About All That Cabin in the Woods Buzz....

Cross-posted on and commissioned by Film.com

Ever since Cabin in the Woods had audiences freaking out at Butt Numb a Thon and even more so at SXSW (and for many of us, way before then), it's been perhaps the most buzzed about original film of the year. While running errands a couple days ago, two employees and two customers began talking about the film, seemingly prompted by nothing, discussing whether or not it will be like say, Saw, or something more subversive. So for the confused or uninitiated wondering what this buzz is all about, let me break it down for you - spoiler free of course.

The Hold Up

Cabin in the Woods was originally shot in 2009 for MGM, and when the studio went under, the film just kind of hung around for a while, wondering if it would ever see the light of day. So it's not like Cabin just popped up a couple months ago and people started gabbing. Some of us have been anticipating this film for *literally* years. Anticipating an ORIGINAL film for years is extremely rare. So when Cabin started screening, most notably at Butt Numb a Thon, and word on the street was that it was balls out amazing, well, you can imagine how difficult it became for us geeks to contain our excitement. While the hold up was initially so frustrating for us all, a lot of positives ended up coming out of it other than the long period of time to simmer in anticipation, including enough of a chance to resist 3D conversion (thank goodness for that) and the GIANT strides that have happened for the people involved since wrapping. 

Joss Whedon

Certainly this applies to Joss Whedon. Once and to a certain degree still, a geek's geek, beloved by a very specific niche audience, who everyone else ignorantly turns a nose up at, now Whedon is about to enter the arena of household name-big budget-massive franchises. If Cabin had been released when intended, maybe his involvement would have been brushed off by the more mainstream audiences. But here, in 2012, mere weeks after Cabin hits theaters, so will The Avengers, directed by none other than Whedon himself. The Avengers has already put Whedon on the map outside of the geek crowd. Remember when I mentioned hearing employees discussing Cabin a couple days ago? One of them got more interested the moment someone else mentioned that the writer is directing the Avengers. 

Chris Hemsworth

Not to mention the cast! Since wrapping, Chris Hemsworth went and oh you know, became Thor, NBD, and apparently ultimately got the job because Whedon called Kenneth Brannagh and recommended he give Hemsworth another shot. Then as luck would have it, Whedon and Hemsworth reunited to shoot The Avengers. Hemsworth has a huge following now and brings a star element to the film that previously didn't exist. I'm personally excited for the film to open so people will see what Kristen Connolly (who holds a masters in drama from Yale, whatwhat) can do and start propelling her towards stardom. 

Former Buffy/Angel Writers Taking Over The World

Continuing the trend of former Buffy writers taking over the world, Cabin in the Woods is Drew Goddard's directorial debut. Since Buffy's end, we've seen David Fury writing and producing for Lost, 24 and Fringe, David Greenwalt creating and showrunning Grimm, Jane Espenson writing for Once Upon a Time, Dollhouse, and Battlestar Galactica and showrunning Caprcia, Marti Noxon writing Fright Night and writing/producing for Mad Men and Glee, Drew Z Greenberg executive producing Warehouse 13, and the list goes on and on. The writing room for Buffy and Angel was the breeding ground for greatness and the proof is in the pudding. 

#discoverthesecret

Word on the street wasn't just that the film was great, but that it is important to not know anything going in. I echo this statement and hope you have done your best to avoid all trailers and simply know you are going next weekend. I went in 100% cold and was astonished at what I found. Other people will argue that the film is unspoilerable for reasons that will become clear to you, but I disagree. I think part of the wonder of Cabin, part of its genius, sits in the audience not knowing what exactly to expect, which simultaneously makes it impossible to market and yet all the more desirable to dedicated genre audiences.  If you *have* seen the trailer, don't worry, it's only the tip of the iceberg, but if you have managed to avoid it until now - keep it that way. But what builds more buzz than being told by multiple sources that you MUST see it before it gets spoiled for you and know NOTHING going in? OhgodIwanttoseeitagainrightnow.

