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JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 Offers More Headshots And Is Entirely More Badass

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Every once and a while, there is a flash of intense genius in cinema. Here, I’m talking about the action variety. The sort of action that is searing and leaping off of the screen. In a time when American action films were hitting a wall of mediocrity, John Wick came out of nowhere and absolutely audiences with its badass self and now here we are with John Wick: Chapter 2 continuing the bloody path of equal balls-to-the-wall action genius.

The film begins with John Wick still picking up the pieces from the aftermath of the path of destruction from the first film. If you recall, John murdered a bunch of people and got sweet revenge but he never was able to get his Mustang back. So, naturally, the film opens with John going after his beloved car. This leads to an all out battle of metal, glass, bones and blood as he goes up against the dudes trying to stop him from taking the car back. Big mistake.

The central story follows Wick as he attempts to get back to a less murdery life, only to have someone from John’s past come up and ask him to perform a hit. When John turns down the offer, he is reminded that he owes a blood oath. Eventually seeing he has no other choice, he takes the job and heads to Italy to perform one last hit.

The intricate and analog world of John Wick is back. The Hotel Continental still acts as a sanctuary and John’s colleagues are still a big part of the story. But, as with any good sequel, this one opens up that world even further and gives you a peak behind the curtain. This is a world where a bartender acts as your weapons dealer, a tailor acts as a armor dealer and old telephone switchboards act as the underworld’s sole lines of communication. The world is still hyper-stylized with eccentric killers and intense candy-colored light magic.

This one also doubles the headshots and the amount of chaotic damage John does when armed. We have seen him use his pistols before, in this one he ups the action by switching to automatic shotguns and assault rifles. The mix of Judo and gun fu are a hypnotically awesome dance to watch.

Wick

Keanu, once again puts himself through the ringer in order to perform his own onscreen fights and gun magic. The dude was born to play the part, and he reminds of you of that throughout. The close-ups of Reeves in close quarters combat are breathtaking and couldn’t have been done without the level of commitment that Reeves had to becoming a real-life tactical expert.

From John Wick: Chapter 2’s first teaser poster,designed identically after Harry Lloyd’s Two-Gun Gussie. It was clear that this film would have inspiration from the classic silent films of yesterday. When John Wick battles Cassian (Common), the film becomes a sustained exercise in the best of silent films. The back and froth between these two could easily have the volume muted and still be just as effective.Adding to the silent film inspired world, Ares (Ruby Rose) plays one of the baddies who is a mute with a sadistic side. Rose does an awesome job of brining a unique character into the world and assisting in the silent world aesthetic.

The bone crushing practical stunts and the big set pieces go for broke this time around. I know what you are saying “But the first one was already action packed and brutal! How could this one take it any further?!” Well, good question (and stop yelling) but I assure you this one improves on and builds off of everything from the first film, making it your favorite action movie of 2017.

As if they were trying to overload my brain on the amount of cool shit in this movie, they bring in a Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburn reunion and a cameo by Franco Nero (Djano himself!). Fishburn plays a character called The Bowery King, it’s clear that John and him have a history. Their interaction is one of the few dialogue filled moments that allow you to catch your breath from all the action. It’s good to see these dudes on the screen together again and if all goes well, we might be seeing him again if there is a Chapter 3.

Asia usually gets all the cool action stuff, so I feel like we are living through history when we get our very own out this way. John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 2 are history in the making and are entirely badass. Don’t miss Keanu blasting heads off of the bad guys and as homework, try to count up all the headshots. Pssst, it’s a lot.

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“Mickey Vs. Winnie”: A Horrific Clash of Icons from Director Glenn Douglas Packard and iHorror

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iHorror is diving deep into film production with a chilling new project that’s sure to redefine your childhood memories. We’re thrilled to introduce ‘Mickey vs. Winnie,’ a groundbreaking horror slasher directed by Glenn Douglas Packard. This isn’t just any horror slasher; it’s a visceral showdown between twisted versions of childhood favorites Mickey Mouse and Winnie-the-Pooh. ‘Mickey vs. Winnie’ brings together the now-public-domain characters from A. A. Milne’s ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ books and Mickey Mouse from the 1920s ‘Steamboat Willie’ cartoon in a VS battle like never before seen.

Mickey VS Winnie
Mickey VS Winnie Poster

Set in the 1920s, the plot kicks off with a disturbing narrative about two convicts who escape into a cursed forest, only to be swallowed by its dark essence. Fast forward a hundred years, and the story picks up with a group of thrill-seeking friends whose nature getaway goes horribly wrong. They accidentally venture into the same cursed woods, finding themselves face-to-face with the now monstrous versions of Mickey and Winnie. What follows is a night filled with terror, as these beloved characters mutate into horrifying adversaries, unleashing a frenzy of violence and bloodshed.

