Interview with Michael Stevens

A while back, I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Stevens, writer, director and star of the Indie horror film Brutal. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to have this little chat with me unfortunately, due to some bad timing on my part, it's taken much longer than I anticipated to get it posted for everyone else to hear but finally... here it is! Enjoy it!

To find out more about Michael and his film Brutal visit www.mynameisbrutal.com or check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

Breaking Glass Pictures Picks Up Corey Feldman's 6 Degrees of Hell

Domestic distributor Breaking Glass Pictures (5 Star Day, The Fields, The Living Wake) has snapped up the indie horror film 6 Degrees of Hell for North America. The deal was struck last week between CEO Rich Wolff and Fabrication Films SVP Miriam Elchanan, a follow-up to the successful release of The Fields earlier this year. Directed by Joe Raffa (local hit You'll Know My Name), the film stars Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys, The Goonies), Jill Whelan ("The Love Boat"), Brian Anthony Wilson (Limitless), Faust Checho (The Fields), newcomers Nikki Bell, Kyle Patrick Brennan, Ashley Sumner, Nicole Cinaglia, David J. Bonner and Raffa himself.

In Northeast Pennsylvania, "Uncle Jack's Hotel of Horror" is besieged by a dark presence after two friends of "Uncle" Jack, Chris and Kellen, unwittingly release a deadly evil by transporting local psychic Mary Wilkins' collection of haunted objects as props for the popular tourist attraction. At the same time, a local TV ghost hunter, confronts an evil that has haunted him all his life-one he believes is responsible for his sister's death years ago.

His search puts him in the path of a rogue police chief and June-a girl who seems to be the eye of this supernatural perfect storm. They all find themselves connected to the old hotel while the threads of their own personal horrors draw paranormal investigator Kyle Brenner (Feldman) to pull all the threads together...

Looking forward to another release with Breaking Glass, writer/producer Harrison Smith said, "We're excited about 6 Degrees of Hell because it makes horror fun again. It's a horror film with Easter eggs, there's so much horror history in it. It's intelligent, fun horror with solid characters and respect for the genre."

Wolff echoed his sentiments, saying "6 Degrees is an excellent film, and the second in what will hopefully be many successful collaborations between Breaking Glass, Fabrication, and Harrison. It is a perfect match."

Developments on the title have been closely watched, with an astonishing 101,000 followers on the 6 Degrees of Hell official Facebook and over 1.5 million trailer views on YouTube.

There is a celebratory theatrical screening scheduled in the shooting location, the Pocono Mountains, on August 24th 2012. Corey Feldman, various cast and crew and Breaking Glass Pictures staff will attend and celebrate both the ongoing success of The Fields and the acquiring of 6 Degrees Of Hell.

The DVD will hit shelves on October 30, the day before Halloween.

Chain Letter 2010 - REVIEW

There are so many things about horror films these days that disturb me and not in a good way. I'd really like someone to explain to me why filmmakers take iconic actors, good actors, dare I say even great actors, and stick them in roles that are beneath them. Is it to bring in an older audience? Is it because they idolized them as children? Or is it because they actually watched their film and realized just how shitty it was and decided they needed something else?

A group of high school friends all receive a chain e-mail claiming that someone close to them will soon die if they fail to keep the message circulating. At first Jessie Campbell (Nikki Reed) thought it might just be a sick joke, but when her friends break the chain and people start to die, she realizes it's only a matter of time until the Chain Man comes to claim her, too.


I'm completely over the whole cliché high school cast. You know, the cast that's suppose to be in their teens but are actually laughably in their mid-twenties. It's ridiculous! Filmmakers, I'm sure there are teenagers out there who would LOVE to get their start in your below average horror film. Take the time to look for them! I suppose most of the blame here can be put on the writer. Not one single character was developed enough for an audience to want to root for them. We're introduced to them, then they're gone, killed in some violent, grotesque manner. Brad Dourif and Keith David do the best they can with the laughable script they were given. I'm not a Betsy Russell fan at all. Yes, I know she's a member of the beloved Saw franchise, I just don't think she's that great of an actress. Let the hate mail ensue... you could even send me a chain letter if you'd like. I promise I won't forward it and you can send the evil, technology hating blacksmith Michael Bailey Smith to get me.

