Blind Director releases his first horror film!

Movie history is made this week with the release of The Bunker, the groundbreaking debut film from writer Joseph M. Monks, the world's first blind film director. Commodity Films releases the DVD June 14th domestically through their website, with streaming and IPTV releases scheduled for Autumn.

 

When Julia Jennings (newcomer Saskia Gonzalez) runs away from home on the eve her father announces his bid for reelection to congress, she gets more than she bargained for when a sadistic madman (Flesh For The Beast’s Terry M. West) snatches her off the street. Awakening to the nightmare of being trapped in an underground cell where every move is monitored by her maniacal tormentor, Julia begins to formulate a desperate, all-or-nothing plan to escape.

 

While concerned parents Robert and Amelia (Ron Sheppard and Law & Order: SVU’s Teresa Vicario) try to keep the scandal from the media-even hiring an organized crime figure to help find their missing daughter-time has already begun to run out. Knowing that a date has been set for her slaughter, every second that ticks away brings the frightened teen closer to a grisly demise.

 

The film, which boasts CLERKS' Kevin Smith as an executive producer (Smith came on board during Monks' Kickstarter campaign to help him finance Los Angeles reshoots), has garnered critical praise from the likes of FANGORIA features writer Tom Carnell, Rue Morgue, ShockYa.com's Joe Belcastro and The Hacker's Source, and Monks taking home the Achievement in Cinema award at the Gasparilla International Film Festival, expectations are high for the ambitious indie.

 

The film is available to buy on DVD through the films official website (see link below). A making of special, trailers and a production stills feature are included as extras.

 

The movie is set for foreign release in multiple territories, starting with Germany (where it was released as "Pray for Dawn") on June 21.

 

Buy the US DVD at http://www.sightunseenpictures.com/buy-the-bunker/ 

 

 

Film4 Frightfest - Full Line Up Announced!

 

Film4 FrightFest 2013, returning for its 4teenth year, is delighted to unveil its biggest line-up in history. From Thurs 22 August to Monday 26 August, the UK’s leading event for genre fans will be at the Empire Cinema in London’s Leicester Square to present 51 films on three screens. Empire 1 will house the main event while the Discovery strands will play in Empires 2 & 4. The new FrightFest Xtra strand, also in Screen 2, will allow fans to catch up with sold-out performances of the most popular attractions.

 

The world premieres include our opening night attraction THE DEAD 2: INDIA from the Ford Brothers, BANSHEE CHAPTER, produced by Star Trek’s Zachary Quinto, Kit Ryan’s startling DEMENTAMANIA, the epidemic shocker ANTISOCIAL the Argentinean post World War Z drama THE DESERT and the retro Spanish chiller FOR ELISA.  European premieres include Don Mancini’s CURSE OF CHUCKY, Anthony Di Blasi’s MISSIONARYand Steven R. Monroe’s I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 2.

 

The UK premieres feature our closing night film, the most want-to-see 2013 title BIG BAD WOLVES, Jim Mickle’s appetising WE ARE WHAT WE ARE, Vincenzo Natali’s HAUNTER, Ryuhei Kitamura’s NO ONE LIVES, Lasse Hallstrom’s THE HYPNOTIST, the Pastor Brothers’ THE LAST DAYS, the VHS documentary REWIND THIS!, Bobcat Goldthwait’s horror-comedy WILLOW CREEK, producer Adam Green’s HATCHET III, acclaimed anthology V/H/S/2, the fantasy thriller ODD THOMAS, rural horror romp 100 BLOODY ACRES, compulsive chiller THE CONSPIRACY, Renny Harlin’s mystery thriller THE DYATLOV PASS INCIDENT & Marina De Van’s high-voltage shocker DARK TOUCH.

 

The Brits are once again proving that the genre is in fine form. Aside from the aforementioned THE DEAD 2: INDIA and DEMENTAMANIA, there is Christian James’ toilet-humoured STALLED, Jeremy Lovering’s white-knuckle ride IN FEAR, Farren Blackburn’s axe-murderous HAMMER OF THE GODS, Kate Shenton’s human suspension doc ON TENDER HOOKS, THE PARANORMAL DIARIES: CLOPHILL, from the Zombie Diaries duo, Michael Bartlett & Kevin Gates, Kieran Parker’s latest in the zombie action franchise OUTPOST: RISE OF THE SPETSNAZ and THE BORDERLANDS., a paranormal chiller from Elliot Goldner.

 

Keynote previews include THE GRIEF TOURIST starring Michael Cudlitz and Melanie Griffith, and Carlos Medina’s award-winning PAINLESS. 

 

Crowd-pleasers have always been at the heart of the FrightFest experience, so audiences can sit back and thrill to the roof-raising YOU’RE NEXT, the incredible CHEAP THRILLS, the mutant-tastic FRANKENSTEIN’S ARMY and a Special Preview of the Hollywood blockbuster R.I.P.D. starring Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges. And we have included two of our February FrightFest Glasgow draws – the fabulously trashy grindhouser BRING ME THE HEAD OF THE MACHINE GUN WOMAN.and Michael Stephenson’s hugely entertaining doc THE AMERICAN SCREAM.

