Friday, September 27, 2019

Global Digital Releasing To Release Dramatic Thriller "Release" This October


Global Digital Releasing is set to release director Edward Varnie's dramatic thriller "Release". The film stars J.R. Adduci, Daniel Collins, and Antonio De Graffenreaidt. It will be released on digital platforms October 4th. 

"Release" focuses on domestic violence and an abusive marriage. And, Rosalinda must fight her way out, with help from her sister. 

RLJE Films Will Release "Satanic Panic" This October


RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, will release SATANIC PANIC on October 22, 2019 on DVD and on Blu-ray. Written by popular horror author, Grady Hendrix (“We Sold Our Souls,” “My Best Friend’s Exorcism”), and directed by up-and-coming director Chelsea Stardust (Into The Dark's All That We Destroy), the horror/comedy film stars Hayley Griffith (“The Loudest Voice”, “The Mysteries of Laura”), Ruby Modine (“Shameless”, Happy Death Day franchise), Rebecca Romijn (X-Men franchise, “Star Trek: Discovery”), Arden Myrin (“Insatiable”, “Shameless”) and Jerry O’Connell (Stand By Me, “Billions”). RLJE Films will release SATANIC PANIC on DVD for an SRP of $27.97 and on Blu-ray for an SRP of $28.97.

In SATANIC PANIC, Sam’s (Griffith) first day as a pizza delivery driver is not going according to plan. At the end of a long day and not enough tips, her last delivery turns out to be for a group of Satanists looking for someone to sacrifice. Now in a fight for her life, Sam must fend off witches, evil spells and demonic creatures, all while trying to keep her body – and soul – intact. Starring Hayley Griffith (“The Loudest Voice”), Ruby Modine (Happy Death Day franchise), Jerry O’Connell (“Billions”) and Rebecca Romijn (X-Men franchise).



SATANIC PANIC DVD and Blu-ray include the following bonus features:
  • The Making of “Satanic Panic”
  • Sam & Judi
  • Girl Power

Our supply is limited for SATANIC PANIC, so please request your copy for review today!  We would also appreciate inclusion of the title in your DVD and Blu-ray listings for October 22, 2019.

Official Trailer Released For Joko Anwar's "Perempuan Tanah Jahanam"


The official trailer has been released for Joko Anwar's "Perempuan Tanah Jahanam". The Indonesian film stars Tara Basro, Ario Bayu, and Marissa Anita. It is a highly anticipated and chilling horror. Set for release regionally October 17th.


After surviving a murder attempt in the city, Maya, a down-on-her-luck young woman, learns that she may inherit a house in her ancestral village.

With her friend Dini, Maya returns to the village of her birth, unaware that the community has been trying to locate and kill her to remove the curse that has plagued the village for years. As she begins to discover the complicated reality about her past, Maya finds herself in a fight for her life.


Thursday, September 26, 2019

RLJE Films Acquires US Rights To Horror "THE SHED"


RLJE Films has acquired US rights to the horror film THE SHED.  Written and directed by Frank Sabatella (Blood Night), the film stars Jay Jay Warren (“Bosch”), Cody Kostro (“City on a Hill”), Sofia Happonen (Woman of a Certain Age), Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction), Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Men in Black) and Timothy Bottoms (The Last Picture Show). RLJE Films will release THE SHED in theaters and on VOD and Digital HD on Nov. 15, 2019.

“We are thrilled to be working with Peter Block and Cory Neal on their latest horror film, THE SHED,” said Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer of RLJE Films. “We know audiences are going to love the story, and the way the movie calls to mind everyone’s favorite genre films from their youth, while clearly being in today’s world.”
“I’m very excited for audiences to see the film! I grew up on movies like this and wanted to make a fun, scary movie while still bring a unique idea to the table,” said writer/director Frank Sabatella.  “We took themes of alienated youth and neglect, wrapped them within a central horror concept, and were lucky to get a cast of great new talent and recognizable faces to bring depth and personality to the characters. I think that - plus some great scares - is what makes THE SHED so unique and surprising.”

