First Trailer Released For Thriller Horror "The Hunt"

The first trailer has been released for upcoming thriller horror "The Hunt". The film is directed by Craig Zobel and stars Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, Emma Roberts, Justin Hartley, Ike Barinholtz, Glenn Howerton, Amy Madigan, Reed Birney, and Macon Blair. 

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, a group of globalist elites gathers for the very first time at a remote Manor House to hunt humans for sport. But the elites’ master plan is about to be derailed because one of the hunted, Crystal (Betty Gilpin), knows The Hunters’ game better than they do. She turns the tables on the killers, picking them off, one by one, as she makes her way toward the mysterious woman (Hilary Swank) at the center of it all.

Hex Studios Unleashes A Legion of Demons In 'For We Are Many'

The latest offering from the Scottish studio is a demon-themed anthology featuring 13 shorts produced especially for the project by up-and-coming directors from around the world. For We Are Many is the first of several anthology features in the works at Hex, and seeks to showcase the best of new and emerging talent in the genre.

The film stars a host of horror icons including Eileen Dietz (The Exorcist), Nicholas Vince (Hellraiser), and Laurence R. Harvey (The Human Centipede II). Each segment tells the terrifying story of a particular demonic entity, from a devastatingly sensual succubus, to a Native-American demon that drives its victims to cannibalism, and many more, ranging from the biblical to the Lovecraftian.

Following an open pitching process, the producers at Hex worked closely with the filmmakers to ensure that each short would feature unique and iconic creatures, bold, original stories and (literally) eye-popping practical effects. 

According to producer Lawrie Brewster of Hex, “A big part of our mission at Hex Studios has always been to provide a platform for, and shine a light on emerging talent. Working with so many supremely talented filmmakers to produce For We Are Many has been a fantastic experience, and we're all so proud of the film we've created together. We're already planning two further anthologies for next year which we'll be announcing soon, and which will, again, be open to all to submit pitches.”

After two years of production, For We Are Many is now almost complete, and set to première at London's legendary FrightFest. To support the release of the film, the producers have launched a Kickstarter campaign, where backers can pre-order copies of the film as well as Hex Studios' previous titles, books, T-shirts and exclusive plush toys of their infamous villain the Owlman.



Head over to their Kickstarter page to watch the trailer, check out the rewards on offer and support independent horror!

My Review Of "The Dark Within"

"The Dark Within" is a psychological shock horror from Director David Ryan Keith. Paul Flannery (Ghosts of Darkness), Kendra Carelli (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, “Maid to Order”), and Stephanie Lynn Styles (Check Point) star. The film blends classic metaphysics and psuedo-science with shock horror. 

The film concerns a disturbed man with unknown psychic abilities who tries to unravel the mystery of his parent's disappearance while battling his own demons.

The story mixes mysticism and science together for a supernatural horror show. There is a more than subtle nod to 80's cult horror, most notably 'Evil Dead'. Keith does offer a bit more creativity and originality in his approach. "The Dark Within", compared to other more recent retro horror homages, is slightly more experimental. Blending both the psuedo science of psychic ability manipulation and the more sinister exploration of the demonic essence, the film does establish a clear, interesting storyline.

All that being said, "The Dark Within" does have some flaws. For one thing the platform of experimenting with psychic abilities isn't developed strong enough to sell the plot point, and the whole struggle to reconcile ones past while battling internal demons drags out a little too long. In the film's defense despite the sluggish start, "The Dark Within" does finally get there about 45 minutes into it.

The horror elements are straight up, cool atmospheric tricks. The shock moments work, the CGI elements are quality displays that sell the whole demonic haunting aspects, and the creature design is awesome and creepy. The cinematography talents and shadowing really frame "The Dark Within" in a traditional 80's VHS horror style. And it all really kicks in around that 45 minute mark. I did find the choices for ending the film a bit cheap, but it creates an easy way of questioning the truth of the events we just saw. (3/5)

MIDNIGHT RELEASING ANNOUNCES "WICKED WITCHES" THEATRICAL

On August 9, Midnight Releasing sets free Wicked Witches, the creepy, witchy new horror jaunt from The Pickering Brothers.

After being thrown out of his home by his wife for being promiscuous, Mark finds himself back at Dumpling Farm, a place of youthful memories and parties, but things aren't quite right. His old buddy Ian, who has never left the place, is possessed by a group demonic, flesh eating Witches. Using Ian and his farm, these beautiful Witches honey trap Mark and his friends to consume their souls.

Duncan Casey, Justin Marosa and Samantha Schnitzler star in an “extremely entertaining and pretty damn evil”* film, in theaters and available on digital and DVD August 9.
 