 

Expanding the Discovery Strand means there are double the treats to sample this year, including the nerve-shredding SNAP, the smart horror-fantasy HANSEL & GRETEL & THE 4:20 WITCH, Sonny Laguna’s ferocious WITHER, Israeli war fantasy CANNON FODDER, Scream-styled homage SADIK 2, James Sizemore ‘s demonic THE DEMON’S ROCK, David McCracken’s story of small-town child abuse DAYLIGHT & sex-disease horror CONTRACTED. There is also a first-time screening of three episodes of Adam Green and Joe Lynch’s TV series HOLLISTON.

 

Plus, there’s a chance to discover an eclectic mix of Premiere screening restorations : Ozploitation classic  - WAKE IN FRIGHT, a tribute to Hammer Horror icon Peter Cushing – CORRUPTION, the first Roger Corman Edgar Allan Poe masterpiece – THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, and the genre landmark that is F. W. Murnau’s NOSFERATU.

 

With Andy Nyman’s ever-popular ‘Quiz From Hell’ now in its 4th year, the announcement of the ‘666 Short Cuts To Hell’ competition winners, in association with Horror Channel and Movie Mogul,  the ‘Turn Off Your Bloody Phone!’ entries and the usual bloody red carpet gathering of stars, directors and surprise guests, Film4 FrightFest 14 looks set to raise the roof. Let the screaming begin!

 

The guest line-up and 2013 Short Film Selections will announced shortly.

 

Festival & day passes go on sale from 29 June. Tickets for Individual films are on sale from 27 July.

 

Bookings: 08 714 714 714 or http://www.empirecinemas.co.uk

 

Official website http://www.frightfest.co.uk/

"The Car" - Crashing onto UK Blu-Ray July 15th

Starring James Brolin (The Amityville Horror; father of Josh Brolin) alongside Kathleen Lloyd (The Missouri Breaks), John Marley (The Godfather), and Ronny Cox (Deliverance), THE CAR tells the story of a mysterious automobile which goes on a murderous rampage, terrorizing the residents of a small town.

When two teenage cyclists and a hitch-hiking musician are killed in apparently deliberate hit-and-runs, the police department of Santa Ynez investigates, whereupon the seemingly driverless vehicle turns on its hapless officers as well.

 

When the car strikes rather too close to the home of Captain Wade Parent (James Brolin), he vows to stop at nothing to defeat it.

 

Despite a police cordon being applied to all roads in the Santa Ynez region, THE CAR still manages to enter the town, causing murderous havoc wherever it roams.

 

With police officers, bystanders, squad cars, civilian homes, a marching band, and even an innocent gatepost all falling victim to the un-manned killing machine, Captain Parent must stop at nothing if he is to defeat THE CAR and make his beloved town safe once again. 

Director Elliot Silverstein (Cat Ballou, A Man Called Horse) keeps everything as slick and streamlined as the car itself, turning the desert landscape into a powerfully mythic backdrop for a potent clash between the forces of good and those of inexplicable, but clearly implacable, evil.

 

In addition to the HD restoration, Arrow has sourced a host of bonus material and special features, something which has never been done before for this film.

 

A complete list of the special features included on the deluxe blu-ray release of THE CAR is as follows:

- High Definition presentation (1080p), on Blu-ray for the first time in the world!
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
- Audio commentary with director Elliot Silverstein, moderated by Calum Waddell.
- “Making a Mechanical Monster” – Special effects artist William Alridge remembers The Car.
- “Hitchhike to Hell” – Actor John Rubinstein recalls becoming a victim of The Car.
- Trailer commentary by director and The Car fan John Landis.
- Original Trailer.
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Joe Wilson.
- Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Cullen Gallagher as well as a brand new interview with co-writer Michael Butler, conducted by Calum Waddell, illustrated with original archive stills and artwork.

- Easter Egg.

Buy the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk

 

 

Zombie Terrors Comic Issue 1 - Free for the iPad.

Asylum Press and Visionborne have joined forces to produce a slate of animated comics based on popular Asylum Press titles for the Apple iPad and other mobile devices. After the successful launch of fan-favorite Fearless Dawn #1, Zombie Terrors is the next in the lineup to be released exclusively through the Visionborne app that uses Airmid technology, a process that converts static 2D art into a vibrant 3D animated format that can be read and "experienced" using a reader app on iOS and Android.

Zombie Terrors #1 will be free on the iPad with subsequent issues available at .99.

All Airmid enhanced productions retain their original artistic essence in a way that's totally unobtrusive to the author's unique form of expression. Unlike other industry approaches, it does not force an artist to learn to use a complex new software suite to create animated content.