“We always respond to story ideas that beg the question ‘what if?’ Maybe its kids stuck on a ski lift, or two guys chained up in a dingy bathroom, or scuba divers abandoned in the middle of the ocean,” said producers Peter Block and Cory Neal. “This time it was watching the news and seeing another senseless school shooting by a bullied teen and we wondered what if he didn't have his Dad's AR-15, but rather... and that's THE SHED.  ​RLJE Films is all about finding hidden gems and bringing them to audiences and when we told them what we were doing, and then showed them the results, they were super aggressive.  We're thrilled.”

In THE SHED, Stan (Warren) and his best friend Dommer (Kostro) have put up with bullies their entire lives. All of that changes when Stan discovers he has a murderous vampire living in his shed. Seeing the bloodshed and destruction the monster is capable of, Stan knows he has to find a way to destroy it - but Dommer has a much more sinister plan in mind.

THE SHED is a production of A Bigger Boat and was produced by Block (the Saw franchise) and Neal (the Hatchet franchise). THE SHED will have its World Premiere at the 2019 SITGES International Film Festival, its UK premiere at Grimmfest, and its North American premiere at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival. CMG is handling international sales.

The deal was negotiated by Ward and Jess DeLeo from RLJE Films and Block and Neal on behalf of the filmmakers.

Hulu Released The Trailer For Into The Dark's October Installment "Uncanny Annie"


Hulu has released the trailer for their latest installment of successful anthology series Into The Dark. October will introduce us to "Uncanny Annie". The film premieres on the streaming service October 4th. It is directed by Paul Davis and stars Georgie Flores, Adelaide Kane, Paige McGhee, Jacques Colimon, Dylan Arnold, and Evan Bittencourt.

On Halloween night a group of college students get trapped in a mysterious board game that brings their darkest secrets and fears to life, where they must play to escape…and win to survive.

ECHOES OF FEAR Set For North American Theatrical Release Beginning October 16th


Brian and Laurence Avenet-Bradley’s acclaimed excursion into gear, Echoes of Fear embarks on a national theatrical release beginning this October.

Kicking off its big screen run in Los Angeles on October 16, the award-winning spookfest stars Trista Robinson, Hannah Race, Paul Chirico and Marshal Hilton.

Echoes of Fear received its World Premiere at the 18th annual Shriekfest Horror Festival, the longest running horror festival in Los Angeles, where it won Best Supernatural Horror Feature. 14 festivals have since followed and the film has won six Best Feature Awards.




Alysa inherits her grandfather’s house following his sudden death from an apparent heart attack. She cannot keep the house so travels there to prepare it for sale. While she is packing away her grandfather’s belongings some strange and unexplained events inside the house start to spook her and she soon comes to the conclusion that she is not alone there.


Even her pet mouse senses a presence. Something supernatural lurks in the house and she begins to believe that her grandfather was trying to find something before he died. When her friend Steph arrives they attempt to solve the mystery and what they uncover together forces them to confront the diabolical truth and the evil that hides inside.




PARTICIPATING CITIES
Los Angeles, CA Oct. 16
Torrance, CA Oct. 24th
Chattanooga, TN Oct 24th
Johnson City, TN Oct. 24th
Knoxville, TN Oct. 23rd
New York, NY October (Date TBD)
San Francisco, CA October (Date TBD)
Greenville, SC November (Date TBD)
Pasadena, CA November 6th
Atlanta, GA November (Date TBD)
Palm Springs, CA November (Date TBD)
Boston, MASS.  November 6th
Santa Monica, CA Nov 20th
Orlando, FL Nov. (Date TBD)

Digital Release Details Announced For Supernatural Thriller "The Field"


The digital release date has been announced for supernatural thriller "The Field". The film is directed by Tate Bunker, this is the director's feature debut. It stars Veronica Cartwright (Alien, The Birds), Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show), Tim Higgins, ,Mark Metcalf, Kara Mulrooney. "The Field" arrives on Digital on September 24th.

To save their marriage, Ben and Lydia risk it all and buy a farmstead in small-town Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Lydia is determined to transform the rotting house into a dream home and finally start a family, but Ben’s photographs reveal they’re not alone…

Theatrical screenings will take place at Anthology Film Archives (New York) on Saturday, Sept. 28 @ 8pm, Gene Siskel Film Center (Chicago) Tuesday, Oct. 1 @ 3pm, and The Vista (Los Angeles) on Thursday, Oct. 3 @ 8pm. You can pre-order your copy now.



