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‘Scary Stories’ is Two Compelling Documentaries in One

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Scary Stories

There is a duality present in Scary Stories, a new documentary by first time filmmaker Cody Meirick about the popular series of children’s books Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

When one digs deep into the history of the books, however, that duality seems both reasonable and necessary. Few books, after all, have been both lauded and contested quite like those three little volumes written by Alvin Schwartz with haunting illustrations by Stephen Gammell.

So, to tell his story, Meirick approaches it from both angles.

On one side, we are introduced to the artists, musicians, and horror fans who have been inspired by Schwartz’s books. For many, it was their first introduction to things that go bump in the night, and they have gone on to create everything from still images and sculptures to entire musical compositions based on the stories that chilled them as children.

On the other, we meet the mothers and fathers who found fault in the books and asked for them to be removed from library shelves, and possibly more importantly the teachers, librarians, and staff who fought to keep them there.

In the center is the man, himself. Though Schwartz died in 1992, his son Peter is on hand to speak about his father and their sometimes strained relationship.

Scary Stories Peter Schwartz

Peter Schwartz discusses his father’s work in Scary Stories

What emerges is a portrait of a complicated man who curated a selection of timeless scary stories and whose life and work affected generations.

Peppered throughout the film is archival footage of actual school board meetings that took place over the years where emotional parents spoke about what they considered books that were far too dark for young children.

One mother in particular, Sandy Vandenbeurg was particularly vocal in her resistance to the books, and remains a critic to this day insisting that she never wanted the books banned, but she did want them out of reach for children under the age of eleven.

Vandenbeurg never had a chance to ask Schwartz, himself, if he thought the books were age appropriate so Meirick arranged a meeting between her and Peter Schwartz to discuss the topic. It’s a compelling moment in the film and one that Meirick handles very well.

“I do no want to blame all of this violence on him,” she says, “but it’s like he made it okay.”

But for every detractor, every concerned parent, everyone who condemned the books, there were many more who lauded them for their style, artwork, and storytelling.

R.L. Stine, in particular, points to Schwartz’s books as not only inspiration but also as trailblazers for his own series of Goosebumps books.

Scary Stories RL Stine

RL Stine spoke about the influence of Alvin Schwartz’s work on his own in Scary Stories.

Others like Professor Gary Fine, who aided Schwartz in his storytelling quest, remind the audience that none of the stories were simply made up by Schwartz. Rather, he spent hours poring through tomes of folklore from around the globe and brought those classic stories into the 20th century and beyond.

Another brilliant move by Meirick was bringing in animator Shane Hunt to create animated segments during the documentary. Hunt’s work beautifully echoes the haunting imagery Gammell created for the original books, and brings them to life to enhance those classic nightmarish visions.

Do we understand more about the enigmatic author by the end of the Scary Stories? Absolutely.

Is it satisfying? You bet.

But even more importantly Meirick’s own storytelling in the documentary reminds of the sheer joy many of us experienced when we first cracked open a copy of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark when we were kids and the chills ran up our spines from those stories and illustrations for the first time.

Perhaps it’s time to pull out those old copies, dust them off, and experience them all over again.

Scary Stories opened this weekend in select theaters across the US and will hit VOD demand on May 7, 2019. It is scheduled for DVD release on July 16, 2019. Check out the trailer below!

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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 Martell 

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 children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’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. Milne’s 1926 children’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 brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’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 Brothers’ 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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