Pagan Festival Shout Out! Festival Of Carna

June 1st is the Festival Of Carna! She is Goddess of protection, and of health and well-being of humans, especially small children. She presided over the intestines, heart, and other human organs. Some scholars have described Carna as being a Goddess of good digestion. When parents appealed to Carna, this Goddess would enter the home and perform certain rites to bar a strix from entering the house. The strix was sort of a supernatual screech owl. If this evil creature could, it would fly in at night and eat a sleeping child's intestines so the child would not get good nourishment and waste away. Romans traditionally gathered with their family on this day, offering Carna beans and pork to thank her for continued good health. To symbolize this I am doing a small meal of ham and beans (probably add a rice dish in there too).

Eating this dish on this day was said to protect one's internal organs and bring health for the following year. The poet Ovid, though he confuses Her with the Goddess Cardea, says that the association of these simple foods with this Goddess proves Her great antiquity. These offerings were made in a sacred grove in which Carna was said to live, down by the Tiber river, and which was dedicated to the otherwise unknown God Alernus (or Helernus). [Read the rest of the article here]

Offerings to Carna:
Remove any unwanted or unnecessary keys from your key-ring, placing them as an offering to Carna, thus closing the door on those areas of your life that no longer serve you. For each key given to her, you may ask of her a blessing, that she may open new opportunities for you.

Pagan Festival Shout Out: Festival Of Juno

The festival of Juno begins on June 1st and continues through June 2nd. Juno (Latin: Iūno [ˈjuːno]) is an ancient Roman goddess, the protector and special counselor of the state. She is a daughter of Saturn and sister (but also the wife) of the chief god Jupiter and the mother of Mars and Vulcan. Juno also looked after the women of Rome. Juno offers a helping hand in every aspect of our relationships, especially the safety and happiness of women and children in those settings.

The name Juno was also once thought to be connected to Iove (Jove), originally as Diuno and Diove from *Diovona. The goddess rules over these themes: Feminity; Love; Relationships; Romance; Kinship; Time; Protection (Women and Children); Leadership. Juno symbolizes : Cypress; Peacocks; Cuckoo; Luxurious Clothing; Figs; Moon (or Silver Items).

According to Roman folklore, marriages that took place  during the Festival of Juno (June 1st or 2nd) were believed to form long, happy relationships. June 1st is a great to for commitment ceremonies, engagements, weddings, and reaffirmation of bonds and commitments. These actions and rites will be blessed by the goddess. Take care to your clothes on this day, wear colors and fabrics that please both you and your partner, maybe something nice that the other has bought for you on special occasions. This will draw in the positivity and energy of Juno. For foods on this day make sure to have fig filled cookies and treats made with figs as part of the feast to attract the feminine attributes and leadership energy to govern the day with balance. End the commencement with the chant below. Fill in the blank with the aspect of Juno you desire after feeding each other a fig filled treat.

Juno, bring _______ to my spirit, my wish fulfill. By your power, through my will.

My Review Of “Butchered”

“Butchered” is a neatly packed, burst of low-budget slasher horror directed by Charles Stewart Jr. with co-directors Sheila Brothers and Shaun O'Rourke. Honestly I hope those are more honorary co-directing credits, because I don’t see why a film that falls just over an hour really needs multiple directors, but whateve. That is no issue really. “Butchered”stars the standard cast of characters played by Timothy Woodward Jr., Nikki Beall, Cory Broadwater, Robert Covington, Kit Johnson, D.J. Naylor, Jaime Moffett, plus a few  other actors in a story that follows a group of friends, who take off on vacay to a small secluded island, off the coast of the Carolinas.

The story is a nice, classic nightmare of slasher fanfare that places the young up against the force of a homicidal psycho, butcher. The set-up is thought out, leading us through a nice, “all fall down” scenario that, considering the budget and talent, manages to create an easy, story arc. The dialog is a bit underwhelming, and melodramatic, but it gets you there fundamentally. Personally I think the writing is too “over-thought” with the material seeming cliché and unauthentic. However this is only a slight hindrance and nothing that effects the ability to watch the film. Some characters are more driven to emote the stories intentions while a couple stagger through the lines and scenes systematically. Still this is a “slice-n-dice” flick so all they need to do is be there and die for the camera. This they definitely do.

The acting is the quality you would expect in a low-budget flick like this, like I stated before some actors give a better performance than others. The actual dialog and character development is sort of weak, often creating disconnected and unconvincing performances. Still there are moments when the acting and dramatic character interactions pick-up and deliver, giving us some suspense and enough connection to move the story along. The actual story is a pretty nice “birth of a slasher” narrative with recognizable 80 slasher influence.

As for the special effects and sound effects in “Butchered” I am split on both. The music and instrumental created the desired effect that Stewart was aiming for, my issue is I felt it was hokey, white-washed and too damn sugary. Plus the timing for these elements coming in to the scenes, guiding the feeling of the story, often seemed “over produced” and a bit too clichéd. It created an unintended cheese factor that came off more Disney than horror. The special effects on the other hand worked for most of the kill scenes, with nice camera angles, little editing tricks that leave the gore implied, like the vintage horror films used, give credibility to the scenes.

