The first teaser trailer for Ryan M. Andrews and Jessica Cameron’s survival/ road trip horror, “Save Yourself” has been released. The film follows five female filmmakers en route to their big L.A. premiere. But when one of them goes missing at a rest stop, the women soon find themselves pitted against a deranged scientist hell-bent on using them for his mysterious research.
“Save Yourself” stars Jessica Cameron, Tristan Risk, Tianna Nori, Ry Barrett and Bobbie Phillips. The film looks to be one hell of a ride down nightmare road! Based on the trailer, “Save Yourself” has some Tobe Hooper, Leigh Whannell influence fraying the edges of this so I am stoked! I have seen Cameron’s commitment to character in the past, and “Sick” was a strong, and emotion driven zombie flick….so…I can imagine the intensity of emotion and suspense that “Save Yourself” contains! Plus Stabbing Westward, one of the best bands the 90’s ever produced, in the background-fuck yeah!
Check out the new 2015 official trailer for exorcist movie “The Vatican Tapes”. The film will hit theatres on July 24th and is directed by Mark Neveldine. “The Vatican Tapes” stars Michael Pena, Djimon Hounsou, Dougray Scott, Cas Anvar, Peter Andersson and Olivia Dudley.
Based on a story by Chris Morgan and Christopher Borrelli, “The Vatican Tapes” is the discovered proof of supernatural and sinister workings afoot as evident by what is witnessed on leaked tapes of a Vatican exorcism gone horribly wrong.
Check out the trailer released for the upcoming invasion flick “Pixels”. The film is directed by Chris Columbus and due to hit theatres this summer. “Pixels” stars Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, Brian Cox and Ashley Benson as Lady Lisa.
In Pixels, when intergalactic aliens misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them, they attack the Earth, using the games as models for their various assaults. President Will Cooper (Kevin James) has to call on his childhood best friend, '80s video game champion Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), now a home theater installer, to lead a team of old-school arcaders (Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad) to defeat the aliens and save the planet. Joining them is Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten (Michelle Monaghan), a specialist supplying the arcaders with unique weapons to fight the aliens.
Check out the first official poster teasing the upcoming “Sugar Skull Girls” movie. The film is produced by Potent Media, with big plans for franchising this baby, the concept is the brainchild of writer/director Christian Grillo. “Sugar Skull Girls” stars Addy Miller, Carmela Hayslett, Cece Hagen, Anika Buchanan, Isabella Sobejano, Michael Berryman, John Amplas, and Leslie Easterbrook.
Three demonic sisters who resemble neo-goth voodoo dolls are accidentally conjured from the other side during a failed attempt to raise a little girl from the dead. With impeccable fashion sense and teen aged angst, the Sugar Skull Girls will stop at nothing to escape the clutches of The Pale Witch, the ruler of The Shadow world.
Check out the official trailer for Vlad Feier’s upcoming horror “Emma”. The film stars Desi Ivanova, Beverly Hyde, Kevin Flood and due to hit the US on June 5th, 2015. “Emma” tales the nightmare events surrounding a tragic accident in which a young woman survives, but not unscathed. Cryptic I know!
Emma Morris at her young age faces a traumatic accident where her best friend Lily dies. She is in a shock, doctors have faith in her recovery, but it doesn't seem that she is getting better. Her family and friends are helping her throughout this difficult moment, when a series of inexplicable events start to happen in their town. Everything is overwhelming for everyone, mostly for the Morris family, due to Emma's situation.
Check out the brand new trailer released for upcoming horror “Evangeline”. The film is directed by Karen Lam and stars Kat de Lieva, Richard Harmon, Mayumi Yoshida, David Lewis, Dejan Loyola and Kelvin Redvers. “Evangeline” hits VOD May 8 and DVD June 9.
Uncork’d Entertainment will release the applauded spookfest EVANGELINE, starring The 100's Richard Harmon, on VOD May 8, 2015, and on DVD June 9, 2015.
Evangeline Pullman (Kat de Lieva) has just escaped her sheltered upbringing to reinvent herself in college. As she begins to break out of her shell, she attracts the attention of a violent fraternity leader (Richard Harmon) and his two cohorts. Beaten and dumped in the woods to die, Evangeline finds herself trapped in a supernatural nightmare, and she must choose between vengeance and redemption.
From director Karen Lam, EVANGELINE stars Kat de Lieva as the titular character with Richard Harmon (TV’s The 100) and David Lewis (Halloween Resurrection, Man of Steel).
