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Horror Movie Blu-ray Review: Anaconda

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Horror Movies on Tubi - Lopez in Anaconda

Horror Movie Blu-ray Review: Anaconda

The recent Blu-ray release of Lake Placid put me in the mood to revisit other killer animal creature features, so it’s kismet that 1997’s Anaconda is being re-released on Blu-ray just a few weeks later. Although the film debuted on the format in 2009 via Sony, Mill Creek Entertainment recently picked up the rights and re-issued the title.

Written by Top Gun duo Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr. along with Hans Bauer (Titan A.E.), Anaconda’s plot is a simple one. A documentary crew travels through the Amazon rainforest by river barge in hopes of capturing the elusive native people known as the “People of the Mist” on film for the first time. While in search of one great mystery of the expansive Amazon, the hapless group discovers another: a 40-foot, man-eating anaconda. Like that, the hunters become the hunted. Tensions (and stakes) raise even higher when it’s revealed that one crew member is in it for the snake and considers the others expendable.

The film is driven by an ensemble cast. Jennifer Lopez takes top billing as documentary director Terri Flores; this was the same year as her breakout performance in Selena and before she began her music career. Ice Cube (Friday), who plays the cameraman, was still in the transition process from hardcore rapper to family-friendly entertainer. Jon Voight (Deliverance) rocks a ponytail and his best attempt at a Paraguayan accent as snake poacher Paul Serone. Eric Stoltz (Mask) portrays Dr. Steven Cale, an anthropologist who is an expert on the indigenous tribes.

Rounding out the cast is Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers) as the sound guy, Vincent Castellanos (The Crow: City of Angels) as the barge’s captain, Kari Wuhrer (Eight Legged Freaks) as the production manager, and Jonathan Hyde (The Mummy) as the documentary’s snooty narrator. Danny Trejo (Machete) has a small role as an ill-fated poacher in the opening scene. While none of the film’s performances are particularly memorable, the eclectic ensemble is perhaps, even more, to watch all these years later, given the different trajectories their careers have taken since ’97.

Director Luis Llosa (The Specialist) makes the mistake of showing the anaconda – in its unconvincing animatronic puppet form – attacking an animal prey before the crew is even aware of its existence. The anaconda itself isn’t particularly scary. For its more spry work, the snake was created with CGI, which is dated but remains better than the average Syfy flick. In fact, the technology was cutting edge at the time, reportedly costing $100,000 per second (which would explain the $45 million budget).

The filmmakers succumbed to studio pressure to make the movie PG-13 rather than the originally intended R rating, so there’s not much gore – which I can’t help but believe would have increased the entertainment value – and some obvious ADR was used to remove cursing. There is, however, an emergency tracheotomy that still makes me squirm. Some of the snake attacks, although bloodless, are fairly effective as well.

Like its previous Blu-ray incarnation and the DVD before that, Anaconda, unfortunately, carries no special features. The release is about as bare-bones as it gets; no trailers, no subtitles, no pop-up menu. I would love to hear what any of the cast members have to say about the production, but alas that probably won’t ever happen. Mill Creek, however, offers a budget-friendly disc; you can’t complain about a Blu-ray that retails for under 8 bucks. More importantly, the high-definition presentation looks good, bringing the lush Amazon to the comfort of your living room.

Anaconda grossed $137 million at the box office worldwide. Surprisingly, it wasn’t turned into a franchise until 2004, when Anacondas: The Hunt for Blood Orchid slithered into theaters. The third and fourth installments premiered on Syfy in 2008 and 2009, respectively. As is often the case, the original remains the best. Dated and formulaic as it may be, Anaconda is a fun creature feature.

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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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