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‘A Quiet Place’ is a Modern Horror Masterpiece (REVIEW)

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A Quiet PlaceĀ opens with what could easily pass as a superb ten-minute short film.

The Abbott family-A mother, father, and three children-are raiding a small general store for supplies, specifically medicine for their middle child Marcus (Noah Jupe). On-screen text informs us that it has been just over 80 days since…something happened.

The youngest child, Beau (Cade Woodward), finds a toy rocket ship, but his father, Lee (John Krasinski, also the film’s director and one of its three writers), takes it away, gently reminding the child in sign-language that the toy is ‘too loud’. However, after Lee and his wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt, also Krasinski’s real-life spouse) have left, their eldest child Regan (played with incredible honesty byĀ Millicent Simmonds) returns the rocket to him.Ā 

As the family makes the long, silentĀ trek back to their farm, walking in a line on a carefully lain path of white sand, we get glimpses of the world they now inhabit: walls covered floor-to-ceiling in “MISSING” posters, newspaper articles reporting on some kind of apocalyptic invasion, and absolutely no other people around.

John Krasinski hears something in “A Quiet Place”.

Then, without warning, Beau turns on his toy rocket.

Evelyn sobs, covering her mouth to suppress her screams.

Lee sprints toward him, trying to keep pace withĀ somethingĀ in the woods.

And then, aĀ massiveĀ shape erupts from the trees, and violently pulls Beau off screen.

We cut to black, silence prevails…and the opening title fades in.

There’s about an hour and twenty minutes of film following this opening scene, and I won’t reveal another word of it. To do so would be a detriment to the incredible pacing and characterization that this film possesses.

I will, however, discuss the talent involved, and the rich characters which make this film as great as it is.

From a technical standpoint, A Quiet PlaceĀ is a triumph.

Beautiful cinematography in “A Quiet Place”.

The cinematography is superb. It is controlled and subtle, the camera never moving more than it absolutely has to, never showing us more than is absolutely necessary. Each shot feels carefully framed to show usĀ exactlyĀ what we need to see. No more, no less.

It is an understated style that I would guess took a huge amount of effort from everyone involved.

This is also one of the few monster films in recent memory that relied entirely on digital effects for its monsters and actuallyĀ flourishedĀ because of it. The monsters are presented to us as nigh-indestructible”angels of death”, laying waste toĀ anythingĀ that makes too much noise, human or otherwise.

They are faster than anything human, strong enough to rip through steel walls like tissue paper, and their hearing is attuned to the point where they can hear the ticking of an egg-timer from a great distance.

Yet the movie never makes the monsters feelĀ tooĀ over-the-top. It sounds strange to say, but the monsters in A Quiet PlaceĀ make more sense than many I’ve seen. By the time the credits roll, we are left feeling like we understand, to some extent, how they function.

Are “They” unstoppable?

For all its well deserved technical merit, however, it is the actors that make A Quiet PlaceĀ the success that it is.

Krasinski and Blunt portray the parents of this small, post-apocalyptic family with absolute grace. They are not the hardened, grizzled adults you usually see in movies like this. They are kind, loving parents who want nothing more than to care for their children.

Obviously, the fact that they are a real couple helps, and the connection they share is a huge advantage for the film.

Simmonds, as the eldest daughter, shines in every scene. She is still trying to move past the guilt surrounding her brother’s death, while also dealing with her own personal problem: she is deaf.

Obviously, deafness is dangerous in a world like this, where you must be aware ofĀ everyĀ sound you make, and a running theme in the film is her father’s many attempts to repair the cochlear implant that allows her to hear.

Emily Blunt andĀ Millicent Simmonds in “A Quiet Place”.

Jupe, as the middle (and now youngest) Abbott child, is struggling to find his place in the family. Gender roles are a huge subtext of the film, and young Marcus is expected to join his father in the wild on hunting expeditions.

Marcus, however, is justifiablyĀ terrifiedĀ of the outside world, after witnessing the brutal demise of his younger brother.

The dynamic between the two children and their parents feels totally believable. It is never too dramatic, never too warm, and always strained but never totally broken. It feels like a real-world dynamic simply trying to exist in an unreal situation.

Obviously, if you wanted to nit-pick issues with the film, you could. The rules on when sound is and isn’t okay are occasionally stretched. The ending feels aĀ littleĀ cliche. But I think to point out all the flaws in A Quiet PlaceĀ would take away from what is ultimately a hugely enjoyable film.

This is more than a film about the apocalypse, more than a film about monsters, and more than a film about sound. A Quiet PlaceĀ is a film aboutĀ family. It’sĀ about mother and fatherhood, overcoming adversity, and guilt. It’s about growing up.

“A Quiet Place” isn’t just worth seeing because it’s scary (though itĀ certainlyĀ is). It is worth seeing because behind all its fangs and frights, this is a film with a whole lot of heart.

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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 MartellĀ 

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 childrenā€™s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Panā€™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. Milneā€™s 1926 childrenā€™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 brothersā€™ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending thatā€™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 Brothersā€™ 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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