Legendary Director David Cronenberg to Star in "Slasher: Flesh and Blood" for Shudder

New York, NY – November 12, 2020 – Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, announced today that it has teamed up with award-winning production company Shaftesbury to make a new eight-episode installment of the hugely popular horror series, Slasher. Hailed by Bloody Disgusting as “top-notch horror storytelling”, Slasher: Flesh & Blood will stream exclusively on horror platform Shudder in the US, Australia and New Zealand in 2021. Shudder will also be the streaming home for Flesh & Blood in Canada, the UK and Ireland following its linear premieres in those countries. The series will be broadcast exclusively on Hollywood Suite in Canada. Production is underway now in Ontario, Canada.

Slasher: Flesh & Blood follows a wealthy but dysfunctional family gathering for a reunion on a secluded island. Their old wounds and competitive rivalries flare up when the family realizes a masked killer is on the island, intent on cruelly picking them off one by one. As with the past installments of the series, Slasher: Flesh & Blood will combine elements of traditional murder mystery with the intense horror and bold kills that audiences have come to expect.

Canadian horror legend David Cronenberg has joined the cast for the new season, which will also continue Slasher’s trend of bringing back cast members in new roles. Returning from previous seasons are Paula Brancati, Jefferson Brown, Patrice Goodman, Sabrina Grdevich, and Christopher Jacot. New faces this year include Rachael Crawford (Heartland), Jeananne Goosen (The Walking Dead), Sydney Meyer (Departure), and Alex Ozerov (The Americans).

 

“Slasher is clever, bloody, scary and fun, and adding David Cronenberg to the mix will take this new installment of the series to the next level,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s general manager. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Aaron Martin and the team over at Shaftesbury to bring Slasher: Flesh and Blood to Shudder members.”

“We are so thrilled that Slasher will be brought back to life on Shudder,” said Shaftesbury Chairman & CEO Christina Jennings. “We know the fans of the show weren’t ready to say goodbye, so we are eager to bring them the goriest, scariest chapter of this anthology yet.”

 

“The Slasher series overdelivers on good old-fashioned gore, horror and fun with fast pacing and exceptional casting,” said David Kines, President Hollywood Suite. “We are very excited to throw our support behind the series and resurrect it for another bone-chilling season.”

 

Slasher is developed and produced by Shaftesbury and created by Aaron Martin. Slasher is executive produced by Aaron Martin, Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, David Ozer, Thomas P. Vitale, and Ian Carpenter, who also serves as showrunner; Adam MacDonald is director. Additional distribution info to come.

Follow the production via Slasher’s Social Channels:

Facebook:  facebook.com/SlasherTV

Twitter:      @SlasherSeries

Instagram: @slashertvofficial

 

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ABOUT SHUDDER

AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. For a 7-day, risk-free trial, visit ​www.shudder.com​.

 

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD SUITE

Hollywood Suite owns and operates four exclusive HD channels featuring the iconic movies that defined the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s, plus essential Hollywood classics from the Golden Age, always uncut and commercial-free. With hundreds of movies every month on four HD channels and Hollywood Suite On Demand. Hollywood Suite provides an unparalleled value to consumers. Hollywood Suite is available to over 10 million households across Canada, exclusively through Canadian television service providers and Amazon Prime video channels. Visit hollywoodsuite.ca for more information.

