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: WheelsCritic@gmail.com
Portfolio: https://muckrack.com/wheelscritic/portfolio
Press contact: WheelsCritic@gmail.com
Portfolio: https://muckrack.com/wheelscritic/portfolio
Pinned
Collateral made Tom Cruise into a slasher movie villain
Michael Mann’s gritty L.A. thriller inches close to the horror genre
www.polygon.com
Thank you for all the new follows! I appreciate the love as I attempt to rebuild after fleeing the sinking u-boat that is Twitter. For anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m going to share a few of my favorite pieces of work. First, one on the horror themes of “Collateral” www.polygon.com/23006361/col...
Reposted by Matthew Essary
“Midsommar” (2019, dir Ari Aster)
November 13, 2025 at 3:16 PM
“Midsommar” (2019, dir Ari Aster)
“Midsommar” (2019, dir Ari Aster)
November 13, 2025 at 3:16 PM
“Midsommar” (2019, dir Ari Aster)
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Daniel Bernhardt has been a huge presence in action cinema for over 30 plus years. No matter if he’s leading man or a supporting role he elevates anything he’s in. Here’s Bernhardt vs Stahelski from Bloodsport 2 for your viewing pleasure!
November 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Daniel Bernhardt has been a huge presence in action cinema for over 30 plus years. No matter if he’s leading man or a supporting role he elevates anything he’s in. Here’s Bernhardt vs Stahelski from Bloodsport 2 for your viewing pleasure!
Reposted by Matthew Essary
That time on Arsenio when we learned Nicolas Cage’s origin story.
November 12, 2025 at 4:18 AM
That time on Arsenio when we learned Nicolas Cage’s origin story.
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…
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Let’s also not forget that Nakadai was the first guy who got to gush an absolute geyser of blood in a samurai movie, a happy accident that became a trope.
(this short interview with Nakadai is delightful)
(this short interview with Nakadai is delightful)
November 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Let’s also not forget that Nakadai was the first guy who got to gush an absolute geyser of blood in a samurai movie, a happy accident that became a trope.
(this short interview with Nakadai is delightful)
(this short interview with Nakadai is delightful)
Reposted by Matthew Essary
A few lesser-known (in the English-speaking world) Tatsuya Nakadai recommendations:
Willful Murder - Monochrome masterpiece from Kei Kumai starring Nakadai as a reporter exploring the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Japan National Railways CEO Sadanori Shimoyama.
Willful Murder - Monochrome masterpiece from Kei Kumai starring Nakadai as a reporter exploring the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Japan National Railways CEO Sadanori Shimoyama.
Willful Murder (日本の熱い日々 謀殺・下山事件, Kei Kumai, 1981)
A dogged reporter comes to the conclusion an industrialist was murdered but cannot say by whom in Kei Kumai’s searing exploration of the occupation and the economic miracle.
wp.me
November 11, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A few lesser-known (in the English-speaking world) Tatsuya Nakadai recommendations:
Willful Murder - Monochrome masterpiece from Kei Kumai starring Nakadai as a reporter exploring the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Japan National Railways CEO Sadanori Shimoyama.
Willful Murder - Monochrome masterpiece from Kei Kumai starring Nakadai as a reporter exploring the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Japan National Railways CEO Sadanori Shimoyama.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
I really enjoyed the movie but I refuse to call them Yautja, just no, fuck you.
November 11, 2025 at 7:28 AM
I really enjoyed the movie but I refuse to call them Yautja, just no, fuck you.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
underrated Tatsuya Nakadai recommendation: Hideo Gosha's Heat Wave, a period yakuza film that feels like Lady Snowblood + Red Peony Gambler. an extremely good-looking film about a gambler looking to avenge her father's murder, but she unfortunately discovers that the evildoer is a babe.
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 AM
underrated Tatsuya Nakadai recommendation: Hideo Gosha's Heat Wave, a period yakuza film that feels like Lady Snowblood + Red Peony Gambler. an extremely good-looking film about a gambler looking to avenge her father's murder, but she unfortunately discovers that the evildoer is a babe.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
THE UNTOLD STORY OF NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER Resurfaces A Storied Classic And Much More On Blu-Ray
If you followed Hong Kong action in any way shape or form, the No Retreat, No Surrender films spoke to you in ways that delighted and amazed you. The non-linear franchise from directors Corey Yuen and…
If you followed Hong Kong action in any way shape or form, the No Retreat, No Surrender films spoke to you in ways that delighted and amazed you. The non-linear franchise from directors Corey Yuen and…
THE UNTOLD STORY OF NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER Resurfaces A Storied Classic And Much More On Blu-Ray
If you followed Hong Kong action in any way shape or form, the No Retreat, No Surrender films spoke to you in ways that delighted and amazed you. The non-linear franchise from directors Corey Yuen and Lucas Lo and producer Keith Standberg made certain to place Hong Kong-stylized martial arts screenfighting on the forefront for Western audiences, creating one of the most memorable bundles of East-meets-West action cinema to hit kiosks for VHS store runts like yours truly.
filmcombatsyndicate.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
THE UNTOLD STORY OF NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER Resurfaces A Storied Classic And Much More On Blu-Ray
If you followed Hong Kong action in any way shape or form, the No Retreat, No Surrender films spoke to you in ways that delighted and amazed you. The non-linear franchise from directors Corey Yuen and…
If you followed Hong Kong action in any way shape or form, the No Retreat, No Surrender films spoke to you in ways that delighted and amazed you. The non-linear franchise from directors Corey Yuen and…
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Action fans take note! LAST SAMURAI STANDING is a fantastic chanbara spin on Battle Royale & Squid Game starring Junichi Okada, who also produces and serves as action choreographer. Drops on Netflix this Friday: www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Review | Last Samurai Standing: 1800s Japan meets Squid Game in bloody Netflix drama
Thrilling saga with Junichi Okada as a warrior in a deadly race across Japan gives a new perspective on a sadistic premise we’ve seen before.
www.scmp.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Action fans take note! LAST SAMURAI STANDING is a fantastic chanbara spin on Battle Royale & Squid Game starring Junichi Okada, who also produces and serves as action choreographer. Drops on Netflix this Friday: www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Reposted by Matthew Essary
On Tuesday, 11/11, the Akiva Schaffer-directed legacy sequel THE NAKED GUN comes available on physical formats.
