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REVIEW: ‘Cult of Chucky’ Shines on Multiple Levels

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Chucky movies have grown into much more than what they originally were: a commentary on obsessive retail hoarding behaviors. Besides everyone does their ordering online now and that Christmas gift that everyone wants can be bought on Ebay. Perhaps Black Friday is the last remnant of consumer fanaticism in a pay-check-to-paycheck, “People of Walmart” world.

The original Child’s Play hinted at the consumer craze of the 80’s, but offered a solid horror movie with a serial killer, a memorable monster and preteen in distress. Horror gold!

The one thing all of these movies have in common is Don Mancini, the George Lucas of horror. Although not as publically scrutinized for changing things up in the fourth and fifth films as Lucas was with his, Mancini gives the fans what they want, and if they want to see more comic relief that’s what they get. More blood? Check.

But that was so 2004. With these last two Child’s Play sequels, Mancini has left most of the outrageousness behind and concentrates on elements of tension instead of acerbic wit. And that is just fine.

Curse of Chucky (2013) was one of the best horror films I’ve seen in a long time, it built up suspense amid the walls of a creepy old house with a wheelchair-bound heroine and a cast of fleshed-out characters which left me wondering why Mancini hasn’t put more effort on anything else but his beloved franchise.

In his latest installment the buzzword-worthy Cult of Chucky, he moves the claustrophobic atmosphere into a psych ward and again twists his story into multiple knots which get untangled through eye-catching imagery, solid performances, and sickening kills.

With less slapstick and more realism, this entry may be equal to or even better than his last. Humor is still present, but the charm is in its subtly, not the foul-mouthed doll. In an inspired bit, Chucky leaves a message in a pool of blood that proves he doesn’t have to say anything to make you chuckle.

This time around Chucky and his nemesis Nica are left to battle it out inside an asylum. Four years after the events of the last film, Nica is still struggling with reality. Her co-patients have heard the lore about her time in the outside world and are quick to deem her a mass murderer.

Left to live life in a wheelchair, Nica is already compromised, and her mental state is also in question, something her therapist is trying to break through, but he may not be who he seems.

Sad news comes in the form of visitor Tiffany played by the always enjoyable Jennifer Tilly, who also brings Nica a gift in the form of a Chucky doll. Nica’s niece has died and has somehow bequeathed the doll to Nica at the hospital.

But we already know this isn’t the real Good Guy doll, or is it?

Original Child’s Play hero Andy Barclay is revealed in the very beginning to have the original Chucky who he tortures in retribution on a daily basis. Yes, Alex Vincent returns to his original role in a satisfying “where are they now” moment.

Nica’s current restrictive digs become a bloodbath and more than one showdown later, Mancini puts a final twist into what we thought was a fitting end. It’s as if he’s thought ahead to the next three movies.

Fiona Dourif was born to play this part. The welds in her acting filigree are tempered just right. She brings a level of complexity to her performance that feels very dedicated to the design of the material. Which is to say, she might be over-qualified.

This same commitment is true for Brad Dourif who voices Chucky, making this one of the most memorable Villain vs. Hero dichotomies in recent horror movie history.

Cult of Chucky is a rare franchise much like, say Star Trek: It can re-imagine itself, and do it well because of the talent behind it.

The brilliance of writing carried out by dedicated and talented actors are really what horror fans want. If you think about it, we may complain about a remake-this or a re-boot-that, but we will follow as long as the material treats us with respect.

And that’s what Mancini does here, and then some. He gives us “Chucky” but doesn’t insult our intelligence with mindless re-hashing of things that may have “worked” in the previous films. Instead, he keeps changing it up, developing these characters, breathing fresh life into them. And that goes for the production design too. Ironically, he has given us a franchise which exemplifies something inspired by the first film: the compulsive need for more.

An impeccably paced sequel, with a screenplay filled with surprises, Cult of Chucky devoutly gives fans something more than they expect. It doesn’t insult their intelligence but manages to appease those looking only for blood.

It’s gruesomeness with heart, smarts and plenty of soul.

Cult of Chucky is now available on Blu-ray, digital and VOD. You can also check out this latest installment on Netflix starting 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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