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TIFF Review: ‘Color Out of Space’ Paints a Messy Picture

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Color Out of Space

Director Richard Stanley returns to narrative filmmaking after over 20 years with Color Out of Space, a hypnotic H.P. Lovecraft adaptation. Published in 1927, the story is one of Lovecraft’s most popular works and is said to be his favorite of his short stories. Stanley brings his love for Lovecraft into the film and adds his own personal flair to the tale, creating a unique and inventive experience.

Starring Nicolas Cage (Mandy), Joely Richardson (Event Horizon), Madeleine Arthur (The Magicians), Brendan Meyer (The Guest), Julian Hilliard (The Haunting of Hill House), Elliot Knight (Once Upon a Time), and Tommy Chong (of Cheech and Chong fame), Color Out of Space follows the Gardner family as a meteorite crashes on their farm. This space rock emits an indescribable color that affects all life nearby in mysterious and terrifying ways. Soon, the family is left to fend for their very lives as the color spreads across their land, leaving chaos in its wake. 

Cosmic Lovecraftian horror can be a challenge as the monster effects are key. If you ask any horror fan, they’ll gladly tell you that practical effects are always preferable. Thankfully, Stanley uses practical effects for the most horrific moments in the film, which is truly appreciated.

Reminiscent of Rob Bottin’s creature designs for The Thing, the monsters of Color Out of Space are quite effective. CGI effects are layered over top of the practical effects to enhance them with the titular color, however, in some instances the amount of CGI use overshadows the practical effect so it’s difficult to tell what was physically made. 

via IMDb

For the most part, Color Out of Space hits some of the narrative beats from the original short story, though certain changes have been made with varying effect. Naturally some shifts have occurred that affect the development of the plot, though there are also some ancillary adjustments that change the film’s overall tone. 

Rather than a collection of generic livestock, the family’s farm is populated by a herd of alpacas. More often than not, these alpacas serve as a punchline which can be distracting as they make every scene they’re in a bit silly (because alpacas are naturally kind of absurd). 

Multiple characters are combined into one hydrologist who serves as a scientific catch-all whenever knowledge is needed. It’s a bit odd that a hydrologist would be consulted for the discovery of a meteorite, or would know what radiation burns look like, but it’s best not to dwell on it… the man knows his science.

via IMDb

There are a few other narrative seeds planted that don’t really grow into anything and could be cut out entirely without affecting the film at all. They add to character development, but are generally unnecessary as there are other ways to build the audience’s relationship with and understanding of these characters without needless filler.

What’s more jarring is the fact that each actor seems to be working in a different movie. Performances are all over the place in terms of tone with varying degrees of intensity. Nicolas Cage takes center stage in one of his most cagey performances to date, alternating between dowdy farmer (slash bourbon connoisseur) and full-blown bonkers on a hairpin trigger. When facing an unhinged Cage, the actors deliver their dialogue with such sincerity that it can be quite comical, though it’s unclear if this is always intentional. The cast can’t match his eccentricity and don’t try to, so as an end result, the energy is very uneven.

As a Lovecraft adaptation, Color Out of Space is fine. It’s not overwhelmingly good or bad, though it might not be what you expect when you hear the combination of Lovecraft, Nic Cage, and Richard Stanley. It’s hypnotically entertaining — particularly for its Cage-isms — but overall it could be more cohesive. 

Color Out of Space strays outside the lines to draw its own unique picture, and the end result is a bit messy. The film has already been acquired by RJLE Films ahead of its Midnight Madness world premiere. But the real question is, will audiences buy it?

Color Out of Space

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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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