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Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 best 1980s slasher movies to watch after 'Fear Street: Prom Queen'
The 1980s were the heyday of the slasher movie, when dozens of films about masked killers slashing their way through unsuspecting, often teenage, victims made their way into theaters and onto video store shelves. That's exactly the vibe that director and co-writer Matt Palmer aims to capture in Netflix's new hit horror movie 'Fear Street: Prom Queen,' the latest installment in the 'Fear Street' franchise. 'Prom Queen' is set in 1988, and its story of a killer stalking the prom queen finalists at Shadyside High could be lifted wholesale from a 1980s slasher movie. I found 'Prom Queen' to be a fun, if disposable viewing experience, but as a longtime slasher-movie fan, I mainly felt inspired to go back and watch more of the real thing. If you're interested in checking out the origins of 'Fear Street: Prom Queen's" style, here are five of my favorite 1980s slasher movies to stream now. Easily the best '80s slasher movie (and one of the best horror movies ever made), writer-director Wes Craven's haunting, hallucinatory suburban nightmare introduces Robert Englund as supernatural serial killer Freddy Krueger, a deceased child murderer who now has the ability to attack people in their dreams. Freddy is a horror icon, and Englund makes him instantly unforgettable as he terrorizes the teens of seemingly placid Springwood, Ohio. Freddy is matched by determined teenager Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp), who is convinced that her classmates are being killed in their sleep, even if no one else believes her. Nancy is a fierce but vulnerable hero, and her inner strength in standing up to Freddy is what gives 'Nightmare' its emotional power. The subsequent franchise is uneven, but Craven's original film is a masterpiece. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Rent/buy at Amazon or Apple The first 'Prom Night' is a lesser Jamie Lee Curtis horror entry, but this quasi-sequel — which was originally produced as a wholly unrelated movie — is much more entertaining, with a campy sense of humor and a welcome oddball tone. It's the best prom-related slasher movie, featuring the ghost of a murdered prom queen taking her revenge 30 years later. Mary Lou Maloney (Lisa Shrage) possesses the body of a current student and embarks on a reign of terror, all with the goal of being crowned prom queen once again. As in 'Fear Street: Prom Queen,' the title is worth killing for, and director Bruce Pittman stages some inventive deaths as Mary Lou murders her way back to the top of the social hierarchy. Watch on Prime Video Summer camps are a common setting for slasher movies (including 'Fear Street: 1978'), and 'Sleepaway Camp' is one of the most memorable, not just for its notorious shock ending. It's appealingly off-kilter even before then, starting with Desiree Gould's unhinged performance as the controlling aunt who sends introverted main character Angela Baker (Felissa Rose) off to sleepaway camp, where she's relentlessly bullied by the other campers. As Angela's tormentors start dying one by one, often in creatively gruesome ways, writer-director Robert Hiltzik keeps the audience on edge, questioning Angela's mental state and her status as both a victim and possible perpetrator. The movie's handling of queer identity is both bold and potentially problematic, but it looks more groundbreaking as time has gone on. The mix of sexuality, trauma and vengeance makes 'Sleepaway Camp' into a stark, brutal experience. Watch on Prime Video Noted mystery novelist Rita Mae Brown originally wrote the script for this clever film as a slasher-movie parody, and while director Amy Holden Jones presents it in a more straightforward manner, it's still full of sly humor. It might be a stretch to call 'The Slumber Party Massacre' feminist, but the filmmakers shift the perspective of the typically male-dominated genre, and there are plenty of opportunities to poke fun at the killer's very phallic weapon, a giant drill. There are also plenty of opportunities for the teen-girl characters to take their clothes off, as they get together for a sleepover at one girl's house while her parents are away. A massacre ensues, courtesy of an escaped murderer, but there are at least as many fake-outs as actual murders, and Jones maintains a playful visual style even as things get nasty. Watch on Prime Video The high point of the mostly glum 'Friday the 13th' franchise is this goofy sixth installment, which brings in self-aware humor to liven up yet another story about hockey-masked murderer Jason Voorhees taking out a series of interchangeable victims. The series has been around long enough at this point to have its own recognizable formula, and writer-director Tom McLoughlin toys with audience expectations, making cheeky references to the movie's own absurdity. McLoughlin also makes Jason (played this time by C.J. Graham) into a completely supernatural force, bypassing any need to explain his frequent resurrections. While past installments could be salacious and sexualized, 'Jason Lives' captures more of a throwback monster-movie vibe, making it almost wholesome in comparison to the frequently sleazy slasher genre. It's a lively, bright spot in a franchise that is more often grim and repetitive. Watch on Pluto TV
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
All About Kid Cudi, Rapper Testifying At The Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial
