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This week in horror – 14.05.21

The controversial 1970s film ‘Faces of Death’ set for a remake from Cam creators 

The 1978 mondo film Faces of Death set audiences roaring upon its release. Never had viewers come across such so-called ‘filth’, with the UK hastily adding it to the infamous Video Nasty list. Now, we have not only become rather desentized to such material, but often there is a keen rejoice in praising once-controversial films.

The remake will follow the original closely but with a modern spin; the story will follow a young woman whose job it is to moderate and cleanse an internet streaming site of obscene material, but she soon stumbles across a channel showcasing snuff films. It is now her responsibility to uncover whether these gruesome clips are genuine murders, or some amateurs attempting to gain online fame. The remake will see a reunion of Daniel Goldhaber and Isa Mazzei who collaborated together in another online-based horror, Cam (2018). 

1980s documentary series In Search of Darkness announces a Part III

In Search of Darkness brought together all things holy within the horror world; featuring the genre’s most beloved icons, including Caroline Williams, Tom Savini, Robert Englund, Bill Moseley, Doug Bradley, Barbra Crampton and Kane Hodder. After a successful Part II, which acted as a continuation of this 1980s extravaganza, it was announced that a third entry into this documentary series is in development.

The new doc brings about a whole new wave of excitement, as they are welcoming fans to contribute with an official tweet inviting 1980s horror aficionados to help the creators in what movies and topics they want covered. It was made clear from Part I that the four-hour long film would be entirely inclusive to all areas of the genre, with discussions ranging from cult classics to the more unknown films to come from this iconic era. 

Check out our review for In Search of Darkness Part II 

George A. Romero’s lost film ‘The Amusement Park’ is restored for a summer Shudder release 

Romero’s legacy has pioneered the genre, not only due to his revolutionary zombie films including Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, but also due to his avid adventurous filmmaking that always manages to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Shudder has released an official trailer for his supposed ‘lost’ film The Amusement Park which will finally get a wide release this summer.

Filmed in 1973 was one of Romero’s most underweighted and controversial films, with it not even garnering a release. The Lutheran Society had contacted Romero about making a film on ageism and elder abuse, however due to its gruesome content it was shelved for over 40 years. It had a miniscule premiere in 2018, but audiences will finally get to see what is known as one of the most ‘Romero-esque’ films he ever made. 

DC set to release horror comics centring around The Conjuring franchise

Comic book powerhouse ‘DC’ recently announced their latest project and new venture into the horror universe, The Conjuring comics. The new line of comics will attempt to reach further than their usual audiences by drawing in horror and thriller fans as new readers. The first issue titled The Conjuring: The Lover, will be released as a prelude to the upcoming film The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and follows a young college student who is dealing with a bad romantic experience paired with poor grades and mounting pressures, however she soon feels an uneasy presence that is holding an evil power over her life.

As the first issue shows, the comics will follow a clear character-driven study, with the horror arising from emotional and personal issues. The limited series will help majorly set up the above mentioned third Conjuring movie, with writer David Leslie johnson-McGoldrick (The Conjuring 2) co-writing the first issue with Rex Ogle. 

John Carpenter and Sandy King Carpenter announces new podcast collaboration with Realm 

Horror legend John Carpenter has brought us classics such as Halloween, The Thing and They Live, and now an official three series podcast released via Realm. Carpenter will collaborate with his wife Sandy King Carpenter, who has acted as a script supervisor on multiple projects including, Sixteen Candles, Big Trouble in Little China and Prince of Darkness. Together they revealed that their three shows Roanoke Falls, Angels to Some and Furnace will have a scattered release with Roanoke Falls being released first in October this year, with the other two series being released in late 2022.

Details have remained tightly guarded, but what we do know is that each series will follow different areas of horror, ranging from serial killers and the paranormal to sci-fi frights.

