The horror genre isn't for every film fan. Some directors go quite far in their quest to shock audiences, but no film has managed to do so effectively and controversially as Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma.

This infamous film by Pier Paolo Pasolini caused worldwide uproar in 1975. This is not surprising. This controversial creation is loosely based on the work of the Marquis de Sade and depicts how four Italian fascists kidnap eighteen youths and subject them to four months of sadistic abuse, sexual humiliation, and extreme cruelty.

Worldwide Censorship

The then-director of the British Board of Film Classification stated: "This is undoubtedly one of the most disturbing films we have ever had to assess". Salò was banned upon release in nearly twenty countries.

In the United States, it led to a significant undercover operation, culminating in a lawsuit involving Alec Baldwin and Martin Scorsese. In England, it escalated further: police raided a private screening to seize a copy of the film.

Shocking Imagery

Despite Salò being out for half a century, it still generates considerable discussion today. Some viewers are attempting to watch the film now to honor its 50-year anniversary, but many on social media express regret after viewing it.



One viewer wrote: "The scenes with the excrement made my stomach turn. I'll never forget what I saw". For many, the film is unbearable; for others, it is an essential confrontation with the darkest corners of the human psyche.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps reportedly runs for 1 hour and 55 minutes. That's short for a Marvel film. With such a runtime, you can't pack too much into the movie.

Apparently, director Matt Shakman experienced this himself. The filmmaker spoke with Variety about the upcoming superhero movie and revealed that one major actor was cut from the film.

Red Ghost

This concerns John Malkovich. The Hollywood legend had a small role in the film as the villain Red Ghost. This is a Russian scientist who battles the Fantastic Four with three 'super-monkeys.'

Malkovich did film scenes for the movie, but Shakman had to cut them out. "There was a lot to balance," he says. "Some things ultimately had to go so that the final version could take shape."

Busy Film

There is indeed a lot going on in the film. First Steps not only introduces four superheroes but also an entirely different universe. And then there’s the evil villain Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his messenger, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Oh, and Reed and Sue's baby.



Still, you would think that Marvel could have extended the runtime a bit to include Malkovich. But Shakman remains tight-lipped about it. He simply describes the whole situation as "heartbreaking."

Not Long To Wait

Next week we will be able to judge whether Marvel made the right choice. The Fantastic Four: First Steps finally hits theaters.

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Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, known for Do Revenge and the screenplay of Thor: Love and Thunder, returns with a new horror film, coming to theaters this week. This movie is a direct continuation of the famous slasher from the 90s. In this latest title, simply I Know What You Did Last Summer, the original concept is updated for a modern audience. Was that a good idea?

The film follows a new group of young people faced with the deadly consequences of a fateful secret. When the past catches up with them, a new series of gruesome murders begins. Madelyn Cline plays a central role in this franchise revival. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently scores a 47% on the Tomatometer.

Turn Your Brain Off

Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post finds the film entertaining, despite its impact on his thinking ability. "I Know... kept me engaged, even though I felt brain dead." He emphasizes that the film offers more superficial entertainment than substantial depth.

According to Jordan Hoffman from Entertainment Weekly, some clever moments and especially the performance by lead actress Cline keep the film afloat. "Clever scenes and a sensational performance from Madelyn Cline keep the film (mostly) alive."

For The Fans

Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting is more positive. She praises the new cast and the increased body count. "The higher death toll and the fresh, likable cast make this legacy sequel accessible to a new audience, though it mainly caters to the true IKWYDLS fan."



Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com is critical. He states that while the original can still be seen as 'dumb fun', this sequel fails to achieve that. "History may see the first film as silly entertainment, but this one is just stupid."

Streaming Details And Backgrounds

The original from 1997 had an estimated budget of $17 million and grossed over $125 million worldwide. On Rotten Tomatoes, the original stands at 44%. The current IMDb score of the new film is 5.5, maintaining a mixed reception. The original was stuck at a similar 5.8.

It is hard to believe that a series about a nuclear disaster can feel so alarmingly real, but Chernobyl achieves just that. Almost every detail is accurate, from the wallpaper in the apartments to the zinc used for burying bodies. No concessions, no laziness. Only meticulously controlled accuracy.

Those who thought that TV makers would take liberties in their storytelling have yet to see Chernobyl. The series draws upon dozens of eyewitness accounts, medical reports, and official Soviet documents. One example: the deceased firefighters were wrapped in plastic, placed in zinc coffins, and then buried under a layer of concrete. Not for dramatic effect, but because that is exactly what happened at the time.

Remarkably Detailed

Even on a set level, the creators left nothing to chance. Old Soviet phones, typewriters, and uniform buttons were scouted at flea markets in Ukraine, Latvia, and Lithuania. When original materials no longer existed, they were recreated based on museum photos. Filming took place in the decommissioned Ignalina nuclear plant in Lithuania, which is almost identical in construction to the reactor in Chernobyl.

Notably, many local crew members themselves grew up during the Soviet era. They were asked by the production to pay attention to the details. Did the color of the shirts match? Was the tap water cloudy enough? This approach ensured that even experts on the subject could hardly spot any mistakes in the series.

Not Just For The Drama

According to creator Craig Mazin, it was not about sensationalism. "The reality was horrifying enough," he told the BBC. "The better we reconstruct it, the less we need to exaggerate." This dedication not only received critical acclaim but also left a lasting impression. Even years later, Chernobyl stands as a prime example of how to portray history without turning it into a caricature.