The blood and visceral elements are practical effects. They are limited with most deaths and brutality implied, but enough shows to create a nice effect. The killer is a menacing monster guy with the stoic brutality of any antagonist in slasher horror. I know it sounds like I didn’t like the film but I did, actually. It isn’t anything special but for a cut-down film that is only a few minutes over an hour, “Butchered” gives a comparable, quick, slasher nightmare. 

Full Trailer For “The Addicted”

Check out the full trailer for upcoming horror film “The Addicted” hitting DVD and VOD June 24th, 2014 in the UK with North American release to follow. The film is directed by Sean J. Vincent and stars Jenny Gayner, Sean J. Vincent, Thea Knight.

25 years after a patient in a drug rehab clinic commits suicide, 4 friends decide to spend a night in the abandoned clinic to try and film some of the reported paranormal goings-on. Shortly thereafter, an up and coming TV journalist is persuaded to spend a night in the clinic with 3 of her friends to try and film some of the spooky activity that is rumored to be going on. In the course of one night, Nicole, her boyfriend and their two friends discover the sickening truth about the history of the clinic and have to face a very real possibility that they might never leave.

Poster For Horror Anthology “Heinous Acts”

Tim Hannigan has revealed the promo poster for his upcoming horror anthology “Heinous Acts”. The project written and directed by Hannigan promises a return to the old-school anthology style rooted in the genre by such classics as “Creepshow” and “Tales From the Darkside The Movie”.

A small town police force has investigated some of the most unspeakable crimes imaginable.  When the department’s file clerk breaks into the evidence room to show the files to the new cleaning girl she is completely unprepared for the depravity that follows.

Crowd Funding Started For “No Reasons” Thriller

“No Reasons” is an upcoming thriller from the duo that created last year’s zero budget film “Death Walks”. Spencer Hawken and Lucinda Rhodes have kicked off a crowd funding campaign to boost special effects and production expense funds with 90% of the budget already met before hand. “No Reasons” is the story of a missing girl and the family left behind. Over the course of 18 months the story follows Paul (Marc Bannerman) and Sally (Lucinda Rhodes) Bryant, as they struggle to come to terms with her disappearance.  The campaign is set up on Kickstarter.

According to the press release: “What makes No Reasons so unique is it's story, it covers a number of touchy and taboo areas not yet covered by British cinema. Compared already by industry players as a combination of Kitchen Sink drama meets A Serbian Film and The Human Centipede, and compared in controversial ranking by industry head Steven Woolley as on a par to Ken Russell's The Devils. It is also with a budget of just £25,000 one if the lowest budget British movies ever to be made with such an enormous cast of familiar faces. Director/writer/producer Spencer Hawken promises there has never been a British movie quite like this, and that is why so many known performers lowered their fee to be part of the action.”

“No Reasons” also stars Jon Guerriero, Daniel Smales, and Scott Mullins. The film is described as stark, disturbing drama in the vein of a classic “whodunnit” with clues, mysteries, revelations, and a shocking secret. “No Reasons” was shot in Havering and Brentwood, Essex with hundreds of people volunteering for roles, and to help put the film together. Big locations such as Romford's The Brickyard gave their venue to the films producers for use in the film. Other locations included Big Cars, The Havering Well, Brentwood Police Station, and dozens of private residences.

My Review Of “Axeman”

Joston Theney’s “Axeman” is a modern apotheosis to classic slasher cinema resting on contemporary direction. The film pits a group of friends, on a vacation in the mountains, against an imposing killer legend known as The Axeman At Cutter’s Creek. “Axeman” stars Tiffany Shepis, Brinke Stevens, Elissa Dowling, Erin Marie Hogan, Jamie Bernadette, Chantelle Albers, Stephen Eith, Dylan Hobbs, Arielle Brachfeld and Scot Pollard.

The story created to bring the “Axeman” to life is just as described by the director, “a return to old school horror”. The premise is a classic set up that made 80’s horror completely watchable as visceral horror. There is a slight late 90’s “too cool for this” micro-vibe that kicks off the story and echo’s through some of the characters which is a nice, refreshing component. Not sure if that was intended or it just happened incidentally but I enjoyed it. There isn’t a lot of complexity to “Axeman” playing out as far as story layers but the character build, dramatic situations created by dialog ties in some emotional depth to the film.

The cast are all pretty straight acting, recognizable indie horror actors who give convincible performances, some a bit more than others, but all give decent, recognizable performances that bring the characters to life. The film does carry a lot of dialog that adds way more dramatic interactions that I, personally, like to see in my visceral slaughterfests, but since the acting never really falters I still found “Axeman” entertaining and the story held my interest. The direction style, and skill is a worthy vision that is executed amiably.  I am sure more intense horror fans may find flaws in depth and continuity of story arch or some other issues with the concept but for me “Axeman” creates a cool, intimidating new killer, fun, thrilling nightmare.

“Axeman” uses some cool, somewhat expected, special effects-sometimes working wonderfully, a few times it fails, but often the kills, and gore are totally dope. I have to give a “tisk tisk” to CGI blood effects in a few scenes and mention a red flag to one kill set up, (I can’t be specific without spoiling it for others but most will notice it in the film), CGI splatter is a nail in my spine that is more common and very cost effective but lacks the excitement and personality that practical fluid provides. That being said the majority of the kills, blood and gore are very much practical and taken serious, completed nicely. The sound effects and music are standard, desired effects that add atmosphere and energy to the film which carries the story and suspense effortlessly. I found it pleasing, and complementary to Theney’s intended vision for “Axeman”.

