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[Year End] What Counts As “Horror”?

Oh hey, I didn’t see you there!

What is horror? What counts as horror? You guys might have noticed a few films in my “Best And Worst” that don’t necessarily fit the conventionally accepted mold for a genre film. Chronicle and The Grey for example, are two movies that more than likely would not be filed on the “Horror” shelf at Blockbuster or under the “Horror” tab in iTunes.

The reason they’re featured here? Sometimes it’s fun to write about movies that, while they have horror elements, stretch the scope of the content we feature on the site. It’s fun to have more colors to play with and, more importantly, it’s fun to expose you guys to this stuff. I like talking to the readers about it, conversing with you in the comments about what does or doesn’t turn you on about any given film. It’s not for hits, believe me. If you think something like The Grey pulls in more traffic than Maniac or Texas Chainsaw 3D you’re wrong. I feel that discussing films that might seem tertiary to the genre improves the quality of the overall conversation. It provides a better context in which to discuss the nuts and bolts of the pure horror films that drive 95% of our “movies” page.

It’s also incredibly entertaining to talk about movies that skirt genres rather than embrace them wholeheartedly, since it allows us to look at the very criteria we use to define those genres. Let’s talk more inside (spoilers within)… READ MORE

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Editorials

['Alien: Resurrection' Revisited] A Horrible Tonal Nightmare From Which I Was Lucky To Escape

With the June 8th release of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus fast approaching, we thought we’d take a look back at the original Alien franchise with which it “shares strands of DNA.” Whether or not there are xenomorphs as we know them in Prometheus, it’s abundantly clear that it takes place in the same universe.

In the weeks leading up to the release of that film I’m going to revisit the four films in the Alien franchise (sorry, not going to subject myself to AVP) in order to gather my thoughts in anticipation of the new outing. Next up is Alien: Resurrection. You may recall that last week I revisited Alien 3 and discovered a lot to like.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Alien: Resurrection. When it was first released in 1997, the film was touted by the studio (and some critics and fans) as a return to form. I have no idea what they were talking about (other than that’s the kind of thing everyone says a few years after a disappointing franchise entry). It’s awful. Tonally, it doesn’t feel like an Alien film at all. And while the script by Joss Whedon contains an abundance of great ideas, director Jean-Pierre Jeunet (City Of Lost Children, Amelie) doesn’t even come close to executing them properly.

For those of you waiting for a movie that Mr. Disgusting and I really disagree on, this is the one. He holds a soft spot in his heart for this film, while I wish every existing print could be rocketed into the sun. Let’s talk more inside. READ MORE

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Why Not Review: The Avengers

We all know the initial hype that surrounded The Avengers. It was either going to be one the best comic book movie of all time, or another botched job like so many of its fallen brothers. The verdict is in, and not only is this one of the most amazing comic book movies of all time, it’s a nonstop, action packed, thrill ride of epic proportion. From start to finish, The Avengers is the kind of movie that will have entire audience on edge of their seats, enthralled by the story that unfolding, literally, in their face (3D). This is a film that Marvel has been building toward over the past few years, and it’s well worth the wait. The casting is perfect, Joss Whedon’s script and directing are second to none, and the special effects are…Avengerific. READ MORE

New Soundgarden Single To Be Featured On ‘The Avengers’ Soundtrack

avengerssoundgardenscreencap New Soundgarden Single To Be Featured On The Avengers Soundtrack

If you’re a Soundgarden fan AND an Avengers fan, here is some news that has the potential to make you soil your undergarments so thoroughly that you might as well just throw them out. It looks like Soundgarden will be releasing Live To Rise, their first newly recorded single in 15 years, on the Avengers soundtrack, which comes out May 1st (three days before the film releases). Now, there isn’t a full track for you to listen to, but after the jump you can hear a 22-second snippet.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think in the comments below!

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OMFG Of The Day #1: Trailers For ‘Dark Knight Rises’ And ‘The Avengers’ Hit The Net!

