Movies/TV

Horror News Network’s Best Horror Movies of 2019: Sean’s Top Pick

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As 2019 was winding down, it dawned on me that I had not watched nearly as many new horror films as I had in years prior.  There were several factors at work here, but the bottom line is that I slacked in the viewing department.  I did see several horror films released in the past year and many that were very good, such as One Cut of the Dead, Depraved, and Brightburn.  But for my list of “top horror of 2019”, I’m choosing to focus on a horror “moment” rather than the top films as I feel it would be more meaningful to me. read more

Horror News Network’s Best Horror Movies of 2019: Nick’s Top 3 Picks

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Welcome back to Horror News Network’s Best Horror Movies of 2019, a series where our staff writers declare their top three picks of the year and use the data to compile an ultimate top ten list of 2019. Be on the lookout for a new “Top 3” list from an HNN writer every day in early January, and stay tuned for our ultimate list at the end of the series!

Nick’s Top Three Picks of 2019

#1: Midsommar 

Ari Aster’s follow up to the gut wrenching Hereditary proved to be another uncomfortable and devastating film, and effectively avoided “the sophomore slump” that plagues young filmmakers.  Shifting his sights to folklore and pagan ritual, Aster brought horror into the sun with gruesome sights as well as the slow burn (get it?) of a burgeoning trip into madness. read more

Horror News Network’s Best Horror Movies of 2019: Mark’s Top 3 Picks

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Following Horror News Network’s tradition of choosing my top 3 horror films of the prior year, I have elected mine to be The Year of the King, Stephen King that is with the three big theatrical releases based on his works in 2019; Pet Sematary, IT: Chapter 2 and Doctor Sleep. *SPOILERS AHEAD*

#1: Pet Sematary

For me, remakes, or re-adaptations if you will, are a toss-up. I think as long as the new version adds something that was not in the original film then it can work. In the case of Pet Sematary, there was enough brought to the remake to make it a favorite of mine this past year. A tradition my wife and I have is taking the other to a birthday dinner and a movie, usually in April there’s a good horror film release (2013’s The Evil Dead remake, 2018’s A Quiet Place, etc.). Pet Sematary was the one last year and for me I found it was well cast with Jason Clarke taking on the lead role of Louis Creed and John Lithgow as his neighbor Jud Crandall. The twist people did not see coming was, unlike the novel and 1989 film, the Creed child who was killed after getting hit by an 18-wheeler truck was the elder daughter Ellie. The directors said this change was made because the perspective of an 9-year-old girl brought back from the dead would be different than a child age 2. I do prefer the 1989 film over the remake, but this one was good rendition I believe. read more

‘The New Mutants’ Gets Trailer for April Release

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Like fresh mouthwash after some bad Dark Phoenix breath, the final film in the X-Men film series made under 20th Century Fox has a brand new trailer anticipating its April 3 release and it looks better than ever.

Watch it here!

In the film, five young mutants just discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will must fight to escape their past sins and save themselves.

Cast members include Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch, Split) as Magik, Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones) as Wolfsbane, Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) as Cannonball, Henry Zaga (13 Reasons Why) as Sunspot and Blu Hunt (CW’s The Originals) as Mirage. read more

Asylum Publications CEO & Former Todd McFarlane, Stan Lee Collaborator Paul Burke: The Horror News Network Interview

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If you grew up living and breathing the world of horror and comic books, there’s a good chance Paul Burke had something to do with something you loved. Whether it be his work as president of Stabur Press/Calibur Comics, his co-founded video production company with Stan Lee, or his former role as co-CEO of TMP International, Inc. in launching McFarlane Toys, Burke has worked with the top talent of the industry to help them make their creative dreams a successful reality in especially cutthroat marketplaces. His latest endeavor is Asylum Publications, an imprint dedicated to genre interests of art and photography. Burke recently wrote and published The Early Days of McFarlane Toys, a book which chronicles his experiences with the company as it grew into a juggernaut toy company in the mid to late 90s (You could read the Horror News Network review of the book by clicking this link). Burke took some time out of his busy schedule to speak with Horror News Network about Asylum Publications and his experiences in working with Todd McFarlane and Stan Lee. read more