Overall “Axeman” is a fine modern horror, offering both classic feel and current elements, to a set-up that works. The film gives us a new, slasher of gigantic stature, emphatic stoicism, and brutality. The kills are a mix of classic, and creative, “slice-n-dice” moments  demanded in slasher horror. I felt very emotional over one specific death/ character recognition scene in the film, (without spoiling it: one scene had some amazing emotional connectivity that overflowed beyond the screen as a character died and another watched in horror), very compelling and intense. Really “Axeman” minus the few flaws gives us a cool, modern horror film that is soon to be in slasher fans collections. Plus the ending pretty much promises a sequel to come! “Axeman” lends itself to my- “watch it” –horror film list.

Trailer Released For “A Walk Among The Tombstones”

The official trailer has been released for thriller “A Walk Among The Tombstones”. The film is directed by Scott Frank and due out September 19th, 2014. “A Walk Among The Tombstones” stars Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, Boyd Holbrook, Ruth Wilson and Sebastian Roché.

Private investigator Matthew Scudder is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife. Scudder soon discovers that is not the first murder for the kidnappers, nor will it be the last.

New Poster And Trailer For “Willow Creek”

Entertainment Weekly debuted a new poster and movie clip for Bobcat Goldthwait’s cryptid horror “Willow Creek”. The film will hit limited theatres and VOD  June 6th. “Willow Creek” stars Alexie Gilmore and Bryce Johnson.

Jim and his girlfriend, Kelly, are in Willow Creek, California, to retrace the steps of Bigfoot researchers Patterson and Gimlin, who in 1967 recorded the most famous film of the legendary monster. Kelly is a skeptic, along for the ride to spend time with her boyfriend between acting gigs. Jim, a believer, hopes to capture footage of his own, so his camera is constantly rolling.

The small town is a mecca to the Bigfoot community: Sasquatch statues guard the local businesses, murals of the missing link line the roads, and Bigfoot burgers are the town delicacy. The couple interview locals who range from skeptic to believer and from manic to completely menacing. Some of the stories they hear are of chance encounters with a gentle creature, while others are tales of mysterious eviscerations.

On the day that Jim and Kelly plan on hiking into the woods to look for proof, they are given a simple warning: “It’s not a joke. You shouldn’t go there.” Despite the ominous message and Kelly’s own reservations, they head deep into the forest to set up camp. The events that follow will make them wish they had simply spent the night at the Bigfoot Motel.

Trailer Released For “Reunion”

Check out the trailer for the upcoming horror film “Reunion” directed by Shawn Chou. The film stars Maria Olsen, Jack Turner, Cara Santana, Sarah Schreiber, Reign Morton, Ruth Reynolds, Christopher Wolfe, Lucas Barker, William Leon, Arrielle Brachfeld, Leif Gantvoort and Matthew Jaeger. "Reunion" is a horror feature film about a ex-rock star, trapped in his own home during a torrid storm with his friends, when a surprise visitor joins them. She believes he's kidnapped her son and relentlessly demands him back.

Former rock stars Brad Norton and Grant Foley dream of their band's return to the limelight when a strange woman, Mia, shows up at their door. Trapped in their home during the heavy stormy night, the mystery unravels when Brad discovers Mia's obsession with him is guided by a sinister dark spirit. She's convinced Brad kidnapped her long-lost son, and will stop at nothing until he confronts his painful past in this spine-chilling action filled, life-and-death drama.

Official Promo Artwork For “Trophy Heads” Web-series

The official artwork promoting web-series ‘Trophy Heads’ has been revealed. The series is the creation of Charles Band and will be featured on the FullMoonStreaming site June 4th, 2014.

It's the present day, and our heroines, real life Scream Queens who starred in those infamous movies back in the 80’s and 90’s, have gone on with their lives since those days, some still acting or in new businesses of their own. What none of them suspect is that somewhere, down in the basement of an old house, an obsessed fan, Max, sits in the dark, watching clips from those movies over and over, his obsession growing into a diabolical plan. Soon, Max, with the help of his neurotically enabling mother, begins to put his plan into effect.

Six Scream Queens are on our mad fan's list: Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, Michelle Bauer, Denice Duff, Jacqueline Lovell, and Darcy DeMoss.

One by one, with his mother's help, he begins to "collect" them, transporting them to a makeshift prison he's set up in his basement. The Scream Queens have no idea what's going on, until they find themselves forced to re-enact movie scenes from their horror heyday, a nightmarish process since Max remembers every line and gesture and they haven’t watched them in years. And they definitely don’t remember the new and terrible outcome of the scenes. Their numbers rapidly dwindle down as their attempts to escape are revealed as booby traps designed to ensnare and kill them, their heads attached to trophy plaques and mounted on a wall.

Things take a twisted turn as the disembodied heads start speaking to Max. Why is he doing this? What have they ever done to him?

Because he loves them! They're the only girls he's ever loved. And they're being forgotten. Cast aside. But see? He's going to preserve them. Keep them alive the way they were meant to be. And share their heads – soon to be preserved forever with all the fans who loved them.

