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Five Horror Pets that Played with our Hearts

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If you’re anything like me you cheer on the pets in a movie to make it until the end credits, even if that pet isn’t necessarily good.  There’s just something about those big brown eyes and fluffy tail, or twitchy nose that always gets me right in the feels.  Here is a list of top five horror pets that we love to cheer on, whether they’re good or… a little less inclined to be.

 

Pet Sematary: Church

Stephen King’s novel turned movie Pet Sematary reminds us of the pain we experience when we learn about death as a child with the passing of our first beloved pet.  However, if we could, would we bring our furry friend back to save ourselves, or others, from the inevitable grief?  That is exactly the question Louis Creed is faced with when his daughter’s cat Church is suddenly killed in his daughter’s absence.

Creed decides to roll the dice and puts the British Blue into the cursed Indian burial ground that is rumored to bring the deceased back to life.  Just like magic, or rather an ancient and evil curse, Church comes back!  Yet something isn’t quite right.

While still affectionate to his daughter as he purrs alongside her on the bed, Church is lethargic, smells horrible, has eerily glowing eyes, and becomes aggressive towards Louis.  Creed is left wondering if this new lesser version of his daughter’s beloved pet is better than letting her learn about death and grief the hard way, as everyone eventually does.

Pet Sematary Two: Zowie


While it wasn’t nearly as successful as its predecessor, Pet Sematary Two gathered a cult following as it lived on after its release on home video and DVD.  This time, instead of bringing back a frisky feline from the cursed Native American burial ground, a boy brings back his large, fluffy, and sweet natured Husky mutt named Zowie.  While it appears the dog comes back to life as before, looks can be deceiving.

Without a heartbeat, a gun wound that won’t heal, and the deteriorated blood cells similar to those of a deceased canine, it is obvious the once lovable Zowie did not come back the same.  Soon the mutt’s lovable demeanor begins to change as well.  He soon becomes as sour as the ground he was buried in.  Once sweet and aloof, Zowie becomes bloodthirsty and vicious towards other animals, and eventually turns on his young owner.

Man’s Best Friend: Max


While not met with the biggest reception after its theatrical release in 1993, then finally making its way onto DVD in 2005, Man’s Best Friend is by no means an underdog.

In this film a Tibetan Mastiff named Max is rescued from an experimental genetic research facility.  Max’s gratitude toward his new owner is endless after his rescue and relocation in her home, showering her in exhilarated tail wags and sloppy kisses.  However, his overprotective nature soon couples with some very odd behavior that shouldn’t be exhibited by any dog.  Not any naturally born dog, anyway.

It is soon revealed that Max is no ordinary pup as he displays acidic urine and an uncanny ability to understand human conversation.  He also has mental cognition skills that go far beyond even the smartest canines used by the armed forces.  Oh, and did I mention he can also climb trees and camouflage himself to be practically invisible?  Yep.  But put all those abilities aside and this pooch still has his deep rooted love for his owner in his puppy heart first and foremost, even sacrificing himself for her at the hands of the evil man who created him.

Cujo: Cujo


Stephen King really has a knack for worming fluffy critters into our hearts only to painfully yank them away.  Perhaps the most memorable killer dog in horror history is Cujo, but few recall the fact he didn’t start out so vicious.  Poor lovable Cujo was a victim of rabies, and that is what turned him into the vicious killing machine that comes to mind when his name is spoken.

In the first half of the movie you can tell the big fluffy puppy is internally fighting as the viral disease courses through his body.  He whole heartedly struggles against the new developing feelings inside that urge him to hurt his young owner and his family.  Yet inevitably the the virus reaches his central nervous system and the once happy go lucky Cujo is gone just in time to ambush a mother and her young son, trapping and terrorizing them inside of their broken down car.

Alien: Jones


While this movie rides the line between science fiction and horror depending on who you ask, Alien has one frisky cat that has captured the hearts of moviegoers everywhere.  Let’s face it, to survive the chaos that unfolded on USCSS Nostromo makes Jones one bad ass cat!

The golden tabby didn’t ask to be shoved into a cat carrier, placed in a hypersleep pod, then shot into space, but he adapted.  I’m sure the space milk and rehydrated cat food wasn’t all that good either.  Nevertheless, Jones found his own area to call home in the bowels of the Nostromo, until some guy with a cattle prod forced him out.  Then the same idiots who brought him into space brought a man killing alien to the party.  This is not what  Jones signed up for.

Let’s give Jones some props for surviving all that he did, and applaud the fact Ripley let the poor little guy stay home for some R&R in the sequel!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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