Connect with us

Movies

‘Dashcam’: Big Theater Chain Cancels All Screenings, Backpedals on Too “Offensive” Claim

Published

on

The multinational UK-based theater chain named Vue has canceled all showings of the upcoming horror film Dashcam. Early reports were that the theater company found the movie to be too offensive, but the chain has denied that’s the reason.

In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for Vue said:

“Our decision not to screen DASHCAM was informed purely by the commercial conditions not being viable.

We are currently investigating the cause of the incorrect information about our rationale for not screening this film, and we are sorry for any confusion that this has caused.”

Dashcam is the third feature film from director Rob Savage who created the mid-lockdown hit Host. That movie is currently available to stream on Shudder with a subscription.

What they said first

The reasoning behind the cancellation at Vue is a bit hard to swallow since people who had pre-purchased tickets noticed that all screenings had been canceled. This didn’t sit well with the movie’s director who promptly emailed the company for an explanation. Here is their response:

“Thank you for your question regarding Dashcam. I have received feedack from our staffing screen and they have decided we won’t be showing Dashcam at any of our venues due to the contents of the movie, which may offend our audiences.

We at Vue believe in diversity and any movie which may offend audiences, we may decide to no longer show at the last second without notice. I’m sorry this is not the outcome you were looking for.”

Savage in an apparent flex, tweeted about the situation:

“Apparently @vuecinemas have canceled our screenings of DASHCAM because the movie is too offensive!” he wrote on Twitter, adding: “If that doesn’t make you want to watch this film, what will?”

All the Buzz

The buzz for Dashcam has certainly been electrifying. Not since Hereditary has there been such early word-of-mouth from festival audiences about a horror film. Still, the movie isn’t without its controversy, mainly because of the main character, played by Annie Hardy, who according to Bloody Disgusting is “one of horror’s most grating characters in recent memory.”

Our own critic Kelly McNeely screened the film at 2021’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and seems to hold the same opinion but is slightly more forgiving, “Annie is a curious character. She’s both charismatic and obnoxious, quick-witted and closed-minded.”

The controversy stems from Annie’s political beliefs. Her rebellious and recalcitrant nature regarding the pandemic might put her in Karen territory.  In one scene she refuses to wear a mask inside a store and things get crazy. She is an unhinged, anti-woke conspiracy theorist who just happens to be the film’s star.  “She’s… kind of terrible,” McNeely writes.

So what is Dashcam about?

The film was shot on an iPhone a la the found footage formula. We meet a foolhardy musician (Hardy) who throws caution to the wind during the pandemic and flies off to London to visit a friend (Amar Chadha-Patel).  The plot turns serious when Annie decides to livestream strange events happening around her to online viewers.

Is Dashcam Good?

You’ve heard it all before: “Horror is subjective.” And Dashcam is probably going to divide most viewers with its controversial bullet points on radical social behavior. However, those who have seen it were impressed. They praise the film for being fun and scary. Writer and director Nia Childs wrote in her review: “Dashcam was a RIDE. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had that much fun – the audience just make it. Screaming, laughing, at one point I think someone was nearly sick?”

Theater chain’s backpedaling

Although Vue has seemingly untrained employees who answer emails without consulting their PR team first, the company is probably going to die on a hill for this one. Their excuse “commercial conditions not being viable,” is nothing short of head-scratching. If you are a venue that has a screen, an auditorium, and sells tickets to movies for the public to watch, well, that is “viable.” It’s literally your business model.

But it’s all good for Jason Blum and director Savage. Obviously, the publicity doesn’t hurt, and for what it’s worth all the hype surrounding this film is going to drive sales. Curious ticket buyers are going to want to see what is so polarizing about this picture and quickly head to social media to give their own opinions and propel sales even further.

Dashcam will be released in selected U.S. theaters and VOD on June 2.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Movies

‘Clown Motel 3,’ Films At America’s Scariest Motel!

Published

on

There is just something about clowns that can evoke feelings of eeriness or discomfort. Clowns, with their exaggerated features and painted-on smiles, are already somewhat removed from typical human appearance. When portrayed in a sinister manner in movies, they can trigger feelings of fear or unease because they hover in that unsettling space between familiar and unfamiliar. The association of clowns with childhood innocence and joy can make their portrayal as villains or symbols of terror even more disturbing; just writing this and thinking about clowns is making me feel quite uneasy. Many of us can relate to each other when it comes to the fear of clowns! There is a new clown film on the horizon, Clown Motel: 3 Ways To Hell, which promises to have an army of horror icons and provide tons of bloody gore. Check out the press release below, and stay safe from these clowns!

Clown Motel – Tonopah, Nevada

The Clown Motel named the “Scariest Motel in America,” is located in the quiet town of Tonopah, Nevada, renowned among horror enthusiasts. It boasts an unsettling clown theme that permeates every inch of its exterior, lobby, and guest rooms. Situated across from a desolate cemetery from the early 1900s, the motel’s eerie ambiance is heightened by its proximity to the graves.

Clown Motel spawned its first movie, Clown Motel: Spirits Arise, back in 2019, but now we are on to the third!

Director and Writer Joseph Kelly is back at it again with Clown Motel: 3 Ways To Hell, and they officially launched their ongoing campaign.

