Moviefone Editorial

Tag: david gordon green

  • Movie Review: ‘The Exorcist: Believer’

    Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    In theaters on October 6th, ‘The Exorcist: Believer‘ represents David Gordon Green revisiting the world of another classic horror title, in this case 1973’s ‘The Exorcist’.

    Can it replicate the success (hit and miss as it was) of Green’s ‘Halloween’ trilogy? On the evidence of this, not really.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’?

    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    Since the death of his pregnant wife in a Haitian earthquake 13 years ago, Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.) has raised their daughter, Angela (Lidya Jewett) on his own.

    But when Angela and her friend Katherine (Olivia Marcum), disappear in the woods, only to return three days later with no memory of what happened to them, it unleashes a chain of events that will force Victor to confront the nadir of evil and, in his terror and desperation, seek out the only person alive who has witnessed anything like it before: Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn).

    Who else is in ‘The Exorcist: Believer’?

    Tony (Norbert Leo Butz), Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) and Miranda (Jennifer Nettles) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Tony (Norbert Leo Butz), Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) and Miranda (Jennifer Nettles) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    The cast for the new horror also includes Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, Ann Dowd, Raphael Sbarge, E.J. Bonilla and Antoni Corone.

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    What works about ‘The Exorcist: Believer?

    Director David Gordon Green on the set of 'The Exorcist: Believer.'
    Director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘The Exorcist: Believer.’

    Clearly deciding that because his first ‘Halloween’ movie was a hit with audiences and critics (and ignoring the response to the other two), David Gordon Green returns to the horror beat by planning a sequel-skipping follow-up to another legendary horror title.

    Unlike John Carpenter’s franchise, which had at its core Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode, something that Green hitched his own wagon to, this time he’s only really using Ellen Burstyn’s Chris MacNeil (the mother of Linda Blair’s possessed Regan in the 1970s original) as window dressing.

    Instead, the focus here is on two new families –– Odom Jr’s Victor and the parents of Katherine. And opening up the concept for a linked possession does offer a few decent ideas.

    What also works –– at least until it really doesn’t –– is exploring other cultures’ ideas of exorcism, widening the world of ritual and belief beyond the Catholic church.

    Related Article: ‘Halloween’ Director David Gordon Green on Resurrecting an Iconic Franchise

    Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr., background) and Angela Fielding (Lidya Jewett) with additional cast members in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr., background) and Angela Fielding (Lidya Jewett) with additional cast members in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    Odom Jr. adds another decent role to his cinematic resume, even if he is saddled with a very seen-it-before single dad role, all comedy bonding and then concern.

    Green has also stacked his cast with some great performers in both the lead and supporting roles, the two youngsters who end up vessels for demonic creatures working with the special effects team to convince you that they’re suffering at the hands of some terrible entity.

    The likes of Ann Dowd (in particular) and Raphael Sbarge do good work with their parts even when the writing lets them down. They’re given moments to shine and some shading in between the scares, and they really put the work in to sell these side characters. Ditto Norbert Leo Butz as Katherine’s concerned dad.

    Finally, Green has the courage of his convictions with regards to the outcome, but we’ll say no more about that.

    What are the problems with ‘The Exorcist: Believer’?

    (from left) Angela Fielding (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia Marcum) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (from left) Angela Fielding (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia Marcum) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    Possibly the biggest issue with the new movie is that, unlike William Friedkin’s, it exists in a world where we’ve had enough possession stories to fill at least one level of Hell. Even just earlier this year, we had Russell Crowe puttering around on a Vespa before doing battle with the forces of evil in ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’.

    The existence of those other films is not a fault of this latest stab at ‘The Exorcist’ but the choice to make it –– and to attempt to follow what is still regarded as the best –– can entirely be laid at the feet of Green and his team.

    So, this needed to be truly great to stand out. Unfortunately, it’s mostly middling. Despite the performances from most of the cast, it’s clear that Green and co. were mostly on a nostalgia trip, bringing back Burstyn for little more than a glorified cameo, reduced primarily to offering exposition.

    This is also very much in the Blumhouse mold, the difference between this movie and Friedkin’s stark. Where the original is cold and calculated, this is all eager jump scares and frenetic pacing, images thrown at the screen in an attempt to keep us unnerved.

    Yet the effect by the end is more enervating than unnerving, the bag of tricks becoming clear. Yes, it might seem unfair to compare this with one of the greatest horror movies of all time, but when you opt to shoot “a new chapter”, you already invited that.

    Katherine (Olivia O'Neill) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    What ‘The Exorcist’ does with a few lashings of pea-soup, a quick neck twist and some levitation, the new movie cannot challenge, even with a healthy respect for physical effects augmented by judicious use of digital trickery.

    Likewise, the demonic figure at the center of the story is in no way as compelling as in the original, possibly because our attention is split between the two victims. And an obvious attempt to channel the personal connection of the first film (more than once) comes across as crass more than emotional.

    And beyond the script letting the ensemble down in key moments, it starts to unravel as a whole, cliches creeping in to possess the movie long before the credits roll.