Husband Bulge

Aside from being shrouded in secrecy, which certainly adds to the draw, the film is also intensely quotable. Most of the quotes at least to me, act as a spoiler, so best to only engage in a quote-off with other folks who have seen the film, but at least one of them, "husband bulge" spoils nothing while still being incredibly specific and reminiscent of some great moments in the film. Bring a pen and paper cause some of these lines you will not want to forget. 

It's Not Based On Anything and Not A Franchise

!!!!!! Huzzah for original genre material! ORIGINAL GENRE MATERIAL!!! That's enough on its own to get me buzzing.

It's Fantastic
In case you were wondering....:)

Are you planning on seeing Cabin in the Woods, opening today nationwide? Have you managed to avoid knowing anything about it? What excites you about the film? Sound off below!

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Blu Ray Review: Insidious

 I shouldn't have watched this right before bed. I really shouldn't have watched this right before bed.

Today marks the DVD/Blu-Ray release of Insidious, an original horror film from Saw writer/director team James Wan and Leigh Whannell, produced by Oren Pell of Paranormal Activity fame. I found this unexpectedly genre bending film to be kind of delightful in its originality. Equal parts naturalism and theatricality, I must say I had no idea where it would end up when it began. Even though at every twist I'd think to myself "I knew it!" then wonder, "Wait...did I?" (And sometimes, yes I did, thanks for spoiling part of the whole movie, blurb on the back of the DVD case...) Somehow the structure of the film is such that it completely envelops you and often tricks you into thinking you're one step ahead.

But don't worry, this isn't a film based in twists and turns. What makes it truly terrifying is the slow burn, the build, the tension, the glimpses of what's truly going on, and some very disturbing imagery bringing up the rear. For me personally, I'm glad I saw it at home for the first time, rather than in the theater, because haunted house movies are practically meant to be watched at home. That's when they become the most tangible and frightening. And this film was no exception.

Another plus of watching at home was utilizing my surround sound system to enhance such an unsettling score paired with incredibly dynamic sound design. The sounds were so effective, we kept finding them bleeding into reality, becoming increasingly convinced that some of the creaks were coming from outside of the screen. It helped create an all too terrifying atmosphere.

Now this movie wasn't perfect for me. It was almost too dark at times to see what was going on and the comic relief fell a little flat as it was just too little too late and almost unwanted at that point but despite those small gripes, the film is worth seeing, for its interesting blend of genres alone. Then throw in the fact that it's low budget, well made, original and legitimately scary and it becomes a full on recommendation.

But to buy the Blu-Ray? I'm not sure I'm convinced.

There are only three extras, Horror 101: The Exclusive Seminar, which gives a little background on the idea of the film and the genres it delves into, On Set with Insidious, which features behind the scenes footage and bits about the on-set relationships, stunts, bits that were cut and more, and Insidious: Entities, a closer look at all of the Entities. While these extras aren't bad, they are nowhere near enough. The total under a half hour and only feature interviews with six people - a very enthusiastic Wan & Whannell in all three, and in Insidious: Entities, the Production Designer, Costume Designer, Head of the Makeup Department and Head of the Hair Department as well. The featurettes are are all informative and fun to watch, but ultimately don't go as in depth as I've come to expect from my blu-rays. There is no commentary, and no equivalent. Plus you're practically forced into watching multiple trailers before even getting to the main menu. Weren't we past that, as a people?

But because the film is such an interesting little combo of unique and bone chilling, I at least recommend a rental. To be watched at night. With the surround sound on high. I guarantee you will have trouble sleeping. And according to Wan & Whannell, that's the mark of a horror movie doing its job. So, mission accomplished boys. I'm using a night light tonight. See full post

Is Scream 4 The Perfect Date Movie?

