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Fantastic Fest Review: THELMA

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The term slow-burn is no stranger to Fantastic Fest’s audiences. A lot of films push the envelope in terms of using interesting ways to put a spell on the audience, while also working in some dynamic character development. Thelma is one of those films. It takes its time to make its point, but like a lot of these slow-burn films from the fest, it utilizes that approach to create a totally standalone emotive experience and one that will leave you breathless.

Thelma follows a young girl by the same name, who is heads off to University. Like most young folks headed to the high frontiers of parental free living, she is reaching a point of change and exploration. With a heavy religious background, her inner angst and first view of true freedom begins to wake things within her long left dormant. So, along with discovering her first love, she also begins to awake something powerful and possibly sinister within herself.

The film is absolutely beautiful in its scope and wears its heart on its sleeve for cinematic experience. A number of wide shots are used emphasizing use of negative space to mirror Thelma’s mostly icy world. The actresses in this are so good that the sometimes-glacial pacing is acceptably 100% overlooked. Their onscreen chemistry works and is alluring and provocative. The film could have entirely been about these two girls eating a sandwich and drinking coffee for an entire two-hours and I would have still been onboard and engaged. Director, Joachim Trier obviously brings his unique blend of character focus from his previous work on films like Oslo and Louder Than Bombs. His eye and ear for blending his actors in with a swirling narrative is at the forefront of all his work and is extended to Thelma here. I’m hoping to see him work on more genre stuff in the future as he appears to have a natural comfort level in doing so.

The film plays out like an antihero Marvel comic character over the course of its runtime. If you could picture a completely grounded origin story for Jean Grey’s Dark Phoenix, this would be it. And in a world where FX’s Legion and the upcoming New Mutants are charting new paths in comic book movies/shows realm, this would easily have fit right in. Thelma’s transformative nature and awakening powers lend themselves to a dark past that unfurls over the course of the film.

Thelma left me thinking. Its careful use of its runtime to establish its characters and their relationship sets up the dominoes in the second half to fall with precise operatic choreography. Its narrative holds its cards close to its chest as revelation after revelation is unfurled, while it is all while simultaneously wrapping its tendrils of dread around you. Thelma is smart, haunting and utterly fucking awesome.

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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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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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

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.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

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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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

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.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

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.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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