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John Lithgow has some big shoes to fill as Jud Crandall

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John Lithgow has some big shoes to fill as Jud Crandall

When I first heard they were remaking Pet Sematary my initial thought was how impossible it would be to replace the iconic role of Jud Crandall. Originally brought to life by the one and only Fred Gwynne, the kindly old man serves as the story’s backbone.

In a true shamanistic fashion, Jud Crandall is our guide down the weathered path leading to the enigmatic Pet Sematary, and he walks about each grave somehow knowing the story behind every one of them. He’s a man who has spent his entire life close to the mysteries surrounding that silent graveyard, and he is one of the very few who still remembers the insidious secrets of what lies beyond its deadfall.

Jud’s character adds a very human touch to the story. He quickly takes to the story’s protagonist, Lois Creed, and feels protective of the whole Creed family who have just moved in across from him. He’s the grandfatherly kind of guy, the one you can trust and confide in. He knows the area like the back of his weathered hand – both the good and the bad. When the Creed family cat dies, Jud Crandall takes it on himself to share the area’s darkest secret with Louis and leads him to the old forsaken Micmac burial ground that lies uneasily beyond the barrier of the Pet Sematary.

image via IMDB, courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Jud later regrets this action and sets in motion dark forces that have set themselves against the Creeds. Jud Crandall is absolutely essential to the story’s success.

The role was masterfully played by the gentle Fred Gwynne, and, honestly, I felt as if no one could ever live up to his high standard. That’s the deal with remakes though: the originals are so firmly rooted in our nostalgia that to imagine anyone else filling in those already-beloved roles is somewhat a heresy.

Then they announced the one and only John Lithgow would be taking over the role and I was hooked. Many people may remember Lithgow from his comedic role on 3rd Rock From the Sun, a fun and lively sitcom where Lithgow stole every single scene he was in.

Me, on the other hand, think of Dexter Season 4 when it comes to John Lithgow. In that season Lithgow played the overarching villain who captivates Dexter’s attention. Lithgow plays the vicious Trinity Killer and is excellent in the role. No, that’s not quite it. Is there a better word for it? It seems like ‘excellent’ is inadequate a word to fully describe the man’s legendary performance. He by far dominated the show by it.

And he was scary as Hell! I mean that. We had already seen a few maniacs on Dexter, but there was something way more to the character John Lithgow played. It was nothing short of sinister. To look at him you would never expect he was capable of such heinous crimes. The guy was a pillar of the community, well respected, and was a family man who lived right next door. That all lent to the terror of his performance.

So they couldn’t have picked a better actor to take on the role of Jud Crandall, one of Stephen King’s most beloved characters. We’ll be there this weekend ready to get chills as we listen to Lithgow/Crandall explain to us why dead is sometimes better.

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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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