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TIFF Review: ‘Halloween’ is a Brutal, Beautiful 40th Anniversary Gift

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Halloween

There’s something magical about sitting in a packed theatre with hundreds of die-hard fans, about to watch the movie they’ve been waiting to see for over a year. As the lights dimmed on TIFF’s Midnight Madness premiere of Halloween, the crowd held an elated tension. Would this be worth the wait?

Hell yeah.

via TIFF

David Gordon Green and Danny McBride’s reimagining of the classic slasher does retcon every film after the 1978 original. What this creates is a Laurie Strode who is so traumatized by the events of that Halloween night 40 years ago that it has consumed her entire life.

Along with that trauma and paranoia is the doubt she faces because of her obsession. Laurie’s family members constantly plead for her to just “get over it” and “move on” with her life. But Laurie knows that she will never be truly safe until Michael is dead.

The legendary Jamie Lee Curtis plays this trauma beautifully – and it’s delicately balanced. Her extreme preparedness can feel intensely impressive in one scene and comically nutty the next. But under it all, you can see how Laurie has been – and is still – shaken to her core by Michael Myers.

via Universal Pictures

The reimagined timeline is such a perfect fit that you really don’t even miss the other films. But, rather than completely discard the whole franchise, Green and McBride show their respect with several little Easter eggs and hat-tips to the original Halloween and its other chapters.

They’re extraordinarily satisfying bits of fan service.

And speaking of extraordinarily satisfying, the film’s R-rating is used to its full advantage. Scenes of violence are viciously, deliciously gruesome, and sprinkles of comedic levity make the horror that much more effective – it’s a skilled dance of building and releasing tension.

Even after 40 years, Michael Myers is still a terrifying, brutal (and highly productive) killing machine. He has aged well.

via Universal Pictures

Admittedly, because this Halloween follows more characters on separate plotlines, the rhythm of the story is a bit spread out. The first two acts have some push and pull with the pacing and tend to favor jump scares. The third act, however, is a master class in tension. You’re right there with Laurie and – as Sarah Connor-level prepared as she is – you can feel her anxious terror.

Putting the focus on three generations of Strode women is a powerful way to both demonstrate how Michael has had a lasting effect on the family and explore the challenging mother-daughter dynamic that developed as a result.

Even if Laurie was not the warm, loving mother that Karen Strode (Judy Greer, Jurassic World) so desperately wanted, Laurie put Karen’s safety above everything. Her maternal instincts told her to protect and prepare instead.

Again, the film encompasses the post-traumatic stress that would surely follow after surviving such a brutal massacre. Even though Laurie has had time to bandage the wounds of that trauma, they’ve never really healed because of her conviction that Michael will one day return.

We can see an attempt at normalcy through Laurie’s relationship with her granddaughter, Allyson (Andi Matichak, Orange is the New Black). Laurie feels incredible guilt for how she raised her own daughter and frustration because of how her paranoia is outwardly perceived.

It’s a powerful reflection on the isolation of trauma.

via TIFF

Overall, when you get down to brass tacks, Halloween is a deeply satisfying return to Haddonfield. The return of John Carpenter to revitalize the iconic main theme speaks to how Green and McBride wanted to do Halloween right, and with Carpenter’s blessing (the theme will give you goosebumps, by the way).

Co-written by Danny McBride and director David Gordon Green, and produced by Jason Blum and Malek Akkad (son of Moustapha Akkad, executive producer of every other film in the Halloween franchise), Halloween was given the love and care of a team that has such respect for the original film and the horror genre as a whole.

For Halloween’s 40thanniversary, this was the best possible gift.

 

Halloween will hit theatres on October 19, 2018. Check out the trailer here!

via Blumhouse

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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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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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