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[SXSW Review] ‘Ghost Stories’ is an Effectively-Spooky Throwback to Hammer Classics

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Stories

If you are a fan of Hammer Films, you are in luck. The very British and somewhat William Castle aligned, Ghost Stories anthology film is going to be precisely your cup of tea.

Ghost Stories centralizes on Professor Goodman (Andy Nyman), a supernatural skeptic, out to disprove every bit of otherworldliness that shows its face in the public eye. After a long, successful track record of bringing down big name paranormal fakes, Goodman is asked by a personal hero to investigate and attempt to disprove three case files, described as “unexplainable.”

From there the film breaks off into an interesting exploration of science versus the unexplainable and the possibilities of an afterlife. Those themes are surveyed within the three cases.

Each case breaks down into its own ‘ghost story,’ told by one of three characters who believes they have had a truly supernatural experience. Each, story begins with Goodman taking note of each character’s details before diving into the spooky vignette of what occurred to them.

Each story plays out with its own chilling sequence of horrors ranging from things that go bump in the night to run ins with the supernatural inhabitants of the woods. Ghost Stories does a fantastic job making those elements hair-raising and even manage to sculpt a few good jump scares. The problem is that the stories within Ghost Stories, feel too short and almost incomplete. One second you are being invested in someone’s trauma; the next you are yanked away to someone else’s narrative. I would have liked to have seen more of each character’s story as opposed to being all too quickly shifted around.

Unlike, the majority of anthology films, this one’s wrap-around narrative is the focus of the whole thing, making the overall centralized skeptic plot the thing that eventually ties everything together for an interesting twist. While most of these kinds of films throw in a twist ending for funsies, Ghost Stories has one that is actually justified and in a way, changes the meaning of the stories in-between.

Stories

Ghost Stories is a much more serious film that I supposed it would be from its trailer. There are a few laughs peppered in occasionally but the brunt of the film is somber. It’s Hammer sensibilities make for a cut and dry-whited approach that has obvious reverence for the classics.

Writer/Directors, Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman deliver something that feels personal in its grander ideas. Along with that they manage to push engaging drama out alongside the things that go bump in the night. The deeply flawed and tortured characters are fleshed out in great detail through their pre-ghost story confessions. In addition, these guys do a heck of a job executing precise, suspenseful beats once they do dive into the spooky bits, making for a super well-rounded film experience.

Case number two, featuring Alex Lawther (Black Mirror, The End of the Fucking World) is my personal favorite of the bunch. Lawther’s fragile state as the psychologically haunted Simon Rifkind, is a fantastically disarming approach. Outside of the character, case number two is just plain scary from beginning to end. I definitely would have loved to see more of this one in particular. Excellent stuff, and something I’m going to have glued to the back of my skull the next time I’m driving down lonely country roads.

Ghost Stories is the first heady anthology that I can recall. What you are seeing the entire time might not necessarily be what is at face-value and I appreciate that as well as its bigger themes. Ghost Stories has the bones of a classic and is effectively terrifying. It has plenty of creeping flesh inducing moments complete with effective gags. As a collector and outright fan of anthologies, Ghost Stories is a good one that offers a nice twist on the genre.

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A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

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It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

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Louis Leterrier

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

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atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

Airport ’75

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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