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‘Gremlins’ multiply in New York City collector’s apartment

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We all know the Gremlins rules:

  1. No bright lights.
  2. Don’t get them wet
  3. And never feed them after midnight, no matter how much they beg.

But what fun ever came from following rules?

"Gremlins" poster for 1984 film.

Joe Dante’s “Gremlins” invaded theaters on June 8th, 1984, and as we all know, became an instant classic. Exciting and terrifying children and adults alike, it was clear that Gizmo and his zany, unwanted friends were here to stay.

The originality of “Gremlins” inspired dozens of copycat films – most notably “Critters” in 1986 – and ultimately a sequel in 1990. But in addition to laying the groundwork for countless horror movies starring small demonic creatures, and making nearly every child under the age of thirteen check beneath their beds for tiny green monsters, “Gremlins” captured the imagination of collectors all over the world. While most movie-goers wanted to run from the little hellions, some sat in those darkened theatres and in the comfort of their living rooms, dreaming of one day owning some for themselves.

Since its release, a plethora of “Gremlins” related paraphernalia has been released – lunch boxes, puzzles, windup toys, trading cards, sleeping bags, Atari games, Gameboy games, and of course, action figures.

Great "Gremlins" collection by NY fan.

And though all of these collectibles helped bring “Gremlins” to life and into the collector’s home, perhaps nothing has made the dream of finally living with these creatures a reality like NECA’s release of five life-size gremlins sculpted and painted from original movie stunt puppets.

I watched “Gremlins” when I was fourteen, and have been on the hunt to own as many life-size gremlins as possible ever since. Before NECA released its first life-size prop, I had spent dozens of hours scouring eBay, Craigslist and speaking with fellow collectors to obtain the ever-elusive Warner Brother Store life-size props.

These figures, made of hard fiberglass and standing over thirty inches tall, were store display props never available to the public until the WB stores went out of business in 2001. At that point, most of theses figures were destroyed, but a few survived, carried home under the loving arms of store owners, employees and fans lucky enough to snag one before the WB lights went out forever.

From the movie “Gremlins” (1984)

I have been fortunate enough to acquire four life-size WB Store Gremlins. And they are beautiful: stunning craftsmanship, vibrant colors, cool poses and spot-on likeness.

But they’re also extremely expensive, normally averaging around $900 to $1200 each on eBay, and very difficult to display. In the stores they hung from the ceiling, but that’s not very feasible in a NYC studio apartment. Which is what makes the NECA release figures so great!

Not only are they screen accurate, available at an affordable price and totally awesome, they’re also easy to display with neat little metal stands.  They’re the complete package!

The first NECA life-size Gremlin was released in 2012. In this review I want to not only critique these figures and give you the tools to find them yourself, but I also want to briefly compare them to the WB Store Prop Gremlins, their predecessor. I want to note that I will not be critiquing life-size Gizmo props or the Mohawk Model Kit. Those are subjects for a whole other article!

There are at least eight different WB Store Display Gremlins:

Dancing Gremlin in Black Suit with Black Top Hat

Dancing Gremlin in White Suit with Red Top Hat

Greta

Greta In White Wedding Gown

Generic Green Gremlin

Generic Brown Gremlin

Attacking Green Gremlin

Construction Gremlin

I own four of them: Dancing Gremlin in Black Suit and Black Top Hat, Greta, Generic Green Gremlin and Attacking Green Gremlin.

 

Out of the four, my favorite is definitely the Dancing Gremlin; he captures the fun loving spirit of the movies perfectly.

From the movie "Gremlins."

“Gremlins” (1984)

In a close second is the Greta prop, with her sexy white leopard outfit and blood red lipstick. Who couldn’t resist such a dame? The Generic Green Gremlin and Attacking Gremlin make the perfect pair, both smiling maniacally, highly amused by their latest crazy antic.

WB store prop Gremlins surface on eBay about two or three times per year. Their asking price is generally around $900 to $1100 with the option to submit a best offer. To keep an eye out for them, search “Gremlins Prop,” “Warner Brothers Display” and “Life-size Gremlins,” on eBay and if you’re diligent, you might just snag one at a great price!

Since 2012 NECA has released five life-size Gremlin Figures:

Brown Generic Gremlin

Green Generic Gremlin

The Brain

Greta

The Flasher

Where the WB Gremlins all possess unique poses, four out of the five NECA Gremlins are sculpted using the same mold.

The Flasher is the only prop that differs, a necessary change to fully convey his personality and iconic pose. They’re all made out of latex and stand roughly 33 inches tall. The Brown Gremlin was the first to be released, and clearly lacks the most realistic detail and interesting paint. The veins on his stomach stand out like a sore thumb in my opinion.

That being said, NECA quickly upped their game with the release of the Green Gremlin, which might be my favorite. With the same pose as the Brown Generic Gremlin, his deep slimy green color and crazed expression truly brings a life-sized gremlin into your home.

The NECA Greta prop is just wonderful. Her pose is the same as the Generic Gremlins but instead of sculpted clothes like on the WB props, her iconic outfit is fabric, a very nice touch that makes her much more realistic. Her paint and green hair is spot on, and out of the five I feel she turned out the most screen accurate.

 

I hate to say it, but the Brain Gremlin is basically the Brown Generic Gremlin with clothes and glasses.

I love him and he’s definitely an important part of the set, but his uniqueness lies in the character he portrays and less as a unique figure among the five.

Lastly, and the most fun, is The Flasher. His arms are detachable, which makes putting his coat on possible, and he comes complete with stylish shades.

I only wish he came with a fake cigarette, since in both films he was smoking when he flashed Phoebe Cates. But that’s an easy enough prop to add. His paint is perfect. It’s clear that NECA listened to the collector world and improved their craftsmanship with each new release.

As with the Warner Brother Display Gremlins, the best place to find these figures is eBay.

They range in price from $300 to $700 depending on the seller and usually sell on average for about $450 each. To search for them, search “Life-size Gremlin,” “NECA Gremlin” and “Gremlin Props.” The less precise your search vocabulary, the better chance you have of seeing the most available.

Please feel free to post your thoughts, ask questions and most importantly, share stories about your own collecting experiences. And as always, happy hunting – may your home be ever filled with monsters.

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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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