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Mike Flanagan Creates a Beautiful Nightmare in the film “Before I Wake”

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Written by Shannon McGrew

I remember a few years ago a friend of mine sitting me down and saying I had to watch a film called “Absentia” by director Mike Flanagan.  I had no idea what it was about, but taking the advice from a trusted friend, I sat down and watched it.  To say I was blown away is an understatement.  I absolutely loved the film and since then I’ve been following Flanagan’s career closely.

Fast forward to 2016 and two out of three films Flanagan directed are released – Universal Picture’s “Ouija: Origins of Evil” and Netflix’s “Hush”.  Both films are fantastic and I highly suggest watching them, but what we are here to discuss today is his third film, “Before I Wake”.  iHorror reported back in August that the film was supposed to be released in September, but Relativity pushed it back indefinitely (due to the company becoming bankrupt) and sadly, the film may never get to see the proper light of day.

With all the chatter that was surrounding the film, I knew I had to find a way to see it.  Luckily, it’s available for purchase on Amazon Canada and the Blu-ray supports Region A players.  With that in mind, I bought the Blu-ray fully trusting that whatever Flanagan created in this film would be completely worth it and I eagerly awaited its arrival.  I’m happy to report that the wait was so worth it as this film now has become one of my favorites.

“Before I Wake” centers around a young couple who decide to foster an 8-year-old boy named Cody.  They soon come to realize that Cody is terrified of falling asleep, because when he sleeps his dreams begin to materialize. The couple are amazed at what manifests before them, but their awe soon turns to horror as they begin to witness the other side of the coin, as Cody’s nightmares begin to come to life.  The film stars Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Jacob Tremblay and Annabeth Gish.

This film is more than just a horror film; however, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t terrifying images and/or themes presented throughout the movie.  Ultimately, this film is about love, about the bond between parents and their children, about sickness, death and loss and the ways we cope with that.  It’s an emotional film beautifully crafted with amazing performances and visual storytelling.  With all that said, there were still moments in this movie that scared the shit out of me, most notably the visual representation of Cody’s night terrors in the form of “The Canker Man”.

“Before I Wake” got under my skin in a way that few films have.  There were times when it literally terrified me and I could feel the anxiety building as I waited to see how certain scenes would play out.  I also found myself incredibly moved by the overall story that was unfolding.  Butterflies are heavily represented in this film and rightfully so, as they represent transformation and hope as well as life after death.  It’s heavy symbolism for a film that some may just write off as another “scary” movie.  It forces you to see past the superficial layer so that it can reveal the heart and soult of what it really is.

It makes me sad that this film didn’t get the proper promotion and distribution that it deserved.  “Before I Wake” is a unique and beautiful film that has the power to effect those that view it while also terrifying those that are looking for something that has quality scares to it.  It’s a unique juxtaposition that not many films can pull off, but Mike Flanagan does it perfectly with this.  If you want to see the film, do a solid and make sure you order it from Amazon Canada, please don’t resort to illegally streaming or downloading it.  If you are a fan of Flanagan’s other films than I can assure you, you will love this.

 

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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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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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

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.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

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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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

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.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

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.

28 Days Later

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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