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31 May 2013

Hammer Partners with Bafflegab to Bring Downloadable Audio 'Hammer Chillers'

ORIGINAL DRAMAS NOW AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER AHEAD OF JUNE RELEASE

Hammer has announced a partnership with audio specialist Bafflegab Productions to launch 'Hammer Chillers', a series of original audio dramas, which will be available as six weekly downloadable episodes from June 2013.


Continuing Hammer's expansion into the development of original content, the first series of the all-new material comes from a host of acclaimed writers including Stephen Volk (The Awakening), Stephen Gallagher (ITV's Eleventh Hour), Doctor Who and young adult novelist Paul Magrs, stand-up comedian and writer Robin Ince and award-winning horror novelists Christopher Fowler and Mark Morris. 

Episodes are available to pre-order now at www.hammerchillers.com ahead of the 7th June release and are priced at £2.99 per episode. From the end of July, fans can also download the entire series as a package and order the series on CD which will include bonus material.

Writer Stephen Volk said: “Hammer films have been a massive influence on my writing from the days when I sneaked into the White Palace cinema in my home town of Pontypridd to see the likes of The Devil Rides Out and The Vampire Lovers. Now to be writing an audio drama under the Hammer banner is a dream (or nightmare!) come true."

Simon Oakes, CEO and President of Hammer Films and vice-chairman of Exclusive Media commented: "Hammer Chillers are a fantastic addition to the range of quality original content that we strive to produce and we're excited to welcome such celebrated authors to the Hammer family."

Bafflegab Productions Executive Producer Simon Barnard added: "Hammer Chillers will be every bit as terrifying as their celebrated cinematic counterparts. We are proud to partner with Hammer and hope that our tales take listeners on supernatural journeys that will make them afraid to turn off the lights afterwards."

ABOUT HAMMER
Originally founded in 1934, legendary British film studio Hammer has delivered a hugely successful run of films over the years including Dracula, Frankenstein Created Woman, One Million Years B.C. and The Vampire Lovers. Since 2008, the company has been part of Exclusive Media, which is reinvigorating this beloved global brand through investment across both traditional and new media.

Not in production since the 1980s, Hammer marked their return to features in 2010 with the release of the critically acclaimed Let Me In, an adaptation of the highly praised Swedish film Låt den rätte komma in. The film was written and directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) and stars Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road).

In 2011, Hammer released Antti Jokinen’s The Resident starring two-time Academy Award® winner Hilary Swank (Boys Don't Cry, Million Dollar Baby), Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Hammer legend Sir Christopher Lee, as well as the critically lauded Wake Wood directed by David Keating and starring Aidan Gillen, Eva Birthistle and Timothy Spall.

February 2012 saw the theatrical release of Hammer’s first ever feature ghost story The Woman In Black, directed by James Watkins, adapted by Jane Goldman from the book by Susan Hill, and starring Daniel Radcliffe. The film has taken over $130m worldwide making it one of the biggest indie horror films ever.

Hammer's next film release will be The Quiet Ones starring Jared Harris and Sam Claflin. The Woman in Black: Angel of Death which is a continuation of The Woman in Black story forty years on, will begin production in 2013 and star Jeremy Irvine (War Horse, The Railway Man) and Phoebe Fox (‘Black Mirror’, ‘Switch’).

Hammer also launched a book publishing imprint, Arrow Books, in Spring 2011 with Random House. Recent titles include Jeanette Winterson’s ‘The Daylight Gate’, Helen Dunmore’s ‘The Greatcoat’ and Tim Lebbon’s ‘Coldbrook’.

In addition to its upcoming films, Hammer recently diversified into live theatre, launching Hammer Theatre of Horror. Hammer’s first theatre project was 'The Turn of the Screw', based on the classic ghost tale by Henry James.

In late 2012, Hammer also signed a deal with Paragon Entertainment to develop, build and operate a series of UK based 'Hammer House of Horror' visitor attractions.

For further information about Hammer and its parent company Exclusive Media, please visit www.hammerfilms.com and www.exclusivemedia.com

ABOUT EXCLUSIVE MEDIA
Exclusive Media is a vertically integrated global filmed entertainment company, founded in May 2008 with the backing of the strategic investment group Cyrte Investments. Exclusive Media develops, finances, produces, markets and distributes prestige and talent driven commercial and documentary feature films on a global basis.

Exclusive Media is run by a four member Executive Board with Nigel Sinclair as Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Guy East as Co-Chairman, Simon Oakes as Vice Chairman and President of Hammer and Marc Schipper as Chief Operating Officer. Supporting the Executive Board in both the operational management and strategic expansion of the business is a strong team of highly skilled professionals who have a broad range of complementary experience.

Exclusive Media’s development and production activities operate through three specialist labels: UK based Hammer for genre titles, Spitfire Pictures for documentary features and the flagship label Exclusive Media for all other feature film production. Exclusive Media also enjoys a co-development and co-production deal with Cross Creek Pictures.

Exclusive Media’s international sales & distribution division maintains a strong marketing presence and represents the group’s in-house productions plus its growing library of almost 900 titles including the recently acquired library from Icon Entertainment International. The company also actively acquires third party feature films to further strengthen its international distribution slate.

The company launched a US distribution company, Exclusive Releasing and holds a minority stake in Millennium Entertainment.

For further information about the company, our slate of films, library and our experienced management team please visit www.exclusivemedia.com

ABOUT BAFFLEGAB PRODUCTIONS
Bafflegab Productions is an audio production company producing quality original drama and documentaries, established in 2006 by Sony Award-winning network radio producer Simon Barnard.

