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3 Years Ago Wes Craven Left This World, But His Legacy Will Remain Forever

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On August 30, 2015, the horror community awoke to the upsetting news that legendary filmmaker Wes Craven had passed away in his home due to brain cancer. In a year when many great actors and musicians seemed to enter their eternal slumber, the one that impacted me the most was the loss of Wes. With the ability to combine pop-culture references, psychological torment, gore, and the well-timed (but not over used) jump scare, Wes Craven secured himself in the hearts and dreams of horror fanatics around the world.

Since his 1972 directorial debut on The Last House on the Left (which ironically released on August 30th), the horror maestro continued to push the envelop with every project that was lucky enough to attach his name.

In 1977 he shocked the world with his scenic thrill ride through the desert in The Hills Have Eyes. Wes was starting to find his stride as not only a reliable and creative director, but a thought provoking and relentless writer as well. Unbeknownst to many, in 1982 he turned his artistic efforts towards the comic book realm with the release of Swamp Thing.

Image via IMDB

But it was in 1984 that Wes Craven would etch his name in the history books of horror, as one of the most iconic and influential directors the genre would ever bear witness to. From the darkest corners of his demented mind, Wes gave birth to one of the most terrifying and heinous horror villains to ever haunt our dreams, Freddy Krueger.

Backed by an unforgettable performance from Robert Englund, A Nightmare on Elm Street tormented teens with its macabre and hellish imagery, and spawned a new franchise (along with Johnny Depp’s career) that would continue to thrill moviegoers for years to come.

As if one world famous fictional killer wasn’t enough to be praised for, in 1996 Wes Craven directed the highly successful first entry to the Scream franchise. Written by Kevin Williamson, the duo introduced us to the Ghostface killer, and kept fans guessing as to who would don the spine-chilling mask and voice changer through three sequels (all directed by Craven).

Image via IMDB

Wes continued his reign of terror in 2005, directing the claustrophobic airplane thriller Red Eye, starring veteran actors Cillian Murphy and Rachel McAdams. In 2010, he again put his imaginative pen to paper, writing and directing the mystery thriller My Soul to Take.

Like a large portion of the horror community, the works and artistic vision of Wes Craven forever impacted my life. When I was in the fourth grade, my older brother made me watch Scream while my parents were out of town. To this day, I can still pinpoint the start of my love for all things horror related to the first time I heard Roger Jackson’s voice asking Drew Barrymore, “What’s your favorite scary movie?”

Image via IMDB

Wes Craven was always willing to push the boundaries with his storytelling abilities, and his name will live infamously in the hearts of horror fans around the world. His legacy will continue to influence future filmmakers, and his villains will undoubtedly stand the test of time. From all of your family, friends, and fans everywhere… we miss you and may you rest in peace.

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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