Official Trailer for THE FIELD (2019) from Tate Bunker on Vimeo.


Wednesday, September 25, 2019

My Review Of "Candy Corn"


"CANDY CORN" is written & directed by Josh Hasty (In Hell Everybody Loves Popcorn), and stars P.J. Soles (Halloween), Courtney Gains (Children of the Corn), Tony Todd (Candyman), Pancho Moler (3 from Hell), Sky Elobar (The Greasy Strangler), Caleb Thomas (The Terror of Hallow's Eve), Lovlee Carroll (Anabolic Life), Matt O'Neill (Edgar Allan Poe's Lighthouse Keeper), and introducing Nate Chaney. The film is a calculated effort to celebrate the classic storylines familiar to films like "Funhouse" and "Halloween". 

It's Halloween weekend and a group of bullies are planning their annual hazing on local outcast, Jacob Atkins. When they take things too far, he's resurrected to seek revenge against those that wronged him.

The story is a pretty straight forward supernatural slasher tale. It makes no denial of fully drawing from its classic horror inspirations. The writing is a little weaker than it needed to be given the strong, visceral, and celebratorial way it presents it's self. Not so much the overall concept and structure, more the dialog and explanatory/justification material meant to make the actions believable. 

The cast do good to create these, 'unappealing' characters. There isn't too many people in this film that you find yourself cheering on. They are grimey, flawed, and unsavory delinquents that make the objective more about anticipation for the moment they meet their demise. Still, the actors give their all and feel comfortable in these parts. There is a hint of over coached, and choreographed sequences that feel more like a momentary statement.

The real flavor with "Candy Corn" comes in some really cool, effective cinematography and one heck of a music score. It sells everything that Josh Hasty is delivering in the movie. The horror influences really show a love by the crew attached to this project. The next really good aspect is the killer design of Jacob Atkins' costuming. Plus most of the death scenes are practical effect.

Overall "Candy Corn" is a fun indie slasher, the fact that it happens on Halloween is just a tasty treat. Yeah there is a couple of issues with writing, it could have been tweaked. Still there is plenty to enjoy, even if it takes nearly forty minutes to get going. Definitely check this one out and appreciate the horror references and celebration of Holiday horror. (3.5/5)

The First Trailer Released For Horror Anthology "The Mortuary Collection"


The first trailer has been released for upcoming horror anthology "The Mortuary Collection". The film is directed by Ryan Spindell and held it's world premiere on September 21st at Fantastic Fest. It stars Caitlin Custer, Clancy Brown, Barak Hardley, Christine Kilmer, Mike Nelson, and Sarah Hay.

Moving through various times and settings, one short covers a '50s housewife and a strange presence in her bathroom. Another story focuses on a college boy and his fraternizing ways.  Other stories cover strange husband and wife's relationship, '80s Babysitter Murders. All of the shorts are told by a mortician as he goes through his collection of bodies.

First Trailer And Stills Released For Joel McHale's "DARK HARBOR" Ahead Of World Premiere


APS Films Debuts First Trailer and Art for Dark Harbor
Thriller Stars Jessica Sipos and Joel McHale Battling Family Secrets for their Unborn Child
World Premiere This Thursday at the Catalina Film Festival

APS Films has released the first trailer and stills from director Joe Raffa's unsettling thriller Dark Harbor Dark Harbor tells the story of Olivia, a young mother on the verge of childbirth who finds her future threatened by a hidden darkness from her family's past.  Dark Harbor will world premiere this week aboard the RMS Queen Mary at the Catalina Film Festival in their Thriller Thursday lineup.

