Call of Duty's Modern Warfare 3 Takes a Comedic Look at the Horrors of War ("Legend of Karl")

Author/Michael Allen

Activision is announcing a new add-on for their Call of Duty franchise, titled Call of Duty Elite. This is a package that shows gamers the true horrors of war, while allowing them to use social media, to enhance their experience. Now, a trailer is available, titled "Legend of Karl," which shows users how to connect with friends, while reducing your check book balance. The comedic trailer is below and Call of Duty Elite will be an add-on to the Modern Warfare 3 release.

The bonus features for Call of Duty Elite include:

"Call of Duty Elite is an innovative new online service that will unite and ignite the Call of Duty® multiplayer community. The service offers cutting-edge features which significantly enhance the franchises' multiplayer experience and deliver a new level of social engagement to players worldwide" (Call).

Release Date: November 8th, 2011 (PS3, X-Box, PC).

Production: Activision.

The "Legend of Karl" trailer is below:

*an add-on to the Modern Warfare 3 release.

Source:

More Details on Call of Duty Elite at the Games' Homepage



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Samuel Goldwyn Films Reveals True Events of the Balkan War in this First Trailer for The Whistleblower

Author/Michael Allen

The Whistleblower is the real life story of Kathryn Bolkovac, who tried to break up a local sex ring, set up by United Nation Peacekeepers. She was unfairly sacked from her job and now her real life story is being told in theatres, through Samuel Goldwyn Films. This dramatic thriller will release in theatres August 5th, 2011 and Kathryn, played by Rachel Weisz, must battle her superiors to cover a story on prostitution, and corruption to save the underage girls therein. Have a look at an early trailer for The Whistleblower, which shows some of the real life struggles of Bolkovak and survivors of the Balkan War.

The synopsis for The Whistleblower is here:

"Inspired by actual events, Kathy (Rachel Weisz) is an American police officer who takes a job working as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Her expectations of helping to rebuild a devastated country are dashed when she uncovers a dangerous reality of corruption, cover-up and intrigue amid a world of private contractors and multinational diplomatic doubletalk" (Samuel).

Release Date: August 5th, 2011 (Limited Theatrical).

Director: Larysa Kondracki.

Writers: Eilis Kirwan and Larysa Kondracki.

Cast: Rachel Weisz, Vanessa Redgrave, Monica Bellucci, David Strathairn

Producer: Christina Piovesan, Amy Kaufman, and Celine Rattray.

The trailer for The Whistleblower is here:

Sources:

The Real Life Struggles of Kathryn Bolkovac are Documented at Prison Planet

Samuel Goldwyn Films. Press Release. 31 May 2011.

Purchase The Fountain, starring Rachel Weisz here:



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The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra and Creating Nostalgia: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

Director: Larry Blamire.

Just how bad can The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra get before this film can even be considered good? If anyone is to try and watch this film without any foreknowledge that it is intended to be a complete parody of a genre, the B-movies from the 50’s, the point will quickly be missed.

Back in the days, this type of schlock could be found on a drive-in theatre’s big screen. Ed Wood’s films, like Plan 9 From Outer Space, tries to be serious, but where has that gone? For audiences who can’t swallow anymore of the sci-fi horror genre, making out in the back seat is a better option. The special edition DVD release is infinitely better. The supplemental material touches on what is appealing about these movies and explains why this movie was even made to begin with.

Director/writer Larry Blamire is interviewed and he does a great job in coaching his stars in this film to be at their worst. He also writes the product like some of the films back then. Mass market B-movies were, sometimes, intentionally lowbrow.

The only production element that was not done was in artifacting this 21st century production to become a product of its times. The DVD video is too crisp and clean. It looked like it was shot in colour before being converted to black and white, and that is the only thing that distracts when trying to emulate a product that can be sixty years old.

But short of purposefully making this film on a shoestring budget and on the pretense of not knowing how to act is part of this product’s charm.

While this video release has been out for some time now (2004), to look back at this film again and survive more than a few viewings says something about the art of lampooning. To see what Blamire can do in a proper production will be interesting, but he is stuck in the same place that many independents are. Directors these days have to get the attention of the Hollywood executives who are willing to put this director into a multi-million production.

