A Trilogy of Terrifyingly Good Horror Blogs!

Welcome back, Dear Readers!

Today I present for you a trilogy of horror – a trilogy of horror blogs, that is! 

Some might call them Worthy Competitors, but I prefer the term, Fellow Travelers in the Dark.

Read on, for to be forewarned is to be forearmed!

The first delicacy on this delicious menu of horror is Bloody Disgusting… disgustingly brilliant, that is. Bloody Disgusting calls itself the number one entertainment destination for horror and I would have to agree. Bloody Disgusting’s blog is extremely eye-catching, not only through its graphics but also because of the attention-grabbing articles that you see first thing. Their articles are fresh and up to date entries in what is new and happening in horror. Bloody Disgusting has information about movies, television, reviews, editorials, video games, and podcasts – everything a horror-phile’s dark heart could possibly desire. The types of horror discussed are varied, ranging from horror comedies to foreign entries. The articles are well-written and concise, yet full of detail to get you excited for what is to come.

The only criticism that I have, and this is a purely minor complaint, is that the background had so much going on that it could be difficult to get back to the top of the home page to look at something else. But, as I said, this is a purely minor complaint. Otherwise, the blog has a lot to look at and go over. So, if you are looking for a well-written, polished blog with a lot of high-energy features to get you pumped for the next movie series, television show, or podcast to binge, Bloody Disgusting is where you want to be!

Our second offering of the Night is the Blogging Banshee, a blog of which I am very… keen. The Blogging Banshee is another blog that features all that is new and different in the world of horror. The first thing that draws your eye to the Blogging Banshee’s blog is the background, the title image and the lime green text background really stand out against the white. The page is also not cluttered and is easy to search. The blog is also well laid out with movies being listed by type and theme of horror. This for me is very important, I like to be able to find new suggestions based on type. If I am in the mood to watch a certain kind of film, I like to be able to find one quickly, with the efficiently of the guillotine.

Their reviews on books and television shows are also easy to find and interesting reads. Unfortunately, thus far, there are not many of them, which is fine for me, but if you are looking for more television reviews, this is not the blog for you. Again, I am a really big fan of the way that the Blogging Banshee has her movie reviews listed since that is what draws me to a blog. So, if you are looking for a specific horror type to get into, the Blogging Banshee has a list for you!

The final tidbit I wish to offer you is the blog, Horror Cult Films, a site that helps to clarify the occult. I love cult films! There is something about a film that has attained cult status because it is either a before-its-time great movie or it is a mind-blisteringly bad film. The thing about this blog is that it is not just horror that is reviewed and talked about, so it can be good to maybe find entries from genres that you may not be already familiar with. If you are looking for a solely horror blog, while the majority of it is horror, it is not completely, but branching out can be a good thing too, sometimes. After all, a wise vampire hides many coffins…

Another thing that I really like about this blog is that it includes Arrow Video releases. If you do not already know, Arrow Video is a distributor that specializes in cult, classic, and horror films. So, it is definitely a place to look if, like me, you enjoy cult classics. Overall, this is an interesting blog that has some interesting reviews. They have an extensive team working on the blog and they also do competitions to win a new release. If you are looking for a blog that specializes in cult and classic films, Horror Cult Films is the blog for you!

That’s all the time we have today, Dear Readers. I hope you find these offerings fun and tasty, if not also informational and enlightening. 

Smiles in the Dark,

Jodi

Wonderfully Horror-full News – The Exorcist Returns!

Good news, Dear Readers!

 

There is going to be a new installment of The Exorcist, the 1973 ground-breaking film about demonic possession that changed horror films forever. It will be coming out in October of 2023, almost thirty years to the day as the first film. Reportedly, this film will be a direct sequel to the first installment; though that did not serve Exorcist II: The Heretic well, this time it will hopefully be different.

 

The Exorcist Extended Director's Cut DVD Cover

Let’s take a look at the history of the franchise.

 

Published in 1971, the novel The Exorcist, was written by the late William Blatty. Almost immediately it became a global sensation. The novel, which was based on the supposedly true story of a possessed boy who was exorcised by Jesuit priests, spent fifty-seven weeks on the New York Times best seller list.

 

Of course, a movie was going to be made!

 

The director of The Exorcist, William Friedkin, kept as close to the original story as possible and was even allowed to use portions of the priests’ diaries for the script. The film was wildly successful, with news reports of lines as long as five thousand waiting to get tickets, which for a horror film in the 1970s was unheard of. This is not to say that the production was smooth and trouble free. With stories of accidents, fires, and deaths, rumors began to swirl that the production was cursed. However, the director later stated, “There were only a couple of strange things out of the ordinary.” - William Friedkin. (Feinberg, 2021).

 

With the phenomenal success of the first movie, it was only natural that a sequel would be made. What followed is a litany of sequels and prequels almost up to the present day, and even a television series. None of these, however, hit upon the magic that made the first film so wildly popular. Sadly, the Exorcist II: The Heretic, is even considered one of the worst films ever made, “It took the greatest film ever made and trashed it in a way that was on one level farcically stupid and on another level absolutely unforgivable.” (Kermode, 2004). The franchise itself seemed to have been beaten to death, spurred on by the numerous sequels in the wake of the various possession-inspired films that cropped up in the early 2000s and 2010s. Many of these were also inspired by supposedly true events.

