Nicolas Cage has had one of the wildest careers in Hollywood history. From modest beginnings (for someone in the Coppola family, anyway) and noteworthy early movies, Cage gained notice and eventual awards for his stellar and unique work. Financial troubles and questionable spending habits may have led to a more recent onslaught of direct-to-video “paycheck” movies, but even that is punctuated by memorably bizarre performances and occasional critical praise. Put the bunny back in the box and chec...
Nov 01, 2021•53 min
Director Joe Dante's 1984 horror-comedy GREMLINS is a uniquely twisted Christmas classic. But it could have been a very different movie, with the beloved Gizmo nearly transforming into the vicious villain Stripe rather than becoming two separate characters! Producer Steven Spielberg steered the project from its disturbingly dark origins, but it was still met with major controversy. Let's break the first rule and shine some light on "WTF Happened to GREMLINS!"
Oct 25, 2021•15 min
Welcome to WE REMEMBER edition, a brand new show here on JoBlo Videos (WTF off-shoot), examining the life and work of some of our favorite celebrities who, sadly, are gone way too soon. For our first episode, we decided to start with the incredible Heath Ledger (1979- 2008). Born in Perth, Australia, Ledger first came to prominence on Australian TV before crossing over to the U.S as a teen heartthrob in 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU. From there, his career skyrocketed, playing Mel Gibson's son in t...
Oct 18, 2021•16 min
After 50 years, the mysterious cipher of the Zodiac Killer has finally been solved by amateur codebreakers. Back in 2007, director David Fincher explored the confounding case of this notorious killer in the thriller ZODIAC. But how closely did his film follow the actual known events? We investigate "WTF REALLY Happened to ZODIAC!"
Oct 11, 2021•16 min
From his Saturday Night Live pratfalls to his iconic roles like ace journalist FLETCH and the VACATION series’ hapless dad Clark W. Griswold (opposite fellow WTF inductee Randy Quaid), Chevy Chase was once considered one of the funniest men in America. But over the years, his bad behind-the-scenes behavior and poor treatment of talent brought his star status down to the ground. And let's not forgot the misbegotten Chevy Chase Show (not even Disney's Man of the House - a hit - could make that sti...
Oct 04, 2021•42 min
In the 1980s when studios were all desperately chasing "the next STAR WARS", filmmaker David Lynch tackled a big-screen version of Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel DUNE. Lynch's vision for the production was ambitious, uniquely weird, and ultimately compromised by a truncated edit, leading to audience bewilderment and box office failure. Let's swallow some Spice and find out "WTF Happened to DUNE!"
Sep 27, 2021•15 min
Gary Busey is now perhaps better known for his larger-than-life public persona than his actual filmography. In the years since his Oscar-winning portrayal of Buddy Holly, the actor has survived a motorcycle accident and cancer, brought his manic style to hit features like UNDER SIEGE, SILVER BULLET (1985), and who could forgot Gary Busey in Point Break! But then, he ended up in countless D-list movies, before bringing his unpredictable nature to reality TV. Hang on to something while we explore ...
Sep 20, 2021•35 min
The 1988 Bill Murray comedy SCROOGED is now considered a holiday classic... But the production of the movie was anything but cheerful, with a miserable and unpredictable star, script changes, and creative clashes. Although the movie did overcome its challenges to become a Christmastime favorite, let's spike the nog and unwrap "WTF Happened to SCROOGED!"
Sep 13, 2021•14 min
Not many actors have a rollercoaster career quite like Mickey Rourke, a boxer who caught the acting bug in his 20s. Over several decades, Rourke filled his time with acclaimed performances like BARFLY and THE WRESTLER, notorious behavior, forgettable direct-to-video movies, returns to the boxing ring, a Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance, and ongoing physical transformation. Strap on the gloves and find out “WTF Happened to Mickey Rourke!”
Sep 07, 2021•42 min
This episode charges into director Zack Snyder’s stylized historical epic 300, based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel about ancient Sparta and the legendary story of a small army facing countless invaders at the Battle of Thermopylae. Was this tale of King Leonidas and his fellow fighters filled with fact, or was it epic exaggeration? We take a look at “WTF REALLY Happened to 300?”
Aug 30, 2021•19 min
Over the course of her career, Meg Ryan has been acclaimed for both dramatic and comedic roles. But it was her unforgettable performance in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY that made her Hollywood’s romcom queen... at least until declining box office returns in the 2000s started to take the shine off her crown, but could she be poised for a comeback? Order what she’s having and take a look at “WTF Happened to Meg Ryan!”