Overall: 6.5 out of 10.

Available on DVD:



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Seconds Apart and Feeling Fear: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

*here be some spoilers.

Director: Antonio Negret.

Writer: George Richards.

After Dark Films went into production on several horror films, which have mostly released in late 2010 and early 2011. Seconds Apart is one of the latest After Dark Originals to be released and this horror film moved to DVD May 24th. This is one of director Antonio Negret's first features and from early in the film, one knows this film is going to be a tragedy. If the mention of Aristotle's Poetics does not tip you off, then the screaming victims will. There is so much to cover in this excellent film, but focusing on the twins, their abilities and their desire to feel fear seems an appropriate start.

The film begins with Seth (Gary Entin) and Jonah (Edumund Entin) attending a party, which later leads to a brutal game of Russian Roullette. Few survive this dangerous game and later, one of the brothers states: "I think I felt it...it's in the eyes" (Seconds). That "it" will be discussed later. Meanwhile, a series of suicides take place on and off campus, at a prestigious Catholic school. Telepathy and telekinesis are to blame, with a Frankenstein-like doctor enhancing the twin's psychic abilities.

Horror fans will likely notice the biblical references in the two protagonists names. Seth is traditionally a reference to the third son of Adam and Eve, while Jonah had some strange adventures with a whale. That diversion aside, these two brothers continue a brutal killing spree, while talking of "the project" (Seconds). This project involves hundreds of videotapes and the goal of the endeavour is to, simply, feel fear. Having control over others, takes the fear out of rejection, and the hurt out of everyday social interactions. Without this feeling, the brothers appear and act as if in a daze of depression. Their project is a failure, until an inquisitive detective (Orlando Jones) steps in.

Most of the film elicites feelings of sympathy for the victims or sheer terror from the gruesome scenes on screen. Some of the scenes are too hard to watch e.g. a glass eating babysitter, a suicide by shard of glass etc. Fear and pity are necessary elements of tragedy and therefore the modern equivalent, horror. This rising tragedy and terror cumulates into a final climactic battle, with a surprise reveal that should shock some viewers. This reviewer was blown away. Also occurring in the final scenes, one brother finally does feel fear: "I think that I feel it," as his home burns down around him. Tragedy looms for both brothers and only here, with the threat of death, do the twins feel fear. Their project is a tragic success.

There is so much to discuss in this fine film, that horror fans are encouraged to impart their wisdom on this feature. Seconds Apart is a definite recommend for the use of tragedy and for the brutal scenes, which will make some turn away. Hard to watch, but exciting the whole way through, Seconds Apart is a surprisingly entertaining time.

Overall: 8.75 out of 10 (so many elements go right in this production: acting, story, set-up and reveal etc.).

Purchase the film on DVD or watch Seconds Apart instantly on video-on-demand:



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Christmas is Coming Early: Check out the Cover Art for Dead Island (PS3) Releasing August 1st

Author/Michael Allen

Well, Deep Silver and Techland have the tone of Dead Island set squarely in horror, as blood red writing and zombies loom in this cover art for the game. This undead title releases August 1st and fans of the game can preview the art here, with the central character covered in demonic sigils (look closely). The roots of the zombie apocalypse on Banoi would therefore be of a supernatural source. Click on the graphic to tease your nightmares, left.

The game synopsis for Dead Island:

"The island of Banoi is a lush, tropical paradise in the South Pacific where its flagship Royal Palms Resort serves as the ultimate getaway for vacationers with money to burn. However, all good things must soon come to an end - and the picturesque resort falls into madness, carnage and chaos after a mysterious and contagious zombie outbreak claims its once peaceful atmosphere. Cut off from the rest of the world, only four individuals who strangely find themselves immune to zombification have the power to protect the remaining survivors from the horrors of the island, to discover what's really going on and find a way to escape before their own fatal ends" (Dead Island).

Release Date: August 1st, 2011 (X-Box, PS3, PC).

Developers: Techland.

Distributor: Deep Silver.

