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Fantastic Fest 2019: ‘Wrinkles the Clown’ is a Constantly Surprising Peek Behind the Mask

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Wrinkles

You remember that clown that was going around scaring the pants off pedestrians in Florida a few years back? It’s Such a specific question that the answer boils down to an absolute wide-eyed nod of the head, or a befuddled shake of the head that comes with inquiry. Well, guys that clown has a name. His name is Wrinkles and the documentary Wrinkles the Clown drops an exuberant amount of info about the creepy exterior as well as the method behind the madness. But, it may not be headed in exactly the direction you might assume.

You might remember that in 2015 Wrinkles was interviewed by a major news network, following that interview Wrinkles blew up both on the internet and in rural Naples, Florida. Stories circling the clown presupposed that wrinkles was an older war veteran who wasn’t happy with his mundane life as a retiree, and started donning the mask of a clown.

From there, the story began taking on a life of its own. Stickers and other ads were placed around Wrinkles hometown encouraging parents with misbehaving kids or people in need of a good spookin’ to give him a call. The ads included his number and dude began receiving a ton of phone calls each day. Viral videos made Wrinkles a household name and one that parents would use to scare their children into being well-behaved.

At least, that’s the story we were lead to believe. And the truth ends up being stranger than fiction.

Director, Michael Beach Nichols (Welcome to Leith) peels the layers away and exposes pieces behind the mysterious figure. Nichols follows that up by showing how sometimes the most terrifying thing is how society can be an environment of the product.

Whatever the case was/is, the Wrinkles phenomenon launched a lot of more sinister imitators and had the world in a sort of spiraling clown-demonium for a good while. People were dressing up as clowns standing out on country roads, some were even causing violence or inciting so much fear that large groups were threatening violence.

That escalation and the people surrounding and playing into the Wrinkles phenomenon are under examination here too. Nichols does a naturally seamless job of interweaving the bits with Wrinkles and the innocuous fanaticism that is an all too real and at times all too sobering byproduct.

Wrinkles the Clown has an interesting turn in its runtime that completely flips all conceived notions on their head. It takes per-conceived notions about the subject and creates additional questions that extend to the sorta crazy people surrounding the man behind the Wrinkles mask. It also, digs into how hilariously depraved it is that parents would use a clown as a way of punishing their children. A method that takes Santa’s naughty or nice list to new disturbing heights.

It is an effective doc that doesn’t bother lingering too long on its main subject and instead takes its runtime and uses it for jarring turns and as illumination for the dangers that are not wearing a mask. It’s chilling in its unexpected turns and is absolutely socially aware in its raw portrait.

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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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