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Dee Wallace Is Our Horror Mom

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From The Howling to Cujo and now to Red Christmas, Dee Wallace is the mom of horror movies.

Not that she gave birth to them, but she plays them in the genre, also having roots in science fiction. Who can forget her role as a single working mother trying to raise two boys at different stages in puberty in E.T.?

As for The Howling, she may not play a mother, but does a motherly act at the end, protecting the planet.

So when I sat down to speak with Dee on the phone I wanted to talk about a few of her most famous roles and her current one that may be even more extreme than any of the others because of its subject matter and metaphors.

Now 68, in her latest film Red Christmas she plays another mother who has made some choices in life that are coming back to haunt her, “It combined two things I love the most, horror films and Christmas,” she said. “So I was like wow, I’m going to get to do both things I love to do there,” she laughed. “I thought the script was really interesting. I was surprised and excited that it wasn’t your typical horror film that it dealt with important issues too without giving it all away.”

Her Diane is a tour-de-force to be reckoned with. She says it was a rare opportunity to, “do something in the same spectrum as Cujo, and I haven’t had that shot in a while and I really, really really just wanted to bite that off. I wanted to actually, truthfully see if I could still do it.”

And she does, even if that was amid the extreme landscape of Australia where wild Wallabies and giant spiders are a part of the job. Despite her encounters with the local fauna, she is extremely proud of this film even if it was done on a meager budget.

“I really learned what you could do and do well. And do joyfully and with respect for each other on a budget much smaller than we’re used to working with, in the U.S.”

Speaking of her U.S. films, one of my all-time favorites is Cujo, it’s Dee’s too. Her work on that film with Lewis Teague deserved an Oscar in my opinion. She played yet another mother fighting to save her child while locked inside a Ford Pinto as a rabid Saint Bernard is blinded by rage trying to get in.

This was way before the time of CGI, there was no green screen and it was shot on location. I asked if that film were ever re-made how she would feel if it relied on CGI. “I think modern horror sci-fi films rely too much on gimmicks. As opposed to really well-crafted thought out relationship films where shit happens. That’s what a good horror film is.”

She said a lot of Cujo and even Howling developed the character relationships first then went into action,” I am drawn to the projects that really really do take time to create great characters and great relationships so that you really care.”

This is why she loves Red Christmas, “It is totally an original horror film, it makes you look at your consciousness while you’re on this amazing ride trying to get away from the bad guy. And what does the bad guy represent? All of our decisions that we are suffering from and guilty for in our lives.”

Yes mom.

Her motherly essence also flows into her real-life as a spiritual healer. She advises people, even me in our conversation, about living life to its fullest by doing the best you can. She said about six words to me in response to a personal problem I was having and honestly it made a world of difference.

But as for Red Christmas, this is one she wants people to see.

“It’s a Christmas horror film,” Dee said, advising people to watch it now, “and just let it lead you through the holidays.”

Red Christmas is now available nationwide on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD.

 

 

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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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