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‘Cube’ is a Creative Cult Classic That Still Stands Out After 20 Years

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Canadian horror films have a longstanding tradition of being innovative, operating within a small budget to achieve great effects. Cube – which premiered 20 years ago at the Toronto International Film Festival – took a simple concept with a simpler set design and created a cult classic.

Director Vincenzo Natali kept the costumes to a basic uniform to allow viewers to learn about each character by their actions, not by their appearance. Starting with a blank slate, we’re drawn in to the story to understand who these people are and what they’re capable of.

We rely on the script to communicate their personal history as well as their flaws, which in turn gives more opportunity for each character to hide behind their relative anonymity. The stranded strangers have no option but to trust each other, but really, what do they know about one another? What secrets could they be hiding?

via IMDb

The whole film focuses on the unknown dangers of the situation. Our group is trapped with no understanding of why they’re there or how they got there. Their only hope is a rough theory about the numbers branded on each new room. Each room is identical (aside from the colored panels), giving no indication of what horrors lie within. Tensions run high as the group grows anxious and tired, clashing at every turn.

It is revealed that each person present holds some knowledge that will assist in the group’s escape, but not everyone in the group is suited to the necessary teamwork. Cube quickly turns into a character study that observes how each personality handles the pressure. While some are predisposed to help one another, providing support and comfort when needed, others have a more selfish approach.

via IMDb

It’s – again – a simple concept, but with expert execution. We have the prevailing mystery of the cube mixed with unavoidable personal conflict. All we’re presented with is what’s in the script and what the actors are able to communicate. There’s no flashy set, no distracting costumes, just the story and the constant danger.

Cube was actually just shot in one room, with a partial cube built for when the cast was shown to be looking through from another side. By using lighting panels to change the color of the cube, they were given the flexibility to re-use the set over and over, but still change up the look so it didn’t grow stale. It’s a brilliant use of a limited budget (the 90 minute film only cost $365,000 to make).

via IMDb

Each creative trap presents a different challenge; while it’s possible to navigate through some rooms, others only offer an unavoidable and gruesome death. The opening sequence is particularly thorough in killing off its victim.

Cube has spawned a series of sequels and there’s talks of a reboot – though, like the characters in each film, it seems to be trapped in development Hell. While I don’t anticipate seeing a remake of the cult classic anytime soon, today is as good a day as any to revisit the film that started it all.

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Watch ‘The Burning’ At The Location Where It Was Filmed

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Fangoria is reporting that fans of the 1981 slasher The Burning will be able to have a screening of the film at the location where it was filmed. The movie is set at Camp Blackfoot which is actually the Stonehaven Nature Preserve in Ransomville, New York.

This ticketed event will take place on August 3. Guests will be able to take a tour of the grounds as well as enjoy some campfire snacks along with the screening of The Burning.

The Burning

The film came out in the early ’80s when teen slashers were being churned out in magnum force. Thanks to Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th, filmmakers wanted to get in on the low-budget, high-profit movie market and a casket load of these types of films were produced, some better than others.

The Burning is one of the good ones, mostly because of the special effects from Tom Savini who had just come off of his groundbreaking work on Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th. He declined to do the sequel because of its illogical premise and instead signed on to do this movie. Also, a young Jason Alexander who would later go on to play George in Seinfeld is a featured player.

Because of its practical gore, The Burning had to be heavily edited before it received an R-rating. The MPAA was under the thumb of protest groups and political bigwigs to censor violent films at the time because slashers were just so graphic and detailed in their gore.

Tickets are $50, and if you want a special t-shirt, that will cost you another $25, You can get all the information by visiting the On Set Cinema webpage.

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‘Longlegs’ Creepy “Part 2” Teaser Appears on Instagram

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Longlegs

Neon Films released an Insta-teaser for their horror film Longlegs today. Titled Dirty: Part 2, the clip only furthers the mystery of what we are in for when this movie is finally released on July 12.

The official logline is: FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes unexpected turns, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

Directed by former actor Oz Perkins who also gave us The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel, Longlegs is already creating buzz with its moody images and cryptic hints. The film is rated R for bloody violence, and disturbing images.

Longlegs stars Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, and Alicia Witt.

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Exclusive Sneak Peek: Eli Roth and Crypt TV’s VR Series ‘The Faceless Lady’ Episode Five

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Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) and Crypt TV are knocking it out of the park with their new VR show, The Faceless Lady. For those unaware, this is the first fully scripted VR horror show on the market.

Even for masters of horror like Eli Roth and Crypt TV, this is a monumental undertaking. However, if I trust anyone to change the way that we experience horror, it would be these two legends.

The Faceless Lady

Ripped from the pages of Irish folklore, The Faceless Lady tells the story of a tragic spirit cursed to wander the halls of her castle for all of eternity. However, when three young couples are invited to the castle for a series of games, their fates may soon change.

So far, the story has provided horror fans with a gripping game of life or death that doesn’t look as if it will slow down in episode five. Luckily, we have an exclusive clip that may be able to satiate your appetites until the new premiere.

Airing on 4/25 at 5pmPT/8pmET, episode five follows our final three contestants in this wicked game. As the stakes are raised ever higher, will Ella be able to fully awaken her connection with Lady Margaret?

The faceless lady

The newest episode can be found on Meta Quest TV. If you haven’t already, follow this link to subscribe to the series. Make sure to check out the new clip below.

Eli Roth Present’s THE FACELESS LADY S1E5 Clip: THE DUEL – YouTube

To view in the highest resolution, adjust the quality settings in the bottom right corner of the clip.

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