Entertainment
A Look at Kate Siegel and Her Husband Mike Flanagan’s Works Together
American actress Kate Siegel has been married to her filmmaker husband Mike Flanagan for more than five years now — married on February 6, 2016.
And while their marital relationship has ticked over five years, their professional relationship goes way back. The married duo has been working together for almost nine years now, ever since they first worked in the 2013 movie Oculus.
In most of the works they have done together — Siegel as an actress and Flanagan as a director — the audience can easily find one constant thing, which is that they love to make horror movies and scare the audiences.
Even though the two have scared the bejeezus out of the audience, their children, who are 5 years old and younger, don’t have the slightest clue that “Mommy and Daddy go to work and just murder everyone you love.”
The husband-wife duo’s latest collaboration is Netflix’s drama-horror-mystery series Midnight Mass. In this show, too, the couple has continued their tradition. And, after years of close exposure to these acting projects, Siegel considers her husband a horror “genius.”
Here is a look at Kate Siegel and her husband Mike Flanagan’s works together, up until this point.
‘Oculus’ (2013)
The 2013 movie Oculus was the second time that the American actress had met her future filmmaker husband — the first time was during an audition for Flanagan’s movie which didn’t happen.
The rated-R horror-mystery movie was directed by Flanagan and in it, Siegel portrayed the role of Marisol Chavez.
Siegel was selected to play the role after the originally hired actress injured herself. While speaking of her casting to the movie, she said to Entertainment Weekly, “He [Flanagan] was like, ‘It’s a huge part of the movie, and I really want to work with you. I’ll keep you in mind for other things if you’re willing to come to hang out with us in Alabama for eight weeks.’ I was like, ‘Sure!'” It’s a promise he kept.”
As for the movie itself, its official synopsis is, “A woman tries to exonerate her brother, who was convicted of murder, by proving that the crime was committed by a supernatural phenomenon.”
‘Hush’ (2016)
The 2016 movie Hush is another rated-R movie in which the husband-wife duo had worked together and the first after Oculus.
Sometime after they had worked together in Oculus, Siegel and Flanagan began dating each other and they started to help each other in several of their professional works, such as preparing for auditions and reading through scripts.
During one of their conversations, they developed an idea to create a movie, which ended up being Hush. The movie is about Maddie, “A deaf and mute writer who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer appears at her window.”
The movie was directed by Flanagan and was co-written by Flanagan and Siegel. The lead role of Maddie was played by Siegel herself.
‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ (2016)
Ouija: Origin of Evil is the first PG-13 movie that the couple had worked in together. This movie was directed by Flanagan and was written by Flanagan, Jeff Howard, and Juliet Snowden.
The official synopsis of the movie is, “In 1967 Los Angeles, a widowed mother and her daughters add a new stunt to bolster their seance scam business by inviting an evil presence into their home, not realizing how dangerous it is.”
In this movie, Siegel played a minor role of a character named Jenny Browning, a “skeptical daughter of Mr. Browning who gets a scare when she’s revealed to be after her father’s money.”
Speaking of her role in the movie, the actress mentioned that she had never been a blonde before and it was the first that she had dyed her hair for a role. She adds, “I think that movie is a joy, but the thing I remember the most is how much fun I had being a blonde.”
‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)
Just around a year after Ouija: Origin of Evil was released, a new movie in which Siegel and Flanagan had come up. It was titled Gerald’s Game, a Netflix drama-horror-thriller movie.
Flanagan directed the movie and it was co-written by Flanagan, Jeff Howard, and Stephen King (based on the novel by).
In this movie, Siegel portrayed the role of Sally, the mother of actress Carla Gugino’s character, Jessie, who sees her mother in her hallucinations and memories.
Fun fact: During the filming of her part, Siegel was nine months pregnant and was “very uncomfortable” due to nausea. She says, “I remember saying early on to Mike, ‘Don’t glam me up. I want the frizzy hair. I want to be glowing and sweating. I don’t want any of this pretend-glorifying-of-motherhood B.S.’ Then I’m watching the movie and going, ‘What was I thinking?!’”
‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)
The Haunting of Hill House is a Netflix horror-mystery mini-series created by Flanagan. In this movie, Siegel portrayed the role of Theodora Crain, the “daughter of the Crain family with a psychic affinity that activates through touch.”
