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The Thanksgiving Slasher You Never Knew Existed

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Think you have seen every slasher film there is — every one that takes place on a United States holiday circa the 80’s? Think again.

This Thanksgiving gem is called “Blood Rage,” originally “Nightmare at Shadow Woods,” but if you watch it on Amazon Prime right now you’ll notice the title credit sequence has it as “Slasher.” Confused? Just look for “Blood Rage” on Amazon.

You see, in 1987 the film had a theatrical run but was heavily edited and released as “Nightmare at Shadow Woods,” Arrow has resurrected it, put all the missing pieces back and re-released it on DVD.

In the title role is whiskey voiced Louise Lasser as the matriarch of twins Todd and Terry; one a sociopath the other his pawn. In the cold open amid synth-heavy Casio keyboard midi claps and cymbals, we are introduced to the young twins at a  drive-in theater with their mom and her new beau.

The boys sneak out of the car and spy another couple in mid coitus. The young Terry somehow has an axe and bludgeons the man’s face with the blade then implicates his twin. As a result Todd is institutionalized having been fingered for the crime.

Todd is catatonic but escapes the hospital ten years later. Meanwhile his twin, the real guilty one, is enjoying Thanksgiving with mom who makes an announcement she is engaged. For some reason Todd isn’t thankful for this revelation and goes on a killing spree. His victims are high school (college?) friends although, it’s not clear why.

As slasher movies go, this one is surprisingly gory. Although the kills aren’t that great, you’ll appreciate the department workroom’s detailed and sometimes effective attempts at viscera.

Who doesn’t love when a therapist is separated from the bottom half of her body and her legs continue to move? Or soon-to-be-stepdad is be-handed with a beer still attached — It’s really cult gold. Especially one scene involving the same stepdad in an office chair (wait for it).

It’s sort of American Psycho without the etiquette or wealth.

Mark Soper plays both Terry and his twin brother. He gives a sort of humorous side to Terry, trying to perfect the 80’s art of zingers before or after some kills. “It’s not cranberry sauce,” he says at one point after tasting the blood spatter on his jersey. So that’s what you’ve got to work with for 90 minutes.

But through its thigh hemmed gym shorts, calf length striped tube socks, headbands and feathered hair  “Blood Rage” isn’t at all bad.

All the tropes are there if only briefly and the cube in the Magic 8 Ball would make a better script, this 80’s blood bath should be more of a cult classic than it is: heavy handed piano F and F sharp keys notwithstanding. This is strictly-by-the numbers horror fare, none of them prime.

It has a high body count and a twist ending so awkward you’ll writhe in discomfort as the performers try to method act their way out of it.

Undeniably campy, overacted and with an overstuffed gimmick, “Blood Rage” is a finely cooked turkey just in time for Thanksgiving.

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‘Longlegs’ Creepy “Part 2” Teaser Appears on Instagram

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Longlegs

Neon Films released an Insta-teaser for their horror film Longlegs today. Titled Dirty: Part 2, the clip only furthers the mystery of what we are in for when this movie is finally released on July 12.

The official logline is: FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes unexpected turns, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

Directed by former actor Oz Perkins who also gave us The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel, Longlegs is already creating buzz with its moody images and cryptic hints. The film is rated R for bloody violence, and disturbing images.

Longlegs stars Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, and Alicia Witt.

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Exclusive Sneak Peek: Eli Roth and Crypt TV’s VR Series ‘The Faceless Lady’ Episode Five

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Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) and Crypt TV are knocking it out of the park with their new VR show, The Faceless Lady. For those unaware, this is the first fully scripted VR horror show on the market.

Even for masters of horror like Eli Roth and Crypt TV, this is a monumental undertaking. However, if I trust anyone to change the way that we experience horror, it would be these two legends.

The Faceless Lady

Ripped from the pages of Irish folklore, The Faceless Lady tells the story of a tragic spirit cursed to wander the halls of her castle for all of eternity. However, when three young couples are invited to the castle for a series of games, their fates may soon change.

So far, the story has provided horror fans with a gripping game of life or death that doesn’t look as if it will slow down in episode five. Luckily, we have an exclusive clip that may be able to satiate your appetites until the new premiere.

Airing on 4/25 at 5pmPT/8pmET, episode five follows our final three contestants in this wicked game. As the stakes are raised ever higher, will Ella be able to fully awaken her connection with Lady Margaret?

The faceless lady

The newest episode can be found on Meta Quest TV. If you haven’t already, follow this link to subscribe to the series. Make sure to check out the new clip below.

Eli Roth Present’s THE FACELESS LADY S1E5 Clip: THE DUEL – YouTube

To view in the highest resolution, adjust the quality settings in the bottom right corner of the clip.

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‘Blink Twice’ Trailer Presents a Thrilling Mystery in Paradise

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A new trailer for the movie formerly known as Pussy Island just dropped and it has us intrigued. Now with the more restrained title, Blink Twice, this  Zoë Kravitz-directed black comedy is set to land in theaters on August 23.

The film is packed with stars including Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Alia Shawkat, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Haley Joel Osment, Christian Slater, Kyle MacLachlan, and Geena Davis.

The trailer feels like a Benoit Blanc mystery; people are invited to a secluded location and disappear one by one, leaving one guest to figure out what is going on.

In the film, a billionaire named Slater King (Channing Tatum) invites a waitress named Frida (Naomi Ackie) to his private island, “It’s paradise. Wild nights blend into sun-soaked days and everyone’s having a great time. No one wants this trip to end, but as strange things start to happen, Frida begins to question her reality. There is something wrong with this place. She’ll have to uncover the truth if she wants to make it out of this party alive.”

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