Cover Art And Release Details Announced For “Starry Eyes”

Press Release
An aspiring actress finally gets a role to die for in STARRY EYES, "one of the most exciting independent horror films to come out in a long time" (Michele Galgana, Twitch). The nerve-shattering film comes to Digital Download, Blu-ray and DVD from MPI Home Video on February 3, 2015.

Determined to make it as an actress in Hollywood, Sarah Walker (Alex Essoe, Passion Play, Boy Toy) spends her days working a dead-end job, enduring petty friendships with other struggling artists and competing actors, and going on countless casting calls in hopes of catching her big break. After a series of strange auditions, Sarah lands the leading role in a film from a mysterious production company. But this opportunity comes with some bizarre conditions that will transform her both mentally and physically into something beautiful ... and altogether terrifying.

From the producer of Cheap Thrills and Jodorowsky’s Dune, Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch’s STARRY EYES is an occult tale of ambition, possession and the true cost of fame.

In addition to Essoe, the cast includes Noah Segan (Looper, Brick, The Picture of Dorian Gray), Pat Healy (The Innkeepers, Cheap Thrills, Compliance) and Amanda Fuller (The Brittany Murphy Story, Cheap Thrills).

Entertainment Weekly’s Clark Collis called STARRY EYES "a skillful combination of occult thriller and Cronenbergian gruesome-fest. Essoe gives a star-making performance." "One of the best horror films of the year. ... Brilliant and brutal," said Meredith Borders of Badass Digest. "Terrifying," said Time’s Michael Roffman. "If David Lynch and David Cronenberg came together to craft a gory, psychological mindbender, it might be STARRY EYES."

Special features on the Blu-ray and DVD include commentary with writer-directors Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer (who previously teamed on Absence) and producer Travis Stevens; 10 deleted scenes; a music video by the film’s composer, Jonathan Snipes; Alex Essoe’s audition video; a behind-the-scenes photo gallery, and the theatrical trailer.

DVD Release Announced For “Teeth & Blood”

Al Franklin and Pamela J. Richardson’s vampire flick “Teeth & Blood” finally has a DVD release date set. The film will hit shelves on March 10th, 2015. “Teeth & Blood” stars Danielle Vega, Glenn Plummer, King Kedar, Michelle Van Der Water, and Sean Christopher. Check out the 2012 trailer below.

A beautiful diva is murdered on the set of horror director Vincent Augustines latest film Chapel Blood. Somewhere between the crime scene and the coroners van, the body mysteriously disappears. Meanwhile, the citys supply of donated blood is being dangerously depleted. Suspecting a connection between the events, detectives Mike Hung and Sasha Colfax go undercover at the studio to investigate. Their attempt to crack the case quickly turns into a desperate battle for survival when they uncover an age-old war between rival vampire covens that threatens to consume humanity in a final, grisly assault of Teeth & Blood!

First Official Poster Released For “Digging Up The Marrow”

Entertainment Weekly has revealed the first official poster for Adam Green and Alex Pardee’s “Digging Up The Marrow”. The film is blend of documentary and scripted horror slated for a theatrical and VOD release on February 20th, 2015. “Digging Up The Marrow” stars Adam Green, Rileah Vanderbilt, Will Barratt, Alex Pardee, and William Dekker.

When filmmaker Adam Green receives a package in his fan mail from a strange man claiming that he can prove that monsters indeed exist, he and his crew are taken on a mysterious, fantastical, and terrifying journey into the shadows and deep down under the ground below our very feet.

New Title And International Trailer Released For “Backmask”

Check out the international trailer just released for Marcus Nispel’s “Backmask”, now titled “Exeter”. The film stars Gage Golightly, Kelly Blatz, Brittany Curran, Brett Dier, Nick Nicotera, Michael Ormsby, Nick Nordella, and Stephen Lang. The Chinese trailer heralds the film’s release in that country on January 15th.

During a sex, drugs, and rock-fueled party, six small-town teenagers find an old vinyl record and decide to play it backwards in order to listen for any subliminal/satanic messages. Lo and behold, a seemingly malevolent spirit quickly infiltrates the group, wreaking havoc as it moves from one body to another. Eventually, however, it’s revealed that the spirit in question is actually trying to convey a message… and that the real source of horror isn’t particularly paranormal, but rather something (or someone) much closer to home.

DVD Release Date For “The Demon’s Rook”

A release date has been announced for James Sizemore’s much touted “The Demon’s Rook”. The film is a horror-fantasy epic that has a young boy discovering a portal to a demon dimension where he becomes the apprentice to an exiled demon elder. “The Demon’s Rook” stars  Ashleigh Jo Sizemore, James Sizemore, John Chatham, Josh Gould, Dustin Dorough and will hit DVD shelves on February 3rd, 2015. The film is already available VOD.

