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Scream Queens Spotlights Women in Horror

BuzzSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:30:00 PDT

Starting tonight, VH1 is searching for the next queen of horror film. In Scream Queens, 10 unknown actresses will put their shrieking, crying, and butt-kicking skills to the test for the chance to win a feature role in the upcoming Saw VI. (Yes, there's going to be a Saw VI.)

The trailer for the show looks kind of hilariously awesome, in that White Rapper Show-esque, self-aware kind of way. But it's also gotten me thinking about women in horror generally and whether this show is a good or a bad thing.

On the one hand, well, the title says a lot: The show's looking for someone who can scream all damsel-in-distress-style, presumably while being attacked by some menacing thing. So often in horror movies, female sexuality and violence go hand-in-hand. You certainly would never see a competition looking for male screamers, right? But on the other hand, the trailer seems to be playing up the ass-kicking aspect of being a horror star, and show judge (and original Saw gal) Shawnee Smith has said there's a lot more to being a "scream queen" than just playing the victim.

In this Halloween month, it's as good a time as any to get talking about women in horror - so I invite you to post your thoughts on that below. You can check out the Scream Queens trailer if you

VH1 Looking for a Few Good Screamers

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:36:57 PDT

Think your scream could top the wailing of the legendary Fay Wray? VH1 just might be looking for you. The network has teamed up with Lionsgate for Scream Queens, a new reality series searching for the next great horror film actress.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the series - set to premiere in the Fall - will gather 10 unknown actresses to compete for a "major" role in a Lionsgate horror film, for a director to be named later. (Should I be concerned that even the Reporter put "major" in those possibly ironic quotation marks?) The contestants will compete in various challenges and be schooled by acting coach John Homa, with one winner presumably going on to scream loudly on the big screen.

The series doesn't sound entirely unlike Sam Raimi's 13 for the CW, though so far as I know, the winner of 13 won't get to continue living out the horror-movie fantasy in a film. On the one hand, I'm intrigued to see how VH1 puts this show together; on the other hand, I'm not sure if watching 10 wannabe actresses screech loudly sounds like my cup of tea. What's your take?

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Young Adult: Charlize Theron Ain't No Judy Blume

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:05:00 PST

Growing up is hard to do, especially if you're a delusional, malicious shrew who's stuck in the past. That sums up Charlize Theron's Young Adult character Mavis Gary, a woman who lives in Minneapolis and has a career writing novels aimed at adolescent girls. Her world of hard drinking and sleeping in is disrupted when she gets an announcement from her high school boyfriend Buddy (Patrick Wilson) that his wife has had a baby. Mavis interprets it as a message that he's still in love with her, and she disdainfully heads back to her quiet Minnesota hometown to win him back. It's a journey that makes you cringe every step of the way, but Theron is so delightfully nasty that she makes the film sharply funny, even if it's also brutally uncomfortable.

Screenwriter Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman are behind the dark comedy, who teamed up previously for Juno, which found humor in the tough situation of their straight-talking female lead. Young Adult may have a sharp-tongued heroine in common, but that's where the similarities end. To find out why else I liked Young Adult, just keep reading.

20 Memorable Scream Queens of the Big Screen

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:30:00 PDT

While many of us are guilty of shrieking in our seats during scary movies, horror film actresses have screaming down to a science, perfecting everything from the pitch to the look of terror in their eyes. With Halloween right around the corner, we're taking a look at actresses who have managed to make our hair stand on end with their blood curdling screams. From Janet Leigh's iconic Psycho moment to Drew Barrymore's Scream opener, check out the ladies who made their mark - and made themselves heard!

12 Ways to Get Spooked and Psyched For Halloween

BuzzSugar — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:00:00 PDT

It should come as no surprise that we absolutely love Halloween over here! Whether you're into the classics, or new releases, we've got you covered with equal doses of scary movie nostalgia and contemporary horror trivia. Enjoy these 12 posts that are sure to get psyched and spooked in true Halloween spirit.

