News

‘Last House on the Left’ 45 Years Later

Published

7 years ago

August 30, 2017

Before the term “torture porn” was even created there was the big bad grand-daddy film they all stemmed from, The Last House on the Left. Not only was this movie extremely controversial for its time, as it still is now, it set the bar for the following trend of torture and revenge films in the years to follow; and it set it high.

Forty-five years have passed since the master of the macabre Wes Craven released The Last House on the Left, a movie so shocking it is still seen as taboo almost half a century later. It’s also a movie so crude few others have come close to meeting its level of intensity and vulgarity without exceeding the atmosphere of reality… as disturbing as that reality may be. Many who have tried either overshot the reality bar completely or just made a really, really disturbing rape movie with no plot, empty characters (victim and perpetrator alike) and no progression of a story line.

Aside from the movie itself the marketing for the film is one of the most intriguing and beautiful pieces I’ve ever seen in the genre. Instead of the polished, glossy looks of movie posters from its day, The Last House on the Left went with a black and white gritty feel that very much resembled the movie. It prepared the viewer for their upcoming experience. Well, as prepared as you could be for a movie about rape and murder, when in reality nothing could really prepare mainstream audiences of 1972 for the events that would transpire on screen.

The tagline blatantly placed in the bottom right corner of the poster stated “To avoid fainting keep repeating it’s only a movie …only a movie …only a movie ….only a move.” The poster’s ability to lure the unsuspecting audience into an uneasy mindset is very reminiscent of director William Castle’s days in the 1950’s. Castle was a horror director known for using on and off screen gimmicks to capture the audience’s imagination and induce terror before the reel even began to roll. He would offer refunds for those who were not brave enough to sit through his films. He would claim the audience could influence the ending of a movie through a vote. He was a marketing genius to the young and vulnerable crowds of early cinema.

The real beauty behind this movie is the staying power it has retained over the years. Even forty five years later the scenes that caused audiences to cringe, wince, turn away, and awkwardly shift in their seat still plays the same today. It is extremely rare for a horror movie to have this kind of staying power, especially with competition among horror movie creators being so high.

However, Craven had something very special about this movie that resonated with audiences and achieved him the crown of Scare Master; his monsters did not wear masks. His monsters were real flesh and blood humans just like the people sitting in the audience watching them. They did not suffer from a mental illness nor were they being forced at gunpoint to commit these acts. They enjoyed the violence they created, plain and simple. This human connection is one of the reasons Last House chilled viewers to the bone and continue to do so.

With the Manson Family crimes only a few years earlier and the trials still ongoing at the time of the movie’s release the era of cults and real life monsters was on the minds of many movie goers who sat in the darkened theater. Monsters were no longer mythical figures who wore capes and had fangs, nor were they re-animated bodies with bolts in their neck or the flesh eating undead. They weren’t even all male! By throwing the female character of Sadie into this mix as a sadist and a driving force behind the violence blew minds everywhere! It was finally becoming apparent in the media, and now in the cinema, monsters are as real as you and I. They could be your neighbor, your child’s teacher, or even your brother.

In an era where the boogeyman didn’t need a mask to hide behind the atmosphere was ripe with fear, and Craven capitalized on this in The Last House on the Left whether he intended to or not. These flesh and blood killers are still sensationalized in the media and relevant in the media today which is one of the main reasons this film still resonates with audiences worldwide and is still terrifying moviegoers today.

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News

A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

Published

15 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

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.

“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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News

Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

Published

16 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

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]

Published

18 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Timothy Rawles

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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