Movies
Salem Horror Fest Returns to the Halloween Capital of the World This Weekend!
The Salem Horror Fest returns to the Halloween capital of the world this October for the event’s fifth anniversary, with both an in-person event as well as a virtual showcase.
Salem Horror Fest 5 features more than 60 screenings, lost Romero works, regional horror showcase, benefit screenings for Texas Abortion Funds, a never-before-seen cut of Phantom of the Paradise with Swan Archivist Ari Kahan, and a Hollowed Harvest pumpkin labyrinth!
The press release details, “After losing a year of live cinema due to the pandemic, Salem Horror Fest emerges from the virtual depths for their fifth anniversary with two weekends of premieres, shorts, and special presentations in partnership with the George A. Romero Foundation and support from Hollowed Harvest, a new pumpkin labyrinth in Salem beginning this Friday, October 1st through Monday, October 11th.
“Eight features will have their world premiere at Cinema Salem: Miracle Valley, the directorial debut of Greg Sestero (The Room, The Disaster Artist), Two Witches directed by Pierre Tsigaridis, LandLocked
“The 2021 jury was composed of forty judges to keep up with a doubling amount of submissions. Festival director Kay Lynch stated, “There was just no way to narrow them down to the best two hours so we increased the qualifying runtime by 100%. We want to feature as many filmmakers as humanly possible.” The Wicked Shorts 2021 showcase will feature twenty five films heavily dominated by women directors and queer characters.
“The George A. Romero Foundation will co-present a series of live and virtual programs to honor the work and legacy of horror master George A. Romero. Screenings will include previously lost films The Amusement Park and Iron City Asskickers and a special 100th episode live recording of The Faculty of Horror following presentations of The Crazies and Season of the Witch.
“The Satanic Temple will co-present a six-day marathon of Night of the Living Dead screenings at The Bridge at 211 with all proceeds going to support Texas Abortion Funds in light of SB 8 and other radical anti-choice initiatives.
“This year’s return will mark the beginning of an annual regional showcase featuring Massachusetts filmmakers called Local Mass Hysteria presenting seven hours of films on Monday, October 11th at Cinema Salem.
“Other live programs this year include a never-before-seen cut of Phantom of the Paradise with Archivist Ari Kahan from the Swan Archive, and a new pumpkin labyrinth from Hollowed Harvest. All of these programs are made possible in part with support from Syfy’s Day of the Dead, House of Boo, Fangoria, Shudder, and Alter. Live programs will run October 1 – October 11th followed by a virtual program October 22 – October 31 with additional treats in store. Find more about Salem Horror Fest at salemhorror.com.”
To grab badges for both the in-person and virtual events, visit SalemHorror.com.
Movies
‘Ready or Not’: Radio Silence Filmmakers Tease the “Absolute Banger” of a Sequel That’s Taking Shape
It was first reported a couple weeks ago that Ready or Not 2 is now in development, with Adam Robitel (The Taking of Deborah Logan, Insidious: The Last Key, Escape Room, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions) in talks to direct the sequel to the 2019 box office hit. Additionally, we had learned that Samara Weaving would be returning to star.
Entertainment Weekly caught up with Ready or Not directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin in the wake of those reports, and we’ve now got an update straight from the source.
“It’s getting figured out. That’s what we’ll say: Ready or Not 2 is getting figured out,” Gillett tells EW, confirming last month’s report. “What we can say is that there is a script that is an absolute fucking banger of a sequel. And however it gets made, and in whatever capacity we are helping get it made, we are so excited that it’s happening.”
“I don’t think we knew after making [Ready or Not] that there would be so much story left to tell,” Gillett continues. “We’re so proud of what that first movie is, we’re so proud of what the sequel is. We’re just really excited, and fingers crossed that it gets made.” Bettinelli-Olpin adds, “And with Searchlight and Samara, they’re not gonna let it down.”
The first film introduced a mythology wherein the wealthy Le Domas family has made a deal with the devil, one that requires them to take part in bizarre – and deadly – wedding night traditions. There’s much that can be done with the premise going forward, even if the first movie ended with Weaving’s Grace massacring the family and burning down their estate.
Wikipedia reminds, “The sole survivor of the night, Grace walks out of the burning manor just as the police arrive. Upon asking her what happened, she simply replies: in-laws.”
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