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5 Reasons You Should Give Final Destination 3 Another Chance 10 Years After Its Release

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I’ve always been a fan of the Final Destination franchise, and it’s one of the few that I’d actually like to see continue indefinitely. Much like my favorite franchise – Friday the 13th – it has a basic formula that allows new characters to be easily plugged in for various creative death sequences with satisfactory results. While even the best franchises miss the mark from time to time, I feel that Final Destination 3 has been unfairly maligned. The film tends to be brushed off as a blemish on the franchise, but if you ask me, it holds its own among the more highly regarded entries. I’d even go so far as to say that in some ways it tops the much more popular second installment.

This year marked ten years since its theatrical release, and here are five reasons to consider watching it again (spoilers included).

1. Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Final Destination 3

Above all else, Final Destination 3 has one thing sorely lacking from the rest of the franchise: Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The movie was my first experience with Ms. Winstead though it was far from her first acting role. While she had also appeared in the previous year’s The Ring Two, she quickly established herself as a presence in our beloved genre – a presence that continues today. If you like her work in 10 Cloverfield Lane, Swiss Army Man, Faults, Death Proof, or anything else, it’s worth revisiting one of her earlier films.

2. Tony Todd and the Mystique of William Bludworth

Tony Todd as the devil in Final Destination 3

I admit that it would have been nice to see Tony Todd back for a third round in the flesh, but we do get his voice as the devil on the ill-fated rollercoaster and as the subway station announcer at the end of the film. In fact, the more I think about this, the more I like the approach here. He could have just popped up in a forced-in scene to talk to the lead characters about death, but we already saw that twice. His voicework in FD3 adds another layer to the mystique of his character and his connection to death itself.

3. The Return of Morgan and Wong

Final Destination 3

Let me be clear. I love Final Destination 2. It has an amazing opening disaster sequence and some great kills. It’s a lot of fun. That said, the writing leaves a great deal to be desired, particularly in the dialogue department, and the acting often suffers as a result. This kind of adds to the charm and fun of watching it (another connection to the Friday franchise), but there is a noticeable improvement in quality here with FD3 if you ask me. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing award-worthy here either, and there is still the occasional cringe-worthy line, but overall, it’s a step up. This may have something to do with Glenn Morgan and James Wong, the famous X-Files duo who collaborated on the first film, returning for round 3.

I also appreciate that they tried to add another layer to death’s mythology, which was basically scrapped in the following films. In FD3, Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s character discovers clues about death’s design in photographs, which I find kind of interesting. At the very least, it was an attempt to do something a little different without straying too far from the “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke” formula of the franchise.

4. The Kills

Final Destination 3 Nailgun

If there’s one thing Final Destination 2 did right it was the kills (including the epic highway pile-up premonition scene), and I’m not sure any of the subsequent films have topped 2 in this department. It’s understandable that some would be let down by FD3 after that, but if you look at FD3 by itself, it has its share of memorable kills.

The stand-outs include: the famous tanning bed sequence; Frankie’s head getting its comeuppance thanks to an engine fan from a truck that runs into his car in a fast food drive-in; Lewis getting his head crushed by weights; and my personal favorite, Erin getting a number of nails shot through her face.

5. It’s On Netflix

Tanning Bed Final Destination 3

If you’re a Netflix subscriber, which I believe most of you probably are, you don’t have to go out of your way to find a copy of the movie or hunt it down. It’s right there waiting for you. In fact, it’s the only film in the franchise currently available to stream on Netflix.

Look, I’m not going to sit here and try to tell you that Final Destination 3 is the pinnacle of the franchise. I’m just saying it’s an entertaining entry and doesn’t deserve black sheep status. I’ve seen it quite a few times over the past decade and I can honestly say I’ve never failed to have a good time watching it.

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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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