Crossposted on Film.com

For some sad reason, there has been a severe lack of good, original slasher movies over the past 10 years. Was Scream 3 so bad that it just killed the genre? What happened, guys? The 2000s brought us new horror movies, sure, but with new horror sub genres and new horror rules, none of which have delighted me the way any of the Scream movies have, even the bad one. And consequently, the 2000s seemed to have killed the concept of horror-as-date-movie. Which makes sense. I don't want to see something that is nothing but gross with a boy I want to make out with afterwards. I just don't. I don't think mutants raping people before they brutally murder them is particularly sexy.

But with Scream 4 we see a return to the genre that isn't a remake or a reboot, but a good old, classic, original team in place, sequel. And in spite of being a sequel and filled with pop culture references and self referential humor from top to bottom, it still manages to be....original. And as I applauded the random appearance of Mary McDonnell, accidentally screamed at the top of my lungs multiple times, punched my boyfriend in the shoulder during the silly moments and recalled exact references to the first Scream, I realized that not only is this a return to the genre - this is a definite return to the tradition of horror-as-date-movie. Because Scream 4 is the *perfect* date movie. Check out why after the jump
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Deep Thoughts About The Scream 4 Trailer

Things I am obsessed with: Scream. Things you should be obsessed with: Scream. Today's lesson rules!


Naturally, with a Scream obsession, comes an OH DEAR GOD CAN IT BE APRIL NOW BBZZZZZGZUIGH reaction to the upcoming fourth installment. So when the trailer hit the interwebs Thursday evening, I had to watch it. And analyze it. And marry it. Here are my deep thoughts.


First, stray observations!


With the horror genre being reinvented every decade, this means new Scream movies could come out every decade, pastiching whatever new method of scares we discover. Pastiches are better than parody, after all. In fact, I pretty much hate parody. Like, a lot. I'd be happy if no one ever made a Scary Movie Epic Movie Vampires Suck whatever the hell ever again.


Is that one character related to Cotton Weary? Cause he looks just like him You know who I mean because it looks just like him. Is it safe to assume that since Emma Roberts is related to one of our original characters, others will be as well? Like Cotton Weary Jr? If the fact that he is a spitting image of Liev Schreiber turns out to be pure coincidence, I will be very disappointed.


In this trailer, instead of Kristin Bell & Anna Paquin facing sure death, we get Alison Brie! Alison Brie's in this?! Who decided that?! I'm excited. Can you tell I'm excited?


David Arquette looks like he hasn't aged a day. My crush on Deputy Dewey is coming back. Oh god. I can feel it. It's happening.


But unless you are weird like I am and think David Arquette is adorbz, there's no male eye candy in this movie. Yet TONS of gorgeous women. Only expecting a male audience, much?


Now for some specific moments in the trailer. Follow along!


.52 - "He's trying to do Ghostface"


Because this this the fourth in the series, expect the movie to be meta meta meta. The trailer leads us to believe that the killer isn't a copycat of the original murders, but a copycat of first Stab movie, based on the original murders, which came out in the second Scream movie (hey now woah now!). So not only does everyone know how horror films work, they know how Stab movies work. They know who Ghostface is. Well. So when they pick up the phone and someone asks "What's your favorite scary movie?" rather than being afraid or even creeped out, their response is "omglol." Meta goodness OMNOM!


1.13 - "It's all over the Internet!"


Because, after all, it is 2011, expect technology to play a huge role. This is a meta meta meta satire slasher film set in the age of Facebook, Twitter and Texting. While such things may be over Dewey's head, the rest of the cast is mostly under the age of twenty-five. I'll be surprised if no one gets a text from Ghostface. Or at least makes a joke about getting a text from Ghostface. But Ghostface wouldn't be scary in text. Please don't text anyone, Ghostface.


1:47 - "Guaranteed third act main cast blood bath"


I suspected as much from the moment I heard "Scream 4", but expect a major character to bite it - Dewey, Gale or Sydney. I kind of hope they all make it out alive, but the Scream movies to tend to follow their own rules. Idea! Kill Gale so Dewey can go out with me.