Kid Cudi is the latest celebrity to testify at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York. The popular melodic rapper took the stand Thursday and told the jury about his brief relationship 14 years ago with Combs' ex-girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie. Cudi testified about several incidents involving Combs, who prosecutors contend was so upset at the rapper that he arranged to have Cudi's Porsche 911 convertible firebombed. Cudi told jurors about finding his car burned in the driveway of his Hollywood Hills home in 2012. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that he leveraged his status as a power broker to abuse women. Here's what you need to know about the 41-year-old Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi. Who is Kid Cudi? The Cleveland born-and-raised Grammy Award-winning rapper has long been celebrated for his alternative hip-hop, emotional music that effortlessly weaves genres together in surprising ways. Music tastemakers quickly caught on to Cudi's 2007 single, "Day 'n' Nite," with its unique singsong style that later appeared on his blockbuster 2009 debut, "Man on the Moon: The End of the Day" as "Day 'n' Nite (Nightmare)." The song is easily one of the most influential rap tracks of the last two decades. In September, "Day 'n' Nite" was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. Cudi began as something of a protégé of Kanye West, when the then-uncontroversial rapper signed Cudi to his G.O.O.D. Music label in 2008. Cudi left in 2013. He is featured on Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" and West's landmark "808s & Heartbreak." Cudi has always had an eye and ear toward innovation. In 2022, his album "Entergalactic" was released alongside a Netflix adult-animated romantic comedy of the same name, which he told The Associated Press allowed him to "explore the abstract." What is Kid Cudi's involvement with Combs and Cassie? Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, has been the trial's central witness with her accounts of years of violence and sexual abuse. She testified that Combs arranged for her to meet Cudi in 2011 to work on music. The two began dating soon after, and she said she got a burner phone to communicate with Cudi in secret. Cassie said she and Combs had broken up at the time, although they still engaged in sex parties that Combs orchestrated. It was during one of these that Combs looked at her phone and learned of the Cudi relationship, Cassie testified. In response, she said he lunged at her with a corkscrew and kicked her in the back. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie has. Kid Cudi's testimony Cudi testified Thursday that Combs broke into his Hollywood Hills home in December 2011 after finding out that he and Cassie were dating. He said he and Cassie went to a West Hollywood hotel to get her away from the seething Combs. There, he said, he got a call from Combs' assistant, who told him Combs and an affiliate were in his house. Cudi headed to his home alone and called Combs to ask why he was in his house. He said Combs calmly replied, "I want to talk to you." But, Cudi said, Combs wasn't there when he arrived. Instead, he found Christmas presents that had been opened and his dog was locked in a bathroom. Cudi said he got back into his car and called Combs again, who replied, "I'm on my way," Cudi testified. Cudi said he decided to call the police. He told jurors his convertible was destroyed by fire in the driveway a few weeks later. Pictures shown to the jury showed a hole cut in the fabric roof and a Molotov cocktail was found in the passenger seat. A denial and apology from Combs Kid Cudi told jurors that Combs denied involvement in the car fire when they met to squash their beef the next day at the SoHo Hotel in Los Angeles. After the meeting, he said, there were no more break-ins at his house and no more trouble with his car. Combs ended up apologizing a few years later, when they ran into each other again at the SoHo House hotel, Cudi testified. The rapper finished his testimony on Thursday by acknowledging that when he started dating Cassie in late 2011, she'd led him to believe that she and Combs were broken up. Kid Cudi's more recent music, and acting His latest album, "Insano," arrived last year. Soon after its release, "Insano (Nitro Mega)," a partner record that featured Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T, Steve Aoki and more, arrived. On May 9, Cudi released his latest single, "Neverland." A short film of the same name, directed by Ti West and produced by Monkeypaw Productions, will premiere at Tribeca Film Festival this June. Also in May, Cudi officially launched his new apparel label, WZRD. Daring fashion has been a longtime passion for Cudi; the rapper has partnered with brands such as BAPE and Adidas. He collaborated with the late designer Virgil Abloh, and in 2021 channeled Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain by wearing an Abloh-designed Off-White floral dress on stage at "Saturday Night Live." Last week, he announced his engagement to menswear designer Lola Abecassis Sartore. Cudi is also a celebrated actor, having appeared in a number of feature films and television programs. They include 2020s "Bill & Ted Face the Music," the 2021 Netflix original "Don't Look Up," the HBO series "How to Make It in America" and the glossy "House Party" remake in 2023, in which he played it straight as an anti-social lurker who doesn't like parties ("too much laughing") and only wanted to go to give his pal LeBron a poem, as The Associated Press' Lindsey Bahr wrote in her review.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial: Who is Kid Cudi? Why is Grammy Award-winning rapper's testimony important?
