CreatorVC celebrates the the most influential decade of the horror genre in the nostalgic documentary, In Search of Darkness. Director David A. Weiner brings together a list of notable names and experts to divulge insightful trivia about the cult classics of the ‘80s.
Clocking in at over four hours long, and featuring more than 40 interviews with an exciting array of genre talent. Participants include John Carpenter, Barbara Crampton, Don Mancini, Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Mick Garris, Kelli Maroney, Doug Bradley, Heather Langenkamp, Joe Dante, Alex Winter, and many more. The documentary also features a number of notable pop culture pundits and industry experts alike, including Slipknot’s Corey Taylor.
Here are 5 reasons why we love In Search of Darkness:
5) The Tidbits!
Viewers wanting to know behind-the-scenes trivia will definitely get a kick out of Barbara Crampton and Jeffrey Combs discussing how Re-Animator was made. There’s a cheerful vibe of fondness as Crampton and Kelli Maroney reminisce over the title changes and the late night shooting of Chopping Mall. Filmmakers Joe Dante and Mick Garris carry on an interesting analysis of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, while comparing the screen adaptation to the book.
4) The Artwork!
Modern posters have mostly become cast profiles photoshopped together, especially if you look at the cover art for the Spider-Man: Far From Home Blu-Ray. Heather Langenkamp explores the vivid artwork and surreal style behind the Nightmare on Elm Street posters. Storytelling on its own, the Nightmare on Elm Street posters manage to capture the installment’s plot in just one image.
3) The 3D Craze!
Even though Alfred Hitchcock experimented with the new technology, John Carpenter explains why the gimmicky 3D craze became nothing more than a fad. Released in 3D, Friday the 13th Part III always needed an object ever few seconds to to pop out at the eyes. Jaws 3-D could have been titled any other shark movie, but the gimmick was there to cash in on the franchise.
2) The Social Relevance!
Alex Winter delivers the most important statement about the horror genre and its reflection on society’s abusive nature towards homosexuality. Ken Sagoes talks about Wes Craven’s representation of race, mentioning proudly “how the black man survives” at the end of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
[Writer’s Note: As a Mexican-American, I have to mention the disappointing lack of diversity in the lineup. It’s quite saddening that even the so-called industry experts, especially from a revived magazine, have a lack of understanding about race. It’s just old white guys talking about how “America was great” back in the ‘80s. If I can name three Latinx cast members in horror movies from the ‘80s off the top of my head, somebody else could have done better.]
1) Insightful & Nostalgic!
Overall, In Search of Darkness explores how the horror genre made an indelible impact on a decade. The documentary also demonstrates how cinema still has a lot to learn in order to survive.
For more in formation about In Search of Darkness, readers should visit www.80shorrordoc.com