Movie-Inspired Pumpkins	Best TV Characters in Costume	The Movies That Scared Us as Kids
Where Is This Movie Set?	Movie Characters in Costume	Potter Pumpkins
Memorable Scream Queens	Match the Scary Movie With the Tag Lines	Do You Know Halloween's Scariest Movies?
Our Scary Movie Quote Quiz	Signs Your House May Be Haunted	Halloween Movies For Wimps

Rewind: Halloween Costume Ideas For Couples

BuzzSugar — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 03:05:10 PDT

Still looking for a Halloween costume? We've got 15 pop culture ideas for couples.
If you're going solo, we've got you covered, too with the five hottest costumes for Halloween this year.
If you'd rather get your tricks and treats on TV, here's a sneak peek at your favorite characters from The Office, Parks and Rec, and Community in Halloween costumes.
But wait, there's more! Get a spooky sneak peek at How I Met Your Mother and the Mike & Molly Halloween episode.
We also have a blast from the past with the best TV show costumes throughout the years.
Of course, the real horror is on the big screen, so we rounded up 20 memorable scream queens.
Speaking of movies, have you seen these brand-new Breaking Dawn stills yet?
We found out how Elizabeth Olsen prepared for her Martha Marcy May Marlene role.
Greendale popularity contest! Who's your favorite character on Community?
In this week's trailers, we saw Angelina Jolie's directorial debut with In the Land of Blood and Honey and Christian Bale as a troubled priest in the trailer for The Flowers of War.
While we're on the topic of upcoming movies, find out about Carey Mulligan's two latest film projects and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's role in a Tarantino film.

Guillermo del Toro Believes "Very, Very Strongly" in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Allie Merriam — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:00:00 PDT

Guillermo del Toro is the force behind this weekend's Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, and he recently spoke about his involvement with the Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce film during a NYC press day. Troy Nixey directed the scary movie, with del Toro operating behind the scenes as a producer and "presenter." Del Toro discussed what his duties included and how he stuck to his original vision for the picture. He also revealed his favorite movies, admiration for the young actress Bailee Madison, and how he thinks perpetuating the weak-females-in-horror-movies cliche is immoral.

On their film having an R rating despite little sex or profanity: "We shot the movie carefully - no profanity, no sex - and it’s not graphic at all. There’s not a single moment when you see anything gory, but when we asked the MPA, 'What would it need to change?' they said, 'The whole movie. It’s too intense . . . it’s intensity with a child.' And frankly, at that point, they said something really nice! They said, 'Why ruin a perfectly good R-rated movie?' Which I thought was very nice coming from them. So we wore it as a badge of honor."
On working with Bailee: "I think the term 'child actor' is a mistake. They're either actors, or they're not; whatever they are, at any age. If a kid is a real actor, he’s a thrill."
On attaching his name to a movie, despite not directing it: "I only presented three movies, one in Spain and The Orphanage internationally, and this is the third time. I only do it when - (a) I am introducing a filmmaker to the world, but (b) I endorse and say I believe in this movie very, very strongly. For whatever reason, it’s a more risky proposition in one way, but it’s one that I believe needs to continue to support first-time filmmakers. . . . I only do it when I fully believe I was involved in the product in a way that is meaningful."
On his favorite movies: "When DVDs came out I made a solemn promise to my wife that I’m just going to get my 10 favorite movies - which are really 7,000 movies. But instinctively, which may change tomorrow, I’d say Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Erich von Stroheim’s Greed, Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights, Taxi Driver, Blade Runner, Beauty and the Beast. It’s almost impossible to make this list. I’d say all Chaplin and Hitchcock . . . it’s impossible. It’s a horrible dilemma."

To read what Guillermo said about the movie's 10-year development period, the importance of storytelling, and female protagonists in horror films, just

How to Take the Pain Out of Waxing

Allure — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:30:00 PDT

We are proud to present this story from Allure:

Perhaps the worst thing about coming out of winter hibernation is the realization that a '70s-era embrace of body hair is not, in fact, sweeping the nation. That's not to say, though, that there is no way to make the delicate reacquaintance with your waxer more bearable. Here, tricks that actually help take the sting out of waxing. See the pain-relieving tips when you keep reading.

Link Time - The Highly Questionable History of Douche Ads

TresSugar — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:20:12 PDT

A history of douching complete with terrifying douche ads from the past - The Frisky
Friends with benefits can work; here's how - College Candy
Photographs of couples in each other's clothing (trippy!) - Flavorwire
Physics professor arrested for cyber pimping - Nerve
True story: someone dumped me to be on reality TV - The Hairpin
Guys confess their biggest fears about sex - Glamour
Are groomzillas the new bridezillas? - Huffington Post
The worst things about studying sexuality in college - Em & Lo
The five biggest "scream queens" in tennis - The Daily Beast
Who keeps the ring in a broken engagement? - SavvySugar