The actress loved her character, Theodora, in the show so much that she named her daughter after it.
The series was an instant hit as it garnered viewers from across the world. This led to Flanagan receiving a multi-year deal with Netflix.
The official synopsis of the show is, “Flashing between past and present, a fractured family confronts haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it.”
‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ (2020)
Following the huge success of The Haunting of Hill House, Flanagan and his work-partner, Macy, once again took their turn into making another anthology series. The mini-series was titled The Haunting of Bly Manor and it was distributed by Netflix.
While Flanagan served as the creator of the show, this time he only directed one episode of the show. In this one, Siegel also had a limited appearance, in two episodes to be precise — played the role of Viola.
As Flanagan wasn’t heavily involved much in this one – as a director – unlike other of his projects, Siegel felt “sheltered” and she enjoyed the activity of working together with other talents, as per the actress.
Her scenes were directed by Axelle Carolyn. Recalling her time with Carolyn, Siegel said, “When we were going through all of these [scenes] — ‘She would wake. She would walk. She would sleep.’”
She continues, “[Axelle] would say, ‘In this one, I want it to be like this.’ And she would pull up an image of Dracula from long ago. Having that kind of visual representation of what she was trying to get was so inspiring to me. It made me want to collaborate more with her.”
‘Midnight Mass’ (2021)
Midnight Mass is another Netflix project in which the married couple has worked together, which premiered on September 24, 2021. This is also a horror-mystery series that is created as well as directed by Flanagan.
In this one, Siegel portrayed one of the lead roles of Erin Greene, a woman who lives on the isolated Crockett Island. The synopsis is, “An isolated island community experiences miraculous events – and frightening omens – after the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest.”
Siegel is quite familiar with the story of this show as her husband has been trying to make it for years. In the movie Hush, Siegel’s character had written a best-selling book titled Midnight Mass. And, if looked clearly, the same Midnight Mass book has also popped up as an Easter egg in Gerald’s Game.
Speaking of these easter eggs, Siegel said, “It’s come in so many different forms. It was a movie, it was a novel, it was a series. So, yeah, I knew the story, but that was before it went through the [show’s] writer’s room. The writers added so much to this story,” Siegel continues. “They took what was a wonderful idea and turned it into an exquisite masterpiece.”
In recent years, the film industry has significantly shifted towards stories set in small towns, bringing fresh perspectives and untold narratives to the forefront.
These stories offer a glimpse into the nuanced lives of communities often overlooked in mainstream cinema, challenging audiences to engage with diverse experiences and environments. This movement towards small-town tales is not just a trend but a transformative force in modern filmmaking, reshaping how stories are told and what stories are considered worth telling.
The Rise of the Underdog
One notable example of this shift can be seen in the Possum Trot movie, a film that brings the intricate dynamics of rural life into the limelight. Such movies go beyond mere settings; they delve into the heart and soul of communities, showcasing the strength, resilience, and complexity of people living far from urban sprawl.
This focus on underrepresented locales has broadened the thematic horizons of cinema and democratized storytelling, allowing for more voices and experiences to be heard.
Authentic Representation
Small town stories provide a platform for authentic representation, showcasing the realities of life in these communities. This authenticity resonates with audiences, offering a break from the often-glamorized portrayals of city life in movies. The realness of the characters, their struggles, and their triumphs strike a chord, creating a more inclusive and relatable cinematic experience.
Diverse Storytelling Perspectives
The shift towards small-town narratives has introduced a variety of storytelling perspectives, enriching the film industry with diverse tales that might otherwise remain untold. These stories challenge stereotypes and offer a more nuanced understanding of places and people frequently marginalized or misunderstood in mainstream media.
Innovative Storytelling Techniques
Filmmakers exploring small town stories often employ innovative storytelling techniques to capture the essence of these communities. From unique cinematography that highlights the natural beauty of rural landscapes to narratives that weave together the folklore and traditions of a place, these films push the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
Economic Impact on Small Towns
Interestingly, films set in small towns can have a positive economic impact on the locations where they are shot. They bring attention to lesser-known areas, potentially boosting tourism and local business. This symbiotic relationship between filmmaking and location benefits the art of cinema and the communities that inspire it.