*10+ minutes of gameplay has previously been posted on 28DLA and the clip can be found below:

Dead Island Game Play Clip

**gameplay highlights include:

-first-person action gameplay with a close-quarter, immersive melee focus

-4 player co-op multiplayer

-thousands of weapons in-game to collect, from simple wooden bats to fire-axes to heavy rifles

-an open-world setting

Pre-orders are available here:



Source:

Dead Island at Playstation Lifestyle

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Monster Madness in this First Trailer for Olivier Beguin's "Employee of the Month"

Author/Michael Allen

Swiss born director Olivier Beguin ("Dead Bones") has recently completed production on the monster based horror short "Employee of the Month." The film tells the tale of various creatures searching for work, in a recovering economy. Now, horror fans will have to compete with werewolves, zombies and mummies in job lines. This is truly a cutthroat economy and fans can have a look at Beguin's first trailer for the short, below. Try not to laugh as the clip puts you partially in the role of a recruiter.

The synopsis for "Employee of the Month" is here:

"Once hidden in cupboards, lying in coffins and haunting sarcophagi, these creatures now try to find a job. There is the Office of Professional Retraining of Myths and Legends, an organization that helps these creatures adjust to the workforce. But retraining is not easy and Stephanie, a case worker/adviser, tries to find any position suited to their unique conditions" (Chaotic).

Director: Olivier Beguin.

Writers: Colin Vettier and Olivier Beguin.

Producers: Adan Martin and& Olivier Beguin.

Cast: Catriona MacColl, Caroline Althaus, Frédéric Landenberg, Laurent Lecoultre, Christiane Margraitner, Yannick Merlin, Manu Moser, Yannick Rosset, and Matthieu Béguelin.

The short trailer for "Employee of the Month" is here (French, with English subtitles):

Source:

"Employee of the Month" at Chaotic Clock

Some classic creature features below:



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College Kids on the Run in Phase 4 Film's Kill Katie Malone Beginning June 1st!

Author/Michael Allen

What could be better than purchasing a cursed box on your summer break from college, right? That is not a good idea, unless you want to be haunted by ancient Irish ghosts. Phase 4 Films has recently picked up director Carlos Ramos Jr.'s Kill Katie Malone for a video-on-demand release and it was just back in late April that this horror film's trailer debuted (Kill Katie Malone Trailer). The killing begins June 1st and horror fans can expect students to be running for their lives, rather than studying for finals, in just a few weeks! Few will graduate and the details on the Kill Katie Malone release are below, along with an updated poster, seen left.

Tagline: "Never buy a demon on the internet."

The synopsis for Kill Katie Malone is here:

"College students and best friends Ginger Matheson, Jim Duncan, and Kyle 'Dixie' Canning, pool their cash to buy a ghost in an online auction. The three think it's all a goof, but once they open up the antique box to examine their treasure, they unleash the vengeful spirit of an Irish servant girl who has been wreaking havoc on her owners throughout the generations" (Phase 4).

Release Date: June 1st, 2011 (Video-on-demand).

Director: Carlos Ramos Jr.

Writer: Mark Onspaugh.

Producers: Calton Hickman, Melanie Wagor, Simon Johnson, Shauntay Micheals.

Cast: Dean Cain, Masiela Lusha, Stephen Colletti, Jonathan McDaniel, Fernanda Romero, Cassandra Jean, Katie Townsend, Madison Leslie, Einat Tubi, Nik Tyler, Sylvia Panacione, and Nick Hogan.

Source:

Kill Katie Malone at Phase 4 Films

Ghosts in your attic?



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Camelot Entertaiment Breaks Out the Tea and Haggis in Their Upcoming Zombie Film Attack of the Herbals

Author/Michael Allen

Camelot Entertainment has recently announced their acquisition of the horror comedy Attack of the Herbals. No, not that kind of herbal! This tea additive turns the local folks of a small Scottish town into brain eating zombies. Horror films remind us that almost anything can turn us into a flesheater, e.g. radiated ice-cream (Aaah! Zombies!), a random meteor strike (Brain Dead) and even the tried and true voodoo (Venom) . Maybe one day there will be a haggis inspired zombie film; you never now. Until the surreal makes its way to the big screen, prepare yourself for the coming zombie apocalypse, by learning the undead's plan of attack. The short synopsis for Attack of the Herbals below should give you some ideas.

