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Review: ‘Godzilla: King Of The Monsters’ Is A Battle Of Titanic Proportions

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We are truly living in a time of gods and monsters, or in this case, monster gods. It’s been five years since the first Legendary made Godzilla film and two years since their ‘Monsterverse’ was further established with Kong: Skull Island. All building up to to what will stand as perhaps one of the biggest Kaiju movies ever made: Godzilla King Of The Monsters.

Image via IMDB

The story takes place five years after Godzilla’s destructive battle in San Francisco. The world is in a panic as more “Titans” begin to awaken from their primordial slumber. The no-longer covert organization MONARCH attempts to shield the public from these ancient beasts and keep them contained, but Alan Jonah (Charles Dance) and his eco-terrorist group are hellbent on unleashing them on the world and returning things to a ‘natural order.’ He kidnaps MONARCH scientist Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) and her daughter Madison Russell (Millie Bobby Brown) to further his goals, leading to the freeing of King Ghidorah, an ancient beast of apocalyptic power. Now, Madison’s father and Emma’s ex-husband Dr. Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler) must team-up with MONARCH and Godzilla to put a stop to a war of colossal beasts that could destroy the world.

Image via IMDB

The set-up is pretty evocative of of the more classical Godzilla movies of the 1960’s and 70’s, most prominently Destroy All Monsters, featuring a united group of humans, in this case MONARCH, trying to stop the evil monsters and giving our hero, Godzilla a helping hand. The ensemble cast for MONARCH is impressive and engaging, with returning characters/actors such as Ken Watanabe as Dr. Serizawa and Bradley Whitford as Dr. Rick Stanton. There’s a lot of fun banter between characters, cheesy sometimes, but it gives the film some dialogue and humans to root for.

Godzilla: King Of The Monsters delivers in what any kaiju fan wants: lots and lots of monster fighting action. Particularly, Godzilla and King Ghidorah throw down a few times over the course of the film along with volcano bird Rodan and ‘Queen Of The Monsters’ Mothra. Considering the kind of budget this movie has, they look spectacular and inspire awe at seeing god-like monstrosities throw down in mortal combat. Of course, they’re all-but entirely CG as opposed to the classical ‘man-in-suit’ style of the Toho films, which does make it feel different. There is some clunkiness in pacing and dialogue between these epic battles and some deaths happen a bit too fast to digest (even when characters get eaten), but per the franchise, it’s par for course and in many ways the cheeziness adds to the charm.

Image via IMDB

Michael Dougherty really outdid himself as a director/co-writer on the movie and it shows he has a lot of heart for Godzilla. Having helmed such genre favorites like Trick r Treat and Krampus it should come as no surprise there are plenty of horror references and homages hidden about. For example, pay attention to the number of the Antarctica MONARCH Outpost. As well, there is some pretty good build-up to next year’s Kong VS Godzilla coming to us from Adam Wingard.

I was fortunate enough to have seen Godzilla: King Of The Monsters in two different formats: Imax and 4DX. Of course, if you want as epic a screening as possible, Imax will be the way to go. When Godzilla gives his signature roar, it will blow you to the back of the auditorium. If you want a full-on immersion experience, 4DX is loads of fun and adds to the action. When Rodan did a barrel roll, it felt like I was spinning with that fire demon. The water, smoke, and air effects also adding details that put you into the heat of the action, especially as these monster gods duke it out.

So, if you’re a fan of Godzilla, giant monsters, and the like, Godzilla: King Of The Monsters is one kaiju movie you’ll want to see in theaters with the biggest screen and the loudest sound possible.

Image via IMDB

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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