Real Fear 2: The Truth Behind (More) Movies Premieres Friday, September 6th on Chiller

NEW YORK – August 21, 2013 - On Friday, September 6 @ 9pm ET, Chiller presents the second installment of its successful Real Fear franchise with the premiere of Real Fear 2: The Truth Behind (More) Movies. In this two-hour special, paranormal investigators Richard Dolan, Katrina Weidman, John McGarry, Chris Holt and Becky Weingrad explore the terrifying factual stories that served as the basis for some of the scariest horror movies of all time. The team is also joined by renowned psychic Chip Coffey and paranormal researcher John Zaffis, who lend their expertise in analyzing the accounts.

Through exclusive eyewitness interviews and reenactments of actual events, the team will uncover even more unbelievable tales, including gripping evidence of the paranormal activity that inspired The Haunting in Connecticut; the eyewitness reports of a winged creature that led to The Blair Witch Project; the terrifying UFO abduction claim behind Fire in the Sky and the series of mysterious deaths that inspired the chilling classic A Nightmare on Elm Street. The movies may be fiction, but the fear is very real!

Real Fear is executive produced by Larry Landsman and John D'Auria for AEP Media.

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.

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.

Dead Souls 2012 - REVIEW

Ghost films have never really been my thing but for some reason I've been watching a TON of them lately. I know I'm way behind on this one but it's been trapped like a spirit with unfinished business in my DVR since it aired and I finally found time to sit and watch it. No matter how disappointing Can You Survive a Horror Movie was, you have to admit that Chiller TV has been pretty consistent with their originals. I really dug Steve Niles' Remains, Ghoul was entertaining and now we have Dead Souls.

On his 18th birthday, Johnny Petrie (Jesse James) learns he was adopted when he inherits a farm in Maine, abandoned for the 18 years since his natural family died at the hands of his father, the local preacher. Eager for a new life, he leaves home to start over in his new dwelling. However, as he digs into his past, he soon uncovers the horrifying details of his father's questionable teachings. In a frightening revelation, he also learns that his return has revived decades-old forces trapped in the home and sets in motion a heart-stopping finale to a ritual that already claimed the lives of his family.

We basically only have three, maybe four main characters to follow here as the rest of the cast kinda pop in and out as needed. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of acting in this film. Even the actors with less screen time gave it their all, which is important because even the slightest "I don't want to be here" attitude can screw up a film. James played his part very well and seemed to adapt easily to the dramatic changes his character had to go through. I'm not very familiar with Magda Apanowicz's work but she was pretty impressive herself as hard ass Emma. And of course you'd expect nothing less than perfection from veteran actors Geraldine Hughes and  Bill Moseley which is exactly what you get. Moseley is the paranoid retired Sheriff that was involved in the original case. He shows up about half way through the film to help fill in all the details. Hughes doesn't get as much screen time but does a good job portraying James' devoutly Christian mother who is dead set (no pun intended) against him discovering anything about his past.

Writer John Doolan, who also penned Remains, spent a lot of time developing the character of Johnny Petrie. As I mention above, his character goes through some pretty radical changes during the course of the film. In fact, he spent so much time on Petrie that we never found out anything else about the other characters. I don't think the film suffered because of it but it would've been nice to have some answers to Apanowicz's Emma. Why was she squatting in the house? What was she running/hiding from and why? They hint to her being a local because she knew the Conroy history but that's about as detailed as it got. We were given just about as much info on Moseley's character. A hint here and there about why he retired, a brief conversation between characters about him dabbling in the super natural.

I really got into Dead Souls. I thought Director Colin Theys did a good job crafting a very intense made for TV horror film. Granted, filmmakers can get away with a lot more graphic images these days. It's nice to see someone spook an audience subtly using only shadows and some creepy music. Speaking of creepy music, I don't think I've ever been as creeped out by "The Spider and the Fly" song as I was watching this movie. You'll hear it in the trailer below.
I've read a lot of negative reviews on this film and while it wasn't perfect, Dead Souls was definitely intriguing. Maybe I like it because I don't regularly expose myself to this type of film but who knows. It left me with a very uneasy feeling and I don't get those very often. If you're a fan of haunting type films, I'd say give this one a try. In my opinion it's definitely worth the 90+ minutes you'll spend on it. Or, if you're looking for a good "intro to horror" film, this would be one of those as they don't go real heavy on the scares or the gore.

Chiller TV Series Coming to DVD

A CHILLING COLLECTION OF TELEVISION TERRORS IN THE TRADITION OF THE TWILIGHT ZONE AND ONE STEP BEYOND! The television series Chiller was a five-episode horror anthology that aired in the UK in 1995.

Presented here for the first time in the U.S., these supernatural shockers feature malevolent spirits, a brutal serial killer and a haunted house set in contemporary England. Starring many of Britain’s leading actors like Nigel Havers (Chariots of Fire, TV’s Coronation Street), Martin Clunes (UK’s Men Behaving Badly), Sophie Ward (Young Sherlock Holmes) and Kevin McNally (Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series), this compelling collection will leave you chilled to the bone!

