Movies
‘Gremlins’ Workprint Shown in CA, ‘Bat Out of Hell’ Update!
One of the luxuries of living in Los Angeles are all of the revival theaters playing classics day in and day out. Last night we were on hand at the Aero theater in Santa Monica where they were showing a double-feature of both Gremlins films with a special appearance by director Joe Dante. To our surprise, we were told that what we were about to see was the test-screening workprint of Gremlins that featured six minutes of unseen footage! In addition, Dante updated fans on Bat Out of Hell. Read on for the skinny.
From a screenplay by Drew McWeeny and Scott Swan, BAT OUT OF HELL centers on a red-eye flight from L.A. to New York during which hijackers confront the monstrous cargo.
Announced last April, Joe Dante was attached to direct, but now it looks like the project is off.
“I’m not off it, just in general it’s off,” explaining that it just didn’t happen, particularly in this climate. “All ducks need to line up.”
But the BAT OUT OF HELL talk was just the beginning as Dante revealed some (what I believe to be) new information about the GREMLINS franchise. Apparently the original screenplay was a straight-up horror film loaded with violence. Billy’s dog is killed and his mother beheaded before the Gremlins bounce her head down the stairs.
But the big surprise that had the audience shimmering in excitement was the announcement that Dante had brought along a workprint for the film used the test it before its theatrical release. We were informed that the print was six minutes longer and carried new footage never before seen. The lights dimmed and the pic opened with a warning along the lines of: “This is a workprint, it carries unfinished sound, effects, yadda, yadda…”
From what we could piece together (I’m not 100% sure which of this is new) there was an entire subplot removed where Ruby Deagle (Polly Holliday) was planning on foreclosing on a bunch of properties and evicting the families (Billy and Kate’s) for some big project. There was scene where Kate Beringer (Phoebe Cates) discovers a map of the town with markers of what homes will be taken.
In addition, there was a segment that featured Gerald Hopkins (Judge Reinhold) locked up in the bank safe and when Billy and Kate try and help him, get annoyed and lock him back up.
Lastly, it appeared that the bar scene with Kate was a bit extended. Beyond that we weren’t able to really piece together what was new and the audience, instead of asking, felt the need to ask retarded questions like, “This was my first time seeing GREMLINS! I’m from overseas, but it was great!” Good question.
And if you haven’t seen this badass fan film yet, get on it!
A very hungry hippopotamus leads the charge for this week’s brand new horror releases, with Hungry now available at home along with four other new genre movies on Digital outlets.
Here’s all the new horror that released on Tuesday, June 23, 2026!
After a limited theatrical run, hippo horror movie Hungry is now available at home.
From writer and director James Nunn (Shark Bait, One Shot), Hungry follows thrill-seeking tourists on a riverboat tour through the treacherous Louisiana swamplands. Lured off the beaten path by the promise of an exclusive adventure, they soon find themselves fighting for survival against a ravenous hippopotamus lurking beneath the bayou’s murky waters.
Madison Davenport (It’s What’s Inside), Tracey Bonner (Greenland), Michel Curiel (“She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”), Jim Meskimen (“Parks and Recreation”), Samantha Coughlan (Arcadian), Olivia Bernstone (Fighting with My Family), River Codack (“Happy Face”), and Joaquim de Almeida (Desperado) star.
Rob Hunter wrote in his review for Bloody Disgusting, “When all is said and done, Hungry is a genuinely solid animal attack film that succeeds in making its creature threat thrilling, entertaining, and, dare I say, educational?” Rob’s review continues, “Characters are grounded and engaging, the film moves well between suspense, character beats, and action, and the effects used to bring the hippo to life are highly effective and never feel like distractions.”
William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort is now available on Digital.
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.”
Vertigo Releasing promises, “The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star in Hold the Fort, written and directed by William Bagley.
The latest from filmmaker Alex Noyer, Love Is the Monster is now available on Digital.
Madeline Zima (“Doom Patrol,” “Twin Peaks”) and Leonardo Nam (Werewolf by Night, “Westworld”) star as the unlucky couple discovering romance’s malevolent side.
“Following their marriage being rocked by infidelity, Ana and Justin attend an exclusive couples retreat in Finland, under the golden rays of the summer’s midnight sun. They join other international couples to experience the transformative teachings of the shaman and healer, Tiina, inspired by the ancient Finnish goddess of love and fertility, Lempo.
“Despite her doubts and some ominous first experiences, Ana gives the retreat a chance, but the thrill is quickly replaced by a battle for survival, as the influence of the divinity and the pagan rituals turn deadly. Couples’ problems lead to calamity, while Ana learns about the peculiar role she unwittingly plays in Tiina’s plans.”
Kimberly Sue-Murray (“The Boys”), Moe Jeudy-Lamour (“Ted Lasso”), Kristina Tonteri-Young (“Warrior Nun“), Milla Puolakanaho (Attack on Helsinki), and Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking) also star in Love Is the Monster.
Alex Noyer co-wrote the script with his Sound of Violence collaborator Hannu Aukia and Blair Bathory. Laurence Gendron joins Noyer and Aukia as a producer.
Samara Weaving (Ready or Not 2: Here I Come) and Kyle Gallner (Strange Darling) come together in Carolina Caroline, a sexy crime thriller now available at home.
It’s not a horror movie, mind you, but it’s worth a mention here all the same.
Kyra Sedgwick (Family Movie) and Jon Gries also star in the romantic crime thriller.
Director Adam Carter Rehmeier’s film stars Samara Weaving as Caroline Daniels, whose desire to leave her small Texas town brings her into the orbit of a charismatic con man (Kyle Gallner), and together they weave a path of crime and passion across the American Southeast.
Adam Rehmeier previously directed the films Dinner in America and Snack Shack.
Tom Dean wrote the screenplay for Carolina Caroline.
Described as a mash-up between Pumpkinhead and Cube, Round the Decay offers a fresh take on the monster movie formula with roots extending into psychological and folk horror.
The film is now available on VOD outlets at home.
Written and directed by Adam Newman (Everwinter Night), indie monster movie Round the Decay follows a young woman as she returns to the sleepy town of Newport’s Valley two years after a devastating tragedy and uncovers an all-consuming secret.
Victoria Mirrer leads a cast that includes Damian Maffei (The Strangers: Prey At Night), Sienna Hubert-Ross (Terrifier 3), Melody Kay (The NeverEnding Story III), Phil Duran (Breaking Bad), Sarah Nicklin (The Black Mass), Rachel Pizzolato (Mythbusters Jr.), and Roger Clark (Red Dead Redemption II).
Round the Decay boasts a practical creature designed by veteran special effects artist Greg McDougall (The Haunting of Hill House, Stranger Things, War of the Worlds).
This week’s new release roundups are presented by HUNGRY.
All aboard the swamp tour from hell – this hippo isn’t playing games…
HUNGRY is now available on Digital. Watch it now!
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