Mem Ferda Attends the New York Red Carpet Premiere of ‘The Devil's Double’

Author/Michael Allen

*Mem is now due to attend the United Kingdom Premiere at the Vue Cinema in London’s Leicester Square on Monday August 1st 2011

The Devil's Double had a Red Carpet premiere in New York July 25th and this thriller has also released in other cities across North America since July 29th. At the New York star studded event, both cast and crew were in attendance. As seen in the photos here and below, actor Mem Ferda, who plays Kamel Hannah, made an appearance along with lead actor Dominic Cooper. Many other stars of film and media were in attendance, which included Helen Mirren.

The Devil's Double is a biography of Latif Yahia's experience as a body double to Uday Hussein, Saddam Hussein's crazy, psychotic son. Latif is played by Dominic, while Ferda plays Kamel Hannah, Saddam's Hussein's best friend, body guard and food taster. This film covers the real life exploits of Uday and his dangerous encounters in a world of wealth and corruption. Have a look at The Devil's Double in theatres now. The United Kingdom will host their premiere August 1st at the Vue Cinema, Leicester Square, London. More info' on the film is available below.



The synopsis for The Devil's Double is here:

"The Devil's Double tells the true story of Latif Yahia, an Iraqi army lieutenant who was forcibly recruited as the fiday (body double) of Uday Hussein. Mem’s role is that of Kamel Hannah, who was Saddam Hussein’s best friend, bodyguard and food-taster. The film is based on Yahia’s book of the same name and stars Dominic Cooper in an impressive double role as both Yahia and Uday Hussein."

Release Date: July 29th (In Theatres Now).

Director: Lee Tamahori

Cast: Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sangier, Mem Ferda, Raad Rawi, Dar Salim, Khalid Laith, Pano Masti, Nasser Memarzia, and Philip Quast.

*released by Lionsgate:

For more information on The Devil's Double visit the film's homepage:

The Devil's Double Official Website

Source:

Mem Ferda. Interview. 31 July 2011.

The soundtrack from the film:



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The Heineken Kidnapping is a Real Life Tale of Extortion and Murder

Author/Michael Allen

A kidnap thriller titled The Heineken Kidnapping aka De Heineken ontvoering is being set for release in the Netherlans this October. This is a real life story of how Freddy Heineken was kidnapped and ransomed for $16 million Euros. Freddy was eventually freed, but his kidnappers, including Willem Holleeder and Cor Van Hout, had a less than peaceful life thereafter. Hout would end up murderered and Holleeder is still in jail, serving a term for extortion. Rutger Hauer will star as Freddy Heineken. Have a look at more of the biopic film details on The Heineken Kidnapping below.

The synopsis for The Heineken Kidnapping:

"The Heineken Kidnapping is based on the kidnap of beer tycoon Heineken that hit the news in the Netherlands and abroad in the eighties of the last century. The film exceeds the well known story of the kidnap and goes on to tell the story of Alfred Heineken's revenge, which culminates in a chase of the kidnappers across the world. Focusing on the psychological power struggle between the successful and charismatic beer brewer and a ruthless young criminal with a grudge" (American Film Market).

Completion Year: October 27th, 2011 (Netherlands).

Director: Maarten Treurniet.

Writers: Kees van Beijnum and Maarten Treurniet.

Cast: Rutger Hauer, Sallie Harmsen, Marcel Hensema, Gijs Naber, Ton Kas, Marjolein Keuning, Reinout Scholten van Aschat, Beppie Melissen, Teun Kuilboer.

Source:

The Heineken Kidnapping at the American Film Market

Merchandise from the film:



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The Open Door with New Unrated DVD Artwork

Author/Michael Allen

The DVD artwork for Phase 4 Film's The Open Door has released. This will be an unrated showing, with character Angelica (Catherine Munden) forefront in the graphic. Terror comes from behind every door! The Open Door will release on DVD November 15. This is the first film from director Doc Duhame and those interested in suspenseful graphics can click the poster for a more detailed look. Prepare for thrills in this supernatural horror film, which tells tales of pirate radio stations, the pressures of high school, and pranks gone very wrong. More details on the release are below.

The synopsis for The Open Door is here:

"Innocent and trusting Angelica falls in with the wrong crowd at school and finds herself grounded during the biggest party of her senior year. The desperate teen turns to a mysterious pirate radio station that appears on full moon nights to grant the wishes of its callers. When her mischievous friends decide to play a prank on her, her wishes are unleashed in a twisted and violent fashion on the unsuspecting teens" (Phase 4 Films).

Street Date: Nov 15, 2011 (DVD).

Director: Doc Duhame.

Producer: Clint Carmichael.

Writer: Doc Duhame.

Cast: Catherine Georges, Sarah Christine Smith, Ryan Doom, Daniel Booko, and Shantel VanSanten.

