Saturday, November 17, 2018

Horror Film "St. Agatha" Release Announced For February


Female driven horror "St. Agatha" release is set for February 2019. The film will be released the 11th theatrically and on VOD courtesy of Signature Entertainment. It is directed by Darren Lynn Bousman and stars Sabrina KernCarolyn Hennesy, Courtney Halverson, Trin Miller, Lindsay Seim, Hannah Fierman, and Seth Michaels.

Set in the 1950s in small-town Georgia, the film centers on a pregnant con woman named Agatha who is on the run and seeks refuge in a convent. What first starts out as the perfect place to have a child turns into a dark layer where silence is forced, ghastly secrets are masked, and every bit of willpower Agatha has is tested as she learns the sick and twisted truth of the convent and the odd people that lurk inside its halls.


Hulu Picks Graphic Novel 'Sweet Tooth' For Next Series Adaptation


Hulu has picked graphic novel "Sweet Tooth" for the streaming services' next series adaptation. The coming of age comic is the creation of Jeff Lemire. Hulu has tapped "Stake Land" alum Jim Mickle to write and direct.

"Sweet Tooth" centers on Gus, who is half boy, half deer. Gus leaves home only to discover that the world has been ravaged by a cataclysmic event. He meets and joins a family of hybrids and humans searching to find answers about what happened to the world, ultimately discovering a conspiracy that will force Gus to question his very own existence.

My Review Of "Elves"


Christmas horror "Elves" is the sequel to 2017's "The Elf". Directed by Jamaal Burden, the film veers from the first film, mixing killer dolls, masked slasher and possession to create a new kind of holiday nightmare.
"Elves" stars Deanna Grace Congo, Stephanie Marie Baggett, and Amy Jo Guthrie.

The Holiday Reaper, a ruthless killer that terrorized a small Texas town, has been caught. While celebrating, a group of friends find an elf inside a magical toy box.  When a freak accident kills one of them, they discover a group of elves have been scattered throughout town, each representing one of the seven deadly sins.  It’s a race against time to survive the elves’ wrath before Christmas ends. 

"Elves" is a mash-up of horror tropes, loosely wrapped in bad holiday spectacle. The story plays on the concept set forth in 2017's "The Elf" only in the weakest of manner. Choosing instead to move in more creative avenues, "Elves" throws in demonic possession and mysterious masked slasher cheer - just in case psychotic killer elf dolls weren't enough of a holiday melody in nightmare. 

The acting is a mix bag of choppy dialog, contrived emotion, and incoherent exposition. There are some moments when the cast hit the mark, but mostly the drama and action alike seem a symphony of sterilized animatronic directives - none of which show any understanding of character motivation. Either from talent level or storytelling capabilities who knows.  I venture a bit of both. Normally you accept some lax in degree of quality in acting ability -acceptable,  but usually good writing and quality content balances it out.  "Elves" fails in all three categories. : (

The cinematography is decent enough and sound is quality for the most part , even though it is drawn from a very stereotypical pallet. Still it works. Special effects are a blend of practical and CGI choices. The kills aren't inventive,  but they are fun. As many horror elements fail, as do work. Budget restraint is noticeable but "Elves" has a few good kill sequences. Sadly though many of the elements that play out in this holiday horror fall flat. Overall "Elves" is disappointing,  even for low budget indie horror. (2/5)

Friday, November 16, 2018

Supernatural Thriller "The Little Stranger" Arrives Late November


The Little Stranger arrives in the US on Blu-ray and DVD on November 27th. The film is directed by Lenny Abrahamson and stars Ruth Wilson, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Charlotte Rampling, Josh Dylan, and Anna Madeley. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Waters.

The story of Dr. Faraday, the son of a housemaid, who has built a life of quiet respectability as a country doctor. During the long hot summer of 1948, he is called to a patient at Hundreds Hall, where his mother once worked. The Hall has been home to the Ayres family for more than two centuries. But it is now in decline and its inhabitants – mother, son, and daughter – are haunted by something more ominous than a dying way of life. When he takes on his new patient, Faraday has no idea how closely, and how disturbingly, the family’s story is about to become entwined with his own.