Young Roscoe finds a portal to another world where he is taught magic by an elder demon known as Dimwos. The demon raises the boy into manhood, revealing to him many things... except for one dark secret. When Roscoe discovers the secret withheld from him all these years, his anger inadvertently unleashes three malevolent demons. Roscoe flees the demons' wrath by escaping through the portal, drawing the demons to discover our world for themselves. Once they pass through, a nightmarish foray of monsters is unleashed. One demon possesses the minds of all whom she crosses, another transforms a man into a murderous beast, and the other summons an army of the dead to do his bidding.

First Trailer Released For “Raw Focus”

The first trailer has been released for Bobby Jones’ “Raw Focus”. The film is a horror thriller currently in post-production. “Raw Focus” stars John Chiara, Rachel Anderson, Roger Conners, Chanel Lewis, Kayla McDonald, Brittany Buck, Jodie di Donato, Kinsley Funari, Pakob Jarernpone, Deanna Sherman, Alex Russo, Ana Bell, and Benny Benzino.

All hell breaks loose when a photographer with a flare for erotic art takes a group of stunning models out into the middle of nowhere for the ultimate photo-shoot. Unfortunately for this crew of young and aspiring talent, this happens to be the same middle of nowhere in-which a trio of psychopathic killers have selected to use as their personal killing fields.

Final Poster Revealed For “The Shelter”

Check out the final poster for John Fallon’s “The Shelter”. The thriller stars Michael Paré, Gayle James, Rachel Whittle, Lauren Thomas, Brigette Rose, and Amy Wickenheiser. “The Shelter” hits the festival circuit in 2015.

On a star-filled night, widower and homeless man Thomas (Michael Paré) finds shelter for the night when he falls upon a vast two-story house with the lights on and an inviting open front door. He strolls on in, thinking he just caught a lucky break, and for a while it would appear as though he did. But soon enough, he realizes that the house won’t let him leave, as its doors are all locked while its windows cannot be opened or broken. Destiny has brought Thomas to this place. What does it want from him? Will he survive the ordeal?

Trailer No. 2 Released For “It Never Sleeps”

The second trailer has been released for psychological thriller “It Never Sleeps”. The film is directed by Matt Mitchell and stars Laura Swift, Fabrizio Santino, Cassandra Orhan, Pixie Le Knot. A release date has not been announced yet for this gory, thrill-ride.

Haunted by terrible waking nightmares,Joan must face more than just her own fears as she is stalked by a murderous sociopath,haunted by one of his victims and terrorized by The Beast,a relentless and horrifying spirit of vengeance which never sleeps.

U.S. Release Date Set For “Killers”

Well Go USA has announced a U.S. release date for Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto’s visceral nightmare “Killers”. The film will hit theatres and VOD on January 23rd, 2015. “Killers” stars Kazuki Kitamura, Oka Antara, Rin Takanashi, Luna Maya, and Ray Sahetapy. Check out the stills for the film below.

A series of horrific murders just went viral, posted anonymously by the handsome and seductive Nomura (Kazuki Kitamura), a predator with a taste for torture. Thousands of miles away, disgraced journalist Bayu (Oka Antarra) can’t stop watching – and in a reckless moment discovers he, too, can kill. 

One man in Tokyo. One in Jakarta.  A serial killer and a vigilante. As the posts multiply and the body count rises, a bizarre and psychotic rivalry begins – and the face-to-face showdown that’s coming will paint the city in blood.

DVD Cover Art And Release Date Set For “Bombshell Bloodbath”

Check out the awesome DVD cover art for Brett Mullen’s “Bombshell Bloodbath”. The action-horror with heavy exploitation influences will hit DVD shelves on January 27th, 2015. “Bombshell Bloodbath” stars Alex Elliot, Rob Springer, Larry Parks, Samantha Mills, Jess Barbour, Shane Terry, Kathy Sandvoss, Miles Snow, Joanne Maye, Brianna Doss, Ed Ricker, Darren Hummel, Don Sill, Owen Daily, and Matthew Moore. The film is described as a Italian Style Zombie Splatter film.

A beautiful young dancer starts having terrifying dreams after she comes in contact with a strange chemical. Her father, obsessed with trying to bring his dead wife back to life, unknowingly exposes the town to a deadly virus. The outbreak starts in the local strip club and quickly spreads through the community, turning the locals into flesh-eating zombies. His daughter is one of the few to escape the horrors of the infection and finds herself fighting to stay alive and reverse the plague her father released on the world.

Artwork And Canadian Release Date Announced For “Plan 9”

Press Release
Monster Pictures is thrilled to announce the worldwide DVD premiere of Plan 9, a modern re-imagining of the classic film Plan 9 from Outer Space, on the 19th of February, 2015. The film will be available for pre-order from January 5th from jbhifi.com.au.

Plan 9 is the story of Nilbog, a small town with a big story: the beginning of an invasion! However, instead of lasers, spaceships, and epic force, these aliens have a different plan for the inhabitants of Earth: to resurrect the dead as their own army set with but one goal… to wipe out all mankind! On this Halloween night only the townsfolk stand in the way of total domination. From the police department to those trapped in a convenience store, and even those trying to stay alive in the streets, this night will decide the fates of all who walk the planet and thought they were the top of the food chain.