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that 2012 could possibly be the most lucrative box office season that film companies have seen in the better part of a decade. Looking up and down the list of films hitting theaters next year, you also start to see just how dependent production companies have gotten on the “Nerd Dime”. That said, beyond the break you can check out the official teaser trailer for Christopher Nolan’s (“BATMAN BEGINS”, “THE DARK KNIGHT”) “THE DARK KNIGHT RISES”, and a bootleg recording of the “AVENGERS” trailer which will be making its debut after the credits of this weekends’ “CAPTAIN AMERICA”. Read on for the skinny…

 OMFG Of The Day #1: Trailers For Dark Knight Rises And The Avengers Hit The Net! READ MORE

One Of Marvel’s Deadliest Has His Bull’s Eye Set On Bendis’ ‘Moon Knight’ This July!

It is surprising to me that as abysmal as the “DAREDEVIL” movie really was it still wasn’t able to ruin the character of Bullseye for me and the rest of the world, despite the best efforts of Colin Farrell. That aside, if you are one of the many that has been awaiting the return of Marvel’s greatest assassin you are in luck, because this July series scribe Brian Michael Bendis (“ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN”) will be introducing the character into the pages of his “MOON KNIGHT” monthly. Beyond the break you can check out the 4 page (UNLETTERED) preview of the ish before it hits stands on July 20th. Read on for the skinny…

 One Of Marvels Deadliest Has His Bulls Eye Set On Bendis Moon Knight This July! READ MORE

‘Moon Knight’ Continues His One-Man Stand As An Avenger This Wednesday!

Well before Marvel Comics released the first issue of Brian Michael Bendis’ (“ULTIMATE SPIDERMAN”) “MOON KNIGHT”, critics and experts were expecting the book to pull in big numbers, and they were spot on. Now this week the publisher will be looking to cash in on the newest hit from their script writing golden boy, and if you brave the break you can check out a 4 page preview and get all the details. Read on for the skinny…

 Moon Knight Continues His One Man Stand As An Avenger This Wednesday! Moon Knight Continues His One Man Stand As An Avenger This Wednesday! READ MORE

Bendis’ ‘Moon Knight’ Is Days Away, And We Have Your First Look Inside Issue #1!

Followers of Marvel Comics’ Brian Michael Bendis have been anxiously awaiting the release of the scribes’ newest monthly series “MOON KNIGHT” ever since it was announced earlier this year that he would be picking up the pen for the Marvel Knight. With the wait coming to an end on May 4th, fans can get their first glimpse inside the series’ debut issue with a 7 page preview and a look at 2 more variant covers. Read on for the skinny…

 Bendis Moon Knight Is Days Away, And We Have Your First Look Inside Issue #1! Bendis Moon Knight Is Days Away, And We Have Your First Look Inside Issue #1! READ MORE

Bendis Spins A Tale Of Schizophrenia For All New ‘Moon Knight’ Story This May!

The ‘King Of Marvel’ might not be the ‘man of the hour’ right now for the publisher (That honor goes to “FEAR ITSELF” mastermind, Matt Fraction), but next month Brian Michael Bendis will be turning his talents to Marvel Knights’ “MOON KNIGHT” with an all new original monthly story. Inside you can check out a 6 page (UNLETTERED) preview and 2 variant covers for the ish and get all the details. Read on for the skinny…

 Bendis Spins A Tale Of Schizophrenia For All New Moon Knight Story This May! READ MORE

All The ‘Avengers’ You Need: Marvel Releases An All New ‘Moon Knight’ Teaser!

This Spring former “ULTIMATE SPIDERMAN” scribe Brian Michael Bendis will be taking on everyone’s favorite “MARVEL KNIGHT”, “MOON KNIGHT”, as he picks up the reigns (or the pencil) for the series. What could make this pairing even more sweet you ask? What about the inclusion of “N.” illustrator Alex Maleev?! Today publisher Marvel Comics released an all new teaser image for the series that begins this May, which you can get a high-res look at below.

 All The Avengers You Need: Marvel Releases An All New Moon Knight Teaser!

“MOON KNIGHT” Issue #1 Drops This May From Marvel Comics! READ MORE