Scarezone: The Ride that will Leave You Dead or in Tears

Author/Michael Allen

Have you heard of Scarezone? If not, and if you like 80's slasher films then Scarezone will be the right film for you. The film is set within a haunted house attraction "where actors in costumes lunge from the darkness at hapless customers (Nevermore)." Scarezone is already set for a February 19th release at the Nevermore Film Festival and fans might want to check out this film that has been described as "a stylish, terrifying excursion through...make-believe (Nevermore)." A trailer for this project and synopsis are below.

The tagline for Scarezone (very Aliens inspired):

No one can hear you scream… if they're screaming too!

The synopsis for Scarezone:

"Scare Zone is Oliver's pride and joy. Sure, it is just another strip-mall Halloween Horror House, but as always, he has put his heart and soul into it. This year it is "Scare Zone III: the Psyco-Splatter Raw-topsy Slaughter Dungeon" where he has created an entire creepy Victorian manse featuring all of his best scenarios: the Living Amputation, the odiferous Toilet of Terror, the Vampire Bride (featuring Bat-Baby), and of course a final encounter with the chain-saw wielding Pumpkin Carver.

The attraction is open for three nights only, and Oliver has brought back his old staff, including ex-con Spider, eager bride-to-be Summer, and the enigmatic Goth princess Claire. A bunch of newbies are also on board, including earnest young Darryl, who immediately finds himself bewitched by the creepy Claire. The dysfunctional 'scream team' learns to work together while someone or some-thing is out to make the horror real (Scarezone)!"

Release Date: February 19th (Limited Theatrical).

Director/writer: Jon Binkowski.

Cast: Neil Brown Jr., Michele Feren, Hank Stone, Arian Waring Ash, Justin Smith, Jillian Kinsman, Tim Powell, Cynthia Murell, Laura Alexandra Ramos, and Jordan Wall.

One of two trailers for Scarezone:



Sources

Scarezone Homepage

Scarezone at Nevermore

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Horror Short Vacant for your Viewing Pleasure

Author/Michael Allen

Vacant is a short film production created by the Vancouver Film School students and in this ten minute short love, death, and infidelity all take place in a very short time span. Vacant is an example of what local westcoast talent can produce in the VFS Film Production program and for your viewing pleasure the entire short is just below courtesy of Shoot for the Head.

Director/Writer: William McKnight.

Producer: Eliza Rogers.

Director of Photography: Amit Dey.

Other Production Staff: Geoff Webb, Aaron Hecker, Melissa Ward, Ryan Mitchell, Russell O'Neill, Ross Macdonald, Reilly Derkitt, Lawrence Kan, Ian Shirley, David Burnett, Chris Killoran, Tobias Silverstolpe, Chris Killoran, Cedric Malayi, Jennifer Li, and Forrest Wong.

Cast: Tom Stevens, Lisa Ovies, Dariya Parakhnevych, Alex Borrowman, Jack Hedley, and
Lee Page.

The ten minute short for Vacant here:



Sources:

Steffan at Gods of Advertising (First to View Vacant)

Vacant on Shoot for the Head

Vancouver Film School

Zombie Picture courtesy of Xicr'

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Cirque Du Freak is More Giggles Than Chills

Author/Michael Allen

The horror DVD releases that are targeted at the tweens are in abundance during the month of February. Cirque Du Freak attempts to straddle a very fine line between the horrific and the comedic, while trying to appeal to the teen market and others, all in one sitting. This would be impossible for even the most adept directors, but Paul Weitz has seemingly accomplished this feat. Although there is a whole slew of reviews that put Cirque Du Freak in different classes of quality, the movie site Cinemablend states of Cirque: "how well Cirque works must go to director Paul Weitz. His movie looks fantastic." This site is not really an expert on the tween market nor tween targeted horror, so fans of this film will have to put in their own thoughts on the film below. All the Cirque Du Freak details are below, as the DVD releases February 23. As well, the DVD artwork is left.

The short version of the synopsis for Cirque Du Freak is here:

"Cirque Du Freak is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

Release Date: February 2nd (DVD).

Director: Paul Weitz.

Writer: Brian Helgeland.

Cast: John C. Reilly, Patrick Breen, Colleen Camp, Michael Cerveris, John Crawford, Willem Dafoe, Anna Dawson, Frankie Faison, Patrick Fugit, Salma Hayek, Beau Holden, Josh Hutcherson, Orlando Jones, Tom Woodruff Jr., Jane Krakowski, Ted Manson, Chris Massoglia, Don McManus, Brandon Molale, Ritchie Montgomery, Daniel Newman, John C. Reilly, Kristen Schaal, Ray Stevenson, Ken Watanabe.

A trailer for Cirque Du Freak here:



Sources:

Cirque Du Freak at Movies Unlimited

Cirque Du Freak at TA'

Cirque Du Freak at Cinemablend

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Is Circle of Eight Better than Ho-Hum Horror?

