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‘Midsommar’ is Entirely Transportive, Trippy Dread

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MidSommar

Once again, director Ari Aster takes us with him to very personal arenas of dread with Midsommar. With almost a completely different flavor, Hereditary follow up, Midsommar manages to surprise, darkly charm and have another long lasting effect that proves Aster is a singular voice currently in the genre.

I was a bloke who skipped every trailer, first impression and publicity still that I could in anticipation of this one. I was able to experience it going in entirely cold and for those like myself, I’ll spare you any spoilers during this review.

In broad strokes this is about a young group of friends that heads to Sweden in order to take part of a mid-summer fest. As the fest progresses through its varying phases each day, the young group of Americans find themselves far from home, high and in the midst of strange and horrific pagan activities.

The formula is akin to a common slasher at its ground floor, complete with all the fixins of a group of young folks heading out into the unknown for some fun. Aster then stirs in a complex blend with bits of Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man and elements of Herschell Gordon Lewis’s Two Thousand Maniacs.

Added to that formula is Aster’s overtly personal approach to his writing, which includes twinges of grief with what is (now) widely known to be a film that is about the inner workings of a breakup. The interesting thing here is that Aster doesn’t strictly make one individual or group the “bad guy,” instead he spreads the very human elements of being a jerk or being out right malicious to almost all the characters in the film.

“Aster’s voice is hypnotic

and completely vicious.”

On a small scale Aster also compares everyday American sensibilities and places against a backdrop of a pagan cult and does a nice deconstruction by way of juxtaposition. The end result being that the strange and violent ways of maintaining faith and order sometimes look better than ideological, self-centered opportunism. Order by big acts as opposed to chaos, self worth and the passive aggressive.

MidSommar

The true horror of the film comes at you through brightly lit pastel framework where the sun doesn’t set, and where the subtext of the first act sets up a tightly fastened snare of dread. Most impressively, Midsommar manages to do all that before the first bit of blood is spilled.

There is a special kind of accelerant behind the misery that makes this film’s run-time fly that is heavily reliant on its stellar cast and their chemistry. Leads Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor particularly compel with a subdued desperation and play nicely with the ideas of the more toxic sides of relationships that have run their course. In the third act of the film Pugh reaches a propulsive level of character work that makes it almost difficult to find your breath.

There are some gnarly sights and kills flowing throughout this one that manage to burn themselves deep into your subconscious. Shock inducing gore set pieces that at times reaches impressive levels of works of high art.

Strangely, the film is peppered with a really great sense of humor about itself. The horror elements don’t takeaway from the feeling of a real group of young folks. In its early moments there is a stoner comedy at work just under the low tide of the bizarre horror in wait. It’s an extraordinary approach given the subject matter and a vibe that I’m certain changes from audience to audience.

Midsommar is transportive, trippy dread that is depraved and darkly sensual. Aster’s voice is hypnotic as ever and completely vicious. Not taking anything away from the masterful, Hereditary, but Midsommar transcends and gives way to something that is as brilliant as it is unnerving.

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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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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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