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| FEO NEWS FOR SUMMER 2026: - AUGUST - The detritus of old Horror/Thriller history can be found here. These are archived news items, many of them linked outside of this website. |
YOU DUG IT
1. SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY holds onto #1 for 5 weeks in a row! In! A! Row! 4. INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER stumbles from last weekend's #2 position with a huge 60% loss in ticket sales despite no screen cuts. The Numbers and Box Office Mojo are reporting this movie with significant differences as BOM reports this moive as placing at 5 with a 70% loss in box office. 4. THE DOG STARS debuts with a weak weekend opening of $19 million against a Production budget of $110 million. The reversal here is that The Numbers places this at 5. 6. BUDDY debuts with a North American only box office of $5 million. Distributor, Roadside Attractions, did not release the Production budget figures. 7. THE END OF OAK STREET stumbles another two places down from last weekend's #5 with a 43% drop in ticket sales against a 555 screen cut. Bubbling Under 13. IT ENDS leapt up from the depths of 5 screens last weekend as distributor Neon negotiated an additional 335, which helped it gain more attention, earning a 1,081% box office increase over last weekend.
You Buried It 14. TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA only got one weekend to make the Top Ten and fell off almost immediately. WIth a world wide box office of just over 6.5 million and distributor MUBI not releasing the Production budget figures, its unlikely that this movie broke even, let alone made a profit. Figures calibrated from reporting by Box Office Mojo and The Numbers. Should there be differences between the two, I err on the side of caution and post the most positive numbers. And - Cheers to the Early Halloweeners! I don't know what its like in your state, but in Texas, Lowe's puts out the Halloween decorations in June long before At Home has its first morning coffee and before Spirit Halloween wakes up. Still its good to see my fellow Texans rise to the holiday, and as I was doing my shopping chores over the weekend, I spied this guy chilling in his Army Camo-Green Jeep.
His name is Brandon Morgan and he drives all over Houston, months ahead of the Halloween, spreading Good Holiday Fear! What the Army calls Military Preparedness!
Before I returned Brandon to his life, I asked if there was anything he'd like to say to all you Feo Fans. He said, "Be kind, be yourself, don't be afraid to be a little unique. What would the world be without all the different flavors?" Plus - C.H.U.D. is 42
On the poster it says C.H.U.D. stands for Cannabalistic Humanoid Underground Dweller. Those who have watched the movie know what those letters really stand for and that misdirection is just one of the many clever ways this movie surprises you, knows your expectations, and goes against them in a manner most Chuddly. It's only part of the fun of C.H.U.D. Plus - A Quarter Century of JEEPERS CREEPERS
As retro as it wants to be. In the same vein of 1960s monster movie mayhem as classics like CRITTERS and TREMORS, this is why JEEPERS CREEPERS remains a must see! Finale - HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO - SUNDAY -
Actor Eldon Henson (JAWS: THE REVENGE, IDLE HANDS, EVIL ALIEN CONQUERORS, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, DEJA VU, RISE: BLOOD HUNTER, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY Part 1 & 2, THE DEFENDERS [TV], DAREDEVIL [TV], DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN [TV]) is 50. FRANKENSTEIN DAY!
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AUG! 28 |
HOUSE 2 is 39
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, New Line Cinema, like 20th Century Fox, had a horrible track record of butchering every single successful franchise they started (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, CRITTERS, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, JASON [their contracted buyout ownership of the FRIDAY THE 13th franchise from Paramount]).
By the late 1990s NLC boss, Robert Shaye began a different approach, shepherding surprise hit, BLADE toward a successful future sequel. So when Peter Jackson came to him in this era, with the idea of making the books of THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy as two movies, Shaye suggested making the book trilogy a movie trilogy. When Peter wanted to shoot them all at once, Shaye agreed, upping Jackson's projected $160 million budget for 2 movies into $300 million for three.
Over 20 years later to date, THE LORD OF THE RINGS remains the most successful trilogy New Line Cinema ever made, but there were so many other franchise opportunities that fell by the wayside by the second movie, including HOUSE 2.
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Billy Boyd (URBAN GHOST STORY, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, SEED OF CHUCKY, DOMINATOR X, GLENN, DOROTHY AND THE WITCHES OF OZ, SPACE MILKSHAKE, MARA AND THE FIREBRINGER, BEYOND METAL, OUTLANDER [TV], AN INTRUSION) is 57.
Producer, Director David Fincher (ALIEN3, SE7EN, THE GAME, PANIC ROOM, ZODIAC, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, HOUSE OF CARDS [TV], MIND HUNTER [TV], LOVE DEATH AND ROBOTS [TV], THE KILLER) is 64.
Actor Kelly Overton (BREAKING DAWN, THE RING TWO, DESPERATION, THE COLLECTIVE, IN MY SLEEP, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST [TV 2012-2016], TRUE BLOOD [TV], VAN HELSING [TV], IN MY SLEEP) is 48.
Actor Sarah Roemer (WRISTCUTTERS: A LOVE STORY, THE GRUDGE 2, DISTURBIA, ASYLUM, LOCKED IN, THE EVENT [TV], MANHATTAN UNDYING,DEADLY HOLLYWOOD OBSESSION, ALGORITHM: BLISS) is 42.
Actor Brian Thompson (THE TERMINATOR, COBRA, WEREWOLF [TV], ALIEN NATION, FRIGHT NIGHT PART 2, NIGHTWISH, MOON 44, HIRED TO KILL, IN THE COLD OF THE NIGHT, DOCTOR MORDRID, STAR TREK: GENERATIONS, KINDRED: THE EMBRACED [TV], MORTAL COMBAT: ANNIHILATION, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER [TV], THE GUARDIAN, THE X-FILES [TV], CHARMED [TV], FLIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE ARCADIAN, DARK GAMES, AN AMERICAN TERROR, DISAPPEARANCE, HOAX, MADE VICIOUS, THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH, BA) is 67.
Look for Brian in the upcoming 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Horror Thriller, MADE VICIOUS.
UPDATE: The death of co-lead, Tom Sizemore in March of 2023 put MADE VICIOUS in a deeper limbo than it was. Already a low budget feature when it began production in 2017 (it's original release was set for Nov. 7, 2017), its had difficulty securing completion funding and whether it ever comes out remains to be seen.
Fortunately this doesn't happen often, but if there is no set release date by Nov. 7, 2026 I'll consider it moribund and remove it from further updates.
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AUG! 27 |
DOCTOR X Turns 94
To this day this movie is so wild and off the wall it can compete with modern Japanese movies. Back in its day, Warner Bros. made it to grab a piece of that Universal Monsters box office. They had no monsters of their own so instead of just making a new one or finding one from historical myth, they went with cannabalism! This movie is so whacked out it wound up as part of a song in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. This is the nutso factor Horror known as DOCTOR X.
And -
On This Day in 1999 Two Movies Opened on the Same Weekend
THE 13th WARRIOR is 27
This was a troubled production. The usually reliable Director, John McTiernan (PREDATOR), turned in a finished movie that the studio deemed "unwatchable". Author Michael Crichton (also producer) felt forced to step in, take over, and direct most of the reshoots of the film.
Original composer Graeme Revell (THE CROW, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN) composed a movie soundtrack that accentuated the McTiernan version, and so had to be scrapped. Crichton hired Jerry Goldsmith (PLANET OF THE APES, THE OMEN, COMA, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL, POLTERGIEST, PSYCHO II, GREMLINS, LEVIATHAN, STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT, DEEP RISING, THE MUMMY [1999], THE HAUNTING [1999]) to compose for the "new" movie. From Michael Crichton's novel, Eaters of the Dead, starring Antonio Banderas, this is what eventually became of THE 13th WARRIOR.
THE ASTRONAUT'S WIFE is 27
Does a smooth sailing Production make for a better movie?
The troubled Michael Crichton picture faced off against the untroubled pre-Pirate Johnny Depp and pre-Furiosa Charlize Theron, in the Science Fiction Horror movie, THE ASTRONAUT'S WIFE.
Plus -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Tiffany Boone (DETENTION, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, THE FOLLOWING [TV], THE CURSE OF DOWNERS GROVE, HUNTERS, THE MIDNIGHT SKY, NINE PERFECT STRANGERS [TV]) is 38.
Actor Peter Mensah (STRIKING POSES, BRUISER, BLESS THE CHILD, A NERO WOLFE MYSTERY [TV], JASON X, CONVICTION [TV], CYPHER, 300 [both], THE INCREDIBLE HULK, AVATAR, TRUE BLOOD [TV], TRANSFORMERS PRIME [TV], SLEEPY HOLLOW [TV], AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., THE SCORPION KING: BOOK OF SOULS, MIDNIGHT TEXAS [TV], DEPARTURE [TV], SNAKE EYES, HYPOCHONDRIAC, THE DEVIL CONSPIRACY, RISE, TRUST) is 68.
Writer Drew Silver (THE VAMPIRE WITHIN [series]) is 49.
Actor Reece Shearsmith (P.R.O.B.E.: THE DEVIL OF WINTERBORNE, AUTON, AUTON 2, BIRTHDAY GIRL, THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN [TV], SHAUN OF THE DEAD, THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN'S APOCALYPSE, MARPLE: ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE, THE COTTAGE, BURKE & HARE, PSYCHOVILLE [TV], A FIELD IN ENGLAND, THE WORLD'S END, HIGH-RISE, BORLEY RECTORY, INSIDE No. 9 [TV], IN THE EARTH, FOUNDATION [TV], SEE HOW THEY RUN, SALTBURN) is 57.
Actor Peter Stormare (FARGO, THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK, MERCURY RISING, 8MM, BRUISER, MINORITY REPORT, BIRTH, CONSTANTINE, 2001 MANIACS, THE BROTHERS GRIMM, UNKNOWN, PREMONITION, INSANITARIUM, HORSEMEN, THE KILLING ROOM, DYLAN DOG: DEAD OF NIGHT, MARIANNE, FALSE TRAIL, INSEPERABLE, LOOKOUT, HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS, BAD MILO, THE ZERO THEOREM, AUTUMN BLOOD, CLOWN, DARK SUMMER, RUPTURE, JOHN WICK CHAPTER 2, BLACK WIDOWS [TV], V.I.P., BEYOND THE SKY, CASTLEVANIA [TV], THE POISON ROSE, AMERICAN GODS [TV], HORROR NOIRE, THE BOX, THE RITUAL KILLER, DAY SHIFT) is 68.
Look for Peter in the upcoming 2024, 2025, 2026, UPDATE: CONSTANTINE 2, after being in production for years, has been pushed all the way back to PRre-Procution and what's been shot may never see the light of day.
Actor Alexa PenaVega (TWISTER, THE GLIMMER MAN, SPYKIDS [all], REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA, HELIX, THE MINE, MOTHER'S DAY, THE DEVIL'S CARNIVAL, ABANDONED MINE, THE CLOCKWORK GIRL, BR/1BA, WICKED BLOOD, THE REMAINING, SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR, ROOMMATE WANTED, THE MURDER PACT, PICTURE PERFECT MYSTERIES [all]) is 38.
Look for Alexa in the upcoming Horror, BOOT LAKE.
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AUG! 26 |
DOLLY PARTON and TIM CURRY, both 80, Died This Week
Was I bummed yesterday? Yes. But on the other hand
Little Grey, the stray who adopted us about 8 months ago, had her babies today.
It means nothing to the world, of course, just me.
And -
Terry Gilliam's THE BROTHERS GRIMM is 24
At long last Terry Gilliam returned to Fantasy, but this was no historian myth of TIME BANDITS or dystopian myth of BRAZIL. This is THE BROTHERS GRIMM.
Plus -
THE CAVE is also 24
THE BROTHERS GRIMM and this movie opened on the same weekend in the same year and both featured Lena Headey! Head to heady, which one won the weekend?
Both? Neither?
This is how Kelly Parks saw THE CAVE.
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Mike Colter (SALT, RINGER [TV], MEN IN BLACK 3, AMERICAN HORROR STORY [TV], HALO: NIGHTFALL, THE FOLLOWING [TV], THE DEFENDERS [TV], JESSICA JONES [TV], LUKE CAGE [TV], EXTINCTION, SEIS MANOS [TV], FATALE, EVIL [TV]) is 50.
Look for Mike in the upcoming 2027 Horror, THE CASKET GIRLS.