Tagline: "Putting the Tea in Terror!"



The synopsis for Attack of the Herbals:

"Jackson’s life is soon turned upside down when he and a childhood friend discover a mysterious, unmarked crate, washed ashore with a strange substance that happens to make rather nice tea, while turning the locals into zombies!" (Attack).

Release Date: 2011.

Director: David Keith.

Writers: Alisdair Cook, Liam Matheson, and David Keith.

Cast: Calum Booth, Claire McCulloch, Richard Currie, Steve Worsley, Liam Matheson, and Alan Fraser.

*the film is currently in post-production.

**zombie rule #135: don't open beached crates.

Source:

Attack of the Herbals at Camelot Entertainment

More zombie film magic:



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The World Premiere Trailer for Gears of War 3 Right Here!

Author/Michael Allen

Prepare to battle pixelated graphics and carpal tunnel syndrome September 20th, 2011, with Gears of War 3. This will be the final game in the Gears of War franchise, from Epic Games and fans of this game series can check out the cinematics in this first trailer for the game. Action explodes on the screen, while Ozzy Osbourne belts out the classic "War Pigs." Have a look below at a few snippets of gameplay as well!

The plot for Gears of War 3 is here:

"In Gears of War 3, fight on as Marcus Fenix, the grizzled war hero and leader of Delta Squad. Eighteen months after the fall of the last human city, the war against the Locust rages on. Meanwhile, deep beneath the surface, a fearsome new threat is infecting the planet from within. With survivors scattered and civilization in ruins, time is running out for Marcus and his comrades, as they fight to save the human race" (X-Box).

Release Date: September 20, 2011 (X-Box).

Developers: Epic Games.

The mature trailer for Gears of War 3 is here (violence):

Product features for the release include:

-new playable COG characters and fresh challenges with ferocious enemies.

-cooperative and competitive multiplayer experiences for veteran players and rookies alike.

-improved graphics, animation and lighting that immerse you in the destroyed beauty of the rich environments.

Become a fan of Gears of War 3 on Facebook:

Gears of War 3 on FB

Pre-orders now:



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Slime City Massacre and Campy Fun?: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

*full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by director Greg Lamberson.

Director/writer: Greg Lamberson.

The Slime City Massacre is a follow-up to another independent horror feature titled Slime City (1988). This earlier film has developed a cult following, with this reviewer having no knowledge of director Greg Lamberson's previous work. Now, twenty-two years later, B-movie fans can find out what happened to cultist Zachary (Richard C. Sabin), after he transformed his essence into ectoplasm! This latest film, is full of low budget make-up effects, dilapatated sets and fluorescent bathed prop devices. There is a subtle charm here - somewhere. Slime City Massacre only rarely rises above the film's inherent campiness and this reviewer found the film mostly entertaining.

The film provides a dual timeline, with events occurring on-screen in 1959, with a prostitute (Brooke Lewis) being lured into a cult and in present day, plus seven years. A dirty bomb has decimated Slime City and a war rages north of the United States, in a little known country called Canada. The post-apocalyptic vibe is created early, with CGI effects and shots of Lloyd Kaufman being blown to bits. Extras are given the appropriate dirty rundown look, while central characters Alex (Jennifer Bihl) and Cory (Kealan Patrick Burke) stand out, with their clean pressed outfits. An abandoned warehouse is the only set used in the film and this flick will likely appeal mostly to sci-fi fans.

In the warehouse, Alex and Cory meet up with Alice (Debbie Rochon) and Mason (Lee Perkins). Together they find a common bond in a Homebrew Elixir and Himalayan Yogurt, which eases each of their hungry bellies. Before you know what is happening, all four of these characters are covered in a greasy slime, which incites them to murder. Now, local vagrants are missing, while a side bar, involving a greedy real estate developer, is moving the film to a suitable climax. Violence ensues between the developer and the occupants of the warehouse, with several shots of bloody gore setting the horror stage. Bottles get jammed into eyes, heads explode and strangely, characters degenerate into pools of liquid slime.