For his latest feature, Raffa and executive producer Edwin P. Stevens enlisted the talents of Jessica Sipos ("Slasher", "Chesapeake Shores") and Joel McHale ("Community", Ted) as the expectant parents.  They are joined onscreen by Meagen Fay ("Grace and Frankie", "Agent Carter") and Brian Gallagher ("Outsiders") as Olivia's distant parents, as well as Xander Berkeley ("The Walking Dead", Terminator 2) Reiko Aylesworth ("24", "Scorpion"), Connor Trineer ("Star Trek: Enterprise", "Stargate: Atlantis"), Sterling Hurst, and Nickolas Wolf.





Ahead of the world premiere in Long Beach, Raffa said, "The film tests the limits we are willing to go for forgiveness, redemption, and the truth. I hope Dark Harbor forces us to answer the questions we are otherwise afraid to ask ourselves. Can we let go of resentment and forgive a loved one who has betrayed us? How can we fix the suffering a loved one has caused? And, along this haunting and tense journey, you'll find yourself gripping your armrest and holding your breath." 

With the birth of her first child just days away, Olivia must return to her childhood home island off the coast of Maine, seemingly on the edge of the world, to face her narcissistic mother and attend her father's funeral. Not long after, she uncovers a dark family secret that undoes the foundations of her life. The deeper Olivia searches for answers, the more life-threatening the situation becomes, putting herself and her unborn child in danger.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" Arrives On Digital This October


Get ready to be absolutely terrified when Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark arrives on Digital October 22 and on 4K Ultra HD™ Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand November 5 from global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B). The highly anticipated film adaptation of the iconic book series brings the thrills and chills of some of Alvin Schwartz’s scariest stories to life.

Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is produced by Academy Award® winner Guillermo del Toro (2017, The Shape of Water, Best Director), with screen story by Guillermo Del Toro and Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan, written for the screen by Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman, and directed by André Øvredal (The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Trollhunter). The film stars Zoe Margaret Colletti (AnnieWildlife, “Rubicon”), Michael Garza (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, “Wayward Pines,” “Timeless”), Dean Norris (“Breaking Bad,” “Claws,” “Scandal”), Lorraine Toussaint (Selma, “Into the Badlands,” “Orange is the New Black”), Austin Zajur (Fist Fight, “Wonder Pets!,” “Kidding”), and Natalie Ganzhorn (“The Stanley Dynamic,” “Make it Pop”).

It’s 1968 in America. Change is blowing in the wind…but seemingly far removed from the unrest in the cities is the small town of Mill Valley, where for generations the shadow of the Bellows family has loomed large. It is in their mansion on the edge of town that Sarah, a young girl with horrible secrets, turned her tortured life into a series of scary stories, written in a book that has transcended time. For a group of teenagers who discover Sarah’s terrifying home, the stories become all too real in this spine-tingling film.

Take home Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and immerse yourself in the terrifying world with exclusive special features, including six featurettes on the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital releases and two featurettes on the DVD looking at the development of the creepiest creatures in the film, as well as the process of taking these classic tales from page to screen! Experience four times the resolution of full HD with the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, which includes Dolby Vision, bringing entertainment to life through ultra-vivid picture quality. When compared to a standard picture, Dolby Vision can deliver spectacular colors never before seen on a screen, highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker.

The Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99, and $29.95, respectively.


Trailer Released For Upcoming Horror "The Lake Vampire"


Uncork’d Entertainment and Dark Star Pictures announce the North American theatrical release of the crime thriller The Lake Vampire (El vampiro del lago). Based on the novel “A Vampire in Maracaibo” by Venezuelan author Norberto José Olivar—in turn inspired by the real-life case of Zacarías Ortega, one of Venezuela’s most notorious serial killers known  for drinking the blood of his victims—the debut feature by Carl Zitelmann opens Friday, September 27 at the Laemmle Glendale in Los Angeles, followed by a VOD release later this fall.




Desperate to find a subject for his next novel, Ernesto Navarro follows the tracks of a mysterious killer who decapitates his victims without leaving a trace. The investigation leads him to Jeremías Morales, a retired police detective who came across a similar case back in the 1970s. Morales was in charge of the strange case of Zacarías Ortega, a man obsessed with drinking blood and becoming immortal. Without realizing it, Navarro is dragged into a perverse game that began many years earlier and from which Morales has never been able to escape.