Writer, Producer, Director Andy Muschietti (MAMA, IT [2017], IT: CHAPTER 2, LOCKE & KEY [TV], IT: WELCOME TO DERRY [TV], THEY WILL KILL YOU) is 51.
Actor Dylan O'Brien (THE MAZE RUNNER [all], AMERICAN ASSASSIN, TEEN WOLF [TV], BUMBLEBEE, FLASHBACKLOVE AND MONSTERS, INFINITE, THE OUTFIT, CADDO LAKE, SEND HELP) is 35.
Actor Chris Pine (CONFESSION, STAR TREK [2009 - all], CARRIERS, UNSTOPPABLE, JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT, INTO THE WOODS, Z FOR ZACHARIAH, A WRINKLE IN TIME, I AM THE NIGHT [TV], ALL THE OLD KNIVES, DON'T WORRY DARLING, POOLMAN) is 46.
Look for Chris in the September 13, 2026 Thriller, ALPHA GANG, starring Cate Blanchett (THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, THE GIFT), Dave Bautista (BLADE RUNNER 2049, HOTEL ARTEMIS), and Lily-Rose Depp (NOSFERATU).
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AUG! 25 |
A Quarter Century of GHOSTS OF MARS
It's 2001. John Carpenter had major stumbles with 1992's Memoirs Of An Invisible Man, 1995's VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, and 1996's ESCAPE FROM L.A. But VAMPIRES was a promising uptick from the depths and his fans were eager to see John Carpenter's GHOSTS OF MARS.
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer / Director / Producer Tim Burton (BEETLEJUICE, BATMAN, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, ED WOOD, MARS ATTACKS!, SLEEPY HOLLOW, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, PLANET OF THE APES [2001], THE CORPSE BRIDE, SWEENEY TODD, 9, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, DARK SHADOWS, ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, FRANKENWEENIE, MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN, ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, WEDNESDAY [TV], BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE) is 67.
Composer Harry Manfredini (THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, THE KIRLIAN WITNESS, FRIDAY THE 13TH [all], THE CHILDREN, THE RETURNING, ZOMBIE ISLAND MASSACRE, HOUSE, HOUSE II, DEEPSTAR SIX, WISHMASTER, HIDDEN AGENDA, THE OMEGA CODE, ENDANGERED SPECIES, GOING TO PIECES: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SLASHER FILM, DEAD AND GONE, DARK DESIRE, HANSEL & GRETEL: WARRIORS OF WITCHCRAFT, IMMORTAL KISS: QUEEN OF THE NIGHT, KNOCK 'EM DEAD, CANNIBALS, A BLOOD STORY, MY STEPBROTHER IS A VAMPIRE?, and way more) is 82.
Look for Harry's music in the upcoming 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 Horror Thriller, THE MANGLED. Also in 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, THE ULTIMATE THROWDOWN.
Actor John Savage (THE KILLING KIND, THE AMATEUR, SALVADOR, CARIBE, VOICE IN THE DARK, DOOR TO SILENCE, PRIMARY MOTIVE, KILLING OBSESSION, SHATTERED, THE DANGEROUS, CARNOSAUR 2, WHERE TRUTH LIES, LAST CUT, FIRESTORM, AMNESIA, HOSTILE INTENT, CLUB VAMPIRE, LOST SOULS [1998], GHOST SOLDIER, CHRISTINA'S HOUSE, THEY NEST, DEAD MAN'S RUN, DARK ANGEL [TV], INTOXICATING, ALIEN LOCKDOWN, FALLACY, CARNIVALE [TV], THE DROP, THE ATTIC, FROM A PLACE OF DARKNESS, DREAMKILLER, DEMON LEGACY, A SIERRA NEVADA GUNFIGHT, DEMON LEGACY, ALIEN RISING, 7E, AWAKENED, SPREADING DARKNESS, NEPHILIM, GATES OF DARKNESS, INSIGHT, LOCKDOWN, and way more) is 76.
Musician Gene Simmons (Music: KISS everything including PSYCHO CIRCUS. Movies: KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK, RUNAWAY, TRICK OR TREAT) is 76.
Actor Alexander Skarsgård (THE DIVER, WHITE WATER FURY, EXIT, METROPIA, TRUE BLOOD [TV], MELANCHOLIA, STRAW DOGS, BATTLESHIP, THE EAST, DISCONNECT, HIDDEN, MUTE, THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT, HOLD THE DARK, THE STAND [TV], GODZILLA VS KING KONG, THE NORTHMAN, INFINITY POOL, MURDERBOT [TV]) is 50.
Look for Alexander in the October 30, 2026 release of WICKER. And in 2027, THE WOLF WILL TEAR YOUR IMMACULATE HANDS.
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AUG! 24 |
YOU DUG IT
Good 2 Know: Any weekend box office drop of less than 50% is good. Any weekend B.O. drop smaller than 30% of the previous is excellent.
General Rules:
A. Theaters get approximately 50% of the gross in North American B.O. (negotiable).
B. Distributors omitting Production budget figures believe the movie will under perform.
C. Total gross by the 3rd weekend accounts for at least half of movie's total theater ticket sales regardless of length of stay.
D. After the 3rd weekend, as screens drop, theater 50/50 B.O. split rises about 10% each weekend, favoring the theater, until it stops at 80/20 (negotiable).
1. SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY In its 4th weekend and on top of last weekend's 51% drop in ticket sales, this movie suffered a milder 45% loss this weekend against theaters despite a 533 loss in screens. That said, the first weekend earning was so massive that, despite that 60% loss in the 2nd weekend, And the 51% loss the next, that was every other movie's NORMAL opening weekend. SPIDER-MAN may reach the 2.5 Billion mark before it leaves the Top Ten.
2. INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER the 6th movie in the franchise proves Leigh Whannel and James Wan's iconic view of Horror remains strong as ever. It's also created a wonderful boost to the careers of Patrick Wilson (HARD CANDY, WATCHMEN) and multi-generational Horror Queen, Lynn Shay (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, CRITTERS, Wes Craven's NEW NIGHTMARE, 2001 MANIACS, SNAKES ON A PLANE). In only its first weekend, its made over 3 times its Production Budget. So yeah, no matter what happens now, there's going to be a 7th movie.
5. THE END OF OAK STREET stumbles two places down from last weekend's #3 with a 58% drop in ticket sales despite adding 32 more screens.
10. TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA spent the last two weeks bubbling under the Top Ten before finally ascending with an increase of 982 screens, causing a 113% gain in box office. This movie rises from its position at #17 last weekend.
Bubbling Under
25. IT ENDS from NEON opened on only 5 screens but made over $12,000 per screen, beating even SPIDER-MAN's per screen average. I grant you, 25 place is bubbling WAY under, but we'll see what NEON can do with adding screens.
You Buried Nothing This Weekend
Figures calibrated from reporting by Box Office Mojo and The Numbers. Should there be differences between the two, I err on the side of caution and post the most positive numbers.
And -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer Matt Cardin (DIVINATIONS OF THE DEEP) is
55.
Actor Rupert Grint (HARRY POTTER [all], INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS, SERVANT [TV], THE ABC MURDERS [TV], KNOCK AT THE CABIN) is 36.
Look for Rupert in the upcoming 2026 Thriller, NIGHTBORN.
Actor Jared Harris (NATURAL BORN KILLERS, NADJA, LOST IN SPACE, TRANCE, I LOVE YOUR WORK, RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE, LADY IN THE WATER, FROM WITHIN, THE WARD, FRINGE [TV], SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS, THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES, THE QUIET ONES, POLTERGIEST [2015], THE EXPANSE [TV], THE TERROR [TV], CHERNOBYL [TV], CARNIVAL ROW [TV], FOUNDATION [TV], MORBIUS, THE SEA BEAST, FOUNDATION [TV], REAWAKENING) is 64.
Look for Jared in the upcoming October 2025 Thriller, Kathryn Bigelow's A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE.
Writer / Director Takashi Miike (FULL METAL YAKUZA, AUDITION, DEAD OR ALIVE, MPD: PSYCHO, VISITOR Q, ICHI THE KILLER, GOZU, ONE MISSED CALL, ZEBRAMAN, THREE ... EXTREMES, IZO, DEMON POND, ULTRAMAN MAX, THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, Masters of Horror: IMPRINT, SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO, CROWS ZERO, GOD'S PUZZLE, CROWS ZERO II, LESSON OF THE EVIL, SHIELD OF STRAW, FIRST LOVE, THE GREAT YOKAI WAR: GUARDIANS!, LUMBERJACK THE MONSTER, and way freakin' more!) is 65.
SUNDAY -
Writer Roger Avary (RESERVOIR DOGS, KILLING ZOE, PULP FICTION, MR. STITCH, SILENT HILL, BEOWULF) is 61.
Actor Aaron Douglas (FINAL DESTINATION 2, X2, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, I, ROBOT, WHITE NOISE, THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, BLOOD: A BUTCHER'S TALE, KILLER MOUNTAIN, GHOST STORM, DEATH DO US PART, KILLER MOUNTAIN, HEMLOCK GROVE [TV], THE RETURNED [TV], DEATH AL DENTE, THE MONSTER, DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY [TV], TODD AND THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, IN PLAIN VIEW, MYSTERY 101: PLAYING DEAD, KILLBIRD, VAN HELSING [TV], THUNDERBIRD, MOTHERLAND: FORT SALEM [TV], THE WATCHFUL EYE [TV], DOUBLE LIFE, MUDER IN A SMALL TOWN [TV]) is 56.
Actor Vera Miles (BEYOND THIS PLACE, THE WRONG MAN, PSYCHO,
THE UNKNOWN [TV], THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, A HOWLING IN THE WOODS [TV], BAFFLED!, RUNAWAY!, TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, PSYCHO II, BRAINWAVES, THE INITIATION, SEPARATE LIVES) is 97.
Writer / Director Chan-wook Park (ANARCHISTS, GONGDONG GYEONGBI GUYEOK JSA, SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGENCE, OLDBOY, SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGENCE, THREE EXTREMES, BAKJWI, THIRST, STOKER, I'M A CYBORG BUT THAT'S OKAY, THE TRUTH BENEATH, THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL [TV], SNOWPIERCER [TV], DECISION TO LEAVE) is 61.
Actor Ray Park (X-MEN, SLAYER, HELLBINDERS, HEROES [TV], JINN, ACCIDENT MAN) is 52.
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM Turns 65
Looking back a half century or more, audiences are likely to look at Vincent Price's body of work through a romantic lens. Compared to today he made "Comfort Horror", right?
Well that's a point of view. As with any artist, some of his movies are stronger than others and, after 60 years, Vincent's Roger Corman movie, the end of THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, may still be a bit too strong for a family film.
GODZILLA 1985 turns 41
By 1985 the original 1954 GOJIRA, despite all of its immense popularity in the U.S.A., remained unreleased.
So Toho made the decision to bring back an actor who was never in the original GOJIRA, only the U.S.A. edit. To Toho's utter surprise the all new GODZILLA Did Not live up to their lofty expectations.
This is what happened to GODZILLA 1985 on the way to America.
THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU is 30
By 1995, Academy Award winning actor Marlon Brando's haughty and cantankerous attitude on and off the set was well known, for decades. He was one of those actors who, like Sean Connery and others, would quixotically decide to dismiss you and ruin your life (who knows his reasons? Marlon probably didn't know). Getting on his good side was a crap shoot and whatever Director Richard Stanley (HARDWARE, THE COLOR OUT OF SPACE) did to get on his bad side got him fired. Stanley was replaced with well-respected veteran Director, John Frankenmeimer (THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, PROPHECY), who fared no better with Brando. By that time the studio had enough and saved what little they could from his performance.
The late Val Kilmer had some hilarious stories about working with Brando, but Kelly Parks just sticks to his review of the movie THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU.
SATURDAY -
Actor Richard Armitage (FROZEN [2005], MI-5 [TV], CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY [all], BLACK SKY, THE CRUCIBLE, HANNIBAL [TV], ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, SLEEPWALKER, BERLIN STATION [TV], THE LODGE, THE STRANGER [TV], CASTEVANIA [TV], STAY CLOSE [TV], THE MAN FROM ROME, DAMAGE OBSESSION [TV], RED EYE [TV]) is 54.
Look for Richard in the upcoming 2023 Mystery Suspense Thriller, .
