News

Remembering Stuart Gordon with 5 Essential Lovecraft Adaptations

Published

4 years ago

March 25, 2020

Horror fans around the globe are mourning the loss of Stuart Gordon. A writer, director, and playwright, Gordon quietly and steadfastly walked to the beat of his own drum.

On Twitter this morning, Don Coscarelli (Phantasm) said:

At the first “Masters of Horror” dinner, Stuart said something which resonated with every horror filmmaker: “Horror films are a rehearsal for our own deaths.” In eight words he answered why we make them and watch them. Stuart, you made the finest. RIP, my friend. #StuartGordon pic.twitter.com/QQAHRXCOhT

— Don Coscarelli (@DonCoscarelli) March 25, 2020

From his earliest days in filmmaking, Gordon sought to master what so few have been able to successfully do in adapting the works of H.P. Lovecraft to the screen. The author’s work, filled with creatures whose mere presence can drive men mad, is strikingly visual and yet nearly impossible to fully realize on screen.

That did not stop Gordon, however. He loved these stories, and they deserved to be on film.

With that in mind, I thought it would be a good time to look at five of his more interesting adaptations of Lovecraft’s work. I will also include where to stream these films in case there are entries you’ve never seen before or if you’d like to revisit them.

Re-Animator (1985): Streaming on Shudder and Showtime; Available to Rent on Amazon, Google Play, and AppleTV

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

While Gordon had previously directed a made-for-TV film titled Bleacher Bums, Re-Animator–based on Lovecraft’s “Herbert West, Re-Animator”– was his first big screen venture.

The film starred Jeffrey Combs as Dr. Herbert West, a man obsessed with overcoming death, who goes to terrifying and sometimes hysterical lengths to prove his theories true. There are things in this film you have to see to believe, and it works so well thanks to Gordon’s direction and the complete commitment of Combs in the title role.

The film also starred horror legend Barbara Crampton (Body Double). Both she and Combs would work with Gordon many more times in the course of their careers. Gordon was used to working with a company of players in the theater and he brought that same idea to his film work.

From Beyond (1986): Streaming on PlutoTV; Available to rent on Vudu and Amazon.

Gordon, Combs, and Crampton reunited a year later for From Beyond, based on Lovecraft’s story by the same name.

Dr. Edward Pretorius (Ted Sorel) and Dr. Crawford Tillinghast (Combs) create a device called the Resonator whose sole purpose is to stimulate the pineal gland in order to open up the sixth sense. After a terrifying experiment with the device in which Pretorius loses his life, Tillinghast is sent to a mental institution and put under the care of Dr. Katherine McMichaels (Crampton).

Soon Tillinghast and McMichaels find themselves in a fight for survival with terrifying creatures that could mean not only their deaths, but the destruction of the world as we know it.

Castle Freak (1995): Streaming on Shudder and Tubi; Available to rent on AppleTV and Amazon

Combs and Crampton return in this tale as John and Susan Reilly, an American couple who, along with their blind daughter (Jessica Dollarhide), travel to Italy after inheriting a castle there. Unbeknownst to them, a deformed creature lurks in the castle’s depths and when it is accidentally set free, it begins to viciously murder locals leading the authorities to suspect John.

The film is loosely based on Lovecraft’s “The Outsiders” and came into being after Gordon saw a poster in Charles Band’s office. Band reportedly told Gordon he could develop the property so long as there was a castle and a freak in the story since they already had a poster made up for a film which did not yet exist.

Dagon (2001): Available to rent on Vudu, AppleTV, Amazon, and Google Play

I can’t tell you how much I love Dagon which is just as well because I can’t tell you why I love Dagon. All I can tell you is that it’s a guilty pleasure I have returned to time and again.

Based on Lovecraft’s “Dagon” and “The Shadow Over Innsmouth,” Dagon centers on a young businessman named Paul (Ezra Godden) who, along with his girlfriend, Barbara (Raquel Merono), is washed ashore in a strange village after a boating accident off the coast of Spain.

The couple are soon on the run for their lives as the village’s strange inhabitants emerge after sunset. I don’t want to give too much more away, but the film delivers one shock after another as Paul discovers the village’s history which leads to terrifying possibilities about his own future.

Masters of Horror: Dreams in the Witch House (2005): Streaming on Tubi, Vudu, Vidmark, and The Roku Channel; Available to rent on Fandango Now and Amazon

Stuart Gordon was a natural choice for Mick Garris when he began to assemble directors for the Masters of Horror television series, and for his first entry, the director returned to Lovecraft and Ezra Godden.

Based on Lovecraft’s story by the same name, Dreams in the Witch House finds Walter (Godden), a graduate student, renting a room in an old house to work on his thesis. He soon discovers, however, that the house is more sinister than it seems. An ancient entity lives there, and it is hell bent on forcing Walter to sacrifice a neighbor’s baby.

Gordon pulled out all the stops in this hour-long film. It will make you uneasy and queasy by the time the credits roll.

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News

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

Published

16 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

17 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

19 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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