The company produces The Scarifyers, tales of comedic supernatural intrigue set in 1930s Britain, which has been acquired by BBC Radio 4 Extra. Starring such luminaries as David Warner, Brian Blessed, Leslie Phillips and Nigel Havers, the series has been described in the national press as 'a slice of audio perfection', 'the smartest and most enjoyable thing on British radio' and 'like Tintin but with the lights out.'

Bafflegab has also released Peter Cushing’s readings of his own autobiography and the Sherlock Holmes stories, and in 2013 launched a new series, Vince Cosmos: Glam Rock Detective, starring Green Wing’s Julian Rhind-Tutt as the eponymous hero.

Beneath Coming Soon to Chiller

Are you ready for another Chiller original movie? Keep an eye our for Beneath. The film directed by Larry Fessenden screened at the Stanley Film Festival earlier this month. Check out the synopsis and trailer below. I always dig a good creature feature so I'm kinda looking forward to this one!

Beneath Synopsis:
When a group of young friends commemorating their high school graduation take a trip to the remote Black Lake, their celebration turns into a nightmare with the sudden appearance of a bloodthirsty, underwater predator. Stuck in a leaking boat with no oars, the teens face the ultimate tests of friendship and sacrifice during a terror-stricken fight for survival. Beneath is written by Tony Daniel and Brian D. Smith, and directed by horror icon Larry Fessenden (The Last Winter, Habit). Produced by Fessenden and Peter Phok for Glass Eye Pix (Stake Land, The Innkeepers, I Sell The Dead).

Tune in Alert -- Chiller Presents First Ever Anthology Film

**TUNE-IN ALERT**
CHILLING VISIONS: 5 SENSES OF FEAR
PREMIERES FRIDAY, MAY 31 @ 9 PM

NEW YORK – May 22, 2013 – On Friday, May 31 @ 9pm, Chiller presents the debut of its first-ever anthology film, Chilling Visions: 5 Senses of Fear. The film comprises five unique – and hair-raising – takes on the human senses, each the vision of select up-and-coming writer/directors (including 20-year-old phenom Emily Hagins, who recently debuted her newest feature, Grow Up Tony Phillips, at SXSW 2013):

Smell: Nick Everhart (2012 Doomsday)
See: Miko Hughes (Directorial Debut; Actor: Pet Semetary, New Nightmare, Steve Niles’ Remains)
Touch: Emily Hagins (Grow Up, Tony Phillips; My Sucky Teen Romance)
Taste: Eric England (Madison County, Roadside)
Listen: Jesse Holland and Andy Mitton (YellowBrickRoad)

5 Senses of Fear is produced by Andrew Gernhard, Zach O’Brien and Colin Theys for Synthetic Cinema International.

Chiller is the only cable channel devoted to delivering viewers round-the-clock scares. Chiller’s eclectic slate of adrenaline-fueled, soul-stirring entertainment includes a broad offering of original movies and specials, genre films, documentary and reality shows (Fear Factor) and some of the most thought-provoking and suspenseful series ever on television (Pushing Daisies, Dead Like Me, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tales from the Darkside, Outer Limits). Chiller is currently available in over 42 million homes. To learn more, visit: www.chillertv.com. Chiller. Scary Good.

Truth or Dare Releases Behind the Scenes Video

Jessica Cameron’s Directorial Debut Wraps Principal Photography and Releases a Revealing Behind the Scenes Clip

The team behind Truth or Dare is happy to announce that their Indiegogo campaign is up and running after sorting out some technical issues. It can be found at their original link here: (http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/truth-or-dare--2/x/2061464). They have also wrapped principal photography and the film is currently in post-production.

Jessica Cameron has provided a fascinating behind the scenes video of some of her cast and crew as they view a horrific scene from the film. Watch as producer Buz Wallick, 1st AD Joshua Lou Friedman, and actress Heather Dorff react to the carnage on screen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20qQ8ZLzSR8

The storyline of the movie revolves around 6 college kids who find internet stardom when they make “Truth or Dare” videos with a violent twist. It is all fun and games until their number one fan decides he wants to play...

Jessica Cameron stars in the film, along with fellow Scream Queens Devanny Pinn and Heather Dorff. The film also stars Ryan Kiser, Brandon Van Vliet, Shelby Stehlin, and Jesse Wilson. The movie is produced by Jessica, Jonathan Higgins, and Buz Wallick from a script by Jessica and Jonathan.

Please remember to contribute and/or share their Indiegogo campaign to help them acquire their needed finishing funds!

You can find out more about “Truth or Dare” by checking out the links below:

Indiegogo: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/truth-or-dare--2/x/2061464

Website: www.truthordarethemovie.com

Imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2762738/?ref_=fn_al_tt_5

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthOrDareTheMovie?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FilmTruthOrDare

Strangehouse Books Releasing Strange Versus Lovecraft July 1st

Strange Vs Lovecraft synopsis:
"What happens when a group of the rowdiest authors of cult horror fiction take on one of the most iconic figures in the entire genre? STRANGE VERSUS LOVECRAFT features eleven of the absolute weirdest short stories set in the Cthulhu mythos you’re likely to ever read. From fish-mouthed prostitutes to undersea fast food restaurants and the house raping spawn of Yog-Sothoth, you've never read Lovecraft done quite like this. Next generation authors Kevin Strange, D.F. Noble, Jason Wayne Allen, and Jesse wheeler lead this shambling pack of pervert writers toward untold lows as they defile the sacred name of H.P. Lovecraft in this loving send up to the man who brought tentacles into the main stream.

Kevin Strange's Kindle single MCHUMANS drops June 15th with an EXCLUSIVE extra scene not found in SvL, while the full anthology rears its tentacly head piece on July 1st. 12.99 for paperback, 2.99 for eBook. Check out www.StrangeHouseBooks.com for more info!"