Author/Michael Allen

Circle of Eight, from Paramont Pictures, will release on DVD as of February 2nd and despite being targeted for "young teens" the promotional material does have a hook (Horror). Circle of Eight was previously a web series on Myspace, but now the DVD will be on Netflix queues and DVD store shelves shortly. Also described by the movie review website Horror.com as "decent enough to watch all the way through, once, if you have to" and "[but] why bother?" With this stellar review you know that you will be getting the cream of the crop in Circle of Eight, but if that is not enough central character Jessica can be heard screaming her lungs out in 5.1 Dolby Digital. As well, several featurettes included in the DVD will entice some to purchase and Circle of Eight will be provided in Widescreen. All the visually traumatizing details are inside.

The synopsis for Circle of Eight here:

"In a creepy, historic apartment building in downtown Los Angeles known as the Dante, Jessica (Austin Highsmith) is welcomed into a tight-knit group of tenants. But when she begins investigating a series of bizarre and grisly deaths, Jessica finds herself on a dark path that leads to a shocking revelation about her connection to her new home (Movie). "

Release Date: February 2nd (DVD).

Director: Stephen Cragg.

Writers: Dave Brewman, and Brian Horiuchi.

Cast: John Biship, Kirk Bovil, Ryan Doom, Austin Highsmith, Spencer Hill, Jesse Johnson, Darren Keefe, and Josh Kelly.

The trailer for Circle of Eight can be found here:



Pre-orders are available through Amazon.com at the second lowest price this site has seen (wonder why?):



Sources:

Circle of Eight at Horror.com

Circle of Eight at Movies Unlimted

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After Life There Is More Than Death

Author/Michael Allen

After.Life was shown at the American Film Market in 2009 and while showing at several other film festivals, After.Life will be released to a wider audience April 9th. After.Life is being distributed by Anchor Bay films and the story follows a young woman stuck in the gap between life and death. The film stars Christina Ricci, Liam Neeson, Alfred Molina, and Justin Long. So far, After.Life was received some high marks from viewers, but the film seems to be polarizing audiences between those who really enjoyed the film and those who, unfortunately, did not. Have a look at the short synopsis below to decide if there is life for After.Life, or just death.

Tagline:

Life is the symptom. Death is the cure.

The synopsis for After.Life:

"This story chronicles a young woman in a transitional state between life and death. Anna fights to avoid being buried alive and the funeral director holds her fate in his hands (Bloody-disgusting)."

Release Date: April 9th (Limited Release).

Director: Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo.

Writers: Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo, and Paul Vosloo.

Cast: Josh Charles, Chandler Canterbury, and Celia Weston.

Sources:

After.Life Movie Review

After.Life at BD

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The Good Sisters Might Not Be that Bad After All

Author/Michael Allen

When one sees a movie poster that was made with five minutes and Microsoft Paint, one wonders if the film is worth mentioning to viewers. When the trailer shows lots of hair flipping, Ouija board playing and not much else one wonders if the film might be best swept under the rug. But sometimes news is best passed on to the fans who are often in a better position to judge a film on its merits. So after this long intro', we have The Good Sisters from director and writer JimmyO Burril. The film is about "black magick" and "an ancient bloodline (The Good Sisters)." Cinesploitation has described the film as: "what seems like a slow burn through the first two acts is just a gradual boil until the pressure builds and it can no longer be contained (Cine')." A couple early reviews are positive and The Good Sisters will be available through video-on-demand February 1st and on DVD February 2nd. All the exciting details inside.

The synopsis for The Good Sisters here:

"Breanne Good (Debbie Rochon), and Kindra Good (April Monique) are sisters with a secret life - practicioners of witchcraft, glamours, and black magick. Fiercely protective of their privacy, craft, and ancient bloodline, they becomes suspicious of their new neighbour Daniel (David Calhoun) who also leads a life shrouded in mystery. Unsure if he is unnaturally obsessed with them, or if they are only being paranoid, The Good Sisters will have to draw all their power about them as it becomes clear their ages old battle of good versus evil, light versus dark, freadom versus oppression may be about to begin again, which leaves a question. Who is being good and who is not (The Good Sisters)?"

A teaser trailer for the film here (the first five secs' are the best):



Pre-orders are available now through Amazon.com, with a release coming next month:



Sources:

The Good Sisters Homepage

The Good Sisters on Myspace

The Good Sisters Review at Cinespoitation

The Good Sisters Release Info' at Horror Society

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Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula Serves Up More than Just Bank Robberies!

Author/Michael Allen

Gangsters and horror go together like moonshine and an over-used liver. You know that there is going to be a reaction and that reaction will not look pretty. Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula is a true story, according to the trailer, that has not yet been told. Not only were Bonnie & Clyde notorious '30's gangsters, but they were also one of the few to encounter Dr. Loveless and his imprisoned secret, Dracula. Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula will take viewers to a dark place at the Nevermore Film Festival, and here you will find laughter and a new take on an old tale. Have a look at the trailer for the film below.

