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Best 10 Horror Films Of 2018- Jacob Davison Picks

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As the year draws to a close, and we march toward the year 2019, ready to burst from the chest of 2018, it’s time to ask ourselves that age-old question: what horror movies were really, really, good this past year? 2018 proved to be a great time for the genre with plenty of new movies both mainstream, indie, and everything in-between. So, here’s my list of the ten best of the year, in no true order, though I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit I had a particular favorite…

Via IMDB

10. THE RANGER

In an era of ‘throw-back horror’ where everything old is new again, Jenn Wexler’s The Ranger is a slasher/punk ode that truly fits the bill. The simple premise of punks on the run hiding out in the woods and crossing a psychopathic park ranger feels like something from the early 80’s slasher boom. Thanks in no small part to the stellar performances of the cast and hitting every slasher trope from gory deaths to one-liners with love.

Via IMDB

9. A QUIET PLACE

A rather surprising debut directed/co-written/starring The Office/Jack Ryan’s John Krasinski and a mainstream horror hit with A Quiet Place. Genre films with such a specific quirk should by all means be difficult to pull off. A movie where the cast cannot utter a word! But instead of becoming a hinderance, it only amps up the tension as even the slightest noise could alert a deadly threat…

Via IMDB

8. OVERLORD

The horrors of war meet the horrors of mad science in this mash-up. Overlord follows a small contingent of American soldiers parachuting into a German occupied village just before D-Day. Beyond the atrocities committed by Axis soldiers, they discover there’s even worse acts of inhumanity being committed at the Nazi base. A well done combination of period World War II action and mad science gone awry, Overlord is a surprise genre piece that’s worth your attention.

Via IMDB

7. IN FABRIC

The latest from British horror maestro Peter Strickland, I was fortunate enough to catch it on the festival circuit before it gains a wider release next year. The story follows a popular department/clothing store where something sinister is occurring behind the scenes. Strickland’s use of surrealist horror combined with an ensemble cast including the likes of Gwendoline Christie make for a film that’s like being in someone else’s nightmare at the mall.

Via IMDB

6. LEPRECHAUN RETURNS

Another successful franchise revival in a year with plenty. A direct sequel to the original, Leprechaun Returns revolves around a sorority setting up shop on the farmstead where the Leprechaun was slain, leading to his accidental revival of the murderous imp. Despite series star Warwick Davis not returning, Linden Porco does a marvelous job of filling his shoes. Director/FX artist Steven Kostanski made a marvelous effort in bringing scares, gags, and lots of great practical blood and guts!

Via IMDB

5. HALLOWEEN (2018)

The Shape returns! This horror franchise resurrection from the unlikely duo of David Gordon Green and Danny McBride made for one of the best Halloween sequels in years and a shot of adrenaline back into Michael Meyers. A direct sequel to the original, disregarding the multitude of other continuation, follows Michael breaking out once again to stalk Haddonfield as a survivalist Laurie Strode attempts to protect herself and her family from the boogeyman. This one hits all the right beats and brings Jamie Lee-Curtis back and more badass than ever.

Via IMDB

4. SUSPIRIA (2018)

A recurring theme on this list, but another impressive remake/reboot/otherwise continuation of a horror classic. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the story follows the original as young Susie Bannon arrives in Cold War era Germany to attend the Markos Dance Academy, only to be wrapped up in the sinister strings of a diabolical coven. Featuring outstanding performances by Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton in multiple mesmerizing roles, beautiful cinematography, and a haunting score by Thom Yorke, fans of the original and newcomers will be pleased by this update.

Via IMDB

3. HEREDITARY

The feature debut of Ari Aster, and a devastatingly powerful horror drama that earned praise and comparisons to the likes of The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby with good cause. The Graham family deals with the fallout of matriarch Annie’s mother dying, only for surreal and supernatural terrors to haunt the family thereafter. A masterclass in tension building and striking scenes of malice, this movie made tongue clicks terrifying. Toni Collete’s performance as Annie is a memorable one form beginning to end.

Via IMDB

2. ANNIHILATION

A science fiction horror epic that has stuck with me since I first saw it. The sophomore film by Alex Garland of Ex Machina, and based on the novel by Jeff VanderMeer, the plot revolves around ‘The Shimmer’ a strange area of the Pacific North-West where an extraterrestrial element landed and has slowly been mutating all life and expanding through the area. Natalie Portman plays Lena, a cellular-biology professor who ventures into the quarantine with a team of scientists and soldiers only to encounter otherworldly abominations. A thrilling and tense sci-fi/horror hybrid that deals with themes of loss, disease, and the most terrifying bear ever put to film.