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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This week in horror – 07.05.21

Amazon Video pens new TV series based on the 1990s hit, I Know What You Did Last Summer 

1990s horror wouldn’t be the same without the writing talents of Kevin Williamson, who penned Scream, The Faculty and I Know What You Did Last Summer. As with any classic we are set to get a remake of Jim Gillespie and Williamson’s collaboration as Amazon Prime Video bravely begins early production stages. Following closely to the original 1997 slasher hit, we’ll see a bunch of teenagers in small town America battle a mysterious killer after one of their most deadliest late-night adventures leads to a fatal ending.

The series will be directed by Craig William Macnelli (Them, Channel Zero & The Twilight Zone) and stars Chrissie Fit (Picth Perfect), Madison Iseman (Annabelle Comes Home), and Brianne Tju (Scream: The TV Series). So far the series will follow a limited format, with only six episodes lined up, however with its already hyped reputation, we could possibly be seeing a major franchise revival of I Know What You Did Last Summer. 

One Cut of the Dead remake starts shooting 

In 2017 a relatively new director Shin’ichirō Ueda released One Cut of the Dead, a low-budget Zombie comedy. Little did the industry know that the film would go on to make over a thousand times its budget. The meta-parody flick zoomed across the horror world with a powerful force, as it went onto win several acclaimed awards. Now four years down the line French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist) directs the French-language remake of this Japanese hit.

Production has just begun rolling with an official cast finally being revealed; starring is Bérénice Bejo, Romain Duris, and Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz (Revenge). Further details still remain quite hidden, but fans have speculated that this remake will be far from ordinary, with Hazanavicius bringing French extremism vibes to this Japanese rooted horror. Certainly an interesting combo…

Shudder’s May line-up revealed 

Shudder reveals quite the exciting line-up for this month’s schedule. Armed with a mix of older classics, and Shudder originals equals to a rather fan-pleasing month. New gems including the sci-go extraordinaire Fried Barry, Neil Marshall’s witchy haunt The Reckoning and the trippy Psycho Goreman will be released throughout May, with other genre essentials such as folk horror’s The Blood on Satan’s Claw and The Witchfinder General, as well as the very much underrated classics Def by Temptation and Black Roses. 

Dexter’s return is imminent as the first teaser trailer premieres

Ever since it’s 2006 release serial killer TV series Dexter has been nothing but a hit with audiences. Back in October, it was revealed that Michael C. Hall will return as the Jekyll and Hyde killer one more time with a ten-episode limited series premiering some time next year. The long-awaited revival’s trailer was released this week, which shows a snowy cabin setting with the camera backing to Dexter with a menacing grin, perhaps signaling that he’s been hiding all these years, preparing for his imminent return. 

First images revealed of the Children of the Corn reboot 

Stephen King’s 1997 short story has been adapted yet again. Kurt Wimmer’s take on evil children has already had a quiet release last year as it briefly played at two theatres, but the reboot is now set for a wide release later this year. Wimmer takes us down a less traditional route (in comparison to the other adaptions) as the film is primarily a prequel leading to the massacre situation that the story essentially follows.

The film will focus on how one young girl recruits the youth of the town to slay corrupt adults, but a hopeful high-schooler is not as easy to fool as the rest. Although the Children of the Corn franchise has spun several follow-up films, their success rate has rapidly descended with each release. However, the recent images that have circulated definitely show some promise, with a dark atmosphere, impressive cast, and a lingering sense of dread being very apparent. 

First look: Brand new images for new Saw film ‘Spiral’

Patient audiences finally get a sneak peek into the long-awaited ninth installment in one of modern horror’s most brutal franchises. The brand new images tease a brutal cat and mouse chase between the wicked Jigsaw and the brash detectives investigating a series of bloody and twisted murders. Although the series has gradually become slightly more slick and esteemed, Spiral promises that this new entry will be far from mundane, with one particular image graphically showing a torn open body strewn across train tracks! Spiral will be hitting theatres next week over in the States, however, here in the UK, we won’t have to wait long as Spiral premiers across the country in cinemas from the 17th of May. So, who’s booking their tickets?… 

New and exclusive trailer for Stranger Things season 4 

It has been nearly two years since season 3 of Stranger Things ended, and after such a long wait we have finally been granted a quick preview into the upcoming series. However, the eerie clip seemed to leave more questions than answers as we see Eleven (Milly Bobby Brown) back at Hawkins Laboratory with the creepy Dr. Brenner abusing her powers yet again. The climactic finale of season 3 left audiences shocked with the apparent death of beloved Chief Hopper, yet the new trailer does not reveal or tie up any of these loose ends that have left audiences quizzical for a while now. And it seems that the wait will only continue as earlier this year the proposed release date was postponed until further notice. 