Kid Cudi's legal name is Scott Mescudi. Cudi began as something of a protégé of Kanye West, when the then-uncontroversial rapper signed Cudi to his G.O.O.D. Music label in 2008. The Cleveland born-and-raised, skinny-jean wearing, Grammy Award-winning rapper has long been celebrated for his alternative hip-hop Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs The ongoing Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial in New York are witnessing high-profile celebrities summoned to the court. Kid Cudi is the latest celebrity being called to testify at Sean 'Diddy' Combs ′ sex trafficking trial in New York. The popular melodic rapper is expected to take the stand Thursday and tell the jury about his brief relationship 14 years ago with Combs' ex-girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that he leveraged his status as a power broker to abuse to court filings and testimony, the Cassie-Cudi relationship, which grew out of the two working on music together, sent Combs into rages in which he beat her. Prosecutors contend that Combs was so upset he arranged to have Cudi's convertible firebombed.41-year-old Cudi's legal name is Scott Mescudi. The Cleveland born-and-raised, skinny-jean wearing, Grammy Award-winning rapper has long been celebrated for his alternative hip-hop, emotional music that effortlessly weaves genres together in surprising blogs and other tastemakers quickly caught on to Cudi's 2007 single, 'Day 'n' Nite,' with its unique singsong style that later appeared on his blockbuster 2009 debut, 'Man on the Moon: The End of the Day' as 'Day 'n' Nite (Nightmare)." The album's hits included 'Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)' and is easily one of the most influential rap records of the last two decades. In September, 'Day 'n' Nite' was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of began as something of a protégé of Kanye West, when the then-uncontroversial rapper signed Cudi to his G.O.O.D. Music label in 2008. Cudi left in is featured on Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint 3' and West's landmark '808s & Heartbreak.' Cudi has always had an eye and ear toward innovation. In 2022, his album 'Entergalactic' was released alongside a Netflix adult-animated romantic comedy of the same name, which he told The Associated Press allowed him to 'explore the abstract.'Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, has been the trial's central witness with her accounts of years of violence and sexual testified that Combs arranged for her to meet Cudi in 2011 to work on music. The two began dating soon after, and she said she got a burner phone to communicate with Cudi in said she and Combs had broken up at the time, although they still engaged in sex parties that Combs orchestrated. It was during one of these that Combs looked at her phone and learned of the Cudi relationship, Cassie response, she said he lunged at her with a corkscrew and kicked her in the Cassie and Combs were out of the country in 2012, Combs told her that Cudi's car would be blown up and Combs wanted Cudi's friends there to see it, Cassie Tuesday, Cassie's mother, Regina Ventura, testified that Cassie told her Combs was so angry about her relationship with Cudi that he planned to release sexually explicit videos of her and send someone to hurt Cassie and testified that Cudi came to visit her at her mother's Connecticut home around Christmas in 2011 and she broke up with him, fearing for both of their safety.A1. 41-year-old Kid Cudi's legal name is Scott Mescudi.A2. Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, has been the trial's central witness with her accounts of years of violence and sexual abuse.