Stories compiled by:
Kevin Strange, D.F. Noble, Sean Ferrari

Edited by:
Sean Ferrari

Cover art by:
Chris Hamer
http://www.Urbnpop.com

StrangeHouse Books blurb:
"We are a publisher of the weird, the bizarre, the horrific and the Strange. Strangehouse Books is a small press publisher of horror and cult fiction. Our goal as a publishing house in the 21st century is to publish shit so deliriously fucked up, outrageous, and blindingly neurotic, that even a behemoth as large as the Hollywood machine couldn’t replicate our books. They can create enormous spectacle and spend hundreds of millions of dollars on special effects, so we as writers must work harder to create characters and worlds that force our readers’ imaginations to explode into overdrive, or be left as an obscure anachronistic afterthought in the footnotes of entertainment history."

Kevin Strange:
"Kevin Strange is a prolific underground filmmaker and author with six feature films, more than a dozen short films, as well as two full length books and many short stories to his credit. His second novel, VAMPIRE GUTS IN NUKETOWN was released in 2013."
Quick Facts:
-Kevin Strange's novella MCHUMANS exclusive kindle version released June 15th, 2013 with an extra scene for only 99 cents.

-Full anthology, STRANGE VS LOVECRAFT released in paperback and Kindle version July 1st, 2013 for only 12.99 in paperback and 2.99 on Kindle.

Relevant links:
-Official website:
StrangeHouseBooks.com

-Facebook:
Facebook.com/strangehousebooks

-Twitter:
Twitter.com/kevinthestrange

-Youtube:
Youtube.com/kevinstrange

-Amazon author page:
amazon.com/Kevin-Strange/e/B007NNH9NI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Additional materials:
-STRANGE VS LOVECRAFT Cover art:
http://www.strangehousebooks.com/images/bookcovers/svlwebcover.jpg

-Video trailer for Strange Vs Lovecraft:
http://youtu.be/aAZZZt5FdnA

-Animated web banner for Strange Vs Lovecraft:
http://www.strangehousebooks.com/images/svlwebbanner.gif

-MCHUMANS Kindle Single Cover Art:
http://www.strangehousebooks.com/images/bookcovers/mchumans01.jpg

6th Annual A Nightmare to Remember International Horror Film Festival

San Francisco, Ca. May 31, 2013 - Television Hostess Miss Misery (Movie Massacre, Last Doorway Show) is proud to present the 6th annual A Nightmare to Remember International Horror Film Festival showcasing nine short horror films and two trailers. The festival will be located at the Opera Plaza Cinema Theater in San Francisco on June 15th 2012.

Guests will include: Guest of Honor Jason Dube, owner of Scattered Comics. He is known for his amazing comic books Panda Days and  Shadow Hunters. Jason will be available in the lobby to answer questions guests may have regarding comic book creation.

Film Maker/Scream Queen Maureen “Mo” Whelan will also be making an appearance, making this her first time attending A Nightmare to Remember International Horror Film Festival and we welcome her with open arms. Several other independent filmmaker, writers and creators will be in attendance.

The night will end with an awards ceremony where the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive their Coffin Award!!

Programming for this year’s festival is as follows:

TRAILERS:
The Cohasset Snuff Film
The Can-Cannibals double feature

FILMS:
Hells Bells
A film by Chris Ackerman

Post Lifers
A film by: Darren Hutchings
Post-Life Productions

I’m Dead
A film by F. Picone

Wrong Number
A film by Patrick Rea

A Sin that Cannot be Forgiven
A film by Maureen Mo Whelan

Till Death
A film by Philip Chidel

Castidermia
A film by: Marc Carrete and Xavi Garriga

Cargols
A film by: Geoffrey Cowper

Alistair
A film by: Aaron Cartwright

Details regarding the event are below:
DATE: June 15, 2013
TIME: 7pm - 10pm
LOCATION:
Opera Plaza Cinema Theater
601 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco California

FEE: Tickets are $12 at the door

The first 20 people in line will receive a blood bag filled with goodies and a free raffle ticket to win some cool horror prizes such as toys, comics, and whatever we bloody well find.

For more details regarding the event please visit the festivals website at http://www.anightmaretoremember.com

26 May 2013

Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead 1994 - REVIEW


It's no secret to anyone that knows me that I am a HUGE fan of the Phantasm series.  For some reason part III has always escaped me.  Till recently I never really sat down and watched the whole movie all the way through.  Part of the reason I guess is that I really did not discover the series till the late 90's when the 4th installment was coming out and I started reading Fangoria magazine.  Fangoria seemed to praise the original in every issue it seemed, so I thought I would give it a shot.  It took me a few viewings of the original to really appreciate this as a great horror film.  The series itself is very odd and there are more "what the fuck" moments than most films like it but at the same time you can not find a creepier movie to watch.

Lord of the Dead picks up right were part II left off with Mike (A Michael Baldwin) and Liz (Paula Irvine) in the back of the hearse while Reggie (Reggie Bannister) is being attacked in the front seat.  The Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) ambushes them and kills Liz.  Mike and Reggie are surrounded by The Tall Man's minions and are about to meet their demise.  Mike is knocked unconscious and the Tall Man wants to take him.  Reggie prevents this by threatening to kill Michael.  The Tall Man does not like this as he says "I do not want him in pieces".  The Tall Man retreats and leaves them for the time being.  Reggie and Michael regroup for their journey to track him down again and finally stop him.  In the meantime they are jumped by a gang of survivors and bullies who take Reggie prisoner.  After this group meets their demise from a dangerous kid Tim (Kevin Conners) that is alone and guarding his house , the kid gets Reggie out of the trunk and teams up with him to find Michael again and The Tall Man.

