Saturday, July 7, 2018

My Review Of "Beyond The Gates"


"Beyond The Gates" is directed by Jackson Stewart and stars screen legend Barbara Crampton, with Brea Grant, Chase Williamson, Graham Skipper. The film is an indie love affair with VHS 80's horror. With atmospheric synth music, dressed down sets and a kitchy straight from Full Moon Horror tale, "Beyond The Gates" is anot instant cult classic.

In the wake of their father's mysterious disappearance, two estranged brothers -- responsible Gordon and reckless John -- reunite to sift through the contents of his stubbornly anachronistic VHS rental store. Among the inventory, they discover an interactive VCR board game, which their father viewed just before he vanished. Intrigued, the boys pop in the tape, press play, and soon discover that, far from an ordinary game, the video is a portal to a nightmarish alternate reality.

The story is pretty basic and definitely classic. The characters are recognizable tropes found throughout 80's genre films, such as "The Gates" and "Night Of The Demons". At times the characters feel slightly two-dimensional and moments fall a bit flat, but never to a level that drops the energy of the story. An even-keeled balance and steady rise to the climax is maintained nicely right up to the horror popcorn thrills. Even the "sun shines down on all" ending scene comes of more sweet than cheesy.

The special effects in "Beyond The Gates" are great. The practical effects are visceral, on screen goodies than work perfectly. The spooky atmospheric and supernatural elements are totally 80's fun. Overall this is a nicely made, slice of indie cult delight. One for the collection. (4/5)

Supernatural Horror "Sniper Corpse" Trailer Release


Other Diminsion Films "Sniper Corpse" has released a trailer for the upcoming supernatural horror. The film is directed Keith R. Robinson and stars Tony Eccles, Gareth Gower, Kit Smith, and Jordan Murphy, with Howy Bratherton providing the voice of the resurrected soldier. A teaser was also released for the low budget film. 

Politicians have secretly been resurrecting British soldiers killed in combat to use them for top secret missions. However, the widow of one of the soldiers is determined to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy.






First Trailer Released For "Angel"

The first trailer has been released for upcoming horror "Angel". The film is directed by Tory Jones who also wrote the script.It stars Sonya Delormier, Cameryn Zupon, Tyler Riley, Chelsea Skalski, Brady A. Myers, and Talia Schade.


"Angel" follows a group of journalists hired by a wealthy contractor to search for clues about his daughter’s disappearance in an abandoned town.

New Netflix Thriller Series Focuses On Sigmund Freud


The upcoming thriller series Freud will be Netflix’s first original drama out of Austria and imagines the young psychoanalyst using his groundbreaking techniques and teaming up with a medium and a local cop to track a serial killer in 19th century Vienna.
Casting is underway on the eight-part series, which begins production this fall.

Lovecraftian Horror "Black Wake" This August


Internationally award winning scifi-thriller Black Wake is now available for pre-order on Amazon courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. This title becomes available on August 7, 2018, and it’s a Lovecraft inspired story with a hint of horror that you definitely don’t want to miss!
Specialists gather in a top-secret facility to investigate a series of strange deaths on beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. One of the team’s scientists examines video evidence to uncover a possible parasitic explanation for the fatalities. But when a determined detective sends her the crazed writings of a mysterious homeless man, the scientist slowly learns that the actual threat may be more dangerous — and far older — than anyone ever imagined. Can she convince her colleagues of the true danger before an ancient force rises from the sea to bring madness and death to all of humanity?
Nana Gouvea (Blood Circus), Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan), Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Vincent Pastore (“The Sopranos”), Johnny Beauchamp (“Penny Dreadful”), Chuck Zito (“Sons of Anarchy”), Jeremy Fernandez, Rich Graff, J.W. Cortes (“Gotham”), David Gere (The Purge: Election Year) and Kelly Rae Legault star in the feature film written by Jerry Janda, directed by Jeremiah Kip and produced by Carlos Keyes.
*Black Wake can also be pre-ordered on BestBuy.com and Target.com.