1:57- Hayden Panettiere Shows Off Her Memorizing Techniques


One of the best things about the Scream movies are how they take place in a world where scary movies exist - it's partly what made the first one so groundbreaking and it's nice to be reminded of that fact. Seems like there will be plenty of references in this chapter, even if they are all in one breath. Hayden Panettiere listing off all the horror remakes literally just gave me goosebumps. I am a NERD. Also - which movie could he possibly be referring to?! What didn't she say?! OPEN, MOVIE, I NEED YOU.


I feel good. Scream makes me feel good. Is that weird? I don't care. I know where I'm gonna be at 12:01am on April 15th and that's all that matters. See full post

To Open Wide Or Not To Open Wide

Was reading Harry Knowles' review of Splice last night and found myself obviously thrilled to be reading yet another great review for a movie I adore, but also found myself bothered by certain parts of the review. See if you can notice a theme.

SPLICE is such a film. A delicate, crazed, wonderful, beautiful and warped film that we don't see in wide release any more. Mainstream horror & science fiction is generally these days a remake or a gore fest....

SPLICE is going to be on more that 2,500 screens this weekend.

A release on the same scale as the global abomination known as MARMADUKE, the lessor film KILLERS and the hysterical comedy GET HIM TO THE GREEK. That is, frankly, AMAZING...

It is so amazing to see this released by a major studio. Reminds me of DISTRICT 9 that way. A lower budget independent science fiction taking on issues and making a compelling genre film

While Harry clearly loves the idea of Splice being opened wide - I'm not quite on board.

Sure, District 9 opened wide, but it also had a huge campaign, covering all bases - genre, viral, mass market, screened & had a panel at Comic Con, had those Humans Only signs out and about before anyone even knew the name of the movie, and it was CLEARLY a summer movie. It had aliens and guns and spaceships, people. Plus while D9 had its hard to handle moments, it doesn't go anywhere near where Splice goes in terms of a certain level of fucked-up-ness. D9 had a chance at a huge opening weekend, the pieces were in place. Splice just doesn't.

Now, let me clarify. I love Splice. I LOVE Splice. Which is WHY I'm concerned about it opening wide. This movie is amazing, but it is not for everyone. People who don't know what they are in for, if they bother to see it, very well may walk out. It's controversial, it's provocative. A lot of people outside of the genre community haven't even heard of it. At Wondercon, when Vincenzo Natali spoke so eloquently about the film and spiked my interest - barely a single person in that room knew anything about that movie coming in. Which means Splice has had only TWO MONTHS to do, in terms of buzz & publicity, what District 9 did over YEARS. Sure people loved the movie at Sundance, in January, but if I wasn't even hit by the buzz then, I'm not sure it really counts as the marked beginning of buzz-building. I don't see a scenario in which this film mimics D9 in terms of box office either. If Splice magically pulls off a 25 million dollar opening weekend, I will HAPPILY eat my words. But I think 10 million would be a huge accomplishment at this point.

Now, if Splice weren't opening wide, if it were opening limited, it would have time to find its audience without the giant studio behind it wondering immediately if they made the right investment.  It would have time to build word of mouth, to grow steadily, to become the film you MUST go see NOW,  because it's too good and unique to let slip by. I worry, with a 2,500 screen opening and not the publicity or star power to back up that big of an opening, the numbers will be considered a disappointment and the movie will fade into obscurity. The reason why non quality horror films open wide is because everyone goes to see it opening weekend, makes all of its money right when it comes out, then it has a huge drop off and soon leaves theaters because it's a piece of shit.

But because Splice is such a HIGH QUALITY film, a special film, it deserves better. It is not meant to be thrown out into the vicious competition of summer in the hopes of finding an audience, somewhere, anywhere. Opening a "word of mouth" movie WIDE in the  SUMMER means if it doesn't open with huge numbers, it will be pushed out of theaters the weekend after, in favor of the plethora of high profile summer movies that, ohwhatdoyaknow, COME OUT IN THE SUMMER. June 11th, we have Karate Kid & The A-Team (I will see A Team). June 18th we have Toy Story 3 & Jonah Hex (the latter of which which I suspect won't be in theaters for very long, but movies have to leave theaters for this one to enter theaters, regardless of its box office performance! Though I WILL be seeing it. And Toy Story. Duh.), the 25th we have Knight & Day and Grown Ups (neither of which appeal to me) and June 30th, Eclipse (Obviously seeing it. But I won't get drunk this time. Promise.)  These movies have to be on multiplex screens somehow and how are those decisions made? "Which movie is bringing in the smallest numbers? You're out."

