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[REVIEW] ‘The Ice Cream Truck’ – Familiarity Can Be Sweet, But Deadly!

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This summer Writer and Director Megan Freels Johnston tugs at our inner psyche as she takes us on a chilling journey through a real suburban nightmare. Middle town suburbia has posed as a backdrop for many horror films over the years and continues successfully today. Films such as Halloween, A Nightmare On Elm Street, Carrie, Poltergeist, and The Stepfather have painted a blood splattered image of how eerie and desolate suburbia can be. This year’s summer treat, The Ice Cream Truck, reiterates the divine feelings of terror and serves up a reminder that you’re never safe. Familiarity can be sweet, but deadly.

Deanna Russo & Jeff Daniel Phillips in The Ice Cream Truck. Photo Courtesy of Uncork’d Entertainment.

 

Jeff Daniel Phillips in The Ice Cream Truck. Photo Courtesy of Uncork’d Entertainment.

Our story begins as the camera pulls through a tour of a neighborhood. A neighborhood that could be yours or mine; a neighborhood that is quiet and normal…at least for now. Setting the tone is the sinister score resembling beats from our fantastic John Carpenter films. It was love at first sound, thanks to composer Michael Boateng. Suddenly I was tranquil, willingly taken back in time, now methodically transcending through the neighborhood that I once grew up in as this cryptic melody pulsates my eardrums. The score gives life to this motion picture, flooding our heads with instant dread and uncertainty. Johnstons’ tale focuses on Mary (Deanna Russo) moving back to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Allowing her family to stay behind and finish school, unsure of herself and the situation, Mary is all by herself. Lonely and desperate for human interaction, Mary encounters, Jessica (Hilary Barraford), the snoopy neighbor that every street possesses.     

LaTeace Towns-Cuellar, Lisa Ann Walter, and Hilary Barraford in The Ice Cream Truck. Photo Courtesy of Uncork’d Entertainment.

Mary is alone and by herself allowing her family to stay back until school is complete in just a few more days. Soon Mary is met by an odd delivery man (Jeff Daniel Phillips) who appears to have a hidden agenda. Her focus is stolen as a vintage ice cream truck continually parades up and down the street. One of the neighbors invites Mary over to her son Max’s (John Redlinger), a high school graduation party. As time progresses, Mary finds herself spending more and more time with young Max. Mary knows she shouldn’t be spending time alone with this vibrant young man, or let alone have thoughts of attraction. Mary’s yearning for her lost youth is clouding her senses as a deranged ice cream man stalks the streets of her neighborhood. Or does a more elusive fear lurk closer than she can ever imagine? Find out on August 18th when The Ice Cream Truck releases to VOD platforms and theaters. 

Emil Johnsen in The Ice Cream Truck. Photo Courtesy of Uncork’d Entertainment.

Setting an ominous haze over suburbia, The Ice Cream Truck captures the mood and beauty of an era that I adore and yearn after. Johnston and her team pulled it off, successfully re creating a ploy from my childhood. The film does an impeccable job at executing its multi-genre feel allowing the black comedy to spue out as it works around the confinement and the reality of how encompassing suburban life can be. The acting is nothing to ignore, with Deanna Russo & Emil Johnson’s portrayal of Mary and The Ice Cream Man, is nothing short of remarkable. Russo brings a certain life to her character, Mary, something that I am sure will appeal to many women. Mary is the girl that any guy would want to bring home to mom; sweet, sensible, and still has the eye for adventure. Emil Johnsen conveys a vicious character to life with his stylish-retro uniform and creepy vintage truck, patrolling the neighborhood with a crazed and unremorseful look in his eyes.
The design of the film will empower viewers to use their imagination and interpretation throughout, making it a genuinely frightening reality for some causing a downpour of emotion including laughter and fear. A comedy horror film one minute to a psychological thriller the next, The Ice Cream Truck will not disappoint.

Behind The Scenes of Uncork’d Entertainment’s The Ice Cream Truck. Megan Freels Johnston Directing Emil Johnsen. Photo Courtesy of Heather Cusick.

 

Behind The Scenes of Uncork’d Entertainment’s The Ice Cream Truck. The cast and crew prepping for the 1st Death Scene! Photo Courtesy of Heather Cusick.

 

The Ice Cream Truck – Trailer 

 

 

-About The Author-

Ryan T. Cusick is a writer for ihorror.com and very much enjoys conversation and writing about anything within the horror genre. Horror first sparked his interest after watching the original, The Amityville Horror when he was the tender age of three. Ryan lives in California with his wife and twelve-year-old daughter, who is also expressing interest in the horror genre. Ryan recently received his Master’s Degree in Psychology and has aspirations to write a novel. Ryan can be followed on Twitter @Nytmare112

 

 

 

Emil Johnsen in The Ice Cream Truck. Photo Courtesy of Uncork’d Entertainment.

 

 

 

 

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A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

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It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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News

Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

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Louis Leterrier

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Lists

New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

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atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

Airport ’75

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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