Follow Black Wake on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/blackwakemovie/.

Elvira Crashes Mary Shelley’s Monster Weekend This July

Elvira crashes Mary Shelley’s monster weekend, beginning an epic journey through horror history, stalked by the most terrifying nightmare to ever walk the Earth. (No spoilers!) Writer David Avallone (Bettie Page, Doc Savage, Twilight Zone) and Dave Acosta (Doc Savage) bring you the thrills, chills and double-entendres in the first chapter of this four-issue miniseries!



Played by actress-writer Cassandra Peterson, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark has carved out a niche in popular American culture that is sure to endure for decades to come. Elvira’s reign now spans thirty-five years and includes two nationally syndicated television series, two feature films (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and Elvira’s Haunted Hills), an IMAX movie and two motion control rides. She has appeared in National ad campaigns for Pepsi and Coors, recorded five music CDs, written four books and licensed over Four Hundred products including pinball machines, action figures, guitars, three comic book series, a beer, wine, soda pop, perfume, slot machines and the best-selling female costume of all time.

Writer: David Avallone
Art: Dave Acosta
Genre: Horror
Publication Date: July 2018
Format: Comic Book
Page Count: 32 pages
ON SALE DATE: 7/11/2018

Friday, July 6, 2018

A Slice of Fright Film Festival 2018 Official Poster

In honor of Independent's Day, CinemaSlice is extending a 2-week submission discount code for A Slice of Fright Film Festival!
If you have a short horror film or script, we want to see it!

Submit your films and scripts at FilmFreeway.com/SliceFest

The first 13 submissions to use the code: SoF2018 will receive a 25% discount off of the early bird submission fee.



MEET THE JURY

CinemaSlice is excited to announce our festival with jury members from 5 states


  • Nic White - Columbus, OH
  • John Sklba, Memphis, TN
  • Ray Clark, Bay City, MI
  • Justin Harlan, Philadelphia, PA
  • Kevin Hosey, Dallas, TX
  • Jarod Oertel, Saginaw, MI

Remember that all festival details can be found at CinemaSlice.com/FrightFest

Thanks for all of the support and most importantly for supporting independent film.

#SupportIndependentCinema #SliceThePlanet

Title Card Tease For "Alice Fades Away"

A title card teasing the upcoming psychological thriller "Alice Fades Away" has been released. The film, from writer/director Ryan Bliss, is currently in production and slated for February 2019. It stars  notable Ashley Shelton known for Something, Anything (2014), Sollers Point (2017),  Award winning Tommy Beadmore, Emmy Award winning Blanche Barker, British film and stage actress Joanna Pickering, and Paxton Singleton.


A troubled woman in 1950's New England stumbles upon an isolated farmhouse and is taken in by it's idealistic residents - until a murderous figure from her past arrives.


Read my recent interview with Director Ryan Bliss here.

Summer Release For Tsui Hask's "Detective Dee:The Four Heavenly Kings"


Tsui Hask's action fantasy mythos "Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings" is set to be released July 27th. The film stars Mark Chao, Feng Shaofeng, Lin Gengxin, Ethan Juan, Ma Sichun and Carina Lau. This international indie comes courtesy of WellGo USA Entertainment, check out the trailer below.

A bold and exciting new entry into the smash hit wuxia fantasy franchise from master action director Tsui Hark, DETECTIVE DEE: THE FOUR HEAVENLY KINGS sees the detective embroiled in his most difficult case yet. Accused of wrongdoing by Empress Wu, Detective Dee must defend himself against this formidable foe, all while investigating a crime wave that has engulfed the city, marked by strange and seemingly supernatural occurrences.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Trailer Released For Documentary "Hunt For The Skinwalker"


Check out the trailer for upcoming paranormal documentary "Hunt For The Skinwalker". The film is directed by Jeremy Kenyan Lockyer Corbell. Based on the book by George Knapp and Dr. Colm Kelleher, the documentary has a release date set for September 11th.

