Horror Pop Culture: Aug. 24

BY ANDREW PETERS
Editor's Note: Horror Pop Culture is a weekly round-up of horror genre news, reviews and rumors

Bloody new 'Carrie' stills

I feel like all I write about lately is remakes, but then again it’s all that seems to be in the news. Of course, when you are talking about a remake of a chilling Stephen King tale that stars the talented Chloe Moretz, I’m all ears! Check out these stills, one of which shows Carrie famously covered in blood. Read the details on the plot as well. (via Dread Central)

'Birdemic 2' trailer infests Web

You asked for it! Although that sounds more like a promise to some kind of punishment for all our misbehavior instead of a promise for a treat we’ve patiently been requesting. Either way, this is happening, so check out the trailer and then flock on over to Dread Central to read the press release.



'Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D' gets a rating

Finally, the newest entry in the long line of Texas Chainsaw movie gets a rating and I think it goes without saying that this film will be rated R for "strong, grisly violence and language throughout." TCM3D is actually going to be a direct sequel to Tobe Hooper's original classic, which is an interesting choice. Read the full synopsis.

"Twenty years ago the town of Newt, Texas, exacted vengeance on the Sawyer family for their role in assisting and concealing murders committed by the chainsaw-wielding maniac Jeb Sawyer, aka "Leatherface". The entire family was presumed killed when Burt Hartman led the townspeople to burn down their farmhouse, but the Sawyer infant survived and was secretly taken away by two of the vigilante townies, Gavin and Arlene, and raised as their daughter, Heather. It's not until she's in her twenties that Heather learns that she's adopted. A lawyer for her grandmother tracks her down with word she's been left an inheritance. Angry at her parents for lying to her, she sets out for Texas on a road trip with her boyfriend, Ryan; friends Nikki and Kenny; and Darryl, a hitchhiker they pick up on the way."

'Evil Dead' remake gets Bruce Campbell’s thumbs up

Remakes are a very touchy subject, especially when you are remaking one of the biggest (if not the biggest) cult horror movie of all time, The Evil Dead. Fans are already speaking with backlash, even though the film has yet to premiere. But with Sam Raimi’s production company Ghosthouse producing the film, he and Bruce Campbell are backing the remake 100% and good ol’ Bruce wants to help ease your mind in a recent interview with Digital Spy.

“Myself and Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, we own that movie, it's our movie. We're not looking into some file drawer of some property that's owned by a studio that's 30 years old, that we can get for cheap and [saying] 'Let's remake that'. We're not the cigar-chomping producer type who's like, 'We'll see what we already own, we'll do something cheap and make a lot of money'. That's not our approach at all, so I feel 100% justified doing anything we want with our property. Our only obligation to the viewer is that we don't give them a piece of s**t. It's going to wind up being a very handmade movie, Fede Alvarez is so far from being a hack - we didn't get some 18-year-old director who just wants to make his movie look cool. We got a guy who is an adult. I think people will be pleasantly surprised that it's not something that was cranked out, where no-one gives a crap. We were involved in casting, we were involved in everything. We're all over that movie like a cheap suit, so if it blows it's our responsibility."

Hopefully that eases your mind. I know that I for one will sleep better. Looking forward to this one. Frolic on over to Digital Spy to see what else Bruce had to say.

Alexander Aja talks 'Maniac'

Recently, High Tension director Alexander Aja reminisced with Dread Central about his history in film making. When Maniac came up, Mr. Aja had this to say:

“It’s very different from the original film. The expectations are very high, and the midnight screening at Cannes was very encouraging. I feel audiences will be shocked, disturbed and emotionally invested in Elijah’s amazing performance. The film is more of a psychological thriller than a pure horror.”
Seems like he couldn’t say much, but being a huge fan of the original and of Alexander Aja’s work, I am more than excited. Maniac will premiere at this year’s Film4 FrightFest and is directed by Franck Khalfoun with Aja producing and stars Elijah Wood. No North America theatrical release date yet, but you can guarantee we will keep you posted. (via Dread Central)