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Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights – Review
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights continues to be considered a great experience and continues to outdo themselves each year. The theme park goes all out to transform its grounds into a spooky and immersive Halloween experience. They use detailed sets, props, and special effects to create a genuinely eerie atmosphere that transports visitors into the world of horror.
This year, the park offered eight new houses, including Evil Dead Rise, Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count, Holidayz In Hell, Universal Monsters Unmasked, The Exorcist: Believer, The Last of Us, Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America, and Stranger Things. The terror tram was also newly themed this year to The Exterminatorz, and I was pleased with the change. The Exterminatorz offered a fresh new take on the terror tram, no clowns and no zombies this year. Larry Larva is the host and using the bugs gimmick could be terrifying for guests who HATE bugs! Throughout the attraction an updated creepy version of the ‘Its Bitty Spider,” which I enjoyed. Be forewarned, the song will be stuck in your head.
Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count and Holidayz In Hell – Tied for #1
Immediately after attending the event, I was asked what was my favorite and least favorite and how this event compares to years past (I have been attending this event since 2007). I had a tie for my favorite: Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count and Holidayz In Hell this year. This is the first year ever that Chucky has had his own house. We’ve seen him on the tram, and he even had a show where he insulted guests; now he’ll be doing the killing! No live actor portrayed Chucky; he was completely animatronic and puppeteered. The house was based on the films that Universal produced along with the television series. Next up tied as my favorite was Holidayz in Hell. Starting from the New Year’s Countdown, each room is themed with a twist for a different holiday, including an Easter Bunny who is demented and a blood-thirsty Cupid; even though this is a repeat from 2019, it is still gratifying.
What made it into last place?
One of the most difficult questions. “Well, what didn’t you like?” The attention to detail and time spent on each one of these houses is incredible and if I had to pick a maze out of the bunch that was the most forgettable it would have been Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America. This wasn’t because it was a horrible house, it was the first one I experienced and on my way out of the park, I really thought I hadn’t gone through it and after doing a double take it was realized that I had indeed already gone through it. Overall I couldn’t rank something in last place because of the power and craftsmanship that is vested in each house.
Do you need an Express Pass? (front of the line).
Another big question. This all depends on what you want out of the event. If you don’t mind waiting in some long lines and aren’t too interested in any of the rides, then you should be able to get most of it done, on a weeknight without the Express Pass. If you’re hoping to get through everything and the rides, I highly recommend the Express Pass. Just as a note, Super Nintendo World was not opened during this event.
Final Thoughts
A powerful year for Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights and it was one heck of a good time! Over the years the park sure has ramped up the scares and has grown its brand. From the number of mazes, shows, and food, Halloween Horror Nights has something to offer everyone. If this is your jam, you won’t be disappointed. Some substantial houses were part of their lineup. Have we seen better? Sure. Have we seen worse? Yes. For me, this year settled right in the middle. However, everything was good on its own, and I’m sure everyone worked hard to bring this tradition to life. Universal continues to do what they have done for a hundred years now, entertaining people. The fact that people keep having fun and making a tradition out of this is ultimately why we all continue making the trip back. Horror Nights is no different than a motion picture, you just have the opportunity to LIVE IT! Until next year, Happy Halloween!
Halloween Horror Nights began on Thursday, September 7 at Universal Studios Hollywood with eight frightening haunted houses. It will run select nights through Tuesday, October 31. Pre-order your tickets as this event has a tendency to sell out most nights!
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News
Rob Zombie Joins McFarlane Figurine’s “Music Maniacs” Line
Rob Zombie is joining the growing cast of horror music legends for McFarlane collectibles. The toy company, headed by Todd McFarlane, has been doing its Movie Maniacs line since 1998, and this year they have created a new series called Music Maniacs. This includes legendary musicians, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, and Trooper Eddie from Iron Maiden.
Adding to that iconic list is director Rob Zombie formerly of the band White Zombie. Yesterday, via Instagram, Zombie posted that his likeness will join the Music Maniacs line. The “Dracula” music video inspires his pose.
