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Spooky Days in the Park: A Review

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When you think of things that go bump in the night you think of ghosts, goblins, and… Disney World?  Well for Petey Mongelli that is exactly what he was envisioning when putting together his latest event for horror fans.  The father of Spooky Empire, Florida’s biggest and baddest horror convention, brought us Spooky Days in the Park; a weekend of horror inside the gates of Walt Disney World.

If you have ever attended a Spooky Empire convention it’s hard not to notice the array of Disney villains walking around the hoards of zombies, vampires, and other darkly inspired cosplayers.  Perhaps it’s due to our location just miles away from the “Happiest place on earth” but this horror convention definitely brings out the villainous side of many Disney fans!

Disney fans Rachelle and Nick

It appears Petey took notice too, as he announced this year’s premiere event at Walt Disney World in Florida; Spooky Days in the Park.  The hardcore horror fan put together this event with his wonderful staff which was certainly a one of a kind weekend, and we can only hope that it will be returning next witching season.

The three day event, while small in scale to his twice a year Spooky conventions, still packed a punch.  Beginning Friday vendors opened their tables of the unusual, bizarre, and horror themed items for sale in the convention center held within the Coronado Springs resort.  Nearly thirty vendors attended, and many of them tweaked their original horror designs to pay homage and tribute to the special weekend hosted at the home of Cinderella’s Castle.

Mickey Mouse/Jason Voorhees mask by 13X Studios

Other vendors saw this as a prime opportunity to showcase their artwork which already merged Disney and the darkness that lays outside the park gates.  Disney has always had a bit of darkness; I mean come on, have you ever been on It’s a Small World?  It’s terrifying!

‘Contemporary Art- by Tom Ryan’

In all seriousness, attractions like the Haunted Mansion and Twilight Zone’s Tower of Terror definitely depart from the happy-go-lucky characters frolicking throughout the Magic Kingdom, as well as the beautiful yet tamer attractions that appeal to younger audiences.

This brings us to Friday night’s event; The Gala.  Being the first Spooky Days in the Park we only had what the website’s description of this event to prepare us for the evening; open bar, villain themed desserts, private and unlimited access to the Tower of Terror, Disney Villain character photo ops, and a live DJ.  Not too shabby, even though the price of admission was a bit steep… and no, I don’t mean your soul.

Having reserved the courtyard right outside of the Tower of Terror event coordinators transformed the area into a spooktacular sight with their lighting choices, fog machines, and eerie music.  It was definitely a darker side of Disney World, one that I have never seen before which includes my experience at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  With a strongly suggested dress code and the balance of elegance and spooky, it was certainly a feast for the eyes!

While this event wasn’t targeted to every Spooky Empire fan who may have attended Petey’s past conventions, it was a worthwhile investment for those who seek out the darker characters in the Magic Kingdom.  It is very rare to get face time with any of the villains who attended the Gala, and with only a crowd of about 60 people you certainly had time for more than your average snap a pic and go.

The characters who were kind enough to grace us with their evil presence included; Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Queen of Hearts, and an extremely rare appearance by Mr. Oogie Boogie himself!  Suffice it to say, I had my own little geek out moment when each character stepped out, and the patrons in line with me all shared the same excitement.

If you chose not to participate in the Gala there were other panels you had access to with the general admission entry fee which which included the vendor’s room.  While there were not celebrity horror guests, panels more in tune with the theme of Spooky Days in the Park filled the schedule; the most notable being the screening of Foolish Mortals: A Haunted Mansion Documentary.

from foolishmortalsdoc.com

This documentary directed by James H. Carter II and executive producer Ryan Grulich had its Orlando premiere at Spooky Days in the Park on Friday night and replayed again Saturday afternoon.  The piece showcases the creation of the Haunted Mansion attraction as well as the fan culture surrounding the ride.  It was touching to see how much this ride means to some people, whether it gave them a second chance to experience a childhood they missed out on, influenced their art career, or just gave them a new passion to be excited about.

Other events throughout the weekend included; a Disney Bounding fashion show, the “Grim Twist” on the Disney Princesses (which is not for the faint of heart,) and a live podcast talking about the creepier side of Disney.

Spooky Days in the Park was an awesome event for the child in all of us who somehow ended up on the darker path of what interests us, which includes Disney villains.  While the low attendance rate, especially in comparison to Spooky Empire’s past conventions, might hinder its return next year we will always have the memories from this year’s event.

Spooky Empire staff with Oogey Boogey

 

Be sure to check out the line up for Spooky Empire’s October Convention this October 27-29 in Orland, Florida by clicking here!

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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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