You're All Invited To A "Monster Party" This December


RLJE Films will release the horror/thriller film MONSTER PARTY on DVD and Blu-ray on December 18, 2018.
In MONSTER PARTY, three thieves who plan a daring heist posing as waiters at a fancy Malibu mansion dinner party in hopes of paying off an urgent debt.  When their plan goes horribly wrong, the trio realizes the dinner guests are not as innocent as they seem and their simple cash grab becomes a violent and desperate battle to get out of the house alive.
Written and directed by Chris von Hoffmann, MONSTER PARTY stars Julian McMahon (“Nip/Tuck”), Robin Tunney (The Craft, “The Mentalist”), Sam Strike (Leatherface), Erin Moriarty (Blood Father), Lance Reddick (John Wick), Brandon Micheal Hall (“Search Party”), Virginia Gardner (Halloween) and Diego Boneta (“Scream Queens”). RLJE Films will release MONSTER PARTY on DVD for an SRP of $27.97 and Blu-ray for an SRP of $28.97.

Horror Comedy "Garden Party Massacre" Gets Spring 2019 Release


The critic and crowd approved screwball comedy, meets slasher spoof GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE, hits the market March 12, 2019 via SGL Entertainment.  This is the second multiple award-winning film from writer and director Gregory Blair. This is also the second collaboration with SGL Entertainment - the slow-burn psychological thriller DEADLY REVISIONS being the first.  GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE can be pre-ordered via the SGL website, below.
With laughs splattering all over the place, GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE is a fast-paced, wacky spoof in the vein of Shaun of the Dead and Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.  The fun begins when a friendly backyard gathering goes hilariously awry as an unexpected guest arrives.  With a pickaxe.  And an attitude.  It’s a madcap brew of murder, mirth and mayhem that critics have hailed as: “hilarious!” “brilliant!” and “a comedic romp!”


The film has won over a dozen awards on the festival circuit and appeared on several Top Ten lists to date. Awards include: “Best Feature” (FANtastic Horror Film Festival), “Outstanding Horror Comedy” (Zed Fest Film Festival), “Best Film” (Lucky Strike Film Festival), “Outstanding Horror/Comedy Feature” (Los Angeles Academy of Film Awards), “Best Narrative Feature: Comedy” (Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Award) and “Best Comedy” (Artists and Aliens Film Festival). The awards continue to roll in!  
GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE has also won five “Best Ensemble” awards as well as several other acting accolades for its cast. The cast includes: Andy Gates (“Grimm”), Nichole Bagby (“On The Rocks"), Lise Hart (Deadly Revisions), Gregory Blair (“Escape The Night”), Dawna Lee Heising (Revenge of the Samurai Cop), Matt Weinglass (“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”) and David Leeper.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Swedish Horror "The Cabin" Releases In America This December


High Octane Pictures is releasing Swedish horror "The Cabin" in America December 4th on DVD and VOD. The film is directed Johan Bodell and stars Caitlin Crommett and Christopher Lee Page. Check out the trailer for Bodell's feature debut below. 

Rose and Harry are on their way to visit Harry’s family cabin.  But they’re not the only one that decided to visit the cabin this weekend…The vacation is quickly turned into a living nightmare for Rose and Harry as they meet a vicious sociopath, who invites them into an involuntary cat and mouse game.

"Angela: The Official Sleepaway Camp Documentary" Is In Development

"Angela: The Official Sleepaway Camp Documentary" is in development. The film is being pitched as the first definitive documentary on everyone’s favorite female slasher. It is being executively produced by Angela herself, Felissa Rose.


