News
Horror Fans, Stop Fighting and Band Together
It may come as a surprise, perhaps even a shock that there are folks walking around who actually love Halloween 5. I’ve encountered more than one individual who were of the opinion that Jason Takes Manhattan were their favorite Friday the 13th. And it goes both ways. We live in a world where some feel that Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is not a good piece of cinema and even pockets of people who believe Rob Zombie’s Halloweens are superior to John Carpenter’s.
A single paragraph in, I’m sure there are some of you shaking your head and maybe even a few who are fuming, but that’s what I wanted to talk about.
When it comes to the entertainment industry, particularly film and television, horror remains a genre that is by and large looked down upon. Sure it’s been mainstreamed thanks in no small measure by “The Walking Dead” and even “American Horror Story,” but for the most part, horror is still perceived as second-rate. There is a belief among those who do not appreciate horror that it lacks artistry and that those involved are bereft of the talent necessary to cut it in drama or comedy.
Of course, we know better, don’t we? Though we are legion, you won’t find the same kind of viewership for “Ash vs Evil Dead” as you would for “The Big Bang Theory.” In the grand scheme of things, we are a small school of fish in a very large pond.
All the more reason to stick together.
And yet, we don’t. And I can’t help but wonder why?
We are all nauseated by the division of the current presidential campaign. The mudslinging and finger-pointing and name-calling has virtually everyone on the verge of slamming down the mute button if they haven’t already. There is no discourse, no exchange of ideas followed by intellectual conversation or debate. It’s just a constant churning of “I’m right, you’re wrong” while neither side actually hears or processes a word the other has to say.
Have you noticed the same scenario among horror fans on social media? Not everyone partakes in online arguments, but odds are good that everyone has at least seen it. This isn’t intended to be an indictment on anyone, just an opportunity to stop and think for a moment.
Differing opinions pit people against one another. It has been that way since the beginning of time, and will never change. However, rather than asking why someone likes or dislikes something, it becomes a pissing match. “How can you possibly?” followed by a snide remark or out and out insult, which opens the floodgates to bickering banter.
Being opinionated is a good thing. It means you have a take. However, that does not mean that you are completely right or completely wrong. Rather than disregarding someone based on their perspectives, perhaps ask them a question. Instead of saying that “Anyone who hates Halloween III is in idiot,” inquire as to what they don’t like about it. Believe it or not, some may just not care for it and it could have absolutely nothing to do with the absence of Michael Myers. There’s a least a glimmer of possibility that what they have to say in response makes sense, or that you offer a point they hadn’t thought about and one or the other of you, or maybe even both, reconsider their stance. If nothing else, both parties have a better understanding of why the other feels as they do.
Horror is supposed to be fun. And small group that we are, we should be in it together. Enjoy those like-minded individuals, sure, but also respect those who loved It Follows or The Evil Dead remake or 31, even if you didn’t.
It doesn’t take long for a thread on Facebook or Twitter to morph into hate-filled spewing, so why engage in it? Offer your thoughts, but leave out judgment of what someone else has said. You can state your case without openly challenging other people. Should someone cross that line, however, just let it go. Ignore it, move on and shut them down before it grows into something bigger. We all know there are trolls out there who are Ledger’s Joker, they just want to watch the world burn.
The genre offers so much to enjoy. Just this year alone we’ve had The Witch, Don’t Breathe, The Conjuring 2, Lights Out, six new episodes of “The X -Files,” the return of “Ash vs Evil Dead,” the emergence of “Stranger Things” and the announcement that Carpenter would be teaming up with Blumhouse to bring the Halloween franchise back to its original roots.
To say nothing of the resurrection of “Twin Peaks” or It just around the corner or the old school glory of the Universal monsters and eighties slasher flicks and the list goes on and on.
You may not enjoy all of it, but then again, you don’t have to. Everyone has an opinion, and those opinions are okay. You can have a take, but it doesn’t mean others should be berated for theirs. Criticism is a good thing. What’s better than constructive criticism? It is not just a statement of distaste, but rather one that offers specific reasons as to why, and gives others the opportunity to consider what you’ve said and respond in kind. Perhaps you can come to an agreement, even if it’s simply to disagree, but ideas were exchanged, points made and it would be a far more positive experience than simply hurling insults from behind a keyboard or smart phone.
Hell, I’m as guilty as anyone. I have to catch myself from over-extending how I feel personally about a film or director or actor because my perception does not mean I’m correct and others not. I think Silver Bullet is better than An American Werewolf in London. Many would disagree, but we should revel in those differing opinions and engage in conversation rather that going after one another’s throats.
We are a small school of fish in a very large pond, but when Jaws wades its way into our neck of the woods, we’d do well to remember that we are all that we have. Each other. Let’s be good to one another.