Which brings me to my next question... what the fuck was the point of this film?? Were they trying to convey the message that those who give up their privacy in trade for the newest, most convenient technology don't deserve safety? Is that message even relevant this day in age? Ok that's two questions but don't we all know that there are giant masked men with bloody faces wrapped in gauze who are members of a technology hating cult out there waiting to get us. Jesus Christ I feel like a dumbass just typing that! If deleting every chain email or text you get is motive for a gruesome death, I'd have been dead about 1000 times over. Hmm, I wonder if that's what hell is like? Dammit, I hope I didn't just give someone an idea for another dig my eyeballs out with a spoon film. If I did, I apologize. Feel free to send me a chain letter. Heh, I think that'll be my new catch phrase whenever I say something offensive and piss someone off. (I'd be saying that A LOT!) So, if for some reason you're still not convinced to never bother turning on this shitfest, don't say I didn't warn you. Yes, the first 5 minutes or so may make you reconsider but trust me, it's all down hill from there. It's sloppily done, badly written and honestly my 6 year old could've executed it better. Given that I am the "Gore Whore", I will admit that there are some really great effects but it's still not enough to save it.

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.

Bring Me the Head of Lance Henriksen

In case you haven't heard, the very talented actor, producer, writer, director, SUPER sexy Michael Worth is currently working on an Indie film that tackles ageism in Hollywood. Great concept right?? He's teamed up with film icons like Lance Henriksen, Tim Thomerson, Adrienne Barbeau, George Cheung, John Saxon and many more to shine some light on the dwindling roles for the more "experienced" actor.

I'm not sure why I haven't written about this before now. I guess the 65 hours left on the Indiegogo campaign lit a fire under my ass. The campaign has raised a good bit but as any filmmaker or fan knows, it takes A LOT to make a good film. This is a project that I have much faith in and am proud to be a part of in a small, miniscule, ok not really but sort of kind of way. Make sense? Yeah probably not. BUT, it's definitely worth checking out. They have all kinds of great perks for donations for as little as $1 and as much as $500 so at least visit and get a feel for what they're trying to do. Every dollar counts and if you are unable to donate you can still support it by helping to spread the word.

You can keep up with the progress of Bring Me the Head of Lance Henriksen on Twitter by following @HenriksensHead or @MichaelWorth or check it all out on Facebook as well. AND, while you're at it, head over the super awesome BACKTOFRANKBLACK.COM and get the scoop from Michael himself as he talks with those guys about the project.

New extended trailer for Bring Me the Head of Lance Henriksen

Untitled from Grizzly Peak Films on Vimeo.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon 2006 - REVIEW

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. What this genre needs is (figuratively speaking) fresh meat for fans to sink their teeth into. We've been so bombarded with remakes... oh I'm sorry the new term is "reboot"... lately that we've lost faith. Well, I can't really speak for every genre fan so I guess I should say I've lost faith. It's not only remak... er, reboots... it's the lack of quality. Most of the big budgeted production that have come out lately have been dull and boring or just overall crap. Hollywood horror appears to have lost it's shine. But never fear because there is a hero in our midst and his name..... is..... Leslie Vernon.

In a world where supernatural killers like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger are real, journalist Taylor Gentry (Angela Goethals) and her crew have been given the opportunity to join the next great slasher, Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel), as he plans to seek his revenge on the town of Glen Echo. The legend of Leslie Vernon is this... There once was a boy, spawned from a vicious rape, who murdered his parents. The angry townspeople, thinking the boy was evil, cast him over the falls and into the icy river never to be heard from again. Well sorta. Taylor and her crew film Leslie, documentary style, as he meticulously plans his murder spree. When the big night comes, things take a sinister, dark turn, and their documentary becomes much less important when the tables are turned.