The documentary is a four hour film that will cover the original cult film, plus Unhappy Campers, Teenage Wasteland and Return to Sleepaway Camp. It will also include
  • Interviews with Frank Sorrentino, Thomas Van Dell, John Dunn, Felissa Rose, Karen Fields, Katherine Kamhi, Michael A. Simpson and more
  • Location tour of the original camp with the cast of Sleepaway Camp
  • Location tour of Unhappy Campers andTeenage Wasteland
  • Hours of never before seen behind the scenes footage
  • A vast collection of never before seen photos
  • Unreleased music videos from the films
  • Special Audio Commentary Tracks of the first three films
  • Extended Interviews
  • “What It Feels Like For A Girl: The controversial tale and making of the first LGBTQ killer”
  • And much much more

New Trailer Released For "Glass"


Check out the latest trailer for M. Night Shyamalan's "Glass". The film hits theatres in January and is the final film of a trilogy that started with 2000's "Unbreakable".

M. Night Shyamalan brings together the narratives of two of his standout originals—2000’s Unbreakable, from Touchstone, and 2016’s Split, from Universal—in one explosive, all-new comic-book thriller: Glass. From Unbreakable, Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn as does Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, known also by his pseudonym Mr. Glass. Joining from Split are James McAvoy, reprising his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive an encounter with The Beast. Following the conclusion of Split, Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.

"Between Worlds" To Be Released Theatrically And On Demand This December


"Between Worlds" will be released theatrically and on demand this December. The supernatural thriller is directed by Maria Pulera and stars Nicolas Cage, Franka Potente, Penelope Mitchell, Garrett Clayton, Lydia Hearst, Brit Shaw, and Hopper Penn. "Between Worlds" hits limited theatrical release December 21st,  after an on demand on the 18th.

The supernatural thriller that follows Joe (Cage), a struggling truck driver haunted by the memory of his deceased wife and daughter. Joe’s life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Julia (Franka Potente), a woman with mysterious spiritual powers, whose daughter Billie lies in a coma. Julia enlists Joe’s help to stop Billie from crossing over to the spirit world, but when Billie awakes, her body is possessed—by the vengeful spirit of Joe’s dead wife.

Official Trailer Released For "Leprechaun Returns"


Leprechaun Returns arrives on Digital and On Demand December 11 from Lionsgate. The film is directed by Steven Kostanski and stars Taylor Spreitler (Kevin Can Wait) as Lila, Pepi Sonuga (Ash vs Evil Dead) as Katie, Sai Bennett (Lake Placid: Legacy) as Rose, and Linden Porco as the leprechaun (replacing longtime star Warwick Davis.)

The deadly, wisecracking Leprechaun is back in all his gory glory. When the sorority sisters of the Alpha Upsilon house decide to go green and use an old well as their water source, they unwittingly awaken a pint-sized, green-clad monster. The Leprechaun wants a pot of gold buried near the sorority house, but first he must recover his powers with a killing spree—and only the girls of AU can stop him.


Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Slasher Film "Teacher Shortage" Goes To Kickstarter


New Teacher Themed Slasher Film Teacher Shortage Starring Brinke Stevens, Debra Lamb Goes to Kickstarter for Fundraising Campaign

Troy Escamilla, in collaboration with Fright Meter Films, is set to produce his third feature film and bring true holiday terror to the screen in Fall 2018. Titled Teacher Shortage and penned by Escamilla, it will focus on a group of teachers at a small town high school who are being stalked by a masked killer. Horror icon and Scream Queen Brinke Stevens (The Slumber Party Massacre) is set to star in the film alongside veteran horror actress Debra Lamb (Beverly Hills Vamp) and emerging indie horror actress Kaylee Williams (Model Hunger, The Lashman, Porkchop 3D). 

