My Review Of "How It Ends"

Netflix Originals latest sci-fi thriller is the apocalyptic "How It Ends". The film is directed by David M. Rosenthal and stars a notable and recognizable cast that consists of Forest Whitaker, Theo James, Kat Graham, Nicole Ari Parker and Kerry Bische. The story is a straightforward,  dark-toned action adventure told in a dystopic manner.

When a mysterious disaster turns the country into a war zone, a young lawyer heads west with his future father-in-law to find his pregnant fiancée.

The story that Brooks McLaren offers is a doomsday situation, fueled by family drama and total upheaval of social norms, that is full of bluster and low on substance. The characters are developed and relatable, only the archetypes are structured on somewhat obsolete ideals. Luckily the performances are put together by some seasoned talent who manage to give life to this group of "survivors". Basically "How It Ends" plays out as a mismatched buddy roadtrip, but a dark, intense cross country trip through Armageddon.

Special effects, both CGI and practical, are worthy and well done examples of quality. The scene after scene moments of - "just how screwed life just got" - are blockbuster level and really give "How It Ends" one of its few good elements. The backgrounds and scenic aspects are cenamatic tablous. I even found no flaws with the music score.

The downfall for this one is the simple fact of writer and director choice. The lack of information that sets the scene for what and why we are in the apocalypse is absent. The relationships of these characters seem like intentional cliches with no real grasp on motivation or emotional investment in one another on a level that shows true understanding of objective. It kinda looks as if you get like storyboard in motion but not the substance that puts them all together. And the non-ending thing is annoying. Overall "How It Ends" is a mediocre movie that has as much wrong as it gets right. (2.5/5)

Trailer Release For Facebook Watch Series "Sacred Lies"

The official trailer has been released for upcoming fantasy drama series 'Sacred Lies', a 10 episode exploration into dark, whimsical fairytale, focusing on The Grimm Brothers - Handless Maiden, and Stephanie Oakes’ novel The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly.  'Sacred Lies' premiering Friday, July 27th at 9pm ET/6pm PT on the Sacred Lies show page!

In the newly released trailer, we dive deeper into the mystery of Sacred Lies and are introduced to some of the additional character fans will meet in the premiere episodes including Minnow Bly played by Elena Kampouris , Dr. Wilson, played by Kevin Carroll, Angel played by Kiana Madeira and Toby Huss as The Prophet.

Canadian Release Set For "Knuckleball"

Press Release:

Just before it premieres this Saturday July 21 at Fantasia Film Festival, Raven Banner Releasing slides in to pick up the rights to Knuckleball for Canada.

Raven Banner likes a good twisted thriller and Knuckleball hits it right out of the park with this nail-biting horror.

Directed by Mike Peterson (Lloyd The Conqueror) this is a feature you wouldn’t expect from the Calgarian director, and that’s a good thing. Keep them guessing. And that’s what you’ll be doing throughout this “R rated version of Home Alone.”

Henry is a 12-year old who finds himself cut off and alone on an isolated farm after his grandfather unexpectedly dies. The nearest neighbor finds out there’s no one to protect the young guy, and Henry becomes a target for reasons that are unknown. His parents are at least 24 hours from returning, and a massive snowstorm is brewing. Henry retreats into the house and prepares for a siege. What follows is a desperate battle for survival that will also unlock the terrifying connection between his family and the killer next door.

“The enthusiasm and genre expertise of Raven Banner is the perfect fit for Knuckleball,” says writer/director Peterson. “We’re looking forward to releasing the film in Canada with them.”

Knuckleball stars Luca Villacis (Channel Zero), Munro Chambers (Turbo Kid), Kathleen Munroe (The Void, Birdland) and Michael Ironside (Scanners, Total Recall, Stegman is Dead). Produced by Julian Black Antelope, Mike Peterson, Kurtis Harder (Still/Born) and Lars Lehmann. The film was financed by Calgary-based production company 775 Media Corp., with the assistance of Telefilm Canada.

Knuckleball will open theatrically across Canada this fall, followed up with iTunes and VOD.