There is some charm here in all the buckets of blood, but you might have to dig deep to find the cinematic gold. Lamberson does not set unrealistic expectations for this production, so this effort is not over-reaching. Instead, Slime City Massacre is an understandably small film, which shows its best in the cast performances. The actors are on cue, with only a few missteps from minor characters and this film is for those who seek out something creative, or outside of the Hollywood-play-it-safe box. If you the viewer go in with low expectations, then your reward will be an enjoyable, yet subdued time through a campy futuristic tale of supernatural possession and rogue mercenaries.

Slime City Massacre is for those with a taste for the bizarre and Lamberson already has a huge following, so there will likely be lots of horror fans jumping on board this latest production. For this reviewer, the film created a few laughs and the viewing was not too hard on the frontal lobes. However, here is one vote for Lamberson getting the budget he deserves for the next film, to complete the trilogy.

Overall: 6.5 out of 10 (there are no apparent plot holes, camera and sound are used effectively, performances are good, overly campy and the film is only targeted to a small portion of B-movie fans out there).

This title moved to DVD May 10th:



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Choose Horror in this First Clip for The Caller Starring Rachelle Lefevre

Author/Michael Allen

The last time Matthew Parkhill's (Dot the I) The Caller popped up on the screen, the film had just been purchased by Sony for future distribution (28DLA). Now, the film has a feature length trailer and the clip points out the diverse choices that each person has to make in their lives. Some choices lead to dead-ends, while others lead you to harassing voices. Therefore, you should choose wisely, while knowing that all paths lead to horror! Check out the full length clip below, with Rachelle Lefevre (Casino Jack) starring as the tormented callee, Mary Kee.

The synopsis for The Caller is here:

"When troubled divorcee, Mary Kee (Rachelle Lefevre), begins to receive mysterious phone calls from an unknown caller, she quickly begins to feel haunted in her own home. When she discovers that the person is calling from the past, Mary realises that she will have to kill her in order to survive. How do you kill someone living in the past and what will happen if she fails? (Bank Side Films).

Release Date: 2011-12.

Director: Matthew Parkhill.

Writers: Sergio Casci.

Cast: Rachelle Lefevre, Stephen Moyer, Lorna Raver, and Luis Guzman.

The first suspenseful trailer for The Caller is here:

*to be distributed by Sony Pictures.

Source:

The Caller at Horror Society

Similar or dissimilar or continued apathy?



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Don't Get Out of the Boat in this First Trailer for Creature Starring Sid Haig

Author/Michael Allen

Don't go into the woods! Don't go into the swamp! Don't leave your house! These are some of the messages that you can find in horror films, but the new horror flick Creature wants you to leave your house for one special day - September 9, 2011. This is the day that Creature sears your dreams with terrifying swamp tales of death in theatres. This beast is part man and part alligator and thankfully, the locals have nicknamed him Lockjaw, for your amusement. You can face your bayou based demons with the first trailer for Creature below.

On a side note, Creature also pays homage to the 1982 classic Swamp Thing, while director Fred Andrews (Dark Ride) adds some more disturbing material, involving incest and possibly even symbolic bestiality. This is no smooth ride through the swamps and you will need all of your wits to survive this first harrowing clip for Creature, courtesy of Dread Central!

The film's synopsis is here:

"Promising a week of fun and relaxation, a group of six friend’s head out on a road trip to New Orleans.

When the group decides to stop at a roadside tourist trap along the Louisiana back-roads, they are introduced to the legend of Lockjaw, the local version of bigfoot. This is a creature who is part man and part alligator. The legend has it that an inbred local man by the name of Grimley, lost his family to a monstrous white alligator and he was driven to madness, after realizing that he was too late to save his pregnant bride. His wife was also his sister, and in his madness, he ate the ancient alligator. Then, he was transformed into the creature that the locals call Lockjaw.

Their curiosity peaked, the group decides to head deeper into the swamps to check out the birthplace of this Creature legend. As they journey further into the backwoods the group arrives at an old dilapidated cabin and they decide to camp there for the night. They set up and unwind around a campfire, unaware that they are being watched!

