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(Book Review) Grimm Mistresses

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Alice Cooper once sang, “Only woman bleed…” Maybe he meant that only woman can make you bleed…by cutting out your damn heart or your carotid artery!

February is Woman in Horror Month. I just happened to receive an advanced reader’s copy of a terrific anthology celebrating this occasion. Ragnarok Publications is releasing GRIMM MISTRESSES (Feb. 23rd)

Grimmm

Remember the Grimm Brothers? Those dark fairy tales that made you leave the light on long before Disney went and sanitized them? Well, we do! Now the MISTRESSES GRIMM take back the night, five female authors who will leave you shuddering deliciously. Get ready to leave the lights on again with four pieces of short fiction bringing the Grimm Brother’s tales into the present. Be advised: these aren’t your children’s fairy tales!

 

This collection features the talents of Mercedes M. Yardley, C.W. LaSart, S.R. Cambridge, Stacey Turner, and Allison M. Dickson. The standouts for me were “Little Dead Red” by Yardley, “The Leopard’s Pelt” by Cambridge, and “Hazing Cinderella” by LaSart.

“Little Dead Red” is easily one of the best pieces I’ve read in recent times. I was already a fan of Yardley’s writing, but this story oozes with a darkness only hinted at in her earlier works. It is terrific take on Little Red Riding Hood. Yardley manages to spin this brutal tale, leveling you with the spaces in between rather than the blunt vocab. What “Grimm” Marie goes through will haunt you well after you’ve finished the reading. An amazing achievement by a writer who is only getting better.

“The Leopard’s Pelt” while not as scary is a wonderful piece of fiction. The story of a man who is stranded on an uninhabited island during the Second World War, a chance to survive is presented. The cost? Seven years of selfless living or his soul.  Cambridge takes us through a few different spots during his seven year challenge, perfectly weaving in a great love story as we follow along. The writing in this one is also top notch. I couldn’t stop.

“Hazing Cinderella” is another favorite. LaSart, as an author, is as upfront and unapologetic as they come. I knew from some of her previous works what I was in for and got every bit of rough and ready horror I expected. It’s always awesome when an author delivers on their promise. What could go wrong when a new step-mom and her daughter move in? Jamie and her father are about to find out. This one is for anyone looking for a horror story that will punch you in the teeth, and maybe turn you on, if you’re into that sort of thing.  Of all the stories in this collection, I hope this one will be developed into a full length novel. I’d love to find out more about these devilish ladies.

 

The other two stories, “Nectar” by Dickson, and “The Night Air” by Turner, also had their chilling or grotesque moments, and were worth the read, they just didn’t stand out as well against my favorites.

This book will be released for public consumption of FEBRUARY 23rd! And it features a fan-fucking-tastic cover done by Brittany Smith. Mark your calendars and get ready to go steady with these Horror fiends.

Grab your copy now at Amazon: Grim Mistresses

Suggested reading by these authors: (click the book covers to order or read more)

NAMELESS: The Darkness Comes by Mercedes M. Yardley  (Ragnarok Publications, 2014)

nameless-cover

Ad Nauseam by C.W. LaSart (Dark Moon Book, 2012)

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The Original ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel Had an Interesting Location

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beetlejuice in Hawaii Movie

Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s sequels to hit movies weren’t as linear as they are today. It was more like “let’s re-do the situation but in a different location.” Remember Speed 2, or National Lampoon’s European Vacation? Even Aliens, as good as it is, follows a lot of the plot points of the original; people stuck on a ship, an android, a little girl in peril instead of a cat. So it makes sense that one of the most popular supernatural comedies of all time, Beetlejuice would follow the same pattern.

In 1991 Tim Burton was interested in doing a sequel to his 1988 original, it was called Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian:

“The Deetz family moves to Hawaii to develop a resort. Construction begins, and it’s quickly discovered that the hotel will be sitting on top of an ancient burial ground. Beetlejuice comes in to save the day.”

