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A Damn Fine Actor: Remembering Miguel Ferrer

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Enthralled is the word I’m going to go with. I was enthralled with Robocop the first time I set eyes on the sci-fi classic. With Peter Weller as the title character to be sure, but also with the young, punk executive who saw an opportunity and seized it. He was no-nonsense, tough and devoured whenever he appeared on screen.

My thoughts mimicked those of his Bob Morton character, “I fuckin’ love that guy!”

His name was Miguel Ferrer, and he succumbed to cancer today at the age of 61.

Funny how someone you never met could have such a lasting impact. Robocop has a special place in my heart because of where I was in my life when I took it all in, and so too Miguel Ferrer.

Forever a character actor who appeared in countless successful films and television projects, I could never shake the thought, “I fuckin’ love that guy!” or wrap my head around the fact that he wasn’t a bigger star.

For years I had described New York Yankees and future Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter as a superstar with the heart of a utility player. Ferrer was the mirror opposite as a performer. Ferrer possessed the talent of a superstar with the heart of a complimentary actor.

And compliment he did.

When I first arrived at iHorror, I was looking for a new addiction, and Patti Pauley put me on to “Twin Peaks.” I cannot thank her enough for exposing me to that beautifully strange slice of pie.

One can imagine my glee when I saw not only the name of Everett McGill in the credits, but Miguel Ferrer as well.

Albert Rosenfield was a bit bereft of “the social niceties.” Put another way, he was a prick of monumental proportion in the early going. Cold, clinical, condescending, cocky. Hell, even Andy (Harry Goaz) called him out, and Andy loved everybody.

Somewhere along the line, though, things changed. Ferrer’s character was no longer unlikable, he ceased spewing anger and began speaking with affection and admiration, and damned if he wasn’t worthy of being a Bookhouse Boy.

It was a turnaround that came about so abruptly that it seemed unreal, but that was in keeping with the charm of “Twin Peaks.” It didn’t have to make sense, you just went with it.

From that moment forward, Ferrer’s presence offered incredible humanity to the show. For all its quirks and over-the-top qualities, Ferrer felt authentic. In his characters’ unrivaled forensic research, comforting Agent Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and imploring Cooper and Sheriff Truman (Michael Ontkean) to find the beast before he took another bite.

In short, if you were lucky enough to see Ferrer on screen, you were buying in. Whether it was humor, confidence, abrasiveness, sympathy or concern, you were all-in because Ferrer’s performances felt genuine, even when they were intended to be caricatures of a cliche.

I’ll finish with this, because it just feels like the right way to say goodbye. And I think I speak for “Twin Peaks” fans everywhere when I say “We love you, too.”

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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