Very soon an innocent road trip to New Orleans becomes a nightmarish and brutal fight for survival deep in the swamplands of the Louisiana Bayou!" (Creature).

Release Date: September 9 2011 (Theatres).

Director: Fred Andrews.

Writer: Fred Andrews and Tracy Morse.

Producer: Bill Sheinberg.

Cast: Sid Haig, Mehcad Brooks, Serinda Swan, Dillon Casey, Lauren Schneider, and Daniel Bernhardt.

The exciting trailer for Creature is here (all ages):

*formerly named Lockjaw and Blood is Blood (Dread).

Source:

Creature at Dread Central

Can you wait patiently for the film? If not, whet you appetite for swamp creatures in this classic (Swamp Thing):



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More Terror in the Sea with this Latest Graphic for Shark Night 3D

Author/Michael Allen

It is the week of the shark here on 28DLA, as Shark Night 3D contests the waters with Bait 3D. Both films are getting set to take a bite out of your summer weekend. But, before the summer launch, a new film poster is available for horror thriller Shark Night 3D and one bather gets set to meet 2 to 3 rows of razor sharp teeth. Also, the trailer is explosive, for David R. Ellis' (Final Destination) latest production. So, have a look at both graphics here for Shark Night 3D and test the waters September 2nd, in theatres!

The synopsis for Shark Night 3D is here:

"Arriving by boat at her family’s Louisiana lake island cabin, Sara (Sara Paxton) and her friends quickly strip down to their swimsuits for a weekend of fun in the sun. But when star football player Malik (Sinqua Walls) stumbles from the salt-water lake with his arm torn off, the party mood quickly evaporates. Assuming the injury was caused by a freak wake-boarding accident, the group realizes they have to get Malik to a hospital on the other side of the lake, and fast. But as they set out in a tiny speedboat, the college friends discover the lake has been stocked with hundreds of massive, flesh-eating sharks! As they face one grisly death after another, Sara and the others struggle desperately to fend off the sharks, get help and stay alive long enough to reach the safety of dry land" (Quiet).

Release Date: September 2nd, 2011 (Theatres).

Director: David R. Ellis.

Writers: Will Hayes and Jesse Studenberg.

Cast: Sara Paxton, Chris Carmack, Joel David Moore, and Chris Zylka.

The trailer for Shark Night 3D is here (most ages):

Sources:

Shark Night 3D Banner at Shockya

Shark Night 3D Synopsis at Quiet Earth

Celebrate shark week with your very own copy of Deep Blue Sea, on Blu-Ray:



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The Anniversary at Shallow Creek and Shallow Predictability: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

*a screener of this film was provided by
Breaking Glass Pictures.

**here be spoilers.

Director: Jon D. Wagner.

Writers: Eric Fischer and Brianna Lee Johnson.

The latest indie flick to come out of distribution house Breaking Glass Pictures is The Anniversary at Shallow Creek. This title releases on DVD July 5th and coincidently, this is a day that you will want to stay away from digital rental shops and Netflix queues. Bathed in horror cliches, The Anniversary at Shallow Creek is a B-movie that does not break any molds. Also, the film does not show any depth in story or characters and watching this film is much like being in detention or in a prison cell; you just do not want to be there.

The sound is on cue, but the camera used for photography seems overly bright for exterior shots and the picture is dull for interior sequences. The blood effects and make-up are mostly on, including a grotesque rifle shot to a victim's head and the subsequent blood splatter on to a nearby wall; however, there is nothing else that is interesting in the visual sphere. The director's Dutch angles are laughable and very little of interest develops here in the visuals from director John D. Wagner, with The Anniversary at Shallow Creek his only feature to date.

Moving on, the characters have little depth and no character development. Almost every plotline can be predicted and viewers will realize what happens when six friends go out to an isolated cabin, right? Of course, they meet a serial killer and this time he or she has a rifle. He or she kills indiscriminately and by the halfway mark this reviewer knew he was in for a long haul. A minor character reveal in the final minutes shows that the writers have some minor knowledge of the term surprise ending, but this film feels more routine, than anything else.