It’s a battle to the finish as our favorite Scream Queens fight for their lives. Who will survive, and who will lose their head?

DVD Release Details For Horror-Doc “Killer Legends”

Press Release:
The chilling documentary Killer Legends will be available on DVD nationwide July 1, 2014. Killer Legends follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills as they investigate four timeless legends that continue to haunt the American public. Directed by Joshua Zeman, the documentary examines the urban legends of The Candyman, The Killer Clown, The Baby-Sitter and the Man Upstairs, and The Hookman. The DVD release (SRP $19.99) will also include seven special features on the urban legends.

Joshua and Rachel travel to Houston, Texas where they explore the tainted candy legend parents fear every Halloween. In Columbia, MO they compare The Baby-Sitter and the Man Upstairs legend to the unsolved murder of Janett Christman – a babysitter found murdered in 1950. In Texarkana, Texas, the filmmakers investigate the real life case of a killer known as The Phantom and how it inspired “The Hook” urban legend. Joshua and Rachel then head to Chicago to answer the question of how clowns became so evil and creepy to the public.

Killer Legends director Joshua Zeman previously directed the critically acclaimed horror documentary Cropsey. “I’m excited to be working with Breaking Glass Pictures again. They helped me make Cropsey a creepy cult favorite and I’m looking forward to repeating the same success with Killer Legends.”

Pre-production Trailer For “The Hallowed”

Check out the pre-production trailer for upcoming horror film “The Hallowed”, directed by Warren Dudley. The teaser allows fans and supporters, for post-production funds being raised on the film’s website, to see the talent and vision Dudley has set for “The Hallowed”.

 The film has secured a filming budget and follows three East Whitton College students who set out to work on their end of year Media Studies project. They are unaware of the malevolent forces at play in their sleepy seaside town as they set out to explore the reason behind the recent wave of cyber-bullying attacks that have plagued the community.









The Hallowed - Coming Soon. from Sixty6 Films on Vimeo.

June Release For Brain Damage Films “Ghostlight”

Brain Damage Films has announced a June 3 date for the U.S. DVD release of “Ghostlight”. The film is directed by Jeff Ferrell under Morella Films and stars Brian Sutherland, Lisa Coronado, Dennis Kleinsmith, Russell Hodgkinson, Eden Campbell Ramona Freeborn, Armitage Shanks, Jeff Ferrell. Pre-Orders are currently available. The DVD will come with these special features:

• Audio commentary with writer/director Jeff Ferrell and actor Brian Sutherland
• Sleepless: The Making of Ghostlight (75 minute behind-the-scenes documentary)
• Edgar Allan Poe’s Morella: A short film by director Jeff Ferrell

Andrew wins a radio contest to spend one night alone in a haunted theater on the 80th anniversary of the bloody murder/suicide that occurred within its walls. His prize: $50,000. His task: To spend 12 hours alone inside. The catch: The theater has been reportedly haunted ever since the tragedy 80 years ago, and has been plagued by a series of mysterious deaths in the years since. As Andrew is locked inside the theater for the night, the ghosts and secrets of its past begin to reveal themselves to him. Will he make it through the night to collect his prize? And will he get out before the murderous ghosts take hold of him forever?

Behind-The-Scenes Clip From John Schneider's “Smothered”

Check out this behind-the-scene clip from John Schneider’s upcoming horror-comedy “Smothered”. The film brings five iconic horror stars together to haunt a trailer park, but the tables turn rather quickly. The clip is a glimpse behind the camera during the making of the horror film. “Smothered” stars R.A Mihailoff, Bill Moseley, Kane Hodder, Don Shanks, Malcolm Danare, Brea Grant, and Christine The Car.

Details On July Blu-ray Release Of “Open Grave”

Press Release:
Featuring genre favorites Sharlto Copley (District 9, Elysium) and Joseph Morgan (“The Originals,” “The Vampire Diaries”), the zombie apocalypse film that takes psycho thrillers in a new direction, Open Grave, awakens on Blu-ray and DVD July 15 from Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM) and Tribeca Film. Directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego (Apollo 18), the dark and twisted thrill ride also stars Thomas Kretschmann (Wanted, Resident Evil: Apocalypse), Josie Ho (Contagion), Erin Richards (The Quiet Ones) and Max Wrottesley (“24: Live Another Day”).

A complicated story that pits characters against each other, Open Grave examines how important memory is to a person’s identity by forcing six strangers—stripped of all recollection—to confront their inner demons. While these strangers seek to identify their past, evil demons lurk beneath them, forcing them to fight for survival, even if it means betraying their allies.
Special Features:

• Behind-the-Scenes Featurette

Scream Factory Announces Details For “Deadly Eyes” Release

Scream Factory has released the details for “Deadly Eyes” on blu-ray.


Press Release:
Have you ever wondered what would be lurking beneath your seat? Meet one of mankind’s deadliest enemies— super-sized RATS! Each year they plunder one fifth of our food, spread deadliest diseases and destroy billions of dollars’ worth of properties. They are very hungry and ready to pounce on their next prey. Adapted from celebrated British author James Herbert’s best-selling novel THE RATS, the animal attack terror comes to life in the 1982 film adaptation DEADLY EYES, starring Sam Groom (The Baby Maker, Law & Order) and Sara Botsford (Tremors 4: The Legend Begins, The Fog) from action filmmaker Robert Clouse (Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon).