More available at The Open Door website:

The Open Door Homepage

More pirate radio:




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The Millenium Bug and Storytelling: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

*full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by producer John Charles Meyer.

Director/writer: Kenneth Cran.

The Millenium Bug is an indie film from Kenneth Cran that deals with hillbillies, the Y2K and giant creatures living underground. No, this is not a hybrid of The Hills Have Eyes and Tremors, but something a little different. Set on December 31st, 1999, the day before Y2K, The Millenium Bug deals with some of the fears that came with a computing programming problem that was more anti-climactic, than anything else. Unfortunately, this film has a problem or two involving a weakly and awkwardly developed story. However, Cran's production team makes up for some of these weaknesses with stunning visuals. The sets, models and creature effects are all delivered with no CGI and the result is impressive. After the credits roll, despite the film's drawbacks, The Millenium Bug left this reviewer with a satisfied feeling.

The film begins with the Haskins leaving the city for the local woods, over fears of the coming Y2K. Of course, in horror, there are inbred hillbillies lying behind every boulder and tree in the local campgrounds. The Crawfords take inbreeding depression to unnecessary lows, as each member of the family has some deformity, whether externaly expressed or not (brain damage anyone?). Some in the clan have hunchbacks, and gross facial distortions. Others are maniacal. The Crawfords come up with a plan to improve the next generation's looks by abducting local campers, including the Haskins and breeding with them. Then, the campy begins, while a researcher searches for a creature of lore.

This towering creature looks great and seven stories tall, but where is the compelling dialogue and plot driven action? Neither of these two writing elements are here and Cran seems to rely too heavily on frenetic movement and violence to propel the film forward. More attention could have been given to the introduction of the Haskins and to the development of tension to improve the story'telling. Hillbillies are generally supposed to be scary in horror films. Here, they are just campy.

Benjamin Watts does a great job of running the creature through puppetry and Cran pulls triple and quadruple duty by decorating the sets, amongst other side jobs. The sets looks great and so does the creature. There is some interposing of one film onto another, to give the creature size and dimension. The result is pretty fantastic. The models used for many of the sets look great in exterior shots and the attention to detail on the sets e.g. set decoration, detailing is also well done. Everything visually looks great and these elements help to overlook some of the earlier setbacks.

Currently, The Millenium Bug is set to hit the film festival circuit, with a stop in Saskatchewan October 1st at the Dark Bridges Film Festival. This reviewer has not doubt that this film will receive distribution at some point and an audience. For now, there is no release date. So fans of the over-the-top style of filmmaking will have to wait for Cran's film to generate some attention at the coming festivals.

Overall this film left this reviewer with a good impression regarding the entertainment factor for The Millenium Bug, especially in the final frames. The writing could have been strengthened with more well written dialogue. However, this film brings the creature feature to some heights in the finale, thanks to Robert Lindsay, Bridget Clarke, Dustin Yoder and others in the visual effects team.

Visuals/effects/makeup: 8 (everything visually looks great).
Plot/story/writing: 5 (lots of room for improvement here - from character writing to storytelling in general).

Overall: 6.5 out of 10.

Become a fan of the film on Facebook for updates:

The Millenium Bug on Facebook

A well written review of this film by Lauren Taylor at Blood Disgusting:

The Millenium Bug Reviewed at Bloody Disgusting

Jon Briddell is one of the principal actors in this title. Briddell has been in a few horror titles of late. Also, his character was offed too early in the title reviewed here. Also, support this site by buying guilty pleasures at Amazon:



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The Echo Game to Psychically Enslave You on DVD September 17th

Author/Michael Allen

MTI Home Video has released the poster art for The Echo Game, while also announcing their acquisition of this title. The Echo Game was completed in 2009 by first time director Brian Feeney. This title will release September 27th, through MTI Home Video and this horror tale tells of psychic powers, the Echo Project and of young children being exploited by "rogue scientists." You can preview the release details here, with The Echo Game homepage offering a special effects laden trailer for this feature. Enjoy the preview below.

Tagline: "Some secrets will haunt you...forever!"

The synopsis for The Echo Game is here:

"April Reilly must protect her daughter, Sarah, from a rogue scientist on a murderous rampage to steal the girl’s psychic powers for herself" (MTI Home Video).

Release Date: September 27, 2011 (DVD).

Director: Brian Feeney.

Writers: Brian Feeney and John Ross.

Cast: Alisha Seaton (The Fourth Kind), Jeannie Bolet (Chronicles of a Love Unfound), Melissa Lee (BlinkyTM), Judy Clement (Dimension), Angela Landis (Bicentennial Man), Liliya Czarina (Safety First: The Rise of Women!) and David Ghilardi (Beneath Loch Ness).

