Pagan Festival Shout Out: Winter Solstice

Marks the beginning of Winter and the shortest day and longest night of the year; celebration of the darkness with dancing near the hearth fire. [a/k/a Old European turning-of-the-season day, Neo-Pagan turning-of-the-season day, Wiccan turning-of-the-season day, Winter Sabbat]

Holidays celebrated on the solstice:

Yule or Yuletide ("Yule time" or "Yule season") is a festival historically observed by the Germanic peoples. Scholars have connected the original celebrations of Yule to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht.

Brumalia  "winter festivals") was an ancient Roman, winter solstice festival honouring Saturn/Cronus and Ceres/Demeter, and Bacchus in some cases. The festival included night-time feasting, drinking, and merriment. During this time, prophetic indications were taken as prospects for the remainder of the winter.

Korochun Koročun or Kračun  one of the names of Slavic pagan holiday Koliada. Currently, it may be used to refer to the winter solstice in certain Eastern European languages, and also to the holiday of Christmas. It was considered the day when the Black God and other spirits associated with decay and darkness were most potent. On this night, Hors, symbolizing old sun, becomes smaller as the days become shorter in the Northern Hemisphere, and dies on December 22, the winter solstice. It is said to be defeated by the dark and evil powers of the Black God. On December 23 Hors is resurrected and becomes the new sun, Koleda.

Pagan Festival Shout Out: Mysteries Of Isis

December 22 is the day of the Mysteries of Isis. 

A priestess representing Isis, wearing her cow horns and solar disk, circles the shrine or coffin of Osiris seven times to signify mourning. She shakes her sistrum to drive away Set and bring about the rebirth of Osiris. The Lament for Osiris is also sung by priestesses representing Isis and their her sister Nephthys.

Additionally, the Rhodophoria, a festival of roses, was held in honor of Isis in some of the places where her worship spread from Egypt. Daily rituals of Isis include a morning ritual to awaken her, held when her image is brought forth for the day; a noontime ritual; an evening ritual, held when her image is shut away for the night; and a midnight ritual.

Pagan Festival Shout Out: Festival Of Evergreens

Old European Festival of Evergreen Trees. Celebrated by planting trees and hanging wreaths (symbols of eternal life).

Pagans in Europe used branches of evergreen fir trees to decorate their homes and brighten their spirits during the winter solstice. Early Romans used evergreens to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia, while ancient Egyptians used green palm rushes as part of their worship of the god Ra

"Kill Ben Lyk" Plays L.A Theaters This January Ahead Of VOD Release In 2020

"Kill Ben Lyk offers a great dose of gnarly fun and ends on a punchline for the ages.

This January, the sky opens for an almighty battle between good and evil." - Birth.Movies.Death

"a hell of a lot of fun" - Bloody Disgusting

Ahead of it’s early 2020 digital release, Erwan Marinopoulos’s bloody, action-packed instant classic Kill Ben Lyk will screen in L.A theaters for one night only, Jan 15.

 

Three people have been murdered in London, all by the name of Ben Lyk. Scotland yard decides to gather together all the other Ben Lyks located in London until they can figure out who's after them and why. One of the Ben Lyks is a young Youtuber, he thinks this attention on his name could finally be his shot at becoming an internet celebrity.

 

What would you do if your namesake had been killed ?

Is Ben Lyk the most dangerous name since Sarah Connor ?

 

Starring Eugene Simon, Dimitri Leonidas, Simone Ashley, Martyn Ford, and Ashley Thomas, Kill Ben Lyk plays L.A theaters this January ahead of a VOD release in early 2020.

SEX -BOT SCI-FI FILM “2050” STARRING DEAN CAIN IN THEATERS, ON DEMAND AND DVD JANUARY 2020

Princeton Holt’s award-winning, satiric comic fantasy “2050” will be released On Demand and DVD this January from Uncork’d Entertainment. The film, lauded by critics as “stylish and thoughtful” *and “as sharp and well produced as any film I’ve seen in theaters this year”** , will also screen day-and-date in select theaters.

"2050" tells the story of a married video game developer who is introduced to a warehouse that customizes androids for human companionship. Dean Cain (“Supergirl”) plays the role of Maxwell, the mastermind behind the warehouse. Along with Cain, the film stars a strong ensemble of actors including David Vaughn, Irina Abraham, Devin Fuller, Stefanie Bloom, Stormi Maya, Jace Nicole, Shannone Holt, Hope Blackstock, and more.

The satiric comic fantasy was produced by David Vaughn (who also plays Michael Greene), Princeton Holt (who also directed), Chris Riquinha (who also plays David), and Brian Ackley (who also wrote the screenplay).

