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Exclusive look at ‘The Houses October Built 2’

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It’s time to load up the RV with your favorite snacks, beer, and your four best friends because we’re road tripping again in The Houses October Built 2!  This time the crew in The Houses October Built 2 aren’t limiting themselves to extreme haunted houses, but also exploring other Halloween attractions to celebrate the witching season.  That’s right, the crew from Houses October Built are back for more!

Having survived the catastrophic events one year prior at the hands of the Blue Skeleton, reportedly the most extreme haunt in the industry, the group of five friends instantly gain celebrity status once their filmed experience goes viral.  Brandy, in particular, the only female of the group, is catapulted to the top of the group’s fame as she is given the name ‘Coffin Girl’ by 24 million viewers online.  However, unlike her male counterparts, she wants nothing to do with the fame nor their plan to capitalize on it.

Having survived their horrifying experience has seriously messed with Brandy’s head and has left some very deep scars.  She continues to live out her existence but prefers to do so quietly.  She even dyes her black hair blonde to physically separate herself from the girl the internet knows her as, and to put as much distance between herself and ‘Coffin Girl’ as possible.

Seeing the dollar signs their survival experience has created, the men want to cash in on their newfound opportunity.  However, there is one snag; the Halloween events and haunts that are paying for them to visit and review their attractions on social media don’t want just them, they want Brandy.  Without Coffin Girl the group’s fan appeal plummets, as does the money that accompanies it.  They desperately try to bring an apprehensive Brandy on board with the allure of money, fame, and a good time that doesn’t involve extreme haunts.  They promise it will be different this time.  Will she take the bait and join them for a second unpredictable round on the road, or will she let the fear that stalks her win?

Director and writer Bobby Roe knew he couldn’t go back to the well by having the cast visit the same type of attractions known as ‘extreme haunts’ which he explored in his first movie, so the group of friends widens their net.  While I don’t want to spoil all of their destinations I feel very confident in saying Halloween aficionados will certainly appreciate the sights they see on their tour!  The Zombie Pub Crawl is by far one of my favorite events on their list.  However, the adult themed haunted attraction with the promise of seeing laser tits is a very close second! Let me say that again, #LaserTits!

Roe was also very smart in his choice for why these friends are hitting the road again.  The appeal of fame and money is hard to resist, and to intertwine the social media aspect that not only lead to their initial fame but also sponsors their new adventure is genius.

There were many times I felt removed from the horror movie aspect of the film and wished I was in that RV traveling the roads with this crew.  That’s not to say Roe didn’t know what type of movie he was making, just the opposite in fact.  While it begins as a buddy road trip Roe never lets you forget this is a horror movie, and throughout the film, he peppers in moments that remind you this is still a horror movie.  This building technique is masterful and sets you up for a finale that is so off the wall crazy that it will blow your mind!

One of the things I absolutely love about these movies, this sequel, in particular, is that these five actors seem like real life friends.  Their ease and natural flow of dialogue could have easily been improved while hitting their plot points.  That is a compliment not just to the actors and their acting style, but also to the script.  This Scooby Gang is so believable, and even more importantly likable, which is very rare for a horror movie these days.  Usually, horror movie characters are just bodies for the pile, but I wanted to crack open a beer with these cool cats and chill.

The approach Roe takes in spending the time to make you feel like a sixth friend on board this trip is what separates him from the other horror movie directors and writers out there.  He doesn’t try to beat the clock and fill it with cheap scares and excessive gore, he lets it develop organically.  Like a fine wine, he lets the movie breathe so you can fully enjoy the horror once it hits your palette.

Cast and script aside, Roe’s growth as a writer and director is very apparent in The Houses October Built 2.  While the first Houses is an enjoyable good time that merits a re-watch, Houses 2 opened up a new world for the young director.  Roe explored new avenues in filming and editing that were initially untapped in his first movie, presumably due to a smaller budget and less experience under his belt.  These factors no longer restrain him any longer.

Aerial shots, haunting music, and beautiful locations including day shots all captured a new feel that still belongs in the world Roe created with the initial film.  He took what he learned in making the first movie and was very smart in applying these new techniques to The Houses October Built 2.

The last thing I want to do is spoil the movie for all of your horror hounds out there, but I must say the ending is monumental!  The Houses October Built 2 is one of the most sophisticated, scary, intelligent, and fun horror movies of the year and is guaranteed to stay with you long after viewing.

Watch the trailer for The Houses October Built 2 below!  Soon to be released on September 22, 2017!

 

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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 Martell 

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 children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’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. Milne’s 1926 children’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 brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’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 Brothers’ 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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