What the critics are saying : “Evangeline elicits a powerful emotional resonance. Superior to Last House on the Left and I Spit on your Grave” – Ravenous Monster
“Unique and original. Will have you jumping out of your seat” – The Film Corner
‘’Evangeline is currently raising the bar” – CinemaAxis
The British psychological horror “Backtrack” is getting a US release. The film, directed by Tom Sands, stars Julian Glover, Mark Drake, Sophie Barker, Rosie Ackerman, Miles Jovian, and Callie Moore. Look for this bad boy on May 5th under the title “Backtrack: Nazi Regression”.
Ralph is a 26 year-old regional journalist who’s been having recurring nightmares in German. To help him understand his troubling dreams, his friend Claudia, a 22 year-old hippie, uses her undeveloped psychic powers to give him a profound past-life regression, which floods his mind with memories of being a Nazi commando on a mission in and around the South Downs in 1940.
When his visions of that past existence begin to take shape in his current reality, Ralph starts to investigate. In the hope of piecing together his previous life, he goes on a camping trip to the locations he saw in his regression. He is accompanied by Claudia and their respective partners, Andrea and Lucas, who are much more interested in each other than reincarnation.
What none of them realize is that the past Ralph is trying to find is now stalking them, and it plans to exact a terrible revenge on all four campers for crimes committed nearly seventy years ago.
Backtrack is an intelligent and exciting psychological horror film that explores the dark side of reincarnation and karma. What sins did we commit in our past lives and will we pay for them in this one?
The final trailer has been released for “The Divine Tragedies”. The film is directed by Jose Prendes and stars Graham Denman, Jon Kondelik, Hannah Levien, Sean Whalen, Lynn Lowry, Ruben Pla, Aaron Pruner, with special appearances by Ken Foree and Barbara Crampton. Read the full press release below.
Press Release: Brothers Jon and James Kondelik are moving closer to the final reveal of their serial killer thriller The Divine Tragedies. This film has already completed production with several new and older horror veterans attached. Based on the famous Leopold and Loeb murder case, Dual Visions presents a new poster for the film.
The Divine Tragedies is a film which takes its story from truth. Leopold and Loeb were two intellectuals who thought they could get away with the perfect murder in 1924’s Chicago. In Jose Prendes’ vision the two killers are brothers. Set in the modern era, Charles Brubaker (Graham Denman) and Thomas Lo Bianco (Jon Kondelik) believe they are above the law and kill without mercy. Their murders become more and more gruesome until Detective Homer (Ken Foree) is able to intervene. But Homer is only a few steps away from his own tragedy.
Early reviews have been favorable for the film. Josh Soriano of the horror website Icons of Fright noted the film’s many influences: “…like the world of Palahniuk through the eyes of David Lynch… an uncompromising and original horror. The Divine Tragedies is surreal in scope as imagined by director Prendes.” As well, Matt Boiselle of Dread Central enjoyed the film’s darker tones: “…ferocious. This tragedy is simply divine, one of the better films I’ve personally dropped eyeballs on in some time.”
Synopsis: The Divine Tragedies, based loosely on the famous Leopold and Loeb murder case, tells the tale of Charles Brubaker and his half-brother, Thomas Lo Bianco, who concoct a deadly game to test their superior intelligence against the dimwitted masses. This game will eventually lead to murder. And when Genevieve, a beautiful single mother, enters their lives, they finally find the perfect girl for their first kill. But problems arise when they quickly discover that Detective Homer Gaul (Ken Foree), a cop with a very special gift, is hot on their trail.
Matt Zettell's scream queen slasher "Axe To Grind" is a fun mix of exploitation cinema and slasher mayhem. The film stars horror maven Debbie Rochon, Guy Torry, Matthew James Gulbranson, Paula LaBaredas and deals with a pissed off scream queen legend who finds she has been blackballed by her director de jure. The story is psycho killer simplicity that celebrates the bloodshed and body count with some witty dark, [industry]inside satire.
The story offers up some cheeky humor with dialog that is delivered with zest. Sometimes the acting falls flat and feels contrived, but for the most part "Axe To Grind" runs smoothly. Debbie Rochon is all about her character from the word go! I imagine playing this character was a bit cathartic. On the down side, the story is weak and cliché, with all the expected moments set up in touchstone formula. Some of the dramatic scenes step into the "over acted" stage, but the cast is committed to their characters and it shows on screen. This makes for an entertaining b-movie spectacle.