Plan 9 is drenched with gore, skin, and toe-tapping 50’s ditties!

Starring Brian Krause (“Charmed,” Sleepwalkers), James Rolfe (The Angry Video Game Nerd), and Matthew Ewald (Fox’s “Galidor”) plus horror actors such as Camille Keaton (I Spit on Your Grave), Addy Miller (“The Walking Dead”), and Michael Christopher (Dawn of the Dead).

“Kill, Granny, Kill” Finally Gets Release Date

Jacob Ennis’ “Kill, Granny, Kill” finally has a release date. The tribute to cult classic exploitation cinema will hit DVD shelves on April 21st, 2015. “Kill, Granny, Kill” stars Kristine Renee Farley, Dale Miller, Kayla Perkins, Roni Jonah, Jason Crowe, Alexandra Neary, and Donna Swensen.

Answering an in-home help ad for an elderly woman, Abby Daniels leaves family and friends for a remote farmhouse in the country. But all is not as it seems with her fluffy employer, whose locked doors and cellar seem to be hiding some unusual hobbies. When she drunkenly sneaks her boyfriend into the house, breaking the rules about cursing and fornication, Abby is plunged into a nightmare of hellish proportions - pitted against a clan of ruthless, amoral and degenerate flesh-eaters lead by their murderous GRANNY!

The third and most ambitious feature from director Ennis, Kill, Granny, Kill is awash in blood, gore, and fashionable accessories made from human skin.
Special Features:

• Director Commentary
• Outtakes
• Trailer Vault

RadioactiveGiant To Adapt H.P.Lovecraft’s “Miskatonic”

Independent production company RadioactiveGiant has acquired the rights to develop, produce and distribute “Miskatonic,” a feature film inspired by the works of horror fiction icon H.P. Lovecraft.

“Miskatonic” was created in the Lovecraft tradition of dark fantasy, science fiction and horror.

Lovecraft repeatedly used the fictional and prestigious Miskatonic University, located in a Massachusetts and named after the fictional Miskatonic River, with its first appearance in Lovecraft’s 1922 story “Herbert West–Reanimator.”

Albert Sandoval and Daemon Hillin will produce. Sandoval will also direct from a script by Devlin Mann and Stephen Dare.

Radioactive Giant recently completed principal photography on “By the Rivers of Babylon,” starring Crispin Glover, Connie Stevens, Joely Fisher and Mark Boone Junior. Sandoval also directed.

RadioactiveGiant is planning production of “Miskatonic” for late 2015 to early 2016.

“This is the kind of project that has everything I love about storytelling and filmmaking,” Sandoval said of “Miskatonic.”

U.S. Release Date Announced For “Wyrmwood”

IFC Midnight will release Aussie post-zombie apocalypse film “Wyrmwood” on February 13th, 2015 on VOD. The film is a blend of “Mad Max and “Dawn Of The Dead” by filmmaker brothers Kiah and Tristan Roache-Turner. “Wyrmwood” stars Jay Gallagher, Bianca Bradey, Leon Burchill, Catherine Terracini, Meganne West, Luke McKenzie, Berynn Schwerdt, Yure Covich, Cain Thompson, Beth Aubrey, Sheridan Harbridge, Damian Dyke and Keith Agius.

Barry is a talented mechanic and family man whose life is torn apart on the eve of a zombie apocalypse. His sister, Brooke, is kidnapped by a sinister team of gas-mask wearing soldiers & experimented on by a psychotic doctor. While Brooke plans her escape Barry goes out on the road to find her & teams up with Benny, a fellow survivor - together they must arm themselves and prepare to battle their way through hordes of flesh-eating monsters in a harsh Australian bushland.

Season 2 Teaser For ‘Penny Dreadful’

Check out the teaser for season two of Showtime’s ‘Penny Dreadful’. The second season is currently in production for the expanded 10-episode season in Dublin. The series stars Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton, Eva Green, Helen McCrory and Simon Russell Beale returning, along with new cast members Sarah Greene, Jonny Beauchamp, Douglas Hodge and Patti Lupone,

An erotically-charged, profoundly unsettling new saga, PENNY DREADFUL completely reinvents literature's most iconic and terrifying characters. Dorian Gray, Victor Frankenstein and timeless figures from Dracula join a core of original characters in a dark and brutal quest to save a soul -- even as they grapple with their own monstrous temptations.

Filming Starts On “Silent Night Bloody Night” Sequel

The 2015 holiday teasing just keeps coming. It seems the filming has begun on direct sequel to the 1974 cult classic “Silent Night Bloody Night”. The new film which is a direct sequel, titled “Revival”, will be directed by Dustin Ferguson. The film will star Julia Farrell, Luc Bernier, Pete Lipins, Jennii Caroline, Jeanne Kern, Rich Kern, Mike Crawford, Breana Mitchell.