Zombie Terrors #1 is available the iTunes store now. It features a gory collection of zombie tales created by an international cast of artistic talent. Frank Forte delivers Beheaded, a tale of a crazed hillbilly who takes trophies off of his zombie victims. In Feast, a gourmet chef is taken hostage by a greedy mob boss. In Hate, a recently turned zombie that still has some semblance of his humanity must confront what he's become. And finally, to add a little more spice to this gruesome brew, we're throwing in some awesome pin-ups by horror master David Hartman.

Zombie Terrors #1 will be free and can be downloaded from the iTunes store here:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zombie-terrors-1/id656190348

TV NEWS (UK): HORROR CHANNEL GOES HOWLING MAD

Sink your teeth into the Horror Channel’s Howling Mad! Season this July with UK TV premieres of Simeon Halligan’s beastly chiller SPLINTERED & Juan Martínez Moreno’s Spanish award-winning horror comedy ATTACK OF THE WEREWOLVES.  Plus, there are second bites of channel werewolf favourites GINGER SNAPS and 13 HOURS

 

22:55, Fri July 5 – SPLINTERED (2010)

 

Whilst on a camping trip in Wales with a group of friends, Sophie (played by Holly Weston), a teenager with a troubled past, enters an abandoned building.

 

But she is not alone. For prowling in the darkest corners is a dangerous being...a half-man, half-beast that is drawn towards the frightened teenager.

22:55, Fri July 26 – ATTACK OF THE WEREWOLVES (2011)

 

Tomás Mariño (Gorka Otxoa) is a struggling writer who returns to the town he grew up in to receive a freedom of the village award - or so he is told.

 

However, he soon learns that the townsfolk plan on using him to break a century-old curse plaguing the village and its inhabitants.
 

Other highlights for July include Horror Channel’s big movie network premiere DONNIE DARKO (Fri July 19, 21.00), the UK TV premieres of CRAWLSPACE (Sat July 20, 22:55), an Australian sci-fi thriller (and HYPOTHERMIA (Sat July 13, 22:55) an ice-cold monster of a movie, plus the network premiere of Brian De Palma’s psychological horror, SISTERS (Fri July 12, 21:00)

 

TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138

http://www.horrorchannel.co.uk | http://www.facebook.com/horrorchannel | http://www.twitter.com/horror_channel

Death Walks to begin filming in East London this July.

A Romford based film project has begun to develop some incredible momentum within just days of announcing filming is about to proceed.

 

Death Walks… is a psychological horror movie which takes the zombie invasion approach and turns it on its head. Director Spencer Hawken says “Anyone expecting to see flesh eating creatures screaming Brains! Is in for a rude awakening, we are spinning the idea of the conventional zombie movie on its head, and we think it makes the story all the more terrifying.”

 

Spencer’s first coup was securing the illustrious Mercury Mall in Romford as a filming location. Centre Manager Sarah de Courcy Rolls said “People still talk to me frequently about adverts that have been shot in the centre, to have film shot here will be amazing.” While Sarah is on maternity leave Colin Bell is managing the centre and he is equally as excited “I’ve managed centres that have been the shooting location for movies in the past, and it’s a tremendous boost for the community.”

 

With a cast and crew of 250 already in place Stages – Performers Academy have now joined the project, supplying some additional talent, and organising casting for the feature. Stages Studio Manager Martine Doolan said “We are thrilled to be part of this project, showing the world that Romford has a phenomenal amount of talent in it.”

 

Marcus Uthup, Director Of Photography states “The movie has some revolutionary ideas, it’s story twists and turns are mind-blowing. And to get all this support is phenomenal, we have the makings of a blockbuster on our hands, thanks to everyone giving their time on the project.”

 

Death Walks… Is a movie with a difference, there is no budget, people are literally supporting the project out of the goodness of their heart, and for their passionate support of the community, and the opportunity this project will create for local talent, and the independent film community.

Since revealing the project to the community local filmmaker Frazer Loveman from Love One Productions has also given his support. While a number of shops within the centre and the staff that work in them are volunteering their time, and locations to help in the shoot.

 

Musical talent has now been offered from Reading electro-pop outfit The Polysonic, led by Tom Wolfe a protégée of the late Martin Rushent who produced The Buzzcocks, Human League and The Stranglers.

 

Death Walks… Is shooting during July, to allow the movie plenty of time in post-production before going onto the festival circuit in 2014. The makers are already in talks with Romford’s Premier Cinema to host the World Premier.

 

The movies producers are still looking for people eager to get involved.

For more info, checkout their page on Facebook.

Mortal Instruments : City of Bones - Coming in August...

Coming to UK cinemas in August. Clary Fray (Lily Collins) thought she was an ordinary teenager living in Brooklyn until one night in a downtown nightclub she encounters the mysterious, charismatic Jace. Upon witnessing Jace hunt down and kill a demon in the crowded club, Clary begins to wonder if she is that ordinary after all. Especially as she appears to be the only one who can see him…

 

Jace Wayland (Jamie Campbell Bower) is a Shadowhunter. Part of a secret cadre of half-angel warriors, he is tasked with protecting humanity in an ancient battle against demonic forces. This battle has been fought secretly in our midst for centuries, but the stakes have just been raised.

