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Horror Movie Blu-ray Review: Anaconda

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Horror Movies on Tubi - Lopez in Anaconda

Horror Movie Blu-ray Review: Anaconda

The recent Blu-ray release of Lake Placid put me in the mood to revisit other killer animal creature features, so it’s kismet that 1997’s Anaconda is being re-released on Blu-ray just a few weeks later. Although the film debuted on the format in 2009 via Sony, Mill Creek Entertainment recently picked up the rights and re-issued the title.

Written by Top Gun duo Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr. along with Hans Bauer (Titan A.E.), Anaconda’s plot is a simple one. A documentary crew travels through the Amazon rainforest by river barge in hopes of capturing the elusive native people known as the “People of the Mist” on film for the first time. While in search of one great mystery of the expansive Amazon, the hapless group discovers another: a 40-foot, man-eating anaconda. Like that, the hunters become the hunted. Tensions (and stakes) raise even higher when it’s revealed that one crew member is in it for the snake and considers the others expendable.

The film is driven by an ensemble cast. Jennifer Lopez takes top billing as documentary director Terri Flores; this was the same year as her breakout performance in Selena and before she began her music career. Ice Cube (Friday), who plays the cameraman, was still in the transition process from hardcore rapper to family-friendly entertainer. Jon Voight (Deliverance) rocks a ponytail and his best attempt at a Paraguayan accent as snake poacher Paul Serone. Eric Stoltz (Mask) portrays Dr. Steven Cale, an anthropologist who is an expert on the indigenous tribes.

Rounding out the cast is Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers) as the sound guy, Vincent Castellanos (The Crow: City of Angels) as the barge’s captain, Kari Wuhrer (Eight Legged Freaks) as the production manager, and Jonathan Hyde (The Mummy) as the documentary’s snooty narrator. Danny Trejo (Machete) has a small role as an ill-fated poacher in the opening scene. While none of the film’s performances are particularly memorable, the eclectic ensemble is perhaps, even more, to watch all these years later, given the different trajectories their careers have taken since ’97.

Director Luis Llosa (The Specialist) makes the mistake of showing the anaconda – in its unconvincing animatronic puppet form – attacking an animal prey before the crew is even aware of its existence. The anaconda itself isn’t particularly scary. For its more spry work, the snake was created with CGI, which is dated but remains better than the average Syfy flick. In fact, the technology was cutting edge at the time, reportedly costing $100,000 per second (which would explain the $45 million budget).

The filmmakers succumbed to studio pressure to make the movie PG-13 rather than the originally intended R rating, so there’s not much gore – which I can’t help but believe would have increased the entertainment value – and some obvious ADR was used to remove cursing. There is, however, an emergency tracheotomy that still makes me squirm. Some of the snake attacks, although bloodless, are fairly effective as well.

Like its previous Blu-ray incarnation and the DVD before that, Anaconda, unfortunately, carries no special features. The release is about as bare-bones as it gets; no trailers, no subtitles, no pop-up menu. I would love to hear what any of the cast members have to say about the production, but alas that probably won’t ever happen. Mill Creek, however, offers a budget-friendly disc; you can’t complain about a Blu-ray that retails for under 8 bucks. More importantly, the high-definition presentation looks good, bringing the lush Amazon to the comfort of your living room.

Anaconda grossed $137 million at the box office worldwide. Surprisingly, it wasn’t turned into a franchise until 2004, when Anacondas: The Hunt for Blood Orchid slithered into theaters. The third and fourth installments premiered on Syfy in 2008 and 2009, respectively. As is often the case, the original remains the best. Dated and formulaic as it may be, Anaconda is a fun creature feature.

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A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

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It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

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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Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

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Louis Leterrier

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

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atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

Airport ’75

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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