After a death in the family, siblings Angelica and James Zacherly travel to the small town of East Willard on Christmas Eve to pay their respects. They stay at a homely bed and breakfast where they learn the legend of Black Peter, Santa Claus’ vengeful brother. But when they find the lost journal of Jeffrey Butler, they discover the town has its own sordid history – one more rooted in reality.

When the dark reflection of St. Nicholas emerges and begins to punish the eccentric townsfolk, the visitors find themselves in the middle of the mystery. Who is doing the deeds? Is Black Peter real? Or is the truth closer to home? If they don’t find out and put a stop to it, Christmas Day will turn to Garbage Day while the bodies pile up in a bloody heap.

First Poster For Tech Horror “Other Halves”

If you haven’t already, check out the first poster released for high tech horror “Other Halves”. The film is directed by Matthew T. Price and brings a nightmarish scenario to tech world surrounding apps. “Other Halves” stars Lianna Liew (Truth Or Dare), Megan Hui (The Before Time), Melanie Friedrich (Positive: Some Doors Should Remain Closed), Sam Schweikert (Hart of Dixie), and Carson Nicely (The Conan O'Brien Show). The poster was originally released on the 19th of December via the film’s Facebook page.


A team of young coders have designed a breakthrough dating app: Other Halves. Rather than asking you to state your dating preferences, Other Halves analyzes your behavior online–from your posts on social media sites, to the games you play and the anonymous comments you make on YouTube videos–to determine who you should really be with.

The night before the app launches, however, the app users start to exhibit strange side effects: they seem to lose all self-control, becoming violent, amoral, licentious. It’s up to the team to stop the spread of the app except…
Evil is profitable.

My Review Of “Chill”

2013’s “Chill” has been released yet, but the indie horror hopes to change that in 2015. “Chill is directed by Noelle Bye, Roger Conners, and Meredith Holland. The film stars Roger Conners, Kelly Rogers, Brad Arner, DJ Remark, Jason Orr, Angelia DeLuca, David Gilmore, Mike Kafury, Erinn Bakun, Ash Katt, Janine Bowles Sarnowski, Theresa Pedone, and Rick Montgomery Jr. I truly hope this one gets a distribution deal in 2015 because it is a worthy micro-budget effort with some real blood splatter moments.

The story revolves around the tragic deaths of a group of college students found dead after participating in a role playing game called “Chill”. The original horror took place in 1988, and our film picks up as a new group decide to revive the game on the anniversary. First, the object of Chill (the game) is for everyone to draw a slip of paper from a jar after a séance kicks things off. One will be the killer and the others will run and hide. No one knows who the rest are, killer or victim-in-waiting. I have to say I love this game idea. It brings back a feeling I got from watching a little known 80’s role playing horror film titled “Tag: The Assassination Game”.

Now the main plot to “Chill” (the movie) has a new group of students playing the game on the anniversary, falling victim to a very real killer, and refueling the horror that plagues the community surrounding the college. There are some slightly weak moments in the story arch, during some of the dialog that solidifies the story feel contrived and not as convincing as other aspects of the story arc. It gets shaky at times, but lets face it, the concept is a gamble. It requires an acceptance of fancy and more whimsical notions of horror story telling-much as nearly every horror film in the 80’s demanded. Which is the exact feel and style that “Chill” is going for in this tale.

The special effects and masked killer design is key, shining moments for “Chill”. The horror elements are dark, homages to classic horror, and very effective. The quality is a step above the low budget quality of the dramatic aspects that counter this movie’s theme. There is plenty of bloodshed, gore, and dark shadowing settings to really show the passion of the film makers for horror. Oh and most importantly-the scenes work. Due to cleverly crafted choices and camera angles the kill/death scenes stand out in “Chill” as quality moments. The killer is masked, hardly scene, until it is too late, intimidating and apparition like. The Dark Ages style of macaw mask and garb reminiscent of plague doctors make for a great horror movie slasher.

“Chill” does have some sound quality issues in scenes that are at the mercy of the crews elements. The mic picks up air and echos in some scenes, not totally overpowering the dialog but it is noticeable,  The sound quality issues are 50/50 in the film, there are some nice moments when the crew has control, allowing for some decent character interaction and humorous one-liner moments. Some actors are more comfortable on screen than others, giving stronger performances, but the atmosphere and build-up of suspense never completely faulters in “Chill”. The music score and soundtrack are nice, and the sound quality stays intact in that respect. The score is a mix of classic giallo and American splatter films of the 80’s.

“Chill” isn’t gonna be a film that everyone will enjoy, but indie and micro-budget fans will see the quality moments as true, honest horror that works. The pace is a bit clunky at the beginning of the film, but within 20-25 minutes things pick up and “Chill” moves more like a slasher film should. Overall, the story creates a nice contemporary horror tale that begs of urban legend. The kills and gore show true talent and passion for horror, and the killer is captivating. The ending is a nice surprise ending that really caught me off guard. Very reminiscent of Argento’s style of ending a story. “Chill” has some flaws but there is enough of a good horror film here to warrant seeing the film.

