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A Damn Fine Actor: Remembering Miguel Ferrer

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Enthralled is the word I’m going to go with. I was enthralled with Robocop the first time I set eyes on the sci-fi classic. With Peter Weller as the title character to be sure, but also with the young, punk executive who saw an opportunity and seized it. He was no-nonsense, tough and devoured whenever he appeared on screen.

My thoughts mimicked those of his Bob Morton character, “I fuckin’ love that guy!”

His name was Miguel Ferrer, and he succumbed to cancer today at the age of 61.

Funny how someone you never met could have such a lasting impact. Robocop has a special place in my heart because of where I was in my life when I took it all in, and so too Miguel Ferrer.

Forever a character actor who appeared in countless successful films and television projects, I could never shake the thought, “I fuckin’ love that guy!” or wrap my head around the fact that he wasn’t a bigger star.

For years I had described New York Yankees and future Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter as a superstar with the heart of a utility player. Ferrer was the mirror opposite as a performer. Ferrer possessed the talent of a superstar with the heart of a complimentary actor.

And compliment he did.

When I first arrived at iHorror, I was looking for a new addiction, and Patti Pauley put me on to “Twin Peaks.” I cannot thank her enough for exposing me to that beautifully strange slice of pie.

One can imagine my glee when I saw not only the name of Everett McGill in the credits, but Miguel Ferrer as well.

Albert Rosenfield was a bit bereft of “the social niceties.” Put another way, he was a prick of monumental proportion in the early going. Cold, clinical, condescending, cocky. Hell, even Andy (Harry Goaz) called him out, and Andy loved everybody.

Somewhere along the line, though, things changed. Ferrer’s character was no longer unlikable, he ceased spewing anger and began speaking with affection and admiration, and damned if he wasn’t worthy of being a Bookhouse Boy.

It was a turnaround that came about so abruptly that it seemed unreal, but that was in keeping with the charm of “Twin Peaks.” It didn’t have to make sense, you just went with it.

From that moment forward, Ferrer’s presence offered incredible humanity to the show. For all its quirks and over-the-top qualities, Ferrer felt authentic. In his characters’ unrivaled forensic research, comforting Agent Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and imploring Cooper and Sheriff Truman (Michael Ontkean) to find the beast before he took another bite.

In short, if you were lucky enough to see Ferrer on screen, you were buying in. Whether it was humor, confidence, abrasiveness, sympathy or concern, you were all-in because Ferrer’s performances felt genuine, even when they were intended to be caricatures of a cliche.

I’ll finish with this, because it just feels like the right way to say goodbye. And I think I speak for “Twin Peaks” fans everywhere when I say “We love you, too.”

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Watch ‘The Burning’ At The Location Where It Was Filmed

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Fangoria is reporting that fans of the 1981 slasher The Burning will be able to have a screening of the film at the location where it was filmed. The movie is set at Camp Blackfoot which is actually the Stonehaven Nature Preserve in Ransomville, New York.

This ticketed event will take place on August 3. Guests will be able to take a tour of the grounds as well as enjoy some campfire snacks along with the screening of The Burning.

The Burning

The film came out in the early ’80s when teen slashers were being churned out in magnum force. Thanks to Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th, filmmakers wanted to get in on the low-budget, high-profit movie market and a casket load of these types of films were produced, some better than others.

The Burning is one of the good ones, mostly because of the special effects from Tom Savini who had just come off of his groundbreaking work on Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th. He declined to do the sequel because of its illogical premise and instead signed on to do this movie. Also, a young Jason Alexander who would later go on to play George in Seinfeld is a featured player.

Because of its practical gore, The Burning had to be heavily edited before it received an R-rating. The MPAA was under the thumb of protest groups and political bigwigs to censor violent films at the time because slashers were just so graphic and detailed in their gore.

Tickets are $50, and if you want a special t-shirt, that will cost you another $25, You can get all the information by visiting the On Set Cinema webpage.

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‘Longlegs’ Creepy “Part 2” Teaser Appears on Instagram

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Longlegs

Neon Films released an Insta-teaser for their horror film Longlegs today. Titled Dirty: Part 2, the clip only furthers the mystery of what we are in for when this movie is finally released on July 12.

The official logline is: FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes unexpected turns, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

Directed by former actor Oz Perkins who also gave us The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel, Longlegs is already creating buzz with its moody images and cryptic hints. The film is rated R for bloody violence, and disturbing images.

Longlegs stars Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, and Alicia Witt.

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Exclusive Sneak Peek: Eli Roth and Crypt TV’s VR Series ‘The Faceless Lady’ Episode Five

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Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) and Crypt TV are knocking it out of the park with their new VR show, The Faceless Lady. For those unaware, this is the first fully scripted VR horror show on the market.

Even for masters of horror like Eli Roth and Crypt TV, this is a monumental undertaking. However, if I trust anyone to change the way that we experience horror, it would be these two legends.

The Faceless Lady

Ripped from the pages of Irish folklore, The Faceless Lady tells the story of a tragic spirit cursed to wander the halls of her castle for all of eternity. However, when three young couples are invited to the castle for a series of games, their fates may soon change.

So far, the story has provided horror fans with a gripping game of life or death that doesn’t look as if it will slow down in episode five. Luckily, we have an exclusive clip that may be able to satiate your appetites until the new premiere.

Airing on 4/25 at 5pmPT/8pmET, episode five follows our final three contestants in this wicked game. As the stakes are raised ever higher, will Ella be able to fully awaken her connection with Lady Margaret?

The faceless lady

The newest episode can be found on Meta Quest TV. If you haven’t already, follow this link to subscribe to the series. Make sure to check out the new clip below.

Eli Roth Present’s THE FACELESS LADY S1E5 Clip: THE DUEL – YouTube

To view in the highest resolution, adjust the quality settings in the bottom right corner of the clip.

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