Slasher Saturday: Ranking The Deep Cuts From The 1980’s

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November 12, 2016

This Slasher Saturday Is All About Lesser Known 80’s Slashers!

Horror was ruled by the slasher genre in the 1980’s. Sure, there was some body horror films or creature features but there was an influx of masked slashers.

Everyone knows the major hits like ‘Friday The 13th‘ and ‘Nightmare On Elm Street‘ but what about the ones people don’t normally talk about?

Below is a list of some of the best of the little known horror hits!

Honorable Mentions:

–‘Terror Train’ (1980)

-‘Hell Night’ (1981)

–‘Return To Horror High’ (1987)

10. ‘Motel Hell’ (1980)

‘Motel Hell‘ is a name any 80’s movie buffs can recognize but it’s all about if you can tolerate the madness. That’s what really held this film back from becoming a massive mainstream hit. It’s just too gross for the normal cinema-goer. It’s on the Slasher Saturday list for being a movie many wish they didn’t know about.

9. ‘Maniac Cop’ (1989)

For being a brutal and niche horror film, ‘Maniac Cop‘ has sure built a legacy. With two sequels and an upcoming remake, this has to be one of the most successful B-movie slasher franchises. Starring Tom Atkins and Bruce Campbell, this is like the slasher genre’s attempt at cop dramas.

8. ‘Stage Fright’ (1987)

‘Stage Fright‘ has to be one of the more artsy films of this list. Inspired by giallo films, this Italian film stands out for all the best reasons. The theatrical setting feels inspired and the killer wears this insane bird mask and carries a chainsaw. Why is this not known by everyone!?

7. ‘April Fool’s Day’ (1986)

Number 7 was a toss up between ‘April Fool’s Day‘ and ‘Happy Birthday to Me‘ but this notable holiday horror is the best choice. ‘April Fool’s Day‘ bombed with the mainstream but became a cult classic almost instantly. It’s known for a twist ending and some of the most interesting slasher “kills” of all time.

6. ‘Slumber Party Massacre’ (1982)

Written like a parody but filmed like a straight genre piece, ‘Slumber Party Massacre” is unique. It feels exploitive of women but is directed by a woman. It’s an oddly empowering feminist film that was also insanely graphic. This is another film on the list that ended up with many sequels as well.

5. ‘Silent Night, Deadly Night’ (1984)

Christmas time was ruined for many kids in 1984. ‘Silent Night, Deadly Night‘ caused an uproar with parents about the use of Santa in the marketing. That leads to negative reviews and a poor box office performance. Somehow though, this Christmas horror movie lives on in the hearts of many slasher fans.

4. ‘Maniac’ (1980)

Why did ‘Maniac‘ work? Maybe fans were used to 70’s exploitation but this gross film has stood the test of time. ‘Maniac‘ reached cult-classic status and even spawned a fairly successful remake. Not bad for a little-known 1980 slasher movie. No 1980’s slasher could ever gets as dark as this movie does.

3. ‘The Prowler’ (1981)

After ‘Halloween‘ wrote the book on slashers and ‘Friday The 13th‘ made a new chapter, ‘The Prowler‘ learned from both of those movies. It came early in the slasher craze but feels more focused than the rest. It knew what to do and delivered solid horror. That’s why it makes it to the top 3!

2. ‘The Burning’ (1981)

With one of the creepiest killers in horror history, ‘The Burning‘ is overall one of the scariest slasher films ever. It happens to be another summer camp horror movie but it has the honor of being the first film released by Miramax Films. Some have said the movie feels dated but Tom Savini’s gore is still superb!

1. ‘Sleepaway Camp’ (1983)

The other big camp slasher movie is ‘Sleepaway Camp‘. Jason Voorhees-led ‘Friday The 13th‘ gets the fame but 1983’s ‘Sleepaway Camp‘ is by far the most subversive. Everything from the homoeroticism to the over-the-top acting, this feels so strange. And that’s not even mentioning that bizarre twist ending!

Do you agree with this listing of lesser known horror movies from the 80’s?

Let me know what you think about this week’s Slasher Saturday in the comments!

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1997 Horror-Comedy ‘Jack Frost’ Coming To Blu-ray This December

By

EJ Moreno

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November 12, 2016

Christmas Slasher ‘Jack Frost’ Gets 12/13 Release!

Film preservation company Vinegar Syndrome is releasing the Michael Cooney horror-comedy ‘Jack Frost‘ for the first time ever on Blu-ray! They have restored the film to 2K and added amazing extras.