Official Poster And Trailer For “Dark Summer”

Check out the official poster and trailer for upcoming horror “Dark Summer”. The film is directed by Paul Solet and set to be released on VOD January 9th. “Dark Summer” stars Keir Gilchrist, Peter Stormare, and Grace Phipps.

While home alone under house arrest, a teenager undergoes a terrifying brush with the supernatural in this stylish, hair-rising horror film.

Teaser Released For “Phantasm: Ravager”

A holiday teaser has been released for “Phantasm: Ravager”, the next installment to the evil mortician franchise. “Phantasm: Ravager” is set to be released in 2015 and is directed by David Hartman. The film stars Reggie Bannister, A. Michael Baldwin, Kathy Lester, Bill Thornbury. The fifth in the series is marked as the final installment to the “Phantasm” franchise. The clip is a sort of shout out to film fans and gives a glimpse at footage for the upcoming sequel.

“Zombie Killers” Release Details

DVD/Blu-ray release details have been announced for “Zombie Killers”. The film directed by B. Harrison Smith will hit horror shelves February 3rd via Anchor Bay. “Zombie Killers” stars Billy Zane, Dee Wallace, Mischa Barton, Gabrielle Stone, and Felissa Rose.

A community comes under siege by something horrible that is not what it seems. Life vs. Death, living vs. existing all come to the forefront of a stand out action film.

Bonus features on Zombie Killer: Elephant’s Graveyard Blu-ray™ and DVD include the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Bloodbath and Beyond,” “The Look of Zombie Killers: Elephant’s Graveyard,” and “Zombie Killers: Elephant’s Graveyard Behind the Scenes.”

Holiday Slasher “All Through The House” In Post-production

Horror Society has brought to light a bit of horrific merriment to look forward to Christmas 2015. Slasher horror, “All Through The House” is currently in post-production and has revealed some stills from the film. The movie is directed by Todd Nunes and stars Ashley Mary Nunes (“Robot Combat League”), Jessica Cameron (Truth or Dare), Jennifer Wenger (“Jimmy Kimmel Live”), Melynda Kiring, Natalie Montera, Lito Velasco, Jason Rayer, Johanna Rae, Danica Riner, Cathy Garrett, Kelsey Carlstedt, Matthew Poeschl, Lyndon Laveaux, and Justice Lee. The film follows a deranged Santa-Slayer, who COMES TO TOWN for the holidays, and leaves behind a bloody trail of mutilated bodies and yuletide-terror.

Here be the story:
A Christmas obsessed neighborhood is engulfed with fear when five-year-old Jamie mysteriously vanishes from inside her home never to be seen again. The missing child's house, once a winter wonderland during the season, goes dark as Jamie's mother, Mrs. Garrett becomes a depressed recluse.

The neighborhood children, mesmerized by the haunted story, trade scary bedtime rumors of the missing child that eventually turn into a kind of innocuous folklore.

FIFTEEN YEARS LATER - Rachel Kimmel, a 22 year old college student, comes home for Christmas. Her haunted childhood memories of the missing lonely little girl bring her face to face with Mrs. Garrett.

At the same time, the neighborhood is experiencing some yuletide horror as a wrathful Santa killer stalks the Christmas decorated neighborhood. The brutal and faceless killer leaves a trail of slaughtered bodies to the front steps of the Garrett house.

Rachel soon finds herself in a horrifying nightmare as she is left alone to unveil the madness behind the mask. The unbelievable and twisted revelation of the killer sends Rachel into shock as she discovers her own sick connection with the Garrett family household.

“Bible Belt Slasher: The Holy Terror” Available Now On VOD, Coming To DVD 12/30/2014

Pray For Mercy -- BIBLE BELT SLASHER: THE HOLY TERROR Available Now On VOD, Coming To DVD 12/30/2014

This Christmas Brain Damage Films presents The Bible Belt Slasher: The Holy Terror, a love letter to the 1980's and its low budget slashers from the mind of Bradley Creanzo.  The movie is already available On Demand through most major cable, satellite, and internet VOD providers, with a bonus-packed DVD arriving December 30th.  DVD extras include the 30-minute "Bible Belt Slasher Part 1" short film, original music videos, bloopers/deleted scenes, TV spots, interviews and more.

You can read my review of the film here: http://asouthernlifeinscandaloustimes.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-review-of-bible-belt-slasher-holy.html Also check out the images, trailer, and clips for the film below.

The Bible Belt Slasher is the brain child of writer/director/producer/star/cinematographer/composer/editor/80's fanatic Bradly Creanzo.  Some may remember him from the 2013 documentary Adjust Your Tracking, in which he shows off the replica retro video store he built that lives in his basement (which also appears in Bible Belt).