Baesel's character is so well written and he does a spot on performance transitioning in and out of his dual personas. He said in an interview that he got inspiration from the Silence of the Lambs character Dr. Hannibal Lecter and I could see that. I read reviews that said he seemed too cartoonish but I didn't get that at all. To me he came off as likeable and funny and charasmatic. Goethals also brings her A game to the screen. The chemistry between their characters is solid and at times heartfelt. Even the teens gave an impressive performance.

Hmm, what to say about this film? I've been sitting here for an hour now going over it in my head and can only think of two words... ORIGINAL and PERFECTION... I guess I'll work off of those two words. For all of you in the middle of an eye roll right now, c'mon. How many horror films have you seen that totally deconstruct the basics of the slasher sub-genre? Ever wanted to know why the victims of this type film always get caught? How bout why the lowly virgin is always the one to live? Pretty much every question that you can come up with about the stupid actions of slasher victims is addressed in this "mockumentary" style horror flick.

Scott Glosserman and David J Stieve managed to write a script that not only pokes fun at this particular genre but did it respectfully. Non-horror fans probably won't get the inside jokes of having Kane Hodder appear as Freddy Krueger's one time neighbor or having Robert Englund show up as a "Dr. Sam Loomis" type character or even the cameo by the legendary Zelda Rubinstein. But fans of the genre will definitely pick up on all the subtle and not so subtle inside jokes.

I read several reviews comparing this film to those of the Scream franchise. I don't know what the hell they've been smoking but I don't get that AT ALL. I feel this film is in a class of it's own. I don't think I've ever seen one quite like it. It's original and intelligent and classy. The twists are a bit predictable and the gore is minimal but I'd say it's definitely a must see for any horror fan. For those who say it's not a believable story or that say it's asking too much to believe slashers are real, go pull that stick out of your ass and stop over analyzing EVERYTHING. They call it fiction for a reason.

Kodie 2010 - REVIEW

Kodie was the final film shown on opening night at the 2nd annual DOA Blood Bath Film Festival so there was a lot of build up. As we were walking around we overheard most of the crowd saying this was the film they were anticipating the most. Of course with all the buzz, we began to get more and more jazzed about it. It's a hard thing being a reviewer sometimes. Especially when it comes to Indie films because you know that these people are probably the hardest working filmmakers out there. They literally dump their heart and soul into each and every project.

David (Jayson Champion) a paranormal investigator, has come to a point in his life where everything he cares about is being ripped away in domestic turmoil. He soon finds himself and his team caught in a world of an enraged murderous little girl named Kodie (Jennifer Stone), in the form of a Teddy bear. Set forth by a witches curse, she rips, eats, dismembers and lays waste to the abusive hearts of the town, leaving them in a pool of red chaos and mangled corpses. Now they must free themselves from the torment of Kodie's ruthless brutal Hell. (Written by Abel Berry)

And this is where it gets hard, on one hand I know that each one of these films were made with little to no funding. On the other hand, I also feel that it doesn't always take an ass load of money to make a great film. I don't want to condemn this film or the filmmaker. I'm not here to make anyone feel like shit. But I'm also not going to adjust my opinion based on the fact that I had a conversation with someone in it. It wouldn't be fair to them or to my readers (yes, I have readers :p).

I would've liked to have seen some further exploration on David's struggle to keep his life from falling apart. That would've connected me more to his character. Instead what we got was a shot of him drowning his sorrows in a bottle while holding a picture of his kid. Then a brief but heated phone conversation with his ex. Digging into that a little deeper would've made his character seem more real.

Another thing that bothered me is that I wasn't sure if they were really going for a comedic feel or not. It was hard to distinguish between what was intentionally funny and what wasn't. Any funny line or scene that came along seemed forced and awkward. For example when David's character was having a beer with Jasper (Abel Berry) there was a good 30 seconds where they just uncomfortably stared at each other. I guess it's entirely possible that it was done on purpose but I felt uneasy just watching it.

In a nut shell, I didn't think the film was great but I do think that Abel Berry is a very talented filmmaker and given the right tools, could really go places. I applaud anyone who has the skill and ambition to bring their vision to life. I wish him luck and look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.