 

When Clary’s mother is viciously attacked and taken from their home, she discovers her connections to Jace run deeper than she could ever have imagined and beneath surface of the city exists another world…one she unknowingly belongs to. As both Clary and best friend Simon (Robert Sheehan) are drawn into this dark and dangerous world, Clary realises Jace is both the key to uncovering her past and protecting her future.

Based on Cassandra Clare’s bestselling novel, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is directed by Harold Zwart and also stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Lena Headey.

 

The films is released to UK cinemas August 21st from Entertainment One.

 

View the trailer on YouTube.

 

Like the film on Facebook.

 

Follow the film on Twitter.

 

 

Afraid of the Dark at the Charing Cross Theatre London.

Afraid of the Dark is a new brand of theatrical terror that paralyzes the audience with fear. Everyone is afraid of something. What scares you when the lights go out? Afraid of the Dark will have its World Premiere in London this autumn, playing at The Charing Cross Theatre from 2 September – 26 October, with a press night on Wednesday 11 September. 

 

50’s Hollywood, A failing B-movie producer and his team struggle to find the next terrifying blockbuster. A mysterious stranger appears – blurring the line between nightmare and reality while worming his way into their minds, exploiting their very worst fears……

 

Where does your nightmare begin?

 

Afraid of the Dark will be directed by Olivier Award winner Ian Talbot. Ian was artistic and managing director at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 1971 – 2008 and his extensive directing credits include High Society, Anything Goes, The Pirates of Penzance and The Invisible Man. The production is designed by Paul Farnsworth, who has collaborated with Ian Talbot on many productions at Regent’s Park, including Much Ado About Nothing  The Fantasticks, Lady Be Good and HMS Pinafore, as well as work at Chichester, with the RSC and in the West End. 

 

The playwright has chosen to remain anonymous…for now…

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Monday – Thursday @ 8pm, Friday @ 6.30 and 9pm, Saturday 4pm and 8pm
TICKET PRICES   £10.00 - £29.50
WEBSITE  :  http://www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk

 

NB: Afraid of the Dark is not suitable for children under 12, those of a nervous disposition or for those suffering with serious heart conditions.

 

Black Rock - Poster and Trailer revealed.

Metrodome Distribution have just released the poster artwork and UK trailer, for the new horror film – BLACK ROCK. Starring Kate Bosworth and Lake Bell under the helm of Katie Aselton who also co-stars.

 

Checkout the artwork below, trailer links are  at the bottom.

View the trailer on YouTube.

Black Rock is released to UK cinemas June 21st.

Spider Baby - UK BD/DVD review

Jack Hill’s cult classic makes it’s worldwide Blu-Ray debut right here in the UK courtesy of Arrow films this month, in an extras laden special edition BD/DVD combo pack.

 

Starring horror veteran Lon Chaney Jr, he plays Bruno, the house servant/chauffer/caretaker of a decrepit mansion. Who has also been left to care for the 3 mature children of his former master, who died a few years ago. However, the children all suffer from a rare condition that forces them to regress mentally when they reach a certain age.

 

The problem is they also display psychotic tendencies, as the poor postman finds out when he comes to make a special delivery. To make matters worse, it turns out some distant relatives are going to be visiting the property later that day to see about the sale of the estate and to take the children into their care.

 

Needless to say, when the relatives and their legal team arrive, the evening does not go to plan after Bruno fails to convince them to take lodgings elsewhere. And as they attempt to bed down for the night, the children’s games begin…

 

Filmed in Black and White back in 1964, at a time when Colour films were becoming the norm, this is a bit of a strange one. It’s not particularly bloody, but does feature some disturbing scenes, particularly where Bruno is unsure what to serve the guests for dinner, so one of the children goes out and captures a cat for him.

There's also some bizzare offbeat humour, as the film opens up with a strange, comical song, sung by Lon Chaney himself, giving it the feel of an "Abbot and Costello" movie. Then there's the jokey, jovial nature of the first victim, which is offset against the disturbing behaviour of the children and the rather nasty way they dispatch their victims as they play their "games", which makes you wonder in what sort of context to view the film.

Spider Baby is also notable for being one of director Jack Hill's first works, who went on to direct such exploitation classics as "Coffy" and "Foxy Brown" as well as it being one of Lon Chaney Jr’s last films. The film's also notable for being one of the first films of genre stalwart Sid Haig (Devil’s Rejects, Galaxy of Terror) who was in his 20s at the time. Other interesting casting choices include, Carol Ohmart (House on Haunted Hill), and Mantan Moreland (who starred in those Charlie Chan films of the 1940s).