I really liked the fact that they brought back the character of Jody (Bill Thornbury) from the original.  His character was always my favorite.  They also brought back the original Michael played by A Michael Baldwin.  If you remember in part II he was replaced by James Le Gros at the request of the production company and honestly I can see why.  I may be alone in thinking this but I preferred Le Gros over Baldwin.  Main reason being, well he is just a better actor in my opinion.  Nonetheless Baldwin did an OK job filling the role once again.  Last but not least who can forget Angus Scrimm with his portrayal of The Tall Man.  In my opinion he was as creepy and captivating as ever.

Don Coscarelli did a fantastic job with this movie and honestly it is my second favorite in the series.  I have heard this film catch a ton of critisizm over the years but I really don't see it.  I really liked the fact that they incorporated the spheres in the story a little more than the rest of the installments.  I love the spheres, they are the ultimate weapon that The Tall Man has.  The story itself was great.  It is much like the part II but not enough that you would say that they basically just did the same thing over again.  This story opens up a little more to finding out the secrets of The Tall Man.  Yet by the end I still found myself saying "what the fuck"!  Stay twisted everyone!




The Philip K Dick Science Fiction Film Festival Expands to France - PRESS RELEASE



THE PHILIP K. DICK EUROPEAN SCIENCE FICTION FILM
FESTIVAL SETS DATES FOR FIRST INTERNATIONAL EVENT

New York City's First Official Sci-Fi Film Festival Now Accepting Submissions And Expands To France As it Ventures Into Global Awareness

Brooklyn, N.Y. May 20, 2013 - The Philip K. Dick European Science Fiction Film Festival is taking its mission internationally as it honors oneof the literary world's most acclaimed geniuses. A three-day event will mark the first of many worldwide gatherings in the beautiful and historic Lille, France from October 25-27, 2013 at the famous L'Hybride Cinema venue. This unprecedented move will welcome an international
awareness to this remarkable festival and extend its celebration of Philip K. Dick to his countless fans who continue his legacy within the genre of science fiction.

The festival is now accepting submissions in science fiction and horror features and shorts. Writers and panelists will be invited to participate in this extraordinary event which will surely be one of many overseas. As further details become available the festival anticipates a successful event in its first global outing. The first New York City festival saw record crowds of over 1,000 participants for the exclusive screening of John
Alan Simon's Radio Free Albemuth which was based on Dick's 1985 novel posthumously published three years after his death. The weekend-long festival also held numerous film screenings and panels with Simon, esteemed professors Ronald Mallet and Enrique Ricardo Miranda, distinguished writers Angela Posada-Swafford, Walter Mosley and Dennis Paoli and science fiction experts Richard Dolan and Peter Robbins. The team behind the annual festivities will also pioneer its second annual event in December 2013 for a record five-day gathering and a spring 2014 cyberpunk festival in Tokyo.

The Philip K. Dick European Festival of Science Fiction, Science, The Fantastic, Horror and The Supernatural will delight its attendees with its entertaining and visually captivating themes which have made the event a favorable and continued success. The event will take place at L'Hybride Cinema at 18 Rue Gosselet 59000 in Lille, France. Contact the venue at http://www.lhybride.org. For film submissions, deadlines and contacts please visit www.philipkdickfilmfestival-europe.com and http://www.withoutabox.com/login/12654 and always be sure to stay informed of all ongoing announcements on the festival's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ThePhilipKDickFilmFestival and Twitter page at https://twitter.com/PhilipKDickFest.

About The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival:

The Second Philip K. Dick International Film Festival of Science, Science Fiction, Fantastic Film and the Supernatural and the first of its kind to grace the screens of New York City is organized by filmmakers who understand the difficulties and challenges of telling a unique story in a corporate environment. The year 2013 marks the second year of the festival which will expand it's genres of films, panels and venues throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. Guest speakers and writers that best represent the goals of the festival will attend the opening ceremonies. We look for original voices and visions in works submitted. Lastly, this is a festival by filmmakers for filmmakers.

22 May 2013

A Teaser Trailer Has Been Released for "A Grim Becoming" - PRESS RELEASE



A Grim Becoming stars Bill Oberst Jr., Jessica Cameron, Lynn Lowry, Melantha Blackthorne, Devanny Pinn, Michael Sciabarrasi and Brandon Williams.

Raphael is a young, bitter executive who is on the verge of losing a multimillion dollar architectural deal when a sudden death in his family forces him to return to his home town of Metzburgh.
As Raphael returns to Metzburgh, he experiences a life changing event: witnessing a Grim Reaper taking a soul. This sighting results in Raphael becoming a Reaper and having to explore his own conscience and the lengths he will go to get his own life back. But Death has other plans for the naive young executive.
Website: www.A Grim Becomingmovie.com (still under construction)
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2441174/
Teaser Trailer Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbGqgHWMQU0&feature=youtu.be

20 May 2013

Lead Actress Cast for Australian Film 'Barrow'


Psychological Thriller Slated to shoot Late 2013

Perth, Western Australia, 15TH May 2013 - Australian Film Directors Peter Gurbiel and Wade K. Savage are proud to announce they have cast the lead of their upcoming short film ‘Barrow’. 

Amanda Woodhams (‘Mental’, ‘Cloud Street’) will take on the role of Carly Jacobs, an aspiring forensic entomologist who must come to grips with the night her Father murdered her Mother.

The film is their second collaboration between both filmmakers’ Production Companies (Gurbiel’s Hometown Pictures and Savage’s Encryption Films). Savage will direct the script written by both Gurbiel and himself. Both will produce, with Gurbiel acting as the Executive Producer.

