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Netflix Canada: Top 10 Horror Films You Need to Watch

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Hello Canada! If you’re looking for a breakdown of the best horror films on Netflix, here’s a good place to start. Our guide to Netflix North will be updated regularly to include new additions and tried-and-true favorites. For now, here are my top 10 picks (in no particular order) to tide you over between those dreaded made-for-tv Holiday specials.

The Wailing (2016)


From the writer/director of The Chaser, this suspenseful South Korean horror thriller received widespread critical acclaim. There’s a genuine mystery at the heart of it.  You are constantly wary of what to expect, who to suspect, and where to go next. The film is a simmering stew that gradually turns up the heat to a dramatic and unforgettable finish.

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)


This companion piece to Cloverfield is kind of like a bottle episode – but with a much higher budget. The small cast is confined to a single location where they must confront and resolve an increasingly suspicious problem. John Goodman’s performance as Howard is unnerving, captivating, and hauntingly reserved for a man who is best known for his more dynamic roles.

Green Room (2015)


Jeremy Saulnier gave us a knockout follow-up to Blue Ruin (2013). This film does not pull any punches, throwing our protagonists (lead by the late Anton Yelchin) into a hopeless and unyielding fight for survival. The peaceful opening act sets the stage for a mighty storm that perfectly matches the throbbing energy of the punk-rock theme

Bone Tomahawk (2015)


S. Craig Zahler’s Bone Tomahawk is probably one of the best Western/Horror crossovers you will ever see. The cast  – Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Richard Jenkins (who absolutely steals the show) – are absolutely superb. It honors all the Western tropes, however, it goes full-throttle with the brutality. The climax is more savagely vicious than any Western and – to be honest – it ups the ante for Horror violence as well.

The Witch (2015)


For his directorial debut, Writer/Director Robert Eggers made a serious commitment to creating an authentic period piece. Most of the dialogue is taken directly from journals and court records from the era and extensive research was applied to find the right sound for the musical score (using Old World instruments like the Swedish Nychelharpa). The set was built using historically accurate materials and the film was mostly shot with natural lighting– the indoor scenes were done by candlelight. Eggers’ hard work has paid off. The film was a success with critics and horror fans alike. The Witch also caught the attention of the media when it was endorsed by The Satanic Temple.

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)


A faux-documentary is a fantastic way to work with the “found footage” sub-genre of horror. It provides a legitimate explanation for the presence of the camera and leads us to the action in a more believable way. The topic of this faux-documentary – Deborah Logan’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease – is carefully and respectfully presented. However, it becomes quite clear that Deborah’s experiences are not normal.

Hush (2016)


In Hush, a deaf writer must put her creative thinking to the test when trying out out-smart and outlast an unknown assailant. Her at-home-attacker (John Gallagher Jr. – who you can also find in 10 Cloverfield Lane) presents a continuous threat. He has come fully prepared; his story is never explained, but his intentions are clear. The concept is similar to Wait Until Dark, but with the modern struggle of disconnected WiFi to thwart a Skype connection.

You’re Next (2011)


Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett (V/H/S, V/H/S/2, The Guest, Blair Witch) are a formidable team. They’ve got a pretty solid track record of creating a film that thrills, chills and kills. You’re Next puts a fun twist on the home invasion horror and throws a badass wrench in the mix. With the rise of the New Scream Queen, we’re seeing a lot of strong, kickass women in horror films. In You’re Next, Erin (Sharni Vinson) is certainly one of the most capable victims you’ll ever see.

It Follows (2014)


It Follows
is one of those films that is kind of timeless. There are no fancy new cars, no iPhones, nothing to really suggest any modern digital connectivity. Our young heroes are truly all alone with no help in sight. Their anxious terror comes from the knowledge that the threat is unrelenting and inescapable. The atmosphere is supported by the fantastic synth soundtrack and decaying locations. It’s bleak, it’s creepy, and it’s a great watch.

The Invitation (2015)


The art of the slow burn is coming up more and more in recent horror films. Actually, most of the films listed here are “slow burners”. Director Karyn Kusama uses a lighter touch than her previous films (Jennifer’s Body, Girlfight, Æon Flux) to really stress the tension of this Psychological Thriller. Due to the slower pace, it may require some patience, but there is a great payoff.