 

The film did not receive an official release after completion, as the production company went bankrupt shortly after. However it did garner something of a cult following on home video, after the director managed to aquire a master tape (by exceptionally dubious means), during the 1980s. Whilst there have been some previous DVD releases kicking about, this new UK release by Arrow marks the first time the film has been available on Blu-Ray anywhere in the world, which has been struck from a brand new hi-definition master taken direct from the original negatives.

 

The film is released in a BD/DVD combo pack, which come chocked with extras including…

 

- Audio commentary featuring Jack Hill and star Sid Haig.

- Panel discussion from The “FILM-TO-FILM” Festival, featuring Jack Hill and stars Quinn K. Redeker and Beverly Washburn.
- “The Hatching of Spider Baby” – Interviews with Jack Hill, Sid Haig, star Mary Mitchel, fan Joe Dante and more on the making of the film.
- “The Cinema Sounds of Ronald Stein” – A look at the works of the films soundtrack composer Ron Stein
- “The Merrye House Revisited” – Jack Hill revisits the original house that was used as the main location in the film.
- Alternate opening title sequence.
- Extended scene.
- Original Trailer.
- Gallery of behind-the-scenes images.
- The Host (1960) – Jack Hill’s early short film starring Sid Haig in his first role.

The case also contains a special collector’s booklet and the sleeve comes with reversible artwork.

Definitely one for cult movie enthusiasts, Spider Baby certainly lives up to it's alternate title "The Maddest Story Ever Told".

 

The film is released to UK disc Monday 17th June.

Buy the BD/DVD combo pack at Amazon.co.uk

Hellraiser 1 & 2 at The Custard Factory Birmingham (UK)

 

 

Attention UK Hellraiser fans in the Birmingham area, there will be a special screening of Clive Barkers "Hellraiser" and "Hellboound : Hellraiser 2" at the Custard Factory Film Theatre in Birmingham on the 20th July, starting at 4pm.

 

Special guests in attendance include Simon Bamford (Butterball), Nicholas Vince (Chatterer), Geoff Portass (Makeup artist) and Kenneth Cranham (Dr Channard).

 

For more info and to buy tickets, follow the link and have your soul torn apart...

Custard Factory Fright Nights - Hellraiser Double Bill

Frightfest Announces Opening and Closing Night Films

Big Bad Wolves from Israel and Indian Zombies signal global horror invasion at the Film4 FrightFest this year. With the festival opening with the world premiere of The Ford Brothers THE DEAD 2: INDIA - the first-ever International production of a zombie film shot in India.

 

Howard and Jon Ford, the British director, writer and producer team behind the acclaimed African-set zombie road movie 'The Dead’ said today: “It's truly an honour to be the opening film – mind-blowing! Being at FrightFest for ‘The Dead’ was such an incredible experience for us and one of the highlights of our whole journey with the film. It's an awesome event with a brilliant crowd and we both sincerely cannot wait to see you all there!”.

 

The film follows the story of India-based American engineer Nicholas Burton (JOSEPH MILLSON) in a race against time to reach his pregnant girlfriend Ishani Sharma (MEENU). Burton enlists the help of an orphan street kid Javed (ANAND GOYAL) and together they make a perilous 300 mile journey across deadly landscapes as a zombie apocalypse threatens to engulf the entire nation.

 

Film4 FrightFest will close with the UK premiere of directors Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado’s extraordinary revenge thriller BIG BAD WOLVES. Soaked in twisted tension, fairytale myth and seat-edged suspense, the film follows the lives of three men on a collision course: following a series of brutal murders: the father of the latest victim now out for revenge, a vigilante police detective operating outside the law, and the main suspect in the killings - a religious studies teacher arrested and released due to a police blunder.

 

Aharon and Navot said today: “We always dreamt of having a film which would be good enough to be shown at FrightFest, but not even in our wildest dreams did we think that an Hebrew speaking revenge thriller would get us there. FrightFest is really making history here.  As a token of our appreciation we promise to give everyone there a  night they won't easily forget”.

 

All the directors and some cast members will be attending the festival.

 

Film4 FrightFest, the UK’s biggest genre film festival, runs from Thursday 22 August to Monday 26 August at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square. The full line up will be announced on Fri 28 June.  Festival & day passes go on sale from 29 June. Tickets for Individual films are on sale from 27 July.

 

Visit the official website at http://www.frightfest.co.uk/ 

 

Bookings: 08 714 714 714 or www.empirecinemas.co.uk

Wes Benscotter's "Hold Your Fire" on Twitchfilm

TWITCH FILM proudly presents the online premiere of artist-turned-filmmaker Wes Benscoter's debut short film, HOLD YOUR FIRE, exclusively at Twitch Film and online now!

 

A ghostly soldier comes face to face with this grim reality of his war-torn existence on the battlefield... and beyond!

