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Horror Master George Romero has Died

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7 years ago

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It is a sad day for horror fans.  George A. Romero whose work defined an entire sub-genre of horror died today after a brief battle with an aggressive form of lung cancer.  The director and writer was 77 years old.

Romero burst onto the scene with his 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead.  The film centered on a group of survivors taking refuge in a secluded home as flesh eating zombies closed in on them.  It was a standout film for multiple reasons, not the least of which was his casting of Duane Jones, a black man, as the lead.  The controversial move made movie goers sit up and pay attention.  On the surface, this was a horror movie, but down deep, they knew it was something more.

Romero would add Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead, and Survival of the Dead to his zombie family over a period of 41 years.  He used the films to voice his opinions of the changing world and the socio-political climate of the times they were released.  In 1978 when he saw the U.S. being consumed by materialism his survivors hid out in a shopping mall.  In 2005, he took on the modern caste system, as his survivors lived inside a gated city, but only the truly wealthy could find a place in the inner sanctum and count themselves safe from zombie attack.

In each scenario, Romero picked apart societal norms and pointed a bloody finger at the people who were the real monsters.  He was never heavy handed with the symbolism, however.  He never felt the need to be.

“I don’t try to answer any questions or preach,” he once said.  “My personality and my opinions come through in the satire of the films, but I think of them as a snapshot of the time. I have this device, or conceit, where something happens in the world and I can say, ‘Ooo, I’ll talk about that, and I can throw zombies in it! And get it made!’ You know, it’s kind of my ticket to ride.”

It wasn’t only zombies for Romero, however.  Many will remember his strange vampire story Martin from 1978.  It was, according to legend, Romero’s favorite of his own films because the final product was the closest to his own beginning vision.  A young man named Martin, who claims to be nearing 90, believes he is a vampire.  He arrives at his uncle’s home seeking salvation from his thirst but all does not go according to plan.  It’s a masterpiece that isn’t shown nearly enough during Halloween horror marathons.

Along the way, he also gave us The Dark Half (adapted from Stephen King’s novel), Monkey Shines, and the cult anthology Creepshow (for which I will personally be eternally grateful).

Romero, at 6’5″ towered over most of his stars, but he was the gentlest of giants, and fans and collaborators took to social media to remember the legend as word spread.

According to reports from the L.A. Times, Romero died at home while listening to his favorite film score, 1952’s The Quite Man  His wife, Suzanne, and daughter, Tina, were at his side.

The horror world will never be the same without this steady, Brooklyn-laced voice of the common man within it. We at iHorror extend our condolences to Mr. Romero’s family.  We mourn with you…

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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6 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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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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7 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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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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9 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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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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