RIP Wes Craven (1939-2015)

Terrible news broke today as prolific horror director/writer Wes Craven has been announced dead after a battle with brain cancer. The famed director of such classic horror titles A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Hills Have Eyes, The Last House on the Left, and Scream passed away at the age of 76. The Hollywood Reporter was first to report Craven’s untimely death.

Unlike most horror junkies, I never grew up on the Elm Street series, but as a baby of the late 80s I was more familiar with the Scream franchise when they arrived on the scene. I knew of Freddy Krueger in image only and would later binge on all of the Elm Street series as an adult. Craven wrote and directed A Nightmare on Elm Street, which sparked many sequels due to Fredd’s terrifying mainstream appeal – iterations he hand no hand in other than the character himself. Wes only came back to the character for A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and New Nightmare. Suffice it to say, Freddy would become Robert Englund’s most recognized role in the actor’s long career of character acting.

The Last House on the Left, Wes Craven’s first feature film, I only saw after having seen the remake; the same for The Hills Have Eyes, which is a phenomenal and disturbing remake in my opinion. And despite never having the pleasure of following his career from the beginning, his influence on the horror films I was brought up on is highly apparent.

Wes Craven’s last film was Scream 4, which set out to revitalize the series for the new generation. It didn’t wind up as celebrated as expected, but now we have an MTV series based on the property that has just been renewed for a second season. I won’t pretend to be a Wes Craven aficionado, there are many titles in his filmography I have yet to digest, but I hope to get to them some day.

When I look back at Wes Craven’s career, what I will miss most is his vision that continually pushed the genre to its limits, changing the fabric of horror storytelling for the better.

a nightmare on elm street bathtub scene

Another iconic horror director, John Carpenter (The Thing; Halloween; They Live), conveyed his distress on the loss of his friend and colleague:

Other horror directors, such as James Wan (Saw; The Conjuring), Joe Dante (Gremlins), Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, Mother’s Day), Tom Holland (1985’s Fright Night), Ti West (The Sacrament; House of the Devil), and Eli Roth (Hostel; The Green Inferno), posted their condolences on their own social media profiles too:

https://twitter.com/Ti_West/status/638195998079107072

https://twitter.com/eliroth/status/638179292233400321

The stars from Wes Craven’s Scream movies also expressed their deepest sympathies:

https://twitter.com/SkeetMe1/status/638170108909608960

If you want to catch up on some of Wes Craven’s film catalog, there are nine titles now available to stream currently on Netflix:

  • The Hills Have Eyes 2 (1984)
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
  • Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
  • Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)
  • Scream (1996)
  • Scream 2 (1997)
  • Music of the Heart (1999)
  • Scream 3 (2000)
  • Cursed (2005)

You will be missed Wes Craven. You were an inspiration that will live on through the annals of horror history.


Source: The Hollywood Reporter

The Coolest Comic-Con 2015 Booths, Exhibits, and Experiences

So here we are again. San Diego Comic-Con. The place that makes geek wet dreams come true. I definitely was excited to get my nerd on this weekend, and I’m always looking forward to seeing what new booths, exhibits, and experiences SDCC has to offer. Suffice it to say, I was a tad underwhelmed by most of what I saw inside and out of the San Diego Convention Center.

This is my fourth year attending Comic-Con. Every year I’m always expecting something different, looking to see new things, but as far as booths go, Comic-Con 2015 seemed a bit lackluster. Most of the major booths and exhibits such as Lionsgate, Warner Bros., DC Comics, Fox, Weta Workshop, Gentle Giant, Image Comics, Marvel, Nintendo, and X-Box among others were pretty much the same as the last few years. And even exhibitors like PlayStation were completely absent. Ubisoft and a few others cut back on the scale of their booths. Even Marvel downsized from a big video screen on their booth to just a giant scrawl to promote Ant-Man.

Last year, DC Comics gave a preview of the cape and cowl that Ben Affleck’s Batman will be wearing in Batman v Superman. This year they went one level up by showcasing the costumes of

However, there were some Comic-Con 2015 booths that did impress me. It wasn’t the movie studios who were going all out, but it was TV series who were making their mark on the show floor, and even outside. As per usual, The Walking Dead booth dominated the floor with a fun experience with multiple photo ops with the undead to tease the upcoming season – they also spoiled some major plot points from the last season. MTV’s Scream and History’s Vikings had fun booth experiences to get splattered by blood and walk away with some swag.

The most comprehensive Comic-Con 2015 booths weren’t inside however, they were outside the convention center. MTV’s Scream Queens had a carnival giant drop ride and FX hosted huge experiences such as an America Horror Story: Hotel recreation and a giant Fargo snow globe. Even Adult Swim had its own area for fans to play around in with a little carnival setting for folks to play games and win prizes.

