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For Todd Tucker, “The Terror of Hallow’s Eve” is More Than Just a Movie

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A few years ago, Todd Tucker wasn’t sure how he felt about Hollywood and the way that film distribution, among other things, was being handled.

The head of a major make-up effects company, Tucker had also directed a couple of films at the time and even had a pretty cool list of acting credits.  Still, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to helm another film.

Time passed, and Tucker decided the time was right to try again, but he knew that if he did, it would have to really mean something.  He set to work and before long The Terror of Hallow’s Eve was born.  The premise came from his own experiences with bullying as a teenager.  Add a dark twist, and he soon had a horror film that is simultaneously nostalgic and new.

The next step, naturally, was bringing together the right ingredients.

“I really wanted it to feel like you were just watching what was going on in this kid’s life rather than like someone is acting out a story,” Tucker explained.  “So it was really important that the real world stuff felt grounded but when we got to the fantasy stuff, I just went balls out!”

Balls out might just be the best description for the story that unfolds in The Terror of Hallow’s Eve.

Tim, the fifteen year old protagonist, who has a talent for designing monsters, has not had the easiest life.  His father is gone; his mother is at her wits’ end, and to top it all off, three bullies decided to kick the crap out of him today.  Little does he realize when he finds an odd book in the attic it is the key to payback.  He also didn’t realize that the payback would cost him everything.

JT Neal, Niko Papastefanou, Caleb Thomas, and Mcabe Gregg (Photo by Michael Garcia at Think Jam)

After reading from the mysterious tome, a character from its pages enters his own reality.  His name is the Trickster and he tells Tim, in no uncertain terms, that he’s there to grant his wish:  to scare his bullies to death.

“I love the Trickster!  He is so cool,” Tucker laughed.  “I truly believe if the Trickster hadn’t worked, this film wouldn’t be what it is.”

Fortunately for Tucker, the Trickster did work, but it took a lot of patience and one talented character actor to finally bring it together.

“It started out as a fully animatronic puppet,” the director explained.  “It looked cool and it had a really cool effect, but it just wasn’t giving us what we needed.”

As luck would have it, Doug Jones was already working on the film as an ominous, okay terrifying, character named Scarecrow.  Tucker called Doug in and asked if he would take a pass at the Trickster after filming was already completed.  With some make-up, a little CGI magic, and a shoot in front of a green screen, the Trickster finally, and brilliantly, came to life.  They even gave Jones the opportunity to use his own voice in the film, which is a rarity for the prolific actor.

For the real characters, Tucker searched high and low for actors who could not only play bullies, but who honestly looked like the bullies from his past.  He asserts that the three actors (JT Neal, Mcabe Gregg, and Niko Papastefanou) look almost exactly like the boys he remembers from his youth.

Then came Sarah Lancaster and Christian Kane who play Tim’s mother and absent father in the film.

Christian Kane, Todd Tucker, and Sarah Lancaster (Photo by Michael Garcia at Think Jam)

“Sarah really embodied my mother well,” Tucker says.  “There was a scene where things get aggressive between Tim and Mom, and I actually had to step away for a few minutes and chill out.  It was so real and so true to what had actually happened in real life.  But that’s what I wanted.  I knew that if it felt that real to me, it would feel the same to other people.  That’s not only what I wanted, but also what I needed for the film to work.”

Caleb Thomas, who plays the 15 year old version of the director, was really the final piece of the puzzle for Tucker who hired the actor without a formal audition.

“I had to find someone who could be the introverted, nerdy kid with a slightly dark side that I was back then.  I had a short conversation with Caleb via Skype,” he explained.  “He was working in Italy on a film for Nickelodeon and by the time we were done speaking, I was ready to hire him.  I knew he was the guy.”

On a final but oh so fun casting note, Juliet Landau, who you might remember as the dreamy and deadly vampire Drusilla from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, also makes an appearance, adding to that nostalgic feel of the film.  Todd, once again, had a little surprise for me when we were discussing her role, however.  It turns out she also stepped in to play one of the shadowy creatures who haunts his bullies in the film.

“She used to be a dancer, and she has this cool control over her body movement,” the director said.  “So, we had her do this cool, really weird walk stepping out of the shadows and it was horrifying!  In fact, it almost made my actors cry.”

As the elements fell into place, with beautifully colored textures for the nightmarish sequences and terrifyingly real looking monsters, Todd Tucker knew he’d found just the right recipe for his film.

“That was the trick of the whole thing, trying to make it feel like a brand new movie that you saw 20 years ago.”

Mission accomplished, Mr. Tucker!  The Terror of Hallow’s Eve is ultimately a horror film with heart and an anti-bullying message that is subtly but effectively played, and that’s something you just don’t get to say very often in this business.

The Terror of Hallow’s Eve will premiere at FrightFest in London  the weekend of August 28th!  Check out the trailer below, and when you see the film look for Mr. Tucker himself, playing Tim all grown up at the end of the film in one of the coolest meta twists I’ve ever seen!

(Featured image by Michael Garcia at Think Jam)

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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