This TWO-DISC SET contains the following episodes:

PROPHECY
When a group of friends hold a séance in the basement of a London café, they each receive a prophecy. Five years later, the frightening prophecies begin to come true.

TOBY
Ray and Louise Knight tragically lose Toby, their unborn baby, in a car accident. Louise soon discovers she’s pregnant again, but a routine scan reveals she is not… even though her body feels like she is!

HERE COMES THE MIRROR MAN
A social worker helps a young homeless man but may die trying, when she discovers her predecessor was murdered under mysterious circumstances.

THE MAN WHO DIDN’T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS
Richard Cramer, a professional de-bunker of the paranormal, moves into Windwhistle Hall with his family, only to find themselves involved in a series of unexplained events and accidents.

NUMBER SIX
In Helsby, a small Yorkshire town, police search desperately for a child killer. Tied somehow to an ancient Druidic site, this killer may strike again at the next full moon.

Features:
Two-Disc DVD Set Containing All Five UK Television Episodes

Synapse Films will be unleashing Chiller – The Complete Television Series onto DVD this December 11th, and you can pre-order your copy here for $29.95 USD.

Left in Darkness 2006 - REVIEW

I found this film the other day on Chiller TV and I was apprehensive to say the least. Chiller is known for highlighting the lower budget B-movie but I've seen some pretty great ones on there as well. After a day or two I was finally able to sit down and watch it. I was extremely excited to see that one of my new favorite directors, Steven R. Monroe (I Spit on Your Grave 2010)had done it. What's more, composer Corey A. Jackson was also involved in this straight to DVD thriller.

On her 21st birthday, Celia (Monica Keena) and her friend Justine (Jessica Stroup) head out to a frat party. Celia is still struggling over the death of her Grandfather Joe (Tim Thomerson) and blames herself for the death of her mother during delivery. While at the party, she is drugged, raped and murdered. She awakens in the spirit world alone and understandably scared. Once she returns back to the main room, she is met by her Grandfather. But is it really him or is it a "Soul Eater", creatures that roam around outside the house who look human but can transform into a zombie type creature that corrupts innocent souls. Aided by Donovan (David Anders), her guardian angel, she tries to learn the rules of the spirit world, however as she goes on, she realizes that things in the spirit world aren't as they appear to be and she just may be in a place far worse than hell itself.

Anders is impressively precise and mature throughout. He delivers his lines with confidence which makes him extremely believable. Not to mention how well he pulls off the "Am I good or bad" part of his character. He was one of the best things in this film. The other? Why Tim Thomerson of course. He steals the show as the Soul-Eating Grandpa and commands the scene every time he's in it. Or maybe I'm just a huge Tim Thomerson fan... could be. Keena does her usual horror damsel thing well. I don't remember ever seeing anyone in a horror movie that is quite as good at crying as she is. This kinda makes up for her laughable running scenes. I was literally LOL'ing every single time she went running down the road. And WTF is up with her lips?? Monica, Monica why would you do that to yourself?? I had to rewind a couple of times to hear the dialogue because I was so distracted by her HUGE upper lip that never seems to move.

I'm sort of on the fence about this film. It was enjoyable and somewhat interesting, but I couldn't help but feel that it could've been so much more. Maybe with a higher budget or a better script we could've seen something really special. The plot structure was good but I think the dialogue really hurt it. There were several things I didn't understand AT ALL. We're taught (or at least I was) that when you die you pretty much stay at that age in your afterlife yet Anders character aged significantly since his death when he was eight.

Also are writers Philip Daay and Jane Whitney trying to tell us that everyone who dies is thrust into this limbo and given a choice between heaven and hell? I would hope death is a little more fair than that... On one hand you have Keena who is the victim. She's guilty of nothing more than too many botox injections and yet she still has to pass the tests put before her. On the other hand there's Doug (Chris Engen), a rapist and murderer who is given the same chance for redemption? I'm not sure that part was thought out well enough. The good news? Jackson excels at his part and does a great job at creating a tense and disturbing score. Monroe does his thing and as usual makes a lower budget film seem as if it had a budget of 4 million. He keeps it moving at an exhausting pace and creates a disorienting, nightmarish atmosphere. He is clearly becoming a master of darkness and shadow and does a great job at creating an ambiance of dread with little more than some incredibly effective mood lighting. As the lights go out, the suspense is amped up through what is happening and the race to get moving generates some good moments.

I'd say this one is good for a one time watch. It's nothing fantastic and it's not perfect (like me) by any means but it's entertaining. Don't go into it expecting to be scared or gross out. It's not really a horror film for gore hounds or those looking for a huge monster fest but it you want to see something a little different than the usual blood bath then it should do the trick. Just keep that in mind if you decide to watch it.