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Death Around You: Retrospective On Michael Mann’s ‘The Keep’

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It’s always interesting looking through an acclaimed director’s filmography. Like others such as Sam Raimi, Peter Jackson, and more, Michael Mann of HeatMiami Vice, and Collateral, has some beginnings in the horror genre. The sophomore directorial film of Mann after the success of the crime movie Thief was the adaptation of the World War II set historical horror/fantasy book by F. Paul Wilson, The Keep. Sadly, Mann’s original vision for the film was disrupted due to problems on and off-set, creating numerous time and monetary set-backs.

Image via IMDB

Paramount Studios stepped in and stopped Mann from using his original three hour cut of the film. The movie ending up edited down to around an hour and a half after going through focus groups and test screenings. The final product ending up a box-office bomb and critical disaster disavowed by everyone involved, from Mann himself, to original book author, F. Paul Wilson. Over the years however, The Keep has become something of a cult film thanks in no small part to Mann’s moody directing style, the cast including Scott Glenn and Sir Ian McKellen, the stunning creature effects, and the haunting score of Tangerine Dream. Creating a bizarre and dream-like movie that persists to this day.

Image via Youtube

The story follows a group of German soldiers sent to set up a base in a small Transylvanian village, led by the pragmatic Captain Woermann (Jurgen Prochnow). Establishing themselves in an ancient citadel adorned with nickel crosses, a couple of greedy soldiers accidentally unleash an evil entity after trying to loot the keep of its crosses. An event that shocks the mysterious Glaeken (Scott Glenn) from across several countries and sends him on a journey to the keep. As the bodies of soldier pile up, a cruel SS platoon led by the sadistic Major Kaempffer (Gabriel Byrne) takes control and torments the villagers, believing the deaths to be the work of partisans. Eventually sending for a former villager and Jewish historian, Theodore Cuza (Ian McKellen) and his daughter, Eva (Alberta Watson) from the concentration camp they were imprisoned in. Cuza making contact with the being that called Molasar, who strengthens his diseased body and promises to rid the world of the Nazis if Cuza frees him. The plotlines leading to a conflict between all players as they converge upon the keep.

Image via IMDB

It’s a strange story, but one that endures thanks to its themes, paralleling the evils of fascism to that of a supernatural being like Molasar. Rather than weighing one more than the other, both are equated as being similar forces of darkness upon the world. Cuza more than willing to help the demon escape his prison if it means ending Hitler and the Nazis who have targeted his family and his people. Molasar himself is a memorable devil as well. First appearing as energy that sucks humans of their lifeforce, slowly regaining strength and appearing in a ghostly fog, then as a fleshless husk, and finally as a giant, golem-like being with red light burning in his eyes. Despite his strength, acting as a manipulator in order to make his escape from his ancient prison. Ian McKellen standing out as Cuza, and even having a Gandalf-esque confrontation with Molasar toward the end.

The dream-like atmosphere of the film has been an underlying cause for The Keep‘s popularity. The opening scene being an oddly slow shot of the German’s descending upon Dinu Pass while set to a militaristic track from Tangerine Dream. The score by the synth band being one of their best. The theme that plays as the German’s accidentally unleash Molasar being absolutely haunting, and contrasting the gothic style of the plot with the electronic music.

Unfortunately, The Keep has yet to have a proper DVD/Blu-Ray release, only making it as far as VHS/Laserdisc, with the studios/creator’s disdain for the project making it likely that we’ll never see an updated version. Fortunately, it is available for digital rental via Amazon, Youtube, and iTunes. Despite its flaws, it is a bizarre and dream-like film well worth experiencing.

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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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