May 13, 2014
There are horror films and shows that make you cringe because they’re so predictably bad, roll your eyes at their reliance on cheap “boo” moments, laugh because they’re campy, and make even the most hardcore horror fan squee with delight at their sophisticated creepiness. “Penny Dreadful” falls into the latter category. In spades.
(Here come the spoilers.)
Where does one begin with such delicious and stylish horror? Well, style I suppose. You can’t go wrong with Victorian London for a time frame loaded with lush wardrobe and sets, although thankfully they keep it pretty raw here and not too pretty. But there is definitely plenty of substance to this exercise in style, as well.
First of all, to be able to weave together so many elements of classic horror stories — and some Jack the Ripper for good measure — is a feat in itself. Yet, most of the pilot retained a refreshing originality in the writing, except I did sense a bit of homage to “The Last Samurai” in the introduction of Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett) as a drunken performer putting on wild west sideshows. And you can see where the vampire styling references “Nosferatu,” although these vampires are a hell of a lot scarier — one has to wonder if the creators were inspired by “30 Days of Night,” which starred Hartnett.
Do not expect anything sexy here. Or glittery, thank god.
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May 5, 2014
Syfy officially announced that their camp phenomena “Sharknado” will get a third installment next summer, with “Sharknado 2: The Second One” already in the can and set for a July 30 premiere. Apparently summer is all about sharks again, in a way we haven’t seen since “Jaws.” And definitely in a different way than “Jaws.”
Hey, there’s a place for all approaches to the shark genre.
In the first “Sharknado,” Ian Ziering and Tara Reid fought to save the city of Los Angeles from killer sharks invading the city via tornado transport. In “Sharknado 2,” Ziering and Reid return to fight a new batch of spinning sharks in New York, joined by the likes of Mark McGrath, Kari Wuhrer, Judah Friedlander and Vivica A. Fox.
C’mon Vivica… you were in “Kill Bill,” for chrissakes. Is this really where you want to be? You’ve worked with freakin’ Tarantino for cryin’ out loud.
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May 1, 2014
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A secret from the past. A curse from the grave.
Check out the bone-chilling trailer for Lionsgate’s latest horror film, “Jessabelle.” After a horrific accident, Jessabelle goes back to her childhood home in Louisiana to recuperate. Soon after, a tormented spirit begins taking hold and has no intention of letting go. From the producer of “Paranormal Activity” and “Insidious,” “Jessabelle” is a ghostly tale that looks mighty creepy.
(And as an added bonus, features the fabulous Joelle Carter from “Justified” in a supporting role.)
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Apr 30, 2014
DOMINION — “Pilot” Episode 101 — Pictured: Tom Wisdom as Michael — (Photo by: Ilze Kitshoff/Syfy)
Syfy has released the first photos of its upcoming series “Dominion,” based on the theatrical film “Legion.”
“Dominion” is an epic supernatural drama set in the year 25 A.E. In this transformed post-apocalyptic future an army of lower angels, assembled by the archangel Gabriel, has waged a war of possession against mankind. The archangel Michael, turning against his own kind, has chosen to side with humanity against Gabriel. Rising out of the ashes of the 25 year-long battle are newly fortified cities which protect the human survivors. In Vega (formerly Las Vegas), the largest of these cities, two houses vie for control and the stage is set for political upheaval and a dangerous power shift. Meanwhile, a rebellious young soldier begins a perilous journey as the war between the human race and the fallen angels hell-bent on their domination escalates.
Dominion stars Christopher Egan (“Kings”), Tom Wisdom (“300”), Roxanne McKee (“Game of Thrones”), Alan Dale (“Lost”), Anthony Stewart Head (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) and Luke Allen-Gale (“The Borgias”).
Click through to see the gallery of photos.
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Apr 21, 2014
Janet Montgomery as “Mary Sibley,” Ashley Madekwe as “Tituba,” and Tamzin Merchant as “Anne Hale” in “Salem.”
When a TV network jumps into the original series game for the first time, they usually have to struggle to find their stride and put out programming on a par with most of the shows that are currently airing. And with its plunge into the original series game with “Salem”, WGN has not produced the show on par with its peers, but surpassed the great majority of them.
Yes, it’s really that good. In fact, even after several repeat viewings searching for flaws or elements to critique for improvement, I have to admit I found the pilot episode flawless.