Nerd HQ changed venues this year and instead of taking over PETCO Park they inhabited three levels of the New Children’s Museum. It was closer to the convention center and had more room for activities.

These are a few stray observations I noticed that I thought I would share. Many folks are not able to make it to Comic-Con and I hope this photo gallery will at least give you a solid taste of what it is like to walk around the epic convention.


Comic-Con 2015

For more info on the exhibitors, visit Comic-Con.org

Complete Comic-Con 2015 Television Panels Schedule

Most would say we are in the Golden Age of television. Everywhere you look there’s a new superhero show emerging or a fun genre bending procedural popping up. There are a smorgasbord of TV series on every channel for everyone, and fortunately for Comic-Con 2015 attendees there will be a bounty of panels to attend.  The Comic-Con 2015 television panels include the likes of HBO’s Game of Thrones, AMC’s The Walking Dead, ABC’s Once Upon a Time, TNT’s The Last Ship, Fox’s Gotham, The CW’s Arrow, MTV’s Scream, and the highly anticipated Supergirl from CBS. And don’t forget the popular animated series such as Archer, Bob’s Burgers, Rick and Morty, Adventure Time, and more. Check out the full list of panels below:

Preview Night Comic-Con 2015 Television Panels

CBS Supergirl Arrow Flash

6:00pm – 10:00pm Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screenings – Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue their annual Preview Night tradition, with exclusive world premiere screenings of the pilot episodes of four of the most highly anticipated series of the 2015-16 television season. Ballroom 20

  • Supergirl – In the vast DC Comics Universe of superheroes, the rich mythology of Superman, the planet Krypton and the House of El is perhaps the most famous and instantly recognizable. Enter Supergirl! Born Kara Zor-El on the doomed planet Krypton, the preteen Kara escaped at the same time as the infant Kal-El but didn’t arrive on Earth until many years later after being lost in the Phantom Zone. Protected and raised by her adopted family, the Danvers, Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex, and learned to hide the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin. Years later, at age 24, living in National City and working as an assistant for Catco Worldwide Media mogul Cat Grant, Kara has spent so many years trying to fit in that she forgot to ever stand out. All that changes when she decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and become the hero she was always destined to be. With the help of Daily Planet photographer James Olsen, her bioengineer sister Alex, and the research of the super-secret, off-the-grid Department of Extra-Normal Operations (DEO) and its head, Hank Henshaw, who are tasked with keeping the Earth safe from aliens, Kara takes to the skies to protect her world. Her foes include both a sinister extraterrestrial menace and the high-tech terrestrial threat of clever villains with powerful weaponry. The series stars Melissa Benoist (Whiplash, Glee), Chyler Leigh (Grey’s Anatomy), and Mehcad Brooks (True Blood), with David Harewood (Homeland) and Calista Flockhart (Brothers & Sisters), and is executive produced by Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Arrow), Ali Adler (Chuck), Andrew Kreisberg (The Flash, Arrow) and Sarah Schechter (Pan, The Flash). From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Supergirl premieres Mondays at 8/7c on CBS this November.
  • Blindspot – Sullivan Stapleton (300: Rise of an Empire) and Jaimie Alexander (Thor films) star in Blindspot, a one-hour action thriller from Berlanti Productions (The Flash, Arrow, Pan) and writer/executive producer Martin Gero (Stargate: Atlantis). Stapleton plays hardened FBI agent Kurt Weller, who is drawn into a complex conspiracy when a naked amnesiac, Jane Doe (Alexander), is found in Times Square covered in a series of cryptic tattoos…including his name on her back. As Weller and his teammates at the FBI begin to investigate the veritable treasure map found in Jane Doe’s tattoos, they are drawn into a high-stakes underworld that twists and turns through a labyrinth of secrets and revelations-the information they uncover might ultimately change the world. In addition to Stapleton and Alexander, the series stars Rob Brown (Treme), Audrey Esparza (Public Morals), Ukweli Roach (Eternal Law), Ashley Johnson (The Killing), and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Without a Trace). From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Blindspot premieres this fall Mondays at 10/9c on NBC.
  • Containment – When a mysterious and deadly epidemic breaks out in Atlanta, a vast urban quarantine is quickly enforced, forcing those stuck on the inside to fight for their lives while local and federal officials desperately search for a. Torn apart from their loved ones, the survivors trapped within the cordon are fighting against not only fatal infection but also isolation, fear, and the disintegration of society around them. But as they begin to gain each other’s trust, hope remains, and on either side of the cordon unlikely heroes will rise. Containment stars David Gyasi (Interstellar), Christina Moses (How We Met), Chris Wood (The Vampire Diaries), Kristen Gutoskie, Claudia Black (The Originals), George Young, Hanna Mangan Lawrence ( Spartacus: Vengeance), and Trevor St. John (One Life to Live). Based on the original Belgian series created by Carl Joos for Eyeworks, Containment is produced by My So-Called Company in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries, The Originals) and David Nutter (The Flash, Arrow).
  • Lucifer – Lucifer is the story of the original fallen angel. Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar has resigned his throne and retired to the City of Angels, where he owns an upscale piano bar called Lux. When a beautiful pop star is murdered, for the first time in roughly 10 billion years, he feels something awaken deep within him. Is he actually capable of feelings for a human being? The very thought disturbs him. The murder attracts the attention of LAPD homicide detective Chloe Dancer, who finds herself both repulsed and fascinated by Lucifer. At the same time, God’s emissary, the angel Amenadiel, has been sent to Los Angeles to convince Lucifer to return to Hell. But with the City of Angels at his feet and a newfound purpose, Lucifer’s having too much fun to go back now. Sexy, dark and irreverent, Lucifer stars Tom Ellis (Rush), Lauren German (Chicago Fire), DB Woodside (24, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Spartacus series), Nicholas Gonzalez (Sleepy Hollow), Scarlett Estevez, and Rachael Harris (The Hangover) and is executive produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean films), Jonathan Littman (CSI series), Tom Kapinos (Californication), Ildy Modrovich (Necessary Roughness), Len Wiseman (Underworld films), and Joe Henderson (Almost Human). From Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Aggressive Mediocrity in association with Warner Bros. Television, and based on characters created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg for DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint, Lucifer premieres Midseason on FOX.
  • Teen Titans Go! – The Teen Titans are back at it again, in Teen Titans Go!, with all new comedic adventures both in and out of Titans Tower and Warner Bros has you covered by screening a brand-new episode. Based on DC Comics characters and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Teen Titans Go! airs Thursdays at 6/5c on Cartoon Network.

