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Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue: The Ultimate Horror Documentary

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It’s the 4th of July Weekend, and what could be more American than Horror movies? But which ones? Which movies do you watch, which do you pass up,? Classics or contemporaries? How about probably the best Horror documentary onĀ American cinema ever made? Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film, based on the book of the same name.

Horror can be a hard subject for some people to talk about. It can be hard to admit to other people that you love the morals of the SAW series despite the gruesome scenarios, or that you enjoy the social commentary right alongside the campiness of some of the classic zombie movies. Ā The difficulty of this discussion makes finding a good Horror documentary fairly hit or miss, which makes how well this one is made all the more of an accomplishment.

Produced by Lux Digital Pictures in 2009, directed by Andrew Monument, and narrated by the voice of the singular Lance Henrickson, it includes commentary and interviews by John Carpenter, Joe Dante, George Romero, and Roger Corman among others.

Image courtesy of Nightmaresinredwhiteandblue.com

The documentary opens with the very beginning, starting with the Edison Manufacturing Company’s 1910 renditionĀ of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. From there, it progresses up through the decades, looking at the movies which defined the years, the themes behind them, and even the state of the country which led to their creation.

For example, it’s interesting to learn that 1931’s Dracula was passed off as a love story more than a Horror film. That theme continues through the decade, where the monsters aren’t just monsters. King Kong, in 1933 had the theme of love in it, as most people know. Also Frankenstein. And despite the monsters having these redeeming qualities, you find out that Hollywood actually decreed that all monsters in movies had to be destroyed by the end of the film.

The 1950’s and early 60’s had the fear of nuclear power and looked into gimmicks such as vibrating seats (The Tingler, 1959) and a version of 3D glasses (13 Ghosts, 1960).

They discuss how the themes of Horror tend to follow the changes in American culture through the years, the ‘wars’ between generations, the changing fears of the world through the eyes of America. We get breakdowns of the attacks on the American way of life through The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror, and The Stepford Wives.

Image courtesy lionsgateathome.com/saw

It continues all the way up to the present day, with the incredible on-screen violence of the SAW and Hostel movies, and the revival of monsters through new movies and remakes in the late 2000’s.

Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue is great because not only do you get to understand some of your favorite Horror movies a little bit better, you’ll probably find some movies you haven’t seen which, maybe you should. If you count yourself any real kind of Horror fan, this is a horror documentary you need to watch. As for where, it shows up intermittently on Netflix, and the whole thing can also be found on YouTube.

One last thing, we’re all Horror fans here, but the documentary does include some strong language and nudity. Just FYI.

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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 MartellĀ 

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 childrenā€™s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Panā€™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. Milneā€™s 1926 childrenā€™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 brothersā€™ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending thatā€™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 Brothersā€™ 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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