The special effects are on the cheaper side but acceptable, and they work their necessary magic to sell the screens. I did see some CGI blood spray, something I detest, but there was enough respect for the genre that organic blood splatter and practical effects are plenty in "Axe To Grind". The sound track and sound effects are the standard streams of instrumental affair. The music and effects work, they get you into the attitude and fun headspace of " Axe To Grind ".
Overall, " Axe To Grind" falls short of the desired energy that the story and acting demands. The film keeps an even upward momentum, it just doesn't completely carry the thrills and chills with it. It has a staged feel haunts the sequences. A set 'em up, knock 'em down" type deal. But their is a female slasher, the carnage is present, and Rochon is entertaining on screen. Check it out, just know that it barely gets above mediocre overall.
Today is a blessed and much welcomed time, the sun is ever closer, the first flowers have already started blooming, and the seasonal rains have begun. Of course I am talking about Spring, the vernal equinox, or as it is known to pagans in the northern hemisphere-Ostara.
I have made my alter in honor of spring. I have my wood ready for the bonfire (although it will be a battle since the rain has been constant where I live). Ostara is a time to mark the coming of Spring and the fertility of the land. I direct my honoring's of the toward my garden and the health of the ground around me. I add a Ostara blessing incantation/prayer to my regular everyday prayer.
In ancient Rome, the followers of Cybele believed that their goddess had a consort who was born via a virgin birth. His name was Attis, and he died and was resurrected each year during the time of the vernal equinox on the Julian Calendar (between March 22 and March 25). Around the same time, the Germanic tribes honored a lunar goddess known as Ostara, who mated with a fertility god around this time of year, and then gave birth nine months later – at Yule.
The indigenous Mayan people in Central American have celebrated a spring equinox festival for ten centuries. As the sun sets on the day of the equinox on the great ceremonial pyramid, El Castillo, Mexico, its "western face...is bathed in the late afternoon sunlight. The lengthening shadows appear to run from the top of the pyramid's northern staircase to the bottom, giving the illusion of a diamond-backed snake in descent." This has been called "The Return of the Sun Serpent" since ancient times.
According to the Venerable Bede, Eostre was the Saxon version of the Germanic goddess Ostara. Her feast day was held on the full moon following the vernal equinox -- almost the identical calculation as for the Christian Easter in the west. There is very little documented evidence to prove this, but one popular legend is that Eostre found a bird, wounded, on the ground late in winter. To save its life, she transformed it into a hare. But "the transformation was not a complete one. The bird took the appearance of a hare but retained the ability to lay eggs...the hare would decorate these eggs and leave them as gifts to Eostre."
Huffington Post has done a lovely article on Ostara that covers the meat of the holiday so hit the image below to head over and read that article.
First off- let me say “What The Fuck?! This is the most wild and twisted exploration into the human condition that I have ever seen, and I loved every bleepin’ minute of it! “Exile” is probably the perfect blend of low budget indie filmmaking and science fiction surrealism. Directed by Adam Petke and Sean Blau, although the story’s pace and fluidity is so strong that you would think only one mind controlled the direction of this film. A lot of people will push it aside as ridiculous, but to be honest most people will see this film as I did, a true, original, captivating, emotional journey of human suffrage and escapism seen through the eyes of the youth.
“Exile” stars Fabianna Borghese, Jonathan Brophy, Dennice Cisneros, Ryan Finnerty. Dylan O'brien, and Katie Reed. The story is a moving, disturbing, coming of age in the wasteland that is so stripped down to a realness that is so recognizable and transferable into any genre. It just happens to be framed by a nightmarish, H.P. Lovecraftian form of first contact and the dichotomy of life inside a cult. “Exile” gives a relatable, recognizable premise and brings it into a hellish reality that is beautifully disturbing and effective.
The acting is pretty tight on all fronts, the cast are completely immersed in their characters, the script is evenly paced with chilling moments of horror and emotional segments of “life of the children that fall through the cracks”. The story moves with a somber beat of loss, despair that develops into determination and self preservation. Not to mention all the “real world” subtext symbolism that permeates this film. The direction Petke takes by keeping the style organic, and personal creates a deeply moving and unsettling reality for the characters
The special effects is the same concept as films like “District 9” but on a much smaller scale in regards to the CGI elements with the alien creature known as the “Angel”. The horror elements, and there are some awesome, dark, gory horror moments in “Exile”, stay practical and visceral. There is some CGI blood added during interactions with the Angel, but during the more dramatic scenes between the characters which end in horrific displays of Lovecraft inspired nightmares, the effects and blood are practical ones.