The Holy Terror is actually the second film in the series -- the first is a half hour short included on the DVD -- described by Creanzo as having "Something for everyone whether it be violence, blood & gore, 80's music, suspense, black comedy or that walk down slasher memory lane."

Both films premiered together to a sold out theater in New Jersey, followed by a very limited DVD, VHS and Betamax (yes, you read that right) release.  Brain Damage Films has no plans for a wider Betamax release but we're excited to bring this uniquely entertaining piece of cinema to the masses just in time for the holidays!

It's December 1989, and Wilkins, Tennessee native Jason Fry returns to wreak more havoc on the survivors, friends and families of the teenagers whom he killed in the first film. Fry is committed back to the Hillside Sanitarium for his brutal crimes, but he doesn't stay there long. Fry kills his doctor and escapes going on a bloodbath crusade of revenge against those he believes to be sinners in his eyes. Only Dr. Landers knows what Fry is and he will do anything in his power to stop him, but will he save everyone from the holy terror that Fry brings this Christmas season?

                         

                          

                          

                           

Pagan Festival Shout Out: Christmas Day / Malkh Festival

Christmas is upon us once more! Probably the most energized, magical and festive time of year. It is true that Yule has already been celebrated which is the traditional pagan Christmas day, and of course Saturnalia began and is still underway. However for the majority of us we also celebrate today’s Christmas holiday-leaving off the Christianized elements of course. Although, to be honest I do put out a nativity scene along with my holiday decorations. Christmas Day is just once traditionally special day that is blended in with my personal polytheistic beliefs. It is the official day that the sun is reborn and the light begins it’s journey once more to nourish the northern hemisphere once more.

Many modern Christmas customs have been directly influenced by such festivals, including gift-giving and merrymaking from the Roman Saturnalia, greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year, and Yule logs and various foods from Germanic feasts. My favorite thing about Christmas day is the dinner that I and my partner cook for the whole family. The ham, which in pagan days would have been boar, is something that I look forward to the whole year. I limit myself from pig most of the year except on holidays. I also cook a turkey because in my own childhood my grandmother would cook both a ham and turkey because the family was so large- 7 children, spouses and over 20 grandkids-so the turkey is a staple for me on the Christmas day table. Next would be the holiday cards for the family that attend the feast- I mail the others out around Yule time. The last but just as amusing is the gift giving-primarily focused on the children, to see there faces light up is truly joyous!

So how ever you celebrate, I wish you all a Merry Christmas!



December 25th is also special in another ancient pagan culture, as the day the sun returns-which incidentally is the pre-Christian reason for celebrating Christmas. The Vainakh people of the North Caucasus, mostly known under the ancient nation of Malkh, usually regarded as the westernmost Nakh people, celebrated December 25th for this very important moment in astronomy. Their name has a Nakh root (Malkh, the sun, attached to the main God, Deela's name as well.

The Malkh festival honored their primary god Deela’s birth/rebirth at the time of the winter solstice, which in their culture was marked as an official return on December 25th. During the ceremonies suppliants turned to the east. Also in Nakh architecture temples and house façades were directed to east. Nakh people believed that Sun went to visit her mother Aza at the summer and winter solstices. The journey took her six months to complete. Nakh people used fylfot as symbol of Deela-Malkh on their buildings and tomb-stones.

Pagan Festival Shout Out: Yule/Winter Solstice

Yule is also known as the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere due to the seasonal differences. It is a pagan religious festival observed by the historical Germanic peoples, later undergoing Christianized reformulation resulting in, the now better known, Christmastide. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were "wassailed" with toasts of spiced cider.  Children were escorted from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges which were laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represented the sun. There are literally dozens of ways you can enjoy the season.

Yule, (pronounced EWE-elle) is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, the sun's "rebirth" was celebrated with much joy. On this night, our ancestors celebrated the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth. From this day forward, the days would become longer.


The traditions that I have grown accustomed to incorporating into to the holiday season, many were already apart of my Christmas tradition from childhood, decorating my home with evergreens-holly-mistleto-trees-lights. These are all apart of the Yule tradition as well as modern Christmas traditions. I have since added, as an adult, the bonfire (Yule log burning) which protects against the powers of evil in whatever shape or form they stalked the land, and symbolizes the light returning to conquer the darkness. I also decorate my altar in honor of Yule. You can also make a symbolic Yule log for decoration.

Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God), or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with flour. The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the Solstice festival, Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. An herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice. Oak is also great for making a Yule log-and has special significance to pagan beliefs.


Here are some great links that have helped me explore and express my  own Yule practices as a solitary pagan.