Actor Ty Burrell (EVOLUTION, BLACK HAWK DOWN, DAWN OF THE DEAD [2004], DOWN IN THE VALLEY, FUR: AN IMAGINARY PORTRAIT OF DIANE ARBUS, NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, FAIR GAME) is 56.
Writer M.J. Euringer (various short stories including works in anthologies like Random Acts of Weirdness and Horrorfind) is 56.
Actor Colm Feore (IRON EAGLE II, THE SPIDER AND THE FLY, NIGHT SINS, FACE/OFF, HOSTILE WATERS, THE WRONG GUY, CREATURE [1998], THE LESSER EVIL, THE RED VIOLIN, STORM OF THE CENTURY, STRIKING POSES, CENTURY HOTEL, IGNITION, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS, POINT OF ORIGIN, PAYCHECK, HIGHWAYMEN, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, SECRET FILES OF THE INQUISITION [TV], CHANGELING, WARGAMES: THE DEAD CODE, 24: REDEMPTION, 24 [TV], THOR, THE BORGIAS [TV], REVOLUTION [TV], JACK RYAN: SHADOW ONE, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, REVERSION, PAINKILLERS, MEAN DREAMS, BUCKOUT ROAD, ANON, HIGHER POWER, GRETA, THE PRODIGY, THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY [TV], TRIGGER POINT, HUMANE, MATERNAL SHE CAME BACK, THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY [TV]) is 70.
Look for Colm in the upcoming 2027 Horror Thriller, MENACE.
Actor Courtney Gains (CHILDREN OF THE CORN, RATBOY, THE 'BURBS, SHADOW OF DOUBT, THE LANDLADY, KING COBRA, A CLEAN KILL, THE PHOBIC, ALIEN ENCOUNTER, SIBLING RIVALRY, RAVEN, THE ASCENT, THE QUIET ONES, DISCIPLINE, MIMESIS, THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, MY TRIP TO THE DARK SIDE, DARK CANYON, HALCYON, THE FUNHOUSE MASSACRE, TRAFFICKED, URBAN MYTHS, HELL'S KITTY, CORBIN NASH, CAMP COLDBROOK, DEADLY CRUSH, CANDY CORN, AWAIT THE DAWN, RIVER, HELLBLAZERS, HAUNTED: 333, AMERICAN BIGFOOT, THE HAUNTING OF MICHAEL BARROWS, INFERNAL, and way more) is 61.
Look for Courtney in the upcoming Horror comedy, OCTOBER 31st.
MIMIC is 27
All Horror fans have been there. You see a good movie but the trailer promised more. It's not a bad movie, but with only a little effort it could have been better: Good could have been great. It wouldn't have required more money for more special effects or more screen time. There's just that one moment where the movie went against its own logic. Where the characters needlessly, foolishly put themselves at risk.
Or maybe there were old worn out tropes that, despite being mocked in better movies for over 30 years, are played with serious gravitas: A hand on the shoulder, a cat suddenly leaping out, a foreground shadow moving past the screen with a sting of ridiculously loud noise from out of the silence.
Too many cheap Jump Scare "Boos!"
Nobody is ever scared by a cheap jump scare, only surprised at the loud noise.
If they'd only not shot, or at least cut out, all the inept, incompetent, and dreary bullshit that went nowhere. A few seconds here, there, a minute at most.
But they didn't and after it went into sequels, every subsequent movie magnified the worst and ignored the best.
Anyway, Guillermo Del Toro's MIMIC turns 26 today.
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AUG! 21 |
AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON is 45
There are some great Werewolf movies out there: THE HOWLING, GINGER SNAPS, DOG SOLDIERS and more. But this movie from John Landis, who doesn't even consider himself a Horror movie director, let alone a Master of Horror, remains a beautiful, compelling beast that is somehow able to be wonderfully unique even within the massive pantheon of Werewolf stories. If you still haven't seen AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, this is why you should.
And -
BLADE is 29
This is where it really started. This movie and year was the moment that Hollywood realized a Marvel Superhero movie could be a winner. New Line Cinema wasn't going to treat this like they treated THE MASK. The success of this movie made them take a different direction. They were going to make each sequel better, not cheap & trash them like Miramax did with THE CROW sequels.
This time it could work! This could be a franchise like James Bond! If they could just get three hits in a row they'd have their trilogy and could build on that!
All they needed was a lead actor who respected the character and the fans and at first, that's exactly what we got with BLADE.
Plus-
ONE HOUR PHOTO is 24
Robin Williams made plenty of comedies. If they were his recorded live stand-up, he was on solid ground. If they were narrative fiction, they were a crapshoot tilting toward more worse than better. This was especially true if Robin was the lead in the movie.
On the other hand, Robin had a chilling ability to bring the Creep factor and big time when the role called for it. This is why ONE HOUR PHOTO is worth the watch.
Also -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer Steve Alten (TRENCH, DOMAIN, RESURRECTION, GOLIATH, MEG [all], The LOCH, THE SHELL GAME) is 65.
Actor Carrie-Anne Moss (THE SOFT KILL, TERRIFIED, LETHAL TENDER, THE MATRIX, MEMENTO, RED PLANET, THE ANIMATRIX, THE MATRIX RE-LOADED, THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, SUSPECT ZERO, FIDO, DISTURBIA, UNTHINKABLE, SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D, COMPULSION, HUMANS [TV], THE BYE BYE MAN, JESSICA JONES [TV], TELL ME A STORY [TV], THE CLOCKWORK GIRL, THE MATRIX REDUCTIONS, THE ACOLYTE [TV], DIE ALONE) is 56.
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AUG! 20 |
THE EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING is 22
This is Director Renny Harlan's grown-up version of Chris Columbus' THE GOONIES. And like THE GOONIES, THE EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING isn't great, but its Good Enough.
And -
PIRANHA 3D is 16
It was a fun little disposable summer movie back in 2010. Telling though, that Joe Dante's original 1978 PIRANHA still sells so well at premium prices, was upgraded to 4K in 2022 and that's into at least its 2nd pressing, while the Regent of Remakes, Alexander Aja, still has his original 2011 pressing of PIRANHA 3D taking up warehouse space.
Plus -
BLOOD CONSCIOUS Turns 5
Like all good monsters, it came out of nowhere. Like all good Horror its finding its audience. Unfortunately, and despite doing well at film festivals, it never got the wide theatrical release it deserved. For the moment, the theater chain's loss is Tubi's gain.
This is BLOOD CONSCIOUS.
Also -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Colin Cunningham (THE X-FILES, DEAD FIRE, FIVE DESPERATE HOURS, THE 6TH DAY, ANTITRUST, Da VINCI'S INQUEST [TV], STARGATE SG-1 [TV], Da VINCI'S CITY HALL [TV], Masters of Horror: WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM, THE COLLECTOR [TV], THE ENTRANCE, STARGATE: CONTINUUM, CENTIGRADE, THE CRUSADER, FIREBALL, FALLING SKIES [TV], THE ELEVENTH VICTIM, FALLING SKIES: THE ENEMY WITHIN, NUMB, BLOOD DRIVE [TV], PREACHER [TV], BASHIRA, CURSE OF CROM: THE LEGEND OF HALLOWEEN, HE NEVER LEFT, CURSE OF CROM 2: CROM'S FURY) is 60.
Look for Colin in the 2026, 2027 Horror, LAST MOON.
Writer Maria Alexander (Various poems and short stories) is 100, but looks 20 years younger! Visit her at The Handless Poet.
Actor James Marsters (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER [TV], HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL [1999], STRANGE FREQUENCY 2, ANGEL [TV], SHADOW PUPPETS, TORCHWOOD [TV], HIGH PLAINS INVADERS, CAPRICA [TV], THREE INCHES [TV], WAREHOUSE 13 [TV], WITCHES OF EAST END [TV], RUNAWAYS [TV], ABRUPTIO, CURSES!, ISLA MONSTRO) is 64.
Actor John Noble (THE DREAMING, VIRTUAL NIGHTMARE, THE MONKEY'S MASK, THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], VOODOO LAGOON, FRINGE [TV], SLEEPY HOLLOW [TV], SALVATION [TV], ELEMENTARY [TV], SILENCIO, THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT, HOME INVASION [TV], SEVERANCE [TV], THE DEMON DISORDER, THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME [TV]) is 78.
Look for John in the upcoming 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 Thriller, NAMELESS. Also expected in 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 (?) UPDATE: GUARDIANS OF LUNA has slipped into the dreaded Production Unknown category.
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AUG! 19 |
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4 is 37.
Author Paul V. Wagelin reviewed all of Wes Craven's NIGHTMARE creations.
What was it like when audiences saw this movie in theaters for the first time?
Paul Was There! A NIGHTMARE ON ELMSTREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER, Directed by Renny Harlin (DEEP BLUE SEA, THE EXORCIST IV).
And -
RED EYE is 21
2005. That was the year when Wes Craven gave us RED EYE.
Plus -
13 Years of FRIGHT NIGHT
The first FRIGHT NIGHT is a classic for all the right reasons, but outdated 20th Century 1980's era plot devices hit a brick wall in the 21st Century's Information age of Internet. In the new Millennium, nobody needs to "find" a phone. Both still and video cameras, as well as sound recording, are in every phone and virtually everyone has one. Modern Vampires like Jerry had to make a big step up. Does it work? Read my review of FRIGHT NIGHT - 2011.
Also -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Greg Bryk (NEIL, LIVING DEATH, WEIRDSVILLE, THE ROBBER BRIDE, SHOOT 'EM UP, THE GATHERING [TV], GRINDSTONE ROAD, ReGENESIS [TV], THE INCREDIBLE HULK, SAW V, SCREAMERS: THE HUNTING, DOLAN'S CADILLAC, HAPPY TOWN, SAW 3D, RED: WEREWOLF HUNTER, IMMORTALS, UNLUCKY, JETT [TV], THE EXPANSE [TV], LOST & FOUND, CHANNEL ZERO [TV], THE HANDMAID'S TALE [TV], BITTEN [TV], V-WARS [TV], AD ASTRA, CODE 8, RABID [2019], DEPARTURE [TV], PARALLEL MINDS, BLOODTHIRSTY, TRIGGER POINT, CASCADE, SPIRIT IN THE BLOOD, FALSEHOOD) is 54.
Look for Greg in the upcoming 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 Thriller, SUPER DICKS, starring Michael Ironside (SCANNERS, TOTAL RECALL, TURBO KID) and Kim Coates (X-CHANGE, SILENT HILL).
Actor Kevin Dillon (REMOTE CONTROL, THE BLOB [1988], TRUE CRIME, STAG, HIDDEN AGENDA, MISBEGOTTEN, OUT FOR BLOOD, POSEIDON [2006], COMPULSION, THE THROWAWAYS, FRANK AND PENELOPE, HOT SEAT, WIRE ROOM, ON THE LINE) is 60.
Actor Martin Donovan (THE ROOK, NADJA, INSOMNIA, DARK SHADOWS [TV - 2005], THE QUIET, THE VISITATION, WIND CHILL, Masters of Horror: RIGHT TO DIE, THE DEAD ZONE [TV], GHOST WHISPERER [TV], THE ALPHABET KILLER, THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT, DURESS, UNTHINKABLE, SILENT HILL: REVELATION, NURSE 3D, THE LOTTERY [TV], ANT-MAN, BEYOND [TV], REMEMORY, AFTERMATH, FAHRENHEIT 451 [2018], COME TO DADDY, BIG LITTLE LIES [TV], NANCY DREW [TV], TENET, ARCHIVE 81 [TV], YOU'RE ALL GONA DIE) is 69.
Writer Jenny Orosel (THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS, NONE OF THIS IS REAL) is 52.
Horror writer John Passarella (ALL HEAVEN IN A RAGE, WITHER, WITHER'S
RAIN, KINDRED SPIRIT, SHIMMER, EXIT STRATEGY) who is 65.
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AUG! 18 |
GODZILLA 2000 is 26
Columbia Tri-Star Pictures had their own ideas for an Americanized Godzilla. They'd bring it up to date. Make it believably realistic like Steven Spielberg did with Michael Crichton's JURASSIC PARK.
And you know, that's a perfectly legitimate course to take with Godzilla. Providing of course, that you have some idea of what reality is and you aren't Dean Devlin or Roland Emmerich
BUT THEY WERE the Screenwriters, Producers, and Dean was the Director, so...
Despite excellent movie trailers that were made without any of Dean or Roland's "help", what we got was the face fart embarrassment of GODZILLA 1998.
