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27 September 2011

PRESS RELEASE - SEGA and After Dark Films Giveaway


SEGA® of America, Inc. and After Dark Films have partnered up for an exciting giveaway. Ten copies of the newly released game, Rise of Nightmares, for your Xbox 360® with Kinect™ is up for grabs on our Facebook page and Twitter account (one game per winner).

If you can’t wait to have the Rise of Nightmares game now, we don’t blame you!!! Please visit www.riseofnightmares.com to purchase.

RISE OF NIGHTMARES GIVEAWAY PROMOTION

This exclusive giveaway runs from Thursday, September 22nd to Wednesday, September 28th @ 11:59pm on Facebook and Twitter. Five Facebook winners and five Twitter winners will be notified via e-mail by October 5th for a total of ten winners. Here are the details:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/afterdarkfilms/

Go to our After Dark Films Facebook page, and if you haven’t done so already, be sure to “like” us. On the Rise of Nightmares tab you will find the sweepstakes rules, and the email address where to enter. On the subject line please write: Rise of Nightmares Giveaway. Five winners will be randomly selected by Oct 5th.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/afterdarkfilms

To win, first make sure you're following us on Twitter. Then, tweet a response to this question: What is your worst nightmare?

Be sure you include @afterdarkfilms and the URL www.riseofnightmares.com. Limit one (1) entry per person and/or per Twitter account. You must be following us on Twitter to win. Five winners will be randomly selected by Oct 5th. One tweet per day.

Here’s a sample tweet:

@afterdarkfilms My worst nightmare was when all my ADF movies were destroyed www.riseofnightmares.com


After Dark Originals new DVD now on sale!

After Dark Originals latest movie, 51, directed by Jason Connery and starring John Shea, Bruce Boxleitner, Jason London, Vanessa Branch and Rachel Miner, is out on DVD now. To purchase or for Digital Downloads visit: www.facebook.com/afterdarkfilms/




And don’t forget The Task and Scream of the Banshee are available On Demand or here, check your local listings:


The Task
on Amazon.com








Scream of the Banshee on Amazon.com

10 September 2011

Summer School 2006 - REVIEW

Being a horror film reviewer is pretty interesting. Some people do it as a job and some people do it as a hobby. In other words, some people get paid and I don't. Bummer? Yes. But who cares. I get to watch really cool films (sometimes) by really cool people (some of them) and I enjoy it (always). Some might say I'm overly critical but I like to think I'm just brutally honest. And why not? Why would you want someone to sugar coat it and tell you your film is good when it's clearly not? If you're opening yourself up for critique you should put on your big girl/boy pants and just take it. Good or bad.

Having spent the last three days watching crappy B grade horror films, to catch up on his website movie reviews, Charles (Simon Wallace) attempts to attend his first day of Summer School. All he wants to do is get his Physics class out of the way before starting senior year. Attending Summer School as well, by court order no less, are two of Charles' friends Dennis (Lance Hendrickson)... no, not THAT one... and Steve (Tony D. Czech). Also his crush Lindsey (Amy Cocchiarella) appears to finally be noticing him. If his teacher, Mrs. Wickham (Jennifer Prettyman), doesn't drive him insane what lurks in the school just might.

I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of talent in this film. Especially considering when you're working with a super low budget, one bad apple really can spoil the bunch. Wallace did a pretty stellar job. He was convincing and believable as a teenage horror reviewer who has seen one too many and ends up losing his grip on reality... or does he? Even the supporting cast was really good. Hendrickson and Czech banged it out as the goof ball buddies and while we're on the subject... Hendrickson's smile reminded me so much of Corey Haim in the 80's. Don't ask me why because I really couldn't tell ya. BUT, if it had been genetically possible for Corey Haim and Corey Feldman to have a love child, it would look like Hendrickson... ok, maybe that's not the best way to describe him but that really is a good thing. I thought he was a cutie! Cocchiarella went in and out of the different characters she was playing like a pro. I don't think you can really ask anything else from such a green cast.

Each 15 minute segment pays homage to a different genre of horror. You have cults, monsters, slashers, nazis, hillbillies and vampires and they hit it dead on every time. From the lighting to the mood, to the colors they used and the characters they developed, it's what horror really should be. Not only did they manage stay true to the look and feel of the different sub genres explored, but they successfully tied each segment together in a believable way all while keeping the viewer (ME) entertained. The effects were really well done. It's not one of those films where they just threw in a gut slice to get a shot of entrails falling out. They use it where it's needed and there's just enough to satisfy even a Gore Whore like myself.

In my opinion, what was done with this film was pretty phenomenal. There were six different segments of the film written and directed by a total of five different people... Ben Trandem, Hendrickson, Steven Rhoden, Troy McCall and Mike P. Nelson. You would think with so many minds working at once, things would get lost in translation and become just a mess of cluttered ideas but it never does. The writing and directing of each segment fall together so well that you'd never know they were done by different people. This kind of idea would never work in Shittywood, I mean Hollywood. I don't think it would ever be possible to get that many egos in one film and actually make it work. Not to mention the fact that the budget for this entire film was a meager $8,000.00. This is a film made BY horror fans, FOR horror fans and if you get the opportunity to watch it, do it.