A synopsis for the film:

"Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula combines the rough and tumble world of 1930's era gangster movies with the violent gothic atmosphere of a classic horror film.

When a robbery goes bad and one of their companions is shot, Bonnie & Clyde are forced to seek help at a nearby mansion, home to the twisted Dr. Loveless and his imprisoned sister, Annabel.

But Loveless has a secret. Deep in his cellar, the recently revived Dracula awaits (BCVD)."

Release Date: February 19th, 2010 (Limited Theatrical).

Director/writer: Timothy Friend.

Cast: Jordan Baranowski, Katie Barker, Ari Bavel, and Chris Carter.

A movie trailer for Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula here:



Sources:

Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula at Nevermore

The Film's Homepage

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The Future Looks Bleak But Beautifully Horrific in Biophage

Author/Michael Allen

Biophage, a film developed by Mark Rapp, will see DVD shelves and Netflix queues beginning February 2, 2010. The film envisions a post-apocalyptic world of tomorrow, where a "bio-chemical agent" has changed much of the populace into "biophages (Movies)." Hard to Get Productions was the support behind the film and while slightly of the radar, and very independent, the early material looks good. Also, Biophage was shot in black and white near Pittsburgh, so the film will likely appeal to those looking for a grainier look, with their cinema. Have a look at all the available info' on Biophage below.

The synopsis for Biophage here:

"Through the tattered remains of a post-apocalyptic civilization, Sgt. Cain and Dr. Bell make their way back from the Center for Disease Control. Their mission to find signs of human life is a failure. They are returning to Mt. Bethel, the military research hospital, from which they were sent. On their way back, Sgt. Cain and Dr. Bell encounter the remnants of humanity which, through an accidental release of a bio-chemical agent, have transformed into the undead-like biophages.

Continues...

However, they soon find that their biggest problem isn't the 'phages, but surviving together. Encounters with the occasional survivor some friendly, some with ulterior motives, mark their journey while heading back to Mt. Bethel. Dr. Miller races to develop a cure. At the will of Dr. Miller, treachery and betrayal loom on the horizon, as the two try to reach Mt. Bethel, and achievethe final destiny of humanity (Movies)."

Directed by: Mark Rapp.

Writing: Steven F. Clark.

Cat: Aaron Jackson, Ron Marnich, Dawn Ali, Steven F. Clark, Robert Curtis, Brian Hillard, Kristin Pfeifer, Ernest Charles Rapp, and John Yost.

USA:72 min

Pre-orders available through Amazon.com:



Check out Biophage on Facebook:

Biophage on Facebook

Sources:

Biophage at Movies Unlimited

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Cheerleaders Drive Some to Madness

Author/Michael Allen

Stockholm Syndrome has released Madness this week. The film is an Andreas Vaehi production that involves cheerleaders and some lowlife degenerates, who torment two cheerleaders near an isolated gas station. This is an independent film with few early reviews, so if you have seen the film drop a quick line and leave your impressions. The synopsis, one-sheet, cast and crew are provided here.

The full synopsis for Madness here:

"Friends Jenna and Tara are on their way to a cheerleading contest. At a gas station, they decide to help two guys, Chad and Oliver who are having problems with their car. What they do not know is that they are being watched by a group of mad men. Their only intention is to hunt them down and kill for all sorts of sadistic pleasure. After being capture and locked up survival is the only thing that matters but just how afar are they willing to go (Madness)?"

Directors/writers: Sonny Laguna, and David Lijeblad.

Cast: Yohanna Idha, Sonny Laguna, Anna ADolfsson, and Victoria Bloom.

Pre-orders through Amazon.com:



The homepage for Madness here:

Madness Homepage

Sources:

Madness at Dead Havey

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A Dead Walkers Preview

Author/Michael Allen

2010 is the year of the horror western, as Dead Walkers travels this dusty film landscape. Dead Walkers also shows at the Nevermore Film Festival on February 20th (2:45pm). And with central character Jack Link spouting lines like: ""When God needed a place to shit he built this part of the world....(Dead Walkers)," you know you are in good company. A trailer is now available for Dead Walkers below, but more importantly this is a great opportunity to see the undead on the big screen at Nevermore. Keep in mind this is a horror short with a runtime of thirteen minutes. A synopsis is below.

The synopsis for Dead Walkers:

"Bounty hunter and gunman Jack Link has a knack for trouble, but when he stumbles into a town cursed with the undead, he might have bit off more than he can chew (Dead Walker)."

Director/writer: Spencer Estabrooks.

Writer: Keith Lawrence.

Cast: TC Andrews, Dale Buchanan, and Geoff Cain.

The trailer for Dead Walkers here:



More info at the Dead Walkers website:

Dead Walkers Webpage

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The Familiar Needs No Laugh Track: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

Director/writer: Kody Zimmermann.

