The Dead Hour 2011 (Web Series) Review

This review is going to be done a little different. I will do a synopsis of each episode then give my thoughts about the whole series and not just each episode.  This is season 2 of the web series The Dead Hour.  There are 5 episodes first one airing Oct 18th, 2011 and the last airing Feb 28th, 2012.  The Dead Hour is an anthology series that centers around a sexy radio DJ (Melissa Holder) that airs dark and twisted stories every week.
  

Webisode 1: "Fear Fest" - Frankie a very attractive woman is on a first date with Finch at an all night Horror film fest.  Frankie seems to be very reluctant to going and very enthused.  Finch is a Horror geek and lives for this.  A total of 4 movies will be playing and in each screening there is an unexpected surprise for the audience.  This may be Frankie's first and last all night fright fest.

Webisode 2: "Fame" - Cara (Brandi Facholas) moved to Hollywood with the ambition of becoming an actress.  It is not as easy as she thought and its taking too long for her to get her break into show business.  She is getting desperate and is running out of options.  She fires her agent who is not getting anywere and goes to an audition she found in the paper.  It seems too good to be true, but there is a catch.  How far will she go to make her dream come true?

Webisode 3: "Backseat" - Alone in a cornfield Heather (Jazmyne Van Houten) and her boyfriend Jason (Matthew Dillon) are making out when it comes over the radio about another teenager being murdered.  Heather reaches to call her parents to let them know she is ok , but Jason stops her and suggests to go in the backseat.  She agrees and they proceed to make out in the backseat and go farther if Jason has anything to say about it.  Heather stops Jason several times because of the noises she hears.  Jason goes to check it out, but is in for something more startling when he comes back to the car.

Webisode 4: "Inside Man" - This story deals with an agoraphobic man named Tony (Andre Davis) who has just moved into a new home by himself and is trying to deal with his fears of the outside world.  Tony is having trouble adjusting to his new home and wakes up every night to strange noises.  His sister Sil (Francesca Hogan) and her husband Marcus (John Brooks Jr) hire a psychiatrist to come to the house and help Tony with his fears.  None of them know what they are in for!

Webisode 5: "Gross Anatomy" - Two medical students Natalie (Chelsie Hartness) and Mort (Paul Albers) are working the late shift in the morgue cutting up a cadaver.  Natalie takes a break and walks down the hall, and calls her husband.  She comes back to find the cadaver missing.  Mort sneaks up on her scaring her and revealing that he just moved the cadaver over with the others.  Natalie goes to the restroom while Mort is very arrogantly studying.  What he has to worry about is not in a book, it's right behind him!

As I started watching the episodes of this show I started to wonder why this show had not been picked up as a T.V. series.  The acting is great and I have to say I have never heard of one of the actors in any of the episodes and I would not doubt if I started to hear their names more often.  Judging by their IMDB pages most of the actors are relatively new to the industry.  As for the quality and direction of the show, its fantastic.  The quality is so good i thought i was watching it on my 46 inch T.V. and not my computer monitor.  The writing reminds me of the writing that Tales From the Crypt had the difference is there was more humor in tales were this has more scares. 

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the 2nd season of this show.  I'm going to make it a point to go ahead and watch the first season as well.  I am a sucker for anthology shows so this was right up my alley. Having watched all the Tales From the Crypt and Tales from the Darkside episodes numerous times I think I have found my new favorite show.  Well, not true favorite I do enjoy the Walking Dead a great deal as well.  My favorite episode from this season was "Fame".  Brandi Facholas plays a fantastic role without a great supporting cast around her.  The episode revolves around her and she makes that known.  Enough of me telling you how great this is, see for yourself at www.thedeadhour.com.  You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter as well.  Facebook is www.facebook.com/magnumpictures and Twitter @deadhour.  Stay twisted everyone!

The Beast 2012 (Short Film) - REVIEW

It's not often that we end up doing three posts in a row about the same person. We wouldn't want to seem like we were playing favorites or anything but when an actor has been in more than 60 horror films in just a few years and has been crowned the UK's King of Horror (by Erebus Horror) he's bound to make repeat appearances on a horror site. It also doesn't hurt that we here at Twisted Central think he's pretty fucking awesome. Ok so maybe we do play favorites a little... this isn't high school so get over it.

Jacob (Alexander Le Bas) has been stricken with a terrible affliction that, if not contained, can be deadly for everyone around him. His father Michel (Bill Oberst Jr.) will do whatever it takes to save him but when push comes to shove, can he do what is necessary to save the people he loves and free his son?

