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Have Horror Fans Become Movie Snobs?

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I love horror movies. I rarely miss a theatrical release if I can help it, I have a collection of promising trailers saved on YouTube, and waiting for The Babadook to get a US release nearly killed me. I spend entire paychecks on Halloween décor. I write for a website called iHorror. I am a rabid horror fan, which is why it pains me to say

Horror fans are snobs.

Are you rolling your eyes? Do you feel self-righteously indignant? Did you read this out loud to a friend and then insult my mother? Let me just throw a word out at you: remake.

Ridiculous, how could they, what are they thinking, don’t touch it, etc. We’ve all heard it/said it before. We’ve all gotten more than a little crazy when a studio announces a remake of a beloved, or hell, even a universally despised, horror flick. Does anyone else remember the absolute madness than ensued when it was announced (The) Evil Dead would be remade without Ash?

sexyface

Throwing around the R-word with horror fans is generally guaranteed to lead to screaming, yelling, maybe a few tears, and an all-around headache. I definitely count myself among those who have, on occasion, thrown a hissy fit over a movie being redone (ok, but really? How many times do we need to see Carrie? IT NEVER CHANGES) even if the end result is pure gold. “Well, it was good, but it wasn’t nearly as good as the original.” It’s like we have an instinct to arrogantly align ourselves with whatever came first and simultaneously announce to the world that we are so entrenched in our freaky passion that all our devotion has been set aside for “the classics.” By declaring our loyalty, we establish that we are superior enough in our genre knowledge not to be won over by shiny new effects or a fresh spin on an old story. We were there before they became “mainstream.” Even if a remake is more gory, more intense, with better acting and cinematography, we won’t ever turn our backs on The Almighty Original. I agree, sometimes the remake is sucko, but not every time, guys.

fans despairing over admittedly shitty reboot news

And the R-word isn’t the only grenade to be thrown. Although not likely to incense as many fans, “sequel” is another sore subject with many devotees. Not necessarily because we think they shouldn’t be done; after all, Horror is a genre know for it’s franchises as the most arguably notable killers (Myers, Krueger, and Voorhees) each have their own, but because one film clearly has to be a standout, and everyone obviously has their own opinion on which film that is and why, and of course no one can ever agree on which one it is.

Shyamalanian twists? “I saw it coming sooooo stupid #yawn.” A PG-13 rating? “Not unless I’m babysitting LOL.” Seriously, are any other genre fans as uppity as us? To be fair, the seemingly endless amount of sub-genres expand the fan base by a significant amount, which may account for some of the cattiness. In a big ocean, there’s bound to be more than  a few pissed off fish. But at least we’re all in this together, right? Except oh wait! Because we can’t even agree on what Horror is. Psychological-horror, supernatural-horror, B-movie horror, creature features…at some point, the line gets blurry. Not too long ago, several writers from this site had a discussion on whether ‘The Shining’ and ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ were horror. Surprise, surprise: we didn’t all agree.

valid point, or nitpicky?

valid point, or nitpicky?

Personally, I don’t know that “horror” can be defined. It’s more of a “you know it when you see it” kinda thing.  A lot of people have taken to placing horror in a very clearly defined box, with rigid parameters. The rule seems to be: “If it doesn’t scare ME, then it isn’t horror.” And that’s some harsh law to lay down, because I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but everybody is going about this “growing up” business. At some point we start fearing curfews over killers, bills over the Boogeyman, and mortgages over machetes. The fact is, horror demands a suspension of disbelief. It requires us to tap into our inner child and believe that the baddest of bad things are real and they live under our beds.

I do it all the time. I still haven’t seen ‘Ouija‘ because it’s rated PG-13 and I thought I shouldn’t even bother. But every time I watch the trailer, I’m intrigued. I need to check my own ridiculous prejudices, because there’s an extensive list of PG-13 movies that I’ve really enjoyed, and I definitely don’t want to miss out on a potential goldmine. ‘When a Stranger Calls’ is one of my favorite movies to throw on when I’m home alone. ‘Insidious’, ‘The Possession’, ‘They’…there’s a lot to be appreciated out there if we chill the fuck out and just enjoy these movies for what they are: someone’s version of a campfire story. Let’s sit back, shut up for once, and enjoy the “Boo!”

c'mon, guys, can't we just love each other?

c’mon, guys, can’t we just love each other?

Except for ‘As Above, So Below’ because what the shitty shit shitburgers was that bullshit?

Sorry. Old habits.

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The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

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The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

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Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

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Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors. 

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie. 

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time. 

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.

Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Footwear for Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Morticia Addams Skullector doll
Morticia Addams doll shoes
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1994’s ‘The Crow’ Coming Back to Theaters for A New Special Engagement

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The Crow

Cinemark recently announced that they will be bringing The Crow back from the dead once again. This announcement comes just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. Cinemark will be playing The Crow in select theaters on May 29th and 30th.

For those unaware, The Crow is a fantastic film based on the gritty graphic novel by James O’Barr. Widely considered one of the best films of the 90s, The Crow’s lifespan was cut short when Brandon Lee died of an accidental on set shooting.

The official synapsis of the film is as follows. “The modern-gothic original that entranced audiences and critics alike, The Crow tells the tale of a young musician brutally murdered alongside his beloved fiancée, only to be risen from the grave by a mysterious crow. Seeking revenge, he battles a criminal underground that must answer for its crimes. Adapted from the comic book saga of the same name, this action-packed thriller from director Alex Proyas (Dark City) features hypnotic style, dazzling visuals, and a soulful performance by the late Brandon Lee.”

The Crow

The timing of this release couldn’t be better. As a new generation of fans eagerly awaits the release of The Crow remake, they can now see the classic film in all of its glory. As much as we love Bill Skarsgard (IT), there is something timeless in Brandon Lee’s performance in the film.

This theatrical release is part of the Scream Greats series. This is a collaboration between Paramount Scares and Fangoria to bring audiences some of the best classic horror films. So far, they are doing a fantastic job.

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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