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How Accurate is The Viral Cycle in ‘Osmosis Jones’?

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Let’s face it, the average person knows nothing about the spreading of disease, but Bob and Peter Farrelly attempted to nail it back in 2001 with their animated sleeper Osmosis Jones.

The world is currently living through one of its worse pandemics. Television news and social media are alive with updates, rhetoric, and doom speak.

Osmosis Jones kinda puts everything in perspective (although inaccurately) as far as human pathology and anatomy, complete with a very scary villain. Along with Contagion and Outbreak, it couldn’t be more timely.

Here’s a synopsis of Osmosis Jones:

Out-of-shape, middle-aged, and slovenly Frank DeTorre (Bill Murray), contracts a deadly virus after consuming an egg off the ground invoking the ten-second rule (which I always thought was a three-second rule).

The virus, named Thrax, is a serial pathogen attached to the egg and makes it his mission, like any other virus, to wreak havoc on the human body.

This would seem easy if it weren’t for Osmosis “Ozzy” Jones, a white blood cell whose job it is to protect Frank by killing off foreign bodies.

The truth is, the body has three lines of defenses against foreign bodies not just the white blood cells, but that wouldn’t make for a suspenseful action-adventure mostly aimed at children.

Osmosis Jones moves between live-action and animation. The latter is inside Frank’s body that resembles a big city (named Frank) and is populated by anthropomorphic microorganisms. It’s the perfect setting for the Farrelly Brothers signature brand of gross-out storytelling.

Mayor Phlegmming (William Shatner) oversees the metropolis, who appears to have been modeled after the character Mayor Larry Vaughn from Jaws because, despite all the warnings, Phlegmming still wants to put Frank in danger by increasing his urges to eat junk food and compete in the “Chicken Wing Festival.”

Thrax leaves his mark on Frank’s throat upon entry which causes inflammation. Frank uses a cold capsule to ease the effects. This capsule named Drixenol “Drix” Koldreliff (David Hyde Pierce) soon joins Osmosis in an investigation to find and rid Frank’s body of the deadly virus.

In this time of COVID-19 when many people are so confused about how a virus takes hold and what it can do to elderly people or people with underlying health issues such as obesity Osmosis Jones is like a flow chart, albeit flawed, of the viral lifecycle.

My limited knowledge on how a virus works is this:

Basically it enters the body, it takes a cell hostage and uses it as a host. Once inside the cell, it commandeers the cell’s replication code and begins to copy itself. After the host cell has outlived its purpose, it dies and the virus moves on to another one.

Osmosis Jones takes an artistic approach here. Thrax isn’t trying to copy himself and to my understanding, he is independent of any viral replication tactics, although he does employ some very inept henchmen. Could this mean he’s a bioengineered virus developed for warfare?

Then there’s the body’s defense system. As mentioned before our bodies have three lines of defense against a virus, the white blood cells (check), macrophages, and finally our body’s specific Cell-mediated response and Antibody-mediated response which if working correctly targets the infection and kills it.

Osmosis Jones leaves out a lot scientific truths but even at its most basic, the film creates interest in its intended younger audience about the human body.

They learn about the importance of hygiene, that a virus can enter by way of the mouth, nose or eyes. Even though the City of Frank is a metaphor, the film explores human anatomy in clever ways which kids will find amusing.

As for adults, the movie has beautifully animated sequences, directed by Tom Sito and Piet Kroon, they are pretty gorgeous; a combination of computer rendering and hand-drawn cells.

And of course, this is brothers Farrelly film and contains plenty of body fluid humor both in the animated world and in the practical one which should entertain both kids and adults.

One problematic aspect is that even though Frank has a strong white blood cell fighting off the infection, some people don’t have a hearty Osmosis in their body and therefore the contagion might be dire for them.

Not scientifically accurate, Osmosis Jones gets some bonus points for humor and pseudo-science. It might not get a lot of things right which probably isn’t helpful right now, but what is helpful is that it gives us a chance to laugh which they say is indeed the best medicine.

Osmosis Jones is currently available to stream on Starz.

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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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