The soundtrack, sound effects used on “Exile” blend eerie instrumental sounds of sorrow and loss with added sound effects that are chilling. Together the sounds create a tense atmosphere of suspense that just elevates the emotional and dramatic struggle of the characters into areas of that are more horror than sci-fi. Honestly I would say that “Exile” is a horror drama more than it is a horror scifi blended story. Overall the film is a powerful, indie horror that gets everything organically right. It is honest, compelling, emotional, and entertaining. A truly chilling exploration of the human experience in horrific conditions. A must see film!
The official trailer for “Insidious: Chapter 3” has been released. The film hits theatres on June 5th, 2015. “Insidious 3” stars Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson, Leigh Whannell and Lin Shaye
A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.
Okay, so at first I was on the fence about this film being made, the whole 80’s remake gimmick is played out, then as more stuff about the film, “Poltergeist” came out I was intrigued about the new direction it is taking. Now after seeing the new TV spot I am stoked for this shit! Love the homage, true to the original concept, while creating a fresh new energy into the franchise. Check it out for yourselves down below. “Poltergeist” hits theatres on May 22nd, 2015.
Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi and director Gil Kenan reimagine and contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is invaded by angry spirits. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and take the youngest daughter, the family must come together to rescue her.
“Something In The Woods” is a cool new indie creature horror that tells one family’s encounter with Sasquatch. “Something In The Woods” is directed by Tony Gibson and David Ford. The film is set to have its world premiere at the largest Bigfoot conference of Ohio on May 15th, 2015.
Strange and scary things happen at small family farm, but for John Hartman there is only one thing to do , stand his ground against something that the rest of the world says doesn't exist .... until he realizes that nothing is more important than the safety of his family.
A trailer has been released for Mike Flanagan’s “Before I Wake”. The film stars Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Annabeth Gish,Dash Mihok and Jacob Tremblay. “Before I Wake” revolves around an orphaned girl whose dreams and nightmares take on a physical manifestation.
In this intense and heart pounding supernatural thriller, Jessie (Kate Bosworth) and Mark (Thomas Jane) decide to take in a sweet and loving 8-year-old boy, Cody. Unbeknownst to them, Cody is terrified of falling asleep. At first, they assume his previous unstable homes caused his aversion to sleep, but soon discover why: Cody's dreams manifest in reality as he sleeps. In one moment they experience the incredible wonder of Cody's imagination, and in the next, the horrific nature of his night terrors. To save their new family, Jessie and Mark embark on a dangerous hunt to uncover the truth behind Cody's nightmares.
Check out the new “Devil” teaser for season 2 of Showtime’s ‘Penny Dreadful’. The second season returns on May 3rd, 2015 with Josh Hartnett, Harry Treadaway, Helen McCrory, Simon Russell Beale returning. Explorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American gunslinger Ethan Chandler, and others unite to combat supernatural threats in Victorian London.
This season, Vanessa and Ethan form a deeper bond as the group, including Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), Dr. Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), and Sembene (Danny Sapani), unite to banish the evil forces that threaten to destroy them. Meanwhile, Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney), the Creature (Rory Kinnear) and Brona (Billie Piper) are all waging battles of their own. Patti LuPone will guest star as a mysterious character of great importance in Vanessa’s past. Helen McCrory returns as Evelyn Poole (a.k.a. Madame Kali), the seductive spiritualist who will pose a unique threat to our protagonists this season, along with Simon Russell Beale, who is back as eccentric Egyptologist Ferdinand Lyle. Additional guest stars include Douglas Hodge as a Scotland Yard investigator; Sarah Greene as Poole’s powerful daughter, Hecate; and Johnny Beauchamp as a man with a singular past.
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.
The first trailer has been released for Bryan Coyne’s upcoming supernatural horror “Infernal”. The film is due out April 10th, 2015. It stars Andy Ostroff, Heather Adair, Alyssa Koerner, Jose Rosete, Noelle Bruno, Lisagaye Tomlinson and follows a young family torn in half when they discover that their insomniac daughter has made contact with an infernal being beyond our reality.
Nathan (Andy Ostroff) and Sophia (Heather Adair) are a newlywed couple, both looking forward to a bright future. Not long after matrimony, Heather becomes pregnant and ushers the pair’s first child into the world, Imogene. It soon becomes apparent that Imogene (Alyssa Koerner) is exhibiting strange and dangerous behavior, leaving the new parents floundering in their attempt to find answers. When Imogene’s actions become destructive, it becomes clear that forces beyond the natural world are at work, and that something – or SOMEONE – is pulling the strings.