There is a goal of $10,000 by November 30th set for the Teacher Shortage campaign. Currently, the campaign has reached 40% of its goal with just fifteen days remaining. Rewards for backers include a chance to preorder the DVD or BluRay of the film, cast signed posters, and producer credit. Troy Escamilla founded the Fright Meter Awards, which have grown in respect and popularity over the last few years among the horror community.

support the film at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1488629688/teacher-shortage

Trailer Released For Post Apocalyptic Thriller "Ribbons"


Check out the trailer for Scottish made post-apocalyptic thriller "Ribbons". The film comes from award winning filmmakers Gregor Barclay and Colin Bell. It stars Robert Jack, Kim Allan, Kirstin McLean and Kirsty Strain. 

The film tells the story of a dinner party gone awry; first through the antagonistic actions of the host, and latterly through the intervention of a nuclear bomb, which detonates in the city beyond and necessitates the end of dinner and the guests’ swift departure downstairs to the host’s panic room/fallout shelter. Our host is revealed to be what’s known as a doomsday-prepper – his subterranean bunker is equipped with everything that he and his wife need to survive the nuclear winter. Everything has gone according to his fastidious emergency plans – everything except the number of people now sharing the bunker with him. Perhaps there are ways he can thin the herd? It’s for the good of humanity, of course…



Tartan 17 - Ribbons Trailer from Year Zero : Tartan Features on Vimeo.

Demonic Horror "The Harrowing" Gets December Release


Mongrel Media is getting ready to release demonic horror "The Harrowing" to fans this December. The film is directed by Jon Keeyes and stars Matthew Tompkins, Arnold Vosloo, Michael Ironside, and Arianne Martin. "The Harrowing" will be released December 25th - Christmas day!

The story revolves around a detective - in search of his best friend. In a forensic hospital, he finds a demonic Hell, instead.

Wild Eye Releasing Acquires Documentary "Scary Stories"


Wild Eye Releasing has acquired upcoming documentary "Scary Stories", based on infamous book series "Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark". There are plans for a theatrical release next year - 2019. The documentary is directed by Cody Meirick. 

"Scary Stories" includes more than 40 interviews, Scary Stories examines the seemingly endless influence of Schwartz and Gammell’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark book trilogy. From R.L. Stine to Alvin's son Peter to librarians and scholars who fought to keep the book from being banned from young readers.

New Trailer Released For Kaiju Movie 'The Great Buddha Arrival"


A new trailer has been released for kaiju movie "The Great Buddha Arrival". The film is a reboot of lost film 1934's "Daibutsu Kokaiku". The all-star ensemble cast of our film, directed by Hiroto Yokokawa, includes legendary actor Akira Takarada (6 Godzilla films, including the original), Peggy Neal (X From Outer Space), Yukijiro Hotaru (Gamera trilogy, Godzilla: GMK), Philip Granger ( Tucker And Dale vs. Evil ), Ippei Ohsako and Inge Murata (both from Shin Godzilla), Shelley Sweeney (4 Godzilla films), Yuki Morita (Godzilla 2014), Toshi Toda (Godzilla 1998) Norman England (2 Godzilla films), Robert Scott Field (Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah), Masanori Kikuzawa, J-Pop superstar Momoka Iwata, rapper Yuma, Kazuma Yoneyama, Jun’ichiro Nirasawa and Yoshihiko Ohtsuki (both from Godzilla: Final Wars), and Takashi Yasuda.

Crowdfunding Underway For Stop Motion Creature Feature "Cowgirls Vs Pterodactyls"


The crowdfunding campaign is still underway for stop motion creature feature "Cowgirls Vs Pterodactyls", Directed and written by Joshua Kennedy. The campaign is set up on Indiegogo.com.  "C Vs P" stars Madelyn Wiley, Carmen Vienhage, and Haley Zega. It features the work of fx master Ryan Lengyel.

