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This Mother-Daughter Haunted Mansion Duo Just Won Dapper Day at Disneyland

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Written by Patti Pauley

Outside of my little family, there are two things on this sometimes unbearable planet that consistently change my usual scowling mug to a geeky, glowing smile: Horror movies and Disney’s Haunted Mansion. And no, I’m not talking about that not so great film starring Eddie Murphy. The actual ride located in Disneyland CA. is sort of like my place of peace. Not so much the ride itself, but the entire atmosphere of the attraction is like another part of Disneyland; separating itself from the Peter Pan’s Flights and Mad Tea Cups into something completely different from anything you’ll see in the park. Oh, and it contains pretty much the greatest character ever- The Hat Box Ghost. A Haunted Mansion enthusiast dubbed Miss Mansion and her beautiful eight year old daughter appropriately nicknamed Fancy Pants just get it too, and when I ran into the duo at this past weekend’s Dapper Day in Disney California, a small ghoulish tear shed from my eye as I laid my eyes upon the coolest Hat Box Ghost cosplay I’ve seen at the park.

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Photo Credit: Beyond The Poison Apple

 

The 47-year old Disney Mansion and villain aficionado and her adorable daughter who calls herself “Fancy Pants”, have been dressing to the nine at not only Disney Expos’, but horror cons such as the infamous Monsterpalooza in the southern California area. This year for the semi-annual Dapper Day event, Miss Mansion wanted to re-create one of her favorite Mansion characters in Disney-bound retro form and she absolutely nailed it. As for little Fancy Pants, she pretty much had everyone stopping in their tracks (me included) to take a look at her breathtaking Hat Box Ghost ensemble. The young HBG fan was absolutely ecstatic to dress up as her favorite character from the Mansion, when I asked Miss Mansion how the ensemble was decided.

“I asked my daughter what she wanted to be and without taking a breath she blurted Hat Box Ghost! We always looked for art and pics of anything that had pictures of him on it and dreamed of the day when ‘HE’ would come home to the Mansion. So it was no surprise to me when she told me that’s who she wanted to be.”

As I walked by the pair I did a double take, snapped a pic with Fancy Pants, looked at my own Haunted mansion inspired outfit, and hung my head in utter shame as I walked away.  I’ll have to try a little harder next time to even attempt to be on their level.

Yeah. That’s me on the far right and my dull outfit next to this winner of Dapper Day.

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Photo Credit: Alisha Guerrero

Miss Mansion and Fancy Pants “Frankensteined” their Mansion wear with a little DIY and multiple pieces from PinupGirlClothing, Hot Topic, and various Etsy shops including Dulcecalaveritas, AJ’s Cafe, and used her own products from her very own Etsy shop Beyond The Poison Apple. Miss Mansion’s online store produces various horror related and Disney villain and Haunted Mansion items that are definitely worth a look at! The husband even got in on the Dapper Day experience as well! What a swell guy.

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Because of Miss Mansion’s established attraction to the Disney ride, she will be featured in an upcoming documentary currently in production dedicated to the fan culture surrounding The Haunted Mansion entitled Foolish Mortals. The film is at this time aiming at a 2017 release date, and is undergoing a GoFundMe campaign to help complete production.

If you would like to follow Miss Mansion and little Fancy Pants on their Haunted Mansion adventures and their amazing horror convention cosplays, simply follow them on Facebook or Instagram!

 

Featured photo credit: Instagram handle: Heyzenc and Podketeers Podcast.

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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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