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Rob Grant and Mike Kovac Take Us Inside ‘Fake Blood’

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Fake Blood is a horror documentary unlike anything we’ve seen with a hook that is downright unsettling, and it all began when the filmmakers, Rob Grant and Mike Kovac, received a video from an ardent fan re-enacting a scene from their filmĀ Mon Ami in a seemingly real-life situation.

They were unnerved by the disturbing tone of the video and questions began to form in their minds.

Were they hypocrites for creating violent content for film when they had both led relatively safe lives? Is film violence anything at all like real violence, and if so, does film violence cause or exacerbate real violence?

“I remember asking my mom who was an emergency room nurse for 20 years and whose favorite film isĀ Pulp Fiction–she thinks it’s hilarious–if she thought that film violence and real violence were related in any way,” Mike said. “She actually laughed and said ‘Oh, there’s no connection at all!'”

They decided the questions needed answering, but it would still take time before their project would come to fruition as Rob and Mike told iHorror in a recent interview.

“It was almost two years ago but it would always be in the back of my mind bugging me,” Rob explained, “and then a little while ago our producer, Mike Peterson, said he could probably get some cash together for us to go and explore this.”

So, with the monetary backing and a basic outline instead of a script, the two set out to create what would becomeĀ Fake Blood.

“I can honestly say that there was no pretense when we were filming as far as what was expected,” Mike said. “We were trying to go off of honesty.”

Honesty led the two to interesting places during the film, especially when Rob decided they needed to experience some real violence, even if it was in a controlled environment. Together, they headed off to a dojo to meet with a friend who is trained in martial arts and was willing to give Rob a touch of pain.

“My intention was 100 percent to get in there and make it a wake-up call for me,” Rob laughed. “I already have concussion issues from playing hockey when I was younger so when he gave me that upper-cut you see in the film it rang my bell for real!”

As the project progressed, they began to bring together different elements to create this unusual film including some rather unsettling re-enactments of a supposed real life crime, but it was a point made by one of the re-enactment actors in an interview that caught both men off guard when he alluded to the fact that romantic comedies had messed him up far more than any horror movie ever had.

“I don’t think I could have written that as well as that came out,” Mike said.

“Those interviews kind of became the crux in the editing room because of that kind of insight,” Rob explained. “It became a big theme so that we could cut in and out of the re-enactments because I felt like it starts to get difficult to remember whatā€™s real and what isnā€™t and I think that beyond the actual storyline itself, it was kind of important to make the audience feel the same way that we do ourselves sometimes when someone has committed one of these terrible crimes based on inspiration from other movies. That ambiguity is fun.”

The editing room for a film without a script was its own mountain to climb, as the filmmakers would soon find out with a whole new question looming: Is the film even done?

“I’ve never edited something like this before,” Rob explained. “Thatā€™s why both Mikes get a writing credit too because thereā€™s so much stuff you kind of have to shape otherwise thereā€™s no specific direction, and that was very helpful having their input after the fact. Especially having to do a narration that was self-critical.”

“I think there was some solace in knowing that we weren’t going to get a definitive answer,” Mike conceded. “It’s an ongoing conversation that we jumped into; the question is very old.”

Unfortunately, Mike is right. As we’ve seen in only the last few days from the White House, there will always be people who point fingers at violence on film and in video games in the wake of real violence, and many are waiting to jump on board that bandwagon.

In the face of such challenges, it could be that films likeĀ Fake Blood will become even more important, even if traditional horror audiences and festivals haven’t been as open to the experience.

“The debate we’ve seen and heard over whether the film is real or not is kind of funny to me,” Rob laughed. “It kind of means that to an extent people want the violence to be real and what does that say about us? Some people seem to have gotten offended by the grey area of it.”

“I think it’s important to get eyes on it and to self-evaluate,” Mike agreed. “We didn’t invent violent stories; they’ve been there forever and they will continue long after us.”

Fake Blood is available on Amazon and other VOD services.

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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 MartellĀ 

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 childrenā€™s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Panā€™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. Milneā€™s 1926 childrenā€™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 brothersā€™ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending thatā€™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 Brothersā€™ 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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