Fostering Community and Connection
Small town stories often center around community, belonging, and connection themes. These universal themes resonate widely, reminding viewers of the importance of human connections and the power of community, regardless of the setting. Films highlighting these aspects can foster a sense of unity and understanding among audiences.
Challenging Mainstream Norms
By bringing small town narratives to the forefront, modern films challenge mainstream norms and expand what is considered worthy of cinematic exploration. This shift not only diversifies the stories seen on screen but also challenges audiences to question and expand their perspectives.
The Future of Small Town Stories in Cinema
As the film industry continues to evolve, the importance of small town stories remains undeniable. These narratives counterbalance the urban-centric tales that dominate cinema, providing a refreshing change of pace and depth. The continued interest in small town stories signifies a broader desire for films that reflect the full spectrum of human experience, promising a future of cinema that is more inclusive, diverse, and representative of our world.
Incorporating small town stories profoundly changes the landscape of modern films. These narratives bring depth, diversity, and authenticity to cinema, challenging conventional storytelling and offering audiences new perspectives on the world.
As filmmakers continue to explore the rich tapestry of life in small communities, we can expect to see a broader, more inclusive representation of human experiences on screen. The shift towards these stories reflects a changing industry and society, which values the stories of all its members, regardless of where they live.
Entertainment
Three True-Crime Documentaries Coming to Netflix in April 2024
Time to snuggle with a cozy blanket and some popcorns!
Netflix has a wide range of TV shows and movies.
Alongside them, Netflix also hosts a lot of documentaries. It has a wide range of documentaries but the true-crime genre is the one that has its audience sitting on the edge of their seats.
There are various true-crime documentaries and docuseries on the platform, including American Nightmare, Girl in the Picture, Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, Tiger King, and Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer, among others.
In April 2024, various documentaries and docuseries are coming to Netflix. However, the three most anticipated true-crime shows are — What Jennifer Did, Crime Scene Berlin: Nightlife Killer, and Files of the Unexplained.
Here is all we know about it.
‘What Jennifer Did’
What Jennifer Did is an upcoming documentary directed by Jenny Popplewell, the creator of another famous Netflix documentary, American Murder: The Family Next Door.
What Jennifer Did digs into the frightening story of Jennifer Pan, who plotted to murder her parents. The crime, disguised as a heist gone wrong, unravels through police interrogation film and interviews, showing Pan’s network of lies leading up to the incident.
Pan is a Canadian woman who was convicted of a 2010 kill-for-hire attack on her parents, which killed her mother and injured her father. The crime occurred at the Pan house in Unionville, Markham, Ontario, in the Greater Toronto Area.
According to her exact account, several gunmen entered the house, forcefully retrained her and her parents, then shot them. Her father, Huei Hann, was sent to the hospital, and her mother, Bich Ha, died instantaneously.
A whole new image appears as the law enforcement personnel piece together the facts. Pan plotted the entire operation with her drug dealer boyfriend, Daniel Wong, whom her parents had forbidden her from dating.
This motivated her to seek his help and devise a plan to murder her parents. This threatening notion was carried out in the form of a burglary, with Pan as the victim. The documentary will also concentrate on her arrest and the legal processes.
What Jennifer Did will be released on April 10, 2024.
‘Crime Scene Berlin: Nightlife Killer’
As the name of the documentary suggests, Crime Scene Berlin: Nightlife Killer is based on true events that occurred in Berlin. The series examines the case of several odd and unusual killings.
In 2012, three guys were murdered and robbed in Berlin after being unintentionally drugged. While the murderer was called ‘The Darkroom Murderer’ at the time, just one occurred in a dark room at a homosexual bar in Berlin.
‘Crime Scene Berlin: Nightlife Killer’ will be released on April 3, 2024. (Source: Netflix)
However, the murderer did look for guys in and around the city’s party scene to prey on victims. Only when one of his targets survived his attack and the assassin attempted to purchase a train ticket with one of the deceased men’s credit cards did the inquiry begin to narrow.
Jan Zabeil and Caroline Schaper directed this true crime show and Netflix will begin streaming the series on April 3, 2024.
