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Silent Night, Deadly Night Blu-Ray Pre-Order Includes Festive NECA Figure

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Silent Night, Deadly Night is coming home for the holidays. And with a few killer offers from Shout Factory.

If you’re anything at all like me, seeing Christmas (anything) sneaking its way into our lives anytime before Halloween is irksome as Hell. Not saying we’re going to be picking up an axe and go chop up some human kindling for the Yule Tide Pyre, but by golly it is annoying to see Jolly Old Saint Nick crowding his way into Samhain’s time of year. Then again there are obvious exceptions – and those are very far and in between, but let’s be honest. It’s hard not to be excited over Shout Factory’s newly announced Silent Night, Deadly Night exclusive pre-order.

That’s right, boys and girls. Get out the milk and cookies and be damn sure you have those stockings hung with care. This is already promising to be a December to dismember. That’s right! Shout Factory has teamed up with NECA to bring all of our dark little hearts a murderous Christmas.

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Synopsis

Anyone already familiar with the Silent Night, Deadly Night franchise most commonly associate the entire film series with this one scene from Silent Night, Deadly Night 2.

However, as was the case with other horror films that started out somber and then turned campy with each following sequel (Evil Dead, Sleepaway Camp to mention a couple) the original Silent Night, Deadly Night was a gritty slasher film with very few hints of silliness.

The story follows the turmoil of little Billy Chapman (Jonathon Best/Danny Wagner/Robert Brian Wilson) who is traumatized by events on Christmas Eve. To start the film off, Billy’s parents are well meaning, but like many good people, they make a bad decision when they take little Bill to visit his catatonic grandfather. Billy’s parents step away for a moment and Paw-Paw comes to just long enough to scar the mind of his impressionable grandson.

Image courtesy of frommidnight

Grandpa tells Billy that Santa Claus is pretty much a force of vengeance. One that rewards good children, but who also harshly punishes the wicked. On their way back home the old man’s words writhe about the young boy’s mind and a tragic event will happen that unhinges Billy forever. Unbeknownst to any of them, a low-life thug has just robbed a local store and gets the family to pull over. Santa then shoots Billy’s dad then slits his mother’s throat with a switchblade knife.

Three years later, Billy’s life is no better off under the strict regime of the orphanage nuns who inflict severe punishment over children considered to be very naughty. Whatever lingering stability he might have been clinging to is snapped under the siege of such an environment.

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Billy grows up to don a Santa suit and thus begins the holiday massacre.

Image courtesy of empireonline

Upon the movie’s initial release, parent groups were outraged by the thought of a blood-soaked Christmas feature, so they picketed movie theaters in boisterous protest. And really, they did nothing but spread more awareness of the movie, pretty much assuring its status as a horror legacy.

Image courtesy of We Are Movie Geeks

Shout Factory plans to release this Blu-ray on December 5, 2017. They’re taking pre-orders now, and if you get your order in you’re promised to also receive a limited edition 8” Billy/Killer Santa figure by NECA. That alone is reason for me to want this!

The Blu-ray pre-order will also come with a limited edition 18” x 24” rolled poster by artist Joel Robinson.

And there are plenty of special features included in here to make the slay bells ring all December long.

Image courtesy of Shout Factory

For ordering information and to learn all you can about this exciting release, be sure to click here to visit Shout Factory.

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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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