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TIFF Review: Though Uneven, ‘The Predator’ is a Bloody Good Time

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The Predator

First thing’s first, I love Predator. It’s the quintessential maximum machismo 80’s genre film. From the steady one-liners and bicep-flexing standoff, to the battle cries and dramatic deaths, Predator is one of those deeply nostalgic, ridiculous-in-retrospect films.

So, that said, with the announcement of a new Predator, we heard a divisive buzz of either excitement or concern. Do we need another entry in the (overall inconsistent) Predator franchise? Whatever side you land on, The Predator is a serviceable – though a bit messy – throwback to the campy, violent fun that made the first film such a classic.

via Paste

Shane Black – who played Hawkins, the wise-cracking first on-screen victim of the Predator in the 1987 original – has returned to serve as co-writer and director for this newest installment.

Black has a solid track record of writing quippy, fast-moving scripts – such as, Lethal Weapon, The Monster Squad, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys. But while The Predator‘s dialogue has steady comedic beats, the film itself moves a frantic mile a minute, leaving a few clunky edits in its wake.

A large part of this is surely due to the numerous reshoots and changes, including a last-minute edit to cut a scene in which a registered sex offender (and long-time friend of Shane Black) worked opposite Olivia Munn without her knowledge or consent.

These clunky edits are most noticeable during a particular suburban action sequence. It feels like some shots were cut and shifted around, so there are a few cutaway moments that subtly interrupt the scene’s overall rhythm.

via 20th Century Fox

Then there is, of course, the Mega-Predator. The trailer’s first appearance of this x-treme foe and his dogs (can we call them that?) was met with some trepidation from fans who questioned why the franchise would need to take that extra over-the-top step.

Why? Because it’s 2018, dammit.

It’s an over-the-top step for an over-the-top franchise, and really, there’s nothing wrong with that. And to be fair, this new melodramatic foe is not just a final boss battle – he’s the baseline for the whole plot of the movie.

Mega-Predator aside, The Predator feels significantly more modern than its predecessors. Yes, of course the technology and dialogue have changed in the past few years, but the whole energy of the film has a cheeky, sardonic, swagger-fuelled humor blended in with messaging on the affects of military service, veteran support, and (very briefly) global warming.

That said, the film doesn’t really take a strong stance on these social issues; they’re used more as set dressing than plot development. Black is a fantastic screenwriter when he’s able to focus on character-driven plot and dialogue, but the frequent action interludes and attempts to appeal to a broader, fan-based audience make it more of a challenge.

via IMDb

While 1987’s Predator follows an elite group of mercenaries and soldiers on a mission, The Predator‘s group of highly trained soldiers are more like the Oorah version of the Island of Misfit Toys. They’re flawed, shaky, and a little unhinged. They’re also just pure fun to watch thanks to delightful performances from the cast.

The dialogue is packed with punchy points of humor that are expertly delivered by the fantastic ensemble. Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, and Augusto Aguilera star as the B-team of soldiers. Olivia Munn plays the token female scientist who gets wrapped up in the action, and Sterling K. Brown acts as a generic antagonist (who steals every scene he’s in, because Sterling K. Brown is a damn treasure).

Special mention to Augusto Aguilera as Nettles, who came out of nowhere to deliver the film’s most earnest moments with perfect comedic timing.

via TIFF

As an action film, The Predator has guts and gore galore. Several moments of violence received enthusiastic reactions of guttural awe from the TIFF audience. These action sequences are the best reminder of what, at heart, the Predator franchise is all about; a relentless, unstoppable hunter that puts highly trained soldiers way out of their league.

Overall, the movie itself is uneven and – at times – rushed. But still, I enjoyed it for the pure, vicious fun of it. It’s certainly not perfect, but when stacked up against every other sequel in the franchise, this film is arguably the strongest of the bunch. If you’re looking for wild, popcorn-chomping entertainment with brutal kills and cheeky camaraderie, The Predator is a perfect choice.

 

The Predator hits theaters September 14th

The Predator (2018)

via IMDb

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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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