Assaulting international audiences at festivals from Montreal's Fantasia to Sitges, Fantasporto, A Night of Horror, and Dead by Dawn, to sending domestic shivers up spines at Screamfest, Boston Underground, and the New York City Horror Film Festival, Twitch Film now takes the mantle in offering Wes Benscoter's mini-masterpiece to its largest audience ever.

A twenty-year veteran of horrific illustration, Benscoter established his reputation with artwork for Slayer and Black Sabbath, and more extreme acts like Cattle Decapitation. He's also well-known for the DVD and Blu-ray cover art he's created for Synapse Films, Dark Sky Films, and more, including such classic treatments as THRILLER: A CRUEL STORY,  THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, and the upcoming steelbooks for Lamberto Bava's DEMONS and DEMONS 2.

On the film's creation, Benscoter explains: "Shot in HD over many long, fog-shrouded weekends, I became an expert in predicting the dew-points needed for a foggy morning. I think the film is definitely of its era, and also timeless. I now think of HOLD YOUR FIRE as my ERASERHEAD. If I'm lucky the next film will be my BLUE VELVET."

Dread Central's praise during their time at the Fantasia elicits even more stark comparisons: "The most impressive thing we've seen is actually and eight-minute short by artist Wes Benscoter. Titled HOLD YOUR FIRE, the grim anti-war film depicting the isolation and horror of a four-limb amputee is genuinely disconcerting and oddly beautiful. Here's hoping some of the upcoming features are at least this good."

For more of Wes Benscoter's chilling artwork at http://wesbenscoter.com/

To view the film, click the following link Twitchfilm - Hold Your Fire

 

Crisis Zero - Official Announcement

This threat is real, this threat is now...



For more information, visit http://www.crisiszero.com/

Seth Patrick's "Reviver" comes to Paperback

Author Seth Patrick's latest horror novel "Reviver" hits bookshelves on the 20th of June.

 

Revivers. Able to wake the recently dead, and let them bear witness to their own demise. Twelve years after the first reviver came to light, they have become accepted by an uneasy public. The testimony of the dead is permitted in courtrooms across the world. Forensic revival is a routine part of police investigation.

In the United States, that responsibility falls to the Forensic Revival Service. Despite his troubled past, Jonah Miller is one of their best. But while reviving the victim of a brutal murder, he encounters a terrifying presence. Something is watching. Waiting. His superiors tell him it was only in his mind, a product of stress. Jonah is not so certain.

Then Daniel Harker, the first journalist to bring revival to public attention, is murdered, and Jonah finds himself getting dragged into the hunt for answers. Working with Harker's daughter Annabel, he's determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice. Soon they uncover long-hidden truths that call into doubt everything Jonah stands for, and reveal a threat that if not stopped in time, will put all of humanity in danger . . .

 

Buy the book at Amazon.co.uk

The Vineyard - UK DVD review

James Hong’s cult 1989 horror film “The Vineyard”, which comes to UK DVD this month courtesy of arrow films, is undoubtedly one of the more bizarre releases I’ve had to review in recent times.

Set on a secluded island, Hong (who directs and stars) plays noted winemaker Dr Elson Po, who’s Vineyard’s cover his spacious estate. His wines are extremely popular, and sell for ridiculous amounts on the mainland. But the reason for their popularity has something to do with their special ingredients, which no one seems to know about.

Seems Dr Po has been turning people into zombies, in order to produce a special elixir that maintains his relatively youthful looks, and has been burying them in his vineyards as they provide vital soil nutrients for the grapes he uses for his special wines (good job the food standards agency don’t pay him a visit then).

When a group of film makers visit his island looking for filming locations for a movie they are preparing to shoot, little do they realise Dr Po and his assistants have other plans for them. But when the zombies in the vineyard burst out of the ground and go on the rampage, the group find themselves caught between Po’s kung-fu fighting assistants on one side and the hoardes of the undead on the other.

Originally released back in 1989, this is a really weird film, which takes the old “mad doctor on a secluded island” setting and mixes in elements of modern day horror with oriental sword and sorcery.

Directed by star James Hong (of “Big Trouble in Little China” and “Tango and Cash” fame), whilst competently shot, it did have a slight “made for TV” feel about it and indeed was almost like watching an extended episode of “Tales from the Crypt”, but that in no way detracts from the overall campy fun of the film (even though the ghastly 80s fashions worn by the teenagers do look a little dated now).

The film is available now on UK DVD on Arrow Films ‘Arrowdrome’ label and contains the theatrical trailer as an extra. The case comes with a special collectors booklet and the sleeve features reversible artwork.

 

Buy the DVD at Amazon.co.uk

In Fear - theatrical trailer

Checkout the trailer to the new British horror-thriller "In Fear". The film has been receiving rave reviews on the festival circuit and will be hitting UK cinemas later this year...

 

Side Effects UK BD and DVD specs

One of the years most anticipated releases, Side Effects, is released on Blu-ray and DVD on 29th July from Entertainment One, and is available for pre-order now.

