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iHorror Exclusive Interview: Author Charles E. Butler

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The Vampire quadrilogy
Do you have a love for Vampires? Or just Dracula himself? Well look no further, Author Charles E. Butler is no stranger to this trend that has stretched over the past century. Butler recently completed his new book Vampires; the Final Hunt. The best way that I can describe such a unique book is by referring to it as the infinitive Encyclopedia on movie vampires. This book will update Butler’s previous three volumes, The Romance of Dracula, Vampires Everywhere and Vampires Under the Hammer. Butler not only dives into the depths with vampire films over a century old, he takes us to modern movies such as Underworld and Daybreakers. Butler to embrace readers with his knowledge and unblushing taste for these memorable films. Butler’s reviews are easy on the eyes and his conclusions regarding these notable films will definitely tap into the interest of the reader. Many of these films will be added to the reader’s must-see list. Without fail, Butler is a fan who possess the ability to keep the reader focused until the end. I know that I would enjoy more books of this caliber on other monsters in the Universal Franchise. I am betting that Butler will be making more noise with books similar to his vampire escapades in the future.

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Charles E. Butler has been gracious enough to give iHorror an exclusive interview about his inspirations behind the writing and a glimpse into his future projects. Vampire fans indulge!

iHorror: Thank you for chatting with us. Can you tell our readers and your fans a little bit about yourself and how you became a interested in the genre?

Charles E. Butler:  I am born and raised in the North of England. I became hooked  on fantasy when I discovered Marvel comics in a doctors waiting room. The 70s and 80s were a great time for television and I remember being allowed to watch the old Universal horror movies and Appointment with Fear movie anthologies on Friday and Saturday nights. Hating the confines of school, I left at 16 and in the last thirty years have probably tried my hand at every occupation going. I have been drawing – self taught – for as long as I can remember and had a brief stab at independent comic books. I began acting locally in the early 1990s and have tread the boards nationwide. I have appeared as walk on in many a TV show and written and produced my own stage plays and had films shown in the US vampire conventions. When I started writing it was brought on by anger and depression at being made unemployed again. My first book, The Romance of Dracula, was published independently in 2010 after receiving 48 rejections from worldwide publishers. I have always been Dracula’s biggest fan. Ironically, that first comic book that I picked up was Marvel UK’s Dracula Lives issue No. 2. Since the publication of my first book, I have written countless articles for websites and magazines and my first three books have the distinction of being placed in the State Lending Library of Southern Australia! I have appeared at Whitby’s famous Bram Stoker International Film Festival in 2014 selling artwork and books and a new TV series in the working called Fragments of Fear features my short horror story being read on film by Hammer Icon Caroline Munro.

iH: You did an amazing job with the preparation and research for your book Vampires; The Final Hunt. How long did it take you to complete this project?

CB: Vampires; the Final Hunt was written in about a year – give or take – I was juggling with three books and this one pipped the other two at the post. I had all my material to hand and finished it. That is some more advice, always have a project on the back burner to give variety.

iH: What was the most challenging moment when writing specifically Vampires; The Final Hunt?

CB: Deciding what to put in and what to leave out. I edit my own work and illustrate the pictures. As it was a continuation of two books, The Romance of Dracula and Vampires Everywhere; the Rise of the Movie Undead, I was aware that the book may take on schizophrenic properties, but I think the two balance themselves out now. I’m quietly proud of the finished result.

iH: Vampires; The Final Hunt gives a very precise and wonderful review of vampire films, especially those focusing on Dracula. This book is a vampire buff’s dream come true. When you first started this project, did you know it was going to be this thorough? Was your finished product your original vision? Or did it become much more?

CB: It became more and less than expected. The lesser aspect being that there were still a few movies that I wanted to discuss but the space needed would have been phenomenal. On the positive note, I realized after I had finished it that all the Dracula films reviewed are first time reviews in print for these classic films thought lost forever. The Universal Spanish language movie for example. is discussed as an independent undertaking as opposed to being labelled as the Bela Lugosi doppleganger – a moniker that dogs this superior film every step of the way. A great coup was being able to view the Purple Playhouse theatre production of Dracula and include it in the volume. I’m not sure if writers ever realize their full vision on the paper, but I came pretty close with this.

iH: What are you working on now? What is your next project?

CB: I have put the vampire in film to bed for now with Vampires; the Final Hunt. I’m concentrating my gaze on the werewolf in movies with a book titled Werewolves; the Children of the Full Moon. The book covers the furry frights from as far back as Universal movies’ The Werewolf of London and The Wolf Man and goes on to talk about classic films The Curse of the werewolf, The Howling and An American Werewolf in London. It finishes full circle with the Benicio Del Toro movie, The Wolfman.

iH: Is there a subject you would never write about as an author? If so, what is it?

CB: I am really just finding my feet as a writer. My books are concentrating solely on a reminisce-based recap of all those films that inspired my creative juices. I have a novel on the back burner and it sometimes surprises me what I’m compelled to have my characters go through to achieve a good story. as a fledgling, I cannot say what subject wouldn’t interest me at this time. I’m having too much fun.

iH: Is horror the only genre you have written? Is it your favorite?

CB: So far, the film books are the only things I have written. I do have the novel as specified above and I would like to take writing and drawing further by venturing into graphic novels. But that is way in the future.

iH: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

CB: There are so many in books and comic books. The Romance of Dracula was inspired by reading works from Kim Newman and Stephen Jones. I like books written with good prose and language and have many heroes. I could not choose a winner off the top of my head.

iH: What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?

CB: Keep going! Make sure it is what you want. If it is, enjoy it and write something you are satisfied with. If you like it, chances are someone else will. The old truism; There is always room at the top, is probably true. But to get there takes hard work. As an independent, your hard work starts after the writing. The publicity demands are shocking and that is where the real work lies. Don’t base your writings on the monetary gain. Above all, believe in yourself and your work and never give up. You can do it!

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Can’t get enough of this guy? Do not fear, Charles E. Butler can be found all over the web:

Facebook: The Romance of Dracula

Facebook: Vampires Under The Hammer

Facebook: Vampires; The Final Hunt

Facebook: Vampires Everywhere; the Rise of the Movie UnDead

@Twitter

Charles E. Butler’s artwork on Pintrest

Charles E Butler’s Blog – HubPages

Butler’s books are available for purchase on the web: The Romance of Dracula, Vampires Everywhere; The Rise of the Movie UnDead, Vampires Under the Hammer and Vampires; the Final Hunt

 

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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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