Clown Motel 3 aims big and is one of the biggest networks of horror franchise actors since the 2017 Death House.

Clown Motel introduces actors from:

Halloween (1978) – Tony Moran – known for his role as the unmasked Michael Myers.

Friday the 13th (1980) – Ari Lehman – the original young Jason Voorhees from the inaugural “Friday The 13th” film.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Parts 4 & 5 – Lisa Wilcox – portrays Alice.

The Exorcist (1973) – Elieen Dietz – Pazuzu Demon.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) – Brett Wagner – who had the first kill in the film as “Kemper Kill Leather Face.’

Scream Parts 1 & 2 – Lee Waddell – known for playing the original Ghostface.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003) – Robert Mukes – known for playing Rufus alongside Sheri Zombie, Bill Moseley, and the late Sid Haig.

Poltergeist Parts 1 & 2—Oliver Robins, known for his role as the boy terrorized by a clown under the bed in Poltergeist, will now flip the script as the tables turn!

WWD, now known as WWE – Wrestler Al Burke joins the lineup!

With a lineup of horror legends and set at America’s Most terrifying motel, this is a dream come true for fans of horror films everywhere!

Clown Motel: 3 Ways To Hell

What’s a clown movie without actual real-life clowns, though? Joining the film are Relik, VillyVodka, and, of course, Mischief – Kelsey Livengood.

Special Effects will be done by Joe Castro, so you know the gore will be bloody good!

A handful of returning cast members include Mindy Robinson (VHS, Range 15), Mark Hoadley, Ray Guiu, Dave Bailey, DieTrich, Bill Victor Arucan, Denny Nolan, Ron Russell, Johnny Perotti (Hammy), Vicky Contreras. For more information on the film, visit Clown Motel’s official Facebook Page.

Making a comeback into feature films and just announced today, Jenna Jameson will also be joining the side of the clowns. And guess what? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join her or the handful of horror icons on set for a one-day role! More info can be found on Clown Motel’s Campaign page.

Actress Jenna Jameson joins the cast.

After all, who wouldn’t want to be killed by an icon?

Executive Producers Joseph Kelly, Dave Bailey, Mark Hoadley, Joe Castro

Producers Nicole Vegas, Jimmy Star, Shawn C. Phillips, Joel Damian

Clown Motel 3 Ways to Hell is written and directed by Joseph Kelly and promises a blend of horror and nostalgia.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

Movies

First Look: On Set of ‘Welcome to Derry’ & Interview with Andy Muschietti

Published

on

Rising from the sewers, drag performer and horror movie enthusiast The Real Elvirus took her fans behind the scenes of the MAX series Welcome to Derry in an exclusive hot-set tour. The show is scheduled to release sometime in 2025, but a firm date has not been set.

Filming is taking place in Canada in Port Hope, a stand-in for the fictional New England town of Derry located within the Stephen King universe. The sleepy location has been transformed into a township from the 1960s.

Welcome to Derry is the prequel series to director Andrew Muschietti’s two-part adaptation of King’s It. The series is interesting in that it’s not only about It, but all the people who live in Derry — which includes some iconic characters from the King ouvre.

Elvirus, dressed as Pennywise, tours the hot set, careful not to reveal any spoilers, and speaks with Muschietti himself, who reveals exactly how to pronounce his name: Moose-Key-etti.

The comical drag queen was given an all-access pass to the location and uses that privilege to explore props, facades and interview crew members. It’s also revealed that a second season is already greenlit.

Take a look below and let us know what you think. And are you looking forward to the MAX series Welcome to Derry?

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

Movies

Wes Craven Produced ‘The Breed’ From 2006 Getting a Remake

Published

on

The tepid 2006 Wes Craven-produced film, The Breed, is getting a remake from producers (and brothers) Sean and Bryan Furst . The sibs previously worked on the well-received vampire flick Daybreakers and, more recently, Renfield, starring Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult.

Now you may be saying “I didn’t know Wes Craven produced a nature horror film,” and to those we would say: not many people do; it was kind of a critical disaster. However, it was Nicholas Mastandrea’s directorial debut, handpicked by Craven, who had worked as a director’s assistant on New Nightmare.

The original had a buzz-worthy cast, including Michelle Rodriguez (The Fast and the Furious, Machete) and Taryn Manning (Crossroads, Orange is the New Black).

According to Variety this remake stars Grace Caroline Currey who plays Violet, “‘a rebel icon and badass on a mission to search for abandoned dogs on a remote island which leads to complete adrenaline-fueled terror.’”

Currey is no stranger to horror suspense thrillers. She starred in Annabelle: Creation (2017), Fall (2022), and Shazam: Fury of the Gods (2023).

The original film was set in a cabin in the woods where: “A group of five college kids are forced to match wits with unwelcoming residents when they fly to a ‘deserted’ island for a party weekend.” But they encounter, “ravenous genetically enhanced dogs bred to kill.”

The Breed also had a funny Bond one-liner, “Give Cujo my best,” which, to those who aren’t familiar with killer dog movies, is a reference to Stephen King’s Cujo. We wonder if they will keep that in for the remake.

Tell us what you think.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading