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‘What Once Was Mine’ Review: A Witchy Twist to Rapunzel’s Story

What would happen if Rapunzel’s mother drank the essence of the Moondrop flower instead of the Sundrop flower? That’s the premise behind What Once Was Mine, the latest edition in the bestselling A Twisted Tale series from Disney. Author Liz Braswell adds dimension and undertones of dark, enchanting magic to the tale of Rapunzel. She also asks hard questions about the nature of privilege, what it means to be a mother, and explores the importance of one’s self through Rapunzel’s hair and the interlacing story of Daniella who is undergoing chemo treatments.

Braswell delivers a magical, witchy tale just in time for fall as Rapunzel learns about the powers her hair, infused with the essence of the moon, holds. Readers are treated to a host of new characters as well as old favorites with unexpected twists. Every tale in this series feels special, but What Once Was Mine cleverly entwines the real-world folklore of Countess Bathory (if you’re a folklore fan, look her up) giving the tale an extra dark flavor I didn’t expect from a Rapunzel retelling and one I very much hope we see again in the future. This book feels darker and more mysterious with the elements of magic and the moon at the center of the story. Where the original film is all about Rapunzel’s journey to the lights, here Rapunzel’s journey is focused on discovering herself, her real heritage, and the magic within. Taught to fear her hair her entire life, it’s a beautiful moment as Rapunzel steps into her own power and grows as a character.

Of course, the story wouldn’t be complete without Flynn Rider who is just as charming in print as on screen. Braswell expertly brings him to life with not only his dashing Flynn Rider attitude but also granting fans wonderful heartfelt moments highlighting the complexity of being human. She also gives us a look into the (twisted) mind of Gothel and what she’s been up to (hint: it’s not good) while Rapunzel is in the tower and after she makes her escape. The story is excellently told and well-rounded with multiple points of view on the ever-changing adventure. What begins as a trip to see the lanterns ends where Rapunzel could never have guessed. Readers won’t be able to put this book down as Rapunzel finds herself on the run with Flynn, Gina, and Pascal, a new challenge around every corner. This retelling shakes the tale of Rapunzel down to its bare bones and rebuilds it with changes that feel natural and magical, giving us an entirely new story to lose ourselves in.

What Once Was Mine publishes September 7!

‘Creepshow’: Season 3 Trailer Delivers More Terror

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Season 3 of Greg Nicotero’s Shudder series Creepshow is premiering in a few short weeks. The official trailer was released and it carries all the scares.

Creepshow is a horror anthology series based on the 1982 horror-comedy classic of the same name.

“A comic book comes to life in a series of vignettes, exploring terrors ranging from murder, creatures, monsters, and delusions to the supernatural and unexplainable. You never know what will be on the next page…”

Guest appearances for Creepshow season 3 include Michael Rooker, James Remar, Johnathon Schaech, Reid Scott, Hannah Fierman, King Bach, and Ethan Embry.

The trailer itself promises “12 new tales of terror” amidst demons, glowing eyes, ax throwing, and a whole lot of terrified screaming.

Season 3 of Creepshow premieres September 23 on Shudder as well as the Shudder offering within the AMC+ bundle.

Elton John Announces New Collaborative Album

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Elton John has become the latest artist to announce that they’re coming out of the pandemic lockdowns with a new album.

In an announcement on social media, John announced and provided a track list for his new album, The Lockdown Sessions.

Due out October 22, the album is full of collaborations between John and notable artists across multiple genres. With 16 tracks, including 10 never before released songs, the album will feature 20 different artists.

Check out the full track-list below to see the collaborations for yourself, and pre-order/pre-save the album here.

Elton John

Paramount+ Doubles Down on ‘Paranormal Activity’ for Halloween With Special Documentary

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Paramount+ is set to be the exclusive home to the upcoming seventh Paranormal Activity film, and a special “making of” documentary will also appear on the streaming service.

While we don’t know much about the documentary so far, ViacomCBS Streaming Chief Programming Officer Tanya Giles has said, “A new Paranormal Activity from Paramount Players should bring fans an unexpected reimagining of the beloved horror franchise. We’ll also be launching a documentary on the making of the Paranormal Activity feature. Both of which will be coming to the service in time for Halloween.”

So if you are a Paranormal Activity fan, keep an eye out for more details as we move closer to Halloween.