San Francisco Chronicle
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
What to know about Kid Cudi, the rapper testifying against Sean ‘Diddy' Combs
NEW YORK (AP) — Kid Cudi is the latest celebrity being called to testify at Sean 'Diddy' Combs ′ sex trafficking trial in New York. The popular melodic rapper is expected to take the stand Thursday and tell the jury about his brief relationship 14 years ago with Combs' ex-girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie. According to court filings and testimony, the Cassie-Cudi relationship, which grew out of the two working on music together, sent Combs into rages in which he beat her. Prosecutors contend that Combs was so upset he arranged to have Cudi's convertible firebombed. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that he leveraged his status as a power broker to abuse women. Here's what you need to know about the 41-year-old Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi. Who is Kid Cudi? The Cleveland born-and-raised, skinny-jean wearing, Grammy Award-winning rapper has long been celebrated for his alternative hip-hop, emotional music that effortlessly weaves genres together in surprising ways. Music blogs and other tastemakers quickly caught on to Cudi's 2007 single, 'Day 'n' Nite,' with its unique singsong style that later appeared on his blockbuster 2009 debut, 'Man on the Moon: The End of the Day' as 'Day 'n' Nite (Nightmare)." The album's hits included 'Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)' and is easily one of the most influential rap records of the last two decades. In September, 'Day 'n' Nite' was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. Cudi began as something of a protégé of Kanye West, when the then-uncontroversial rapper signed Cudi to his G.O.O.D. Music label in 2008. Cudi left in 2013. He is featured on Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint 3' and West's landmark '808s & Heartbreak.' Cudi has always had an eye and ear toward innovation. In 2022, his album 'Entergalactic' was released alongside a Netflix adult-animated romantic comedy of the same name, which he told The Associated Press allowed him to 'explore the abstract.' What is Kid Cudi's involvement with Combs and Cassie? Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, has been the trial's central witness with her accounts of years of violence and sexual abuse. She testified that Combs arranged for her to meet Cudi in 2011 to work on music. The two began dating soon after, and she said she got a burner phone to communicate with Cudi in secret. Cassie said she and Combs had broken up at the time, although they still engaged in sex parties that Combs orchestrated. It was during one of these that Combs looked at her phone and learned of the Cudi relationship, Cassie testified. In response, she said he lunged at her with a corkscrew and kicked her in the back. When Cassie and Combs were out of the country in 2012, Combs told her that Cudi's car would be blown up and Combs wanted Cudi's friends there to see it, Cassie testified. On Tuesday, Cassie's mother, Regina Ventura, testified that Cassie told her Combs was so angry about her relationship with Cudi that he planned to release sexually explicit videos of her and send someone to hurt Cassie and Cudi. Cassie testified that Cudi came to visit her at her mother's Connecticut home around Christmas in 2011 and she broke up with him, fearing for both of their safety. Kid Cudi's more recent music, and acting His latest album, 'Insano,' arrived last year. Soon after its release, 'Insano (Nitro Mega),' a partner record that featured Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T, Steve Aoki and more, arrived. On May 9, Cudi released his latest single, 'Neverland.' A short film of the same name, directed by Ti West and produced by Monkeypaw Productions, will premiere at Tribeca Film Festival this June. Also in May, Cudi officially launched his new apparel label, WZRD. Daring fashion has been a longtime passion for Cudi; the rapper has partnered with brands such as BAPE and Adidas. He collaborated with the late designer Virgil Abloh, and in 2021 channeled Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain by wearing an Abloh-designed Off-White floral dress on stage at 'Saturday Night Live.' Last week, he announced his engagement to menswear designer Lola Abecassis Sartore. Cudi is also a celebrated actor, having appeared in a number of feature films and television programs. They include 2020s 'Bill & Ted Face the Music,' the 2021 Netflix original 'Don't Look Up,' the HBO series 'How to Make It in America' and the glossy 'House Party' remake in 2023, in which he played it straight as an anti-social lurker who doesn't like parties ('too much laughing') and only wanted to go to give his pal LeBron a poem, as The Associated Press' Lindsey Bahr wrote in her review.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Kid Cudi? The rapper testifying against Sean ‘Diddy' Combs
