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Beyondfest Review: ‘Brawl in Cell Block 99’ Is an Epic of Tension and Beatdowns

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It’s that marvelous time of year in Hollywood. Halloween draws near. Horror and genre films are highlighted. And Beyondfest returns to blow our minds with premieres, revival screenings, and kick-ass shows! To start things with a brain-busting bang, opening night was the west coast premiere of Bone Tomahawk writer/director/composer S. Craig Zahler’s latest offering, Brawl In Cell Block 99.

I would like to caution that this review may contain some minor spoilers.

Brawl follows Bradley Thomas (Vince Vaughn), a down on his luck former fighter who is fired from his job as a tow trucker the same day he finds out his wife, Lauren (Jennifer Carpenter) has been cheating on him. Desperate, and wanting to keep his family together, Bradley finds a new line of work as a drug runner. His wife apologizes, they live in a nice home together, and all seems to finally be going well. But after a pick-up goes wrong, Bradley finds himself behind bars in medium security for several years. To make matters worse, his former employers tell him to track down a man in maximum security and kill him as a reprisal… or else. With little choice, Bradley Thomas must fight his way into the deepest bowels of the penal system.

That’s about as bare a synopses as I can give, and this is definitely the type of movie you want to go into as blindly as possible. Much like Bone TomahawkBrawl is a masterwork in building tension before exploding in beautifully choreographed displays of violence and brutality. So, while it isn’t necessarily an action sequence a minute, when push comes to shove, you will be knocked to the back of your seat. Once again, Zahler shows his skills as every conversation and dialogue Bradley has with supporting characters can be rather riveting, such as a his tense refusal when a CO tries to get Bradley to join the prison boxing league.

Image via Youtube

The film features a well built ensemble cast, with Vince Vaughn taking the lead. Though his attempts to move out of comedy and toward more dramatic roles such as in season 2 of True Detective have been met with mixed success, this will definitely go down as the movie that cements Vaughn’s abilities. We learn a minimal amount of Bradley Thomas’ backstory, but Vaughn truly introduces us to the character and tells us more about him from his demeanor and course of actions than any flashback could. Not to mention you will be borderline frightened of just what Vaughn is capable of after watching Brawl. Jennifer Carpenter works well off of Vaughn’s character, giving the fighting juggernaut an emotional and human anchor outside of his gritty life and with an edge of her own. As well, Don Johnson and Udo Kier have prominent and quite memorable supporting roles throughout, and are their peak in terms of acting threateningly.

The film is evocative of a lot of prison, crime, and grindhouse films of the 60’s and 70’s, with a funky and catchy soundtrack composed by Zahler as the cherry on top.

So, if you’re game for a well paced fistfight through prison, I would highly recommend turning yourself in for Brawl In Cell Block 99 when it comes out on October 6th.

Image via IMDB.com

Feature Image via TIFF.com

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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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‘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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