The Familiar is a twenty-two minutes horror short that is very comedic and tongue-in-cheek. The Familiar has played at the Screamfest Film Festival in Los Angeles and the New York City Horror Film Festival. Now, the film will be at the Nevermore Film Festival. Luckily, before the festival starts, a review of the the film is here and The Familiar is entertaining, punchy, efficient and worth more than twenty-two minutes of your time.

The Familiar involves, well yes, a vampire's familiar who goes about the mundane tasks of removing limbs, bathing his vampire master, and basically becoming disillusioned with life. Sam (Torrance Coombs) has the boss from hell! Simon Bolivar (Paul Hubbard), an ancient vampire, keeps Sam wrapped around his narcissistic little finger and things go from bad to worse when Simon steals his new girlfriend's blood and soul.

The Familiar, while short, is an example of what director Kody Zimmerman can do with a small budget and some creative ideas. Each scene is either rich in action or comedic delivery of well-timed lines. The film is exciting to watch, with the pacing delivering the story effectively and concisely. Yet, the film comes to a head much too fast.

One of the constraints of working within a short format is that characterizations cannot be totally fleshed out and the film seems to be a preview of a much longer film. However, the ending is delivered in such a way that a sequel is possible and the final scene is spirited, with a message of the powerlessness of immortality over humanity delivered in one last shocking line.

This film really will suck you dry and those in the North Carolina area need to get their Familiar infusion at the Nevermore Film Festival beginning February 19th. Witty, charming, and fun the characters Sam and Simon are truly a cut above other vampire icons. Their conflicting and sardonic dialogue will have you rolling in the aisles at the Carolina Theatre, or re-tasting your dinner, as one more headless corpse graces the screen. Glue your eyes to the screen whereever The Familiar shows 'cause your left superior frontal gyrus with thank-you (an obscure, unnecessary reference to the humourous part of your brain).

Overall: 7.5 dismembered corpses out of 10.

More details on The Familiar can be found at the website here:

The Familiar Homepage

Or the Nevermore website found here:

The Familiar at Nevermore

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Dead Bones Taste Like Chicken

Author/Michael Allen

A western and a horror film rolled into one? Why has no one thought of this before? Oh wait, there was the Burrowers and Deadwalkers, but there has not been a western involving cannibals and "secret meat (Joblo)." Nevermore is on a roll, or more like an avalanche, as several quality horror films grace the North Carolina screens. Dead Bones is no exception according to one review and already the film has been called "a spaghetti western submerged in horror (Joblo)." This short film is not to be missed, so dust off your six-shooters and head down to the festival. Just stay away from the special meat!

The short synopsis for Dead Bones:

A bounty hunger looking for a couple of no good criminals finds himself in a dusty old western town searching for an easy reward. He finds more than he bargained for when the local butcher lets him in on the secret meat that has a hankerin' for him (JoBlo)!"

Release Date: February 19, 2010 (Limited Theatrical).

Director/writer: Olivier Beguin.

Cast: Arie Verveen, Frederic Landenberg, Ken Foree, Yannick Merlin, and Yannick Rosset.

A trailer is forthcoming.

Sources:

Dead Bones Homepage

Dead Bones at Nevermore

Dead Bones Review at Joblo

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Dial in to AM1200 at Nevermore

Author/Michael Allen

A second entry at the Nevermore Film Festival is the intense, desperate thriller AM1200. AM1200 starts off the film festival at approximately 9:00pm. The film runs for fourty minutes and already this mysterious flick has won several awards including the Sacramento International Film Festival's Best Editing prize, the Shockfest International Film Festival Best Picture award, and best actor award at the same festival. This Nevermore entry stars Eric Lange (Entourage), Ray Wise (Twin Peaks) and John Billingsley (Out of Time). Check out this highlight of the Nevermore Film Festival right here and tune in to the broadcast!

The synopsis for AM1200:

"Cocky investment analyst Sam Larson (Eric Lange) has a lot on his mind. After a financial scam goes horribly wrong he hits the road in a desperate bid to outrun his guilt."

A fragment of a radio broadcast that may or may not be a distress call lures him to an isolated transmitting station and into a terrifying mystery of murder, madness and the insatiable hunger of a power beyond his comprehension (AM1200)"

Release Date: February 19th (Limited Theatrical).

Director/writer: David Prior.

Cast: Stephanie Venditto, Phil Trask Jr., Michael Ambrosini.

The trailer for AM1200 (a high quality trailer is available at the film's website):



Sources:

AM1200 Homepage

Horror Film Festivals at Dead Harvey

AM1200 at Nevermore

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Evil Angel Graces the Front Page of the Nevermore Film Festival

Author/Michael Allen

Evil Angel will be at the Nevermore Film Festival beginning Saturday, February 20th at 7:00pm. This film festival has been going strong for 10 years now and 2010 will be even more dynamic and better for this movie market that begins February 19. Evil Angel will be in the North Carolina region throughout the festival and Evil Angel stars Ving Rhames (Dawn of the Dead) "as a tough detective in pursuit of an ancient evil (Nevermore)." Truly gothic, horrific and animated, the early promotional material for Evil Angel looks exceptional and further details on the film can be found inside.