New Poster Released For James Wan's "The Nun"

Filmmaker James Wan, director of the record-setting horror hits “The Conjuring” and “The Conjuring 2,” explores another dark corner of that universe with “The Nun.” Directed by Corin Hardy (“The Hallow”), the new fright-fest is produced by Wan and by Peter Safran, who has produced all the films in “The Conjuring” franchise. 

When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order’s unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in “The Conjuring 2,” as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the living and the damned.

The Nun” stars Oscar nominated Demian Bichir (“A Better Life”) as Father Burke, Taissa Farmiga (TV’s “American Horror Story”) as Sister Irene, and Jonas Bloquet (“Elle”) as local villager Frenchie.

The cast also includes Charlotte Hope (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) as the abbey’s Sister Victoria, Ingrid Bisu (“Toni Erdmann”) as Sister Oana, and Bonnie Aarons, reprising her “Conjuring 2” role as the title character.

Hardy directs “The Nun” from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman (“It”), story by James Wan & Gary Dauberman. Dauberman, Todd Williams and Michael Clear are the executive producers.

Poster And Trailer For Holiday Horror "Mrs. Claus"

Wild Eye Releasing has revealed the poster and trailer for upcoming horror "Mrs. Claus". The film is Troy Escamilla's homage to 1974's "Black Christmas". Originally titled "Stirring", Wild Eye plan to release the film later this year.

"Black Christmas" focuses a group of students attending a Christmas party at a sorority house with a sinister past who are stalked by a bloodthirsty killer. Scream Queen Brinke Stevens is set to star in the film alongside Helene Udy who appeared in the classic 1981 slasher "My Bloody Valentine" and indie horror actress Kaylee Williams.

Fan Film "Halloween: The Face Of Michael Myers" Announced

Let's face it,  Fan Films are fun! They don't always hit the mark, but they are the ultimate love letter to that something special, in this cause a horror mythos as iconic and legendary as Santa Claus and RuPaul- "Halloween" - to be more specific - the story of Michael Myers. Several earlier Fan Films have emerged over the years and personally, I hope they continue . And so do Hawthorne House Films, who has  announced an extended campaign on Indiegogo for upcoming "Halloween: The Face Of Michael Myers".

SYNOPSIS: Forty years after the malevolence that unsettled the suburban community of Haddonfield, IL, a new set of murders unravels the peace of this sleepy town. Dr. Benjamin Petersen (Matt Baca) is charged with the psychiatric evaluation of the young man who butchered his entire family, claiming the specter of Michael Myers entered his body to satisfy its bloodlust. The conversations between patient and doctor digs deep into the dark territory of Billy’s (Tom Robinson) fractured psyche that may unleash another blood-soaked Halloween night threatening Haddonfield with the violence that never really left, only hid beneath the veneer of the waspy enclave.

The development is being overseen by Vincente DiSanti, writer/director of the popular Friday the 13th fan film Never Hike Alone and executive produced by Volumes of Bloodcreator P.J. Starks who are lending their assistance and expertise to this production. With cast and crew assembled, the project is seeking to fulfill a $13,000 fundraising goal on the Indiegogo platform. Offering a variety of unique and inspired horror perks for donating fans, the perks include exclusive pins, posters, shirts, and more! The campaign begins July 24th and runs through August. Production is slated to begin late August/Early September with a October 2018 release.



Facebook: @HawthorneHouseFilms, Twitter: @HawthorneMovies and Instagram: @HawthorneHouseFilms.

New Images Reveal The Insanity That Is "Mandy"

Tons of new images reveal the insanity that is "Mandy". The film is a new horror experience starring Nicholas Cage and directed by Panos Cosmatos. It hits theatres September 14th and costars  Andrea Riseborough, Linus Roache, Ned Dennehy and Olwen Fouéré with Richard Brake and Bill Duke.

"Pacific Northwest. 1983 AD. Outsiders Red Miller and Mandy Bloom lead a loving and peaceful existence. When their pine-scented haven is savagely destroyed by a cult led by the sadistic Jeremiah Sand, Red is catapulted into a phantasmagoric journey filled with bloody vengeance and laced with fire.”