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Blood Blockade Battlefront: Beautiful!

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“This city’s name is Hellsalem’s Lot. Just three years ago, New York City sat on this spot. Today, it is the place where our world intersects with The Beyond.”

A seemingly random dimensional rift nearly destroyed, then rebuilt what is now called Hellsalem’s Lot. All manner of bizarre (but mostly friendly) beings from the other side has immigrated to America’s greatest melting pot. The story follows Leonardo Watch, an impoverished young man who tries to make it in the mutated Big Apple. Leonardo also trying to support his blinded, and wheelchair-bound sister who lives outside the city. Having lost her sight when a strange eldritch entity forcibly granted Leo ‘The Eyes Of The Gods’ when first visiting the city but allowing him extraordinary vision-based abilities. By a twist of fate, he ends up accidentally recruited by LIBRA. An organization of super-powered specialists who seek to preserve some semblance of peace in the city. But with all kinds of other-worldly creatures ready to run amok, and a vast literal/figurative criminal underworld to contend with, they have their work cut out for them.

The latest series by Yasuhiro Nightow, the creator of the manga/anime Trigun. Blood Blockade Battlefront (or Kekkai Sensen) is similarly influenced by western works, though more of a blend of horror and noir mediums. The show is just as hyper-kinetic in style and action. Mis-En-Scene being a major keyword, as we are dropped headfirst into the conflict and plot, with no sign of hitting the brakes. This may be seen as a negative trait by some first-time viewers, getting rushed faster than they can absorb the story.

The manga takes a more non-serialized approach, almost every chapter seeming to be a stand-alone. The anime produced by Studio Bones, however, has its own original overarching storyline with exclusive characters. The series also features some amazing animated fight sequences through the H.L. metropolitan areas. Usually accompanied by the series’ energetic, jazz/funk-fueled score which only accentuates the style of these sequences.

Though there is plenty of emphasis on action, the series definitely has a major root in western horror. There are multiple references to the works of Stephen King, like New York City being renamed ‘Hellsalem’s Lot’ similar to Jerusalem’s Lot. This also makes sense due to a major recurring threat to the peace being The Blood Breed, otherwise known as Vampires. The dimensional hole releasing a seemingly endless fog like the dimensional breach of The Mist. There have also been a few scenes through the series that homage such films as diverse as Scanners to Twins!

Perhaps the greatest strength of the series is its varied, and often eccentric cast of characters. Some of the other members of LIBRA include its leader, Klaus V. Reinherz. A giant, tusked, mountain of a man, whose physique hides his caring and gentlemanly nature. Zapp Renfro, the foul-mouthed, foul-tempered, and just plain foul enforcer. Their recon specialist, Chain Sumeragi, who’s described as an ‘invisible werewolf’ capable of phasing in and out of dimensions. And that’s only the tip of the ensemble defending the city. Interestingly, our heroes are a bit of a ‘monster squad’ in their own right. Several characters being practitioners of ‘Blood Battle Styles’ that utilize their own blood as weapons, and their members include a mummy-like man, a merman, and even a vampire hunting relative of Van Helsing.

Despite such a large cast, Leonardo stays consistently the protagonist, and audience surrogate. Cursed with the amazing gift of his godly eyes, he also becomes wrapped up in the new major plotline of the anime adaptation, revolving around a mysterious girl he meets at the hospital, and an insidious supernatural conspiracy. With its interesting wide cast, bizarre plots, and over the top action fused with comedy and horror, BBB is one unique take on urban fantasy worth checking out.

The manga is currently being released through Dark Horse Manga, currently up to Volume 7. The anime is being simulcast subbed online through Funimation and Hulu, with a dub version available exclusively through Funimation. The Season One finale airs on July 4th!

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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