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Review: ‘DOWNRANGE’ Is A Terrifyingly Modern Horror Movie

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While the horror genre has often been maligned by the mainstream, it cannot be denied that it has helped filter and address some of the darkest issues and anxieties plaguing our society. Most prominently perhaps being the new wave of horror films to hit in the fallout of the Vietnam War with Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and George Romero’s Night Of The Living Dead. Now, there is DOWNRANGE from director Ryuhei Kitamura (Midnight Meat Train, VERSUS).

Image via Youtube

The story follows a group of six friends on their way to a birthday party. Deciding to take the backroads of California, they end up with a flat on an isolated stretch of pavement surrounded by nature, with not another human soul for miles… so it seems. There’s a camo-covered sniper nearby armed with a hunting rifle, and he’s got his victims lined up in his scope. Now, the friends have to band together, use their wits, and try to find a way to survive this onslaught.

Image via Youtube

In many ways, DOWNRANGE is the logical extension of the slasher sub-genre, turning it into a ‘shooter.’ I was fortunate enough to attend a screening with Ryuhei Kitamura in person with the cast and crew, where he discussed the impetus of the project. Talking with his co-writer, Joey O’Bryan, they tried to think of what would be scary. Jason with a machete? Not as scary these days. A spree killer with a gun? Very scary these days. We’re given very little insight into “Rifleman”, his motives, even his voice. Seeing his eerie, piercing gaze as he looks upon the stranded prey and who to strike next, making for a deeply unsettling villain. Reminding me in some ways of John Carpenter’s early classic, Assault On Precinct 13 with it’s armed and dangerous Street Thunder. Though let’s say there’s a scene that’s like Assault On Precinct 13  times 13!

Image via Youtube

The pacing starts off fast and right into the action, slowing down at the beginning to introduce our fateful cast, the tension keeps going and amps up all the way to the end. The deaths are gory as all Hell, with distinct practical fx that make them all the more visceral and memorable. As well, the narrative is twisted enough that it’s hard to guess where things will go next… or how far. As with most slasher movies, the introduction dialogue from our fateful cast of potential victims can feel a little tired, but the characters themselves each stand on their own, such as new guy, Jeff (Anthony Kirlew) and military brat, Keren (Stephanie Pearson) among the group. Successfully avoiding the horror pitfall of unlikable characters, you don’t want to see them in the Rifleman’s cross-hairs. This is one movie that keeps you guessing, so try and go in as blind as possible.

All-In-All, DOWNRANGE is a bloody modern update to a classic sub-genre, and an adrenaline rush of a horror movie with an ending that will make your jaw drop. Watch it April 26th on the SHUDDER app/streaming!

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Brad Dourif Says He’s Retiring Except For One Important Role

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Brad Dourif has been doing movies for nearly 50 years. Now it seems he is walking away from the industry at 74 to enjoy his golden years. Except, there is a caveat.

Recently, digital entertainment publication JoBlo’s Tyler Nichols talked to some of the Chucky television series cast members. During the interview, Dourif made an announcement.

“Dourif said that he’s retired from acting,” says Nichols. “The only reason he came back for the show was because of his daughter Fiona and he considers Chucky creator Don Mancini to be family. But for non-Chucky stuff, he considers himself retired.”

Dourif has voiced the possessed doll since 1988 (minus the 2019 reboot). The original movie “Child’s Play” has become such a cult classic it’s at the top of some people’s best chillers of all time. Chucky himself is ingrained in pop culture history much like Frankenstein or Jason Voorhees.

While Dourif may be known for his famous voiceover, he is also an Oscar-nominated actor for his part in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Another famous horror role is The Gemini Killer in William Peter Blatty’s Exorcist III. And who can forget Betazoid Lon Suder in Star Trek: Voyager?

The good news is that Don Mancini is already pitching a concept for season four of Chucky which might also include a feature-length movie with a series tie-in. So, Although Dourif says he is retiring from the industry, ironically he is Chucky’s friend till the end.

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Editorial

7 Great ‘Scream’ Fan Films & Shorts Worth a Watch

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The Scream franchise is such an iconic series, that many budding filmmakers take inspiration from it and make their own sequels or, at least, build upon the original universe created by screenwriter Kevin Williamson. YouTube is the perfect medium to showcase these talents (and budgets) with fan-made homages with their own personal twists.

The great thing about Ghostface is that he can appear anywhere, in any town, he just needs the signature mask, knife, and unhinged motive. Thanks to Fair Use laws it’s possible to expand upon Wes Craven’s creation by simply getting a group of young adults together and killing them off one by one. Oh, and don’t forget the twist. You’ll notice that Roger Jackson’s famous Ghostface voice is uncanny valley, but you get the gist.

We have gathered five fan films/shorts related to Scream that we thought were pretty good. Although they can’t possibly match the beats of a $33 million blockbuster, they get by on what they have. But who needs money? If you’re talented and motivated anything is possible as proven by these filmmakers who are well on their way to the big leagues.

Take a look at the below films and let us know what you think. And while you’re at it, leave these young filmmakers a thumbs up, or leave them a comment to encourage them to create more films. Besides, where else are you going to see Ghostface vs. a Katana all set to a hip-hop soundtrack?

Scream Live (2023)

Scream Live

Ghostface (2021)

Ghostface

Ghost Face (2023)

Ghost Face

Don’t Scream (2022)

Don’t Scream

Scream: A Fan Film (2023)

Scream: A Fan Film

The Scream (2023)

The Scream

A Scream Fan Film (2023)

A Scream Fan Film
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Another Creepy Spider Movie Hits Shudder This Month

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Good spider films are a theme this year. First, we had Sting and then there was Infested. The former is still in theaters and the latter is coming to Shudder starting April 26.

Infested has been getting some good reviews. People are saying that it’s not only a great creature feature but also a social commentary on racism in France.

According to IMDb: Writer/director Sébastien Vanicek was looking for ideas around the discrimination faced by black and Arab-looking people in France, and that led him to spiders, which are rarely welcome in homes; whenever they’re spotted, they’re swatted. As everyone in the story (people and spiders) is treated like vermin by society, the title came to him naturally.

Shudder has become the gold standard for streaming horror content. Since 2016, the service has been offering fans an expansive library of genre movies. in 2017, they began to stream exclusive content.

Since then Shudder has become a powerhouse in the film festival circuit, buying distribution rights to movies, or just producing some of their own. Just like Netflix, they give a film a short theatrical run before adding it to their library exclusively for subscribers.

Late Night With the Devil is a great example. It was released theatrically on March 22 and will begin streaming on the platform starting April 19.

While not getting the same buzz as Late Night, Infested is a festival favorite and many have said if you suffer from arachnophobia, you might want to take heed before watching it.

Infested

According to the synopsis, our main character, Kalib is turning 30 and dealing with some family issues. “He’s fighting with his sister over an inheritance and has cut ties with his best friend. Fascinated by exotic animals, he finds a venomous spider in a shop and brings it back to his apartment. It only takes a moment for the spider to escape and reproduce, turning the whole building into a dreadful web trap. The only option for Kaleb and his friends is to find a way out and survive.”

The film will be available to watch on Shudder starting April 26.

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