News
Zombie Joe’s Underground Theater Showcases the Horror of Suburbia in Their Latest Show “Urban Death”
Written by Shannon McGrew
Situated in the NoHO district of Los Angeles, CA is an unassuming building with large letters above the door that read Z.J.U. To those who aren’t familiar with this destination, if looks just like any other storefront, minus the fact that this one has blackout windows. If you were to sneak a peek inside, what would be waiting for you would be a treasure of horror theatrics that beckon those who have a love of all things terrifying and immersive.
Z.J.U., or Zombie Joe’s Underground Theater, is one of the best spots to experience unique, one-of-a-kind performance art under the broad umbrella of horror. I have been attending shows at ZJU for the past year or so, and each time I leave, I’m left speechless and amazed. With that said, their latest adaptation of their successful “Urban Death” series has quickly become one of my favorites and I’m still sitting here days afterward trying to wrap my head around all that unfolded.
“Urban Death” is a series of performances that have been going on at ZJU for far longer than I have been attending. From what I have gathered through my experiences attending these shows, they are a study into the secret lives of those who appear to have a mundane life. It’s also a glimpse into the last moments of some of those people’s lives as they hang on the precipice between life and death. This definitely isn’t a show for the faint of heart, as it deals with subject matter that is quite disturbing, case in point this performance has a vignette showcasing the moment before a school shooting. If you are sensitive to certain scenarios, I would definitely suggest being mentally prepared before coming to an “Urban Death” show, as you may find yourself understandably upset.
With that warning out of the way, let’s delve into the show itself. There are no frills when it comes to the performances. The set design is minimal in that there is no set design, instead, the actors rely on their performances to paint the picture for the audience. Also, how these actors set up their scenes is nothing less than impressive as it’s all done in pitch black. In between each vignette, the lights go off as the actors silently get into position for their next scene leaving the audience in the dark (pun intended) as to what is going to happen next.
Each performance that these actors do is thought provoking and passionate. The themes run the gamut of real life horrors touching upon subjects that deal with school shootings, sexual assault, and murder to nightmarish visions such as supernatural entities, demons, vampires, and nameless creatures. As with all of Zombie Joe’s shows, they are unapologetic and raw, as the actors stand before the audience (sometimes completely naked) with no inhibitions. It’s incredibly powerful and leaves quite an impression on those that are viewing it. There are a few moments throughout the show where comedy relief is injected so as to give the audience a little breather, but even those have a layer of dread and discomfort intertwined throughout.
Overall, “Urban Death” is an experience that is going to be different for each person. It’s in your face while never holding back which is why I love it so much. It’s a show that may not be for everyone, but for those who are looking for something different or those wanting to push the boundaries of immersive art, then this is going to be right up your alley. “Urban Death” will be playing now until April 29 in North Hollywood and tickets can be purchased at ZombieJoes.Tix.com or by visiting their website at www.zombiejoes.com.
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Movies
Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed
The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.
Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.
The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.
Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”
Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.
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News
Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.
“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.
Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.
The prize also includes:
An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings
A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear
A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room
A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course
The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II
Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two
“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”
Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.
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Movies
’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power
Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.
Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.
Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.
There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.
The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.
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