Woodhams had this to say on the news “Having worked with Wade and watched his craftsmanship grow with each new project I'm thrilled to be collaborating with him on Barrow. I'm also excited to work with Peter and other new creatives for the first time.”

Producer/Writer Peter Gurbiel also commented: “This is the second trip around the block for this creative team and I can’t wait to get stuck into ‘Barrow’ – another exciting venture into bold and visually stimulating drama. I’m personally pleased to welcome Amanda on board – her striking presence and keen sensitivity to the material is something I’m looking forward to watching unravel as we head closer to production.”

Director Wade K. Savage commented on Woodham’s Casting: “I’ve had the pleasure to work with Amanda on a short spec film I did in 2010 (‘Hunt’). She’s an incredibly talented performer with a succinct and amazing intensity – perfect for Carly.”

‘Barrow’ is funded through the Film and Television Institute’s LiNK Funding Scheme, with added support from ScreenWest.

The film is already in heavy Pre-Production with Principal Photography to take place later in the year.

Amanda Woodhams is represented by RGM Artist Group.

STORY SUMMARY

Twenty years to the day that her Father murdered her Mother, Carly Jacobs is returned her childhood jewellery box that had been confiscated with the police investigation. Initially providing little to unlock the mystery of that horrible night, Carly returns the box to her long abandoned family home where she finds that both time and memory are more connected than she could ever have imagined possible.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Amanda Woodhams’s roles have been praised, varied and widespread. She appeared in the Australian-Canadian television adventure series Stormworld, and the Showtime series Cloudstreet directed by AACTA Award winning director Mather Saville. She played the lead in Nakatomi’s feature film Sororal and recently worked alongside Toni Collette and Rebecca Gibney in PJ Hogan’s latest film Mental. She currently splits her time between Australia and Los Angeles.

Peter Gurbiel has written and directed several short films, including the anticipated ‘One Night Only’, also funded through FTI and ScreenWest. Currently developing key feature-length projects, ‘Barrow’ is his second collaboration with Wade K. Savage’s Encryption Films following their soon to be released production ‘The Owl’.

Wade K. Savage is an award winning theatre and film director. His short films have screened globally. His most recent short film ‘The Owl’ is in Post Production and is slated for a 2013 release. His previous film "Hunt" (2011) screened at the Bram Stoker International Film Festival. His 2010 short "The Dead Wastes" won the Night of Horror International Film Festival's coveted 'Independent Spirit' award.

Don’t Let the Riverbeast Get You! Coming to DVD May 21st, 2013


Don’t Let the Riverbeast Get You is the next independent horror film set to release from Brain Damage Films. You’ll believe in him when he starts to eat you!

About the Film

Don't Let The Riverbeast Get You! is from the same filmmakers who brought you Freaky Farley and Monsters, Marriage, and Murder in Manchvegas. Like those two films Riverbeast was shot in New England, and features local amateur actors doing their best with a wild script. This is true independent filmmaking--just a group of friends working long hours together, and draining their savings accounts in order to create an original and unforgettable feature film!

When they're not making movies, Matt Farley, Charles Roxburgh and Tom Scalzo are watching as many obscure VHS horror movies made in rural America in the 1970s and 1980s. These old movies provide them with inspiration for their own pictures.

Full Synopsis:

A vicious monster has arisen from its watery lair! It's the Riverbeast, and he's threatening a peaceful New England town. Local tutor Neil Stuart has seen the beast before, but nobody believed his story, making him the town laughingstock. Neil sets out to not only prove that the Riverbeast exists, but also, with the help of his beautiful pupil, scrappy tutor buddies, and a former professional athlete to vanquish the aquatic menace!

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTwKCkYLAgA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dontlettheriverbeastgetyou?fref=ts
Studio: http://www.BrainDamageFilms.com/


Gabriel Cushing at the Carnival of Sorrows Announces Kickstarter Campaign


David Curtis (Gabriel Cushing versus the Zombie Vampires, Terror of the Killer Carnivorous Coat) and Sam Herbert (Gabriel Cushing versus the Zombie Vampires , Loganwest’s stage production of Fame) return to battle evil forces in another action packed horror web series from The Great Escape!

Over eight parts, Gabriel Cushing (David Curtis) and his assistant Melanie (Sam Herbert) work to uncover the dark intentions of a cursed carnival troupe who prey on the souls of the living. Several unexplained disappearances draw them into an investigation, and as they delve deeper they reveal the carnival’s disturbing past and frightening portents of its future. Their every step hounded by demonic clowns, terrifying beasts, freakish living dolls and other twisted creatures, they must hurry to unlock the secret to stopping the troupe forever.

Following on from the web series’ Gabriel Cushing vs the Zombie Vampires (October 2012) and Gabriel Cushing: Strange Encounters (Autumn 2013), Carnival of Sorrows will be the third web series from producers The Great Escape. With a bigger cast, bigger budget and more ambitious story than ever before, this series will take the demon hunting duo of Gabriel and Melanie to new heights. Shooting will take place in and around Portishead, Bristol, during August 2013.

The project is currently featured on crowd funding service Kickstarter, where fans can get involved with the production of the series. The Kickstarter closes on 10th June.

Casting opens in June 2013 for a number of roles including major parts. Auditions will be held in Portishead, Bristol, or via video link.