    Is this likely to make your head spin with excitement? Unless you know almost nothing about the original, probably not. While Friedkin’s rightly lauded original might be considered slow by today’s audiences raised on a diet of endless jump moments and quicker editing, Green’s version will try the patience in other ways.

    Proof, surely (even with Green’s confirmed plans that this should kick off another trilogy) that the co-writer/director might be better off going back to fully original work.

    One to see only if the power of curiosity compels you.

    ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

    'The Exorcist: Believer' opens in theaters on October 13th.
    ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ opens in theaters on October 13th.

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    Buy Tickets: ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘The Exorcist’ On Amazon

     

  • Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras’ Concert Film Breaks Presale Records

    Scene from 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie.'
    Scene from ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie.’ Photo: AMC Theatres.

    You will likely have seen the trailer for ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ concert film (if not, you can find it here). And such is the demand the musical megastar’s work –– especially from fans, some of whom haven’t been able to attend the sold-out concerts, and others who wish to see (or re-experience) the LA show(s), that presales on the movie have been stratospheric.

    In the first 24 hours, the film has earned $26 million in the U.S., with AMC Theaters also selling in Mexico and Canada (via its Regal and Cinemark chains) for a grand total in the first 24 hours alone of $37 million.

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    This marks a canny move by AMC, which set itself up as the distributor as well as the exhibitor, meaning that it doesn’t have to pay fees to a studio and keeps more of the cash.

    Early estimates put the opening weekend projections for the movie at around $70 million, including those presales.

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    What is the Eras Tour?

    Scene from 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie.'
    Scene from ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie.’ Photo: AMC Theatres.

    The tour, which as the title suggests sees the singer/songwriter performing music from her various career “eras”, has been a massive triumph. The concert was attended by more than three million “Swifties” during the first leg of its U.S. run.

    Not only did it shatter all concert sales records, but it also left tens of millions of fans wanting more, either because they attended the concert and wanted to see it again, or after being unable to obtain tickets for the many sold out performances.

    While the first leg concluded last month, Taylor Swift has further dates planned for the tour, with the aim to head internationally next year.

    Related Article: ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ Trailer

    “Exorswift” no more

    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in 'The Exorcist: Believer,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    When it was announced that ‘The Eras Tour’ would land on the same day as David Gordon Green’s new horror movie, ‘The Exorcist: Believer’, the internet was quick to spawn the latest portmanteau term in movie world (following “Barbenheimer”) as talk of “Exorswift” began to circulate.

    It was hoped that, like ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’, the new combo might prove successful, especially since nervy studios have begun moving their movies later down the release calendar without striking stars to promote them, leading to fewer new releases.

    Yet, clearly intimidated by the thought of competing with the incredibly successful recording artist, the demons have made a run for it, as Blumhouse and Universal have decided to shift ‘Believer’ to a week earlier, and that movie will now open on 6th October.

    When does ‘The Eras Tour?’ hit theaters?

    Scene from 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie.'
    Scene from ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie.’ Photo: AMC Theatres.

    ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ will launch in theaters on Friday, October 13th. It’ll have a unique release plan, playing at least four showtimes per day on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in every U.S. AMC Theatre location.

    AMC will offer the film in IMAX and Dolby Cinema as well as standard screenings, with fees varying by format and theatre. In anticipation of an expected rush of interest –– A.K.A., a repeat of Ticketmaster’s hectic presale roll-out for the U.S. Eras Tour dates — AMC upgraded its website and ticketing engines to handle more than five times the largest influx of ticket-buying traffic ever experienced by the company. You can purchase tickets here.

    In a fun nod to fans, the adult price is $19.89 (before tax), which references ‘1989’, her fifth studio album, released in 2014 and the next to have been re-recorded under the ‘Taylor’s Version’ concept, which sees her reclaiming her back catalogue.

    Scene from 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie.'
    Scene from ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie.’ Photo: AMC Theatres.

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  • Best ‘Halloween’ Movies Ranked

    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in director David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.'
    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in director David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween Ends.’

    The latest movie in the ‘Halloween’ franchise, ‘Halloween Kills’ starring Jamie Lee Curtis is out now in theaters.

    The series, which started in 1978 with director John Carpenter‘s ‘Halloween,’ has spawned a dozen of movies that range from sequels to remakes, and even reboots.

    With the Halloween holiday taking place this week, and with ‘Halloween Kills’ currently in theaters, Moviefone has ranked every ‘Halloween’ movie ever made!

    Let’s begin!

    13. ‘Halloween: Resurrection‘ (2002)

    When Busta Rhymes being a principle cast member is one of the least horrible things about your movie, well, you know you’re in deep doo-doo. After the success of “Halloween H20,” Dimension moved forward on a direct follow-up that undoes much of the charm of the previous film. It turns out that Laurie Strode accidentally killed a paramedic at the end of “H20” instead of Michael Myers! Whoops!