Finally, the tropes begin early, with a serial killer mercilessly killing a dating couple. The weak hook is established and soon, characters are stating the prerequisite: "why are you doing this?" (Anniversary). Then, there is the moral decision of whether to kill your brother or your lover and this is taken straight out of the Saw films or the recent Choose, from director Marcus Graves. The sensitive guy dies first and partially nude female bodies are thrown in to keep you distracted. Yet, a film with no substance will not keep you glued to your seat for long and The Anniversary at Shallow Creek is honestly a very poor horror film.

Skip this film and seek out some of the better Breaking Glass Picture's horror entries, including Dawning from director Gregg Holtgrewe, the documentary Cropsey, or even the comical Ninjas vs Vampires. The Haunting of Shallow Creek is simply dismal and this picture is being nominated for this reviewer's top 10 worst horror films of 2011, thus far.

Overall: 5.5 out of 10 (the film tries nothing new, the story is bland and there is no substance here).

Visit Breaking Glass Pictures for other, better horror releases here:

Future Releases at Breaking Glass Pictures

Several better horror films from Breaking Glass Pictures are listed here:



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A Full Length Theatrical Trailer for Guillermo del Toro's Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Author/Michael Allen

There are lots of horror elements in this latest trailer for Guillermo del Toro's Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. A malformed demon lurks beneath bedsheets, while another figure prods and pokes peeping toms and this trailer appears as more nightmare, than horror tale. Have a look at this developing feature in the trailer below, courtesy of Shock Till You Drop.

The synopsis for Don't Be Afraid of the Dark:

"Sally (Bailee Madison), a lonely, introverted child, has just arrived at the 19th Century mansion her father (Guy Pearce) and his girlfriend (Katie Holmes) are restoring. While exploring the sprawling estate, Sally discovers a hidden, long-undisturbed basement. Unwittingly, she unleashes a race of malevolent, dark-dwelling creatures, who intend to drag her and her family down into the mansion's bottomless depths."

Release: August 26th, 2011 (Theatrical).

Director: Troy Nixey.

Writer: Matthew Robbins and Guillermo del Toro's.

Cast: Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison, Alan Dale, Jack Thompson, Julia Blake, Edwina Ritchard, Dylan Young, Emelia Burns, Nicholas Bell, Garry McDonald, Lisa N. Edwards and James Mackay.

The latest United Kingdom trailer for Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is here (all ages):



Source:

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark at Shock Till You Drop

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Sheldon Wilson's Snow Globe Tale of Terror Brings on the Christmas Horror Fun in Snowmageddon

Author/Michael Allen

SyFy will terrorize horror fans with a magical snow globe tale, titled Snowmageddon December 2011. Get ready for director Sheldon Wilson (Carny) to upset your yuletide calm, with a family unleashing dark magic upon a small town. Set your digital recorders now, as Cinetel Films brings the blizzard your way, very shortly.

The plot for Snowmageddon is here:

"When the Miller family discovers a mysterious gift outside their home on Christmas eve, they could never imagine it would contain the power to doom their idyllic mountain community. The gift contains a snow globe with a perfect reflection of their own town inside. When they shake it, snow even begins to fall - whatever happens inside the snow globe, happens to their town for real!" (Cinetel).

Release Date: December, 2011 (Television).

Director: Sheldon Wilson.

Cast: Magda Apanowicz, Jeffery Ballard, Leanne Lapp, David Cubitt, Jill Harris, and Michael Hogan.

*Snowmageddon is currently in post-production.

Source:

Snowmageddon on Cinetel Films

Sheldon Wilson also produced Carny for the SyFy Channel:



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Thar She Blows: Grab Your Harpoon for this First Trailer of Bait 3D

Author/Michael Allen

The Australian shot Bait 3D is letting the
tiger sharks in the water, with the film's first trailer. Multiple threats await a group of friends, who must fend off an armed robber, a wild tsunami and some hungry meat-eaters of the sea. The clip for Bait 3D is exciting and the release of this horror feature is surely only a few gasping breaths away. Have a look at the tense clip below, courtesy of Fangroia.