I think you guys may be interpretating a wide release as a sign of support from the studio, when really it just means Splice was a pick-up that they needed to release. Don't get me wrong, I love Warner Brothers, I just think someone needed to take the time to say, this belongs in the fall and deserves a much longer, a much better campaign, and maybe, just maybe, it should be released limited. (And KEEP SPOILERS OUT OF THE TRAILERS. Is another thing. Someone should have thought of. But that's another issue entirely.)

I hope I'm wrong. I hope this movie exceeds our expectations and opens huge.

-I'll scream and bless this country if it hits 30 million.

-I'll be bouncing off the walls if it hits 20-30 million (25,000 means 10,000 per screen, just like District 9's 30 million to 3000 screens, and boy, would that be great!)

-I'll be sad, but not suicidal if it hits between 10 & 20 mil -12,500 means about a 5000 per screen average, which is dealable.

-I'll sadly shake my head and think "I knew it" if it opens between 5 and 10

-If it opens under 5? Let's not talk about that scenario, shall we?

I don't mean to sound as if I don't support small movies getting a chance or a studio release. I think that's all fantastic! I just worry about the pieces not coming together. Why is this movie not coming out closer to Halloween? If you're making the push to get big numbers (which is the only reason, speaking from a business stand point, to open wide initially, isn't it?) then how can you not have the marketing campaign to back that up? Even opening the film in October would have given it more of a chance. But June? Counter-programming, sure, but what part of Middle America is going to see Splice before seeing any number of movies currently out or coming out this Friday? And if you don't care about that audience...why are you opening so wide? Not to mention, Splice would STILL be counter programming in the fall, because it is a fantastic, high quality, genre film. It's not some shitty gore-fest, which most everything else is around Halloween. It IS counter programming, people, in any effing event.

This may all be silly. The movie may open just fine. I just hate seeing films I love not even stand a chance.

Please prove me wrong. Please go see Splice this weekend - give it a HUGE opening weekend (25 mil would be the D9 equivalent & considered a huge success) and encourage the studios to keep picking up smart, fascinating, well-made genre films like this.

I love this movie so much. I hope you do too :). I've seen it twice. It holds up. GO SEE IT. And stop watching the trailers.

P.S. If you think I'm totally wrong, and hey, I might be, don't be afraid to comment! I'm interested in your thoughts on this subject, readers, and am open to all ideas. See full post

A Very Fangirl Take On Warner Brother's Wondercon Panel: The Losers, Nightmare on Elm Street, Splice, Inception

The Warner's panel on Saturday rocked my socks, as Warner Brothers tends to do on a regular basis. The movies we learned about were The Losers, Nightmare on Elm Street, Splice, and surprise entry, Inception! Here's some tidbits from the panels and our take on said tidbits:

The Losers

-Director Sylvain White describes the movie as cool gritty visceral action with incredibly fun characters & moments. 

-He was really impressed by the design work in the comic, especially with primary colors & brought that to the film

-New benchmark in boy girl fight scenes. (If the footage is any indication, hell yeah it is)

-Extended trailer was fucking awesome, Hilarious, great action, great chemistry right off the bat. And look EXACTLY like the characters. Like. Exactly. Wtf.

-Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays Clay, the leader of The Losers. Black suit, big guns.