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Movies
‘The Strangers’ Invaded Coachella in Instagramable PR Stunt
Renny Harlin’s reboot of The Strangers isn’t coming out until May 17, but those murderous home invaders are making a pit stop at Coachella first.
In the latest Instagramable PR stunt, the studio behind the film decided to have the trio of masked intruders crash Coachella, a music festival that takes place for two weekends in Southern California.
This type of publicity began when Paramount did the same thing with their horror movie Smile in 2022. Their version had seemingly ordinary people in populated places look directly into a camera with an evil grin.
Harlin’s reboot is actually a trilogy with a more expansive world than that of the original.
“When setting out to remake The Strangers, we felt there was a bigger story to be told, which could be as powerful, chilling, and terrifying as the original and could really expand that world,” said producer Courtney Solomon. “Shooting this story as a trilogy allows us to create a hyperreal and terrifying character study. We’re fortunate to be joining forces with Madelaine Petsch, an amazing talent whose character is the driving force of this story.”
The movie follows a young couple (Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez) who “after their car breaks down in an eerie small town, are forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive in The Strangers: Chapter 1 the chilling first entry of this upcoming horror feature film series.”
The Strangers: Chapter 1 opens in theaters on May 17.
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Movies
‘Alien’ Returning to Theaters For a Limited Time
It’s been 45 years since Ridley Scott’s Alien hit theaters and in celebration of that milestone, it is headed back to the big screen for a limited time. And what better day to do that than Alien Day on April 26?
It also works as a primer for the upcoming Fede Alvarez sequel Alien: Romulus opening on August 16. A special feature in which both Alvarez and Scott discuss the original sci-fi classic will be shown as a part of your theater admission. Take a look at the preview of that conversation below.
Back in 1979, the original trailer for Alien was kind of terrifying. Imagine sitting in front of a CRT TV (Cathode Ray Tube) at night and suddenly Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting score begins to play as a giant chicken egg starts to crack with beams of light bursting through the shell and the word “Alien” slowly forms in slanted all caps across the screen. To a twelve-year-old, it was a scary pre-bedtime experience, especially Goldsmith’s screaming electronic musical flourishes playing over scenes of the actual movie. Let the “Is it horror or sci-fi?” debate begin.
Alien became a pop culture phenomenon, complete with kid’s toys, a graphic novel, and an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. It also inspired dioramas in wax museums and even a frightening setpiece at Walt Disney World in the now-defunct Great Movie Ride attraction.
The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and John Hurt. It tells the tale of a futuristic crew of blue-collar workers suddenly awakened out of stasis to investigate an undecipherable distress signal coming from a nearby moon. They investigate the source of the signal and discover it’s a warning and not a cry for help. Unbeknownst to the crew, they have brought a giant space creature back on board which they find out in one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.
It is said that Alvarez’s sequel will pay homage to the original film’s storytelling and set design.
The Alien theatrical re-release will take place on April 26. Pre-order your tickets and find out where Alien will screen at a theater near you.
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News
Home Depot’s 12-Foot Skeleton Returns with a New Friend, Plus New Life-Size Prop from Spirit Halloween
Halloween is the greatest holiday of them all. However, every great holiday needs amazing props to go with it. Luckily for you, there are two new amazing props that have been released, which are sure to impress your neighbors and frighten any neighborhood children who are unfortunate enough to wander past your yard.
The first entry is the return of the Home Depot 12-foot skeleton prop. Home Depot has outdone themselves in the past. But this year the company is bringing bigger and better things to their Halloween prop lineup.
This year, the company unveiled its new and improved Skelly. But what is a giant skeleton without a loyal friend? Home Depot has also announced that they will release a five-foot tall skeleton dog prop to eternally keep Skelly company as he haunts your yard this spooky season.
This bony pooch will be five feet tall and seven feet long. The prop will also feature a posable mouth and LCD eyes with eight variable settings. Lance Allen, Home Depot’s merchant of decorative Holliday gear, had the following to say about this year’s lineup.
“This year we increased our realism within the animatronics category, created some impressive, licensed characters and even brought back some fan favorites. Overall, we are most proud of the quality and value we are able to bring to our customers with these pieces so they can continue to grow their collections.”
But what if giant skeletons just aren’t your thing? Well, Spirit Halloween has you covered with their giant life size Terror Dog replica. This massive prop has been ripped out of your nightmares to appear frighteningly on your lawn.
This prop weighs in at almost fifty pounds and features glowing red eyes that are sure to keep your yard safe from any toilet paper throwing hooligans. This iconic Ghostbusters nightmare is a must have for any fan of 80s horror. Or, anyone who loves all things spooky.
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