News

‘Host’ on Shudder is Fun and Bone-Chilling Paranormal Horror

Published

4 years ago

July 31, 2020

Host, the new paranormal horror film from director Rob Savage (Strings), debuted on Shudder yesterday, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most talked about new films on social media.

Filmed entirely during quarantine with a 56 minute run-time, Host centers on six friends who, bored with social-distancing and isolation due to Covid-19, decide to hire a psychic to perform a seance for them via Zoom. When one of the group members fails to take things seriously, however, all hell breaks loose, and what follows is pure genius.

Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Emma Louise Webb, Radina Drandova, and Caroline Ward round out the central cast with Seylan Baxter appearing as the medium.

Savage wastes very little time getting down to business once his characters are introduced, and he makes every single minute count as the strange and terrifying events begin to take place.

Now, to be fair, Host is a bit of trope-fest. If you’re a fan of paranormal horror who has seen and enjoyed Grave Encounters, Paranormal Activity, and Hell House, then you have seen a lot of what goes on in this film. In fact, there is very little new or fresh about Host save for it all basically being filmed and directed without anyone being in the same room together.

However, Savage and his cast and crew chose to embrace those tropes and just go with them without pretension or judgement which ultimately makes the film not only fun but also effective.

Now remember, this film takes place entirely on a Zoom call? That puts everyone on camera with a lot of empty space, open doors, dark hallways, and shadowy windows behind them which automatically sets us ill at ease. Films like the aforementioned Paranormal Activity have taught us to not trust those open, darkened spaces, and as I watched I found myself constantly on alert, scanning each little Zoom window for anything out of the ordinary.

Moreover, because of the way Host was made, each actor was responsible for their own recording, lighting, make-up, and stunts which gave the movie a more homegrown, realistic feel than films like Unfriended where everything was just a little too polished.

And then there’s the brevity of the film. That 56 minute run-time is a blessing in itself. Nothing is overdrawn and it keeps each moment moving at a pace that ultimately serves the narrative.

When those elements combine, they work far better than I could have anticipated.

If the film falters anywhere, it is toward the end. As the action and terror ramps up so, do the special effects and stunt work. This is, of course, how things should progress, but there were moments where it became just a tad too flashy for the film’s otherwise organic feel. I won’t spoil anything, but you’ll know it when you see it.

Despite this fact, however, Host comes to a satisfyingly abrupt conclusion that will have you checking the dark corners of your house to make sure nothing and no one is there.

You can see the film exclusively on Shudder right now! Grab some popcorn, turn down the lights, and get ready to join the Zoom call from Hell.

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News

Watch ‘The Burning’ At The Location Where It Was Filmed

Published

7 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Fangoria is reporting that fans of the 1981 slasher The Burning will be able to have a screening of the film at the location where it was filmed. The movie is set at Camp Blackfoot which is actually the Stonehaven Nature Preserve in Ransomville, New York.

This ticketed event will take place on August 3. Guests will be able to take a tour of the grounds as well as enjoy some campfire snacks along with the screening of The Burning.

The Burning

The film came out in the early ’80s when teen slashers were being churned out in magnum force. Thanks to Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th, filmmakers wanted to get in on the low-budget, high-profit movie market and a casket load of these types of films were produced, some better than others.

The Burning is one of the good ones, mostly because of the special effects from Tom Savini who had just come off of his groundbreaking work on Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th. He declined to do the sequel because of its illogical premise and instead signed on to do this movie. Also, a young Jason Alexander who would later go on to play George in Seinfeld is a featured player.

Because of its practical gore, The Burning had to be heavily edited before it received an R-rating. The MPAA was under the thumb of protest groups and political bigwigs to censor violent films at the time because slashers were just so graphic and detailed in their gore.

Tickets are $50, and if you want a special t-shirt, that will cost you another $25, You can get all the information by visiting the On Set Cinema webpage.

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Movies

‘Longlegs’ Creepy “Part 2” Teaser Appears on Instagram

Published

12 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Neon Films released an Insta-teaser for their horror film Longlegs today. Titled Dirty: Part 2, the clip only furthers the mystery of what we are in for when this movie is finally released on July 12.

The official logline is: FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes unexpected turns, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

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A post shared by NEON (@neonrated)

Directed by former actor Oz Perkins who also gave us The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel, Longlegs is already creating buzz with its moody images and cryptic hints. The film is rated R for bloody violence, and disturbing images.

Longlegs stars Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, and Alicia Witt.

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News

Exclusive Sneak Peek: Eli Roth and Crypt TV’s VR Series ‘The Faceless Lady’ Episode Five

Published

12 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Cameron McFarland

Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) and Crypt TV are knocking it out of the park with their new VR show, The Faceless Lady. For those unaware, this is the first fully scripted VR horror show on the market.

Even for masters of horror like Eli Roth and Crypt TV, this is a monumental undertaking. However, if I trust anyone to change the way that we experience horror, it would be these two legends.

Ripped from the pages of Irish folklore, The Faceless Lady tells the story of a tragic spirit cursed to wander the halls of her castle for all of eternity. However, when three young couples are invited to the castle for a series of games, their fates may soon change.

So far, the story has provided horror fans with a gripping game of life or death that doesn’t look as if it will slow down in episode five. Luckily, we have an exclusive clip that may be able to satiate your appetites until the new premiere.

Airing on 4/25 at 5pmPT/8pmET, episode five follows our final three contestants in this wicked game. As the stakes are raised ever higher, will Ella be able to fully awaken her connection with Lady Margaret?

The newest episode can be found on Meta Quest TV. If you haven’t already, follow this link to subscribe to the series. Make sure to check out the new clip below.

Eli Roth Present’s THE FACELESS LADY S1E5 Clip: THE DUEL – YouTube