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Take This Lollipop Turns Five Years Old – A Look Back At The Creepiest Facebook App Ever

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October 17, 2011 marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of an app that creeped out Facebook users everywhere.  The app was called Take This Lollipop, and although simple by today’s standards, it was quite shocking back then.

After allowing the app to access the information in the user’s Facebook profile, the Take This Lollipop viewer was shown a three minute short film which starred prolific horror actor Bill Oberst Jr. as a stalker who flips through photos of the user and, finally, uses Google Maps to drive to the viewer’s house.

Take This Lollipop Turns Five Years Old – A Look Back At The Creepiest Facebook App Ever

Bill Oberst Jr. in Take This Lollipop (2011)

Take This Lollipop was written and directed by Jason Zada, the filmmaker behind this year’s underwhelming The Forest.  More of an interactive experience than a short film, Take This Lollipop quickly went viral, racking up millions of views within the first few months of its release.  The combination of the use of personal information and Oberst’s overly-angry performance was enough to scare anyone who loves to be scared.

Take This Lollipop was a fun and inventive way to kill a few minutes on Facebook, but it was also a great way to illustrate how easily information could be mined and utilized from the social networking site.  Zada assured users that personal information that was gathered by the app was used once and deleted, but the invasion of privacy threat was – and still is – very real.  Who hasn’t gotten Candy Crush game invitations from friends who have claimed to have never sent them?  It may have been dramatic about it, but Take This Lollipop taught a valuable lesson about online privacy.

Take This Lollipop Turns Five Years Old – A Look Back At The Creepiest Facebook App Ever

The Facebook Stalker stalking in Take This Lollipop (2011)

This little stroll down memory lane talks about Take This Lollipop in the past tense like it’s gone, but it’s still up at www.takethislollipop.com, and it still works.  Of course, people are much more careful today than they were five years ago, so your results will depend heavily upon your personal Facebook security settings, but if you want to get the heebie-jeebies, give it a look.

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Mike Flanagan In Talks to Direct New Exorcist Movie for Blumhouse

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Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House) is a national treasure that must be protected at all costs. Not only has he created some of the best horror series to ever exist, but he also managed to make a Ouija Board movie genuinely terrifying.

A report from Deadline yesterday indicates that we may be seeing even more from this legendary storysmith. According to Deadline sources, Flanagan is in talks with Blumhouse and Universal Pictures to direct the next Exorcist film. However, Universal Pictures and Blumhouse have declined to comment on this collaboration at this time.

Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan

This change comes after The Exorcist: Believer failed to meet Blumhouse’s expectations. Initially, David Gordon Green (Halloween)was hired to create three Exorcist films for the production company, but he has left the project to focus on his production of The Nutcrackers.

If the deal goes through, Flanagan will take over the franchise. Looking at his track record, this could be the right move for the Exorcist franchise. Flanagan consistently delivers amazing horror media that leave audiences clamoring for more.

It would also be perfect timing for Flanagan, as he just wrapped up filming the Stephen King adaptation, The Life of Chuck. This isn’t the first time he has worked on a King product. Flanagan also adapted Doctor Strange and Gerald’s Game.

He has also created some amazing Netflix originals. These include The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Midnight Club, and most recently, The Fall of the House of Usher.

If Flanagan does take over, I think the Exorcist franchise will be in good hands.

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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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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