Misha Collins Launches TikTok Account

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Let the chaos begin. Misha Collins has lurked on TikTok for months, biding his time and waiting for the perfect moment to post his first video — which seems to be now. The Misha Collins TikTok era has finally begun.

The “Actor. Baker. Candlestick maker” has debuted on TikTok in typical Misha style — with a chaotic bang. Check out his interesting first video below.

@mishacollins

The internet needs more educational programming, so I’m launching this informative TikTok channel as a public service. #fyp #edutok #foryoupage #fypシ

♬ original sound – Misha Collins

Knowing Collins’ chaotic social media tendencies, fans can only guess what the actor will post next and what wacky shenanigans he’ll pull as his following (already at over 100k) grows. The one thing we can guarantee is that fans will probably not be ready. Does this signal the beginning of a new and even more chaotic era for the social media mogul? Almost certainly. But we’re certainly prepared for the ride.

You can subscribe to Collins’ account here. Additionally, visit here to stay up to date with all of Collins’ current projects.

The Hobbits Reunion at FanExpo Dallas Has Been Pushed to 2022

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The special Hobbits Reunion event at FanExpo Dallas has been delayed again.

Originally set for the 2020 event, the reunion of the Lord of the Rings favorite hobbits has been pushed to FanExpo Dallas 2022. Actors Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd will now appear in Dallas June 17-19, 2022.

If you have tickets for the special “The Four Hobbits: An Unexpected Reunion” event, you will receive an email with your options — either to transfer your ticket to next year or get a full refund. Show tickets can also be refunded through your Growtix account up to 14 days before the show, making Friday, September 3 the last day for refunds.

Watch the Trailer for ‘Survive the Game’ Starring Chad Michael Murray and Bruce Willis Now!

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The trailer for director James Cullen Bressack’s Survive the Game has arrived with a star-studded cast to back it up. The likes of Chad Michael Murray, Bruce Willis, Swen Temmel, Sarah Roemer, and Donna Derrico star in the film. Ross Peacock penned the script.

The official synopsis for Survive the Game reads:

Bruce Willis (Pulp Fiction) and Chad Michael Murray (“Riverdale”) star in this explosive crime-thriller. When cop David (Willis) is injured in a drug bust gone wrong, his partner, Cal, pursues the two criminals who shot him to a remote farm owned by troubled vet Eric (Murray). As Cal and Eric plot their defense, more of the gang arrives — along with a wounded David — and, outnumbered, the three heroes must use stealth, smarts, and marksmanship to take down the drug-dealing mob.

Survive the Game will be in select theaters, on Apple TV, and rentable starting on October 8. It will then make its way to Blu-ray and DVD on October 12.

Play-PerView Announces September Lineup Including Paget Brewster and Jason Ritter

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Play-PerView hosts entertainment gatherings that raise money for a good cause that can be projected right into your home. This month, Paget Brewster and Jason Ritter, among others, have been added to the lineup.

Taking place on September 18 at 8 p.m. ET and On Demand until September 22 will be Bill Corbett’s The Medievalists. Directed by Casey Stangl, the play features Brewster, Ritter, Rhea Seehorn, and James Urbaniak.

“A once-respected history scholar crashes and burns on the set of the cheesy TV series adapted from his work. His family rides in on a quest to save the day!”

Tickets are available for purchase now with net proceeds benefiting the Vidiots Foundation.

On September 29 at 8 p.m. ET but On Demand until October 3 is Dan O’Brien’s The House in Scarsdale: A Memoir for the Stage with Alex Draper and O’Brien. Christian Parker will direct.

“Playwright Dan O’Brien’s parents and siblings cut him off years ago. Leading him to investigate his own family’s particular unhappiness in search of why. But is his pathological pursuit of the truth worth the risk to his sense of self and of the past?”

Tickets are currently available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit Boston Court Pasadena.

For more information on Play-PerView and its future events, head to their website.

‘Seinfeld’ Coming to Netflix in October

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It’s a Festivus Miracle!

Netflix has announced that all 180 episodes of Seinfeld will be available for streaming starting October 1.

From the creative mind of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, Seinfeld was a 1990s sitcom best-known for being “the show about nothing,” full of sarcasm and everyday observational humor.

