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5 Obscure Movie Monsters from the Past

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Frankenstein. The Wolf Man. Jaws. Larry the Cable Guy. You know these movie monsters – almost everyone does. For one reason or another, they’ve been able to stand the test of time, digging into our collective memories and terrorizing us to this day. But what about the rest? What about the underdogs? Surely, there have got to be more monsters with your time? Well, yes, yes there are! Here are 5 obscure Movie Monsters that are worth looking into. If you know al of them on this list, then you’re one of my people.

The Metaluna Mutant

This Island Earth isn’t necessarily a horror film, but it contains a monster regardless. I’m especially upset that I am able to put this guy on my list of obscure movie monsters because I think this alien lifeform is just so damn cool – it’s a shame that it’s faded from most people’s memory. Parading around the fact that the film was “2 and 1/2 years in the making!”, the special effects are what really carry the film. In glorious technicolor, no less!

Pumpkinhead

I know what a lot of you are thinking. “Pumpkinhead? He’s not obscure at all! Everyone knows him.” But I challenge that notion. Yeah, he’s not exactly a hidden secret – at least, not in the horror community. On the outside of our tight-knit circle of freaks, however, many have forgotten this wonderfully campy demon of revenge. And that’s a damn shame. The world needs more Pumpkinhead, and I, for one, would not mind a remake. It’s overdue.

Basket Case

Isn’t this just the ugliest little jerk you’ve ever seen? Belial is the separated siamese twin of a mild-mannered man named Duane Bradley. Duane carries Belial around in a basket all day long, and when Duane starts getting cheeky with a lady, Belial becomes angry. Very angry. This 1982 film, directed by Frank Henenlotter is exceptionally bizarre – and just as funny. Oh, and sleazy. Can’t forget that. It’s 1980’s trash at its absolute finest.

Q – The Winged Serpent

is the best Ray Harryhausen film that Ray Harryhausen never made. It’s got excellent stop motion right in the middle of New York City and looks like the master of Clash of the Titans himself had done work on it. He did not, of course, but that’s one of the things that I enjoy so much about this film. It has so much B-movie charm that it actually hurts just thinking about it. Ow.

Humanoids from the Deep

Half man, half fish humanoid monsters rape and kill in this 1980 horror film. The beasts rise up from the depths to mate with human women to accelerate their evolution – something that’s already been sped up by the radioactive fish that they consume. These obscure movie monsters don’t even attempt to hide their trashiness, much like Belial in Basket Case. The film is more than a little misogynistic and inappropriate, which might have something to do with the film being lost to the ages. Roger Corman produced this little-known horror flick.

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Movies

‘Violent Night’ Director’s Next Project is a Shark Movie

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Sony Pictures is getting in the water with director Tommy Wirkola for his next project; a shark movie. Although no plot details have been revealed, Variety confirms that the movie will start filming in Australia this summer.

Also confirmed is that actress Phoebe Dynevor is circling the project and is in talks to star. She is probably best known for her role as Daphne in the popular Netflix soap Bridgerton.

Dead Snow (2009)

Duo Adam McKay and Kevin Messick (Don’t Look Up, Succession) will produce the new film.

Wirkola is from Norway and utilizes a lot of action in his horror films. One of his first films, Dead Snow (2009), about zombie Nazis, is a cult favorite, and his 2013 action-heavy Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is an entertaining distraction.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

But 2022’s Christmas blood fest Violent Night starring David Harbour made wider audiences familiar with Wirkola. Coupled with favorable reviews and a great CinemaScore, the film became a Yuletide hit.

Insneider first reported this new shark project.

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Why You May NOT Want To Go In Blind Before Watching ‘The Coffee Table’

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You might want to prepare yourself for some things if you plan to watch The Coffee Table now rentable on Prime. We aren’t going to go into any spoilers, but research is your best friend if you are sensitive to intense subject matter.

If you don’t believe us, maybe horror writer Stephen King might convince you. In a tweet he published on May 10, the author says, “There’s a Spanish movie called THE COFFEE TABLE on Amazon Prime and Apple+. My guess is you have never, not once in your whole life, seen a movie as black as this one. It’s horrible and also horribly funny. Think the Coen Brothers’ darkest dream.”

It is hard to talk about the film without giving anything away. Let’s just say there are certain things in horror movies that are generally off the, ahem, table and this film crosses that line in a big way.

The Coffee Table

The very ambiguous synopsis says:

“Jesus (David Pareja) and Maria (Estefanía de los Santos) are a couple going through a difficult time in their relationship. Nevertheless, they have just become parents. To shape their new life, they decide to buy a new coffee table. A decision that will change their existence.”

But there is more to it than that, and the fact that this might be the darkest of all comedies is also a little unsettling. Although it is heavy on the dramatic side too, the core issue is very taboo and might leave certain people sick and disturbed.

What’s worse is that it is an excellent movie. The acting is phenomenal and the suspense, masterclass. Compounding that it’s a Spanish film with subtitles so you have to look at your screen; it’s just evil.

The good news is The Coffee Table isn’t really that gory. Yes, there is blood, but it’s used more as just a reference than a gratuitous opportunity. Still, the mere thought of what this family has to go through is unnerving and I can guess many people will turn it off within the first half-hour.

Director Caye Casas has made a great film that might go down in history as one of the most disturbing ever made. You have been warned.

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Trailer For Shudder’s Latest ‘The Demon Disorder’ Showcases SFX

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It’s always interesting when award-winning special effects artists become directors of horror films. That is the case with The Demon Disorder coming from Steven Boyle who has done work on The Matrix movies, The Hobbit trilogy, and King Kong (2005).

The Demon Disorder is the latest Shudder acquisition as it continues adding high-quality and interesting content to its catalog. The film is the directorial debut of Boyle and he says he is happy that it will become a part of the horror streamer’s library coming fall 2024.

“We are thrilled that The Demon Disorder has reached its final resting place with our friends at Shudder,” said Boyle.  “It’s a community and fanbase that we hold in the highest esteem and we couldn’t be happier to be on this journey with them!”

Shudder echoes Boyle’s thoughts about the film, emphasizing his skill.

“After years of a creating a range of elaborate visual experiences through his work as a special effects designer on iconic films, we’re thrilled to give Steven Boyle a platform for his feature length directorial debut with The Demon Disorder,” said Samuel Zimmerman, Head of Programming for Shudder.  “Full of impressive body horror that fans have come to expect from this master of effects, Boyle’s film is an engrossing story about breaking generational curses that viewers will find both unsettling and amusing.”

The movie is being described as an “Australian family drama” that centers on, “Graham, a man haunted by his past since the death of his father and the estrangement from his two brothers. Jake, the middle brother, contacts Graham claiming that something is horribly wrong: their youngest brother Phillip is possessed by their deceased father. Graham reluctantly agrees to go and see for himself. With the three brothers back together, they soon realize they are unprepared for the forces against them and learn that the sins of their past will not stay hidden. But how do you defeat a presence that knows you inside and out? An anger so powerful it refuses to stay dead?”

The movie stars, John Noble (The Lord of the Rings), Charles CottierChristian Willis, and Dirk Hunter.

Take a look at the trailer below and let us know what you think. The Demon Disorder will begin streaming on Shudder this fall.

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