Let me start by saying that this is one of the most well shot extremely, extremely, did I say extremely, small budget horror shorts I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Oberst brings a compassion and humility to his character that I'm not really use to seeing from him. Not that I'm complaining, I think he's a phenomenal actor with a range like very few others in the industry. Young Alexander Le Bas shows some chops as well and this was his very first role... EVER! Watch your backs teen heartthrobs, this one here will give you a run for your money (just please don't sparkle... ever... please). Peter Le Bas  is Jacob's uncle, Douglas, and plays a more antagonistic role than Oberst but not to the point that viewers will despise him. He's caring and feeling and you can see that the situation is tearing him up on the inside. Peter Dukes who wrote and directed this little gem proves that he knows how to take a simple concept and create a suspenseful, well paced film.  

I'm not going to pick this film apart because in my opinion what they did with a super micro-budget was more than mind blowing. I've seen short films with triple the budget that fell apart within the first five minutes. Kudos to Dukes and his superb cast and crew for crafting a film that has more heart and passion for the genre than most Hollywood productions out there these days.

To keep up with Dukes and his gang check out their website at www.dreamseekersprods.com. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter. 

Assassins 2011 (Short Film) - Review

Before I became a Horror freak I watched a great deal of action movies.  Well, I really did not watch them willingly all the time but all the same it was the main genre I watched and enjoyed.  Explosions, gunfights,martial arts, it was all good.  I did always find the job of an assassin very intriguing. Always so cunning and calculating, so smart that they are never out witted.

Starting with our main character Nathan (Bill Oberst Jr) sitting in his car waiting for the right time.  He walks into the apartment he was sitting outside of.  Walking in and knowing someone has just done a job here and is nowhere to be seen.  The person that did the job was in the bathroom reflecting on the terrible thing he had just done.  He comes out to find Nathan sitting at the kitchen table drinking a glass of water.  He puts his gun to Nathan's head and threatens his life.  Nathan being the quick talker that he is calmly convinces him to sit across from him and put his gun down.  They talk about the job that was just done.  You will never believe what happens next!

This film was put together very well, from the direction all the way to the acting by our 2 main characters.  It was directed by Michael Bonomo who did an outstanding job with this.  The angles and the subtle violence that graces the screen.  The only acting in this film is done by Bill Oberst Jr really.  He is as brilliant in this as anything he has done in his career.  Very cool, calm and collected almost like he is as comfortable on in front of the camera as watching football on Sunday afternoon with a beer in hand. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this film from beginning to end.  It keeps you on the edge of your seat.  I am also excited to add that this is being made into a feature film.  The Indiegogo campaign will start Monday April 23rd.  The feature film will also star Bill Oberst Jr as Nathan the Assassin.  Because of the quality of this short and the fact that we want to be able to share with everyone the short film in its entirety on Twisted Central.  Below is the You Tube link that you can view the film in its entirety.  I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.  Also you can click here http://indiegogo.com/Assassins if you would like to support the feature film project.

The Photos used in the review were taken by Rebekah N. Patent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zl6txavrac

Interview with Indie Horror Actor Bill Oberst Jr.

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Indie horror actor Bill Oberst Jr. about his life and career. Not only is he a phenomenal actor but he's also just a really down to earth, cool guy and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to chat with me. I'm not sure how much of an interview it is but I think we both had fun and we really did cover quite a bit of material.

To learn more about Bill check out his website billoberst.com then swing over and catch him on Facebook and Twitter. And if you're feeling really adventurous be sure to venture over to takethislollipop.com but prepare yourself for the ultimate creep out!

BTW, please bear with us on the sketchy audio. I had some new equipment and it didn't quite work the way I'd hoped.

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

AFTER DARK ACTION RELEASES TRAILER, ONE-SHEET AND STILLS FOR PHILLY KID

AFTER DARK ACTION RELEASES TRAILER, ONE-SHEET AND STILLS FOR PHILLY KID

STARRING WES CHATHAM AS THE PHILLY KID, NEAL MCDONOUGH AND DEVON SAWA

Los Angeles, CA (April 12, 2012) - Dark Castle Home Entertainment and After Dark Films recently unveiled the new action movie franchise AFTER DARK ACTION, which will showcase five original, adrenaline-pumping films theatrically as a commercial film festival in markets nationwide and on VOD on May 11.

Below are links to the brand new trailer, clips and stills for the upcoming action-packed PHILLY KID.

THE PHILLY KID

Starring Wes Chatham, Neal McDonough and Devon Sawa. Directed by Jason Connery. Written by Adam Mervis

On the same night that he was crowned an NCAA wrestling champion, Dillon McCabe (Wes Chatham) was involved in the killing of a cop and then sentenced to fifteen years of prison. Ten years later, Dillon is paroled back onto the streets of his run-down Baton Rouge neighborhood. Before he can pick up the pieces of his life, his best friend gets in trouble with a vicious loan shark. To get the money to free him, Dillon must return to fighting – this time, mixed martial arts. But his quick, brutal success gets him into more trouble than ever. And after three vicious triumphs, he discovers that his real opponent is a corrupt system that requires him to do the impossible: lose.