07 September 2011

PRESS RELEASE - Monstermatt's Bad Monster Jokes Vol. 1 Gets Release Date


Book publisher Pill Hill Press,is pleased to announce an official scheduled release for "Monstermatt's Bad Monster Jokes Vol.1", written by Monstermatt Patterson,
illustrated by Kyle Kaczmarczyk, with an introduction by Joe Moe and an afterword by Pat Tantalo, for their non-fiction imprint, WestNeb Books.

WestNebBooks acquired the book from it's previous publisher, during a brief and successful run,with both critics and readers alike. Some changes have been made to the book, including some added content.

"Monstermatt's Bad Monster Jokes Vol.1" is a self described collection of over 400 badjokes, rancid rhymes, putrid puns and sophomoric song parodies, with illustrations, focused on horror films, monsters, sci-fi, superheroes and some popculture for good measure.

According to Pill Hill Press and WestNeb Books editor Jessy Marie Roberts, September 21st, 2011 is the scheduled release for Volume 1. Just in time for Halloween! Volumes 2 and 3 are currently being written with no release dates yet for the follow up editions.

Monstermatt has written over one thousand bad monsterjokes and this first volume gives you a sizeable introduction to the humor that resides within. The marriage of the jokes to Kyle Kaczmarczyk's insightful illustrations are what has fans waiting for more!

What can readers expect?
Bad jokes like:

Does the 666 on Damien Thorne's scalp mean he's the Devil?

No, it's his "Credit Score"!

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Why was The Wolfman mad at his H.M.O.?

They wouldn't pay for his "flea dip"!

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Where does H.P.Lovecraft like to shop?

Bed, Bath & "From Beyond"!

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What coffee drink does The Phantom of the Opera like?

La lalalalalala, latte!

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Sophomoric song parody lyrics like:


"My Zombie Valentine"
"Intestines"
"Monsters in the Night"

And many, many more...


According to duo the book is acting as an introduction to the horror genre for newcomers while entertaining those already familiar with it. Jokes and illustrations about Frankenstein and Dracula to jokes about "The Manitou" and "Basket Case" even "The Human Centipede" are turning many a newcomer into a horror buff. The duo has heard feedback from readers that watched "Dead Snow" and some other notable films due to the book.


The jokes and song parodies have been used on horror podcasts like:

RueMorgue Radio
Screamwave Podcast
RottingFlesh Radio
Tomb TV with Tomb Dragomir


And more. This has helped to build a growing following of Maniacs(fans).

As the Emcee of Buffalo MonsterFest 2010, Monstermatt got a chance to field test his brand of humor-a mixture of Mad Magazine/Famous Monsters/Benny Hill/Borscht Belt Comedy finding that what produced groans from the audience felt delicious to him!
With Kaczmarczyk at the drawing pad, illustrating sight gags he knew they had something "ghoul" going on that could entertain, enlighten and grow on the reader.

Some notable names from the horror genre weigh in on the book:

"I wrote this blurb so Matt would stop the Pun-ishment."

-Rodrigo Gudino, Rue Morgue Magazine

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"I tried very hard to find anything remotely amusing or anything that might induce at least a chuckle from this 'Joke Book' but was unsuccessful. In fact it actually 'scared' me how corny it is and that is hard to do to me! At least you have the guts. Congrats!"

-Tony Moran, The Original Michael Myers (Halloween,1979)

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"You can open any page of this book, read one line and feel intense pain throughout your entire body. I'm in awe."

-Joe Bob Briggs, Drive-In Critic & Host of MonsterVision

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Here's what the Monsters themselves are saying about the book.


"Monstermatt's jokes are Good! Bad Good!

--Frankenstein's Monster


"Monstermatt's jokes are a pain in the neck"!

--Dracula


Kyle Kaczmarczyk's illustrations had me howling!!

--The Wolfman

"As soon as we opened the book, we knew we'd have a double headache"!

--The Thing with Two Heads

Critics also had something to say about the book:

“I laughed, I groaned, I shook my head in disbelief! I highly recommend this book!”

The Monster Librarian

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“The book is purely enjoyable."

Sonar 4 Landing Dock Reviews.

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“You’ll go back to the beginning and start reading it again! A very enjoyable read by two rising stars!”

Pissedoffgeek.com

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"Monstermatt delivers countless yuk-yuk monster jokes while bringing horror goodies(and music) through the grue."

The Horror Fiction Review

A perfect book for the Halloween season, Monster lover, horror curious and more!
The book will be available at major online book retailers. For more information and updates, or to keep up with Kyle, Monstermatt and PillHillPress, follow them on Twitter at:
www.Twitter.com/zombieinkcomics
www.Twitter.com/1monstermatt
www.Twitter.com/pillhillpress

PRESS RELEASE - Pre-Order Raymond Did It


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Raymond Did It

Rockford, Illinois-based Plastic Age Productions is pleased to announce that our first feature length film, Raymond Did It, is NOW AVAILABLE for preorder on DVD!

