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Late to the Party: Prom Night (1980)

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Prom Night

Welcome back, horror fiends, for another edition of Late to the Party, where iHorror writers finally get around to watching the classic films we somehow haven’t seen yet. This week, I watched the cult classic 1980 slasher, Prom Night. What did I think? Well goodness gracious, I shall tell you!

I do have to start by saying, bless the early 80s (or at that point, mid-70s, because flashback) when kids would run rampant in a hazardous and abandoned school with zero concern from their parents. You couldn’t have this plot scenario set up without the reckless and carefree flexibility of retro parenting and barrier-free condemned buildings.

via IMDb

One thing I didn’t know about Prom Night until I had done a little bit of research (as I am prone to do) is that – while set in the US – it’s a Canadian film.

Canadian slasher movies often feature an isolated victim base (for example, with My Bloody Valentine it’s a small mining town, in Black Christmas it’s a sorority house) and a killer with a personal vendetta (often vengeance-based). Victims aren’t chosen at random, they’re carefully selected to gratify a specific need.

Prom Night fits that mold perfectly, but it doesn’t feel tired or stale. Perhaps it’s the heavy injection of disco music and weirdly lengthy dance sequences (this is prom night, after all… of course there’s dancing). Like its star, the iconic Jamie Lee Curtis, this film is light on its feet.

via IMDb

I do have to talk about this dance scene though. Really. I was stunned at first, mouth agape, not 100% sure if this was really happening, and then it kept going. For a long time.

Three whole unbroken minutes of choreographed dance to a rambunctious disco tune. In the middle of a horror film. It’s… baffling and amazing and I fell in love with the pure ambitious absurdity of it.

Me during that whole scene (via IMDb)

I should add that this dance scene does, of course, serve a purpose. It allows the audience – and the teen victims – to break from the building action. We let our guard down and have that appropriate party time to reconnect with the characters immediately before their world falls apart.

Also, if it weren’t self aware enough, the disco song’s lyrics heavily include the phrase “it’s prom night”. How on-the-nose.

via IMDb

Prom Night is not only a cheeky cult classic, it’s actually very well shot with clever cuts, satisfying framing, and a luxuriously bright color palette. The prom scenes are all so lush and vibrant that it perfectly captures the feel of early 80s American glamor.

You would think that all the disco-bright lens flare and soft focus would be frustrating, but somehow – against all logic – you would be wrong.

via IMDb

Not only is Prom Night visually fulfilling, but the pacing is tight. The scenes have a natural flow – nothing feels rushed, nothing drags.

It stars Leslie Nielsen and the aforementioned Jamie Lee Curtis, which – to be honest – was enough to reel me in. The supporting cast of David Mucci as Lou and Sheldon Rybowski as Slick surprisingly steal their scenes – they are such caricatures of high school archetypes that it’s somehow captivating whenever they’re on screen.

I have to give Slick special mention for his absurdly well-stocked van. There were many scenes in Prom Night that made me do a double-take, and the reveal of his textbook with an outrageous number of pre-rolled joints was one of them. He seems like a generous lover.

via IMDb

Prom Night is certainly not a wholly original concept (it’s basically Carrie meets Halloween), nor is it particularly action-packed (aside from an incredible scene with a hilariously explosive van). That being said, if you’re in the mood for a simple and classic slasher that offers something a bit lighter than your average stalking serial killer, you simply cannot go wrong with this film.

 

For more Late to the Party, click here!

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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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1994’s ‘The Crow’ Coming Back to Theaters for A New Special Engagement

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The Crow

Cinemark recently announced that they will be bringing The Crow back from the dead once again. This announcement comes just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. Cinemark will be playing The Crow in select theaters on May 29th and 30th.

For those unaware, The Crow is a fantastic film based on the gritty graphic novel by James O’Barr. Widely considered one of the best films of the 90s, The Crow’s lifespan was cut short when Brandon Lee died of an accidental on set shooting.

The official synapsis of the film is as follows. “The modern-gothic original that entranced audiences and critics alike, The Crow tells the tale of a young musician brutally murdered alongside his beloved fiancée, only to be risen from the grave by a mysterious crow. Seeking revenge, he battles a criminal underground that must answer for its crimes. Adapted from the comic book saga of the same name, this action-packed thriller from director Alex Proyas (Dark City) features hypnotic style, dazzling visuals, and a soulful performance by the late Brandon Lee.”

The Crow

The timing of this release couldn’t be better. As a new generation of fans eagerly awaits the release of The Crow remake, they can now see the classic film in all of its glory. As much as we love Bill Skarsgard (IT), there is something timeless in Brandon Lee’s performance in the film.

This theatrical release is part of the Scream Greats series. This is a collaboration between Paramount Scares and Fangoria to bring audiences some of the best classic horror films. So far, they are doing a fantastic job.

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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Hugh Jackman & Jodie Comer Team Up for a New Dark Robin Hood Adaptation

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A report from Deadline details director Michal Sarnoski’s (A Quiet Place: Day One) newest project, The Death of Robin Hood. The film is set to feature Hugh Jackman (Logan) and Jodie Comer (The End We Start From).

Michael Sarnoski will write and direct the new Robin Hood adaptation. Jackman will be reunited with Aaron Ryder (The Prestige), who is producing the film. The Death of Robin Hood is expected to be a hot item at the upcoming Cannes film market.

Hugh Jackman, The Death of Robin Hood
Hugh Jackman

Deadline describes the films as the following. “The film is a darker reimagining of the classic Robin Hood tale. Set of its time, the film will see the title character grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, a battleworn loner who finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman, who offers him a chance at salvation.”

Lyrical Media will be financing the film. Alexander Black will produce the film alongside Ryder and Andrew Sweet. Black gave Deadline the following information about the project. “We are thrilled to be part of this very special project and to be working with a visionary director in Michael, a phenomenal cast in Hugh and Jodie, and producing with our frequent collaborators, Ryder and Swett at RPC.”

“This is not the story of Robin Hood we’ve all come to know,” Ryder and Swett stated to Deadline “Instead, Michael has crafted something far more grounded and visceral. Thanks to Alexander Black and our friends at Lyrical along with Rama and Michael, the world is going to love seeing Hugh and Jodie together in this epic.”

Jodie Comer

Sarnoski seems to be excited by the project as well. He offered Deadline the following information about the film.

“It has been an incredible opportunity to reinvent and freshly innovate the story we all know of Robin Hood. Securing the perfect cast to transform the script to screen was essential. I could not be more thrilled and trusting in Hugh and Jodie to bring this story to life in a powerful and meaningful way.”

We are still a long way away from seeing this Robin Hood tale. Production is expected to begin in February of 2025. However, it does sound like it will be a fun entry into the Robin Hood canon.

That’s all the information we have at this time.

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