#desert thriller

[justposting1]

Here are some top movie picks on Prime Video for this week (late September 2024):

For the next couple of weeks, Prime Video (USA and Canada) is offering various new releases across movies, TV shows, and sports: New TV Shows & Movies: “Elementary” (Seasons 1-7) – Available since September 14. “Paddington 2” – Coming on September 26. “The Grand Tour: One for the Road” – Released on September 13. “Evolution of the Black Quarterback” – Premieres on September 24. Upcoming…

[yeowninefive]

The Iguana and The Spit

"There are one hundred ways to play with fire out on the frontier. A bounty hunter is about to learn the first and most dangerous one of them all. An outlaw that's an expert of the remaining ninety-nine."

[agentnico]

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) review

I have now officially lost my IMAX vorjeneteee! First time experiencing a film in IMAX at the BFI theatre and holy Moses that’s one big screen! The perfect way to get immersed in Chris Hemsworth flexing his prosthetic nose!

Plot: Snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers, young Furiosa falls into the hands of a great biker horde led by the warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel, presided over by the Immortan Joe. As the two tyrants fight for dominance, Furiosa soon finds herself in a nonstop battle to make her way home.

Mad Max: Fury Road is easily one of the most spectacular action films of the 21st century. Shame that back when it came out in cinemas I opted to go see Pitch Perfect 2 instead. Look, my film tastes back then we’re not as refined nor was I so cultured in…..okay yeah, my film taste was crap. I opted to go watch some youngsters sing acapella instead of witnessing Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron wanting to literally kill one another for 2 hours in glorious form. I’ve of course since fixed my ways and discovered and appreciated Fury Road for what it was. The maddening chaotic post-apocalyptic world built from the mind of George Miller, the visuals are truly impressive, especially due to 80% of it being actual practical effects, so seeing the cars flying about left and right and characters defying physics, with Junkie XL’s energetic score and so many cool characters throughout - it’s pure awesomeness. The only weakness really is that there’s hardly a plot. Like half of the movie is a chase and the other half is a race. Essentially if you boil it down to the basics. Not much narrative substance so to speak.

Luckily Furiosa ends up being that kind of prequel/spin-off that actually enhances and improves on the Fury Road experience. There’s so much more story in Furiosa, but not only does it focus on its titular heroes, but it also fleshes out the villains from the original film as well as featuring set pieces that would be highly recognisable to the Mad Max fans. I’m not even simply referring to Fury Road here. There’s a few Easter Eggs that fall reference to the 2015 Mad Max game, which by the way is a highly entertaining play through and a very unique open-world game that doesn’t get enough love. So naturally I was pleased to see a lot of material from that game being made canon now, from the appearances of characters like Scaborus Scrotus and Chumbucket to the film debut of the Gastown location, which is only referenced in Fury Road but has been brought to life in the game. And now we get to see it in full glory in film form. Right, I’m not an obsessive video game or anything but I did have a little fanboy excitement seep through during this film.

