Fetish Dolls Die Laughing 2011 - REVIEW

Director: David Silvio Stars: Laura Romeo, Michael McGovern, Aaron Bernard, Tiffany Apan and David Dietz Being raised on 80s and 90s Direct to Video horror movies is one thing that I tend to pride myself on. Then it seemed like with the invent of DVDs that the DTV faded away for a while. However in my neck of the woods I am happy that I have access to several indie filmmakers that fill this void in my life.
So from the moment I saw the title of this movie, I felt nothing but nostalgia from my youth and knew that for better or worse I had to watch this movie.

Most people upon first viewing of this film will dismiss it as either not having enough horror or not including enough fetish. Even I was guilty of this. However it wasn't until my seconding viewing that I discovered that the movie has more going for it than what appears on the surface. It was also during my second viewing that I realized that this isn't really a horror movie, but more like an extremely off beat film noir that caters to foot fetishists.
So if your movie watching habits are anything at all like mine, and you have a healthy appreciation of all things that are bizarre and unique you must give this movie a chance. I mean really, where else will you see a movie that features a villain called "The Tickle Monster"? You know as well as I do that you aren't. Available on DVD on April 24th, 2012 you can pre-order here from Amazon.com.
Reviewed by: pourthegas

zD3 Announces DVD Release Dates

z-Diet-3 Productions (zD3), an independent production company based in Pittsburgh, PA, today announced that two of its feature films will be released on DVD this coming April.

Both Indemnity: Rage of a Jealous Vampire (zD3's first fully produced narrative feature) and Fetish Dolls Die Laughing (which zD3 co-produced in association with Pittsburgh-based Kiss of Death Productions and Theatre of the Night) will be released April 24, 2012, through Califormia-based distributor World Wide Multi Media (WWMM), which is associated with Warner Brothers.

"This is what it's all about," said zD3 founder David Dietz. "Producing a film is a monumental undertaking to begin with. But, actually getting it distributed can be an even greater challenge. We're extremely proud of this accomplishment."

Although many other independently produced films have also been released on DVD, what makes zD3's story unique is how the distribution deal came about:

"It might not have happened at all... if it weren't for Facebook!" Dietz said.

Dietz said that while he was finishing post-production work on Fetish Dolls Die Laughing (that is, editing it and adding music and special effects), he began spreading the word about his own recently completed film Indemnity on the social networking site.

Dietz explains: "I basically started connecting with the horror film community on Facebook. That led me to several film bloggers. I sent those bloggers screener DVDs to review, which they did - most favorably, I might add. And one blogger ended up becoming Acquisitions Director at World Wide Multimedia."

Once WWMM agreed to release Indemnity, Dietz said he felt confident enough to approach the company about Dolls... as well. Now, he says he's ready for horror fans to see the results of his efforts.

"Every filmmaker wants their films to reach the widest audience possible. Hollywood has its system down pat. So, indie producers like me have to be just a bit more creative about getting their films out. Thankfully, sites like Facebook are making it possible!"

Indemnity concerns a young man on the run (played by Dietz, who also wrote and directed), who takes refuge in a rural saloon, where he finds a sympathetic bartender named Joe (played by Dan I. Radakovich). As the evening progresses, the young man opens up to the bartender over several drinks. But as the details of his story unfold, Joe wonders if the young man is merely a victim of circumstance… or if he’s hiding a much darker secret. Also among the cast are former indie pro wrestlers Seth James and CJ Sensation (ne: Craig Stevenson); and Crystalann Jones stars as a lethal femme fatale named “Angela.”

In Fetish Dolls Die Laughing, a button-down homicide detective (play by Laura Romeo) is forced to go under cover in the seedy underworld of internet fetishists, where a series of bizarre and grisly murders have occurred. The trail of bodies ultimately leads her to submissive photographer (and internet entrepreneur) Billy Tagg (Michael McGovern, who also wrote the screenplay) - who has become the latest vessel for an ancient, malevolent entity called "The Tickle Monster." David Silvio is the film's director and his wife Diana (who also acts in the film) is the producer.

Dietz says that although seeing the films distributed is a great joy, he is by no means resting on his laurels. He says that zD3 is currently finishing a docu-drama about Amelia Earhart that will be released later this year, and plans to produce another film in the same vein as Indemnity. zD3 is also collaborating with Kiss of Death Productions on a film called I, the Killer and with Eerie Frequency Entertainment on a film called Driving Nowhere.

Both Indemnity: Rage of a Jealous Vampire and Fetish Dolls Die Laughing are now available for pre-order from Amazon.com.

Indemnity 2010 - REVIEW

There's an old adage that says "Anything is possible if you put your mind to it." Let's explore that a bit... Is anything possible if you put your mind to it?? I suppose so. I mean even William Hung made an album, M. Night Shyamalan makes an ass load of money with every shitty movie he makes and some people actually give a shit what I have to say so hey, I guess anything really is possible.

That said, I don't know where this "anyone with a camera can be a filmmaker" thinking comes from. I guess with the advantages of social media and all that it encompasses it IS easier to get your stuff seen. But, there are clearly people making films, independently produced and studio produced, who shouldn't be. Another adage that comes to mind is "Don't quit your day job."

What I do LOVE about indie filmmakers and their use of social media and things of that nature is that eventually the cream will rise to the top. Yes, it takes a lot of hard work and it's definitely not always easy to raise the funds that are needed to get it done. So, even when I see a bad indie film, I still have a certain respect for the people that worked hard and brought that script to life. Am I contradicting myself... probably just a little but it's the same like any other would be profession. Just because you're not that great at it, doesn't mean you didn't try your hardest and in my opinion YOU DESERVE A FREAKING COOKIE! But I don't have any, come back later.

William (David Dietz) thought he’d finally found the love of his life, but something went horribly wrong. Now, he finds himself alone and on the run – pursued across the country by a woman consumed with rage, who now only wishes to see him dead. And heaven help anyone foolish enough to get in her way! Taking refuge in a rural watering hole, William finds an unlikely ally in Joe (Dan I. Radakovich), a bartender battling his own demons. But as William opens up to him over several drinks, Joe begins to wonder if the stranger is simply a victim of circumstance… or if he is hiding a much darker secret...

Dietz himself gives the best performance of the fairly green cast. Did I mention that he was also the writer, director, producer and editor on this project? No, well he was. I thought Radakovich did a pretty good job too. Occasionally his lines seemed a bit unnatural but not so much that it was distracting. For me, Crystalann wasn't very convincing. Given that she's suppose to be a scorned lover out for revenge, I expected to see one pissed off vengeful bitch. But I didn't get that. Wow, never thought I'd hear myself say someone NOT being a bitch was a bad thing.

The biggest issue I had with this film was that some of the scenes, especially the dark ones, were horribly grainy and had too much of a blue tint to them. I'm not sure how that all works as I've never had to render or edit a film, I'm sure it's not an easy task but in this case it seems quite possible it was retouched too much.

All in all, Indemnity is worth a watch and I think with the right tools Dietz can rise to the top and reach his full potential as a filmmaker. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

Indemnity is available on the film's website for $1.99 and is expected to hit DVD in March 2012.