 

ABOUT SHAFTESBURY

Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator and producer of original content for television, film, and digital. Shaftesbury's current slate includes 14 seasons of Murdoch Mysteries for CBC and UKTV, four seasons of detective drama Frankie Drake Mysteries for CBC and UKTV, three seasons of critically acclaimed horror series Slasher for Netflix, three seasons of Hudson & Rex for Citytv/Rogers Media, and several new primetime series including Departure for Global/Corus Entertainment and NBC Universal, Dead Still for RTÉ, Acorn TV, and Citytv/Rogers, and The Sounds for CBC, Acorn TV, and Sky NZ. Building on a library of award-winning kids’ programs, Shaftesbury has an extensive slate of new kids and family programming with series centred on inspiring interest in STEAM, including The Solutioneers, Miikshi, Stinky Science, and Emerald Code. Shaftesbury's branded division produces original entertainment projects for brands, including the global phenomenon Carmilla for U by Kotex/Kimberly-Clark, Turning the Tables for göt2b®/Henkel, Futurithmic for Nokia, and The D Cut for Dove and Unilever Studios. Shaftesbury’s technology division works with leading healthcare institutions and researchers to explore and develop clinical applications for immersive media experiences including augmented and virtual reality, including a recent focus on children’s therapeutic support tools. www.shaftesbury.ca 

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(Video) Exclusive Interview with the Soska Sisters at Monster-Mania March 2019!

At the March 2019 edition of Monster-Mania in Cherry Hill, I had the fucking awesome pleasure of conducting a very special and exclusive interview with the always kick ass and multi-talented horror masters, the Twisted Twins, Jen and Sylvia Soska. We talked their hotly anticipated remake of David Cronenberg's classic Rabid. We also got to talk a little bit about their current, badass run writing Black Widow for Marvel Comics.

You can see it in the video below:

Video shot and edited by Negative Pop

All photography by Negative Pop

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(Video) Interview with The Twisted Twins: Jen and Sylvia Soska at Monster-Mania, Aug. 2017

Last weekend, at the August 2017 edition of Monster-Mania, I got to catch up with the always awesome, multi-talented, and beautiful Twisted Twins, Jen and Sylvia Soska. It had been a few years since I last see either of them. As such, I was ecstatic as soon as I found out that they would be at this convention. This would be their East-Coast horror convention debut (previously they had only done New York Comic Con). On the day of the con, I had the pleasure to conduct a brand new, little interview with them. They talked with us about the AVN Awards, their involvement in helping cast Axel Braun's upcoming Deadpool XXX, their own upcoming remake of David Cronenberg's Rabid, Hellevator, and more.
You can see it in the video below:

 

 

And, for more of my Monster-Mania Aug. 2017 coverage, be sure to go here: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2017/08/monster-mania-aug-2017.html

Camera work by Freddie Loguidice
Video editing by Negative Pop
Photography by myself

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RABID (1977) (Review)

Title: Rabid
Writer/ Director: David Cronenberg
Cast: Marilyn Chambers, Frank Moore, Joe Silver, Howard Ryshpan, Patrica Gage, Susan Roman
Min: 91

Rose (the beautiful Marilyn Chambers) and her boyfriend Hart (Frank Moore) are riding a motorcycle through the Quebec countryside, when they crash with a parked vehicle. They suffer a major accident and are rushed to the nearby Keloid Clinic. Although his injuries aren't that severe, she is seriously injured and burned. Dr. Dan Keloid (Howard Ryshpan) goes through with a new radical procedure that involves grafting  morphogenetically neutral grafts from her chest and abdomen to use on her burned skin. One month later, she still in a coma. But, one night she awakens screaming.

This prompts a patient to hug her to help calm her down. As he does this something from her body pricks his skin. He develops a small wound that won't heal. It seems the procedure has resulted in a mutation in Rose. One in which a slit in her armpit conceals a phallic like stinger. When this punctures a human she draws blood from them. This has become the only substance they she can have. In turn, those she punctures become violent, foaming at the mouth zombies. Soon, this begins to spread and health authorities think this is some new form of rabies. One that they eventually find out has no cure, other than killing those contaminated with it.

David Cronenberg's Rabid, which just turned 40 this past weekend, is his second movie. While, it has some similarities with his first movies Shivers, AKA They Came from Within, I do believe this is the better of these two movies. It tells a bigger and more compelling story, has stronger acting, overall, and is highlighted by a larger and more polished look and feel.