• Setting Up the Yule Altar
• Prayers for Yule
• Welcome Back the Sun for Yule
• Goddess Rite for Solitaries
• Goddess Rite for Groups
• Hold a Yule Log Ceremony
• Yule Cleansing Ritual
• Holiday Tree Blessing Ceremony
• Elemental Blessings of Donations Ritual

Deities of Yule:  All Newborn Gods, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, and Triple Goddesses. The best known would be the Dagda, and Brighid, the daughter of the Dagda. Brighid taught the smiths the arts of fire tending and the secrets of metal work. Brighid's flame, like the flame of the new light, pierces the darkness of the spirit and mind, while the Dagda's cauldron assures that Nature will always provide for all the children.
Full List Of Deities Of Yule: Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon.
Symbolism of Yule:Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future.

Symbols of Yule: Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus.

Herbs of Yule: Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar.

Foods of Yule: Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).
Incense of Yule: Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.

Pagan Festival Shout Out: Divalia

December 21st is the day of the ancient Roman festival known as Divalia, in honour of the goddess Angerona. The festival is also known as Angeronalia and to drive away all the sorrow and chagrin of life. She was a goddess who relieved men from pain and sorrow, or delivered the Romans and their flocks from angina. Angeronalia is also thought to be the goddess of the new year and the returning sun.

Angeronalia is known as The Lady of Silence and Secrets, She Who Stands As the Protector of Rome, and she is represented with her mouth bound, or with her index finger held over her mouth, commanding silence. Aspects and attributes of the goddess are strength, passion, guardianship, and it is customary to have a cleansing fire to symbolize joy. Her incense are olive blossom, white nectarine, vibrant blood orange, honey absolute, lemongrass, elemi, sensual patchouli, and the quiet purity of gardenia. Angeronalia and the Divalia make a perfect additive to the Yule, Winter Solstice celebration.

First Official Still Of Del Toro’s “Crimson Peak”

The first image of Guillermo Del Toro’s upcoming gothic horror “Crimson Peak” has been released. The image is of actress Jessica Chastain as Lady Lucille Sharpe. “Crimson Peak” will be released in theaters on October 16, 2015. The film also stars Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, Jim Beaver, Leslie Hope, Burn Gorman, and Javier Botet. “Crimson Peak” is an homage to the gothic-romance, ghost stories of yesteryears.

In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds…and remembers.

Official Poster Released For “It Follows”

Check out the official poster for upcoming horror “It Follows”. The film is described as a teen horror that has its foundation in action/consequence as promiscuity leads to nightmarish ends. ‘It Follows” is directed by David Robert Mitchell and stars Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Olivia Luccardi, Lili Sepe.

For 19-year-old Jay (Maika Monroe, AT ANY PRICE), the fall should be about school, boys, and weekends at the lake. Yet, after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, she suddenly finds herself plagued by nightmarish visions; she can’t shake the sensation that someone, or something, is following her. As the threat closes in, Jay and her friends must somehow escape the horrors that are only a few steps behind.

Official Trailer And Release Details For “Suburban Gothic”

FilmBuff has released the official trailer and release details for horror comedy “Suburban Gothic”. The film will hit VOD on January 30th, 2015. “Suburban Gothic” stars Matthew Gray Gubler, Kat Dennings, Ray Wise, Sally Kirkland, Jeffrey Combs, and John Waters. The film is described as a quirky, paranormal comedy.

Raymond has a prestigious MBA, but he can’t find work. He can also channel the paranormal, but chatting with a cute girl still mystifies him. Kicked out of his apartment, Raymond returns home to his overbearing mother, his ex-jock father, and some beer-bellied former classmates. When a vengeful ghost starts terrorizing his small town home, Raymond the city-boy has to recruit Becca, the badass local bartender, to solve the mystery of the spirit threatening their lives.

Eight Contestants Find Out If They Can Survive Zombies In “Fight Of The Living Dead”

Press Release:
Think you can survive a zombie apocalypse? The forthcoming horror series “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” will put eight contestants to the test.

From Alpine Labs, BlackBoxTV, and Revolver Picture Company, the unprecedented mash-up of reality and scripted genres “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” follows a collection of online celebrities including Joey Graceffa, Jesse and Jeana (PrankvsPrank), Justine Ezarik (iJustine), and more as they work to survive the first 24 hours of a simulated zombie apocalypse. Contestants will face a series of grisly challenges in an attempt to eliminate the competition through the undead’s frightening realistic onslaught.

The thrilling original series will debut on Cinedigm and Wizard World’s forthcoming digital channel CONtv, due to launch in early 2015.

Shot over the course of two days at Sybil Brand Women’s Prison in Los Angeles, “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” competitors were first blindfolded, driven in circles, led onto the set, and zipped into body bags, all to help simulate the all-too-real tension of awaking in a post-apocalyptic landscape riddled by monsters out for blood. Instructed by a faceless character named Dr. Altagracia (portrayed by Tony E. Valenzuela, Executive Producer and founder of YouTube’s #1 ranked genre channel BlackBoxTV), the “survivors” are tasked with finding the antidote that can save mankind.