The exciting news first came to light back in 2019. The streaming giant scored a five year streaming deal with Sony Pictures Television, which has distribution rights over the former NBC series. However, the show had been under a streaming deal with Hulu through the middle of this year, causing streaming delays for Netflix.

During its nine year run, Seinfeld won an impressive 10 Emmy awards, including three supporting actor awards, a supporting actress award, and best comedy series award.

Seinfeld stars Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander, and Wayne Knight. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld.

Be sure to checkout the official Netflix teaser trailer for Seinfeld below and let us know it the comments which Seinfeld moment is your favorite.

Shudder Announces 61 Days of Halloween Lineup

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Every year, Shudder puts on its 31 Days of Halloween. This year will be even bigger. Shudder will host 61 Days of Halloween running now through October 31!

The annual event will house weekly movie premieres and original series debuts, a Halloween special with Joe Bob Briggs (more specials to be announced), horror film favorites added to the Shudder library, a new edition of the beloved Ghoul Log, and more.

Below is a list of this year’s highlights. From a new season of Creepshow to V/H/S/94, there’s something for everyone.

SHUDDER ORIGINAL & EXCLUSIVE FILMS

Superhost – Premieres September 2

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI, and Shudder ANZ)

In Superhost, travel vloggers Teddy (Osric Chau, Supernatural) and Claire (Sara Canning, Nancy Drew) share their experiences in and around vacation homes with their subscribers while maintaining a moderate level of internet fame. When their follower count starts to dwindle, they pivot to creating viral content around their most recent host, Rebecca (Gracie Gillam, Z Nation). With all eyes turned towards their “superhost,” Rebecca, they slowly start to realize something isn’t right and as they investigate further, they unlock a horrifying truth. Written and directed by Brandon Christensen (Z, Still/Born). Starring Chau, Canning, Gillam, and Barbara Crampton (Jakob’s Wife).

Martyrs Lane – Premieres September 9

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI, and Shudder ANZ)

In this unsettling ghost story, Leah, 10, lives in a large, old house with her family but can’t quite work out why her mother seems so distant. At night she is visited by a mysterious guest, who might be able to give her some answers. With a new challenge every night, Leah is rewarded with bits of knowledge that, when pieced together, threaten to shine a dangerous light on both the truth in her nightmares and of the world she lives in. Directed by Ruth Platt (The Lesson). Starring Denise Gough (Colette, The Kid Who Would Be King), Steven Cree (Outlaw King, A Discovery of Witches), Kiera Thompson (His Name Was Gerry), and Sienna Sayer (Silent Night).

Seance – Premieres September 29

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI, and Shudder ANZ)

Camille Meadows is the new girl at the prestigious Edelvine Academy for Girls. Soon after her arrival, six girls invite her to join them in a late-night ritual, calling forth the spirit of a dead former student who reportedly haunts their halls. But before morning, one of the girls is dead, leaving the others wondering what they may have awakened. Written and directed by Simon Barrett (You’re Next, The Guest). Starring Suki Waterhouse (Assassination Nation, The Divergent Series: Insurgent), Madisen Beaty (Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Ella-Rae Smith (Into the Badlands, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), Inanna Sarkis (Boo 2! A Madea Halloween, After Franchise),  Seamus Patterson (Channel Zero), and Marina Stephenson-Kerr (Channel Zero).

V/H/S/94 – Premieres October 6

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI, and Shudder ANZ)

A Shudder Original Film, V/H/S/94 is the fourth installment in the hit horror anthology franchise and marks the return of the infamous found footage anthology with segments from franchise alumni Simon Barrett (Séance) and Timo Tjahjanto (May the Devil Take You Too) in addition to acclaimed directors Jennifer Reeder (Knives & Skin), Ryan Prows (Lowlife), and Chloe Okuno (Slut). In V/H/S/94, after the discovery of a mysterious VHS tape, a brutish police swat team launch a high intensity raid on a remote warehouse, only to discover a sinister cult compound whose collection of pre-recorded material uncovers a nightmarish conspiracy.

The Medium – Premieres October 14

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI, and Shudder ANZ)

A documentary team follows Nim, a shaman based in Northern Thai, the Isan area, and encounters her niece Mink showing strange symptoms that seem to be of inheritance of shamanism. The team decides to follow Mink, hoping to capture the shaman lineage passing on to the next generation, but her bizarre behavior becomes more extreme. From director Banjong Pisanthanakun (Shutter) and producer Na Hong-jin (director of The Wailing). Winner Best Film, Bucheon International Film Festival 2021.