The movie solely relied on dialogue focused on world-building, and the villain of Chris Hemsworth’s character, Dementus, was better than I’d expected. Honestly from the trailers I was afraid if he was going to be too cartoony, and also I’m still recovering from whatever the fudge Thor: Love & Thunder was, however the way Hemsworth mixes in the humor he’s known for with his rage and wit was a welcome sight. He’s still a dangerous character, standing up to Immortan Joe as well as destroying Furiosa’s childhood and leaving her with nothing but vengeance. Honestly not going to lie, this may be Hemsworth’s best performance ever. Truly with this and Bad Times at the El Royale Chris Hemsworth truly proves that he’s a fantastic actor when it comes to playing antagonists. He’s highly entertaining but also leaves a lasting impression as a truly sadistic character. Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa was alright, however not going to lie, I do feel the movie missed a trick by not bringing back Theron. Chances are Theron probably did not want to come back after having a terrible time filming Fury Road, but she was so powerful as that character, and with Taylor-Joy she simply didn’t reach that same level of intensity and anger expected from the character. I did enjoy her interactions with Tom Burke though. The way the two immediately worked together to fend off the raiders on the War Rig was reminiscent of the way Theron and Tom Hardy did in Fury Road, doing its predecessor justice. Burke played the role perfectly and their goals and motivations were rightly aligned with each other, eventually falling in love with one another, which gave Furiosa even more motivation on her hell-bent journey of enacting revenge on Dementus. Again, there’s so much story in this story, and it filled a lot of gaps in the Mad Max lore.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, dialogue, characters and set pieces, the main issue I had was the movie’s misuse of color-grading and CGI. While Fury Road set the standard for practical effects with minimal uses of CGI, making scenes come to life through real explosions and harsh red color-grading, Furiosa suffered from lack of both. The color-grading was too clean for me as it relied on softer colors, a downgrade from its predecessor eight years ago, and there were more moments that I could see the CGI at work — and it wasn’t done well. In fact at times the backgrounds of scenes looked so fake it was jarring and really broke the immersion. Again, I was watching this on the giant IMAX screen, so the level of detail was both great in enjoying most of the film, but also made the weaker visuals stick out like a sore thumb. Also Junkie XL’s Fury Road score is a true orchestral masterpiece. The levels of epicness it reaches is superb, so I was highly disappointed with what he did this time around. Aside from a couple of moments, the music score is an uninspired collection of booms and drum beats that left zero emotion.

Furiosa is a fantastic cinematic experience and is the second time this year where a desert setting makes for a superb film. Chris Hemsworth is the stand out and the story is rich in depth and scale, even if it does end up a bit too bloated. It does falter in the technical side with the obvious CGI and the weaker music score, bit overall this makes me want to see Miller continue making these Mad Max flicks, though judging by the box office results that may now be a pie dream. But let’s enjoy what we have - lady and gentlemens, start your engines!

Overall score: 8/10

[radioscientist]

The fuck is Crocodile doing in Impel Down talking about wanting to take on Whitebeard as IF he didn’t get his fucking warlord status taken away because he lost a fight to a 17 year old wearing flip flops

[ruleof3bobby]

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA (2024) Grade: C+

Just wasn't the same. None of the char's are that interesting. For some reason I couldn't get into the #ChrisHemsworth char. Action wasn't the same.

[avrilgrady]

A Night in the Desert

First chapter

If anyone ever asks you to run a semi-abandoned motel in the middle of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert… Say no.

After years of being discarded and forgotten, by his father, by men, and now by his dream job, Jesse finds himself in a lonely purgatory of making beds, vacuuming dirt, and trying not to lose his mind managing a perpetually vacant motel in the desolate Nevadan winter.

But all that is about to change when seven men check in. They’re big and they’re dangerous and they are way too interested in the lonely manager of a semi-abandoned motel.

For better or worse, it’s going to be a wild night in the desert.

[grainsofexcellence]

"Regina froze. Emma hadn’t doomed them – she had."

Continue reading: https://archiveofourown.org/works/57356140/chapters/155407867 #swanqueen #reginamills #emmaswan #OnceUponATime #wlw #sapphic #books #suspense #queerlovestory

Also Crystal Coulter, dude thank you so much for the over a year of accountability! None of this would get posted without your help! <3 all the SQ love. And thanks to Graci in France for the help with some edits!

[jonathanmoya1955]

A Desert: Lost in the Dust

Dark Sky Films Dark Sky Films Some roads don’t lead anywhere. *A Desert*, directed by Joshua Erkman, understands that more than most. It’s a film that starts with the promise of escape—two men drifting through the wide, indifferent sprawl of the American Southwest—but the deeper they venture, the clearer it becomes: the road isn’t carrying them forward. It’s circling them, tightening, until the…

[themnmovieman]

Movie Review ~ A Desert

A Desert Synopsis: A photographer’s road trip takes a dark turn when he befriends a reckless couple, plunging him into a nightmarish neo-noir spiral of unpredictable horror.Stars: David Yow, Kai Lennox, Sarah Lind, Zachary Ray Sherman, Ashley B. Smith, Rob ZabreckyDirector: Joshua ErkmanRated: NRRunning Length: 103 minutes Review: There’s a long, sun-bleached tradition of American nightmares…

[lifewithaview]

Matthew Modine and Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things (2016) Chapter Eight: Papa

S4E8

While El and Owens have a disagreement with Brenner about leaving the lab, Sullivan and his men invade. The Hawkins group arm themselves for the final battle, while the California follow Suzie's coordinates to NINA and make a discovery of their own. Meanwhile, Jim and the others try to find a way out of Russia...