Burton liked the script but wanted some re-writes so he asked then-hot screenwriter Daniel Waters who had just got done contributing to Heathers. He passed on the opportunity so producer David Geffen offered it to Troop Beverly Hills scribe Pamela Norris to no avail.

Eventually, Warner Bros. asked Kevin Smith to punch up Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, he scoffed at the idea, saying, “Didn’t we say all we needed to say in the first Beetlejuice? Must we go tropical?”

Nine years later the sequel was killed. The studio said Winona Ryder was now too old for the part and an entire re-cast needed to happen. But Burton never gave up, there were a lot of directions he wanted to take his characters, including a Disney crossover.

“We talked about lots of different things,” the director said in Entertainment Weekly. “That was early on when we were going, Beetlejuice and the Haunted MansionBeetlejuice Goes West, whatever. Lots of things came up.”

Fast-forward to 2011 when another script was pitched for a sequel. This time the writer of Burton’s Dark Shadows,  Seth Grahame-Smith was hired and he wanted to make sure the story wasn’t a cash-grabbing remake or reboot. Four years later, in 2015, a script was approved with both Ryder and Keaton saying they would return to their respective roles. In 2017 that script was revamped and then eventually shelved in 2019.

During the time the sequel script was being tossed around in Hollywood, in 2016 an artist named Alex Murillo posted what looked like one-sheets for a Beetlejuice sequel. Although they were fabricated and had no affiliation with Warner Bros. people thought they were real.

Perhaps the virality of the artwork sparked interest in a Beetlejuice sequel once again, and finally, it was confirmed in 2022 Beetlejuice 2 had a green light from a script written by Wednesday writers  Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The star of that series Jenna Ortega signed on to the new movie with filming starting in 2023. It was also confirmed that Danny Elfman would return to do the score.

Burton and Keaton agreed that the new film titled Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice wouldn’t rely on CGI or other other forms of technology. They wanted the film to feel “handmade.” The film wrapped in November 2023.

It’s been over three decades to come up with a sequel to Beetlejuice. Hopefully, since they said aloha to Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian there has been enough time and creativity to ensure Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will not only honor the characters, but fans of the original.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will open theatrically on September 6.

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Russell Crowe To Star in Another Exorcism Movie & It’s Not a Sequel

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Maybe it’s because The Exorcist just celebrated its 50th-anniversary last year, or maybe it’s because aging Academy Award-winning actors aren’t too proud to take on obscure roles, but Russell Crowe is visiting the Devil once again in yet another possession film. And it’s not related to his last one, The Pope’s Exorcist.

According to Collider, the film titled The Exorcism was originally going to be released under the name The Georgetown Project. Rights for its North American release were once in the hands of Miramax but then went to Vertical Entertainment. It will release on June 7 in theaters then head over to Shudder for subscribers.

Crowe will also star in this year’s upcoming Kraven the Hunter which is set to drop in theaters on August 30.

As for The Exorcism, Collider provides us with what it’s about:

“The film centers around actor Anthony Miller (Crowe), whose troubles come to the forefront as he shoots a supernatural horror movie. His estranged daughter (Ryan Simpkins) has to figure out whether he’s lapsing into his past addictions, or if something even more horrific is occurring. “

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New F-Bomb Laden ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer: Bloody Buddy Movie

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Deadpool & Wolverine might be the buddy movie of the decade. The two heterodox superheroes are back in the latest trailer for the summer blockbuster, this time with more f-bombs than a gangster film.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Movie Trailer

This time the focus is on Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman. The adamantium-infused X-Man is having a bit of a pity party when Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) arrives on the scene who then tries to convince him to team up for selfish reasons. The result is a profanity-filled trailer with a Strange surprise at the end.

Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. It comes out on July 26. Here is the latest trailer, and we suggest if you are at work and your space isn’t private, you might want to put in headphones.

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