Horror Noire – Premieres Thursday, October 28

(Available on Shudder US, Shudder CA, Shudder UKI, and Shudder ANZ)

A new Shudder Original anthology film, Horror Noire is a follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2019 documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror and features new work from both established and emerging talents, showcasing stories of Black horror from Black directors and screenwriters. Anthology writers featured include Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes, Victor LaValle, Shernold Edwards, Al Letson, and Ezra C. Daniels. Cast featured include Lesley-Ann Brandt (Lucifer, Spartacus), Luke James (The Chi, Thoughts of a Colored Man), Erica Ash (Survivor’s Remorse, A Black Lady Sketch Show), Brandon Mychal Smith (Four Weddings and a Funeral, You’re the Worst), Sean Patrick Thomas (Macbeth, The Curse of La Llorona), Peter Stormare (American Gods, Fargo,) Malcolm Barrett (Genius: Aretha Franklin, Timeless), and Rachel True (The Craft, Half & Half), among others.

SHUDDER ORIGINAL SERIES

Slasher: Flesh & Blood – New Episodes Premiere Every Thursday through September 16

Slasher: Flesh & Blood follows a wealthy, dysfunctional family lead by patriarch Spencer Galloway (David Cronenberg) that gathers for a reunion on a secluded island only to learn they’ll be pitted against one another in a cruel game of life and death, all while being stalked by a mysterious masked killer. Nothing is what it seems and no one is safe as the tension – and body count – ratchets up.

Creepshow Season 3 – Premieres September 23

Based on the 1982 horror comedy classic, the anthology Creepshow returns for a third season and is still the most fun you’ll ever have being scared! From showrunner Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead), a comic book comes to life in a series of vignettes, exploring terrors ranging from murder, creatures, monsters, and delusions to the supernatural and unexplainable. You never know what will be on the next page. Guest stars include Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead), James Remar (Dexter), Johnathon Schaech (Legends of Tomorrow), Reid Scott (Veep), Hannah Fierman (V/H/S), King Bach (When We First Met), and Ethan Embry (Empire Records).

The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula Season 4 — Premieres October 19

The groundbreaking Shudder Original series follows 10 drag artists from around the world competing for a $100,000 grand prize – the largest in show history. Season 4 will feature a spectacular lineup of guest judges including Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical film series), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones), Misha Osherovich (Freaky), queer country music icon Orville Peck, pop metal star Poppy, Ray Santiago (Ash vs. The Evil Dead), Bob the Drag Queen (We’re Here), and more, with additional judges to be announced later. Dubbed one of “the 19 best LGBTQ+ shows everyone needs to watch” by CosmopolitanThe Boulet Brothers’ Dragula is written and produced by the Boulet Brothers with executive producer David Sigurani and director Nathan Noyes.

Behind the Monsters — Premieres October 27

The new original docu-series Behind the Monsters takes a deep dive on cinematic horror icons, including Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Candyman, Chucky and Pinhead, and features interviews with horror experts and the writers, directors and actors from the original films that made each character the stuff of genre legends. Written and directed by Gabrielle Binkley and Anthony Uro and produced by Stage 3 Productions, Behind the Monsters is executive produced by Phil Nobile Jr., Kelly Ryan, and Mark Shostrom.

SHUDDER SPECIALS

Joe Bob’s Halloween Hoedown — October 8 at 9 p.m. ET on Shudder TV

In what has become an annual tradition, iconic horror host and foremost drive-in movie critic Joe Bob Briggs returns with a special The Last Drive-In double feature just in time for Halloween, premiering live on the Shudder TV feed. You’ll have to tune in to find out what movies Joe Bob has selected, but you can count on something scary and perfect for the season, with special guests to be announced. (Also available on demand beginning October 10.)

In addition, Shudder is also bringing back its Halloween Hotline. Every Friday in October from 3-4 p.m. ET, members are invited to call Samuel Zimmerman, Shudder’s head of programming, to discuss all things horror.

From those conversations, Sam will use his horror expertise to offer customized viewing recommendations from Shudder’s expansive film collection. Fans can call sam at 914-481-2239 during hotline hours. Please note that data rates may apply and there is no guarantee your call will be answered in the time frame.