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Genre-Bending “Pet” is a Twisted Two Player Puzzle

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Carles Torrens (Apartment 143, ABC’s of Death “M”) has put together an effective little psychological thriller with his movie Pet now available on demand.

The film doesn’t hold back with its twists and bloody turns.

The surprises simmer at first, but suddenly boil over into shocking revelations.

The director seems to be playing with his audience as much as the characters play against each other in this cat-and-dead-mouse game of untempered psychosis.

In Pet we meet mild-mannered Seth (Dominic Monaghan).

He’s shy, timid, asocial and tends to latch on to things of his infatuation even if they don’t want him to. One in particular, Holly (Ksenia Solo), a beautiful waitress who Seth meets on a city bus.

It’s a meet-cute with sinister intentions.

From there the movie shifts into a bizarre recipe of stalking and eventually captivity. It’s one-part vigilante, two-parts sick sex game.

Monaghan plays Seth with no more ego than a newborn, placing what self-esteem he does have into a faulty God complex.

His nobles oblige will soon end up in a cage (no spoiler, the gist is on the cover art) beneath the Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control where he works cleaning kennels, feeding dogs and helping the veterinarian when it comes time to put them down.

It’s a hard job, especially when one of his favorite animal friends doesn’t meet the deadline for adoption and must be euthanized.

Our waitress Holly receives roses from Seth one day after their transit meeting, and she immediately thinks they are from her ex-boyfriend, but when she finds out they were sent to her by Seth after a confrontation, she knows she has a potential problem.

Holly is such a beautiful girl, seemingly well-adjusted and just trying to find the love of her life. She has plenty of acquaintances, but they never seem to work out. Beautiful girls like this shouldn’t be single in real life unless they are doing it wrong.

These two characters aren’t exactly society’s finest, but they’re clean-cut, can afford their own living arrangements and go about their routines under low clouds.

I wish I could tell you more, but that would take away the mystery of this film. A fine entry into the serial killer genre with tastes of torture and yes, love.

You may miss Pet if you’re a speed-scroller. You see it as a suggested title when you click another in the genre, but the cover art, albeit intriguing, has been borrowed.

Even the font looks familiar.

But that may be the genius of this project. What initially appears well-trodden is surprising new territory.

Pet can only be judged by the whole of its parts, some taken from sub-genres, some original; it’s an alloy that holds up even after the shaky ending.

The soundtrack is superb. The score by Zacarías M. de la Riva mixes ambient noise with music in a seamless arrangement.

At one point during the opening you hear birds chirping in the morning, but wait…is that really Seth’s alarm clock?

Pet won’t render you stupid if you can’t unravel its Gordian Knot half-way through, but the steps are there to figure out this intriguing puzzle once you examine it from both bloody ends.

And like the anatomy of a knot, Pet never makes clear which character is the working or the standing end.

It’s a special noose you’ll have to see for yourself.

Pet is now available on Video on Demand.

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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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Hugh Jackman & Jodie Comer Team Up for a New Dark Robin Hood Adaptation

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A report from Deadline details director Michal Sarnoski’s (A Quiet Place: Day One) newest project, The Death of Robin Hood. The film is set to feature Hugh Jackman (Logan) and Jodie Comer (The End We Start From).

Michael Sarnoski will write and direct the new Robin Hood adaptation. Jackman will be reunited with Aaron Ryder (The Prestige), who is producing the film. The Death of Robin Hood is expected to be a hot item at the upcoming Cannes film market.

Hugh Jackman, The Death of Robin Hood
Hugh Jackman

Deadline describes the films as the following. “The film is a darker reimagining of the classic Robin Hood tale. Set of its time, the film will see the title character grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, a battleworn loner who finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman, who offers him a chance at salvation.”

Lyrical Media will be financing the film. Alexander Black will produce the film alongside Ryder and Andrew Sweet. Black gave Deadline the following information about the project. “We are thrilled to be part of this very special project and to be working with a visionary director in Michael, a phenomenal cast in Hugh and Jodie, and producing with our frequent collaborators, Ryder and Swett at RPC.”

“This is not the story of Robin Hood we’ve all come to know,” Ryder and Swett stated to Deadline “Instead, Michael has crafted something far more grounded and visceral. Thanks to Alexander Black and our friends at Lyrical along with Rama and Michael, the world is going to love seeing Hugh and Jodie together in this epic.”

Jodie Comer

Sarnoski seems to be excited by the project as well. He offered Deadline the following information about the film.

“It has been an incredible opportunity to reinvent and freshly innovate the story we all know of Robin Hood. Securing the perfect cast to transform the script to screen was essential. I could not be more thrilled and trusting in Hugh and Jodie to bring this story to life in a powerful and meaningful way.”

We are still a long way away from seeing this Robin Hood tale. Production is expected to begin in February of 2025. However, it does sound like it will be a fun entry into the Robin Hood canon.

That’s all the information we have at this time.

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