It is now up for pre-order on Amazon right now by clicking here!

Check out the new cover-art below.

Special features for the Blu-ray includes:

Scanned and restored in 2k from 35mm vault elements
Commentary track with Director Michael Cooney
Introduction from Director Michael Cooney
Video interview with Lead Actor Scott MacDonald
Interview with Director of Photography Dean Lent

Synopsis:

“Serial killer is genetically mutated in car wreck on the way to his execution. After which, he becomes a murdering snowman hell-bent on revenge for the sheriff who caught him.”- via IMDB

It stars Scott MacDonald as the title character and Shannon Elizabeth in her debut film.

Will you be picking up ‘Jack Frost‘ on December 13th?

Let me know in the comments below!

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Alden Ehrenreich is “Excited” About Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian

By

Aric Sweeny

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November 11, 2016

In a recent interview, Han Solo actor Alden Ehrenreich talked to Variety about the recent casting of Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian in the untitled spinoff film.

Ehrenreich talked about his excitement regarding Glover’s casting.

“I’m allowed to say that I’m really excited about Donald Glover’s casting. I think he’s going to be great in the role because he’s such a talented and interesting guy. And I can say that Chewbacca’s in the film, although I know that’s not a huge spoiler”.

The actor then talked about seeing a potentially younger Chewbacca.

“He’s as much younger as I am in the film. So, I think he’s like 190 — or something — years old. I don’t think there’s a huge growth spurt for him from 190 to 210, so he’s probably about the same height.”

This is the first confirmation we’ve gotten that Chewie will in fact be in the movie, but that was a given; a film about Han Solo would be incomplete without his partner.

The untitled Han Solo spinoff film is slated to hit theaters on May 25, 2018.

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Robert Vaughn Passes Away But Leaves Behind Long Entertainment Legacy

By

Ruben Diaz

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November 11, 2016

The entertainment industry is a vast world of tens of thousands of actors, directors, producers, lighting techs, pyrotechnics teams, and beyond. Thousands of artists come and go, in and out of random movies and television shows, but some actors, they linger, sometimes for decades. They slip in and out of roles like chameleons and before you know it, that guy you think you just learned about is a longtime performer with a list of movies you’ve seen maybe once or twice. Today we lost Robert Vaughn, one of those venerable working actors who starred in in quite a few movies over his decades-long career.

Vaughn will be missed. But he left behind so many roles for viewers to enjoy for years and years to come. Here are five Robert Vaughn characters to watch!

The Magnificent Seven

The 1960 remake of Akira Kurosawa’s samurai epic received an American old-west makeover and went on to become a classic film all it’s own. Starring legends like Yule Brenner and Steven McQueen, it also included a young Robert Vaughn. Vaughn was fresh off an Oscar nomination for his previous work in The Philadelphians and a rising star. Vaughn’s Lee was a broken veteran looking for confidence. On a side-note, Vaughn was the last living member of The Magnificent Seven.

Superman III

Probably his best known modern pop culture role, Vaughn played Ross Webster, the antagonist in Superman 3. Webster was essentially a poor man’s Lex Luthor who never existed in the comics, but Vaughn played him with cheesy richness. Webster’s plan was to control the world’s oil AND, get this, coffee supplies and helped create a machine to kill Superman. That machine, of course, is built by Richard Pryor.

The A-Team

The 80s were a golden age of action TV shows, and one of the great hits was The A-Team. Vaughn was brought into the show in season five as a new character who oversaw or antagonized the gang of Robin Hood-like mercenaries. Here’s Robert Vaughn talking about working on The A-Team:

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Robert Vaughn’s most iconic role is that of Napoleon Solo in hit 1960s American TV series The Man From UNCLE. Vaughn’s character was a small-screen version of James Bond with the same sort of suave efficiency. UNCLE ran for four seasons but later reemerged as comics books in the 80s as well. During it’s run, several episodes of UNCLE included extra scenes shown in color at movie theaters.

BASEketball

In 1998, as South Park rose to power, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone wrote this weird little movie about a new sport that takes over the world. Part baseball, part basketball, the film is all comedy genius. Robert Vaughn stars as Cain, the owner of a team looking to increase his wealth and power in the fledgling league.

Robert Vaughn’s career on
stage and screen.

