Ooga Booga (2013) - REVIEW

Charles Band and Full Moon the past few years have been pumping out a ton of new movies.  Some of them are pretty good, some not so much.  One of the pioneers of direct to video movies always manages to make hits.  I think Ooga Booga may be one of the better Full Moon movies in the past few years.

Devin (Wade F Wilson) comes home and is greeted by his girlfriend Donna (Ciarra Carter).  Devin has just passed his medical exam to become a doctor and it is time to celebrate.  Devin receives a call from his best friend Hambo (Chance A Rearden) who has just been fired as the host of a children's show.  Hambo gives Devin his prototype doll of Ooga Booga , an African tribal doll , that he is convinced will make him a millionaire.  Devin on his way home stops to get a slushy when it is robbed and the cashier is shot.  He calls the cops and tries to save him only to have 2 cops show up and accuse him of killing the cashier and is gunned down himself.  His blood spilled to the floor with Ooga Booga close by.  Devin's soul is now in Ooga Booga to exact revenge for his death.

I decided to give this one a chance and mainly because it reminded me of Puppet Master a little and also because of the appearance of Karen Black.  The story I thought was not bad at all.  One of the more well written Full Moon movies recently.  I have taken a chance on a few of these lately and really have been unimpressed with the all around movie but not this one.  Now I do have to say the acting is quite terrible.  In fact the best part is probably played by the puppet of Ooga Booga.  All in all though Ooga Booga is alot of fun and reminiscent of early Full Moon films.

I was rather impressed with the production quality as well as the overall sound quality.  One of my favorite things about the film is the sountrack by Full Moon veteran Richard Band.  Richard has put together some stellar soundtracks in his career which includes the score of Puppet Master.  I would have to rate Ooga Booga 6 out of 10 stars.  I overall enjoyed the film.  There were a few parts that started to drag but it picks right back up.  Stay twisted everyone!

THe Philip K Dick Science Fiction Film Festival Announces First Submissions - PRESS RELEASE

Brooklyn, N.Y. July 18, 2013 - The Philip K. Dick European Science Fiction Film Festival has announced the earliest submissions of films and shorts to be screened at its first international event which will honor one of the most respected writers within the literary world. The three-day experience 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. The films which are adapted or inspired from the works of Philip K. Dick will entertain and enthrall the innumerable fans who have continued to honor his enduring legacy within the genre of science-fiction.

The festival will launch with the highly anticipated screening of Radio Free Albemuth (2010) on Friday, October 25. Written and directed by John Alan Simon the film adaptation of Dick's final novel stars Jonathan Scarfe ("Perception"), Shea Whigham ("Boardwalk Empire"), Katheryn Winnick ("Bones") and Grammy
Award-winning singer Alanis Morissette. A Q&A session with Simon is also scheduled to follow. The evening will continue its science fiction theme with the shorts Exit (2013), L'Esplanade (2012), Singularity (2013) and Meddlers (2011) which was adapted from Dick's short story. The following night on Saturday,
October 26 takes on a horror supernatural theme with Thanatomorphose (2012). Written and directed by Éric Falardeau the film stars Émile Beaudry, Eryka Cantieri and Roch-Denis Gagnon. On Sunday, October 27 the event concludes with science fiction works including Daniel Abella's The Final Equation (2009),
a highly conceived film inspired by Dick's artistic genius and stars Robert Harriell, Cassandra Cooke and Paul Weissman. A Q&A session with Abella is also scheduled to follow. The night will commence with sci-fi shorts Dissent (2011), Un Monde Meilleur (2013) and Years in Bardo (2012).

The festival will screen all films with French subtitles and is currently accepting submissions into late September in science fiction and horror features and shorts. Admission at L'Hybride Cinema is currently by membership only and by purchasing tickets with five euros for one month or 30 euros for one year of the
program. If not part of membership visitors can pay five euros on the first day of the festival to attend the three-day event and receive a pass for the next 30 days of subsequent venue events. Doors open at 7pm on Friday and Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.

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 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 Brooklyn 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 from October 25-27, 2013. 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/

Contact (2009,Short) - REVIEW

What one person calls a horror movie, another might call a thriller, drama or even just a comedy.  Everyone's perception is different but what I don't understand is the fact that you make a short movie and because someone is scared or has something terrible happening you are going to tag it as horror.  Not saying that I am always right and that my opinion is what decides the genre but I like to think I can identify something that is horror and something that is just being passed off as horror.

Koreen (Zoe Daelman Chlanda) and Westy (Robb Leigh Davis) are seen walking through what seems to be an area of town that druggies go to to buy drugs and sit back and get a high.  The couple are taken to what seems to be the drug lord and they recieve a small bottle of liquid and are told to take it together.  Neither know what they are in for.  They retreat to their apartment to get high and from there things get very strange.