That's when Toho Pictures asserted itself and got right to work on their OWN Godzilla movie. Cool! So Toho was going to make a realistic Godzilla movie and show those Hollywood idiots how its done?
HELL NO! Toho represents Japan! Their newest update would be Gonzo Bonkers to the freaking wall and that's what we got with GODZILLA 2000.
Plus -
This is the movie that went up against a Titan when it opened on the same weekend!
THE CELL is 26
This is one of my favorite movies, but I'm speaking as Feo Amante. My reviewer, Bram Stoker Award winning poet Linda Addison is not as easy to impress. This was her view of Director Tarsem Singh's THE CELL, starring Jennifer Lopez (ANACONDA), Vincent D'Onorfio (MEN IN BLACK, THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR), and Vince Vaughn (THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK).
Also -
SNAKES ON A PLANE is 20
Here is a movie that knows exactly what it is!
Samuel L. Jackson got it off the ground simply because he loved the title (he's been known to do that: Black Snake Moan, anyone?). Everyone from Producers to the Writer to the Director was ready for hilarious, stupid, fun.
Everyone except one crucial person.
Why on earth did Jackson treat SNAKES ON A PLANE so seriously?
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Christian Slater (SHERLOCK HOLMES [TV], TWISTED, THE NAME OF THE ROSE, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, HARD RAIN, MINDHUNTERS, PURSUED, ALONE IN THE DARK, HOLLOW MAN II, SLIPSTREAM, HE WAS A QUIET MAN, IGOR, MY OWN WORST ENEMY [TV], THE RIVER MURDERS, PLAYBACK, RITES OF PASSAGE, STRANDED, WAY OF THE WICKED, MR. ROBOT, THE SUMMIT, WE CAN BE HEROES, DOCTOR DEATH, LEGO STAR WARS: TERRIFYING TALES, INSIDE JOB [TV], PUSSY ISLAND BLINK TWICE, IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU) is 56.
Look for Christian in the 2027 Mystery Thriller, THE HOLE.
Actor Madeline Stowe (REVENGE, THE TWO JAKES, CLOSET LAND, UNLAWFUL ENTRY, BLINK, CHINA MOON, TWELVE MONKEYS, THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER, IMPOSTOR, OCTANE, RAINES [TV], REVENGE [TV], IT: WELCOME TO DERRY, I WILL FIND YOU) is 67.
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AUG! 17 |
YOU DUG IT
Good 2 Know: Any weekend box office drop of less than 50% is good. Any weekend B.O. drop smaller than 30% of the previous is excellent.
General Rules:
A. Theaters get approximately 50% of the gross in North American B.O. (negotiable).
B. Distributors omitting Production budget figures believe the movie will under perform.
C. Total gross by the 3rd weekend accounts for at least half of movie's total theater ticket sales regardless of length of stay.
D. After the 3rd weekend, as screens drop, theater 50/50 B.O. split rises about 10% each weekend, favoring the theater, until it stops at 80/20 (negotiable).
1. SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY In its 3rd weekend and on top of last weekend's 60% drop in ticket sales, this movie suffered another 51% loss this weekend against theaters adding another 52 screens. That said, the first weekend earning was so massive that, despite that 60% loss in the 2nd weekend, that was ever other movie's NORMAL opening weekend. For perspective, after you add this weekend's 51% drop against the 2nd weekend's 60% drop, you still wind up with a $70 million plus earning for this 3rd weekend. Which helped this latest SPIDER-MAN cross the $2 billion mark making 9 times its budget, which was already gargantuan.
3. THE END OF OAK STREET compared to such insanely successful movies in the one and two slot, it's amazing that this latest Horror movie was able to get any traction at all, but it brought in a healthy $8 million plus this weekend on 3,466 screens.
11. MINIONS AND MONSTERS after 7 weekends finally leaves the Top Ten having come kissing close to making a half billion and nearly 6 times its Production Budget. Not great, but certainly not bad, and the competition is fierce this summer, especially against Disney's own franchise One-Two Punch happening at the same time.
Bubbling Under
14. TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA, distributed by MUBI and directed by Jane Schoebrun (I SAW THE TV GLOW) was given another 49 screens and didn't disappoint. While currently playing on only 54 screens, this movie made more per screen than any other movie on the list, and that includes SPIDER-MAN at #1, with a 257% increase in ticket sales from last weekend.
You Buried Nothing This Weekend
Figures calibrated from reporting by Box Office Mojo and The Numbers. Should there be differences between the two, I err on the side of caution and post the most positive numbers.
And -
BLACK SABBATH Turns 63
This was the inspirational title for the legendary British Heavy Metal band and one of Quentin Tarantino's biggest influences. An ever experimental Mario Bava did more than make one of the first "Giallos" with this film. He broke every rule and the fourth wall in making this meta movie long before Mel Brooks would follow suit with Blazing Saddles.
Wracked with agony from a lifetime of injuries, an aged Boris Karloff was never-the-less committed to delivering a masterful bravura performance, working through the pain, using it, under the assumption that he'd physically be unable to ever do it again. This is BLACK SABBATH.
Plus -
THE EXORCIST III is 36
Director William Friedkin showed a different cut of THE EXORCIST to Author William Peter Blatty, than what he released to the world (a last minute edit that Friedkin considered his "Director's Cut"), thus driving a wedge between the two men that Friedkin regretted.
It was only after Warner Bros. tried and failed to launch the movie into a franchise, with the bitterly bad THE EXORCIST II, that a boardroom shuffle and discard in the WB suits at the top, gave Blatty a chance at both writing a directing his sequel. After all, how could it be any worse?
As good a writer as Blatty was, however, he was no director and despite his vision, THE EXORCIST III forever lies somewhere between not as good as the first but nowhere near as bad as the second.
Also -
THE INVASION is 19
This expensive movie was beset with problems and when the director turned in the final cut, the studio bosses decided they didn't like the script they paid for and greenlit in the first place. So they had all new scenes written and a new director.
That's just a few of the expensively inept management decisions that cursed INVASION.
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Robert Joy (AMITYVILLE 3-D, TERMINAL CHOICE, SHE'S BACK, SHADOWS AND FOG, THE DARK HALF, FALLEN, RESURRECTION, LAND OF THE DEAD, THE HILLS HAVE EYES [2006], ALIENS VS PREDATOR: REQUIEM, DON'T LOOK UP, FROM [TV], THE INSTITUTE) is 75.
Actor Taissa Farmiga (ANNA, THE FINAL GIRLS, IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE, AMERICAN HORROR STORY [TV], THE NUN [both], WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE, JOHN AND THE HOLE) is 32.
Actor Donnie Wahlberg (BLACK CIRCLE BOYS, THE SIXTH SENSE, DREAMCATCHER, SAW II, SAW III, DEAD SILENCE, SAW IV, RIGHTEOUS KILL, BLUE BLOODS) is 57.
SUNDAY -
Writer / Director / Producer/ Etc. J. R. Bookwalter (THE DEAD NEXT DOOR, SKINNED ALIVE, ZOMBIE COP, KINGDOM OF THE VAMPIRE, HUMANOIDS FROM ATLANTIS, GALAXY OF THE DINOSAURS, OZONE, THE SANDMAN, HELL ASYLUM, GROOM LAKE, DEADLY STINGERS, HORRORVISION, INVASION OF THE NOT QUITE DEAD, SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY, and more) is 61.
Actor Agnes Bruckner (THE GLASS HOUSE, MURDER BY NUMBERS, THE IRIS EFFECT, VENOM, THE WOODS, BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE, KILL THEORY, VACANCY 2, OCCULT, IMMORTAL, THE MURDER OF NICOLE BROWN SIMPSON, THE 11th GREEN) is 43.
Look for Agnes in the upcoming 2026 Horror Thriller, THE ROOTS.
Writer / Director / Producer James Cameron (PIRANHA 2, THE TERMINATOR, ALIENS, THE ABYSS, TERMINATOR 2, TRUE LIES, STRANGE DAYS, DARK ANGEL [TV], AVATAR, ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, TERMINATOR: DARK FLOP, AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER) is 73.
Look for more James Cameron releases of AVATAR.
Writer Garry Charles (THE SUMMER OF THE MASSACRE, DEAD CERT, THE HORROR PAGES, SINISTER VISIONS, and more) is 53.
Actor / Writer / Producer Matt Farnsworth (THE STEP DAUGHTER, GACY, DESCENDENT, THE ORPHAN KILLER [all]) is 51.
Actor Cam Gigandet (ON THE DOLL, TWILIGHT, THE UNBORN, PANDORUM, THE EXPERIMENT, THE ROOMMATE, PRIEST, TRESPASS, IN THE BLOOD, PLUSH, THE SHADOW EFFECT, ASSIMILATE, DANGEROUS LIES, ASSIMILATE, DANGEROUS LIES, TOM CLANCY'S WITHOUT REMORSE, VIOLENT NIGHT, TILL DEATH DO US PART, DESERT DAWN) is 44.
Look for Cam's 2025, 2026 Mystery Thriller, THE TOWER.
Writer Amanda Lee (DERANGED, FREAKY GIFTS, ONLY THE GUILTY, GRIM TIDINGS, THE ASYLUM ABERRATION and more) is 65.
Writer Jeani Rector (WE ALL FALL DOWN, AFTER DARK: A COLLECTION OF HORROR, OPEN GRAVE, AROUND A DARK CORNER, AND NOW THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS, TWICE THE TERROR, and more) is 66 or something.
Actor George Stults (WHAT LIES ABOVE, NIGHT SKIES, HYDRA, NECROSIS, BODERLINE MURDERS, KILLER CAREGIVER) is 51.
THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD is 42
In 1985, this was your grandma's idea of punk!
Now anyone can make a humorless, cheeseball sappy satire of a successful movie and two producers more than most immediately come to recent memory, thus allowing Uwe Boll to hold his head up high by comparison. But this movie took the opposite tack.
"How about we make a satire Horror movie that doesn't view the audience with contempt, but instead is great, goofy, funny, and culturally relevant, as well as being gory?"
Why, that's just crazy enough to work!
This movie not only had co-writer of the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, John A. Russo on it, but NotLD alumni Russell Streiner (Johnny) and Rudy Ricci as well. And on top of that, A-List writer Dan O' Bannon (DARK STAR, ALIEN, DEAD & BURIED, HEAVY METAL, LIFEFORCE) as Screenwriter and Director, plus the producers who were coming in hot from the gamble they took and won on James Cameron's THE TERMINATOR.
Damn! If THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD wasn't a hit, it damn sure would not be from lack of trying!
SATURDAY -
Actor Natasha Henstridge (SPECIES, ADRENALIN: FEAR THE RUSH, STAND OFF, SPECIES II, THE LAST WITNESS, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS [2000], A BETTER WAY TO DIE, SECOND SKIN, GHOSTS OF MARS, RIDERS, SPECIES III, DECEPTION, IMPACT, TIME JUMPER [TV], THE SECRET CIRCLE [TV], COLD SPRING, A SISTER'S NIGHTMARE, HOME INVASION, THE BLACK ROOM, RAVERS, MEDINAH [TV], WHY?, HOUSE RED, THE UNHEALER, MEDINAH [TV], WHY, 7th SECRET, CHARMED [TV], HOUSE RED, CONDITION OF RETURN, CINDERELLA'S REVENGE, KARMA'S A BITCH, HOUSE OF ABRAHAM, TEARS TO A GLASS EYE) is 52.
Look for Natasha in the 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 Horror Thriller THE FIRST CIRCLE.
Actor Jennifer Lawrence (WINTER'S BONE, X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, THE HUNGER GAMES [all], THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, MOTHER!, RED SPARROW, X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX, DON'T LOOK UP, DIE MY LOVE) is 36.
Look for Jennifer in the November 20, 2026 release of THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE WEEPING.
And in 2027 Martin Scorsese gives Horror another shot with, WHAT HAPPENS AT NIGHT starring Leonardo DiCaprio (SHUTTER ISLAND), Patricia Clarkson (THE GREEN MILE), and Mads Mikkelsen (CLASH OF THE TITANS).
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is 63
There are a great many versions of author Gaston Leroux's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and by Eric! This 1962 flick from Universal International Pictures, and Horror movie director Terence Fisher, isn't great, but it's not too bad, either!
And -
MANHUNTER Turns 40
Before Anthony Hopkins Oscar winning turn as Hannibal Lector, there was another. Actor Brian Cox (THE RING, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE) took hold of the character and gave it his own stamp so chilling and unique that most fans put both actors on the same level.