Special features will include:

-film commentary

-behind the scenes

-trailers

*running Time: 80 Minutes

**rated restricted.

The Echo Game Homepage w/trailer is here:

The Echo Game's Official Website

Source:

The Echo Game at MTI Home Video (Facebook)

Available soon:



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InSight's Trailer Hosts a Mysterious Killer: In Theatres September 2nd

Author/Michael Allen

Check Entertainment is set to show InSight in theatres September 2nd, This is a thriller with a touch of mystery, which stars Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondock Saints), Natalie Zea (Californication), and Adam Baldwin (Full Metal Jacket). Theatre locations are below and InSight involves a nurse who is tragically electoruted by a defibrillator. She then experiences a near death experience. Visions of a deceased patient's killer haunt her, compelling Kaitlyn (Zea) to find a murderer.

InSight's official poster is here. Get set to see one of the most intriguing thrillers in theatres shortly!

Tagline: "Who Killed Allison Parkes?"

"Shot in the seedy Boyle Heights district in Los Angeles, InSight follows Kaitlyn (Natalie Zea), an ER nurse. While tending to a young stabbing victim, Allison, is accidentally electrocuted by the defibrillator that was being used to save the woman's life. Almost immediately she starts to experience the victim's memories. Kaitlyn turns to family, friends, and the police, but no one takes her seriously; so she takes it upon herself to solve the crime - as the terrifying visions threaten her sanity. Ultimately, Kaitlyn teams up with detective Peter Rafferty (Sean Patrick Flanery) and weaves her way through the victim's past in an attempt to discover the brutal truth about the murder and herself.

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

Director: Richard Gabai.

Cast: Sean Patrick Flanery, Natalie Zea, Adam Baldwin, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Max Perlich, Juliette Landau, Veronica Cartwright, and Angeline Rose Troy.

The trailer for InSight is here:

*InSight is the first release for Check Entertainment Distribution.

Announced showings for InSight are below. Exact locations coming soon:

-1 theater in New York (AMC Empire in Times Square NYC)

-2 theaters in Chicago

-13 theaters in Arizona

-1 theater in Columbus, Ohio

-1 theater in Great Falls, Minnesota

-1 theater in Lake Worth, Florida

-1 theater in Del Ray Beach, Florida

-2 theaters in Tennessee

InSight on Facebook:

InSight on Facebook

The official homepage:

InSight's Homepage

Actor Sean Flannery also recently starred in Deadly Impact:



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Primal and Turning on Your Friends: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

Director: Josh Reed.

Writers: Josh Reed and Nigel Christensen.

Waterborne illnesses around the world kill millions. If you are unlucky enough to drink contaminated water, then your chances of catching a disease like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever are pretty good. In Josh Reed's first feature, the water turns people into blood-thirsty killers. Primal released in January of 2011 on DVD and this is an independent horror film from Australia. There are no crazed psychopaths in this film - like Wolf Creek, but there is an ancient terror residing in an ancient cave. That terror creates the tension and the moral dilemmas that hinders six friends like a bad case of stomach cramps.

This is a backwoods thriller, where Mel (Krew Boylan), Chad (Lyndsay Farris), Kris (Rebekah Foord), Warren (Damien Freeleagus), Dace (Wil Traval), and Anja (Zoe Tuckwell-Smith) set out on a trek to research some pictographs. These ancient drawings foretell doom and disease. Yet, these companions are unable to interrupt the warnings. Then a feral rabbit enters the picture and the infection begins. However, Reed's disease does not begin with these whisker laden creatures, but in the water. Here a stagnant pool holds an ancient illness. Once touched, the waters create a fever first in Mel, but later in others. Much like the diseases mentioned above, there is a fever and in the film the disease is much worse than cholera. Mel sprouts fangs, while losing any sense of self. Her impulse now is mostly for murder, while sometimes feeding a local cavern with her friends' entrails.

One of the more excellent elements in Primal, outside of the music, is the well drawn characters. Chad, Mel's boyfriend, understandably is reluctant to behead his girlfriend. His inability to set his emotions aside allows others to be torn to pieces. Then the major crux is delivered and the question is asked: could you kill your friends if your life was threatened? This is hopefully a hard question for most. Characters in the film have an equally hard time answering this question. As the body count rises, so does Anja's ability to say yes to this question.

Primal is full of gore, some interesting situations and a suitable climax. Most characters are bit at some point and the flow of blood is sometimes stomach churning. The raping cave is a first and the self-performed C section was a difficult watch. As well, the remaining campers find some interesting ways to foil several savages e.g. the tarp trap, and the use of fire. In the final scenes, the mystery of the cave is revealed, but not here. This reviewer would only warn those afraid of bloody birthing scenes to steel yourselves.

In every horror film there are a few stumbling points and thankfully, in Primal they are few. There is one scene that stands out as heavily flawed. Anja faces Mel in one of the earlier conflicts and actress Tuckwell-Smith is unbelievably laughing during much of this scene; the tension dissipates. Why was this scene not re-shot? Also, the conclusion is not summed up fully and this reviewer's eyebrow arched in perplexion several times in the final seconds.