The 10-city theatrical (cities to be announced), DVD and Digital release begins August 9.

My Review Of "Crown And Anchor"

"Crown And Anchor" follows James Downey (Michael Rowe), who is living a disciplined and straight edge lifestyle as a result of growing up with an abusive alcoholic father. His estranged cousin Danny (Matt Wells) is drowning his own trauma with drugs and booze. When their lives are forced to intersect once more, they each begin to unravel as the past returns with violent and tragic consequences.

"Crown And Anchor" is the directorial debut of writer/director Andrew Rowe. It stars Michael Rowe (‘Deadshot’ on TV’s Arrow), Matt Wells (“Designated Survivor”), Natalie Brown (“Saw V”), Robert Joy (“CSI : NY”), Stephen McHattie (“Orphan Black”) and Ben Cotton (“The X-Files”).

I have to admit, for a directorial debut Andrew Rowe sure meets his calling heading. "Crown And Anchor" rests somewhere between "Training Day" and "In Bruges". The attitude and pace of the film is more classic British thriller, but the incorporating of a dark and dingy cop in crisis hits more to the film styles this side of the pond. Appreciate considering the film is based from the point-of-view of a New Foundland native. 

The story stays really traditional with familiar tropes, recognizable characters and mixed with steeley, tense angst. Even though the originality suffers a bit, the characters and situational drama is captivating and at times rife with dark humor. The acting is stellar and the build to a moment when these two tragic characters clash is compelling. 

The suspense and intensity starts almost immediately in "Crown And Anchor". It gets stated in the beginning that some things have happened, we enter in the midst of the worsening chaos and things are only gonna get worse. Moments of botched criminal activity, interactions with unsavory characters, and a bit of blood and bandages bring in the thriller elements. The film could have easily been edited down about 20 minutes and still killed it, but overall "Crown And Anchor" is worth the watch. (3.5/5)

My Review Of "The Bastard Fig Tree"

"The Bastard Fig Tree" is a dark drama set during the time of the Spanish Civil War. The film is directed by Ana Murugarren and stars Karra Elejalde, Carlos Areces, Pepa Aniorte, and Jordi Sanchez. Playing against elements of political driven atrocities and redemption, "The Bastard Fig Tree" is part modern Fable and part period drama. 

During the Spanish Civil War, a fascist soldier becomes a hermit who is obsessed with a fig tree after looking into the eyes of a boy whose father and brother he killed.

Technically "The Bastard Fig Tree" isn't horror, though there is some horrific actions taken on behalf of horrific ideology. Still thanks to some gothically framed characters, haunting and fantasy-like cinematography there is an air of dark fairytale inspiration enveloping the story. Despite the more dark dramatic style of story telling "The Bastard Fig Tree" is a beautifully tragic, and captivating film.

The acting is superb. The characters are layered and familiar. And the story, even as it is set in a historical point, is very relevant to now. Ana Murugarren is very direct in telling the story as a classic morality tale. The use on the antagonist as transformative, becoming the protagonist and caretaker of the story's heart is brilliant.

The horror elements happen within very dramatic, chilling scenes where sheer cruelty and calculative action of man's own ideology. Violence and social cleansing of people who's views differ with such finality is horrifying. Fascists, Nazis, Death Squads, White Supremacy, all terrifying and disturbing similar. This makes "The Bastard Fig Tree" recognizable and relevant today as it is to history. The film is subtitled, but it is definitely worth watching. (4/5)

My Review Of "Crisis Hotline"

Written and directed by Mark Schwab, "Crisis Hotline" stars Corey Jackson, Christian Gabriel and Pano Tsaklas. This LGBTQ thriller exploits the darker aspects of gay culture, with relationship conflicts seething with cruel intentions, and the tragic repercussions. 

A cynical counselor at a crisis hotline finds himself in a life or death situation when a young man calls and threatens to kill three people and then himself. 

I love seeing gay representation in horror and sci-fi. Being gay myself I often wondered when a positive show of LGBTQ diversity was going to finally take hold in the only genres I like. We have made strides, and there is plenty of representation behind the camera and with onscreen talent. There's still work to be done when it comes to strong characters and storylines. 

Now, that being said, I was slightly disappointed with "Crisis Hotline". Meant to bring some gay flavor to the thriller genre, similar to "The Call", Mark Shwab's film is greater in concept than it is in execution. I liked what he has done here as a psychological drama, but as a horror thriller - no. 

The story creates a a situation which starts out building suspense, however that suspense never reaches a peak, it doesn't crash down into a thrill ride, all the supposed horror happens off screen, and what we are left with is a Logo channel version of a Lifetime movie. Which is cool if you're into that but I need actual horror in my horror movie. (2/5)