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How Aliens Invaded B-Horror in the 1950s

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Aliens

On June 24, 1947, private pilot Kenneth Arnold claimed that he saw a string of nine shining, unidentified flying objects during a clear-skied summer flight over Mt. Rainier. These reflective flying discs – which he estimated were traveling upwards of 1,200 mph – marked the first of many sightings to follow.

Naturally, there are reported cases of flying objects throughout history. For centuries they were usually attributed to ghosts, angels, and other supernatural beings. But as science fiction grew as a genre, the idea of these flying objects being of an extraterrestrial nature was more broadly accepted.

Image result for war of the worlds orson wells
via Today in History

In 1938, Orson Welles caused mass hysteria with his Mercury Theatre On the Air radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds – an adaptation of the novel by H.G. Wells. The radio play was structured as a normal evening of programming with news bulletin interruptions to provide updates on the fictional alien invasion in New York. The Mercury Theatre program was generally not subject to commercial breaks, adding to the realism of these news bulletin “interruptions”.

In the late 1940s – after WWII had subsided – the public was more tuned in to dangerous technological developments and the power they held. They all knew the mantra of “watch the skies”. They’d heard stories of the mysterious “foo fighters” seen by fighter pilots flying over Germany. So when Kenneth Arnold came forward with his report of a strange sighting, newspapers plastered his tale across the front page with a serious, even-handed tone.

The phrases “flying saucer” and “flying disc” entered the English lexicon, and a new fascination was formed. Science fiction had incorporated aliens as a threat in pulp novels and comics, but the complex ideas hadn’t shifted to the silver screen.

The fiendish monsters that haunted horror films in the 1940s were winding down in popularity, so the horror genre embraced science fiction, the Atomic Age, and their new audience; teenagers.

As teens piled into their cars and flocked to the drive-ins, films were made to cater to their pop culture preferences; fast-paced and violent with snappy dialogue and wild fantasy. Tired of melodramatic movies and TV nights at home, this new generation wanted new ideas.

Aliens and space invaders accepted that challenge. They provided new ideas that capitalized on the public interest in UFOs and abductions while lending their themes to social allegory. Films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1959), It Came From Outer Space (1953), The Blob (1958), and Invaders From Mars (1953) struck fear into the hearts of their audiences while subtly reflecting on McCarthyism and the Red Scare.

These films are now iconic in the genre. Even Plan 9 From Outer Space (1958) – though less successful with critics – has earned its place as a cult classic.

Image result for plan 9 from outer space
via IMDb

The interest in mysterious beings and unknown monsters fused into 1950s creature features as well. The Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954), The Thing from Another World (1951), The Alligator People (1959), and an adaptation of the aforementioned The War of the Worlds (1953) featured strange new creatures with otherworldly origins.

Humans get a charge from fear – we thrive on it – which is one of the reasons that horror as a genre is so popular. We like to feel scared. In a post-war era, the public didn’t have to stand on guard for a potential Earthly threat, so they followed the extraterrestrial lead as both a source and outlet for their anxieties. Sometimes, when you’ve spent so long “watching the skies” for potential danger, it’s hard to look away.

For more on extraterrestrial fears, click here to read about the 1957 abduction of Antonio Vilas-Boas.

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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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