Posts tagged Horror.

As if you needed any more reason to see “Prometheus” on June 8th. It’s been revealed that the first trailer for “Django Unchained” will play before Ridley Scott’s latest Sci-Fi epic.

Variety’s Stuart Oldham is tweeting that “sources” have let him know that the first trailer for Django Unchained will run in front of “Prometheus”, the new Ridley Scott film that opens June 8. There’s not an especially clear connection between the two films, beyond “two things the Internet is really, really excited about,” but the Weinstein Company can’t exactly wait to promote “Django” only in front of their own films, and “Prometheus”— with its R rating and director pedigree— is likely to bring in at least a somewhat similar crowd.

JUNE 8TH JUNE 8TH JUNE 8TH!!!!

This looks to be a goodie!

WGS 410: Queer Theory and Horror, CRN 41838

4 credits: MTWR 10-12:20 in Pacific 30

This course examines how queerness has functioned in the American horror film over the past seventy years. Screenings of key films and discussion of influential work in queer theory will highlight how the horror genre has engaged with difference in the form of queerness. Defined by Harry M. Benshoff as seeking to transcend “categories based on the concepts of normative heterosexuality and traditional gender roles to encompass a more inclusive, amorphous, and ambiguous contra-heterosexuality” (5), queerness in diverse forms has been used in horror to signify pathology and provoke fear, aligned with the unnatural and the otherwise monstrous. At the same time, however, it has worked to articulate that which our society would wish to disavow, particularly in regards to difference. Through a queer theoretical approach, we will work to “queer” those individuals and institutions advanced by the horror film as “normal,” making strange that which has been presented as natural and normative, and allowing us to ask questions about dominant conceptions of sexuality, informed by gender, race, and social class. Such a perspective prompts the two primary questions underlying this course: how has queerness been invoked in the horror film, and how has it worked to critique or even transform that which we deem the normal?

Not quite sure if this will meet any requirements for the Cinema Studies Major but if you love film this looks like a particularly interesting summer course. Hit the link for more info, and if you’re interested registration is underway over on duckweb so sign up!

Horror fans! Production on the “The Evil Dead” remake just began last week!

That’s right. Filming has begun on Fede Alvarez‘ remake of Sam Raimi‘s classic 1981 horror film. Raimi is producing alongside original co-producer Rob Tapert and franchise star Bruce Campbell. Alvarez co-wrote the screenplay with Rodo Savagues with Diablo Cody also doing some work on the script, which she calls “unbelievably violent.“ The remake will keep the “five co-eds head to a cabin in the woods, and bad things happen” of the original, but since Raimi’s The Evil Dead was one of the forefathers of the genre, it’s immune from the scathing satire of The Cabin in the Woods. The remake stars Jane Levy (Suburgatory) as Mia; Shiloh Fernandez (Red Riding Hood) as David; Lou Taylor Pucci (Carriers) as Eric; Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield) as Olivia, and Elizabeth Blackmore (Legend of the Seeker) as Natalie. Like the original, the characters stumble upon the Book of the Dead, read from it, and are possessed until only one is remaining.

I’m always skeptical about remakes but it’s simply too early to judge. Diablo Cody is a great writer and the fact that she used the two words “unbelievably violent” to describe the film is heartening, but these remakes always have more potential to go horribly wrong than to get it right, especially with such a dedicated cult following.

Big casting news announced today. It looks like South African actor Sharlto Copley has officially signed on to play the main baddy in Spike Lee’s remake of Park Chan-Wook’s Korean classic, “Oldboy”.

Copley’s most recognized role was Wikus Van De Merwe in the surprise Sci-Fi hit, “District 9”. With Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen rounding out the cast, “Oldboy” is shaping up nicely. Nothing will ever touch the original for me, but if they absolutely have to do a remake it looks like it’s heading in the right direction.

Here’s the brand new three minute long international trailer for Ridley Scott’s return to Sci-Fi, “Prometheus”. As if I wasn’t excited enough for this one. Can’t wait for June 1st.

New viral trailer for “Prometheus” profiling David, an android played by Michael Fassbender…..cweeeepyyyyy. Can’t wait for this to come out. Everything I’ve seen about it looks very well done, and Fassbender…..well what more can I say about him? Fantastic performer, and it looks like he’s gonna nail this role.

Horror fans rejoice! That is if you’re into remakes. For those of you who aren’t concerned with the tarnishing of your beloved blood soaked classics, get hyped, because the newest imagining of Brian De Palma’s 1976 “Carrie” is set to be released on March 13 of 2013.

Yeah it’s a long ways off, but the initial casting decision of Chloe Grace Moretz for the titular character has me excited. That just leaves the question: Who will play Carrie’s evil mother? Rumor has it that both Jodie Foster and Julianne Moore have both been approached for the role, and either of those would me more than fine with me.

I mentioned earlier that Mondo posters would be releasing a special edition 2XLP vinyl of the “Drive” soundtrack later this year.

Well, before they put that out they’ve decided to wet our appetites with a special edition run of Fabio Frizzi’s stunning soundtrack for Lucio Fulci’s “The Beyond”. It’ll be a 180 gram LP limited to 1500 copies (500 of which come on clear turquoise vinyl) and comes packaged in a beautiful gatefold jacket designed by Rob Jones. Imagine what it must’ve been like hearing this one 30+ years ago, especially as the backdrop to faces being melted by acid. The audio has been remastered for vinyl by James Plotkin. The official street date is May 22nd, but the online release may come sooner. It’s best to follow Mondo on Twitter, and keep an eye on Mondotees.com. I absolutely love these esoteric projects that Mondo does. And there’s always the promise of supremely dope album art to boot.

Here’s a fantastic review of “Cabin In The Woods”, which recently debuted at SXSW. I’ve been really excited to see how this one turned out. Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) tackled the concept and co-wrote the film. It’s basically a dissection of the sub-genre of cabin horror. Collider praised the film, giving it an A and calling it “-an exciting, exhilarating, and bloody means to a thoughtful, rewarding, and bloody end.” Read the full review here.

Last night I headed out to the Bijou to catch a relatively unknown flick called “Kill List”………and was blown away. Although I must say that I couldn’t fully wrap my mind around the movie the first time around, I definitely want to see it again to get a better understanding of the nuances of the visuals and characters. The film follows two ex-soldiers who have become contract killers after the end of the Iraq war. After a botched job they take an 8 year break from the paid assassination business. When money gets scarce though, they reunite and receive a contract to murder 3 men. The rest of the movie is a downward spiral into brutality, paranoia and madness.

It is most certainly NOT for everyone, but if you’re looking for a movie that will totally blindside you with its strangeness and violence (you may want to cover your eyes during the hammer scene), look no further. It was like watching “Pulp Fiction” if it were directed by David Lynch with a splash of “Boondock Saints”, an episode of “The Twilight Zone”, and the original “Wicker Man”. Basically a Psychological Thriller/horror/action/family drama. If you have a strong stomach, don’t hesitate to see this one. Even if you totally hate it, I guarantee you’ll have something to talk about with your friends afterwards.

“Kill List” began at the Bijou last night and runs until next Thursday, but may continue if it does well. Times for today are 1:30 and 9:10. Sunday and Monday at 9:10, and Tuesday-Thursday at 10:00. Highly recommended.