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Forgotten Holiday Horror: Home Sweet Home

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Name a holiday, there’s a horror movie for that. Even less appreciated holidays like April’s Fools Day and Mother’s Day have movies for them. Friday the 13th, though not technically a holiday, but we celebrate it as such, has one of the most profitable and iconic franchises based around it. Christmas is an easy one, also a day that has a plethora of well known slashers. But what about Thanksgiving? It seems like the closest thing we got was Eli Roth’s mock trailer for GrindhouseThanksgiving. Eli Roth has talked about making it a full length feature from time to time, but who knows if it will ever come to light (writer Chris Crum just wrote an excellent piece on this yesterday, so check it out). Of course, there is also Thankskilling and Thankskilling 3, but what about a real horror movie set on the day we get together as a family and consume mass amounts of food?

Well, it turns out back in 1981 there was a horror movie set at Thanksgiving… although that’s as close as it gets to the holiday. It’s not the central theme, nor does it feel like a holiday movie, it just so happens to take place on that day. It may as well take place on any other day, but at least they tried, even if it was only to cash in on holiday slashers. You know, for the most part. The film isn’t exactly known for being “good” or anything. It does, however, star Jake Steinfeld, the titular character from the hit 1990 show Big Brother Jake! Okay, so it wasn’t a hit, but I may or may not have watched it. Jake also had a line of exercise programs called Body by Jake and was the founder of a company called FitOrbit, a fitness and weight loss program. Maybe that would have the better movie; Jake going on a killing spree on his live exercise TV program. The guy is still into working out, so he has the perfect build for your prototypical slasher, making this the perfect role for him.

Eh, maybe not.

There is a reason this movie is forgotten. Besides not being all that great, Jake’s performance is laughable, although sometimes that’s what we are looking for even if it wasn’t the filmmakers intentions. He spends a majority of the movie bug eyed and chuckling like a lunatic (which he plays, so I guess job well done) and there is also this kid dressed up like a mime, face paint and all, with a guitar and amp strapped to his back. Can someone tell me what the objective of having a character like this was? My guess is he was a spoof on the type of character Neddy was in Friday the 13th, but he tends to stop the show for me, because I can’t take an image like that seriously. I have to pause and scratch my head, wondering what they were thinking. Who is supposed to relate to this character? The KISS army? Comic relief characters are supposed to reflect a personality of someone we know to make them relatable, but this… what is this? I’m thinking about this way too much. The others aren’t even worth mentioning, since they are your stereotyped stock slasher characters. Really, watch any slasher flick and there  ya go, they’re in this movie too. Not to say their performances were piss poor or anything, but it’s not enough to save the film.

Gorehounds will have to look elsewhere, as there isn’t much in blood and guts. To be honest, the effects are done quite poorly, certainly nothing to write home about. The story is also pretty stale and is noticeably just a quick cash in on the then slasher boom, so you have to wonder; who was this movie made for? Back then, making a slasher was like printing money. You couldn’t lose, but this is one of those films that just led to the oversaturation of the genre.

So what was I saying about the plot? It’s stale? Ok, so stop me if you’ve heard this one; a lunatic escapes from the mental hospital, steals a station wagon and heads home to murder people on a well known holiday.

Do I really have to come out and tell you what that would be?

In any case, if you’re daring enough or you like throwing money away, you can nab a copy from Amazon for a kinda hefty price and to my knowledge, it’s just a VHS rip and not even a great one.

Or you can check out the whole movie in the video below. It’s worth at least one watch and to see Jake Steinfeld act like a raving madman.

An escaped mental patient steals a station wagon and makes his way to the Bradleys’ Thanksgiving celebration, where he plans to make them a little less thankful…

[youtube id=”6ZFTEZDXwlw”]

And just to take you down memory lane… DON’T QUIT!

[youtube id=”GgpX2w1_RH0″]

Also because it’s the Thanksgiving season, here is the Thanksgiving episode of Big Brother Jake.

[youtube id=”5F5aufTJcj8″]

[youtube id=”TGNapWs2mqo”]

Home-Sweet-Home-Front[1]

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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