Not Afraid to Get Dirty
Now, flawless doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best show on TV, as there is more to creating a winner than simply not making any mistakes. But there are plenty of really strong qualities to “Salem,” starting with the set dressing and costuming. Instead of going overboard making everything neat and pretty and frilly, the creative team that designs the look of the series things gritty and earthy, even in the simple luxury of the wealthy and realistic details you don’t normally see on TV or even the big screen. For instance, instead of glamorizing a possessed village girl, they shaved her head and give her some pretty gnarly teeth. Not fangs or sharpened teeth, but well, mighty unclean.
And for someone who has gone mad in that time period, that’s probably pretty accurate.
Leaving the Camp to Those Other Witches
Along with the earthy simplicity and edginess of the design of the show are very solid performances by the actors who take material that could easily become melodramatic and keep it real. Or it could go to the campy side like those other witches in that oh-so-popular series, but thankfully “Salem” doesn’t go for campy humor, either.
It does, however, dish out healthy servings of gore and violence, more so than your conventional TV channels. This is where channels like WGN have an advantage over the basic network channels, in that they have more leeway to delve into harsher material and a more graphic presentation of it. “Salem” takes full advantage and and may give the squeamish a bit of a pause.
But that certainly isn’t considered a bad thing around here.
The writing is solid and it may not be as showy with plot twists and turns as other shows on TV, but this is a more than respectable debut for WGN and a show that will certainly appeal to horror fans with a very good chance for a crossover to a more mainstream audience like “The Walking Dead” and “American Horror Story.” One particularly interesting bit of dialogue in the pilot revolved around our lead female character, Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery), who crosses paths with a young ingénue in the local graveyard and gives her some rather menacing words of wisdom.
You know what killed nearly every woman here? Love. Most died in childbirth. So love is to a woman what war is to a man – the most deadly thing you’ll do. Only a fool runs quickly to war or love. You best watch yourself.
Breaking Bad
And around Mrs. Sibley, most everyone should watch themselves. Many characters have a great arc over the entire season of a show, but this lady has seriously broken bad right the beginning. I don’t want to spoil any more for you, because you should be watching the show, even if it means amping up your level of cable service. That may be huge hindrance to the success of this new show for WGN, but let’s hope enough folks will tune in to keep it around for another season.
It’s not only good TV, but it’s damn good horror. And a little Sunday reminder of the darker side of Christianity, with the warning to not let this bit of history repeat itself.
Oct 21, 2013
Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance Saturday night to pay tribute to a true legend of the silver screen — Sir Christopher Lee, who received a prestigious British Film Institute Fellowship for his long and distinguished career. The two, who have worked on three films together, had nothing but the kindest words for each other. Depp called the 91-year-old actor “a national treasure” and “a genuine artist,” while the elder statesmen of horror declared depth one of the few younger actors “who is truly a star.”
Lee was visibly struggling with his emotions as he approached the podium to accept his award from Depp, telling him, “I didn’t know you were going to be here. I must try and pull myself together.”
Director Tim Burton is the man who brought this pairing together, with Depp and Lee working together on “Sleepy Hollow,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and “Dark Shadows.” Lee also lent his voice to “Alice in Wonderland.”
While the younger generation knows Lee for his roles in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, all of the classic horror fans know him for his work with Hammer Studios alongside Peter Cushing. Along with Vincent Price, the trio made up a sort of (un)holy trinity for horror fans in that era, although rumors abound that Lee has since distanced himself from his work in “Dracula.”
Of course, it’s only fair to presume that the reason Burton cast him in his movies was his love of all the old Hammer films, which he has said that “Sleepy Hollow” pays homage to. I’d venture a guess that Peter Jackson had those old Hammer films in mind when casting Lee in “Lord of the Rings” movies, as well.
It’s great to see Lee getting his due from the film community, but his somewhat frail appearance in the photo of him and Depp together gives rise to concern that we may be losing the last icon of the golden age of horror all too soon. (And no, 91 years isn’t nearly enough.) It’s a shame that most of the commentary on the photo revolves around Depp’s blonde hair and not the screen legend seated next to him.
Lee is bigger than his role as “Dracula,” or any of his roles. He is the last connection we have to not only the time when Hammer Studios ruled, but our last connection to the legends of that time like Price and especially to Cushing. As long as Lee is still with us, we still have a little piece of the magic that was Cushing and Lee together. But when Lee is gone, it will truly be the end of not only a legendary actor, but the greatest era of horror itself.
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