Enlisting over 200 extras, FX Supervisor Tommy Pietch (“Face Off”) and his team create a horrifying mob of rotting, wounded, bloody zombies tasked with keeping the competitors from accomplishing their mission. “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” also turns up the thrills by including a collection of zombie-clad Parkour experts, overseen by renowned stunt coordinator Chris Carnel (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), who use the prison’s walls as their terrifying playground, threatening to unleash destruction from any angle.

Requiring over 60 cameras to track each competitor as they fight to survive the game, each participant was also clad with their own GoPro cameras so that the viewers may get even closer to all the explosive action.

“FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” is produced by Alpine Labs and Revolver Picture Company; Alpine’s Kevin Abrams, Jamie Denenberg, BlackBoxTV’s Tony E. Valenzuela, and Aaron Lewis are Executive Producers; Revolver Picture Company’s Rodney Frazier, Nick Phillips, and Kelly Martin Wagner are Co-Executive Producers.

My Review Of “The Bible Belt Slasher: The Holy Terror”

“The Bible Belt Slasher: The Holy Terror” is the feature film follow-up to 2010’s slasher short written and directed by Bradley Creanzo. It is a low budget, retro flick set in the 80’s, and it is so bad that it is almost good. It stars Creanzo, Taylor Raftree, Keri Korner, Greg Huneke, Stella DiFabio, Dan Del Ben, Travis Raftree, Andy Salmon, Siddharth Gupta, Genoveva Rossi, Nicolina Hemingway, Robert J. Huntley, Missy Heather Byron and Larry Baumer as Jason Fry. A lot of the cast you may recognize from another low budget horror franchise- “Kids Go To The Woods…Kids Get Dead”. This is pretty much dime-store, hot-mess movie making its best.

So much about “The Bible Belt Slasher: The Holy Terror” doesn’t work, I will get to that in a minute, one thing that does work here is the story its self. It is a great slasher set-up with a truly psychotic killer. I didn’t recognize any mess-ups in the story arc, the base tale and the back story of the killer seemed cohesive, and the continuity is definitely there. Most of the hot mess comes from over-stated scenes with over exaggerated line delivery. That being said, what should have been acting that should have made me turned this off, actually became entertaining. Almost as if Creanzo was aiming for a tongue-in-cheek, spoof-like quality. I am not sure, but for some reason what doesn’t work with the acting and character development is part of what makes “The Bible Belt Slasher II” so bad it is almost so good.

Now the special effects and 80’s “staging” of this film is a hodgepodge of hit and miss. When Creanzo has an obvious control of the environment, “The Bible Belt Slasher II” looks and feels totally 80’s, but outdoor scenes and moments when scenes are at the mercy of its enviornment the 80’s become blended with the now. However, once again, as with the acting, instead of turning me off of this film, it becomes entertaining. Like a game to spot what doesn’t belong-and trust there is a lot in here that is not even close to the 80’s. Still the mash-up of decades feels like some sitcom parents flashback to their teen days.

The film has a couple of things that demand respect, the full on use of practical gore effects and blood without pulling away from the death scene is commendable-and it works. There is a lot of splatterfest happening in “The Bible Belt Slasher II” that will please any fan of low budget / homegrown/ SOV horror fans. Plus the cast and Bradley Creanzo seem to be on the same page as far as vision and passion for making this movie happen. The things that most horror fans will hate about this one, like the silly one-liners and hilarious character portrayals, are the things that I found entertaining. A few scenes are worthy of a good laugh, sometimes intended, sometimes not.

Overall, “The Bible Belt Slasher II: The Holy Terror” is not gonna go over well, but for many this is gonna be one of those bad movies that make its way to cult status. Oh and it happens during the Christmas holiday season so that is a nice additive.  The music and soundtrack is the other element of this movie that works. The music screams 80’s hard rock which pulled me back to my youth, and the instrumental is classic slasher/giallo sweetness that creates both the mood and atmosphere needed to put this thing in retro status. “The Bible Belt Slasher II” is a cheap, fun, slasher that really can be entertaining if you don’t take it serious.

U.S. Trailer For “It Follows” Released

The U.S. official trailer for upcoming horror “It Follows” has been released. The film is directed by David Robert Mitchell and due out in 2015. “It Follows” stars Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Olivia Luccardi, and Lili Sepe.

For 19-year-old Jay, fall should be about school, boys and weekends out at the lake. But after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, she finds herself plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone, or something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her teenage friends must find a way to escape the horrors that seem to be only a few steps behind.

Release Details For “Desecrated”

Rob Garcia directed “Desecrated” has announced a release date of January 6th on DVD and VOD. The film stars Haylie Duff, Wilmer Calderon, Michael Ironside, Paul James and Heather Sossaman. The film comes courtesy of Uncork’d Entertainment.

After finding his family murdered by vagrant squatters, an ex-military operative and survivalist is hired by the man who bought his land to watch over the acreage and protect it from invaders. When the new landowner's daughter arrives for a weekend getaway with her friends, the trip turns deadly when they discover the caretaker's dark secret - rather than driving off trespassers, he's hunting them in cold blood.