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Five Patriotically Bloody Films to Watch This 4th of July

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The 4th of July conjures up images of fireworks, cookouts, and large amounts of explosives being handled by drunk fathers. For some people, this also means screaming bald eagles and unbridled patriotism.

Personally, the 4th of July has always meant one thing, terrible horror films loosely based around the holiday. If you also enjoy spending this summer holiday watching twenty-somethings try to outrun undead presidents, then this list is for you.


The Evil in Us

The Evil in Us Movie Poster

I could fill a book with all the things this movie tries to be, unfortunately, it fails at most of them. It feels like The Evil in Us had four different scripts crammed together at the last minute.

Equal parts Cabin Fever and The Crazies, this film never truly finds its footing. This by no means makes it unwatchable. The unorganized flow of the film makes for an enjoyable watch as you try and fail to guess the plotline.

Starring Debs Howard (iZombie), Danny Zaporozan (The Killing), and Behtash Fazlali (Wired Shut). If you are looking for something original to watch this 4th of July, go check out The Evil in Us.


Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam Movie Poster

This film is brought to us by the master of schlock himself, Larry Cohen (Maniac Cop). There’s a part of me that truly misses these types of films. The movie raises a cop, soldier, or president from the dead for mainly unexplained reasons, with the sole purpose of killing teenagers.

Does it break the mold? No, but that’s not what it’s for. Uncle Sam is made for people to eat popcorn and laugh at how ridiculous the storyline is. There’s something admirable about a film that knows what it is and doesn’t try to hide it.

Starring William Smith (Red Dawn), David Fralick (Inferno), and Christopher Ogden (SLC Punk). If you are looking for a good laugh this 4th of July, check out Uncle Sam.


2001 Maniacs

2001 Maniacs Movie Poster

Ok, this film has nothing to do with the 4th of July. However, it captures the true spirit of what these movies aim to be. 2001 Maniacs is overflowing with camp, gore, and Sothern hospitality.

It is criminal how undervalued this film is. It features the on-screen reunion of Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street) and Lin Shaye (Dead End). If that doesn’t do it for you, how about cameos from both Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) and Peter Stormare (Fargo).

2001 Maniacs not only has some major horror alumni in it, but it’s also an all-around fun film to watch. If you can get past the problematic elements and want to see Robert Englund play a racist southern governor, go watch 2001 Maniacs.


Re-Elected

Re-Elected Movie Poster

This film has everything, terrible college humor, re-animated presidents, and a cabin in the woods. Re-Elected features a zombie George Washington wielding an ax, what more could a genre fan ask for?

I went into this film with zero expectations and came out the other side a changed man. Re-elected is by far my favorite 4th of July-themed film on this list, and has been added to my yearly watch list.

This film may not be for everyone, the humor is dry, and the camera work is all over the place. That being said, it’s a really fun ride that doesn’t take itself seriously. If you want a new spin on the holiday horror, check out Re-Elected.


Jaws

Jaws Movie Poster

You knew this was coming right? I try to fill these lists with some of the lesser-known films I can find. But this is a 4th of July list, it would be blasphemous to not include Jaws. Without Jaws, we wouldn’t have things like shark week or even worse Sharknado.

If for some reason you haven’t seen this classic, do so now. Even if it’s only to supplement your horror information database, it’s worth the time. Jaws is the classic tale of a killer shark interfering with profit margins.

Say what you will about Steven Spielberg, but his dream machines have kept people afraid of sharks for almost 50 years. If you want to spend the 4th of July enjoying a classic, go watch Jaws.

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Lists

Thrills and Chills: Ranking ‘Radio Silence’ Films from Bloody Brilliant to Just Bloody

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Radio Silence Films

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and Chad Villella are all filmmakers under the collective label called Radio Silence. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett are the primary directors under that moniker while Villella produces.

They have gained popularity over the past 13 years and their films have become known as having a certain Radio Silence “signature.” They are bloody, usually contain monsters, and have breakneck action sequences. Their recent film Abigail exemplifies that signature and is perhaps their best film yet. They are currently working on a reboot of John Carpenter’s Escape From New York.

We thought we would go through the list of projects they have directed and rank them from high to low. None of the movies and shorts on this list are bad, they all have their merits. These rankings from top to bottom are just ones we felt showcased their talents the best.

We didn’t include movies they produced but didn’t direct.

#1. Abigail

An update to the second film on this list, Abagail is the natural progression of Radio Silence’s love of lockdown horror. It follows in pretty much the same footsteps of Ready or Not, but manages to go one better — make it about vampires.

Abigail

#2. Ready or Not

This film put Radio Silence on the map. While not as successful at the box office as some of their other films, Ready or Not proved that the team could step outside their limited anthology space and create a fun, thrilling, and bloody adventure-length film.

Ready or Not

#3. Scream (2022)

While Scream will always be a polarizing franchise, this prequel, sequel, reboot — however you want to label it showed just how much Radio Silence knew the source material. It wasn’t lazy or cash-grabby, just a good time with legendary characters we love and new ones who grew on us.

Scream (2022)

#4 Southbound (The Way Out)

Radio Silence tosses their found footage modus operandi for this anthology film. Responsible for the bookend stories, they create a terrifying world in their segment titled The Way Out, which involves strange floating beings and some sort of time loop. It’s kind of the first time we see their work without a shaky cam. If we were to rank this entire film, it would remain at this position on the list.