In this horrifying thrill ride the bonds of family are frayed, sides are taken and the terrifying events culminate in a shocking finale, all seen through the eyes of a terrified father. “Incarnate” is filled with lurking dread, with the constant threat of evil hiding behind every corner.
A new “Insidious 3” poster has been released. The film hits theatres on June 5th, 2015. I love how they are tying up this story as a trilogy. True trilogies are a bit played out and yet almost every story begs for a sequel, so hey trilogies just work. Anyway “Insidious 3” stars Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson, Leigh Whannell and Lin Shaye, and sees Leigh Whannell directing.
A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.
The very first teaser for Ryan Murphy’s ‘Scream Queens’ horror anthology series has been released. The new series takes Murphy’s abilities, typically seen with a much more brutal dark satirical look at the American nightmare in ‘American Horror Story’, now showing a more playful side to his horror. ‘Scream Queens’ was picked up by FOX and slated to take over the mediaverse this Fall. I for one am looking forward to seeing it!
‘Scream Queens’ stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Ariana Grande, Skyler Samuels and Abigail Breslin. The new anthology series revolves around a college campus which is rocked by a series of murders and is set in a sorority house.
Check out the new throwback poster for upcoming horror “It Follows”. The artwork is reminiscent of early 80’s horror novel jacket with a stripped-down poster design. “It Follows” is directed by David Robert Mitchell and follows a young girls nightmarish repercussions after a sexual encounter. The film stars Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Jake Weary,Daniel Zovatto and Lili Sepe.
For nineteen-year-old Jay, Autumn should be about school, boys and week-ends out at the lake. But after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, she finds herself plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone, something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her friends must find a way to escape the horrors that seem to be only a few steps behind.
“The Dooms Chapel Horror” is a blend of classic creature-feature and contemporary cult horror wrapped in found footage. The film is directed by John Holt and stars Bill Oberst, Jr., Austin Madding, Abby Murphy, Shaun Gerardo, Josh Robinson, Josh Cornelius, Steve Crowley, Allan Walters, Wendy Keeling. The plot follows a young man revisiting his home town past wrought with tragedy, that soon discovers a new horror unfolding in the community, one in which he is to blame. It takes on an organic, home movie feel at the beginning but soon spirals into a chaotic mangling of docu-horror and classic monster movie madness.
The story is a somewhat complex tale that revolves around the second son of a prominent farming family in rural America. A dichotomy of character shows the conflict of a guy who never lives up to his family’s hopes, strangled by the shadow of his older brother’s death, and forced to face his haunted past under the spotlight of a documentary film crew’s light. The story that warrants this framework for the story is one I had a bit of trouble swallowing. I never got what made him important enough for a documentary. Sure tragic events, small town equals big talk but beyond that I never understood what made him so important that a documentary crew decided to revisit the story. However it does set up the found footage angle that moves us into a truly amplified creature feature.
The acting is hit or miss with a lot of the cast in “The Dooms Chapel Horror”, more so with over-acting than not living up the task. Most of the characters feel authentic enough, but I felt several of the characters could have toned it down somewhat and still been just as impactful. Still Holt directs a nearly perfect found footage concept with events unfolding fast, chaotically, and full of emotion. Once the cult aspect and the lead character’s actions that created the horror unfolding takes off, “The Dooms Chapel Horror” morphs into a thrilling nightmare. At times I got lost in the events unfolding before me, and yet at other times the momentum falters a bit before picking back up.
The special effects and soundtrack featured in “The Dooms Chapel Horror” is a show of true indie quality. Mostly suggestive moments that hint at the horror aspect shown through shaky cam, poor light, and creative angles create the nightmare easily. The creature effects are practical FX works presented in limited amounts on screen that are believable. A lot of films linger too long on cheap props and kill the intended effect and overall momentum of the scene, but that isn’t the case with “The Dooms Chapel Horror”. Between the special effects and camera tricks there is a real horror presence on screen. The soundtrack, effects do an expected job of creating the mood and atmosphere but are limited, allowing for most of the actual sounds caught on video to do most of the work at creating the moments.
Overall, “The Dooms Chapel Horror” manages to give us a nice, homegrown indie feel with some very electric moments. There is some drag at the beginning of the film, as we build up to the main event but once the film gets going it keeps at a pretty intense pace. The acting is as I said before, hit or miss, and it is inconsistent so it never fully kills the flick, only short moments fall flat. The effects aren't spectacular but they are creative, quality moments that work. The last 3rd of “The Dooms Chapel Horror” is pretty tight, gives some cool thrills and has a wicked ending that I enjoyed. Definitely check out “The Dooms Chapel Horror” because there is enough going right in this film to enjoy.