Ortega, a man accused of practicing witchcraft, used to drug his victims then cut their throats and drink their blood. In 1975, when Ortega was captured and detained, he confessed he committed all his crimes to honor an alleged pact with the devil, who made him immortal. True to the spirit of the book, the stirring thriller The Lake Vampire moves between facts and superstition, and signals an auspicious debut by Zitelmann.

Official Trailer Released For Hulu's "Wounds"


The official trailer has been released for Hulu's "Wounds", starring Armie Hammer and Dakota Johnson. The film will premiere on the streaming service October 18th. This psychological thriller costars Zazie Beetz and Karl Glusman.

Based on the novel “The Visible Filth” by Nathan Ballingrud, "Wounds" follows New Orleans bartender Will (Armie Hammer) as his life is overtaken by demons and terrifying happenings once he takes home a forgotten cell phone from the bar, left there by an underage patron. Traumatized by fear, Will turns to his girlfriend Carrie (Dakota Johnson), but she herself is caught up in the horrifying reality Will is now living, where sanity seems a distant memory…

Shudder Releases Six Minute Featurette Of 'Creepshow' Series


Check out the new new 6 minute behind-the-scenes featurette just released by Shudder for 'Creepshow' series. It features appearances by director Greg Nicotero and writer Joe Hill. The premiere is just days away. 

'Creepshow' stars Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator), David Arquette (Scream), Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”, “Lucifer”) and Dana Gould (“The Simpsons”, “Stan Against Evil”), alongside Adrienne BarbeauGiancarlo EspositoTobin BellKid CudiBig BoiBruce Davison and DJ Qualls.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Trailer Released For Canadian Horror "Making Monsters"


The official trailer has been released for Canadian horror "Making Monsters". The film is directed by by Rob Brunner and Justin Harding. It stars Alana Elmer (shorts: LatchedKookie), Tim Loden (Scary Tales TV series), Jonathan Craig (short: Carved), Jarrett Sidda (shorts: LatchedKookie) and Peter Higginson (short: Point of View).


When a celebrity couple famed for their YouTube scare-prank channel are invited to a friend’s converted church in the countryside for a weekend getaway, a series of startling events unfold that spiral them into an inexplicable nightmare…



Official Trailer Released For Netflix's "Fractured"


The official trailer has been released for Netflix's "Fractured". The film is directed by Brad Anderson and stars Sam Worthington, Lily Rabe, Stephen Tobolowsky, Adjoa Andoh, and Lucy Capri. It premieres on the streaming service October 11th. 

After his wife and injured daughter disappear from an ER, a man conducts a panicked search and becomes convinced the hospital is hiding something.



"3 FROM HELL" ARRIVES ON 4K ULTRA HD COMBO PACK, BLU-RAY COMBO PACK DVD, DIGITAL, AND ON DEMAND THIS OCTOBER


Rob Zombie’s diabolical trio returns when 3 From Hell arrives on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, Digital, and On Demand October 15 from Lionsgate. Written and directed by horror master Rob Zombie (House of 1000 CorpsesThe Devil’s RejectsHalloween), the “savagely ferocious” (Variety) film follows three of the director’s most vicious creations as they leave a trail of corpses in their wake.
3 From Hell stars Sheri Moon Zombie (The Devil’s RejectsHouse of 1000 CorpsesHalloween), Bill Moseley (The Devil’s RejectsHouse of 1000 Corpses), Richard Brake (“Game of Thrones,” Hannibal Rising31The Chameleon), Jeff Daniel Phillips (The Lords of Salem, “Westworld”), with Danny Trejo (The Devil’s RejectsMacheteFrom Dusk Till Dawn), and Sid Haig (The Devil’s RejectsHouse of 1000 CorpsesKill Bill: Vol. 2). 3 From Hell is Zombie’s highly anticipated return to his violently horrific crime saga.
First there was House of 1000 Corpses. Then there was The Devil’s Rejects. Now, from writer-director Rob Zombie, comes the next blood-soaked chapter in the most violent crime saga in movie history —
3 From Hell. After barely surviving a furious shootout with the police, Baby Firefly (Sheri Moon Zombie), Otis Driftwood (Bill Moseley), and Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig) are behind bars. But pure evil cannot be contained, and a firestorm of murder, madness, and mayhem will be released in this terror ride to Hell… and back.
Take home 3 From Hell and immerse yourself in its blood-soaked world with exclusive and extensive special features, including an audio commentary with director Rob Zombie and a 4-part “making of” featurette. Additionally, the 3 From Hell 4K and Blu-ray discs will feature the unrated cut, even more sadistic and terrifying than the theatrical version of the film. The 3 From Hell 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $29.99, $24.99, and $19.98, respectively.