Overall, Primal is a worthy watch, with lots of tense scenes. The music from Rob Gibson is well down and in synchronicity with the film. As well, the acting is great, outside of the scene mentioned above. There is bloodshed and there is something unique about watching a stationary cave cause so much terror and confusion. Reed's initial foray into the burgeoning Australian horror genre is an enjoyable time, which should be enjoyed by many more horror fans.

Writing/plot/characters: 7 (mostly likable characters, believable conflicts).
Pacing/conclusion/continuity: 6.75 (the pacing moves along at a good clip, the ending seems rushed and there are no noticeable continuity errors).

A review of this title at DVD Verdict by Gordon Sullivan:

Primal Reviewed at DVD Verdict

And at Variety (Joy Leydon):

Primal Reviewed at Variety

The film's homepage is here:

Primal's Official Website

For most horror fans:



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A Haunting in Salem Delivers Vomit Spewing Demons in this First Clip!

Author/Michael Allen

The Asylum has debuted the first trailer for A Haunting in Salem, starring Bill Oberst Jr., Carey Van Dyke and Gerald Webb. All of these actors are familiar with this creative and cutting edge production company and in the clip below supernatural madness takes place. From the script of H. Perry Horton, characters projectile vomit, or they fall from flights of stairs or, unbelievably, they awaken beside demons. All of this mayhem has to be seen to be believed. Look into a haunted house and into this trailer for A Haunting in Salem. Then, prepare for the DVD release October 4th!

A short synopsis for A Haunting in Salem:

"When the new sheriff of Salem, Massachusetts discovers that he is the victim of a centuries-old curse, he must protect his family from the vengeful ghosts that torment his home" (The Asylum).

Release Date: October 4th, 2011 (DVD).

Directed by: Shane Van Dyke.

Writer: H. Perry Horton.

Producers: David Michael Latt, David Rimawi, and Paul Bales.

Cinematography: Alex Yellen.

Cast: Bill Oberst, Jr., Courtney Abbiati, Jenna Stone, and Nicholas Harsin.

The trailer for A Haunting in Salem is here:

A Haunting in Salem at The Asylum:

A Haunting in Salem Film Details

Pre-orders:



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Raven Banner Entertainment Creates an Incident with Mariano Cattaneo's Latest

Author/Michael Allen

Raven Banner Entertainment has today announced that the horror thriller titled the Incident will be distributed shortly. This is a found footage style of film, shot much like a documentary. A journalist and a cameraman investigate the disappearance of several factory works only to go missing themselves. Then their digital journal is disseminated and the result is truly horrifying!

Raven Banner Entertainment has not announced a specific release date for this title, but expect a showing in 2011 (prediction). More release details for this title are below.

The synopsis for the Incident:

"Three years ago an employee at the Nacan factory killed 16 workers and himself. A special police division could find no reason for the mass-murder and labelled the case “Incidente” (the name Argentinian Police use for cases with no logical or reasonable explanation).

Journalist Romina Salustik and her cameraman, Christian, were hired to make a documentary about the murders, reconstructing what happened that day. They returned to the factory with their crew, along with a specialist and a priest, only to never be seen alive again. This film is the very dark and disturbing unfinished documentary tape recovered from the scene by the police" (Raven).

Release Date: TBA.

Director/writer: Mariano Cattaneo.

Cast: Daniel de la Vega, Ezio Massa, Andres Borghi and Melisa Fernandez.

*this is a Spanish language film.

The Incident at Raven Banner Entertainment:

The Incident Plot Details and Trailer

Comparable:



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Fifth Dimension: Exorcism and Altered Reality: A Documentary Review

Author/Ed Sum

*Full disclosure: Gravitas Ventures provided a screener of this documentary.

Director: Franz Ferdinand Fleischmann.

"Devils, demons, and evil spirits. Since time began, they have stalked our souls and priests have tried to cast them out. Does evil really walk the earth or is it just inside our minds?"

This introduction teases viewers about things in heaven and earth that not all mortals are meant to comprehend. In the Fifth Dimension: Exorcism, this documentary looks at the question of: is the devil truly real?

This episode takes a look at a strange case of demonic possession that happened in Germany. Anneliese Michel's medical treatment is one shrouded with controversy. Was she truly possessed by the devil or was she simply misdiagnosed? The result of the months spent in exorcising the creature(s) that lurked inside her was death. Amongst those who followed this case, there is a wide belief that she died for the sins of others.

Her dream to become a teacher fell short, and nobody suspected that her "problems" would reflect upon the rift that once existed within the Roman Catholic archdiocese. When Anneleise was being brought up in a very religious household and as her condition worsened, she would become trapped in the middle of the debate. On the pro-side, the medical community believed she suffered from grand mal epilepsy but her parents, devout Catholics, thought she was simply being possessed.