The plot moves along well and intelligently. It escalates itself as it goes forward and more of the story unfolds. The climax is bloodcurdling and leads to the what is, for this film, a perfect and unforgettable conclusion. As only he could, Cronenberg manages to mix the gore and violence with smart story telling. This serves as proof of why he was the reigning master of body horror, as no one can make shocking horror that feels as smart and gruesome as he did.

While, not as bloody as some of his other work, the film still manages to pack on the splatter. Like Shivers the FX, which are quite good, are handled by Joe Blasco. The phallic stinger that come out of Rose's armpit is suitably weird and a definite, ''what the fuck?!" moment, especially upon one's first viewing.

The acting is excellent throughout. Porn legend Marilyn Chambers, as the lead character of Rose, made her mainstream (though I use that term lightly here) debut. Chambers had already made a name for herself in the classic and hugely successful skin flick classic Behind the Green Door. Those who think porn stars can't actually act should shut the fuck up and see her in this. She gives a complex and emotional performance, one that is sexy, sympathetic, and intimidating. We feel for her and fear her.

While, the role isn't as righteously sexualized as it could have been, Chambers still uses her sexuality and beauty to get her victims. And, what a stunner she is! Chambers was one of the most gorgeous women to ever grace the adult biz, and with this, one of the most stunning to grace the horror genre, as well. She does appear topless a few times, but again not nearly as much as one might think and usually not in the context that one might have imagined it to be in.

Rabid is great piece of body horror from the master of it. Smart, shocking, and well thought it, it's a solid entry in the sci-fi/ horror world. The climax and ending give the movie an extra punch that stays with you. This is no small part due to the excellent acting, especially from the late, great, and stunningly beautiful Marilyn Chambers. 40 years later it holds up quite well and can sit well alongside of some of Cronenberg's best work. The Soska sisters are working on a remake of it, before that is made and comes out, see this. Even if that movie wasn't being made, you still need to see this, and make it now. And, for those of you who already have, see it again and pick up the excellent Scream Factory Blu-ray, which came out late last year.

3.5 out of 4

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A Videodrome Remake?! Seriously?! WTF?!

Remakes are, sadly, nothing new these days. And, I always groan when I hear of a new one. But, this latest one is perhaps the worst I've ever heard. It certainly would rank as one of the worst movie news I've heard this year, if not in fact THE worst. The dumbasses at Universal are remaking David Cronenberg's horror/ sci-fi masterpiece Videodrome. Wait what?! 

Videodrome has long been considered one of Cronenberg's best films (some years ago I picked his best work, check out my list here: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2008/08/top-5-david-cronenberg-films.html). While, he has gone decidedly mainstream, he was, at this point in time, one of horror's most exciting, intelligent, and original directors. Videodrome is certainly a prime example of this. It tells of the tale of Max Renn (James Woods) who discovers a channel where violence and S&M are aired. He is determined to fined the source. His investigation will lead to fetishistic sex, hallucinations, and, literally, mind-blowing violence.

Smart, violent, shocking, and sexy, the movie was a box office bomb, at the time. It was way to ahead of it's time. It's a deep movie with comments on sex and violence, the effect it may have on us, TV & media, the video age, and what is real and fantasy. The gruesome effects, coupled with the lovely Debbie Harry's naked body, help to further push the limits on it. Today the movie is considered a classic, and it's one that you cannot just see once. Each and every viewing is better than the last, hence it always remains a fascinating watch.

The remake, to be helmed by first time director Adam Berg, promises to be a large scale action sci-fi thriller. Huh?! Seriously?! Have these fuckers even seen Videodrome?! The net is filled with the rage of Cronenberg and horror fans who wanna beat Universal's asses for this terrible, terrible idea. At this rate, they are aiming for the level of shit of remakes like The Omen, The Fog, and Psycho. In short: FUCK YOU UNIVERSAL!