The synopsis for Bait 3D is here:

"In a sleepy coastal resort community, shoppers at an underground supermarket find themselves terrorized by a crazed bandit, when the unimaginable occurs… A monstrous freak tsunami swallows the town. Now trapped inside a flooded supermarket with an armed maniac and rushing water threatening to entomb them all in a watery grave. The imprisoned band of survivors discover they’re not alone.

The tsunami has brought some unwanted visitors from the depths. As the waters rise they must overcome not only the threat of drowning, but another threat, just as deadly and far more bloodthirsty…packs of hungry tiger sharks" (Bait).

Release Date: September 2011 (Theatres, Australia).

Director: Kimble Rendall, and Russell Mulcahy.

Writer: Russell Mulcahy.

Producers: Todd Fellman, Gary Hamilton, and Ian Maycock.

Cast: Julian McMahon, Xavier Samuel, Sharni Vinson, Phoebe Tonkin, Martin Sacks, Alice Parkinson, Alexander Russell, Qi Yuwu, Adrian Pang, Lincoln Lewis and Damien Garvey.

The trailer for Bait 3D rises from the depths below:

Source:

Bait 3D at Fangoria

Another upcoming shark film titled Shark Night 3D will be available soon:



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Daydream Nation and Enjoying the Moment: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

Director/writer: Michael Goldbach.

Daydream Nation is a Canadian shot romantic drama, which was produced by Michael Goldbach over a six year period. Getting his first film just right, there are themes here of perfection, while a serial killer looms just out of camera range. Anchor Bay Entertainment recently released this title on to DVD and Blu-Ray, May 17th, and Daydream Nation is a coming-of-age film, with Kat Dennings playing a cunning woman, outfoxing the desirous men in her life. Dramatic and interesting, this film uses a great deal of character interplay to keep the attention, while the film offers some deeper, yet almost unreachable themes of temporality.

Caroline (Dennings) is the new girl at a local high school. Her mother recently passed away and her father struggles to fill dual roles. The film centrally focuses on Caroline, while a sidebar distracts from the main story. A serial killer is stalking young children and ending their lives, for an unknown reason. Not shown until the finale, this character is a big part of the climax, but only a small part of the film. His inclusion seems to show and contrast the other insanity of the characters, including Caroline, who is often moody. As well, an English teacher is mildly off-kilter and he proves his instability by shooting himself, after a parting with Caroline. While the serial killer is on the extreme of insanity in the film, other characters show their unevenness, too.

The protagonist, Caroline, is searching for some kind of connection and she finds this with her older mentor and teacher Barry (Josh Lucas), who she seduces. This is a forbidden passion, which lasts briefly and she later finds a more compatible mate, in Thurston (Reece Thompson). In each of her romantic encounters, Caroline seems to be mostly outmatching her male counterparts. She is wise beyond her years and Dennings brings out Goldbach's character through her sly wit and partial aloofness. This character and the actress hold center stage through much of the film.

There is some tension created from the periphery, with the murdering villain; yet, there are only a few tones of mystery and suspense within Daydream Nation . Sorry horror fans, this film is not for you. However there are dramatic tones here and this film is important for showing how an independent Canadian film can show polish. Daydream Nation is centrally a romantic drama, with a love triangle solidifying the film's genre and this is a complex film, which will reach many viewers. Rarely serious, this is a film that is enjoyable for its use of light tones, including comedy. This energy allows the film to develop at a careful pace, culminating in a mild climax and a final message of temporary mortality.

Daydream Nation was filmed in Fort Langley, British Columbia and this film is recommended for those seeking something off the beaten path. This film might be best for couples, but the coming-of-age story is universal. Seek this one out, as your efforts will be well rewarded by Goldbach's character driven story of a young girl searching for meaning, through the men in her life.

Directing techniques/camera use: 8 out of 10 (lots of creativity here).
Writing/plot/story: 8 out of 10 (there are a great number of characters and diverging and converging motivations, interesting and rewatchable).

Overall: 8 out of 10.

*the film's title is possibly lifted from a Sonic Youth album.

This film is available now on DVD and Blu-Ray:



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