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Five Finest Rutger Hauer Performances

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Some actors simply play a character in a film, but rarely will an actor make that character seemingly become real. Rutger Hauer is such an actor. His performances aren’t over the top, nor are they phoned in and infamously bad, but they are hypnotic in a way that feels nearly dangerous. It’s one of those rare instances where an actor disappears into a role and becomes something else. You don’t even notice he’s vanished and instead of seeing him on the screen, you see the character coming to life.

Having appeared in over 150 films to date, Rutger has undoubtedly played some of the most unnerving, psychotic and memorable characters in cinema history, undeniably able to convincingly become that character, like a nightmare come to life. So to celebrate his birthday, I’ve decided to take a look back at five of his performances that define how far he is able to take his talent.

Flesh + Blood
Rutger Hauer plays the least immoral and disgusting character in a film by Robocop director Paul Verhoeven full of despicable people, but hey… they didn’t call it “the dark ages” for nothing. Like most people of that era, Hauer’s character Martin is selfish and violent and you should, for every reason you will see, hate him. But this is where Rutger is able to show you what acting is and takes you for a little mind ride, as you actually start to side with this guy. Sure, he starts to make the right decisions, but does that make him a good person? It truly is debateable and you will be thinking about this long after the movie is over.

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Blind Fury
Unless this were a Zatoichi film, I would scoff at the idea of a blind samurai/Vietnam veteran rescuing the son of one of his buddies, but you throw Rutger Hauer in there and give him a sword, it will work. Now, I’m sure a stunt double was used for some of the sword fighting, but Rutger didn’t use this as an excuse to half ass it. Not only does the guy have to pretend he is blind, but he has to convincingly handle a sword. I couldn’t do either of those, one at a time, if I tried. And that fight scene with legendary Sho Kosugi…

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Blade Runner
Roy Batty is right, because this android is absolutely batty! This is the role he is probably best known for. He’s just an android who wants a longer life span and will do whatever it takes to get it, even if it’s impossible. He’s absolutely ghastly, but once again, you can’t help but feel where he is coming from and his desire to live a full life. Sure, he’s going about it a totally wrong and violent way, but is that because he was made that way? Either way, I don’t want to argue semantics, since we are here to talk about his performance, but maybe I just answered my question. It’s Rutger’s performance that is so (no pun intended) lifelike that makes it debateable.

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The Hitcher
If there anyone ever gives you the impression that you should be afraid of them, it’s definitely John Ryder. All the dangers of picking up a hitchhiker your parents warned you about are brought to life in this film. At first, he seems (kinda) normal, but quickly escalates into a shell of a person with no conscience or remorse, as he plays the world’s most shocking game of cat and mouse with the wimpy kid from Red Dawn. Such a raw intensity is brought to the role and even if you look at it like a cheesy horror flick, there is no denying that whenever Rutger popped up on screen, you were frightened and nervous. What Jaws did for swimming, I think The Hitcher did for people who pick up hitchhikers.

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Hobo With a Shotgun
Bringing the titular character to life in Jason Eisener’s larger than life, low-down dirty homage to exploitation films, he’s a character that has been through it all and seen it all… and he’s sick and tired of it. All he wants is to save some money to buy a lawn mower to earn an honest living, but society keeps spitting in his face until one day, he can’t take it anymore. He begins to deal out justice one shell at a time! You really feel sympathetic for this character and I have to admit, I questioned how maybe I have been treating others. Not that I treat people like crap, mind you, I just became more aware of it. For a low-budget film that was originally a fake trailer as part of a the Grindhouse contest, he really puts everything he has into this role to make you feel something for a character in a film that would be viewed as b-movie trash. Rutger turns this hobo who’s sick of society and crime running amok into a fearful vengeance machine. He’s just as loveable as he is dangerous, but you have nothing to fear as long as you are a good person.

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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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