Horror News Network’s Best Horror Movies of 2019: Christine’s Top 3 Picks

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SPOILERS AHEAD…

It’s that time of year again where we here at Horror News Network like to pick our top horror movies. Being tasked with a “Top Three,” for 2019, a year where there was no shortage of horror, was not easy. However, after doing so, I noticed the one commonality amongst these films is that they all featured relatable and strong characters.  When characters are brought to life, and fans can connect with them and are actually invested in their well-being. This makes the film scarier, more enjoyable and the viewing experience more worth the time. To detail my choices, I may disclose some spoilers, so beware and enjoy. read more

Fans Hold a ‘Grudge’ Against New Sony Film at Box Office

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A new year brings the promise of new beginning and a dedication to resolutions.  Some people decide to go to the gym more, eat less saturated fats, read Horror News Network more frequently, etc.  Others make even more lofty goals, such as reserving judgment about their co-workers or neighbors.

Unfortunately for Sony Pictures, horror fans had to break some of those resolutions only a few days into the new year, as it was apparent that the vast majority of people who bought tickets to see the Sam Raimi produced The Grudge had a legitimate ax to grind over the new reboot. read more

Horror News Network’s Best Horror Movies of 2019: John’s Top 3 Picks

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Welcome to Horror News Network’s Best Horror Movies of 2019, a series where our staff writers declare their top three picks of the year and use the data to compile an ultimate top ten list of 2019. Be on the lookout for a new “Top 3” list from an HNN writer every day in early January, and and stay tuned for our ultimate list at the end of the series!

John’s Top 3 Picks of 2019

#1: The Lighthouse

Not only do I find The Lighthouse to be the best horror movie of the year, I place it just behind Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood as the second best movie of 2019. Featuring powerhouse performances by Willem Dafoe (who deserves a Best Actor nomination for this performance) and Robert Pattinson and expertly directed by Robert Eggers, The Lighthouse is classic cinema at its best. Yes, an actual sequel to The Shining came out this year… but The Lighthouse is the true spiritual successor to Kubrick’s cabin fever masterpiece to debut in 2019. Repeat viewings of this film open up its brilliant sound design and allow the viewer to catch every visual detail, absorb every nuance, and chortle at every absurdity. It simply doesn’t get better than this! read more

Top 19 Horror Films of 2019

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Welcome, fiends! So, this year I started this list with 93 titles before narrowing it down to my “Top 19 of 2019”. As always – the disclaimer: While I know that the title is “Top 19 Horror Films…”, keep in mind that these are just my favorites so I’m sure that you’ll disagree with some of my choices as well as some of my intentional omissions. That said, there are still a bunch of films that were highly recommended to me that I have not yet had the chance to watch like Doctor Sleep, Koko-Di Koko-Da, Little Monsters and Knives Out. read more

Horror News Network’s Winter 2020 Movie Preview

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After a lackluster fall, it appears that the offerings for horror fans in the coldest months of the year will be more robust with eight films being released in the genre over the course of two months.  As usual, the choices range from recognizable re-makes (The Grudge), long-delayed releases (The Turning, Brahms: The Boy II), and some odd horror re-imaginings (Gretel and Hansel, Fantasy Island).

The Grudge (January 3):  The Sam Raimi produced remake of 2004’s The Grudge (based on 2002’s Japanese import Ju-On) arrives almost six months later than its originally scheduled June of 2019 release date.   The fact that The Grudge moved from the busy summer season to the first weekend of the new year could raise some red flags, but Sony may also have made a shrewd decision to go after a horror audience that didn’t get much attention in the fall.  Sony may also be hoping for a similar outcome to last year’s Escape Room, which surprised the industry with a strong showing at the box office (making almost $100 million world wide) which was also released in the first weekend in January. read more