The synopsis for Evil Angel:

"Evil angels takes the ancient myth of Lilith into the 21st century with a murderously sexy and seductive villainess who, as the earth's first woman, proudly lays claim to being the world's first serial killer (Evil Angel)"

Release Date: (February 20th - Limited Release).

Director/writer: Richard Dutcher.

Cinematographer: Bill Butler.

Cast: Ava Gaudet, Kristopher Shepard, Jontille Gerard, Bart Johnson, JJ Neward and Marie Westbrook.

More details on the film from the official Evil Angel website:

Evil Angel Homepage

Further showing of Evil Angel at the Nevermore Film Festival here:

Evil Angel at Nevermore

Sources:

Nevermore at Dead Harvey

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Demonic Toys 2 Not all Fun and Games

Author/Michael Allen

What happened to the original Demonic Toys? And does one need to see the original to see Demonic Toys 2? Life is all about risks and in Demonic Toys 2 the characters risk their lives trying to escape a "nine hundred year old Italian castle (IMDB)." The film is heavy in special effects, but the film has been described as "pisspoor" and "a cinematic shit sandwich (Killer Film)." So purchasing Demonic Toys 2 might be a risk to your pocketbook and your own mental health. A trailer is available for those who like the demon possessed dolls. For every one else, have a laugh at the clip that could have been called "When Freaky Looking Dolls Go Wild!"

The trailer for Demonic Toys 2 here:

"A group of people on a world wide search for oddities find themselves trapped in a nine hundred year old Italian castle when they accident unleash the Demonic Toys (IMDB)."

Release Date: January 26 (DVD).

Director/writer: William Butler.

Cast: Selene Luna, Michael Citriniti, Alli Kinzel, and Lane Compton.



Read a couple more reviews on this one before digging deep:



Sources:

Demonic Toys 2 at IMDB

Demonic Toys 2 at Killer Film (Full Review)

Demonic Toys 2 at Dreadcentral

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The Double Born Available for Viewing

Author/Michael Allen

The Double Born was just released on DVD this week and the film has created some buzz on the film festival circuit, with early reviews positive. The film stars Sammi Davis and Jon Lindstrom in this picture from Painted Bird Films. The Double Born was shot in Calabasas, California and the plotline involves childbirth, infertility, infidelity and a "woman's tormented world (Painted)." The trailer for the film seems to have been cut by an editor off his Ritalin, but several early reviews cannot be wrong. Have a look at all the info' on this project below, which was released on the 26th of this month.

The synopsis for The Double Born:

"A woman is tortured by the sudden disappearance of her only child years before. Obsessed with having another baby, she is devastated and driven to emotional crisis when discovering her new husband is infertile. Gripped by despair, the woman begins to resign herself to the bitter likelihood of never having another child. Striking up a friendship with two discarded young laborers hired to re-paint her son's now silent room, the three lost souls form a disturbing bond as the boys are led deeper into the woman's tormented world. Her family's suspicions of this unsettling new friendship sets off an irreversible series of events, leading to madness and murder as the horrors of the past collide with the sins of the present, ending in tragedy and terror (IMDB)."

Release Date) January 26, 2010 (DVD).

Director/writer: Tony Randel.

Cast: Sammi Davis, Jon Lindstrom, Jake Bern, Alex Weed, Jenny Paulin, Lindsey Girardot, Charles Noland, and Wray Gould.

The somewhat schizophrenic trailer for The Double Born here:



Available through Amazon.ca:



Sources:

The Double Born at Dead Harvey

The Double Born Synopsis at IMDB

The Double Born Homepage

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It is Not Haunted - It is Just Previously Owned

Author/Michael Allen

Shock Till You Drop has announced the release of horror production Knife Edge. Knife Edge will be released on DVD as of April 20 and Anthony Hickox (Waxwork, Hellraiser III) is the director. E1 entertainment will distribute and the story follows Nathalie Press and a haunted country home, outside of London. The full synopsis and cast info' are below.

The synopsis for Knife Edge here

"Nathalie Press plays a successful Wall Street trader who returns to England with her new husband and five-year-old son, but their new start together turns into a nightmare when they move into a country house which contains a terrible secret."

Release Date: April 20th, 2010 (DVD).

Director: Anthony Hickox.

Wrtier: Fiona Combe, and Anthony Hickox.

Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Tamsin Egerton, Joan Plowright, Natalie Press, and Jamie Harris.

Preorders available:



Sources:

Knife Edge at Shock

Knife Edge at Horror News Net

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The Monsters Down the Hall Are Closer than they Seem: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

Director/writer: S. Vollie Osborn.