The problem is, though it came out at theaters, most people only saw MANHUNTER on cable.
That's because two Thrillers came out that weekend in that year. Both had budgets of $15 million. Unfortunately, Director Michael Mann's previous movie, THE KEEP, based on a best selling novel, tanked and tanked hard at the theaters, wiping out the promise and profit of his first hit, THIEF. Now here he was with another Horror Thriller movie and no stars, so little advertising was spent on it, most people knew little about it, and its ad budget was trifling compared to what was spent on
THE FLY Turns 40
Upon its release, this movie was a larger hit than the studio anticipated. It wasn't just making bank, it was tapping into its era's zeitgeist. Because 20th Century Fox never expected such a reaction, they never anticipated it: meaning they didn't market the movie in that direction. This is why a summer time blockbuster hit like David Cronenberg's 1986 THE FLY, goaded a studio into spending more money beyond the budget after its release.
EVENT HORIZON Turns 28
A good movie so close to great that on repeated viewings fan's adoration grew alongside their frustration. How could a movie so good, so kissing close to greatness, fall short?
Years later we found out, and no one was surprised by the answer. If anything, we are even more infuriated by what was actually shot, then cut, and could have been! Judging by the stills, the SFX artists gave this one their all! After over a quarter century, All of the fans, and Director Paul W.S. Anderson himself, want his Director's Cut of EVENT HORIZON.
FREDDY VS. JASON is 22
Say, remember when you were 18 and you saw this movie for the first time in theaters? The long awaited "Battle Royale" between Freddy and Jason?
Remember that?
Well now you're 40! Yer old enough to be a Grandparent!
FREDDY VS JASON came out in 2003!
MIRRORS is Old Enough to Legally Vote
Since 2008 this Keifer Sutherland movie, directed by the Regent of Remakes, Alex Aja, keeps flying just under the radar. Yet it sells just enough to keep its fanbase. And that makes sense because on its release, the studio heads had little faith in it, which is why they hired Aja in the first place. Overall, 2008's THE DARK KNIGHT was pulling in more money than this one, but there's a caveat to that. So now that its reached training wheel adulthood culthood, let's see what makes MIRRORS so compelling.
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AUG! 14 |
DEADLY BLESSING is 44
Before Wes Craven gave us A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and long before SCREAM, he was thinking about how to tone his Horror movie intensity down a notch so his movies would be more accessible and more first run theaters would show his work.
With this in mind he gave us his DEADLY BLESSING.
And -
THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY is 41
However, that age is in United States of America release years. It actually came out in Italy in June of 1981, predating Wes Craven's DEADLY BLESSING by a tad.
Lucio was at his prime then and THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY is full of Fulci fun!
Plus -
DISTRICT 9 Turns 16
This is a movie that's spent a long time waiting for the sequel it deserved, but never got. One of my favorite alien Horror movies of all time is DISTRICT 9, and this is why.
Also -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Halle Berry (X-MEN, SWORDFISH, DIE ANOTHER DAY, X2, GOTHIKA, X3, PERFECT STRANGER, DARK TIDE, CLOUD ATLAS, THE CALL, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, EXTANT [TV], KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE, JOHN WICK 3, BRUISED, MOONFALL, NEVER LET GO) is 59.
Look for Halle in the 2024 Horror Thriller, THE MOTHERSHIP. Which is CANCELLED!
Apparently its so bad that Halle Berry, Netflix, and Producers Fred Berger (LONGLEGS, THE MONKEY) and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (LONGLEGS, THE MONKEY), agreed not to release it. This would have been Matt Charman's first time as a Director of any movie or video. Ouch!
Actor Brianna Hildebrand (PRISM, DEADPOOL [all], TRAGEDY GIRLS, THE EXORCIST [TV], RUNT, THE TIME CAPSULE, LUCIFER [TV], OSIRIS) is 29.
Writer Andrew Kevin Walker (BRAINSCAN, HIDEAWAY, SE7EN, 8MM, SLEEPY HOLLOW [1999], THE WOLFMAN [2010], METALOCALYPSE: ARMY OF THE DOOMSTAR, PSYCHO KILLER) is 63.
Writer, Director, Producer, Jim Wynorski (CHOPPING MALL, NOT OF THIS EARTH [1988], THE HAUNTING OF MORELLA, MUNCHIE, VAMPIRELLA, THE BARE WENCH PROJECT, RAPTOR, THE THING BELOW, GARGOYLE, THE WITCHES OF BREASTWICK, THE DA VINCI COED, THE BREASTFORD WIVES, HOUSE ON HOOTER HILL, CLEAVAGEFIELD, THE HILLS HAVE THIGHS, DINOCROC VS. SUPERGATOR, MONSTER CRUISE, CAMEL SPIDERS, ROAD RAIDERS, PIRANHACONDA, and so many more, Over 105 of these in all) is 71.
Jim has one of the most astounding quotes I've ever read from someone with his body of work. "I try to make things I'll enjoy seeing, because I'm going to watch these pictures for years to come and I don't want to be embarrassed."
Yes, that's really what Jim says, proving that he has a sense of humor about his cinema ovary oeuvre.
|
AUG! 13 |
Today Is
THE END OF OAK STREET
And -
FRIDAY THE 13th Part 3D Turns 44
This was the movie when Jason got his Hockey mask. That's right, you may be all about Jason, but this movie came out in 1982! That means that this is probably not your Father's Jason, more likely your then 20 year old Grandfather's Jason, and you're gonna love it because when it comes to silent hulking supernatural homicidal maniacs, Hollywood still doesn't know how to do it any better than Michael From HALLOWEEN, and Jason from FRIDAY THE 13th Part 3D!
Plus -
JASON GOES TO HELL is 33
Arguably one of the worst FRIDAY THE 13th movies had one of the best characters (I know they had to remove the F13th and rebrand it as "JASON" due to contractual shenanigans, but we all know it's still a FRIDAY THE 13th flick!) . The one actor, the one saving grace that fans liked so much they still wish he'd been kept around. And if you've seen this movie, you know exactly which character I'm talking about in FRIDAY THE 13th PART IX JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY.
Also -
ALIEN VS PREDATOR Turns 22
This polarizing spin-off largely divides audiences into Love it or Hate it mobs and we're on the side of Love it!
When you know why, you might even agree! Read our ALIEN VS PREDATOR movie review.
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer Sean Hood (THE DARKLINGS [TV], HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION, CUBE 2: HYPERCUBE, THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER, MASTERS OF HORROR: SICK GIRL, MIDNIGHT MOVIE, CONAN THE BARBARIAN [2011], THE DORM, FREAKANGELS [TV]) is 59.
Actor Sebastian Stan (THE CONVENANT, KINGS [TV], BLACK SWAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA [all], GONE, THE APPARITION, ONCE UPON A TIME [TV], LABYRINTH [TV], AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, DESTROYER, AVENGERS: ENDGAME, WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE, THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER [TV], THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME, THE 355, FRESH, A DIFFERENT MAN, THUNDERBOLTS, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD) is 43.
Look for Sebastian in the upcoming December 18, 2026 release of AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY. And expected for February 18, 2028, BATMAN II.
Actor Jody Thompson (DEATH GAME, THE FEAR: RESURRECTION, MISSION TO MARS, HELLRAISER: HELLSEEKER, DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS, BLADE: THE SERIES [TV], THE 4400 [TV], ALIEN TRESPASS, A TRACE OF DANGER, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT: DARK DAYS, SANCTURARY [TV], R.L. STINE'S THE HAUNTING HOUR [TV], BARRICADE, HAPPY FACE KILLER, KILLER PHOTO, NUMB, MY HUSBAND'S KILLER GIRLFRIEND, FRIDAY THE 13th VENGEANCE 2: BLOODLINES) is 49.
|
AUG! 12 |
SUSPIRIA Turns 49
The Horror Geek himself, Mike Bracken, came to Feo Amante's Horror Thriller to tell us about Dario Argento's 1977 magnum opus, SUSPIRIA.
And -
THE SKELETON KEY Can Buy a Beer Today
Some movies get worse with additional viewings. Others, however, actually get better.
Where does THE SKELETON KEY fall?
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer / Director / Producer Stefan Avalos (THE GAME, THE LAST BROADCAST, THE
TRUE LEGEND OF THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL, THE GHOSTS OF EDENDALE, HEADHUNTER, TERROR 5) is 56.
Writer James Dorr (various short stories in anthologies) is 64 or something.
Actor Rebecca Gayheart (Robin Cook's INVASION, SCREAM 2, URBAN LEGEND, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 3, SANTA'S SLAY, VANISHED [TV], GREY LADY) is 55.
Look for Rebecca's Oct. 2, 2026 Thriller, NICKELS.
Actor Bruce Greenwood (BEAR ISLAND, SERVANTS OF TWILIGHT, ADRIFT, EXOTICA, BITTER VENGEANCE, TREACHEROUS BEAUTIES, THE COMPANION, DREAM MAN, NOWHERE MAN [TV], SLEEPWALKERS [TV], DISTURBING BEHAVIOR, DOUBLE JEOPARDY, THE SOUL COLLECTOR, CORD, BELOW, THE CORE, MELTDOWN, I, ROBOT, DEJA VU, CYBORG SOLDIER, STAR TREK [2009], CELL 213, SUPER 8, DONOVAN'S ECHO, THE RIVER [TV], STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, SPECTRAL, GERALD'S GAME, KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE, THE POST, BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, DOCTOR SLEEP, BATMAN: DEATH IN THE FAMILY, THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER [TV], DARK WINDS [TV], THE INVISIBLES) is 70.
Bruce shares an August birthday with STAR TREK alumni, Liam Hemsworth.
Look for Bruce in the upcoming 2026, 2027 Thriller ANY OTHER WORLD. Also in 2027, HYDE.
Actor Andras Jones (SORORITY BABES IN THE
SLIME BOWL-O-RAMA, A
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4, EVERY BREATH, THE DEMOLITIONIST, THE ATTIC
EXPEDITIONS, EVERY DAY IS A JOURNEY) is 57.
Writer Christopher M. Salas (DARK ECLIPSE: RISE OF AN ERA, DARK ECLIPSE II: WORLD ABOMINATION) is 65 or something.
Writer Susan Wingate (RAVINGS OF A MAD GENTLEWOMAN, BOBBY'S DINER [series], DROWNING) is 65 or something.
|
AUG! 11 |
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD Turns 37
"We wanted to do what I thought would be legitimately cool stuff. But Hollywood being what it is, they hire you to do a thing, and the second they got you they proceed to dismantle everything that you're there to do. So you're basically engaging this highly paid form of torture."
- Best selling novelist, Craig Spector, co-screenwriter with John Skipp on the movie, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD.
Plus -
PULSE Turns 20
This remake of the original Japanese movie, KAIRO, hit the U.S. movie screens and shot direct to video for X number of sequels.
I say X number because they are probably going to make another one, although at the diminishing rate they've been going, the next sequel budget will probably only buy you a Toyota Highlander. But hey, that was Dimension for you!
Pity. There was so much room for improvement in 2006's PULSE.
Also -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Embeth Davidtz (MUTATOR, SWEET MURDER, ARMY OF DARKNESS, LAST RITES, FALLEN, THE GINGERBREAD MAN, THE HOLE, THIR13EN GHOSTS, FRACTURE, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO [2011], THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, EUROPA REPORT, PARANOIA, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, OLD) is 61.
Actor Chris Hemsworth (STAR TREK [2009], A PERFECT GETAWAY, THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, THOR, THE AVENGERS, SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, THOR: THE DARK WORLD, BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE, AVENGERS: ENDGAME, GHOSTBUSTERS [2018], EXTRACTION, ESCAPE FROM SPIDERHEAD, THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, FURIOSA, TRANSFORMERS ONE) is 42.
Look for Chris in the 2026 Thriller, AVENGERS DOOMSDAY.
Musician Richard Reinhardt aka Richie Ramone (THE RAMONES, of course!) is 67.
Actor Jonathan Tiersten (SLEEPAWAY CAMP, RETURN TO SLEEPAWAY CAMP, THE PERFECT HOUSE, BLOOD RESERVOIR, TERROR TALES, THE HOUSE THAT WEPT BLOOD, LAKE OF SHADOWS, TOILET ZOMBIE BABY STRIKES BACK, LAST AMERICAN HORROR SHOW VOL. II, TIME'S UP) is 61.
|
AUG! 10 |
Actor Reggie Bannister (PHANTASM [all], THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X) gave life a damn good go, but passed away yesterday at the age of 80.
