I’m taking a break from my usual film review content just to tell you some upcoming things that I’m excited about!
In terms of regular horror theater releases:
- Trap 8/1 – I feel like Josh Hartnett has been hiding under a rock for a while. Or is it just that he occupies a different corner of the media than the one I tend to lurk? Either way, welcome back Zeke from The Faculty!
- Cuckoo 8/9 – I’m so excited to see Hunter Schafer in something other than Euphoria! She’s an actual diamond. The trailer looks wild and even though longer ones have dropped recently, I still can’t figure out what the movie’s about, but I’m not mad about it.
- Alien: Romulus 8/16 – I’m not actually seeing it until the 19th because of conflicting engagements, but this is another release I’m genuinely foaming at the mouth for. I already get a lady boner for Alien (with the exception of Prometheus and co., don’t get me started #RipleyforPresident). Throw Fede Alvarez in the mix (Evil Dead (2013), Don’t Breathe) and I actually cannot breathe. If it ends up being a disappointment I will be unwell for 2-3 business days following.
Ok, now that that’s out of the way let’s talk about my “conflicting engagements.” Well, I’ve popped off pretty frequently about all of the Popcorn Frights events I attend throughout the year. They all come to a head every year in August with a film festival where I generally have the time of my life. Seriously, I haven’t been the same since I started attending these.
This year the festival takes place between August 8 and 18 at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale and O Cinema in South Beach. This is an affair that takes place in South Florida but the amazingly inclusive news is that there’s also a virtual lineup you can access here! The best way to enjoy these films, in my opinion, would be to buy an all-access pass.
This is the first year I’ve actually had money so I got a VIP badge for all of the in-theater events to guarantee myself a seat. This year, if you happen to be in the SF area, you’re in luck because the showings are technically free. You just have to show up early because they’re guaranteed to be overbooked and the only people guaranteed a seat are those with a VIP badge.
I’ve been to a lot of really fun premieres for Popcorn Frights, and I’ve gotten to experience some well-loved oldies on the big screen, but this year they’re hosting an even that I am so overwhelmingly excited for. PF is playing Candyman (OG) and TONY TODD HIMSELF will be in attendance so that he can be presented with their inaugural Golden Skull Award. Getting to breathe the same air as Candyman is kind of a flex and if you think it’s not don’t tell me, just let me be delulu.
Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by or affiliated with Popcorn Frights in any way. I’m just a horror lovin’ girl who wishes she could be friends with Marc and Igor (founders) but is painfully shy when not behind a camera and a podcast mic. If you’re in the area or have access to the interwebs you should really consider joining in on the fun! This has become my absolute favorite way to kick off my birthday month.
Stef Nuñez (she/they) is the Editor-In-Chief of Sage Cigarettes Magazine as well as unhinged co-host of A Ghost in the Magazine & The Annegirls Podcast. M-F 9-5 she works in the South Florida high fashion scene, but at night and on the weekends she is a feral horror mami who frequents film and music festivals. OH, and she’s a poet.
