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Why We Should Appreciate the Antiheroes of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

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Written by Shannon McGrew

Villains are characters that we love to hate. Even if we know at their core they are horrible, detestable people, something about them draw us in. More often than naught, there is a mesmerizing charm that befalls them that is able to cut through our heart and make us vulnerable. Then there are those moments when we learn about their tragic back stories and how they came to be what they are. All in all, these “bad guys” typically possess a much more complicated and fascinating lifestyle than those of our heroes.

One of my favorite villains of the past 20 years strikes fear in the heart of many. Known as “he who must not be named”, Lord Voldemort is one of the most powerful dark wizards known in the “Harry Potter” sphere. Having grown up with the “Harry Potter” series from when they first came out when I was in 8th grade, I’ve always had a fascination with Voldemort and the wizarding studies of the dark arts. Sure, in the beginning I was team Harry Potter, but as I grew older, my fascination turned towards the more ominous presence of the dark arts and what they were capable of accomplishing. Thus my love for Voldemort grew at a rapid pace and I happily embraced the notion that my true calling was to be placed within House Slytherin.

It has now been six years since the conclusion of the “Harry Potter” series, and 10 years since the last book was published, and since then there has been a notable absent in the much beloved wizarding world. However, our muggle prayers were answered when it was announced that their would be a film adaptation of the book “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. The Harry Potter community was beside themselves with joy as we were now going to have the chance to explore a new facet of this incredibly imaginative world that J.K. Rowling created.

It goes without saying that I am a huge fan of the newly released film. Yes, I am a complete sucker for all the cute creatures that were introduced throughout the 2+ hour runtime, but what really sold me on the film was the introduction to a new wizarding antihero. What I think a lot of people tend to forget with the “Harry Potter” films, and now with “Fantastic Beasts”, is that these films are incredibly dark. In order to have light we must first fight our way through darkness and “Fantastic Beast” does an exceptional job at acquainting the audience to a new dark wizard.

Percival Graves, played by Colin Farrell, is a wizard to behold. Though “Fantastic Beasts” focuses mainly on Newt Scamander, the bumbling, creature loving, author of the book “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them”, it makes sure to also shine a light on the more unsavory aspects of the wizarding worldHowever, one of the performances that I think stole the show was that of Newt’s antagonist, Percival Graves. Graves is an Auror who works for the American Ministry of Magic and right from the start you can sense an ominous nature about him. He is not one to mince words nor does he go out of his way to say more than he has too. He has a singular goal in mind and he will do whatever it takes to achieve it.

Percival Graves is a complex character and there’s a lot going on underneath the surface; however, for the sake of being a spoiler free review, I will leave you with the understanding that Graves is someone who is much, much more sinister than we could imagine. Where Graves is stoic and singular driven, there is also Credence Barebone who is emotional, tragically haunted and played exceptionally by actor Ezra Miller. Again, not wanting to give anything away, Credence ends up being a spark that is let loose too early. He evokes a sense of sympathy and terror from not only the characters in the film but from the audience as well. It’s an interesting juxtaposition to see both Graves and Credence interact with each other through the relationship they have formed, regardless of how toxic it may be.

What I’m trying to say is that these cruel, and oftentimes misunderstood, characters should be taken into consideration when we talk about how much we love horror villains. Instead of overlooking them we should accept them into the villainous realm housed by some of the great horror villain icons. Characters like Voldemort and Graves are just as powerful and provocative, and though they don’t leave an endless stream of blood and guts in their wake, they still do their fair share of mass killing. Same can be said for a character like Credence, who though we come to understand has been treated incredibly poorly, harbors a terrible secret that once unleashed results in devastating consequences. Though these characters are wizards in the film, they also embrace a humanistic nature not seen too often in horror films. Both Graves and Credence know what they are doing is wrong, but they make the decision to continue on regardless of the horrific repercussions.

All in all, there is still a lot to learn about Graves (and the surprise ending of the film) and Credence and hopefully we will get to learn more about their origin story in the next “Fantastic Beasts” film slated for 2018. In the mean time, I suggest picking up the newly released Blu-ray and immersing yourself within the world of dark arts, powerful wizards, and fantastic beasts.

You can now own “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” on Ultra HD Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD.

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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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