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Remembering Romero: Spooktacular Creepshow Delivers Thrills and Chills

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Remembering Romero: Spooktacular Creepshow Delivers Thrills and Chills

Creepshow is more of an event than it is a movie, and it’s one every horror fan should experience. Welcome back, my little Nasties! It’s your dearly departed pal Manic Exorcism here again ready to rifle the resting place of one of Horrordom’s most beloved masterpieces. So pick up a shovel and let’s dig right in.

image courtesy of Warner Bros, via wallpaperup

Every now and then horror audiences are darkly blessed with a bloodcurdling extravaganza of ghastly sights, frights, and macabre delights! Creepshow happens to be one such movie.

In 1982 fans were treated to a grizzly smorgasbord of chills and thrills, as well as a few delightful kills, as three masters of the macabre combined their unique talents to give life to what quickly became a fan-favored masterpiece, Creepshow.

This unholy trinity of spine-tingling spookiness consisted of the gruesome visions of beloved director George A. Romero (Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Martin), a screenplay written by horror master-storyteller Stephen King (Pet Sematary, The Shining, IT) and was brought to life by special effects legend, Tom Savini (Friday the 13th parts 1 and 4, Dawn of the Dead, From Dusk Till Dawn) and quickly the little project became a cult classic.

image via pophorror, ‘Just Desserts: the making of Creepshow’

United by their shared love for the old EC comics’ hair-raising library of terror (Vault of Horror, The Haunt of Fear, Tales From The Crypt) Stephen King and our dearly departed George A. Romero unleashed a film spectacular of screams and laughs so fine the Cryptkeeper himself would be proud to regale their spooky triumph.

These men are without any doubt among the finest in terror, and always will be. They not only got how to make us scream, but they (most importantly) understood how vital it is for an audience to have fun while watching a scary movie.

It’s a precarious line to balance between scares and comedy, one precious few can pull off effectively, and as in many instances, it’s proved how wrong things can go. Not so with Creepshow. It testifies to the one-of-a-kind brilliance that was Romero and King’s creativity and charming humor.

image via bloody disgusting

At its heart Creepshow is a fun, fun movie. In direct contrast to what we usually expect from horror cinema, this movie uses bright colors and well-timed comedy to deliver its shocks. And that’s part of the secret to its immortal charm.

In this film, Romero takes us back to a simpler time. Back to when we were kids. When we had to hide horror comics from our parents as if we were smuggling drugs through our sock drawers. Appropriately enough, the film opens with an infuriated father (Tom Atkins) sickened to discover his son’s Creepshow comic book under his roof.

image via horrorfanzine, courtesy of Warner Bros

Well not in this house, little mister! Poor Billy (Joe Hill) loses his beloved comic and gets the shit slapped out of him. Meanwhile, his cranky ol‘ dad promptly tosses the comic straight into the trash as though it was a sack of rotting rat guts, and thus unknowingly sets in motion darkly playful forces beyond his control.

Five lurking tales of terror await the viewer brave enough to still be found in attendance. A wicked pentagram of dripping horrors, of things that don’t want to stay dead (or not until they’ve had their cake at least), and of rightful comeuppance upon some very naughty scoundrels.

image via Shout! Factory, courtesy of Warner Bros

 

Remembering the legend who brought ‘Creepshow’ to life

George A. Romero recently passed away at the age of 77, and already our world is an emptier place without him. To those who knew the man best, he was a kind-hearted and gentle human being. Romero was a warm soul with an inspiring grin.

Had it not been for Romero’s contribution to horror over the years it’s doubtful we would have things like Resident Evil – which just celebrated another major success with the release of Resident Evil 7 this year – or the hyper-popular Walking Dead series. In fact, there are now entire franchises (as well as many careers) that owe all of their success to Romeo’s treasured legacy.

 

via IMDb, couresy of Warner Bros.

Romero single-handedly re-imagined zombies took them away from their voodoo roots and turned them into the living dead throngs with an insatiable appetite for the warm flesh of the unfortunate living. His ideas were groundbreaking, to say the least.

Why do the dead rise from the grave with an insatiable hunger for living flesh? Because Romero said they do. Why do you have to aim for the head to kill a zombie? Because Romero said so. And know what? We do not question these rules. They’re as common and fool-proof as a silver bullet is to a werewolf’s heart. Zombies live today all thanks to George A. Romero.

But there was so much more to the man than his rightly-praised Dead franchise. Let’s be frank here, had Romero only made three movies in his entire life (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and Day of the Dead) he could have spent the rest of his days as a friendly convention regular and done pretty well for himself.

But he didn’t follow that path because the man was an artist and kept himself busy on projects up until we lost him.

Indeed there was so much more to the Godfather of Zombies than zombie films. Creepshow is one example among many of just how fun and talented he was, and proves the creative range Romero had as a storyteller.

George Romero also understood this vital point – sometimes we just need to shut the news off (or up), butter up some popcorn, then sit back and forget all about the drama of life through the vibe of a good movie. The kind gentleman gave us so many to choose from and his legacy will continue into the generations to come. His mark on horror will never be replaced or equaled.

So as we end Part I of a Creepshow retrospective, we honor the memory and career of a gentle human being who gave us all so many laughs and screams. You’ll be missed, kind sir. And never forgotten.

RIP George A. Romero.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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