A throwback to the giant-monster movies of the 1950s, DEADLY EYES is packed with high-tension suspense and gruesome terror. This nail-biting thriller co-stars Scatman Crothers (The Shining), Lisa Langlois (The Nest) and Lesleh Donaldson (Happy Birthday To Me, Curtains). On July 15, 2014, SCREAM FACTORY™ will release DEADLY EYES Blu-ray+ DVD combo pack, featuring new interviews with actors Lisa Langlois, Lesleh Donaldson and Joseph Kelly, special effects artists Alan Apone and Alec Gillis, writer Charles Eglee and more. A must-have for horror enthusiasts and movie collectors, this special SCREAM FACTORY release is priced to own at $26.99 SRP.

Grain contaminated with steroids produce large black rats that begin feeding on the citizens of Toronto. A college basketball coach (Sam Groom) teams up with a local health inspector (Sara Botsford) to uncover the source of the mysterious giant rats. When they discover that the rats are living in the subway, they try to prevent a new subway line from opening before all hell breaks loose underground. This is man’s last desperate, bloody battle to preserve the existence of the human race!
Based on the novel THE RATS by James Herbert with a screenplay by Charles Eglee (Dexter, The Walking Dead), this nail-biting thriller is directed by Robert Clouse and co-stars Scatman Crothers, Lisa Langlois and Lesleh Donaldson.

Features Include:
TV Spots, New interviews with actors Lisa Langlois, Lesleh Donaldson and Joseph Kelly, writer Charles Eglee, art director Ninkey Dalton, special effects artists Alan Apone and Alec Gillis.

Horror Project “Beacon Point” Reaches Crowd Funding Goal

Blue Lantern Films announced they have reached beyond their goal for horror/thriller project “Beacon Point” on Kickstarter. The film follows a group of hikers lost on the Appalachian Trail stumble across an ancient secret that threatens their survival. The goal was set at 20,000 with over 22,000 met by supporters. “Beacon Point” is the creation of indie director Eric Blue who co-wrote the screen play with Traci Carroll.










With the exciting and positive support of the horror community, Blue Lantern Films has decided to extend the crowd funding campaign goal to a total of 30,000 to create an even more scarier horror experience. With the extra goals a new scene, a creepier scene, will be added to the film along with pickups in the Great Smoky Mountains and expanded budget for marketing for the finished product.


 Eric Blue plans to allow all backers to download a special ‘Behind The Scenes’ video that will be exclusive to them. You can learn all about the Kickstarter campaign and the new stretch goal here: http://kck.st/1g5udn5 .

                     

U.S. Release Date For “Wolf Creek 2”

The U.S. release date has been set for horror sequel “Wolf Creek 2”. The DVD , Blu-ray will hit shelves on June 24th, 2014. Directed by Greg Mclean, “Wolf Creek 2” screams out the return of brutal killer Mick Taylor and stars John Jarratt, Shannon Ashlyn, Ryan Corr, Philippe Klaus.

The outback once more becomes a place of horror as another unwitting tourist becomes the prey for crazed, serial-killing pig-hunter Mick Taylor.

Release Date Set For “The Possession Of Michael King”

Anchor Bay has released the release date for “The Possession of Michael King” with the a chilling admonition. “Beckon the devil and he will answer.” The directorial debut of David Jung opens in theaters on August 22 and comes to iTunes, On Demand, DVD and Blu-ray with UltraViolet on August 26. “The Possession Of Michael King” stars Shane Johnson, Ella Anderson, Cara Pifko, Dale Dickey, Tobias Jelinek and Julie McNiven.

Grieving the shocking loss of his wife, documentary filmmaker, Michael King sets out to disprove the existence of the supernatural. Through a series of experiments with the help of demonologists, necromancers, and various practitioners of the occult, King hopes to reveal that when these explorations fail, he’ll once and for all have proof that religion, spiritualism, and the paranormal are but mere myth.

                                   (How twisted does it make me that I find this image hot!)

Release Date And Trailer For “Torment”

After almost a full year off waiting to see this movie the chance has finally arrived-almost! “Torment” is a modern “home-invasion-esque” styled horror film that I have been following since it’s production began. Now thanks to Phase 4 Films “Torment will arrive on VOD June 10th.

“Torment” is directed by Jordan Barker and follows Newlyweds Cory and Sarah Morgan who decide to take Cory's 7-year old son Liam up to the country for some much needed family time. When it appears as if Liam has run away, psychological suspense becomes straight-out horror, as Sarah and Cory must now confront a sadistic cult-like family who have been hiding in the house all along and have taken Liam for themselves. The film stars Robin Dunne, Katharine Isabelle, Peter DaCunha and Stephen McHattie.

International Trailer For “Gallows Hill”

Check out the international trailer for Spanish horror film “Gallows Hill/Encerrada” directed by Victor Garcia. The film stars Peter Facinelli, Sophia Myles, Carolina Guerra, Nathalia Ramos, Juan Pablo Gamboa, Sebastian Martinez, Gustavo Angarita, and Julieta Salazar. “Gallows Hill” will be released by IFC Midnight later in the year.

