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Horror in Black and White: ‘Cat People’ (1942)

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Hello Readers, and welcome to Horror in Black and White, a brand new series highlighting the classic films that chilled and thrilled us in all their monochromatic glory, and I can think of no better film for our first outing than Cat People 1942.

Written by DeWitt Bodeen and directed by Jacques Tourneur, Cat People was the first film from producer Val Lewton for RKO Pictures in an attempt to compete with Universal’s magnificent monsters.

In the film, Irena Dubrovna (Simone Simon), a fashion artist newly arrived in New York from Serbia, has found a home close to the zoo where she is comforted by the sounds of the large cats. Though she’s reluctant, Irena marries Oliver Reed (Kent Smith), and it’s only then that he begins to realize who she might really be.

Irena believes she is descended from powerful women who, when their passions rise, morph into fierce and dangerous cats themselves, and Oliver might just believe her.

It was almost impossible to take your eyes off Simone Simon in Val Lewton’s Cat People.

Now, if you’re sure you’ve never seen Cat People before, but you’re thinking you’ve heard this story, you’re not entirely wrong.

Bodeen’s story was steeped in Old World folklore and fairy tale archetypes. The repressed sexuality of Irena echoes that of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty; her curiosity that of Little Red Riding Hood when she strayed from the path.

The battle between desire and control is strong in this film, and Simon radiates both. In fact, it’s almost impossible to look away from her magnetic eyes in almost every scene.

Lewton was seemingly up against the wall from day one of the 18 day shoot. Three days in, the supervisor wanted him fired, but the studio head stepped in and forbade his firing. It may be one of the few times a meddling studio head was right!

Lewton pinched pennies right and left coming in under budget by using shadow and light to his advantage. He instinctively knew just how much to show the black panther in the film and understood the flash of an eye in the darkness could be much more terrifying than seeing the creature in full.

Lewton’s use of shadow was pure genius.

Perhaps it was his time as a film editor that gave him this insight, but Lewton’s eye combined with Tourneur’s direction created a film that is both atmospheric and terrifying. It’s the perfect film for a rainy evening in, and one that I cannot recommend enough.

The film was a success at the box office despite mixed reviews, and cemented Lewton’s reputation for creating successful horror films though that reputation often chafed in the years to come…but that’s a story for another day.

One final note: Irena is, in many ways, all women of her time. The sexual revolution was still decades away however, and unfortunately her story falls prey to the conventions of the time. A woman with that much power simply couldn’t survive.

I have often wondered what a female writer and director could do with this story in a more modern setting. I think it would be a very different film, but one that I would love to see, personally. I only have one request: Do it in black and white.

Cat People is currently available for rent on both Amazon and Vudu for only $2.99.

Join us again next week for our next edition of Horror in Black and White!

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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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