*The cassette tape that Eddie grabs is Iron Maiden's "Piece of Mind," which was released on May 16, 1983. The band responded favorably to their inclusion in the scene, posting "We're with you, Eddie!" to their various social media accounts along with a still image of the scene.

[outskirtspress]

[Poll] Author Mike Gardner Wants Your Help Choosing His Book Cover

Reflections of a Regular Guy: A Memoir of Love, Resilience, and Happiness In the game of life, it helps to have a good but flexible game plan—especially when you’re behind. We all have stories about our lives. Some wonderful. Some tragic. But we all have something else in common: However long or short the periods of smooth sailing are—you know, the ones perhaps hidden away between the periods…

[smither-scenes]

🌟 Projects Available for Script Commissions or Producer Collaboration 🌟

Looking for your next innovative and marketable story? These projects are designed for producers seeking captivating scripts with flexibility for collaboration and adaptation. Let’s bring these stories to life!

👉 Explore more details here: smitherscenes.com/projects

Tequila Slammer

Genre: Thriller, Comedy Premise: A betrayed husband wakes up from a tequila-fueled car crash with no memory of who he is and must unravel his identity while evading Russian mobsters, a relentless bounty hunter, and corrupt cops. His journey reveals a twisted web of stolen cash and deadly secrets. Pitch: This project combines offbeat humor, action-packed sequences, and a stormy desert climax. It’s a rollercoaster of survival and redemption with a uniquely twisted storyline that producers can adapt into a thrilling cinematic experience.

Eyeball Lane

Format: 12-Episode Series Premise: Set in a surreal, dreamlike parallel universe, "Eyeball Lane" is a realm of transformation where flaws are exposed, debts are settled, and grievances are resolved through mystical rituals or sacrifices. Accessible only through dreams or deeds, this universe challenges morality and decision-making in its eerie yet captivating world. Pitch: A high-concept series blending dark fantasy and psychological drama, ideal for streaming platforms looking for fresh, thought-provoking narratives.

Blackwater Inn

Genre: Film-Noir Premise: A reclusive former naval detective investigates a fisherman’s murder near a mysterious coastal inn. His search uncovers smuggling, betrayal, and secrets tied to the region's shipbuilding legacy and haunting maritime past. Pitch: Rich with atmosphere and suspense, this noir mystery offers producers an evocative, character-driven story steeped in historical intrigue and layered secrets, perfect for fans of moody, immersive cinema.

📩 Ready to collaborate? Visit smitherscenes.com/projects to learn more and get in touch! Let’s create something extraordinary together. 🎬✨

[avrilgrady]

Looking for ARC readers!

Blurb: If anyone ever asks you to run a semi-abandoned motel in the middle of Nevada's Black Rock Desert... say no.

After years of being discarded and forgotten, by his father, by men, and now by his dream job, Jesse finds himself in a lonely purgatory of making beds, vacuuming dirt, and trying not to lose his mind managing a perpetually vacant motel in the desolate Nevadan winter.

But all that is about to change when seven men check into the motel. They're big and they're dangerous and they are way too interested in the lonely manager of an empty motel.

For better or worse, it's gonna be a wild night in the desert.

ARC finish date: August 30, 2025

Booksprout Link here!

[verocd]

[lillidigest]

Stranded On A Deserted Island Fiction Books

Introduction: There’s a peculiar fascination with stories set on deserted islands, where the human spirit is tested against the raw forces of nature. From the psychological depths explored in Lord of the Flies to the solitary survival tale of Castaway, and even the comedic mishaps of Gilligan’s Island, these narratives captivate us with their exploration of isolation, survival, and the…

[ilustranae]

Watch my short film!