The Christmas holiday is over horror fans but horror never sleeps, and as we get closer to the new year, you can bet that more scares are on the way. How about these upcoming scares, for example? I won't take up too much time so lets get into it. Go ahead and grab that fright pillow of yours and grab it tight—tighter, as we dive into some of the horror that occurred last week.
December 26 - Sunday
Movie audiences in the year of 1973 never saw a more frightening Wednesday, than the one they would see on December 26.
What began as a very limited run in big cities, showing in only 24 theaters upon its release, The Exorcist would eventually be given a wide release within its first week. Theater-goers would wait in line for hours, some having read the 340 page novel, while others were there to take part in the buzz the film had generated.
Plagued by early reports of audience members feeling a sudden onset of nausea during some scenes, as well as claims of vomiting and fainting in some crowds, The Exorcist would grab almost $2 million in its first week. The film would go on to earn more than $112 million worldwide, becoming Warner Bros. highest-grossing film of all time.
The legacy the film has enjoyed since its release has been an enjoyable one to watch as a horror fan. Most recently fans of The Exorcist were told that a new trilogy from David Gordon Green was in the works, that would tell a new story in the universe created by the 1973 film. 2016 saw an Exorcist television series that picked up with Regan as an adult, played by Geena Davis, who would once again come face to face with the demon from her past.
There is more to come from The Exorcist, that is a fact, and those on the know are excited. Those just find out should be feeling that excitement as well, with more on the way, all starting from a film shown on this day in horror back in 1973.
December 27 - Monday
Ghostbusters: Afterlife is set to make its digital debut early-early next year in January and for those with more patients than myself holding out for the physical release, here's what you can expect when your copy comes in February.
Fans of Ghostbusters: Afterlife can look forward to plenty of extras included in which ever physical copy of the film they pick up. Features like deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage and an in-depth look at how the special effects, and the Ecto-1, were created for Ghostbusters: Afterlife, will all be included.
Be sure to keep an eye out February 1, 2022 when Ghostbusters: Afterlife releases on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD. For those only interested in a digital copy of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, be sure to get your copy on January 4, 2022.
December 28 - Tuesday
Could Norman Reedus be the next Ghost Rider? Nothing has been confirmed yet...or has it?
He is no stranger to motorcycles so I can't say it's surprising to hear that Norman Reedus might be the latest actor being considered for the fiery, motorcycle-riding superhero, Ghost Rider.
Rumors of Ghost Rider's return to the big screen began as early as 2013 when the rights for Ghost Rider when from Sony to Marvel Studios. Though there were no plans to get a film started right away, Ghost Rider was still at the forefront of fan's minds, some wondering if he would maybe appear in one of the Netflix Marvel series.
If the rumor is true than we can hopefully see Johnny Blaze return to the big screen as early as next year. With The Walking Dead finishing up its final season next year, Norman Reedus might have the now to invest his effort into other projects and Ghost Rider would be the perfect venture for him.
Is Norman Reedus the next Ghost Rider? I will find out soon enough and when I do you will read about here at Horror Junket!
Coming in January, Last Night in Soho will make its physical debut with three formats to fit your viewing experience.
Edgar Wright's colorful psychological thriller comes to 4K, Blu-ray and DVD early next month with a collection of featurettes, extras and commentary that are sure to give fans a deeper movie experience. Included featurettes will give more details and background on the characters of Sandie, Jack and Eloise, while also taking fans through the thought-process on music, sights and creative camerawork.
Last Night in Soho is directed by Edgar Wright, who also thought up the story, later written for the screen by Krysty Wilson-Cairns. Starring Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith and Diana Rigg, Last Night in Soho will be available to own on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD next month on January 4, 2022.
December 29 - Wednesday
RLJE Films will release Superhost to Blu-ray next year in February.
The Shudder original film, written and directed by Brandon Christensen, tells the story of two travel vloggers, in an attempt to increase their viewer count find a strange new subject in Rebecca. Things take a turn for the strange from there all leading to an even more horrifying truth.
Starring Sara Canning, Osric Chau, Gracie Gillam and Barbara Crampton, Superhost's Blu-ray release will include bloopers, a photo gallery and featurettes that include a look behind-the-scenes, as well how production was while shooting during the pandemic. Superhost will be available to own in all its Blu-ray glory, next year on February 1, 2022.
December 30 - Thursday
Friday the 13th rights go back to Victor Miller, according to copyright, trademark and entertainment attorney, Larry Zerner.
Back in September, screenwriter of Friday the 13th, won his court battle against the producers of the film, giving Miller the rights to the characters and locations with in the script. With everything hinging on an appeal that could be put forth by the producers, word now comes from Zerner, that no appeal has been made and the rights to Friday the 13th, officially belong to Victor Miller.
Could this mean more Jason on the way? I hope so, and while were at it, why not allow updates to the video game that is still alive with a good following? Good things are certainly in store for the franchise that could see a bigger comeback than the recent Halloween films.
December 31 - New Year's Eve
The world says good-bye to Hollywood icon Betty White, who passed away today at the age of 99.
Born in 1922, Betty White would begin modeling and her entertainment career right after school, only to put it on hold to serve in the war effort for WWII. Picking back up in 1949, Betty White would start a career in radio work, helping her to blaze a path in showbiz that would eventually land her on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and her own The Betty White Show.
The 1980s would see Betty White taking her most iconic role in a little sitcom called The Golden Girls, a series that centered around the lives of four women enjoying their golden years in Miami, Florida. After the show's end in 1992, Betty White would pop up as a guest star on numerous shows and films throughout the 1990s, and towards the end of the decade she would claim one of her most well-known roles in Lake Placid.
Betty White was a joy to watch on screen and my times with her and the other Golden Girls will not ever be forgotten. With a permanent smile on her face, it seemed like, it's not hard to figure out why millions across the globe and internet loved Betty White.
January 1 - New Year's Day
Coming in March of 2022, 1994's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein will get the 4K treatment from Arrow Video.
Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was an adaptation lauded for it attention to detail, while keeping faithful to its source material. Written by Frank Darabont and Steph Lady, based on the 1818 novel, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein 4K release will include interviews with film historians and some of the crew behind the film. Two new featurettes will be available that take a look at the origins of Frankenstein, and the differences between the novel and film.
Starring Robert De Niro, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Holm, Aidan Quinn and Tom Hulce, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein will be available to own next year on March 29, 2022.
Well that's all the horror I have for you in this week's Horrific Recap, bringing you some of the horror news that occurred last week. A new year means another 365 days of horror that is sure to get off to a strong start with the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife later in this current week. As always, thank you horror fans for stopping by Horror Junket today and be sure to stop by again next week for another Horrific Recap.
