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How Mick Garris’s ‘Masters of Horror’ Became ‘Fear Itself’

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Masters of Horror

Way, way back in 2005, Masters of Horror debuted on Showtime and gave horror fans an intense anthology series unlike anything we’d really seen at that point, and it all began when Mick Garris (Nightmare Cinema) invited a few of his fellow genre directors to a little informal dinner where they could all basically hang out and chat about their work and upcoming projects.

That first dinner reportedly included John Carpenter (Halloween), Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator), Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre), and Joe Dante (The Howling) among others.

One dinner became two, and before long, an idea sparked in Garris’s mind.

What if all these directors got together and worked on one project? That project became Masters of Horror, a series made up of hour-long episodes, each directed by a legit master of the macabre.

Masters of Horror on Showtime

On Friday, October 28, 2005, Masters of Horror debuted on Showtime with “Incident On and Off a Mountain Road” directed by Don Coscarelli (Phantasm) starring Bree Turner (Grimm), John DeSantis (Thir13en Ghosts) and Coscarelli’s long-time collaborator Angus Scrimm (Phantasm).

The episode received mostly positive reviews and was the beginning of what would become a season of highs and lows including “Cigarette Burns” from John Carpenter, Lucky McKee’s “Sick Girl”, and “H.P. Lovecraft’s Dreams in the Witch House” directed by longtime Lovecraft fan Stuart Gordon.

Interestingly enough, Takashi Miike (Blade of the Immortal) became perhaps the most controversial figure of the first season with an entry titled “Imprint.” The episode starred Billy Drago (The Hills Have Eyes) as a 19th century American journalist who returns to Japan in search of a prostitute with whom he’d fallen in love with years before only to discover the horrific events that befell her after he left.

The episode was cut by Showtime over its content, and Garris was quoted by the New York Times calling it “the most disturbing film I’ve ever seen.”

The success of the first season found Garris curating stories for season two. Several of the directors from season one returned, this time joined by Tom Holland (Fright Night), Rob Schmidt (Wrong Turn), Peter Medak (The Changeling), Brad Anderson (Session 9), Ernest Dickerson (Demon Knight), and Norio Tsuruta (Premonition).

All thirteen episodes of season two made it to air and while the overall season enjoyed generally positive reviews, Showtime inexplicably decided not to bring back the show for a third season.

Fear Itself

Garris and Lionsgate, who had begun funding the show, eventually signed a 13-episode deal with NBC for a new series titled Fear Itself operating under the same premise of an anthology series directed by horror film directors.

Of course, in the move to NBC, the stories became a bit tamer.

“The Sacrifice” was the debut episode of Fear Itself

The series premiered on Thursday, June 5, 2008 with Breck Eisner–who would direct the remake of The Crazies two years later in 2010–directing “The Sacrifice.” The episode starred Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror), Jeffrey Pierce (Castle Rock), and Rachel Miner (The Black Dahlia) in a story about four criminals on the run who take refuge in an isolated fort only to discover that their troubles are just beginning.

Unfortunately after a decent start in the ratings, viewership began to fall away almost immediately. Episodes helmed by returning directors Brad Anderson, John Landis, and Stuart Gordon, played alongside the work of Mary Harron (American Psycho), Ronny Yu (Freddy vs. Jason), Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II), and Larry Fessenden (Jug Face).

The show was preempted by the Summer Olympics with five episodes left to air. It was meant to return after the Olympics had run their course that Summer but when the Games came to a close, NBC began airing reruns of other series during that time slot and no one saw the rest of Fear Itself until it was released on DVD in September of 2009.

Sadly, this was the end of Garris’s particular vision for this show, and honestly, I think we’re ready for a new iteration with brand new and diverse directors featured alongside some of those who helped shape the genre into what it is today.

If you’re feeling nostalgic, season one of Masters of Horror is streaming for free on The Roku Channel, Vudu, Tubi, and Vidmark and can be rented/purchased on Amazon and Fandango Now.

Season two is up for free on The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Vidmark with purchase/rent options on Vudu, Fandango Now, and Amazon, as well.

And finally, Fear Itself is streaming free on The Roku Channel and Vidmark and can be purchased on DVD at Amazon.

Who would you pick to direct new episodes of Masters of Horror? Let us know your choices in the comments below!

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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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