Not many films tackle child abuse. Fewer films manage to tackle the subject and still make the film come across as entertaining. Monsters Down the Hall was shown at Slamdance last week and now this horror short gets a review here. Although Monsters Down the Hall is devoid of a music soundtrack the intense subject matter, delivery, and message deliver of the film create an intense movie watching experience.

Michael (Zekari Jackson) is the son of a single mother (Helene Taylor) who goes about his normal routine each day. However, Michael's routine involves lonely waits at the bus stop, searching for companionship in a rundown apartment, and taking care of his heroin addicted mother. This picture does not seem abnormal to Michael, as he has known nothing else, but viewers will be horrified if they stop for one moment to realize that this situation happens in hundreds of thousands of households each day.

A film about poverty, neglect, abandonment, and maltreatment, Monsters Down the Hall will shock most audience members, without a doubt. The cinematography and display of the subject of child abuse is given an excellent delivery by Carole McClintock. The dark hallways of Michael's mind and of the apartment building he lives in are given a dark atmosphere that is often unsettling. Not only are the message and atmosphere given quality treatment, but the acting, as well, is performed with distinction and with professional understatement, on the part of Zekari Jackson and Helene Taylor.

Monsters Down the Hall is very short and some viewers might be wanting a little more depth; yet films of this subject matter are often tough to digest over long periods, so director Osborn's decision to keep the film as a short was sound.

Currently, the film is on the film festival circuit, with the goal to appear at Sundance. Not available in a wide release capacity as of yet, horror enthusiasts will have to be patient, as Monsters Down the Hall engages in limited events only. Have a look at the film's website for additional information.

Plot/writing/story: 8.
Social message/philosophical significance: 9.
Setting/realism/authenticity: 8.5.
Closure/unity/logical development: 7.

Overall: 8.1 jaw dropping expressions out of 10.

Monsters Down the Hall Homepage

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George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead Ready for Release

Author/Michael Allen

Survival of the Dead now has an official DVD cover, which can be seen left. The film will be released through Video on Demand beginning April 30th. Survival of the Dead will then follow up any successes on VOD with a limited engagement starting on May 28th. Theatres locations have not been announced, as of yet, and currently Magnolia is releasing Survival of the Dead via Magnet Releasing. Recharge your memory and excitement by checking out the available details on the film below.

The synopsis:

"In a world where the dead rise to menace the living, rogue soldier Crocket (Alan Van Sprang) leads a band of military dropouts to refuge from the endless chaos. As they search for a place 'where the shit won’t get you.'"

Release Date: April 30 (VOD)

Director: George A. Romero.

Writer: George A. Romero.

Cast: Kathleen Munroe, Kenneth Welsh, Athena Karkanis, Alan Van Sprang, Devon Bostick, Joris Jarsky, and Stefano Colacitti.

The trailer can be seen here:

Survival of the Dead Mature Trailer

Sources:

Survival of the Dead on Shock Till You Drop

Survival of the Dead at Esplatter

Survival of the Dead at BD

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InAlienable Releases to Some Applause

Author/Michael Allen

InAlienable is both horror and science fiction in one. Walter Koening (Star Trek) scripted the film, produced it, and stars in this Renegade Studios production. InAlienable has just been released on DVD as of January twenty-sixth and this alien styled thriller involves a man hosting an alien parasite in his body. This creature gives birth to his son that could potentially become the end of the human race. InAlienable stars Walter Koenig, Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica), Erik Avari (Flight of the Living Dead), Marina Sirtis (Star Trek Voyager, Lesser of Three Evils) and Alan Ruck (Ghost Town). This mostly independent film was shot for a mere two million dollars, but from Slice of Sci-Fi InAlienable is "A brilliant piece of...work (Slice)." Have a look at a trailer inside and have closer look at the film through the Anchor Bay Entertainment website (distributor)."

The synopsis for InAlienable:

"Still guilt-ridden over the accident that took his family's lives, Eric Norris discovers that his body is host to a parasite from another world. Except, it is more than a parasite: it carries his DNA. Is this his new son or – as the government believes – a threat to mankind (Anchor)?"

The trailer for the film here:



Purchasable as of January 26, 2010:




Sources:

InAlienable at Anchor Bay Entertainment

InAlienable Review at Slice of Sci Fi

InAlienable Review at Screenstar

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Nightscape Creates New Nightmares

Author/Michael Allen

"Fear grows stronger" in this first clip for Nightscape, which is a long way away from a release (2011, Nightscape). As if in a dream his first movie clip for Nightscape takes the surreal to new heights as a little girl seemingly wanders through a wide dreamscape. But is this really a dream? Often like a nightmare this early film from the feature shows skeleton scarecrows and blood-sucking leaches, who devour the unaware. The synopsis for the film does not seem to mirror this early clip, but definitely take a look at the four minutes of film below that describes itself as "[a film] that combines compelling drama and surreal, Lovecraftian horror (Nightscape)."

