It's Heeere! The First Official Trailer For 'Poltergeist'

These days, not a lot of nice things are said about remakes, reboots, reimaginings...whatever the cool kids are calling them. The resurrection of the 80s horror classic from Tobe Hooper is no exception but maybe once you check out the first trailer for producer Sam Raimi's vision of "Poltergeist," you'll give it a chance. Many say that 1984's "Ghostbusters" got them interested in the paranormal but for me, it was "Poltergeist." It scarred me for life and for that, I thank it profusely.

In this updated version directed by Gil Kenan, the Bowen family (lead by Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt) is fighting against the supernatural forces that have invaded their home and taken their daughter. A charismatic TV ghost hunter (Jared Harris) from a show called "Haunted House Cleaners," is called in to remedy the infestation. Let's hope he isn't afraid of clowns.

Here's the official synopsis, thanks to 20th Century Fox...

Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi and director Gil Kenan reimagine and contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is invaded by angry spirits. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and take the youngest daughter, the family must come together to rescue her.

Now clear your minds, watch the trailer, and let us know what you think. The PG-13 film will be in theaters (in 3D, if the mood should strike you) on July 24.

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Evil Dead' Series Coming to Starz and Bruce Campbell Will Star

Campbell looking suave as usual (IMDB)

Some damn groovy news just broke and yes, it has to do with Bruce Campbell and some dead that's... evil. An "Evil Dead" TV series is coming to Starz and not only will Bruce Campbell star as "Ash" but, according to Entertainment Weekly, "Original franchise director Sam Raimi will executive produce the series and write and direct the first episode, with Rob Tapert also executive producing." Excited yet? This isn't just pillow talk, baby.

Here's the logline:

“Bruce Campbell will be reprising his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons –personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its ‘Evil’ grip.”

Campbell knows what fans of the franchise like and stated, “I’m really excited to bring this series to the Evil Dead fans worldwide — it’s going to be everything they have been clamoring for: serious deadite ass-kicking and plenty of outrageous humor."

According to Raimi, who teased this possibility at Comic-Con in July, “Evil Dead has always been a blast. Bruce, Rob, and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to tell the next chapter in Ash’s lame, but heroic saga. With his chainsaw arm and his ‘boomstick,’ Ash is back to kick some monster butt. And brother, this time there’s a truckload of it.”

Did he say boomstick? Hell yes he did! The series will debut on Starz in 2015 and the network's managing director Carmi Zlotnik added, “Starz first worked with Sam and Rob on Spartacus, and we are thrilled to be back in business with them. With Sam writing and directing and Bruce Campbell returning to the screen, we are certain the show will give Evil Dead fans around the world the fix they’ve been craving.”

Let us know what you think of this endeavor. Will it work? Are you looking forward to it?

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Poltergeist' Reboot Set to Be Released in 3D

According to Dread Central, the Sam Raimi-produced and Gil Kenan-directed "Poltergeist" reboot will be released in 3D. So far, Twentieth Century Fox has announced a Valentine’s Day weekend release for the remake set to hit theaters February 15, 2015. It is believed the film will be converted to 3D in post-production.

The "Poltergeist" cast includes; Jared Harris ("Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows"), Rosemarie DeWitt ("Cinderella Man"), Sam Rockwell ("Confessions of a Dangerous Mind"), Kyle Catlett ("The Following"), Saxon Sharbino ("Touch"), and Jane Adams ("Hung").

Synopsis:
A family struggling to make ends meet, relocates to a suburban home to be confronted by an angry spirit who kidnaps their youngest daughter. Can they band together and save their daughter from evil?

-Ashley Adriance

Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures to Reboot 'The Grudge'

Deadline recently reported that "The Grudge," the American remake of Takashi Shimizu's Japanese "Ju-On," will be getting a reboot. This time around, Good Universe and Ghost House Pictures are relaunching the franchise, with Jeff Buhler set to write up a draft.

The American version was released in 2004 and starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as a nurse in Tokyo that suffered at the hands of an evil, and fatal, curse. The Shimizu-directed remake only cost about $10 million to make, which is a relatively low budget. The film went on to gross $187 million worldwide and spawned two sequels. Set to produce the film are Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Taka Ichise, with Roy Lee, Joe Drake, Nathan Kahane and Doug Davison executive producing. Currently, there is no director attached to the project, but maybe Shimizu will return to the helm once again?

While it's only been ten years since the release of the American, the success of Raimi's "Evil Dead" reboot is definitely something to keep in mind. Are you excited about this addition to the year of the reboots, or do you think it's too soon and should be left alone? Either way, keep checking back here for the latest info!

-Nowal Massari

They're Heeeeere! 'Poltergeist' Remake Gets a Release Date

The reboot of Tobe Hooper's classic "Poltergeist," directed by Gil Keenan and produced by Sam Raimi, will be hitting theaters Friday February 13, 2015. What could be better than a little Valentine's scare?