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Collingwood Brewery: Vintage Ale – An Old Fashioned Review

By

Michael Bedford

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November 11, 2016

I won’t go into detail here about The Collingwood Brewery: I already reviewed their Fireside Extra Special Bitter. Much like Collingwood Brewery’s ESB, their Vintage Ale is an award-winning Ontarian brew. Vintage Ale won Silver in the Honey Beer category at the 2016 Ontario Brewing Awards, behind Sleeman Honey Brown Lager.

Collingwood Brewery: Vintage Ale – First Sip

Collingwood Brewery’s Vintage Ale pours a cloudy golden colour. It has a good inch of foam at the top of the stemmed tulip glass that its can instructed me to drink this beer from. Specifically, I’m drinking this award-winning brew from an Éphémère glass that I haven’t had the opportunity to use for a long time.

Vintage Ale has a sweet smell that complements its malty, almost fruity taste. The bitterness of Vintage Ale’s Meaford-grown hops is understated. But, it’s still there, presenting more during the finish than it does upfront.

Vintage Ale’s moderate carbonation level and low viscosity level give it a mouthfeel that makes it surprisingly drinkable. Harvest ales and other seasonal brews often have thick mouthfeels, which this surprisingly strong 6.6% ABV brew avoids.

Collingwood Brewery: Vintage Ale – Last Sip

As with so many others, I entreat you to drink this beer from a glass, preferably the glass specified on the can. Its subtle aroma and thick layer of foam are best enjoyed this way. If you don’t have a stemmed tulip glass, try a flute rather than a standard pint glass. A pint glass will let the foam and aroma dissipate, whereas the tulip glass or flute will concentrate it.

Because of this brew’s malty taste, I suggest enjoying this beer with a savoury meal, like a steak and/or grilled vegetables. In terms of alcohol content, this is a beer that creeps up on you. With its surprisingly smooth taste and high alcohol content, it’s important to keep track of how many you’ve had.

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Three More Horror Sci-fi Films That Could Use A Remake

By

Conlan Murphy

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November 11, 2016

Several months ago I wrote an article about several old movies that could use a remake. (here) At the time I thought that was a rare thing. I thought most films were either classics or so bad as to be unredeemable. since I wrote the first article, I’ve realized that many movies could be great if remade correctly. There are plenty where just an outdated style is the only thing keeping a good story or a needed message from a modern audience. For instance, aside from film buffs who has actually watched any of the Dr. Mabuse series? Or early Hitchcock? I doubt very many. I am therefore amending my list of movies to add another three films to the list of in need of a remake.

The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari

The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari was released in 1919 and is very much a German film of the era, but it contains an enduring plot element: its title killer commits murders without being present for the crime. This is still a compelling mystery plot device and is used today in franchises like Death Note. Doctor Caligari’s power is hypnosis, which sadly, has fallen out of style in modern horror films, but could easily make a powerful comeback. The original was made with a vehemently anti-war, anti-propaganda social message which is still something that would resonate today in modern America. The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari is admittedly so old that most of the script would need to be rewritten dramatically, but the core concept and story would make for a great modern horror film.

2000 Leagues Under The Sea

Captain Nemo is one of literature’s great antiheroes and a compelling, powerful presence if written right. Yet there hasn’t been a decent and somewhat faithful adaptation of 20000 Leagues Under The Sea since Disney’s 1950s effort. Submarines are commonplace now and no longer fanciful advanced technology, but a madman in a submarine is still a powerful image. It was used in Season 2 of TNT’s The Last Ship with much success. Also, the popularity of the The Last Ship and we know submarine movies sell. Never the less 20000 Leagues Under The Sea needs to remain a period piece. The story only works in a setting where submarines are advanced technology. Audiences want to see more sci-fi period pieces, and action/adventure period pieces both are underrated sub-genres and fun to watch.

The Shadow

There has never been a successful film made from a retro pulp hero. This needs to change. With the recent adaptations of Tarzan and John Carter, early 20th-century action stories seem to be appealing. The Shadow is an iconic superhero. He’s a classic and compelling antihero who could be modernized fairly easily. The 1994 film, however, was a disaster. It was over the top without being a comedy or at least trying for camp. Alec Baldwin was the only name actor and was just wrong for the role. A serious, but campy adaptation of The Shadow — something in the style of a Marvel film — would be fun to see, and it would be an easy way to promote interest in other old pulp heroes like The Rocketeer and The Phantom.

This list is clearly not exhaustive. What are some movies you would like to see remade?