“2050” has won 10 awards, so far mostly for the performances and cinematography.

Available on Demand and DVD January 14 from Uncork’d Entertainment. Also screening in select theaters day-and-date.

Confronting Documentary BALTIC TRIBES Gets U.S Release January 2020

Acclaimed science documentary Baltic Tribes, a dazzling but brutal new film about the Baltic people in the 13th century from filmmakers Lauris Abele and Raitis Abele, will be released in North America this January.
 
13th century. Danish spy Lars enters the tribal lands of the Baltic people, where he takes part in religious rites, cruel forays, gets high during the summer solstice, becomes the slave of Curonians and even fights the crusaders. Who really were the last pagans of Europe? It’s a unique trip into the textures of the past and into the unknown lands of Baltic tribes.
 
Kaspars Anins, Kristaps Bedritis, Lauma Balode, and Carl Biorsmark star.
 
Baltic Tribes will be available on DVD and Digital January 7 from High Octane Pictures.

ADRENALINE-CHARGED BRAZILIAN THRILLER "HUMANPERSONS" GETS US RELEASE

Frank Spano’s adrenaline-charged Brazilian thriller Humanpersons has been scheduled for a North American release this January by Uncork’d Entertainment.
 
Starring Pedro García Ríos, Mimi Lazo and Frank Spano, the topical, sweat-inducing drama fixes on a man on a mission to snatch an organ and smuggle it into the US.
 
James returns to his native Latin America after 30 years, with just one thing in mind-taking an organ from a human victim and smuggling it back to the United States. On this trip, relives memories of his own violent past, which makes him think twice about redeeming his future.
 
Humanpersons on DVD and Digital January 21, 2020 from Uncork’d Entertainment.

First Look Trailer For Sci-fi Thriller ROUGH DRAFT - Coming January 2020

From the writer of Night Watch comes the highly-anticipated new film from director Sergey Mokritskiy, Rough Draft coming this January.

Written by Sergei Lukianenko, author of Russian blockbuster Night Watch, and directed by Protest Day director Sergey Mokritskiy, Rough Draft is set in and around the concept of open world video gaming, following a man without an identity nor memories who plays middle-man to corresponding worlds. Kirill’s identity has been eliminated. Erased from the memories of everyone around him, Kirill will be forced to serve as the gatekeeper of a portal that connects parallel worlds.

Nikita Volkov, Yulia Peresild and Yevgeny Tsyganov star in a visually-spectacular sci-fi thriller in the tradition of The Matrix.

Rough Draft available on DVD and Digital January 14 from High Octane Pictures.

Release Details Announced For Dark Sky's "The Siren"

Dark Sky Films will release "The Siren"  film on January 28th. The film is directed by Perry Blackshear and stars Margaret Ying Drake, MacLeod Andrews, Evan Dumouchel.  It will be released on DVD in US markets.

In the story, a lovelorn spirit draws Tom to her watery home. Near this body of water, another character is looking for answers, after a monster destroyed his marriage.

FANTASPORTO REVEALS LINE-UP FOR 40Th ANNIVERSARY

Celebrating its 40th year in 2020, Fantasporto, one of the most established and respected genre festivals in Europe has revealed an eclectic line-up of exciting new films for the coming year.

From Latin America comes Flavio Pedota's zombie pandemic INFECTION (Venezuela), Pablo Pares' post apocalyptic horror I AM TOXIC (Argentina) and Bruno Bini's time travel thriller LOOP (Brasil). From North America comes Weston Turray's dark fairy tale PRECARIOUS (USA), Chris Bavota & Lee Paula Springer's body snatch horror DEAD DICKS (Canada), Gaurov Seth's out-of-body thriller ENTANGLED (Canada) and David Fowlers occult horror WELCOME TO THE CIRCLE (Canada).  

From Europe comes Artu Haglund's teleportation drama GONE (Finland), Johannes Nyholm's psychological drama KOKO DI, KOKO DA (Sweden), Valeri Milhev's revenge thriller BULLETS OF JUSTICE (Bulgaria) and Ilya Maximov's psychological thriller THE SOUL CONDUCTOR (Russia). From Asia comes Sabu's DANCING MARY (Japan), Takashi Shimzu's supernatural horror HOWLING VILLAGE (Japan), Paul Young's black comedy meta-horror GHOSTMASTER (Japan), Lee Jun-Subs FALLEN (South Korea) and John Hsu's book society thriller DETENTION (Taiwan). 