‘Files of the Unexplained’
Files of the Unexplained is an upcoming terrifying eight-episode docu-series that talks about strange encounters, weird disappearances, disturbing incidents, the mystery of mutilated feet washing up, and more.
This investigative documentary series examines genuine stories that defy explanations and talk about witnessing weird encounters and strange events.
Files of the Unexplained kind of dives into a similar area as its previous documentaries like Unsolved Mysteries, Haunted, and 28 Days Haunted. According to its plot on Netflix, the series is described as “Eerie encounters, bizarre disappearances, haunting events, and more perplexing phenomena are explored in this chilling investigative docuseries.”
The docuseries will be released on April 3, 2024.
Entertainment
‘Cowboy Carter’ — Everything You Need to Know About Beyonce’s New Album
The album will be released on March 29, 2024.
When Beyoncé announced her 2022 album Renaissance, she made it clear that it was merely the first installment of a multi-act body of work.
And now, after over two years of waiting, the singer has revealed that Act II is on the way — Cowboy Carter. Cowboy Carter, also known as Act II: Cowboy Carter or just Act II, is Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, set to be released on March 29, 2024, by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records.
It is the second chapter of Beyoncé’s trilogy project, developed during the COVID-19 epidemic, and follows Renaissance (2022).
The then-untitled album was first announced on February 11, 2024, during Super Bowl LVIII, when Verizon Communications aired a Super Bowl commercial, titled ‘Can’t B Broken,’ in which Beyoncé tried to ‘break the Internet’ by doing increasingly outlandish means — from releasing a jazz saxophone record and performing on top of the Las Vegas Sphere to building an AI version of herself and launching a “Barbey” doll collection.
After all of the ideas failed, Beyoncé closed the advertisement by saying, “Okay, they ready. Drop the new music.” Following the broadcast, the singer shared a preview video for Act II on Instagram.
The video paid tribute to the 1984 movie, Paris, Texas, which mentions border blasters, and incorporates Chuck Berry’s 1955 song ‘Maybellene.’ The singer’s official website was updated the same day, announcing her eighth studio album, Act II, which would be released on March 29, 2024.
The album’s two main singles, ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ and ‘16 Carriages,’ were then made available for digital download and streaming. On March 12, 2024, Beyoncé stated that the album would be called Cowboy Carter via a teaser poster with a western saddle and sash.
She released the album cover on Instagram on March 19, 2024, and teased surprises and collaborations on the album. On March 20, 2024, she unveiled a limited edition unique cover featuring a ribbon that says “act ii BEYINCÉ,” referring to a generational family surname.
On March 27, 2024, she unveiled the album’s tracklist via a themed poster. She shared a graphic on Instagram of the album’s tracklist, which was inspired by classic Chitlin’ Circuit posters.
Cover of Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, ‘Cowboy Carter.’ (Source: Instagram)
It includes the titles “Dolly P” and “Smoke Hour Willie Nelson,” implying possible collaborations with Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. Similarly, ‘Jolene,’ was written on the poster, which netizens believe is a cover or reinterpretation of the Parton’s song of the same name.
‘The Linda Martell Show,’ has also been mentioned on the poster, possibly referring to the first Black woman to achieve commercial success in the country genre.
The themed poster revealing the album’s tracklist has been confusing a lot of netizens. The following things have been mentioned on the poster, so possibly, these are the songs on the album.
They are — ‘Texas Hold ‘Em,’ ‘16 Carriages,’ ‘Ameriican Requiem,’ ‘Blackbiird,’ ‘Protector,’ ‘My Rose,’ ‘Bodyguard,’ ‘Daughter,’ ‘Spaghettii,’ ‘Alliigator Tears,’ ‘Smoke Hour Willie Nelson,’ ‘Smoke Hour II,’ ‘Just for Fun,’ ‘II Most Wanted,’ ‘Levii’s Jeans,’ ‘Flamenco,’ ‘Ya Ya,’ ‘Oh Louisiana,’ ‘Desert Eagle,’ ‘Riiverdance,’ ‘Tyrant,’ ‘II Hands II Heaven,’ ‘Sweet Honey Buckin’,’ ‘Amen,’ ‘Jolene,’ and ‘The Linda Martell Show.’
It looks like we will only get to know the collaborations and tracklist of Cowboy Carter after its release on March 29, 2024.
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