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Out this Week: Anne Rice’s PRINCE LESTAT

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This week marked the triumphant return of Lestat de Lioncourt and his eternal companions on the Devil’s Road as the newest installment of The Vampire Chronicles hit the shelves.  I got my copy of Prince Lestat: The Vampire Chronicles by, Anne Rice, as soon as I had a moment to download it and sat down to eagerly devour it.  At least, that’s what I thought I was going to do.  While I expected to dine well on this novel, I had no idea it was going to be a 7-course meal with drinks afterward.  I’m going to do my best to write a spoiler free review here, so bear with me, because what I really want to do is tell you everything!

Prince Lestat could have been many things.  It could have been a novel simply about Lestat’s latest adventure.  It could have been a novel that chronicled what had been going on in the world of Anne Rice’s vampires since Lestat’s encounter with the Memnoch the Devil and the denizens of Blackwood Farm.  It could have been an introduction to vampires of this world that we had never seen before but had always known were on the fringes of the story.  It could have been a novel that finally brought home the origins of those pesky Talamasca and how they really fit into the supernatural world of Rice’s creation.

It could have been any of these things…and instead, it is ALL of these things!  And while dedicated fans of the series read that last sentence and jumped for joy, there are scores of people out there who just kind of sat back in their chairs and said to themselves, “But I’m not sure what all of that is…”

 

Now, Rice did her best to prepare you for what you would encounter in the novel if this was the first time you’d picked up a Vampire Chronicle.  The first two sections of the book, “Blood Genesis” and “Blood Argot”, give a very basic overview of the history of the vampires and a short lexicon of terms that you will come across in the book.  Also, in the back of the book, you’ll find an appendix with short synopses of each of the books in the Vampire Chronicles so you’ll have a basic idea of how the characters relate to each other and a basic order of events that have taken place before the current story.  She also has a character list for the uninitiated, and in the actual narrative, she does her best to fill in the blanks as best as she can, though this does come with some pacing problems.

Still, even with these sections, I’m not sure that a first time reader or someone who had only seen the two films that have been released (especially if they’d only seen the travesty that was Queen of the Damned) would truly be prepared for the scope of this novel.  To those readers, I would say just keep pressing on, and if it gets to be too much, go back and read the other books first.

That being said, I, personally, relished every single word.  It was so good to sit at the table with old friends like Lestat, Marius, Louis, Armand, Pandora and so many more and read along as a new tale is woven into the tapestry of the Chronicles.  Miss Rice also brought a whole new host of characters out for us in this novel and I couldn’t help but feel like she’d been sitting on some of these for a while, now, and finally had the chance to incorporate them into her stories.  Each one of these characters brings their own unique voice to the chorus of vampires we’ve been treated to for the last four decades.

Now, what’s going on in the story?  Lestat has begun to hear what he calls the Voice.  It talks to him when he is alone, when he sleeps, when he feels vulnerable.  It speaks to him inside his mind, and initially, it simply seems to want to know him and be recognized.  It isn’t long before we realize, however, that this Voice is speaking to others.  It calls out to those who have power and incites them to kill the younger, maverick vampires of the world. It is intent on culling the herd one coven at a time.  The young begin to cry out for a savior; the elders turn to each other asking who will lead the battle against this unseen foe.  Benjamin, a young vampire with an internet radio broadcast, repeatedly calls for the elders to come together to lead the “tribe”.

On the surface, Prince Lestat is a global mystery surrounding the origin of this Voice and its purpose.  As in the rest of Anne Rice’s body of work, it’s rarely the surface story that is the most important.  Deep down, this book is an exploration of the meaning of community and family.  Is family a group of people who live together under the same matriarch/patriarch in the same home?  Is family a group of people you get together with once or twice a year for special days or when times are tough?  Or, is family something bigger?

Miss Rice’s answer?  Well, you just have to read the book to find out.  If you’re willing to take the journey with her, it’s such a great experience.  And if you’re in the New Orleans area this weekend, the Official Vampire Lestat Fan Club’s Halloween Ball will be taking place, and Miss Rice and her son, Christopher, will both be in attendance!

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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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‘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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