The year is 1888 and an enormous prehistoric pterodactyl has been preying upon a small Texas desert town. When her husband is eventually taken by the creature, rebellious schoolteacher Rebecca Crawford decides to take matters into her own hands. She enlists the help of local brothel keeper Debbie Dukes Riley Masterson III and down-on-her-luck sharpshooter Bunny Parker to help track the monster down before it lays more of its dastardly eggs.



https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cowgirls-vs-pterodactyls-film#/

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

VOD / DVD Release Details Announced For "Hell Fest"


Horror film "Hell Fest" set to stream on various VOD platforms December 28th with Blu-ray/DVD/4K Ultra release to follow on January 8th. The film is directed by Gregory Plotkin and stars Bex Taylor-Klaus, Reign Edwards, and horror icon Tony Todd. 

group of friends are bound for a horror-themed Halloween event at a local amusement park — a sprawling labyrinth of rides, games, and mazes that travels the country and happens to be in town. But for one visitor, the ghoulish carnival of nightmares is not the attraction — it is a hunting ground. On the night the friends attend, a masked serial killer turns the amusement park into his own playground, terrorizing attendees while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show. As the body count and frenzied excitement of the crowd continues to rise, who will fight to survive the night?

New Trailer Released For Sci-fi Thriller "Captive State"


A new trailer has been released for sci-fi thriller "Captive State". The film is directed by Rupert Wyatt and stars John Goodman,  Vera Farmiga, Ashton Sanders, and Jonathan Majors. It is due out theatrically March 29th.

Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, “Captive State” explores the lives on both sides of the conflict – the collaborators and dissidents.



IFC Midnight Set To Release "Pledge" This January

IFC Midnight is set to release "Pledge" January 11th theatrically and VOD. The film is directed by Daniel Robbins and stars Zachery Byrd, Aaron Dalla Villa, Zachary Weiner, Phillip Andre Botello, Cameron Cowperthwaite, Jesse Pimentel, Joe Gallagher, and Erica Boozer.



Three nerdy college freshmen, Ethan, David, and Justin, are having a tough time adjusting to college life. Rejected and ridiculed by just about every fraternity on campus, they are prepared to give up all hope. That is until a girl invites them off campus to a party at a secluded mansion. They are not only invited in but also treated like princes by the resident brothers. The party is everything they dreamed college would be—beautiful women, drinking, and most importantly, a cool group of guys willing to accept them as one of their own. When the friends are presented with an opportunity to pledge the elite social club, they accept without hesitation. However, as the gruesome, dehumanizing hazing progresses, a more sinister picture of the club emerges.

New Trailer Released For "Alita: Battle Angel"


A new trailer has been released for Robert Rodriguez directed,  "Alita: Battle Angel". The film is produced by legendary filmmaker James Cameron and stars Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, Jackie Earle Haley, Keean Johnson, and Casper Van Dien. 20th Century Fox is set to release "Alita: Battle Angel" February 14th. 

When Alita (Rosa Salazar) awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past. As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious history while her street-smart new friend Hugo (Keean Johnson) offers instead to help trigger her memories. But it is only when the deadly and corrupt forces that run the city come after Alita that she discovers a clue to her past - she has unique fighting abilities that those in power will stop at nothing to control.If she can stay out of their grasp, she could be the key to saving her friends, her family and the world she's grown to love.

Holiday Horror "Mrs. Claus" Available Today On VOD


Mrs Claus premieres on VOD and DVD today courtesy of Wild Eye Releasing. The film stars Scream Queen Brinke Stevens, Helene Udy and Kaylee Williams. It's going to be a very Black Christmas.

A group of college students attending a Christmas party at a sorority house that has a sinister past are stalked by a bloodthirsty killer disguised as Mrs. Claus in writer/director Troy Escamilla’s award-winning yuletide spookfest.

"Cargo" Leaves You Gasping For Air This November



Cargo leaves you gasping for breath this November!
Anthony Peterson has 24 hours of air. A cell phone. And no way out.

In the tradition of Saw and Buried, Cargo on VOD and DVD November 13 from Wild Eye Releasing.




A man wakes trapped inside a cargo container with only a cell phone and is given 24 hours by his kidnappers to raise ten million dollars in ransom or die.