Southbound

#5. V/H/S (10/31/98)

The film that started it all for Radio Silence. Or should we say the segment that started it all. Even though this isn’t feature-length what they managed to do with the time they had was very good. Their chapter was titled 10/31/98, a found-footage short involving a group of friends who crash what they think is a staged exorcism only to learn not to assume things on Halloween night.

V/H/S

#6. Scream VI

Cranking up the action, moving to the big city and letting Ghostface use a shotgun, Scream VI turned the franchise on its head. Like their first one, this film played with canon and managed to win over a lot of fans in its direction, but alienated others for coloring too far outside the lines of Wes Craven’s beloved series. If any sequel was showing how the trope was going stale it was Scream VI, but it managed to squeeze some fresh blood out of this nearly three-decade mainstay.

Scream VI

#7. Devil’s Due

Fairly underrated, this, Radio Silence’s first feature-length film, is a sampler of things they took from V/H/S. It was filmed in an omnipresent found footage style, showcasing a form of possession, and features clueless men. Since this was their first bonafide major studio job it’s a wonderful touchstone to see how far they have come with their storytelling.

Devil’s Due
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Editorial

7 Great ‘Scream’ Fan Films & Shorts Worth a Watch

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The Scream franchise is such an iconic series, that many budding filmmakers take inspiration from it and make their own sequels or, at least, build upon the original universe created by screenwriter Kevin Williamson. YouTube is the perfect medium to showcase these talents (and budgets) with fan-made homages with their own personal twists.

The great thing about Ghostface is that he can appear anywhere, in any town, he just needs the signature mask, knife, and unhinged motive. Thanks to Fair Use laws it’s possible to expand upon Wes Craven’s creation by simply getting a group of young adults together and killing them off one by one. Oh, and don’t forget the twist. You’ll notice that Roger Jackson’s famous Ghostface voice is uncanny valley, but you get the gist.

We have gathered five fan films/shorts related to Scream that we thought were pretty good. Although they can’t possibly match the beats of a $33 million blockbuster, they get by on what they have. But who needs money? If you’re talented and motivated anything is possible as proven by these filmmakers who are well on their way to the big leagues.

Take a look at the below films and let us know what you think. And while you’re at it, leave these young filmmakers a thumbs up, or leave them a comment to encourage them to create more films. Besides, where else are you going to see Ghostface vs. a Katana all set to a hip-hop soundtrack?

Scream Live (2023)

Scream Live

Ghostface (2021)

Ghostface

Ghost Face (2023)

Ghost Face

Don’t Scream (2022)

Don’t Scream

Scream: A Fan Film (2023)

Scream: A Fan Film

The Scream (2023)

The Scream

A Scream Fan Film (2023)

A Scream Fan Film
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Lists

Horror Movies Releasing This Month – April 2024 [Trailers]

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April 2024 Horror Movies

With only six months until Halloween, it is surprising how many horror movies will be released in April. People are still scratching their heads as to why Late Night With the Devil wasn’t an October release since it has that theme already built in. But who’s complaining? Certainly not us.

In fact, we are elated because we are getting a vampire movie from Radio Silence, a prequel to an honored franchise, not one, but two monster spider movies, and a film directed by David Cronenberg’s other child.

It’s a lot. So we have provided you with a list of movies with help from the internet, their synopsis from IMDb, and when and where they will drop. The rest is up to your scrolling finger. Enjoy!

The First Omen: In theaters April 5

The First Omen

A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

Monkey Man: In theaters April 5

Monkey Man

An anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.

Sting: In theaters April 12

Sting

After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet-and fight for her family’s survival-when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.

In Flames: In theaters April 12

In Flames

After the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.

Abigail: In Theaters April 19

Abigail

After a group of criminals kidnap the ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, they retreat to an isolated mansion, unaware that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.

The Night of the Harvest: In theaters April 19

The Night of the Harvest

Aubrey and her friends go geocaching in the woods behind an old cornfield where they are trapped and hunted by a masked woman in white.

Humane: In theaters April 26

Humane

In the wake of an environmental collapse that is forcing humanity to shed 20% of its population, a family dinner erupts into chaos when a father’s plan to enlist in the government’s new euthanasia program goes horribly awry.

Civil War: In theaters April 12

Civil War

A journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.

Cinderella’s Revenge: In select theaters April 26

Cinderella summons her fairy godmother from an ancient flesh-bound book to get revenge on her evil stepsisters and stepmother who abuse her daily.

Other horror movies on streaming:

Bag of Lies VOD April 2

Bag of Lies

Desperate to save his dying wife, Matt turns to The Bag, an ancient relic with dark magic. The cure demands a chilling ritual and strict rules. As his wife heals, Matt’s sanity unravels, facing terrifying consequences.

Black Out VOD April 12 

Black Out

A Fine Arts painter is convinced that he is a werewolf wreaking havoc on a small American town under the full moon.

Baghead on Shudder and AMC+ on April 5

A young woman inherits a run-down pub and discovers a dark secret within its basement – Baghead – a shape-shifting creature that will let you speak to lost loved ones, but not without consequence.

Baghead

Infested: on Shudder April 26

Residents of a rundown French apartment building battle against an army of deadly, rapidly reproducing spiders.

Infested
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