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Mike Flanagan Creates a Beautiful Nightmare in the film “Before I Wake”

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Written by Shannon McGrew

I remember a few years ago a friend of mine sitting me down and saying I had to watch a film called “Absentia” by director Mike Flanagan.  I had no idea what it was about, but taking the advice from a trusted friend, I sat down and watched it.  To say I was blown away is an understatement.  I absolutely loved the film and since then I’ve been following Flanagan’s career closely.

Fast forward to 2016 and two out of three films Flanagan directed are released – Universal Picture’s “Ouija: Origins of Evil” and Netflix’s “Hush”.  Both films are fantastic and I highly suggest watching them, but what we are here to discuss today is his third film, “Before I Wake”.  iHorror reported back in August that the film was supposed to be released in September, but Relativity pushed it back indefinitely (due to the company becoming bankrupt) and sadly, the film may never get to see the proper light of day.

With all the chatter that was surrounding the film, I knew I had to find a way to see it.  Luckily, it’s available for purchase on Amazon Canada and the Blu-ray supports Region A players.  With that in mind, I bought the Blu-ray fully trusting that whatever Flanagan created in this film would be completely worth it and I eagerly awaited its arrival.  I’m happy to report that the wait was so worth it as this film now has become one of my favorites.

“Before I Wake” centers around a young couple who decide to foster an 8-year-old boy named Cody.  They soon come to realize that Cody is terrified of falling asleep, because when he sleeps his dreams begin to materialize. The couple are amazed at what manifests before them, but their awe soon turns to horror as they begin to witness the other side of the coin, as Cody’s nightmares begin to come to life.  The film stars Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Jacob Tremblay and Annabeth Gish.

This film is more than just a horror film; however, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t terrifying images and/or themes presented throughout the movie.  Ultimately, this film is about love, about the bond between parents and their children, about sickness, death and loss and the ways we cope with that.  It’s an emotional film beautifully crafted with amazing performances and visual storytelling.  With all that said, there were still moments in this movie that scared the shit out of me, most notably the visual representation of Cody’s night terrors in the form of “The Canker Man”.

“Before I Wake” got under my skin in a way that few films have.  There were times when it literally terrified me and I could feel the anxiety building as I waited to see how certain scenes would play out.  I also found myself incredibly moved by the overall story that was unfolding.  Butterflies are heavily represented in this film and rightfully so, as they represent transformation and hope as well as life after death.  It’s heavy symbolism for a film that some may just write off as another “scary” movie.  It forces you to see past the superficial layer so that it can reveal the heart and soult of what it really is.

It makes me sad that this film didn’t get the proper promotion and distribution that it deserved.  “Before I Wake” is a unique and beautiful film that has the power to effect those that view it while also terrifying those that are looking for something that has quality scares to it.  It’s a unique juxtaposition that not many films can pull off, but Mike Flanagan does it perfectly with this.  If you want to see the film, do a solid and make sure you order it from Amazon Canada, please don’t resort to illegally streaming or downloading it.  If you are a fan of Flanagan’s other films than I can assure you, you will love this.

 

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Editorial

Yay or Nay: What’s Good and Bad in Horror This Week

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Horror Movies

Welcome to Yay or Nay a weekly mini post about what I think is good and bad news in the horror community written in bite-sized chunks. 

Yay:

Mike Flanagan talking about directing the next chapter in the Exorcist trilogy. That might mean he saw the last one and realized there were two left and if he does anything well it’s draw out a story. 

Yay:

To the announcement of a new IP-based film Mickey Vs Winnie. It’s fun to read comical hot takes from people who haven’t even seen the movie yet.

Nay:

The new Faces of Death reboot gets an R rating. It’s not really fair — Gen-Z should get an unrated version like past generations so they can question their mortality the same as the rest of us did. 

Yay:

Russell Crowe is doing another possession movie. He’s quickly becoming another Nic Cage by saying yes to every script, bringing the magic back to B-movies, and more money into VOD. 

Nay:

Putting The Crow back in theaters for its 30th anniversary. Re-releasing classic movies at the cinema to celebrate a milestone is perfectly fine, but doing so when the lead actor in that film was killed on set due to neglect is a cash grab of the worst kind. 

The Crow
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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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