I really don't know  what to make of this film.  If I really had to put it into a section at your local DVD rental or Red Box I would say it belongs in the Weird section.  The movie is filmed in black and white which is probably the main thing I like about the film.  To me black and white adds a little something that color films can't always do.  The film itself looks pretty damn good with some good special effects.  The story though is what I think is lacking.  The dialogue is reduced to just a couple of statements by the fucked up looking drug dealer and that's about it.  The rest of the story obviously is carried out by actions only.  There is not really a dark tone but more of a dreary depressing tone throughout the film.  The black and white does add to the drearyness as well.

My opinion on this like I have explained is not a horror film but I really did not all together not like it.  It probably is not the best short I have ever seen but certainly not the worst either.   I do applaud Jeremiah Kipp for doing something different not the same ole thing.  We horror fans know there are sometimes waaaaay to many Vampire, Zombie and found footage films roaming around recently.  I would give this  5 out of 10 stars.  Stay twisted everyone!

Check Out the New Web Series "Zombie With A Shotgun"

A new web series has hit the internet called "Zombie With a Shotgun".  Read the short synopsis below:

Zombie with a Shotgun is a film about Aaron (Braeden Baade) and Rachel (Lynnea Molone) (and of course his Shotgun) who both are on the run due to the fact Aaron is infected by the zombie virus. This story unfolds in front of us as we watch the two take this journey to find answers. As time passes by we all want to know why Aaron has not developed the full zombie virus, where others who get infected will never see another day.

Zombie with a Shotgun is ultimately a love story between the main character who is infected and struggles to hold on to his human reality while wondering his love for his girlfriend is fading because he is turning into a zombie. This is the ultimate love story where two worlds can possibly be divided among the living and the dead.

The episodes can be found here: http://vimeo.com/search?q=zombie+with+a+shotgun

Follow the series on social media 

twitter.com/ZOMBIEWASHOTGUN
facebook.com/ZombiewithaShotgun
ZombiewithaShotgun.tumblr.com

First Sneak Peek of Syfy's Upcoming Ghost Shark

Just in case you didn't get your "shark fix" from Sharknado, Syfy has released a sneak peek of their upcoming original movie "GHOST SHARK". The film premieres August 22nd and stars Mackenzie Rosman (7th Heaven), Richard Moll (Night Court), Tim Taylor (The Hunger Games) and Lucky Johnson (Contraband). 

Check it out! 

Shirly Brener Joins the Cast of Zombie Web Series: Chronicles of the Dead

Israeli actress Shirly Brener (Righteous Kill, Hit List, Streets of Blood) joins the cast of zombie apocalypse web series "Chronicles of the Dead". The indie horror series is the brainchild of 3N Films founders Brian Hernandez (Director and Writer) and Younger Robbins (Writer).

Brener is cast as powerful CEO 'Dagny Green', head of a global corporation that is secretly stockpiling footage of the zombie apocalypse for yet unknown reasons. Her recurring role is written with a strong character arc that will be revealed in subsequent episodes, which take place several years into this nightmare world.

When asked about her involvement in the project, Shirly said she was, “…excited to join this series, being a huge fan of ‘The Walking Dead’! I’m thrilled to support these young filmmakers be part of this genre with endless possibilities!”

Brener is seasoned horror actress, with an upcoming lead in the supernatural horror thriller “Stitch” (starring Eduard Furlong & Danny Trejo), as well as previous roles in H.P Lovecrafts “The Dunwhich Horror”, “Girls Gone Dead”, “Blind Horizon”, “Shadow of Fear”, and “Session”. Shirly also stars on "Connected", which is the #1 hit docudrama show in Israel. 

For more information on Shirly, visit:
Twitter: @Shirlybrener
Instagram: @Shirlybrener
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShirlyBrener
Shirly’s Website: www.shirlybrener.com

To follow and watch “Chronicles of the Dead”, visit:
Twitter: @3NFilms
Youtube: www.youtube.com/3nFIlms
3N Film’s Website: www.3NFilms.com

Poster Revealed for Horror Convention Documentary: Fantasm

Director Kyle Kuchta is excited to reveal the official theatrical poster for his forthcoming horror convention documentary, Fantasm. The film explores the bonds formed by the close-knit community of fans who attend horror conventions. A high-resolution version of the poster is attached for your use.

In addition to a variety of devoted genre fans, Fantasm features insight from several popular horror actors and filmmakers, including Tom Atkins (Escape from New York), Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Amanda Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger), Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2) and more.

After being shot at six different conventions throughout the country, Fantasm is currently in post-production. "The film is being submitted to festivals and conventions," Kuchta elaborates. "We're really excited to be releasing it in the fall when the convention season and the horror community are thriving full-force."

For more information on Fantasm, visit the documentary on Facebook and Twitter.