The Philippines makes a strong impression with three films, including Roderick Cabrido's possession thriller CLARITA, Jason Orfalas's GUITARIST and Sigrid Andrea Bernardo's revenge thriller UNTRUE. Rounding off the program are two exciting new anthologies; christmas themed horror DEATHCEMBER which includes segments by Ruggero Deodata, Julian Richards, Lucky McKee and Pollyana Mackintosh, and radio talk show thriller A NIGHT OF HORROR: NIGHTMARE RADIO which includes episodes from Luciano and Nicolas Onetti and Jason Bognacki.

In addition to their selection of new fantastic films, Fantasporto also celebrate the careers of established genre film-makers and in 2020 they will present a Career Award to British director Julian Richards whilst screening a retrospective of his work, including DARKLANDS, SILENT CRY, THE LAST HORROR MOVIE, SUMMER SCARS, SHIVER, REBORN, DADDY'S GIRL and DEATHCEMBER. The award is also in recognition of the achievements of Richards' sales company Jinga Films and will include a retrospective of key titles from the Jinga catalogue, including A SERBIAN FILM, BIG BAD WOLVES, THE HOUSE AT THE END OF TIME, STILL/BORN, OUR EVIL, THE LESSON, RABIES, SHADOW, TIMER and THE NIGHT OF THE VIRGIN.

Fantasporto takes place at Teatro Rivoli in Oporto, Portugal between February 25th and March 8th 2020.

Radio Silence New Horror Comedy In Development

Radio Silence – Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and Chad Villella – are teaming up with Phil Lord and Chris Miller for a new unnamed horror-comedy. Olpin and Gillett will be directing.

The film is being described as “a unique bear-driven horror comedy — with heart.” The site continued, “the project was being pitched as a cross between Good Boys and The Revenant.”

Lord and Miller are producing for Universal.

Poster And Teaser Released For Horror Sequel "A Quiet Place: Part 2"

The official poster, along with a teaser trailer, has been released for upcoming horror sequel "A Quiet Place: Part 2". 

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY:John Krasinski
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY: Allyson Seeger, Joann Perritano, Aaron Janus
PRODUCED BY: Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, John Krasinski
BASED ON CHARACTERS CREATED BY: Bryan Woods & Scott Beck
STARRING: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Djimon Hounsou

Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

Official Poster Released For Nicolas Cage's "Color Out Of Space"

The official poster for the upcoming stylized thriller "Color Out Of Space". The sci-fi horror is directed by Richard Stanley and stars Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur, Brendan Meyer, Julian Hilliard, Elliot Knight with Q’Orianka Kilcher and Tommy Chong. It is out in theatres January 24th.

After a meteorite lands in the front yard of their farm, Nathan Gardner (Nicolas Cage) and his family find themselves battling a mutant extraterrestrial organism as it infects their minds and bodies, transforming their quiet rural life into a technicolor nightmare.

New Poster Released For Anthology Sequel "Season's Greetings"

Tis the Season and Concept Media Films has the cure for your holiday blues! The second installment in the Season’s Greetings franchise features new holiday shorts from up and coming directors Brittany Blanton, Rob Collins and Travis Wilson. This Holiday special is sure to deck your halls!

Brought to you by Heckles & Horror, Taintbad Productions & B Dynamic Picture

Starring Rebekah Erb, Courtney Clark, Kaylee Williams, Payton Pleska, Stephen J. Hodke, Andrew Moore, Brittany Blanton,
Emily McAnulty, Rob Collins, Anthony Brownlee & Travis Wilson

Associate Producers: Rebecca Kuhlmann, Fred Kuhlmann, Mari Conrad, Jeff Ringer, Lisa Ringer, Brandon Knopp, Kelsey
Frazier, Jen Collins.

Executive Producers: Jay Sorensen, John Lepper.

Produced By: Brittany Blanton, Shawn Burkett, Rob Collins, Chris Gierowski, Cheyenne Gordon, Andrew Moore, Stephen J.
Hodke, Ryan Stacy, Travis Wilson.

Season’s Greetings 2 will be available Friday, December 20th via Amazon and Vimeo on Demand! As well as a Limited

Edition Blu-ray will be available for pre-order at
www.conceptmediallc.comwww.conceptmediallc.com

First Teaser Released For Upcoming Thriller "Greenlight"

Check out the first teaser trailer released for "Greenlight". Directed by Graham Denman and starring Chase Williamson and Caroline Williams. Coming to VOD and digital platforms in February from The Horror Collective.

The first teaser trailer for the upcoming award-winning thriller Greenlight has been released! The film, which was produced by Talk Story Pictures and is being distributed by The Horror Collective, will be released on February 25th, 2020 on VOD and digital platforms.

Greenlight will screen at Kansas City, MO’s Panic Fest, which runs January 24-30, 2020. More information about the festival can be found here: https://panicfilmfest.com/

Synopsis: A director’s dream job quickly descends into a nightmare when he is forced to film a real-life murder.