Ron Thompson (American Me), Corbin Timbrook (The Glass Shield), Jose Rosete (''The Walking Dead: Red Machete'') and Danika Fields (''The Doctors'') star in a James Dylan film.


Monday, November 12, 2018

SEXUAL IDENTITY, VIOLENCE AND MURDER INTERTWINE IN "AGONY"


SEXUAL IDENTITY, VIOLENCE AND MURDER INTERTWINE IN
THIS DARK, ACCLAIMED THRILLER BASED ON A TRUE STORY
AGONY
 
Street Date: November 27, 2018
DVD SRP: $24.95
 
The Feature Film Debut from Germany and Director David Clay Diaz, an Official Selection at the Berlin Film Festival and Fantasia Fest, Will Also be Available on Digital and via IndiePix’s SVOD Subscription Service,
IndiePix Unlimited

A young woman is murdered, her body dismembered, its parts dumped across Vienna and two suspects emerge without a clear motive: Christian, a law student who sells concessions part-time at a movie theater, and Alex, an image-obsessed rapper/boxer. Each young man is trapped in his expectations, set against the abstraction of a violent post-moderns news-scape. And one of them goes berserk and becomes a violent killer.




Much more than a slasher movie, AGONY, the acclaimed directorial debut from David Clay Diaz – and Official Selection at the Berlin Film Festival and Fantast Fest — is a split-narrative character study comparing two distinct millennials whose stories don’t necessarily overlap, save for the fact that they both live in Vienna – if not two very distinct Viennas. Poignant questions of sexual identity are deftly brought to light in this dark thriller based on the true story of a shocking and inexplicable murder.

Along with its DVD and Digital debut, AGONYwill also be available on IndiePix Unlimited, the streaming subscription service of IndiePix Films.  For $5.99 per month at either Amazon Channels or IndiePixUnlimited.com, passionate cinephiles get 24/7 access to a highly-curated catalog of cinematic gems from both international auteurs and visionary new voices alike, joins other contemporary classics of world cinema including 2009 Cannes Camera D’Or winner, SAMSON & DELILAH, Iranian artist Shirin Neshat’s feature-length debut, the Golden Lion-nominated WOMEN WITHOUT MEN and Noaz Deshe’s powerful WHITE SHADOW.

New Trailer Released For "Malicious"


A new trailer has been released for supernatural horror "Malicious". The film is directed by Michael Winnick, and stars Bojana Novakovic, Josh Stewart, Delroy Lindo, and Melissa Bolona. It is currently in limited theatrical release as well as on demand.

A young college professor and his pregnant wife unwittingly release a malevolent entity with murderous intentions.

First Poster And Release Details For "Child's Play" Remake

The first poster for 2019 "Child's Play" remake has been released along with release date. The film, directed by Lars Klevberg, hits theatres June 21st. It stars Aubrey Plaza, Brian Tyree Henry, Gabriel Bateman, and Ty Consiglio. 




Artsploitation Goes (Brothers) Grimm This December With "Snowflake"

Following an acclaimed run on the international film festival circuit, Artsploitation has announced the U.S. release of Adolfo Kolmerer's Snowflake.  Snowflake world premiered at the Lund International Fantastic Film Festival, where Kolmerer took home the Méliès d'Argent Award for Best Film. The film continued to screen around the globe, picking up Best Director and Best Film awards at Negative Fest and Horrible Imaginings, as well as Best Achievement in Directing and an Audience Award at Cinepocalypse.  Cryptic Rock hailed Kolmerer's debut feature as "an extraordinary genre mix", comparing the surreal crime action film to Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs.




Snowflake will be available  December 4th on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, including iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu and more

Hunting down the murderer of their families in an anarchic near-future Berlin, two outlaws find themselves trapped in the wicked fairy tale of a mysterious screenplay that entangles them in a vicious circle of revenge - apparently all written by a clueless dentist.  In their quest for vengeance, they must contend with a myriad of wicked fairy tale assassins, madmen, a blood-covered angel, and an electric-powered superhero.

  



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