Gothic - Horizon

I took a look at books about Gothic coming out in the near future.

One that took my interest was Canterbury and the Gothic Revival by Lawrence Lyle, due to be released in 2013 (Lyle, L. 2013). I thought this was an interesting example because rather than looking at the Gothic revival as a whole, it is concentrating on how it affected the one city of Canterbury. This could also be a very interesting book to read because Canterbury is a very historic town most known for its cathedral.

(Okean. 2005)

Gothic Britain: Nation and Race, Culture and Criticism, 1708-1890 by Sondeep Kandola, due to be released in 2012 (Kandola, S. 2012). also interested me. Rather than looking at Gothic architecture it takes a look at cultural influences (literature, political and art) and how they shaped Britain.

True Blood: Investigating Vampires and Southern Gothic (Investigating Cult TV Series) by Brigid Cherry, due to be released in 2012 (Cherry, B. 2012). also interested me. This book takes a look at Gothic fiction, vampires etc, and Southern Gothic - which is a form of Gothic fiction concentrating on the South of America (Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2011).

From my research I've found that there are a lot of books coming out in the near future that represent an interest in Gothic both as an architecture and art form.

(Jay, P. 2010).

I wanted to look for some buildings that are currently being built in the Gothic style, but found it difficult to find. However I did manage to find an article on CBC (a Canadian news network) of buildings that are being worked on and renovated. In Ottawa some of the city's historical Gothic buildings are in disrepair and are being fixed by the government. The Wellington Building (pictured above) is due to be finished in 2015. (Jay, P. 2011).

I thought I would also have a look at the goth subculture and any music that may be coming out soon. I found through a search on HMV that the next album of Goth Industrial Anthems is being released in the near future. The website lists a release date of 01/01/2013 although I believe that it will be released sooner as the date seems like a placeholder. However this album still proves that in the near future Gothic rock will still be bought by people. (Cleopatra. 2012).

Dark Shadows is a film coming out in may 2012:

"A gothic-horror tale centering on the life of vampire Barnabas Collins and his run-ins with various monsters, witches, werewolves and ghosts. Based on the cult TV series." (IMDB. 2011. Dark Shadows.)

(Gallo, L. 2011).

This film will be heavily influenced from the 1980's TV show of the same named, which was influenced very much in the Gothic style. I was interested to see this film is coming out in the near future not only because of its story and setting, but also because it is being directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. Tim Burton has quite a history in making dark and heavily Gothic inspired films (such as Batman 1989) which should carry its influence over to this new film.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.
(Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. 2012). 

Another film that caught my eye was Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012). The title for a start sounds ridiculous,  however I was surprised to learn that it is based on a best selling novel (Grahame-Smith, S. 2010)! This film is again another great example of Gothic, (especially Gothic horror) being used in a film coming out in the near future. I was interested to learn that the story mixes in historical events of Lincolns life with the fiction that he hunted vampires during his spare time. I believe this makes for an interesting story, as I find 'alternate reality' stories very interesting (for example, "What if JFK was never shot".) - and a good example of this is the titles from Watchmen.

(Grahame-Smith, S. 2010)

Watchmen
(Warner Bros Pictures. 2009).

I believe that the examples I've shown prove that there are a few films coming out in the near future that prove an interest in Gothic and horror.

I want to look more a horror in media in the near future.

(Capcom. 2012).

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City  is a horror game coming out in 2012 which sets the player back in Raccoon City during the zombie outbreak. This is the same setting as the Resident Evil 2 &3 games, but the player now plays as part of the Umbrella Security Force, trying to cover up evidence of their involvement in the disaster.  I find this an interesting setting for the game. As a player it can be nice to revisit a location where you have previously played in a different game, but see it from another perspective. Whilst your playing you get the sense of what is also going on from the other games.

The Darkness 2.
(2K Games. 2012). 

The Darkness 2 is a sequel to The Darkness video game based on the comic books. The first game was quite popular and the sequel is highly anticipated between fans of both the game and comic. 

The Darkness 2. 

(2K Games. 2012). 

(Her Majesty's Theatre. 2011).