The most intensive scientific study of a “paranormal” hotspot in human history. Skinwalker Ranch is now famous throughout the world. For hundreds of years, myriad of frightening, seemingly paranormal events have been reported in the scenic basin surrounding the ranch, including orbs, UFOs, animal mutilations, unknown creatures, poltergeist-type activity, and many other inexplicable incidents. Shrouded in mystery, an exhaustive multidisciplinary scientific study was initiated and spearheaded by enigmatic aerospace mogul, Robert Bigelow. A team of PhD level scientists was deployed. The scientists and their investigators spent several years on the ground, interviewing witnesses, searching for explanations, and directly confronting an unknown intelligence. Recent headlines have revealed that a second publicly funded paranormal study was initiated by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) which hoped to determine if the phenomena at the ranch could be of concern to national security. Secrets have been kept. Big Secrets.
For more than two decades we have wondered about the mysteries of the Uintah Basin and the Skinwalker Ranch. This story can now be told. The film includes rare, previously unreleased footage and interviews recorded while the scientific investigations were underway.

Release Details For "The Watcher In The Woods" Remake

Release details have been announced for Melissa Joan Hart produced and directed remake of 80's cult classic "The Watcher In The Woods". The film aired last October on Lifetime Channel and is set to be released on DVD September 11th. It stars Angelica Huston, Tallulah Evans, Nicholas Galitzine, Dixie Egerickx, Rufus Wright, Melanie Gutteridge, and Benedict Taylor.


Jan Carstairs and her family who rent a manor in the idyllic British countryside, the owner, Mrs. Aylwood, notices that Jan bears a striking resemblance to her daughter, Karen, who disappeared over twenty years ago. Mrs. Aylwood warns Jan to stay out of the surrounding woods, and when strange occurrences unnerve the family, Jan suspects they are linked to what happened to Karen. As Jan begins to unravel the truth, she and her little sister, Ellie, may not be able to escape The Watcher in the Woods.

Go Behind The Scenes Of "The Predator"


"The Predator" reboot is much tauted, highly anticipated and dare I say -in an over saturated market of reboots- insanely warranted. The franchise is strong but both "The Predators" and second Alien VS Predator" films fell short of spectacular. Anyways. .. after the first trailer for 2018's "The Predator" (check it out here ), and prequel novel news  (check that out here), MTV has released their in depth BTS look.

Poster And Trailer Released For "Assassination Nation"

Along with release details for upcoming action horror "Assassination Nation" came the release of a new poster and trailer. The film is directed by Sam Levinson, who wrote the screenplay. "Assassination Nation" stars Odessa Young, Suki Waterhouse, Hari Nef, Abra, Anika Noni Rose, Colman Domingo, Maude Apatow, with Bill SkarsgÃ¥rd with Joel McHale and Bella Thorne.


High school senior Lily and her group of friends live in a haze of texts, posts, selfies and chats just like the rest of the world. So, when an anonymous hacker starts posting details from the private lives of everyone in their small town, the result is absolute madness leaving Lily and her friends questioning whether they’ll live through the night.



Assassination Nation hits theatres September 21st.

Check Out "Habit" Based On Cult Novel By Stephen McGeagh


From director Simeon Halligan (White Settlers, Splintered) and based on the cult novel by Stephen McGeagh, HABIT is a blood-drenched and intense claustrophobic film set in the underbelly of Manchester starring Jessica Barden from the hit Netflix show The End of the F***ing World and Showtime’s horror drama series Penny Dreadful.
This shocking, visceral and, very often, twisted tale also stars Elliot James Langridge (Northern Soul), William Ash (The Tunnel), Sally Carman (Shameless), Joanne Mitchell (Attack of the Adult Babies) and Roxanne Pallett (Wrong Turn 6).


