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Best 11 Horror Films Of 2017- James Jay Edwards’ Picks

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Be sure to check back in with us through the week for more lists from some of iHorror’s top writers!

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via Chris Fischer

11. 78/52

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

78/52 (2017), courtesy IFC Midnight.

The shower scene in Psycho is possibly the most scrutinized and analyzed scene in movie history (film geeks might make an argument for the Odessa Steps sequence in Battleship Potemkin, but I digress).  Well, 78/52 is a documentary all about that scene and more.  If there’s ever anything that you’ve wondered about the making of Psycho in general or the shower scene in particular, it’s probably in 78/52.  A must-see for Psycho fans, or just for people who like to know how things tick behind the scenes.

 

10. IT

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

IT (2017), courtesy Warner Bros.

You may be tired of reading about IT by now, but there’s a reason why it’s so talked about.  It’s terrific.  Bill Skarsgard is no Tim Curry, but to his credit, he doesn’t try to be.  And the kids are both lovable and relatable, so IT basically turns into Stand by Me with a killer clown.  Of course, Part 2 was the weaker half of the 1990 television mini-series, so we’ll have to see how that plays out.  But Part 1 of the new IT was pretty fantastic (and it has the box office receipts to back it up).

 

9. Kong: Skull Island

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

Kong: Skull Island (2017), courtesy Warner Bros.

Ape-Pocalypse Now!  Yes, Kong: Skull Island is on this list.  This is the most fun Kong has been since 1976.  Sure, Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson seem like they’re in a completely different movie, but Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, and John C. Reilly are in on the joke and they all understand that Kong is King.  And the big guy looks better than ever.  I can’t wait for this rebooted King Kong to take on the rebooted Godzilla.

 

8. It Comes at Night

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

It Comes at Night (2017), courtesy A24.

After last year’s indie breakout fringe movie Krisha, a lot of people thought that director Trey Edward Shults should try his hand at making a bona-fide horror movie.  It Comes at Night is what he came up with.  It’s one of those movies where it feels like nothing is happening, when in reality, everything is.  A new twist on the old cabin in the woods motif.

 

7. The Blackcoat’s Daughter

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015), courtesy A24.

The Blackcoat’s Daughter was actually made in 2015, but it just saw release this year after a long period in distribution limbo.  I’m a little jealous of people who have never seen it, as I wish that I could experience it for the first time again.  Nevertheless, let’s all thank the cinematic super-heroes at A24 for saving this wonderful film from purgatory.

 

6. Raw

James Jay Edwards’ Top Eleven Horror Movies Of 2017

Raw (2017), courtesy Focus World.

For my money, no movie had nearly as many “holy shit!” moments this year as Raw.  It’s been touted as both a cannibalism exploitation flick and a body horror movie, but it’s really just one of those shockingly beautiful horror films that only come along once in a blue moon.

 

5. War for the Planet of the Apes

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies Of 2017

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), courtesy Twentieth Century Fox.

And speaking of Ape-Pocalypse Now!  These new Planet of the Apes movies just keep getting better.  Rise of the Planet of the Apes was great, and War for the Planet of the Apes is even better.  Seamless visual effects and a knockout performance from mo-cap superhero Andy Serkis (can we nominate him for an acting Oscar yet?) anchor this blockbuster spectacle.

 

4. Split

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies Of 2017

Split (2017), courtesy Universal Pictures.

Whenever people think of M. Night Shyamalan movies, the first thing that comes to mind is “The Twist.”  Of course Split has a twist, and it’s an awesome one that literally changes everything that has come before it, but it’s unlike any other Shyamalan twist (purposely being vague so as to not spoil it for the two or three of you who may not have heard about it yet).  But enough about twists, Split also has the year’s single best performance with James McAvoy’s flawless portrayal of a person with 23 personalities (although he only shows six or seven of them – slacker!).

 

3. Gerald’s Game

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies Of 2017

Gerald’s Game (2017), courtesy Netflix.

On paper, Stephen King’s Gerald’s Game is an unfilmable novel. Oculus director Mike Flanagan said “hold my beer” and delivered one of the most tense and suspenseful experiences of the year.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon your point of view), Gerald’s Game dumped right to Netflix, so Carla Gugino’s incredible performance won’t garner any Oscar love.  But look at the bright side: most of you can probably watch Gerald’s Game right now if you want to.  So do it.

 

2. The Killing of a Sacred Deer

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies of 2017

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), courtesy A24.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is the kind of movie that will get me in trouble for including, as it’s not the average, run-of-the-mill horror movie.  It’s an ominous, atmospheric, creepy little gem that takes a right turn at the halfway point and goes places the viewer never expects it to go.  Again, not strictly horror, but as much of a horror film as we’re bound to get out of director Yorgos Lanthimos.

 

1. Get Out

James Jay Edwards' Top 11 Horror Movies of 2017

Get Out (2017), courtesy Universal Pictures.

For my money, Get Out was flat-out the best movie of the year, horror or otherwise.  On the surface, it’s just a creepy sci-fi/horror flick, but once you let it sink in, you realize that writer/director Jordan Peele has tricked you into thinking about the many ills of modern society.  This is why I have high hopes for Peele’s Twilight Zone reboot.

 

So, what did I miss?  What are your favorite horror movies from 2017?

 

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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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