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The Thanksgiving Slasher You Never Knew Existed

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Think you have seen every slasher film there is — every one that takes place on a United States holiday circa the 80’s? Think again.

This Thanksgiving gem is called “Blood Rage,” originally “Nightmare at Shadow Woods,” but if you watch it on Amazon Prime right now you’ll notice the title credit sequence has it as “Slasher.” Confused? Just look for “Blood Rage” on Amazon.

You see, in 1987 the film had a theatrical run but was heavily edited and released as “Nightmare at Shadow Woods,” Arrow has resurrected it, put all the missing pieces back and re-released it on DVD.

In the title role is whiskey voiced Louise Lasser as the matriarch of twins Todd and Terry; one a sociopath the other his pawn. In the cold open amid synth-heavy Casio keyboard midi claps and cymbals, we are introduced to the young twins at a  drive-in theater with their mom and her new beau.

The boys sneak out of the car and spy another couple in mid coitus. The young Terry somehow has an axe and bludgeons the man’s face with the blade then implicates his twin. As a result Todd is institutionalized having been fingered for the crime.

Todd is catatonic but escapes the hospital ten years later. Meanwhile his twin, the real guilty one, is enjoying Thanksgiving with mom who makes an announcement she is engaged. For some reason Todd isn’t thankful for this revelation and goes on a killing spree. His victims are high school (college?) friends although, it’s not clear why.

As slasher movies go, this one is surprisingly gory. Although the kills aren’t that great, you’ll appreciate the department workroom’s detailed and sometimes effective attempts at viscera.

Who doesn’t love when a therapist is separated from the bottom half of her body and her legs continue to move? Or soon-to-be-stepdad is be-handed with a beer still attached — It’s really cult gold. Especially one scene involving the same stepdad in an office chair (wait for it).

It’s sort of American Psycho without the etiquette or wealth.

Mark Soper plays both Terry and his twin brother. He gives a sort of humorous side to Terry, trying to perfect the 80’s art of zingers before or after some kills. “It’s not cranberry sauce,” he says at one point after tasting the blood spatter on his jersey. So that’s what you’ve got to work with for 90 minutes.

But through its thigh hemmed gym shorts, calf length striped tube socks, headbands and feathered hair  “Blood Rage” isn’t at all bad.

All the tropes are there if only briefly and the cube in the Magic 8 Ball would make a better script, this 80’s blood bath should be more of a cult classic than it is: heavy handed piano F and F sharp keys notwithstanding. This is strictly-by-the numbers horror fare, none of them prime.

It has a high body count and a twist ending so awkward you’ll writhe in discomfort as the performers try to method act their way out of it.

Undeniably campy, overacted and with an overstuffed gimmick, “Blood Rage” is a finely cooked turkey just in time for Thanksgiving.

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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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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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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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