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Stephen King 2017 Roundup

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2017 has been the year of Stephen King.  With several of his stories becoming films, co-authoring two novels, and two stories becoming television series, it may have been difficult keeping up to date with everything King has accomplished.  As we approach the end of 2017 we take time to look back on the year that King has had, and look forward to see what 2018 has in store for his fans.

 

May

Gwendy’s Button Box

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King didn’t start releasing anything this past year until May with the release of Gwendy’s Button Box, a short novella he co-authored with Richard Chizmar.  Gwendy’s Button Box took us back to Castle Rock and shows us the story of Gwendy who is given a box one fateful day by a man in a dark suit.  Thanks to the box, Gwendy experiences many wonderful things in her life until she decides to push the one button in the box that she shouldn’t have.  The box is a fast read at 175 pages and for fans it’s a true joy to return back to Castle Rock, a town us King fans know all too well.

June

The Mist (TV Adaption)

 

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Perhaps the weakest spot of 2017 for King was the abysmal mess that was the television  series The Mist, based off of King’s novella found in Skeleton Crew and then released as a Darabont film in 2007.  Unfortunately the television show simply could not hold up.  With extremely low ratings and mixed reviews Spike cancelled the show after only one season.

July

The Dark Tower (film)

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The Dark Tower film was perhaps one of the toughest moments in 2017 for King die hard fans.  The creators of the film took The Dark Tower from the book series that includes 8 full novels, some very large, and turned it into an hour and a half film.  To make matters worse, the film was only loosely based on its source material.  The film grossed $111 million worldwide but only conjured up a measly 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

August

Mr. Mercedes

 

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After two King letdowns, Mr. Mercedes blasted out of the gates as one of the most faithful adaptations to King’s works.  It was a fun, exciting series that unfortunately had limited viewership as the series was broadcast on DirecTV’s Applause Network.  The series follows retired detective Bill Hodges and mass murderer Brady Hartsfield.  Brady Hartsfield, aka Mr. Mercedes, drove a Mercedes through a job fair line in 2009 killing 16 innocent lives.  Now, years later, Brady turns his focus on Bill Hodges, the now retired detective that was in charge of the case, to torment him and play games that have deadly consequences.

September

This was the biggest month for King this year.  In one month alone King released a novel he co-authored with his son, two Netflix original movies, and the much anticipated remake film IT.

It (September 8)

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IT was a groundbreaking film that became the largest selling horror film in history. It’s tough to get accurate numbers at this point, but the last financial statistic showed that IT had made a fitting $666 million dollars.  The original film starred Tim Curry as Pennywise the Clown, and in 2017 the role was portrayed by Skarsgard.  Although it was a different take on the story, a more sadistic clown and taking place in the eighties instead of the fifties, the roots of the main concept for the story was still there.  This was definitely the high point of the year as King took the crown of penning the best selling horror movie in history.

 

1922 (September 23)

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A straight to Netflix film 1922 was a dark and sadistic film about a father and son that murder their wife/mother because she decides to sell the land they own and move.  The tale gets darker and more twisted from there as the father and son do everything within their power to cover up their hideous atrocity.  With a solid 88% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and a stellar cast led by Thomas Jane, this film based on King’s novella in Full Dark, No Stars was an awesome addition to King’s 2017 releases.

Gerald’s Game September 29

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Stephen King’s BDSM tale Gerald’s Game was given the small screen adaptation on September 29th.  What on paper didn’t seem like a tale that would be adaptable at all, became one of the most remarkable King films in recent years.  Based on a 1992 book, this film had incredible acting, a fast paced script, and stayed close to the source material.  The movie was met with a 90% approval rating by Rotten Tomatoes.  Carla Gugino shined as a remarkable character that totally descends into madness after her husband dies after a bondage experience goes wrong and leaves her handcuffed to a bed in the middle of nowhere.

Sleeping Beauties (September 26)

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Rounding up 2017 is the first book co-authored by Stephen and his son Owen, and is a remarkable social commentary on women’s rights.  The tale centers on a world where women begin falling asleep and not waking up, but instead they are being covered in cocoons.  If the cocooned women are disturbed in this state they become spectacularly violent.  The book is long at 702 pages, but one that is worthy of the King name.

Looking Ahead:

2017 was a remarkable year for Stephen King, a man that has been in the game now for 43 years and appears not to be slowing down anytime soon.  Looking toward 2018 and beyond there are several projects that King is involved in that will further cement the master of horror as the King of media.  Mr. Mercedes season 2 will make its way to the small screen, King’s written work will have a new novel added to it by the name of The Outsider (possibly an addition to the Mr. Mercedes series), and part 2 of the blockbuster film IT will be coming in 2019.  It is an amazing time to be a Stephen King fan!

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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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