News
New Release Review: The Possession of Michael King
This week, Gold Circle Films released The Possession of Michael King on DVD and Blu-ray. I’ve always been a fan of possession films and have become a true devotee of the found footage horror phenomenon as it has developed, so I knew I had to check this one out as soon as I could. I was not disappointed in the least.
Michael King is a documentary film maker and an atheist. After his wife is killed in an accident, he decides to make a film proving one way or the other whether the supernatural exists, and thus, whether his wife might still exist in some way or not. He is bitter and angry, understandably, and so his route is not one of belief and looking for positive results, but instead one of mocking and negativity.
First, he tries to summon a demon himself. When that doesn’t work, he contacts a demonologist and a necromancer to perform rituals on him to bring about possession by a demon and a recently deceased young man, respectively. They ply him with drugs and perform their rituals. And thus, we begin to watch Michael’s slow descent into madness and possession. It all starts with the constant sound of static in his ears, then hallucinations. His reflection is no longer his own, and the static becomes voices that tell him to sacrifice his daughter.
I’m not a guy who likes spoilers, so I won’t give them here, but I will say this movie, for me, was genuinely frightening, and Shane Johnson, who plays Michael, did a fine job of portraying a character who goes from being a non-believing jerk to a frightened father to a pitiable mess in the end. The film boasts an impressive cast of talented character actors. Patricia Healy (Ultraviolet), Cullen Douglas (Deadland), Julie McNiven (“Supernatural”), and Tobias Jelinek (Hocus Pocus) all give stellar performances in supporting roles.
The second star of this movie, however, was the sound department. They managed this film beautifully. Quiet whispers and demonic screams all took on a life of their own and resonated throughout the film.
If I had one complaint, it would be that the character of the wife wasn’t a little more fleshed out. There is a beautiful scene toward the end where Michael watches a video about a near death experience she had and I kept thinking if they’d taken more time to just give a little more information about her, it might have made his character a little more understandable, if not necessarily more likable.
All in all, if you’re a fan of the genre, this is a film that deserves to be in your collection. It’s very reasonably priced ($17.96 on Blu Ray at Walmart) and I would imagine it will be showing up on most streaming services in the next few weeks. Do yourself a favor and watch it today!
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Movies
Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed
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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News
Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween
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.
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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Movies
’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power
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.
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.
The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.
'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?
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