I was absolutely gutted to have missed the first limited release of In Search of Darkness – 80’s horror doc when they released it to Blu-ray last year. Long story short; the week I intended on making my purchase, I fell ill with appendicitis and ended up out of action for 4 weeks!
Thankfully when a second run was announced this year, I had another opportunity to own this 4 hour nostalgia trip and encyclopedic look into 80’s Horror.
”If one horror film hits, everyone says, ‘Let’s go make a horror film.’ It’s the genre that never dies.” – George A. Romero
This comprehensive look into the golden era of Horror flicks, was made reality through a Kickstarter campaign and it really does feel like a treat for fans. David Weiner (former journalist and executive editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland from 2015 to 2016) directs an eclectic mix of interviews with filmmakers such as John Carpenter, special effects legend’s Greg Nicotero, and super fans like Slipknot’s Corey Taylor.
The doc kicks off by listing the all-star casts’ memorable flicks of the decade; The Shining, Pet Sematary, Halloween II-5, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Thing, Childs Play, Elvira, Xtro, Company of Wolves, Cujo, Jaws 3D, The Howling, The Hunger, Basket Case, Maniac, Lost Boys, Near Dark, Friday the 13th I & II, Evil Dead I & II, The return of the Living Dead, Day of the Dead, Poltergeist, American Werewolf in London, Monster Squad, The Fly, Hellraiser, The Changeling, Re-Animator, Sleepaway Camp, Pumkinhead – just scratching the surface of this epic decade of horror.
The doc then takes a walk chronologically from The Shining (1980) up to Friday The 13th Part VIII (1989) – It’s jammed packed full of anecdotes and amazing insights from how some of the bloodiest kills were made by the likes of Tom Savini to Joe Dante’s opinion on The Howling’s sequel.
In Search of Darkness left me yearning for those long gone video store years, every Friday night grabbing the goriest, scariest looking horror movie I could see in the bargain bin. The 4 hours 30 minutes runtime breezed by, and felt there could of easily of been hours more to dive into.
Excitingly David and the CreatorVC team clearly felt the same way as In Search of Darkness Part 2 is coming in October 2020 – Look out for an announcement next month for how we are celebrating its release at this years festival!
Our rating – 4.5/5
Written and Directed by – David A. Weiner
Produced by – Creator CV Studios
Starring – Cassandra Peterson, John Carpenter, Keith David, Heather Langenkamp, Joe Dante, Greg Nicotero and Barbara Crampton
In Search of Darkness is now avaliable to stream on Shudder
Here’s our first horror news round up, a couple of this weeks biggest stories and happenings in the genre!
Friday The 13th – Epic 16 disc franchise collection announced
Scream factory confirmed a leak on Monday 13 July (obviously), that a brand new franchise collection including all 12 films will be released on 13 October 2020. Rumours had been rumbling since March this year when a cast member of Jason Lives mentioned the new box set, and the collection had also been spotted on amazon briefly as unavailable. Fans will not be disappointed as there will be 4k restorations of the first four films and bloody bags full of new content from each film to wade through.
Fans lucky enough to get their hands on the 16 disc collection through Scream Factory will receive; an exclusive limited edition 36” x 24” lithograph featuring new artwork from artist Devon Whitehead and limited edition 24” x 36” Friday The 13th 40th anniversary poster with new artwork from Joel Robinson. The collaboration with Paramount Studios has already crashed the SF website so its fair to say you’ll need to get in there quick to bag a copy! (Link below)
Don Mancini creator of the the Child’s Play franchise shared a teaser (below) of a new series ‘‘Chucky’‘ coming to USA and Syfy in 2021. ”Chucky” has been described as a ”fresh take on the franchise” that’ll ”explore Chucky’s character with a depth that is uniquely afforded by the television series format”
“After a vintage Chucky doll turns up at a suburban yard sale, an idyllic American town is thrown into chaos as a series of horrifying murders begin to expose the town’s hypocrisies and secrets. Meanwhile, the arrival of enemies — and allies — from Chucky’s past threatens to expose the truth behind the killings, as well as the demon doll’s untold origins as a seemingly ordinary child who somehow became this notorious monster.”
Here at Dead Northern were beyond excited to see how this new series plays out!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCt1V2eF4zl/
Shudder’s ”The Last Drive-In With Joe Bob Briggs” returning for a third season in August
Horror fans will be pleased to hear on Tuesday it was announced the Shudder series was being renewed for a third season and some additional specials due as soon as this August. Shudder announced a special ”summer sleepover” double feature pre-taped prior to lockdown that will feature a visit to the trailer park from horror filmmaker Adam Green along with other surprise guests. The special episode will premiere on Friday 14 August.
In Memoriam – Kelly Preston
Actress Kelly Preston has died aged 57 after a 2 year fight with breast cancer, it was announced by husband John Travolta on Monday 13 July. Travolta posted on Instagram: “My beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.”
The couple had been married for nearly 29 years. Preston’s career included roles in Twins, From Dusk Till Dawn (pictured above), Jerry Maguire and The Cat in the Hat. She also collaborated with her husband on Battlefield Earth and Old Dogs. Tributes poured in for the brilliant actress from the likes of Russell Crowe and Alec Baldwin, both having worked with her described her as a ‘lovely person’, ‘funny’ and ‘kind’.