TERROR FILMS Sets Digital Release Date for Agatha Christie-esque Horror Film "MURDER MADE EASY"



TERROR FILMS Sets Digital Release Date for Agatha Christie-esque Horror Film MURDER MADE EASY. Terror Films has already begun the digital release with the film currently available on iTunes and Google Play:



The expansion onto additional digital platforms will continue in the coming weeks to include Xbox, Prime Video, Roku, iFlix and many others. The expansion begins this September 27th.

Murder Made Easy has an intriguing story and was initially released on DVD and Blu-ray by Scream Team Releasing. The film, which won the Indie Spirit Award from the Women in Horror Film Festival (2017), centers around best pals Joan (Jessica Graham) and Michael (Christopher Soren Kelly). Together, they invite their dearest friends over for a cordial dinner to discuss the passing of Joan's husband, Neil. But as each guest arrives, dark secrets are revealed and murder is definitely on the menu. 
The film hosts a number of talented filmmakers. Christopher Soren Kelly (Infinity Chamber, 2016), Jessica Graham (The Tangle, 2019) Emilia Richeson, Edmund Lupinski, Sheila Cutchlow and Paul A. Rose Jr. round out the cast. The script was written by Tim Davis, with David Palamaro directing and was produced alongside David Barnaby and Jessica Graham. 
Terror Films has revamped the official trailer and poster, which they are providing for horror fans in advance of the September 27th digital release. 



Paranoia Turns Bloody in Screamfest’s World Premiere of "GLASS CABIN"


SCREAMFEST: Paranoia Turns Bloody in Screamfest’s World Premiere of 'GLASS CABIN'. 

Genre producer Maya Korn of MHK Productions is proud to announce the World Premiere of Glass Cabin at Hollywood’s leading horror film festival Screamfest LA. The bloody psychological thriller is written and directed by Can Türedi of ADA Films, produced by Luca Marcovici, and executive produced by Maya Korn herself, all Columbia MFA graduates. The spine-chilling short stars Revell Carpenter (Cypress Cake, Queen Mab Was Here) as Scarlett and newcomer David Mar Stefansson as David the caretaker.

In Glass Cabin, Scarlett, a tennis player staying at an isolated cabin in the woods, struggles with paranoia after becoming convinced that the caretaker of the rented place has malicious intentions for her. The film seeks to provoke the exploration of relatable themes of paranoia and isolation in adverse weather circumstances. Who is the home invader? Does he exist or is it merely in the character’s mind?

"This story really spoke to me as a woman. Sometimes we just don’t feel safe when a man catcalls us or approaches us. I recognised the paranoia of our character Scarlett,” says executive producer Maya Korn. “Of course, there’s also something really intriguing in the ambiguity established in this story. We don’t know if the caretaker means Scarlett harm or is he just stranded in a snowstorm as he pretends to be. I find that this film perfectly captures that ambivalence,” she adds.

Maya Korn was fascinated by director Can Türedi’s work, whose interest in storytelling revolves around the themes of isolation and paranoia in the psychological thriller genre. When Maya selects the projects and filmmakers that she wants to support, story is always her main focus.

"My background is an English Literature BA, Film Theory MA and Filmmaking MFA which has given me an academic way of approaching projects and respect for story over financial viability. I see myself as a creative partner, developing the story with the director, however long it takes,” Maya Korn explains. “As a woman, female stories are very important to me, which is why I was attracted to the script of Glass Cabin,” she concludes.



Glass Cabin Trailer from Maya Korn on Vimeo.