Via IMDB

1. MANDY

While I love all the films listed and appreciate them in a variety of ways, MANDY is by and far my personal favorite this year. I saw it three times in theaters! The long awaited sophomore film by Beyond The Black Rainbow‘s Panos Cosmatos, and the opposite of his sci-fi opus in every way. Set in the early 80’s, Mandy follows Red and his girlfriend, the titular Mandy as they eke out a peaceful existence out in the wilderness only for a psychotic group of cultists led by a failed rock star attack, leading Red on a long and trippy road to revenge. A genre-buster like no other. With elements of action, horror, surrealism, and more featuring Nicolas Cage in one of his most memorable roles ever as the vengeance seeking Red. Featuring the final score of Johan Johansson that’s just as impactful as the amazing cinematography and scenery of the movie. Plus, chainsaw fights!

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Brad Dourif Says He’s Retiring Except For One Important Role

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Brad Dourif has been doing movies for nearly 50 years. Now it seems he is walking away from the industry at 74 to enjoy his golden years. Except, there is a caveat.

Recently, digital entertainment publication JoBlo’s Tyler Nichols talked to some of the Chucky television series cast members. During the interview, Dourif made an announcement.

“Dourif said that he’s retired from acting,” says Nichols. “The only reason he came back for the show was because of his daughter Fiona and he considers Chucky creator Don Mancini to be family. But for non-Chucky stuff, he considers himself retired.”

Dourif has voiced the possessed doll since 1988 (minus the 2019 reboot). The original movie “Child’s Play” has become such a cult classic it’s at the top of some people’s best chillers of all time. Chucky himself is ingrained in pop culture history much like Frankenstein or Jason Voorhees.

While Dourif may be known for his famous voiceover, he is also an Oscar-nominated actor for his part in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Another famous horror role is The Gemini Killer in William Peter Blatty’s Exorcist III. And who can forget Betazoid Lon Suder in Star Trek: Voyager?

The good news is that Don Mancini is already pitching a concept for season four of Chucky which might also include a feature-length movie with a series tie-in. So, Although Dourif says he is retiring from the industry, ironically he is Chucky’s friend till the end.

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Editorial

7 Great ‘Scream’ Fan Films & Shorts Worth a Watch

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The Scream franchise is such an iconic series, that many budding filmmakers take inspiration from it and make their own sequels or, at least, build upon the original universe created by screenwriter Kevin Williamson. YouTube is the perfect medium to showcase these talents (and budgets) with fan-made homages with their own personal twists.

The great thing about Ghostface is that he can appear anywhere, in any town, he just needs the signature mask, knife, and unhinged motive. Thanks to Fair Use laws it’s possible to expand upon Wes Craven’s creation by simply getting a group of young adults together and killing them off one by one. Oh, and don’t forget the twist. You’ll notice that Roger Jackson’s famous Ghostface voice is uncanny valley, but you get the gist.

We have gathered five fan films/shorts related to Scream that we thought were pretty good. Although they can’t possibly match the beats of a $33 million blockbuster, they get by on what they have. But who needs money? If you’re talented and motivated anything is possible as proven by these filmmakers who are well on their way to the big leagues.

Take a look at the below films and let us know what you think. And while you’re at it, leave these young filmmakers a thumbs up, or leave them a comment to encourage them to create more films. Besides, where else are you going to see Ghostface vs. a Katana all set to a hip-hop soundtrack?

Scream Live (2023)

Scream Live

Ghostface (2021)

Ghostface

Ghost Face (2023)

Ghost Face

Don’t Scream (2022)

Don’t Scream

Scream: A Fan Film (2023)

Scream: A Fan Film

The Scream (2023)

The Scream

A Scream Fan Film (2023)

A Scream Fan Film
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Movies

Another Creepy Spider Movie Hits Shudder This Month

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Good spider films are a theme this year. First, we had Sting and then there was Infested. The former is still in theaters and the latter is coming to Shudder starting April 26.

Infested has been getting some good reviews. People are saying that it’s not only a great creature feature but also a social commentary on racism in France.

According to IMDb: Writer/director Sébastien Vanicek was looking for ideas around the discrimination faced by black and Arab-looking people in France, and that led him to spiders, which are rarely welcome in homes; whenever they’re spotted, they’re swatted. As everyone in the story (people and spiders) is treated like vermin by society, the title came to him naturally.

Shudder has become the gold standard for streaming horror content. Since 2016, the service has been offering fans an expansive library of genre movies. in 2017, they began to stream exclusive content.

Since then Shudder has become a powerhouse in the film festival circuit, buying distribution rights to movies, or just producing some of their own. Just like Netflix, they give a film a short theatrical run before adding it to their library exclusively for subscribers.

Late Night With the Devil is a great example. It was released theatrically on March 22 and will begin streaming on the platform starting April 19.

While not getting the same buzz as Late Night, Infested is a festival favorite and many have said if you suffer from arachnophobia, you might want to take heed before watching it.

Infested

According to the synopsis, our main character, Kalib is turning 30 and dealing with some family issues. “He’s fighting with his sister over an inheritance and has cut ties with his best friend. Fascinated by exotic animals, he finds a venomous spider in a shop and brings it back to his apartment. It only takes a moment for the spider to escape and reproduce, turning the whole building into a dreadful web trap. The only option for Kaleb and his friends is to find a way out and survive.”

The film will be available to watch on Shudder starting April 26.

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