Movies
Guillermo del Toro Would “Kill” to Resurrect ‘Pet Sematary’
I have a weird relationship with Guillermo del Toro’s movies.
From Blade 2 to Hellboy, Mimic, Pacific Rim, and even Crimson Peak, I haven’t liked any of them (sans Pan’s Labyrinth) on first viewing. Either he’s always ahead of his time or his films are better suited for home video.
Whatever the case, I’m not a gushing fan. Outside of wanting to see his interpretation of Disney’s Haunted Mansion (especially after the set and sound design, and effects work of Crimson Peak), I just can’t get excited about him anymore.
No matter, he’s active on Twitter, and shared with his followers his deep desire to take a stab at Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary,” originally adapted for the screen by Mary Lambert in 1989.
“Book of the Day: PET SEMATARY by Stephen King. Unrelentingly dark and emotional. Compulsive reading. Would kill to make it on film,” said del Toro.
Jeff Buhler (Insanitarium, The Midnight Meat Train) has been working on adapting a modern take for Paramount, which originally had Juan Carlos Fresnadillo attached to direct. It’s unclear where this stands, although Buhler recently talked about the process implying Paramount is still developing.
The Internet has a way of making things happen. So, could a public campaign by del Toro and his followers get Paramount’s attention? Or, will Crimson Peak‘s box office numbers scare everyone away?
As much as del Toro doesn’t excite me like he used to, I can see him delivering a wonderfully moody interpretation of King’s material.
What do you guys think?
Book of the Day: PET SEMATARY by Stephen King. Unrelentingly dark and emotional. Compulsive reading. Would kill to make it on film.
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) October 16, 2015
Sunrise Films has announced the official North American release of William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort, and it’s accompanied by an energetic new trailer.
Hold the Fort debuts on digital platforms on June 23.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch. Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell. The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Watch the new trailer below, which introduces one wild HOA gathering during an equinox. Things get bloody fast.
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star.
William Bagley writes and directs, in addition to producing with Smith, Matt Dodd, Luke Williams, and Tim Reis (Adult Swim Yule Log).
Ahead of the release, Bagley said, “My goal with this film was to make a hilarious, fast-paced thrill ride while also telling a great story with heart. Hopefully, through all the blood, laughs, fights, and gags, you leave the film feeling inspired to tackle whatever life throws at you.“
Hold the Fort premiered at Fantasia last summer before going on to play FrightFest London, Toronto After Dark, and Beyond Fest.
I wrote in my review, “It’s an infectiously charming assemblage of jokes and monster vignettes bound together by a barebones plot with not much on its mind beyond delivering an entertaining time.”
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