My Review Of "Investigation 13"


"Investigation 13" is a paranormal horror film directed by Krisstian de Lara. The film stars genre icon Meg Foster, Stephanie Hernandez, Patrick Flanagan, Robert Paget, William Alexander, Giordan Diaz, Jesse Ramos and Peter Aratari as ‘The Mole Man’. "Investigation 13" is a suspensful and thrilling nightmare told in a creative blend of traditional and innovative mediums. 

Chronicling the tale of a group of college science students investigating the urban legend of The Mole Man, an ex-patient said to still be residing within the walls of the Black Grove Asylum. When members of the group start missing, they soon learn that this myth is more real than they thought, making this 13th investigation one they will come to regret.  

"Investigation 13" takes very familiar tropes and somehow presents them with a fresh, entertaining newness. There isn't anything new or out-of-the-box in the story, you have a Haunt with a horrific past, a paranormal research group and the subsequent nightmare outcome. It has all been done. What de Lara has done is offer concise, smart technical awareness and a creativity in presentation. All that is old is new again. 

Not to say "Investigation 13" is without fault. It's just that the things done right are so stark and compelling you somehow become uneffected by the flaws. The film starts out strong with a nice slice of horror that leaves a lingering question mark, and instant since of intrigue. The cast are great together and totally committed to these characters. It does feel a bit over rehearsed during the all important character introductory scenes meant to set the stage. Not that that is such a bad thing.

The acting is quality work and show some real talent. Not to mention the iconic presence of Meg Foster. A perfect choice of casting that automatically elevates "Investigation 13". Plus the story is as entertaining today as it is synonymous with paranormal activity horror stories. Like I stated earlier, it isn't untouched territory but it is a smart, thoughtful approach to story telling. 

The film moves at a quick pace, and the horror is tight. There is suspense, energy and plenty of chilling atmosphere. And the death sequences are quality moments that remind me of films like "Saturday Morning Massacre" and "Grave Encounters". The real star points of the movie are the supernatural killer persona, the cinematography, and one hell of a music score. Overall I was thoroughly engaged in this move and completely entertained. Definitely watch this if you wanna see some quality indie horror. (4/5)

Sunday, September 22, 2019

My Review Of "Dragon Kingdom"


"Dragon Kingdom" is a mythical fantasy film directed by Simon Wells. It stars Ross O’Hennessy, Ben Loyd-Holmes, Rebecca Dyson-Smith, Zara Phythian, Jessica-Jane Stafford, Jemma Moore and Mike Mitchell. The film is a fantasy-adventure quest demons and dragons. 

To save their Kingdom from the Dark Lord’s army, a mighty and courageous legion of warriors must travel through the forbidden lands fighting the fearsome fire breathing monsters of The Dark Kingdom, a land that swallows all who enter, in order to rescue their King.

The story isn't anything new, a fantasy adventure in a world where strange creature, warrior races and dragons battle for the balance of good and evil. If there would have been spacecraft, and romance it could have been a Anne McCaffrey novel. "Dragon Kingdom' does tend to mirror storylines similar to "Eragon and Lord of the Rings".

The quality of acting is a coin toss. A lot of the characters are grandiose beings that naturally stand out as iconic personalities similar to ones in gaming scenarios. They require actors who can strattle the nuances of grandeur and finesse. A few cast members in "Dragon Kingdom" manage well enough but more times than not the characters are overdrawn and without substance. The inconsistency henders scene development. 

The area that most attention seemed to be focused on was creature concept and development. There are a lot of highly conceptualized characters in "Dragon Kingdom". Almost as if there was a preproduction run through of D&D and WOW types. Most here are developed nicely, offering a bright side to the overall quality of the movie. One or two seemed subpar, still I liked the diversity. 

The special effects were hit and miss. The biggest miss for me was the weird concept for dragon design and the cheap quality of the CGI. Beyond that everything looked as decent as the quality used on ABC's 'Once Upon A Time' and Syfy channel stuff. I think my biggest like goes to the female warrior cast in the story. They are reminiscent of the ancient Greek stories of theAmazonian race. Overall "Dragon Kingdom" was more of a miss for me. Still there is a indie fantasy audience for the movie. Check it out if you want but relinquish all expectations. (2.5/5)

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