Couldn’t get enough chuckles out of the theatrical edition? The home release includes over an hour of supplemental materials to keep the laughs coming. #NakedGunMovie
Couldn’t get enough chuckles out of the theatrical edition? The home release includes over an hour of supplemental materials to keep the laughs coming. #NakedGunMovie
You have the right to remain amused with “The Naked Gun” on home video.
The Naked Gun, Akiva Schaffer, Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Paramount Pictures, home release,
elementsofmadness.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
On Tuesday, 11/11, the Akiva Schaffer-directed legacy sequel THE NAKED GUN comes available on physical formats.
Couldn’t get enough chuckles out of the theatrical edition? The home release includes over an hour of supplemental materials to keep the laughs coming. #NakedGunMovie
Couldn’t get enough chuckles out of the theatrical edition? The home release includes over an hour of supplemental materials to keep the laughs coming. #NakedGunMovie
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Reposted by Matthew Essary
My review of the new 88 Films restoration of Peacock King is now available at Eastern Kicks.
Movie review: Peacock King | easternkicks.com
A wild but much sillier adventure from Lam Nai-Choi... Hong Kong’s Category III films were introduced in the late 1980s, providing audiences with more adult and unrestrained content that grim violence...
www.easternkicks.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:05 PM
My review of the new 88 Films restoration of Peacock King is now available at Eastern Kicks.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
PRISONER OF WAR: Win A Blu-Ray Copy Of The New Scott Adkins Action Flick
The film arrives on Blu-Ray and DVD next week on November 11!
The film arrives on Blu-Ray and DVD next week on November 11!
PRISONER OF WAR: Win A Blu-Ray Copy Of The New Scott Adkins Action Flick
The film arrives on Blu-Ray and DVD next week on November 11!
filmcombatsyndicate.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
PRISONER OF WAR: Win A Blu-Ray Copy Of The New Scott Adkins Action Flick
The film arrives on Blu-Ray and DVD next week on November 11!
The film arrives on Blu-Ray and DVD next week on November 11!
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Iko Uwais’s directorial debut Timur looks intense and action packed. One of the most unique and charismatic action stars giving us fans what we want. Incredibly excited for this.
November 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Iko Uwais’s directorial debut Timur looks intense and action packed. One of the most unique and charismatic action stars giving us fans what we want. Incredibly excited for this.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
This conversation always reminds me of this scene.
November 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
This conversation always reminds me of this scene.
It’s finally time, gang!!!!!! “A Hero Never Dies” on Blu is imminent!
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
Coming in December/January on Blu-ray in Australia from #ChameleonFilms: #AHeroNeverDies (1998)!
The blood-splattered hero film ignited a golden age of Hong Kong cinema in the 80s, full of outlandish action, mammoth body counts, & plots that might have been hewn out of granite.
Coming in December/January on Blu-ray in Australia from #ChameleonFilms: #AHeroNeverDies (1998)!
The blood-splattered hero film ignited a golden age of Hong Kong cinema in the 80s, full of outlandish action, mammoth body counts, & plots that might have been hewn out of granite.
November 7, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It’s finally time, gang!!!!!! “A Hero Never Dies” on Blu is imminent!
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.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Y'all, I don't say this either often or lightly, not those who know the true-true will get what it means.
Big PRIMAL Energy.
Big PRIMAL Energy.
November 7, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Y'all, I don't say this either often or lightly, not those who know the true-true will get what it means.
Big PRIMAL Energy.
Big PRIMAL Energy.
“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”
Reposted by Matthew Essary
Martin Scorsese and his daughter Francesca read Letterboxd reviews and guessed which Scorsese movie they were about.
November 6, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Martin Scorsese and his daughter Francesca read Letterboxd reviews and guessed which Scorsese movie they were about.
This recency bias is almost comical. And I imagine Trachtenberg doesn’t think his entries are even close to as good as the O.G. Heck, I bet you he’s a “Predator 2” defender.
Rotten Tomatoes scores for the mainline Predator films 🍅
Dan Trachtenberg has now directed the 3 highest-rated projects
Dan Trachtenberg has now directed the 3 highest-rated projects
November 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
This recency bias is almost comical. And I imagine Trachtenberg doesn’t think his entries are even close to as good as the O.G. Heck, I bet you he’s a “Predator 2” defender.
Reposted by Matthew Essary
My book - Budget Biomorphs: The Making of The Guyver Films - will be celebrating its second anniversary on Nov 16th (how has it been two years 😱). If you see this post and weren’t aware of the book, could you share this with other like-minded Guyver film fans? It’ll really help out this indie author
November 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
My book - Budget Biomorphs: The Making of The Guyver Films - will be celebrating its second anniversary on Nov 16th (how has it been two years 😱). If you see this post and weren’t aware of the book, could you share this with other like-minded Guyver film fans? It’ll really help out this indie author