He is survived by his wife, SFX Artist, Gigi Bannister.
On An Unrelated Note -
YOU DUG IT
Good 2 Know: Any weekend box office drop of less than 50% is good. Any weekend B.O. drop smaller than 30% of the previous is excellent.
General Rules:
A. Theaters get approximately 50% of the gross in North American B.O. (negotiable).
B. Distributors omitting Production budget figures believe the movie will under perform.
C. Total gross by the 3rd weekend accounts for at least half of movie's total theater ticket sales regardless of length of stay.
D. After the 3rd weekend, as screens drop, theater 50/50 B.O. split rises about 10% each weekend, favoring the theater, until it stops at 80/20 (negotiable).
1. SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Despite a massive 60% drop in box office, in a single week this movie has blown past the $1.6 billion mark, bringing in over 7 times its budget.
6. MINIONS AND MONSTERS in its 6th weekend, stumbles down from last weekend's #4 against the onslaught of new movies. It's 42% drop against a huge 572 screen cut doesn't change the fact that its brought in nearly 6 times its budget and may clear the half billion mark before it leave the Top Ten.
8. ICE CREAM MAN opens on 1,682 screens this weekend.
Bubbling Under
Two Comedy Horror movies were released this weekend to a small handful of theater screens. They are
13. TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA, distributed by MUBI and only released to 5 screens, made more per screen this weekend than SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY.
27. NAMASLAY opened on only 2 screens, but brought in over $5,000 per screen.
You Buried Nothing This Weekend
Figures calibrated from reporting by Box Office Mojo and The Numbers. Should there be differences between the two, I err on the side of caution and post the most positive numbers.
And -
DINOSAURUS! is 66
Movie Director and Producer Jack H. Harris (THE BLOB, 4D MAN, EQUINOX, SCHLOCK, DARK STAR, THE BLOB [1988]) didn't demand much from his audience and they didn't expect much of him. So when you went to see a movie with Jack H. Harris's named blazoned across it, you knew what you were getting: A fun time at the movies.
You weren't going to get a Debbie Downer ending and a sanctimonious social awareness plea to better Yourselves. Jack was a Producer with benefits. He wasn't going to make your favorite movies of all time, but he wasn't going to waste your money and time either.
That's right, we're talking Big Horror time and on this day in 1960, your Great Grandpa knew that Jack's best was DINOSAURUS!
Plus -
THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE Turns 64
Could this really be? Could you remove a human head and keep it alive?
Back in the mid 20th century, Dr. Robert White successfully proved the efficacy of the first head transplant of a mammal. He and others were able to repeat his method, making it fact.
The very idea that it worked so well and so relatively easy made many an ethical surgeon's skin crawl. It also launched a Plethora of cheapo schlocky brain and head transplant movies, like THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE.
Also -
PROPHECY Turns 47
Long before Jason grabbed a camper, snug in their sleeping bag, and slammed her against a tree in 1988's FRIDAY THE 13th VII: THE NEW BLOOD, a mutant bear did the same thing to a child and with a far grislier effect. Not that it was a grizzly bear, mind you. No, it was 1979's THE PROPHECY.
Wassmor -
THE OTHERS Turns 25
M. Night Shyamalan's THE SIXTH SENSE with its ghosts, undead, and people who could psychically "see" (The kid's name was Cole Seer. It needed to be underlined?) was a big surprise hit in 1999. So much so that other major studios suddenly went digging through their mountains of bought and discarded screenplays looking for their own Ghost Story with a twist ending.
That's totally cool, don't get me wrong, but hey, produce the spooky script that's as far removed from the current most popular ghost story as possible.
Don't be all Miramax about it, "Hey! Can you believe that audiences are still tuning into THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and THE SIXTH SENSE? WE need a low budget Ghost movie with a twist ending that stars a single A-lister and is directed by a swarthy kinda guy!"
That's what audiences got in 2001 from THE OTHERS, and they strongly responded with enough enthusiasm to rebirth The Undead in movies, books, and psychics on TeeVee for the next quarter century and counting.
Thus all the hope for a new dawn in the new millennium was drowned in a tsunami resurge of Supernatural, psychic Charlatans, and with 9/11, Religious fervor.
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Rick Otto (PHANTOMS, R.S.V.P., THE WIRE [TV], THE WALKING DEAD [TV], ALWAYS WATCHING: A MARBLE HORNETS STORY, TROUBLE SLEEPING, SUGAR BABY MURDER) is 52.
Actor Lucas Till (LIGHTNING BUG, THE OTHER SIDE, DANCE OF THE DEAD, LAID TO REST, BATTLE LOS ANGELES, X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, VS, DARK HEARTS, STOKER, CRUSH, PARANOIA, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, KRISTY, WOLVES, THE CURSE OF DOWNER'S GROVE, X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, THE DISAPPOINTMENTS ROOM, MONSTER TRUCKS, MICHAEL JACKSON'S HALLOWEEN) is 35.
SUNDAY -
Actor Gillian Anderson (THE X-FILES [TV], X-FILES: FIGHT THE FUTURE, STRAIGHTHEADS, BLEAK HOUSE [TV], X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE, SHADOW DANCER, THE FALL [TV], HANNIBAL [TV], I'LL FOLLOW YOU DOWN, ROBOT OVERLORDS, HANNIBAL [TV], AMERICAN GODS [TV], CROOKED HOUSE, X-FILES [TV - 2018], UFO, THE PALE BLUE EYE, TRON ARES) who is 58.
Gillian shares an August birthday with her X-Files alumni, David Duchovney.
Look for Gillian in this weekend's severely limited release of TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA.
Actor Eric Bana (CHOPPER, BLACK HAWK DOWN, HULK, MUNICH, STAR TREK [2009], THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, HANNA, DEADFALL, CLOSED CIRCUIT, LONE SURVIVOR, BEWARE THE NIGHT, THE FORGIVEN, THE DRY, FORCE OF NATURE: THE DRY 2, A SACRIFICE, UNTAMED [TV], APEX) is 58.
Actor Rhona Mitra (BEOWULF [1999], HOLLOWMAN, HIGHWAYMEN, THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE, THE NUMBER 23, SKINWALKERS, DOOMSDAY, UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS, STOLEN LIVES, THE GATES [TV], THE LAST SHIP [TV], THE LAST SHIP, THE STRAIN [TV], ARCHIVE, SKYLINES, THE OTHER ME, SHADOW LAND, RED SONJA) is 49.
Look for Rhona in the 2025, 2026, 2027 Horror Thriller, THE EXPERIMENT. Also expected in 2027, MOTHER KNOWS BEST.
Actor Bill Skarsgård (WHITE WATER FURY, HEMLOCK GROVE [TV], ALLEGIANT, IT [2017 - all], ASSASSINATION NATION, DEADPOOL 2, CASTLE ROCK [TV], NINE DAYS, THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME, BARBARIAN, JOHN WICK 4, THE CROW, NOSFERATU, LOCKED, IT: WELCOME TO DERRY [TV]) is 36.
THE ABYSS is 37
On this day in 1989, this movie opened to wide release in the U.S.A. If there was a movie that first divided James Cameron's fans, this is why it was likely THE ABYSS.
SATURDAY -
Actor Michael Chernus (MEN IN BLACK³, THE BOURNE LEGACY, COMPLETE UNKNOWN, THE DINNER, SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING, WORMWOOD [TV], WEREWOLVES WITHIN, THE ACCIDENTAL WOLF [TV], MOLLI AND MAX IN THE FUTURE, DEAD RINGERS [TV], CAROL AND THE END OF THE WORLD [TV], SEVERANCE [TV], BIRTHRITE, DEVIL IN DISGUISE: JOHN WAYNE GACY [TV]) is 49.
Horror Host Ormon Grimsby (Monster Creature Feature on WCTV, RTN Channel 10, Raleigh, NC. Also in Chapel Hill, NC and Long Island, NY) is 70.
Ormon Grimsby is the pseu-pseu-pseudonym of 3D artist, Craig D. Vance out of Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, where he was locally interred as their Zombie Horror Movie Monster host, entertaining the Boils and Ghouls late into the night and early morning. Though Craig entombed his Ormon personna back in the early 20-teens, he remains a deadicated fan of Horror from Comics to Books to Movies.
Actor Katie Leung (HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2, THE FOREIGNER, THE NEST [TV], ROADKILL [TV], ANNIKA [TV], ARCANE [TV]. THE PERIPHERAL [TV], THE CHEMISTRY OF DEATH, NIGHTSLEEPER [TV], ARCANE [TV - Anime]) is 39.
Look for Katie in the upcoming 2027 Thriller, CARELESS [TV].
FRANKENSTEIN VS BARAGON is 60
When it comes to Bonker-Ass-Cinema, Japan is second to none.
Even the grand and legendary Toho Pictures, nearly since its inception, built its reputation on gonzo. Before the U.S.A. got their turn to witness that first hand in 1966, Japanese audiences luxuriated in director Ishiro Honda's 1965 Nippon release of FRANKENSTEIN VS BARAGON.
When it was released in the USA nearly a year later, it was retitled to FRANKENSTIEN CONQUERS THE WORLD.
|
AUG! 7 |
HEAVY METAL Turns 45
When this movie opened on this day, 45 years ago, your 17 year-old Grandpa, seeing his first R-rated movie, knew what was coming. An R-Rated movie based on stories from the insane monthly comic book, Heavy Metal! It was going to have hard-core animated gore, nudity, foul language, and it was going to be hilarious because it featured the voices of the top stand-up comics of its day including SCTV and Saturday Night Live.
He had no idea that this magazine-based movie would usher in a future of what would affectionately be known - nearly half a century later (!!!) - as 1980s Horror, and all of the ground-breaking movies that were made or conceived in that decade.
What's more, above all, it would have a sound track featuring some of the best Heavy Metal bands of the era. Bands whose music continues to lay the backdrop sound tracks to the hottest movies and video games of the 2020s!
This movie barely broke even on its Production Budget in theaters in 1981. Nobody at Columbia Pictures had any idea that it would grow inito one of its best selling movies on home video for the next half century and command premium prices on cable and streaming as well.
My reviewer, Horror writer Steven Woeste, was only 17 when he hit the theaters that heady weekend to see HEAVY METAL. Now he's 64! Click the link to look at that old bastard now! Look! At! Him!
And -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer, Director, Producer Alexandre Aja (FURIA, HAUTE TENSION, THE HILLS HAVE EYES [2006], P2, MIRRORS [2008], PIRANHA [2010], MANIAC [2012], HORNS, THE 9th LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX, CRAWL, OXYGEN, NEVER LET GO) is 48.
Actor Tobin Bell (THE FIRM, MALICE, DEEP RED, THE 4TH FLOOR, SAW [all], BURIED ALIVE, DECOYS 2, THE HAUNTING HOUR, BOOGEYMAN 2, DARK HOUSE, FINDERS KEEPERS, MANSON FAMILY VACATION, GATES OF DARKNESS, 12 FEET DEEP, THE SANDMAN, BELZEBUTH, JIGSAW, 61: HIGHWAY TO HELL, LET US IN, AILEEN WUORNOS: AMERICAN BOOGEYWOMAN, WOLF MOUNTAIN, ReBROKEN, THE CELLO, AWAKEN ALTERED REALITY, THE BUNKER) is 84.
Musician, Producer Bruce Dickenson (Bands: SAMSON, IRON
MAIDEN, Movies: THE INCUBUS, HEAVY METAL, PHENOMENA, A
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5, BRIDE
OF CHUCKY, CHEMICAL WEDDING) is 68.
Look for Bruce in the upcoming Horror Comedy of 2027, BJORN OF THE DEAD.
Actor David Duchovny (BAD INFLUENCE, THE RAPTURE, KALIFORNIA, THE X-FILES [TV], THE X-FILES, EVOLUTION, THE X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE, THE X-FILES [TV 2017], THE CRAFT: LEGACY, PET SEMETERY: BLOODLINES) is 66.