Check out the found footage sci-fi/horror “The X Species” which poses a new threat to humanity from our prehistoric past. The film is directed by Neko Sparks and stars Lieschen Pogue, Alan Pietruszewski, Sam Myerson, Clancy McLain, Skyler Hart, John Henry Richardson, Trevor Lee Georgeson. “The X Species” has some pretty inspired, retro artwork released, along with a trailer you can check out below.
An archaeological expedition uncovers a prehistoric hominid burial site. When their team is unexpectedly attacked they are forced to take refuge in the catacombs of an unmapped cave. One by one they fall to an ancient predator.
A crowd funding campaign has began over on Indiegogo for creature-feature/horror “Don’t Fuck In The Woods”. The film is a full frontal slaughter flick from Concept Media and Shawn Burkett. Along with the campaign for the film Burkett has given a sliver of a peek at some of the raw creature FX from the film. Also check out the new teaser for the film below. “Don’t Fuck In The Woods” is set to star Ophelia Rain, Hannah Herdt, Michael Reeves, Jason Crowe, Joe Kidd, Brittany Blanton, Dave Parker, Pauly Plaster, and Scott Gillespie.
A group of friends are going on a camping trip to celebrate graduating college. But once they enter the woods, the proverbial shit starts to hit the fan! The campaign has plenty of days remaining with some stellar rewards for supporting this totally indie project. With a film title and concept such as “Don’t Fuck In The Woods” how can horror go on without this flick!!!
There is something almost mystical about the emotion invited into a horror fan when gazing upon the iconic and timeless creations of society’s horror beginnings. Of course I speak of those statuesque, ever-present monster-men, Dracula, The Wolfman, The Invisible Man, The Mummy, those fear invoking monsters first brought to life in literature, then truly brought to life on the silver screen. Those were and are the definitive in all things horror. The movies still come on late night and Saturday movie channels, and a few programs complete with horror host still serve up a side of cheeky humor with these immortal creatures. Which brings me to “Christmas At Draculas”, a film that embodies that golden feel of classic horror, and the cheeky humor of modern satire.
I just recently checked out some more of that fabulous footage from “Christmas At Draculas”, the film is currently in post-production and getting ready for a small run in April at the University College Of Cork, Ireland for charity. The proceeds are for University Of St Vincent DePaul Society. There will be a wider release, but for Irish and fellow UK fans the film will be viewing for 4 nights starting April, 21st. I have to say that based on what I have seen so far of “Christmas At Draculas”, Simon McKeon, the movie’s writer/director, has created a masterful, lovelorn epic that blends the atmosphere of old Hollywood with a more contemporary exegesis on the very human experience of being a monster.
“Christmas At Draculas” stars Conor Dwane, Michael O Dowd, David Coon, John Browne, Lorraine Comisky, Art Kelleher, Jerry O Mullane, Noelle Clarke, Jonathan O Dwyer, Dave McGuire, Conor Slattery, Lochlainn McKenna and is told through the eyes of The Invisible Man. Count Dracula has hit rock bottom, so with the help of his noble companion Igor, he decides to throw the greatest Christmas party of all time. He invites to this - The Wolfman, Medusa, The Wicked Witch, Frankenstein, Dr Jekyll and The Invisible Man. But when two killers arrive at the door, things slowly begin to spiral out of control. And Dracula's faith lies in the hands of one creature...death himself!
“Christmas At Draculas” is a smart, musing story that peers into a moment in time where our beloved characters must deal with some very not so monstrous emotions and “life choices” while facing a new kind of creature of terror, the psycho killer. Told with a blend of drama and dark satire, McKeon taps into that “last call”, “last song” feeling that comes to us all and forces us to find new perspective. Okay the film isn’t quite as heady as I make it sound, but the emotion, and vision of that stage of life is very present in the footage that I have seen, but with a truly entertaining plot, iconic characters, and a doomed Christmas party! “Christmas At Draculas” is a film that I have been eager to see in its entirety, and one that I can’t wait to place in my collection.
The first teaser trailer for Ryan M. Andrews and Jessica Cameron’s survival/ road trip horror, “Save Yourself” has been released. The film follows five female filmmakers en route to their big L.A. premiere. But when one of them goes missing at a rest stop, the women soon find themselves pitted against a deranged scientist hell-bent on using them for his mysterious research.
