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‘Antichrist Superstar’ Turns 20 This Month, Reissue Out October 20th

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Whether or not you’re a fan of his music, you’ve heard of Marilyn Manson. And more than likely, you’ve also heard some of his music on the radio. The opening percussive beat of “The Beautiful People” may help refresh your memory, in case you’re unsure. The song, included on the 1996 album Antichrist Superstar, marked a turning point in the artist’s career due to its success and controversy.

Marilyn Manson is the surname Brian Hugh Warner, the singer of the band – which, also happens to be called Marilyn Manson. The name came about from combining two opposites of pop culture, Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson. The band was founded by Warner and guitarist Scott Putesky (better known as Daisy Berkowitz) as an artistic statement on the hypocrisy that the two found to be prevalent in the American Mainstream. Most notably would be the fixation on the serial killer and the pop star almost indiscriminately; something both fascinating and, to many, very sick.

The band was originally formed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1989, originally being named Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids. Combining a heavy form of music while an outlandish stage show, Marilyn Manson began to quickly garner the attention of the public. Most importantly, they were able to catch the eye of Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, who would go on to help produce the pivotal Antichrist Superstar album in 1996.

antichrist superstar Marilyn Manson

The music on the album, their second full-length after 1994’s Portrait of an American Family, would push the limits as to what American pop culture could handle much past their limits. Topics including violence, sex, and suicide, dominated the album, angering parents and elected officials all across the United States. The first single “The Beautiful People”, released on September 22nd, would feature one of the most iconic music videos of all time (directed by Italian filmmaker Floria Sigismondi) and undoubtedly helped kickstart the sales of the album upon its October 8th release. It would debut at number 3 on the Billboard charts, reportedly selling 132,000 copies the first week of its release.

Antichrist Superstar is a ripping, volatile piece of music that feels very much like a surrealistic nightmare in sonic form. Though there is much importance put into the fierce and shocking imagery of the band, there is just as much attention put into the music itself. This is not, in any way, a throwaway album; it’s an album strong enough to define both the band and the person of Marilyn Manson as a whole. It’s a heavily layered album, featuring a patchwork of noisy guitars, industrial overtones, and Manson’s immediately recognizable vocals to tie everything together.

antichrist superstar marilyn manson brian warner

As rebellious works generally go, there was an immediate opposition to the album by the conservative media. The topics contained within Antichrist Superstar and the band’s heavy anti-Christian outlook shook things up, to say the least. This only caused the popularity of the band to rise, which would continue until sometime in the mid-2000’s. It would seem that Marilyn Manson thrives on controversy, much like any truly rebellious artist. Manson would become one of the biggest things ever to come out of the 1990’s, and while he may not be as controversial as he was when Antichrist Superstar was released, that may be saying more about the sensitivity of the general public than the artist was ever able to say in his own words.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album, a special edition will be released on October 20th, containing a video that was created during the 1996/1997 world tour, which was at the time considered too shocking to be released. According to an interview with MetalInsider.net:

We’re putting out a box set on October 20th, and it has a legendary video that I had to put into a safe for the past 15 years, for reasons that will be revealed when you watch it. I had innocently thought that it was acceptable to use it as sort of a bonus feature on my Dead to the World video for the Antichrist Superstar tour. However, the legal department and my management informed me otherwise. But now it is going to be seen by all. I won’t say anything else to spoil it, just that it captured a moment in time, after I had just moved to Los Angeles. I was living with Twiggy and I had just come off a tour where I got death threats every day. It’s an interesting portrayal of what was happening at the time, but strangely, it doesn’t seem any different than the way I behave now, except that I’m wearing a cowboy hat. That’s about it.

Intriguing. We’ll have to wonder only a few more days until we can all find out what the video contains, but rest assured, the Marilyn Manson fans who have stuck with him since 1996 will be waiting with bated breath.

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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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