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Michael Bay, the Military, And 7 Great Movies To Watch On Veteran’s Day

By

Ruben Diaz

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November 11, 2016

It’s Veteran’s Day and no other director makes use of the military quite like Director Michael Benjamin Bay. Depending on the cinematic flavors you enjoy you either love or hate Bay’s work. To perfectly illustrate his polarization, the average Rotten Tomato score for Bay movies is 40 percent. He’s the Trump of filmmaking if you will. So, before we get started, I’d like to say that Michael Bay movies give me headaches. I call modern Hollywood “Michael Bay Hollywood” and think he makes the same vapid movies that are slavishly devoted to the Save the Cat formula. But … I also love Michael Bay. I wrote a short play about Michael Bay (100% true. If I had a relationship with Bay on Facebook, it would most certainly be complicated.

For those not familiar, or who have lived beneath rocks inside the hollow earth, Michael Bay is the mastermind behind the Bad Boys films, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, and the Transformers movies. Bay proudly says “I make movies for teenage boys. Oh, dear, what a crime.” And he’s right. There’s no crime or shame in the big, dumb, and loud movies he makes. They’re fun and undoubtedly draw people into theaters to the tune of billions.

A common theme in Michael Bay movies is his use of the United States military. Bay has a close relationship with the armed forces and so his often global-spanning films feature planes, tanks, and other weapons of war in ways few movies even dream.

In honor of Veteran’s Day … here are seven great films to watch featuring the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines NOT directed by Michael Bay. Remember, I did say that his movies give me headaches.

Top Gun – 1986

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAfbp3YX9F0

Military-focused movies were big in the 80s and this one is a must-watch on Veteran’s Day. Cruise plays Maverick, a hotshot pilot in a program for the best-of-the-best. Directed by Tony Scott, it has a little something for everyone including a love story and possibly a love triangle if you believe some interpretations. The action scenes are a little dated, but the film is no less fun to watch and absurdly quotable.

Hunt For Red October – 1990

The first film in the now long legacy of Jack Ryan movies. The Hunt For Red October is tense, gripping, and arguably the least Michael Bay type of movie on this list. The film provides a look at Cold War era politics. An American CIA analyst played by Alec Baldwin tries to convince United States officials that Sean Connery’s Russian submarine captain is defecting and not trying to start a nuclear war.

Independence Day – 1996

As the Michael Bay era of Hollywood was on the verge of beginning, Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin handled the big, dumb, and loud movies. ID4, as it’s known, is the ultimate action movie for Fourth of July but it also fits nicely as a Veteran’s Day salute to the brave soldiers who fight wars. If humans survive long enough, we will need to take on some alien scum sooner or later.

Three Kings – 1999

An unlikely cast of Ice Cube, Mark Walberg, Spike Jonez, and George Clooney are at the heart of this unsung hero of a war movie. David O. Russell crafted an action-comedy laced with social commentary about war and politics. The film follows four soldiers on a mission to take gold from Saddam Hussein following the chaos of the early 90s Persian Gulf War. The self-serving mission turns into a chance for the soldiers to prove who the good guys truly are in the fight for freedom.

Black Hawk Down – 2001

Ridley Scott’s career is a treasure trove of movies that are both visually arresting and thematically gripping. Scott’s Black Hawk Down follows the true accounts of a group of soldiers who crash-land in the middle of war-torn Mogadishu. A star-studded cast fights to survive the ensuing chaos. Scott and cinematographer Sławomir Idziak, clearly inspired by Spielberg and Janusz Kamiński’s work in Saving Private Ryan, adapt the impactful visual style for modern day warfare.

Zero Dark Thirty – 2012

Kathryn Bigelow has two films in her filmography centered on the military: The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. Both of them are fantastic. If you want a little less political commentary, then The Hurt Locker is a better choice. But Zero Dark Thirty is the one that follows the actual story of the raid that took out the most notorious terrorist in the world — Osama Bin Laden. The film does pull punches when it comes to thoughts on torture and terrorism.

Honorable Mention: Navy SEALs – 1990

Pure early 90s action awesome. Navy SEALs stars Michael Bien, Charlie Sheen, and Bill Paxton as classic manly men Navy Seals who drink and party and kick ass. A mission to save a downed aircrew takes the rag-tag team into a war zone and a fight for their lives. The film features a classic montage sequence and this cheesetastic song from Mr. Big. Pure joy for a happy Veteran’s Day movie marathon.

