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How Mick Garris’s ‘Masters of Horror’ Became ‘Fear Itself’

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Masters of Horror

Way, way back in 2005, Masters of Horror debuted on Showtime and gave horror fans an intense anthology series unlike anything we’d really seen at that point, and it all began when Mick Garris (Nightmare Cinema) invited a few of his fellow genre directors to a little informal dinner where they could all basically hang out and chat about their work and upcoming projects.

That first dinner reportedly included John Carpenter (Halloween), Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator), Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre), and Joe Dante (The Howling) among others.

One dinner became two, and before long, an idea sparked in Garris’s mind.

What if all these directors got together and worked on one project? That project became Masters of Horror, a series made up of hour-long episodes, each directed by a legit master of the macabre.

Masters of Horror on Showtime

On Friday, October 28, 2005, Masters of Horror debuted on Showtime with “Incident On and Off a Mountain Road” directed by Don Coscarelli (Phantasm) starring Bree Turner (Grimm), John DeSantis (Thir13en Ghosts) and Coscarelli’s long-time collaborator Angus Scrimm (Phantasm).

The episode received mostly positive reviews and was the beginning of what would become a season of highs and lows including “Cigarette Burns” from John Carpenter, Lucky McKee’s “Sick Girl”, and “H.P. Lovecraft’s Dreams in the Witch House” directed by longtime Lovecraft fan Stuart Gordon.

Interestingly enough, Takashi Miike (Blade of the Immortal) became perhaps the most controversial figure of the first season with an entry titled “Imprint.” The episode starred Billy Drago (The Hills Have Eyes) as a 19th century American journalist who returns to Japan in search of a prostitute with whom he’d fallen in love with years before only to discover the horrific events that befell her after he left.

The episode was cut by Showtime over its content, and Garris was quoted by the New York Times calling it “the most disturbing film I’ve ever seen.”

The success of the first season found Garris curating stories for season two. Several of the directors from season one returned, this time joined by Tom Holland (Fright Night), Rob Schmidt (Wrong Turn), Peter Medak (The Changeling), Brad Anderson (Session 9), Ernest Dickerson (Demon Knight), and Norio Tsuruta (Premonition).

All thirteen episodes of season two made it to air and while the overall season enjoyed generally positive reviews, Showtime inexplicably decided not to bring back the show for a third season.

Fear Itself

Garris and Lionsgate, who had begun funding the show, eventually signed a 13-episode deal with NBC for a new series titled Fear Itself operating under the same premise of an anthology series directed by horror film directors.

Of course, in the move to NBC, the stories became a bit tamer.

“The Sacrifice” was the debut episode of Fear Itself

The series premiered on Thursday, June 5, 2008 with Breck Eisner–who would direct the remake of The Crazies two years later in 2010–directing “The Sacrifice.” The episode starred Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror), Jeffrey Pierce (Castle Rock), and Rachel Miner (The Black Dahlia) in a story about four criminals on the run who take refuge in an isolated fort only to discover that their troubles are just beginning.

Unfortunately after a decent start in the ratings, viewership began to fall away almost immediately. Episodes helmed by returning directors Brad Anderson, John Landis, and Stuart Gordon, played alongside the work of Mary Harron (American Psycho), Ronny Yu (Freddy vs. Jason), Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II), and Larry Fessenden (Jug Face).

The show was preempted by the Summer Olympics with five episodes left to air. It was meant to return after the Olympics had run their course that Summer but when the Games came to a close, NBC began airing reruns of other series during that time slot and no one saw the rest of Fear Itself until it was released on DVD in September of 2009.

Sadly, this was the end of Garris’s particular vision for this show, and honestly, I think we’re ready for a new iteration with brand new and diverse directors featured alongside some of those who helped shape the genre into what it is today.

If you’re feeling nostalgic, season one of Masters of Horror is streaming for free on The Roku Channel, Vudu, Tubi, and Vidmark and can be rented/purchased on Amazon and Fandango Now.

Season two is up for free on The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Vidmark with purchase/rent options on Vudu, Fandango Now, and Amazon, as well.

And finally, Fear Itself is streaming free on The Roku Channel and Vidmark and can be purchased on DVD at Amazon.

Who would you pick to direct new episodes of Masters of Horror? Let us know your choices in the comments below!

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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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