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Animated Film ‘The Little Vampire’ is Fun for the Whole Family

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It isn’t often that we get a chance to review family fare here at iHorror, but it was clear from the first viewing that The Little Vampire deserved some attention.

Directed by Richard Claus and Karsten Kiilerich, The Little Vampire takes its story from the same source material as the 2000 film starring Jonathan Lipnicki and Rollo Weeks. The children’s fantasy book Der kleine Vampir by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg has been a mainstay in children’s libraries since it was published in 1979 and has been translated into over 30 languages worldwide.

In the film, a young vampire by the name of Rudolph Sackville-Bagg (Rasmus Hardiker) is sick and tired of celebrating his thirteenth birthday over and over again. He’s also grown tired of his father’s rules which keep the entire family shielded from the outside world.

In a moment of pure rebellion, he flies out of the family’s home and right into the sights of notorious vampire hunter Rookery (Jim Carter, reprising his role from the live action film). Before long, the entire family is being hunted by Rookery and his inventive assistant, and he won’t rest until they are eradicated.

It’s then that Rudolph meets Tony Thompson (Amy Saville), a thirteen year old American boy fascinated by all things vampire.

Frederick and Tony meet in The Little Vampire

At its core, The Little Vampire is a story about the power of seeing beyond the boundaries of “us vs. them”, making it a timely film considering recent events in our real world. Rudolph fails at every attempt to save his family until he embraces the friendship Tony offers him and they begin to work together.

It isn’t all deep reflection and lessons, however. Comedy abounds in the ineptitude of Rookery’s efforts. His repeated failures while using his assistant’s vampire hunting tools would have made Wile E. Coyote proud and had me looking for an ACME stamp on more than one of them.

The film’s animation is stunning. It’s deep purples and blues at night and in the vampire’s lair is matched only by the equally brilliant oranges and golds of the daylight world.

Claus and Kiilerich packed their supporting cast with enormous talent.

Tim Piggot-Smith and genre-favorite Alice Krige (also reprising her role from the 2000 film) voice Rudolph’s parents, Frederick and Freda, perfectly complementing Kevin Otto and Julia Rhodes as Bob and Dottie, Tony’s parents. Each of the actors bring their own tenacity and determination to protect their children at all costs to their roles, whether that protection should be from actual threats or from what they perceive as an overactive imagination.

Larger-than-life British actress Miriam Margolyes, famous for her portrayal as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter franchise, gives voice to Wulftrud who, along with her husband Gernot (Matthew Marsh) runs the rather palatial bed and breakfast in which the Thompsons stay on their European vacation. She plays the garlic-carrying, vampire-fearing character to its comedic hilt.

This is one animated film that is destined to be a family favorite, and would be perfect for the lead up to Halloween night.

The Little Vampire is currently enjoying a limited theatrical run. Check out the trailer below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCo-B07dfdk

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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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