Story follows an American (Facinelli), widowed from his Colombia-born wife, who flies to Bogota with his new fiancée (Myles) to retrieve his rebellious teenage daughter Jill (Ramos). After a car accident leaves them stranded in a rundown isolated inn, they discover the old innkeeper has locked a young girl in the basement and their decision to set her free has unintended consequences.

Poster Released For “The Green Inferno”

Check out the official poster for cannibal nightmare flick “The Green Inferno”. The film stars Lorenza Izzo, Ariel Levy, Daryl Sabara, and Kirby Bliss Blanton.

Directed by Eli Roth, “The Green Inferno” follows a group of student activists who travel from New York City to the Amazon to save the rainforest. However, once they arrive in this vast green landscape, they soon discover that they are not alone… and that no good deed goes unpunished.

Poster Released For “Deliver Us From Evil”

The official poster has been released for upcoming occult crime, thriller “Deliver Us From Evil”. The film is directed by Scott Derrickson and follows New York police officer Ralph Sarchie, struggling with his own personal issues, begins investigating a series of disturbing and inexplicable crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest (Ramirez), schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the frightening and demonic possessions that are terrorizing their city. Based upon the book, which details Sarchie’s bone-chilling real-life cases.

“Deliver Us From Evil” stars Eric Bana, Edgar Ramirez, Sean Harris, and Joel McHale. The film hits theatres on July 2nd, 2014.

Terrifying Owlman Stalks Visitors At Abandoned Hospital

Check out this fun video of the Owlman, featured in "Lord Of Tears" as he terrorizes explorers at an abandoned hospital that treated scarlet fever.

“Lord Of Tears” tells the story of James Findlay, a school teacher plagued by recurring nightmares of a mysterious and unsettling entity.  Suspecting that his visions are linked to a dark incident in his past, James returns to his childhood home, a notorious mansion in the Scottish Highlands, where he uncovers the disturbing truth behind his dreams, and must fight to survive the brutal consequences of his curiosity. The cast include David Shofield, Euan Doughlas, Lexy Hulme, Jamie Jack Gordon, Jock Ferguson and Alan Ireby.

You can read my review of “Lord Of Tears” here.

Poster Revealed For “Beyond Skyline”

Check out the promo poster for sci-fi sequel “Beyond Skyline”. The original “Skyline” had mixed reviews but I liked the dark nature of the story and the whole “fight the temptation to look into the light” aspect of alien domination over mankind. A scary as fuck fail safe against human uprising during the invasion.

“Beyond Skyline” is being directed by Liam O'Donnell and will help explore the unfinished ending that the first film went out on. The news of the sequel was announced at Cannes Film Festival 2014. The poster was premiered on the film’s Facebook page last week.

“Terror By Night” Full Movie

Terror by Night is a 1946 Sherlock Holmes film, the thirteenth to star Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce and was directed by Roy William Neill. The story revolves around the theft of a famous diamond aboard a train.

Holmes is hired by Roland Carstairs to prevent the theft of the Star of Rhodesia, an enormous diamond owned by Carstairs' mother, Lady Margaret. Believing the diamond will be stolen on a train trip from London to Edinburgh, Holmes deftly switches diamonds with Lady Margaret while in her compartment. Soon after, Roland is murdered and the fake diamond is stolen. Red herrings abound as Holmes, aided by Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade, discover the murderer's hiding place and deduce that long-time foe Moriarty's henchman Colonel Sebastian Moran is somehow involved in the crime.

Trailer For Horror Drama “How The sky Will Melt”

Check out the teaser trailer for horror drama “How The sky Will Melt”. The film is written and directed by animation illustrator Matthew Wade in his feature film debut. It stars Sara Lynch, Annika Karlsen, Rod Genther, Michael Webster and Scott Alonzo.

“How The sky Will Metl” takes place in the 1980’s and follows Gwen, a musician with a growing paranoia disorder, returns to her hometown after a traumatic event. Diverting their emotional issues with a strange and unholy discovery, she and her friends begin to deteriorate the fabric of the universe.



How the Sky Will Melt (teaser) from Matthew Wade on Vimeo.

First Trailer Released For “Ghosting”

The first official trailer has been released for supernatural thriller “Ghosting”. The film is directed by Kevin Alexander Boon and stars Michael Mowen, Elizabeth Wyld, Bex Etter, Paul Fahrenkopf. The film is currently in post-production from Mont Alto Film.

One day, while working at a small film processing business to help pay for school, Matt, the son of an alcoholic father and a schizophrenic mother, begins to see the image of a mysterious man in photographs taken by different people in small towns all over the country. When he learns that no one else can see the man, he fears he may have inherited his mother's schizophrenia and sets out to reclaim his sanity by unraveling the supernatural mystery, but instead of leading him out of darkness, his quest takes him into a black labyrinth of true evil.

Horror Film "The Evil Within" Retitled For U.S DVD Release

Phase 4 films have announced that the film formerly known as The Evil Within has reverted back to it's original title Mine Games for it's stateside U.S DVD release. The movie was set to be released in the U.S this month - under the title The Evil Within - but has been pushed back to September. Alex Meraz (Twilight) and Briana Evigan (Step Up : All In) star in a Richard Gray film.

