News

‘Host’ on Shudder is Fun and Bone-Chilling Paranormal Horror

Published

4 years ago

July 31, 2020

Host, the new paranormal horror film from director Rob Savage (Strings), debuted on Shudder yesterday, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most talked about new films on social media.

Filmed entirely during quarantine with a 56 minute run-time, Host centers on six friends who, bored with social-distancing and isolation due to Covid-19, decide to hire a psychic to perform a seance for them via Zoom. When one of the group members fails to take things seriously, however, all hell breaks loose, and what follows is pure genius.

Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Emma Louise Webb, Radina Drandova, and Caroline Ward round out the central cast with Seylan Baxter appearing as the medium.

Savage wastes very little time getting down to business once his characters are introduced, and he makes every single minute count as the strange and terrifying events begin to take place.

Now, to be fair, Host is a bit of trope-fest. If you’re a fan of paranormal horror who has seen and enjoyed Grave Encounters, Paranormal Activity, and Hell House, then you have seen a lot of what goes on in this film. In fact, there is very little new or fresh about Host save for it all basically being filmed and directed without anyone being in the same room together.

However, Savage and his cast and crew chose to embrace those tropes and just go with them without pretension or judgement which ultimately makes the film not only fun but also effective.

Now remember, this film takes place entirely on a Zoom call? That puts everyone on camera with a lot of empty space, open doors, dark hallways, and shadowy windows behind them which automatically sets us ill at ease. Films like the aforementioned Paranormal Activity have taught us to not trust those open, darkened spaces, and as I watched I found myself constantly on alert, scanning each little Zoom window for anything out of the ordinary.

Moreover, because of the way Host was made, each actor was responsible for their own recording, lighting, make-up, and stunts which gave the movie a more homegrown, realistic feel than films like Unfriended where everything was just a little too polished.

And then there’s the brevity of the film. That 56 minute run-time is a blessing in itself. Nothing is overdrawn and it keeps each moment moving at a pace that ultimately serves the narrative.

When those elements combine, they work far better than I could have anticipated.

If the film falters anywhere, it is toward the end. As the action and terror ramps up so, do the special effects and stunt work. This is, of course, how things should progress, but there were moments where it became just a tad too flashy for the film’s otherwise organic feel. I won’t spoil anything, but you’ll know it when you see it.

Despite this fact, however, Host comes to a satisfyingly abrupt conclusion that will have you checking the dark corners of your house to make sure nothing and no one is there.

You can see the film exclusively on Shudder right now! Grab some popcorn, turn down the lights, and get ready to join the Zoom call from Hell.

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

7 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

9 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.