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The Original ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel Had an Interesting Location

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beetlejuice in Hawaii Movie

Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s sequels to hit movies weren’t as linear as they are today. It was more like “let’s re-do the situation but in a different location.” Remember Speed 2, or National Lampoon’s European Vacation? Even Aliens, as good as it is, follows a lot of the plot points of the original; people stuck on a ship, an android, a little girl in peril instead of a cat. So it makes sense that one of the most popular supernatural comedies of all time, Beetlejuice would follow the same pattern.

In 1991 Tim Burton was interested in doing a sequel to his 1988 original, it was called Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian:

“The Deetz family moves to Hawaii to develop a resort. Construction begins, and it’s quickly discovered that the hotel will be sitting on top of an ancient burial ground. Beetlejuice comes in to save the day.”

Burton liked the script but wanted some re-writes so he asked then-hot screenwriter Daniel Waters who had just got done contributing to Heathers. He passed on the opportunity so producer David Geffen offered it to Troop Beverly Hills scribe Pamela Norris to no avail.

Eventually, Warner Bros. asked Kevin Smith to punch up Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, he scoffed at the idea, saying, “Didn’t we say all we needed to say in the first Beetlejuice? Must we go tropical?”

Nine years later the sequel was killed. The studio said Winona Ryder was now too old for the part and an entire re-cast needed to happen. But Burton never gave up, there were a lot of directions he wanted to take his characters, including a Disney crossover.

“We talked about lots of different things,” the director said in Entertainment Weekly. “That was early on when we were going, Beetlejuice and the Haunted MansionBeetlejuice Goes West, whatever. Lots of things came up.”

Fast-forward to 2011 when another script was pitched for a sequel. This time the writer of Burton’s Dark Shadows,  Seth Grahame-Smith was hired and he wanted to make sure the story wasn’t a cash-grabbing remake or reboot. Four years later, in 2015, a script was approved with both Ryder and Keaton saying they would return to their respective roles. In 2017 that script was revamped and then eventually shelved in 2019.

During the time the sequel script was being tossed around in Hollywood, in 2016 an artist named Alex Murillo posted what looked like one-sheets for a Beetlejuice sequel. Although they were fabricated and had no affiliation with Warner Bros. people thought they were real.

Perhaps the virality of the artwork sparked interest in a Beetlejuice sequel once again, and finally, it was confirmed in 2022 Beetlejuice 2 had a green light from a script written by Wednesday writers  Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The star of that series Jenna Ortega signed on to the new movie with filming starting in 2023. It was also confirmed that Danny Elfman would return to do the score.

Burton and Keaton agreed that the new film titled Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice wouldn’t rely on CGI or other other forms of technology. They wanted the film to feel “handmade.” The film wrapped in November 2023.

It’s been over three decades to come up with a sequel to Beetlejuice. Hopefully, since they said aloha to Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian there has been enough time and creativity to ensure Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will not only honor the characters, but fans of the original.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will open theatrically on September 6.

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Russell Crowe To Star in Another Exorcism Movie & It’s Not a Sequel

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Maybe it’s because The Exorcist just celebrated its 50th-anniversary last year, or maybe it’s because aging Academy Award-winning actors aren’t too proud to take on obscure roles, but Russell Crowe is visiting the Devil once again in yet another possession film. And it’s not related to his last one, The Pope’s Exorcist.

According to Collider, the film titled The Exorcism was originally going to be released under the name The Georgetown Project. Rights for its North American release were once in the hands of Miramax but then went to Vertical Entertainment. It will release on June 7 in theaters then head over to Shudder for subscribers.

Crowe will also star in this year’s upcoming Kraven the Hunter which is set to drop in theaters on August 30.

As for The Exorcism, Collider provides us with what it’s about:

“The film centers around actor Anthony Miller (Crowe), whose troubles come to the forefront as he shoots a supernatural horror movie. His estranged daughter (Ryan Simpkins) has to figure out whether he’s lapsing into his past addictions, or if something even more horrific is occurring. “

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New F-Bomb Laden ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer: Bloody Buddy Movie

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Deadpool & Wolverine might be the buddy movie of the decade. The two heterodox superheroes are back in the latest trailer for the summer blockbuster, this time with more f-bombs than a gangster film.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Movie Trailer

This time the focus is on Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman. The adamantium-infused X-Man is having a bit of a pity party when Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) arrives on the scene who then tries to convince him to team up for selfish reasons. The result is a profanity-filled trailer with a Strange surprise at the end.

Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. It comes out on July 26. Here is the latest trailer, and we suggest if you are at work and your space isn’t private, you might want to put in headphones.

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