 

Exorcist II: The Heretic (Sequel, 1977) 

The Ninth Configuration (Sequel, 1980) 

The Exorcist III (Sequel, 1990) 

Exorcist: The Beginning (Prequel, 2004) 

Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (Prequel, 2005) 

 

The new trilogy is returning directly to its roots. Instead of just another thematic sequel or prequel in the line, the 2023 film is going to be a direct sequel to the first film. Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions is one of the producers and has stated, “I love doing these kinds of films because people are emotional about it. I think it’s a high bar and a challenge to do the movie. Remember most of the audience coming into this-95% of the audience who will, if we do our job right, come to see this movie- will not have seen the first ‘Exorcist’ or even heard of it.” (McKee, 2022).

 

Sounds like a tall order!

 

Because of the success of the original, Universal Studios is spending $400 million US on the worldwide rights to the trilogy. The movies will be available in theaters and on Universal’s streaming service, Peacock. (Maddox,2021).

 

The new film is the first in a new trilogy, with all three being helmed by David Gordon Green, who is also a co-writer on the project. Green, who was responsible for Halloween Kills, from the equally loved Halloween franchise, said this about the differences in writing projects: “To me it’s as different as making Stronger and Pineapple Express. They’re just so unbelievably different. One is very primal and the other is academic. So, it’s just trying to switch gears there. I’m sure I’ll know more a year from now when I’ve gotten a handle on what Exorcist is. The script’s written. And it was a very entirely different writing process.” (Lawrence, 2021).

 

So far, we know that the film stars Leslie Odom Jr. as the father of a possessed child who reaches out to Chris MacNeil for help, played by Ellen Burstyn, who is reprising her role from the original film. Fans have questioned whether Linda Blair would be open to reprising her role as Regan MacNeil. The actress has not stated that she will appear in the film saying, “I wish all those involved the best and I appreciate the loyalty and passion that fans have for my character.” (Maddox, 2021)

 

Sadly, both Jason Miller and Max von Sydow have passed on in the intervening years, von Sydow in 2020 and Miller in 2001. There have been no others announced in any other capacity for acting or additional production roles. (Maddox, 2021).

 

Watch this blog for more news to follow as more information on The Exorcist trilogy develops.

 

Dear Readers, this time around, other than modern effects and tight script work, what do you hope to see from this new trilogy of Exorcist films? I’d love to hear what you think!

Smiles in the Dark,

Jodi

 

Sources

 

Feinberg, H. (2021, October 18). THE EXORCIST – The Story Of A Cursed Production. Cinema Scholars. 

 

Kermode, M. (2004, July 1). 'If I'd made that, I'd change my name'". The Guardian. 

 

Lawrence, G. (2021, October 13). David Gordon Green on Why His 'Exorcist' Trilogy Is an "Entirely Different Writing Process" Than 'Halloween'. Collider.

 

Maddox, G. (June 29, 2021. Possessed again: why is Universal spending $540 million on an Exorcist reboot? The Sydney Morning Herald. 

 

McKee, M. D. (2022, May 9). Blumhouse’s The Exorcist 2 Release Date, Cast, And Plot - What We Know So Far. Looper. 

All About Your Dread Hostess

Hello again Dear Readers,
 
Your hostess, Jodi Moran-Mishler, here to provide you with a little background on who I am and why I love Horror.
 
I am a huge fan of Horror in all its varieties. The first television show I can remember watching was The Twilight Zone. From there I moved on to all manner of Horror television. Then, there were films, starting with Universal and Hammer Horror films, the list goes on and on. The same can be said of literature, from the classics by Shelley and Leroux to the works of Lovecraft and King.
 
With all these sources of Horror I am most happy curling up at home in my chair, with my cats at my feet. I enjoy partaking in these Horrific experiences as often as possible, though these days as busy as I am, I am fortunate to get in a show or two a week, and I read my books when I can.
 
As it has brought me so much wicked happiness, it is time that I share my love of Horror with others. To show that Horror has a greater deal of depth and importance than most think. I will share Horror with you all through this blog, All Encompassing Horror, through posts on news, reviews, in-depth research, and interviews.
 
Now that I have shared some of my favorites with you, what are your favorite Horror films, shows, and books?
 
Smiles in the Dark,
 

Jodi

Welcome to All Encompassing Horror!

Welcome to All Encompassing Horror!

I am your hostess, Jodi Moran-Mishler.
 
This blog covers Horror in all its dimensions… Euclidian and otherwise! From classics such as Tod Browning's classics Dracula and Freaks to the latest Rob Zombie splatter gore or GothCom, and from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Frankenstein to Stephen King's latest and greatest, I will cover Horror like a vampire consumes blood… gladly, and with gusto!
 
I have spent most of my life enjoying horror films, television, literature, and other cultural phenomenon. Thanks in part to my parents allowing me to follow my interests, I started young and never looked back.

Herein I shall report on and review films, television shows, novels, short stories, and horror pop cultural ephemera, from Funko Pops to film props. I will update this blog on a weekly basis.
 
I wish to share my enjoyment and experience in Horror with all you, dear readers. Please be sure to let me know what you think of my posts, and also, of course, let me know about your own thoughts and experiences in Horror.
 
I look forward to serving you, my readers, as your hostess and guide to the world of All Encompassing Horror!

Jodi