HABIT centres around Michael (Langridge) who as a young boy, along with his sister, witnesses the suicide of his mother. Now an adult and trying to find his place in the world, Michael divides his time between the job centre and the pub. A chance meeting with Lee (Barden), an introduction to her Uncle Ian (Ash) and a heavy night on the streets of Manchester, lead to a job working the door at Cloud 9, a seedy massage parlour. After witnessing the violent death of one of the punters, Michael starts having increasingly blood soaked nightmares. Are they flashbacks or fantasies? Little by little, he finds himself being sucked into a dangerous twilight world that he doesn’t understand – but which he finds irresistibly attractive. Addictive even.
Tantalising, gripping, dark and audacious, HABIT landed in UK cinemas 29 June 2018 on a wave of anticipation after its World Premiere at GRIMMFEST 2017 and Best Feature and Best Screenplay awards at the New York City Horror Film Festival the same year. 

Release Details For Alien Thriller "UFO"


Check out the trailer for upcoming sci-fi alien thriller "UFO". The film stars 'X-FILES' Gillian Anderson. "UFO" co-starso  Ella Purnell, David Strathaim, and Benjamin Beatty. It hits DVD and Digital on September 4th. 




From writer-director Ryan Eslinger comes this tale of Derek (Alex Sharp), “a brilliant college student, haunted by a childhood UFO sighting, believes that mysterious sightings reported at multiple airports across the United States are UFO’s. With the help of his girlfriend, Natalie (Ella Purnell), and his advanced mathematics professor, Dr. Hendricks (Gillian Anderson), Derek races to unravel the mystery with FBI special agent Franklin Ahls (David Strathairn) on his heels.”

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Global Digital Releasing Picks Up Comedy Thriller "FOUND FOOTAGE"!


For three teenage friends, Lawrence (Jared Bess), Jeremy (Willy J. Sasso) and Tanner (Drew Byerly) life is pretty good in their own little bubble.  Tanner loves sports but has obviously been hit in the head one too many times. He also enjoys roughhousing with his good friend Jeremy who finds joy in musical theater and drama club. Unfortunately, his passion does not amount to any talent. And then there is Lawrence, the overweight angry guy with glasses who hates the world and has a dad that just might be a serial killer.


All is well in their world until Lawrence decides he’s tired of being bullied (although no actual bullying ever occurs) and the only time they find themselves in trouble with the popular kids is because they have instigated it. Regardless, the guys decide to take matters into their own hands by tricking six bullies into an abandoned warehouse with a trash can full of weapons. Secretly, they are recording everything, in hopes they will battle it out to the death a la Hunger Games. To say the least, it all goes ridiculously wrong!


Written and directed by Travis M. Riggs, Sasso and Byerly, FOUND FOOTAGE was previously released on a few platforms by POV Horror. GDR plans to expand the film's release worldwide across multiple platforms on July 10th, 2018.

The release will include multiple countries on Amazon Prime and iTunes, as well as additional platforms in North America, including TUBI TV and VUDU.


In advance of the film’s release, GDR is sharing the official trailer, poster and some stills. Be sure to check out the reversed engineered “Revenge of the Nerds-esq” comedy thriller FOUND FOOTAGE this month!

Title Teaser For Orion's "The Prodigy"

Orion has released a title teaser one-sheet for upcoming film "The Prodigy". The supernatural horror is directed by Nicholas McCarthy and stars Taylor Schilling,  Jackson Robert Scott, Peter Mooney, and Colm Feore. "The Prodigy" is currently slated for February 8, 2019 theatrical release.


This chilling story follows a mother concerned about her young son’s disturbing behavior and thinks something supernatural may be affecting him.

Teaser Trailer Released For "Abstraction"


Check out the official teaser trailer for Anthony Raus' upcoming horror "Abstraction". The film stars Mary Liz Adams, Gary Fizer, Ian Blake Salazar, Bella Robinson, and Allie Shoop. Raus is well-known for his previous film "The Audition", and looks to have this new tale of terror on the 2018 festival circuit.