    The mentally unstable Strode is now institutionalized and Michael attacks her in the asylum, eventually killing her and throwing her off the roof of the building. Please keep in mind that all of this happens in the first ten minutes of “Resurrection” and the rest of it is a dumb-as-heck riff on reality television where a group of goofballs are holed up in the old Myers house (now festooned with close circuit TV cameras). All of the action is clumsily choreographed by Rick Rosenthal, who you might remember as the guy that they fired from “Halloween II.” Yuck.

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    12. ‘Halloween Ends‘ (2022)

    Following ‘Halloween Kills,’ the story moves on four years, as Haddonfield has enjoyed a time of relative calm after the disappearance of Michael Myers. Though the vibrating hum of tension is always present as an undercurrent, Laurie has done her best to move on with life. She’s living without a complicated security system, writing about her experiences and the nature of evil and trying to guide granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak), who is still suffering the psychological scars of her parents’ loss and trying to move on by working as a nurse at the local hospital.

    But even as everyone looks to cope and heal, the town is set back on edge when Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell) accidentally kills the boy he’s babysitting. Though it’s a tragic mistake, the repercussions are devastating, turning Corey into an unwitting bogeyman and the target of bullies. Jamie Lee Curtis is thankfully handed more to do as Laurie this time, and of course she’s still fantastic as the haunted heroine we’ve come to know and worry about. Switching up her attitude once more works for the character, as she tries to put the past behind her and concentrate instead on a future for her and her family.

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    11. ‘Halloween‘ (2007)

    If the latter canonical “Halloween” sequels (pre-“H20”) leaned a little too heavily into the mystical side of Michael Myers, then Rob Zombie‘s highly touted reboot goes too far in the opposite direction, as he strived to provide a psychologically grounded explanation for Myers’ madness. And the results were … iffy.

    Failing to understand just how much of the character’s power lies in his unknowable mystique, Zombie’s “Halloween” focuses mostly on Michael Myers’ childhood, as he tortures animals, faces bullies at school, and is abused at home. And then, suddenly, in the last act, it shifts into a straight-up remake of the original film. It feels both incredibly risky and very safe and, in the end, quite boring, sadly.

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    10. ‘Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers‘ (1995)

    halloween the curse of michael myers 1995
    Dimension

    The previous installment in the franchise clearly ended on a cliffhanger and an obvious attempt at building out the world, but the sixth film, “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers,” wouldn’t happen for another six years. This installment doubles down on the mystical woo-woo that the previous films introduced, folding in elements of 1981’s “Halloween II” (there’s an extended hospital sequence) and a subplot about a mystical cult and the pagan “Curse of Thorn.”

    Perhaps notable for its introduction of a young, squirrely Paul Rudd (who plays Tommy Doyle, one of the kids Laurie babysat for in the original film), for years a superior “producer’s cut” was talked about and shared at horror conventions. Spoiler alert: it’s pretty different but it’s not that much better. (It’s still awash in unnecessary backstory that would ultimately sink Rob Zombie’s remakes.)

    You could tell that the franchise was hopelessly out-of-date, and that was before considering that it opened the same weekend as David Fincher‘s groundbreaking “Seven.” Barry kicks ass, though.

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    9. ‘Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers‘ (1989)

    “Halloween 5” doubles down on a lot of things established in “Halloween 4” (the centralized role of Michael’s niece Jamie Lloyd, here traumatized from the events of the previous movie, the idea of multiple people dressed as Myers, Loomis’ unhinged pursuit) while adding even more to an increasingly cumbersome mythological stew (Jamie and Michael’s connection is more openly supernatural, a shadowy cult is introduced).

    If these elements had been woven into the already established framework more elegantly, or if they were in service of a storyline that needed such embroidery, it would be one thing, but “Halloween 5” is pretty dopey (and we haven’t even mentioned the keystone cops-type music that plays when local law enforcement shows up). Smash this pumpkin.

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    8. ‘Halloween III: Season of the Witch‘ (1982)

    This was supposed to be the new template for the franchise – that every year a new entry would focus on a different aspect of Halloween. Michael Myers would be retired and we’d get a big, splashy, cinematic equivalent to “The Twilight Zone.” Except that didn’t happen. Instead, “Halloween III: Season of the Witch” was indifferently received and, well, you know the rest.

    It’s an inventive, gonzo, occasionally quite shocking little occult thriller with an ingenious script by British legend Nigel Kneale and director Tommy Lee Wallace (a Carpenter confederate who had served as art director and production designer for the first film) and one of the best scores of the series (by Carpenter and Alan Howarth).

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    7. ‘Halloween Kills‘ (2021)

    After Laurie, Karen and Allyson leave the masked monster Michael Myers caged and burning in Laurie’s basement, Laurie is rushed to the hospital with fatal injuries, believing she has finally killed her algorithm. But when Michael manages to free himself from Laurie’s trap, his bloodbath ritual begins again. As she fights her pain and prepares to defend against it, she inspires everyone in Haddonfield to rise up against The Shape.

