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Movie Review: “The Atticus Institute”

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As possession movies go, The Atticus Institute is a very slow burn. There aren’t any anatomy defying special effects or levitating flannel nightgowns. What the movie does have is an intriguing storyline and very believable actors.

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The Atticus Institute, starring William Mapother (Another Earth, The Grudge) and Rya Kihlstedt (Home Alone 3, Deep Impact) and directed by Chris Sparling, revolves around the research lab named in the title, which tests people’s abilities of telekinesis, pyrokenisis and E.S.P. Their goal is to discover their own Nina Kuligina; a very real Russian woman who was believed to have successfully conquered mind-over-matter.

Through their research, the small institute discovers some notable people with abilities to predict symbols on cards hidden from view, and a few small feats of telekinesis. But when the frumpy Judith Winestead (Kihlstedt) joins the studies, the lab becomes a battleground between the will of the devil and eventually the U.S. military defense department.

Judith (Kihlstedt) is not herself lately.

Judith (Kihlstedt) is not herself lately.

The beauty of The Atticus Institute is in the way it unfolds its story. Through video surveillance and old photographs, the attention to 1970’s detail is astounding. Everything is right about the era, including props, costumes and hairstyles.

The narrative also includes sit-down style interviews with the scientists that were a part of the institute during its operation and Judith’s stay there almost 40 years previous. The film makers have done an excellent job at casting both the modern cast and their forty-year younger counterparts.

Last year Jill Larson gave us a performance that was worthy of an Oscar ® nod in “The Taking of Deborah Logan”, her slow fall into mental illness, Alzheimer’s and possession was extraordinary. The depths that Larson had to mine to bring her character through the complications of the real world while dealing with the manipulations of the underworld is inspired.

Unfortunately Kihlstedt, as the possessed Judith, has little to say in The Atticus Institute, but that doesn’t mean her performance is any less noteworthy. Although we are never certain at which stage her possession has taken hold when we first meet her, she manages to take risks, and as a result her actions give the viewer an uneasiness. This otherwise dowdy, timid woman in a sweater-set snarling, glowering and doing things that are clearly the characteristics of possession are just capricious enough to be interesting.

 

70's technology really brings out the low tones

70’s technology really brings out the low tones

Once the defense department makes its appearance, the movie switches from a study of a human with unexplainable powers to one of inhumane treatment of people and…frogs. The defense general puts Judith through rigorous tests and demands the demon inside her enter other people’s minds in order to see if its powers can be used as a weapon. Nice concept, but the movie could have taken a bit more liberties with this angle instead of reducing it to an unsalted series of mind reading and forced thought control.

The Defense Dept. tries to bottle The Devil

The Defense Dept. tries to bottle The Devil

By the end of the film we are non-the-wiser about the true character of Judith, She is a monster plain and simple except for a small scene where her real personality finally emerges, but that is cut short as the circumstances change and the ending manages to attempt a twist.

The Atticus Institute is a well-performing engine that is perfect for the VOD world. Not particularly scary or jolting, the movie relies heavily on period design and performances. A seasoned cast, attention to detail and an interesting premise should fill 90 minutes of your time, but don’t expect anything more than a nice cup of tea instead of a double espresso served neat.

You can order your copy of “The Atticus Institute” here.

Order your copy at Amazon, or rent on VOD today!

Order your copy at Amazon, or rent on VOD today!

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The Original ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel Had an Interesting Location

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beetlejuice in Hawaii Movie

Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s sequels to hit movies weren’t as linear as they are today. It was more like “let’s re-do the situation but in a different location.” Remember Speed 2, or National Lampoon’s European Vacation? Even Aliens, as good as it is, follows a lot of the plot points of the original; people stuck on a ship, an android, a little girl in peril instead of a cat. So it makes sense that one of the most popular supernatural comedies of all time, Beetlejuice would follow the same pattern.

