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“47 Meters Down” Review: Invigorates The Shark Attack Sub-Genre

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When it comes to horror movies, one of the age old problems of the genre is ‘why don’t the characters just leave?’ Numerous films have managed to find clever ways and scenarios to keep their potential victims trapped, such as ALIEN being set in an isolated spaceship or THE SHINING being in a snowbound hotel. But perhaps one of the more difficult scenarios to keep interesting has been shark attack movies. Sharks are only scary if you’re in the water with them, after all. JAWS mainly had a conflict with the shark due to tourists being eaten being bad for beach business. Now, 47 METERS DOWN gives a plausible and outright terrifying scenario to be swimming with the fishes.

The story follows Lisa (Mandy Moore) and Kate (Claire Holt), sisters looking for some adventure on the Mexican coast in the wake of Lisa’s boyfriend leaving her. Talking with some local guys, the more reckless Kate suggests they take them up on an offer to go cage diving with real live great white sharks. Though reluctant, Lisa joins the venture. The siblings taking the not quite tourism board approved boat out to sea, stepping in a rusty cage, and dropped into the deep. Their guides promising a big show thanks to some well placed chum. What was sure to be a vacation memory of a lifetime turns into a nightmare when the winch breaks and they find themselves plunged 47 meters below the ocean’s surface. Running low on air, surrounded by predatory sharks, and having to be careful about getting the dreaded ‘bends’ Kate and Lisa must find a way to survive.

Sometimes the most simple premise can be the most intriguing, and 47 METERS DOWN is proof. Two divers stuck in a cage and sharks. The backstory involving Kate and Lisa’s trip doesn’t drag on too long, and a majority of the movie is implicitly underwater, making for some beautiful and threatening cinematography. It’s almost like the sisters are in space with how open yet desolate their environment is. Never known whether a shark will swoop in from above, from below, or from behind to take a bite. Tension is built up quite well in that regard, and also that sharks are only one of the many dangers Lisa and Kate face.

Along with cinema’s greatest aquatic predator, they have to watch their air supply, their wounds, and maintain their pressure. For if they ascend the surface too fast, nitrogen bubbles in their bodies will kill them. Things play out like a classic disaster movie based on Murphy’s law, where anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Another interesting aspect of the story being that both divers are equipped with equipment that also allows them to communicate with one another via radio. Also keeping them in touch with the captain above… but they have to ascend several meters in the murky waters to make contact. Creating danger with every action.

Mandy Moore and Claire Holt work well together as sisters, and they make their fear of the danger, and in particular the sharks, quite believable. And since for the most part we’re following their underwater struggle, it’s a major focus of the story.

Though a strong concept and great pacing, the movie does falter in several spots. The dialogue felt rather wooden and weak in a lot of places. Many times Lisa or Kate will say over and over again how scared they are… as if it wasn’t implicit enough that being chased by sharks or marooned at the bottom of the ocean wasn’t already. As well as becoming repetitive. The pacing was pretty good for a thriller, but would probably turn away someone looking for an adrenaline rush. The ending was pretty interesting and different, but at the same time felt a bit too abrupt and maybe annoying to some. While the FX were for the most part pretty well done, there are more than a few times that the sharks look just a little ‘too’ computer generated.

Despite its flaws, 47 METERS DOWN manages to be a decent and unique thriller. Since every Summer needs a shark movie, and if you’re looking for some seasonal horror, this is well worth a watch.

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The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

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The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

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Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

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Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors. 

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie. 

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time. 

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.

Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Footwear for Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Morticia Addams Skullector doll
Morticia Addams doll shoes
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1994’s ‘The Crow’ Coming Back to Theaters for A New Special Engagement

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The Crow

Cinemark recently announced that they will be bringing The Crow back from the dead once again. This announcement comes just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. Cinemark will be playing The Crow in select theaters on May 29th and 30th.

For those unaware, The Crow is a fantastic film based on the gritty graphic novel by James O’Barr. Widely considered one of the best films of the 90s, The Crow’s lifespan was cut short when Brandon Lee died of an accidental on set shooting.

The official synapsis of the film is as follows. “The modern-gothic original that entranced audiences and critics alike, The Crow tells the tale of a young musician brutally murdered alongside his beloved fiancée, only to be risen from the grave by a mysterious crow. Seeking revenge, he battles a criminal underground that must answer for its crimes. Adapted from the comic book saga of the same name, this action-packed thriller from director Alex Proyas (Dark City) features hypnotic style, dazzling visuals, and a soulful performance by the late Brandon Lee.”

The Crow

The timing of this release couldn’t be better. As a new generation of fans eagerly awaits the release of The Crow remake, they can now see the classic film in all of its glory. As much as we love Bill Skarsgard (IT), there is something timeless in Brandon Lee’s performance in the film.

This theatrical release is part of the Scream Greats series. This is a collaboration between Paramount Scares and Fangoria to bring audiences some of the best classic horror films. So far, they are doing a fantastic job.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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