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    6. ‘Halloween II‘ (2009)

    Zombie said that he felt liberated by the fact that he wasn’t beholden to the “Carpenter-ness” of remaking the first film. And you can tell. Gone are any pretext of the floating, widescreen, Steadicam-assisted beauty of Carpenter’s film (or Zombie’s remake); instead, it’s replaced with shaky, handheld 16mm. Gone, too, is much of what made Zombie’s first film such a drag.

    Michael isn’t intellectualized, but rather given a simple, effective mommy complex that’s accompanied by suitably dreamlike imagery. Of course, the filmmaker isn’t above cribbing from “Halloween II,” including the hospital setting and familial twist. But that seems like a secondary concern to Zombie, who makes this film his own in ways that he felt too intimidated by the first time around. It’s not for everybody, but that’s part of its charm.

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    5. ‘Halloween H20‘ (1998)

    halloween h20 1998
    Dimension

    Conceptually, “Halloween H20” is a lot more fun than it actually wound up being. Discounting the events of the fourth, fifth, and sixth films, it would serve as a direct sequel to the second film, with Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis, back for more) living in hiding and teaching at a prestigious boarding school. (Okay.) Clearly intended to cash in on the revived slasher craze (started by “Scream,” which directly referenced “Halloween” and whose screenwriter, Kevin Williamson, was involved heavily with “H20”), the film is largely unimaginative and a waste of Curtis’ considerable talents.

    Slack direction from Steve Miner gives a talented young cast (including Michelle Williams and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) very little to do. Also, the filmmakers had an infamously hard time getting the iconic mask right, resulting in several variations that were swapped out during production, including the utilization of an unsightly CGI version.

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    4. ‘Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers‘ (1988)

    After producers rejected a pitch from Carpenter that would have followed two of the young kids from the first movie (now babysitter-aged themselves), with a bloody climax at a drive-in movie theater, they settled on something more conventional. “Halloween 4” sees Michael Myers return for the first time since the second film; this time, he’s hunting Jamie Lloyd (Danielle Harris), Laurie Strode’s young daughter.

    There are some nice flourishes to the film, including Jamie’s decision to wear a clown costume eerily similar to the one when Michael killed his older sister all those Halloweens ago, but these are largely undermined by WTF-worthy character motivation and Dwight H. Little‘s basic-cable action movie direction (that man is not much of a stylist). Still, pretty good twist ending.

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    3. ‘Halloween II‘ (1981)

    In a weird way, “Halloween II” is just as influential as the original. Its hospital setting has not only inspired other entries in the franchise (the sixth installment and Zombie’s “Halloween II” owe a debt) but it’s also inspired the genre as a whole, with the sequel-set-in-a-hospital idea utilized by everything from “Scream Queens” (on TV) to the underrated horror comedy “Final Girls.” Other than that, there’s not much to love about the half-baked sequel.

    Sure, original screenwriters Carpenter and Debra Hill returned but were mostly out of ideas. In fact, the idea of Laurie Strode (a returning Jamie Lee Curtis) being Michael’s sister was thrown in at the last minute and not something planned by either filmmaker. (Oddly, it basically formed the basis for the rest of the franchise, including the remakes; the 2018 film wisely omits this plot point.) At some point during production, original director Rick Rosenthal was removed, leaving Carpenter to shoot key sequences. Scary.

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    2. ‘Halloween‘ (2018)

    40 years after Laurie Strode first faced down Michael Myers, Jamie Lee Curtis returns to the franchise for a “Halloween” that feels fresh, funny, irreverent, surprising, and totally topical. Her Strode has calcified into a wary survivalist, waiting for the day that her psychotic stalker returned. In this film, he does, and the results are spectacular.

    Largely ignoring the increasingly convoluted mythology of the sequels (including “Halloween II,” so say bye-bye the Laurie-is-Michael’s-sister nonsense), co-writer/director David Gordon Green instead crafted a keenly aware and deeply entertaining back-to-basics follow-up that thoughtfully grapples with the way that violence and trauma can ripple through whole generations. This is the rare sequel that can stand proudly alongside the original, four decades later.

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    1. ‘Halloween‘ (1978)

    halloween 1978
    Compass International

    It cannot be overstated what a monumental event the release of John Carpenter’s “Halloween” really was. Originally envisioned as a low budget cheapie, this classic is elevated by Carpenter’s commitment to craft and his dedication to getting fully realized performances out of his mostly young cast (led by Jamie Lee Curtis). For a while, “Halloween” was the most successful independent feature of all time. It not only inspired a 40-year-old franchise but also countless imitators (some of them good, most of them bad), reinvigorating the slasher franchise for generations to come.

    Wonderfully entertaining and craftily made, “Halloween” remains as thrilling and artful today as it was in 1978. Much of this has to do with its simplicity. In following a group of teenagers as they are terrorized by a local murderer (who killed his older sister on Halloween night when he was just a child), Carpenter made a template simple enough to follow but roomy enough to allow for social, political, and cultural subtext.

    If “Halloween” was anything less than a masterpiece, we wouldn’t still be talking about it today.

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  • Movie Review: ‘Halloween Ends’

    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Andi Matichak as Allyson Nelson in director David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.'
    (L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Andi Matichak as Allyson Nelson in director David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween Ends.’