A group of friends travel up to a cabin located deep within the forest. Shortly after arriving, they stumble across an abandoned mine and decide to explore the dark and mysterious tunnels. As the group hikes deeper within the mine, they make a shocking discovery that quickly turns their excitement into fear. Hunted by a mysterious force, the group must work together to escape the mine alive.

“The Periphery” Premiere Date Set

Press Release:
Seeing Shadows, LLC is excited to announce the world premiere of THE PERIPHERY, a chilling psychological horror-thriller, at the 17th Annual Dances With Films festival on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 9:30PM PDT at TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood. The film stars new-comers Kristen StephensonPino, winner of the 2010 Miss Hawaii Young International Pageant, Nick Clark (The Girls Guide to Depravity, MURDERERS), and Andrew Olson (1000 WAYS TO DIE), as well as Myron Natwick (The Unit, MASTERS OF HORROR), along with an amazing cast of industry veterans and up-and-comers alike.

THE PERIPHERY is the feature directorial debut of entertainment attorney Tom Lewis, whose clients include Remington Chase/Envision Entertainment, Carsten Lorenz, and Arclight Films.

“Dances With Films is the perfect fit for the world premiere of THE PERIPHERY. It’s a well-established festival that’s cool and hip, and provides a platform to showcase the artistic value and commercial viability of indie movies of all shapes and sizes,” noted Tom Lewis, the film’s writer/director/producer. “I was blessed to work with an amazing team, and we’ve put together a wickedly cool film that will scare audiences, and leave impressions that will follow them home. At the same time, the film also explores some powerful themes, which will give our audience something to think about.”

THE PERIPHERY is an Exorcism-themed psychological horror that follows the plight of teenager Cassie Stevens (StephensonPino), who after surviving a near-death experience in a car crash, finds herself haunted by a shadowy figure she sees from the corner of her eye. While her family and friends dismiss the visions as the result of head trauma from her accident, Cassie is convinced that something has followed her back from the other side of death. As the visions escalate, Cassie’s sanity teeters on a breakdown when she discovers the fate that awaits her – everyone haunted by this specter has committed suicide in some brutal way. When a psychiatrist is unable to help her, Cassie’s only hope is a skeptical priest, Fr. McCready (Clark), who himself harbors doubts about her sanity. But after several mysterious deaths, McCready agrees to perform the only remedy Cassie may have – an Exorcism.

“My clients were actually amazed that I pulled this off,” laughed Lewis. “I literally dove into production just days after closing the bond and production financing for a film I was handling production legal for.”

“And they were equally blown away by the film itself,” Lewis added. “Two of my producer clients are combat vets, and they jumped over eight times during a screening I had for them. I had to laugh when they cussed me out during a particularly suspenseful scene.”

THE PERIPHERY makes its world premiere on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 9:30PM PDT, at TCL Chinese Theatres, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.

Trailer Released For “Nothing Bad Can Happen”

Check out the official trailer for “Nothing Bad Can Happen”. Based on the trailer for this German thriller I feel it will be insane, something that I won’t be able to stop watching and horrified at the events that unfold. The film is based on true events, directed by Katrin Gebbe and stars Julius Feldmeier, Sascha Alexander Gersak, Annika Kuhl, and Swantje Kohlhof. “Nothing Bad Can Happen” has a limited theatrical run on June 27th.

Inspired by horrifying true events, Nothing Bad Can Happen follows Tore, a young lost soul involved with an underground Christian punk movement who falls in with a dysfunctional family who test his seemingly unwavering faith.

After a chance encounter helping stranded driver Benno, where Tore manages to start his car with an apparent miracle, he is invited back to Benno’s home and becomes friendly with him, his wife, and two children. Before long Tore moves into a tent in the garden and gradually becomes part of the family. However, Benno can’t resist playing a cruel game designed to challenge Tore’s beliefs. As his trials become more and more extreme, Tore finds his capacity for love and resilience pushed to its limits and beyond.

Pagan Festival Shout Out: Festival To Fortuna

May 25th is a sacred day of the Goddess Fortuna. is the Roman Goddess of Luck, Fate, and Fortune, as Her name implies. She was a very popular Goddess, and was worshipped under many epithets depending on the type of luck one wished to invoke or the circumstances in play. She had many temples in Rome itself, as well as having important cult-centers in Antium (the modern Anzio), a city on the west coast of Italy about 30 miles south of Rome, and Praeneste (modern Palestrina), about 20 miles south-east of Rome, both of which were cities of Latium, the land of the Latini tribes. Her many temples in Rome, and the various aspects of Her worship are a reflection of the manners in which She was honored: from personal Goddess, overseeing the fate of the individual mother, young man, or soldier, to a Goddess of the State, ensuring the fortune of the populace, the luck of the Emperor, or the glorious fate of the entire Roman Empire.

Fortuna had a very old temple in Rome on a hill between the Forum Romanum (the Roman Forum) and the Forum Boarium (supposedly the old cattle-market), near to the temple of Mater Matuta. Both temples had the same dedication day, the 10th of June, and each had a horseshoe-shaped altar before it of the earliest type. Fortuna's temple had a very old statue of gilded wood inside, also of an archaic type; and the altar and statue indicate that Her worship dates at least to the earliest days of Rome, if She is not an earlier Goddess of the Latins.