The Phantom of the Opera is playing at Her Majesty's Theatre in London with it's last booking on 28th April 2012. (Her Majesty's Theatre. 2011). I found this an interesting example of horror in the media in the near future. It's nice to see that classical horror, especially in the form of a theatre production, are still popular enough for people to go and see. I believe this form of media will continue for a long time, however I believe it will also decline in popularity as time continues and technology becomes more interactive.

This has got me thinking about what technology might be coming out in the future which will improve interaction with an audience and media.

Wii U.
(Nintendo. 2012).

The Wii U is the next console by Nintendo and aims to improve user interactivity by turning the controller into a touch screen tablet. Due to be released in 2012 it will also be compatible with the current Wii motion controllers.

"The new controller incorporates a 6.2-inch, 16:9 touch screen and traditional button controls, including two analog Circle Pads. This combination removes the traditional barriers between games, players and the TV by creating a second window into the video game world." - (Nintendo. 2011. About Wii U.)

Judgement Day

I had a look at Play.com for any items coming out in the future related to Judgement Day and found this:

Terminator T-1000 Statue.

(Play.com 2012). 

I was interested to find this statue, due for release 27th January 2012, because it shows that people are still interested in items from the film Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The figure is selling for £279.99! I believe that this figure and its price also show that the film is still popular today.

(Brandywine Productions. 2012).

Looking at Judgement Day or the Appocalpyse in films due to come out I found an interesting example. Prometheus (2012) (IMDB. 2011. Coming Soon.) is where a team of explorers find a secret to the origin of mankind and leaves them in a "terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.". This is a loose example of a Judgement Day or Apocalypse scenario based on mankind being wiped out by aliens, not a higher power.

(Agostini, D. 2011).

There is also lots of media attention on the Apocalypse which people believe the Mayan's predicted would occur in 2012. I found this article from ABC News which claims a recent discovery proves that the Mayan's thought the Apocalypse will occur in 2012. (Francis, E. 2011).

I also had a look at future video games featuring The Apocalypse.

(Ubisoft. 2012. I Am Alive.)

I Am Alive (2012):

"In the post-apocalyptic action/adventure I Am Alive, players are faced with thought-provoking choices in the role of a survivor on a journey to find his wife and daughter, who were lost during the "Event."". (IGN. 2011. I Am Alive.)

Metro: Last Light.

 (THQ. 2012).

Metro: Last Light (2012) is a video game set in a post Apocalyptic Russia and forces the player to fight for their survival journeying through the ruined cities. (THQ.com. 2011. Metro: Last Light).

Cults

I had a look on Amazon for books coming out about cults in the future.

(Reitman, J. 2012).

Inside Scientology (2012) by Janet Reitman is a book coming out in 2012 which will be discussing scientology. 

However the book I found that most interested me was:

(Lee, E. 2012).

"The origins of modern religion in human sacrifice, ritual cannibalism, visionary intoxication, and the Cult of the Dead Explores ancient practices of producing sacred hallucinogenic foods and oils from the bodies of the dead for ritual consumption and religious anointing Explains how these practices are deeply embedded in the symbolism, theology, and sacraments of modern religion, specifically Christianity and the Eucharist Documents the rites of Cults of the Dead from the prehistoric Minoans on Crete to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Hebrews to early and medieval Christian sects such as the Cathars Long before the beginnings of civilization, humans have been sacrificed and their flesh used to produce sacred foods and oils for use in religious rites." (Lee, E. 2012).

I found this book very interesting. I really like both the title and front cover picture of the book, and could possibly use it for a character or fraction in my IP. I believe from the books I have posted here I have shown a steady interest (although perhaps not as big an interest in the past) in cults and cult activities. 

Whilst looking on Play.com for items coming out soon related to cults I came across this music album from Blue Oyster Cult. 

(Blue Oyster Cult. 2012).

This album is being released on the 9th of January 2012. I found the name of the artist interesting, and thought the album cover was clever for matching the artist's name. I thought the picture of the album cover was quite weird. It's a bit unsettling having all the people in masks crowding around you, and could easily be a very spooky and disturbing image. However the blue tint to the picture and style it's been drawn in makes the image seem very tame and nonthreatening.