Actor, Producer Charlize Theron (THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, MIGHTY JOE YOUNG, THE ASTRONAUT'S WIFE, AEON FLUX, IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH, THE BURNING PLAIN, THE ROAD, ASTRO BOY, PROMETHEUS, SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN [all], DARK PLACES, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, ATOMIC BLONDE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY [2019 - all], THE OLD GUARD [all], DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS) is 51.
|
AUG! 6 |
Two Classic Movies Were Released on This Day in 1999
THE SIXTH SENSE is 27
1999 was going to be a big year for George Lucas and Star Wars sequels, so the rest of Hollywood wasn't even going to try to mess with Space Opera or Science Fiction. Instead, Hollywood turned to haunted stories.
Then Steven Spielberg's A-List actor lead, cgi remake extravaganza, THE HAUNTING, crashed and burned.
This at a time when newbie boutique studio, Artisan, was seeing its no-name, newbie director, ultra-indie, micro-budget THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, soaring and Kevin Bacon was waiting in Artisan's wings with A STIR OF ECHOES to finish off the summer.
Disney also had a low budget, newbie director movie. This feature featured a single A-list actor in the lead, and Disney played their cards close to the chest.
Disney passed this movie over to their "little" studio, Hollywood Pictures. It was created by then Chief Mouse-cap Michael Eisner and co-created with Jeffrey Katzenberg, to take small losses while it nurtured creativity among those new rising executives that showed promise.
Oh, this picture from a nobody director? Psh! This is just one of Bruce Willis's "little" movies. One of those occasional arthouse flicks big name actors like to do from time to time.
Nobody, not even Disney, knew how huge THE SIXTH SENSE was going to be.
And -
THE IRON GIANT is 27
Disney's THE SIXTH SENSE had a Big A-List star who was at the top of his game with Bruce Willis. It also had an intriguing, mystifying movie trailer that drew audiences into the theater. Opening on the same weekend, Warner Bros., who made their name in animation just as surely as Universal made its name with Horror movies, had a little animated movie, set to go up against Summer Blockbusters. Being largely hand drawn it "starred nobodies" was directed by a Brad Bird, who made his name in animation as being one of the most popuar directors of the monster smash hit series, The Simpsons, and had one of the worst movie trailers I've ever seen from a major studio (and I'm a man who has seen some awful trailers. I even live in one!).
The trailer for this movie was so bad in fact that it pushed me away from the theaters that showed it. It was only years later, when it hit DVD, that I rented it and - Wonder of Wonders! - regretted having missed the theater experience of it ever since.
This then is the tale of a n00b feature film director who eventually became a somebody under Disney Pixar. It's also the tale of a major studio owning major brands yet having no idea what they had or how to market it and sell it: inevitably leading to their demise and rebranding as Warner Bros. Discovery.
This is my review of THE IRON GIANT.
Plus -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Vera Farmiga (TOUCHING EVIL [TV], THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE [2004], NEVERWAS, JOSHUA, ORPHAN, SOURCE CODE, BATES MOTEL [TV], THE CONJURING [all], THE COMMUTER, THE NUN, CAPTIVE STATE, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, ANABELLE COMES HOME, THE NUN II, ORIGIN, THE LEADER) is 51.
Actor Soleil Moon Frye (INVITATION TO HELL, PUMPKINHEAD
II: Bloodwings, TWISTED LOVE, PIRANHA, BLOODWINGS III: Pumpkinhead's Revenge,
MIND GAMES, MOTEL BLUE, SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH [TV]) is 49.
Actor Melissa George (DARK CITY, MULHOLLAND DR., ALIAS [TV], THE AMITYVILLE HORROR [2005],
DERAILED, TURISTAS, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, THE BETRAYED, THE TRIANGLE, A LONELY PLACE TO DIE, BAG OF BONES [TV], GOTHICA, DON'T GO, THE MOSQUITO COAST [TV]) is 50.
Actor Megumi Okina (NAITO HEDDO, SEBUNZU FEISU, TALES OF THE UNUSUAL, ST. JOHN'S WORT, JU-ON: THE GRUDGE, THE INUGAMIS, SHUTTER, HOWLING VILLAGE, KISARAGI STATION RE:, CAPTURED) is 49.
Writer, Director, Producer M. Night Shyamalan (THE
SIXTH SENSE, UNBREAKABLE, SIGNS, THE VILLAGE, LADY IN THE WATER, THE HAPPENING, THE DEVIL, AFTER EARTH, THE VISIT, SPLIT, GLASS, SERVANT [TV], OLD, SERVANT [TV], KNOCK AT THE CABIN, THE WATCHERS, TRAP, THE VANISHINGS AT CADDO LAKE) is 56.
Look for M. Night's upcoming 2027 Horror Thriller, REMAIN.
Musician Vinnie Vincent (Music: KISS: CREATURES OF THE NIGHT, LICK IT UP. THE VINNIE VINCENT
INVASION, ALL SYSTEMS GO, EUPHORIA) is 73.
|
AUG! 5 |
THE BLOB Turns 38
Yep, 37 years old in 2025, so of course I'm talking about the 1988 remake and not the 67 year old Jack H. Harris original from 1958.
Say! Have you ever seen a movie where the special effects (SFX) team put in So Much More Effort than the writer(s), director, and producer(s)? I know I have, but if you haven't, you'll damn sure know what I'm talking about when you see THE BLOB (1988).
And -
RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is 15
This was a risk and a long shot. 20th Century Fox had decades and a corporate culture to overcome and part of that culture was to trash every potential franchise they had with garbage sequels for that first weekend scam on the loyal audience they built.
Genuinely great sequels like ALIENS were outliers and the studio loved the money but viewed the outcome as a mistake, making sure not to repeat it, and they never did again.
To be sure, 20th Century Fox wasn't alone in this. Universal Pictures were once hot to destroy their popular JAWS franchise and did, Warner Bros. went apparently cross-eyed with glee over gutting their popular THE EXORCIST franchise, and MGM fell into joyful freefall and bankruptcy while they fed POLTERGIEST into a woodchipper.
Paramount Pictures, which didn't aim that high with FRIDAY THE 13th, were able to keep the franchise going with decent enough sequels and few misteps. There was always a good chance that the next movie would be better. They never tarnished themselves, but they never pushed themselves, either.
United Artists never established a Horror movie franchise. Instead they were largely high-risk takers with nearly every movie a stand-alone venture (a crazy method which inexplicably worked nearly every time) but when it did come time to make a sequel, they stood far above all other studios with their long running and wildly successful James Bond and Rocky franchises.
Bear in mind that this isn't a "studio only" ethos. Often a major studio serves only as a distributor conduit and it is one out of a gaggle of Producers who tries to destroy the value of their IP sequels. Why? So they can buy out their partners for a pittance (certain that they have a great property that they can reboot to former glory).
So it was only ten years after the 20th Century Fox disaster of PLANET OF THE APES in 2001 that the latest studio leaders decided to give it another shot. This time with cgi!
CGI Apes way back in 2011! Did it work? This is what happened to RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES.
Plus -
PREY Turns 4
Years later and Disney/Hulu is still kicking itself in the ass for releasing this movie Direct to Video instead of to theaters.
Also, it took well over a year for Disney/Hulu to release PREY to disk. Nearly twice the retail price for a single disc! This is why a competent company, consortium, or conglomerate should buy Disney and begin layoffs.
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer, Producer, Director James Gunn (TROMEO AND JULIET, TERROR FIRMER, THE SPECIALS, SCOOBY-DOO [2002], DAWN OF THE DEAD [2004], SCOOBY-DOO 2 [2004], SLITHER, SUPER, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY [all], THE BELKO EXPERIMENT, THE SUICIDE SQUAD [2021], PEACEMAKER [TV], CREATURE COMMANDOS [TV]) is 59.
Writer, Producer, Director Stephen Knight (DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, EASTERN PROMISES, CLOSED CIRCUIT, LOCKE, PAWN SACRIFICE, SEVENTH SON, TABOO [TV], THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB, SERENITY [2019], SEE [TV], THE VEIL [TV], LE CHOIX) is 67.
Actor John Jarrat (PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, PLUNGE INTO DARKNESS, NEXT OF KIN, CHASE THROUGH THE NIGHT, DARK AGE, DEAD HEART, WOLF CREEK [all], ROGUE, BAD BEHAVIOUR, NEEDLE, SAVAGES CROSSING, SHIVER [2012], 100 BLOODY ACRES, OBSERVANCE, STALKHER, FRENZY [2015], BOAR, WOLF CREEK [TV], THE POSSESSED, SHED) is 75.
Look for John in the upcoming 2027 Horror Thriller, WOLF CREEK: LEGACY. Also in 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 Thriller, THE NINTH ORDER. And in 2025, 2026, 2027 ZOMBIE PLANE.
|
AUG! 4 |
WHITE ZOMBIE is 94
Holy crap! 94 years ago actor Bela Lugosi rocked Horror movies so powerfully that he's still remembered, revered, and remains the dominant icon of Dracula movies. He could and did play believable Jesus Christ, heroes, villains, and monsters.
How the hell did he do it? And why do his performances continue to echo nearly a century later? You'll understand the moment you watch him in WHITE ZOMBIE.
And -
HOLLOW MAN is 26
Over A Quarter Century since of the advancing technology of Computer Graphic Imagery (CGI).
In 1999 Paul Verhoven wrapped up his contractual obligations to Hollywood with this movie. It was his last hurrah in the U.S. and after its release in 2000 and a year's worth of junket promoting it world wide, he left L.A. with his middle finger extended as he headed back to his Mudderland to make the low budget drama thrillers he loved so well.
Why did he do that? Because it was with this movie that Paul felt he directed something anyone could do. Paul felt drained by Hollywood and he needed to do his Verhoven movies. Movies that only he could do, like ROBOCOP or even TOTAL RECALL. This movie was merely HOLLOW MAN.
Plus -
THE DESCENT Turns 21 in the UK and 18 in the USA
The first time Writer and Director Neil Marshall took us on a trip into familiar territory, Werewolves (DOG SOLIDERS), it got real unfamiliar and so real scary real quick.
So when I first saw THE DESCENT in 2006, I experienced that same thrill of being in familiar territory (even moreso for me because I'm a spelunker), that suddenly becomes unfamiliar and, what's more, in so many familiar ways.
This is the blood that runs through Neil's creations when he's at his best, and this is why THE DESCENT is Neill at his best.
Finale -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer Kealan Patrick Burke (MASTER OF THE MOORS, CURRENCY OF SOULS, THE LIVING, THE HIDES, UNDERNEATH, THE TURTLE BOY, DEAD OF WINTER, EMPATHY, YOU IN?, THEATER MACABRE, RAVENOUS GHOSTS, MIDLISTERS [w/Jack Ketchum], THE GRIEF FREQUENCY, THE ACQUAINTANCE, STAGE WHISPERS, SELDOM SEEN IN AUGUST, MR. GOODNIGHT, COBWEBS) is 65 or something.
Actor Daniel Dae Kim (THE JACKAL [1997], CRUSADE [TV], ANGEL [TV], MOMENTUM, HULK, 24 [TV], SPIDER-MAN 2, THE CAVE, AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER [TV], LOST [TV], THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN [TV], THE LEGEND OF KORRA [TV], INSURGENT, ALLEGIANT, HELLBOY [2019], STOWAWAY, THE HOT ZONE [TV], PANTHEON [TV], JOY RIDE, AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER [TV], KPOP DEMON HUNTERS) is 57.
Writer Dennis Lehane (MYSTIC RIVER, GONE BABY GONE, SHUTTER ISLAND, LIVE BY NIGHT, MR. MERCEDES [TV], BLACK BIRD [TV]) is 60.
Actor David James Lewis (MORONS FROM OUTER SPACE, TALES FROM THE GIMLI HOSPITAL, VOYAGE OF TERROR, EVERY MOTHER'S WORST FEAR, LAKE PLACID, D-TOX, HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION, JOHN DOE [TV], PAYCHECK, FIREWALL, ALIEN INCURSION, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT 2, BEYOND LOCH NESS, BA'AL, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL [2008], POSSESSION, WYVERN, ZOMBIE PUNCH, HARPER'S ISLAND [TV], GHOST STORM, COLLISION EARTH, DONOVAN'S ECHO, SEEDS OF DESTRUCTION, KILLER AMONG US, THE ELEVENTH VICTIM, EVANGELINE [2013], GARAGE SALE MYSTERY, HIDDEN [2015], R.L. Stine's MONSTERVILLE: CABINET OF SOULS, CANDILAND, SECRETS IN THE ATTIC, MOTIVE [TV], MORNING SHOW MYSTERIES, VIOLENTA, CHILD'S PLAY [2019], THE CURSE OF WILLOW SONG, THERE'S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE, BRAZEN, HEATWAVE, CRUEL SUMMER [TV], TRAPPED IN THE CABIN, SCHOOL SPIRITS [TV]) is 50.