Glenn Douglas Packard, an Emmy-nominated choreographer turned filmmaker known for his work on “Pitchfork,” brings a unique creative vision to this film. Packard describes “Mickey vs. Winnie” as a tribute to horror fans’ love for iconic crossovers, which often remain just a fantasy due to licensing restrictions. “Our film celebrates the thrill of combining legendary characters in unexpected ways, serving up a nightmarish yet exhilarating cinematic experience,” says Packard.

Produced by Packard and his creative partner Rachel Carter under the Untouchables Entertainment banner, and our very own Anthony Pernicka, founder of iHorror, “Mickey vs. Winnie” promises to deliver an entirely new take on these iconic figures. “Forget what you know about Mickey and Winnie,” Pernicka enthuses. “Our film portrays these characters not as mere masked figures but as transformed, live-action horrors that merge innocence with malevolence. The intense scenes crafted for this movie will change how you see these characters forever.”

Currently underway in Michigan, the production of “Mickey vs. Winnie” is a testament to pushing the boundaries of the horror genre. As iHorror ventures into producing our own films, we’re excited to share this thrilling, terrifying journey with you, our loyal audience. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to transform the familiar into the frightful in ways you’ve never imagined.

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Mike Flanagan Comes Aboard To Assist in Completion of ‘Shelby Oaks’

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shelby oaks

If you have been following Chris Stuckmann on YouTube you are aware of the struggles he has had getting his horror movie Shelby Oaks finished. But there’s good news about the project today. Director Mike Flanagan (Ouija: Origin Of Evil, Doctor Sleep and The Haunting) is backing the film as a co-executive producer which might bring it much closer to being released. Flanagan is a part of the collective Intrepid Pictures which also includes Trevor Macy and Melinda Nishioka.

Shelby Oaks
Shelby Oaks

Stuckmann is a YouTube movie critic who’s been on the platform for over a decade. He came under some scrutiny for announcing on his channel two years ago that he would no longer be reviewing films negatively. However contrary to that statement, he did a non-review essay of the panned Madame Web recently saying, that studios strong-arm directors to make films just for the sake of keeping failing franchises alive. It seemed like a critique disguised as a discussion video.

But Stuckmann has his own movie to worry about. In one of Kickstarter’s most successful campaigns, he managed to raise over $1 million for his debut feature film Shelby Oaks which now sits in post-production. 

Hopefully, with Flanagan and Intrepid’s help, the road to Shelby Oak’s completion is reaching its end. 

“It’s been inspiring to watch Chris working toward his dreams over the past few years, and the tenacity and DIY spirit he displayed while bringing Shelby Oaks to life reminded me so much of my own journey over a decade ago,” Flanagan told Deadline. “It’s been an honor to walk a few steps with him on his path, and to offer support for Chris’ vision for his ambitious, unique movie. I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.”

Stuckmann says Intrepid Pictures has inspired him for years and, “it’s a dream come true to work with Mike and Trevor on my first feature.”

Producer Aaron B. Koontz of Paper Street Pictures has been working with Stuckmann since the beginning is also excited about the collaboration.

“For a film that had such a hard time getting going, it’s remarkable the doors that then opened to us,” said Koontz. “The success of our Kickstarter followed by the on-going leadership and guidance from Mike, Trevor, and Melinda is beyond anything I could have hoped for.”

Deadline describes the plot of Shelby Oaks as follows:

“A combination of documentary, found footage, and traditional film footage styles, Shelby Oaks centers on Mia’s (Camille Sullivan) frantic search for her sister, Riley, (Sarah Durn) who ominously disappeared in the last tape of her “Paranormal Paranoids” investigative series. As Mia’s obsession grows, she begins to suspect that the imaginary demon from Riley’s childhood may have been real.”

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New ‘MaXXXine’ Image is Pure 80s Costume Core

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A24 has unveiled a captivating new image of Mia Goth in her role as the titular character in “MaXXXine”. This release comes approximately a year and a half after the previous installment in Ti West’s expansive horror saga, which covers more than seven decades.

MaXXXine Official Trailer

His latest continues the story arc of freckle-faced aspiring starlet Maxine Minx from the first film X which took place in Texas in 1979. With stars in her eyes and blood on her hands, Maxine moves into a new decade and a new city, Hollywood, in pursuit of an acting career, “But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.”

The photo below is the latest snapshot released from the film and shows Maxine in full Thunderdome drag amid a crowd of teased hair and rebellious 80s fashion.

MaXXXine is set to open in theaters on July 5.

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