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Movie Review: Escape from Tomorrow

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The fact that Escape from Tomorrow exists at all is astonishing; that it was picked up for distribution is virtually unbelievable.

Director Randy Moore shot his controversial debut film largely on location at Walt Disney World and Disneyland – entirely incognito and without permission. The effort became one of the most talked-about movies of last year’s Sundance Film Festival, but many assumed it would never make it to home video due to the notoriously litigious Walt Disney Company. With the help of a good lawyer and Disney’s surprising decision to ultimately ignore its existence, Escape from Tomorrow has arrived on DVD and Blu-ray.

The making of Escape from Tomorrow instantly became the stuff of legend, but the big question is: does the film live up to the hype? Unfortunately, I have to say that the story behind the film is more interesting than the content – although it’s used as more than just a gimmick as well.

Escape from Tomorrow can technically be billed as a horror film, but it’s more of an arthouse cinema experiment. It’s presented in black and white, stripping Disney of its vibrant color pallet. The production would have been decidedly easier to pull off as a found footage film, but Moore and cinematographer Lucas Lee Graham went to painstaking lengths to achieve a cinematic look – although the guerrilla-style occasionally embraces a cinema verite ethos.

Escape from Tomorrow is about – what else? – a family on vacation at Disney. (It’s never specified whether they’re at World or Land; the park is an amalgam of both Disney properties.) Father Jim (Roy Abramsohn, Creepshow III), mother Emily (Elena Schuber), daughter Sara (Katelynn Rodriguez), and son Elliot (Jack Dalton) compose the seemingly happy, average family.

The activity centers on Jim, who first begins hallucinating while on It’s a Small World (featured here without its infectiously annoying music for legal reasons). He becomes increasingly obsessed with a pair of teenage French girls his family keeps running into. While the first two acts provide an interesting setup, the rest of the film devolves into a Mickey Mouse-fueled acid trip that culminates in an ending so bizarre that it would leave David Lynch scratching his head.

Given the left-field conclusion, I was hoping Blu-ray’s audio commentary with Moore and Graham would provide insight into the film. While the pair share some fun anecdotes, the track – much like the movie – leaves many questions unanswered. There is a second commentary featuring Abramsohn and Schuber in character, which is entertaining, but I would have much preferred to hear the actors’ perspectives on working on such a unique project. Far more informative is the disc’s 15-minute making-of featurette.

Disney may be the happiest place on earth, but it must have been hellish to secretly film a movie in the parks (along with some less-than-convincing green screen work). Not only did the cast and crew have to avoid drawing attention to themselves, but they also had to stand in line all day to go on several of the rides many times overall with a pair of young child actors and while charting the sun’s position to achieve the perfect shot. Escape from Tomorrow brings guerrilla filmmaking to a whole new level. While the surreal final product may be less interesting than the story behind the scenes and the social commentary may be largely lost as a result, the film is worth seeking out for its fortitude alone.

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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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