Visit the production company website:
thegreatesc.com

Find out more about the world of Gabriel Cushing:
gabrielcushing.com

Please direct queries and correspondence to:
contact@thegreatesc.com- general
mark@thegreatesc.com- casting opportunities
chrissey@thegreatesc - sponsorship opportunities

18 May 2013

Dead Weight 2012 (REVIEW)


I recently had the pleasure of meeting John Pata, the director of the film Dead Weight.  We were talking and he told me the premise of the movie and the hardships they endured while filming.  For example just 3 days into shooting they had to scrap a location due to the fact a blizzard hit and they had to take cover nearby for nearly 2 hours while John himself and the other director Adam Bartlett rewrote the script to incorporate mother nature's little snowfall.  Call me intrigued!  I could not wait to return home and give this movie a viewing.

Charlie (Joe Belknap) leisurely sits down to have his morning cereal and read his magazine with no cares in the world at this point.  A frantic phone call from his girlfriend Samantha (Mary Lindberg) changes everything.  An apocalyptic viral outbreak has spread across the entire country and all hell has broken loose. Samantha and Charlie are a distance from each other and have a long journey to find one another.  We see Charlie join up with 3 other people that are trying to survive and travel as well.  Along the way they cross path with other survivors, some good some vicious.  Charlie also is dealing with his own personal demons that continue to weigh him down.  We see how Samantha and Charlie have come to this point through flashbacks throughout the film.  Will Charlie find her, or even live to get to that point?

I really have to say even though it was not planned to have it, the snow really added to the film.  The shots with snow on the ground were beautiful.  There is something about snow that really looks awesome, it adds more than if there was just mud or dead grass on the ground.  It really must have been a grueling shoot because it could not have been an altogether pleasent experience with the apparent freezing cold temperatures.

The story itself is well written and well played out.  This movie has somewhat of a Walking Dead thing going on with the groups of people traveling the land doing what they need to survive.  I have to say I am not a huge fan of movies with multiple flashback scenes but in this case it really puts a little more perspective on the storyline and what led up to the point were are characters are at now.  It's not hard to follow either, flashback scenes can do that but not here.  I would give the acting a thumbs up as well.  Probably not the best you will ever see but no one put in what you would call a bad performance.  Definitely recommend a viewing of this indie film.  Out of 10 stars I would rate this one a 6.  Stay twisted everyone!



17 May 2013

After Dark Films Announces Fourth Film in After Dark Originals 2 Series: Children of Sorrow


Los Angeles, CA (May 16th, 2013) ­ After Dark Films proudly announces the fourth film in its After Dark Originals 2 series (ADO2), CHILDREN OF SORROW. A film that delivers a petrifying look into a cult psyche. CHILDREN OF SORROW is directed by Jourdan McClure (Rogue River, Die Maniacs Die!), written by Ryan Finnerty (Rogue River, Smosh), starring Bill Oberst Jr (Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, Take this Lollipop) and Hannah Levien (The Palace Players) .

"We are so excited to welcome Jourdan McClure into the After Dark Family. He's an incredible talent. Children of Sorrow is such a thought provoking and disturbing film. It sparked many debates and was the cause of endless sleepless nights." -Stephanie Caleb, EVP Creative Affairs


Synopsis:

Simon Leach is a very, very sick man. Thriving on despair, pain, and panic, he unites a group of broken and desperate people in the middle of the desert. He showers them with the love and affection they're so desperate for, but Simon has a much greater plan for his followers.

"Belongingness can be a terrifying subject, even more so when acceptance is disingenuous. Children of Sorrow is the nightmare version of that." -Jourdan McClure, Director

About After Dark Films:

After Dark Films, an Independent motion picture studio, was formed in 2006 by director/filmmaker Courtney Solomon and Hong Kong based real estate magnate Allan Zeman. After Dark Films first motion picture film release was An American Haunting (2006) starring Sissy Spacek and Donald Sutherland. Co-founder and CEO Courtney Solomon wrote, produced, and directed this film under the newly formed After Dark Films banner. After the release of An American Haunting, partners Solomon and Zeman formed a multiyear marketing and distribution deal for Horrorfest "8 Films To Die For" between After Dark Films and Lionsgate Entertainment, with After Dark handling theatrical marketing & releases and Lionsgate handling the distribution of all ancillary forms of media (Home Video, Pay TV, Pay Per View). After DarkFilms released Horrorfest 4 in theaters on January 29, 2010.

Building on the success of Horrorfest, After Dark released the first 8 originally produced horror films in January 2011 under the moniker After Dark Originals. They are currently releasing the second series of films After Dark Originals 2 which is a combination of both originally produced and acquired films.

For more information about “AFTER DARK ORIGINALS 2,” please visit:
www.afterdarkoriginals.com
www.facebook.com/afterdarkfilms
www.twitter.com/afterdarkfilms

16 May 2013

Grindhouse Releasing Returns - PRESS RELEASE



GRINDHOUSE RELEASING RETURNS!

Pioneering Cult Movie Studio Announces New Blu-ray, DVD, Theater Plans

HOLLYWOOD - Grindhouse Releasing has announced CORRUPTION and AN AMERICAN HIPPIE IN ISRAEL as the first in a series of new Blu-ray, DVD and theatrical releases. Both movies will arrive on home video on September 10.

Founded by the late Sage Stallone (1976-2012) and Bob Murawski, Grindhouse Releasing has long been considered the Criterion of cult movie labels. In a span of seventeen years, the company has produced lavish restorations of such notorious titles as CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, Lucio Fulci's THE BEYOND, I DRINK YOUR BLOOD, PIECES, and many more to worldwide acclaim from fans and critics.

"Sage and Bob were pioneers in catering to the niche audience, and blazed a trail for all to follow," says Jay Douglas of CAV Distribution. "The anticipation for Grindhouse's return to the home video marketplace is incredible."