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Dave Roman’s Astronaut Academy Being Adapted For Film And Television

By

Jonathan Bruce

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November 11, 2016

Just imagine the idea of “Hogwarts in space.” No, this is not a Harry Potter spin-off.

This is the premise of Dave Roman’s Astronaut Academy comic book series. Also, it is the latest project of producer Vivek Tiwary.

According to Tiwary, he became interested in Astronaut Academy upon learning the film rights were available. “As soon as I realized it hadn’t been scooped up, I said [to Dave], ‘I would love to do this and I would love to do this with you.”

In a Publisher’s Weekly interview, Tiwary admits to being a huge comic book fan. He’s also the author of the graphic novel The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story. The book is being adapted to a television series for Sonar Entertainment. Tiwary is producing the series and writing the screenplay.

“I’m one of those producers who wants to work very closely with the creators of the source material,” Tiwary says. “Dave is a super cool guy with super cool ideas.”

As it stands, Astronaut Academy has many options at this point, because it could be done in live-action or animation. Although the property is still in development, Tiwary is considering which direction to take the franchise.

“It could be live action, it could be animated, it could be a TV show, it could be a feature film,” he explains. “If you read the source material, there is a version of this that is really goofy for little kids and a version that could be more mature, for teenagers.”

Tiwary remains excited for the future of Astronaut Academy. “We have a strong point of view but we are keeping our options open.”

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Warner Brothers Confident With Geoff Johns Partnership

By

Jonathan Bruce

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November 11, 2016

Zack Snyder Geoff Johns — Zack Snyder and Geoff Johns are two of the DCEU’s head honchos

Warner Brothers is trying to build the DC Extended Universe, and Geoff Johns is a major part of it.

According to the New York Times, Kevin Tsujihara, the studio chief executive, says he is confident about the future. While Batman v Superman got mixed reviews, it is profitable with audiences worldwide. Suicide Squad also has divisive reviews, but the box office returns are one of the year’s highest. The total gross for both films is $1.6 billion.

“Quietly, we’ve been having an amazing year,” Tsujihara says. “The narrative, over all, has not reflected that.”

Johns, the DC Chief Creative Officer, has a major role to play in the DC Extended Universe. Recently, he and Jon Berg are now in charge of developing Warner Brothers’ superhero films. Zack Snyder also has a hands-on role as a director and a producer. As Dark Horizons reports, Tsujihara is confident that these decisions will please the fans.

Regarding the the DCEU’s mixed reviews, Tsujihara points out the studio strives for . “People overlook our consistency,” he says. “The thing that really makes me confident is that I’ve seen Wonder Woman, and it’s great.”

geoff johns simon baz Green Lantern — Perhaps the Green Lantern reboot will be even better than last time around.

Despite this optimism, it is worth noting the majority of Time Warner’s success comes from the television department. Game Of Thrones, Westworld and The Big Bang Theory are among the biggest series. According to Time Warner, these shows generate more than $1 billion per year. In addition, AT&T became the owner of Time Warner for $85 billion, which could be a sign of things to come.

Could Westworld be HBO’s flagship show after Game of Thrones‘ last two seasons?

The studio is planning for its upcoming slate of new movies. Fantastic Beasts is set for release on November 18th. So far, it is tracking to be a bit hit. Kong: Skull Island will come to theatres next spring.

Meanwhile, the DC Extended Universe continues to grow. Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman will arrive on June 2, 2017. Snyder’s Justice League is set for November 17, 2017.

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Jessica Chastain Will Be ‘Painkiller Jane’

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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November 11, 2016

Jessica Chastain is set to star in, and produce, an adaptation of the graphic novel series Painkiller Jane.

The popular graphic novel series will get the film treatment, and here’s a layout of the story from Deadline for anyone unfamiliar:

Chastain… will play Jane Vasko, a New York City street cop who gets recruited by the FBI to infiltrate a major NYC drug and human trafficking ring. In a near death experience, Jane develops exceptional regenerative abilities that give her a unique indestructible advantage. With nothing to live for and no way to die, Painkiller Jane becomes an unstoppable force of nature seeking revenge to those who destroyed her life as she leaves a path of death and destruction in her wake.

The series, from Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada, seems tailor-made for a tough female star. Chastain will be a perfect fit.

There are no further details on Painkiller Jane regarding co-stars, a director, or release date. Stay tuned for those as we get them.

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