Raymond Did It is a slasher film in the tradition of Halloween and Prom Night. When twelve-year-old Bryce Rourke (Trent Harr) is accidentally killed in a playground scuffle, his friends decide to blame Bryce's developmentally delayed older brother for the accident. Raymond (Kyle Hoskins) is taken to a state hospital while the true killer walks free.

Six years later, Raymond escapes from the hospital to seek bloody revenge for his brother's death.

The UNRATED DVD will be released on November 22nd. Fans can preorder a signed copy from writer/director Travis Legge at the Aegis online store.

Signed copies ordered by October 15th will ship by Halloween!

Raymond Did It stars Lindsay Felton (VH1 Scream Queens, Caitlin's Way), Jessica Palette (Vh1 Scream Queens, Under the Raven's Wing), Elissa Dowling (Dahmer vs. Gacy, Dread), Steven Edwards, Jake Skiba, Ty Yaeger, and Kyle Hoskins as Raymond.

Written and Directed by Travis Legge

Director of Photography Tim Stotz

Edited by Robert J. Williams

For more information, trailers, clips and news, visit http://www.raymonddidit.com

You can also like Raymond Did It on Facebook and follow writer/director Travis Legge on Twitter.

PRESS RELEASE - The Dead Hour Season 2 Teaser Trailer Released

The first teaser trailer for the new season of the horror webseries "The Dead Hour" has just gone live at:



"The Dead Hour" is an indie horror anthology series filmed in Omaha, Nebraska. The show centers around a mysterious and sexy radio DJ who brings her audience dark and twisted tales each night. The first season launched last fall and webisodes can be seen exclusively at www.thedeadhour.com. Season 2 is currently in production and will feature nine new episodes that will premiere this October also exclusively on the site.

More news, updates and behind the scenes features can be found on our Facebook page at.

Daniel Iske

Director/Executive Producer

The Dead Hour

www.thedeadhour.com

01 September 2011

The Killing Jar 2010 - REVIEW

What pulls you (as a viewer) into a film? Is it the title? The look of it? How about who directed it or stars in it? Word of mouth? For me, it's a combination of things. I don't really rely much on word of mouth because frankly, I don't trust people. I know that sounds shitty but it all boils down to opinions and unlike some people, I wanna be able to form my own :) Again, probably shitty but hey, does anyone really care? I'll answer for you... no. Back to my point, the cast of a film plays a major part in whether I choose to watch it or not. Without a solid cast, even the most well written script with the best director will suck.

Seven people are passing time one late evening at a small roadside diner in the middle of nowhere. Among them are Noreen (Amber Benson), a waitress trapped in a loveless marriage; John (Harold Perrineau), a melancholy salesman; Hank (Kevin Gage), a quiet guy with a secret; Lonnie (Lew Temple), a small-town cop; and Jimmy (Danny Trejo), the ill-tempered owner. When a radio reports the disturbing murders of a family in a nearby county, the patrons immediately suspect new arrival DOE (Michael Madsen) as the killer. A bloody confrontation ensues, and the patrons become hostages as the troubled Doe decides their fates. As secrets are revealed, the desperate survivors slowly realize that one of the hostages may be even more dangerous than their captor.

This is the kind of cast I eluded to before. I don't know about you guys but I would sit and watch Michael Madsen read the phone book for 90 minutes. He is THAT good! While we're on the subject of good, Harold Perrineau plays his part extremely well. Which isn't surprising after seeing him in Oz but honestly, I was certain Madsen would outshine him but he held his own and gave a great performance. It would take two days for me to point out each and every good point about this cast so I'll just say it like this... Benson did a bang up job as the female lead. Temple, Gage and Jake Busey rocked it out and even though he only spent 5 or so minutes on screen, Trejo was greatness!

Even with a B-movie star studded cast, I didn't have very high expectations for this film. Making the choice to watch something based solely on the who's in it can sometimes back fire and leave you wishing you could un-watch it. I mean let's face it, even the BEST actors have made some stinkers. Fairly fresh faced writer/director Mark Young pulls together quite the entertaining little film. Some of the dialogue is a bit predictable and maybe kind of cheesy in spots but it only adds to it's charm. It's very well paced and Young makes sure it stays that way throughout the entire film. I think it's fair to say it starts off a little slow. Young uses the first 20 minutes or so to build up the story then slams you with plenty of tension and violence to hold your attention for the remaining 72 minutes.

I've read some really nasty reviews about this film so I know I'm not really in the majority here but I really liked this one. It has just the right mix of everything to make it a very solid Indie film. Indie film lovers will like it for it's simplicity and artsy transitional shots. Hardcore film lovers will probably figure out the twist (I did) but again, it doesn't take away from the charm of it. It's definitely a must see for Madsen fans. I would most definitely recommend it to others and given the opportunity, I would watch it again in a second.