The release of AN AMERICAN HIPPIE IN ISRAEL and CORRUPTION marks the company's return to the video market after a hiatus of two years during which Academy Award-winning film editor Murawski was busy working on Sam Raimi's OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL. It is also the company's first release since the passing of company founder Sage Stallone.

"After two years in the yellow brick prison of OZ, I am back full-time at Grindhouse Releasing, proudly continuing the important work that Sage and I began back in 1996," says Murawski. "We have an incredible slate of mind-blowing films that will be coming your way soon on Blu-ray and DVD. And on the big screen in a theater near you."

Grindhouse Releasing has brought its films to theaters all over North America. In recent years, the company coordinated nationwide theatrical releases of such celebrated horror classics as Sam Raimi's EVIL DEAD and William Lustig's MANIAC (both remade in 2013). Grindhouse scored a hit on the midnight movie circuit in 2010 with its restoration of Duke Mitchell's long-lost gangster epic GONE WITH THE POPE, and now aims to do the same with the psychedelic nightmare AN AMERICAN HIPPIE IN ISRAEL.

"AN AMERICAN HIPPIE IN ISRAEL is already drawing huge midnight movie crowds in Tel Aviv, where it's become another ROCKY HORROR," says company theatrical director David Szulkin. "We plan to do a full theatrical run of the film in the U.S. to promote the film's release on Blu-ray and DVD."

The rarely seen, shocking British feature CORRUPTION, starring Peter Cushing as a mad surgeon, will hit Blu-ray and DVD on September 10. The Grindhouse Releasing special edition of CORRUPTION coincides with the legendary Hammer Films star's 100th birthday, and will be preceded by a series of theatrical playdates.

Four additional titles will follow in late 2013 and late 2014: Sergio Sollima's THE BIG GUNDOWN, THE SWIMMER, starring Burt Lancaster, Duke Mitchell's GONE WITH THE POPE and S.F. Brownrigg's SCUM OF THE EARTH (a.k.a. POOR WHITE TRASH PART 2). According to Murawski, the company's entire back catalog will also appear in new Blu-ray editions soon thereafter.

Visit Grindhouse Releasing on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grindhouse-Releasing/125392227536411

Watch the AMERICAN HIPPIE IN ISRAEL trailer on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPjz6Degumw

CORRUPTION trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m0VW4ON6LQ

BIG GUNDOWN trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ_CN7ECekQ

THE SWIMMER trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HuleRy4oh8

SCUM OF THE EARTH trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVxLB65faIY

15 May 2013

The IndieGoGo Crowdfunding Campaign Launches Today for "Desperate Dolls" - PRESS RELEASE




INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TODAY
-MAY 15, 2013

DESPERATE DOLLS

It has begun--the official campaign to fully fund the new film by Darren Callahan.

Horror. Hollywood. Retro.
Sex & Violence.

You know, the usual from Darren Callahan.

AND YOU CAN BE A PART OF IT!

For the next 45 days, the production will be rolling out advance media, posters, press releases, interviews, and a whole blitz to excite you about this movie.

VISIT
DESPERATEDOLLS2013.COM
FOR ALL THE DETAILS!
              or
Visit the INDIEGOGO page directly:
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/desperate-dolls


OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP!

If you can’t contribute, please stay involved. Spreading the word, friending us on Facebook and following us on Twitter, visiting the website, posting positive comments on videos, telling that guy you know who writes a horror blog – all these things are as appreciated as backing the project financially. We welcome contact from all of you and you’ll never find a nicer group of horror nerds than us.

WITNESS TO AN ACCIDENT: THE REMINDER!
Darren Callahan's Witness to an Accident will have two performances as part of the high-profile Dionysos Cup Festival of New Plays, sponsored by Polarity Ensemble Theatre of Chicago. Shows are Saturday May 18th and Thursday May 23rd. Both shows at 7:30 PM. For more details and tickets, please visit: http://petheatre.com/dionysia13.html



Scream Queens Victoria De Mare, Michelle Tomlinson, and Reyna Young Join The Divine Order

Los Angeles, Ca. May 15, 2013 - Scream Queens Victoria De Mare, Michelle Tomlinson, and Reyna Young aka Miss Misery have joined the cast of the Probell Films feature length psychological horror thriller The Divine Order. Victoria De Mare was dubbed by the media as “Hollywood’s Hottest Scream Queen,” Michelle Tomlinson has been listed on several “Top Ten Hot B Movie Actresses” lists, and Reyna Young aka Miss Misery has been labeled by the media as “The Queen of Horror in the Bay Area.” All three Scream Queens along with producer Maureen “Mo” Whelan have been featured on Screamqueen.com.

This past April 2013 Michelle Tomlinson was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Luckily, this is one of the most curable cancers and she has remained strong since the diagnosis. Her surgery is scheduled for June and she will be receiving additional treatment for the next following months. We ask for your support with her fight against cancer. She has started an on-line donation page to help with her medical bills and other expenses while she is recovering. Please visit the following page and donate today - http://www.gofundme.com/2vnpug.

Probell Films will be shooting a couple of scenes starring Michelle Tomlinson, Reyna Young, Andy Gates, and Uri Ryder at Five0Four Hollywood, a New Orleans themed bar and restaurant located on Hollywood boulevard in Hollywood, Ca. This location was chosen due to its atmosphere, location, friendly staff, choice of alcohol and delicious food.

The story of The Divine Order shadows a tightly knit cult in the aftermath of a mass suicide. The exception is a couple of strangers who refuse to “drink the Kool Aid” much to the ire of the Cults’ persuasive and controlling leader. The two surviving characters break out from the compound, which is in a high desert wasteland, to seek a second chance at life.