    Opening in theaters and streaming on Peacock beginning October 14th, ‘Halloween Ends’ represents David Gordon Green’s stab at closing out the trilogy he began with 2018’s ‘Halloween’.

    You may recall that Green sought to up the mayhem levels in his last outing, 2021’s ‘Halloween Kills’. That film saw mob violence overtake the town of Haddonfield Illinois and largely sidelined Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie, hospitalized after her latest brutal encounter with Michael Myers (played by both James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle).

    While it was a big swing in terms of the mythology, it didn’t quite work, coming across as unfocused and chaotic, and robbing the movie of its personal vengeance connection. It tried to balance that out by (spoiler alert for anyone who hasn’t seen the movie) killing off Laurie’s daughter Karen, played by Judy Greer.

    ‘Ends’ moves the story on four years, as Haddonfield has enjoyed a time of relative calm after the disappearance of Michael Myers. Though the vibrating hum of tension is always present as an undercurrent, Laurie has done her best to move on with life.

    Andi Matichak as Allyson in 'Halloween Ends.'
    Andi Matichak as Allyson in ‘Halloween Ends,’ co-written, produced and directed by David Gordon Green.

    She’s living without a complicated security system, writing about her experiences and the nature of evil and trying to guide granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak), who is still suffering the psychological scars of her parents’ loss and trying to move on by working as a nurse at the local hospital.

    But even as everyone looks to cope and heal, the town is set back on edge when Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell) accidentally kills the boy he’s babysitting. Though it’s a tragic mistake, the repercussions are devastating, turning Corey into an unwitting bogeyman and the target of bullies.

    And when he makes an unexpected connection with Allyson, their traumatic histories drawing them together, things become even more complicated, forcing Laurie to act.

    Of course, by this point, you’re probably wondering how Michael Myers factors into all this – but we’ll not reveal that for the sake of keeping the movie’s secrets.

    Jamie Lee Curtis and director David Gordon Green on the set of 'Halloween Ends.'
    (L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis and director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘Halloween Ends.’

    Suffice to say, this once again represents Green, plus co-writers Danny McBride, Chris Bernier and Paul Brad Logan, still trying new ideas within the existing ‘Halloween’ mythology. But as with ‘Kills’, the results are severely mixed.

    Curtis is thankfully handed more to do as Laurie this time, and of course she’s still fantastic as the haunted heroine we’ve come to know and worry about. Switching up her attitude once more works for the character, as she tries to put the past behind her and concentrate instead on a future for her and her family.

    But of course, she can never quite put Michael Myers out of her mind, given all the pain and suffering she’s endured at his hands (and knives).

    The emphasis, though, is less on her than it is on Matichak and Campbell. And while they try to make the unexpected partnership work, there’s often the creeping feeling that you’re watching people act a certain way because the movie demands they do, not out of logic. Certain actions you can understand, but as the narrative goes to more extreme ends, it becomes less easy to comprehend.

    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Rohan Campbell as Corey Cunningham in director David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.' Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Rohan Campbell as Corey Cunningham in David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.'
    (L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Rohan Campbell as Corey Cunningham in director David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween Ends.’

    Campbell’s Corey is at least an interesting addition to the story, a young man pushed to extraordinary behavior by guilt, grief and the local community’s reaction to him. He’s got a haranguing mother and an indulgent quiet-spoken father, so there are added layers to how he’s gotten to this point and what happens when he decides he’s been pushed too far.

    As for others in Haddonfield, there are brief, human moments for Kyle Richards’ Lindsey and particularly Will Patton’s Hawkins, who fosters his tentative feelings for Laurie. But while the story is fortunately trying to juggle far fewer balls this time, there’s still the feeling of not quite hitting all its targets.

    On a subtextual level, there are attempts here to reflect on the effects of trauma and the continuing injuries that no one can see or comprehend. And in slightly clunky voice-over as she continues writing, Laurie muses on the nature of evil.

    For those after a slasher movie – because, after all, isn’t that what we really want from a ‘Halloween’ installment? – there could be some disappointment, at least until the slaying starts. But while it was Laurie in the background in ‘Kills’, here it’s her nemesis, which can be disappointing (again, we won’t go into details).

    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in director David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.'
    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in director David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween Ends.’

    Musically, ‘Ends’ is of course up to the task, with franchise founder John Carpenter once more providing the score, all electronic terror and creeping notes.

    As shot by Michael Simmonds, who was cinematographer for both ‘Halloween’ and ‘Halloween Kills’, Haddonfield here is at least authentic looking (albeit with suburban Illinois played by Georgia and Utah) and there are some fantastic visual moments.

    Green has also not lost his talent for building tension. There’s less of it here than in the previous two movies, but he and his team are adroit at designing sequences that quicken the pulse. Yes, there are the usual fake-outs and jump scares, but Green doesn’t lean on them.

