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Is Found Footage The Next Big Sub-Genre In Horror?

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The film industry is an ever changing beast.  Directors are constantly fighting each other to create the next big thing for their respective audiences.  Horror is no exception to that rule, with every sub-genre being so vastly different competition is stiff.

New films come out all the time in a steady flow, and with that much competition you either need something truly grotesque or innovative to make a ripple in the crimson ocean we all call home.

Horror has always been an expansive genre, and with that has also spawned multiple sub-genres.  Be it either the slasher craze that took the 80’s and 90’s by storm, or the zombie craze of more recent years every sub-genre is a distinctive and unique as one would come to expect when viewing a horror movie.

One popular trend that seems to be taking off again is the found footage and mockumentary movement.  Found footage films have always been plentiful, as they follow the same rules as slashers for the most part.  They don’t require much acting experience, and are generally cheap as hell to film which makes it a good start point for any budding directors.

10 Found Footage Movies That Came Before The Blair Witch Project

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

There are plenty of terrible or obscure found footage films out there, but it’s the big name ones that truly send out the ripples and ignite the next flame other directors will try to recreate.

Some of the best known ones of course being The Blair Witch ProjectVHS, and The Taking Of Deborah Logan.  Each film bringing something unique and interesting to the field that helped to push the bar.

The Blair Witch Project

This mockumentary was an explosive success, and is what helped bring popularity to the found footage movement in cinema.  Part of this films success was due to its marketing, which at the time was a work of true genius.

All marketing for The Blair Witch made it seem like the events of the film had actually happened.  Even going so far as to creating missing person posters for the actors.  This helped the film explode in popularity and brought fame to the found footage sub-genre.

The Blair Witch Project helped to popularize the found footage movement by bringing to the mainstream audience, which is where so many other found footage flicks falter.

V/H/S

VHS is another film that helped to popularize the found footage movement, however it chose a different approach compared to other films.  What sets V/H/S apart from other found footage movies is that it is not only a found footage movie, but also an anthology.

V/H/S consists of three self contained stories all being played on the titular VHS tape.  Each story taking a different direction, with different directors, similar to The ABC’S Of Death.

This particular entry was a great showcase as to what the found footage sub-genre was capable of, and was popular enough to warrant several sequels.  After VHS low budget found footage anthology films certainly became more common place.

The Taking Of Deborah Logan

The Taking Of Deborah Logan is an absolutely disturbing and unsettling film to watch, and that is one of the highest praises a horror flick could ever hope to achieve.  It takes on the role of a mockumentary and a great example to go off of when creating a found footage movie.

The plot follows a group of college students wanting to film a documentary about Deborah and her struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.  As things progress however it is clear that something is very wrong with Deborah.

The blending of found footage and a mockumentary helped this film succeed tremendously.  The blending of the two sub-genres together helped to introduce many horror fans to a sub-genre that is widely dismissed.

Of course there are many other found footage films and mocumentaries that helped to normalize and bring popularity to the found footage genre.  The found footage genre is bursting at the seams with some great hidden gems out there.

As more and more truly great found footage flicks gain popularity, we are also seeing big name directors taking a stab at this niche in horror cinema.  The most recent example being M. Night Shyamalan’s The Visit.

Of course there is no telling if the found footage genre will explode to the heights that the slasher genre had in the 80’s or not, but as it gains popularity anything is possible.  If you need more mockumentary action in your life then be sure to check out our list of mockumentaries that show off their human sides.

I for one am excited at the idea of more mainstream found footage films, with an A-list horror budget and writing.  After all nothing is more terrifying than grounding horror in reality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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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Lists

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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