A synopsis for Nightscape courtesy of Imperiad Entertainment:

"In Nightscape, three high school seniors are drawn into a world of living nightmares. Exposed to a frightening creature of unknown origin, the teens unexpectedly gain paranormal powers. As these powers grow and change the trio suspect they’ve become hapless pawns in a larger war between ancient forces of good and evil.

Release Date: 2011.

Director/writer: David Edwards.

The trailer for Nightscape here:



Sources:

Nightscape Homepage

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When Mutants Attack!

Author/Michael Allen

This is what some people like to hear about an upcoming horror film release "a gory cross breed of '28 Days Later' and 'Dawn of the Dead (Variety).'" The movie being described here is the French film Mutants, which finally will be available for horror fans through IFC Films video on demand feature. The official launch for the film is February 10 and in case you have not heard Mutants is about a disease run rampant across the world, which infects any who comes in contact with the virus. Pregnant Sophia must find a way to survive in this world gone to hell, while fighting off her infected husband. For the full synopsis look below and get ready to view the film up close and personal, in your own home. Already receiving early positive reviews, the details for Mutants are below.

The plot summary for David Morley's Mutants:

"In a world devastated by a pandemic virus that turns human beings into primitive and bloodthirsty creatures, Marco and Sonia set off to find a secret base to escape from the mutants. When the latter attack them, Marco is contaminated too. Little by little, he undergoes the same changes. Sonia, who is expecting a baby, is then forced to fight her worst enemy, the man she loves."

Release Date: February 10, 2010 (VOD)

Director: David Morley.

Producers: Alain Benguigui, and Thomas Verhaeghe.

Writers: Louis-Paul Desanges, and David Morley.

Cast: Hélène De Fougerolles, Francis Renaud, Dida Diafat, Marie-Sohna Condé, Nicolas Briançon, Luz Mando, Driss Ramdi, Grégory Givernaud, and Justine Bruneau De La Salle.

A trailer for Mutants can be found here:

Mutants Trailer

Sources:

Mutants at IFC Films (Order Here)

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Someone Else and Breadth: A Short Film Review

Author/Michael Allen

Director/writer: Andrew Newall.

Someone Else is a film of paranoia and delusions. With a running time of four minutes, the film is the shortest this site has seen, but the delivery of a somewhat obsessive compulsive personality by Karen Bartke is believable and well done. Although slightly confusing, horror and thriller fans will have to see this little jewel on the film festival circuit.

The synopsis involves an unnamed woman experiencing the neurotic belief that someone else is in her home. But is this all in her imagination? Not completely fleshed out, the second woman, played by, Sharon Osdin, seems to delight in the torture of the first.

The ending will leave questions, yet the short running time means that Someone Else will not stay in the synapse for long. Thrilling, and slightly gorrific the film is a recommend; however, the difficulty lies in finding a copy or screen from which to view this production, which was shot in Glasgow, Scotland.

Someone Else is ready to make a run on the film festival circuit. Likely to be shown within the Scottish area first, the film will then branch out to other locations. More details and festival locations to follow.

Sources:

Someone Else at The Spinning Image

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The House on Haunted Hill: A Retro Review

Author/Michael Allen

Director: William Castle.

Writer: Robb White.

The original House on Haunted Hill was released in 1959 and starred Vincent Price and Carol Ohmart. Currently being distributed by Cheezy Flicks, the House on Haunted Hill has more to tell viewers of the progression of horror rather than being reviewed as a stand alone film. Fifty years later, the faults of the film can be seen, but what is also worth a look at is the emphasis on dialogue, character interaction, and plot driven stories.

In brief, the House on Haunted Hill involves five strangers being invited to a desolate mansion for a night of survival. Whoever lasts until the morning will earn $10,000. That is a pretty good sum for seven hours work. However, what is not told to the invitees, before they arrive, is that seven people have died at that location before they entered the premises. The seven current guests drink, turn hysterical, and experience paranoia before battling each other, ghosts, and murderers.

In black and white, the film is a big departure from the films of today that often, but not always show greater attention to gore and blood effects, while forgetting the story, in order to show an interesting visual display. This style of photography was not possible in 1959, with an almost total absence of visual effects in the House on Haunted Hill. Yet, on some level these simpler films from a bygone era are still successful in entertaining audiences by utilizing cleverly developed plots.

The plot of the House on Haunted Hill cannot totally be revealed here, but the tension throughout the film heightens in the final scene with the intelligent use of misdirection. Not unheard of in the present, misdirection is an often used director's tool to mislead the audience into believing one person is the antagonist when in fact the murderer is someone else.

Coming in at just under seventy-five minutes the film runs by in a short clip, while horror films of today clock in at an average of ninety minutes. This means that every minute within the House on Haunted Hill must deliver something important to the film as there is no time for fluff. One error that often happens in the thrillers of today is the addition of extra scenes, which do not always serve the film fully. In order to make it to ninety minutes some directors of the day are forced to stretch scenes, especially in the independent film market, to deliver the expected ninety minutes. These additional scenes do not serve audiences well.