    Without going into specifics, ‘Ends’ truly does aim to wrap a bow on at least Green’s take on the franchise but pushed to slightly ridiculous levels. The result is a movie that succeeds more than ‘Kills’ but never lives up to the promise of the director’s first film featuring Laurie vs. Michael.

    ‘Halloween’ as a franchise never truly ends (no matter how many times Michael has died – or appeared to), but this particular conclusion is never as satisfying as it might have been, and that’s a shame.

    ‘Halloween Ends’ receives 2.5 out of 5 stars.

    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in 'Halloween Ends,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in ‘Halloween Ends,’ directed by David Gordon Green.
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  • ‘Halloween Ends’ Interviews: Andi Matichak and Rohan Campbell

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    Opening in theaters on October 14th is ‘Halloween Ends,’ which is the thirteenth film in the ‘Halloween’ franchise and the final movie in the “H40” trilogy that began with 2018’s ‘Halloween’ and continued with 2021’s ‘Halloween Kills.’

    Once again directed by David Gordon Green (‘Pineapple Express’) and co-written by Danny McBride (‘Tropic Thunder’), ‘Halloween Ends’ stars Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her iconic role as Laurie Strode.

    Set four years after the events of ‘Halloween Kills’ and Michael Myers last rampage, the new movie finds Laurie living a quiet life with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak). But when Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell) is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.

    In addition to Curtis, Matichak, and Campbell, the cast also includes Will Patton, Kyle Richards, and James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle, who together portray Michael Myers.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking to Andi Matichak and Rohan Campbell about their work on ‘Halloween Ends,’ their characters, the plot, and working with director David Gordon Green.

    Rohan Campbell and Andi Matichak star in 'Halloween Ends.'
    (L to R) Rohan Campbell and Andi Matichak star in ‘Halloween Ends,’ co-written, produced and directed by David Gordon Green.

    You can read the full interview below of click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Matichak, Campbell, and Kyle Richards.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Andi, Allyson went through a lot in ‘Halloween Kills.’ What is she doing when we catch up with her at the beginning of ‘Halloween Ends?’

    Andi Matichak: What is really wonderful is that there is that four-year time jump. So, we had a lot of attention to detail and a lot of care went into figuring out what happened and where she goes on that journey in that four-year period that as an audience you do not see. When you meet Allyson in this new version, she’s seemingly quite okay.

    She is trying to live a pretty normal life and holds a job and just has this kind of stoic facade. The thing about trauma and the thing about pain and tragedy is it kind of lives within you. Even if you’ve done the work, done the healing and moved on in the best way you can, it still is right under the surface. As new characters emerge and new relationships blossom, it’s kind of tested and you start to get a peek underneath, which is really a fun exploration of character.

    MF: Rohan, what does it mean to you to be a part of this movie and join the ‘Halloween’ franchise?

    Rohan Campbell: It’s crazy. It’s just incredible. I mean, obviously I’m a massive fan of John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween.’ It was one of the first horror movies I ever watched. It’s a crazy thing because the opportunity comes and you’re so excited. I was so amped.

    Then you show up on set and you’re actually making a ‘Halloween’ movie and you freak out. You’re like, “What am I doing here? This is crazy!” It’s just an honor. I’m so grateful and it’s just been the most special experience of my life so far.

    Director David Gordon Green, Andi Matichak and Kyle Richards on the set of 'Halloween Ends.'
    (L to R) Director David Gordon Green, Andi Matichak and Kyle Richards on the set of ‘Halloween Ends.’

    MF: Andi, what was it like for you to reunite with director David Gordon Green after making the last two ‘Halloween’ movies with him?

    AM: He is an incredible filmmaker. This to me is really David Gordon Green’s stamp on the franchise. This is him personified in a movie and albeit a ‘Halloween’ movie. It is an incredible film. I have a deep appreciation for it, largely because I do feel like it’s so close to David’s heart. He’s such a blast to work with.

    MF: Finally, Rohan, what was your experience like working with David Gordon Green on this project?

    RC: I think when I first watched the film, I had an experience where the movie’s end credits are rolling, and I said, “I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a movie with a tone like this.” I realized it’s just the purest part of David coming out in cinema. It’s such a wild ride and I can’t wait for people to watch it.

    Allyson (Andi Matichak) and Corey (Rohan Campbell) in 'Halloween Ends.'
    (L to R) Allyson (Andi Matichak) and Corey (Rohan Campbell) in ‘Halloween Ends,’ co-written, produced and directed by David Gordon Green.
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  • New ‘Halloween Ends’ Trailer

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    How exactly do you go about ending a run of films where the villain has a notorious habit of always coming back? That’s the challenged faced by director David Gordon Green, who gave the ‘Halloween’ horror franchise a jolt back in 2018 with his first entry (which directly followed the events of the original and largely ignored most of the other sequels) and is here wrapping up his own run on the movies.

    Jamie Lee Curtis is back once again as Laurie Strode, one of the few survivors of Michael Myers’ original October slaughter rampage, who has since turned herself into a lean, mean fighting machine, ready to put an end to him once and for all.