Throughout this production, the exploration of this woman's problems reveals itself to be very one-sided. There's plenty of religious fervor being explored, but the scientific discourse being revealed are merely afterthoughts. While this documentary does not say either way who is right, but to weigh in on the content is just as old school as the product. The verdict is in.

The real horror is to associate this exploration into the occult with the film, The Exorcist. While both happened in the 70's, to not include later products, namely The Exorcism of Emily Rose or Requiem, serves to distract. Also, the etymology of the words devil and demon is used colloquially – if this documentary really wanted to take itself seriously, the director and producers would have corrected for this fashion faux pas. The episode focused too much on what the “Church” believes.

This episode is merely one of several titles under the 5th Dimension label that explores the world of the paranormal. Although most documentary products have ounces of truth, this one simply misses one huge fact: the clips from Exorcist that this show uses does not make sense. Both the novel and the movie ares based on the case of Robbie Mannheim, not Anneliese Michel.

Overall: 6 out of 10.

More upcoming films from Gravitas Ventures:

Upcoming Releases Gravitas Ventures

*The Fifth Dimension: Exorcism has not been released to the public. Other titles mentioned in the review are there:



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The Open Door Brings Pirate Radio November 15th on DVD

Author/Michael Allen

The Open Door completed production in 2008. Later, the film had a positive showing at Shriekfest, where this horror feature won an Audience Award. Now, the film is moving to DVD courtesy of Phase 4 Films. The Open Door tells a tale of a young girl grounded on the night of the "biggest party of...[the] year." She sends out her wish for freedom to a pirate radio station and soon, her dreams are answered. However, events get violent when the supernatural gets involved. This title releases November 15th on DVD in Canada and the US. More release details below.

The synopsis for The Open Door is here:

"Innocent and trusting Angelica falls in with the wrong crowd at school and finds herself grounded during the biggest party of her senior year. The desperate teen turns to a mysterious pirate radio station that appears on full moon nights to grant the wishes of its callers. When her mischievous friends decide to play a prank on her, her wishes are unleashed in a twisted and violent fashion on the unsuspecting teens" (Phase 4 Films).

Street Date: Nov 15, 2011 (DVD).

Director: Doc Duhame.

Producer: Clint Carmichael.

Writer: Doc Duhame.

Cast: Catherine Georges, Sarah Christine Smith, Ryan Doom, Daniel Booko, and Shantel VanSanten.

*the above artwork is a concept piece. The actual DVD cover is yet to be released.

The film's fan page is here:

The Open Door's Fan Page

The homepage for The Open Door:

The Open Door Homepage

Source:

The Open Door at Phase 4 Films

Director Doc Duhame is a prolific stunt advisor and performer, with an appearance in the latest "Teen Wolf" incarnation:



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Terror Comes from Above and Below in this Trailer for Battleship

Author/Michael Allen

This is one of the first films, that his reviewer is aware of, that is based on a board game. What is next - Chess, Checkers? Unbelievably, Battleship has a budget, so far, of $200 million dollars. That is a big investment for a film based on such a small concept. Much of the financing must have been spent on the cast, which includes the excellent: Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna and many others.

Now, the first trailer has debuted, courtesy of Yahoo! Movies. In the clip, a watery object is found to be something extraterrestrial . This ship sends off a signal into space, while threatening local US Navy personnel. Have a look the reel yourself and try not to laugh as you think: you sunk my battleship!

A short synopsis for Battleship:

"Battleship is an epic action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force" (Yahoo).

Release Date: May 18th, 2012 (Theatres).

Director: Peter Berg.

Writers: Erich Hoeber and John Hoeber.

Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Liam Neeson, Brooklyn Decker, Rihanna, Josh Pence, Jesse Plemons, and Peter MacNicol.

The trailer is here for Battleship (adult situations):

Become a fan of the film on Facebook:

Battleship at Facebook

Source:

Battleship at Yahoo

There have been a number of films of late that have dealt with attacking aliens. Xenophobia anyone:



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Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated and Paying Attention to Fans: A Television Season Review

Author/Ed Sum

Creators: Joe Ruby and Ken Spears.

Producer/writer: Mitch Watson.

Animation is no stranger to the horror genre and one of the most enduring cartoon icons associated with this crossover is Scooby Doo. The cartoons that follow his capers made those spooks that went bump in the night not as terrible as it should be. The scares are only as real as Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby want it to be and by the episode's end, they usually face up to it. The only thing they have to fear is fear itself.

And in the 40+ years since this franchise's inception, nearly everyone has grown up watching at least one episode of this great dane buffooning his way into popular culture. The comedy relief Scooby provides take the edge out of nearly all of the frights that play out on network television. Unlike "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "The Twilight Zone" or "The Outer Limits," this cartoon series gives younger viewers a campfire story they can comfortably fall asleep to.

"Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated" is the latest incarnation of the much beloved franchise that is willing to poke a little fun at itself. The writers acknowledge a few of the franchise's early shortcomings and work to improve Scooby Doo's lasting legacy. Unlike earlier inceptions, the sleepy haunted town of Crystal Cove is where the gang solves crimes. This town is reputed to have more sinister hauntings per capita. For this particular group of teens, there's a dark sinister history that link their lives with a deeper mystery that's associated with the town.

There's a cursed Spanish treasure that the original Mystery Incorporated tried to discover. Brad Chiles, Ricky Owens, Cassidy Williams, Judy Reeves, and the parrot, Professor Pericles vanished. They were only the latest in a string of disappearances that has happened. As years passed, the legacy they left behind was forgotten until the Scooby-gang started digging into secrets best left undiscovered.

As each episode focuses on these meddling kids going out to solve a mystery, the romantic relationships and character development that happens within the group is what keeps viewers coming back for more. The lessons learned are not just for the Scooby-gang, but also the viewers. Those pesky kids have parents who worry about them: Velma's parents run a tourist operation catering to the town's haunted past, and they dislike Velma’s need for uncovering the truth. Daphne's folks are rich socialites and their pairing only overstates the obvious when it comes to why she's attracted to Fred. And Shaggy's folks are a bit of a surprise.

Fred Jones' father is the mayor of Crystal Cove, and that makes for some interesting dynamics in terms of how much freedom the gang have when they go about solving mysteries. Junior does not have the run of the town, and true to form, the generational divide between parents and their teenage sons and daughters is explored. This type of attention in storytelling is wonderful and it may even teach the old and young viewer a thing or two about listening to each other.

But for viewers in general, this series stays very true to the source that launched a franchise. There are even plenty of in-jokes to satisfy the long-time fan, like including Vincent Van Ghoul into the lexicon, and for the horror enthusiast, there are stabs at literary icons from various generations: namely H.P. Lovecraft, Harlan Ellison and Stephenie Meyer.

Even some members of the original voice cast, like Casey Kasem, returns. He voices the father of Shaggy, and to compare Kasem and Matthew Lillard (the voice of the new Shaggy) playing two different generations of the Rogers family line is one of those rare treats that are not often found in entertainment.

For a new generation, this product is nothing like "Martin Mystery" or "Ben 10." Those creations had to start from scratch in order to build an audience. Scooby Doo has been an engaging product that does manage to stay fresh. A Pup Named Scooby Doo even managed a Daytime Emmy nomination. And with this franchise expanding in various directions, including direct to video and live-action films, there are no signs of it slowing down.

With "Mystery Incorporated," this series is approaching story telling in a direction not often used: the story-arcs do not end when one season ends. It will continue on in season two, which is already in production.

The first twelve episodes of "Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated" are available on DVD, and the television show continues to broadcast on Teletoon Canada and Cartoon Network (see local listings for exact times). The last six episodes promises to reveal a few more surprises and provide information about the original team who started to investigate the paranormal. There's going to be a grande reveal which even the writers of CW's Supernatural can be proud of.

Season 1 is available here:



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BBC's "Psychoville" Episode 1 "Blackmail:" A Television Review and Preview

Author/Ed Sum

*full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by Fearnet.

Director: Matt Lipsey.

Writers: Reece Shearsmith, and Steve Pemberton.

Producer: Justin Davies.

If there is one word to describe BBC's "Psychoville," that would be “surreal.” This mysterious comedy serves no particular purpose, and that is part of this show's dark charm. There is a mystery at hand: a killer is on the loose and who that is is unknown throughout season one. This series is still ongoing in the UK and only later episodes may reveal who the blackmailer is. He’s upsetting the lives of five uniquely challenged individuals because of something that they did many years ago. This shadowy figure knows, but he's not telling anyone … yet.

This import is like an extended version of I Know What You Did Last Summer, but it is far better. This television show is done with a pinache that only the twisted minds of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton can write. They've worked on The League of Gentlemen in their early years of comedy writing and now they're back. The skits that are being played out don't necessarily tie in together, but with some refined cinematography from the get go, slick editing to pace the narrative, and some stylish storytelling unseen in North American comedy to glue all the pieces together, the premiere episode makes for a captivating watch.

The personalities are stylishly unique; each character has a background that may or may not be important in the cosmic scheme of things. Like the art form this show sometimes imitates, there is no reality. What’s shown is only a perception of a world that does not have to contain any literal or subjective meaning at all.

In the first episode, viewers are introduced to odd balls like Mr. Jelly (Reece Shearsmith), a clown who lost a hand and he has plenty of issues to grumble over. Another character, David Sowerbutts (Steve Pemberton) is obsessed with following the lives of serial-killers and his tale will only unravel as episodes are broadcast. Oscar Lomax (also played by Pemberton) is perhaps the most eccentric figure. He makes Mad-Eye Moody from the Harry Potter series look like Mary Poppins. Shearsmith is a character actor who is worth paying attention to. But it is Lomox's obsession with plush toys that can only make some viewers chuckle.