For those who aren't up to date on the news, here is the official synopsis from MGM and Fox:

In a revisionist take on the classic horror film, a family struggling to make ends meet relocates to an outdated suburban home and is confronted by an angry spirit who kidnaps their youngest daughter and challenges them to band together to rescue her from the clutches of evil.

Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Saxon Sharbino, Kyle Catlett and Kennedi Clements star as the Bowen family, or the Freelings 2.0, with Jarred Harris joining as television host, Carrigan Burke and recently added, Jane Adams as Dr. Powell, a paranormal expert. Rumor has it that the Bowen family will be joined in their "new" home by a cast member from the original 1982 film...curious? Check it out, after the jump!

'Poltergeist' remake to begin production this fall

After years of speculation, a remake of Tobe Hoopers 1982 classic, Poltergeist, is getting remade.

Announced on Thursday, Entertainment Weekly reports that MGM and Fox 2000 Studios are teaming up to modernized the story. The film will have Gil Kenan (Monster House) in the director's chair, with David Lindsay-Abaire (Oz the Great and Powerful) penning the script. Ghost House Pictures, the dynamic duo of Sam Raimi and Rob Tarpert, will be producing the film along with Roy Lee (The Strangers).

In an official statement, this 2.0 version of Poltergeist will follow a family that "relocates to an outdated suburban home and is confronted by an angry spirit who kidnaps their youngest daughter and challenges them to band together to rescue her from the clutches of evil." This differs from previous reports that the new version would include a reality-TV show called Haunted House Cleaners.

With production to begin this fall for a 2014 release, it could still happen.

While the original film had it's flaws, it is highly regarded as one of the greatest horror films in recent history, by critics and fans alike. Will Sam Raimi be able to get die-hard fans of the original to go to the light or will they skip it completely?

-Nowal Massari

'Poltergeist' reboot to feature TV ghost hunters

Filming on the reboot of Tobe Hooper's 1982 classic Poltergeist might begin as early as September, reports Bloody Disgusting.

London-born-director, Gil Kenan (Monster House) will helm, and the plot includes a modern twist inspired by reality-TV. A new character named Carrigan Burke is a TV personality on a reality ghost show called Haunted House Cleaners (Sounds like a show that should already exist, yes?)

Bloody Disgusting has revealed the new version will be produced by Evil Dead duo Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, and Roy Lee (The Ring) and follows a family's relocation to a new town after the father loses his job.

The site reports that daughter Madison is abducted mother Amy can communicate with the dead. The ex-wife of Carrigan Burke, with the help of her university-based paranormal team, aids the family by helping to locate and investigate the details surrounding Madison’s disappearance.

We’ll keep you posted as more details emerge. Are you willing to go into the light and see this newer version? Or, should the bodies not be re-located and haunt theaters again?

-Larissa Mrykalo

Watch the movie that became 'Evil Dead'

Remake poster, courtesy Deadites.net

Most people may not know this, but before it was Evil Dead, Sam Raimi and his usual cast of friends made a short film called Within the Woods back in 1978. This short has never been included on any release of either Evil Dead or Evil Dead 2 (or Army of Darkness for that matter, which premiered 20 years ago today), which is a shame.

I’ve always wondered why, but I’m sure there is a slew of legal reasons that are beyond me. The short was only available through bootlegs and tape traders, but now you can enjoy the entire short film right from your computer (via Dread Central). Although the quality is nothing great, I encourage you watch this piece of history while you can. It was originally shot to sell investors to fund the full length feature that would become Evil Dead.

Running as just under half an hour, this is truly a treat for anyone who loves Sam, Bruce and the Evil Dead trilogy. Interesting enough, you can see elements that were omitted in the first Evil Dead and later used in Evil Dead 2. So stop reading and watch (after the jump).

And don't forget, the Evil Dead remake (which initially received an NC-17 rating) is opening April 5.

'Evil Dead' animated tribute: Amazing love letter to Raimi films

This just kicks all kinds of ass.

From the artistry of Daniel Kanemoto and Ex Mortis Films, this animated tribute to Evil Dead takes us on an all-too-brief, brilliant journey through the worlds of the Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell trilogy (The Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness).

Kanemoto said he created all the artwork in the sequence, with the final image directly inspired by an incredible Evil Dead poster created by Olly Moss.

"The moment I saw it, I only wanted to see it move – which is how I feel about all great posters. The new wave of artists working with Mondo have made movie posters worth collecting again, and that’s a great thing. I hope to someday join their ranks."

Kanemoto is looking forward to the new Evil Dead remake, currently being filmed by Fede Alvarez with Raimi overseeing. He also says he would not-so-secretly like a chance to pitch his approach for the upcoming film.

Here you go, Mr. Raimi. This is the next wave of talent. Pick it up now.

-Aaron Sagers

'Sinister' & 'The Possession' continues haunted item, scary kid genre

If recent horror movies should have taught you anything, it's that A) kids are creepy (especially little girls), B) you should not buy any old items from yard sales or explore objects found in attics/basements/crawlspaces because C) demons love to haunt those items and make personal connections with aforementioned creepy kids in the process.

Case in point, Sinister and The Possession, two upcoming films that play with all of those tropes...