    To be honest, we’ve heard that before – no matter how many times someone (even Laurie) thinks they have put an end to Michael, he always seems to return, ready to pick up whatever is around and start slashing people.

    This latest movie is being billed as Laurie’s last stand, as she faces off for the last time against the embodiment of evil in a final confrontation unlike any captured on-screen before. Only one of them will survive.

    Four years after the events of last year’s ‘Halloween Kills’, Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and is finishing writing her memoir. Michael Myers hasn’t been seen since. Laurie, after allowing the specter of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life.

    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Rohan Campbell as Corey Cunningham in director David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.' Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Rohan Campbell as Corey Cunningham in David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.'
    (L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Rohan Campbell as Corey Cunningham in director David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween Ends.’

    But when a young man, Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.

    And from the sounds of it, both Green (who is already moving on to an ‘Exorcist’ movie) and Curtis are ready to hang up their respective director’s chairs and knives. “I speak with John (Carpenter, godfather of the whole movie series) and Jamie Lee Curtis regularly about it,” Green told Empire magazine recently. “It’s exciting, uncertain, satisfying and sad. I’ve enjoyed the ride but it’s probably time to get off. I think we’re gonna go out with a bang.”

    But while there will – of course – be blood, don’t expect quite such a huge conflict as the Haddonfield-engulfing drama of the previous movie. “If our second film was free-for-all, violent chaos, this is a more intimate, atmospheric conclusion,” says Green.

    As well as directing, Green wrote this one with regular collaborators director Paul Brad Logan, Chris Bernier and Danny McBride.

    The movie also features the likes of returning cast Will Patton as Officer Frank Hawkins, Kyle Richards as Lindsey Wallace and James Jude Courtney as The Shape/Michael Myers.

    ‘Halloween Ends’ will be in theaters and streaming via Peacock on October 14th.

    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and director David Gordon Green on the set of 'Halloween Ends.'
    (L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘Halloween Ends.’
    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in director David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.'
    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in director David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween Ends.’
    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Andi Matichak as Allyson Nelson in director David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.'
    (L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Andi Matichak as Allyson Nelson in director David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween Ends.’
    Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode and Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in 'Halloween Ends,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode and Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in ‘Halloween Ends,’ directed by David Gordon Green.
    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) and Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in 'Halloween Ends,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Michael Myers (aka The Shape) and Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in ‘Halloween Ends,’ directed by David Gordon Green.
    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in 'Halloween Ends,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in ‘Halloween Ends,’ directed by David Gordon Green.
    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in 'Halloween Ends,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in ‘Halloween Ends,’ directed by David Gordon Green.
    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in 'Halloween Ends,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in ‘Halloween Ends,’ directed by David Gordon Green.
    Will Patton as Deputy Frank Hawkins in director David Gordon Green's 'Halloween Ends.'
    Will Patton as Deputy Frank Hawkins in director David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween Ends.’
    Director David Gordon Green on the set of 'Halloween Ends.'
    Director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘Halloween Ends.’
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  • First Trailer For ‘Halloween Ends’

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    How many times can Michael Myers truly come back to terrorize the residents of Haddonfield?

    If the ‘Halloween’ franchise is anything to go by, the answer to that is, “as long as people show up to watch the movies.” And the latest entry is on the way this fall, so the first trailer for ‘Halloween Ends’ has now stalked online.

    Director David Gordon Green, who gave the horror franchise a jolt back in 2018 with his first ‘Halloween’ (which directly followed the events of the original and largely ignored most of the other sequels), is here wrapping up his own run on the movies.

    Jamie Lee Curtis is back once again as Laurie Strode, one of the few survivors of Michael Myers’ original October slaughter rampage, who has since turned herself into a lean, mean fighting machine, ready to put an end to him once and for all.

    To be honest, we’ve heard that before – no matter how many times someone (even Laurie) thinks they have put an end to Michael, he always seems to return, ready to pick up whatever is around and start slashing people.

    This latest movie is being billed as Laurie’s last stand, as she faces off for the last time against the embodiment of evil in a final confrontation unlike any captured on-screen before. Only one of them will survive.

    Michael Myers (aka The Shape) and Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in 'Halloween Ends,' directed by David Gordon Green.
    (L to R) Michael Myers (aka The Shape) and Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in ‘Halloween Ends,’ directed by David Gordon Green.

    Four years after the events of last year’s ‘Halloween Kills’, Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and is finishing writing her memoir. Michael Myers hasn’t been seen since. Laurie, after allowing the specter of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life.

    But when a young man, Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.

    You knew it wasn’t going to be that easy, right? Laurie’s spent decades being worried that Michael would return, even when everyone else was convinced he was gone for good. Of course, he wasn’t, and the end of ‘Halloween Kills’ hinted that he’d once more be wandering the suburb killing people.

    Green now faces the true challenge of putting a capper on the whole story – even if someone picks up the baton in the future.

    ‘Halloween Ends’ co-stars returning cast Will Patton as Officer Frank Hawkins, Kyle Richards as Lindsey Wallace and James Jude Courtney as The Shape/Michael Myers.