Continue reading for Friday’s Comic-Con 2015 Television Panels Schedule–>

Essential Horror Movies for Halloween 2014 and Where to Find Them

Essential Horror Movies for Halloween 2014

Searching for that perfect horror movie to watch this Halloween? We’ve got the answers for you. From creature features to touchstone classics to foreign thrillers, we’ve accumulated the best list the horror genre has to offer in theaters, on demand, and streaming on Netflix. Find out your best options this Halloween after the jump. Continue reading

10 Best Horror Movies to Watch on Netflix this October [2014 Edition]

Best Horror Movies On Netflix 2014

Last year, we suggested Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, The Cabin in the Woods, V/H/S, V/H/S/2, The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers, Compliance, I Saw the Devil, Timecrimes, and The Ward – you can read why here. Surprisingly all of those movies are still on Netflix except for Timecrimes. This year, we’re recommending 10 more awesome horror movies that you can stream right now on Netflix Watch Instant. After the break, check out which films make the cut along with an extensive list of other horror films also available. Continue reading

The Best Horror Movies on Netflix to Watch this Halloween [2013 Edition]

Best Horror Movies to Watch on Netflix for Halloween this Year

Halloween is nigh, and if you’re already all partied out or have stuffed yourself with enough candy to kill your dentist than your best option is to set yourself up with an all-night horror movie marathon. And if you have Netflix then you’re in luck. The uber popular streaming service has all the horror movies you need for a good night’s worth of blood, guts, and terror. After the jump, check out the full-list of recommended horror flicks to wet your whistle until next October.  Continue reading

Horror Movie Quote of the Day: Scream

“Now Sid, don’t you blame the movies, movies don’t create psychos, movies make psychos more creative!” – Billy Loomis

T-He: Hilariously Creepy Snickers Halloween Commercial

Yayyy Snickers! Holidays bring the best out in advertisers, but the best holiday I could think of to be creative would be Halloween. This great new creepy Snickers ad is absolutely eerie and amusing. The costume in this commercial reminds me of the horrible horror gem The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation. Check out the ad spot after the break for a good time along with some great Burger King Halloween print ads from last year!

Continue reading

Arquettes Scream Once More……

arquettes

Courtney Cox and David Arquette have both signed on for the new Scream (triology?) that is upcoming, but right now just Scream 4. This source is from E! Online. Wes Craven is still unknown, but the story is written by Kevin Williamson.

Scream No More Sid……

Scream 4 Fake

According to a source that got sources from other soucrces whose myspace said that they saw something on  someone’s facebook who tweeted on twitter said………Screenwriter Kevin Williamson is now in a rut as he tweeted, “Trying to figure out a Sid-less scenario. She won’t do it. This sucks.” So apparently Neve Campbell is no longer part of the Scream 4, although Craven only led to the assumption that Campbell would just be in a small cameo anywho. But we’ll see where this interesting little twist on Scream 4 leads to now since Sidney will not be returning.