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Blu-ray Review: Gamera Trilogy

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Fifteen years after the last on-screen appearance (and even longer since the last “proper” sequel), the Gamera franchise was rebooted in 1995. It was the first of three Gamera films in what is known as the Heisei series. The trilogy of films were directed by Shusuke Kaneko (whose work was so impressive he scored a gig helming the awesome Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack).

If, like me, you enjoyed Mill Creek Entertainment’s recent Gamera Ultimate Collection Volume 1 and Volume 2, you’ll be happy to know that Mill Creek also released the Heisei trilogy on Blu-ray back in 2011. The set is just as impressive, and the movies are even better.

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Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995)

Before the titular monster shows up, Gamera: Guardian of the Universe begins by introducing a trio of Gyaos. The bat-like monster has received quite a facelift since its first appearance in 1967’s Gamera vs. Gyaos. When the three “birds” (as their first referred) are trapped in a baseball stadium, the giant turtle Gamera (also upgraded) emerges from the ocean and causes even more panic for the citizens of Japan. Being the larger creature, Gamera ostensibly poses the bigger threat, but a later attack finds Gamera protecting mankind. When only one Gyaos remains, it grows to Gamera’s size, and the two duke out.

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe has been praised by critics and fans alike for its darker tone. While that’s true that this ain’t your daddy’s Gamera, it’s not quite Christopher Nolan’s take on kaiju either. The film still has a pinch of schlock for the nostalgic. It utilizes many of the same special effects techniques as the original films – it just wouldn’t be Gamera without a guy in a rubber suit smashing miniature buildings – but they’re spruced up with newer technological advancements. Everything looks bigger, better and cooler. CGI is, thankfully, utilized sparingly and effectively. Guardian of the Universe remains as a successful reboot.

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Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (1996)

Gamera 2: Attack of Legion introduces a new adversary to the Gamera canon after a meteorite crashes into earth: an alien species of insect-like monsters, dubbed symbiotic Legions. (They’re reminiscent of the parasite creatures from Cloverfield.) There is also a huge queen Legion that emerges from a pod that lands in the middle of the city. Even with the aid of the Japanese military, Gamera has has hands full with one large monster and hundreds of smaller ones.

Although it was fast tracked after the success of the reboot, Gamera 2: Attack of Legion doesn’t feel rushed. In true sequel fashion, the scope is bigger, the destruction is more grandiose, the plot is more intense; it even gets biblical. There’s also a heavier reliance on CGI, which is admirable for its time, but it hasn’t aged all that well. The final showdown, in particular, feels cartoony; Gamera shows off a new power in the form of a plasma beam shot out of his chest. But it’s a small gripe, as the rest of the film delivers on everything kaiju fans want to see.

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Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999)

Although a few years have passed since the last attack, citizens of Japan continue to live in fear of giant monsters – and with good reason. The Gyaos have evolved into an advanced, mutated species, but they’re still no match for Gamera. What does pose a threat to our turtle friend, however, is yet another Gyaos relative: an ancient creature dubbed Iris. The flying, tentacled beast is equipped with sword-like arms and possesses the ability to fire a sonic beam. As the badass final battle proves, Iris is truly Gamera’s ultimate foe.

While Gamera 2 amped up the action, Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris is more fantastical, more dramatic. It offers its fair share of action, but overall it’s a slow burner; there are long stretches filled with exposition from the human characters. With its talk of the occult, Gamera 3 also feels more like a traditional horror movie. Iris is almost entirely computer generated, and the film could nearly exist without Gamera at all. As such, Gamera 3 is somewhat disappointing if you’re looking for kaiju battles, but it remains an interesting film regardless. It also has an awesome ending.

The trilogy comes as a two-Blu-ray set; the first disc includes the first two installments, while the second disc houses the third movie and special features. There is nearly 3 hours of bonus material, including behind-the-scenes footage from all three, as well as deleted and extended scenes and more. Both the original Japanese versions and the English dubs are available for all three films. The high-definition presentations are crisp and clean.

I wish Kaneko’s Gamera series had continued (as the conclusion of Gamera 3 implies). Consistently impressive and entertaining, the trilogy still holds up well nearly 20 years later. As fun as the original Gamera series was, it always paled in comparison to Godzilla. As far as the Heisei eras go, however, Gamera proves quality pays over quantity. You can find this set insanely cheap, so monster movie fans have no excuse not to own the Gamera Trilogy. Even if you haven’t seen or dislike the original, there’s a good chance you’ll get a kick out of these movies.

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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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