He wrote: “Another Zombie action figure is headed your way from @toddmcfarlane ☠️ It’s been 24 years since the first one he did of me! Crazy! ☠️ Preorder now! Coming this summer.”
This won’t be the first time Zombie has been featured with the company. Back in 2000, his likeness was the inspiration for a “Super Stage” edition where he is equipped with hydraulic claws in a diorama made of stones and human skulls.
For now, McFarlane’s Music Maniacs collection is only available for pre-order. The Zombie figure is limited to only 6,200 pieces. Pre-order yours at the McFarlane Toys website.
Specs:
- Incredibly detailed 6” scale figure featuring ROB ZOMBIE likeness
- Designed with up to 12 points of articulation for posing and play
- Accessories include microphone and mic stand
- Includes art card with numbered certificate of authenticity
- Showcased in Music Maniacs themed window box packaging
- Collect all McFarlane Toys Music Maniacs Metal Figures
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News
“In a Violent Nature” So Gory Audience Member Throws Up During Screening
Chis Nash (ABC’s of Death 2) just debuted his new horror film, In a Violent Nature, at the Chicago Critics Film Fest. Based on the audience’s reaction, those with squeamish stomachs may want to bring a barf bag to this one.
Thats right, we have another horror film that is causing audience members to walk out of the screening. According to a report from Film Updates at least one audience member threw up in the middle of the film. You can hear audio of the audience reaction to the film below.
Audience reacting to a kill from ‘IN A VIOLENT NATURE’ during the Chicago Critics Film Fest screening of the film. An audience member also vomited during the screening.
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) May 6, 2024
The film, described as a slasher from the killer's perspective, hits theaters on May 31. pic.twitter.com/KGlyC3HFXa
This is far from the first horror film to claim this kind of audience reaction. However, early reports of In a Violent Nature indicates that this film may be just that violent. The film promises to reinvent the slasher genre by telling the story from the killer’s perspective.
Here is the official synopsis for the film. When a group of teens takes a locket from a collapsed fire tower in the woods, they unwittingly resurrect the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year old crime. The undead killer soon embarks on a bloody rampage to retrieve the stolen locket, methodically slaughtering anyone who gets in his way.
While we will have to wait and see if In a Violent Nature lives up to all of its hype, recent responses on X offer nothing but praise for the film. One user even makes the bold claim that this adaptation is like an arthouse Friday the 13th.
In a Violent Nature will receive a limited theatrical run starting May 31, 2024. The film will then be released on Shudder sometime later in the year. Make sure to check out the promo images and trailer below.
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Movies
New Windswept Action Trailer for ‘Twisters’ Will Blow You Away
The summer movie blockbuster game came in soft with The Fall Guy, but the new trailer for Twisters is bringing back the magic with an intense trailer full of action and suspense. Steven Spielberg’s production company, Amblin, is behind this newest disaster film just like its 1996 predecessor.
This time Daisy Edgar-Jones plays the female lead named Kate Cooper, “a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years who now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. She is lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), the charming and reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew, the more dangerous the better. As storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed, and Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.”
Twisters cast includes Nope’s Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane (American Honey), Daryl McCormack (Peaky Blinders), Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Nik Dodani (Atypical) and Golden Globe winner Maura Tierney (Beautiful Boy).
Twisters is directed by Lee Isaac Chung and hits theaters on July 19.
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Netflix Releases First BTS ‘Fear Street: Prom Queen’ Footage
‘Late Night With the Devil’ Brings The Fire to Streaming
New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]
New ‘Faces of Death’ Remake Will Be Rated R For “Strong Bloody Violence and Gore”
1994’s ‘The Crow’ Coming Back to Theaters for A New Special Engagement
Mike Flanagan Comes Aboard To Assist in Completion of ‘Shelby Oaks’
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New ‘MaXXXine’ Image is Pure 80s Costume Core
Rob Zombie Joins McFarlane Figurine’s “Music Maniacs” Line
“In a Violent Nature” So Gory Audience Member Throws Up During Screening
New Windswept Action Trailer for ‘Twisters’ Will Blow You Away
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