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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This week in horror 02.05.21

Friday the 13th: The Game finally gets new patches 

Friday the 13th: The Game has been keeping both horror and gaming fans fueled since 2017. Creators have been battling with further developing the game as ongoing licensing issues have prevented brand new additions from being made. Yet, a little loophole allows players to still play online. To keep the old content fresh developers have done a series of patches to create a better playing experience. New features include fixing max safe zones, alterations to combat teleportation, spawn issues resolved and easier access to weapon changes. 

American Psycho comes to TV as new series begins development 

Mary Harron’s American Psycho has successfully maintained acclaimed status ever since its release 21 years ago. Fans can’t get enough of Patrick Bateman’s maniacal behaviour with an official TV series closely following the film officially beginning development. The production details have been kept tightly under wraps as we’ve been left with more questions than answers; will we follow Bateman in his 50s continuing his ritualistic beauty regimes and intricately discussing business cards? Or will we see a new serial killer embody Bateman’s eccentric murder tactics? Quite interestingly this is not the first time Bret Easton Ellis’s 1991 novel has been adapted, with American Psycho 2 (2002) and a musical showing Bateman (played by Doctor Who’s Matt Smith) taking his music obsession to the next level as he dementedly sings his way through the murders. 

NECA debuts the sixth generation of Toony Terror horror figures 

Horror collectors rejoice as the game-changing merchandise machine NECA showcases their latest series of Toony Terror figures. Previous editions featured genre favourites, such as Pennywise (90’ & 17’), Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Beetlejuice, Leatherface, Pinhead, Ash, Regan, and Victor Crowley! The sixth wave may just be one of the most exciting volumes yet as we see some of horror’s most underrated characters get a cartoon makeover, including Elvira, Captain Blake (The Fog), Herbert West and The Miner (My Bloody Valentine). 

Trailer for William Brent Bell’s upcoming horror Separation has horror fans adding it straight to their watchlists 

The trailer for Separation shows a haunting story of a young girl struck by grief as she attempts to find solace with her dead mother. The beyond creepy clips grab your attention immediately as we are treated to gloriously unnerving imagery of adult sized puppets who have seemingly come to life, as well as a disturbingly dark energy riveted throughout this haunted house. Separation stars Rupert Friend (Homeland), Mamie Gummer (The Ward), Madeline Brewer (Cam) and Brian Cox (Braveheart). 

Set for release 30th April. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXQdaCkmmIU

Netflix announces official plans for Death Note 2 

Japanese Manga series Death Note was bravely adapted by Netflix in 2017, but feedback from both fans and critics left a sour note on its reputation. However, despite the negative reception the streaming giant recently announced that a sequel is most definitely taking place… The nervously anticipated sequel has conjured plenty of rumours, with creators supposedly hoping to win fans back by focusing more on the horror and abandoning the stereotypical character developments and Americanisation that the first Death Note succumbed to. Allegedly one of the few positive aspects surrounding the first remake will be resurrected in the sequel; Willem Dafoe will return as the death god Ryuk, who will surely rise plenty of torment.

Blumhouse Productions set for another triumph as The Black Phone nears the end of production

The Black Phone follows Finney Shaw, a cunning teenage boy who is abducted and locked in a soundproof room. All hopes seem to be lost, but when Finney finds an old phone he discovers that it can transmit the killers’ previous victims’ voices. The Black Phone is directed by Scott Derickson, who has directed The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) and Sinister (2012). His return to horror has been welcomed by fans as we also get to see a reunion between him and Ethan Hawke, who takes on the lead role. The Black Phone is based upon Joe Hill’s award winning short story of the same name. 

Set for an early 2022 release. 

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.