 

Directed by the visionary Steven Soderbergh, Side Effects stars Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes, Hugo) in “his best performance since the Talented Mr Ripley” (The Guardian),  Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Social Network) Catherine Zeta-Jones (Rock of Ages, Oceans Twelve) and Channing Tatum (The Vow, Dear John).

 

Emily (Rooney Mara) and Martin (Channing Tatum) appear to be love’s young dream. However their worlds are turned upside down when Emily’s psychiatrist (Jude Law) prescribes a new drug to treat her anxiety. As Emily experiences unexpected and dangerous side effects, neither the symptoms nor the cure are quite what they seem.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS
Special Features include:
• Interviews
• True of Life
• Making of
• Reaching Too High
• Perfect couple
• Behind-The-Scenes
• Ablixa Commercial
• Intentin Commercial
• Super 8 featurette shot by Steven Soderbergh

Pre-order the DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Pre-order the BD from Amazon.co.uk

War of the Worlds - The True Story on US DVD

Pendragon Pictures announces the release of WAR OF THE WORLDS THE TRUE STORY onto US DVD, a critically acclaimed Oscar contender featuring epic battles, giant robotic walking war machines, heat-ray weapons, frightening alien creatures, human loss, love and the triumph of spirit.

 

Years before Spielberg’s production of War of the Worlds, in 2001, another large budget movie of the H.G. Wells story was in the works by director Timothy Hines. With a budget of $42 million and in negotiation with Charlize Theron and Michael Caine to star, the movie was abruptly halted along with a slew of action driven Hollywood pictures when the 9-11 terrorist attack occurred. Following the shutdown, Director Timothy Hines and producer partners Susan Goforth and Donovan Le spent more than a decade to remount the movie and bring their unique epic version of the H.G. Wells classic to the screen.

 

Hines finally triumphs with his ambitious, breathtaking movie, WAR OF THE WORLDS THE TRUE STORY. Having played in select theaters across the United States to fan raves, critics’ praise, and qualifying as an Oscar contender for the 85th Academy Awards, the movie is available now on DVD through the official website (see link below).

 

The film is presented as the eyewitness account of Bertie Wells, the last living survivor of the Earth/Mars War as he struggles to find his wife amidst the destruction of humankind at the hands of terrifying alien invaders.

 

Frank Sheck of The Hollywood Reporter called the movie, “Impressive,” and said, “Director/Editor Hines weaves the various styles of footage together in expert fashion." Critic Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times said, "’War of the Worlds The True Story is clever like Wells. Hugely inventive and ambitious, a mock sci-fi docudrama packed with a truly impressive — and clever — mix of editing (a reported 3 1/2 years' worth), special effects, visual artistry and offbeat storytelling." And Steven Rose Jr. for the Sacramento Examiner said, “’The True Story’ carries the suspense and drama of both the 1953 movie and Spielberg’s 2005 version but in a more realistic manner through its documentary style.”

 

Extras on the disc inclue: Special Effects featurette, The Moviemakers Talk, Screening at Chapman University after conversation with Professor Allen Levy, best selling sci-fi fantasy author and father of Steampunk, James P. Blaylock, director Timothy Hines and the audience. Also Hi-Definition Trailer and TV spots.

 

View the trailer on YouTube.

You can find WAR OF THE WORLDS THE TRUE STORY DVD at http://www.waroftheworldsthetruestory.com.

A Haunted House - Poster and trailer

Vertigo films have just released the new UK quad artwork and theatrical trailer for their upcoming release of "The Haunted House", starring Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins.

The film hits UK cinemas on 19th June.

View the trailer on YouTube.

Visit the UK microsite http://www.vertigofilms.com/ahauntedhouse/

Possession comes to UK Blu-Ray

A horror film like no other, Possession, directed by Andrzej Żuławski, is an intense shocking experience that was originally banned in the UK on the notorious ‘Video Nasties’ list. Now this hugely controversial film makes its long-awaited Blu-ray debut courtesy of Second Sight Films.

 

Possession was nominated for a BAFTA and the Palme d’Or and stars Isabelle Adjani (Subway, La Reine Margot), who’s astonishing performance earned her Best Actress awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the French Césars alongside Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Omen III – The Final Conflict). The film features stunning special effects by Carlo Rambaldi (Alien, E.T) and comes to Blu-ray with an amazing array of bonus features on 29 July 2013.

 

With their marriage in tatters Anna (Adjani) and Mark’s (Neill) tense relationship has become a psychotic descent into screaming matches, violence and self-mutilation. Believing his wife’s only lover is the sinister Heinrich, Mark is unaware of the diabolical, tentacled creature that Anna has embarked on an affair with. The unhinged woman visits her monstrous lover in a deserted Berlin apartment and will stop at nothing to protect him.

With its dark subject matter and high gore quotient, Possession is not for the faint hearted.

