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Review: WEBCAST Is Creepy, Believable and Stays With You

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We’ve reached the point where all one need say is that a film is of the found footage variety to induce eye rolls and dismissal. Though such a declaration is typically followed by a hurried, “Wait, wait! This one is different,” they rarely are. Taking such a stance with Paul McGhie’s project, however, would be a gross miscalculation because Webcast truly was different.

A pair of present day college students embark on a documentary film for a class project that revolves around family dynamics following the sudden disappearance of Chloe Webber’s (Samantha Redford) aunt in 1984. Though memories fade with time, that none of the family members could recall what aunt Amelia looked like was not what baffled and intrigued Chloe, it was that none of them seemed to really know who she was. While filming outside Chloe’s mother’s house, Webber and her boyfriend Ed Dickens (Joseph Tremain), capture the image of a young woman sprinting from a neighbor’s front door only to be tackled by a family member. Confused by the unknown, Chloe and Ed begin to ponder whether the girl was struggling with recovery from drug addiction as they’d been told, or actually being held against her will.

The more the pair look into strange sounds and visitors next door, the stranger and deeper down the rabbit hole they find themselves, only to press on in hopes of finding the truth which never surfaced with Amelia’s disappearance. In the spirit of leaving the film unspoiled, I won’t reveal any more, but from that point forward, Webcast is creepy, frenetically paced and truly jarring.

The Blair Witch Project (1999) was clearly an influence on McGhie, and while Webcast felt like a hike to Coffin Rock set in suburbia, its ultimate credit was that it held one firmly glued to the screen, repeatedly asking “What the hell is going on here?” Not because the script was misguided or confusing, but because much like the best of television, Webcast offered just enough peeks behind the curtain to leave one with a primal urge to know just what was lurking in the dark.

webcast 1McGhie’s writing and direction were perfectly paced, Redford and Tremain’s thoughtful and reserved performances enhanced the feeling of uncertain dread and the twists and turns delivered on intended effect.

It is no easy task to take a subgenre that has run the gamut over the past twenty-plus years and give it an original spin, but Webcast does just that. It is legitimately frightening and what’s more, believable. Nothing was forced and no leap of faith was required to follow the story from beginning to end. Every action and conversation of the characters were the same any one of us may have made had we found ourselves under similar circumstances.

And that’s why Webcast works.

The trailer will leave you itching to see it, but once you’ve take it all in, you will understand all too well that Webcast delves much deeper into the sinister than you could have possibly imagined. And as with all good pictures, it will stay with you.

Above all, Webcast left notes of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” lingering on this writer’s tongue. Not because any character ventured upon revenge or found themselves walled up, but rather out of the concept of regret. Much like The Blair Witch Project, the idea of perseverance in the face of uncertain adversity posed an important question — At what point does turning back go from a reluctance to be scared off the scent to the smart play?

Webcast is the bystander effect put to film. It will leave you questioning whether doing the right thing truly is the best course of action.

At present, Webcast is not slated for theatrical release, but you can find more information on how to see it and demand it play at a theatre near you at isawthewebcast.com.

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

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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.

A24

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

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Louis Leterrier

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

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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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