Other characters include a mid-wife, Joy Aston (Dawn French) who treats a practice doll like it was real, and a dwarf, Robert Greenspan (Jason Tompkins), who is in love with the star of the stage pantomine production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Debbie (Daisy Haggard) doesn't really notice Greenspan. He seemingly harbours potential psychokinetic skills which explode when he's angry.

The first episode is designed to introduce the series’ premise and the characters. In a thirty-minute show, there's only so much that can be done, and the initial cliffhanger excites by giving a bit of a shock to viewers. The only reaction one can do is to tune in for more.

"Psychoville's" US broadcast premiere will take place, Tuesday, August 2nd, on FEARnet’s linear cable channel, on 10:30pm EST, as part of their Twisted Comedy Hour, along with "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil," on 10pm EST.

Please check local listings for times near you.

A clip for episode 1 "Blackmail" can be seen below at Fearnet.com:

Beck Media & Marketing.

"Psychoville" Seas. 1 & 2 on Blu-Ray:



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The Devil's Rock and True Evil: A Movie Review

Author/Michael Allen

Director: Paul Campion.

Writers: Paul Campion, Paul Finch, and Brett Ihaka.

The Devil's Rock is a film from special effects guru Paul Campion, which takes place during World War II. It is the night before D-Day (June 5, 1944) and two New Zealanders have a special mission. They must take out one of the German guns on an isolated island. However, the screams of a woman from a nearby bunker draw them down, down into the fiery depths of hell. Just like Dante in the Divine Comedy, these two Kiwis will face unimaginable horrors, in a demon's lair. Then issues of the occult pop up and Campion goes for a tried and true association of Germany with the supernatural, much like earlier films e.g. The Keep (1983), The Bunker (2001), and Outpost (2008).

The red hues and blood splattered walls signal that this is not wholly an earthly plane, as Captain Grogan (Craig Hall) and Pvt. Joe (Karlos Drinkwater) infiltrate a German bunker. Inside, they find mutilations, which can only come from the demented mind of an effect's artist. Not much later, the viewer is introduced to a charming woman who has a taste for human flesh. Beautiful on the outside, this is a demon who uses men's desires against them. The Devil's Rock is firmly set in the supernatural, but one interesting element of note is the film's use of occultism in the film.

Were Nazis really occultists? Most texts would say no, despite Hitler procuring several religious and spiritual artifacts during the war. However, equating Germans with occultism, during World War II, is a psychological trick used by some to distance themselves from true human evil. To state that Hitler and Germany were occultists allows some to disassociate from humanity's potential to enact true harm on others and to distance themselves from the possibility that such an occurrence as the Holocaust could happen again. Simply, connecting Germany with occultism makes great fiction, even if there is no historical proof of its existence.

That aside, Grogan becomes fully immersed in black magics through a quick indoctrination from the German Colonel Meyer (Matthew Sunderland). The demon grows stronger and the tension of The Devil's Rock begins early, while strengthening during the finale. The demon wants more human meals. As well, the usual pentagrams, candles, black books and blood sacrifice are here to make this truly an occult film. As well, the seduction of evil is present, but thankfully they are resisted to allow the film to stear clear of tragedy. Too bad a 1930s-'40s Germany was not able to do the same thing.

The purpose of talking about occultism in this review is simply to look at a historical context for the film. As can be seen from the excellent films listed above, equating Nazism with the occult makes for great entertainment. However, Hitler and Nazism were allowed to build in power because ordinary people turned away from doing the right thing. There was no supernatural possession or demonic forces at play. Humanity was the driving force behind evil and it is humanity, more specifically love, which overcomes some dark forces in The Devil's Rock. Thankfully, others were willing to fight for humanity and justice in one of the world's most tragic, yet still culturally influential wars.

Plot/story/characters: 7 out of 10 (great story, good characters).
Development/continuity/pacing: 8 out of 10 (the film is a little short, but everything develops quickly).

Overall: 7.5 out of 10 (an entertaining look at the occult and black magic mythos).

A short review of this title at horror news and review site Shock Till You Drop:

The Devils Rock at Shock Till You Drop

Become a fan of the film on Facebook:

The Devil's Rock at Facebook

This title is currently only available through special order (United Kingdom). Entertainment One will release this title at a later date (Canada):

The Devil's Rock at Amazon (United Kingdom, PAL)

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Win a DVD Copy of Sexy Thriller Stangers Online Courtesy of Breaking Glass Pictures!

Author/Michael Allen

Breaking Glass Pictures is releasing Strangers Online on DVD today and they would like to give away a free copy to thriller fans! Strangers Online is a sexy thriller about a late night radio talk show host, murder filled pasts and an intern with a knack for stalking. This title has been given the 28DLA thumbs up here: (Strangers Online Review) and now is your chance to enter. The DVD release will include a director's commentary from John Huckert (Dinocroc), deleted scenes, bloopers, and an alternate ending. This contest is open to those in Canada and the United States, with all entries eighteen years or older.