Special features:
• THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL - THE MAKING OF POSSESSION
• AUDIO COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR ANDRZEJ ZULAWSKI
• AUDIO COMMENTARY WITH CO-WRITER FREDERIC TUTEN
• ANDRZEJ ZULAWSKI INTERVIEW
• REPOSSESSED – The film’s UK and US reception, the ‘video nasties’ furore
and the US recut
• A DIVIDED CITY – Interview with the composer Andrzej Korzynski
• OUR FRIEND IN THE WEST – Interview with legendary producer Christian
Ferry
• BASHA – featurette on the artist who created the famed film poster
• THEATRICAL TRAILER

Buy the UK BD at Amazon.co.uk

Garden of Hedon Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Kickstarter Campaign

Film maker Kevin Kangas ("Hunting Humans", "Fear of Clowns") recently got in touch to tell us about his new film "Garden of Hedon"  and the unique kick starter crowd-sourcing campaign they're launched to get it released.

 

Crowd-sourcing is traditionally used to fund the creation of feature films, but the innovation of the GOH campaign is that the film is already complete, and if the funding goal is reached, the producers will release the film for FREE all over the internet via torrents, Youtube, Vimeo and more.

 

Writer/director Kevin Kangas says it’s a “scary but intriguing” thing to attempt. He came up with the concept after being frustrated with traditional movie distribution. “Back in the day,” says Kangas, “like when Lionsgate distributed my second flick ‘Fear of Clowns’, a distributor would give you a healthy advance and then offer to pay you back-end royalties(which you’d never see). But the advance was normally enough that it didn’t matter. Then your film would come out about 18 months later.”

 

Enter the internet and crowd-sourcing. “If we raise what is basically our budget for the film,” says producer Luke Theriault, “we can get this movie out to everyone. You can watch it on your laptop, on your ipad, on your Xbox or your Playstation, or any internet-enabled Blu-ray player. There will be torrents in DVD and Blu-Ray quality. It’s instant gratification.”Kangas added that those who still enjoy physical media can get a Blu-Ray at the $40 donation level.

 

The film, about  a detective trapped in a supernatural house where women are being murdered, stars Richard Cutting (“National Treasure 2”), Danielle Lozeau (“Legion”, “The Eye”) and John C. Bailey (“The Men Who Built America”). The music score is by veteran composer Chad Seiter(“Fringe”, “Star Trek”, “Lost”).

 

The campaign, which includes previews and giveaways, can be found by searching for “Garden of Hedon” at Kickstarter or going to: http://kck.st/11nbxZj

 

See also http://www.kangaskahnfilms.com/

 

Blood released to UK disc

Paul Bettany and Stephen Graham star as two brothers who's lives spiral viciously out of control in BLOOD, which is released to UK DVD and BD 10th June.

 

Directed by Nick Murphy (The Awakening), Blood is a psychological thriller about two brothers whose lives begin to collapse under the weight of their father's illustrious shadow.

 

A contemporary Greek Tragedy set around the investigation into the murder of a young girl, BLOOD stars Paul Bettany (The Da Vinci Code, Legion), Stephen Graham (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Boardwalk Empire, This is England), Brian Cox (Rise of The Planet of The Apes, Red, The Bourne Supremacy), and Mark Strong (Zero Dark Thirty, Kick Ass, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).

 

Joe (Bettany) and Chrissie (Graham) are both respected police detectives under pressure to live up to the reputation of their father, Lenny (Cox) who ran the department for years and was a key figure in the local community.

 

Once a bully to both his colleagues and sons, Lenny is now in the midst of the onset of dementia and is drifting away from his sons. However, Joe and Chrissie's desire to fill his shoes has some terrible consequences, and soon they find themselves investigating their own crime..

 

The fear of being caught by their close friend and colleague Robert (Strong) is nothing compared to the fractures this causes in the brothers' relationships and in their own minds. Chrissie is consumed by his own conscience while Joe becomes delusional and terrified of what this might do to his beloved family; a family that his father raised him to protect at all costs....

 

Don't miss you chance to see BLOOD when it is released to DVD & Blu-ray on 10th June.

Buy the UK DVD at Amazon.co.uk

Buy the UK BD at Amazon.co.uk

Rage of Innocence begins shooting

Veteran filmmaker Mark Pirro writer/director of such cult classics as“Deathrow Gameshow,” “Color-Blinded” and most recently “The God Complex” is set to begin principal photography on a terrifying new production entitled “Rage of Innocence.”

Departing from the comedic tone, a standard of Pirromount's previous features, this is their first venture into a psychological thriller.

 

The movie centers around a male high school Jim Marsden (John McCafferty) teacher who begins a relationship with a female teacher. He soon discovers that his lover's teenage daughter Raven (Stef Dawson) is psychologically unbalanced. Raven stops at nothing to keep him from dating her mother.

Her violent rage escalates and spirals into a dangerous web of lies, deceit and ultimately forces him to play her deadly game.

The film is sceduled for release, summer 2015.

For more info checkout their Facebook page...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rage-of-Innocence/567756406581134