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Late to the Party: The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

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Carrie

The Hills Have Eyes (1977) was a film that was just a few years before my time. I have seen the 2006 remake, but the original by Horror maestro Wes Craven was never one that really popped up on my radar. Even if you’ve kept up on the current crop of horror, and seen the remake, you should watch the original if you haven’t.

You will likely be familiar with the basic premise of the story. The Carter family is traveling through a barren landscape and suddenly becomes stranded. There is no help for miles around. In fact, the only ones for miles around are a family of twisted, feral cannibals, and they’re already sizing the Carters up as their next several meals.

The family isn’t completely helpless though. They do come with a few guns, and a pair of dogs, Beauty and Beast. Unfortunately, Beauty, is the first to go, as the cannibals know how dangerous the dogs are.

Then the terror begins. The Carters separate to look for help, and while the men are away, the monsters strike the women, killing two of them, and leaving you with one scene that heavily implies rape. They then steal the family’s infant and disappear back into the hills.

Beast steps up while the cannibals are returning, pushing one of them off a cliff in a moment that almost had me cheering. Then the dog returns to the family, before heading out with the lone man to take back the infant.

In the final confrontations, Beast manages to first maim and then kill a second of the bloodthirsty hill-dwellers, making him the most heroic character in the movie, taking revenge for the death of his partner in the beginning.

The ending is abrupt, rolling the credits while the audience is still holding their breath. There’s a sense of finality, but not one of closure, instead allowing the viewers to simmer in the horror of what they just watched, giving the film a final punch to the gut you can’t just walk away from.

While The Hills Have Eyes is not gory in any real sense of the term (and certainly not compared to today’s movies), it makes sure you know what’s happening in scenes that remain brutal even without blood splashed across the camera lens.

In the age of found footage and torture porn, it’s hard for old movies to stay relevant. This one may not have the shock value it once had, but it still stands as a strong entry in the list of the best horror films ever made.

Check in next week for a look back at The Dead Zone by our own Kelly McNeely.

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Rob Zombie Joins McFarlane Figurine’s “Music Maniacs” Line

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Rob Zombie is joining the growing cast of horror music legends for McFarlane collectibles. The toy company, headed by Todd McFarlane, has been doing its Movie Maniacs line since 1998, and this year they have created a new series called Music Maniacs. This includes legendary musicians, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, and Trooper Eddie from Iron Maiden.

Adding to that iconic list is director Rob Zombie formerly of the band White Zombie. Yesterday, via Instagram, Zombie posted that his likeness will join the Music Maniacs line. The “Dracula” music video inspires his pose.

He wrote: “Another Zombie action figure is headed your way from @toddmcfarlane ☠️ It’s been 24 years since the first one he did of me! Crazy! ☠️ Preorder now! Coming this summer.”

This won’t be the first time Zombie has been featured with the company. Back in 2000, his likeness was the inspiration for a “Super Stage” edition where he is equipped with hydraulic claws in a diorama made of stones and human skulls.

For now, McFarlane’s Music Maniacs collection is only available for pre-order. The Zombie figure is limited to only 6,200 pieces. Pre-order yours at the McFarlane Toys website.

Specs:

  • Incredibly detailed 6” scale figure featuring ROB ZOMBIE likeness
  • Designed with up to 12 points of articulation for posing and play
  • Accessories include microphone and mic stand
  • Includes art card with numbered certificate of authenticity
  • Showcased in Music Maniacs themed window box packaging
  • Collect all McFarlane Toys Music Maniacs Metal Figures
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“In a Violent Nature” So Gory Audience Member Throws Up During Screening

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in a violent nature horror movie

Chis Nash (ABC’s of Death 2) just debuted his new horror film, In a Violent Nature, at the Chicago Critics Film Fest. Based on the audience’s reaction, those with squeamish stomachs may want to bring a barf bag to this one.

Thats right, we have another horror film that is causing audience members to walk out of the screening. According to a report from Film Updates at least one audience member threw up in the middle of the film. You can hear audio of the audience reaction to the film below.

In a Violent Nature

This is far from the first horror film to claim this kind of audience reaction. However, early reports of In a Violent Nature indicates that this film may be just that violent. The film promises to reinvent the slasher genre by telling the story from the killer’s perspective.

Here is the official synopsis for the film. When a group of teens takes a locket from a collapsed fire tower in the woods, they unwittingly resurrect the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year old crime. The undead killer soon embarks on a bloody rampage to retrieve the stolen locket, methodically slaughtering anyone who gets in his way.

While we will have to wait and see if In a Violent Nature lives up to all of its hype, recent responses on X offer nothing but praise for the film. One user even makes the bold claim that this adaptation is like an arthouse Friday the 13th.

In a Violent Nature will receive a limited theatrical run starting May 31, 2024. The film will then be released on Shudder sometime later in the year. Make sure to check out the promo images and trailer below.

In a violent nature
In a violent nature
in a violent nature
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New Windswept Action Trailer for ‘Twisters’ Will Blow You Away

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The summer movie blockbuster game came in soft with The Fall Guy, but the new trailer for Twisters is bringing back the magic with an intense trailer full of action and suspense. Steven Spielberg’s production company, Amblin, is behind this newest disaster film just like its 1996 predecessor.

This time Daisy Edgar-Jones plays the female lead named Kate Cooper, “a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years who now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. She is lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), the charming and reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew, the more dangerous the better. As storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed, and Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.”

Twisters cast includes Nope’s Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane (American Honey), Daryl McCormack (Peaky Blinders), Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Nik Dodani (Atypical) and Golden Globe winner Maura Tierney (Beautiful Boy).

Twisters is directed by Lee Isaac Chung and hits theaters on July 19.

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