Cinematic Second Chances
banner
cinemaseconds.bsky.social
Cinematic Second Chances
@cinemaseconds.bsky.social
Giving underappreciated films a second chance at glory.
FUTUREWORLD (1976) Dir. Richard T. Heffron
An oft forgotten sequel to Westworld that pushes the idea further with cloning added to the nightmare. Once again it is not the machines but the men behind them who are the real villains. Some things never change, and that is the point. 🎞️📽️
February 6, 2026 at 6:37 AM
THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK (1972) Dir. Charles B. Pierce
This frightened a generation by looking unfinished and unpolished. Grainy images, oddly framed shots, and unsettling audio created a sense of truth that horror rarely achieved. It might seem mild today, but its impact in the 70s was undeniable🎞️
February 5, 2026 at 5:47 AM
EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY (1988) Dir. Julien Temple
A candy colored blast of 80s excess shaped by Julie Brown’s humor and Temple’s visual flair. Packed with iconic fashion and a cast stacked with future stars, it is light, ridiculous, and full of charm. A tubular rewatch that still delivers the smiles.🎞️📽️
February 4, 2026 at 10:20 AM
DOGORA (1964) Dir. Ishirō Honda
Yes, there is a routine crime story at its core, but Dogora quickly rises above it. Eiji Tsuburaya’s superb effects work is imaginative and impressive, turning the strange floating Kaiju into something truly memorable. Odd but charming this film is worth your time.🎞️📽️
February 3, 2026 at 8:27 AM
EXISTENZ (1999) Dir. David Cronenberg
A film that feels more relevant with time. Cronenberg explores virtual worlds and screen addiction through physical decay and organic technology. Practical effects are intentionally repulsive. The tone is bleak but the film’s warnings linger long after it ends🎞️📽️
February 2, 2026 at 8:42 AM
THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN (1981) Dir. Joel Schumacher
Uneven but oddly memorable. Lily Tomlin’s many characters keep this afloat while the film quietly wrestles with control and identity in a consumer driven 80s world. Never fully works, yet, stays with you. Galaxy Glue song plays in my head🎞️📽️
February 1, 2026 at 7:33 AM
THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT (1974) Dir. Kevin Connor

A rare beast movie that hooks you before the monsters appear. The wartime submarine opening grounds the story, then dinosaurs take over and the fun explodes. Doug McClure carries it effortlessly-natch. Imaginative and endlessly rewatchable.🎞️📽️
January 31, 2026 at 8:38 AM
ATRAGON (1963) Dir. Ishirō Honda
Often tagged as lesser Honda, this still dazzles with inventive effects and a strong Jules Verne spirit. Manda coils, a flying submarine wages war, and the sense of stylish adventure lifts it up. Worth a rewatch, especially if childhood memories are all you have🎞️📽️
January 30, 2026 at 8:46 AM
SHADOW IN THE CLOUD (2020) Dir. Roseanne Liang
Part throwback creature feature, part modern riff, this film is messy but enjoyable. It does not always shine, but when it hits it's a blast. Chloe Grace Moretz understands the assignment and commits, proving that attitude can carry a film a long way.🎞️📽️
January 29, 2026 at 5:46 AM
FRANCES (1982) Dir. Graeme Clifford
Plays like a horror film without monsters. Mental illness is ignored and buried, turning life into horror. Jessica Lange is extraordinary, stripped bare by the role she delivers one of the most powerful performances of her career. Kim Stanley is quietly chilling🎞️📽️
January 28, 2026 at 7:59 AM
SCREAMERS (1995) Dir. Christian Duguay
This atmospheric sci-fi thriller asks what it means to be human once AI can evolve on its own. The tension builds steadily, paranoia runs deep, and it’s always a pleasure to watch Peter Weller navigate the fallout. A sharp Philip K. Dick adaptation with teeth🎞️📽️
January 27, 2026 at 7:49 AM
KILLER FISH (1979) Dir. Antonio Margheriti

A rare big screen outing for Lee Majors and pure 70s action schlock. The hook is simple and silly hide stolen jewels in piranha filled waters. Add Karen Black and Margaux Hemingway and you get a film that is not earth shattering but very easy to enjoy.🎞️📽️
January 26, 2026 at 9:43 AM
ROAR (1981) Dir. Noel Marshall
The plot is almost irrelevant when reality is this dangerous. Roar documents genuine fear and uncontrolled animals, creating horror without intention. Baffling, tense, deeply uncomfortable. Featuring Tippi Hedren and Melanie Griffith. It raises a single question. Why?🎞️
January 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM
SILENT MOVIE (1976) Dir. Mel Brooks