Kid Cudi is the latest celebrity being called to testify at Sean 'Diddy' Combs ′ sex trafficking trial in New York. The popular melodic rapper is expected to take the stand Thursday and tell the jury about his brief relationship 14 years ago with Combs' ex-girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie. According to court filings and testimony, the Cassie-Cudi relationship, which grew out of the two working on music together, sent Combs into rages in which he beat her. Prosecutors contend that Combs was so upset he arranged to have Cudi's convertible firebombed. Diddy trial Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that he leveraged his status as a power broker to abuse women. Here's what you need to know about the 41-year-old Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi. The Cleveland born-and-raised, skinny-jean wearing, Grammy Award-winning rapper has long been celebrated for his alternative hip-hop, emotional music that effortlessly weaves genres together in surprising ways. Music blogs and other tastemakers quickly caught on to Cudi's 2007 single, 'Day 'n' Nite,' with its unique singsong style that later appeared on his blockbuster 2009 debut, 'Man on the Moon: The End of the Day' as 'Day 'n' Nite (Nightmare)." The album's hits included 'Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)' and is easily one of the most influential rap records of the last two decades. In September, 'Day 'n' Nite' was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. Cudi began as something of a protégé of Kanye West, when the then-uncontroversial rapper signed Cudi to his G.O.O.D. Music label in 2008. Cudi left in 2013. He is featured on Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint 3' and West's landmark '808s & Heartbreak.' Cudi has always had an eye and ear toward innovation. In 2022, his album 'Entergalactic' was released alongside a Netflix adult-animated romantic comedy of the same name, which he told The Associated Press allowed him to 'explore the abstract.' Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, has been the trial's central witness with her accounts of years of violence and sexual abuse. She testified that Combs arranged for her to meet Cudi in 2011 to work on music. The two began dating soon after, and she said she got a burner phone to communicate with Cudi in secret. Cassie said she and Combs had broken up at the time, although they still engaged in sex parties that Combs orchestrated. It was during one of these that Combs looked at her phone and learned of the Cudi relationship, Cassie testified. In response, she said he lunged at her with a corkscrew and kicked her in the back. When Cassie and Combs were out of the country in 2012, Combs told her that Cudi's car would be blown up and Combs wanted Cudi's friends there to see it, Cassie testified. On Tuesday, Cassie's mother, Regina Ventura, testified that Cassie told her Combs was so angry about her relationship with Cudi that he planned to release sexually explicit videos of her and send someone to hurt Cassie and Cudi. Cassie testified that Cudi came to visit her at her mother's Connecticut home around Christmas in 2011 and she broke up with him, fearing for both of their safety. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie has. His latest album, 'Insano,' arrived last year. Soon after its release, 'Insano (Nitro Mega),' a partner record that featured Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T, Steve Aoki and more, arrived. On May 9, Cudi released his latest single, 'Neverland.' A short film of the same name, directed by Ti West and produced by Monkeypaw Productions, will premiere at Tribeca Film Festival this June. Also in May, Cudi officially launched his new apparel label, WZRD. Daring fashion has been a longtime passion for Cudi; the rapper has partnered with brands such as BAPE and Adidas. He collaborated with the late designer Virgil Abloh, and in 2021 channeled Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain by wearing an Abloh-designed Off-White floral dress on stage at 'Saturday Night Live.' Last week, he announced his engagement to menswear designer Lola Abecassis Sartore. Cudi is also a celebrated actor, having appeared in a number of feature films and television programs. They include 2020s 'Bill & Ted Face the Music,' the 2021 Netflix original 'Don't Look Up,' the HBO series 'How to Make It in America' and the glossy 'House Party' remake in 2023, in which he played it straight as an anti-social lurker who doesn't like parties ('too much laughing') and only wanted to go to give his pal LeBron a poem, as The Associated Press' Lindsey Bahr wrote in her review.
