Latest news with #StevenLaMorte
Irish Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Screamboat: Mickey Mouse as a violent psychopath is no classic, but gory twist on Disney knows its audience
Screamboat Director : Steven LaMorte Cert : 18 Genre : Horror Starring : David Howard Thornton, Allison Pittel, Amy Schumacher, Jesse Posey, Kailey Hyman, Jesse Kove, Jarlath Conroy Running Time : 1 hr 42 mins If you've missed the Twisted Childhood Universe, as the film-makers call it, you haven't missed much. The first generation of films to capitalise on the end of Disney 's copyright on a host of familiar characters forms an entirely disposable, unimaginative canon of Z-grade slashers. In common with other brainless, opportunistic franchises – looking at you, Sharknado – the concept has scared up enough business to justify three terrible films and a worldwide gross of $16.5 million. Stay tuned for Bambi: The Reckoning in July and Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble in October. Or, preferably, don't. These primarily British productions seem content to trade on revisiting your childhood favourites as serial killers. That's the plot. That's the joke. There is no reason for these movies to be as lazy as they have been. Screamboat, a rival bid to monetise the newly public-domain Steamboat Willie – Mickey Mouse's 1928 introduction to the world – predictably transforms the iconic rodent into a violent psychopath. Happily, unlike the Twisted Childhood Universe, Steven LaMorte's horror makes some effort to engage with the source material in humorous, gory ways, including a fun animated parody and a cheeky cameo from Willie's creator, 'Walt'. READ MORE The film is set on a Staten Island ferry, where the killer mouse wreaks havoc on passengers, including a hen party standing in for Disney princesses. It's undeniably a low-rent production. The same exterior shot of the ferry is used repeatedly; routine words are mispronounced. Fortunately, the script, by the director and Matthew Garcia-Dunn, embraces the mayhem with a violent nod to Itchy and Scratchy. The murderous mouse is played with huge energy by David Howard Thornton. The brilliant mime behind Terrifier's Art the Clown makes merry with the rodent's diminutive status. The Irish veteran Jarlath Conroy, who has movie credits stretching back to Heaven's Gate, brings grizzled charm to the doomed supporting cast. Screamboat is no classic, but it knows its audience. The makers of the upcoming Pinocchio: Unstrung could learn a thing or two. Screamboat is available on digital platforms from Monday, May 5th, and on DVD & Blu-ray from Monday, June 2nd
Egypt Today
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
SCREAMBOAT: A horror satire of Disney characters hits Egyptian cinemas
Get ready for a thrilling ride as SCREAMBOAT hits Egyptian cinemas on April 9th. This horror film takes a unique twist on classic childhood characters, blending nostalgia with terror. Directed by Steven LaMorte, this movie promises to deliver not just scares, but also a satirical look at beloved icons. The film follows a seemingly routine late-night ferry ride in New York City that descends into chaos when an ordinary mouse undergoes a terrifying transformation. This mutated creature unleashes a reign of terror upon the unsuspecting passengers, forcing them to fight for their survival. As the body count rises, the remaining survivors must band together to escape the deadly vessel and confront the monstrous threat. SCREAMBOAT features a notable cast including Tyler Posey, Jesse Kove, David Howard Thornton (who portrays the killer mouse), Brian Quinn, Michael Leavy, and Jesse Posey. Additionally, Allison Beetl plays Selena, a once-unknown fashion designer who transforms into a heroic figure fighting for her life. A satirical take on classic Disney characters, blending tension, horror, and dark comedy, SCREAMBOAT boldly mocks beloved childhood icons, aligning with the trend of horror films inspired by childhood characters, similar to titles like WINNIE-THE-POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY. Find out the movie's availability and showtimes at your nearest movie theater.