In 1991 Tim Burton was interested in doing a sequel to his 1988 original, it was called Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian:

“The Deetz family moves to Hawaii to develop a resort. Construction begins, and it’s quickly discovered that the hotel will be sitting on top of an ancient burial ground. Beetlejuice comes in to save the day.”

Burton liked the script but wanted some re-writes so he asked then-hot screenwriter Daniel Waters who had just got done contributing to Heathers. He passed on the opportunity so producer David Geffen offered it to Troop Beverly Hills scribe Pamela Norris to no avail.

Eventually, Warner Bros. asked Kevin Smith to punch up Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, he scoffed at the idea, saying, “Didn’t we say all we needed to say in the first Beetlejuice? Must we go tropical?”

Nine years later the sequel was killed. The studio said Winona Ryder was now too old for the part and an entire re-cast needed to happen. But Burton never gave up, there were a lot of directions he wanted to take his characters, including a Disney crossover.

“We talked about lots of different things,” the director said in Entertainment Weekly. “That was early on when we were going, Beetlejuice and the Haunted MansionBeetlejuice Goes West, whatever. Lots of things came up.”

Fast-forward to 2011 when another script was pitched for a sequel. This time the writer of Burton’s Dark Shadows,  Seth Grahame-Smith was hired and he wanted to make sure the story wasn’t a cash-grabbing remake or reboot. Four years later, in 2015, a script was approved with both Ryder and Keaton saying they would return to their respective roles. In 2017 that script was revamped and then eventually shelved in 2019.

During the time the sequel script was being tossed around in Hollywood, in 2016 an artist named Alex Murillo posted what looked like one-sheets for a Beetlejuice sequel. Although they were fabricated and had no affiliation with Warner Bros. people thought they were real.

Perhaps the virality of the artwork sparked interest in a Beetlejuice sequel once again, and finally, it was confirmed in 2022 Beetlejuice 2 had a green light from a script written by Wednesday writers  Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The star of that series Jenna Ortega signed on to the new movie with filming starting in 2023. It was also confirmed that Danny Elfman would return to do the score.

Burton and Keaton agreed that the new film titled Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice wouldn’t rely on CGI or other other forms of technology. They wanted the film to feel “handmade.” The film wrapped in November 2023.

It’s been over three decades to come up with a sequel to Beetlejuice. Hopefully, since they said aloha to Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian there has been enough time and creativity to ensure Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will not only honor the characters, but fans of the original.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will open theatrically on September 6.

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Russell Crowe To Star in Another Exorcism Movie & It’s Not a Sequel

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Maybe it’s because The Exorcist just celebrated its 50th-anniversary last year, or maybe it’s because aging Academy Award-winning actors aren’t too proud to take on obscure roles, but Russell Crowe is visiting the Devil once again in yet another possession film. And it’s not related to his last one, The Pope’s Exorcist.

According to Collider, the film titled The Exorcism was originally going to be released under the name The Georgetown Project. Rights for its North American release were once in the hands of Miramax but then went to Vertical Entertainment. It will release on June 7 in theaters then head over to Shudder for subscribers.

Crowe will also star in this year’s upcoming Kraven the Hunter which is set to drop in theaters on August 30.

As for The Exorcism, Collider provides us with what it’s about:

“The film centers around actor Anthony Miller (Crowe), whose troubles come to the forefront as he shoots a supernatural horror movie. His estranged daughter (Ryan Simpkins) has to figure out whether he’s lapsing into his past addictions, or if something even more horrific is occurring. “

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New F-Bomb Laden ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer: Bloody Buddy Movie

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Deadpool & Wolverine might be the buddy movie of the decade. The two heterodox superheroes are back in the latest trailer for the summer blockbuster, this time with more f-bombs than a gangster film.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Movie Trailer

This time the focus is on Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman. The adamantium-infused X-Man is having a bit of a pity party when Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) arrives on the scene who then tries to convince him to team up for selfish reasons. The result is a profanity-filled trailer with a Strange surprise at the end.

Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. It comes out on July 26. Here is the latest trailer, and we suggest if you are at work and your space isn’t private, you might want to put in headphones.

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