- JSM calls Calls Zoe, Zo! Aweee

-Zoe Saldana plays Aisha, little lethal weapon, don’t know what card she’s playing, lots of secrets

-Columbus Short puts the Reserved for Nic Cage sign in front of him and it’s awesome. His character, Pooch, is the emotional glue of the story

-Chris Evans is Jensen, the group's tech support, and destined to be my favorite character

-Oscar Jaenada plays Cougar, the team's silent sharpshooter, who stayed pretty silent during the panel and Eruditechick's interview. When our intrepid reporter pointed this out to him, he replied in his thick, sexy accent,"Just like my character"

-Cast has tons of chemistry and they clearly get along well. That's a set that must have been fun to work on.

-On putting the cast together - White got everyone he wanted, his first choices with this “crazy group of kids.” Characters are so difficult, each brought a different facet to the movie, and the actors needed to reflect that.

-“Chemistry was majestic from the beginning Can only make magic cause you are completely comfortable.” - Zoe

-Zoe is turned on by “no”

-Zoe insisted on doing scenes that required lots of physical activity. Zoe and Jeffrey Dean Morgan call each other hot. It’s hot.

-Does Chris Evans prefer comedic or dramatic roles? Both are fun to play, at the end of the day its about the director and making a good movie. Half the satisfaction is on set, but it’s sullied if the movie comes out and isn't good. ... I wonder what he could be talking about.... :)

(HOTNESS ------------->)

- Will Jeffrey Dean Morgan be making an appearance on Supernatural this season? Right now he is concentrating on the Losers, but maybe, if it’s the last season, he would love to go back and made it perfectly clear. He was pretty amused with the fact that someone asked about Supernatural at all, while not a single question was directed toward Zoe about Trek or Avatar or Chris about Captain America.

-They are all obsessed with Nicolas Cage signs. As are we. Win!

-It was easy for JDM to fall for Zoe. Clay & Aisha are very attracted to each other but don’t trust each other and are a bit on the violent side in the film. Zoe thought the fight scene was very romantic. Matched up to the personalities they have. JSM said fight was on a turn on…to the characters…he then gave an ACTUAL winky face

-Characters stay very true to the characters in the comic series

- To Chris Evans - Why the comic book films? Its such a great well. Films are tricky. Such an intangible world, making something out of nothing. Lots of weight on a directors shoulders. Comics provide an amazing map. Its fun for not just directors, but actors too. Good modern comic like the Losers translates well.

Interview with the cast snagged by Eruditechick coming soon! For now, here is some video from the panel. Non HD I'm afraid, but still fun!

Nightmare, Splice & Inception after the jump!

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The Thing/The Fly Double Feature AWESOMENESS

Amanda (@eruditechick), Dave (@Da7e) and I went to a sweet ass event last night, where we watched The Thing, semi-MST3000 style with a bunch of like-minded geeks. It was a double feature, but because I had some massive deadlines, we didn't stay for movie #2. Which makes me sad, cause, it's true, I haven't seen the fly. People transforming into things scares the crap out of me. Which I think was made fairly clear last night by my ever present screaming & shuddering.

Below is a video I shot (hence the awesome shaky cam...), edited by Dave, about our experience, for The Ecstatic Truth, a new joint venture between ATF & Dave & Genevieve from Latino Review. Watch it!

The Ecstatic Truth: Horror Double Feature from Dave Gonzales on Vimeo.

P.S. Here was the drinking game we played during The Thing.

Drink whenever:

1. Kurt Russell squints or looks confused
2. Someone dies
3. Someone in the audience screams or reacts to the film
4. Someone uses the flame thrower
5. There is blood
6. Something too awesome to comprehend happens (i.e. whenever Kurt Russell happens)
7. Someone drinks
8. There is a butt-shot

The game started out with only the first three but...we added more as the film went on...cause that's how we roll.

We started the game with only See full post

Why Is 6 Afraid of 7?

You've all heard that old joke right? Well here is a trailer for the film 789. I mean, it's not for a real film...I'm pretty sure...but the trailer is spot on & hilarious. I found out about it because someone I went to high school with (who actually happens to be very cool!) composed the score. Enjoy!