Aug 23, 2021•29 min
After leaving 007 behind after DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, the late, great Sean Connery returned to the James Bond franchise in the “unofficial” 1983 entry NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN. The result of a creative legal battle, this second adaptation of THUNDERBALL was shaken and stirred by a difficult production. Let’s see “WTF Happened to NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN!”
Aug 16, 2021•16 min
Wow, what has Owen Wilson been up to lately? After indie beginnings with collaborator Wes Anderson, Wilson and his prominent nose appeared in minor roles in major movies (and major roles in minor movies) before becoming a great screen partner and cementing A-list status with smash comedy WEDDING CRASHERS. He may have had personal and professional ups-and-downs since then, but he’s still reliably charming whatever he does. Let’s catch up with the Butterscotch Stallion and see “WTF Happened to Owe...
Aug 09, 2021•36 min
Horror director Tobe Hooper’s 1985 sci-fi spectacle LIFEFORCE has earned cult status for its wild ideas (and one nubile naked space vampire girl), eventually overcoming its chaotic production, budgetary excess, editing battles and box office failure. Adding to the notoriety, it also comes from Cannon Films. We drift through the cosmos and run through apocalyptic London to find out “WTF Happened to LIFEFORCE?”!
Aug 02, 2021•14 min
From early favorites like SAY ANYTHING to cult classics like GROSSE POINTE BLANK and BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, actor John Cusack certainly seemed like he could do it all -- whether in a romcom, drama, big-budget action flick or end-of-the-world epic, his everyman underdog appeal was always an asset. But over the past decade, the reliable star’s career has somehow veered into direct-to-video doldrums. Put some Peter Gabriel on the boombox as we check out “WTF Happened to John Cusack!”
Jul 26, 2021•36 min
In this episode we spend some time at 112 Ocean Avenue, the site of cold-blooded murders, and the “haunting” of the home’s subsequent residents that led to the book and 1979 movie THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. The actual Lutz family claimed to have experienced terror from malevolent apparitions after moving into the house. We see how the James Brolin/Margot Kidder film version compares to those “true” supernatural occurrences in “WTF REALLY Happened to THE AMITYVILLE HORROR”!
Jul 19, 2021•16 min
As far as child stars go, none have ever been bigger than Macaulay Culkin, who dominated the U.S. box office in the early nineties with the two mega-hit HOME ALONE movies, plays other hits like MY GIRL and THE GOOD SON. At a certain point, Macaulay, after box office flops like RICHIE RICH, decided to step away from acting, despite a few well-received turns in movies like PARTY MONSTER. Where's Mac now, and will he someday return to acting full-time? Check out our latest episode!
Jul 12, 2021•36 min
Francis Ford Coppola crafted a unique and gorgeous twist on the legendary vampire with the 1992 horror-romance BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (the inadvertent result of a GODFATHER PART III misfortune). But the director certainly didn’t make it easy for himself, with an intensely method lead actor, personality conflicts, overly ornate costumes, studio squabbles, and all the challenges of using obsolete practical effects. Grab your crucifix and sharpen your stakes as we look at “WTF Happened to BRAM STOKE...
Jul 05, 2021•19 min
During the 1980s and early 1990s, Geena Davis went from modeling to becoming an acclaimed actor in hits like BEETLEJUICE, THE FLY, THELMA & LOUISE and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN. But after starring in the colossal flop CUTTHROAT ISLAND (and crossing the dreaded Hollywood age barrier for women), Davis’ opportunities began to dwindle, leading her to create her own opportunities. We catch up with “WTF Happened to Geena Davis!”
Jun 28, 2021•22 min
As one of the ever-popular classic Universal Monsters, The Wolfman seemed like an obvious choice to claw his way onto screens in a modern-made movie. And with Oscar-winning talent like Benicio del Toro, Sir Anthony Hopkins and AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON makeup artist Rick Baker involved in the hairy horror remake, what could possibly go wrong? How about a last-minute director change, budget-busting reshoots, and a dubious decision to use CGI for werewolf transformations? All that and more as we...
