Connect with us

News

3 Years Ago Wes Craven Left This World, But His Legacy Will Remain Forever

Published

on

On August 30, 2015, the horror community awoke to the upsetting news that legendary filmmaker Wes Craven had passed away in his home due to brain cancer. In a year when many great actors and musicians seemed to enter their eternal slumber, the one that impacted me the most was the loss of Wes. With the ability to combine pop-culture references, psychological torment, gore, and the well-timed (but not over used) jump scare, Wes Craven secured himself in the hearts and dreams of horror fanatics around the world.

Since his 1972 directorial debut on The Last House on the Left (which ironically released on August 30th), the horror maestro continued to push the envelop with every project that was lucky enough to attach his name.

In 1977 he shocked the world with his scenic thrill ride through the desert in The Hills Have Eyes. Wes was starting to find his stride as not only a reliable and creative director, but a thought provoking and relentless writer as well. Unbeknownst to many, in 1982 he turned his artistic efforts towards the comic book realm with the release of Swamp Thing.

Image via IMDB

But it was in 1984 that Wes Craven would etch his name in the history books of horror, as one of the most iconic and influential directors the genre would ever bear witness to. From the darkest corners of his demented mind, Wes gave birth to one of the most terrifying and heinous horror villains to ever haunt our dreams, Freddy Krueger.

Backed by an unforgettable performance from Robert Englund, A Nightmare on Elm Street tormented teens with its macabre and hellish imagery, and spawned a new franchise (along with Johnny Depp’s career) that would continue to thrill moviegoers for years to come.

As if one world famous fictional killer wasn’t enough to be praised for, in 1996 Wes Craven directed the highly successful first entry to the Scream franchise. Written by Kevin Williamson, the duo introduced us to the Ghostface killer, and kept fans guessing as to who would don the spine-chilling mask and voice changer through three sequels (all directed by Craven).

Image via IMDB

Wes continued his reign of terror in 2005, directing the claustrophobic airplane thriller Red Eye, starring veteran actors Cillian Murphy and Rachel McAdams. In 2010, he again put his imaginative pen to paper, writing and directing the mystery thriller My Soul to Take.

Like a large portion of the horror community, the works and artistic vision of Wes Craven forever impacted my life. When I was in the fourth grade, my older brother made me watch Scream while my parents were out of town. To this day, I can still pinpoint the start of my love for all things horror related to the first time I heard Roger Jackson’s voice asking Drew Barrymore, “What’s your favorite scary movie?”

Image via IMDB

Wes Craven was always willing to push the boundaries with his storytelling abilities, and his name will live infamously in the hearts of horror fans around the world. His legacy will continue to influence future filmmakers, and his villains will undoubtedly stand the test of time. From all of your family, friends, and fans everywhere… we miss you and may you rest in peace.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

1 Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

Published

on

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

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title