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Late To The Party – Phantasm II

Published

6 years ago

January 3, 2018

Chris Fischer

In my last edition of Late To The Party we jumped head first straight into the slimy sewers of horror’s smelliest little movies – Ghoulies. After wading hip-deep through that sloppy shit stream of a film it’s time to wash away all of that loathsome stink off of us by finally watching one of horror’s finest offerings – Phantasm II.

Phantasm is among the most sacred horror franchises ever unleashed upon audiences. For the longest time American fans were deprived of owning this masterful collection as any proper Blu-ray set. It was a collection only available to our UK friends, and our shelves were lesser for it. Then rumors began to circulate about a Blu-ray set being released on this side of the pond. J.J. Abrams (Cloverfield, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) was determined to see it happen and became the driving force for the films release.

image via boomstickcomics

All five Phantasm movies made their way home early Spring of last year, and I couldn’t wait to get it! I had only ever seen the first movie and was eager to finally watch the complete saga. So here we are finally watching Phantasm II.

The movie starts out with a literal bang! It wisely opens with the finale of the last film. Reggie and Mike (Reggie Bannister, A. Michael Baldwin) – after narrowly surviving the cataclysmic wiles of the Tall Man (Angus Scimm) – decide to take off and start anew. Someplace with no stained memories of the Tall Man or his hooded minions.

image via Scared Stiff Reviews

But the Tall Man is an eternal entity and not of our dimension. He cannot be stopped which only adds to his malevolent charms. While Mike is in his room packing to leave the Tall Man attacks. If it wasn’t for Reggie’s vigilance Mike could have easily found himself in the eerie dimension of the Tall Man’s bleak reality.

An army of hooded dwarves (trust me it’s darker and cooler than it sounds on paper) swarm the house and attack our heroes. Reggie is always proving to be one step ahead though. He turns on the gas stove (please don’t ever try this at home) and escapes with Mike as the house fills with gas and eventually is ignited by the open fire place. KA-BOOM!

We’re also introduced to our newest hero – Liz (Paula Irvine). She shares a unique telepathic connection with Mike, and together they find themselves pitted against the evils of the Tall Man through haunted dreams. The Tall Man is drawn to their psychic powers and has use for them in his hellish realm. Because of this Mike is convinced Liz is in grave danger and takes off to find her.

image via geeks of doom

Before he can begin his quest though he has to convince Reggie to go along on his hair-brained plan. You see, Mike has been undergoing some (from what we can assume) heavy therapy sessions over the traumatic events of the first film. Reggie tries to assure Mike that’s it was all an illusion – or perhaps a phantasm? Mike makes a very compelling argument though as he shows Reggie that every grave has been emptied, undeniable proof of the Tall Man’s heinous work.

This movie was given a bigger budget and the sets prove it. At times the film is beautiful with its scenes of cemeteries and old mausoleums. They also realized how much fans loved the Phantasm score and really amped it up this time around. Something else they seemed to realize was how much audiences love Reggie. Our favorite guitar-picking ice-cream vendor becomes an action hero this time around. I suppose they explored that in the first movie, but it feels way more accentuated in the sequel.

image via Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

But how could I not talk about the Tall Man? The fiend is a rock star, and I’m convinced Angus Scrimm was somewhat aware of that. He dominates each scene he’s in. He really does seem unstoppable, and that’s what you want from a horror villain. I love that we really know nothing about him, but we’re afraid of him nonetheless. This movie was made at a time when directors knew less is more and it gave us some brilliant monsters.

image via Den of Geek

Unlike Ghoulies I really loved this one. Phantasm II delivers in every way. If you’ve not had the pleasure of seeing this one yet I can highly recommend it.

I still have three more movies in this series to watch so maybe they’ll appear on future installments of Late To The Party.

This has been Manic Exorcism once again. Happy New Year, faithful reader!

“You think when you die you go to Heaven. You come to us!” – Tall Man

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

4 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

7 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.