Justine a once accomplished writer is currently on a press tour with her publisher Gabe, In an attempt to revitalize her career she isolates herself from any and all distractions while at the same time battling for the spotlight. But she soon comes to realize that she is being tormented by a character she wrote that ruined her creative drive 2 years earlier and has caused her career to plummet. The voices in her head have become louder than ever.

Chatting With "Alice Fades Away" Director Ryan Bliss


Ryan Bliss is a up-and-coming Director who is unafraid to explore the surreal, somewhat darker life. With films like "Rot" and "Clover" he plays on the emotional tug-of-war, between the self and the psychological horrors one endures, with compassion to the humanist exploration. Now Ryan Bliss has a new feature project, "Alice Fades Away", a stylized thriller slated for spring 2019.



"Alice Fades Away" stars the notable Ashley Shelton known for Something, Anything (2014), Sollers Point (2017),  Award winning Tommy Beadmore, Emmy Award winning Blanche Barker, British film and stage actress Joanna Pickering, and Paxton Singleton of Mike Flanagan The Haunting Hill House, among a rising cast. Ryan Bliss has assembled a stellar cast, and "Alice Fades Away" premise reads like a dark, timeless, classic. I had the opportunity to chat with Ryan about his new project, and the film's stars. Check out our interview, as well as some exclusive stills from the film below.




ASouthernLifeHow did the concept of "Alice Fades Away" come about?

Ryan Bliss: Post-WWII is a fascinating time to me. Most Americans were still healing from the wounds of the war, which then created a strong sense of community and of family values and prosperity. Alice is a character who completely rejects those ideals, making her someone out of place. I knew I wanted to do a character study on a person like her. But I wanted to do it using genre elements, most notably the home invasion angle.

ASoutherLife: What about the story really compelled you to want to make this movie,  and what do you hope fans take away from seeing it?
Ryan Bliss: More than anything, I hope the fans leave the film entertained. A movie with a message is nothing if it’s not entertaining. I want them to be thrilled, to be on the edge of their seat.

I was writing the film for well over a year and in that time it went through many variations. However, the core ingredients were always the same. Take the peaceful, idealistic early 1950’s and flip it on its head. I wanted to create two characters who go head to head. Alice, a woman trapped by the times who suffers an unspeakable tragedy, and Holden, a WWII vet turned assassin, hired by the family of Alice’s husband. The idea of this underestimated woman taking on a trained killer really excited me.



ASoutherLife: The film seems to blend the concept of idealistic life verses the uncontrolled one both environmentally and internally. Is that accurate?
Ryan Bliss:Yes, that’s very accurate. Well put. The group of people who take in Alice are not prepared for the uncontrollable id of Alice and the main antagonist, Holden, played by Timothy Sekk—who is superb. They represent the animalistic nature of the human condition.



ASouthernLife: I love the title, and the psychological implications have my attention. How was the writing process,  and how much of real experience did you draw inspiration when writing the story?
Ryan Bliss: Writing a story of this nature can be taxing. I knew I wanted Alice to be a flawed human being, but the real challenge was figuring out how unlikable to make her. She had to be disturbed enough to make everyone on the farm begin to question her, but relatable enough for the audience to side with her once the villain appears. Ashley Shelton pulled that off in spades and it would not have worked if it was not for her sympathetic and very human performance. I took the characters as far as I could in the writing process and then relied on the actors to give them the extra push to really make them their own. For example, Timothy studied American POW’s in WWII and found many disturbing, yet fascinating things which we then incorporated into the film.



ASouthernLife: What has it been like working with film legend Blanche Baker?
Ryan Bliss: Blanche was a joy to work with. She totally got the character and the movie we were trying to make. She is truly a professional and a sweetheart on top of that. On her last day on set, she gave me a jar of her homemade family honey. I’m saving it for a special occasion!