So, send an e-mail to the address below and enjoy your own copy when this contest ends August 9th. Cast and crew details are below and at the Breaking Glass Pictures' website.

To win, simply send an email to the address below with "Strangers Online Contest" in the header. Include your name and address in the emal. Good luck!

A synopsis for the film is here:

"Hollis Parker hosts a nightly web show that brings together sexual misfits from across the World Wide Web. Haunted by the Murder of his wife four years earlier, he throws himself into his work, fielding questions from adoring fans, exhibitionists and quirky fetishists - all via theirweb cams. Then, a new intern at the studio shows romantic interest in Hollis, and what begins as a seemingly innocent crush turns into an unhealthy obsessions. Though his show usually keeps him at a comformtable distance from his audience, Hollis soon learns that his final show may end in bloody murder - brodcasted live to all his adoring fans. From the producers of Hard comes this erotic thriller told in the vein of Blue Velvet and Body of Evidence . Strangers Online resurrects a dying genre and shines a light on the darkend corners of the digital world, where sex, secrets and danger lurk in the shadows" (Breaking Glass).

Release Date: July 26th, 2011 (DVD).

Director: John Huckert.

Writers: John Huckert, John Matkowsky and Dan Acre.

Cast: Noel Palomaria, Tara Killian and Eva Frajko.

*special features include:

-a director's commentary

-deleted scenes

-bloopers

-alternate ending

Visit the Breaking Glass Pictures' website for more details on the release:

Breaking Glass Pictures' Homepage

For those who cannot wait until the contest ends. The DVD is now available:



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Lucky McKee's The Woman has a Bloody New Trailer!

Author/Michael Allen

Watch out for the "feral woman" looming in your backyard! Lucky McKee and Jack Ketchum have co-wrote the screenplay for The Woman, which will release in North America through AMC Theatres. Now, the first trailer is available for this horror title, in which a family captures a wild woman. Strangely, they do not turn her in, but imprison her in the basement. Just when you thought you have seen everything in horror, along comes The Woman! Check out the bloody clip below.

The synopsis for The Woman is here:

"Chris Cleek (Sean Bridgers) is a small town court officer living a quiet, seemingly normal life in the heart of Maine with his beloved family. That is, until Chris discovers a feral woman roaming the woods and makes it the family's project to civilize her. But as the family's methods of forcing civility upon the woman become ever more extreme, the perverse bonds uniting them will be cast into violent relief" (The Woman).

Release Date: 2011 (Theatres).

Director: Lucky McKee.

Writers: Jack Ketchum and Lucky McKee.

Producers: Andrew van den Houten, and Robert Tonino.

Cast: Sean Bridgers, Pollyanna McIntosh, and Angela Bettis.

The mature trailer for The Woman is here (violence, scenes of torture and confinement, finger amputation):

*to be distributed by The Collective and Bloody Disgusting.

Source:

The Woman at Geek Tyrant

A companion novel is being released for the picture, as well:



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Indie Thriller Alert: 7 Stones Begins Shooting a Political Thriller

Author/Michael Allen

Some early details are developing on an upcoming political thriller titled 7 Stones. This film is currently shooting through 3rd Coast and 7 Stones will star DJ Perry (Blood Ties), Melissa Anschutz and Dax Spanogle. A reporter is sentenced to prison, after a young boy is found murdered. Here, she finds his killer. Now, she must find a way to escape, to avenge his wrongful death. An early poster is here, along with cast details below. Enjoy an early look at a thrilling independent feature, with a release date coming soon.

The synopsis for 7 Stones is here:

"Laura Brummels is determined to avenge the death of a young boy; a death she could have prevented, but didn't. It's placed her in a prison of guilt driven by her cooperation as a reporter with a political regime that's successfully corrupted her.

Fallen from grace with the regime, Laura is sentenced to Aquila where no one escapes and an annual monsoon floods the prison, eliminating everyone. And she discovers her chance to clear her conscience; one of the notorious guards is the young boy's killer. This is her chance to avenge the boys death and relieve her guilt.

But there's a surprise for her in the large cell where she's placed; another prisoner, Joseph, has survived the last flood and has been working to escape from Aquila before the next flood comes. He's devised a clever means of removing stones from the prison ceiling, but he can't do it alone. To succeed he must convince his new cell mate to abandon murder and choose to survive with him and escape" (3rd Coast).

Director/writer: Tom Norton.

Producers: Paul Mastrangelo and Girbe Eefsting.

Cast: D.J. Perry, Melissa Anschutz, Dax Spanogle, and Justin Kilduff.




More updates will develop at the film's fan page:

7 Stones on Facebook

Another thriller from actor DJ Perry:



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