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Not Your Average Creepy Kid Movie? [Starfest/Fangoria]

Orphan director Jaume Collet-Serra

The only overlap in programming from my whirlwind weekend of conventions was the summer horror film, Orphan. While I'd seen the trailer before, and it's plenty creepy, I wasn't really planning on seeing the film when it opened until I saw its panels with director Jaume Collet-Serra and today, writer David Johnson.

Both panels, one at Starfest, one at Fangoria Weekend of Horrors, featured a really creepy clip that involved Esther, the titular Orphan, smashing a pigeon with a brick. Both times the clip showed, the convention crowds seemed to go from sort of interested to VERY interested in the film, which is exactly how I felt. Doesn't hurt that the unassuming Collet-Serra was so oddly charming & funny on stage. Another big thing that's piqued my interest in the film was the way Collet-Sera talked about the actors - how great they are, what made them sign on, what got them cast, etc. I loves me some good actors.

In case you haven't seen it, here's the official Orphan trailer,

Here's what we learned from the panels,

- According to Collet-Serra, this isn't your every day creepy-kid film. "This one is different...you'll be very surprised." It was more inspired by the "enemy inside your own home" aspect, less the "creepy little kid movie" genre.

- Specific inspiration - Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt

- A 10 page treatment was brought to Johnson and he was asked how he'd end it. He couldn't say what his response was, but it got him the screenwriter position!

- The film focuses a lot on the psychological and has a lot of thriller in it, not just horror

- The deaf-mute little sister is played by Aryana Engineer, who is deaf-mute herself. It was important to Collet-Serra that a deaf-mute play the character and he fought for Enginner in particular to get the role. She brought a specific innocence and gave a very real performance in the audition. (Sidenote: Where was Collet-Serra at Wondercon?? There was a big group of deaf con-goers who were asking about using the deaf in film and would the filmmakers consider it, etc. Would have been interesting to see their interaction with a director who actually fought for a deaf-mute over an actor playing a deaf mute.)

- Jimmy Bennett, the little boy in Orphan, also plays young Captain Kirk in Star Trek!

- Collet-Serra's favorite directors are Hitchcock & Polanski

- To Collet-Serra, making horror films is "like a food fight...really playful, fun."

- Someone asked what the most disturbing thing is Collet-Serra ever shot and would he be topping it? His response: "It's in this movie...cannot tell you what it is. [It took] lots of rehearsal. I don't know if I can top it, it's pretty bad."

- Great script is what brought Collet-Serra & the actors on board. Main character (played by Vera Farmiga) really spoke to Collet-Serra, thought he could do something great with it.

- Once Vera signed on, the rest of the cast fell into place.

- Isabelle Fuhrman, who plays Esther, brought such a great intensity to her audition, while staying totally natural yet spooky, she blew the rest of the competition way. Esther was originally supposed to have blond & curly hair, but they altered their vision of the character so they could cast Fuhrman.

- The role of Sister Abigail was specifically written for actress CCH Pounder.

- His dream project is "The Alchemist", but would be thrilled to bring any great Spanish property to life

For more photos from Starfest's Orphan panel, click here. See full post

The Crazies Gets Creepy One Sheet [I Heart Horror]

Just released! The official one sheet for the remake of The Crazies, George Romero's 1973 classic horror film. Here are some plot summaries I stumbled upon.

A biological weapon gone awry is only the start of problems in the little town of Evan’s City, Pennsylvania. Bouts of insanity in the populace are leading to murder and rioting, until the US Army turns up - and things really start going to hell.

The military attempts to contain a killer man-made virus that causes death and permanent insanity in those infected.

Terror! Permanent Insanity! Murder! Riots! Man Made Virus! Small Town! Timothy Olyphant! Oh yeah, did I mention Timothy Olyphant is starring? He is...attractive...sign me up!

The Crazies will be released in theaters September 25, 2009. Aw, not Halloween? Does Saw own Halloween? I'm like, 17 behind on that series.

[Source] See full post