David shares a birthday with HEATWAVE alumni Sebatian Roche
Actor Dan Payne (STARGATE SG-1 [TV], TRUTH, THE HORROR OF H.P. LOVECRAFT, TIN MAN [TV], STAGATE ATLANTIS [TV], WATCHMEN, ICARUS, BLOOD: A BUTCHER'S TALE, TOWER PREP [TV], THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING, PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD [TV], THE HUNTERS, R.L. Stine's THE HAUNTING HOUR [TV], STRANGER IN THE HOUSE, DYING TO BE LOVED, WARCRAFT, STAR TREK BEYOND, DEVIL IN THE DARK, RESIDUE, TIL EX DO US PART, FRAMED BY MY HUSBAND, CORRECTIVE MEASURES) is 53.
Actor Sebastian Roché (THE PEACEMAKER, ROAR [TV], BONNE NUIT, ODYSSEY 5, BEOWULF, FRINGE [TV], SUPERNATURAL [TV], THE VAMPIRE DIARIES [TV], PEGASUS VS. CHIMERA, WER, NEGATIVE, THE ORIGINALS [TV], THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE [TV], BATWOMAN [TV], THE COLONY [2021], HEATWAVE) is 62.
Actor Abigail Spencer (CAMPFIRE STORIES, ANGELA'S EYES [TV], JEKYLL, IN MY SLEEP, COWBOYS & ALIENS, THE HAUNTING IN GEORGIA, H8RZ, TRUE DETECTIVE [TV], TIMELESS [TV], REPRISAL [TV]) is 45.
|
AUG! 3 |
YOU DUG IT
Good 2 Know: Any weekend box office drop of less than 50% is good. Any weekend B.O. drop smaller than 30% of the previous is excellent.
General Rules:
A. Theaters get approximately 50% of the gross in North American B.O. (negotiable).
B. Distributors omitting Production budget figures believe the movie will under perform.
C. Total gross by the 3rd weekend accounts for at least half of movie's total theater ticket sales regardless of length of stay.
D. After the 3rd weekend, as screens drop, theater 50/50 B.O. split rises about 10% each weekend, favoring the theater, until it stops at 80/20 (negotiable).
1. SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY blows the doors off all expectations. Sony suits watched all of the other tent-pole super hero movies fail at the box office and were nervous enough to withold the Production budget of this movie, yet it cleared the weekend with a whopping world wide box office of $941,793,644 in only three days! This is not only the biggest SPIDER-MAN ever, or the biggest opening for a sequel, ever, but the biggest opening for a movie in cinema history.
4. MINIONS AND MONSTERS steps up from last weekend's #5 with a mild 33% drop in ticket sales against a 363 screen cut in its 5th weekend. That said in only its 5th weekend it's made over 5 times its Production budget. Expect more Minions in the future.
8. EVIL DEAD BURN is getting little love as it staggers down from last weekend's #6 with a huge 73% loss in box office against a 1,740 screen cut. OW! What relieves some of that pain is that its made 3 times its budget back at theaters.
11. OBSESSION finally leaves the Top Ten in its victorious 12th weekend, gracefully stepping down from last weekend's #10. Having made over 475 times its Production budget, OBSESSION currently sits at No. 4 of the Top Ten most profitable movies in cinema history, right below
1. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
2. THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
3. THE WAY OF THE DRAGON
4. OBSESSION
5. ENTER THE DRAGON
You Buried Nothing
Figures calibrated from reporting by Box Office Mojo and The Numbers. Should there be differences between the two, I err on the side of caution and post the most positive numbers.
And -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Jon Foster (MURDER IN GREENWICH, TERMINATOR 3, THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR, STAY ALIVE, PANDORUM, MR. JONES, 18 AND OVER ALONE AT NIGHT) is 41.
Actor, Director, Producer John Landis (SCHLOCK!, BATTLE
FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES, DEATH RACE 2000, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN
LONDON, TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE, THRILLER, SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, DARKMAN, SLEEPWALKERS, INNOCENT BLOOD, SPIDER-MAN
2, DEER WOMAN, FAMILY, BURKE AND HARE, and lots more) is 75.
Actor Evangeline Lilly (THE HURT LOCKER, AFTERWARDS, LOST [TV], THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN, LITTLE EVIL, ant-man [ALL], AVENGERS: ENDGAME, CRISIS, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA) is 40.
Actor Kyle Schmid (VIRUS [1996], A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, THE COVENANT, DEATH ROW, JOY RIDE 2, THE THAW, FEAR ISLAND, BEING HUMAN [UK - TV], DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D, DARK HEARTS, LOST GIRL [TV], BEING HUMAN [CA - TV], BABYLON FIELDS, 88, I-LAND [TV], 10 MINUTES GONE, BIG SKY [TV]) is 40.
SUNDAY -
Ah, they grow up so fast!
Actor Edward Furlong (TERMINATOR 2, PET SEMETARY II, BRAINSCAN, AMERICAN HISTORY
X, THREE BLIND MICE, THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER, CRUEL WORLD, THE MORTICIAN, BELOW ZERO, CRAVE, REMNANTS, THE ZOMBIE KING, AWAKENED, STITCH, THE LAST LIGHT, AFTERMATH [2014], AWAKEN [2015], THE REUNION, TERMINATOR: DARK FLOP, THE FOREST HILLS, UNSPEAKABLE: BEYOND THE WALL OF SLEEP) is 49.
Look for Edward in the 2024, 2025, 2026 Horror Thriller, THE ENDLESS WHISPERS, after suffering major setbacks is now listed at IMDb as Production Unknown.
Actor Olivier Gruner (NEMESIS, AUTOMATIC, VELOCITY
TRAP, MARS, THE CIRCUIT, CIRCUIT 2, ONE NIGHT, RE-GENERATOR, DARK WEB [2016], THE CIRCUIT 2020 [TV], SPACE WARS: QUEST FOR THE DEEPSTAR) is 65.
Actor Marcel Iures (INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, THE PEACEMAKER, DRACULA THE IMPALER, ISOLATION, THE CAVE, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END, YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH, THICK AS THIEVES, BUNRAKU, THE GAME [TV - 2015]) is 76.
Actor Sandra Ellis Lafferty (SUTURE, NEW NIGHTMARE, THE PROPHECY, SPARK, THE PROPHECY 3, SOULKEEPER, THE NEW DAUGHTER, QUARANTINE 2: TERMINAL, AWAKENED, HUNGER GAMES, AFTER, THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, SELF/LESS, BUSTER'S MAL HEART, A DARK PLACE, A FALL FROM GRACE, TRINKET BOX) is 86.
Look for Sandra in the upcoming 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 (?) Horror Thriller, HELLBILLY HOLLOW.
Ah, they grow old so fast!
Actor Butch Patrick (THE HAND OF DEATH, THE MUNSTERS [TV], MUNSTER GO HOME, THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH, SCARY MOVIE [1989], MACABRE THEATER [TV], FRANKENSTEIN VS. THE CREATURE FROM BLOOD COVE, IT CAME FROM TRAFALGAR, ZOMBIE DREAMS, YOUNG BLOOD: EVIL INTENTIONS, BITE SCHOOL, ZOMBIE DREAM, HE DRIVES AT NIGHT, RIVER BEAUTY, CAMP BLOOD 9 Rob Zombie's THE MUNSTERS, and more) is 73.
Actor Sam Worthington (MACBETH, ROGUE, TERMINATOR: SALVATION, AVATAR, CLASH OF THE TITANS [2010], WRATH OF THE TITANS, MAN ON A LEDGE, THE TITAN, FRACTURED, TRANSFUSION, AVATAR 2, SIMULANT, BREATHE, THE GEORGETOWN PROJECT THE EXORCISM, RELAY, AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH) is 45.
Look for Sam in the upcoming AVATARS 4 and 5.
Released in the Same Year on the Same Weekend!
FRIGHT NIGHT is 41!
Dive into the original 1985 FRIGHT NIGHT with this review by Bram Stoker Award winning Horror author, Mike Oliveri.
Dario Argento's PHENOMENA aka CREEPERS is 41!
Argento purists will debate forever as to whether TENEBRE, SUSPIRIA, or DEEP RED is his best film, but one thing's for certain: PHENOMENA is the one that's the most fun.
SIGNS Turns 24
It was the start of the crash of M. Night Shyamalan. Two feature films with producer Frank Marshall (THE SIXTH SENSE, UNBREAKABLE), and frequent media plaudits of being the next Hitchcock or Spielberg (all high praise indeed, but imagine being a young and new director, and being saddled with such expectations), embedded into Night's psyche that, by golly he had to, HAD TO, have a twist freaking ending in every movie whether it required one or not.
No, scratch that, his movies absolutely required a twist.
So the moment Shyamalan was free of Frank, he made this movie, telegraphed the twist in the first scene and kept tapping that telegraph key all the way to the end, making it the most expected twist I've ever seen.
However, reviewer Kelly Parks also saw SIGNS and this is what he experienced.
SATURDAY -
Actor Jason Momoa (PIPELINE, STARGATE: ATLANTIS [TV], GAME OF THRONES [TV], CONAN THE BARBARIAN [2011], BULLET TO THE HEAD, ROAD TO PALOMA, WOLVES [2014], DEBUG, THE BAD BATCH, SUGAR MOUNTAIN, DUNE, SEE, IN THE HAND OF DANTE) is 47.
Look for Jason in the Dec. 18, 2026 release of DUNE Part 3. And in 2028, FAST FOREVER.
Actor Kris Holden-Ried (HABITAT, NIGHT OF THE DEMONS III, RIVERDALE [TV 1997 - 2000], GOSSIP, A KILLING SPRING, NEVER FORGET, THE DEATH OF ALICE BLUE, HIDDEN CRIMES, UNDERWORLD AWAKENING, HUNTING SEASON, THE RETURNED, LOST GIRL [TV], DARK MATTER [TV 2015 - 2017], THE EPITAPH [2016], DEPARTURE [TV], THE EXPANSE [TV], UMBRELLA ACADEMY [TV], DARK WEB: CICADA 3301, DEPARTURE [TV], SHE CAME BACK, BELIEVER, THE DOGS, THE UNDERTONE) is 52.
Look for Kris in the upcoming 2026, 2027 Thriller HOUSE/WIFE.
THE OMEGA MAN is 55
Tim Burton wasn't the first to do a re-imagining rather than a re-make. But of course when I mention Tim Burton and his re-imagining of PLANET OF THE APES you immediately assume the category is "Movies that Suck".
Well, we'll see when you read Kelly Parks review of THE OMEGA MAN.
And -
39 Years of the Arguable Best of the F13 Franchise: JASON LIVES
Why is it that the 5th sequel still holds the entire FRIDAY THE 13th movie franchise together? From screenwriter Ken King (the Fan Behind the Mask) comes his review of FRIDAY THE 13th VI: JASON LIVES.
SPAWN is 29
A surprise hit reboot of a Marvel character (VENOM) means the artist and writer, Todd McFarlane, could go it alone with his own comic book line, right? And his surprise hit character in comic books means that he has a shot at turning it into a hit toyline, right? And the favorable early response to a SPAWN animated series, means we launch a surprise hit live action movie, right?
OMG! While we're putting the finishing touches on the live action movie, the animated series is a runaway train! There's no stopping this, right?
A look back at why all the dominos didn't fall for Todd McFarlane's SPAWN motion picture and what those lessons still mean over a quarter century later.
Thomas M. Sipos HALLOWEEN CANDY is 25
Some books are non-fiction true-life, cautionary tales. Others are entertaining fiction. Author Thomas M. Sipos (The Tabloid Witch Awards) offered both in his book, HALLOWEEN CANDY.
THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR is 18
The production designers took this movie seriously: you can see it right there on the screen. The Art Director and set builders, the costumers, nearly everyone took this as serious as if it was going to be the best Mummy movie - possibly the best movie - Universal Pictures ever made.
Unfortunately, it seems that Universal Pictures didn't take THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR or the audience they had built for it, seriously, and about half the cast that Universal wanted to return, refused because the script was just that awful.
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