What looks like a goofy throwback turns out to be smarter than expected. A loaded 70s cast, big-hearted showbiz optimism, and a sharp jab at late capitalism hiding in plain sight. Proof that the best laughs come with ideas, not words. Also, it's really funny.🎞️📽️
January 24, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Sky Riders (1976) – Dir. Douglas Hickox
Pure ’70s low-budget action fodder, but the aerial stunts and Greece’s Meteora cliffs still awe. Acting varies, but York and Coburn put in the work. The scenery does most of the heavy lifting—and does it beautifully. A bit slow, but fun to be had. 🎞️📽️
January 23, 2026 at 6:11 AM
FRIGHTMARE (1974) – Dir. Pete Walker
Too grim to be fun, too strange to dismiss. This Walker oddity skirts dark comedy beneath layers of bleakness, anchored by Sheila Keith’s unnerving turn. It may repel as much as it fascinates, but it sticks in the mind—and that’s more than most films manage.🎞️📽️
January 22, 2026 at 5:48 AM
SOAPDISH (1991) Dir. Michael Hoffman
Have we forgotten about this film? That would be a mistake. A ridiculous, star-heavy spoof made when soap operas still mattered, it’s pure cartoon comedy. Broad, noisy and unapologetic, it wrings laughs from excess and commits to the joke every step of the way.🎞️📽️
January 21, 2026 at 5:47 AM
EMPIRE OF THE ANTS (1977) – Dir. Bert I. Gordon
Another Bert I. Gordon “classic,” very loosely inspired by H.G. Wells. Cheap but charming, it delivers giant ants, mind control and evil land developers. Dame Joan Collins clearly enjoying the paycheck. Silly for sure but oddly irresistible (to me)🎞️📽️
January 20, 2026 at 8:24 AM
BEYOND EVIL (1980) – Dir. Herb Freed
Let’s be clear... this isn’t a good film. But imagining Lynda Day George and John Saxon enjoying a sunny Philippine getaway while shooting this clumsy possession story brings me joy. It’s cheap, uneven, misguided, yet somehow fun despite itself-and-laser eyes.🎞️📽️
January 19, 2026 at 9:28 AM
GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (1973) – Dir. Jun Fukuda
Often tagged a lesser entry (and yes, that kid), this one still rocks. The rough-and-tumble fights shine, and two wildly imaginative kaiju bring color and chaos to Godzilla’s battle gallery. Not prestige Toho—but loud, lively, and proudly ridiculous.🎞️📽️
January 18, 2026 at 12:43 PM
THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957) Dir. Jack Arnold
Still astonishing after all these years. A faithful, intelligent Matheson adaptation with effects that punch above their era and acting that grounds the spectacle. Equal parts adventure, horror and philosophy. Sci-fi firing on all cylinders.🎞️📽️
January 17, 2026 at 11:25 AM
THE HEARSE (1980) – Dir. George Bowers
Yes, it's minor league horror but it is not without it's charms. The Hearse delivers an eerie small-town mood, some striking visuals, and a memorable score. When the late 70's "satin worshippers" vibes falter the atmosphere and commitment keep it engaging.🎞️📽️
January 16, 2026 at 2:13 PM
SILKWOOD (1983) – Dir. Mike Nichols
This isn’t a horror film, yet it’s scarier than many. Mixing ’70s conspiracy paranoia with sustained, nerve-shredding tension, Silkwood turns bureaucracy and secrecy into monsters. Every performance hits hard, making the danger feel intimate and inescapable.🎞️📽️
January 15, 2026 at 2:34 PM
TROUBLE EVERY DAY (2001) – Dir. Claire Denis
This is not a comfort watch. Bleak to the bone, Denis strips romance down to horror, raw need and cruelty. The mood is oppressive, the violence shocking. The experience, exhausting by design. A film that refuses to show mercy- yet- engaging-not for all.🎞️📽️
January 14, 2026 at 8:41 AM
THE ATOMIC SUBMARINE (1959) –Dir. Spencer G. Bennet
Low budget and proudly so. Cold War sci-fi yarn leans into fun over polish-don't question the science of it all. The effects are scrappy, the pace brisk, and the rubbery beastie, at its core, delivers pure drive-in charm. Cheap thrills done right🎞️📽️
January 13, 2026 at 8:29 AM