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The Top 10 Sci-fi/Horror Movies Ever

 

For my latest article for best-horror-movies.com, I pick the 10 best sci-fi horror movies of all time. Let me know what you think of my picks. Do you agree? Disagree? Any movies you think are missing? Here is the link: http://ossuary.best-horror-movies.com/m/news/view/78415/The-Top-10-Sci-fi-Horror-Movies-Ever

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The Top 5 David Cronenberg Films

Recently, I have been watching a bunch of David Cronenberg films, including watching Shivers (the first time I am seeing that film). Cronenberg is one of my favorite, if not in fact, my favorite director. While, he has mostly abandoned horror, post A History of Violence (although that film has elements horror fans can appreciate) his movies are still graphic and outside of what the typical, mainstream filmmaker would create. Also, aside from the unwatchable, to me anyways, Naked Lunch, I have never seen a bad film from him. That said I have no desire toe ever see M. Butterfly (his first non-horror film) and have yet to see Spider and Eastern Promises.

Overall his body of work is comprised of many classics, and he is the thinking man's horror director. Plus, his main running theme of body horror, sets him outside of others in the genre. In all, the man is a master, and, to me, these are his five best films. All of which you need to see, or if you already saw them, watch over again.

1. - My absolute fav Cronenberg film is, also, the best remake ever made. Chris Walas' FX work ranks among the best the genre has seen, with great looking monster make-up and animatronics and gruesome and gross content (including- acid vomit, arm breaking arm wrestling, an exploding head, maggot birth, etc), the movie also works because of the excellent acting and writing. You really feel sorry for the two main leads, Davis and Goldblum. And, the ending is actually very tragic. This is the ultimate beauty and the beast story and remains one of Cronenberg's biggest and best known films.

2. The best of his work in the 70s, The Brood is undeniably gruesome (in particular the scene where Samantha Eggar bites into the sack that holds one of her brood births), but it is also smart and one of his most powerful films. The acting is strong, and once again despite the gross-out moments, there is a strong message about the horrors of child abuse and the cycle and after results they create. Plus, like The Fly, there is a role that seems to be a villain but then becomes a hero. Not only that but Cronenberg has a way, in this film in particular, to make the impossible seem realistic in a scientific sense. And, that is no mean feat there.

3. - If ever there was a film that defines the "body horror" of Cronenberg it is this one. It is also a film that only gets more and more fascinating with each repeated viewing. Commenting on the affects of sex and violence in entertainment (in a film that is chockful of them), the age of video, what is real and what is not. I mean there are themes upon themes here. The cast is great. The grotesque make-up FX are shocking (witness the gory squibs, exploding head, vagina-like stomach opening, flesh guns, TV's barfing out guts, etc.). The story is not for everyone, but smart audiences, horror fans, and well those with an interest in Debra' Harry's hot, naked body, need to watch this. But, not just once... "Long live the new flesh!"

4. - After it seemed that Cronenberg could not get back to excellent level he is known for; he delivers this. While, the gruesome and sexually charged Crash was a good film, it was not up on par with the films on this list. This one is. Playing like what it is, a mainstream film by way of Cronenberg, this graphic action/ thriller is the only non-horror film on this list. But, as I said before it does have materiel that horror fans can sink their teeth into. The shocking, brutal violence (bludgeoning, gory squibs, head-shots, etc) and the strong sexual content (including full frontal nudity by the absolutely gorgeous Maria Bello and her getting a brutal fucking on the stairs) should be more than enough to please them. The movie is also a fascinating character study, one that only gets better after each viewing.

5. - The last film on my list, may have the least amount of shocking content, but by no means is it a walk through the park. A horrifying dream scene and the bloody, depressing ending, as well as the sex make sure your grandma won't be asking to see this one. Jeremy Irons gives his best performance ever, I think, and so does Genevieve Bojuld. A powerful, dark, and downer mix of horror, drama, and thriller.

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