Starring Chase Williamson (Beyond the Gates, John Dies at the End), Shane Coffey (Pretty Little Liars, Starry Eyes), Caroline Williams (Texas Chainsaw Massacre II, Tales of Halloween), Nicole Alexandra Shipley (Guardians of the Galaxy, All Saints Eve), Evanne Friedmann (As Night Comes, Death’s Gambit) Victor Turpin (Ma, BnB HELL), Craig Stark (The Hateful Eight, Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood), and Chris Browning (Bright, Angel Has Fallen, Only Mine, Bosch).

The film is directed by Graham Denman, written by Patrick R Young (Bastard, My Teacher, My Obsession) and produced by Rudy Scalese (Going To Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, Casa De Mi Padre, Ceremony). The film was financed by Talk Story Pictures and executive produced by Greg Blunden, Pamela Blunden, and Phil Malaspina.

Trailer Released For Psychological Horror "Saint Maud"

A24 has released the trailer for upcoming psychological horror "Saint Maud". The film is the feature debut of Rose Glass and due out March 27th. It stars Jennifer Ehle, Turlough Convery, Marcus Hutton, and Carl Prekopp.

Having recently found God, self-effacing young nurse Maud, arrives at a plush home to care for Amanda, a hedonistic dancer left frail from a chronic illness. When a chance encounter with a former colleague throws up hints of a dark past, it becomes clear there is more to sweet Maud than meets the eye.

Official Trailer Released For Upcoming Horror "Gates Of Darkness"

Check out the trailer for upcoming horror "Gates Of Darkness". Directed by Don E. FauntLeRoy and written by Lesley-Anne Down, Rob Hickman, Chris Kanik, and Randolf Turrow, Gates of Darkness stars Tobin Bell, Randy Shelly, John Savage, Adrienne Barbeau, Mary Mouser, and Alexandra Davies. 

A dramatic thriller where a haunted teen endures a terrifying exorcism in the hopes of unlocking shocking secrets about the church and his family.

Screen Media Has Announced A January Release For "The Sonata"

Screen Media has announced a January release date for "The Sonata". Directed by Andrew Desmond, the film stars Freya Tingley, Rutger Hauer, Simon Abkarian, and James Faulkner. It hits theaters and on VOD beginning January 10th.

After being informed of the sudden death of her long lost composer father (Rutger Hauer), a young virtuoso violinist Rose (Freya Tingley) inherits an old mansion in which he used to live. There, she discovers her father’s final work: a mysterious music score marked with strange symbols. With the help of Charles (Simon Abkarian), her agent and manager, she deciphers the symbols and, little by little, starts to unlock secrets concerning her father’s past, setting in motion the mechanisms of a somber plan imagined since the very day she was born. They soon discover that there’s more to the sonata in question than meets the eye which, when played, triggers and unleashes dark and terrifying forces.

New Official Trailer Released For BBC'S Upcoming 'Dracula'Mini Series

A new official trailer has been released for upcoming BBC/Netflix mini series 'Dracula'. The series comes from the 'Sherlock' creators and stars Claes Bang, John Heffernan, Dolly Wells, Sacha Dhawan, Jonathan Aris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, and Joanna Scanlan.

'Dracula' is set to premiere January 1st, 2020 on BBC, and January 4th on Netflix. Set in Transylvania in 1897, the blood-drinking Count is drawing his plans against Victorian London.

Supernatural Horror "No Sin Unpunished" To Debut On DVD This January

No Sin Unpunished is a horror film from production house King Windom. Developed by director Matt Green (Digging Up Graves), the film focuses on Taryn. Abused in a foster home, Taryn is killed to keep her quiet. From the grave, Taryn seeks the help of a clairvoyant, to uncover the secret of her death. No Sin Unpunished will release this January, through Monarch Home Entertainment. And, the film stars: Jonathan Horne (Your Worst Nightmare), Amber Erwin (The Gifted), Krissy Notes, Ron Prather and Alonzo Ward. A preview of this film’s impending release is available here.

The film’s official trailer shows more of Taryn’s (Erwin) struggle . After her death, the clairvoyant begins to have visions of Taryn’s murder. Searching for clues, this connection to the dead discovers evidence of an untimely death. But, the local authorities believe Hero (Horne)  is the one responsible for Taryn’s murder.

Monarch Home Entertainment will show No Sin Unpunished, on DVD, this January 21st. This release has not been rated. And, the DVD cover is available now, ahead of the 2020 release. Available for pre-orders, No Sin Unpunished blends the supernatural with the gifted, in this unique release.