    As well as directing the movie, Green also co-wrote it with regular collaborators Paul Brad Logan, Chris Bernier and Danny McBride.

    ‘Halloween Ends’ will be in theaters on October 14th, just in time for… is it Christmas? No, wait, another holiday that slips our mind right now.

    ‘Halloween Ends’ will be in theaters on October 14th.
    ‘Halloween Ends’ will be in theaters on October 14th.
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  • Two ‘Halloween’ Sequels Confirmed, Titles Revealed

    Two ‘Halloween’ Sequels Confirmed, Titles Revealed

    Blumhouse

    Save the date for the next two Halloweens.

    A teaser trailer has confirmed “Halloween” is getting two sequels — and revealed the titles.

    “Halloween Kills” is coming October 16, 2020. “Halloween Ends” will conclude the saga of serial killer Michael Myers on October 15, 2021.

    Director David Gordon Green is likely to return to direct the sequels for the 2018 hit film, which brought back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode to battle the demented murderer.

    A follow-up is a no-brainer considering “Halloween” raked in over $225 million worldwide. Blum previously told Moviefone that he hopes “to make 10 more” “Halloween” films.

    When Green and co-writer Danny McBride set out on the 2018 project, they apparently planned to make two movies, but ended up just making the one.

    “We were going to shoot two of them back-to-back. Then we were like, Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This could come out, and everyone could hate us, and we’d never work again,” McBride told EW.

    “So, we were like, Let’s learn from this, and see what works, and what doesn’t. But we definitely have an idea of where we would go [with] this branch of the story and hopefully we get a chance to do it.”

    Of course, “Halloween” went on to make oodles of money at the box office and fans are clamoring for more. And even after “Halloween Ends,” you never know what might be resurrected.

  • ‘Halloween’ Director David Gordon Green to Direct Movie About Facebook Privacy Scandal

    ‘Halloween’ Director David Gordon Green to Direct Movie About Facebook Privacy Scandal

    Universal

    “Halloween” director David Gordon Green is turning his attention to another horror film of sorts, this one based on the 2018 Facebook breach of privacy scandal.

    As social media giant Facebook is preparing to pay a $5 billion fine to the FTC for the 2018 Cambridge Analytica data privacy breach, a movie is the works about Cambridge Analytica’s data consultant, Christopher Wylie.

    It promises to even more damaging to the Facebook brand than “The Social Network,” in which the founder of Facebook was portrayed as a weaselly, back-stabbing jerk.

    The central figure of this story is Wylie, who was reportedly behind the illegal data breach that used 87 million Facebook users’ data to help influence the 2016 presidential election and the Brexit vote.

    Facebook has steadfastly denied any participation in the data breach. (Sure, Jan.)

    This 2018 Guardian interview with Wylie, titled “I made Steve Bannon’s psychological warfare tool’: Meet the data war whistle-blower” is part of the rights package, according to Deadline.

    It’s a chance for a young actor (Wylie was 24 at the time) to land a juicy film role and dye his hair pink. One that might even attract some awards, as playing Zuckerberg did for Jesse Eisenberg.

    The script is by “Avengers: Endgame” screenwriters Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. So it’ll be brought to you by the director of “Pineapple Express” and the guys who killed off Tony Stark. Got it.

    Next up for Gordon is the follow-up to last year’s hit “Halloween” reboot.

    AGBO is financing the film, which is aiming for a 2020 production start date.

    [Via Deadline]

  • Are 2 ‘Halloween’ Sequels in the Works From Director David Gordon Green?

    Are 2 ‘Halloween’ Sequels in the Works From Director David Gordon Green?

    Blumhouse

    Double the horror trouble may be coming in fall 2020 — rumors are flying that “Halloween” may be getting two sequels, rather than just one.

    Bloody Disgusting has an “unconfirmed rumor that’s too damn juicy to ignore.” It claims that director David Gordon Green has decided to return and will direct back-to-back sequels to the 2018 hit film, which brought back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode to battle demented killer Michael Myers, seems to be in the works.

    Not only that, the two sequels could possibly open in the same month, October 2020.

    A follow-up is a no-brainer considering “Halloween” raked in over $225 million worldwide. And in early June, there was evidence that a sequel was in the works, when producer Jason Blum shared a cryptic photo of himself and Curtis “discussing stuff.”

    Blum previously told Moviefone that he hopes “to make 10 more” “Halloween” films.

    When Green and co-writer Danny McBride set out on the 2018 project, they apparently planned to make two movies, but ended up just making the one.

    “We were going to shoot two of them back-to-back. Then we were like, Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This could come out, and everyone could hate us, and we’d never work again,” McBride told EW.

    “So, we were like, Let’s learn from this, and see what works, and what doesn’t. But we definitely have an idea of where we would go [with] this branch of the story and hopefully we get a chance to do it.”

    Of course, “Halloween” went on to make oodles of money at the box office and fans are clamoring for more. So, Bloody Disgusting’s report that they are filming two sequels back-to-back, and possibly releasing them around the same time, sounds like something the filmmakers might try to do.