic. And Caroline Munro remains HOT.
‘The Last Jedi’: The Flick Flack Movie Review
THE LAST JEDI is an unapologetic hybrid of key thematic elements from The Original Trilogy in new packaging, and that’s either good or bad depending on how you look at STAR WARS movies these days.
Thrill at These ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Lobby Cards from 1980
A healthy helping of EMPIRE to help you stoke the fires of your STAR WARS nostalgia.
For the Love of Fantasy and Ray Harryhausen
Before STAR WARS, Ray Harryhausen’s THE 7th VOYAGE OF SINBAD was the big-screen experience that rocked my world.
Gamera vs. MST3K: How a Kaiju Franchise Became a Comedy Shell Game
I chatted with MST3K creator Joel Hodgson, who happily reminisced about how Gamera boosted his fledgling cable show with the power of rubber monster comedy.
Paint It ‘Black’: When Dennis Christopher Detoured Into Slasher Territory
That time I lunched with BREAKING AWAY star Dennis Christopher, who detailed his unlikely detour into a slasher cult classic.
Harry Hamlin Interview: The Clash Behind ‘Titans’
Harry Hamlin reveals the struggles and triumphs of making the last great Ray Harryhausen movie.
In Memory of the Movie Theater That Made Me
I will always have warm, nostalgic memories of the movie theater that “made me” — Scarsdale Plaza.
‘Dynamite’ Poster Nostalgia
Remembering the wonderful folded posters from the pages of Dynamite magazine.
He’ll Save Every One of Us: Looking back at ‘FLASH GORDON’ with Sam J. Jones
The star of FLASH GORDON gets candid with set stories and some 20/20 hindsight about the 1980 fan favorite.
Fairuza Defends ‘Return to Oz’: A Dark, Twisted Yellow Brick Road
A time-capsule visit to a very candid 11-year-old Fairuza Balk on the set of RETURN TO OZ.
A Return to Disney’s ‘The Black Hole’
I chat with THE BLACK HOLE stars and director on the occasion of the iconic Disney film’s 40th anniversary.
Lost & Found: The Unmade Films of Ray Harryhausen and His New Epic Fantasy
Interview: HARRYHAUSEN: THE LOST MOVIES author John Walsh details the amazing unproduced ideas of the stop-motion legend and the planned follow-up to CLASH OF THE TITANS in development.
A Look Back in Context: The Fantastic Amazement of ‘This Island Earth’
Is THIS ISLAND EARTH a serious Sci-Fi classic, or an MST3K punchline?
Crush These ‘Conan The Barbarian’ Lobby Cards and Have Them Driven Before You
Cool lobby cards and insights about CONAN THE BARBARIAN, one of my all-time favorite films.
The Unexpected Path to ‘Alien’: My Interview with Ridley Scott
My one-on-one interview with legendary director Ridley Scott for the 40th anniversary of ALIEN.
A Most Excellent Interview: Keanu & Alex on ‘Bill & Ted’ Past & Future
From courting Van Halen to wild deleted scenes, I chat with Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, and director Stephen Herek about creating their comedy classic BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE.
Political Pod People: Philip Kaufman Revisits ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’
My interview with the INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS director on the 40th anniversary of the Sci-Fi classic.
Topher Grace’s ‘Close Encounters’ Remix
That time Topher invited me to watch his fan edit of Steven Spielberg’s 1977 masterpiece, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.
The Wonder and Dynamation of Ray Harryhausen’s ‘The 7th Voyage of Sinbad’
My detailed appreciation of Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion spectacular THE 7th VOYAGE OF SINBAD on its 60th anniversary.
Interview: Ralph Bakshi’s Epic Battle Over ‘The Lord of the Rings’
I had the privilege of chatting with the incredibly candid Ralph Bakshi for the 40th anniversary of his animated masterpiece.
Outer Space Belongs to 007: ‘Moonraker’ Lobby Cards
MOONRAKER has a bad reputation among many die-hard Bond fans. That being said, I simply love it.
One Ring to Rule Them All: Ralph Bakshi’s Animated ‘The Lord of the Rings’
An appreciation of Ralph Bakshi’s animated THE LORD OF THE RINGS 40 years later, with vintage lobby cards and cool collectibles!
A Few Bites with Terry Wolfinger, Mad Monster Artist
Celebrated Famous Monsters cover artist Terry Wolfinger talks about his formative years and reveals the secrets to his commercial art success.
‘Ready Player One’: The Flick Flack Movie Review
Are a plethora of pop-culture references enough to keep audiences satisfied with Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of READY PLAYER ONE?
Famous Monsters & Aliens: A Chat with Rick Baker, Monster Maker
I first interviewed Rick Baker in 2012 for ET. He was happy to discuss his humble beginnings and love for Famous Monsters.
The Incredible Alternate Possibilities of Spielberg’s ‘Close Encounters’
A new book on Steven Spielberg’s CLOSE ENCOUNTERS details incredible, alternate possibilities that never made it to the screen.
Giving a Damn About ‘Damnation Alley’
I still love the idea of DAMNATION ALLEY, and I think the concept is ripe for a remake.
Awww, Chick! Vintage ‘Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein’ Lobby Cards
My favorite classic horror film to watch in the days leading up to Halloween is actually not a horror film at all, but a comedy.
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