Jun 21, 2021•14 min
During the 1980s and 1990s, Wesley Snipes established himself as a reliable dramatic actor and action star, and launched the modern comic book movie renaissance with BLADE. But not long after the Daywalker walked off screens, Snipes was spending his time in direct-to-video movies… and in prison for tax evasion. However, since getting out it looks like Wesley's getting back into a nice groove, with a terrific, acclaimed supporting performance in DOLEMITE IS MY NAME. Could a legit comeback be just...
Jun 14, 2021•34 min
We take a look at director Martin Scorsese’s 1995 mob epic CASINO, a fact-based account of real-life casino boss Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal (Robert De Niro) and his literal partner in crime, mafia enforcer Anthony Spilotro (Joe Pesci). It’s the sprawling tale of a gambling empire filled with all the greed, deceit and homicide you might expect from the seedy side of ‘70s Las Vegas. How closely did Scorsese stick to the truth? Place your bets and find out in “WTF REALLY Happened to CASINO”!
Jun 07, 2021•15 min
With hits like ABOVE THE LAW, HARD TO KILL and UNDER SIEGE, Steven Seagal punched and shot and flipped his way to becoming an A-list Hollywood action star in the early 1990s. But over the 2000s, he had taken his trademark ponytail and martial arts skills to a seemingly endless stream of direct-to-video movies. We’ll try not to snap too many bones as we catch up with WTF Happened to Steven Seagal!
May 31, 2021•30 min
In the mid-nineties, Capcom's "Street Fighter 2" was the hottest video game in the world. Introducing the one on one fight game, it was only a matter of time until Hollywood came knocking, and when they did, the game was transformed into an unrecognizable big-screen adventure that, years later, is much maligned among fans of the series. Join us as we dig into what went wrong with this big-budget flick, from star Jean-Claude Van Damme's personal demons, to a meddling video game company, to a term...
May 24, 2021•19 min
This episode has a twist ending! Of course you might expect that with filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, whose movies became known for inevitable third-act surprises after the gargantuan success of THE SIXTH SENSE. After a handful of hits, a few big-budget flops pushed him out of the spotlight for a while before he slowly began a comeback with late-stage sequels to fan-favorite UNBREAKABLE. Where is he now? Was he just a ghost the whole time? Find out in our latest video!
May 17, 2021•24 min
Rarer still are the movies that, while they're shooting, seem like disasters in the making but wind up being classics. This week's movie - TOMBSTONE - is one such film. After losing their original director and being faced with a massively-budgeted competitor in the guise of Kevin Costner's WYATT EARP, TOMBSTONE went on to become one of the greatest westerns of its era and the definite Wyatt Earp film for many. Find out just how hectic the shoot for Kurt Russell's passion project was as we try to...
May 10, 2021•14 min
Over the course of his lengthy career, Kevin Costner has traveled through some serious peaks and valleys. The multi-talented A-lister gained considerable Hollywood power from 80s and 90s smashes like FIELD OF DREAMS, THE BODYGUARD and the Oscar-winning DANCES WITH WOLVES… but was then dragged down by notorious colossal box office flops WATERWORLD and THE POSTMAN. While he may no longer be a major marquee name, Costner has remained busy with the smash hit series Yellowstone and lower-profile film...
May 03, 2021•29 min
Of course, this week's movie is one of the HUGE HITS we're talking about, with Groundhog Day being a top-tier classic in Bill Murray's filmography. Brilliantly directed by the late Harold Ramis, this is a movie that's spawned many imitators (including the recent Palm Springs) but, in the minds of many, will never truly be equaled.
Apr 26, 2021•17 min
This week, we take a look at the career of the amazing Cameron Diaz. From her first appearance in THE MASK, to her turn as an action star in CHARLIE'S ANGELS and its sequel, Diaz has been an icon, who's proven over and over that she's a great actress to boot. While she's recently said that she's retired, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say a Cameron Diaz comeback is overdue. Join us as we take a look at her career and get into the reasons why she might have called it quits.
Apr 19, 2021•18 min
This week's movie, ROAR, is a disaster anyway you slice it. The passion project of Noel Marshall, who stars alongside his real-life wife (at the time) Tippi Hedren, her daughter Melanie Griffith, and his two sons, this movie is about a conservationist in Africa who runs a big cat preserve, and while he's out chasing poachers his family pays a visit to him, and are in turn stalked by his massive collection of lions, tigers and assorted other big cats - all of whom are the real deal. The movie too...
Apr 12, 2021•17 min
