Connect with us

News

Jonathan Lipnicki is All Grown Up and Kicking Ass in “Circus Kane”

Published

on

Jonathan Lipnicki wants you to put your phone down when you watch Circus Kane.

It’s an ironic request considering the film revolves around a group of social media stars invited to witness the rebirth of a horror circus made famous by a man named Balthazar Kane, but the actor thinks it’s important.

“This is a roller coaster ride of a movie,” the actor points out.  “Things happen fast, and if you’re looking down at your phone, you’re going to miss something…maybe something important.  Watch the movie; Tweet about it later.”

Circus Kane is equal parts horror and comedy with something for everyone, and Lipnicki’s character, Scott, is right in the middle of everything.  The role afforded the actor to not only explore the horror genre from the inside, but also allowed him to show off some of the martial arts skills he’s been developing for years.  And it all started with a phone call from screenwriter James Cullen Bressack.

“I’d worked with James before on another movie called Limelight,” Lipnicki related.  “So, he calls me up and said, ‘I’ve written this thing about evil clowns; and there’s a role in it that makes me think of you.’  Then I get the script and start reading and the character is a total brat! I told James that I wasn’t sure if it was an insult or a compliment, but I was ready to take the job.”

As is the case with most independent films, there wasn’t a lot of time for rehearsals, but the producers knew they’d need a cohesive ensemble when they started filming Circus Kane.  So, the week before production was set to begin, they got the actors into a group and put them in an Escape Room.

“We had to work together, you know?  We had to be a team and collaborate,” he says, “and I think that went a long way to helping us once filming began.”

As I said before, the film centers on a group of social media stars who are invited to witness the rebirth of the infamous Circus Kane.  In a very House on Haunted Hill homage, the participants are promised $250,000 each, should they stay and survive the entire evening.  Of course, in horror films, things are never that easy, and the guy who sends the invitations never intends to pay.

One by one, the group is whittled away in campy horror fashion by killer clowns, deadly over-sized toys, and booby traps from hell.  Through it all, Lipnicki insists he was having the time of his life, especially when the production crew allowed him to incorporate his marital arts training into one of his big scenes.

“I got to help and really collaborate with the stunt men to incorporate some of the Jujitsu and Muay Thai that I’ve been studying for years into those scenes, man, and it was really cool that they trusted me to do that.”

It was a nice turn for the young star who still feels his role from Jerry Maguire looming over his shoulder some days.  In fact, the actor thanked me when I told him I intended to leave the subject completely out of the interview.  I will tell you that, at a pivotal point in Scott’s arc, another actor ad libbed the line “The human head weighs eight pounds” and Lipnicki admits they all had a good laugh about it on set.

So, will we be seeing more of Jonathan in horror?

“If I could just go from movie to movie for the rest of my life, I’d be perfectly happy,” the actor says, “and I’ve always been interested in the ‘horror space’ because it’s so varied with so many different elements.  Horror has some of the best and most dedicated fans and I love that.  It’s something I’d definitely want to do more of in the future.”

You can catch Jonathan Lipnicki in Circus Kane on demand!

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

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

Published

on

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

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title