For more information about The Divine Order and its cast or crew please visit the IMDB page at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2690572 or the Probell Films website at http://www.probellfilms.com. For more details regarding Five0Four and their food / drink specials, please visit http://www.five0four.com.

12 May 2013

Django Unchained 2012 - REVIEW



Every now and then I like to review a movie that is really not in the horror genre.  Although many many horror fans are also fans of Quentin Tarantino.  One of the things that people appeal to Tarantino for is that he brings something new to the screen with every feature he presents.  It's never the same ole same ole with him.  The only thing you could argue that is the same is the gallons of blood that is spilled in all his movies and I don't think most people, well horror people, are going to complain about that.


The setting is the year 1865 and we see our main character Dr. King Shultz (Christoph Waltz) has just purchased a slave named Django (Jamie Foxx) from a couple of brothers that had a line of slaves they were taking home.  Dr Shultz used force to purchase Django.  He needs Django to point out a band of brothers that are wanted by the law.  Dr Shultz is a bounty hunter and he has no Idea what they look like but Django does.  Instantly Dr Shultz explains to Django that he is now a free man and not a slave.  After finding and killing the band of brothers Dr Shultz teaches Django about bounty hunting and is ready to help Django get his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) back from one of the biggest plantations around which is owned by the ruthless Calvin Candie (Leonardo Di Caprio).  Calvin Candie has a group of slaves that he uses for fighting and that is the in Django and Dr Shultz are using to get into Candieland and free Broomhilda.  From there is starts to get a little crazy.  Who will make it out of this deal alive?

After Inglorious Basterds I really did not think Tarantino could put together anything better than that.  Well he did!  Django is a fantastic movie that is extremely well written and as usual has quite an ensemble cast.  On top of the actors already mentioned there are also roles held by Don Johnson who I hadn't seen in anything for a long time, Samuel L Jackson, and even Jonah Hill for a smaller role.  The acting as a whole was fantastic.  The performances that stood out for me was Christoph Waltz and Leonardo Di Caprio.  Praising Leo for anything is hard for me because I am not really his biggest fan.  Guess I have to start realizing he is not the same douchebag that was in Titanic.

True to form of a Tarantino film there is blood everywhere in this movie.  Every time someone is shot the blood tends to splatter.  Maybe a little overkill at times but really can we expect anything less?  Something else that was quite interesting about Django Unchained was the diverse sountrack.  It was kind of surprising
that a film in the old west has rap, hip hop music and just an assortment of everything else.  Each tune that is played really goes with the film though, so it's not like it doesn't make sense. I would give Django 4.5 out of 5 stars.  The movie is a little lengthy at 2 hours and 45 minutes but I was not bored for a second of it.  Stay twisted everyone!


Compound Fracture 2013 - REVIEW

I had the pleasure of attending Texas Frightmare Weekend for the fourth year in a row. It's probably one of the best conventions I've been to. Not only is it very well managed but it's local which means once a year our little (read big) family of horror lovers get to reunite and hang out and have a great time. For me, it's becoming less and less about the guests and more about being with friends. This year we decided to get an early start and headed up on Thursday, which gave us the opportunity to go to the Compound Fracture screening at The Texas Theatre. Stars Tyler Mane and Renae Geerlings were on hand signing posters and posing on the red carpet with fans. It was really a great time.

Michael (Mane) left home when he was a teenager and never looked back. Now, after the death of his sister, Chloe (Susan Angelo), he's returning home with his fiancee Juliette (Geerlings) and his angst ridden nephew Brandon (Alex Saxon). On arrival, they realize that home isn't exactly what it used to be. With high walls surrounding the house and security cameras in every nook and cranny it's more of a military compound than anything else. Enter Gary (Muse Watson), Michael's estranged father who, while happy to be reunited with his son and grandson, seems more than distracted by other things. As the strange family reunion commences, an uninvited guest shows up and we learn bits and pieces about the real reason behind Chloe's death and why Brandon is so closed off from Michael. This fractured family will have to come together to fight the ghosts from their pasts and make it out alive.

I could talk about this cast all day long and I still wouldn't be able to express how phenomenal they were in this film. To have four iconic serial killers on one screen is more than epic casting. Mane, better known as the sadistic Michael Myers in Rob Zombie's Halloween films, shows us a softer side in Compound Fracture and delivers a performance that enables horror fans to see what an amazing actor he truly is. He brought depth and believability to family man Michael. Derek Mears, AKA Jason in Friday the 13th, returns to his roots as a tormented evil spirit determined to exact revenge on the Wolffsen clan. As we all know, Mears knows how to do tormented, twisted and evil and he knows how to do it well. Watson shows that his talents go way beyond just stalking teenagers in I Know What you Did Last Summer. His portrayal of the a father with a rapidly diminishing mind struggling to make everyone believe he's still lucid is both touching and impressive. Let's not forget Mother Firefly herself Leslie Easterbrook who does a complete 180° with this character. She's soft and sweet and meager in Gary's shadow but also his rock during the bad spells. Her life in turmoil, she wants nothing more than to keep her family together and she plays it to perfection. Geerlings and Saxon also give stellar performances as the two clueless newcomers. One longs to be part of the family and the other just wants to get away. With this cast of characters, it can only be amazing.

Where most films of this type fall apart is where Compound Fracture flourishes. Writers Mane and Geerlings made sure they had strong, solid characters that their audience would care about. As each layer of the film is peeled back, the viewer is drawn deeper and deeper into the story itself. Director Anthony J. Rickert-Epstein also does a great job propelling the story forward at the right moments. In the end, Compound Fracture comes together nicely and ends up being an impressive supernatural tale. This being the first production from Mane Entertainment, I see nothing but grand things in their future.