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Horror Pride Month: Make-Up Designer and Entrepeneur Thomas Ariel Zeek

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A lot of talk goes on during Pride Month about corporate pandering. Companies around the world suddenly get really queer-friendly, only to disappear when the month of June ends. During this time, it’s important to rally around and support queer-owned businesses, and Thomas Ariel Zeek and his company, Gothic Garden Cosmetics, are exactly what we mean.

I spoke to Thomas on a typical morning in May as he wrangled his kids ages seven, five, and three, took care of the family dog, and somehow managed to carve out a little time to tell me his remarkable story.

He and his wife met several years ago when Thomas was a high school senior and his wife was a college freshman. They both hung out at the same mall with friends, and Thomas admits he had never noticed her, but she had definitely spotted him.

As a joke, he and a friend made a dating profile for himself and lo and behold, his wife was there. They spoke on the phone for two weeks, and after their first meeting, something just clicked and things progressed as they do.

When Thomas became pregnant with their first child, small things he’d thought about himself before became much larger. He began seeing a therapist and working through those feelings which ultimately led to his coming out.

It has been just over three years since Thomas fully embraced his trans identity, and he’s been taking hormones for two years, now. At the same time, his wife also came out as a trans woman and began her transition, as well.

She’s an army veteran and due to complications during her service, suffers from a small tremor that made it nearly impossible to apply make-up herself. Thomas, naturally, stepped in and began helping her outside match who she was on in the inside.

That was when they began to run into a few issues.

“There were shades that we wanted that we couldn’t find on mattes that were workable,” he explained. “I tried a lot of different name brands and couldn’t find the colors she wanted that would blend really well. So, I started studying the science of make-up and began developing my own.”

As the colors and shades began to come to life and he finally had what they’d both been searching for, he found that he had a surplus of his creations. With a little encouragement from his wife and friends, Thomas took the plunge and began to sell his creations.

“It takes a while to come out with new palettes,” he admitted, “but that’s because I formulate and formulate, testing the products, and sending them out to friends with different skin types. I never want to have a product that I don’t feel good about. I’m really proud of what I’ve created.”

As a lifelong horror fan with a special place in his heart for supernatural and paranormal films like Poltergeist and The Conjuring, Zeek’s creations reflected those darker sensibilities first in single shades which then expanded into palettes of colors that speak to him personally.

“I’m a huge horror fan,” he said. “It’s sort of my coping mechanism. When I’m having a lot of anxiety, I’ll turn on a horror movie and it actually relaxes me. I’ve always had a soft-goth appearance. I may dress formally on occasion but I always wear combat boots. I collect decorative skulls and display them year around. That just kind of mirrored itself into my company.”

That company has become one of his children, and he spoke lovingly about how both he and Gothic Gardens have grown in the last year.

In the beginning, selling single shades, Zeek painstakingly crafted individual envelopes for shipping. When he expanded to creating full quads and larger palettes, he knew he wanted something different that was still unique in its presentation.

He committed himself to learning the process of book binding, and began creating hand bound small books for each of his creations.

Thomas Ariel Zeek does nothing half way.

In fact, at the moment, he’s working on a series of eyebrow pomades that will be releasing soon designing brushes that look like quill pens with the pomades stored in inkwell-style containers.

But what does he have available, now?

First up is The Garden Pond View quad.

“It kind of tells the story of finding a pond in a little gothic garden and the colors you’d see there,” Zeek explained.

Garden Pond Thomas Ariel Zeek

The Garden Pond View quad is made up of Nightmare Lilies, Glistening Pond Ripple, Midnight Pond, and Mossy Dew.

Then there’s The Garden Bed quad which Zeek explained is based on the colors you might find in his Gothic Garden.

The Garden Bed

The Garden Bed boasts gorgeous colors titled Baby’s Breath, Scarecrow, Morning Marigolds, and Seedling.

Hidden Cemetery is a stunning palette of colors that plays out its own horror story of finding a mysterious unmarked grave.

Hidden Cemetery Thomas Ariel Zeek

The Hidden Cemetery Quad features Kiss of Death, Lifeless Eyes, Blood-Stained, and Unmarked Grave.

When Valentine’s Day was looming, Zeek committed to creating a color palette that was unlike anything he’d seen for what is normally marketed as a romantic couples’ holiday.

“I called it the Not So Romantic Goth,” Zeek said, sheepishly. “It sort of came from the idea that sex and love aren’t always connected. I wanted something that was completely separate from the lovey-dovey stuff you see for Valentine’s Day.”

The designer really went for it, taking his customers through a not-so-typical (maybe?) night out: Sunset, Drive-In, Starry Night, Dinner for Two, Heart Locket, Nightcap, Foreplay, Spank, Choke Me, Tied Up, Night Stand, and I’ll Call You!

Not So Romantic Thomas Ariel Zeek

The Not So Romantic Goth palette

My personal favorite is a palette he specifically designed for Pride Month called Coming Out of the Coffin. The palette not only allows you to embrace the rainbow, but Zeek donates a portion of the proceeds to the Ali Forney Center, which offers outreach resources to LGBTQ youth.

The color names here also give customers a glimpse into the causes and issues that are personal to Zeek, himself: Not Even My Final Form, Stop Policing, People’s Lives, Pay It No Mind, Breaking The Norm, My Bed My Business, They/Them Aren’t Hard To Use, There Are Even Gay Animals, Stop The Hate, Science Updates Everyday, Gendered Clothing Is Weird, and Da Vinci Was Gay BTW.

The Coming Out of the Coffin Palette from Gothic Garden Cosmetics

Gothic Gardens Cosmetics does much more than eyeshadow palettes, however. They also offer a small variety of blushes and highlighters at the moment, but he says he intends to branch out even more as the company continues to grow.

“I’m working toward adding products so that the entire face can be made up with my cosmetics,” he said, excitedly. “I’m in the testing phase for all of it!”

As I hit End Call on our conversation, I could not help feeling that I’d just spent a half an hour with a man who can and will shape the future of cosmetics as well as someone who will become a leader in our community through quiet commitment and perseverance.

To say the least, I was utterly impressed.

To learn more about Thomas Ariel Zeek and his company, you can follow Gothic Gardens Cosmetics on Facebook or visit his website to see which products are currently in stock and available for order.

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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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