News

‘Child’s Play’ is a Blast and Exists in its Own Parallel Universe

Published

5 years ago

June 21, 2019

Every time a reboot, remake, rehash, re-do, or remix of one of cult fave film occurs there tends to be a bit of a hubbub. And by “hubbub,” I mean Cold War type spats. These either lead to a shaky acceptance or all out Film Twitter disdain. In the case of Child’s Play, I can say that this is one that is an all-out surprise in terms my expectation being totally exceeded in a variety of delightful, if not murdery, ways.

Child’s Play takes the selective bones of Tom Holland’s Child’s Play ‘88 and strips it of the elements of voodoo and possession. Instead, taking a two-fisted approach to the scarier side of spooky AI and nearly existent tech. Here, the Kaslan Buddi doll is able to control other Kaslan products through Bluetooth, giving him a wide range of control over tech like drones, thermostats, home electronics, etc… Taking a much more Sci-fi approach to the previous straight horror approach.

In the place of a voodoo ritual, we are instead introduced to a disgruntled employee at a Kaslan factory who decides to remove certain safety features from one particular Buddi doll. When young mother decides to gift the doll to her son, things take a bloody, and sometimes oddly touching turn

Director Lars Klevberg comes at this through a really fun approach. Well written and delivered dialogue makes everyone believable and ultimately likeable. Creating a fun Monster Squad, or Lost Boys era childhood camaraderie dynamic. The stand out feature in the first two acts of the film revolve primarily around how bizarre and funny the approach is to Andy and Chucky’s relationship. The beats are familiar to the relationship between John Connor and the T-800 in Terminator 2.

The most hilarious bits are built around the fact that the Buddi doll is severely… off. From facial expressions to strange dialogue, it’s cute and clear that this lil dude is on a planet of his own. Mark Hamill lending voice to Chucky seals the deal and makes the whole Chucky experience magical and simultaneously maniacal.

Don’t let all my talk about how funny and semi-adorable sections of this movie are though, horror hounds. Child’s Play is 100 percent brutal creating some severely well-done gory kills. All while keeping it almost completely practical in the process. Added to that Chucky is very creepy, watching Andy sleep or sitting in dark corners in full stalker mode.

The quality of the third act of Child’s Play is where we see the film start to follow more traditional tropes and is ultimately where the film didn’t work for me. It is seemingly and suddenly in a rush to get to the end credits. And does a criminal job of taking the strange heart that the previous acts did a great job building up. It’s rudimentary but not terrible.

It would be criminal if I didn’t mention the creepy and catchy Buddi song that is repeated more than a few times throughout the films runtime. In addition to the song being pretty dang great, Klevberg and Co. frame the tune in a different light each time it is comes up. Making the song, hilarious, terrifying, heartbreaking and then hilarious again. Composer, Bear McCreary brings a vivaciously eerie soundtrack to the mix all driven by children toys that he decided to use to capture the sounds of a child’s playroom.

This Child’s Play exists in its own parallel universe in my mind. It re-imagines a new killer doll nightmare and does so in a way that is an absolute blast and on its own terms. I’m not usually a remake apologist but in the case of this Child’s Play there is enough driving its engine that I was pleasantly surprised with just how impressive parts of it were. There is nothing about this iteration that takes anything away from Don Mancini’s ongoing Chucky legacy. In fact, this film takes care not to step too far into that wheelhouse and ultimately won me over in the process.

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News

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

Published

6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

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.

“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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News

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

Published

7 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

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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Lists

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

Published

9 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Timothy Rawles

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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