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Review: ‘VENOM’ Has A Lot Of Teeth, But Lacks Bite

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Super hero movies are a staple genre. That’s simply a fact nowadays. Of course, with all the main heroes of Marvel and DC in the spotlight, it was only a matter of time before more secondary, anti-heroic, and outright villainous characters got their chance to shine. Which leads us to the theatrical headlining debut of one of Spider-Man’s greatest foes, VENOM

Image via IMDB

Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is a down on his luck former reporter who lost his career, his credibility, and even his girlfriend Anne Weying (Michelle Williams) after he used confidential information he took from Anne to confront Life Foundation pharmaceutical CEO Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed). But when he’s confronted by one of Drake’s scientists, Dr. Dora Skirth (Jenny Slate) that The Life Foundation is experimenting on humans with alien organisms called ‘symbiotes’ his attempt at finding the truth and doing good lead to him becoming infected with the extraterrestrial being called Venom. Now bonded together, they must fight off Drake’s goons, protect his loved ones, and stop a sinister otherworldly threat.

Venom is interesting in trying to establish the characters of Venom and Eddie Brock as a solo act divorced from his origin in Spider-Man, in every sense of the word. Of course, Venom has had a number of starring series of its ow, most prominently in the edgy 1990’s. In that aspect, it kind of works, but as with many things with this film, it could have been better. Without spoiling too much, there’s more than a few fun easter eggs and foreshadowing of stories and characters from the comics that could potentially be used in a sequel.

Image via IMDB

So it only makes sense that the movie also has an odd feeling of deja vu for 1990’s genre comedy movies like The Mask and Men In Black. Directed by Zombieland’s Ruben Fleischer, it should come as no surprise that there’s a blend of action and comedy, though unfortunately not nearly as much bloody splatstick due to the rating. Especially in the story’s handling of Eddie Brock. Tom Hardy plays Eddie as a fairly serious reporter with a moral code at the beginning, which morphs into him being an awkward madman like a cross between Charlie Day and Jim Carrey as he deals with bonding to Venom and all the side-effects that come with it. Including talking to himself, eating a live lobster, and moved against his will in a slapstick manner. It works in part, but a lot of times comes off as a bit weird.

Image via IMDB

Unfortunately for horror fans, the movie is more in line with the typical super hero movie rather than something along the liens of David Cronenberg. Which is rather disappointing, as the character and trailers did allude to it going down a more body horror laden track as Eddie adjusts to the alien infecting his body. The main story does a decent job in adapting from Venom’s initial solo runs, but everyone is rather lacking in depth. Carlton Drake is more an antagonist as a device rather than a truly memorable villain. He’s a multi-billionaire utilitarian bad guy who wants to save the world no matter the cost, which unfortunately is a bit of a cliche archetype at this point. Granted, he does have some scenes of affability that gives him an almost Hank Scorpio vibe, which was funny, but didn’t really lend to his character. Eddie’s ex, Anne Weying has her moments and feels justified in her actions and motivations, but really should be giving a stronger reaction to the craziness around her and involving her former boyfriend.

Image via IMDB

It was interesting to make the Venom symbiote a character in its own right, especially having Tom Hardy voice the alien as well. In the comics, the symbiote didn’t usually have a dialogue, but here, it’s good to have a back and forth. Unfortunately, The characterization of Venom is rather hollow. There isn’t a lot of build-up between it and Eddie, and its motivation quickly moves from villainous, to anti-heroic, to heroic with very little justification.

Image via IMDB

If you are a fan of creature FX and monster fights, this is the movie for you. Venom utilizing it’s monstrous true form against mercenaries, SWAT Teams, and eventually another symbiote bonded baddie make for fun action pieces. Having seen the movie in 4DX with moving seats and other FX definitely enhanced the experience for mindless fun. And the FX used for Venom and the symbiotes, while almost entirely CGI, were pretty well done and flowed seamlessly as Eddie switched between forms. Unfortunately, don’t expect much gore action as the movie is rated PG-13. Though there are more than a few kills and monstrous acts that push the rating to its limit.

Overall, while rather cliche and typical of a mainstream super movie, Venom does have some cool monsters, violent action, and the potential for greater growth. If you’re in the mood for something more along the lines of a horror B-movie, then Venom has you covered.

Image via IMDB

Venom is in theaters October 5th.

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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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