 After Dark Action website www.afterdarkaction.com 

 After Dark Action on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AfterDarkAction 

 After Dark Films on Twitter https://www.twitter.com/#!/afterdarkfilms 

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 Dark Films 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. Its second slate of 8 more originally produced films, After Dark Originals 2 is currently in production.

About Dark Castle Home Entertainment:

Dark Castle Entertainment was launched in 1999 by producer Joel Silver (“Lethal Weapon,” “Die Hard,” “The Matrix”) and Robert Zemeckis (“Castaway,” “Back to the Future”). One of the most prolific and successful producers in the history of motion pictures, Silver has produced a catalog of over 60 films, which have earned a combined gross of $13.5 billion worldwide from all sources.

With Dark Castle, Silver expanded his production prowess into the horror market and began with a string of hit films starting  with the record-breaking 1999 opening of “House on Haunted Hill,” followed by “Thir13en Ghosts” in 2001, “Ghost Ship” in 2002, “Gothika” in 2003 and “House of Wax” in 2005. 

Dark Castle Home Entertainment was created in 2007 to produce original horror films and sequels to Dark Castle pictures that would be released directly to the home market.  Some of the movies include “Return to House on Haunted Hill” starring Jeffrey Combs and Amanda Righetti, and “The Hills Run Red,” starring Sophie Monk.

Bunnyman 2009 - REVIEW

I've always been a fan of "bad" horror films. You know, the ones with comical effects, laughable monsters and cheesy dialogue. Ghoulies comes to mind, it's a fun film that never takes itself too seriously which in turn, keeps the viewer thoroughly entertained. But, what Charles Band film doesn't keep audiences entertained? What I'm not a fan of are films that claim to be "horrific" but are really nothing but a ridiculous slap in the face to genre fans. News flash filmmakers, horror fans are not stupid. We know what we like and don't like. Yes, this is just my opinion but on this page, mine is all that matters :)

A group of road-tripping friends fight for their lives against a vicious madman whose fluffy cute costume masks his bloody true intentions. Driving home through a remote region of Southern California following an impromptu weekend trip to Las Vegas, the friends realize that something is terribly amiss when a massive dump truck starts to bear down on their tiny sedan. But the real nightmare begins after their car is run off the road, and the only family for miles is a clan of hungry cannibals. The most dangerous of the bunch is a man so irreparably damaged by years of childhood abuse that he now hides behind a bunny suit in order to avoid making a complete break from reality. Now, as the madman's rage takes over, his horrified prey fights back to avoid becoming rabbit food.

I normally have a formula as to what order a review goes in, it's just my preference so readers know what to expect but I'm actually going to forgo that this time, know why? Because there wasn't one single character in this film that I gave a shit about. They were so over the top idiotic that it literally angered me. Can that be attributed to green actors? Maybe but I'm sure it has more to do with the laughable script they were given. I'm really not sure who would read that script and say "Oh yeah, I gotta be a part of that!" It blows my mind. This film was so fucking stupid it took me four times to watch it... four TIMES! Two of which, the hubs actually got up and walked out of the room. I can summarize this whole film for you in just a few sentences.

1. A character is there, then gone and never spoken about again. 
2. The rest continue on without EVER looking for a place to hide from this maniac in a stupid fucking bunny suit who's chasing them. 
3. Characters, who serve no purpose at all and do nothing to move the story forward, pop in and out of this film like a game of Whack-a-Mole. 

You can't even keep up and after the first 10 minutes, you really don't fucking want to. Just in case you're keeping a "fuck" count, that's three (four counting that last one) and I'm not even half way done.

Right about now you have to be saying that surely there is a redeeming quality about this film.... and you're right there was one. The blood sprayer without a doubt stole the show! That's the only effect you really get out of this 90 minutes of hell. Yep, dude in a shitty bunny costume chasing people around the woods with a chainsaw and all you get for gore is some blood spray. No severed limbs or guts falling out or decapitations. Nothing but blood spray. I get it, you have a small budget but that is no excuse to make a shitty film. It was poorly shot, the sound quality was more than atrocious and last but not least, it just didn't make any sense. The freaky bunny thing actually could've been great had it been done right... Hello, Donnie Darko... but this was just bad and that's not even the end of it because apparently there is a Bunnyman 2.

I think it's safe to say that I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone. I think getting on a motorcycle, driving down the highway at 80 MPH while being pelted by June Bugs would be less painful than sitting through this crap. Why am I so hard on this film? Because I love horror and I especially love Indie horror and when I see films like this it makes me understand why some people out there think horror films are a joke. A lot of people don't respect the genre and it's because of bullshit like this. What's even more irritating is that over on the film's IMDb review page there are people bitching about the negative reviews it's received and how they don't understand. Some get down right pissy about it. So here's my question to those people... If you are allowed to have and speak your opinion about this film, why is no one else allowed the same courtesy without backlash from you? Who are you to tell someone their opinion is wrong? With that, I'm done with this ridiculous attempt at a horror film. I've wasted too much time on it already.

Sources: Fandango