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“Extraterrestrial” Review

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The Vicious Brothers’ “Extraterrestrial” tackles the alien invasion genre with what some might call clichés, but what I call respect, and it is all thanks to a woman in a wife beater.

[iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/fSMtWngABjE”]

Horror movies have been attacked by critics and the press in the past for their portrayal of women and violence. It seems that in the past there has been a myth that women in horror movies are simply there for the three M’s: Mammary, Murder and Misogyny. It was always thought that women being pursued by killers in a film was a way to objectify them while seemingly fulfilling some fantasy in males to tear them apart.

But I would be hard-pressed to think of any horror movie where a female was not the hero in the end, taking out the killer or disposing of him or her in some way. Look at the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Friday the 13th. Although these films were heavy on brutality towards women, the fairer sex always seemed to prevail. “Extraterrestrial” is a film that uses this scheme, but with a very different ending.

The Vicious Brothers, Colin Minihan and Stuart Ortiz, seem to understand the way a horror movie is supposed to work. In fact, they frequently take effective elements from other horror films and incorporate them into their own. They weren’t the first to use the “found footage” gimmick, but they certainly used it to great effect in “Grave Encounters”.

So it was with great excitement that I paid for “Extraterrestrial” on Amazon.com. Having seen and been impressed by “Grave Encounters” I was eager to see what they could do with the profit from that movie to produce this one. And it definitely was money well spent on both of our parts.

A different kind of home invasion

A different kind of home invasion

“Extraterrestrial”, directed by one half of the brothers, Colin Minihan, but written by both, is a science fiction/horror movie that is not so much scary as it is thrilling. The premise is simple (see if you can identify their cross-homages to the genre), a group of friends head out for a weekend together in a cabin in the woods. That night a strange, fiery object falls from the sky and crashes nearby. Armed with a video camera and curiosity, the friends head out to investigate. What they find is a crashed flying saucer; one that looks like it was built by aliens in the 1950’s, but updated to modern standards.

As it goes, the young adults head back to the cabin to discuss what to do next, when a tall, oval-eyed, humanoid alien approaches and is met with a shotgun blast to the torso, killing it. This sets off a night of revenge from the aliens, as we find out that humans and aliens have a “do not engage” treaty going back many years.

The movie kicks into gear at this point as the group frantically tries to leave the woods, but are never allowed to do so by the enraged alien creatures. Sensible April (Brittany Allen) tries to rally the troops, but with so many personalities to contend with, her job is desperate and failing.

The Vicious Brothers have so much respect for the science fiction genre that they give frequent homage to other movies in the course of the film. In one scene, a character is trapped in a basement, suddenly a bright, red glow pierces through the outline of the basement door, giving a great nod to “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”.

In another, the “probe” joke that is carried throughout the film is realized in what might be an homage to Maximilian’s weapon in “The Black Hole” only in a much smaller scale. It is this fun aspect of the film that one doesn’t mind the distractions from the plot.

That's below the belt

That’s below the belt

As with most modern horror movies, it is never apparent which characters, our heroes, will make it to the last reel until at least the middle of the film. Once the other characters are disposed of, the viewer can then focus on why these actors are getting paid a lot more than their red shirt counterparts. And for the most part our leads do a very good job.

Without giving too much away our heroes are romantically involved and locked in a relationship crossroads, they play cat and mouse with the E.T.’s until finally our heroine in a wife beater, is beamed aboard an alien craft, searching through its viscous corridors for her friends.

"Shout" doesn't help in her wash

“Shout” doesn’t help in her wash

With an ending that probably had the nerds in focus groups frantically writing in the comments section about how they would have done it differently, “Extraterrestrial” is a fun ride, with good acting and gratifying special effects. “Extraterrestrial” probes the genre for its treasures and offers them up to fans as tribute in hopes they will appreciate the oblation. Those that don’t will have a good time as well, but probably won’t get the cameo in the last minute of the film.

“Extraterrestrial” isn’t without its flaws; the love story could have been fleshed out a little more and the supporting actors could have studied more of the personas they are manifesting instead of making them the least enjoyable part of the film. But these are minor gripes because even this could be part of the Vicious Bros. design.

Other mainstream media outlets tend to dismiss movies like these because they fail to understand the underlying motivations of the filmmakers; to entertain the fans by invoking their own giddiness. Even Steven Spielberg indulged his certain cinematic affections by making the Indiana Jones franchise.

The Vicious Bros. are ones to watch. So far they have made 3 very effective films which manage to go beyond the VOD budget culture. With their insight and imagination, let’s hope their next movie explores more worlds, ones that involve zombies or serial killers, or both.

You can rent “Extraterrestrial” on Amazon.com or other streaming movie applications.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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