Horror Report

Day: July 21, 2016

  • LIGHTS OUT review wrap

    LIGHTS OUT review wrap

    LIGHTS OUT is out .. the long awaited movie based off the short film that became a hit online a few years ago about a monster in a hallway. It is a James Wan production..

    A few reviews worth noting on a notable horror 2016 summer film..

    ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY gives a B-  but also laments: “Suffice it to say that the mental health aspect of the story is not treated with respect, but rather as a simple plot device, to be used and discarded like so many shattered lightbulbs. In a culture that already doesn’t do well by victims of mental illness, it’s disappointing, and takes a lot of wind from Lights Out’s sails”

    x x x

    Chicago SUN TIMES (always miss Roger Ebert when I see Roeper) opines:  “Awards committees rarely honor work in this genre, but Maria Bello deserves supporting actress consideration for her work as Sophie, the mother of a grown daughter named Rebecca (Teresa Palmer in a stellar performance) and Rebecca’s 10-year-old stepbrother, Martin (good work by Gabriel Bateman).”  A four star review

    x x x

    LA TIMES approves: Mercifully, this isn’t a movie about moving into the sort of dubious piece of real estate that might as well have a “Beware of Ghost” sign hanging out front. It’s about what happens when our most cherished and familiar spaces no longer feel safe — not just because of the evil that has moved in but also because of the good that has long since vacated the premises.

    x x x

    The film is currently receiving a 82% rating on ROTTEN TOMATOES.. Already before the movie even hits Friday night, there is chatter galore of a potential sequel..

    LIGHTS OUT will be featured under the darkened lights of 2818 theaters.

    But it also goes against ICE AGE COLLISION COURSE on almost 4000 screens..  As does STAR TREK. A big weekend for movies as the mid summer slumber sets in..

    Depending on when In get to the movies and with who, either I will see LIGHTS OUT this weekend or my son will win the battle by default and we will be watching ICE AGE..

     

  • AILES OUT AT FOX!! BUT IN AT 21ST

    AILES OUT AT FOX!! BUT IN AT 21ST

    Amazing news from the media world..
    Roger Ailes, the dominant factor in journalism and entertainment for decades, is out..

    A statement from 21st Century Fox:

    New York, NY – July 21, 2016 – 21st Century Fox today announced that Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network, and Chairman of Fox Television Stations, has resigned from his role effective immediately.

    Rupert Murdoch will assume the role of Chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.

    Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman, 21st Century Fox, said:

    “Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country.  Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years.

    Fox News has given voice to those who were ignored by the traditional networks and has been one of the great commercial success stories of modern media.

    It is always difficult to create a channel or a publication from the ground up and against seemingly entrenched monopolies.  To lead a flourishing news channel, and to build Fox Business, Roger has defied the odds.

    His grasp of policy and his ability to make profoundly important issues accessible to a broader audience stand in stark contrast to the self-serving elitism that characterizes far too much of the media.

    I am personally committed to ensuring that Fox News remains a distinctive, powerful voice.  Our nation needs a robust Fox News to resonate from every corner of the country.

    To ensure continuity of all that is best about Fox News and what it stands for, I will take over as Chairman and acting CEO, with the support of our existing management team under Bill Shine, Jay Wallace and Mark Kranz.”

    Lachlan Murdoch and James Murdoch, 21st Century Fox’s Executive Chairman, and CEO, respectively, said:

    “We join our father in recognizing Roger’s remarkable contributions to our company.  Our talented Fox News and Fox Business colleagues, up and down the organization and on both sides of the camera, have built something that continues to redefine the cable news experience for millions of viewers. We are enormously proud of their accomplishments. For them, as well as for our colleagues across our entire organization, we continue our commitment to maintaining a work environment based on trust and respect.  We take seriously our responsibility to uphold these traditional, long-standing values of our company.”

    x x x

    DRUDGE running an exclusive: The letter to Murdoch..

    Anchors in Cleveland for FOX news now talking — without PR .. The truth will not come out?

    AP REPORTS:

    Ailes’ downfall began with the July 6 filing of a lawsuit by Gretchen Carlson, who charged that he sabotaged her career because she refused his suggestions for sex and had complained about a pervasive atmosphere of sexual harassment at Fox. Ailes has denied the charges, but 21st Century Fox hired a law firm to investigate.

    Several Fox employees jumped to Ailes’ defense, but notably not Megyn Kelly, one of Fox’s top personalities. In rapid succession, it was reported that Kelly was among other women who had told investigators about harassment – again denied by Ailes – and that corporate heads Rupert Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, determined that Ailes had to go. The company has no plans to make results of its investigation public.

  • The Trump Show

    The Trump Show

    This week has been surreal.
    The saga that was the Republican convention.. the plagiarized speech. The sideshow melodrama when Alaska tried starting a trend to extinguish Trump.. The Ted Cruz refusing to endorse him.. the audience turning.. Trump showing up during the contagious outcry against “Lyin Ted.”  Only hours before the Cruz Waterloo: He was speaking to people outside the convention hall when Trump’s private jet circled around Cruz and the audience of supporters. Clearly intentional.

    This is a reality show convention. This is a reality show year.

    I know this has all been said before by high paid political pointy head prognosticators. But there’s more to the story, in my personal opinion..

    It feels all staged a bit too well.

    Donald Trump has worked closely with promoters of boxing. He was involved with some of the biggest promotions ever with Don King. He was also an honorary member of World Wrestling Entertainment when he was being threatened to have his head shaved by Vince McMahon. The tables were turned and Trump shaved the head of the WWE owner.

    So just imagine the theme.. Trump’s speech writer says she’s going to resign over Melania and the Donald says no.. Lyin Ted’s never ending battle with Trump is like a heel’s fight in wrestling.. the same themes apply. NO bodyslams or chairs, but lots of quits on Twitter and insults on the TEE VEE.. Along with it: A media glare. Sure, lots of people are talking up the ‘disaster’ that the GOP convention was. Some commentators are saying ‘nothing went right.’

    But it did. Ratings did. Pundits had a week (24 hours per day on some networks) to opine about the happenings. This as been a success for someone who thrives on attention and free advertising. This is the type of week — the only type of week — that Donald Trump would incur.

    Could we be seeing a preview of how American politics would be during a Trump Administration? Or are we just seeing the last vestiges of the Trump routine of bucking the system that fights against him?

    This has been a wild week.
    But something deep down feels like it was meant to be..