The House on Haunted Hill is an enjoyable film and an entertaining ride through the nostalgic horror films of yesteryear. Dark, intense, character driven, and heavy in complex plot, this reviewer recommends that you, the viewer, try something off the beaten path and watch this film. The film is available through Cheezy Flicks at the link below along with several other titles from the past, which are the building blocks for the current slate of horror films of today.

The House on Haunted Hill can be purchased here:

The House on Haunted Hill at Cheezy Flicks

Or here:

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Can Humanity Survive The Dark(est) Hour

Author/Michael Allen

The Dark Hour, or La Hora Fria is a Spanish language horror film that was completed in 2006, sent to several film festivals, and is likely moving towards a N. American release date through Lightning Entertainment (a prediction). Definitely in the sci-fi realm, The Dark Hour envisions a world in the future where mankind is on the brink of extinction. Facing starvation the few survivors, of an underground complex, make their way to the surface to find hope for a tomorrow. Already shown at The Austin Fantastic Fest, and the Toronto After Dark Film Festival, The Dark Hour has been released on DVD in Japan and Spain, but not N. America. Likely to be available shortly, a low quality trailer can be found inside, with a higher quality trailer provided from the film's homepage. Have a read of the synopsis, which predicts a bleak future of warfare and insecurity.

The synopsis for The Dark Hour here:

"The world is teetering on the brink of the apocalypse. A group of survivors have found themselves isolated from the remnants of society and under siege living in a subterranean bunker. They dare not abandon the crumbling complex as it is the only security from the enemy that awaits them outside. Living in a constant state of fear, they face the fact that food supplies and ammunitions are running out, giving them no choice but to leave the secure area. Together they start their quest for survival, facing an enemy that is stronger then expected, with a power that can destroy all of mankind (Lightning)."

Release Date: 2010.

Director: Elio Quiroga.

Cast: Omar Muñoz, Jorge Casalduero, Julio Perillán, Nadia de Santiago, Marco González, Carola Manzanares, Pepo Oliva, Pablo Scola, and Sergio Villanueva.

A grainy trailer for The Dark Hour here (a high definition trailer at the link below):



Several trailers here:

The Dark Hour Homepage

Sources:

An in-depth plot summary at Wikipedia

The Darkest Hour at Lightning Entertaiment (Distributor)

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Crushed Wont Let You Go Until February 16

Author/Michael Allen

Previously known as She's Crushed this film is currently known as Crushed. To release on DVD February 16, this film, from director and writer Patrick Johnson, takes obsession to new heights, as character Tara (Natalie Dickinson) goes to murderous degrees after a one-nite stand. Also starring Henrik Norlen as Ray, this object of desire ducks and weaves verbal and physical assaults in the trailer for the film. Still a ways away from a release all of the available details for Crushed are below and inside, enjoy.

The plot summary for Crushed courtesy of Shock Till You Drop:

"Tara sets her sights on the unassuming guy-next-door, Ray. Their innocent flirting turns into a regretful one night stand. He is hoping to put the indiscretion safely behind him, but Tara makes it horrifically clear that she is more than willing to go to extremes to keep her man. Everyone that Ray cares about will pay for his reckless decision as they are all forced into a twisted game of love, torture, and death at the hands of sadistic Tara (Shock)."

Release Date: February 16, 2010 (DVD)

Director/writer: Patrick Johnson

Starring: Natalie Dickinson, Henrik Norlen, Robert Paschall Jr., and Hunter Carson.

A short teaser trailer for crushed can be found at the film's website here:

Crushed Homepage

For pre-orders (don't let the old DVD artwork fool you, this is Crushed):



Sources:

Crushed on Shock Till You Drop

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Step Through the Eye of a Needle

Author/Michael Allen

Another film which will be at the European Film Market on February 11th is horror, thriller Needle. Already announced at Screen Daily through an exclusive interview with director John V. Soto, Needle will be a Lightning Entertainment supported production at this event. Described at Screen Daily as the following "a college student loses his closest friends [who] are killed in a series of horrifying accidents related to a machine he inherits from his father (Screen Daily)." Dark and foreboding, Needle will be shown to film buyers shortly, but for fans of horror a new one-sheet is available on this "psychological thriller," which was shot in Perth, Australia (Needle). For more info' visit the Facebook fan page for the film inside.

A partial synopsis for Needle here:

"A college student loses his closest friends who are killed in a series of horrifying accidents, related to a machine he inherits from his father. The 18th century machine was built by an engineer who followed the occult and it is indestructible (Screen Daily)."

Release Date: 2010.

Director/writer: John V. Soto.

Producer: Deidre Kitcher.

Cast: Michael Dorman.

The Needle fan page here:

Needle on FB
Sources:

Needle at Screen Daily

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