David Gordon Green and John Carpenter released a statement yesterday (8 July 2020) announcing the release of Halloween Kills has been pushed back a year to October 2021 due to the current Coronavirus pandemic and its effect on cinemas worldwide.
This sequel had been eagerly awaited by horror fans after the release of Halloween (2018), was a clear return to form and set the stage for the latest trilogy.
See below for their full statement.
Jamie Lee Curtis took to social media to express her sadness in the one year delay:
‘I am as disappointed as you are. Mostly because the movie the David has created from the characters that John and Debra created Is a masterpiece. Prescient and powerful. I promise you it will be worth the wait.‘
John Carpenter took to twitter just hours later to reveal the first tease trailer for Halloween Kills. This may just keep you hyped during that long wait – take a look below:
We’ve all got a little bit more time on our hands nowadays, but it’s not all bad! Here are our top 8 horror flicks worth watching on Netflix right now:
1. IT (2017)
A Stephen King classic, with a very different tone to its predecessor; it ticks all the boxes for a great horror movie – Fantastic cast and team, great special effects and a solid well-developed plot. Skaarsgard fills Pennywise’s oversized clown shoes with his own sinister brand of fear (although Tim Curry still has the edge in our opinion).
It’s not the scariest film out there, but what it does well is spend time and care on the depth of the characters providing some satisfying frights and major payoffs.
‘IT’ smashed all the box office records for a reason – Enjoyable creepy fun for the avid fans and newcomers to horror alike.
4.5/5
2. Hush (2016)
Blumhouse contribute a mighty pile of horror for us every year, Hush is one of their greats. Acclaimed director Mike Flanagan champions this horror-thriller, telling the story of a deaf writer who retreats to the woods for a solitary life, when a masked psychotic killer appears in her window.
What unfolds is a tense game of cat and mouse between Maddie (Kate Siegel) and the killer, pushing her mental and physical limits to survive the night.
We highly recommend this heart pumping thriller!
4.5/5
3. A Quiet Place (2018)
Another brilliant film for those dipping their toe in the pool of horror, John Krasinski (The Office US) stars and directs this post apocalyptic/thriller and genuine parent’s nightmare.
Giant creatures have taken over the world as we know it, and even the smallest sound brings death to everything near it.
Krasinski spend all his waking moments trying to keep his family alive with on- and off-screen wife Emily Blunt. All the cast have genuine chemistry and within minutes you are rooting for them.
With the sequel coming later this year it is the perfect time to watch/re-watch this monster horror.
4/5
4. Insidious (2010)
Another Blumhouse film and part of James Wan’s solid directorial catalogue (Saw, The Conjuring, Annabelle), Wan is a master of psychological horror. This supernatural flick sees an American couple and three small children move to a new house where paranormal happenings ensue.
Apart from a shaky final act, Insidious packs some big scares which pay off all the more for it’s slow pace. Haunted house, creepy kids, possessions, and things that go bump in the night well worth a watch!
3.5/5
5. Cabin in the woods (2012)
This is one for the horror geeks out there, Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) team up for this meta gory horror – giving nods to many classics of the genre, from the more obvious Evil Dead references to a very special cameo from a certain xenomorph slaying legend.
It’s a story as old as time, teenage kids go for a weekend away in a secluded cabin and things take a turn for the worst, all the classic characters are there; the jock, the geeky one, the pretty girl, the stoner – it all seem pretty standard but the creative twists and turns delivered in devlish ways makes it a really fun watch.
It is really a love/hate letter from Goddard and Whedon about the state of the horror genre, turning all the common tropes on their collective head.
Oh and it’s also a great film for persuading your partner to watch a horror movie, it’s gory yes, but it also stars Chris Hemsworth so there is something for everyone…
4/5
6. Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
Samuel Bayer takes a run at the 80’s dream invading slasher, providing a darker tinge to its predecessor.
Having re-watched both the original and the 2010 reboot recently, I have got to say Jack Earle Hayley fills the bladed gloves brilliantly. Compared to Englund more charismatic and more humorous baddie, Hayley is downright creepy and more realistic Kruger. He is unfortunately let down by a mediocre re-telling of the Freddy origin story.
There are some visually stunning scenes, including all those classic claw in the bath, wall stretching moments. Overall Elm Street does not fail to entertain and is a solid addition to the franchise.
3/5
7. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
If you see the word exorcist and think this movie is going to be all projectile green vomit and spinning heads, think again!
Scott Derrickson delivers an art house horror, which negates gore for a courtroom style telling of the death of a young girl during an exorcism – made all the more terrifying that it is loosely based on real events.
I was actually only 13 when this movie came out but stole a copy from my friends’ older brothers room one Saturday night and it scared us all so bad I slept with the light on for days after!
I recommend watching this one by yourself in the dark, so it really gives you the chills.
4/5
8. Final Destination 5
The idea that death is chasing you constantly after unnaturally surviving a disaster is a brilliant concept, after watching the first Final Destination over a decade ago I was genuinely freaked out for weeks after watching it.
By the time the 5th addition to the franchise comes along however, I am just here eagerly waiting, popcorn in hand, for the next hilariously gruesome death – each more ridiculous than the next. This one should satisfy those looking for the blood gore and guts for sure.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are dead happy with it.OkNo