ASouthernLife: You have a strong female cast and added the talented Joanna Pickering to join Ashley Shelton (who plays Alice) and Blanche Baker. She is a great actress I am very familiar with, having followed her career from her avant garde performances in the UK and her Independent film projects here. What drew you to cast Miss Pickering for the role of Dylan?
Ryan Bliss: It was easy to spot Joanna’s passion for the project right from the start. She auditioned for the role and her initial read of the character won me over quickly. When I spoke with her soon after, it was clear she was the right person for the role of Dylan. Dylan’s character provides the backstory that drives the film so it was an important role for her to portray. I was also lucky with all my main cast—Jay Potter, Tommy Beardmore, Conor William Wright, Emily Eckes, Paxton Singleton, Nick Yiakoumatos and Benjamin Russell— check them and all the crew out on imdb. 



ASouthernLife: When can we expect "Alice Fades Away" to be ready for release?
Ryan Bliss: Expect Alice to be a theatrical release in US by spring of next year. We still have a little more filming before we wrap in a new location—in particular a scene involving an important character we just cast. I can’t say who just yet, but I’m excited to announce it very soon. The footage and performances we have already shot, helped the film evolve more than we imagined and it is attracting more major interest from star actors and regards distribution.

A special thank you to Jacqueline Cooper for photos from"Alice Fades Away"

"Alice Fades Away" IMDb

Monday, July 2, 2018

Trailer Release For Documentary "Wolfman's Got Nards"


Check out the trailer released for upcoming documentary "Wolfman's Got Nards" chronicling the effect the 1987 horror comedy "The Monster Squad" had on fans. The doc is directed by Andre Gower, who starred in the film. "Wolfman's Got Nards" is currently on the festival circuit.



Release Date Set For "Along Came The Devil"


Exorcism horror "Along Came The Devil" gets summer release date. The film, previously titled "Tell Me Your Name", is directed by James DeVan and stars Sydney Sweeney, Jessica Barth, Matt Dallas, Madison Lintz, Heather DeVan and Bruce Davison. The film hits theatres and VOD August 10th.

Based on true events, A young woman, who after a troubled childhood, unwittingly invites in a demonic force — leaving her loved ones battling for her soul.  


Trailer Release For "Book Of Monsters"


Press Release:
British horror ‘Book of Monsters’ will receive its World Premiere at the Frightfest 2018 film festival in London, UK on Saturday 25th August. In anticipation of the premiere screening, Dark Rift films have released the first teaser trailer and a new poster for the monster filled flick.
In Book of Monsters, six kick-ass women must fight off a horde of terrifying monsters at an 18th birthday party. Funded on Kickstarter in July last year, the film was the third highest funded horror film in the UK on the crowdfunding platform at the time and offered backers the unique opportunity to vote on which monsters would be included in the movie.
The stunning poster artwork was created by Tom Hodge aka ‘The Dude Designs’ who was also behind the poster art for Hobo with a Shotgun, Wolfcop and The Inkeepers to name a few.
Official synopsis:
“Sophie’s 18th birthday party becomes a bloodbath when six terrifying monsters descend upon her house, intent on devouring the party guests and killing anyone who tries to leave.
As her school friends are torn apart and eaten, Sophie must rally a band of misfits and take up arms to send their party crashers back to hell. To survive the night, Sophie will face her destiny; monsters are real – and she’s the only one who can stop them.
BOOK OF MONSTERS brings old-school practical creature effects and a dark comedic edge to make for a deeply entertaining monster movie.”
Book of Monsters stars Lyndsey Craine, Michaela Longden, Lizzie Stanton, Daniel S. Thrace, Anna Dawson, Rose Muirhead, Arron Dennis and Steph Mossman. Also starring is horror legend Nicholas Vince as Jonas, famous for his roles as the Chatterer in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser & Hellbound: Hellaiser II as well as Kinski in Nightbreed.
This is the second feature film by director Stewart Sparke and writer Paul Butler, whose previous film ‘The Creature Below’ premiered at London Frightfest in 2016 and has since been released on DVD & VOD around the world.
For tickets to the world premiere in London on Saturday 25th August visit the Frightfest website.
To learn more about Book of Monsters visit the film’s Facebook or Twitter pages.

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