News
Late to the Party: Puppet Master (1989)
Welcome back to another weekly edition of Late to the Party, the review series where iHorror writers finally get around to watching horror classics that have admittedly flown under our own personal radar. This week, I watched Puppet Master.
Puppet MasterĀ is a 1989 direct-to-video cult classic that somehow spawned eleven sequels (with a twelfth currently in production – written by S. Craig Zahler ofĀ Bone Tomahawk andĀ Brawl in Cell Block 99 brilliance… frankly, I’m shocked).
In the film, a group of psychics collect at the home of an old colleague after they are summoned for vague reasons that I admittedly wasn’t paying close attention to. Their recently departed colleague, Neil, had been working with them to find a method of giving life to inanimate figurines – a technique supposedly created by the Egyptians.
After a suspicious radio silence from Neil, the psychics gather to “settle the score” and – of course – discover a deadly collection of unique dolls. Then things get messy (as they are wont to do).
This may be a controversial opinion, but really the only parts of this movie that actually held my interest were the killer puppets. Everything else was pretty “meh”. Actually, I’m going to assume that’s probably not outlandish considering that’s kind of the point of the whole franchise, right?
The puppets are certainly (somehow) effective at their murderous goals. This is – admittedly –Ā somewhat strange since they don’t look particularly menacing or strong or capable. It’s hard to find them genuinely frightening or threatening (aside from the fact that they move on their own and one pukes out live leeches).
The puppets are a little silly (predictably, surely) and their design is a wee bit baffling at times. That being said, I understand that the subsequent films (many of them prequels) flesh out the character designs of each puppet.
I certainly respect that dedication to build the characters of each puppet, but it doesn’t help the absurdity of seeing the toys out of context. When you’re starting a film with no franchise in mind, it’s something you should probably be mindful of.
Overall, I found the film to be underwhelming. I had high hopes, given the wild popularity of the franchise and its now iconic puppet characters (particularly the “leader” puppet, Blade).
While Puppet Master is by no means a great film, I’m glad I finally got around to watching it. If nothing else, it’ll give me a reason to watch the sequels. I get the sense that this is one of those horror franchises that is more than the sum of its parts.
I’m not confident that the sequels are technically better films, but I’m just genuinely curious about the prequels at this point. I want that character development!
I’m also pretty sure the sequels caught on to the actual selling point of the film and decided crank up the puppet presence for an overall more satisfying bloodbath. So, silver linings, people.
Keep an eye out for more from Late to the Party, or click here for previous reviews!
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Movies
Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed
The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.
Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.
The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.
Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”
Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.
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News
Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.
“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.
Fans can enter to win by followingĀ Spirit Halloween‘s InstagramĀ and leaving a comment on the contest post from now throughĀ April 28.
The prize also includes:
An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings
A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear
A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room
A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course
The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II
Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two
“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”
Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.
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Movies
’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power
Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer,Ā Aaron Taylor-Johnson,Ā andĀ Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.
Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.
Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.
There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.
The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.
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