A ritual to gain Fortuna’s guidance: write a word of phrase on several slips of paper then place them in a bowl. At the end of the festival night, after midnight, reach into the bowl for a slip of paper to find your fortune. (The OrderWhiteMoon site suggests this ritual for gatherings. I am a solitary pagan so I modified the ritual for single observers of the festival.)


Fortuna Good Luck Spell:
Things you need:
-good luck petition
-good luck oil
-green candles
-a piece of green paper
-a small jar
-careful attention (enough to use liberally through out this ritual. Especially in the portion dealing with flames!)
Good Luck Petition:
-wormwood
-pine needles
-dandelion
-honeysuckle
-myrrh
-thyme
-rose
Put as many as these herbs in a green piece of cloth and tie it with
string.
Good Luck Oil:
-1 tablespoon dried
wormwood
-3 teaspoons ground nutmeg
-1/2 teaspoon powdered
mandrake root
-13 drops of pine oil
-1/4 cup olive oil
Place ingredients in a jar and stir it clockwise. Let it sit for 13 nights.
Cast a circle and light all candles but one green candle. Anoint that candle with a few drops of the good luck oil and say:
O GREAT GIDDESS FORTUNA
LADY OF LUCK
GODDESS OF FORTUNE
MASTER OF FATE
I CONSECRATE THIS CANDLE IN YOUR NAME AND HONOR
Now light the candle and ask the Goddess to take the form of Fortuna. Use
this invocation:
O FORTUNA
LADY LUCK
COME TO ME
GODDESS OF FATE GODDESS OF FORTUNE
I CALL UPON THEE
COME TO ME
ENTER MY CIRCLE
BLESS MY CIRCLE AND LIFE WITH YOUR MAGICK TOUGH
BLESS IT WITH LUCK AND FORTUNE
GREAT GODDESS FORTUNA
I INVOKE THEE
Now take the petition and burn it over the green candle and say:
(this is where the careful attention comes in. Please be very very careful with this burning part of the ritual! Use caution not to burn yourself or your altar! Our intent with the ritual is to call for GOOD fortune not the MISFORTUNE of burning down your sacred space! With that being said…carry on)
BY FIRE AND HERB
I CALL AND SUMMON THEE
ENTER MY CIRCLE HAIL
MERRY YE MEET
AND WELCOME
Drop it into a cauldron and let it burn. Now draw a money or fortune rune
on the paper.
Burn it over the candle. Let it burn and put the ashes of the paper and
petition into the jar. Hold the jar in your hands and say:
GREAT GODDESS FORTUNA
PLEASE BRING GOOD LUCK AND FORTUNE MY WAY. SO MOTE IT BE
Keep the jar with you and it will bring you good luck.

Fortuna had quite a few aspects, many of which had their own holidays and centers of worship; ThaliaTook.com lists all aspects for individual observation throughout the calendar year: Fors Fortuna, Fortuna Antiat, Fortuna of Antium, Fortuna Aucupium, Fortuna Augusta, Fortuna Balnearis, Fortuna Barbata, Fortuna Bona,Fortuna Brevis, Fortuna Conservatrix, Fortuna Dubia, Fortuna Equestris, Fortuna Felix, Fortuna Gubernans, Fortuna Huiusce Diei, Fortuna Liberum, Fortuna Mala, Fortuna Mammosa, Fortuna Manens, Fortuna Mobilis, Fortuna Muliebris, Fortuna Navirilis, Fortuna Obsequens,Fortuna Patricia, Fortuna Plebis, Fortuna of Praeneste, Fortuna Primagenia, Fortuna Privata, Fortuna Publica, Fortuna Redux, Fortuna Respiciens, Fortuna Restitutrix, Fortuna Romana, Fortuna Salutaris, Fortuna Tranquilla, Fortuna Virginalis, Fortuna Virgo, Fortuna Virilis,Fortuna Viscata, Sorores Antii.

In astrology the term ‘Pars Fortuna’ represents a mathematical point in the zodiac derived by the longitudinal positions of the Sun, Moon and Ascendant (Rising sign) in the birth chart of an individual. It represents an especially beneficial point in the horoscopic chart. In Arabic Astrology, this point is called Arabian Parts.
The procedure followed for fixing one’s Pars Fortuna in ancient and traditional astrology depended on the time of birth, viz., during daylight or night time (whether the Sun was above or below the horizon). In modern western astrology the day time formula only was used for many years, but with more knowledge of ancient astrology, the two calculation methods are now often used.

The formula for calculating the day time Part of Fortune (PF) is (using the 360 degree positions for each point):
PF = Ascendant + Moon - Sun
The formula for the night-time Part of Fortune is PF = Ascendant + Sun - Moon
Each calculation method results in a different zodiac position for the Part of Fortune.

Al Biruni (973 – 1048), an 11th-century mathematician, astronomer and scholar, who was the greatest proponent of this system of prediction, listed a total of 97 Arabic Parts, which were widely used for astrological consultations. Paul Vachier has prepared an Arabic Parts Calculator for all the Arabic Parts.